Chapter 354

Chapter 354. A Glimpse of the Future (2)

Lying about not being annoyed would have been deceitful, but it wasn’t something I could ignore either.

“We need to take care of that first,” said Rashar, the first to stand up, indicating it needed to be dealt with.

In Korea, if a player discovered a Hole and failed to take action, they would be penalized.

One must either report it or close it, meaning one of the two actions must be taken.

If it was an critical Hole, dealing with it required confronting a general-rank.

For other cases, the situation varied slightly.

Usually, if someone was resting due to an injury or a high-ranked Hole appeared that was difficult to handle with one’s own power, it ended with reporting it and controlling the vicinity.

On the other hand, if it seemed possible to resolve the matter with those present on-site, they would directly close the Hole.

In our case, it was the latter.

The proof was that team leaders, managing dozens of parties, were already wiping their mouths and standing up.

Some were turning on the guardian app to report the Hole status.

Those who were to enter were beginning to arm themselves.

I was very pleased with how they instinctively knew what needed to be done without separate instruction or interference.

Rashar was among those arming themselves.

I watched her retrieve a sword from the void magic tool and strap it to her waist, and I asked, “Are you planning to go yourself?”

“If there’s a nemesis-rank inside, it might be tough for them to handle alone.”

It was indeed safer for a Platinum rank capable person to accompany them.

I briefly considered joining as well, but quickly changed my mind.

Kim Yul and Yang Taeho volunteered to join in as well.

Given the illustrious lineup of volunteers, there was no need for me to step in.

‘Rashar is well aware of that too.’

I decided to stay put this time.

Meanwhile, Rashar placed various electronic devices on the table.

After she and other guild members entered the Hole, the remaining personnel outside took a moment to deliberate.

“Mr. K, should we evacuate the restaurant staff?” asked Jordan, prompting me to nod.

“By principle, yes.”

Even if another Hole appeared with the outside personnel, they were capable of handling it.

But as a precaution, civilian access is restricted within 500 meters of a Hole.

Not just to ensure their safety.

‘It’s also to eliminate all variables relating to civilians.’

Therefore, even if the area wasn’t particularly dangerous, an evacuation was the right course of action.

The team outside swiftly evacuated the staff.

The employees seemed to have experience with similar scenarios and quickly vacated the area following instructions.

Of course, some people were still busy taking photos amid the commotion.

Knowing I couldn’t perfectly control this situation to my liking, I focused on evacuating them as quickly as possible.

About ten minutes later, all the restaurant staff had vanished, leaving behind an odd scene with only the patrons remaining.

Someone let out a hollow laugh, and others remarked on this unique experience while exploring the empty restaurant.

I remained seated, waiting for those who had entered the Hole to return.

Just then, Ahel, sitting across from me, extended his hand.

He picked up Rashar’s smartphone from the table.

Wondering what he intended to do with someone else’s belongings, I watched him.

After a few taps on the phone, he tossed it towards me.

I caught the device flying through the air in an arc and asked, “… What is this?”

But Ahel merely gestured with his chin instead of giving a straightforward explanation.

Reluctant as I was, feeling like he was setting me up for something, I lowered my gaze and checked the smartphone.

The lock was off.

I didn’t know if there was no password set at all or if Ahel knew Rashar’s password.

That made me wonder why they would share such information, and my head was filled with various thoughts.

In the midst of this confusion, my face appeared on the screen.

‘UTube Army.’

Usually, I wouldn’t have bothered to peek into someone else’s private life.

“Kang Hyunwoo, exposing Everything About Him!”

The provocative video title tempted me.

In the end, I touched the screen, and the paused video resumed playing.

『… But even taking that into account, it’s certain that he is a person with clear purposefulness.』

I wondered what it was about.

『This isn’t just a one-time thing. Ever since he first appeared in public, he has consistently used similar vocabulary. Protect, defend, victory, triumph…』

『Oh! It’s true.』

『Yes, perhaps… ever since the current crisis began, Kang Hyunwoo’s mind is filled with those thoughts.』

The video was dissecting who I was, about what I usually thought, and how I lived my life.

I wondered why Rashar was watching something like this, but only for a moment.

Just in case, I decided to check Rashar’s recent viewing history on UTube.

And what I discovered was quite surprising.

“… Half a year?”

For nearly half a year, the frequency of watching videos about me had steadily increased.

It began with clips featuring me or interviews with media outlets.

Later, there were content videos in which I appeared at the request of Kim Yul from time to time.

After some time, it shifted to analyzing content about me.

My personality, behavioral patterns, inclinations, and even mental and psychological aspects.

Rashar’s account was filled with viewing history centered on me.

Not only videos about personality test results like MBTI but also analysis videos created by psychiatrists, numbering in the dozens.

“….”

I decided to play the most viewed video among them.

「See, he’s unhesitant, isn’t he?」

A psychiatrist was interpreting various aspects of my video.

「He appears notably stress-resistant.」

「What exactly does that mean?」

「It means he’s skilled at controlling his actions without being swept away by pressure or anxiety. Instead of tossing and turning due to not knowing what will happen tomorrow, he empties his mind and gets sleep for tomorrow’s condition. He’s someone who can do that.」

「I see.」

「And I think he leads a very planned life. If you look at the history chart of the guild formation process, you’d expect someone who knows how to systematically establish both short-term and mid-to-long-term plans.」

The psychiatrist paused, gently rubbing his chin.

It seemed less like he had finished speaking and more like he was organizing his thoughts.

As expected, after a brief pause, he continued speaking calmly.

「While such traits can be influenced by innate disposition, they’re also often unknowingly trained by parents during childhood. I think both may apply to him.」

「Eternal stress resistance, high behavioral control, and even systematic… truly impressive. Are there any other notable points?」

「There sure are.」

「Oh! What might they be?」

「If you look at some of the behavioral patterns and vocabulary used in press conferences… the focus is very strong.」

「Focus, you say?」

「He’s highly concentrated on his goals. You know people who become absorbed in just one thing, right?」

「Oh, yes, I know!」

「Those people are said to have high focus. Naturally, their level of achievement is also high.」

「Why is that?」

「Because their priorities are crystal clear. They know what to forfeit if it impedes their goals.」

「Could you please explain more specifically?」

「Um, what example should I give…?」

As I watched, it became genuinely interesting, and I found myself focused on it unintentionally.

Just then, the expert in the video clapped his hands and continued.

「Ah, yes. If you want to save money but have many external commitments, honestly, it’s difficult to save, right? Yet, not going may make you feel left out.」

「Oh, indeed.」

「People like him are different. To him, it’s crucial to achieve the immediate goal of saving money. If he judges something as impeding his goal, he’ll exclude it from his schedule without regret.」

「Oh.」

Is that something surprising? Isn’t it how it should be?

「Could it be related to the high societal success rate of ENTJs, like him, known?」

「Indeed. People of that type are certain of their thoughts. They deeply trust their judgments. Hence, they don’t shy away from any means or methods to implement or achieve them.」

「Oh….」

「No matter the number of outside variables, nor the impact they may have, accomplishing what you’re focused on is more vital. They will overcome obstacles, set them aside, and crave success. They might be seen as natural leaders.」

Frankly, I was somewhat astounded, as it was an exact analysis, as if they saw through my inner self.

I hadn’t realized my behavior patterns could be read so plainly.

The views of others about me were more fascinating than I’d anticipated, with the accuracy being notably high too.

I considered checking out more videos and swiped through the screen.

As I was engrossed in skimming through the videos Rashar had watched for a while, I sensed a presence from the direction of the Hole.

While absorbed in UTube, Rashar had emerged, having sealed the Hole.

When I looked up from the UTube fascination, my eyes locked with Rashar, who had come out from the Hole.

She paused while tucking the sword into the void magic tool, her shoulders giving a startled shudder.

Her eyes darted up and down, glancing quickly.

It seemed she was switching her gaze between my hands and face.

Right after, Rashar swiftly reduced the distance of several meters and reached out.

“Why are you looking through someone’s belongings so freely?”

I calmly handed back the smartphone to Rashar, who had approached hastily.

Regardless of Ahel’s instigation, browsing through her private life wasn’t a justifiable action on my part.

And I was aware that it wasn’t something to be proud of.

“Sorry.”

When I promptly apologized, Rashar narrowed her eyes slightly and said.

“You’re apologizing quite readily.”

“I realize I acted thoughtlessly and intent not to repeat it.”

I shrugged nonchalantly.

Consequently, Rashar’s eyes narrowed even more.

But she didn’t add any more words.

So, I spoke first.

“You’re curious about what I’m thinking, just ask, I’ll answer.”

“…… No need. I think I understand what kind of person you are now.”

“What kind of person am I?”

“You’re the one who will end this war.”

“Well perceived.”

Yes, I intended to end this war.

“I had a lot of things I wanted to protect.”

That’s why I willingly delved deep into the mire.

Though I ventured too deeply, leading to a tangle of priorities between purpose and means.

Such was the vivid yearning I bore deep within my heart.

“There are definitely still many things I wish to protect.”

To be precise, it had arguably increased compared to the past.

“Now, you’re included as well.”

At this unexpected remark, Rashar’s eyes doubled in size.

Ahel, standing nearby, made a rather unpleasant vomiting motion, but I deftly ignored him.

Instead, I continued speaking, keeping my gaze firmly on the startled Rashar.

“I’m not good at saying things indirectly.”

More accurately, I didn’t plan on being indirect from the start.

Originally, there wasn’t an intention to bring this up so abruptly.

However, seeing Rashar’s viewing history altered my resolve.

Given how much she researched about me, it couldn’t merely be my delusion alone.

Finding no reason to cautiously plot out the perfect timing, I chose to dive straight in.

“I have feelings for you. You appear as a woman in my eyes.”

“What, what, what?”

“I tried to let go of the recurring awkward drifting apart, but I changed my mind.”

Blub blub.

Rashar began opening and closing her mouth, akin to someone who’d forgotten how to speak.

To an outsider oblivious to the context, one might think she was struck with aphasia.

Rashar couldn’t easily snap out of it.

I had no intention of rushing someone clearly flustered.

And coincidentally, my smartphone vibrated.

Damned System