“Oh, it’s awkward not being able to use a camera. Why did they say we can’t bring one?” “Aren’t they going to film the press conference? Maybe they want to be the only ones to share the footage.” “They said the press conference can go on for days, but things can get messy if all kinds of information starts circulating online. So, until the talks are over...” “Days? How is that possible? Don’t these guys sleep? Are we supposed to go to sleep at home then come back here in the morning? Well, it’s said that all five-star hotels under the MA’s management are fully open for booking...” “I heard that even seven-star hotels are empty. They said that if we attend the conference, we can get a huge discount. A hundred percent off. But I don’t know if that’s true...” “Someone should check during the intermission! Wow, the Five Guilds must adore the Death King a lot.” The Black Witch approached me. “What are you doing, Gong-Ja? You should go up to the stage, greet everyone, and then take your seat. Why are you just standing here? We took care of all the cameras, so there aren’t even any flashes. Is it the hundreds of thousands of people watching you? Is that why you’re out of it?” “Hmmm. How should I put this? I feel a swirl of emotions thinking that I’ll be together with these people from now on.” “Enough with the nonsense. Hurry up and get on stage.” “Yes, yes. I definitely need to get up there.” I stepped on stage. The murmurs slowly died down. “Mic test, mic test. Well, actually, there’s no need to test the microphone. The mic I’m holding isn’t even connected to a wire. It’s just a small tool I prepared because I thought it would be awkward to stand in front of you guys empty-handed. I’m talking to you using my aura. This is commonly referred to as Aura Transmission, and it works similarly to the roars you hear at war. I’m amplifying my voice using aura to talk to you. “The voice you hear is purely mine, unfiltered by any machine. The face you see is my own, unadorned for any media. So what I’m trying to say is... You’re looking at the real me right now. Hello, pioneers. Nice to meet you all. I am Kim Gong-Ja, the Rank 2 Hunter, the Young Heaven of the Heavenly Demon Cult, the Moon of Ivansia, and the Patriarch of the Death King Clan. I’m also known as the Death King. It’s good to see you all.” The audience was silent. “Ah, you’re all very quiet. Was my greeting too excessive? Anyhow, I have arranged a time for us to talk comfortably today. Some of my colleagues asked if it was necessary to go this far, but I believe this conference is essential. You would all have been busy with your work, so thank you all for taking the time to come here today. Now, I’ll first call my colleagues—” “Why weren’t we allowed to bring in cameras?” “Ah, that was quick. Thank you for the question, but first, let me introduce my colleagues—” “I’m a reporter from the Retrospective Newspaper that goes by the title of Messenger Bird. All my reporting team’s filming equipment, as well as our personal smartphones, cameras, and recorders, have been confiscated by the OJP Sect. Many people are curious and even concerned about the reason this kind of measure was taken before the press conference even started.” “The Five Guilds have been wielding their power however they like for a long time, but their tendency to be oppressive seems to be particularly noticeable this time. It’s dangerous, even. The intention of the event is to communicate with all the residents. That is grand, but some raised concerns that the Five Guilds are trying to leave no records of the conference. What are your thoughts on these concerns, Mr. Death King?” “Death King! Please answer the question!” “Mr. Death King? Are you listening?” “Please answer the question.” “I’m talking about cameras being confiscated. I asked the Five Guilds to take care of that. The Black Dragon Guild opposed it, but I spoke with them, as well as the other guilds. That is why every camera was confiscated.” “Does that mean the other guilds acted according to your wishes? Can I interpret it that way?” “You said that you’re from the Retrospective Newspaper, right? You also have a title of your own.” “There’s no need to reveal your real name here. Feel free to disclose your affiliation, but just stating which district, street, or building of Babylon you live in is enough. It’s okay if you don’t reveal anything at all. I didn’t ban all photography and recording equipment for me. I did it for all of you.” “There is an unprecedented number of people here. As I mentioned earlier, I’m using Aura Transmission. It’s consuming a tremendous amount of aura. That shows just how many people are here. You don’t get to see this every day. “Okay. Let’s say photography and video recording were permitted. The people sitting in front of me, those standing behind me, and even the ones on the rooftop watching would all be preoccupied with their smartphones, so there would be a lot of flashes. You, sir, just asked me a question, but you would have probably also pointed a camera at my face if that were allowed. If that happens, then I would need to start caring about the outside world.” “Yes. The people outside that Tower would be watching us. If filming was allowed, we could stream this conference to the outside world.” “I’m sure you’re also well aware of this, Mr. Reporter. No, everyone here knows that. When the outside world watches us, we try to present ourselves nicely. For those of you who left your families behind, you want to show them that you are doing well. Those who were forced to transfer here from your headquarters want to show the people you left behind that you’re thriving here. Refugees, ethnic minorities... Just like you, everyone who has faced difficulties in the outside world puts on their best appearance for viewers to see. “That’s what we normally do, but I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to do that to you guys. I’m here to talk to you. I’m listening to your voices and looking at your faces. So I don’t want to think about someone whose face and name I don’t know or will never meet in my life. I don’t want to care about those guys. I firmly believe that it’s also disrespectful to all of you. “Think about it, everyone. When was the last time we had some time just for ourselves? Through newspapers, broadcasting, personal livestreaming, the internet, and online communities, outsiders constantly discuss what’s happening at the Tower, point fingers at us, and engage in heated arguments about our lives. Even though this place will forever be cut off from the outside world, aren’t we sharing more stress with people outside than ever before? “We live in the Tower. And we’ll live here forever. Once we enter this place, we can never leave, so let’s stop paying attention to the outside world, even if just for a moment. The voice you hear is mine. I’m not talking to anyone else but you. The face you are seeing is also mine. I put on makeup to show myself to no one but you. Everyone, at least for a moment, I’m watching you and you only. Now is the time to talk for ourselves.” “There must be over a hundred thousand smartphones that have been collected, but I wonder if they will be properly returned...” “I guess we can just make complaints to the OJP Sect later.” “Isn’t his hairstyle weird?” “Mr. Death King! Mr. Death King!” “Excuse me, be quiet...” “If you would like to say something or ask a question, please raise your hand. Oh, hold on for a moment. His turn isn’t over. Don’t worry. I’ve enhanced my vision as well as my voice. My sense of time is usually six to twelve times slower than that of a human who does not use aura as you may have already noticed from how I have never once stammered or mumbled. “Hahahaha. The more proficient you become with aura, the more you can do. Alright, there is absolutely no chance that someone will be unfairly deprived of their turn despite raising their hand first. There will be no filming on the premises, so your identity will not be revealed either. When it’s time for questions, please feel free to raise your hand. “Now, let me introduce my colleagues: the Black Dragon Master of the Black Dragon Guild and the Inquisitor of the Pantheon—” “I have a question. There are rumors that you are a rookie who has been secretly trained for a long time under the sponsorship of the Five Guilds, making you an artificial star rookie. Is this true?” “Hmm. If you look at my old studio apartment, you’ll know that’s not true... My life turned around with a lottery ticket. Even when I saw someone buying a cup of Americano, I used to think, ‘Why are you buying something like that? If you have the money to buy something like that, you’re better off getting a box of instant coffee and having a bowlful of it.’ But now, I can slurp down something that can no longer be called coffee because I’ve thrown in all sorts of weird and absurd toppings. I was lucky. It might not be a bad idea for you to buy a lottery ticket once a week.” “Is this an advertisement to increase the MA lottery tickets’ sales?” “I didn’t mean to do that, but I guess it works like that, judging from how the Countess is laughing beside me. I’m sorry.” “I heard that since you rose to the third rank, you have been exercising your power for personal reasons. You’ve brought in your acquaintance from the outside world. There’s also a rumor that you’ve been in contact with a member of the National Assembly from your home country. Do you have any connections with people in power in the outside world?” “Uh, the Black Dragon Master manages my official contact information. It would be better to ask her. Black Dragon Master? What do you think?” The Black Witch shrugged. “I’m using his power very effectively. I can’t share more because it involves the secrets of many foreign countries, but I’m telling the Death King about almost nothing.” “For your information, the person the Death King brought to the Tower is the director of the orphanage where he was raised as a child. The director is like a parent to him. The Death King has settled down in the Tower and brought his parent alongside him. I would appreciate it if you would think of it that way.” “Yes, the director... is the one who made half of who I am today. He’s the one who cut my hair today. Even though he said he didn’t want to do it, I forced him. I plan to continue to push through many things in the future. Thank you.” “Are you dating the Black Dragon Master?” “I’m glad that I’m meeting you all today officially. I’m not powerful enough to murder in public without facing consequences. Please consider yourself lucky that I don’t have that much power, and I likely never will. Above all, please be grateful that my one true love is not here with me at this moment. Next.” “Eyewitness accounts are circulating online and in real life that the Pantheon Master has called you ‘Master!’” “Are you two dating?” “Can someone get him out of here?”