Chapter 52: Crazy Shim Ji-hyuk
by Afuhfuihgs“f*ck!”
Crash!
As soon as the broadcast ended, Shim Ji-hyuk darted into the restroom, feeling like he might vomit from the cold stares directed at him.
“There was even video evidence. How could he try to ruin someone who did such a good thing?”
“If he didn’t know the facts, he should’ve kept quiet. Isn’t he supposed to be an expert?”
“I thought Dr. Shim Ji-hyuk was knowledgeable about magic, but it turns out he’s just another quack with a good media presence.”
“If that video hadn’t been there, an innocent person who did a good deed would’ve been unjustly ruined.”
Countless viewers criticized Shim Ji-hyuk’s hasty judgment. In an instant, he went from a respected scholar to a fool who’d failed to smear a teacher who risked his life to open a black gate and save his students.
Even the image Shim Ji-hyuk had built up in the media as an erudite scholar had cracked. It was only natural; he had staked his entire academic reputation, claiming a black gate could never be opened by human means.
“Do you know how hard I worked to build my reputation?!”
“Ahhh!”
Shim Ji-hyuk pounded the wall in frustration. His sense of purpose had always been rooted in the recognition he received from others.
He wanted to join the Magic Tower, driven by his desire to be acknowledged by that esteemed institution known for being at the pinnacle of magic. All his life, he had craved approval.
His relentless attempt to discredit the Masked Instructor had been a desperate move to secure his place in the Magic Tower.
- “I’ll give you any position in the Magic Tower, excluding the Tower Lord and Deputy Tower Lord spots. Whatever you desire.”
- “Th-that’s impossible… Are you serious?”
- “Do you doubt me? I always keep my word. Of course, this offer stands only if you completely ruin the reputation of the Masked Instructor. So, do your best.”
Shin Yura had once promised Shim Ji-hyuk a position in the Magic Tower. But it came with a condition: he had to utterly destroy the Masked Instructor’s reputation.
Currently, the Masked Instructor was drawing public attention with his groundbreaking techniques, such as external mana manipulation and circle-breaking.
For now, Shim Ji-hyuk could critique these innovations for their risks or potential side effects. But if these techniques were proven safe, the Masked Instructor would be hailed as an unprecedented genius in magical academia.
“Damn it…”
Shim Ji-hyuk knew how impressive the Masked Instructor’s teachings were. That was precisely why he’d felt pressed for time; the more his abilities were revealed to the world, the harder it would be to tarnish his reputation.
“This was my last chance…”
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Shim Ji-hyuk, who had resigned himself to a life of TV appearances, to gain entry into the Magic Tower. But now, he had lost it right before his eyes.
Having failed his task miserably and unintentionally raising the Masked Instructor’s fame, he knew that Tower Lord Shin Yura would no longer have any use for him. Shim Ji-hyuk had become nothing but a worthless card.
Gritting teeth
He clenched his teeth so hard that he could feel them on the verge of breaking.
“Who the hell leaked that video at just the right moment?”
A murderous rage surged within him; he wanted to tear apart the person who’d submitted the evidence. Without that video, Shim Ji-hyuk’s smear campaign might have succeeded, and he might have secured his spot in the Tower.
Because of that one video, he had lost everything he’d built up over twenty years in broadcasting — his fame, reputation, and credibility. In an instant, he had been plunged into ruin.
“F*ck… Whoever you are, if I catch you, I’ll kill you…”
Shim Ji-hyuk, emitting a dark aura of murderous intent, stepped out of the restroom.
“Hey, isn’t that Professor Shim Ji-hyuk?” “No, actually, he gave up his PhD title, so he’s just plain old Shim Ji-hyuk now.” “Yeah, serves him right. Why would he stake his PhD on something he wasn’t sure of?”
People around him were whispering. Shim Ji-hyuk shot them a glare.
“Wow… He looks like he’s about to explode.” “He’s never shown this side on TV before. Guess you can’t really know someone just by watching them on camera.” “Does he think it’s right to act this way after messing up so badly?”
Even as he glared, dozens of people huddled together, criticizing him.
They had every reason to. Shim Ji-hyuk had unjustly slandered the Masked Instructor, who had risked his life to open a black gate and save his students.
“Ahhh!”
Shim Ji-hyuk shouted in frustration, unable to contain his anger. But instead of feeling intimidated, the onlookers just watched him with pity.
“What’s wrong with him? Is he crazy?” “He looks so pathetic. Does he really think that’ll make him look scary?”
The murmuring continued.
Shim Ji-hyuk felt a nauseating sensation, as if his mind were spinning. With every insult he heard, it felt as if a worm were gnawing away at his brain. Unable to stand it any longer, he dashed outside to escape the crowd.
Running footsteps
“Huff… Huff… Huff…”
As soon as he stepped outside, Shim Ji-hyuk began shouting.
“F*ck, you clueless idiots! What do you know about anything? Do you know a thing about magic? I’ve been devoted to magic studies for over twenty years!”
Panting, he looked around, but no one was there. Still, he felt as if he could hear the echo of people’s insults ringing in his ears.
“Damn it… I just wanted to join the Tower… If only that damn report hadn’t come out, none of this would have happened…”
Clutching his head in pain, Shim Ji-hyuk muttered under his breath, almost as if possessed.
“That b*stard… That snitch is the reason for all of this.”
Unable to see his own faults, Shim Ji-hyuk was consumed with resentment for the person who had reported him, the one who ruined him with that incriminating video.
“If I could just find out who they are…”
He remembered that every tip sent to the broadcasting station was stored in the main data archive, including the original reporting emails. With this thought in mind, he naturally made his way toward the station’s main data archive.
He began walking briskly, the station’s hallways flashing by.
“Stop right there. Unauthorized personnel cannot proceed beyond this point.”
A security officer stepped in his way. Ji-hyuk smiled, attempting some lighthearted banter.
“Mr. Lee Chan-seong, right?”
The guard squinted at him, then recognized him and spoke, surprised.
“Oh, Shim Ji-hyuk? What brings you here?”
After twenty years of working with the station, very few employees didn’t recognize Ji-hyuk.
“I was supposed to meet with the station director, so I need to go inside.”
The guard looked uncertain and held up a hand to stop him.
“I haven’t received any instructions about this. I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
Ji-hyuk leaned in and whispered into the guard’s ear.
“Mr. Lee, remember when you tried to ask that idol for her number and got rejected? I’m guessing she didn’t tell anyone because she’s too kind-hearted, but… What would your wife think if she found out?”
The guard stiffened, visibly rattled, and asked in a trembling voice.
“What do you want?”
“Just let me through quietly. That’s all I’m asking.”
With a reluctant sigh, Lee Chan-seong deactivated the massive security artifacts guarding the archive, turning to Ji-hyuk with a serious look.
“Don’t do anything suspicious. And please… keep that incident to yourself.”
Ji-hyuk nodded, asking Lee for directions to the archive office where the main data artifact was stored.
“Right this way,” Lee said, leading him to the office.
Knocking on the door, Lee called out, “This is Security Officer Lee Chan-seong. I need to access the archive briefly.”
A staff member inside sounded cautious.
“A security officer? Coming to the archive? Why?”
The person inside didn’t open the door, clearly sensing something amiss.
With no response from the other side, Ji-hyuk stepped forward, addressing the staff member directly.
“Hello, this is Shim Ji-hyuk. I have something to discuss with the director. Did you not receive a notification about my visit?”
The broadcast director was always here, checking data and making sure there were no issues. So, coming here was the quickest way to see him.
However, there had been no word of a message from outside. The staff member found this odd and checked the monitoring artifact to take another look at the person outside.
“Isn’t that Shim Ji-hyuk?”
Shim Ji-hyuk had been frequenting the broadcast station for 20 years. He was quite familiar with many of the staff members, including this one. Seeing that he’d already been allowed in by a security officer, the staff member relaxed slightly and spoke in a more casual tone.
“The director isn’t in right now. When did he ask you to come?”
Shim Ji-hyuk replied with a bright smile, “About an hour ago, he asked one of the other staff members to pass the message along. Looks like the communication didn’t go through. Do you happen to know when he’ll be back?”
Given that Shim Ji-hyuk had already cleared the first level of security and was someone he knew well, the staff member responded trustingly.
“After he’s finished with his current schedule, he’ll be back here in about an hour.”
Then, Shim Ji-hyuk quietly took a small envelope out of his pocket and whispered, “Actually… I came because I have something the director asked for. I don’t think it’s wise to hold onto it out here…”
The staff member grimaced.
“Is that old man asking for bribes again?”
The director was well-known for taking bribes from various people. Not only that, but he often demanded them himself.
Most key staff members, including this one, were well aware of his greed, but they turned a blind eye. The reason was simple: it was their livelihood.
If the director’s bribery scandal ever broke out, they’d be implicated too. After all, many people here had ties to him. It could even collapse the entire structure of the station.
Staff cuts would be inevitable, and they themselves might be at risk of losing their jobs. So, everyone knew about the director’s bribery, but they kept it an internal secret.
“If anyone finds out, we’re screwed.”
With so many station staff and celebrities around, the last thing they needed was for someone to see an envelope full of cash. That would be a nightmare.
“Is Shim Ji-hyuk crazy? Pulling that out with a security officer standing right there? Does he want us all ruined?”
Pale with worry, the staff member spoke urgently to Shim Ji-hyuk.
“Mr. Shim, I think it would be better if you waited inside. Security officer, please return to your original post. Only Mr. Shim is permitted to enter.”
Shim Ji-hyuk nodded with a smile. “Understood.”
Creaaak
The door to the main data artifact storage room began to open slowly. Shim Ji-hyuk touched the dark artifact he’d hidden behind his back.
If an emergency happens, use this. Consider it an advance payment. But remember, whatever happens after you use it is your responsibility.
The dark artifact Shim Ji-hyuk held had been given to him by Shin Yura. She’d given it to him as a precaution, fearing retribution from the Masked Instructor.
Since the dark artifact couldn’t be detected by magic sensors, Shim Ji-hyuk had kept it with him for emergencies, though he hadn’t expected to use it like this.
“Come on… open a little more.”
Finally, the door was nearly open, and the staff member whispered, “Hurry inside.”
The moment the door was fully open, Shim Ji-hyuk shouted, “Get back, you Fuckers!”
He activated the dark artifact he was holding.
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