Chapter 131
Chapter 131: Poison Demon and Christmas (2)
'What Country Do Koreans Hate the Most?'
It was a year-end survey prepared by a media outlet.
1st Place: Japan 2nd Place: China 3rd Place: France
France had made a strong showing thanks to its connection with the Nameless Hero, but it still wasn't enough to beat the perennial powerhouses Japan and China.
Normally, surveys like this would be blocked at the government level due to diplomatic concerns—but this time, the media outlet had gone ahead and published it outright.
The reason was the atrocities Japan had committed in connection with recent events. Every time a problem arose lately, Japan kept issuing statements and stirring up waves. The Japanese government had shown some restraint, but the Japanese far-right in particular had crossed a line that should never have been crossed—dragging up the old colonial era and the comfort women issue.
The public's fury had erupted as a result.
There were reasons Japan was coming down this hard.
For one, Korea had been dismissing Japan far too much. The confidence they'd carried as a frontrunner in the tower climbing, and the unrivaled position they'd secured through Ghost and the Golden Tower—politicians had grown drunk on the sweet taste of approval ratings that rose every time they antagonized Japan.
And now all of that was coming back as poison.
More than anything, Japan had produced the Musashi brothers—hailed as once-in-a-generation geniuses—and while the Republic of Korea had lost both Ghost and the Nameless Hero, those two had consecutively broken through the 37th and 38th floors.
[Did Japan get some kind of leverage over them?]: Shouldn't the government at least put out a critical statement?
└ Looks like they did get leveraged.
└ Is the rumor that the government handed Japan the 37th-floor antidote actually true?
└ No way.
└ Another conspiracy theorist has arrived.
└ Then how could they clear it so cleanly?
There were whispers going around that Korea had supplied the antidote—but Korea issued no response whatsoever.
"The Nameless Hero's Resurrection!"
The news shook the entire world.
A dead man couldn't actually come back to life—but the explosion had been broadcast live, the situation had been thrown into chaos, the image of 100,000 people gathered before Versailles's Murim Tower, and the tower turning golden at the very end. It had all been like a scene from a movie, and at some point people had begun to revere the Nameless Hero and Ghost as ‘Gods of the Tower’.
And so the international situation shifted again.
China and Japan's stream of critical statements had continued for a while—but America, which had been keeping silent all along, finally made its move.
U.S. President Micky Drumpet.
He appeared at the White House press briefing room with Ghost, the Nameless Hero, and a ‘Platinum Card’.
"You are all familiar with the Gold Card. The Gold Card—granting U.S. citizenship for five million dollars. But this is a Platinum Card."
Reporters scrambled over each other with questions.
"Mr. President, what does the Platinum Card represent?"
Micky Drumpet smiled and replied.
"Bad question! That's a bad question! A question worthy of a fake news outlet! This card doesn't represent anything—it was made for two specific people, and two people alone."
The reporters all looked at each other in bewilderment.
"And who would that be?"
Micky Drumpet pointed at the camera and shouted.
"Ghost and the Nameless Hero! This card exists for them and them alone!"
"……!"
Camera flashes exploded like mad at words no one had ever heard before.
"Ghost and the Nameless Hero. Don't stay in a second-rate country like France—come to America! Along with citizenship, I'll give you the position of Secretary of the American Murim Tower Headquarters. Annual salary: one hundred million dollars! A grand mansion? It's yours. A private jet? Of course. No taxes for either of you. Platinum! Platinum! God bless America. God bless the Nameless Hero!"
Thud—
President Park Jae-yeol dropped his TV remote.
Pyeon Jae-yeong stood frozen, not saying a word.
"Wh—what on earth is that right now?"
"……"
"Say something!"
Park Jae-yeol stared at his cabinet members with his jaw hanging open.
It was a bomb none of them had seen coming.
To be honest, Micky Drumpet wasn't wrong.
All this time, people had held onto a vague expectation: that Ghost and the Nameless Hero were Korean, and that even though they'd gone to France, they would one day return.
But hearing Micky Drumpet's words, there was a sudden sinking realization.
Ghost and the Nameless Hero could go anywhere!
‘Right…… That's right. They can go anywhere. This was never just a matter between Korea and France!’
Park Jae-yeol, who had been trying to resolve it as a bilateral diplomatic issue, felt as though he'd been smacked in the back of the head.
And he had a gut feeling that something had gone terribly wrong.
Ghost and the Nameless Hero.
Strategic nuclear assets worth tens of nuclear warheads—beings the entire world wanted to claim.
* * *
I was watching TV in my hotel room.
It was a live broadcast—former deputy minister-level figures from various countries debating.
The topic was one: ‘Why Ghost and the Nameless Hero Should Come to Our Country’.
Since no one knew who I was or where I was, they were courting me through television.
"Interesting."
Crunch crunch.
I shoved a handful of Min-jeong's chocolates into my mouth and watched. I felt like a judge on a panel.
First, the UK spoke.
"We in England will guarantee privileges to the Nameless Hero that surpass anything America has promised."
France cut in immediately.
"The Nameless Hero was Korean. And England once invaded the Republic of Korea. The Port Hamilton Occupation Incident! An illegal invasion."
France was currently in a tight spot. The UK—their longtime nemesis—had fired the opening shot, so it was negative from the very start.
The UK sneered.
"Who invited France here? You don't even qualify."
"What?!"
"Wasn't it not long ago that France tried to kill the Nameless Hero with a bomb?"
"Now hold on—get your facts straight! It was an accident!"
The UK didn't budge an inch and fired back harder.
"And apparently France has also forgotten the French Campaign Against Korea. France killed Koreans! We in England are completely different."
"Th—that was Joseon, not the Republic of Korea, and anyway, we—"
The moderator stepped in as things turned heated from the very start.
Next came China's turn.
It was a single short line.
"China will do absolutely anything."
The moderator asked.
"Could you be more specific?"
"Exactly what I said. Ghost and the Nameless Hero. What do you desire? Name it."
China even reached a hand out toward the camera as if speaking directly to me.
Then the U.S. grabbed the mic and shot to its feet.
"Can you give up the position of General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party?"
"……"
"You see? Fake news. Fake promises."
"Grrgh! Then what about America?! Can America give up the presidential seat?!"
"In America, we hold elections, of course. Naturally, the next presidential seat would be a foregone conclusion."
"W—we hold elections too!"
"Is an election where 100% approval comes out still an election? Fake news. Fake election."
It was a spectacle utterly unbecoming of former high-ranking deputy minister-level figures.
With not much time left on each country's Murim Tower, they were all desperate and frustrated—that much I understood. But wasn't this something that belonged in a comedy sketch?
They couldn't just fling empty promises around recklessly, so sending former deputy ministers instead of sitting officials seemed like their way of leaving themselves a back door—but still, it was jaw-dropping.
The pinnacle, in the end, was Russia.
"Ghost and the Nameless Hero belong to the entire world! Mother Russia!"
"What is that supposed to mean?!"
"The heritage of all mankind! Mother Russia!"
"That really does sound like something from a communist state."
"That was the Soviet Union! We are a democracy!"
"Fake news!"
Click—
I turned off the TV.
It was nothing short of a farce.
‘I belong to the world?’
What a laughable notion.
"The person who's supposed to give the rice cake isn't even thinking about it."
* * *
The Louvre was quiet.
Wearing a new Human Skin Mask, I walked slowly and came to stand before a large painting.
In front of the painting stood an elderly gentleman, taking in the view in a comfortable jacket and trousers.
"The Raft of the Medusa—a work by Théodore Géricault."
"……"
The elderly man said nothing, gazing quietly at the painting for a long moment before slowly opening his mouth.
"You seem to have quite a deep appreciation for art."
"I've always had an interest."
"I understand now why you chose today, and this particular painting, for us to meet."
He slowly turned his head toward me.
"Nameless Hero."
"……Your Excellency."
"Thank you for addressing me that way."
President Park Jae-yeol gave a slight bow of his head.
My heart began to thud lightly.
Kim Tae-yang was tense as well.
[Kim Tae-yang asks, ‘Poison Demon, what are you thinking?’ +1 Happiness]
‘Stay quiet.’
‘Park Jae-yeol is alone.’
He stood before the artwork without a single bodyguard.
Last night.
A message I'd sent to Chief Han.
—2 PM. In front of the Louvre's Raft of the Medusa. Park Jae-yeol, alone.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"I haven't been here long."
A lie.
I'd come out early, worried Park Jae-yeol might try something. Park Jae-yeol had arrived here at noon. He had come alone, just as agreed—and stood silently before the painting for two full hours.
Park Jae-yeol spoke.
"I heard from Chief Han. That I fought alone, lost, and apologized."
"Did that offend you?"
"Not at all. It was actually a relief."
"……Shall we walk for a moment."
"Certainly."
Park Jae-yeol and I strolled slowly through the museum's corridor.
"I apologize once again for the matter with my grandson."
"……"
It was I who had inflicted injury upon Park Je-hwang. But he was the one apologizing.
I gave no reply.
"I entered the Blue House intending to do things right one way or another—but looking back, there's not a single thing I did well."
"It's not an easy position."
He let out a short sigh.
"It's a frightening seat. When I was in the military I slept just fine, but at the Blue House even my dreams turn dark. You can't trust anyone, and you always have to worry whether there's a traitor nearby."
"That sounds difficult."
"Does it compare to what you've been through? You worked hard in France."
He bowed his head again.
I smiled wryly and said,
"Minister Pyeon helped a great deal."
"……Is that so."
His expression was subtle.
"It seems he's secured the fame he needs to aim for the next presidency."
"Quite so. Pyeon Jae-yeong…… He is a remarkable figure. I thought lightly of him, but he has become someone far too difficult to deal with now."
It was exactly as Park Jae-yeol said.
Pyeon Jae-yeong had before anyone realized it risen as a leading candidate for the next presidency—a threat to Park Jae-yeol himself.
"It seems you've grown close to Minister Pyeon."
"A little."
Park Jae-yeol said, almost in passing.
"Pyeon Jae-yeong…… Be careful of that person."
"Why is that?"
"If someone is going to remove me, I suspect it would be Pyeon Jae-yeong."
"Hmm."
"That was unnecessary of me to say. Please forget it."
The end of the corridor was drawing near.
Park Jae-yeol bit his lip several times before speaking with effort.
"Nameless Hero—have you decided where you'll go from here?"
"Not yet."
"The whole world wants you, so wherever you go, I imagine you'll be welcomed with open arms."
He stopped walking and made his request.
"This is quite embarrassing to say…… But is there any chance you might return to the Republic of Korea?"
Park Jae-yeol looked me straight in the eyes.
"The people would be truly overjoyed."
He put weight into his words—but I just let out a small laugh.
‘Does he think I'm like him?’
‘You hypocrite.’
Park Jae-yeol's face reddened slightly, and he made another offer.
"Of course…… I don't say this relying solely on patriotism."
Park Jae-yeol emphasized.
"It may not match America's offer, but I plan to accommodate as much of what the Nameless Hero requests as possible. If you wish, I can offer a ministerial position as well."
"What if I demanded Your Excellency's resignation?"
Park Jae-yeol flinched at my question.
"If you go to America or anywhere else, I suppose I won't be able to hold this seat any longer either. The next presidency…… Would go to Pyeon Jae-yeong."
I asked again.
"What if I demanded that you hand over your grandson?"
"……!"
This time his pupils began to tremble visibly.
"Wasn't that matter finished?"
"Because Your Excellency is trying to reattach a bond that had already been severed with Korea."
"Is it really necessary to go…… That far?"
I gave no answer.
After a long silence, he replied.
"President Park Jae-yeol will hand over Park Je-hwang."
"And private citizen Park Jae-yeol?"
"……Will fight. With everything I have."
[Kim Tae-yang shouts, ‘Let's just kill Park Jae-yeol here and now!’ +1 Happiness]
I smiled.
"This has been a good meeting, Your Excellency."
I extended my hand for a handshake.
Park Jae-yeol was caught off guard.
"I haven't heard your answer yet."
"A climber's answer is always in the tower."
"……"
He extended his hand and took mine.
"We'll meet again. That's all for now."
I descended the stairs.
"W—wait!"
"Consider it a Christmas gift, Your Excellency."
* * *
Park Jae-yeol stood blankly in place before opening his hand and looking down at it.
In his hand was the lingering warmth of that firm grip—
……and a single USB drive.
Back at the embassy, he dismissed everyone around him and plugged the USB into his laptop.
It was a video.
Killian Ferrand and Pyeon Jae-yeong.
[You probably already know. It's because of that person—the Nameless Hero. Please take care of it.]
[The Nameless Hero, well—whether he stays in France or not, that's for France to handle.]
[This is something we recently unearthed here in the Republic of Korea. The scholars are saying it may even qualify to be designated a national treasure.]
[Something at that level is something I can put my influence behind. A chocolate import, that's nothing.]
It was somewhat cut—but recorded intact was a conversation whose contents, if made public, would cause tremendous shock.
"A Christmas gift that's a……bomb, heh, Puhahaha!"
Park Jae-yeol couldn't hold back his laughter.
[Park Jae-yeol clutches the bomb that will blow away his rising rival and bursts into laughter. +3,000 Happiness]