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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: A Bit Noisy Response
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Rimon's press conference ended just like that.
Park Hyeon-gun could perfectly understand Lee Cheongi's feelings as he couldn't tear his eyes away from the TV.
He himself had frozen in shock for several minutes when he'd watched it live.
The footage was that shocking.
Whether it was taking the president hostage.
Or foreshadowing a chain of hostage crises.
Or the fact that it was a message aimed squarely at the Monarch.
It bundled up acts no sane person would ever commit and hurled them straight at him in one go.
Any normal human would be left dumbfounded.
"...Rimon Asfelder. He's a tougher nut to crack than I thought. To strike at me like this from an unexpected angle."
"What do you mean?"
The moment Lee Cheongi spoke, Park Hyeon-gun looked puzzled.
Of course, it was clear Rimon wasn't your average madman, but those words carried a different weight.
"Don't you see? This is a checkmate."
"If you're talking about that insane threat to lure you to the Blue House, you could just ignore it..."
"Then people will think I used the chariot-slaughter stratagem to seize this country's regime."
"Who in their right mind would believe that nonsense?"
"My true intentions don't matter. The problem is that those high-ranking officials marked as next targets now have a pretext."
Park Hyeon-gun's face hardened instantly.
His brain, stalled by the sheer absurdity of the video, finally started turning again.
"You're saying they'll pressure you?"
"Their lives are on the line."
Normally, no high-ranking officials would dare pull something this crazy.
In this era, a Monarch was an absolute being.
Messing with one meant utter destruction.
But Rimon's hostage stunt had subtly shifted the situation.
Watching your step was key to survival, but now they might all die if they hesitated.
No room left for political calculations.
And with the justification of rescuing the president, anyone who valued their life would cling to Lee Cheongi.
Even an absolute ruler with immense power couldn't ignore that.
"If they drag in another Monarch, it'll turn into a mudslinging fight."
There was more than one Monarch.
If Lee Cheongi stayed put to the end?
High officials desperate to survive would toss consequences aside and run to other Monarchs.
That was a threat incomparable to Rimon's blackmail.
Unlike Rimon, a relic of the old era, other Monarchs were opponents even he couldn't dismiss lightly.
"Are you saying Rimon Asfelder calculated that far ahead?"
"I don't know how much was intentional, but it's clear he set this up to force my hand."
The most fatal part was that Rimon had advertised the whole thing massively.
If it'd been a discreet phone call, maybe different.
But with the broadcast airing worldwide, Lee Cheongi had no choice but to step in and resolve it.
For practical gains.
To protect his reputation.
Or for whatever other reason.
"Director Park, pull the personnel we have on standby at Leviathan."
"Is that wise?"
"Better than drawing other Monarchs' attention there and losing track of the Black Dragon Princess."
"Then shall I redirect them to the Blue House?"
"No, that's not necessary."
Lee Cheongi shook his head.
He stared coldly at Rimon's smirking face on the paused TV screen and continued in a low voice.
"It seems Humanity's Guardian Deity wants a showdown. I'll handle it personally."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Clink, clink.
"Oh, this is good."
The Blue House luncheon hall.
President Han Jeongguk quite liked this place, which had been remodeled with a hefty budget early in his term.
He enjoyed inviting everyone from foreign dignitaries and conglomerate chairmen to overseas students and celebrities here.
But at this moment.
President Han Jeongguk felt the luncheon hall he loved so much was like hell itself.
"Man, the world's come a long way. Back in the day, kings had to test for poison with canaries or whatever just to eat warm rice."
'What era are you talking about?'
"And they say it's for health, so no salt, no late-night snacks. Those guys had it rough."
'Not as rough as me.'
"Speaking of which, Mr. President, why don't you eat? It's made with precious taxpayer money—waste not."
'You think I can swallow right now?'
"Hey, bring more booze! Something expensive."
'That booze is bought with taxpayer money too!'
As if it were his own bedroom.
President Han Jeongguk seethed inwardly watching Rimon sprawl on the floor, casually scarfing down food.
If he could, he'd unleash a tirade, staking his dignity as head of state—a hundred words, even.
But he couldn't open his mouth.
The blade pressed to his throat mid-meal taught the virtue of silence.
'You crazy bastard! At least put the sword away while eating!'
"Yeah, I am a bit crazy."
"Gasp?!"
President Han Jeongguk freaked out.
Rimon had nonchalantly echoed his inner rant.
"H-How...? Don't tell me you have the Mind Reading skill?!"
"Skill my ass. Guys like you glaring on the sly all think the same crap."
Rimon snorted.
He'd done this plenty of times before.
To Rimon, who'd dealt with all sorts during past hostage stunts, guessing President Han Jeongguk's thoughts was child's play.
Most were obvious: mad dog, psycho, lunatic, etc.
Realizing he'd been led into spilling his thoughts, the president flushed beet red.
But only briefly.
Seeing Rimon's unflappable calm despite being cursed out inwardly, Han Jeongguk seized the chance to speak.
"Don't you fear the repercussions of this stunt?"
He kept the formal tone, of course.
Presidents didn't have two lives.
"What fallout should I fear?"
Luckily, Rimon didn't slice his throat just for the hostage speaking up.
He merely countered with genuine curiosity.
Emboldened, Han Jeongguk pressed on confidently.
"Did you think you'd get away with holding the nation's leader hostage? You've gone from hero to traitor!"
"I was nearly arrested for terrorism and treason before this even started?"
What's the difference adding one more rebellion to the pile?
Rimon shrugged indifferently.
"If there's a misunderstanding, shouldn't we clear it up with words? That's the proper way!"
"So you're admitting you framed me?"
"That's not what I—"
"Or what? You mobilized the 909 Unit on shaky grounds and nearly got them all killed? Can you say that to the reporters outside?"
"..."
President Han Jeongguk thought.
Should've just shut up.
Truth was, deploying the 909 Unit left him no excuses.
If he knew, it was intentional misconduct; if not, impeachable ignorance of elite forces' illegal ops.
But Rimon didn't let him off.
As if it were perfect timing, he tapped the president's throat with his sword and asked.
"Actually, I've been dying to ask: what made you pin treason on me?"
"That's—"
"Never mind, don't answer. You trusted the Infinite Monarch, obviously."
'Then don't ask, you psycho!'
Whether Han Jeongguk cursed inwardly or not.
Rimon tore into a chicken leg and continued casually.
"I've noticed this before—you all underestimate the world. If you're framing someone for treason, brace for the real deal."
Like the old fogey he was.
Han Jeongguk ground his teeth as Rimon lectured amid the chaos.
"...Rant all you want. Your time to strut won't last much longer."
"Why's that?"
"Even you can't take on Infinity Guild's full might, right?"
Han Jeongguk bluffed.
He'd underestimated Rimon and ended up like this.
But Infinity Guild was leagues beyond Blue House guards.
One of the world's top ten guilds!
He had no doubt they'd crush Rimon if mobilized.
"Release me now, and I'll do my utmost to stop the Infinite Monarch from calling them in."
'Take the bait, take it!'
Speaking as if granting a favor, Han Jeongguk activated his unique skill Support Pledge.
Support Pledge let him gain the target's support in exchange for a pledge.
It required the pledge to appeal, and he had to fulfill it—but the utility was endless.
This skill had gotten him elected, after all.
"Puhahaha!"
But upon hearing it.
Rimon burst into roaring laughter, splitting his sides.
He rolled on the floor several times before grinning at the flustered president.
"I-Infinity Guild's full force? You think Lee Cheongi will bring the whole guild?"
"...Isn't that obvious?"
Han Jeongguk answered hesitantly.
No reason to hold back during a crisis like the president being taken hostage.
Rimon scoffed lightly at the judgment.
"Really? I bet Lee Cheongi shows up alone, all dignified."
"Don't talk nonsense!"
"We'll see."
Rimon smirked.
As if the outcome didn't matter.
But deep down, he was certain.
The Infinite Monarch wouldn't bring underlings to a public challenge like this.
That was an absolute being's pride.
"Even if the Infinite Monarch comes alone, you're done for!"
Perhaps unnerved by Rimon's nonchalance.
Han Jeongguk shouted desperately.
Rimon tilted his head at him.
"Hmm, something I've always wondered."
As if utterly baffled.
Or dying of curiosity.
His golden eyes brimming with questions, Rimon casually asked.
"Why are you all so dead certain I'm weaker than a Monarch?"
Han Jeongguk looked incredulous.
Not because it was unexpected.
It was as obvious as the sun rising in the east.
"Because you're not a Player."
Guns beat swords.
Tanks beat cavalry.
How could a 'normal human' without skills beat a Monarch, the pinnacle of Players?
Rimon smirked at Han Jeongguk's effortless reply.
"Yeah, that's what you all think."
As if asking was a waste.
With a bored mutter, Rimon lost interest in him.
Instead, he mused inwardly.
'Knew it'd hook 'em.'
A doubt others wouldn't grasp.
Recalling the dissonance only he could sense, Rimon reached for his plate.
But before he could.
Rimon yanked Han Jeongguk and leaped aside like lightning.
And right then.
BOOM!!!
A missile punched through the ceiling and slammed into the luncheon hall.