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Side Story 15

The grand conference hall of the BattleNet Center.

While it was typically a spacious venue with ample room to spare, today was different.

“Is today the day…?”

The hall was packed to the brim with cameras set up by media outlets and reporters from all over the world.

Korean reporters, who were used to having plenty of room, found themselves squeezed in tight spaces, exchanging words with each other.

“This is the first time I’ve seen it this crowded, isn’t it?”

“Well, they’re revealing how to eliminate dungeon portals. Even if the venue were bigger, it’d still be packed with reporters.”

“True… But I heard the ‘invited guests’ have already arrived?”

The thirty or so people personally invited by Seong Jihan had gathered in Seoul two or three days earlier.

Although it wouldn’t have been strange for the meeting to start earlier, it had been delayed.

“It’s because of the Sword King, isn’t it?”

“Did you hear about the demand to pay 100 billion GP each if anyone skipped the meeting?”

“Yeah, the scale is just insane…”

“Apparently, Japan tried to stall for more time, but both the US and China applied heavy pressure.”

“It’s surreal to see the US and China on the same side.”

“With the dungeon portal issue being so critical, it’s no wonder they’re fed up with Japan’s antics.”

Under pressure to decide by today, Japan had no choice but to comply, whether by paying GP or attending promptly.

“Well, thanks to that, we get to witness this meeting through a public press conference.”

“Exactly. It was supposed to be private, but Japan demanded it be made public, so the venue had to change.”

“And in a public setting like this, there shouldn’t be any disputes…”

“Plus, both the US and China have guaranteed safety, so nothing major should happen, right?”

In their obsession with ‘safety,’ Japan had requested security assurances not just from Korea but also from the US and China.

The meeting’s sudden shift to a public format was intended to keep Seong Jihan in check, preventing any impulsive actions.

“…Nothing will happen, right? That Seong Jihan guy is pretty unpredictable.”

“Still, he’s been keeping quiet since arriving at the BattleNet Center.”

“Haven’t you heard? He reportedly called Lee Hayeon for a private meeting.”

“Lee Hayeon…? You mean that famous heiress?”

“Yeah. She’s about to get married, but he’s allegedly trying to call it off.”

“That’s crossing the line. What is he, a dictator from the past…?”

As the reporters whispered about the rumors surrounding Seong Jihan,

“Excuse me! The VIPs are entering now. Please make way!”

A BattleNet Center staff member pleaded with the reporters to clear a path.

But with the crowd packed so tightly, the space didn’t open up easily.

Sigh.

A deep sigh sounded from behind the staff member.

“What’s with all these people? Move!”

A man’s booming voice followed.

Crash!

The reporters scattered as their tightly packed formation broke apart on both sides.

“B-Barren…!”

“It’s Force…!”

The sheer presence of Force, Barren’s ability to command space, pushed the reporters aside.

Only then did the crowd hurriedly make way.

“Don’t block the way,”

Barren said with a scowl as he passed through.

“I’m sorry… Our guild master can be a bit… intense.”

Sophia, walking at a distance behind him, bowed her head apologetically to the reporters.

“Sophia, what are you doing?! Hurry up!”

“Oh, seriously… Coming! I’m really sorry. If your cameras are broken, please bill them to American First.”

Under Barren’s impatient glare, Sophia quickly followed him and took her seat in the conference hall.

“Man, the rumors were spot-on…”

“Getting pushed by Force… kind of an honor, isn’t it?”

“Barren rarely uses Force on civilians, I hear…”

“He doesn’t seem to be in a good mood.”

“Sophia, though, is so kind as always.”

As the reporters scrambled to recover,

“Over here, please!”

Seong Jihan’s invited guests began to enter the hall one by one.

Click, click!

Cameras flashed endlessly.

Most of the invitees were already well-known public figures and walked with practiced ease despite the relentless flashes.

However, when it was Lee Hayeon’s turn,

“Ah…”

She appeared slightly awkward, glancing around hesitantly.

“Young lady,” said Lim Gayeong.

“I know.”

With Lim Gayeong by her side, Lee Hayeon quickly entered the hall.

‘So that’s the woman Seong Jihan specifically called for.’

‘Did he invite her just for her looks?’

‘She’s famous for her beauty in chaebol circles. I can see why.’

As reporters snapped pictures of her,

“Huh…?”

“It’s the Sword King!”

The moment Sword King Ito Ryuhei entered,

All eyes turned to the woman awkwardly holding his arm.

“Is that…?”

“Ito Shizuru…?”

“Wow…”

While Seong Jihan’s invited guests included their fair share of stunning individuals, none had captivated the audience like Ito Shizuru.

‘Now I understand why he went to Japan…’

‘I need to capture this!’

Click, click, click!

The camera flashes became even more intense.

“….”

Seeing this, the Sword King shot the reporters a menacing glare.

“Right this way, Sir Sword King!”

Takeda Kazuo stepped forward with a courteous demeanor, guiding him to a seat at the back.

Once all of Seong Jihan’s invitees were seated,

Step. Step.

“So, everyone’s here.”

Seong Jihan emerged from behind the podium in the conference room.

* * *

- Wow, it’s all familiar faces.

- Well, they’re all big names. Except for one, lol.

- Shizuru… She’s really gorgeous, though.

Among Seong Jihan’s invitees, Shizuru was undoubtedly the center of attention for viewers.

While the others retained their stature and influence, Shizuru had completely fallen under Seong Jihan’s dominion.

- But she doesn’t have that overwhelming vibe she used to. Too many elves around these days?

- Maybe it’s because she’s not using her charm ability?

- Maybe. Back then, it was a total culture shock…

As viewers debated Shizuru’s current impression,

‘Hmm.’

Seong Jihan observed from the podium, a faint, bemused smile crossing his face.

‘A mere fake, imitating the face.’

No wonder she had come so willingly in just one day.

They had sent a look-alike to pose as her.

‘The desperation to survive reminds me of the old days.’

It brought back memories of when he and Yoon Sejin scoured Japan, relentlessly hunting Shizuru.

Though she had been elusive and led them on a long chase,

In the end, he had obliterated her entirely.

Thinking back to the moment when she was entirely erased from the world...

Bzzz...

[Sub-quest, “Meet with 10 or more acquaintances,” has been cleared.]

[Stat Blue increased by 1.]

A quest-clear message popped up, and he could distinctly feel his strength increasing.

‘With this, I should be able to subdue the Sword King. He might resist a little, but…’

Even with a Stat Blue of 3, the opponent was still the strongest warrior of current humanity.

He’d likely put up some resistance.

With many reporters stationed nearby, any misstep could result in civilian casualties.

"First, I’ll share the dungeon strategy and wait for people to leave."

Even though it was a world within a mission, he didn’t want to involve ordinary people.

As Seong Jihan prioritized his tasks...

“Fuck!”

Barren, sitting in the front row, suddenly cursed in English.

“Why are you wasting a busy man’s time? Speak quickly!”

He had been briefly pondering how to handle the Sword King.

But even that short moment was too much for Barren, who erupted in anger.

- Barren’s losing it, lol.

- Guess he hasn’t tasted Seong Jihan’s strength here, haha.

- Yeah, took him getting beaten a few times to learn some manners...

- But what’s with the beard? Looks older than he is, lol.

While viewers mocked the suddenly outbursting Barren:

“You’re not about to tell us there’s no solution, right?”

“Barren...! Why are you getting angry all of a sudden?”

“Hah! Do you even know how long I’ve stayed in this country?! Delays because someone from Japan didn’t show up—I’ve had enough wasted time!”

As Barren ranted, his drunkenness became apparent, the faint smell of alcohol spreading even to the podium.

“….”

Seong Jihan silently looked down at Barren.

“What’s with that look? You dare look down on me, Barren?!”

Barren, his face flushed red, suddenly stood up.

- Uh, is he insane? How’s someone above supposed to look up at him?

- Drunk in a setting like this? He’s out of his mind.

- Yeah, he’s crazy. Used to be worse—this is him after being put in his place, lol.

- No, no, no!!! He wasn’t this bad!!!

As viewers debated Barren’s character, one lone defender tried valiantly to shield him.

‘Is the man himself in the chat?’

Seong Jihan chuckled, glancing at the comments.

“You laughing at me?!”

Seeing Seong Jihan smile, Barren misinterpreted it entirely.

Swishhh...Nôv(el)B\\\\jnn

A powerful Force began to emanate from Barren.

“Barren! What are you doing?!”

Sophia, alarmed, tried to grab his arm.

“Stay out of this!”

“Agh…!”

Sophia froze in place, overwhelmed by Barren’s force.

“I’ve disliked him from the start. Just because he’s good at breaking dungeon portals, he dares to boss around the world’s top ranker…!”

Barren glared menacingly at Seong Jihan, his rage stemming partly from being made to wait in Korea against his will.

However...

“Calm down, will you?”

Swoosh.

Seong Jihan extended a single finger.

Crack!

A sound like glass shattering filled the air.

“W-What...? M-My Force...!”

The ferocious energy Barren had exuded suddenly dissipated, leaving him frozen in shock.

And then...

Thunk!

At a light flick of Seong Jihan’s finger, Barren collapsed back into his seat.

“Huh…? Barren’s Force…?”

“Did it just break that easily?”

“Seong Jihan didn’t even seem to try…”

The reporters, live-streaming the situation, struggled to process what they had seen.

After all, Barren was currently the world’s top-ranked player, boasting overwhelming power.

Especially his Force, which dominated space—it wasn’t supposed to be something easily broken.

And yet Seong Jihan had shattered it with just a flick.

Then...

“By the way, why are you so messy?”

Snap.

With a snap of Seong Jihan’s fingers:

Pluck-pluck-pluck!

All the hair on Barren’s head, including his beard and eyebrows, was uprooted and fell to the floor.

“Aaaaahhh!!!”

Every strand of hair, from his head to his beard, dropped unceremoniously to the ground.

“Now you look clean.”

Seong Jihan smiled brightly as though satisfied with his handiwork.

“…”

The conference room fell into a stunned silence.

While it was true Barren had started the altercation...

No one had expected the world’s top-ranked player to end up bald and humiliated like this.

That was how immense Barren’s usual presence was.

Meanwhile...

“M-Manager Park! Didn’t you say Seong Jihan promised safe conduct?!”

“T-That’s...”

“Hurry! Get up there and calm things down somehow!!!”

Pushed forward by his boss, Manager Park Yoonsik reluctantly approached the podium.

With a trembling voice, he cautiously addressed Seong Jihan.

“S-Seong Jihan, sir… You did mention safe conduct, didn’t you…?”

“Hmm? And I did, didn’t I?”

Seong Jihan replied casually, pointing at Barren.

“I didn’t pluck his head, did I?”

“H-Head…?”

“Yeah.”

Swoosh.

Seong Jihan gestured to the floor, where Barren’s golden hair floated into the air.

“Hair and heads… They’re basically the same thing.”

Fwoosh!

The hair was suddenly engulfed in blue flames, burning away entirely.

“Aah…”

Park Yoonsik could only stare in dumbfounded silence.

‘Wait... Is he using Force?’

The level of control displayed, reminiscent of Barren’s space-dominating Force, was awe-inspiring.

No, it seemed…

‘More... proficient somehow…’

Even the stray strands of hair, drawn into the air and consumed by blue flames, were broadcast live to audiences worldwide.