Chapter 292

Chapter 292. Palao’s Will (7)

「I can see that my words surprised you. Unfortunately, I am neither a Hero nor a savior as society might claim. I am just an individual doing my best for extremely selfish and personal reasons.」

I took full advantage of the silence I had created.

「So, I am grateful when those who hinder my purpose take each other out.」

「W-what purpose might that be…?」

Announcer Han Kyungsoo stammered as he asked.

Throughout this interview, my answer to that question had remained the same, both past and present.

「I must protect this land where my family and my people live from those damned monster bastards.」

「Oh…」

「I have no intention or willingness to risk danger or waste energy to save obstacles that do not help my purpose.」

「……..」

「When the Hole burst open in Gangnam last time, I realized the necessity for that quite clearly.」

On one side, people ran tirelessly day and night to save lives.

On the other, they lingered around, pointing fingers and prying into how many died and how they died.

Because of such people, I couldn’t fully concentrate on the battle, which was a small thing in comparison.

A player even died while conducting civilian rescue activities.

I emphasized this point candidly.

「In the past, players were perceived as an unfamiliar threat, so we needed to be cautious.」

But now, with accumulated player achievements and increased communication through the internet, perceptions have changed.

Especially with the Hero image being cast, positive public opinion has gradually solidified.

「When the tide comes in, you should paddle.」

It’s time to clear and restrict things that hinder players’ actions instead of blindly holding back.

People who died prying around the Hole became very good justification and groundwork for this change.

I continued speaking without hesitation.

「Additionally, I will do whatever it takes to achieve my end, regardless of the means and methods.」

「The end… does that mean, perhaps threatening someone… no, I’m not suspecting you, um, Hyunwoo, I’m just representing a question…」

「Did I speak too aggressively? Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean I’ll go around killing just anyone. If I did, the association would hunt me down.」

Being a player, directly harming civilians was impossible for me.

「However, civilian rescue is only a recommendation, not an obligation. That is why I meant I have no intention to save those who cause accidents at the risk of my own life.」

Thus, I continued explaining that there was no need to be more frightened than necessary.

「And… what did you say before? Was it a question about how I plan to do my best?」

「Yes, that’s correct.」

By then, I had taken complete control of the interview.

「First, we must be more flexible in responding to the increased frequency of Hole occurrences.」

If my predictions were correct, soon enough, the association would not be able to handle all the Holes with its manpower alone.

Having delved into Biharin’s history, I could roughly estimate the flow of changes that would occur on Earth.

「What exactly are you planning to do in response?」

Calmed down by now, announcer Han Kyungsoo asked calmly.

I suddenly felt a bit guilty for having troubled him multiple times with my aggressive remarks.

I gave the news team a scoop.

「I’m going to form a guild.」

The primary reason for appearing on today’s news was precisely that.

To convey the fact that I was establishing a force, promptly and clearly.

「Text interviews and articles leave room for manipulation accusations, and there’s much room for rebuttal.」

But live interviews where I showed my face eliminated such possibilities.

This information was known only to a few directly involved in establishing the guild.

Until just a moment ago, news of it had not spread anywhere else.

「Are you saying you’ll establish a guild, Hyunwoo?」

「Yes, the paperwork is already completed. Soon, I plan to officially announce recruiting guild members.」

Unlike a clan that was limited to certain regions, a guild’s activity scope wasn’t restricted.

It meant branches could be established worldwide.

Consequently, there were no limits to the number of members.

It was a system allowing a global player community to move freely within minimal boundaries set by the association, responding to monsters.

「This is news players would find noteworthy. Is there any condition or criteria for selecting guild members?」

「Of course. Even among players, there are those not worth mingling with.」

「Hahaha… So, precisely what criteria will you use to select guild members?」

「It essentially involves having a high degree of understanding of mana and demonstrating potential for growth. I’m filtering out the incompetent and those unwilling to make an effort.」

“Does that mean you are focusing on talent?”

「Unless their mana manipulation skills are merely bought from the store, I don’t intend to dismiss anything in terms of talent. I plan to assign experienced trainers who can cultivate and support those willing to put in effort.」

「Does this mean players with general mana, not attribute mana, will have a chance to challenge it?」

「You’re quite knowledgeable about players. Most don’t pay attention to the distinction of mana.」

「Hahaha, knowing you were coming, Hyunwoo, I did my homework.」

「Well then, to answer your question, yes. There’ll be no special treatment based on the type of mana possessed. My guild’s establishment aims to synergize and promptly respond to Holes within a unified system, not to create the ultimate elite powerhouse.」

「Oh, then, the purpose you mentioned earlier…?」

Realizing something, Han Kyungsoo trailed off, and I nodded.

「Yes, the guild was created to gather those who share my goal. If people who wish to protect our land, where our families live, come together, we can protect the place where our families live.」

「…… Hmm. Pardon me. Despite my age, my heart felt heavy for a moment. Suddenly, the thought that we’re under attack by unknown life forms terrifies me…」

「What does age matter in the face of fear? The desire to live is likely the same for everyone.」

At that moment, the faces of certain people flashed through my mind, making my chest feel tight.

Thankfully, in the gap left when I fell silent, announcer Han Kyungsoo was speaking cautiously.

「Personally, I’m worried that many seem to regard the recent dangerous events as games or entertainment. My daughter is quite interested in players too and sometimes mentions wanting to awaken. Upon seeing the reality, those standing in a very perilous place… the casualty figures mentioned earlier by you, Hyunwoo, might not be forgotten.」

「Well, I understand. It seems spectacular from the outside.」

I casually tapped the steel sphere placed on the table, which was initially a tumbler.

Han Kyungsoo, staring at the sphere, asked in a slightly deeper voice.

「Excuse me if this seems off-topic… but can we win?」

Speaking about an uncertain future, my voice was unwavering.

「Absolutely.」

Despite not knowing the future, I assured him with more certainty than anyone else in the world.

「We will, at all costs.」

Because I planned to make it happen, no matter what.

「I’m not talking about discrimination, but I believe the distinction of roles is necessary. Earth is currently in a state of war, and it’s the players’ task to fight it.」

「……..」

「I hope citizens adhere to evacuation and reporting procedures to prevent unnecessary loss of life. And if you see a player running away from a monster, criticize them, and support the player who willingly faces the monster. I believe that is enough.」

「… Yes, I understand. Safety comes before curiosity, and life before interest. We will always bear this in mind. And we take this opportunity to thank all players working in dangerous places for our safety.」

「Thank you.」

「Before we conclude the interview, may I ask one last question?」

「Go ahead.」

「Speaking about forming a guild, have you decided on a guild name?」

I replied with a slightly bitter smile to the final question.

「Palao.」

「Ah.」

「The name of the guild I’m creating is Palao.」

「Palao, I see. Thank you very much for taking the time, Hyunwoo. This was NBC 9 News, Han Kyungsoo.」

「Thank you.」

The video ended there.

I set aside my smartphone, displaying the replay icon, and closed my eyes.

‘Palao.’

She used me before I even knew she existed.

The image of her crying, begging for her life, made a deep and intense anger bubble inside me, just as when I thought of the Damned System.

‘But I can’t deny that because of that damned thing, I gained the power to continue the war.’

So, I decided to carry on her name in this way.

Perhaps this was enough praise and return for giving me the opportunity to save billions.

‘Now, I must gather the players who were initially part of the Order of Palao.’

I suspected a good number would gather again.

This was a unique cooperation among players solely belonging to the Order of Palao, which no other order could achieve.

‘I had preemptively squashed the factions out of politics.’

As a result, the players belonging to the Order of Palao never engaged in power disputes by dividing their forces.

They were few in number to begin with, and thanks to the exclusive quests designated for them, they gained many spoils.

Hence, a trend developed to avoid stressful power struggles and instead satiate everyone.

‘Mainly, they hunted in party units, and when needed, joined with friendly parties.’

There were hardly any troubles with others.

Even if a dispute arose, others actively intervened to mediate.

With no separate groups or factions, congregating under a single name wasn’t difficult.

‘As the purpose promoted through that name wasn’t my personal gain, it would be even easier.’

Thus, a good number was anticipated to join the guild.

‘Although the final outcome remains to be seen, the first step was taken well.’

Most of the original Palao affiliates were Platinum rank. All of different nationalities, no less.

When they gather once more under the name of Palao, a global force that no one can ignore would be established.

Those who first formed that force in Bihar would shine more brilliantly on Earth.

“Was this the future you wanted?”

I asked, recalling Palao’s face, with whom I could no longer converse.

But soon, I shook my head to drive that irritating face out of my mind.

‘She’s already gone, what’s the point of remembering her?’

Recalling and mulling over it was a waste of time.

Palao wouldn’t be able to answer my questions anyway.

‘Let’s just focus on the task at hand.’

After shaking off my lingering thoughts, I turned my attention back to my smartphone screen.

I aimed to check out viewer comments about today’s broadcast.

Damned System