Episode 10. Future War (6)
It wasn't a misunderstanding.
The moment he heard my name, the man's eyes widened.
"Don't tell me…?"
He studied my face closely. Come to think of it, how much did Ways of Survival actually describe Yoo Joonghyuk? It didn't go into detailed appearances, but I was pretty sure there was a line saying he was "handsome." And my face is…
Well, this should still count as acceptable narrative license, right?
"What is it?"
"N–No, it's nothing."
His tone had become noticeably more polite. Even without knowing exactly what he was thinking, his head was probably in complete chaos right now.
At least one thing was certain.
The man standing before me had definitely read Ways of Survival.
The fact that he wasn't registered in the [Character List], and the way he reacted to the name "Yoo Joonghyuk," made that abundantly clear.
His urgent gaze shifted to Lee Hyunsung beside me.
[Trait Insight]… I see. You're trying to gather information?
I deliberately gave him just enough time to observe Lee Hyunsung before opening my mouth.
"Watch your eyes. If you don't want to lose them, don't let them wander."
"…H–Huh?"
By now, he would've confirmed Lee Hyunsung's name, and also realized that he couldn't peek into my trait window with [Trait Insight]. I didn't know how much of Ways of Survival he had read, but for someone who didn't know Yoo Joonghyuk's face, there were only a few clues he could rely on.
The most representative of them was the SS-rank skill that allowed omnidirectional detection and detection-blocking: [Sage's Eye].
And now, he was starting to believe that I possessed [Sage's Eye].
"You thought I wouldn't notice you spying with a mere B-rank skill?"
The tremor that began in his pupils quickly spread across his entire face.
The last place his searching eyes landed was the red flag of Chungmuro slung across my back. Of course. That was the limit of the "evidence" he could find to prove I was Yoo Joonghyuk.
"What the hell is this bastard—!"
One of the men at the front, still failing to grasp the situation, pointed his spear at me threateningly. Just as Jung Heewon and Lee Hyunsung were about to step forward—
Puhk!
The spear-wielding man's head burst apart, blood spraying like a fountain.
The group recoiled in horror, screaming. Through the rain of falling blood, I saw the man—his expression now grim.
…This guy?
He pushed through his men and slowly walked toward me.
"My apologies. I've shown you something unsightly in front of such a distinguished guest."
"And who are you?"
At my cold tone, I could see him forcing himself to maintain composure. He was trying hard. If I were in his place, my heart would probably be about to explode.
"Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Lee Sung-guk. I am the Vice-Representative of Dongmyo-ap Station."
Now standing right before me, he bowed deeply.
I liked that.
Well then—shall we begin the full Yoo Joonghyuk cosplay?
After giving him a sharp glance, I spoke in a merciless voice.
"Dongmyo-ap? I see. Then get lost."
"…Pardon?"
"This station is mine now. Hand it over and get out."
He stood there, mouth agape.
"What are you talking about—"
"Does it sound like I'm joking?"
I looked down at the flag stand where Dongmyo-ap's flag was planted.
Only then did Lee Sung-guk realize what I meant.
"T–That's impossible. A station that's already been captured can't be transferred—"
"Do you take me for an idiot? You're the Vice-Representative."
"…What?"
"If you have authority at or above Vice-Representative, you can transfer ownership of a station at will. Don't tell me you didn't even know that."
"…!"
"If you don't hand it over by the time I count to three, I'll cut off your heads. One."
Lee Sung-guk's face slowly stiffened.
The men began to encircle me, releasing a menacing aura.
Jung Heewon and Lee Hyunsung looked anxious, unable to understand why I was suddenly pulling something this insane. I continued.
"Sounds like a joke? Two."
Did you read it ten years ago and forget already?
Looks like you've forgotten what kind of bastard Yoo Joonghyuk was.
Then let me remind you personally.
[Activating the exclusive skill, 'Baekcheong Ganggi Lv. 2'!]
[Activating 'Blade of Conviction'!]
Kiiiiing!
As a pure white radiance flared along the blade, Lee Sung-guk's complexion drained of color.
This was a game of chicken.
The fact that he remembered the name Yoo Joonghyuk meant he knew, at least a little, what kind of man he was.
If he knew how ruthless Yoo Joonghyuk was in the early stages, there was no way he could continue this standoff.
And if he didn't really know Yoo Joonghyuk?
Then that was fine too.
Worst case, we fight it out—or if it looks bad, I run.
With my current strength, I had more than enough leeway for that.
That was when Lee Sung-guk shouted urgently.
"W–Wait! I–I'll give it to you!"
So you did read Ways of Survival after all.
But you didn't read it properly.
"No need."
"…What?"
"You answered too late."
"…What?"
"One station isn't enough. Hand over Dongdaemun as well."
Beside me, Jung Heewon stared in shock.
Her eyes were asking if it was really okay to push things this far.
But it was okay.
No—this was exactly what I had to do.
Because right now, I was Yoo Joonghyuk.
To make them believe that I was Yoo Joonghyuk, I had to cause an even more outrageous scene.
Pointing my sword at Lee Sung-guk, I said,
"If you don't hand it over, the deal is off."
"B–But—!"
"I'll count to three again. One."
Lee Sung-guk's expression kept changing by the second.
Now that he had begun to believe I was Yoo Joonghyuk, his insides were probably burning up. Anyone could guess what would happen if you made an enemy of the protagonist here.
So how would he respond?
Depending on how well he improvised now, our future relationship would be decided.
"I–I can hand over Dongdaemun History & Culture Park with my authority! But…"
"But?"
"I can't decide on handing over Dongdaemun itself. If it's all right with you… would you be willing to meet our Representative?"
An excellent response.
Exactly the kind of prey I was hoping for.
Lee Sung-guk kept talking.
"I've long heard of Yoo Joonghyuk-nim's reputation. Our Representative, in particular, would be greatly honored to meet you. Please, grant our group the opportunity to speak with you."
"You know who I am?"
"How could anyone not know Yoo Joonghyuk-nim?"
As he said that, Lee Sung-guk suddenly clapped a hand over his mouth. He must've realized he'd said something strange—after all, it was still too early for Yoo Joonghyuk to be famous.
"Ah—anyway, if you would accompany us, it would be the honor of my lifetime."
I stared at him for a moment before answering.
Yes. This was good enough.
"Fine. Lead the way."
Lee Sung-guk's face brightened instantly, and he added some unnecessary reassurance.
"Please don't worry about anything at all. I swear on the [Honor of the King] that I will not allow even the slightest harm to come to you, Yoo Joonghyuk-nim."
[Dongmyo-ap Station Vice-Representative 'Lee Sung-guk' has staked the 'Honor of the King.']
[If this oath is broken, Lee Sung-guk will be subjected to self-imposed punitive judgment.]
How hasty. Still, if he truly believed I was Yoo Joonghyuk, this was the natural thing to do.
His understanding of early-stage Yoo Joonghyuk was better than I expected.
Then I should respond accordingly.
"Harm me? You?"
"Of course, even if all of us rushed you at once, we wouldn't be able to touch even a single finger of yours, Yoo Joonghyuk-nim. H–Haha. Th–Then… this way, please."
"Wait."
"…Yes?"
I pointed at the flag stand of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park.
"You're leaving this behind."
"…."
[You have received the transfer of 'Dongdaemun History & Culture Park.']
[Current occupied territories: Chungmuro (Main Base), Myeongdong, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park]
[The achievement score of the 'Red Flag' increases.]
The station's flag changed before my eyes.
This was a very good start.
No—was it really okay for things to be this easy?
"Then let's go."
Watching Lee Sung-guk's shoulders trembling, I felt strangely conflicted.
Would it really be okay to keep living on as Yoo Joonghyuk like this?
A short while later, guided by Lee Sung-guk, we entered Dongmyo-ap Station.
The Dongmyo-ap group members, unaware of my true identity, whispered among themselves, but Lee Sung-guk's firm attitude prevented any open resistance.
I was walking near the back of the group with my companions.
Lee Hyunsung, who had been hesitating for a while, finally looked at me and opened his mouth.
"Um, Dokja—…"
Thunk!
Quick on the uptake, Jung Heewon jabbed Lee Hyunsung in the waist. A wheezing sound escaped his lungs, followed by a groan.
That's Jung Heewon for you.
Even if she didn't fully grasp the situation, she knew how to read the room and play along.
I mouthed the words to them.
'You get what you're supposed to do even if I don't say it out loud, right?'
'Yeah, more or less.'
I glanced at Jung Heewon, then at Kang Ilhoon slung over Lee Hyunsung's shoulder. The most dangerous person here was that guy.
'Make sure he keeps his mouth shut. Got it?'
Jung Heewon nodded faintly, then made a suspicious gesture.
She suddenly dropped to her knees in front of me, speaking in an exaggeratedly loud, ringing voice.
"Yes, Joonghyuk-nim! I will carry out your orders!"
Anyone watching would've thought she was some kind of medieval knight.
What was funny was that Lee Hyunsung, startled out of his wits, did the exact same thing.
"I–I will obey…!"
Hearing their voices, Lee Sung-guk at the front of the group flinched and turned around. It was an embarrassing scene, but in the end, it worked out well. I couldn't read Lee Sung-guk's thoughts, but if I could, they would probably have been something like this:
'As expected. This really is Yoo Joonghyuk.'
When his eyes met mine, Lee Sung-guk quickly turned his head forward again.
So this was what it felt like to be the protagonist.
Not long after, we arrived at Dongmyo-ap Station's platform.
Since it was a fairly powerful group, a large number of people had gathered there. Some were armed like Lee Sung-guk's unit, but most of them were unarmed.
They were probably wanderers from other stations who had lost their groups.
"Hurry it up!"
"Y–Yes!"
Under the watch of the Dongmyo-ap group, they were butchering mole-rat meat or dismantling monster corpses to make equipment.
The so-called "slave" class.
Ever since the Age of Kings began, it had become a common sight.
Jung Heewon frowned.
"This isn't a real kingdom or anything…"
I spoke to her quietly.
"Don't do anything reckless. Stay here for now and observe the situation."
"Okaaay…"
Ignoring Jung Heewon, I began to survey our surroundings.
I needed to account for any additional variables I might not be aware of.
'Dongmyo-ap' was a fairly important stronghold even in the original story.
If my memory was right… the Representative here was that "wasted" guy.
But with the interfering, there was a strong chance the course of events had changed significantly.
Watching the back of Lee Sung-guk's head as he walked ahead, I thought to myself.
At this point, there were two things I was curious about.
First—did this Lee Sung-guk guy also possess the 'text file' that I had?
Second—just how many like him were there?
And if I had to add a third—did he also have the same 'skills' as me…?
That one seemed unlikely. If he did, he would've used [Character List] like I did, instead of [Trait Insight], from the start.
And judging by the fact that no defense message appeared when I activated [Character List], he probably didn't have [The Fourth Wall] either.
In other words, he was a case like Yoo Sangah or Lee Gilyoung.
Well, I was the only one who'd read over three thousand chapters. It would be unfair if people who'd only read a few dozen got the same privileges.
By that logic, it made sense to assume they didn't have the 'text file'—but still, you never know…
But what was that guy staring at so intently?
Lee Sung-guk at the front had been looking down at his smartphone for a while now.
[You have invested 5,000 coins into Agility.]
[Agility Lv.20 → Agility Lv.30]
[Amazing nimbleness fills your entire body.]
I approached Lee Sung-guk at an almost ghostlike speed.
"What are you staring at so hard?"
"H–Huh? N–Nothing at all!"
He hurriedly turned off the smartphone and hid it behind his back.
It was only a split second, but I caught a glimpse of the screen.
A familiar chat bubble on a yellow background.
A sense of unease crept over me.
If my eyes hadn't deceived me… what I just saw was unmistakably a group chat screen.
…The internet works?
Here?
Now?