Episode 268
“Then, we will wrap things up here. We will visit again later to explain the necessary details, so you do not need to worry.”
The legal team of the Yeonhwa Group and Yeon-woo’s close attorneys, who had visited the shop, concluded their discussion after reviewing the testimonies and CCTV footage.
These were various measures necessary to prepare for future coercive media coverage.
While they certainly had limitations, some of them were quite effective.
In particular, the Yeonhwa Group held significant influence over many domestic media outlets.
“I can’t thank you enough. You are so busy, so it’s a bit much…”
Hanbit’s mother expressed her feelings with a troubled expression.
At that, the head of the Yeonhwa Group’s legal team smiled kindly.
“It is a simple matter, so you do not need to worry. We will even provide a security firm; is that okay with you? Just press the button, and verified staff will be dispatched immediately.”
“What?”
The owner, who had been listening, widened his eyes in surprise.
Both Hanbit’s mother and the shop were under protection.
However, the security personnel were on a different level in many ways.
“The Chairman also readily agreed to help. He said he wanted to hear the story directly from the young lady, face-to-face.”
“…I was actually planning to stop by home.”
Luna shrugged her shoulders and
turned her head toward the president.
“It shouldn’t interfere with business, but would you mind helping?”
“Ah… yes. I would be grateful if you helped. I hope I’m putting too much pressure on you…”
“Don’t worry. After all, there are quite a few people sitting around thanks to me. Well, since the decision is made, shall we continue our discussion outside?”
Having sorted out the situation, Luna stepped out of the shop with the legal team.
It was decided that the personnel from the law firm Yeon-woo had brought would provide support in the form of cooperation.
After all, matters related to the media were the domain of the Yeonhwa Group.
“It’s been a while since it was this lively.”
After everyone had left, only the head of the legal team, Luna, and Hanbit remained in the parking lot.
Yeon-woo appeared to be staying at the shop until his mother got off work.
It was an act of gratitude beyond words.
“Thank you for your hard work. Please let me know the progress as well.”
“I didn’t expect you to make a request like this, Miss. Even the Chairman would probably be surprised to hear this…”
“Don’t say such nonsense, just go inside. My head already hurts at the thought of being nagged at home.”
Luna nudged the white-haired Legal Team Leader’s back and brushed off the conversation.
They seemed to have been quite close.
“Thank you for your help.”
Hanbit also bowed his head to express his gratitude.
At that, the Legal Team Leader, who had been silently meeting her gaze, smiled.
“It’s your request, Miss, so of course I should help. It is your request, after all.”
“Mister? Should I give you a ride myself?”
Luna interrupted, clenching her teeth.
The Legal Team Leader, watching this with amusement, gave a slight bow.
“Then I’ll be going now. If you have any questions or requests, please pass them on through the Miss. I will make sure to help.”
Leaving those words behind, the Legal Team Leader got into his car and left the parking lot.
Only Luna and Hanbit remained.
“It seems everything wrapped up well. I never imagined you would be able to sway the advertisers.”
Luna said, stretching lightly.
The reporters from Byte News were impossible to shake off by ordinary means.
Blocking their coverage in a single stroke was a record-breaking scene.
“There were companies that contacted us after Everett made the announcement. It was lucky that several of them were Byte News advertisers.”
“Well, there are some companies with strong political leanings, after all. Still, it’s a relief that we had an option. I was actually prepared for a physical altercation.”
“It’s a relief that we stopped that too.”
The two exchanged a chuckle.
Meeting their gaze, Hanbit expressed her honest feelings.
“Thank you. If it weren’t for you, Luna, I would have realized the situation much later. You protected my mother as well; I don’t know how to thank you enough.”
“I didn’t do anything, you know. More than anything, my mother was very worried that Mr. Heukryong might be harmed. Since there are things to come, please speak to him nicely.”
“…I suppose I should.”
Given her mother’s nature, it wouldn’t have been surprising if she had lashed out at the reporters. After all,
they had caused more damage to the store than to her.
However, his mind seemed complicated in many ways because his son's name had come up.
“More importantly, shouldn't you be preparing for the invasion event? I just stepped out briefly to eat.”
“I should. After all, I now have a definite reason to win.”
He realized one thing while going through this experience:
he needed to expand his influence in real life, not just in roleplaying.
They needed the strength to stand on the side of the being known as the Black Dragon and counter the massive size of the Adult Faction.
To do so, it was time to prove their worth and power anew.
“I received the message, but are you really going to hold out at Territory No. 32 alone?”
“Yes. Of course, attacking other territories in the meantime is important, but the place you are in charge of is also quite important, so I look forward to your efforts.
” “Of course. Don’t worry.”
Luna, who was moving with LLLL and Li Wei,
was assigned to attack a territory in the southern part of the continent.
This, too, was Hanbit’s decision.
“Shall we head over? I think it would be best to use up as many of the territories we currently possess as possible.”
“That would be a good idea.”
“Then I’ll go say goodbye to Mother.”
Checking her watch and nodding, Luna went back into the shop.
After saying goodbye and coming out, she hailed a taxi and said,
“Please let me know if there is anything I can help with. You and I are friends now.”
“Thank you. I will help with anything, so please feel free to speak to me anytime.”
“Really?”
Hearing her speak with sincerity, Luna pondered for a moment.
Then, grinning, she began to speak.
“I’m not sure what the favor is yet, but please treat me to a meal once the invasion event is over.”
“A meal?”
“Just decide the menu. Then I’m off.”
Luna got into the taxi that had arrived before anyone realized it.
Hanbit scratched his head as he watched the car drive away.
“…I’ll have to look into it.”
Adding this new worry to his mind, Hanbit entered the shop.
The shop, having just been swept by a wave, was once again packed with customers.
“Mom, I have to go home first because of work.”
“Go on. How can you waste my time when I’m busy?”
“What do you mean, wasted time? If you have something to do, call me first. Or contact Yeonwoo. I’m your son; how can you not know anything…?”
“Oh my, stop nagging. I get it, so please go inside.”
Waving her hand dismissively, Mother went to the table where the customers were.
Sighing, Hanbit looked at Yeonwoo, who was working at an empty table.
“I’m sorry, but I have a favor to ask.”
“Oh come on, I’ll handle it. Don’t worry, just focus on the Invasion event. It’s incredibly important for our DD Studio, after all.”
“Alright.”
Yeonwoo mentioned that he planned to expand the company by recruiting new streamers soon.
Had he mentioned that many people had already expressed interest?
Naturally, they were the ones who showed interest upon seeing the name “Black Dragon.
” “Then I’m off. Boss, I’ll be going now.”
“Yes. Please go inside.”
“Alright, Hanbit. You’ve worked hard.”
After saying goodbye, Hanbit headed straight home.
It was time to prepare for the Invasion event in earnest.
***
“…This is something new.”
Upon arriving home, Hanbit logged into RP.
In the hunting ground covered in pure white snow, three people were busily engaging in battle.
Meanwhile, Kim Han-seop was giving orders from the rear.
“If there are two or more, Pingpong needs to cut them off before their paths overlap! Haneul is fast, so drawing aggro is the priority!”
“No, I told you my arms are short!”
“You don’t need to move your arms, you just need to move your legs fast!”
After watching for a moment, Hanbit roughly understood the situation.
Efficiency and optimization in high-risk hunting grounds.
Kim Han-seop seemed determined to push that to its absolute limit.
“Noeul, don’t be passive either! You don’t need to worry about Mr. Pingpong! You’re perfectly capable of tanking, so just unleash your firepower properly! Haneul, don’t let your attention wander elsewhere! If you try to copy that Black Dragon, you’re hopeless! He’s a lunatic in many ways!”
“What did I do?”
“Ugh!”
As he slyly stepped behind him and muttered, Kim Han-seop recoiled in terror and fell over.
Lifting his head, he widened his eyes and said,
“W-what? When did you get here?”
“Just now. Besides, it seemed like you had a lot to say to me, too.”
“No…”
Kim Han-seop, reviewing his own words, averted his gaze.
It was closer to effusive praise than gossip, but honestly, it didn’t matter.
“You try this.”
Hanbit pulled a dark red crystal from his inventory.
It was a summoning stone imbued with madness.
“A summoning stone? You want me to use this?”
“There is a way to upgrade, but not right now. It recognizes the user as its master, so just try to get used to it for now.”
Having handed over the summoning stone, Hanbit approached the three people engaged in battle.
It appeared they had captured quite a large number of enemies in just a few hours. They
must have leveled up considerably as well.
“Lord Black Dragon! We’ve caught so many!”
“I think I’ve gotten a little used to it.”
“Even ten bodies wouldn’t be enough for me…”
The three people, having quickly cleared out the monsters, hurriedly approached.
Pingpong looked like he was about to cry, but overall, the flow seemed to be going well.
“You all did well. We can pick up the pace now. Just like that guy said, make sure your positions are solid.”
“That guy, Kim Han-seop, is a bit of a grumpy old man. He says he’s 30, but he just speaks so casually, you know? He even yells.” Haneul
whispered in a low voice as he came closer.
Seeing Haneul pout, Hanbit chuckled and said,
“Please understand. I’m trying to help you guys anyway.”
“I know that, but…”
“I’ll take you somewhere fun next time. Since this is before the invasion event, just think of it as practice.”
“Really? Oh, I was planning to work hard even without that. I really mean it.”
Haneul, whose eyes had instantly sparkled, added an excuse.
Hanbit chuckled again and took out a few items from his inventory.
Most of them were things left behind by players who had died.
There were more useful items than expected, so there was no need to look for new ones.
“You should be able to use them now. Your senses will change, so just get used to them.”
“Wow!”
“Thank you!”
“Oh…”
Support magic items related to their respective stats.
He also handed Pingpong boots for speed.
Even though he was a tank, speed was crucial for intervening in dangerous melees.
“I’m leaving, so keep hunting. Keep an eye on the time.”
“Yes!”
After exchanging greetings, Hanbit approached Kim Han-seop.
He had already finished summoning and was contemplating how to manage them.
“You figure it out yourself. Don’t yell at the kids. What are you doing to a 16-year-old?”
“…The hunting ground is dangerous. I can’t move, so I have to shout loudly.”
“They’re young and hear well, so just control it. As for Pingpong… figure it out yourself.”
“…….”
When Pingpong was removed from protection, Kim Han-seop wore a bewildered expression.
Hanbit took out a Warp Crystal and said,
“Anyway, I’m leaving, so you stay here with the three of you.”
“Where are you going?”
“Capture Point 32. I’m planning to do some hunting there.”
“What? How are you supposed to hunt in that insane map…?”
“There is a way. I’m going.”
Hanbit waved his hand roughly and left the occupied territory.
His destination was the central part of the continent.
Although situated between the Holy Kingdom and the Raven Kingdom, it was a considerably dangerous area.
'Shall I go?'
The warp crystal sent by LLLL.
It contained coordinates leading to the vicinity of Occupied Territory No. 32, the final battleground for this invasion event.
Whoosh—
using the crystal, Hanbit arrived in a dense forest.
Right in front of him stood a black barrier emitting an ominous aura.
After surveying his surroundings, he slowly made his way into Occupied Territory No. 32.
