Became a Dark Merchant in the Academy - Chapter 265



264 – Bait_3

It feels like there have been a lot of accidents and incidents in the past year or two.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that accidents and incidents didn’t happen before.

In absolute terms, excluding the severity or issue of the incident, the total number of incidents is not that different.

But even though she knew that fact, reporter Lee Kyung-jin felt that way.

The reason was simple.

‘If something happens differently than before, it’s a big deal.’

In the past, a big event would have been something like a hero saving someone from a fire, arresting a villain who was selling drugs, or catching the real culprit of a murder case.

The recent events include a large-scale massacre in the 17th Federation of China, the collapse of Sky Island, villains joining forces to destroy the Gate, monster terrorism at the National Academy, and a group of famous heroes dying at the Aksha Auction House.

Because only such large-scale incidents happen, things that would normally pass by without a second thought come across as provocative and grab your attention.

In other words, because it is a hot topic and provocative, we tend to focus on it, and although the number is similar, it remains in our minds for a longer time.

‘Well, I wouldn’t say the incidents that happened before were minor.’

Nowadays, the incident of a hero saving someone in a fire is something that the public feels no more excited than if an unknown neighbor’s dog gave birth to puppies.

‘It was good at first, you know.’

In the past, we went to mountains, fields, and overseas to catch scoops.

These days, even if I just sit still, scoops like that are breaking out one after another, so I don’t have to go far, and things are easy.

But that’s only once or twice. If such incidents happen one after another over the course of 12 months, the public will become accustomed to it to some extent.

Things that would have been considered scoops in the past have now died down and are not receiving any attention.

‘Ugh.’

Because of that, Lee Kyung-jin, who had been living off of the number of views, was so tired that she almost collapsed.

This was because the severity of the incident was so high that people did not read internet articles about minor incidents.

But what can we do?

In order to live, I had to earn money for my family.

‘So we have to get a scoop.’

Honestly, the things happening these days are strange, so why would a scoop be a scoop?

Since you don’t usually see it, and you can’t catch it even if you want to, isn’t it a scoop?

A bigger scoop than the events happening these days?

Barring some ridiculous disaster that would end the world, like a great war, a level 11 or higher gate breaking, or another cataclysm occurring.

At the very least, something big had to happen involving an S-class hero, or hundreds of people had to die.

‘No, well… that doesn’t mean that’s what’s supposed to happen.’

Anyway, that’s it.

Frankly, it wouldn’t have caught the public eye unless something of that magnitude happened.

‘Ugh.’

I can’t quit my job.

So, with a desperate mind to grab onto even the most desperate thing, Lee Kyung-jin searched the Internet, made phone calls to people around her, and tried to find information that could lead to an incident. She went out and investigated the case, and investigated it again.

[Hyung, I heard Taylor is coming to South Korea soon?]

“Taylor? Why?”

[Oh, I asked the government about that too. They said they don’t know the reason.]

“okay?”

[Still, this is solid information. I also obtained information that Taylor boarded a flight to Korea at an airport in the American Holy Empire. I’ll send it to you.]

“Is this Incheon Airport?”

[huh.]

Then, as if by God’s help, some information came in.

‘Taylor.’

He is a S-class hero with no particular connection to South Korea.

Why is he suddenly visiting Korea?

After listening to the story, it seemed like there wasn’t really any discussion with the government.

Lee Kyung-jin rolled his head.

After rolling it for a while, I managed to catch a piece of information that seemed related but not related.

‘Come to think of it, Elizabeth also visited Korea, right?’

She came to Korea to seek compensation and investigation due to the terrorist attack at her business, the Aksha Auction House.

But for that reason, I have been staying in South Korea for quite some time.

I thought it would be long because the culprit wasn’t caught.

What if there are other reasons?

‘this…’

A small flash of light flashed in Lee Kyung-jin’s mind.

‘If you do it well.’

It seemed like if I just made the title provocative, I could get a scoop.

Of course, to avoid lawsuits, it is necessary to ask several questions and cleverly change the order, rather than writing lies.

‘I have to get ready.’

Even though the person who gave him this information was close to him, that was no reason to not spread it to others.

I had to quickly settle in, prepare my fishing questions, and pre-set up the article to match the questions I was going to ask.

Lee Kyung-jin jumped up from her seat.

Then I hurriedly headed to Incheon Airport.

“It’s not too late.”

There were few reporters, perhaps because the information was not widely distributed.

Lee Kyung-jin sighed in relief and took a seat in a good spot for reporting.

Soon, reporters started flocking in one by one.

The immigration office was filled with reporters and press corps.

“hmm.”

“Hmm.”

How long did I wait, playing a game of wits with other reporters that wasn’t a game of wits?

In the distance, I saw a cheerful middle-aged man with blond hair, sunglasses, and an Aloha shirt.

That was it.

It matched the picture my little brother sent me.

Taylor Marvel.

A S-class hero of the American Holy Empire.

Hero Ranking 55.

Lee Kyung-jin, who realized this faster than anyone else, ran towards him with all her might.

“uh…?”

“no way?”

Then, one by one, other reporters began to realize this and followed behind Lee Kyung-jin.

But he couldn’t catch up with Lee Kyung-jin, who jumped out 1 second, no, 10 seconds faster.

“Are you Taylor Marvel?!”

And Lee Kyung-jin, who arrived before anyone else, opened his mouth urgently.

“That’s right. Who are you?”

“I am Lee Kyung-jin from Hanul. This may be sudden, but may I ask you a question?”

“Ah, you’re a reporter. Well, you came quietly, but even in a small country in the East, you can’t help but be popular. So what are you curious about? Tell me, reporter.”

I couldn’t understand what he was talking about at all, but I was glad he accepted my question.

Lee Kyung-jin took a breath and shouted again.

“Why did you come to Korea? Is it by any chance related to the witch Elizabeth…”

“That has nothing to do with it. I just came to meet the girl I fell in love with for the first time.”

“yes?”

I couldn’t understand it even more.

“What are you talking about…”

That’s why I wanted to ask the question again.

“This is Lee Han-ul from Maeil Kyungjae. Mr. Taylor…”

“This is Hansung’s way of thinking. Can I ask you a question…”

“Mr. Taylor, may I ask why you came to Korea…”

I couldn’t say everything because of the crowd of reporters that had suddenly arrived.

“I know it’s the fate of being popular. I just hate being bothered.”

Taylor shook her head at the wave of reporters, then kicked the ground and jumped.

“Hahaha, I guess I’ll be going now.”

How high did you jump?

His jump reached the ceiling of Incheon Airport.

-bang!

It disappeared outside, shattering the airport ceiling with a loud noise.

“”What is it?””

The reporters were dumbfounded by Taylor’s behavior and just stared at the hole in the ceiling.

**

[American Holy Empire S-Class Hero Taylor Marvel Visits Korea. Why?]

[High-ranking government official A said… I can’t tell you.]

[First Love? The girl Taylor fell in love with for the first time?]

I knew that the Holy Empire of America would make a move.

What country would let Elizabeth, who could be called a national strategic asset, go home and refuse to return?

‘By the way, Taylor.’

I know.

A S-class hero who specializes in one-on-one combat, although he is not a martial artist but a magician.

This person was skilled in magic related to abnormal status.

‘I was hoping the destroyer would come.’

It’s not an unexpected situation.

It didn’t matter who came from the S-class anyway.

There may be some difference in the aftermath after executing it, but I can fill that in with public opinion.

‘There will be interruptions, right?’

Yukina was a little worried.

However, even if the hypothesis about regression is only partially correct, it would not be a big problem.

Of course, just in case, I had to keep some things from Yukina’s knowledge.

[Oppa, something is approaching at a fast speed.]

Sarah’s warning rang in my mind.

‘You’re here.’

It was obvious who it was.

If I were a person with information.

Also, if the Holy Empire finds out why Elizabeth isn’t returning.

That’s for sure.

-Kwaaang!

There was a loud noise.

At the same time, a large hole appeared in the ceiling of the student council room.

And through that hole, through the dusty place, a single figure slowly approached me.

“Are you the kid who seduced that witch?”

Then, Inyoung’s faint image became clear.

A middle-aged man in sandals, sunglasses and an Aloha shirt smiled cheerfully.

Taylor Marvel.

It was prey that was caught in the bait.