Ch.660Chapter 25. Let it Unfold (10)

South Korea is known as the “country of Eastern courtesy” with a strong Confucian culture.

Particularly regarding sexuality, the culture is quite conservative, so even professionals in that field rarely display such aspects openly.

Even though the underground market may be quite developed, people generally don’t openly discuss such matters in public.

This is especially true for public figures whose image is important.

They can’t date freely, and if any “sex scandal” like an affair breaks out, it creates an indescribable chaos and storm.

“So-and-so was seen leaving a hotel together in the morning!!”

“Mr. X and Miss Y were photographed swimming together at a foreign resort!!”

While mainstream media tries to keep such matters quiet, internet rumors and tabloids use these sensational stories to drive up their view counts.

“Hero A and Miss B went to Jeju Island and reportedly disappeared together for three hours after their eyes met!!”

Where celebrities once dominated such gossip, heroes now occupy that position.

The higher their rank, the more diverse the public gaze becomes, with many people demanding sexually conservative attitudes especially from S-rank female heroes.

It’s difficult to even mention who’s dating whom, and dating itself isn’t easy in this era.

On top of this culture, despite being a patriotic figure who brings world peace, the sexual culture shock triggered by the Patriotic General on the eve of the World Cup opening ceremony set the whole world ablaze.

“It’s chaos out there.”

Ymir showed me the internet community reactions along with my morning coffee.

“Thanks to your social media post, the whole world is in turmoil. Seventeen women suddenly became unable to ride unicorns.”

“I know nothing about that.”

“Are you aware that all seventeen of them are being vandalized on Hero Wiki as ‘Do Ji-hwan’s women’?”

“Of course I know. The Syndicate’s tavern owners are working hard to take those down.”

The most intense reactions were on anonymous communities.

If people had to use their real names, they might have been more restrained, but anonymity allowed for much more extreme reactions.

“I just taught weaknesses to 17 S-rank heroes, spent a long night with them, made them sweat until they were soaked, caused them pain, and finally had a drink together to celebrate their new awakened selves.”

“Shouldn’t that be something I would normally say?”

“Trying to talk like Ymir. I gave it a try, how many points would I get?”

“89.2 points.”

“I knew it.”

I took the mug Ymir handed me and sipped the warm coffee brewed from a capsule.

“Still, I really don’t know if they can ride unicorns or not. The only one I know for sure is Nadeshiko, who swore on her ability.”

“You really don’t know?”

“I don’t. It’s not my business whether the Saint of Orleans, who’s being widely promoted as a virgin in France, is actually a virgin or not. It’s not like I’m going to do anything with her.”

“That’s what normal men would say, but why does it sound awkward and strange coming from you?”

“That’s because you’ve been swayed by the confused public opinion. You’ve taken the bait thrown by Patriotic General Do Ji-hwan.”

Do Ji-hwan did it 17:1.

Seventeen S-rank ability users received awakening inscriptions.

“People curse Do Ji-hwan, right? Saying they’re jealous or that he’s trash?”

“They’re saying he should die of a sudden heart attack while doing it with all 17 women.”

“That’s harsh. Wishing death on someone.”

“Isn’t that better than threatening to kill him? Actually, fans from various countries are going crazy, looking for flights to Korea or trying to hire killers.”

“Those are just malicious people pretending to be fans.”

True fans should wish for their idol’s happiness, not quit being a fan because “she lost her virginity to Do Ji-hwan.”

They can quit if they want.

But creating fake photos or mocking them behind their backs cannot be tolerated.

“The tavern owners will track the IP addresses of such people and deal with them later, so don’t bother looking for them now. This whole incident is meant to filter out those who are too obsessed before the World Cup starts.”

“Too obsessed… haha.”

Ymir pointed at the TV with a bitter expression.

“How many people aren’t obsessed with the World Cup that 2 billion people worldwide are watching?”

“At least it’s better than those malicious hooligans who burn flags and destroy property when their heroes lose.”

The TV showed Korean reporters dispatched worldwide, compiling reactions and footage from various countries.

“This is New York. The streets are filled with American citizens praying for America’s victory, and they’re relieved that American heroes didn’t do anything with the Patriotic General…”

“This is France!! Regarding the Patriotic General’s SNS upload, some radical French citizens have erected straw crosses in the square, and the Hero Association has been dispatched to…”

“This is Kiwoo Cha, special correspondent in Tokyo! Most Tokyo citizens have been eating red bean rice since morning, a culture related to women’s first…”

The footage showed reactions from major cities in the US, Japan, China, Russia, Brazil, UK, France, and other countries.

And everyone, without exception, was discussing the Patriotic General.

“It’s good that our hero has become stronger, but still, isn’t that going too far?”

This was the reaction from countries whose heroes had awakened.

These places were merely dealing with “unicorns coughing blood” or “fandoms burning,” while most people supported their awakened heroes.

“I respect her. That determination to bring the championship cup to England as an English citizen before being a woman. I truly respect that.”

“You criticize her for freely giving her body? Ha, how pure are you? She was willing to dedicate herself to her country to that extent, and you can’t even support her.”

“It’s not like they were going to remain untouched by men forever, and awakening with the Patriotic General is beneficial enough. Honestly, she was A-rank… anyway, she’s become stronger as an S-rank now.”

The pride that a woman would dedicate herself to her country to the extent of engaging in an act she might not even desire.

Most citizens of the 17 countries initially supported their collaborators.

“Those 17 countries hit the jackpot. Right before the World Cup, their players’ ability class went up a level.”

“I suppose so. They just sent people, and they awakened on their own. But…”

Ymir showed me comments from another community on Hero Wiki with a sour face.

“…what about the other countries?”

“Hmm.”

Countries other than those whose collaborators had relations with Do Ji-hwan weren’t just one or two.

Just looking at the number of countries entering the World Cup opening ceremony, there are dozens, and not all ability users participating in the World Cup are S-rank.

Especially.

“The Chinese people seem ready to revolt. They’re saying they should bring the Patriotic General to their aircraft carrier and forcibly insert an awakening device.”

China, which officially has no collaborators with the Syndicate, expressed the most intense dissatisfaction.

The situation escalated to the point where they were holding public burnings of large printed images of Do Ji-hwan’s face in the streets.

“…….”

“Um, teacher. You seem to be thinking something different looking at that video. It’s not that you’re uncomfortable with your face burning, but rather…”

“If they used that energy elsewhere, that country might have grown more than it has now.”

Perhaps.

“Well, people will officially learn by morning. The Patriotic General didn’t just invite them; the Korean government gained something significant in return.”

“Actually, even Koreans who were furious about inserting the awakening device into Nadeshiko quieted down when cultural heritage repatriation was mentioned. Is this also the will of Hwan?”

“Rather than Hwan’s will, they realized it wasn’t done without any exchange. It wasn’t given away foolishly.”

It wasn’t a case of being stupidly taken advantage of.

“Still, things seem to be getting too heated, so should I make some preparations?”

“What will you do? Invite that person called Heavenly Demon?”

“Guest Heavenly Demon Lee Ye-ryeong.”

Well.

“When flies are buzzing around like this, you need to suppress them with force.”

The patriotic soju party with 17 people on a yacht was all for this burning world.

“The opening ceremony is tomorrow, right? Let’s hotly invite about three people before the ceremony.”

I plan to pour oil on the fire properly.

“I’m planning to gather everyone except one new mother.”

“New mother… three people… Ah, perhaps…? From the east…?”

“Three will come.”

The three strongest S+ rank ability users derived from Ymir’s avatar.

“If I hold an awakening party with America’s three S+ rank heroes in that hanok village, no one can say anything, right? After the opening ceremony, the Korean government will monitor and control Do Ji-hwan’s doping to ensure fair competition.”

“Literally preventing… doping?”

“Something like that.”

The last ones to board are three ability users from America.

“How dare Riders try to get on top of Do Ji-hwan to awaken, just watch.”

In their hair, they have golden bridges like Ymir’s sunshine-like blonde hair.

“How dare a small country resist a great power?”

Especially against the Syndicate’s America.