Chapter 128: DG Conference (2)
It may have only been the presence of one person, but her impact on the press conference was tremendous. As the reporters looked up at the stage, their expressions shifted from frowns and blank stares to soft, genuine smiles.
"Now, I believe you all have many questions for our DG Guild mascot, the Smiling Angel herself, Kim Ji-Hee," Kim Ki-Rok announced.
The reporters nodded, eyes on Ji-Hee as she stood with a half-eaten chicken skewer in one hand and a stuffed rabbit tucked under the other arm.
"But let's not forget—you're not here for Ji-Hee's fan meeting. You're here to participate in the DG press conference regarding the Revival of the World Tree."
"Huh?!" The reporters snapped out of it and swivelled their heads at Kim Ki-Rok.
"Alright, good. If we were to put this in game terms," he continued with a grin, "you've all just been hit with Ji-Hee's charm effect. But now that you've shaken it off, let's get back on topic."
Kim Ki-Rok's expression shifted to something more serious, and the reporters followed suit, fingers returning to their laptops with focused intent. The crowd fell into an uneasy silence, unsure what to make of the analogy.
"Where were we again?" Kim Ki-Rok asked, blinking.
A reporter raised their hand and reminded him, "You called Kim Ji-Hee onto the stage to explain the Gate and your fateful encounter."
"Ah, right. So..." Kim Ki-Rok nodded, then glanced back toward the seat he'd vacated—now occupied by Kim Ji-Hee. In front of her sat a small nameplate labeled "DG Guild."
She looked up at him, her mouth smudged with chicken skewer sauce, and he laughed softly as he pulled out a handkerchief to gently wipe her face.
"Hehehe. Ji-Hee, could you call Miss Ayl?"
"Yeeess!" Ji-Hee said, sharply turning her gaze toward the ceiling.
The reporters followed her line of sight. From above, a semi-transparent spirit passed silently through the ceiling and descended into the first-floor lobby.
"Woah!"
Although the crowd had seen them in videos on DG Guild's MeTube channel, this was the first time they were seeing spirits in person. Kim Ji-Hee was known for being accompanied by many spirits through her Spiritualism Skill, but witnessing them firsthand was an entirely different experience.
"They show up in the pictures!" one reporter shouted.
At that, a few hesitant reporters glanced over at Kim Ki-Rok for confirmation.
"There are plenty of videos featuring spirits on the DG Guild's MeTube channel," Kim Ki-Rok said casually. "Of course you can take pictures. Ah, but only spirits empowered by Miss Kim Ji-Hee can be captured on camera."
The reporters fired off shots in rapid succession, being careful to minimize their flash out of consideration for Kim Ji-Hee. It was an almost unheard-of level of restraint at a press conference, but then again, the Guildmaster was none other than the infamous Crazy Bastard.
No one wanted to be the one responsible if Kim Ji-Hee squinted from the flash and Kim Ki-Rok decided to kick them out on the spot. It was the kind of thing he'd absolutely do.
"Oh my. There are quite a lot of people here," said a new voice.
The reporters looked up again, but froze this time. A beautiful spirit had descended and was now perched gently on Kim Ji-Hee's shoulder, smiling at the crowd.
"So, Hero Kim Ki-Rok. What's going on?" she asked.
"I was sharing the events and information related to the war," he replied. "I called for you, Miss Ayl, to help explain things more smoothly."
"I see. I understand," she said, nodding. "You've said before that sharing information would allow more people to help."
"That's correct."
Kim Ki-Rok hadn't summoned her without warning. Just before returning to Earth from the Yuashiel Dimension, he had met with Aylphirane and the key figures of the Continental Alliance to arrange the release of information.
Now, turning back to the reporters, Kim Ki-Rok gestured toward the spirit. "The person you see before you is a High Elf from the Yuashiel Dimension, the dimension to which most Gates from Earth connect. Ah, and to clarify, a High Elf is a higher species of the elves you're already familiar with."
High Elf. The reporters quickly noted down the article on their laptops.
"Nice to meet you. I am Aylphirane, a High Elf from the Yuashiel Dimension," said Aylphirane as she slowly floated into the air. She gave a graceful bow to the audience, then returned to sit on Kim Ji-Hee's shoulder.
Though she had moved with deliberate elegance, not a single photo had been taken. It wasn't that no one tried; they simply couldn't.
"Now, back to the main point," Kim Ki-Rok continued. "During our Gate expedition, Ji-Hee and I encountered Miss Ayl—Aylphirane—who had perished during a great crisis in the Yuashiel Dimension. She asked us for help reviving the World Tree."
The reporters tilted their heads. "World Tree?"
"The World Tree is a sacred entity with remarkable abilities," Kim Ki-Rok explained. "It purifies and bestows blessings. By 'purify,' I mean it can cleanse the looming crisis threatening the Yuashiel Dimension, specifically, the mana of the Demon Realm. And by 'blessing,' I refer to its power to strengthen and empower nearby living beings."
The part about the Demon Realm's mana was already known to the public. As had been previously reported, most Gates on Earth led to the Yuashiel Dimension, and the vast majority of otherworldly humans encountered by Hunters came from that same place.
"Ji-Hee and I chose to accept Miss Ayl's request," Kim Ki-Rok continued. "At that very moment, the Earth System issued a message: a Gate would appear before Ji-Hee, the Awakened, on February 15th."
He went on to explain everything in detail: how Kim Ji-Hee had met Aylphirane, how Earth itself had granted them a mission, and how their journey brought them into contact with the elves, the Temple Alliance, and the Hunter Union. Together, they battled Demons, Dark Magicians, and monsters, eventually managing to revive the World Tree.
"Phew." Kim Ki-Rok let out a long breath as he checked his wristwatch. "Looks like it's already been an hour."
"What?"
The reporters checked their watches in surprise. Sure enough, an hour had flown by.
"Well, we'll be taking a thirty-minute break. If you need to use the restroom, now's the time. If you're hungry, visit the convenience store."
The reporters stood up from their seats.
Kim Ki-Rok added casually, "To keep you entertained during this break, we've invited some very special guests. Superstars, personally invited for the DG press conference."
The reporters who were halfway to the restroom froze. Those on their way to the convenience store, and even the Hunters getting ready to phone their offices, all stopped in place and turned back toward Kim Ki-Rok.
Superstars?
"Allow me to introduce," Kim Ki-Rok announced, raising his hand theatrically, "the superstars who have just returned from their debut stage in the Yuashiel Dimension!"
They've returned from the Yuashiel Dimension?
Ah! It's them.
As realization spread, the reporters quickly raised their cameras again and set their hands back on their keyboards.
From all directions, tiny, adorable girls with shimmering wings flew in and landed on the stage with perfect timing.
"Two! Three!"
"Hello!"
"We are!"
"Fairy Flower!"
"Your love and support!"
"Means the world to us!"
The Elementals bowed in unison, just like real idol singers.
"Now, let the Fairy Flower performance begin!" Kim Ki-Rok declared. The moment he spoke, upbeat music blasted from speakers overhead.
"Huh? This isn't bad at all," someone murmured.
The song was genuinely catchy.
"Wow! They must have practiced a lot."
The choreography, too, was surprisingly polished—sharp, synchronized, and energetic.
For a moment, the press transformed. The reporters, who'd come to cover a Gate-related conference, suddenly became entertainment journalists, snapping shot after shot of the performance.
***
While the press hall buzzed with celebration, the conference room at South Korea's A-Class Phoenix Guild was steeped in tension.
Guildmaster Ji Seok-Hyun stared grimly at the screen, where the Elementals danced to their high-energy track with flawless precision. He let out a long, exhausted sigh.
Then, slowly lifting his head, he asked, "So... we did get a call from the DG Guild?"
The leader of Hunter Team One broke into a cold sweat at the question. "W-well, that is..."
"Team Leader Han. No—Tae-Cheol," Ji Seok-Hyun said, his voice level but pointed.
"Yes, Guildmaster."
"Did we get a call or not?"
"W-we did."
They had received a call, and it had been directly related to that Gate.
Ji Seok-Hyun had initially been annoyed that the DG Guild only contacted the Shine Guild and Golden Lion Guild. He had considered expressing his displeasure, but realizing they had actually reached out, he knew there was nothing he could say. It was Phoenix Guild who had turned them down.
"Hoo..." Ji Seok-Hyun let out another deep sigh and pulled out his phone, playing a recording.
—Hello, I hope you're doing well. This is Kim Ki-Rok from the DG Guild.
There was no mistaking the voice. It was clearly Kim Ki-Rok.
—Ah, yes. This is Han Tae-Cheol, in charge of Hunter Team One at Phoenix Guild.
And just as unmistakably, the other voice belonged to Han Tae-Cheol.
—Team Leader Han Tae-Cheol. Ah, I'm quite familiar with your reputation. I heard you just returned to Korea after your operations abroad during the December incident.
—Thank you for recognizing my efforts. But... what's the purpose of your call?
—Ah, the DG Guild has discovered a Gate that's very difficult to clear. However, the rewards are exceptional, so I'm contacting you to propose a joint clear.
—Hmm... One moment, please. Ah, I see the DG Guild's average level is equivalent to B-Class.
—Yes, that's correct.
—Hmm! Then a joint clear might be complicated.
Around the conference table, Ji Seok-Hyun and the other executives slowly turned their heads toward Han Tae-Cheol, their glares sharp and silent.
Kim Ki-Rok's voice could be heard next.
—Ah, is that so?
—Yes.
—May I ask why?
—It says here that the average level in your guild is 63. Is this true?
Considering that DG Guild's average level was currently over 70, it was clear that they had contacted the Phoenix Guild immediately after discovering the Gate.
—That's correct.
—Then if DG Guild says this Gate is difficult, it must be at least ten levels above your average. So... Level 80, roughly? There's no merit for us in joining a clear like that.
—Ah, the Gate's difficulty isn't Level 80. It's higher.
Han Tae-Cheol didn't budge.
—My point still stands. There's no upside for Phoenix Guild in a joint clear with you. How about entrusting the Gate clear entirely to us?
Kim Ki-Rok responded.
—Ah, that would be difficult. We already have other guilds who've agreed to a joint clear.
—I see. So we're not the only ones you approached. Then I'll refuse.
Han Tae-Cheol lowered his head, each word from the recording tightening the knot in his stomach.
—Still, I'll send you a full report on the Gate. Would you like to take a look before making a final decision?
—That's okay.
—Hmm, I see... Oh, by the way.
—Yes?
—Have you heard of the DG Guild?
Han Tae-Cheol replied as if the answer was obvious.
—Isn't it a Hunter guild based in Seoul with an average level of 63?
—I see.
—And if you're not planning to entrust the Gate to us, I'd appreciate it if you didn't contact me again like this.
—Oh, it seems I've made you uncomfortable. I understand. I apologize for proposing a joint clear instead of entrusting the Gate to Phoenix Guild.
—I accept your apology.
—Right. Take care.
—Yes. Take care.
The contents of the conversation had been painfully clear.
The Phoenix Guild had not only refused DG Guild's initial joint clear proposal, they had rejected it again when it was reiterated. With that, any chance of being included in future Gate clears of similar importance was likely gone, and they had no one to blame but themselves.
"Tae-Cheol..." Ji Seok-Hyun said, voice low.
"Yes, Guildmaster."
"I told you when you returned to the guild that strange things had been happening toward the end of last year. I thought I said to read the comprehensive report."
"Yes, you did."
The ace of the Phoenix Guild, Han Tae-Cheol, had returned to Korea at the end of December. At that time, the DG Guild had focused solely on clearing Gates and defending Breaks. They also stayed quiet after those events, occasionally uploading videos to their MeTube channel while on their guild-wide vacation.
"Did you read it?"
"Yes, I did."
"Tae-Cheol." Ji Seok-Hyun's voice hardened. "Half of that report—half—was about DG Guild. So I'll ask you again. Did you read the report?"
"I'm sorry... I didn't read it."
"Damn it! DG Guild was the most famous guild in South Korea in the second half of last year! Even if you were overseas, you would have—" Ji Seok-Hyun stopped abruptly before he cursed. He calmed himself and regained his rationality.
"That's right... You were stationed long-term in a Gate," he said slowly.
Han Tae-Cheol and Hunter Team One had been deployed to an exceptionally difficult Gate abroad. Their stay had been extended, and during the multiple Gate appearances last year, they had nearly missed the global wave of events altogether.
"Tae-Cheol."
"Yes, Guildmaster."
"Next time... read the report."
It wasn't solely Han Tae-Cheol's fault. As Guildmaster, Ji Seok-Hyun knew the blame lay partly with himself. He had let his guard down and lost interest because DG Guild had gone too quiet.
"Let's sit. The conference hasn't even started yet."