If It's For Me (1)
In the political arena, admitting guilt means it's over.
"Wh-what is this?!"
"Obvious. Information leaked from the inside."
"……!!!"
"C-could there have been some kind of bugging device at that location?"
"Before that."
A sharp voice from an aged politician cut through the flustered crowd.
"Are you all innocent?"
Even if the president was laying down the law, they had to deny it desperately to create an escape route.
But who could have imagined?
That Lee Hoyeol would open a portal himself to the Blue House for the honor of two families, converse with the president, and extract a pledge from him.
Not even Hoyeol himself could have predicted his own actions.
Though the exact circumstances were unknown.
"They say they obtained the list…… Right?"
"Does that even make sense?"
"It's just to scare us."
"What wind is blowing through the Blue House to make them act like this?"
These people had held uncountable positions in politics.
They weren't rookies who hadn't seen careers end over naive confessions.
Yes.
In times like this, stonewalling was the basics—and common sense—of political survival.
But common sense didn't apply to the current developments.
"Knew it, you little rats."
Number who turned themselves in for leniency: 0.
"Not letting me down."
The moment President Jeong Han-taek's patience hit rock bottom, the full investigation began.
"N-no……! Arresting a congressman who represents the people…… Urk!"
Parliamentary immunity? That only worked before the cataclysm.
Times had changed, and so had the laws.
Before the cataclysm, "selling out the country" was just a metaphor.
Sure, commit a few corrupt acts, but in peacetime, the nation wouldn't truly wobble.
But after the cataclysm, it was different.
With superhuman players existing, the state had to be even more vigilant about security and information.
Yes, the new common sense.
The law of the new era.
One even the public had to nod to.
The media, most sensitive to public reaction, was abuzz.
VBC.
"Hoo."
Hyun Yong-seok, attending the meeting, struggled to hold back laughter.
Sitting quietly and scanning the attendees, it was crystal clear.
Wow, so many accepted the offer?
Especially the news desk.
All faces pale, heads bowed.
Who knew watching your house burn could be this fun?
Hyun Yong-seok sipped his coffee obnoxiously.
"Think it over carefully."
The meeting summary was simple: Turn yourselves in and save face.
With even badge-wearers arrested without mercy, could mere journalists play dumb?
What kind of lunatic with that skill would stick around a network?
"Jongjin. Feeling great this morning."
"Your face is glowing, sunbae."
"They called me what? A psycho?"
Hyun Yong-seok survived the broadcasting jungle through pure skill.
Hence the doubled satisfaction.
"That's the result of your great networking? Handcuffs?"
Rumors of some bosses packing up already.
Nothing more delightful than a hated superior's dishonorable exit—no severance.
"Heh heh heh."
"Sunbae, you look super creepy right now."
"Hey, Jongjin. Listen."
"……?"
The giggling lasted a moment.
VBC's certified madman switched to manic work mode.
Hyun Yong-seok continued with gleaming eyes.
"Think a person changes overnight?"
"……Impossible, probably?"
"Right. So why would the president, stubborn on laissez-faire, suddenly—late at night, even breaking news—round up the traitors?"
Yoon Jongjin pondered, then answered.
"No idea? What is it?"
"I don't know either!"
"What? Then why ask?"
Hyun Yong-seok clenched his fist.
"That's our job from now on."
"What?!"
"Who pressured the Blue House…… No, pressure sounds off? Yeah! Who wielded that benevolent influence to get all the traitors swept up overnight? Uncover that, and it's a massive scoop!"
"……Th-that's true, but."
That meant digging into the Blue House.
He knew he was crazy, but this reckless?
Yoon Jongjin felt dizzy already.
Of course, Hyun Yong-seok kept scheming.
"Timeline-wise…… Something happened afternoon to evening…… Around when the Mage Tower's chief exposed Cheonha Tongil's true face and chaos erupted, right? Wait. What was Hoyeol up to then?"
*
Nam Taemin lowered his voice.
"This is a real mess."
Quiet, but seething with anger.
And rightly so.
Info on him and the Giant Alliance hitting three caves simultaneously had leaked to Cheonha Tongil.
I flinched inwardly.
We prepared so meticulously……?
They planned to offer sacrifices to the colossal evil while I focused on the cave.
Almost missed it.
Though I overlooked the crucial part.
My class: Demon Hunter.
The absolute Predator-Prey Relationship with demons.
Thanks to it, I wrapped up the cave raid and hunted the Seven Deadly Sins' Envy.
Made me rethink.
Is this why secrets matter?
The importance of "concealment."
If they knew I was a Demon Hunter……
Someone like Ryu Ojuncheon would've planned even more meticulously for the sacrifice.
Beyond shame, this wasn't trivial.
Exposing a hidden card, in a way.
Objectively, I was shrouded in mystery.
Level, class—not clearly revealed.
But Envy hunt dropped clues.
Akshan.
Demon Hunter.
Claudy.
Not conclusive alone.
All sorts of magic, swordsmanship, High El, Diend……
Thanks to diverse means, no strong Demon Hunter association.
Grateful for that.
Demon Hunter's pathetic skill window.
Who'd imagine me as one?
Back when Arcana was just a game, countless players deleted chars raging at Akshan and Demon Hunter traps.
Mid-thought, Nam Taemin continued.
"I'm truly sorry about this, Hoyeol. You kindly made time, and info leaked internally."
Grandfell, ever merciful to humans.
Victim's not at fault.
The betrayer is.
Good—Nam Taemin got it.
"Definitely a new analyst."
Giant Alliance massively expanded analysts for cave prep.
Spy slipped in there.
Nam Cheolmin already moving.
—"We'll deliberately leak false info and monitor. Track which leaks out to catch the tail."
Everyone has specialties.
Baek Isul, Nam Cheolmin……
More reliable allies, the better.
Of course, I'd shine in mine too.
Nam Taemin scratched his head sheepishly.
"Anyway…… Wanted to clear without your help if possible. Ending up needing it…… No face left. Haha."
Unlike Hisagi and Leoni, he soloed to the cave depths.
Realized levels aren't everything.
Class quest.
Started post-Frost liberation.
Gap with those two widened noticeably.
Demon Hunter alone……
Infamously meager skills.
But class quest netted unique ones.
Akshan's Legacy.
Akshan's Guardian.
Tricky triggers, but potent effects.
His Barbarian? Likely broader, superior uniques.
I nodded slowly.
"You've toiled in the shadows."
"Nah."
"Shall I handle the finale?"
Boss loot's generous.
Not quite same boss, but recall Envy drops?
First, level jumped 50 to cap.
Bigger reward: colossal evil drop.
Was curious.
Second kill, first loot.
Demons slain possessed didn't drop.
Greed was in Hakuna.
Expectations high—weightier than demon kings.
Didn't disappoint.
◈ Restriction: Unknown
◈ Effect: Sealed
◈ Description: Cursed by a demon; effect sealed. Must purify to reveal true effect.
Second legendary after Guiche!
Can't guess effect pre-purification, but having felt Guiche's power……
Whatever it is, jaw-dropping performance.
One concern: Affinity.
Learned from Guiche: Legendaries have special "affinity" restrictions.
Guiche recognized me as owner from raw state—high affinity, no issue.
This is different.
But a backup: Guiche title.
Dust to mountain—even slight is better than none.
Thus, to Nam Taemin's reply, I gathered my thoughts.
"Of course. What I need isn't EXP or loot—it's experience. I'll etch it all in my mind. Your movements, Hoyeol!"
……Intensely burdensome resolve.
But no time for false humility.
Thanks to Harkon's teachings, Nam Taemin now emanated Sword Energy.
Including Hisagi, Leoni, others.
Still Sword Ray, mind you.
Might help him.
Anyway, this chat reminded me.
Pre-reentry talk with Nam Cheolmin.
—"Seeking commander's permission."
Want my cave footage for training?
No commander rejects boosting forces via education.
I nodded generously.
But.
What to train? Anything to learn from my flailing?
……
What to teach? Simple.
A sound thrashing.
Nam Cheolmin ground his teeth in fury.
Still don't know their place?
Spy among analysts?
Thought a few spies could bridge the gap with the commander?
Truly clueless, Ryu Ojuncheon.
Nam Cheolmin muttered.
"If you won't learn, I'll force it."
Permission granted.
Click—
Hoyeol's footage went public.
The world flipped again.