Chapter 155:
Chapter 155:
Chapter 155
Choi Pilyoung was dead, and the Pilyoung in the video was a fake. A fake created by combining Seo Gangrim's 'Thieving Rat' and the 'Clone' ability he stole from Choi Pilyoung.
Before being taken to the Destiny Protection Bureau, Seo Gangrim created a clone. Using 'Thieving Rat,' he borrowed Choi Pilyoung's appearance. While he could only fake his voice at best, he could steal every aspect of him. After uploading the video with Choi Pilyoung's phone, Seo Gangrim disposed of it, making it difficult for the Bureau to trace it.
"I don't know the reason, but it's really fortunate! Master's innocence has been proven!"
Yoon Bom said cheerfully.
Well, Seo Gangrim wasn't exactly innocent.
In the meantime, a notification window appeared before his eyes.
[Hunter 'Seo Gangrim's name is widely known! The gods are beginning to pay attention to you.]
[Hunter 'Seo Gangrim's name is widely known! Humans are beginning to pay attention to you.]
People were still buzzing about his story. Along with the notification of increasing recognition, another notification popped up.
[Divine grace is granted, detecting distortion in destiny.]
[Seo Gangrim's Destiny grade rises to Dragon Third Grade!]
As the deification began, his Destiny grade also rose another step. He was now at the Dragon Grade, a grade that was looked upon with envy and jealousy among the people. Seo Gangrim felt it was oddly surreal to crawl from insect grade to dragon grade.
Thanks to that, the speed of his ability points increase also began to accelerate as well. If he were still at the insect grade, he would have struggled for longer. Now, he could accumulate experience points and raise ability points quickly. He felt somewhat relieved.
The issue was in another aspect. Now, he needed to focus more on building his fame. This was because, with higher recognition, additional features would become available.
[Insufficient fame, unable to use Telephatic Communication System.]
[Insufficient recognition, unable to access the Divine Realm.]
Although his deification stage had started due to his fame, he was still lacking in many ways. Many features were not yet available to him, and he couldn't properly use deification. Still, it was fortunate that his notoriety had spread quickly.
"Brother, are you okay? The treatment doesn't seem to be going well... For now, it's best to go back and rest."
Upon Yohan's words, I nodded my head.
Before leaving, Seo Gangrim glanced back at the Destiny Protection Bureau building. The words of Team Leader Gong Joo in the interrogation room came to his mind.
[Seo Gangrim-ssi, if you have indeed committed a crime... depending on the conditions, I might be able to help you.]
Team Leader Gong Joo had clearly said something like that. Although it seemed to reassure Seo Gangrim at first, it probably wasn't the team leader's intention to make him confess. Even without a confession, using the 'Mouth of Truth' could reveal the truth.
Seo Gangrim wondered what conditions Team Leader Gong Joo had mentioned. The team leader had been eager to recruit Seo Gangrim for a long time, so it might have been related to that. Perhaps he wanted to lessen or bury Seo Gangrim's guilt in exchange for recruiting him.
If that were the case, it was a rather unsettling proposition. To forgive Seo Gangrim's sins in exchange for entering the Bureau. He took a moment to look around the Destiny Protection Bureau building. The towering building looked like a giant tower.
Part 16. Encounter
When someone became famous, fans tended to follow. Even before regressing, Seo Gangrim often heard stories of hunters and awakened individuals boasting countless fans. Even the previous version of Shin Sooah had many followers who admired and adored her. People talked about her strength, beauty, and kindness. She was someone who naturally earned people's favor. Awakened humans wanted to enter the Flying Tiger Sect, and normal humans supported Shin Sooah as fans do with celebrities. The scene of numerous fans gathering in front of the Flying Tiger Sect building, chanting and cheering, was vivid in Seo Gangrim's memory. It was also happening right in front of his eyes right at this moment.
"Seo Gangrim, show your face just once!"
"Seo Gangrim, you're the mentor of the hunters!"
"Gangrim, I never believed Choi Pilyoung's video!"
Seo Gangrim stood by the window, looking down at the crowd outside. Many people had gathered around the building and were cheering loudly. There were even colorful placards with his name on them, which felt quite unfamiliar. After consecutive victories in the Demon Realms, his popularity had risen rapidly since the events related to the Demon Realm were more discussed than the others.
The manipulated video of Choi Pilyoung was still being constantly mentioned, and Seo Gangrim, as the victim, was at the center of the story. Also, photos taken with Shin Sooah drew people's attention. The picture of him leaving the Demon realm, being carried by Shin Sooah like a princess, had sparked rumors about their relationship, suggesting they were lovers. While the increased fame wasn't bad...
"Wow, there are so many people. I can't go outside like this."
Jang Taeheon, standing next to Seo Gangrim, looked surprised as he observed the crowded scene outside. Seo Gangrim was surprised too. In his past life, he only heard the sound of bug larvae, and now such things were happening.
"I noticed there were a lot of packages coming to your name. Many people are urging you to join their sects, right?"
"Yeah."
Seo Gangrim's phone was buzzing like crazy with calls from acquaintances and relatives he hadn't heard from in a while. Love calls from other sects were also pouring in. The gods were also sending him messages, but he was ignoring them all.
"By the way, you've conquered many Great Demon realms, but their reaction this time is particularly enthusiastic. Is it the first time fans are showing up like this?"
Indeed, fans revealing themselves like this was a first, as Jang Taeheon mentioned. The reason people were showing me such favor wasn't due to my conquest of the Demon realm or the Choi Pilyoung incident. It was all because of Dokgo Jun.
"Seo Gangrim, what are you looking at? Wow, there are a lot of people gathered. It's no joke."
Dokgo Jun suddenly approached, whistling as he looked at the outside scenery.
Seo Gangrim glanced at him and asked, "Is it finished?"
"I finished everything and came out to take a break. By the way, your fans have increased even more. I'm proud."
The person who contributed the most to creating a favorable public opinion about Seo Gangrim was none other than Dokgo Jun. He brilliantly dressed Seo Gangrim up and packaged him nicely in the novel. People loved the 'Seo Gangrim' in the novel, and its impact extended to the real Seo Gangrim.
"Maybe because of Choi Pilyoung, the views have increased a lot this time. Many people sympathized with your struggle during the Choi Pilyoung incident."
If the deceased Choi Pilyoung could see this situation, he would probably be vomiting blood. He was skillfully adapted in the novel where he was portrayed as a bottomless pit of garbage, and Seo Gangrim was his punisher. Of course, in the novel, he didn't die.
"…Anyway, hyungnim."
At that moment, Jang Taeheon spoke up from the side. He looked at Dokgo Jun with a slightly incredulous expression.
"Why is this guy here?"
Jang Taeheon was taken aback by Dokgo Jun's sudden appearance which was understandable since Seo Gangrim hadn't mentioned that Dokgo Jun was staying in this building, probably because there hadn't been a suitable occasion. Considering Dokgo Jun had come out after the deadline, it must have been Jang Taeheon's first time seeing him.
Dokgo Jun grinned and said, "Seo Gangrim kidnapped and detained me."
It was a statement that could be misunderstood if someone overheard it. Although it was true that he was detained, Seo Gangrim clarified his statement.
"It's just a formal arrangement as a resident."
"Well, if you say so. Anyway, now I'm staying in this building too."
Even with that statement, Jang Taeheon had a disgusted expression, as if he had just bitten a bug. He spoke to Seo Gangrim.
"Hyungnim, are you okay? Having this guy with you... We've seen what he did in the training facility."
Jang Taeheon's distrust of Dokgo Jun was certainly understandable. Considering Dokgo Jun's past actions and misdeeds, it would be strange to befriend him.
Jang Taeheon clenched his fist.
"Dokgo Jun, what nonsense did you spill to hyungnim? You probably deceived our gentle and kind hyungnim to get in here!"
First of all, Seo Gangrim did imprison Dokgo Jun...
Unable to deny it, Jang Tae-heon glared at Dokgo Jun and said, "You're undoubtedly a guy who would betray hyungnim. Someone like you shouldn't be here."
"There's no way I'd betray a protagonist as interesting as Seo Gangrim."
"Keep talking about that damn protagonist... I heard you switched the main character to someone else even in the training facility."
"Wow, that's my dark history. Who told you about that? There won't be such a thing in the future."
Dokgo Jun had the potential to stab Seo Gangrim in the back if Seo Gangrim weakened or if he didn't suit his expectations. Dokgo Jun had actively cooperated with Seo Gangrim so far, but the possibility of him betraying Seo Gangrim was still there.
Looking at Jang Taeheon with a sly smile, Dokgo Jun said, "And I'm here to help Seo Gangrim. At least, I'll be much more helpful to Seo Gangrim than a supporting character like you."
Dokgo Jun was laughing, but a hint of disdain lingered in his eyes—a gaze that clearly looked down on Jang Taeheon. Jang Taeheon also seemed to sense that gaze and spoke with a threatening expression.
"Do you think you're more helpful to hyungnim than I am? A guy who can't beat me is talking too much."
"Hahaha, you?"
"Let's settle this with a match."
So this was the outcome. It wasn't surprising that the two wouldn't get along well since Seo Gangrim hadn't expected them to have a friendly relationship in the first place. Considering their personalities and even compatibility, they were not well-matched.
Dokgo Jun, while grinning, responded to Jang Taeheon's provocation with a slightly contemplative look.
"I don't have time to waste on a supporting character like you... What if I win?"
"I'll follow your orders."
"Not bad. Seo Gangrim, you okay with it? If the two of us fight."
Seo Gangrim nodded in response to his words since trying to stop them would only lead to another fight.
With a low growl, Jang Taeheon, using Dokgo Jun's provocation as a pretext, also left the scene. Perhaps if the two were to fight... There was a high probability that Jang Taeheon would lose. However, this conflict might be beneficial for Jang Taeheon. Given his strong fighting spirit, having a stimulating presence like Dokgo Jun could potentially accelerate his growth. In the process, he might face challenges, but it could be a valuable learning experience.
-Woohoo
Just then, Seo Gangrim's phone started ringing again. He could have turned it off, but he had an appointment with a guest today, so he left it on. Upon checking, it turned out to be a message from her.
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