Chapter 51
It’s Classified Anyway, Isn’t It? (3)
5.
Early evening, at the Ministry of Ability Management Headquarters in Sejong Special City.
An old man was quietly sitting in his office, enjoying a cup of tea.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
At the old man’s voice, a weary-looking man entered the Minister’s office.
As soon as he saw the old man, he bowed deeply.
“Minister.”
“Oh, good work today. Sit down, make yourself comfortable.”
Minister Hwang Beom-seok greeted Deputy Director Choi Sung-hoon warmly.
Once Choi sat down, Hwang personally poured him a cup of tea with a kind smile.
“You’ve had a rough day.”
“It’s nothing, sir. I only feel sorry. Even after deploying Player Kim Doyoon, we failed to prevent the incident…”
“How is that your fault? Didn’t I say I’d take responsibility? You did your best. Come now, you must be low on sugar—have a chocolate.”
Minister Hwang unwrapped a chocolate and handed it to him.
After a brief hesitation, Choi accepted it with thanks.
“Thank you.”
He quietly chewed it.
An uncomfortable silence settled in.
The clash between Korean and Chinese players in the joint management zone—this wasn’t something that could be brushed aside.
If handled poorly, it could escalate into a full-blown diplomatic dispute.
Failing to prevent such an incident meant he was, naturally, responsible.
Knowing the Minister’s personality…
Wouldn’t a furious reprimand follow soon?
After all, Minister Hwang was famous for losing his temper in meetings when things went south.
“Minister.”
After swallowing the last bite of chocolate, Choi took an envelope from his inner pocket.
On it, a single word was written: Resignation.
He placed it carefully before the Minister.
“It’s all my fault, sir. With the National Assembly audit coming up and all the—”
“Hm? What’s this?”
“…My resignation, sir.”
“Resignation, huh.”
Minister Hwang looked down at the envelope—
Rip!
—and tore it cleanly in half, then burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahaha! Consider your resignation indefinitely rejected for the duration of my term.”
“…Pardon?”
“You think I’d let a talent like you go that easily? No way. You’ve got to keep climbing—maybe even take my seat one day!”
The atmosphere was… strange.
Wasn’t this the same man who’d chew people out when they made mistakes?
Someone you wouldn’t be surprised to see tear into a subordinate after an incident like this?
And yet…
He looks genuinely happy.
Too happy, in fact.
Choi had only ever seen this expression when the Minister was tipsy at office dinners.
Thwack!
“Ugh!”
“Well done, very well done!”
Hwang’s hand, the size of a pot lid, slammed against Choi’s back, making him cough.
“Now, let’s hear the details. I’ve read the report, but I’d rather hear you describe how Player Yuseongwoo wiped out those bastards.”
“It’s as written in the report, sir. Eight were wiped out with what appeared to be fire magic. One had his head crushed barehanded. The last was… used as a prop for a broadcast, then discarded at the scene.”
“Were the enemies weak?”
“Not at all. At least three were estimated to be sixth-floor players, and the rest no lower than fifth. And you know, Minister—the players from that organization are seasoned killers who can take down stronger opponents.”
“…I see.”
A one-man massacre—no other term fit better.
Choi had witnessed the scene firsthand, and even he had been horrified.
He’d expected Yuseongwoo to be strong, but not this strong.
Ten professional assassin-type players, including several from the sixth floor, had been swatted like flies.
Even more shocking—he hadn’t hesitated. Not for a second.
What kind of life had he lived during that missing period?
“How did it feel to see Player Yuseongwoo’s abilities for yourself?”
The smile faded from the Minister’s face.
“Was he that terrifying?”
“If you want my honest opinion… yes, sir. I was afraid.”
“What about him scared you?”
“The way he used violence—without a shred of hesitation. To be precise, it looked more natural to him than to any top-tier player I’ve seen.”
Abyss was branded as a “land of opportunity,” but everyone knew it was closer to hell.
The higher you went, the more monstrous humans became—rivaling the creatures they fought.
Choi knew this truth better than anyone.
But even compared to those monsters, Yuseongwoo was different.
“He didn’t even look tired.”
“So he wasn’t at full power.”
“I’m certain of it.”
“…Understood.”
Minister Hwang stroked his chin and tapped his desk thoughtfully.
“So we’ve got a monster content to live quietly, streaming and spending time with family.”
“He can’t be controlled, sir.”
“Controlled, hmm…”
Just as he fell silent in thought—
Bzzz.
His phone, lying face down on the desk, vibrated.
“Oh, it’s you.”
He spoke for about three minutes, then hung up with a faint smile.
“China’s decided to yield their quota for the next third-floor raid.”
“As an apology, sir?”
“They say it’s an expression of regret, even though the incident wasn’t officially their doing. Tomorrow morning, their government will issue a statement acknowledging the crime of their nationals. Didn’t expect them to admit it, but still… oh, and they said they hope we can ‘get along better.’”
He clicked his tongue.
“Stab us first, then talk about getting along. Crazy bastards.”
Hwang stood up—his massive frame belying his age.
He took a bottle of whiskey hidden beneath the desk, drank straight from it, and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
“I need to go see the President. Oh, and Deputy Choi—about that word you used earlier. ‘Control,’ was it?”
“…Yes, sir.”
“In this insane world, did we ever truly control anything? Maybe we can suppress it for now, but as players grow stronger, even that’ll reach its limit soon. You’ve felt it too, haven’t you? Some guilds are already pulling strings in politics.”
He grabbed his coat and patted Choi’s shoulder.
“Keep up the good work. The good news is, Player Yuseongwoo still has people he cares about in this country, right?”
“He’s very attached to his family.”
“Then that’s enough. As long as his loved ones are here, hopefully this place stays precious to him too. Ah, and take tomorrow off. That’s an order. If anyone gives you trouble, tell them to call me.”
Leaving those words, Minister Hwang strode out of the office.
Choi let out a deep sigh and nodded.
“A day off, huh.”
It had truly been an exhausting day.
“…Let’s hope he doesn’t cause trouble tomorrow.”
He had somehow become Yuseongwoo’s de facto manager.
6.
To unwind, we hit up a soup joint.
Sadly, Inseop couldn’t come—he had prior plans—and Taeo was busy editing, so he didn’t get the message.
Which left us with… this chaotic trio.
“You know how younger brothers are—always causing trouble, always getting smacked for it.”
“I can relate.”
“But then, when someone else hits them or badmouths them, it pisses you off.”
“Beating your brother is the older brother’s privilege.”
“Doyoon, you get me.”
“Please, just call me your little brother, Jinseong hyung.”
“Oh, can I?”
After hearing I’d been attacked by those Chinese bastards, my brother and Doyoon rushed over.
Now the three of us were sitting in a soup restaurant in broad daylight, drinking soju.
“So it’s true then? Doyoon, you really took out those Chinese guys?”
“Ah, well…”
Doyoon glanced at me.
I gave a small nod, and he poured my brother another shot.
“That’s how it went.”
“Ha! Look at that face—he’s lying. You know, Doyoon, whenever my brother lies, he fidgets with his cup or glass. Can’t help himself. Anyway, Yuseongwoo—your mouth’s all lies, all the time.”
Did I really have that habit?
Maybe the alcohol was making my brother talkative.
Was he saving up all his words just for drinking days?
“By the way, Doyoon, how old are you?”
“Thirty-two.”
“Same age as my brother! You two should be friends. Perfect. He doesn’t have many friends his age. Hey, when’s the last time you even contacted one?”
“I don’t have their numbers.”
“Yeah, that’s what people with no friends always say.”
Come to think of it, I really should catch up with some of my old buddies.
A few used to drop by my streams and send donations now and then.
We drifted apart after the army, but I hope they’re doing okay.
We were chatting about this and that when—
The restaurant’s TV caught my attention.
“Professor Kang, how do you foresee the situation developing?”
“Well, Korea’s Abyss exploration still lags behind neighboring countries. Recently, we’ve even had a talent-drain incident. It wouldn’t be strange if some Abyss gates collapsed. Personally, I doubt today’s incident will have any major impact.”
“But the emergence of a rising star—Player Yuseongwoo—is fact, isn’t it?”
“I believe he’s been heavily overhyped. In these difficult times, the government is clearly trying to manufacture a hero…”
How much more proof do I need to show you?
You still don’t believe me?
You still think I’m a fabrication?
“Does that piss you off?”
My brother asked quietly.
I answered without hesitation.
“I love it.”
“What?”
“These days I look up the hate channels about me every day. Funny thing—their fuel’s running low. They’re getting weak.”
“…You’re insane.”
“The more they underestimate me, the better. Then the flies gather on their own.”
I downed another shot of soju and told them about one of my grand ideas.
“I’m planning a series where I visit those hate channels in person.”
“…I’m a lawyer, you idiot.”
“Relax. Fists are closer than the law.”
“Did you really just say that to a lawyer?”
“Just pretend you didn’t hear it. You too, Doyoon—pretend you didn’t. You like hate channels?”
Doyoon gritted his teeth, took a drink, and said,
“Hard to like something that’s hurt you.”
“Which bastards… ah, right.”
Of course—he’s one of the top players in Korea.
He must’ve been slandered to hell and back.
We’d found common ground.
I’d thought he was a stiff guy, but he actually showed emotion.
No wonder celebrities get so tired.
“I look forward to that ‘education’ content. I enjoy your streams.”
“…You do? You don’t seem like my target audience.”
“No, really. They’re great.”
A superstar watching my chaotic stream—what a bizarre combo.
Still, it felt good to get a shout-out from someone like him.
“You’re a sixth-floor player, right?”
“Yes. My team and I are challenging the sixth-floor promotion quest.”
“The neighboring countries must interfere a lot, huh? Deputy Choi mentioned how top players face constant sabotage.”
If I got attacked just for being noticed, what must it be like for the frontrunners?
They’re probably fighting for their lives every other day.
Doyoon gave a bitter smile.
“It can’t be helped. That’s the world we live in.”
If even top players say that, what does that tell you?
And that idiot professor on TV talking like that—it’s obvious the neighboring powers are going too far.
My viewers had been pessimistic too—
Talent leaks, slow progress, constant setbacks.
Then I appeared.
Perfect timing, right?
Because what do people need most at a time like this?
“Korea is a great nation.”
“…What?”
“Huh?”
“Never underestimate Korea again!”
It’s still my homeland.
And only we get to badmouth it.
Right?
See—
[Your desire has defined the conditions for your unique trait <Attention-Seeking Disorder>.]
[Third Unlock Objective: In the <3rd-Floor Raid>, prove the might of <The Republic of Korea>!]
Even the system wants me to drink the patriotism juice.
