Chapter 270

Chapter 270. Privileges Built on Reputation (2)

With the changing times, UTube showed consistent growth.

Although it had stumbled slightly with the emergence of other video platforms recently, it still maintained its strong position as a major platform.

Recently, the most popular topic there was undoubtedly videos about ‘Players’. Most of the videos in the trending section featured Players.

These included analyses of the clauses discussed by associations and governments worldwide, predictions about future global changes, and combat footage of Players recorded during the past week’s calamities.

Videos summarized the backgrounds, current levels, and influence these Players held in their respective countries.

At present, UTube was filled with information about Players, among which some videos garnered hundreds of thousands, even millions of views right from their release.

「K, from Gangnam’s top 8 school districts?」

「The eldest son of an elite family who became an orphan.」

「Battle power tournament among famous Players, the unshakable No. 1, K.」

「Reversal of rock-bottom life, the history of the world’s strongest, K.」

These were videos that mentioned or featured me, Hyunwoo.

Even Kim Yul, watching right then, was viewing a video of K. It was filmed during the time was still using magic tools.

“Hmm? This…”

Upon seeing the familiar backdrop, Kim Yul muttered. If he wasn’t mistaken, it was shot when a reporter and a cameraman had entered the barricaded area unauthorized.

‘How was this released?’

He had clearly seen agents at the time confiscating the camera gear near the barricades.

Upon checking the uploader, he realized it was the broadcasting company where the reporter, whom he had escorted out, worked.

While Kim Yul tilted his head in confusion, the video continued playing. In the video, K coldly admonished civilians.

“If you understood, get up and go back to the way you came…”

However, before he could finish his words, a monster’s corpse fell onto a nearby vehicle, and with that impact, a door flew off.

Most viewers likely hadn’t realized anything was amiss until everything had transpired.

The moment the arm appeared on the screen was when he grabbed the door of the crushed vehicle.

“Ooh!”

Kim Yul marveled at the vividly captured urgent scene. He was curious why the National Intelligence Service released this video. Perhaps they found it too valuable to bury, given its quality?

‘The reporter and cameraman were already handed over to the prosecution.’

It must have been the broadcasting company leveraging this for their gain. If the National Intelligence Service judged it would be beneficial, their tacit approval made sense.

The video, uploaded less than two hours ago, had already seen a remarkable increase in views and likes.

Joining this trend, Kim Yul shared the video link on his social media account.

He then briefly scanned other popular videos again.

“Wow, it’s already at six billion?”

When he checked the views of a video he had seen two days prior, Kim Yul’s eyes widened. The video depicted K trampling down weeds sprouting under a utility pole.

Out of curiosity, Kim Yul decided to watch it again. The video was likely from the early stages of the game, possibly during Beta testing.

Captured from the characteristic CCTV angle, K was seen suddenly stopping in the midst of running.

Then he approached the utility pole, pulled out the weeds, and trampled on them with his foot.

Immediately, a number surfaced above his head.

「+ 0.048」

This was a visual enhancement for civilians who couldn’t see the actual game system window.

Perhaps due to this effect, the video K appeared in had received an exceptionally high number of likes.

‘Who would’ve thought it would reach billions of views already.’

It was an incredible level of attention. With half surprise and half wonder, Kim Yul scrolled down the screen.

“Ha-ha-ha!”

Lying down and watching the video, Kim Yul burst into laughter suddenly. It was because of a comment left on the video.

– Nogari: Gather dust like ‘K’.

He decided to capture the comment to show it to him once K returned.

Around that time, while perusing popular videos again, Kim Yul discovered an unexpected title.

「K in Real Life: A Visual Beast.」

The video had been uploaded just 10 minutes ago.

He hurriedly clicked on it, and surely enough, it was a video of K. He was standing on a street somewhere unrecognizable, leaping into the sky by treading on red smoke.

‘Is he back? Where is that anyway?’

Navigating his messenger app, Kim Yul immediately messaged me.

「YulYul: Where are you? Did you come back to Earth?」

He waited for a while, but the number indicating the message reception did not disappear. Feeling determined, Kim Yul furiously typed away on his keyboard.

「YulYul: Where are you?」

「YulYul: Where are you?」

「YulYul: Where are you?」

「YulYul: Where are you?」

If K’s phone wasn’t on silent mode, it would have been impossible for him to ignore it. To prove his point, the number below the message disappeared, and a call came through.

– What are you pulling?

“I was just saying hello to our dear absent party leader who returns without even a word.”

Answering in an annoying voice, Kim Yul quickly asked before I could reply.

“What have you been up to? You know videos of you have popped up, right?”

– Hah? Such…

He muttered in a slightly annoyed voice, indicating his disdain for what Kim Yul said about his sightings.

“You might want to get used to it. You’re currently the hottest person not just in Korea, but worldwide.”

K would be followed by eyes and ears wherever he went.

– Hot, my foot.

Clearly unpleased by the situation, I clicked my tongue with a long sigh.

– Am I the only one in the video?

“Huh? Yeah, only you appeared… why, was someone else with you?”

– My siblings.

“Oh.”

Without a thought for the community, he went straight to see his family upon returning?

‘Even if the community is gone…’

Wasn’t K being too discriminatory? Feeling upset, Kim Yul pouted his lips. He quickly tried changing the subject, since he didn’t intend to pry further about family matters.

He didn’t even need to come up with an idea, as K started speaking in advance.

“You’re at the residence?”

– Yup, resting after morning hunting.

“Then come over to the National Intelligence Service in ten minutes.”

“Huh?”

– I’m heading there now. Just arranged a meeting with Squad Leader Yang Jochul a while ago.

Surprised by K’s unexpected words, Kim Yul jumped to his feet and questioned again.

“You’re on your way here? Why?”

– Why else? I’m going to talk with the Commander.

The proverb about a school dog reciting poetry after three years came to mind.

Although Kim Yul hadn’t been rolling under his guidance for a year, the accumulated experience wasn’t insignificant.

Thanks to that, he could somewhat discern the nuances of K’s voice.

According to his intuition, K’s current tone was…

‘It seems like he’s ready to pick a fight?’

Contemplating how to make a notable statement, his mind raced.

‘Why is he calling me when he’s going to confront Squad Leader Yang? Am I involved too? Did I do something wrong?’

Frightened by his own questions, he recalled K’s recent response.

Right after being informed about his sightings, he had shown undisguised displeasure.

‘Might he be coming to bring it up?’

He had said that choosing to use his face and name was an allowance.

‘Although I hadn’t heard directly from Hyunwoo…’

Facing the worst assumptions, a cold sweat trickled down his back.

He had remained silent despite knowing Yang Jochul’s intentions, to avoid any trouble.

If he were accused of conspiring with Squad Leader Yang because of that…

‘I’m screwed.’

Regardless of why K was upset, Kim Yul’s explanation would have to be unequivocal about not intending harm.

“So, um… not the residence building, but the main building of the National Intelligence Service, right?”

– Yeah.

“Got it!”

With a tense expression throughout, Kim Yul quickly got up from his seat.

Shortly thereafter, upon reaching the National Intelligence Service, he was baffled.

Meeting K, after a few days apart, yielded a punch-sized leather pouch and sudden instructions.

“What are you doing? I said go pack your stuff.”

Suddenly, why did he have to pack his belongings?

Too flabbergasted to ask again, he only blinked.

K furrowed his brow and continued.

“Are you planning to stay here indefinitely?”

“Uh…”

Kim Yul uttered hesitatingly, at a loss for words.

The National Intelligence Service hadn’t issued any notice about closing the residences.

However, most who were sent home had already left since the Player revelations had surfaced.

The remaining ones were officially affiliated association members or those like Kim Yul who had nowhere to go.

“Representative Kim Changhyun keeps reaching out because your living situation is uncertain. If I say a monster fighter took you in, it might hold them off. So for now, stay at my place.”

“Um… then what about Mr. Taeho?”

“I’ve agreed with him to find a separate home.”

Im Namkyu, being younger than Kim Yul, would draw an odd picture if he followed them into a house where Yang Taeho and his wife lived alone.

He further explained that Yang Taeho’s focus would be taking Im Namkyu, so not to worry.

“But your family is there, so for me to go…”

“I’ve already talked to them on my way. It might be a bit cramped for everyone, but we plan to move soon, so bear with it for a month or two.”

Looking back, it was strange that Yang Taeho stayed at the residence.

‘He has a family, unlike me.’

There was no need for him to stay at the accommodation, leaving his wife alone.

Likely, he stayed with Kim Yul out of consideration for his situation.

Realizing this insight on his way back, Kim Yul assessed it was K’s way of looking out for him.

***

Upon returning, I had tasked myself with contemplating a decision upon hearing of Kim Yul’s birth father’s contact.

Currently on the verge of the Platinum rank, Kim Yul’s abilities were undeniable, setting him apart even among over ten million Players.

Still, despite his growth, it didn’t seem right to return him to a possibly abusive home environment.

Thus, I had consulted separately with Yang Taeho to arrive at a decision.

‘I was a bit surprised when he said he’d take Im Namkyu, but…’

Their circumstances were somewhat similar, so there was no need to discourage them.

Legal issues concerning minor residency were supposedly being managed smoothly by Squad Leader Yang Jochul.

‘This is why authority is convenient.’

Parting with Kim Yul, he followed an agent’s guidance to change locations.

Eventually reaching a reception area with a sofa and table, Squad Leader Yang Jochul was already there, alleviating any wait.

“Mr. Hyunwoo, welcome.”

We exchanged a handshake accompanied by cheerful expressions.

“And Kim Yul?”

“I sent him to pack his things.”

Having already discussed Kim Yul’s lodging during a phone call, re-hashing it face-to-face seemed redundant.

Deflecting the question smoothly, Squad Leader Yang then shifted his words accordingly.

“Care to have some tea?”

“Why not?”

“With Kim Yul needing time to arrive, let’s wait leisurely. Coffee, perhaps?”

“Sounds good.”

No particular tension or awkwardness lingered as treats and tea were prepared.

Though unmistakably tense, Squad Leader Yang Jochul maintained composure, avoiding prolonged silence.

“By the way, you mentioned wanting to discuss something…”

“Mind if I jump straight to it?”

Squad Leader Yang, maintaining calmness, responded to my question.

“Of course. Feel free.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

After taking a sip of the now pleasantly warm coffee, I began nonchalantly.

“It’s about the recent online proceedings concerning me.”

I mentioned offhand, seemingly trivial.

“I don’t plan to retract what I’ve said, but it feels a bit over the line…”

The tension in Squad Leader Yang’s heart escalated with every word I uttered.

“Not wanting misunderstandings with the Commander, I thought it best to discuss it directly.”

“What exactly do you mean by that?”

Despite his amplified tension, Squad Leader Yang posed his inquiry without showing it.

No need for a dramatic pause. With the same demeanor entering the room, I began.

“They’ve overly glorified me. Watching it made me curious.”

“In what way… exactly?”

“Like being revered as a hero, only to be compelled into self-sacrifice —a crafty tactic, perhaps.”

Vocalizing the assumptions I had contemplated while witnessing scenes of myself and listening to stories had left Squad Leader Yang pale as a sheet.

Damned System