episode_0949

League announcement, 10 hours before midnight.

Patriotic Train No. 3 car, living room.

“From now on, we will build a promotional strategy for the introduction of the league.”

After taking a break, I gathered the heroes together this time.

“Originally, we decided to introduce a 5:5 virtual group match like we did last time, but everyone heard various stories from the president during the screening process.”

“So you decided to focus on 1:1 matches?”

“Okay. Lee Ye-ryeong, this structure is rather familiar to you, right?”

“Well, it feels that way.”

Lee Ye-ryeong, who was sitting across from me, crossed her legs and looked through the data on the tablet.

As of midnight, our organization is already reviewing the information that will be released directly from the mouth of Chinese President Zhao Demaeng in 10 hours before it is released to the media.

Because it’s the material we created in the first place.

“There’s been a lot of fuss outside asking for this, but you’re not going to solve it with a joke?”

“Not yet.”

The media is clamoring for them to send us some data because they will unconditionally adhere to the embargo, but they are unable to make a decisive move and continue to send love calls to the Central Party.

“It looks like Chairman Cho will make a proper weed out based on this league data this time.”

“Didn’t you decide to side with the Vice Chairman of the Wang Democratic Party? That sounds like they are going to use Chairman Jo Deok-maeng rather than kick him out.”

Yoon Yi-sun realized the situation and blinked.

“Are you thinking of using both…?”

“Isn’t there anything more certain than taking advantage of those who are trying to rise above the pride of protecting the top?”

Notes and sub-notes.

They will have to form a team within one party and deal with local governments externally, but even within the central party, one person will keep his or her position and the other will use all means to secure the position of president.

“A political battle between a married woman named Hunter and a tax evader. Really, my heart feels magnificent.”

“Nonetheless, this country needs them.”

“Are you saying that such people are the greatest output that the association can properly regard? Haha.”

Yunji Kim covered her face with her hands.

“What the hell is this country.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter to us what politicians’ inner tendencies are.”

“The important thing is, is it possible to form a cooperative relationship with an association or not?”

“Yes.”

Either a black cat or a white cat.

Even if it is a dog and not a cat, it is still good as long as it does not bite people and does not disturb the environment.

“Hey, I have a question.”

Ymir, who read all the material, quietly raised his hand.

“If we do this, will Wulin really collapse?”

Introduction of the league.

Expansion of local government.

Elimination of back accounts.

“Murim is also a martial artist, but even if I bow my head for a moment now, I think someone will do the same thing later as I did before.”

“That’s right.”

Just like they secretly sent people to secure Managold in Sinuiju.

Just like villains were infiltrated into Korea to disrupt the World Cup.

Just as they tried to expand the unrest by sending people to the sea off Incheon even if a little unrest broke out in Korea.

When the World Cup was held, a battleship was decorated like a passenger ship and entered Korea’s territorial waters.

And it was as if Hell Joseon was hiding underground.

“In some ways, it is true that China has had a more negative influence on the situation on the Korean Peninsula than Japan.”

Western Joseon had a greater influence on this country than you might think.

“Of course, since we are people from the backworld, we keep mentioning things from the backworld, but it is also true that externally, thanks to Western Joseon, there are a lot of so-called honey-suckers.”

“In the case of heroes…some Chinese fans like luxury goods sent by rich people.”

“The export market cannot be ignored either.”

“If you say something made in Korea, these are the people who immediately buy it. It is said that red ginseng companies get 70% of their sales from trade with China.”

Why we tried to change the China of this world.

There is nothing else.

“Only with small countries can there be China, and only with China can there be large countries and the Republic of Korea.”

Originally, the status of a country may sound vulgar, but it only becomes higher when compared to other countries.

“You don’t hesitate to say things that would upset others if they heard them.”

“It’s true. And you have to set the stage like this for talented people to come out.”

I pointed to the heroes of ‘Republic of Korea’ gathered in one place.

“Right now, in terms of nationality, how many countries made it into the quarterfinals at last year’s World Cup?”

“……Well, for the record, I am the one who put China in the top 4.”

“But not anymore.”

The 2025 International Talent World Cup has ended.

However, there is no way the World Cup, with all S-class players in attendance, can end in just one event.

“Chairman’s official.”

I pointed to the end of the data on the tablet.

“The next Talent World Cup will not simply end with individual versus individual competitions, but will be held as a ‘national competition’ in the true sense.”

“……!”

I don’t know anything else.

“Is it beneficial for people all over the world for Korea to be part of one team, or would it be beneficial for everyone to have every S-level or higher player come out one by one and have the national flag waving in the quarterfinals?”

If the World Cup were to be held as a national competition in the true sense rather than an individual-on-individual league, this would be a golden opportunity to raise the status of each country.

“At least in the latter case, Korea will definitely benefit, right?”

“Even if it’s the former…well, at least you can get away with getting to the top 8 or top 4.”

If we proceed like that, there will be at least eight flags waving in the quarterfinals, and everyone will have hope that ‘if we don’t face Korea, we can even aim for the finals.’

” Among the league methods being piloted in China, the method that is most suitable for those with different abilities will later be adopted in the World Cup. Approximately… I’m expecting it to be around 2028.”

“Huh? 2 years from now? Why?”

“There is no particular reason. No, not exactly…”

“Ah, I understand.”

Baek Seol-hee, who had been silent, opened her mouth.

“They say it is good for childcare for a mother to stay with her child for about a year after giving birth. Is that why?”

“…….”

“Well. The timing would be perfect. If you work hard and be more patriotic from now on, when the 2028 World Cup is held, you won’t be able to focus on the game because you’re watching the kids, right?”

“The intention is…”

Not really.

“Well, that’s not bad either.”

There really isn’t anything to worry about.

“If the World Cup is held in 2027, there may be people here who cannot participate in the World Cup.”

“You don’t even hide it anymore.”

“No need to hide it.”

For me, that solves the problem of the last remaining villain.

“Until now, I’ve worked like a dog and lived like a president to achieve this, but I’m not aiming to win next time, so there’s no need to step up, right?”

“Yes?”

“…Now, what?”

“Ah.”

Now that I think about it, I don’t think we’ve ever talked about it.

“If I win the first S-class or higher World Cup, that’s it. I have no intention of winning the Golden Gloves or anything like that.”

“…Are you saying that because you think you won’t win if you participate in the World Cup?”

“No.”

Lee Ye-ryeong tried to provoke me very cautiously, but I did not respond to the provocation.

“Where is the time to go to the World Cup? You must be busy looking after your kids.”

“……Wow.”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Better than the World Cup, which has already been won once.

“Mom went to the game, so Dad has to watch the kids. Who can watch it but me?”

Because my children are more precious.

* * *

10 o’clock, the center of Beijing, China.

“Finally.”

A man in his 30s wearing a black suit takes off his sunglasses and slowly climbs up a square pyramid-shaped structure decorated like a temple, holding a tablet.

-As I speak, Jeong Ki-jo, the president of the Korea Hero Association, is climbing to the top of the altar!

The audience that filled the area around the altar included people with special abilities, reporters, and ordinary citizens.

What is unique is that the presidents of each company are also sitting among the citizens, waiting for the speech to begin.

They all swallowed their saliva as they watched Association President Jeong Ki-jo slowly climb up the stairs of the altar, and Association President Jeong Ki-jo climbed to the top of the altar very leisurely.

“Welcome, Association President Jeong Ki-jo.”

“I really appreciate your hospitality. Commentary Jo Deok-maeng.”

At the top of the altar, Chairman Cho Deok-maeng waited and welcomed him with open arms.

“Vice Chairman of the Wang Democratic Party also showed up.”

“Keuhum. Nice to meet you.”

Although he did not hug him directly, the Vice Chairman of the Wang Democratic Party did his best to suppress his discomfort and just looked at the position where the Chairman was standing.

Like someone who says that that seat should have been mine.

“Then, I will start the presentation right away.”

Association President Jeong Ki-jo climbed onto the podium at the top of the altar with an excited expression on his face, held on to the podium, and brought his head closer to the microphone.

“Respected people from all over the world. Nice to meet you. I would like to tell you some news here today.”

What would the president of the Korean Hero Association have to say if he flew all the way to China and stood on top of a newly built structure in Monggyeong?

“April 1, 2026. New ‘leagues’ will be introduced, starting with Korea, China, and America.”

The words that came out of his mouth.

“This is a competition of abilities in which people with special abilities from around the world form teams and all matches will be held on a ‘battlefield’ produced by America’s ‘Company’. This battlefield…is a place that will not be destroyed even in a confrontation between two S-class people.”

This is what people all over the world have been hoping for until now.

“Now, we will be able to see S-class heroes fighting without destroying the Earth anymore.”

‘All-out war’ between S-class talented people.

“Introducing. The first battlefield, ‘The Forgotten Temple’.”

now.

The League of Stars has begun.