However, Hiding is Futile (1)
Minkook Ilbo reporter Jeong Man-seok's fingers danced across his laptop. Tap tap tap!
He hadn't held even a shred of hope.
Who was Lee Hoyeol? Among the countless players he'd seen, none had a more unbelievable track record! And Hoyeol's personality was infamous even at the news desk. Getting an interview from him was like reaching for the stars. Those cold eyes radiated killing intent. At that level, it wasn't just a concept—it was real. It felt like walking into a slaughterhouse on your own two feet.
"...What if he thinks it's rude and buries me with magic?"
He couldn't help but worry for real. The questions he'd been handed were ridiculous even by his own standards. No matter that they'd come from upstairs. This was straight-up asking him to take Shinwa Guild's side.
"As if Lee Hoyeol would answer that nicely. Yeah right."
But a salaryman's lot was to dig if told to dig. Clutching his pounding heart, Jeong Man-seok approached Hoyeol and posed the question. Please don't bury me alive. He prayed desperately.
And yet.
"Jackpot. Total jackpot...!"
What was this? The mighty Lee Hoyeol had granted an interview. Not even a one-word answer. By Hoyeol's standards, it was incredibly sincere. Jeong Man-seok couldn't help but do a little shoulder dance. Tap tap tap!
"To snipe them so openly like this."
No sneaky hiding. No obvious cheap tricks. Just a reporter jotting it down, but Jeong Man-seok felt a thrill of honesty.
...Feels like that heavy feeling in my chest is lifting?
How many reporters, including himself, had suffered? The past few days writing unwanted Shinwa Guild articles had felt like his fingers were rotting off.
In that situation, Hoyeol had openly targeted the culprits. Suddenly, his dancing fingers paused.
"But what does this mean?"
Reveal yourself before me with dignity. That much he got. But all authority resides with me? Jeong Man-seok wondered.
"...Nah, no way. It can't mean that authority, right?"
Authority. A function activated for players who owned territories. That was from back when Arcana was just a game. No precedent for a player's territory updating into reality.
He shook his head. Even if he'd soloed Greed, one of the Seven Deadly Sins incarnations, no way.
"That's just impossible."
No matter how incredible Hoyeol was, it was natural he hadn't built that kind of relationship or influence in Yusra Kingdom. Jeong Man-seok guessed at the meaning.
"Maybe like, buddies with King Hakuna or something?"
That seemed more plausible. Anyway, that wasn't the point. Jeong Man-seok stretched his sore wrist.
"Whatever it is, it's a massive exclusive. This is gold."
And a solo scoop at that. No risk of someone stealing it. He'd pour his heart into it out of gratitude to Hoyeol. Just as his fingers moved again.
Vrrr— His smartphone buzzed. It was the section chief.
This must be how it feels to ace the civil service exam.
"Ahem." Jeong Man-seok cleared his throat and hit accept.
A frantic voice came through.
-Jeong! You meet Lee Hoyeol yet?
Meet? He'd nailed a full interview straight from HQ. Jeong Man-seok replied leisurely.
"Yes, I did."
But the reaction was off.
-Really? You got to him quick? Still interviewing? Near him right now? Then revise that article NOW! Ditch the Shinwa Guild questions!
"...Pardon? What? Ditch what?!"
Hold on—this was an interview he'd risked his life for. For a split second, tears welled up.
Whether sensing it or not, the barking continued.
-What, Jeong Man-seok? You haven't seen the video that just dropped?
"...Video?"
Oh crap. At those words, Jeong Man-seok frantically checked the group chat. There was a NetTube link. From Gaon Server.
"?"
The video showed Yusra Kingdom revealed to the world.
"...He wasn't just talking big?"
The truth of that day was there.
Someone has uncovered the secret of the Yusra Archipelago.
The ancient kingdom, Yusra Kingdom, reveals itself.
That "someone" was Lee Hoyeol!
Gaon's video captured Hoyeol's battle with Greed, incarnation of Gluttony.
The intro showed Greed's overwhelming pressure.
Right—the thing was a Lv.650 demon monster. Even rankers couldn't cope. Nam Taemin and Leoni weren't weak.
So the impact of the next scene was massive.
Hoyeol advanced toward Greed, shrugging off the status effect like nothing.
The camera angle shifted with him.
Not enough—when Hoyeol spoke, Nam Taemin and Leoni shook it off too.
His voice was captured perfectly.
Comments on that part were endless.
Heard casually, it sounded cringy. But the dramatic context made it epic. Without Hoyeol, Nam Taemin and Leoni might've died.
That alone was heroic. But the unbelievable unfolded next.
Facing Hoyeol, Greed faltered.
Then the demon hunt began. It was a hunt, nothing else. One-sided toying.
A feast of colorful magic filled the screen.
Hard to describe. In that instant, how many skills chained? Viewers replayed in slow-mo dozens of times, but the verdict was unanimous.
Unable to counter properly, mumbling Greed, incarnation of Gluttony. It even groveled with an offer.
Gulp— Plenty swallowed hard. Irresistible offer.
But Hoyeol's reply was firm.
No hesitation. Icy voice. Battle over.
Begging for life, Greed, incarnation of Gluttony. As Hoyeol said—even a great evil was pathetic before him.
No mercy. Silver dagger in hand.
Slash— Hoyeol slit its throat.
Hoyeol crowning the freed king of Yusra.
End credits rolled.
Someone has uncovered the secret of the Yusra Archipelago.
The ancient kingdom, Yusra Kingdom, reveals itself.
The ripple spread beyond NetTube worldwide. Breaking news standard. Emergency broadcasts too.
"Didn't I tell you? Lee Hoyeol's a top ranker who hid his info. Proof in video form!"
All about Hoyeol. Yet the mystery grew.
"Even analyzing the fight, no clue! Class unguessable. Mage line for sure, but..."
"At least Lv.500. No, 550 maybe."
"...Makes sense he'd hide his rank. Soloed Greed, etched history—without bragging?"
So the question: Why release now? Joke about editing time? The answer came unexpectedly—from a Korean daily.
Any Korean would get it instantly. Comments exploding in real-time.
A declaration of war against the sleazy chaebol Shinwa Guild and elites who'd crossed him. Straight-backed as ever.
*
Shinwa Group, vying for Korea's top 1-2 in business. At their symbol, Seoul Deluxe Miss Hotel's top-floor private suite. Two people who shouldn't be together were there. Well, just sharing space. The man lay alone on the bed.
"Pathetic, lost in an erotic dream."
Baek Isul, Shinwa Guild master. She gazed at the man enthralled in ecstasy.
"Where's that initial fire? So foolish."
Drowning in pleasure, unable to distinguish dream from reality, he'd abandon all for her. Fame, family, even life.
"Like those idiots."
Hmph— Baek Isul snorted briefly. Vital energy flowed from the man into her. Her pupils turned pitch black.
Flicker— Seoul Deluxe Miss, one of the world's top hotels. Especially the secret VIP private suites. With their security, flickering lights were impossible. So the meaning was simple.
"Not long before I become a high demon."
Baek Isul was possessed by a demon. She looked out the window—not at the Han River, but her reflection.
"How's it feel? Getting closer to your goal, my dear?"
A long white finger caressed the reflection's face. A seductive voice followed.
"Maybe not exactly your way. But regret won't change it now."
Her lips curved. A demon's deceit for sure.
"Still, the day we topple it isn't far."
Vitality absorbed, business done. Baek Isul left the suite. Her attendant secretary followed, voice laced with panic.
"President, did you see the article?"
"Lee Hoyeol's interview?"
"...You knew? Sorry! Just in case."
She'd knocked the man out upon entering. Plenty of time for Baek Isul to check news on her phone. The secretary flinched at her calm.
...She knew. One slip and...
Everything about Shinwa Guild. Even these meetings. All exposed.
Yet no agitation from Baek Isul.
"Lucky it's not Leoni."
"...?"
"Things could've gotten messy."
Her words deepened the secretary's confusion. Baek Isul stroked her cheek.
"Don't worry."
"P-President...!"
"Always in your debt."
Natural to wonder. The secretary couldn't imagine she was a succubus. Nor that she herself was a victim of erotic dreams. Not just her. Government officials sprawled on beds. Tycoons, supernovas, even rankers. Countless victims bolstered mid-rank demon succubus Baek Isul's confidence.
Soloed Greed?
Even if true, no matter.
Heh. Guess it lacked true great evil qualities.
Lee Hoyeol, a man. Couldn't escape her temptation.
Baek Isul withdrew her hand.
"He demands I show myself. Guess I must. But how much? Need bolder outfit?"
Her eyes curved.
"Clear tomorrow's schedule."
To Yusra Kingdom, to meet Lee Hoyeol. Baek Isul—no, the succubus—dreamed big.
High demon? I might become great evil!
Heading there of her own accord. Unaware it was predator territory.