“It’s a good article.”
I imagined there would be a change, but I never expected them to do this much and focus on the rights of the large guilds which has been a problem in Lindel for a long time now. In addition to attacking Jung Yoo-Ra, they also criticized the overall atmosphere of society.
[The Wickedness of Large Guilds Within Dungeons. Is This Really Okay?]
‘Very good.’
The title really pulled on my heartstrings and I was sure that I wasn’t the only one that had all sorts of thoughts. The people reading the article should have experienced the same thing I had once or twice. It didn’t just apply to situations that happened inside a dungeon. I was sure that most people had been bossed around once or twice on the hunting ground, a weapon shop, or even while they were walking. Of course, since my social status in Lindel was considerable, I never experienced something like that. But I was sure that the adventurers from small guilds had always been suffering for some reason.
Being affiliated with a large guild within Lindel meant you were in the upper class of society and if I were to exaggerate a bit, it was no different from being in the director position of a large company on Earth. You would have the position to act on your own and if anything, you would only get more benefits. As such, there would be corruption happening within the city that I wasn’t aware of. There could even be things happening beyond my imagination.
Even though the image of the Red Mercenary Guild and the Blue Guild weren’t all that bad, that wasn’t the case for the Black Swan Guild. As the victim, the public projected me onto themselves, empathized, and became angry together. Large guilds that were quick to catch on started keeping their distance from the Black Swan Guild to show that they were different from them. Even the small clans and mid-sized guilds who were taking advantage of the situation started to express their opinions cautiously. It looked like a different type of social movement and being able to move the public meant power. No matter how powerful a person was, it didn't mean anything if they had no supporters.
Thanks to the middle class being the cog in the wheel, people like me who were in the upper class were able to keep living their lives. They purchased the potions that I made and asked for information about the dungeon. They were the class that utilized the weapon shop that the Red Mercenary Guild managed, paid money to listen to lectures about magic from the Devil’s Guild, purchased cheap information that the Black Swan Guild was selling, and disposed of consumable items and materials that were sold by other large guilds. The upper class wouldn’t be able to maintain their status without the middle class because no matter how powerful we were, we would only able to maintain our status because the people below us were supporting us.
I was sure that they forgot that this wasn’t Earth and that they were in a place that could be moved by power. I was certain that this was the reason why the other large guilds didn’t bother reaching out to the press. No, it could also be that they didn’t like the press very much.
A tool known as the press…
‘It’s a tool that can change the public’s opinion.’
They must have abandoned it to be certain of their vested rights, but if someone appeared to have acquired them, the situation would change.
Everyone must have realized it by now.
‘Just how scary it is when the public turns their backs on you.’
It was really effective. Not only was the public boycotting all the businesses that were managed by the Black Swan Guild, but the medium and small-sized guilds, famous expeditioners, and adventurers all expressed that they weren’t going to capture a dungeon with the Black Swan Guild.
‘Some of them…’
Were even doing it in order to kiss up to Cha Hee-Ra of the Red Mercenary Guild.
‘Some of them…’
Were taking advantage of the situation.
‘And others…’
Were doing it in order to help those who were being oppressed and marginalized. Even though everyone had their own reasons, they all stood up. I believe that if a historian in the far future evaluated what had happened today, they would have a lot to say since the small pebble that I threw started to create ripples that could lead to a cultural revolution.
When I stepped outside after finishing my meal, I saw reporters rushing in. Of course, the reporters that I saw weren’t the same reporters that worked with me. These people knew that there was an opportunity to make some money and they stormed in. As expected, they cautiously asked me questions.
“I’d like to ask you a question. Regarding Miss Jung Yoo-Ra…”
“I’m sorry, no official announcement has been made…” I said.
“You may feel uncomfortable about this, but is there anything you would like to say to Miss Jung Yoo-Ra?” another reporter asked.
“I’ll hold an official press conference at a later date,” I said.
“Miss Jung Yoo-Ra stated that the Red Mercenary Guild and the Blue Guild have colluded to attack the Black Swan Guild. What do you think about that?” another asked.
“It’s not something I can answer right now,” I told them.
“Hey, stop getting so close to him!” Park Deok-Gu yelled.
“It’s fine, Deok-Gu,” I told him.
I had to be nice to the press because the press and those in power were forever friends.
“I would like to ask your opinion on the boycott that’s currently happening against the Black Swan Guild.”
The person that asked the question looked familiar.
‘I think her name’s Kim Sung-Kyeong.’
Surely, that must be her name. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to answer this question.
“Regardless of whether it’s true or not, I can feel just how lost the people are. I’m the same as them. But I’m sure that the pus of injustice that many people have been enduring all this time has been drained. I can understand the public’s actions, but I’m worried that I have incurred the anger of many people as a result of this. That’s all,” I explained.
This was probably the best answer.
“Based on what you said just now, are you saying that you did get threatened while you were in the dungeon?” a reporter asked.
“No comment,” I answered.
“Are you supporting the boycott?” another reporter asked.
“A part of me does support it, but the other part of me doesn’t. I’m just worried that this might cause additional damage,” I said.
Giving an ambiguous answer at a time like this was useful.
I wasn’t trying to become enemies with the Black Swan Guild. I just wanted to create an opportunity so that I can have a peaceful conversation with the Black Swan Guild. All I wanted was Jung Yoo-Ra.
“Could you please say something about Miss Cha Hee-Ra?” a reporter asked.
“I’ll be sure to make arrangements for that later,” I said.
“Please say a word to the adventurers who are currently angry about this situation.”
“I’m really at a loss, but I’ll say one thing. Your actions against injustice in society are never wrong and you’re more influential than you think you are. Don’t give in to external oppression. Act because all of you are valuable,” I said.
I noticed that the reporters were writing down my answer and I could already foresee the title that was going to be published in tomorrow’s newspaper.
[I Fully Understand the Adventurers That are Feeling Lost.]
Or…
[I Support the Boycott but Worried About Additional Damage.]
I was thinking about these types of articles, but they might write something that was more provocative than what I was thinking since they were professionals.
I felt better. While I was passing by the reporters, they started asking me different questions, but I knew I shouldn’t cross the line. As the person that was pretending to be the victim, I shouldn’t say so much because the more the public read along the lines, the more advantageous it would be for me.
While I was thinking about different things, I heard Park Deok-Gu’s voice next to me.
“I didn’t think it was going to blow up like this, hyung-nim.”
“Same here,” I replied.
“I feel like we should be careful on how we act from now on… or something like that,”
“I’m sure it wouldn’t matter if you just act like yourself,” I told him.
“Now that I think about it, didn’t the Red Mercenary Guild say that they were going to announce their stance?” he asked.
“Yeah, they did.”
The Red Mercenary Guild was probably going to express how much they pitied the Black Swan Guild. I was sure that they weren’t going to try to reverse the criticism that the Black Swan Guild was receiving, but it was natural for them to address the criticism that Jung Yoo-Ra was receiving and the things she said about Cha Hee-Ra, the Mercenary Queen.
‘And probably within a week…’
The Black Swan should announce their stance about this in a week, but honestly, it was already late. I wasn’t sure what they were discussing internally, but they must have been shocked by the unexpected situation. They must have been frustrated by the fact that they had to make an announcement to the public when all they knew how to do was fight. There must be internal strife going on within their ranks right now.
If I were in the same situation as them, I would have formed a response team and tried to contact this opposing guild no matter what. Just simply trying to contact the other guild was more than enough to show that they were trying to fix the situation. If there were competent people within the Black Swan Guild, They wouldn’t have let the situation go this far.
That was when Sun Hee-Young approached me and spoke. “Mr. Ki-Young?”
“Yes?” I asked.
“The Black Swan Guild is looking for you,” she said.
‘I knew it.’
It wouldn’t make sense if they didn’t do anything, so I guess that they weren’t complete idiots.
“Do you know who came?” I asked.
“I’m not exactly sure. They looked like they came to apologize,” she answered.
“Are they waiting in the living room?” I asked.
Sun Hee-Young nodded lightly. “Yes.”
After quietly thanking her, I immediately entered the guild’s living room and saw familiar faces. Honestly, the first person I recognized was Jung Yoo-Ra. Afterward, I saw the senior officials of the Black Swan Guild. I saw that they were having a friendly conversation with the out of probation, Lee Seol-Ho, along with the other senior officers of the Blue Guild. I guess they came to not only get in contact with me but with the guild as well.
‘Crazy gramps.’
I wasn’t sure if they were trying to take this opportunity to take credit for my work, but I didn’t like how they were trying to get involved.
“I’m not sure where to start…”
“Hahaha, it’s nothing. First of all…”
I was filled with annoyance.
Just then, I noticed a woman sitting on one side of the room.
‘Lee Ji-Hye?’
In the tutorial dungeon, she was the woman that managed the shelter that Kim Hyun-Sung made. She and I had a somewhat strategic partnership.
She wasn’t incompetent, so I knew she would do well no matter where she went, but I never imagined that she would join the Black Swan Guild. She seemed pretty experienced with talking quietly to the gramps of our guild.
‘Sigh.’
[Checking Player Lee Ji-Hye’s Status Window and Potential.]
[Name - Lee Ji-Hye]
[Title - None. Please work harder.]
[Age - 29]
[Nature - Selfish and ambitious person]
[Job - Leader]
[Stats]
[Strength - 09/Below average growth limit]
[Agility - 11/Below average growth limit]
[Stamina - 15/Below average growth limit]
[Intelligence - 29/Above rare growth limit]
[Endurance - 10/Below average growth limit]
[Luck - 15/Below average growth limit]
[Magic - 05/Below average growth limit]
[Overall Review - Congratulations, Player Lee Ki-Young. You met with your soulmate again. At this point, I guess it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that it's fate. There may have been a time when you two were together, but I wouldn’t recommend getting back together again. I’ll say this again, but I’ll feel really bad for your baby. Please be careful of your actions.]
She was smiling toward the gramps and was trying to make a good first impression. At the same time, it was natural for her to focus on me. When Lee Ji-Hye saw me, she spoke as if she was happy to see me.
“Oppa! It’s been a while.”
‘Oppa my ass!’
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