Ch.214Chapter 8. Thorough Aftercare (5)

I am happy.

So very happy.

With Baek Seol-hee, I barely managed to subtly reveal that I’m the Goblin, let alone invite her to join the Syndicate.

With Ymir, even after telling her I’m with the Syndicate and explaining all the support the Syndicate offers, she’s still just dipping her toes in.

After infiltrating the Academy in late February, it’s taken nearly two and a half months to finally recruit just one person.

‘My approach as a recruiter wasn’t wrong.’

I wasn’t specifically trying to choose heroines.

It’s just that when looking for talented ability users, most happen to be heroines, and after filtering out women who use drugs or steal seeds, I ended up connecting with Yoon Yi-seon.

[I’m pleased. Welcome to the Syndicate. Since you’ve finally joined, feel free to-]

“No!”

Yoon Yi-seon grabbed my wrist just as I was about to remove my mask.

“Don’t take it off, ever!”

[…I was going to show you my face in advance, to prevent any disappointment later.]

“It’s fine since I already know. When you’re the Goblin, please stay as the Goblin. That’s my condition for joining the Syndicate!”

[What?]

I had my suspicions.

And they were right.

[You know who I am?]

“Yes. I know. I’ve known but pretended not to, so let’s just move past it. What matters now is Yoon Yi-seon, who will become S-rank, and the Goblin!”

[……]

This one is troublesome.

To know that Do Ji-hwan is the Goblin yet completely separate the Goblin from Do Ji-hwan.

Is this what they call fan devotion?

It’s starting to make me a little afraid.

[When did you find out?]

“After I learned that Ymir is Platinum Sun.”

[When Dueoksini released the 72 demons.]

“Yes. Um, please don’t tell Ymir about this. I just figured it out through deduction.”

[I think I know what kind of deduction. You investigated Ymir’s social relationships, right?]

“…Don’t tell Ymir. It would hurt her feelings.”

As I thought.

Just as I expected, Yoon Yi-seon used the fact that Ymir has no friends as a basis to figure out my identity.

Ymir has no friends but strangely follows only one particular man?

If you think about what kind of relationship they might have, anyone who knows Ymir is Platinum Sun would naturally come to certain conclusions.

That’s just how it is.

[Now that you’ve joined the Syndicate, I don’t particularly need to hide my identity, but if that’s what you want, I’ll do it.]

“Wow!”

Yoon Yi-seon spread her arms wide and smiled brightly.

“Thank you! You really are the Goblin. Hehe. A tsundere who specializes in fan service, just as I thought.”

[Don’t say things like that carelessly. I did that a few times and it just created a Rider craze that became tiresome.]

“But when it really matters, you act all tsundere while still helping. If something like that happens again…”

[…Unless it’s a situation that can only be resolved by taking on the Rider persona, I won’t be the Rider anymore. I said I’d abandon the Rider.]

Since Yoon Yi-seon already knows my identity, I decided to treat her more comfortably.

[So, student Yi-seon, what concept are you going to go with?]

“The Goblin doesn’t talk like that.”

[…I said I’d speak however I want.]

“If you wear the mask, commit to it completely.”

[I’m only doing this because it’s just you.]

“Even if it’s just me, you should be consistent. It’s troubling if you keep making me take the red pill.”

[Hmm…]

If she insists that much.

[…Very well. Since calling you ‘student’ seems inappropriate now, I’ll call you Yoon Yi-seon for now. Later, when the Chairman assigns you a ‘codename,’ I’ll address you by that codename.]

“…Oh.”

[Of course, it will be completely different from your hero name—an alias that doesn’t make people think of you when they hear it. Similar but different. Well, in your case, there are a few expected codenames.]

“Like what?”

[Baekmeongeumo. Or Tamamo-no-Mae.]

“…Isn’t that Japanese?”

[It’s a Japanese-style codename, but who would think you’re Korean? They’d think you’re a fox-type ability user in Japan.]

All the codenames in the Syndicate are like that.

It started with the Hero Association arbitrarily assigning names of evil spirits or yokai to the Syndicate’s executives, but since it makes sense in context, everyone uses monster or yokai codenames.

For the day when the Syndicate conquers the world and emerges into a true ‘world of light,’ shedding the appearance of the Yimemangryang yokai and being reborn as guardians of order.

The Goblin is an exception—just simply “Goblin.”

[The Hero Association will create an alias for you when you become S-rank, but whatever alias they choose will be based on you. In other words, your alias will depend on what style of combat you display.]

I pointed to the six symbols next to the picture of Yoon Yi-seon I had just displayed.

[Assassin, Warrior, Mage, Ranged Dealer, Supporter, Tank. Are these classifications familiar to you?]

“…No. They’re completely different from the Academy’s classifications.”

[Well, that makes sense. This is one of the Syndicate’s own classification methods. It’s a classification not even found on the wiki.]

Due to the Great Cataclysm, the Rift no longer exists in this world.

If the Rift were to be created, ability users would all be prohibited from playing in it.

Even just five matches would have them asking about their parents’ well-being—how could ability users with weak mental fortitude possibly traverse the Rift?

“Which category do you belong to, Goblin?”

[…A supporter who’s also an assassin?]

“What’s that supposed to be? How is Do-Rider a supporter and assassin?”

[It’s all an illusion created through technique. If you think about it in terms of role classification, this is what fits me.]

“Considering how you swing that club around, aren’t you a warrior?”

[I’m just a supporter who carries a club to execute villains.]

For reference, this classification was my direct proposal to the Supreme Leader.

I suggested dividing ability users’ roles into these six classifications, and the Supreme Leader readily accepted the proposal.

[These six classifications are further divided into more specific categories. Even tanks are divided into offensive and defensive types.]

“Vanguard and Sentinel?”

[Right. There are tanks who take enemy attacks from the front, and tanks who protect allies by raising shields. But you’re not a tank, so we can exclude that.]

I began eliminating role categories one by one.

Actually, I had one character in mind that matched a particular role, but the fox image isn’t exclusive to just that character.

[There are two concepts that suit you.]

“Mage and Supporter, right?”

[Yes. Most ability users tend to be classified as mages, but you’re the type of mage who uses quick mobility to strike at enemy weaknesses. A fox-concept flame sorcerer.]

Yoon Yi-seon’s combat style involves using the mobility from her small frame to dodge enemy attacks, then efficiently firing magic bullets like projectiles.

[You struggle a bit against enemies with powerful durability, don’t you?]

“…Yes, that’s right. I actually had trouble dealing damage when facing Ray Huang.”

Her quick damage didn’t work well against Ray Huang, but now that she can fully utilize the mana from her mana pouch, it’s a different story.

[Do you think you could win if you fought Ray Huang again now?]

“Yes, of course. I can definitely win. I can win easily just by using the techniques you taught me, Goblin.”

This isn’t flattery or overconfidence.

Yoon Yi-seon’s mana has increased significantly through awakening, enough to maintain that physical form without much difficulty.

She has a good chance of winning even in a firepower battle, without needing to rely on mobility.

[But Ray Huang is at A+ rank level, and you’re now S-rank. You need to think about facing S-rank opponents.]

“……”

[You need to decide on a clear direction. Whether to maintain the same combat style with your enhanced body, or choose a new combat approach. I…]

“Well, there’s a slight issue with that.”

Yoon Yi-seon interrupted me.

“I want to match my combat style to my costume concept.”

[…What?]

“I want to decide on clothing that matches the Goblin’s concept, then confirm my S-rank combat style to suit that clothing.”

[No.]

Wait a minute.

[You’ve reversed the order.]

“But since I’ve become S-rank, can’t I decide my combat style however I want?”

[No. Well, that’s true, but…]

“Isn’t that the best way for me to become stronger? People should wear clothes they want—forcing an unwanted concept would be…”

[……]

“There are people who changed their combat style to focus on kicks just to wear Rider suits. And many of them actually achieved results at this Grand Sports Festival.”

[……]

I wanted to refute her, but considering this world’s logic, she’s right, so I couldn’t find anything to counter with.

[So your desired concept is me?]

“Yes. If possible, please make it a couple look. If that’s not possible, then something that gives a sense of belonging with the Goblin.”

[You saw my transformed appearance last time, it looks something like this.]

I showed the form I took when fighting Dueoksini.

Long, disheveled hair and a black hanbok.

If I had to describe it, perhaps a Goryeo-era warrior goblin.

Though the hair is made of magical energy.

[You want to match this?]

“…Ah. That’s perfect.”

Yoon Yi-seon’s eyes sparkled as she pointed at the wall.

“Since the Goblin feels like a general who would protect me if he were beside me, I’ll go with a general’s wife concept.”

[……]

“A traditional wedding dress would be good. This one, this one. The details would be different, but…”

[Fine.]

Ability users…

[Do as you please.]

…become demons when they can’t do what they want.

And so.

Yoon Yi-seon ended up developing her abilities to match her costume first.

“Ah, this is a traditional wedding dress worn by queens or princesses.”

[…Spirit Rush doesn’t suit this outfit, umm…!]

And thus.

[Are you sure you want this outfit?]

“Yes.”

[Even if it kills you?]

“Yes.”

[…Fine, do as you please.]

Yoon Yi-seon completely abandoned mobility because of her costume.

All because she wanted to match her S-rank costume with the Goblin’s hanbok costume.