Storm Warrior - Chapter 336



Only Noblemtl

#336, I guarantee it

Naturally, the reporters’ questions led to questions.

“Are you saying you will go into hiding until another catastrophic event occurs?”

“Who do you mean by player?”

“Can you give me some information about the ‘player’ you mentioned?”

I intended to reveal the existence of players, if not all of them.

Considering what was going to happen in the future, it was necessary to let the world know.

“I’ve always done what I had to do, no matter where I was. To some, it just seemed like a retreat. Players… see the world from a slightly different perspective-”

I stopped talking and changed my perspective to that of Gu Chang-soo, who was standing in a corner of the wall.

Because a reporter who had quietly opened the briefing room door and entered a little while ago felt his gaze glaring at me.

He was wearing a PRESS badge, pretending to be a reporter, but as expected, the nickname ‘Pimyeong Camp’ was written above his head.

It means player.

Given the circumstances, he must have been surprised to see a red name appear on me – Tarantor, not Han Seong-jun.

Before I could give any instructions, Goo Chang-soo reacted immediately, closed the door, and chased after the guy who disappeared.

I continued my speech, which had been interrupted for a moment, while maintaining Gu Chang-soo’s gaze.

I didn’t take the situation seriously and the other person didn’t have a particularly memorable nickname.

The pause in speech lasted only about a second, so the listeners felt as if they had swallowed their saliva.

“… Shall we call them aliens? Ah… , maybe the reporters who are well-informed already know about them. They are known as 330414.”

There was a great uproar in the arena when the player’s identity was revealed.

It was definitely an open secret that about 330414 was now known to about half of the press corps.

However, the remaining half remained bewildered and asked for explanations from those around them, so the number of voices asking further questions decreased significantly.

Thanks to that, there was a familiar voice that could be heard clearly.

“You just said ‘otherworldly people’. Does that mean they are from another world like the Rak-Vishians?”

Goo Chang-soo was still chasing the player, but I turned back for a moment and smiled faintly at the reporter who had asked the question earlier.

‘It’s been a while.’

The reporter was Seo Yun-seo.

She gave me a small smile, which I appreciated.

I have nothing to say to her since she hated him together with her nephew since he was like an enemy to her, but I heard that she had been fighting a lonely battle alone against the distorted reports about her father by her family (Handong Media).

Moreover, the information that is being revealed now could have been given as a warning in advance, so it was a situation that could have been disappointing.

Originally, I had planned to come down from the stage and just announce the player’s presence, but that meant I had no choice but to answer Seo Yoon-seo’s questions more sincerely.

“… That’s right. The only difference between them and the Rak-Vishians is that they lived in a world very similar to ours. They are, so to speak, Earthlings of the multiverse.”

But it seemed like any further questions would have to be addressed separately.

Because the reporters who quickly caught up with the information started raising their voices again.

“Have you figured out the purpose of your coming here?”

“When you said earlier that you would help players settle or return, does that mean that they came here involuntarily?”

“According to the information we have obtained, the recent surge in dungeon crimes over the past year is said to be related to that player force. Is this true?”

I ended the session by picking one of the questions that came up and answering it.

“Yes. They didn’t come here of their own accord. They were just lost. But if… if it seems like it could be a poison to the world, I’ll let you know. That’s all I can tell you right now.”

I bowed to the camera and quickly left the briefing room through the dedicated entrance behind the stage.

While I was giving my closing remarks, I felt that Goo Chang-soo was pulling away from me.

Of course, that meant the chase was over.

I shouted as I reconnected with Goo Chang-soo’s senses.

“Hey! Don’t kill me!”

-…!

In a split second, Goo Chang-soo twisted his elbow in a deformed way.

Gu Chang-soo’s dagger, which had been extending in a straight line, twisted and turned like a snake’s coils.

puck!

In the end, it was the dagger handle that struck the player’s Adam’s apple.

But that alone was enough to subdue the opponent.

Goo Chang-soo kicked the player’s shins, who was grabbing his neck, and knocked him over. He then quickly cut off both of his Achilles tendons.

“Our Changsu has become very cruel….”

-… You can’t let your guard down when dealing with players. But why are you telling me not to kill them?

By the time Gu Chang-soo finished speaking, they had already arrived at the scene.

A residential alley about two blocks from the Jeongsu-bon building.

“Oh! Oh, when did you come…?”

When Goo Chang-soo turned his head absentmindedly and was surprised to see me, the player who was crawling on the floor also noticed me and let out a shuddering sound.

“Ugh!”

I asked Goo Chang-soo whether to do so or not.

“You didn’t do that. Why were you so angry?”

Then, Goo Chang-soo glared at the frightened player and said.

“You said that earlier. There are guys who are after Seongjun-nim’s entourage. Why would that kid be hanging around Jeongsu-bon? He must be after Gongguk-hyung.”

I hadn’t thought about it that far, but after hearing Gu Chang-soo’s words, it makes sense.

Even though my appearance was being broadcast live, it was too early for them to have been lurking because of me.

That means it was originally nearby, but without the teleportation ring.

And the only person known to be my confidant while living in Jeongsubon was Oh Wang-guk.

Even though I was talking about myself, the player was just blankly staring at me, not even in the mood to deny it.

“… Yes. Even so, the point now is that you harbored murderous intentions against a fellow player.”

“We’re the same players! Are you lumping me in with those guys who are trying to take hostages right now?”

“They were originally guys who would do anything if the reward was good, so why are you making a fuss about this…? But weren’t you the one who told me to have pity on them because they were players? That’s what you were doing… I’m worried that I’m the one who ruined everything.”

“… Nothing has changed. It’s just that I really hate messing with people around me. But what’s wrong with you, Seongjun? You used to be merciless when I asked you to be merciful?”

“At that time, the only way was to remove it. I haven’t changed anything. If it seems like it’s going to be a hindrance to the end, then of course I should remove it.”

“Hmm…? So you’re saying there’s another way now? Even if there was, if you just let that kid go, wouldn’t everyone know that Seongjun is Tarantor?”

The player who had been quiet until now shouted as if having a seizure.

“No! I will never tell anyone! Keep your mouth shut and live a good life!”

Since the place was a residential area, I put a sleep spell on him to keep him from making any more noise.

Bam!

For the same reason, Goo Chang-soo, who had raised one foot, stepped back down on the floor when the player lowered his head.

It definitely feels like the guy’s gotten a little violent.

‘…Is it possible that since he is my contractor, he cannot avoid being influenced by magic?’

“That’s something I can hold onto for a little while. … I don’t mind rumors since I’ll be out in front soon anyway. It’s not like there was anyone who spared me even though they already knew my true identity.”

Of course, it would be better if it wasn’t known until the moment of meeting face to face.

If you start to think that it might be the Demon King’s plot or become unnecessarily cautious, the number of players who respond to the invitation could decrease.

“You knew that Seongjun was Tarantor, but you saved his life? Who?”

“Yes, my name is Richard… Oh, and if I say Butcher, will you know me too?”

“Burcher? Are you really a butcher?”

“huh.”

“Oh! Did you meet? When! Where?”

“At the top. Anyway, that’s not important right now. If that guy was hanging around the Five Kingdoms, then the guys after me are really more than just a revenge group. I’ll have to pull up the schedule a bit.”

“What’s on your schedule?”

“I threw them a helping hand by saying I’ll help with the broadcast, so now it’s time to formally invite them.”

Originally I was going to spend some time making sure players understood the value of the hippocampus, but I wondered if it was really necessary.

‘I think it would be enough to set a date first and then just use the remaining time.’

Anyway, if a smart and greedy guy reacts first, those who don’t know better will end up being fooled.

“An invitation? You don’t mean to say that you’re going to gather us all together at the same time and go there yourself, do you?”

“Why not? I intend to settle the matter at once.”

“Oh, are you crazy?”

“If we’re going to face Marduk, we won’t have the luxury of worrying about players.”

“That may be true, but even for Seongjun, it’s impossible to deal with all the players.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to wipe you out. I’ll make you a tempting offer, whether you’re a guy who wants to leave or someone who wants to go back.”

“Can you believe they’re calling? You saw it at the top. The system was throwing out crazy rewards and forcing quests to kill. That was fine because it was the top, but if it was the field….”

“I am Han Seong-jun. Those guys can’t do anything to me just because they’re all gathered together.”

While I brag with my words,

『Yes. For that reason alone, there is only one chance. I have thought about everything, so you go and take good care of the Five Kingdoms.』

I conveyed a slightly different message through telepathy.

He then shut the guy’s mouth with a wink.

‘Stop asking questions in detail.’

Because the moment any plan leaves my head, there’s a chance that Marduk will find out.

But the reason I brought this up to Goo Chang-soo is because I need his help with the plan.

Since he wasn’t a completely clueless guy… no, rather, since Gu Chang-soo was very perceptive, he quickly figured out my intentions.

“Hmm. Okay. Well, do as you wish. … What should we do with that guy?”

“I will take you.”

“Good. Then I’ll go.”

After seeing off Gu Chang-soo, I immediately logged on to LTF (Line through fog) and left a message.

(Let me see. I’ll be in the United States.)

This secret mailbox service had the advantage of not requiring separate contact information as long as it contained information that identified the recipient, although the recipient would not know that they had received the message until they checked it themselves.

Sender: Han Seong-jun.

Recipient, Kai. Or Gayoung.

Normally, the opponent wouldn’t be this specific, but I left it at that and opened the portal.

This is because the service operator is ‘Kai Auction’.

As we passed through the portal, Joo Ja-heon, who had been in the office, asked while handing over the player who was sleeping on my shoulder.

“Another rat?”

“Uh. This time, Player. I’ll keep him alive and take him when everyone gathers.”

“Didn’t you say you were going to throw away your compassion before you left?”

“It’s not because I feel sorry for you. I just need one more.”

Joo Ja-heon chuckled, put the player on his shoulder, shook his head, and left the office.

Knock knock!

I opened the window right away.

A doll flew inside.

“… It’s good because it’s fast. But isn’t it too fast?”

“When I watched the broadcast, I had a feeling that you would come find me soon.”

– The guy who smiled slyly was none other than Gayoung.

“So, what are you going to do from now on? I’ll give you a few days to think it over, so now you need to make up your mind.”

“Can’t you tell just by looking at it?”

“… So. Why?”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen a child of Nephas who is as crazy and brilliant as my brother.”

It was a perfectly acceptable reason.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I believed he was completely on my side.

“Your choice today will end the suffering of your soul.”

“Kimchi stew is too fast. Well…, okay. How can I help you?”

“I plan to send out invitations to all players.”

“… Players won’t use LTF without using system whispers.”

“There’s probably no one who doesn’t use Kai Auction. We’ll send out a physical invitation.”

“Tch! It’ll take me a few days to send them all to you.”

As expected… I didn’t say it couldn’t be done.

“Are you saying that it is possible to specify a player among the members?”

“Because the items they mainly trade are different. If you filter the registered item names, prices, and auction patterns, you can’t help but know.”

“Good. Filter and make a list first. I’ll prepare the invitations in the meantime.”

“Let’s hear what you’re thinking. If everyone accepts the invitation, is there a way to handle it?”

It is precisely moments like this that we must be careful.

“Even if we have it, we still don’t have enough trust to tell you.”

Gayoung let out a bitter laugh.

“I guess you still don’t get the concept, but the one who is carrying the yoke is Nephas. Nephas has already started his next life, and we are just the remnants of a failed life. Helping my brother is like a gambler’s last all-in after losing almost everything.”

It’s a saying that you shouldn’t have other feelings only when the situation is worth it.

What should I say? In a word, it meant to grasp the topic, but I laughed at Gayoung instead and said it.

“You’re the one who hasn’t realized it yet? That’s why you and your father have been going around for so long. Because you think you have to shoulder everything yourself, or because you think you know everything now, and that’s why you accept failure so easily.”

“… … .”

“If there is one thing that does not go according to Marduk’s will, it is the beginning. I guarantee it. This time, even my father’s death will not be the way Marduk wanted it to be.”

“That-”

“How would I know? Then do you really think that my father died because of Kang Seon-ho? That he was defeated by the tricks of old Ekion?”

“… … .”

“Yes. You know that it’s impossible. Above all, it’s an impossible death. Of course, Kang Seon-ho is amazing. Marduk must have added all sorts of coincidences, knowingly or unknowingly. But if the gap was really that narrow, it would have been someone who stranded my father for eons.”

But I, who had memories of my father, knew.

Your death was a sacrifice, never once stranded at the mercy of others.

Father is always the last one-

Realizing the failure of not being able to protect anything and mourning over an unfinished fate, he gave up on life.

so.

“The fact that you planned for your father to die in Chapter 1 of Roco 33… was actually a ‘hint’ to me. So that I would be wary of Kang Seon-ho. Maybe that guy was the one who prepared the knife to kill me from the beginning.”

“Me too… If you bring up everything that happened in the past just because we decided to get on the same boat, what am I supposed to do?”

“Ah. That’s right. So the conclusion is… It’s natural and prudent for me to not trust you yet, but it’s foolish for you to take this opportunity lightly.”

Gayoung laughed as if she had heard a refreshing sound, but her eyes could not hide her growing thoughts and grew deeper.