Chapter 349

Chapter 349. News of Victory (5)

Yeonwoo, who had been sticking close to Kim Yul as if they were one, ran toward me as soon as he noticed my presence.

“Orabang is here! Sorry I couldn’t take your call earlier!”

I guessed she was busy with romance rather than studying.

As Yeonwoo leaped into my arms, I lightly caught her and looked up.

It was to see Kim Yul’s face.

As soon as our eyes met, he stiffened immediately.

Watching the two youths alternately, I let out a shallow sigh and said,

“You stay, Yeonwoo, you go down.”

“Ah, why! You’re the uninvited guest, orabang!”

“If you don’t want to be watched 24/7, then leave while I’m asking nicely.”

“Jeez.”

It seemed she improved quite a bit during the months I was away.

Yeonwoo glared at me sharply.

But only for a moment. Soon, Yeonwoo snorted and turned her body.

She seemed to decide to take a step back for now.

She must have disliked the thought of me really assigning a 24-hour watch on her.

Likely so, judging by the way she stomped off towards the stairs.

I quietly watched Kim Yul as I waited for Yeonwoo to disappear.

“Oh, wait!”

Then, Yeonwoo, who had briefly vanished down the stairs, popped her head back towards the rooftop and shouted,

“I was the one who made the first move!”

Honestly, that was a talent in itself—giving me a headache in an instant.

“Just so you know!”

Rubbing my temples, I waved her off towards the stairs.

“All right, now please go down.”

“Okay~”

As Yeonwoo’s presence began to drift away, the time for our private conversation finally arrived.

I gestured at Kim Yul.

Creak, creak.

With movements as if his joints might make noise, Kim Yul approached step by step and stood before me with his hands neatly clasped over his stomach.

But no deep conversation ensued immediately.

It was my first time dealing with such a situation too.

I needed time to gather my thoughts since I couldn’t decide how to start the conversation.

Debating over how to soft-pedal my words, I was considering my options cautiously when, unexpectedly, Kim Yul, who waited silently in front of me, seemed to run out of patience and uttered just one sentence.

“Please, spare me…”

One might think I intended to kill him based on that plea.

I laughed and replied,

“Who said anything about killing you?”

“Y-you’re scarier now than when I thought I was facing death…”

“Don’t exaggerate, I’m not going to interfere with who the twins meet.”

Though I admit, I do have a conservative nature.

‘But I’m not completely close-minded either.’

I know when it’s appropriate to compromise and when to let things slide.

Kim Yul looked a bit surprised at my words, his eyes widening.

Then he stared at me, as if trying to ascertain the truth in what I had said.

I waited for Kim Yul’s thoughts to conclude without saying anything else.

After a few minutes of waiting,

“Phew…”

Kim Yul heaved an exaggerated sigh of relief, rubbing his chest.

“Turns out, there’s always hope, no matter the situation.”

Although he still seemed a bit wary of me.

“You’re not gonna tell us to break up, but why did you want to talk to me alone?”

Up until that point, I hadn’t found a clear answer on how to broach this topic.

So, I decided to go straight to the point.

“Do you know how to use contraception?”

Thanks to this, I witnessed a rare spectacle that I might not see twice in my lifetime.

Kim Yul’s neck, face, and even his ears, every visible patch of skin turned red in an instant.

A reaction so remarkable that I widened my eyes momentarily in astonishment.

“What, what are you even talking about?!”

But entertaining as it was, I hadn’t forgotten the purpose of our conversation.

I fixed my gaze on Kim Yul, demanding an answer.

“Don’t change the subject.”

Truthfully, I had no intention of interfering with Yeonwoo meeting someone.

‘Yet, as Yeonwoo’s older brother, I think a precautionary step like this is warranted.’

At least, that was my reasoning as I pressed for an answer.

Still red-faced, Kim Yul shouted again.

“I get it, I get it! I even asked Mr. Taeho just in case! Happy now?!”

If that’s settled, I didn’t have anything else to worry about.

They could have all kinds of dramas in their relationship—stay together or break up midway—that was entirely their business.

‘Though I do wonder how he plans to manage Yeonwoo.’

Kim Yul had involved himself, so he had to deal with that.

“Alright then.”

Having ended the conversation, I turned to leave.

But I didn’t get far before coming to a stop.

As if on cue, Kim Yul’s grumbling immediately ceased.

“Why, why are you stopping at such a stupid distance?”

If you’re going, just go. If not, why leave someone anxious by stopping halfway?

Turning back, I faced Kim Yul, who bristled like an upset hedgehog.

And I asked something that had been bothering me since I saw him sticking to Yeonwoo.

“You.”

“What?!”

“Have you ever thought that maybe you shouldn’t deepen your relationship with Yeonwoo?”

Judging by his indignant response, Kim Yul misunderstood the question.

“Huh? You said you wouldn’t interfere just a moment ago! How can you flip like that?!”

It seemed he had a completely wrong idea.

Hoping to clear Kim Yul of his misunderstanding, I added,

“Have you ever thought that, since you could die at any moment, perhaps it would be better to maintain the current status rather than getting closer?”

“Oh? Y-you’re not telling me to break up?”

I told you, no such interference.

As I frowned, waiting for a response, Kim Yul scratched the back of his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

“Um… isn’t that why we need to grow closer now?”

“Huh?”

“Because I might die at any moment, it’s all the more important to cherish this moment.”

It was a straightforward principle, yet one that might not have struck me had I overthought it.

However, instead of mulling it over alone, I chose to ask.

Thanks to that, I got to hear Kim Yul’s simple answer.

With that, my course of action became very simple.

“Thank you.”

Leaving a simple word of thanks to Kim Yul, I turned to leave.

* * *

The day after returning home, a press conference was immediately scheduled.

This showed how keenly everyone was watching for my reappearance.

As soon as I entered the conference hall, the blinding flash of cameras ceased at once.

Instead, the hall was filled with the clatter of rapid typing.

Today’s press conference, broadcast live worldwide, was catching everyone’s attention.

It was an apt occasion to prove that I was still alive.

Grabbing the microphone, I calmly recited the pre-arranged announcement.

Of course, I didn’t disclose everything.

There was no benefit in openly discussing matters like the status or divinity.

‘It’s also hard to explain the existence of irregular entities.’

All I intended to announce was how those numbers in the sky came to be and how players plan to respond going forward.

It was all pre-agreed with guild leaders, including Lily.

“The compiled details will be uploaded on the Players Association website at noon today. Please download and review them if you’re interested.”

After my official announcement, a question-and-answer session ensued.

The journalists, brimming with excitement, showered me with questions.

Thinking it could turn chaotic if left unchecked, I decided to pause this flow.

“Let’s proceed one at a time.”

Those waiting provided the first journalist with a microphone.

And the first question from the journalist was, as expected,

“As per your earlier statement, do those numbers in the sky truly represent the total number of Holes left on Earth?”

It related to the mysterious numbers that appeared in the sky days ago.

The meaning of these numbers was already somewhat rumored among players.

And during my earlier announcement, I had confirmed those rumors as fact.

‘So they’re asking again despite that.’

It seemed they needed reassurance on this matter.

Perhaps because that would provide a flicker of hope that the war might end.

I answered the journalist’s question with a steady voice.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Then, once all the Holes are closed, does it mean no more monsters can cross over to Earth?!”

Even before I could finish, the adjacent journalist, with a look of desire, interrupted.

“It’s true that eliminating all Holes would remove the monsters’ gateways to Earth.”

But whether that would guarantee Earth’s total safety, well…

“If you’re asking whether it assures absolute safety, I can’t provide that assurance.”

Just because monsters can’t enter doesn’t guarantee those exceptional beings won’t, either.

It was premature to conclusively guarantee it.

‘And there are still mages.’

Who knows what experiments they might conduct with the remaining Holes.

“Humanity on Earth is experiencing an unprecedented supernatural war, suggesting that unexpected dangers could lurk anywhere.”

Though we’re making various efforts to mitigate those potential threats.

“We intend to prepare for the worst rather than complacently approach the issue. That’s how we can keep citizens worldwide safe.”

It wouldn’t hurt to be cautious considering the worst-case Scenario could involve a dimension collapsing.

As my answer concluded, another journalist promptly carried on with the questions.

“In stating the numbers in the sky represent the total of Holes and asserting they will no longer increase, could you elaborate on why you’re so certain no new Holes will emerge?”

The details were already included in the materials to be uploaded on the association’s website, so there was no reason to hide it.

“We eliminated an entity possessing the rare ability to pierce Holes.”

That was the truth.

“When you say ‘rare ability’, are you referring to a legion commander?”

“Similar.”

“Then, what are the differences?”

“I lack detailed knowledge to explain that particular entity.”

That was a lie.

“What evidence is there to prove that this rare ability holder has been eliminated? Is this credible information?”

“I killed it personally. As long as there isn’t another such entity in the enemy ranks, holes won’t increase.”

This, however, was the truth.

“Was the pursuit of this entity the reason for your absence over the past few months?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

This, too, was true.

The Q&A session lasted longer than expected, and I diligently answered every question.

I hadn’t planned such extensive engagement initially.

I had partaken because the occasion aligned with my goals.

But the journalists’ raw anxiety was palpable.

And considering that their anxiety reflected the unease of people scattered worldwide, it seemed prudent to be a bit more careful.

Perhaps it was also due to some of my followers mingled among the journalists.

‘Those who have faith in me.’

If my words could quell their unease,

‘I shouldn’t overlook it.’

Choosing words carefully wasn’t particularly challenging.

“I have an additional question.”

Another journalist posed a new inquiry.

“Rumors abound regarding the special power Mr. Kang Hyunwoo wields. Could you provide an accurate explanation regarding this matter?”

I was wondering when this question would arise.

Damned System