Chapter 780

〈 Chapter 780 〉 Part 2, Chapter 7, Section 13: Exposure

After figuring out Hydra’s true intentions…

I decided to play a game in the marital bedroom after a long time due to this recording broadcast thing.

“Calling Shotacon ‘Mom’ is ridiculous.”

[If you think about the original source of this world, it does make sense.]

The original source of this world, our ‘Spirits,’ who were originally the goddesses of Tera, matches with some of the mythological beings here.

In the case of Hydra… In the case of Spirit Ji Ryun…

“Gaia?”

[The most famous Earth Mother Goddess. Also a pivotal figure in one mythology.]

Hydra.

She was the equivalent of Gaia from Greek and Roman mythology in this world.

Myths are stories passed down by later generations compiled into books, so we can’t tell if they’re real or not. But at least I can confidently say that the status of Ji Ryun and Gaia is the same.

Earth Mother Goddess.

Such an existence has been demoted to a Spirit and became a villainous organization’s executive.

“Why Shotacon?”

[You’ll have to ask him yourself soon.]

He looked around above my head.

Our location was Gimhae International Airport in Busan.

Though Incheon had been cleaned up somewhat, Gimhae remained the only way for people to enter Korea from overseas.

And currently, this Gimhae International Airport was packed with Arab foreigners to the point where it was hard to tell if we were in Korea or an Arab country.

“Ohh, Saladin, ohh…!”

Those wearing turbans and aggressively proclaiming their Arab heritage all looked desperate.

“Foreign workers… right?”

[Also illegal residents. People who came to Korea to make money but lost their way back home after Seoul’s collapse.]

After Seoul’s collapse.

Most foreign workers in Korea lost their means to return home.

With Incheon International Airport destroyed and flights rerouted to Gimhae, all air routes except those to major developed countries were canceled due to monster threats.

There are only two ways these people can reunite with their families abroad.

One is to land in the nearest developed country and then cross borders overland.

“Saladin! Please take me with you!!”

“I have my mother waiting for me back home!!”

And the other is to rely on fellow countrymen who might understand their plight.

“Hold it!!”

“Crap, calm down! If you piss off Saladin, you won’t be going home anytime soon!”

Many ability users formed barricades to stop them.

These were ability users dispatched by the Hero Association and subordinates under Sun Icheol.

“Calmm… down! Dammit, these bastards…!”

“Don’t do it. You’ll die, and we’ll clean up the mess.”

“Damn…!”

Their expressions were far from pleasant.

They looked at the illegal foreign workers like bugs, viewing their desperate attempts to reach Saladin as nothing more than insects squirming to survive.

“Soon, everyone will become monsters.”

Not too far in the future—more like half a year from now, just before the final battle.

Anyone with the potential to become a monster-terrorist will inevitably turn into one.

Whether it’s those disrupting airport order due to their desperation or those obeying orders while despising the desperate ones—they’ll all become bug-like monsters that slaughter people.

And those commanding these monsters and forming them into armies are what we call ‘Players who haven’t been defeated yet.’

“…At that moment, [Saladin] appeared!!”

Waaaah!!

As the nearby reporter spoke, many people applauded, welcoming Saladin’s arrival.

With his white turban, dressed in the typical garb of Arab men, he entered the terminal hall with a surprisingly mild expression.

“Respectfully, greetings. I am from the Hero Association…”

“Tch.”

Saladin openly frowned at the man from the association who had come to guide him.

“You lack proper decorum.”

“…This way, please.”

Despite being insulted outright, the man firmly guided Saladin forward.

Watching his expression, I couldn’t help but snicker.

“Is he upset because no woman came to greet him?”

[More precisely, because a woman of his level didn’t come out.]

Our gazes turned toward my Magical Gear.

‘Seo Harang.’

It’s only natural that the S-Rank Hero of a nation should be greeted by another S-Rank Hero.

But Seo Harang wasn’t there, which greatly displeased Saladin.

I understand.

Being known as the “Harem King,” he must enjoy mingling with beautiful women from all over the world.

I would decline anyone serving me except for him.

However, from an international and diplomatic perspective, this situation is absolutely unacceptable.

Regardless, Saladin is a Round Table Hero and one of the most influential global-level heroes in the world.

[Did you know? Saladin has a habit of kidnapping women from the countries he visits. Since abilities tend to stand out, he usually takes women who are half-and-half and locks them away in his harem.]

“If that’s the case, could the female villains working under Boss Saladin possibly be…?”

[Exactly. Some were taken willingly, but others were deliberately sacrificed by countries trying to please him, hoping he’d come to their aid when the Dimensional Gate opens.]

“Such cruelty.”

Given that setting honey traps to win his favor is common knowledge, thoroughly surrounding him with men is essentially declaring hostility towards Saladin.

“Sorry, but you’re no longer a hero.”

Had she been a female hero, I might have considered letting her live.

But he’s a man.

At that moment, I recalled a famous internet quote.

“Kill the men and rape the women.”

[Isn’t that just normal plunderer dialogue?]

“The point is that a woman is saying it. Puhuhu.”

It was daytime.

The strongest sunlight of the day.

A perfect time to expose the sinister truth of the monsters.

Currently, my comrades are lying in wait in various positions, preparing for some kind of incident.

To kill the monster Saladin.

* * *

Press conference room.

“Hahaha, yes. Personally, I…”

The atmosphere at the press conference, with its set questions and answers, was perfectly harmonious.

Wouldn’t it be?

In this era where the world rushes toward destruction, S-Rank Heroes are more important than national leaders.

Possessing celebrity-like popularity while holding political significance higher than any president or prime minister, they’re individuals beyond the control of nations, making them coveted talents worldwide.

An S-Rank Hero defects.

Even though it strains relations with their original country, you can’t openly criticize them.

What if they hold a grudge and refuse to save you?

But for those hoping for an S-Rank Hero’s defection, the situation is different.

From the start, the poor reception—from the man approaching for introductions to the overall treatment—seemed botched, but luckily, once the press conference began, the atmosphere became relatively harmonious.

All questions that might irritate Saladin were removed, and the room was filled with flatterers praising him.

“Hmm… How about it, haha. This is the peak of Korean hospitality.”

The vice president of the Hero Association marveled at the journalists practically gilding themselves with gold.

They knew every detail of his background and accomplishments, endlessly praising the Hero Saladin.

“By any chance, is there any specific Hero you’d like to meet personally in Korea?”

Question number 130 arrived.

The vice president prepared the expected answer.

S-Rank Heroes complimenting each other is a well-established custom.

Most likely, either Light Blade or Snow White Princess’s name would come up.

“That’s interesting… Personally? If personally, there’s one lady I’d like to meet.”

“…Huh?”

The vice president felt an unsettling vibe creep up his spine.

“Once, I saw it on QTube. It was in an underground mall, I think. There was this small but brave girl taking down rampaging monsters. Was she a girl? I’d like to meet her.”

“Damn it…”

The vice president gritted his teeth internally.

“Showing courage against someone much larger. Isn’t that the epitome of a hero’s example? Hahaha.”

“That brat, that crazy team.”

Realizing which group the girl Saladin mentioned belonged to, the vice president wanted to tear his hair out.

90% of Korea’s heroes and hunters can be swayed by appeals to patriotism and familial love.

Do you think 90% is a lot?

Those who weren’t converted crossed the border and became foreigners.

Now, only those who mock themselves as “suckers” remain.

Except for one insane group that neither patriotism nor national pride can sway.

Although the vice president knows exactly what they’ve accomplished, externally they’re known as a crazy bunch playing magical girl ability user games with Korea as the backdrop.

“Do any of you know her? Hahaha.”

The journalists exchanged glances in silence.

Because no one knows her.

Their question sheets were full of answers about Light Blade and Snow White Princess, but there was no plan C or D to handle this unexpected variable.

“I know her.”

Someone raised their hand.

Surprisingly, no one remembered seeing this journalist before, yet she exuded immense presence.

“Wow.”

Clearly dressed similarly to the other journalists in shirts and suits, her chest was absurdly large.

“My name is Chun Ga-eun from Daily