Chapter 63
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Connections are Power (1)
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The incident was quickly being resolved.
There were no fatalities, and the injuries were minor, so it didn't escalate into a major incident.
No, it almost became a major incident, but the government did its best to manage the aftermath.
It seems they couldn't afford to let the news of such a major mistake during the very first demonstration get out, especially since they needed to earn foreign currency with Meiden's educational labyrinth.
In any case, after the government's cleanup, the [Poseidon Rampage Incident] was officially ruled as an act of terrorism.
The story was that a villain with a grudge against Meiden had placed a special device in the Grand Labyrinth's materials, which then activated. Something like that.
Most of the cadets who had faced Poseidon during the incident seemed to believe the government's story.
The governments information control is quite sloppy.
Except for Jia.
There's no way Meiden Keuritineseu wouldn't have noticed materials with a special device installed. It's more likely that a lack of time created a flaw in the safety management, and it was destroyed under the influence of Siyeon's and your ice and fire attribute mana, Seonjonim. Something like that.
...
They're probably lying because if this got out, it would cause problems for their future Grand Labyrinth business.
...R-Right.
The finishing blow was my [Spirit's Flame], but other than that, her hypothesis was pretty much correct.
When it comes to matters not related to me, Jia's brain works at an incredible speed.
It's honestly a bit scary.
More importantly, Seonjonim. Are you okay to move now?
Hmm.
I moved my hands around, testing to see if anything felt off.
I think I'm fine.
That's a relief.
After using Divine Punishment yesterday.
I had collapsed from mana exhaustion.
My mana was already low from using [Spirit's Flame] before that.
And amplifying the effect of Divine Punishment with an [Artifact] had also put a strain on my body.
If I hadn't activated the [Mana Sensitivity] trait using [Mana's Grace], the aftereffects would have certainly been much worse.
But Seonjonim. I understand you must have felt burdened breaking your seal in front of everyone. But did you really have to use lightning attribute mana?
Jia asked with a worried expression.
Even so, a dual attribute is just too conspicuous... If the enemies become suspicious...
The enemies.
She was referring to the axis of evil that would destroy the world in the great war to come.
Jia believed I was sealing my power to avoid their notice, so of course, she was worried.
It's fine. As long as I don't release my 'Gyeok,' they won't be able to detect me.
So, I decided to lie again today.
Gyeok... you say?
Jia tilted her head slightly.
You know. The day I closed the Great Rift. That strange aura you could feel from me then. Remember? That tingling pressure. Like a sense of awe.
To be precise, it wasn't an aura from me, but from the 'antivirus' that Shin-hyeong made.
I felt it too.
Ah. That feeling. So that's Gyeok...
Jia seemed to understand.
So as long as you don't release your Gyeok, it doesn't matter how much attention you get from the media? Since the enemies won't be able to detect you.
That's right.
I see.
Jia nodded as if she understood.
*Phew.*
*Good.*
My bluff was perfect again today.
Speaking of the media. Um...
I asked hesitantly.
Is the attention really that intense?
Yes.
...How much?
Hmm...
Jia pursed her lips and thought for a moment.
Try to think of the most popular top star you can imagine.
For a moment, numerous top stars came to mind.
Have you thought of one?
...Yeah.
A strange sense of anxiety washed over me.
Surely she's not saying I'm on that level?
You can think of it as roughly three times that.
...Huh?
Did I hear that right?
What did you say?
I said it's about three times the popularity of the top stars you just thought of.
...What the hell.
It seems I didn't mishear.
Is it really that much?
Yes. A dual attribute is just that special of a constitution. It might not be so special for elves or celestial beings, though.
Jia continued, folding her fingers one by one.
On top of that, you've proven your exceptional mana control. You always get a perfect score on written exams, and with the recent test videos being released, your command abilities have also received high praise.
...
Furthermore, your physical stats recently saw a uniform increase to E-Rank, which raised expectations for your growth immensely. And finally, you have the perfect lightning strike that took down a formidable guardian like Poseidon in a single blow, plus the heroic story of stopping a villain's terror plot, thanks to the government's information control.
Jia smiled faintly.
It's a situation where you can't possibly be unpopular, isn't it?
...You're right.
I only did those things out of necessity at the time, but looking back at them all collected like this, it's become an incredible combination.
But well, this kind of attention is fleeting. Won't it die down quickly like last time?
Attention is a fickle thing.
Thinking back to the time with the fire attribute aura, this popularity will probably be temporary too.
I wonder...
Jia trailed off with a peculiar expression.
Seonjonim.
Then she smiled brightly and said.
Good luck!
...
It was the first time in my life I'd ever received such ominous encouragement.
* * *
Jia was right.
This time, the attention was on a completely different level than with the fire attribute aura.
Cadet Kang Seoyul! If you come to our Jereon Guild...
We're from KBC Broadcasting! Could we have an interview?
We heard The One Guild also sent you a love call, is that true!
What's the secret to your good looks?
The moment I stepped out of the hospital, I was surrounded by a crowd.
The urge to turn around and go right back to my hospital room surged within me.
When did you find out you possessed a dual attribute?
Your stat growth has been remarkably steep! Is there a secret to it?
Any tips on mana control?
There were overwhelmingly more reporters than scouts.
When I got attention for the fire attribute aura, you could count the number of reporters on one hand.
The expectations of the South Korean people are immense, now that the world's only dual-attribute superhuman has emerged from Korea. Do you have a word for them?
There's a lot of talk that at this rate, you could become the first Korean to be ranked number one in the World Superhuman Rankings! What are your thoughts on that?
I immediately understood the meaning of this popularity.
This was a kind of national pride.
That feeling of your shoulders straightening with pride when a fellow Korean makes a name for themselves on the world stage.
Back in my original world, I used to feel that same burst of pride whenever I saw articles about Son Heung-min, Kim Yuna, or BTS succeeding globally.
Is it true you've decided to join the Shinhwa Group?
About your special relationship with Miss Shin Jia...
And the rumors of a close relationship with Miss Ha Siyeon...
Anyway, the reporters' intensity was beyond imagination.
If I misspoke here, I felt like I'd be done for.
But I couldn't just stand here forever either.
What should I do...
It was then, as I was lost in thought.
Now, now. Could everyone please make way?
Yuhwa, who had appeared by my side at some point, spoke with her usual smile.
Yuhwa!
There are rumors you meet frequently with the Bihon Guild Master! Is that true?
According to the rumors, you're three-timing...
As a man myself, this reporter can only feel envy...
Yuhwa's appearance only made the reporters more excited, and they swarmed forward.
Watching them, Yuhwa gave a chilling smile.
I completely understand that you're all interested in Korea's super-prospect. However, Cadet Kang Seoyul is still suffering from the aftereffects of his injuries.
With Yuhwa's words, the heated atmosphere cooled instantly.
If any future problems arise because of those aftereffects... will all you reporters here take responsibility?
...Well.
The reporters fell silent.
Wow. She really knows where to strike.
It was a masterful move.
If you all understand, could you please clear a path?
At her words, the reporters began to part, little by little.
However, their faces were full of complaints.
Thank you. We'll arrange a time for an interview with Cadet Kang Seoyul later, so please don't take it too hard. Our super-prospect's health comes first, doesn't it? Right, Cadet Kang Seoyul?
Ah. Yes. That's fine.
In that instant, most of the reporters' expressions softened.
Are you giving us priority for the interview?
Of course. We have to treat the reporters who are here today well.
...If that's the case.
With those words, all their complaints vanished.
The scouts, outmatched by Yuhwa's experience, couldn't even get a word in.
Whoa.
She used the unique charisma of an S-Rank superhuman and the public's attention against them to silence the reporters.
And then she used the carrot of an exclusive interview to completely erase their complaints.
Is this what you call experience?
Let's go, then.
Ah, yes.
I followed Yuhwa.
Get in.
I then boarded the limousine Yuhwa had prepared.
Yuhwa got in after me, sitting by my side.
Driver. Let's go.
Yes, ma'am.
And so, we left the reporters and scouts behind.
Ugh. I'm exhausted.
I think I was only dealing with them for about ten minutes, but I'm completely drained.
Yuhwa pressed a button, and a partition rose behind the front seat.
It seemed to be a device for private conversations in the back seat.
Reporters are much more aggressive, aren't they?
Yes.
It's a different league from the polite treatment from scouts.
If scouts were coffee, reporters would be a double shot of espresso.
Then why did you have to go and use lightning attribute mana back there?
...Why, you ask?
It was the only way to survive.
I wonder what you're planning to do, drawing this much attention to yourself.
Yuhwa looks up at me with a peculiar expression.
Is it to act as bait to lure out the Seekers of Truth?
Goal: Compete in the national tournament.
Gaining attention.
Specialized intelligence on the Seekers of Truth.
Considering all these things, it wasn't strange for Yuhwa to reach that conclusion.
Yes. That's right.
I affirmed it.
...For once, you're not denying it?
You must have been 99% sure after the incident with Vagabond. About my objective.
Yuhwa paused for a moment before speaking.
To completely erase the Seekers of Truth from this world. Right?
That confident gaze.
See. She had already come to a conclusion internally.
Yes. That's right.
...I knew it.
Yuhwa nodded a couple of times.
Her expression seemed complicated.
I had expected her to look relieved after getting my confirmation.
What could she be thinking?
By the way, where are we going?
This isn't the way to the academy.
Oh. Look at me. I forgot something important.
Yuhwa snapped out of her thoughts.
We're heading to Okhwadang.
...All of a sudden?
The time is now 5:40 PM.
Academy classes are almost over. And it's about time for dinner.
I don't mind, but.
Why?
Yuhwa wouldn't just take someone who was just discharged from the hospital somewhere without a reason.
Not unless there was a special reason.
Didn't you say you wanted to have a meal together? With me and my sister.
...Ah.
The world's 32nd-ranked superhuman.
The Dungeon Creator.
Meiden Keuritineseu.
Before dealing with Poseidon, I did suggest we have a meal together later.
I thought it would be a good opportunity to build a connection with Meiden.
Life is all about 'connections', after all.
...And there's something I want to propose.
But isn't Miss Meiden incredibly busy right now? Cleaning up the situation.
She is. But my sister is the type who can't stand it when she's curious about something...
I see.
It means her interest in me is that great.
Curiosity is one thing, but it seems her pride was hurt in many ways. Because you cleared it so cleanly, Seoyul.
Haha.
Besides that, she also wanted to talk about rewarding you for handling the Poseidon incident so well. My sister is very thorough when it comes to debts and grudges.
Yes. I know.
Repay favors fivefold.
Repay grudges five-hundredfold.
It's Meiden Keuritineseu's motto.
In any case, you can look forward to the reward.
Yes. I'm looking forward to it.
And she holds a very deep grudge against the Seekers of Truth.
