Chapter 123: Dubbing (1)
Views of Hunter's videos on MeTube increased at a rapid pace. This was to be expected, as MeTube was the world's largest video platform, and Hunters were the heroes and celebrities of modern society. Naturally, the rate of growth varied depending on the fame and popularity of the Hunter featured.
So, what about the DG Guild channel? The videos uploaded by the DG Guild had seen a sharp spike in views, largely because they were entertaining.
Their Hunter introduction videos were a cut above the rest. Their daily vlogs featured a charming lead, Kim Ji-Hee, while battle videos were narrated by the eccentric commentator Kim Ki-Rok. He also took on the role of an overtalkative teacher in the channel's lecture content—videos so long they could lull you to sleep.
They consistently uploaded fun, engaging content, and within just six months of launch, their channel had grown into a million-subscriber platform. But the latest video was different from their usual uploads.
⤷ Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!
⤷ Wow! This million-subscriber celebration video is crazy!
⤷ I clicked on it thinking it was just a thank-you video, and now three hours are gone.
⤷ thankyouforthevideothankyouforthevideothankyouforthevideo
⤷ WHAT. Elves?
⤷ Oh no, what happens to the ones whose personalities are their best feature?
⤷ I can't believe Ji-Yeon looks ordinary next to them.
Everyone was losing it. Gorgeous men and women, presumed to be Elves, had appeared in the new video that was almost three and a half hours long.
The video quickly also went viral overseas, as MeTube's global reach ensured the DG Channel already had a substantial international following. Viewers who watched it began promoting it on their own, pulling in even more subscribers.
Dozens of cars screeched to a halt outside the DG Guild. People poured out, slamming doors and clamoring as they ran.
"Grab the camera and laptop!" one of them shouted.
"Move out of the waaaaay!"
People scrambled out of the subway entrance. The scene resembled desert wanderers who had just found an oasis. Like piranhas catching the scent of blood, they rushed toward the entrance of the building.
They were greeted by a very long explanatory text attached to the main gate.
「Under construction. Guild members are also on vacation. Please come again at another time. To those considering theft, thinking the construction and absence of guild members present an opportunity, please don't waste your time and go back. Of course, traps are not set up...」
What was this long message?
After reading through the absurd notice, the crowd turned their attention elsewhere. On both sides of the DG Guild's headquarters building were workshops and sales outlets run by technical Hunters.
The group split into two and rushed toward the workshops, where yet another wordy notice was posted.
「Under construction. Technical guild members are also on vacation. For Hunters and members of the public wanting to purchase our technical Hunters' goods, we plan to announce the end of construction and vacation via livestream on the DG Channel on MeTube. So please like, subscribe, and...」
It was immediately clear who had written it. The reporters who had hurried to the DG Guild for coverage began pulling out their phones and making calls.
"The DG Guild hasn't returned yet. What about the Golden Lion, Shine, and Baekdusan Guilds? What? They said they can't tell us yet? They told you to go back and wait for an invitation?"
"Ha, seriously?! So you just went back?"
"What about the Association?!"
"There must be government Hunters among them!"
"You idiot! If the government hadn't intervened, you think a large guild would have hidden this Gate till it was cleared?"
"Why would you meet a congressman! Hey! What have you learned so far!"
"Contact the Blue House!"
"Find something... Get a source!"
The shouting came from every direction. Covering the DG Guild was proving to be an ordeal. That Crazy Bastard had prepared thoroughly, and if the other guilds also played dumb, there wasn't much to be done. Most of the leadership had participated in the Gate clear, and the lower ranks were repeating, "We don't know anything." There was no way to dig up useful information like that.
Still, they couldn't back off now. Their livelihoods were on the line.
"It's not the large guilds we should be targeting. It's the Association and the government. We need to pressure them to gather information!"
***
Amid the chaos outside the DG Guild, President Kim Tae-Hoo sat back heavily in his chair, sighing. "Tsk! I should have stayed a bit longer."
He had returned to the Blue House immediately after meeting with the Elves, the Temple Alliance, and the regent of the Aians Empire.
At first, he had been in good spirits, having successfully established diplomatic contact with the Elves. His conversation with the regent and the Saintess of the Temple Alliance had yielded a great deal of information. And finally, they had all agreed to form a trade partnership.
However, his good mood lasted only about three hours. Then, Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok of the DG Guild uploaded his video and the information-hungry masses descended.
"Your Excellency, we've received a call from the British Prime Minister."
"Hoo..."
He had just gotten off the phone with the French President. The conversation was brief, but it wasn't something that could be taken lightly. Before that, the Chinese ambassador had visited in person. Before that, the Japanese Prime Minister had called.
President Kim Tae-Hoo gave the same answer every time. He had been informed by a Hunter who exited the Gate that the DG Guild and several large domestic guilds had successfully cleared it, and that they had made contact with Elves. Beyond that, he couldn't say anything with certainty until the guild representatives returned.
"Continue responding just as we have been. Eventually, the news about the Permanent Gate and the revival of the World Tree will spread."
He was sure that if they disclosed everything now, the fallout would only lead to chaos.
"Understood."
The aide gave a quick nod and left the room.
A few minutes later, another urgent knock sounded, and the door burst open.
One of his other aides walked in without waiting for a response, but President Kim Tae-Hoo didn't scold him. He had already given instructions to enter without waiting, knowing things were going to get particularly busy for a while.
"What is it?" President Kim Tae-Hoo asked.
"The representatives and deputy representatives of large guilds from seven countries—including the United States, Japan, China, and Russia—have contacted us. They've expressed their intention to visit Korea."
This kind of movement from major guilds had been expected.
"If the representatives of large guilds visit other countries without clear justification, it could trigger diplomatic issues. Tell them to get approval from their own governments first."
"Understood."
The second aide nodded and exited the room.
"Phew. I didn't expect things to get this busy."
All they had done was meet some new individuals. Whether it was because the newly encountered species were Elves or simply because it was the first such meeting, everything had snowballed.
He sank comfortably into his chair for a brief moment of rest and stared off into space. His gaze drifted to his desk, then to the phone sitting atop it. Kim Ki-Rok had said he wouldn't return until the Permanent Gate was fully established.
"I wonder what he's up to now..."
Was he editing another video to upload? Or strengthening relationships with the Elves, the Temple Alliance, and the Aians Empire?
***
At the Northern Fortress of the Continental Alliance, inside the guest room of the Saintess, Renee looked at her laptop with sparkling eyes. Then she looked up at Kim Ki-Rok, who was seated across from her. "W-w-woaaaah. Thank you, Hero Kim Ki-Rok!"
"Hahaha! It's nothing. Just a laptop. I did spend a little money to legally download some dramas and movies, but considering what we Hunters earn in a day, it's really not much."
Kim Ki-Rok hadn't brought a laptop on previous Attempts, unaware Saintess Renee used a tablet. But this time, he had come prepared, armed with the knowledge of her love for dramas and films.
"Still, getting things like this in the Yuashiel Dimension is really difficult."
"Things will get much easier once the Permanent Gate transformation is complete. So just think of it as a gift."
"Hm! Is there anything you need help with? Or anything else you need?"
It wasn't just a few dramas and movies she had received. Along with a brand-new, high-spec laptop loaded with hundreds of dramas and films, Saintess Renee had also been gifted a self-generating device powered by mana stones. More specifically, it was a state-of-the-art tool capable of producing electricity anytime, simply by replacing the mana stone inside.
"Hmmm... something I need..." Kim Ki-Rok muttered, pretending to think.
"Yes!"
"Hmmm... Something I need help with..."
"Yes. Though, given my position, I'd need to hear your request before I agree to help."
"I understand." Kim Ki-Rok smiled warmly at Renee, who was grinning awkwardly, then stroked his chin. "Ah! There is something I need help with."
"What would that be?"
"Saintess Renee. The Power of Tongues is not limited to mere conversation, right?"
"That's right. Communication allows me to understand language, voice, and text. If you hear it, you understand it right away! If you read it, you understand it right away!"
"I see. Would you like to try dubbing, then?"
The Saintess blinked, confused. "Dubbing?"
Without a word, Kim Ki-Rok began unpacking equipment from his subspace pocket and laying it out before her. Out came scripts from famous dramas, along with the necessary recording tools.
He then addressed the third party in the room, "Sir Richard."
"Yes, Hero Kim Ki-Rok?"
Richard, Commander of the Paladin Order, had a surprisingly gentle voice.
"Would you lend us a hand, Sir Richard?"
Sir Richard stiffened, uneasy. Embarrassment crept in, the same kind he felt whenever he remembered being fifteen, strutting around in a black cloak, pretending to rule the back alleys even though he was just the son of a paladin.
Right now, however, both the pink hero and Saintess Renee were staring at him expectantly. Thus, he let out a sigh and met Kim Ki-Rok's eyes.
"What do you need, and how can I help?"