However, Hiding is Futile (2)
It wasn't like I'd gone to great lengths to hide it. I'd simply accomplished what needed to be done. So there was no reason to boast about my achievements. But concealing the facts went against a noble's demeanor as well.
In the end, it's all because of this exhausting personality of mine.
I glanced at my smartphone before picking up my teacup.
Clink—
"How excessively dramatic."
What a refreshingly straightforward impression. If it were the old me, that is. Tea time? Bullshit. My heart would've been pounding so hard I couldn't sleep. Explosive? No, that wasn't enough. It was nuclear-level fallout.
First off, the footage of the battle with the colossal evil released by Gaon.
Of all things, that moment got recorded.
They said it was originally for analyzing monster patterns. Thanks to my image being caught by chance, I'd thrown them a bone. I could still vividly picture Reporter Jeong Manseok flinching at my words.
"One need only believe it."
I sounded like some cult leader. But who could easily believe that? That I held authority in the Yusra Kingdom. It was tantamount to saying I'd achieved monumental feats there and built immense connections and influence on that foundation.
Monumental feats on that scale at this point in time? Any reporter with instincts would've pieced it together. That I'd saved the Yusra Kingdom from the colossal evil. That I was the protagonist of a world-class message.
So of course they couldn't believe it. The colossal evil, incarnation of Gluttony among the Seven Deadly Sins. It was level 650, a demon-type monster, after all.
"In the end, it was merely a pathetic demon."
I could say it so brazenly now. But without the Lion Heart Knights, Gaon, and Berserker's help... I wouldn't have even found it in the vast Golden Palace, let alone fought properly before running out of mana.
But only I knew those details. And thanks to some editing, I looked strong even to my own eyes in the footage. It almost felt like watching a hero movie.
Yeah, everything was great.
...Except for one thing.
Goddamn black history.
This damn motormouth is always the problem...!
Now is the time to correct past mistakes. O nameless king.
Hakuna had gotten his chance to correct his mistakes. When the hell was my time to fix my black history coming?!
Most humiliating of all? That footage was topping NetTube and every portal site.
What did that mean? My love-hate family had messaged me.
Even attached the video link.
But when are you dropping that chuuni concept?
Nah, keep it going. The reactions are fire~
Number two, Lee Jiyun, sent not one but three messages.
Arang says her uncle's like a prince and she's losing it!
She asks when she can see you like 10 times a day.
Big sis, Lee Eunhye.
......Yeah, big sis is sweet. Not like that was her intent, but.
......Arang-ah. Don't think about seeing your uncle for a while.
The attached photo. Arang beaming innocently at me on TV. This feeling of my niece uncovering my black history. The shame was indescribable.
Of course, I showed no sign of it. Posture ramrod straight. I replied with serene, almost reverent composure.
Goddamn etiquette and decorum. Being polite to one's elders is only natural.
Immediately, a message from the enemy.
......Whatever. Arguing would just tire me out more.
Still, it was a relief. Then came big sis's long message.
Anyway, thanks to you, the family's worries are put to rest. You're such a good son today.
Today, I was the ultimate filial son.
Now they can just worry about me from here on out.
I was the one pouring oil on the rising flames.
Yeah, Shinwa Guild.
Shinwa Guild was paying dearly for pissing me off. Hiding behind the media meant they were taking the full backlash now.
"However, it is insufficient."
Netizen comment bombs alone weren't enough.
If it weren't for that interview.
I wouldn't be suffering this humiliation. I slowly tilted my teacup, sharpening my blade of revenge. I'd return this shame tenfold...
*
A game of chicken was underway among the broadcasters. Who'd shove a camera in Lee Hoyeol's face first?! His current buzz was indescribable. Just getting a solo shot of him guaranteed at least 20% ratings.
But.
"Unless you're crazy for ratings..."
"Who wants to crawl into that tiger's den?"
"His prickly personality's probably even pricklier now."
No one dared step up. Lee Hoyeol had always been hard to cover. Now it turned out he soloed a level 650 monster. And unlike before, he'd publicly shown his displeasure.
Today Arcana PD Hyun Yongseok—aka the ratings maniac—had to back off too.
"Jongjin almost died in that helicopter not long ago. Can't send him to his death again. I'll hold back this time, Jongjin-ah."
If even Hyun Yongseok was like that, the other stations were obvious. Give up on Lee Hoyeol. But they weren't just sucking their thumbs.
Not quite Lee Hoyeol level, and totally opposite vibe, but there was one guaranteed ratings goldmine.
"So what's Shinwa Group's HQ reaction?"
Shinwa Group building. The photo line was packed with cameras and reporters.
Shinwa Guild—essentially a Shinwa Group subsidiary—had been publicly sniped by Lee Hoyeol.
Flash—
A reporter testing flashes muttered.
"Man, Shinwa's no joke."
"Yeah, who expected a head-on charge?"
"Players' minds are impossible for normies like us to follow."
Shinwa Guild master Baek Isul responded to Lee Hoyeol's interview immediately.
Mind-blowing attitude, even on second look.
The anchor, loosening his jaw and reviewing the script, said to the director.
"They just straight-up admitted it? Hiding sleazily, playing dirty tricks—all them. Everyone who mattered already knew, but..."
"They could've denied it to the end. Look at our station—Shinwa's got the bigwigs by the throat."
"Yeah, newsroom was full of complaints. 'Why are we the punching bag?'"
With public opinion turned, a frontal assault?
"They've got something up their sleeve?"
The director replied to the mumbling anchor.
"Ah, first time seeing Baek Isul in person?"
"...? Yeah, real deal."
"Then you'll get it soon. Watch."
"Huh? What?"
"You'll see where that confidence comes from."
"...?"
Seeing would tell all. The mystery only grew. But not for long.
"Whoa! She's out!"
Flash—!
Baek Isul appeared at the photo line. Flashes poured down. But she didn't flinch. Coat draped over her shoulders. Provocative outfit peeking below. But her dazzling looks outshone it all.
Baek Isul. The source of her confidence. As promised, the anchor realized upon seeing her.
......This goes beyond pretty.
She was bewitching. Something hypnotic about her. Enough to make you forget your job.
The director poked the dazed anchor.
-What're you doing? Cue's dropped!
"......!"
The anchor snapped to.
"Yes, I'm here live in front of Shinwa Group HQ!"
...
Mage Tower. Even at the portal, Baek Isul was mobbed. Reporters backed off, but NetTubers swarmed. Prime clickbait for views.
Obvious angles everywhere.
"Back in my rift-grinding days, Shinwa Guild screwed me over plenty! Yeah, tell 'em no fakes? How'd you know?"
Extremes. Lee Hoyeol riding high. Shinwa Guild at rock bottom.
Whatever the outcome, good show, free popcorn. Perfect for NetTubers.
"Right? Our big bro Hoyeol will deliver justice proper!"
Play the Hoyeol side mildly.
"As expected from viewers—sharp points."
Stir some tension mildly.
Rake in donations while gauging the mood. Gather viewers.
"Shall we go wild with reactions cheering for Hoyeol oppa? What? Cheering Hoyeol but why am I getting the cash? Gotta eat too..."
The commotion around her. She just scoffed softly.
Go on, yap away.
Fools. The tide would turn soon enough.
Baek Isul—no, the succubus—headed for the portal. Baek Isul's lingering memories explained what portals were and their role.
The succubus clicked her tongue at her followers.
Foolish humans.
Annoyingly persistent. Soon, the Yusra Kingdom entered her view. It carried a hometown vibe. Or second hometown, precisely. She was a demon born in hell, after all.
The succubus beelined for the Golden Palace.
That'll be mine soon.
Lee Hoyeol. She never imagined he'd resist her temptation. After possessing Baek Isul, she'd grown rapidly.
Yes, in Baek Isul's memory terms...
Leveled up, huh.
Enough to rival high demons. And Lee Hoyeol was just a man, after all.
"What business do you have?"
Unlike the knight blocking her, it was Jessica who halted her. Lion Heart Knights served as Yusra royal guards.
Baek Isul's lips twitched.
"I'm Baek Isul. Here to see Lee Hoyeol."
Jessica wasted no words.
"Outsiders may not enter. Please wait."
Jessica left after speaking. But the succubus's eyes were sharp.
Innocently naive.
Trusting Lee Hoyeol that much.
Men are all the same.
Imagining Jessica's disappointed face already felt ecstatic. So the wait wasn't dull. Plus, the chatter around her.
"Finally here?"
"Perfect timing, subscribe please."
"......Me go in? How? You guys are too much! Die to Lion Heart swords?!"
Jessica returned.
"......?"
But oddly, her lips curved faintly upward.
Jessica wasted no words again.
"He says leave."
......Wait, what? S-send her back?
The succubus was dumbfounded. No way. She must not have relayed properly.
"Did you tell him right? Shinwa Guild's Baek Isul is here..."
Jessica nodded immediately.
"No time to waste on meetings today. Send her away."
She continued coldly.
"That's exactly what he said."
Silence flowed between them—
"......"
But the NetTubers wouldn't stay quiet.
"......What? Not just rejected—straight-up shut down?"
"He said no time to waste, right? Meaning meeting Baek Isul is a waste...?"
"B-brothers! Baek Isul just got properly dumped?!"