Chapter 334

Chapter 334. Trap (11)

“This, so, that’s what the background is…”

“Manipulation, no, slander… Witness! Th-this is not a courtroom! Do not seek personal gain here at the hearing!”

“How did you obtain that video anyway? If it was acquired illegally, it won’t be valid as evidence.”

Some insisted that since this was not a courtroom, I should prove my innocence elsewhere.

Others spoke as if this was indeed a courtroom, questioning the validity of the video evidence.

It seemed that all of them were aligned with the ruling party.

‘What on earth do they expect to achieve if they’re not even synchronized among themselves?’

I had no clue which side I should be aligning with.

It was Jung Jiyun who stirred the pot first.

All I did was respond to his attack when he started hurling accusations.

How on earth does my defending myself turn into abusing the hearing for personal gain?

The absurdity of it all made me chuckle involuntarily.

Of course, unlike me, who had no intention of suppressing my laughter, there were some who tried to restrain their amusement.

“Ahem, ahem!”

“Khuk, hup, khem!”

These were the people who spearheaded this hearing, thanks to their connection with Squad Leader Yang Jochul.

I turned my gaze away from the uncoordinated ruling party figures and said,

“As you mentioned, this isn’t a courtroom. The charges that Attorney Jung Jiyun has pinned on me and the illegal actions I’ve taken to clear my name will be judged separately in court.”

But separately from that, shouldn’t this hearing serve its purpose as well?

“I also fully agree that players should be punished if they cause harm to civilians.”

I’ve always believed in that norm.

“But that doesn’t mean civilians can slander and threaten players at will.”

I returned the tablet PC to Ethan and calmly continued.

“I didn’t run around seeking rewards, but it’s undeniable that, thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of players like myself, many, including Attorney Jung Jiyun, are alive and breathing.”

My voice, a notch lower than usual, filled the room.

“Despite this, attorney Jung Jiyun slandered me for his personal gain.”

“It’s not slander! How do you prove that the video you brought wasn’t manipulated…?”

Leaping to rebut his point, Jung Jiyun froze when he met my menacing gaze directly.

“That will be settled in court, along with you. The matter at hand here is different. I believe that when civilians slander players and it is revealed, there should be just punishment.”

Just because someone holds more power does not mean they should bear false charges.

Maintaining a cold gaze on Jung Jiyun, I continued speaking.

“Assemblyman Lee Sechan, is there anything incorrect about my statement?”

Properly addressed by name, assemblyman Lee Sechan, who had been suppressing a grin, shook his head.

“No, there isn’t. You’re right.”

“Indeed, you are. If this kind of reverse discrimination leads to players wrongfully accused of crimes never committed, it isn’t fair…”

“Goodness, Kang Hyunwoo, your grievances must be numerous.”

The conference was to proceed in the direction I desired.

After all, the entire conspiracy had been recorded and broadcast without any filters.

The immediate validation of the video’s authenticity was impossible, so why would anyone presume Jung Jiyun’s innocence?

Although the evidence was collected through questionable means.

The whole nation had witnessed Jung Jiyun’s schemes.

His attempts to manipulate public opinion were already exposed.

At this point, the video’s lack of legal proof was trivial.

With the situation publicly disclosed, the unity of those providing false testimony would crumble.

If even one among them succumbed to the temptation of reduced punishment, a witness would emerge.

In a legal battle, I would win.

‘Any issues from video-recording can be addressed separately.’

Even if things went south and Kim Yul faced criminal charges, I had enough influence to shield against legal judgments.

Since it was my directive, it was only right to protect him.

By then, Jung Jiyun’s matter was in the past for me.

I was too occupied planning for future affairs.

However, for Jung Jiyun, it remained a current ordeal.

“Walking tall just from earning a name among players…”

Hence, he dared to mutter such words aloud.

Seeing how he spoke so openly during a live broadcast, he really aimed to push things to the end.

Upon fixing my gaze on him again, his expression morphed in several intervals.

Finally, it settled into an expression that suggested he had made a significant decision.

“Let’s see how long you can keep that smug face.”

Leaving behind menacing words, Jung Jiyun brought his hand to his left wrist.

And snap.

He pressed a jewel embedded in the bracelet he wore, shattering it.

“You must never have imagined such a world exists! Your fame ends here!”

He then raised his arms wide and shouted in a solemn tone.

But unfortunately for Jung Jiyun, what he anticipated did not transpire.

“……”

“……”

Everyone in the hall stared at Jung Jiyun with blank expressions.

How long did the oppressive silence last, where even people’s breaths were audible?

Even Jung Jiyun, who had been looking at me with an arrogant smirk, now darted his eyes nervously.

“… What are you doing now, attorney Jung Jiyun?”

After a moment, assemblyman Lee Sechan voicing a comment ended the somewhat humiliating silence.

I let out a deep sigh, watching Jung Jiyun’s pathetic display.

‘Even in a profession like his, there’s bound to be idiots.’

Shaking my head in disbelief, I adjusted my cuff to reveal my wrist.

I deliberately stroked my chin, making the bracelet on my wrist glint in the light.

An object identical to the one now deceased Fabian once had.

The reason why what once adorned Jung Jiyun’s wrist was now on mine was simple.

‘I had switched it this morning.’

I had the dwarves craft an identical-looking bracelet.

And then, Kim Yul had swapped it discreetly.

If merely filming videos was the goal, there would have been no need to send Kim Yul.

How did he not anticipate the safety of his bracelet when I had surely observed him using player abilities?

He should have factored in the possibility of it being swapped.

“You despicable bastard!”

What was evident to me was not to Jung Jiyun.

Thus, upon realizing he was already in a game he had lost, he reacted violently.

However, he couldn’t reach me.

Yang Taeho and Ethan physically blocked his path, and soon the security personnel for the hearing entered as well.

Jung Jiyun, unable to grasp the situation, was restrained and taken away, shouting wildly the whole time.

‘Far slower-witted than I’d thought.’

It was unexpected, but not incomprehensible.

Many fit this type I’ve encountered.

Some people who are fixated on social success to an extent beyond their limits get caught up in a reward mentality occasionally.

They feel entitled to proper treatment from society and others for their hard-earned success.

Sometimes, they even delude themselves with an absurd notion that everything exists to serve and satisfy their desires.

‘He seems to be exactly that type.’

The very thought of summoning Karklein amidst such a large civilian audience already proved he was not in his right mind.

I had no doubt summoning Karklein had subjected him to far greater pressure and intimidation than any player had felt.

Yet he called for Karklein anyways, showing he hadn’t considered the safety of those present.

Jung Jiyun should be grateful he was not a player.

‘He owes his life to that fact.’

I stared intently at the back of Jung Jiyun’s retreating head.

‘Addressing any further matters might be difficult for now.’

If I ever heard that fool had become a player, though, I would not hesitate to pick up a spear and pursue him.

Everything following proceeded smoothly.

The hearing concluded successfully, gathering much-needed information and cases.

All those who conspired with Jung Jiyun, those who knew yet were complicit, faced investigations from the prosecution.

Ample circumstantial evidence pointed to many of them as likely civilian traitors, thus riling up public sentiment once more.

Awareness and condemnation of traitors intensified visibly.

Our greatest gain was securing a means to summon Karklines in the future.

Some legalities remained, but the results were nothing short of excellent.

Thus, I could return home with an immensely relieved heart.

But my relief did not last long before it crumbled.

「Progress Rate 99.99%」

No matter how much time passed, the progress rate refused to budge.

* * *

“… How many days has it been now?”

“Ten days, going on eleven.”

I heard Kim Yul and Yang Taeho’s conversation through the door.

But instead of venturing outside, I sat on the bed, staring gravely ahead.

To be precise, I was fixated on the numbers displayed on the bottom right of my view.

The character recreation progress had reached 99.99% three days after the hearing concluded.

Yet it remained unchanged even today, ten days later.

Because of this, my mood was in the pits.

‘The gap is becoming too long.’

I had never expected such an extended period of powerlessness.

Judging by the speed the numbers climbed, I figured a week at most—but I had clearly miscalculated.

The progress refused to inch forward, and not even the Damned System answered when summoned.

“Hyung surely saw the news, right?”

“He must’ve.”

As if matters couldn’t worsen, unfortunate news began emerging from places around the world the day before yesterday.

「(Breaking News) 87 capitals worldwide experience simultaneous Hole explosions!」

「(Exclusive) Enemies invade once again—Arise, players!」

「(Must Read) ‘For humanity’s victory…’ Essential safety guidelines.」

「Precautions for using evacuation facilities?」

The enemy had launched another invasion attempt.

Their largest scale yet.

The attacks spanned 87 cities, each a highly populous capital from nations across the globe.

While players residing in these cities promptly launched counterattacks…

The unfolding battles shifted in favor of the enemy.

What emerged from the newly opened Holes was no ordinary monster but black tree roots.

‘While there’s no report of communication being possible, they must not be full-fledged creatures.’

But it was certain that these mysterious entities were enemy constructs.

I’d encountered creatures that stubbornly regenerated even after burning, cutting, or tearing them apart.

The first legion commander I ever defeated.

‘That creature, as well as these black roots, surely stem from the Ventri species.’

The issue remains that each time the Ventri’s roots or vines are burned, cut, or torn apart, earth’s casualties mount.

「(Breaking News) Mysterious trees emerging from new Holes—the root cause of plague？」

The black plants functioned like kerak masses only general-rank monsters had been able to wield.

Damned System