Chapter 585

〈 Chapter 585 〉 Part 2, Chapter 1, Section 15

<Some time later, at the Office.>

Sun Icheol.

The 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st President of this world’s South Korea, Sun Icheol was once an ordinary opposition legislator. He seized power by capitalizing on the chaos caused by the <Pyongyang Incident>, when an S-Rank Monster appeared in Pyongyang.

Publicly, he enjoys overwhelming support from the citizens, but secretly, he runs a criminal organization, manipulates public opinion, and frames opposition figures as villains or stages their deaths at the hands of monsters. He is one of the main villains, committing countless atrocities. Amidst the global shift towards authoritarianism, his actions are no different from those of other dictators around the world. In fact, the rulers in this universe are amalgamations of various historical tyrants and mass murderers.

Take ‘Mo Taegyeong’ in China, for example. Said to be the reincarnation of a famous female assassin from the Three Kingdoms era, he changed his name to gain the trust of the Chinese people.

In the game, he sacrificed 1 million civilians as offerings to resurrect a deceased S-Rank Ability User. The enemy forces chasing players trying to escape China are all sent by Mo Taegyeong.

Then there’s ‘Adolf Wilhelm’ in the European Union. This German-born Cardinal manipulates the worldwide Hero Association from behind the scenes as part of the <Senate>.

His most defining feature? A mustache that everyone recognizes. Centering around Queen Aruel of England, he sows chaos across the EU. Though a member of the Senate, he randomly acts as a Dark Legion spy, causing global turmoil.

While it might seem unnecessary to delve into politics even in a game, the player’s actions inevitably influence world affairs.

<Cube>.

A fragment of the Otherworld Spirit’s Core, split into 27 pieces, each holding immense Magic Power capable of granting any wish. Various politicians, villains, and monsters possess these cubes. Players must collect them all to achieve a perfect victory against Seongju in the final battle.

“So, Sun Icheol plans to use the Cube to… you know, enlarge that.”

“…Just for that?”

“There’s more.”

Like increasing not just length but also girth, boosting stamina, removing the belly fat gained from years of governance, growing back thinning hair, or even gaining height.

“Sun Icheol is incredibly selfish, only thinking of himself. That’s why I came to Korea – it’s the best place for me to gain strength. No, it’s less about my strength…”

I grabbed Yuna’s face.

“…and more about the heroes I can cultivate here. There’s plenty of talented individuals, and within a few hours’ travel, you can directly confront monsters. Monsters spawn like weeds. And there’s Yuna too.”

“How am I supposed to react to such sudden compliments?”

“I’m serious. If not for Yuna, I would’ve really gone back to America.”

Though Yuna smiled and shook her head, I wasn’t joking. It’s because Yuna – Yuinah – exists in Korea that I came here.

‘Seongju will come to Korea targeting Yuna.’

The final boss, the Lord of Pluto, will arrive in Korea to retrieve the Otherworld Spirit’s body – Yuinah. Had the developers chosen another country as the game setting, Yuinah would have been someone else, somewhere else. Naturally, the player’s journey would have unfolded elsewhere too.

“Do you think you’re trying to impress me with such words?”

“Why wouldn’t you believe me? Why would I lie to you?”

“Alright, alright. To keep you in Korea, I’ll stay by your side. So what’s the plan? With the government as our enemy…”

“I saw it clearly. Everyone chanting Sun Icheol’s name.”

New Seoul might as well be Sun Icheol’s kingdom.

In the main story, Sun Icheol constantly interferes, frustrating the player. For instance, monster hunting cores require a minimum 33% tax payment to the state before receiving settlement funds – a prime example of Sun Icheol-style dictatorship.

“Therefore, we need to recruit trustworthy allies who can rely on each other completely.”

“That sounds difficult. Are there such heroes in Korea?”

“They exist. And besides, we don’t necessarily need only traditional heroes.”

“…You don’t mean…”

I wrote some words on the whiteboard brought into the office.

“First, let’s list people we trust who can help us. Starting with heroes. Someone like Seok Harang, whom we aim to recruit?”

“Yes. As an S-Rank Hero representing the Korean Hero Association, she’d surely be a great asset. But…”

Yuna hesitated, glancing at me nervously.

“What about Light Blade?”

“Ah, that guy.”

<Light Blade>. A more powerful Ability User than Seok Harang and the world’s strongest unknown swordsman. Despite possessing SS-Rank power, he hides his true abilities, choosing to remain as an S-Rank protector of New Seoul for years.

“He’s one of Sun Icheol’s underlings. No way.”

“Hmm…if persuaded, he could be an incredible ally. Or is it because he’s a man?”

“Nope. Light Blade would undoubtedly be an outstanding comrade akin to Seok Harang. But it’s too late. Light Blade…no.”

Because he chose to become Sun Icheol’s pawn to conceal being Seok Harang’s biological father. Due to misguided loyalty, Light Blade ended up becoming Seok Harang’s enemy, allowing her to become Korea’s representative hero.

“Sitting at home in New Seoul without moving has its reasons.”

I drew letters on Yuna’s back with my fingertips.

It’s terminal. He’ll die soon.

“…What?”

“Who do you think I have backing me?”

I pulled out a business card, and Yuna immediately nodded.

“Ah…did you hear from that person?”

“Yeah. Before they passed away.”

Using the <Future Prophecy> ability, the <Oracle> revealed his name. His prophecies are absolute; fate cannot be defied. Light Blade will die.

“Actually, there is a way to save him.”

I had overheard rumors while reviewing DLC updates. One of them mentioned a “Save Light Blade” campaign.

– The Living God saves Light Blade!

There’s a high probability that the DLC will offer a chance to save Light Blade, but since I’m considering pursuing another woman, I don’t feel particularly motivated to save him. His death would actually make recruiting Seok Harang easier.

“…Anyway, let’s focus on what benefits us. Next, who else besides heroes can help us?”

“Hunters?”

“Exactly. Hunters are the most representative. We do need to defeat certain monsters after all. Actually, monsters are our main target.”

“Do you have any specific hunters in mind?”

“Well, I need to meet them personally…how about you, Yuna? Anyone you’d recommend?”

“…”

Yuna lowered her head, and I felt slightly puzzled.

“Shouldn’t Yuna recommend Jung Su Ri?”

Jung Su Ri. Heroine #4. An A-Rank Fire Attribute user whose talents rival other attributes. Originally from abroad, she settled in Korea, awakened her special abilities here, and became a naturalized heroine recognized for her A-Rank talent. She’s also the only friend at the academy who gets along casually with Yuna. Despite her curvaceous figure, her proportions are excellent, allowing her to work as a model through agencies, maintaining impressive physical beauty.

“Um…none come to mind.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I apologize, but there’s no one trustworthy enough around me to introduce to you.”

Yuna bitterly smiled and lowered her head. Though slightly different from what I expected, it wasn’t a major issue.

“If Yuna says so, then that’s that. Otherwise, we’ll have to evaluate people one by one.”

“What’s the plan?”

“Auditions. And recruitment announcements.”

I held up the <Oracle Studio> business card.

“First, we’ll recruit office staff under the guise of entering Hollywood. At least one person is guaranteed to show up.”

A security guard who always stays in the office, and an intern whose main responsibility is coffee runs.

“Yuna, have you ever applied for a job?”

“…I’ve filled out application forms before.”

“Good. What do you think about this phrase?”

I showed Yuna the prepared phrase.

“Are you really going to hire using this?”

“Yeah.”

A family-like company.

“Since we’ll all end up living together anyway, it’s not a lie, right? Hehe.”

“…Are you planning a group wedding?”

“Yuna, they say a hero should have three wives and four concubines.”

Yuna’s expression soured. But I added,

“I’ll become the greatest hero to save the Earth. Who can criticize a man who saved the world for having sixteen wives?”

“Isn’t that how people end up getting stabbed?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve prepared for everything.”

Yuna despaired, clutching her head. I chuckled and posted our recruitment announcement through magical gear.

“Brother.”

“Hmm?”

“The principal wife is me.”

“…”

Yuinah, you’re terrifying.

* * *

<Meanwhile, at the Busan Comprehensive Terminal Rehabilitation Labor Center.>

“This seems…difficult. It’s because you’re a woman.”

“That’s gender discrimination. I can do it. Please trust me.”

The woman with lusterless, messy hair bowed deeply to her interlocutor. Her disheveled appearance and worn-out coat indicated just how desperate her situation was.

“I can do menial jobs too. You can ask me to do anything. Even if my body is like this now, I’m stronger than most adult men.”

“…We understand your circumstances well. But even so, we can’t assign trivial intern tasks to someone who was once an A-Rank Hero.”

The fist resting on the woman’s thigh trembled. Nevertheless, she wiped her expression clean and bowed again.

“Please. If you give me work…I’ll do anything.”

“…”

Park Ra-on, formerly known as <Unsah>, left the center with heavy steps. The sky was covered with dark clouds, and the drizzle seemed to reflect her mood.

Crackle, crackle.

The magical gear’s battery was nearly depleted. While recharging with magic power would allow it to function again, the device was too old and worn out, nearing complete breakdown due to excessive use.

“…Last chance.”

Ra-on began searching the job listings, pinning her last hope on finding somewhere that would treat her purely as a human being and job seeker, regardless of her past.

“Ah.”

Ra-on’s eyes lit up. It was a newly posted job listing, but for some reason, her intuition told her it was the right one.

“Let’s go. To New Seoul.”

Ra-on checked her pocket money. Closing her eyes tightly, she began bowing deeply to passersby.

“Excuse me…I don’t have enough money to get to New Seoul…could you spare some…”

About three hours later.

Ra-on managed to board the last train heading to New Seoul.

– Office Staff Wanted.

A family-like company!

Full of passionate energy!

Evening and accommodation provided if necessary!

Guaranteed annual salary of 30 million won! (※Including government subsidies)

Preference given to women aged 19-29!

Hiring: 1 office clerk, 1 security guard.