Episode 629. Press Conference (2)

The Victoria Convention Center, owned by Victoria Academy.

In the giant exhibition hall located in the heart of Seoul, dignitaries from all over the world had taken their seats.

While a few people seemed displeased about coming all the way to Korea just for one Lee Hoyeon, most maintained a serious atmosphere.

This was because rumors had spread that the press conference would address the Gates to the Underworld, the monsters, and the black pillars.

Now that every country had declared martial law.

The mere fact that so many high-ranking officials had gathered was enough to show how much attention Lee Hoyeon’s press conference was drawing.

Although it was called a press conference, the reporters were pushed to the corners as the high-ranking officials occupied the prime seats.

Interviews to be broadcast to each country were handled by spokespersons, and reporters trying to request interviews from high-ranking officials were pushed back by security guards, eventually joining the crowd in the corner.

Among them, there was a reporter grumbling.

“… Is it really necessary for Lee Hoyeon Mage’s press conference to become this big? No matter how great Lee Hoyeon Mage is, is he greater than all the researchers in the world?”

“Hey, haven’t you heard? If things continue like this, the Earth is doomed. People are even saying we have to place our last hopes on Lee Hoyeon Mage.”

For days, numerous research teams had been dedicated to studying the monsters from the Underworld, but the results were not good.

This was due to footage sent by a single drone that had luckily infiltrated the depths of the Pacific’s darkness.

The monsters currently attacking humans were already difficult to fend off, yet creatures larger and stronger than those were endlessly crossing the Gates to the Underworld.

• Maintaining the status quo is difficult, but if the monsters launch a full-scale assault, we absolutely cannot stop them.

That was the conclusion of the research teams.

“But does it make sense for dignitaries from all over the world to show up for the press conference of Lee Hoyeon Mage, who just became an adult?”

“The heads of the American Hunter Association and the Mage Association are here, so how could other countries just stand by? Plus, the Iris Guild Leader and Angela Guild Leader came in person. Anyone clueless enough to miss this kind of event should just lose their head.”

[Lee Hoyeon Mage will now enter.]

At that moment, everyone focused their gazes forward at the voice coming from the podium.

The reporters stopped their chatter, raised their cameras, or prepared their smartwatches. They had to concentrate on Lee Hoyeon’s every word.

Broadcasting stations from each country also turned on their live cameras. Since this press conference was receiving significant attention online, a live broadcast was expected.

“It seems to be starting now. Isaac-nim.”

“I wonder how great a story my son-in-law will tell.”

“What? Son-in-law?”

“Shh. Concentrate. He’s coming up.”

Isaac silenced the Team 2 Leader and looked straight ahead.

The expressions of the high-ranking officials, who had been exchanging greetings, changed one after another.

Some of them narrowed their eyes, while others prayed for a good outcome.

Thump. Thump.

Soon after, a man slowly walked onto the podium.

He was a man with sculpted features that anyone would find appealing.

His neat suit made him look like a model, and as soon as the reporters saw him, they started snapping pictures.

‘Wow, there are so many people from up here.’

Lee Hoyeon, now on the podium, glanced at the crowd in front.

Perhaps it was because he had been frequenting deserted places lately.

It had been a long time since he had received such direct attention, not since he presented his research at the Mage Association.

He felt his suit was uncomfortably tight for no reason and worried if his tie was fastened properly.

“Ahem. Ah. Hmm.”

Taking a deep breath, Lee Hoyeon cleared his throat.

He tried to relax, but it wasn’t easy at all.

Lee Hoyeon felt the weight on his shoulders after a long time as he stepped onto the stage.

Standing on the podium, he could truly feel the bustling noise.

The bright flashes of the lights filled his vision, and the click-clack of shutters could be heard.

[We thank the distinguished guests and members of the press who have come from various countries, and now, we will begin Lee Hoyeon Mage’s press conference. Questions and answers will follow after Lee Hoyeon Mage concludes his remarks…]

Kang Hyorin, the head of the Iris Guild’s Korean branch, spoke beside him.

The press conference had begun.

“…”

Lee Hoyeon closed his eyes for a moment and thought.

This press conference was truly important.

It was a crucial opportunity to deliver the message he had prepared to the entire world in real-time.

There might not be another moment when Lee Hoyeon’s voice and presence would hold such weight.

To protect this world, to protect the heroines, or perhaps to protect himself.

Lee Hoyeon had to overcome this hurdle.

“Haa…”

He opened his eyes.

Lee Hoyeon looked at the people watching him.

Thousands of people were looking at him alone, yet his heart wasn’t pounding.

[Clear Mind]

He used a special ability he had been deliberately avoiding.

For the first time in a while, his mind felt refreshingly clear.

He hadn’t felt it while watching the press conference, but standing here, the pressure was immense.

‘So this is the kind of pressure you have to overcome to make a living as a politician,’ he thought.

Lee Hoyeon straightened his shoulders confidently and began to speak.

“I am Lee Hoyeon Mage. I believe you all have questions regarding the black pillars and the mysterious monster attacks. I intend to address everything here today, so please listen carefully.”

The noisy shutter sounds gradually subsided.

Lee Hoyeon slowly began to unfold his prepared speech.

“I have been conducting research since the moment the black pillars appeared. Eventually, I realized that the black pillars emitted magic that harms humans, and I tried to inform the world of this fact.”

He had tried to spread the truth through the Iris Guild and Victoria Academy, but the high-ranking officials were already brainwashed.

If only he had known that earlier, things would have been easier.

“This incident is not a natural phenomenon like dungeons or gates. It is a terrorist act orchestrated by the terrorist group Pandemic. They opened the Gates to the Underworld and summoned monsters from other dimensions to Earth.”

Lee Hoyeon signaled Dr. Kang Hyorin, the head of the Iris Guild’s Korean branch, who was waiting beside him.

Before the press conference began, materials requested from the Iris Guild had been distributed to the dignitaries and reporters.

• Th-this… is a method to destroy the black pillars?

• The weakness of the one-eyed giant isn’t its eye, but its crown? What does that mean?! Tell them to check with the captured monster!

• What does it mean that even regular hunters can use the magic of the Underworld?

Research materials detailing the monsters’ weaknesses and methods to counter them using the magic of the Underworld.

It was a strategy guide created directly by Lee Hoyeon.

He had spent time compiling the weaknesses of all the monsters, so simply learning them would reduce the number of hunters sacrificed in battle.

Currently, Earth’s ability users are generally weaker than in the original timeline, and they are not accustomed to the magic of the Underworld.

Humanity’s unity is not strong, and there are still people who only look out for their own interests.

Despite all this, Lee Hoyeon existed in this world.

Monsters typically inflict the most damage before their weaknesses are known.

If this were a game, even if the player knew how to counter them, they couldn’t tell the NPCs, but this wasn’t a game.

Knowing how to counter them was undoubtedly an advantageous situation.

No matter how strong the monsters from the Underworld are, they can be sufficiently dealt with once the magic of the Underworld is mastered and their weaknesses are exploited.

“This is the method developed by myself, the Iris Guild, and Victoria Academy to counter the monsters. To fight them, you must use the magic of the Underworld. And with the magic tools created by the Mage Association, anyone can learn to use the magic of the Underworld.”

Furthermore, simply equipping hunters with the mass-produced magic tools from the Mage Association would significantly boost their combat power.

The difference between 10 and 11 is small, but the difference between 0 and 1 is huge.

‘Then, we just need to start destroying the black pillars.’

As seen in Korea and France, monsters without the magic of the Underworld can be easily subdued even by regular hunters.

With the black pillars gone and weakened, and humans mastering the magic of the Underworld and knowing how to counter the monsters… the monsters would no longer be a threat.

“I understand some of you may be wondering how I came to possess this information. And you’re probably also curious as to why I’m revealing it now.”

To execute his plan, he needed credibility.

The reason Lee Hoyeon had gained attention was because he was the first to destroy a black pillar.

However, knowing the monsters’ weaknesses solely based on that would be a logical leap.

While there was an excuse for researching the magic of the Underworld for the magic tools, knowing all the monsters’ weaknesses just from destroying a black pillar felt too awkward.

Moreover, revealing this information only now would likely arouse suspicion.

The reason he knew the monsters’ weaknesses was because he had played the original game.

He couldn’t reveal that, so he had to divert attention elsewhere.

“This information was obtained directly from Pandemic’s masterminds. I recently captured Pandemic spies who had infiltrated the United States. They audaciously attempted to contact the American Hunter Association President and Guild Leader Angela.”

Startled by Lee Hoyeon’s words, people turned their heads, and the American Hunter Association President and Guild Leader Angela nodded in agreement.

They had already coordinated this before the press conference began.

“According to the information obtained from the spies, people brainwashed by Pandemic currently hold key positions in various countries. These brainwashed high-ranking officials used the media to attack me to prevent my research findings from becoming known. I will expose their identities here today at this press conference.”

Murmur. Murmur.

The atmosphere became chaotic following Lee Hoyeon’s bombshell statement.

The officials frowned or whispered amongst themselves, while the reporters showed keen interest, sensing a scoop.

• Do you know exactly who the traitor is?! Reveal their identity!

• Is the source reliable? Lee Hoyeon Mage’s press conference is being broadcast live worldwide right now!

“I will now present the evidence for my claims.”

Lee Hoyeon unleashed his magic simultaneously as he answered.

How could he maximize the attention at a press conference?

This was the result of intense deliberation.

‘Deploying the Heavenly Demon Palace.’

He spread the magic he drew from within his body in all directions.

Instantly, the interior of the convention center was filled with Lee Hoyeon’s magic.

“Th-that’s impossible.”

“This much magic from one person…?”

The bodyguards of the dignitaries tensed up the moment they felt Lee Hoyeon’s magic and looked straight ahead.

The magic that filled the space in the blink of an eye could turn into a weapon at any moment and target their throats.

“…”

Lee Hoyeon ignored the killing intent around him and descended from the podium.

He wasn’t particularly fond of displaying his power, but nothing else could deliver such a strong impact.

Drawing attention like this once would ensure everyone paid attention to this press conference, whether they wanted to or not, and the high-ranking officials would be unable to dismiss his words.

“It’s easy to identify those who have been brainwashed. The terrorist group Pandemic even possessed a method to undo their brainwashing.”

Thump. Thump.

Lee Hoyeon walked through the tense dignitaries and approached Chairman Eckermann of the American Hunter Association.

He bowed his head slightly and asked politely.

“Chairman Eckermann-nim. Could you please repeat exactly what I say?”

“If it’s a request from Lee Hoyeon Mage, it’s not difficult.”

“Tu Arma Maestro.”

“Tu Arma Maestro.”

Chairman Eckermann repeated the brainwashing phrase and shrugged.

Lee Hoyeon continued naturally.

“As you can see. This sentence has no effect on ordinary people. … However.”

Lee Hoyeon turned and approached the area where the Korean high-ranking officials were gathered.

A person he had requested to meet multiple times but failed to.

The Korean Hunter Association President.

The one who had spoken harshly to Surin noona, who had defended him when he destroyed the black pillar.

“President-nim. Would you please repeat what I just said?”

Lee Hoyeon bowed slightly, sensing the unpleasant magic emanating from the man before him.