Chapter 350

Chapter 350. News of Victory (6)

“At first, there were rumors that it was a special ability of Kang Hyunwoo or the power of an artifact. However, later, Kim Yul from the Palao Guild, Rashar, and President Lily Evans of the Association were also seen using the same power.”

Various organizations made inquiries to the guild regarding this matter.

Even players who were on friendly terms with me moved in many directions to investigate this power during my absence.

However, no one had actually discovered my puppet.

“Mr. Kang Hyunwoo went missing for several months afterward, and the three people using the same power avoided giving a precise answer, leading to frustration.”

The three people who became my apostles remained silent on all questions.

They weren’t sure how much they were allowed to mention.

‘Thanks to that, they were exposed to numerous criticisms.’

To be honest, I never instructed them to keep it a secret.

After selecting the apostles, I immediately went out to hunt Kacline, which was why I unintentionally neglected the matter.

However, the three judged that they couldn’t handle the issue on their own and decided to leave it as it was.

“Personally, I think your consistent silence on the matter is incredibly selfish.”

It was clear that the power could assist in the war.

However, there was no way to understand what it was or how it could be obtained.

Each word the reporter uttered dripped with hostility.

‘There is no way to completely hide it.’

Divinity was the only means operable by a legion commander.

Thus, it was natural for people to covet it.

‘It had been surprisingly quiet until now.’

For some time, I had been the only one who used divinity mingled with mana.

Choosing not to broach the topic openly to avoid offending me probably led to discrete maneuvering beneath the surface.

But now that others had been witnessed using it, the situation had inevitably changed.

Those who acted on their prudence could lose out if they miscalculated their position.

‘It looks like the reporter is connected to one of the large guilds.’

I couldn’t explain everything truthfully, so it was essential to come up with a plausible story.

‘To achieve that…’

After a brief thought, I began to speak.

“I believe everyone knows that things related to gods and their authority existed in Bihar.”

Adding that a similar feature existed in the game supporting the players.

“It’s an ability acquired after reaching a level where such functions could be used.”

It was a response mingling truth with lies.

“It’s effective for hunting legion commanders like the Black Vines because it’s a level of power higher than magic or mana.”

Once I finished speaking, murmurs quickly spread among the reporters.

“Does that mean there exists a rank higher than the Platinum rank?”

Someone with a flushed expression asked amid the clamor.

“Yes, it does. According to the system description, it is referred to as ‘beyond standard’.”

Approaching it too religiously could invite attacks.

So I decided to conclude the explanation within the realm of what was now quite naturally accepted as the players and the game field.

“They won’t challenge it.”

Players existed, and it wasn’t strange for a rank beyond Platinum to exist.

Since I was the only one to reach that rank, no one else could differentiate between truth and falsehood.

“At that level, after fulfilling certain conditions, it’s possible to share my power with other players, much like the gods and apostles of Biharin.”

My explanation was that I was currently sharing power with some individuals to ensure the war’s progress continued smoothly in my absence.

“Then, is there a criterion for sharing that power?”

“Why is it only being shared with the three?”

“Do you have no intention of providing it to others?”

The barrage of questions had a common desire for an answer.

“It’s difficult to share the power with everyone. There are specific conditions that must be met. However, there’s a new open slot, and I am considering it.”

The comment about potentially selecting a new apostle soon intensified the reporters’ typing.

The questions didn’t cease amid all this.

“Are you planning to select new individuals at the current Romanian and Mexican fronts?”

“I intend to clean up the legion commander at those fronts personally in the near future, unrelated to the selection of new individuals.”

“When will you be departing?”

To the continuing question, I checked my watch on my wrist and replied.

“I plan to depart in 25 minutes.”

The response that I would be leaving today spurred the reporters to even more frantic writing.

I felt I had said everything that really needed saying.

Hence, I prepared to wrap up the press conference.

“I have an additional question.”

A reporter raised his hand and took the microphone from the adjoining reporter.

“I’d like to ask why Mr. Kang Hyunwoo is making these announcements instead of the Association.”

The eyes and tone with which he looked at me, and even the slight distortion of his mouth…

“There is an Association to represent the players’ position, yet why is an individual like Mr. Kang Hyunwoo explaining the numbers that appeared in the sky and deciding on dispatching to the Romanian and Mexican fronts?”

The malice directed at me was exceedingly clear.

“Might the rumor that the Association was created for Mr. Kang Hyunwoo’s private gain and that President Lily Evans is merely a puppet following Mr. Kang Hyunwoo’s orders be true?”

I had no intention of responding gently.

“President Lily Evans was not in a position to prepare the conference, being at the front, and since I dealt with the particular entity, I took responsibility for the outcome announcement.”

“Then why did you share the power of the Golden Lightning with President Lily Evans? Doesn’t that decision imply she’s under Mr. Kang Hyunwoo?”

It was a crude provocation.

I was aware of all sorts of conspiracy theories, like I controlled the Association led by Lily or that all major guild leaders worldwide were my puppets.

People thought I was using players to build a massive empire rather than protecting the land my family lived on.

These unfounded conspiracy theories were ludicrous, so I had chosen to ignore them.

But what was the intention behind directly mentioning these far-fetched stories during a live broadcasted press conference?

“Let me clarify something. President Lily Evans, along with most players, are comrades and colleagues working together towards a common goal.”

While I sometimes conveyed decisions, it was not because I believed I stood above them.

I arranged situations so others would follow my judgment, as I was convinced it was correct.

I never harbored thoughts of being a king or reigning over players.

“My purpose is victory, not domination.”

Therefore, in my view, this was an attack aimed at sowing discord amongst the allied major guilds.

“I wonder what you aimed for by speaking of such unsubstantiated conspiracy theories in my presence.”

One couldn’t stay quiet while under attack during wartime.

“Are you trying to pit the Association, me, and other major guild leaders against each other?”

“What kind of baseless speculation…?”

“You were the one who uttered that baseless speculation first. Prove that what you did wasn’t an attempt to sow disunity and destroy the players’ community spirit.”

I was directly asking if he was a traitor.

This pointed question thrived on the current severe social climate towards those revealed as traitors recently.

‘Unless he’s a real traitor, there would have been no reason to stir trouble by vocalizing such rumors.’

Of course, it could just be that the reporter was a dimwitted fool rather than a real traitor.

But that wasn’t my concern.

I was neither saintly enough to tolerate an attack nor inclined to pacify warmly.

‘The fact that he’s an idiot isn’t my responsibility.’

He should bear the consequence of his ignorance himself.

The constraint that players cannot harm civilians only applies to physical deeds.

It doesn’t mean restricted speech.

Moreover, I hadn’t threatened; I merely expressed a suspicion.

Just as he had done to me.

“Do I need to ask again? I asked what’s your intention behind trying to divide us and other players.”

The reporter was seated not in the front but towards the back.

This added to the drama when the others fixed their eyes on him during the confrontation.

“Which media?”

“The one that prints tabloid…”

“Those who simply tail celebrities…”

“Entertainment doesn’t pay these days. Now they tail players, stirring things up…”

“Maybe he’s a real traitor?”

“Like cockroaches.”

“Such individuals should be socially ostracized…”

Almost everyone gathered in the room murmured, eyes on the reporter rather than me.

Suddenly being suspected of being a traitor must have scared him.

“I… I think I was too hasty. I’m terribly sorry.”

His pitiable retreat from the hall, tail between his legs, was quite amusing.

I might have responded too harshly.

But it was better than unnecessary rumors causing further issues.

I stored the fleeing reporter’s face in a corner of my memory and said,

“This concludes the press conference.”

I announced the conclusion and stood up from my seat.

“When do you expect the ceasefire to occur?”

“Do you still firmly believe in victory?”

Of course, it seemed the reporters still had many questions left.

But rather than be detained any longer, I exited without hesitation.

I then summoned my personal transport, waiting for me in the gap.

“Gilenios.”

“Damn, damn, how long has it been since returning…”

At my call, Gilenios promptly appeared and opened the path to Romania.

* * *

BOOM!

KABOOM!

CRASH!

After a barrage of consecutive loud explosions, the ground seemed to shake, followed by rays of light tearing through the clouds from high above.

ROOOAR!

SCREEECH!

ROAAAR!

And from the distance, a cluster of monsters crumbled with feeble screams.

“This… this can’t be…”

“The evolved species of the legion were taken down so easily…!”

“What am I witnessing here?”

“This is beyond standard…”

Those witnessing it all with their eyes and ears seemed frozen in place as if they couldn’t move.

Some turned pale, consumed by fear.

Others were flushed, seemingly filled with awe.

Although their reasons varied, it was clear they were all stunned.

The shock was perceptible not only to the players but to others as well.

A notable case was Dennis, who had flown into Rashar’s pocket to escape the shock’s aftermath.

“Truly terrifying.”

The phenomenon a single individual conjured was that surreal and destructive.

‘It was indeed wise not to backstab him then.’

Had Dennis not adhered to the directive and attempted to save his kind when Hyunwoo invaded the Magic Tower…

“Ugh…”

The mere thought of it sent a cold sweat down Dennis’s back and made him shiver.

Reflecting repeatedly, aligning with Hyunwoo seemed a fortunate decision.

While Dennis rubbed his forearms reflectively, the unilateral annihilation continued.

Seeing it all brought the memories of another golden lightning he had seen over the past few weeks.

“By the way, it’s quite distinct from what you used.”

Dennis, sticking his head out of the pocket, glanced up and spoke.

In response, Rashar, who had been safeguarding him, replied with a somewhat awkward smile.

“Yes, it’s because I am borrowing the power.”

“Does the effect differ depending on the user even if it’s the same power?”

“Hmm… it’s easier to understand if you consider that the size of the authority one can wield varies depending on the apostle’s talent or belief. Just as not everyone learns swordsmanship with the same skill level.”

“I see.”

Just after Dennis expressed his understanding with an exclamation, the booms that had lasted for over ten minutes vanished abruptly.

Damned System