章節 403: 817
[Chapter 206]
[Behind-the-scenes Maneuvering(3)]
<Mermaid> Ariel.
After the 2nd Uijeongbu Recapture War, her name recognition increased explosively.
It was because her using <Beast>'s power to transform into a mermaid and fight was reported in the media.
[Photo] <Mermaid> Ariel defeating enemies while traversing the sky like the sea!!
[Photo] Goddess descends! Ariel's daily life
Until now, Ariel was politely called <Pinky> as she hadn't shown much activity in Pandora Clan.
But when she transformed into a mermaid, she refreshed people's thoughts.
Moreover, there wasn't much publicly known information about Ariel.
So people had to grasp Ariel through her careless remarks and actions.
The interview Ariel gave to a reporter when she returned from Uijeongbu was a good example.
"─Ariel-ssi, your skin is very fair, do you have any secrets?"
"Secrets? Hmm.... Dew?"
"What? Dew?"
"I can't live without dew! So once a day I definitely...."
"Yes, reporter. Riel drinks a lot of water. There's nothing but water for taking care of skin."
"I see.... But why is Kim Min-ji player stopping Ariel player's words...."
"Ah, by the way, I like cooking. Just recently clan members said it was delicious. If there's a cooking variety show, please help me appear...."
"Ah, yes.... If there's such a thing, I'll contact you later."
Because Kim Min-ji interrupted in the middle.
People came to misunderstand that Ariel lives only drinking water.
After that, people created their own image of <Mermaid> Ariel.
Outwardly, Ariel's image had many aspects unknown without knowing her in detail, such as being bright, cheerful, and affectionate.
Moreover, because she resembled a human form despite being an Ain, she was well-liked by people.
As a result, she had quite a lot of opportunities to appear on broadcasts.
"Hello! PD-nim! I'm sorry for canceling our meeting appointment last time!"
"Ah, welcome. The situation isn't very good these days so it can't be helped. You didn't suffer any harm from PKK Group people on your way here?"
"There was no such thing. And I'm very good at avoiding them."
It was like that today too.
Ariel visited the broadcasting station.
A PD who made a program called Catch Your Player a few years ago proposed casting Ariel for a program.
"The program we're planning this time is a 2-week pilot program. A gap suddenly appeared in the broadcast schedule so we're hurriedly filling in."
The PD calmly started explaining.
The broadcasting station decided to fill a 2-week gap with a variety show.
And while looking for a PD to be in charge for 2 weeks, they found a PD who was on a break after finishing one program.
"So I became in charge, and while thinking about what to do, I remembered filming Catch Your Player before."
"I enjoyed watching that too. The scene where Eun-ah unni got caught dancing in the morning was really funny...."
"Haha, that became quite a hot topic. It seems Noh Eun-ah player thinks of it as a dark history.... It gained explosive popularity though it was brief. Actually, I tried to cast Noh Eun-ah player because of that. But Noh Eun-ah player said she's very busy, so she recommended Ariel player instead of herself."
"Eun-ah unni is very busy. These days she's even substituting for Seo-hyun unni's work...."
Though usually scatterbrained.
Ariel also knew how to distinguish time and place.
She spoke as politely as possible while agreeing.
Then she tilted her head.
"So PD-nim, what should I do? I saw the proposal, but I don't quite get it."
"It's exactly as written in the proposal. We'll show how players people are curious about live. So just show yourself living naturally as much as possible."
"Hmm.... These days I'm just loafing around alone in the clan hall...."
"Even that is fine. In my opinion, I think Ariel player will film many interesting videos even alone?"
"You think so?"
"Or Ariel player can do things you usually couldn't do but wanted to do."
"Things I want to do?"
"Yes, don't think about the budget and just show yourself enjoying doing what you want that day. What viewers want most is Ariel player's unique vitamin smile."
"I am quite a vitamin. Can I really do anything?"
"As long as it doesn't become a social issue, you can do pretty much anything. Anyway, our broadcasting station is receiving support from Luminous, so Ariel player's budget won't be a problem."
"Oho."
Do what you want to your heart's content.
It was music to Ariel's ears.
"─Okay. Then I should sing excitedly."
"Sing? Ah, I saw an interview that Ariel player sings well...."
"PD-nim. I want to rent a big stage in Jangchung-dong."
"...What?"
"If the budget isn't a problem, we should play excitedly while we're at it!"
"...Are you going to debut as an idol?"
"Oh, that's not bad? But then it would be weird to debut alone, I'd have to find other people...."
"..."
"Hmm.... Ah, I just thought of some people. I can debut as a 5-member group with those people!"
"Uh, that budget is a bit...."
"I'll sing all night long!"
Whether the PD was dumbfounded or not.
Ariel lives for today.
☆
After Dangun Clan Lord Jang Bong-jeon died, public safety in Dongdaemun-gu became unsettled.
The clan in charge of Dongdaemun-gu kept changing, and clan wars were happening frequently.
I'd like Pandora Clan to just take Dongdaemun-gu....
But other clans wouldn't stay still. And Samra Clan in charge of Gwangjin-gu next door would strongly oppose.
Dongdaemun-gu was a district Eun-ha was tempted by but couldn't touch.
If he forcibly occupied Dongdaemun-gu, he would be criticized in many ways.
Samra Clan in charge of Gwangjin-gu next to Dongdaemun-gu wouldn't let it be taken either.
So Eun-ha headed somewhere in Dongdaemun-gu while licking his lips.
According to Twenty-five's report, it was where PKK Group had its base.
It was Cheongnyangni.
"They were active not far from the underground market."
"There are a lot of people gathered for the rally."
Wearing the hood that was PKK Group's symbol.
Eun-ha and Twenty-five sat on a tree looking down at PKK Group.
A stage came into view in the distance.
People were focusing on a man standing on the stage.
[Can you hear my voice, everyone!!]
""""P! K! K!!""""
"Is that their slogan?"
"Pure Korean Clan. It's not cool if you say it long, master."
"It's not cool either way."
"But I heard they have different chants among their slogans."
"What do they say?"
"Ah, it's coming out now."
[P! K! Clan!]
""""P! K! Clan!!""""
"That's childish."
"It's childish but it works well."
It seemed the man on stage had a high rank within the organization.
People were excited by the man's words through the microphone.
[Let's drive out foreigners from this country, make Ains slaves, and make this country a country only for pure Koreans!!]
""""Ooooh!!!""""
"Why does that work? I really don't understand."
"Is there a reason for being incited? They're incited because they're incited."
"So there's no need for a reason."
"You can't approach everything in the world rationally. Humans aren't machines after all."
"Nevermind that, where are the leaders besides the people there?"
"Please wait a moment."
Twenty-five rummaged through his pocket.
A ziplock bag came out.
There was hair inside.
He placed it on his palm.
Gift <Shadow Stepping>
If there's just a trace of mana.
A gift that can almost certainly track the owner of that mana.
A thin mana came out of the ziplock bag and stretched out in a direction.
"Found it."
"Let's go."
The two tracked the trace.
And behind the stage.
They secretly snuck behind the stage and found the leadership.
They were hiding behind the stage background having some conversation.
But then one person caught Eun-ha's eye.
"─That person looks suspicious?"
"Which one?"
"The one wearing a hat."
Mixed with people who looked like leaders.
There was a man wearing a hat.
With a black hood covering up to his mouth, only his eyes were visible on his face.
But his eyes were strangely unique.
Reminiscent of a beast's eyes─.
─He changed his face with an artifact.
When that thought occurred, Eun-ha realized the fact that he was changing his face with an artifact.
It seemed the hat on his head was changing his face.
And his gait was strange.
Is his body not well-balanced?
His walking is a bit strange....
As someone who uses swords.
Eun-ha was sensitive to the other person's gait.
It was a gait that strangely couldn't keep balance.
As if─.
─Seo-na was like that too when she recently used magic to change into Jean Valjean.
A gait like an Ain with a tail not adapting to the center of gravity after losing their tail.
Eun-ha immediately opened his mouth.
"Twenty-five."
"Yes, master."
"Identify that hat-wearing bastard. And find out what conversation they're having now."
"Yes, master."
"I feel that's an Ain. Why is an Ain here? It's extremely suspicious."
It was a very strange thing.
To think there's an Ain behind an organization claiming to eradicate Ains.
As expected, there's something I don't know behind PKK Group.
Eun-ha who found a clue decided to approach them a bit closer.
Then their chattering voices came into his ears well.
"So Master, tomorrow morning we'll start the sit-in protest...."
"I got it. Then you order the Platinum kids below...."
Listening, it seemed they were talking about protests happening tomorrow.
But there were strange words mixed in their speech.
"I get Master, but what the hell is Platinum?"
"It's PKK Group's rank system."
"How are the ranks?"
"According to my investigation, they call the group leader Master, and below that are Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze."
"It's just like a game."
"From their perspective, this might be like a game."
"I don't understand."
"Ah, for reference, I set our rank ambiguously as Gold. If you happen to meet members somewhere and they ask your rank, please say Gold. Take out the card I gave you earlier too."
"This gold card?"
Eun-ha took out a gold card.
It looked like a handmade card.
The coloring was messy.
Eun-ha was dumbfounded.
What kind of group is this.
"Then what about that hat-wearing man?"
"Well.... He seems to be speaking equally with Master, so he's probably at least Diamond or Platinum?"
"Find out."
After that, Twenty-five disappeared.
Eun-ha looked around PKK Group alone listening to what they were saying and couldn't hide his contempt.
"I'm challenging 12-star today."
"Be careful, the equipment enhancement probability drops quite a bit from 12-star."
"If it goes well, I'll share leftover enhancement stones with you guys."
"Ha, I'll pay off all my debts tomorrow. I'm finally getting my own house."
"Oh, you're finally paying it off? That's great. Let's friend register later. I'll come visit."
"Are you growing the radish I told you about before well? That sells for the highest price. Make sure to grow that."
"Shit, another team took over the gym. Who the hell is it? Just when I thought I secured it, it's taken away again."
At first, Eun-ha didn't understand most of what they were saying.
Then as he peeked at the smartphones people were holding while talking and kept eavesdropping, he came to understand to some extent.
To conclude─.
"─They're bastards treating life like a game."
That was the identity of PKK Group.
The world was currently in chaos due to people who would be utterly absurd if their identity was known.
"Master, I found out."
"Who is it?"
Some time later.
Twenty-five returned.
Eun-ha heard the investigation results.
"It was former Ain Association representative Baek Jin-ho. We'll have to find out why, but it's definitely Baek Jin-ho."
"Then was this situation intentionally caused by those bastards and the former Ain Association? For what reason?"
Eun-ha's voice lowered.
Right now, he was being played on a board set up by someone.
Thinking that way made him irritated.
"What's Baek Jin-ho's rank?"
"Platinum."
"Then I've been played on a board set up by a Platinum.... That can't be."
"Master, what does rank matter...."
"Track the former Ain Association's backing."
"Yes, I'll do that."
PKK Group is suspicious.
The former Ain Association is suspicious too.
Eun-ha ordered Twenty-five to track.
Twenty-five grasped Eun-ha's mood and immediately nodded.
Let's stop tracking PKK Group here. Chang-jin hyung will handle their backing instead.
Who set up this board?
Eun-ha's thoughts deepened.
☆
The expected time for the baby to be born was about 2 months away now.
Han Seo-hyun whose belly was now so swollen it was hard to move had stepped away from administrative work.
No matter how I think about it, the flow of things is strange.
But she couldn't completely step back in a situation where the clan was being attacked by outside forces.
Han Seo-hyun focused on grasping the situation while stroking her belly.
It's not good for Tun-tun's prenatal education, but it can't be helped since the clan situation isn't good.
Asking for Tun-tun's understanding.
She focused on PKK Group that was shaking Pandora Clan.
They were inflating their forces in a short time under the name of pure Koreans.
That speed was not normal.
It looked just like someone was instigating them from behind.
It's not my job to catch their backing.
Soon she shook her head.
What she needed to think about was how to resolve the situation.
Her husband Noh Eun-ha was moving to track the cause and backing of the situation.
It would be inefficient for her to also get involved in what Eun-ha was tracking.
I need to do what Eun-ha can't do. That's my role.
Han Seo-hyun recognized her role and prioritized finding a solution.
The current situation was foreigners staying silent, while Ains and pure Koreans fought and grew the sparks.
Public opinion wasn't siding with either side currently.
If anything, public opinion was slightly more favorable to Ains.
But Ains were also fighting with violence, so it was unknown when public opinion's favor would change.
"We need to move public opinion somehow...."
Using the power of business groups, she could manipulate public opinion as she wanted for a while.
She could drop PKK Group's image to rock bottom that way.
Nevertheless, she was skeptical.
Because surely nothing would change even if PKK Group's image crashed.
PKK Group's image was already continuously falling.
It also caused a lot of talk while facing off with residents in Yongsan-gu.
Even if we attack PKK Group with public opinion, we won't gain anything.
Those people are moving with emotions I can't understand, rather than reason.
Looking at PKK Group's tendencies.
It might rather backfire.
Han Seo-hyun gave up on the direct approach.
On the other hand, Ains were also a problem.
To be precise, Ains who claim to be representatives of Ains and fight PKK Group were the problem.
The former Ain Association's Ains.
"Don't those people know? That they're currently ruining the Ain image that had just improved."
From her perspective, the former Ain Association's actions were utterly pathetic.
If they had just stayed still like foreigners, people with proper civic consciousness would have come out to help.
But the former Ain Association was cursing even ordinary citizens together with PKK Group as the same bastards.
It's only because the former Ain Association isn't using violence against ordinary citizens that nothing has happened yet.
Even that was just a matter of time.
It's a problem even if we resolve PKK Group.
If that happens, the former Ain Association's momentum will get worse. They'll just cause problems then.
In the end, there were two groups she had to resolve, not one.
PKK Group and the former Ain Association.
She had to deal with bastards trolling in pairs.
"Should I go with both sides are wrong.... No, this isn't a good move."
Saying both sides are wrong - equivocation.
That was a bad move.
It could divert public attention, but it would lower the image of Ains in the long term.
So in this situation, there was only one sure solution.
─We have no choice but to eliminate their driving force to act from within.
We have to make them lose interest and disband that way.
Conduct a disintegration operation.
Though the difficulty was high, the effect was certain.
Han Seo-hyun who grasped the thread touched her belly and had a thought.
"The way to disintegrate the former Ain Association is easy. The Ain society is already divided and conflicting between old and new generations. So if we just stimulate between them..."
The former Ain Association was an organization built on sand.
The movement led nationwide by the former Ain Association a few years ago became the trigger.
Disintegrating it would be easy.
Above all, she had a key prepared for that too.
Han Seo-hyun picked up the receiver.
[Yes, Pandora Clan telepath and administrative staff Jin Seo-na....]
"Seo-na. Can you come to my office?"
[...Sigh. Yes, unni.]
She suddenly called Jin Seo-na.
Jin Seo-na who had been working hard in the next room came trudging over.
"Unni, what's the matter?"
"I told you you can speak comfortably."
"This is still more comfortable for me."
"Okay, I got it. Sit down first."
Even after years had passed.
Jin Seo-na was still treating Han Seo-hyun difficultly.
It wasn't because of shyness.
She was treating her difficultly as Noh Eun-ha's wife.
Jin Seo-na was being careful not to infringe on Han Seo-hyun's authority.
Han Seo-hyun liked Jin Seo-na who was very cautious.
That's why she also took in Shakira, a similar type, as her person.
Anyway, Han Seo-hyun got straight to the point without beating around the bush.
"─There's something I want you to do, Seo-na."
"...First Eun-ha, and now unni is trying to give me work too? Ah, what should I ask unni to do..."
Jin Seo-na speaks jokingly.
Han Seo-hyun smiled slightly.
☆
"Hmm, I'll do that. I was also wondering what to do anyway."
"Okay, thank you. Then I'll ask you."
Jin Seo-na agreed after long deliberation.
Han Seo-hyun could feel relieved now that one thing was resolved.
Around then, the baby kicked her belly.
The baby seemed to be saying it was relieved too.
"The rest is PKK Group now..."
After sending Jin Seo-na away.
Han Seo-hyun racked her brains while burying herself in the sofa.
She craved something sweet.
She instructed Shakira to bring snacks and ate a chocolate.
As she consumed sugar, her brain started working.
"We lack information on PKK Group. If we just had internal information, we could use that to bring them down..."
Suddenly, one anecdote came to mind.
Long ago in America, there was something called the KKK that claimed to eradicate blacks.
They rapidly inflated their forces and became widely known to people.
It was natural that blacks who became their targets for eradication would fear them.
Later, they disintegrated and walked the path of downfall for various reasons.
One of those reasons was ridiculous.
"To think they named member ranks like something out of a fantasy novel.... When that became known, people just said they were playing childishly."
The leader was Imperial Wizard.
Executives were Dragons.
Executive assistants were Titans.
Field workers were Cyclops.
Their organizational structure and strange codes they used became known through a radio broadcast by one activist.
What happened after that?
The KKK that had inspired fear in people ended up becoming the villain role in children's hero play.
They no longer inspired fear even in young children.
It's said members became laughingstocks of the world, felt ashamed of themselves, and left the group.
"If only... PKK Group had such a fatal weakness, that would be really good..."
She craved something sweet too much.
Han Seo-hyun gave up thinking while filling her stomach with snacks.
She was sleepy.
The baby was fussing saying it was sleepy.
In the end, she succumbed to drowsiness and collapsed on the sofa.
"─Why is Seo-hyun sleeping here? If she's sleepy she should go sleep on the bed in my room."
Not long after, Eun-ha who came in through the window after going out to investigate tilted his head seeing that.
He lifted her up in his arms.
In the past she would have woken up from that.
After becoming pregnant, she often fell into such deep sleep that she wouldn't know even if someone carried her.
Eun-ha tried to take her to the bed in his room.
"This won't do... I should prepare a bed in Seo-hyun's office too. Why did I only think of this now? But what's this?"
It was then.
Eun-ha discovered papers Han Seo-hyun must have been writing before falling asleep.
Papers were scattered on the table.
One of them caught his eye.
"KKK?"
"Papa?"
"Kang?"
Han Seo-hyun didn't know the situation she hoped for would actually happen.
Eun-ha's eyes sparkled.
每周推薦票狀態
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榜單 
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