Chapter 217
Chapter 217
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 217
>Chapter Title: Surrounded by Fans
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A thick, masculine voice.
Unlike the voice that made real men look tame, its owner—a hairy middle-aged man—was brimming with shyness.
He was dressed in plate armor, like a tank, and the sight of his flushed face was utterly unbalanced.
“……What?”
“Could you give me an autograph? I’m a huge fan.”
Startled by the unexpected request, I flinched as the man held out a piece of paper.
Taking his cue, the other players who had been watching cautiously began to gather one by one.
“Me, me too!”
“Would it be possible for me as well? I’ll treasure it as a keepsake.”
“I-I’d just like a handshake, if I may.”
“Kyaa! I saw the video. You’re so cool, oppa.”
“Hyung! It’s my dream to be like you! Teaching Berje a lesson was so satisfying!”
By the time I snapped out of it, hundreds of players had surrounded us.
And that was just the ones I could see—beyond them, even more were glancing our way, waiting for their chance.
Men still outnumbered women, but the popularity rivaled a top star’s fan meet-and-greet.
-Kehm! W-what about me?
-Liza!
Excited by the attention, Jihad and Eliza timidly pointed to themselves.
The players finally noticed them and shouted.
“Huh? It’s the robe!”
“Can we see your face just once? Is it face-obscuring magic? How come we can’t see it at all?”
“There was a rumor it might be a dwarf—is it true?”
“Idiot, how could a dwarf use black magic!”
“Oh, right? Anyway, summoning that undead legion was super cool!”
-Keh, kehm! Right? Keruk!
Jihad, thrilled by the spotlight, straightened his shoulders and wiped his nose.
-Liza! Liza-liza!
Jealous that only Jihad was getting attention, Eliza bounced around, trying to draw eyes to herself.
The female players reacted to Eliza’s antics.
“Oh my, that’s the one that was hanging around with Charlie, right? It really is a spider.”
“Spiders are creepy…… but this one’s cute. The more I look, the more those big eyes sparkle, like a fluffy little furball.”
“Whoa, did it just rub its face on your finger? Amazing! So adorable!”
“Is this thing really a guardian? Not a pet spider?”
With it hopping around like a fuzzy puffball, the women were completely smitten with Eliza’s cuteness.
At first, Eliza flinched from the sudden attention, but soon started rubbing her face against my finger.
The women’s cheers grew even louder.
-……Ahem!
Charlie cleared his throat awkwardly while watching his two companions and his lord.
He tried standing as sternly as possible to guard his lord’s side, even stepping forward once, but nothing changed.
“Charlie…… just doesn’t click with people, huh.”
“Well, he’s been cursed out once or twice.”
“He fights well, though. Deserves it, honestly.”
“Really? I like Charlie. He’s handsome. The ultimate handsome middle-aged guy!”
“He’s the model of a loyal knight. I’d love if he protected me.”
Regardless of gender, his notorious reputation meant he had few fans.
A handful of female fans existed, but they were a minority compared to Eliza and Jihad.
We hadn’t noticed while walking and drawing attention together, but now that they were swarming one by one, it hit hard.
“……Hang in there, Charlie.”
-A knight’s duty is to protect his lord. Public opinion means nothing.
“……Hang in there.”
-……Yes, my lord.
Anyway, that was that……
‘How am I supposed to get through this?’
Sighing at the endless sea of people.
Back in Pratel, they’d only watched from afar, too wary to approach.
It wasn’t just me they were watching—it was the Hero Guild.
Now, after this incident, I had way more fans, and no need to worry about the guild, so this was inevitable.
‘I could just ignore them and push through……’
Ding-
[Sending whisper to friend ‘Ast.’]
[Me: Gonna be late.]
The guardians were thrilled for once, and the players were responding positively without holding back.
‘Things have been hectic.’
So.
Maybe it was fine to indulge in this for a bit.
* * *
“What the hell is going on?”
“Never mind—just close the door quick!”
“……Yeah. Good idea.”
Ast hurriedly shut the door behind Do-hyun, who had rushed inside, as a massive wave of people spread out beyond.
What was all this commotion?
“I heard bits and pieces, but…… why are so many crowding around?”
“No idea. Soon as I logged in, they swarmed me.”
“Huh…….”
His popularity put top stars to shame.
Even as a Top 10 Guild Master, Ast didn’t draw crowds like this.
No, comparing was embarrassing.
‘……They don’t even glance my way anymore.’
Sure, he was a Top 10 Guild Master and the Armory’s owner, but his pride stung a little—and rightfully so.
Players were used to him by now, but Kaiser was the hot topic with skyrocketing fame.
-What does Kaiser even look like?
-I wanna see for myself what kind of guy causes all this fuss.
-Demlock’s God? That big a deal?
Players in the Empire had always wondered.
What made Kaiser so special that everything he did caused hysterics?
Level caps kept them stuck in prior cities, so they’d only seen videos or community posts.
Now Kaiser appeared in the flesh and waged war against the Hero Guild single-handedly?
And won decisively?
‘No way to stay sane through that.’
At least for any guy.
Even those indifferent to Kaiser before were hooked.
‘Always stirring up trouble wherever he goes.’
Ast chuckled, recalling Kaiser’s comet-like rampage in Demlock, then said casually.
“Don’t worry. It’s just ‘cause you kicked up such a storm. Interest’ll die down eventually.”
“……Yeah?”
“Hmm…… Can’t promise, honestly. But better than now, right?”
Novelty wears off.
They’d just shrug, “Oh, Kaiser being Kaiser,” eventually.
Fans would stick around, but not swarm like wild horses.
“Still, next time, just ignore ‘em and go. You gonna sign for everyone?”
“Learned my lesson after two.”
Fair point—logging in to log out signing autographs wasn’t appealing.
Do-hyun agreed readily, so Ast didn’t press.
He’d dealt with it plenty in Demlock; he’d handle it.
“You know fans mean haters too. Atmosphere’s tense ‘cause of your mess. Rumors of war after a year.”
Ast’s expression turned serious, then he smirked.
“But…… should be fine for a while. Anyone dumb enough to mess with you now is insane or Top 10 Guild level……”
The Top 100 Guilds were busy filling the Hero Guild’s vacancy.
After seeing Hero half-destroyed, others wouldn’t dare move rashly.
Lower guilds?
They wouldn’t even look at Kaiser.
“Top 10s are tied up with the New Continent anyway…… and too proud to act.”
So, free time for now.
“Your old man moves around just fine.”
“I’m allowed, punk. Lucky I’m in the Empire, or we couldn’t even eat together.”
“Talk big.”
Do-hyun smirked at Ast’s exaggerated teasing but agreed inwardly.
Without his help, early Empire days would’ve been disastrous.
“Anyway, enough of that…….”
Changing the subject, Ast asked seriously.
“……So how’d you pull it off?”
“Huh?”
“Full reinforcement success out of nowhere, new Legendary skills. Even two Legendaries on Thunder Dragon Descent and Guardian God’s Blessing? Doesn’t make sense.”
“Hmm. Sounds busted hearing it from you.”
Balance-breaking for sure, from an outsider’s view.
But Ast wasn’t hung up on balance.
Though curious, something else bugged him more.
“Pfft, the you I know isn’t this lucky……”
Insane luck.
Legendary skill at perfect timing, all reinforcements maxed—pure probability?
For Kaiser, the unluckiest guy Ast knew?
‘Fair to doubt.’
Do-hyun smirked at the obvious question.
How many failed gacha and upgrades had Ast seen?
Even he’d wonder.
A formerly luckless buddy suddenly pulling Legendaries?
[Eye of Truth]
The cheat trait making it all possible.
Do-hyun nodded, gazing at it.
Never revealed it to anyone since Tutorial.
‘Ast’s fine, though.’
Safe to tell him.
He wouldn’t blab, and Do-hyun could handle fallout now.
“Old man, ever seen me get lucky?”
“Hmm, on dumb stuff? Rock-paper-scissors or hide-and-seek, yeah.”
“……That’s skill, not luck.”
“What? Skill? No wonder I always lost!”
“You kept it secret, jerk? I trusted you!”
Ignoring Ast’s outburst, Do-hyun got to the point.
“Anyway, not luck.”
“……Hm? Then? Skill?”
“Sorta.”
“? Sorta?”
Ast perked up, eyes wide on his massive frame—unpleasant sight, but familiar.
Do-hyun replied calmly.
“Kinda. It’s a trait.”
“……Trait?”
“Yeah.”
Ast blanked at the unforeseen answer.
Do-hyun grinned, recalling Tutorial events, and began.
* * *
Meanwhile.
Kreeee-!
Splurt-
In the New Continent’s Forbidden Forest, a brutal massacre unfolded.
Whoosh, slash-!
Grahk!
Each swing of the massive greatsword tore flesh, shattered bone, sprayed blood.
A horrific scene of gore and screams.
The perpetrator: a figure cloaked in a robe.
Greatsword in both hands, armor peeking from the robe.
Golden eyes gleaming in the dark—the dying men’s sole clue.
“Hiiik! W-what the hell, you crazy bastard dogshit!”
“What’d we even do…… guk!”
Three comrades already dead.
The last two screamed in outrage.
They truly hadn’t provoked the madman.
Just laughing and walking the forest.
“What did you do? You really don’t know?”
The robed madman’s voice was ice-cold.
They could’ve leaped in fury.
“Then we don’t know! We came all the way to the New Continent—why kill us!!”
“You dare…… dare insult Him in my presence.”
“……Him?”
Bewildered briefly.
Then realization dawned.
“Him…… you mean…….”
“Wait, I heard rumors. Some psycho flies in like a ghost if you impersonate or mock Kaiser, swinging a greatsword.”
“T-then that fucker’s the mad…….”
But enlightenment was fleeting.
Slash-!
Thud.
The greatsword swung before words ended.
Heads rolled; they crumpled lifelessly.
Leaving their gray screens, the robed figure prayed.
“……O Lord. ……Repaid in death.”
As the enigmatic murmur escaped.
Ding-
A sudden alert.
Golden eyes widened at the message.
A report.
[3rd Believer: Cafe Leader! You’re finally here.]
[3rd Believer: Couldn’t reach you, so we discussed among ourselves and clashed with Hero Guild…….]
[3rd Believer: ……And thus, Almighty Kashin emerged victorious, Cafe Leader.]
A believer’s update from the isolated New Continent.
“Ahh…….”
Today’s report was crucial.
So much had happened in his brief absence.
Wondering how to atone, Almighty Kashin claimed victory spectacularly.
“I see…….”
Looking skyward with ecstatic eyes, the robed figure whispered.
“At last…… at last, the moment has come.”
The long-awaited time.
Mid-quest in New Continent? Irrelevant.
He had a higher mission.
“Please wait just a little…… I shall hasten to you.”
The dark horse who blazed in six months ago.
Mad dog, lunatic, clear-eyed zealot……
“My God.”
Numerous epithets, but to believers: Cult Leader or Cafe Leader.
The fanatic, dubbed Zealot, set course for the Empire.