Chapter 153. Public Opinion (5)
June, the beginning of summer. Perhaps due to global warming, this year’s heat arrived earlier and felt exceptionally hotter. The reason was understandable.
『All the Controversies and Suspicions Around Kim Shimun Were Fabricated?!』
『From Media Manipulation to Assassination? This Year’s Scandal of the Century!』
『Scorpio Guild and Others, including Vermillion and Sea King, involved?』
All the suspicions surrounding Kim Shimun. Articles countering those allegations flooded the media. Or rather, they weren’t mere counter-articles.
『Scorpio Guild Vice-guildmaster Kim Jongjun’s Explosive Revelations, shocking!』
『Victims of Corrupt Guilds are Numerous? Testimonies from the Night Hunter!』
『Association States ‘Working with Government to Investigate the Matter’』
『Association President Kim Muyeol Declares, ‘For the Future of South Korea, we Will Eradicate Corrupt Guilds!’』
『A Comprehensive List of Traitorous Guilds Trying to Drive Out a National Hero』
Kim Jongjun, the vice-guildmaster of Scorpio Guild and the central figure in this scandal, his confession video spread not only nationwide but also internationally.
Naturally,
-This can’t be real, right?
-WTF! Is this for real?
-Assassinations in the 21st century, and in Korea at that? LOL
-Scorpio Guild, those bastards are really scumbags!
-It’s not just Scorpio. If you’ve been in the Arena, you’d know all the guilds on that list.
-Check out that lineup, LOL.
-Not a single one to skip, LOL.
Various online communities in Korea were in an uproar. And it was no different overseas.
-They tried to assassinate their own country’s rising star.
-As expected of Aniki! WWWWW.
-What’s Masamune doing? We need to ensure our Japan doesn’t fall behind our senior’s nation.
-No matter what, this is too much… We treat Yuto with utmost care.
-Indeed. Korea is too small to contain such a great hero.
-Why is Kim Shimun trying to join those greedy pigs for money when we have the Continental!
-What is the Continental doing while the American Dream scouts such talents!
International communities were abuzz with the scandal as well. Among them, the U. S., directly related to the transfer rumors of Kim Shimun, showed.
-Good job Korea! Please send Mr. Kim to us forever.
-America always welcomes new heroes! XD!!
-Olivia made a big move.
-She’s always recruited outstanding players.
-With this, America now has the top three promising players—Andrew, Ron, and Kim?
The interest and buzz were intense. And at the center of all this commotion, “Yes, yes. Of course.”
“The association president is doing everything in his power to address the situation…”
“What’s the status of Kim Jongjun? The prosecutors are clamoring for his transfer.”
“He’s being transported here now. What transfer are they talking about!”
“When is the awakened legal team arriving!”
The Awakener Association of South Korea was bustling, resembling rush hour.
It wasn’t just inside the association.
“Association, take immediate action!”
“Eradicate the corrupt guilds!”
“Eradicate!”
At the front entrance of the association, there were easily over a thousand people standing under the scorching sun, holding various placards and shouting protests.
The demonstrators, chanting slogans in unison with loudspeakers,
“Isn’t that Representative Jung’s car?”
“It’s Representative Jung!”
“Chase it!”
Every time a vehicle, presumably belonging to the government or the prosecutors, passed by, they rushed towards it, shaking their placards and chanting slogans.
Naturally,
“We don’t even expect an official statement!”
“Just say something!”
“Where is the association president?”
“Can’t you hear the voice of the people? How can we wait until the formal press conference!”
Journalists, sensing a story, crowded the entrance, trying to bypass the association’s guards.
There were so many of them that,
“If you come any closer, we’ll use our abilities.”
“Don’t cross that line!”
If it weren’t for the numerous awakened individuals among the association’s staff…
Today, the association was in complete chaos. And, watching all this from within a transparent elevator as he descended,
Ding.
“Hmph. It’s a madhouse.”
Upon arriving at the basement and stepping out with a derisive snort, he walked towards the parking lot. The 2-meter tall man following him, “Kim Jongjun’s confession video was indeed shocking, wasn’t it?”
Choi Changwook said as he opened the back door of the luxury sedan.
“Yes, very shocking.”
Kim Muyeol, getting into the car, reached into his coat to pull out a cigarette. When Choi Changwook in the driver’s seat quickly reached for a lighter, “Never mind.”
Kim Muyeol waved him off and brought his finger to the end of the cigarette.
Snap.
With a sound reminiscent of someone else’s, a flame flickered between his fingers.
Sssss.
Taking a deep drag, Kim Muyeol slowly exhaled the smoke. After repeating this two or three times, “Honestly, I can’t believe it.”
Choi Changwook glanced at Kim Muyeol through the rearview mirror.
“Who’d have thought Kim Jongjun would confess so openly…”
“Neither did I.”
Kim Jongjun, a first-generation player and the vice-guildmaster of Scorpio Guild.
Naturally, as fellow first-generation players, both Kim Muyeol and Choi Changwook knew what kind of person Kim Jongjun was.
That’s why questions arose.
“How did they manage to get him to confess everything?”
Kim Jongjun was as tough as nails, which is why he held the position of vice-guildmaster in Scorpio Guild.
Yet, such a man had confessed the entire story. Even though this unexpected windfall played to their advantage, “It probably wasn’t through a standard negotiation.”
Kim Muyeol’s expression remained grim. Choi Changwook observed Kim Muyeol’s expression carefully and asked.
“But didn’t Kim Shimun also negotiate with Olivia Denson?”
“Yes, that was quite surprising too. But this situation is different.”
Kim Muyeol leaned his chin on his hand and looked out the window.
“There must have been a deal we’re unaware of. A deal so significant that even the Winter Queen couldn’t refuse.”
“Isn’t it possible that Kim Jongjun was similarly persuaded? He seemed too composed for someone who might have been threatened or tortured—both his body and voice were fine.”
“Exactly.”
Kim Muyeol took another drag of his cigarette before continuing.
“Born a thug, Kim Jongjun has a distinctive ferocity. Yet, in the video, that was absent.”
“Come to think of it, he did seem overly compliant.”
“That’s what I mean. He was unusually compliant. Why did Kang Deokman put him in the position of vice-guildmaster?”
Huuuk.
White smoke puffed out of Kim Muyeol’s mouth as he narrowed his eyes, staring at the smoke.
“Ferocity. It’s because of his fierce nature, the kind that would bite even if his limbs were cut off, that Kim Jongjun was put in that position.”
But what about Kim Jongjun in the confession video?
“Would someone like that confess so easily, almost like a trained dog? There must be something more.”
Recalling the video, “Indeed, thinking about it now, it does seem strange.”
Choi Changwook’s brows furrowed as well.
“If there had been a deal, there’s no reason for Kim Jongjun to be so compliant.”
“Yes, so it’s different from the case with Olivia Denson.”
Kim Muyeol nodded and looked out the window. As bustling as the scandal heating up South Korea, the streets outside were lively with many pedestrians and vehicles.
“But I can’t figure it out. No matter how capable Kim Shimun is, he shouldn’t have the power to make a Diamond player so cooperative…”
If he had such power, he would have used it on me a long time ago. Murmuring this, Kim Muyeol stroked his chin.
“Could he have used some kind of truth serum from the Arena? It occasionally shows up on the black market, doesn’t it?”
A truth serum, exceptionally rare even in the Arena. If that once-world-sweeping item had been used, the video might make sense.
However, “That is possible, but…”
‘Uncle will have no choice but to agree to whatever I say.’
Uncharacteristically, Kim Muyeol trailed off. The reason was none other than the memory of what his damned nephew had said.
‘Why is that thought coming to mind now?’
It felt like there was something incredibly fine and delicate caught in his throat. Every breath and swallow was irritating.
This bothersome feeling kept gnawing at Kim Muyeol as he watched Kim Jongjun’s confession video and even now as they discussed it.
‘He said if I didn’t believe him, I could test it right away.’
At first, he thought it was nonsense or bravado, believing that his upgraded SSS-Rank trait,‘Master of Plants,’ could be completely neutralized.
Wasn’t it absurd?
Even as a first-generation Ranker, if one’s trait was blocked, there would be significant limitations. This was especially true for those in the magical class, who relied heavily on their traits, like himself.
So, ‘I thought that damned brat was just being arrogantly boastful,’
When he claimed he could defeat the Ranker Ironwood King within half a year of his debut, Kim Muyeol dismissed it as mere arrogance.
‘But what if he wasn’t being arrogant? What if I truly couldn’t resist his command?’
For some unknown reason, while there was no immediate connection between him and his nephew, aside from the DS he received from Zhang Liqiu, a mysterious sense of unease kept gnawing at Kim Muyeol’s heart.
Noticing Kim Muyeol’s unsettled state, “… Shall we head to Ranker’s Palace?”
Choi Changwook, who had been silent, glanced cautiously in the rearview mirror and asked.
Unsurprisingly, “What nonsense are you spouting?”
Kim Muyeol frowned and glared at Choi Changwook in the rearview mirror. But that was all. He never said they wouldn’t go.
“…”
Choi Changwook quietly closed his mouth, turning the steering wheel towards Ranker’s Palace.
*
In a penthouse of Ranker’s Palace,
“Hyung! Are you seriously not going to tell me?”
The Ranker who even took a break from his beloved Arena to give interviews, Kim Shihyuk, pleaded in a desperate voice.
“Yes, orabeoni. I’m very curious too.”
By some unusual agreement, Lee Yujeong also nodded at Kim Shihyuk’s words.
Yet despite the entreaties of these two Rankers, “What more is there to tell?”
A handsome man with striking, distinct features…
Kim Shimun just shrugged his shoulders.
“Just like Jinwook-ssi said. I merely demanded a confession, and Kim Jongjun complied.”
“That’s exactly what I’m curious about, hyung!”
“Orabeoni, you might not know since you just debuted, but Kim Jongjun isn’t the type to just confess because he’s told to.”
Despite Kim Shimun’s answer, the two younger ones pressed on.
“Hyung, we aren’t fools. There’s more to it than just the ability that made him confess, isn’t there?”
“Exactly, otherwise, why would you hide your abilities like this?”
“Hyung, you don’t mean to say you don’t trust us, do you?”
These two exceptionally talented siblings, after hearing the full story from Park Jinwook, had realized that Kim Shimun was concealing the ability that made Kim Jongjun confess.
And, ‘Tsk. It’s too sloppy to slip by unnoticed, after all.’
Kim Shimun was well aware of that too. Yet, the reason he hesitated to speak wasn’t simple.
‘Lee Yujeong…’
Glancing at Lee Yujeong briefly, Shimun’s gaze turned to.
“……”
“……”
Park Jinwook and Go Malsuk, who were sitting quietly. Catching Kim Shimun’s eye, the two nodded ever so subtly, their faces stern.
“Anyway, I can’t hide anything from you two.”
Kim Shimun sighed, shaking his head. Then, “It’s true I didn’t tell you everything, but I can’t reveal it just yet.”
Kim Shimun drew a firm line. To this,
“Hyung!”
“O-Orabeoni!”
Kim Shihyuk and Lee Yujeong looked as if they were deeply hurt, their faces showing significant shock.
“Let me say this upfront, it’s not because I don’t trust you.”
Kim Shimun waved his hands hurriedly, trying to reassure them.
“It’s just not the right time to tell you yet.”
“… So you will tell us later?”
“Of course. Why would I hide anything from you?”
“Since orabeoni said so… even though I’m curious, I’ll wait.”
Thankfully, the two nodded quietly, showing they still had some sense from the past.
‘Phew, I’m glad they trust me.’
Kim Shimun sighed in relief internally.
‘To explain everything, I’ll have to talk about Dragon Force. That would mean revealing how Kim Jongjun acquired Dragon Force…’
Which would inevitably lead to talking about the parts edited out from the publicly released confession video.
Eventually, he would have to bring up the parts of the confession video that were edited out. The ones involving Continental and the person who orchestrated everything behind the scenes: Chairman Lee Suncheol.
‘I’ll have to talk about Chairman Lee Suncheol as well.’
An unexpected figure. No matter how many times Kim Shimun questioned him, using additional Dragon Force refined from achievement points, Kim Jongjun consistently answered ‘Chairman Lee Suncheol.’
Reflecting on previous confessions, it seemed the ability was functioning correctly. Thus, Shimun had no choice but to accept it as the truth.
Therefore, ‘I should wait until I find out more before talking about it.’
He couldn’t easily bring it up to his siblings until he had solid evidence of Chairman Lee Suncheol’s involvement in this matter. Especially considering the actions Lee Yujeong had taken in his past life.
‘Capturing a big fish like Chairman Lee without evidence will be difficult anyway.’
Moreover, ‘If the DS becomes known, I won’t be able to predict Zhang Liqiu’s movements.’
Though the current situation already differed significantly from his past life, there hadn’t been any major changes concerning Zhang Liqiu and Continental so far.
That’s why the DS could still be circulating internationally.
‘The original video isn’t going anywhere.’
Once definitive evidence was gathered, he could bring it up then without it being too late. With that resolution in mind, Shimun stood up.
“Hey, where are you going? The work’s done. Let’s have a drink.”
“I’m going to the Arena.”
“The Arena? Now?”
“Yeah.”
His friends blinked at him in surprise.
Kim Shimun grinned and said, “Since I’ve done this much, uncle will handle the aftermath, but there’s always that slim chance.”
“Oh, so you’re going on air to make a public statement?”
“It’s not exactly a public statement. Just thought I’d show my face and greet everyone since the controversy is over.”
“You’re just something else.”
Go Malsuk shook her head.
“You’d do well even as a politician or a celebrity.”
“Oh? That’s what uncle told me.”
“Exactly.”
She, unusually.
“That cold-blooded person is just like you, you know.”
Go Malsuk landed a sharp verbal jab on Kim Shimun.
“… Malsuk, you might end up with Demolition Strike in your—”
“Oh, hush! Stop your babbling and go to the Arena already. You’ll wake up Shiyeon.”
Using Shiyeon as a shield, she neatly blocked Kim Shimun’s retaliatory attempt.
“You!”
Muttering under his breath, Shimun clenched his fists and turned around.
“Pfft.”
“Hehe!”
“Ahem!”
His siblings and Park Jinwook struggled to hold back their laughter, providing a background soundtrack.
‘Go Malsuk, just you wait!’
Vowing revenge, he headed towards the lab’s Arena device.