Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 158 - More than they can imagine

All of the people gathered here were sly snakes.

 

They knew their place better than anyone else.

 

They were people who knew how to wield that power tactfully.

 

Even though AAU started out as a global agreement, that time had passed.

 

The founding purpose of protecting the world from the threat of Arcana?

 

Their interests had long been prioritized over that.

 

The AAU branch heads had been strengthening their position and crossing the line between the government and the players. In short, they were masters at walking the tightrope.

 

Thanks to that, they were confident.

 

‘Don’t treat me like I am one of those reporters.’

 

‘Lee Hoyeol, you’re too cocky.’

 

‘This is a proposition that anyone can’t help but feel swayed by.’

 

Player, Lee Hoyeol.

 

They were confident that their momentum wouldn’t break even if they faced him.

 

Of course, that humble confidence didn’t last long.

 

Thud–

 

The sound of applause was cut off.

 

What?

 

He would skip the hospitality?

 

At first, they thought they heard it wrong.

 

He wasn’t refusing, he was just skipping it.

 

The nuances of the words were subtle.

 

He refused it not because it was burdensome.

 

He said he had to skip it due to the time constraints.

 

As if he deserved that hospitality.

 

“…!”

 

The atmosphere rapidly cooled down.

 

Thanks to this, the branch leaders were standing still in an awkward position.

 

Soon, a loud noise made them flinch.

 

Bang!

 

The door of the conference room was closed.

 

Judging by the magic wave, it was clearly Lee Hoyeol’s magic.

 

Jim Joshua, the branch head of the western United States, was flustered.

 

‘Why did he have to go to the bathroom?’

 

The door was closed without the eastern branch manager entering.

 

‘…Damn it, this is too much for me to do alone.’

 

Including the President of the United States of America.

 

Jim Joshua had experience in meeting with all kinds of characters in all kinds of places.

 

But even for him, facing Lee Hoyeol was burdensome.

 

He didn’t know if they would just share trivial greetings, but today…

 

‘There’s a lot to talk about regarding the future.’

 

There was a proposal that he wanted to seriously discuss with Lee Hoyeol.

 

Because of that, Jim Joshua tried to open his mouth.

 

As carefully as possible.

 

“I think there are branch managers who haven’t entered yet… Wouldn’t it be better to delay the opening a few minutes?”

 

But a firm answer returned.

 

“Again, there is nothing to talk about with those who can’t even be punctual.”

 

“…!!!”

 

He couldn’t wait even a few minutes.

 

It was too sharp.

 

However, no matter how unfair it looked, there was no use.

 

Tap tap–

 

He moved on to the podium.

 

Hoyeol’s eyes scanned the crowd. These were AAU branch heads who had influence around the world. He could have shrunk a little bit in front of them.

 

Without a flinch.

 

In the most upright posture.

 

And.

 

“…!!!”

 

Giving unusual gaze.

 

It was different from the players’ gaze, which was sometimes appalling.

 

As if they were bragging that all they had was power.

 

It wasn’t a look that suddenly spewed vitriol.

 

In some ways, his gaze was beyond tranquil and seemed indifferent.

 

But why?

 

Those eyes felt as though they were looking through his inner feelings.

 

Gulp–

 

There was a sound of swallowing everywhere.

 

No one could easily sit down because of the tension.

 

The pressure was so intense that the thoughts they had just forever ago became meaningless.

 

…They had been greatly mistaken.

 

Lee Hoyeol was not just a player.

 

An earthquake occurred in the pupils of the branch heads.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

Let’s see, first of all, [Natural Enemy Relationship] was not activated.

 

However, I couldn’t overlook the existence of demon worshippers. I had the experience of getting severely stabbed in the back at the Mage Tower when only relying on [Natural Enemy Relationship].

 

‘I can’t even feel it.’

 

Should I say this was a blessing in disguise?

 

Except for the head of the AAU’s London branch, Baker.

 

There seemed to be no one possessed or deeply involved with the demons.

 

But, why was their expression like that?

 

They looked as if they had been stabbed.

 

Wait, there must be a few people who felt pricked?

 

Except for the demons and informalities.

 

Grandfel’s heart was infinitely generous.

 

But my–Lee Hoyeol’s–inner thoughts, were not that broad.

 

In other words, due to my resentment, I still remembered it clearly.

 

[AAU official, “Holy War? There is no way to know if it is really going on.”]

 

If there were only one or two articles like that, I could tolerate it.

 

‘Seriously, the articles poured out as if they had made an agreement to each other.’

 

In particular, the anonymous overseas officials said too many things. I wondered if Grandfel would say ‘Please know your place.’

 

I opened my mouth.

 

“There is a shadow on your face.”

 

…No, I didn’t mean to shake up this big mouth.

 

Those words were spat out without me knowing anything.

 

I could see people everywhere were shocked.

 

There must be something that made them feel pricked?

 

Anyway, I was done with it.

 

I didn’t want to create a new dark while trying to solve my resentment.

 

Let’s get straight to the point.

 

“I’ll ask you guys.”

 

How far does AAU know?

 

Is there a demon inside AAU?

 

That was what I wanted to check.

 

Even if we just assumed that the situation on the Arcana Continent had changed drastically differently from the planned story and that it was inevitable.

 

I had just confirmed that the Arcana settings such as [labyrinth] and [dungeon] were still valid.

 

It was clear that if such information was used properly, it would be of great help in future updates.

 

“Do you know anything about the Holy War?”

 

First of all, I had to ask about the origin of the incident.

 

Some people were visibly shocked by my words.

 

Almost got them.

 

Who were the anonymous foreign officials who had babbled?

 

They’d better answer with sincerity.

 

“If you didn’t know, is there a reason you weren’t aware of it?”

 

Not only it was related to my–Lee Hoyeol’s–end, but the Holy War was also related to Akshan’s annihilation. Grandfel’s pride couldn’t easily overlook it.

 

“If you don’t have a good reason, I think it’s a lack of ability.”

 

AAU, they lived up to their name.

 

“What do you think?”

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

Since receiving the call from Nam Taemin, Park Minjae hadn’t been able to close his eyes even for a moment. Even if Lee Hoyeol was the one leading the meeting, Park Minjae was the one in charge.

 

The one in charge.

 

Literally.

 

Park Minjae would take responsibility for everything.

 

‘Regardless of what will happen at the end of the meeting.’

 

Even so, he should have warned them that if they planned to hold on to Lee Hoyeol’s ankle, they should be prepared to give up their own ankles.

 

Didn’t he even make a promise to himself that he would take on as many scums of this dirty society as he could?

 

‘I’m also used to the role of a punching bag.’

 

But the meeting took an unexpected turn.

 

Hoyeol was interrogating them!

 

The momentum that was soaring through the sky was gone and everyone was keeping their mouths shut.

 

He wished he could have recorded this scene on video.

 

He wouldn’t have needed a digestive medicine his whole life.

 

It was a pity that the meeting was held in a closed session.

 

Suddenly, Okazaki, the head of the Tokyo branch sitting next to him, spoke up.

 

“Everyone seems to have nothing to say.”

 

To summarize what Hoyeol said, it was simple.

 

AAU absurdly lacked ability.

 

They had no ability and were unnecessarily noisy.

 

Really, he caught them off guard.

 

Park Minjae was probably no exception.

 

But he had done figuring his place early on and kept his mouth shut.

 

Unlike those who kept rambling on without knowing their place.

 

“If you have a conscience, you should keep quiet. Like me.”

 

Like a person with a bristling conscience.

 

Some people shamelessly made a joke.

 

“In fact, the ties with interests are quite complicated.”

 

“Before sharing information, we need to report it to the higher-ups and get confirmation…”

 

“As you know better than anyone else, doesn’t ruptures always come with danger? Aren’t you a citizen before you’re a player? For their safety, we have no choice but to impose regulations…”

 

Everyone was so good at talking.

 

Indeed, there was such a way of dealing.

 

That was why everyone had held onto their positions as branch heads so far.

 

But you had to look at your opponent before speaking.

 

“There is no such thing as wrong procedure.”

 

He had felt this at the few interview videos and press conferences.

 

You couldn’t talk back to the way Hoyeol spoke.

 

Being straightforward was the only key.

 

Above all, nothing he said was wrong.

 

In the end, there were no more excuses.

 

In the heavy silence.

 

Hoyeol continued.

 

“I’ll sincerely ask you. Do you have any pride left?”

 

“…”

 

No one could easily answer.

 

Park Minjae smiled bitterly.

 

‘Even if I want to answer.’

 

To pursue pride now.

 

He was thoroughly covered in the dirt of society.

 

‘I am so foolish that I can’t even prove it.’

 

He couldn’t risk his life to participate in the Holy War quest like the players did. What would be the point in answering if the pride remained only in words?

 

The silence continued.

 

It was so quiet that Hoyeol’s question made it awkward.

 

Park Minjae looked at Hoyeol’s complexion and was shocked.

 

“…!”

 

His expression and eyes were still the same.

 

But for some reason, Hoyeol’s feeling seemed to be conveyed.

 

It seemed as if he was kindly waiting for an answer.

 

‘No, it can’t be…?’

 

It was that Lee Hoyeol.

 

Lee Hoyeol was so determined that sometimes you would wonder if he even had emotions. Park Minjae must be mistaken. The moment he tried to turn his gaze away.

 

He made eye contact with Baker, who was sitting on the other side of the seat.

 

‘…What are you looking at?’

 

Their gaze suddenly met.

 

As if making eye contact wasn’t enough, Baker raised the corners of his mouth.

 

At that moment, their conversation flashed through Park Minjae’s head.

 

– “I’ll move according to my pride.”

 

…No way?

 

Park Minjae’s unexpected thoughts became reality.

 

Baker opened his mouth.

 

“I want to believe that I still have some left. But even if there is no pride left in my heart.”

 

A look of sadness appeared on his face.

 

“I will act to regain my lost pride.”

 

“…!!!”

 

Silent astonishment─

 

He didn’t expect such words from the head of the London branch representing the UK.

 

Did the London crisis have such a huge impact on England?

 

Everyone couldn’t help but feel surprised.

 

Except for one person, Lee Hoyeol.

 

“Is that so? Then I’ll change my question.”

 

“…?”

 

“Do you have a desire to regain your pride?”

 

“…!!!”

 

Park Minjae finally realized it.

 

The warmth he felt at first glance was not an illusion.

 

Lee Hoyeol didn’t seek money and honor.

 

Only for the peace of mankind.

 

Lee Hoyeol, who had entered and attacked a rupture that was close to the level of a bug.

 

Park Minjae was finally able to realize the identity of that warmth.

 

Yes, that was the ‘nobility’ coming out from the hero.

 

Park Minjae smiled.

 

‘Are people like us qualified to pursue pride?’

 

Well, he couldn’t make that judgment himself.

 

Like he said, Lee Hoyeol would always be the party A.

 

“Huft–”

 

The moment when Park Minjae took a deep breath and was about to open his mouth.

 

“We in Japan…”

 

“In that case…!”

 

“No, we also…!”

 

A change occurred.

 

*

 

[Small changes occur due to the effect of Noble.]

 

It was worthwhile to gather AAU branch heads from all over the world and preach about pride. When the cold silence fell, I couldn’t help but think that something really had happened…

 

‘It’s a relief in many ways.’

 

As expected, it was the effect of the title.

 

It was not for no reason that the title Noble was difficult to acquire.

 

By the way, I was grateful for Grandfel’s pride once again.

 

No matter how fraudulent the title was, there were conditions to activate it.

 

[Noble] was also the same.

 

The effect would be activated only if I took action that caused change.

 

‘His pride helps, too.’

 

In that sense, Grandfel’s pride was noble in a way.

 

It could be seen as what it was.

 

It was only natural that the effect was activated by his consistent attitude.

 

Of course, the current gaze was very burdensome.

 

Don’t look at my dark history with such touched emotion.

 

Same with you, Grandfel.

 

Don’t get confident and spread your chest any wider.

 

‘No, that’s enough.’

 

The process didn’t matter.

 

It was important not to miss the flow of this change.

 

Yeah, it was time to drive a wedge.

 

No, the correct expression would be to drive a stake.

 

‘Trust is not something you can easily build.’

 

I didn’t know about Grandfel, whose head was full of flowers.

 

But as a member of the society, I knew what kind of animal humans were.

 

Even if it was to prevent unfortunate incidents like the London incident.

 

I needed to keep an eye on AAU from an equal position.

 

“I will make one last suggestion to you.”

 

Of course, under my ‘authority’.

 

“I want to establish the AAU Yusra branch.”

 

“!!!”