Chapter 183
It seemed it was finally time to go to Japan.
Honestly, I even felt a sudden urge to try something with Heungbu’s wife first, but if I went too late, Yuzuki might be disappointed. I also wasn’t sure how to handle the event. Like rice, if you let it steam for too long, it gets mushy.
“Shall I head to Japan then?”
“Shinohara Yuzuki is in Seoul right now, I hear?”
Yujeong delivered astonishing news. Is Yuzuki in Seoul?
“In Seoul? Why? Did she come to play as Kotone?”
Well, Seoul is a frequent stop for Japanese people on Portal trips, so it could be.
“No, it seems Yuzuki herself came.”
“Shinohara Yuzuki is in Seoul, not as Kotone?”
If she came as Yuzuki and not Kotone, something smelled fishy.
“It seems she came on an official visit. She’s already met with Ha Jeongseok separately, and it’s already up on T-Tube.”
Lee Yujeong showed me a few videos from T-Tube.
It was news related to Shinohara Yuzuki.
Various channels had uploaded related videos. It seemed she had come to promote Korea-Japan relations.
But one video, in particular, caught my eye.
“Huh? What’s this? ‘The world is shocked as Japan’s Head of State Shinohara Yuzuki visits Korea after the Korea-China War!’ Senior Yujeong, do you watch this kind of stuff?”
I heard there are a lot of channels like this these days, but Senior Yujeong, of all people!
“I run it.”
“Why?”
“It really sucks up views. And it got even more popular after you became a War Hero in the Korea-China War. It’s a source of funds, you know?”
“Don’t I earn enough to support us? Are we short on money?”
Even if I just Purify the magic in an Erosion Zone right now, I’d get billions. And besides, Cheonsan, the leader in the Mars Terraforming Project, exists, so what’s the big deal?
“I’m not talking about that kind of funding; I’m talking about public sentiment. A lot of older people from the Cataclysm Era watch this. What if we include the Baekhwa Cult’s achievements or what they’ve done in each video?”
“Ah.”
Elderly people from the Cataclysm Era don’t have a good image of Mutants. Especially not of the Baekhwa Cult, a Villain Organization whose main force consists of Mutants.
Thanks to their help in the war, their image had improved somewhat, but there were still many who harbored resentment.
Such channels would definitely be helpful.
“Especially since Ha Jeongseok is trying to use Public Opinion Manipulation to make the Baekhwa Cult seem like just another Villain Organization again, we need to counterattack like this.”
“That sounds plausible. Wait. What’s this? ‘The world is astonished by the power of Yu Eunha, War Hero of the Korea-China War!’ No, this is a bit much.”
This was really too much. I got a massive case of goosebumps.
As I watched, there was even a video with a thumbnail of me beating up Pingtao.
No, why on earth was this made?
“There’s a reason for this too, you know. This way, foreign media will also realize that Korea revolves around you.”
“Oh-ho.”
Was that the intention, to make Ha Jeongseok eat his words?
Well, even if it was a trap I set beforehand, that guy treated me as a Villain and assigned a Villain Handler to me.
“You’re the most famous person abroad right now. Even though this is made in Korean, it’s aimed at foreigners. It plants the image that you’re amazing enough to rehabilitate the Baekhwa Cult.”
“So you had it all planned out.”
When one thought about it, it was quite plausible.
“But I’m getting goosebumps too, so I’m just going to manage it for a bit and then stop. Other people run a lot of these channels anyway.”
“By the way, Siwoo, are you managing Baekhwa TV well?”
I asked Siwoo, who was polishing her sword, and she nodded.
“Yeah. I recently went to a Gate in Seoul too.”
“Not bad. If the two of you handle that, the Baekhwa Cult will be able to fully integrate into Korea.”
The Baekhwa Cult had even received permission to enter Seoul if they passed checkpoint inspections.
Baekhwa TV was already a channel famous for Villain Cleanup. So, it was gradually expanding to Seoul, taking on the role of Clearing Gates there.
“But Seoul at this time. Hmm.”
Is this really related to the Japan event?
It’s too different from the original story.
The Korea-China War was probably a big factor, but there was no news of Yuzuki coming to Seoul.
“They say it’s for Korea-Japan relations, but hmm.”
It felt like there was some other reason.
Just then, my Magic Gear rang.
The Gear Code showed it was from the Association. Probably Choi Cheolsik.
“Oh, Association President. What’s up?”
[“Hey, Eunha. I need you to lend a hand.”]
“Huh?”
What kind of hand? Surely he wasn’t going to give me some troublesome task.
[“Shinohara Yuzuki, who’s visiting Korea, says she wants to learn about Korea.”]
“Ah, surely I’m not that…”
He wants me to be Yuzuki’s guide, right? A tour guide.
[“Yes. I was hoping you could introduce her to various things. Wouldn’t it be right for you, who’s famous in Korea, to go?”]
“Understood.”
It feels like Yuzuki is playing with me. She’s making a kind of protest, telling me to come to Japan quickly. So maybe she came all the way to Korea to call me? Alright, let’s meet her first. Then I’ll think about how to mess with her now that she’s in Korea.
* * *
Title: Isn’t the Academy weird these days?
Are all the female students suddenly into a snake fetish? Why are they all wearing Snake Eye Lenses? It’s not my taste, so I couldn’t do it.
-They’re real eyes, dumbass.
-Are you a pussy? Then you’ll be one of us soon.
-It’s actually sexy. Wanna try it too?
-I’ll be there soon.
-My girlfriend does it too. I don’t know why.
-Poor bastard above lol. Then she’s not your girl anymore lol.
I was looking at the Anonymous Bulletin Board for the first time in a while, and it seems Siwoo is working hard.
Most of the kids posting or commenting on the board seem to be on our side already.
Honestly, snake eyes are sexy, though.
I was playing on my phone in front of the Hunter Association for a while when I sensed a presence.
“Oh, Yu Eunha. Long time no see.”
“Hiya.”
I raised my hand high and waved at Baldy Choi Cheolsik.
“Is that outfit for the Baekhwa Cult Leader role?”
My current outfit was a gray uniform.
It was completely different from the Hanseong Academy uniform or the Dungeon entry gear, giving off a distinct Executive-like feel.
Since I was going to be a guide, I couldn’t dress too casually, and my counterpart was the De Facto Ruler of Japan, who had installed the Prime Minister as a Figurehead.
I had to show proper respect.
“Yes. Well, don’t you think matching colors helps us get a bit closer? And it’s a public occasion, not a private one.”
“Well, it can’t be helped. The adults pushed you into that position.”
It didn’t really matter. But looking at Choi Cheolsik’s face, he seemed to carry a lot of guilt.
After all, they made me the Leader/Ring-leader of a Villain Organization, so it must feel like a faded result for a Hero, right? My name is still revered as a Hero, but if I don’t actively participate, it will eventually be forgotten. And I’ll remain the Baekhwa Cult Leader in the shadows. This is what I want, but from Choi Cheolsik’s perspective, it must be regrettable to leave Yu Jinseok’s sister like this.
“Even if they’re adults who haven’t achieved anything.”
“That stings a bit.”
No need to sting. He’s Baldy anyway.
“It’s fine. Isn’t it just how things are for adults?”
“If you’ve achieved that much at twenty, you’re an adult.”
“It would be strange not to be an adult in this era, anyway.”
It was the Cataclysm Era, an age when Monsters invaded.
It might seem like we were laughing and chatting now, but Monsters were still lurking in the darkness everywhere, waiting to ambush Humans.
And now that Sin had appeared, it was even more so.
“The person coming this way is Shinohara Yuzuki. You’ve seen her on the internet or TV, right?”
In the direction Choi Cheolsik’s head pointed, Shinohara Yuzuki stood.
She gave me a slight bow.
Well, I’d seen her often at the Academy, but… hmm. She had a different vibe from Kotone. But that woman, for all her business pretense, even wore a suit.
Wow. A Japanese woman with a distinct ‘Office Lady’ vibe. Fucking hot.
After this guiding gig, I’ll go home and have some masturbation time. Rachel also told me not to touch Magnute until Yu Jinseok brings the shrimp, so I guess I can masturbate a bit.
“Lady Yuzuki. Hello.”
“Yu Eunha, War Hero of the Korea-China War?”
Her acting was amazing. She was treating me as Yuzuki, not Kotori, without batting an eye.
Did she think I didn’t know about her?
“Yes. I am Yu Eunha.”
I bowed deeply, diligently showing respect to the Head of a Nation.
Why is she smiling so slyly? As if she’s aiming for something. Is she really targeting me today? Is that why she’s smiling like that? That person is suspicious, indeed.
“And Baekhwa, Baekhwa Cult Leader?”
“Huh?”
My whole body trembled for a moment.
No. There’s no way this woman knows, is there? What did she mean by that?
I subtly glanced at her, and she was still smiling like a sly fox.
Just then, a Fox Mask Shinsengumi member, who was guarding her from behind, approached and whispered to her.
“House Head. Baekhwa and Yu Eunha are different people.”
“Ah. Ah, is that so? I thought they looked a bit similar.”
Phew. I was really surprised, thinking she knew me.
“Ha-hahaha.”
What, she was just testing the waters, right?
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Yu Eunha. I hear you became the Baekhwa Cult Leader after your achievements in the Korea-China War, and also an Apostle Candidate.”
“Not at all.”
She’s playing with me right now, isn’t she?
“I hope we can have a good relationship in the future.”
“Me too.”
I want a relationship where we rub intimately.
“I’ve visited Korea several times for Summits, but I know little about it.”
“Is that so?”
“Could you tell me about Korean food and culture?”
Oh-ho, I was waiting for that question.
There was something I always wanted to say at a time like this.
“Do you know kimchi?”
At my words, Shinohara Yuzuki’s eyes turned cold.
As expected, this wasn’t it? Right. I would’ve punched her too.
“I already know enough about kimchi.”
“Do you know Yongyong-i?”
At my words, she tilted her head slightly.
“That, I’m curious about.”
“Follow me.”
Thinking about it, something pissed me off.
No, why should I have to do this troublesome thing? It looks like she pulled a trick on me to get me to come. If so, I have no choice. I’ll show her my changed palate, thanks to Geumtaeyang and Kate. I will personally show her my unique spicy flavor.
They went to an Ice Cream Shop.
Naturally, I chose Mint Chocolate.
“Eh. What is this?”
Yuzuki’s face contorted.
“It’s Mint Chocolate! It’s my favorite!”
“Ah. Ahaha. That. I’ll have something else.”
It was satisfying to see her sweating profusely.
“Ah, I’m sorry. But you’re the highest-ranking person in Japan, so this isn’t suitable for you, is it?”
“No, it’s not that. Ah. Alright. I’ll eat it. I’ll eat it.”
At my pitiable gaze, Shinohara Yuzuki finally put a spoonful into her mouth.
Yuzuki seemed to let the ice cream linger in her mouth for a bit, then, despite her efforts to maintain her expression, her face transformed into one experiencing all the joys and sorrows of the world.
“How does it taste?”
“It. It’s. It’s delicious.”
She tried hard to maintain her expression, but it was visibly contorting.
Honestly, it was delicious. Anyway, perhaps because she’s a Shinohara, or because she only eats expensive things, it didn’t seem to suit her palate.
“It’s really delicious. Shall I give you the whole tub?”
“Ah. No. I can’t fill my stomach with this ice cream.”
Oh-ho, so you’re trying to get out of it like that? Then I have no choice.
“Alright. Next, let’s eat the Pork Soup with Rice that I enjoy.”
“No, I. That. Um. Do we really have to eat everything?”
Isn’t starting with Mint Chocolate the basic thing to do when you come to Korea?
Or Pork Soup with Rice with Rice with Rice? Chicken feet? Sundae? Just name it, and I’ll make you eat it all.