Debuff Master

Chapter 1130

The shocking revelation that Beowulf was none other than Lee Geon stunned both Tae-Sung and Cheon Woo-Jin.

But that was not all.

Bzzt! Bzzt! Bzzt!

Tae-Sung’s phone was on fire.

Calls, messages, and alerts were pouring in from his friends, fellow gamers, and acquaintances. Every single one of them was trying to reach him after hearing about Lee Geon’s comeback and public call-out of Tae-Sung.

“Hey, you’re really screwed this time, you know that? Why did you have to get entangled with him of all people?” Cheon Woo-Jin grumbled.

Lee Geon’s legacy in the gaming world, or more accurately, his infamy had him both a person to fear and loath, not only in the South Korean gaming community, but even in the gaming communities across the world.

Thus, the news that Lee Geon had been Beowulf all along, and that he had publicly declared war on Tae-Sung, was more than enough to put anyone on edge.

“Sigh…” Tae-Sung let out a long sigh.

Back when he had been just another average player with no backing, no influence, no thing, Lee Geon had already been making a name for himself across the world using his amazing natural talent.

Truth be told, even someone like Tae-Sung had to admit that Lee Geon had the upper hand against him when it came to raw skill and innate talent.

“This is a pain. That guy’s persistent as hell and vicious,” Tae-Sung muttered.

“Yeah.”

“And you never know what he’s going to pull.”

“Exactly.”

“Just thinking about it is giving me the creeps. He hid his identity for three whole years and cooked this up? He’s insane… Absolutely insane,” Tae-Sung grumbled, shaking his head.

There was a saying that one could easily wait ten years in order to exact revenge.

Ironically, Lee Geon was not trying to avenge anything. He had been quietly enjoying BNW behind the scenes, and then, one day, he started the Illuminati and plotted to bring the game to ruin.

What made it even creepier was the fact that he had been lurking right beside Tae-Sung and Cheon Woo-Jin this whole time.

“Who can understand what that lunatic is thinking? If he thinks something is fun, then he will do it. That’s the only thing that drives him,” Cheon Woo-Jin said, grimacing and shaking his head. Then, he added, “Either way, you’ve got to be alert. The Holy Alliance is gone, but the Illuminati is still out there.”

Cheon Woo-Jin was right. The Holy Alliance had collapsed, but the remnants of the Illuminati had all scurried into hiding. Their power structure had crumbled, but the organization itself clearly still existed in the shadows.

“I know,” Tae-Sung replied with a nod. Then, he shrugged and said, “And it’s not like I’m going to roll over for him. So what if he’s Lee Geon? I’m Han Tae-Sung.”

“Oh? What’s with that confidence?” Cheon Woo-Jin said, looking impressed.

“What? You got a problem?”

“Lee Geon is targeting you, and that’s all you’ve got to say?”

“So what? I’m Han Tae-Sung, the main character of the game. I don’t care if he is Lee Geon or whatever, let’s see who comes out on top at the end of this.”

“Damn! So cool!”

“You think I’ve just been twiddling my thumbs this whole time? He wants to start a revolution? Let him go ahead. I’m going to crush him every single damn time he comes at me.”

Tae-Sung did not flinch at all. Even though he knew just what kind of monster Lee Geon was, the past three years had tempered and forged him into a different person.

The Han Tae-Sung of today was completely different from the one of old. He was now someone who would not bend, no matter the pressure he was under.

***

As soon as Tae-Sung logged back into the game, he pushed aside all thoughts of the ancient monsters that had escaped from Purgatory, as well as the issue about him and Lee Geon.

Right now, his top priority was to head to the Coral Planet to find the whereabouts of Betelgeuse and Daode Tianzun, who had gone missing.

After all, he had no idea where the ancient monsters were located or where Lee Geon had gone, so he couldn’t pursue them even if he wanted to do so.

Siegfried had just finished his preparations and was about to depart for the Coral Planet when…

“Your Imperial Majesty.”

Ninetail appeared before him.

“Ah, right. There was something I wanted to ask you,” Siegfried said, remembering something the moment he saw her.

“What is it?”

“Can you keep a close eye on the things happening across the continent for me?”

“Hm? All of a sudden?”

“Well, it’s because…”

Siegfried proceeded to tell Ninetail about the ancient monsters that had escaped from Purgatory and about Lee Geon.

“One thing after another, huh?Sheesh… Okay, I will stay sharp,” Ninetail said.

“Thanks,” Siegfried said with a smile. Then, he asked, “So, what brings you here anyway?”

“Ah, it is nothing much.”

“Hmm?”

“Would it be fine if I resume the investigation into the secret documents of the Marchioni Empire?”

“Oh, that… Yeah, go ahead. You were eager to dig into that, weren’t you?” Siegfried said, recalling the matter.

“Yes, I was. Now that the war is over, I can finally focus on it.”

“By all means, go ahead. I’m curious about it myself, too.”

“Thank you.”

“Take care out there. And thanks for everything.”

“Your grace is immeasurable.”

“Just make sure to be careful,” Siegfried added with concern. Then, he warned, “I think Emperor Stuttgart is starting to get a little wary of me. Try not to leave any loose ends he could use against us, got it? You know how bad it could get if this leaks, right?”

“Of course.”

“But most importantly, make sure you don’t throw yourself into dangerous situations just to investigate things.”

“As you command.”

“Good. Stay safe.”

With that, Siegfried left Ninetail and headed off with Hamchi toward the Coral Planet.

To get there, he had to board a transport operated by the Marchioni Empire.

The boarding point was located about ten kilometers outside the imperial capital of the Marchioni Empire. More specifically, it was at a temporary military outpost.

There were hundreds of thousands of Marchioni Empire troops stationed there, along with countless high-level Adventurers. All of them were waiting to board the transport vessel that would take them to the Coral Planet. Only one transport vessel would depart for the Coral Planet each day, so long wait times were inevitable.

“Departing in thirty minutes! All Adventurers heading to Coral Planet, please board the transport vessel as soon as possible!”

Upon hearing the announcement, Siegfried lined up at the very end of the long line of Adventurers waiting to board the transport.

He didn’t want to cut in line, as the others had arrived way before him. Besides, the Adventurers seemed too focused on boarding that none of them had noticed him so far, but it was different for the Marchioni Empire’s soldiers.

One officer recognized him and exclaimed at the top of his lungs, “Ah! His Imperial Majesty, the Divine Hero of the World, Emperor Siegfried von Proa is here!”

“What?!”

“Siegfried is here?!”

“Where?! Where is he?!”

“No way!”

The Adventurers waiting in line immediately started looking around in excitement.

‘Oh shit! I forgot to use my disguise!’ Siegfried panicked after realizing that he was not using his Metamorphosis Mask.

And just like that, the dreaded military band showed up.

“His Imperial Majesty, the Divine Hero of the World, Emperor Siegfried von Proa!”

Bam bam bam baaam! Bam bam bam baaam!

Dudududu!

Tu tu tuuuu! Tu tu tuuuu!

Bam baaaam!

Thus, Siegfried found himself at the center of an unwanted public humiliation parade once again. To make matters worse, it was happening under the gaze of so many Adventurers.

Just then, a high-ranking officer of the Marchioni Empire stepped forward and bowed.

“How could someone as noble as Your Imperial Majesty wait in line? Please, allow us to escort you via the VIP fast-track entrance!”

“N-No! Really, it’s fine! I’ll line up like everyone else. No need for any kind of special treatment!” Siegfried exclaimed in response, frantically waving his hands.

“That cannot be! Your Imperial Majesty is the sworn brother of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Stuttgart! Not to mention, the Supreme Commander of the Coral Race Campaign!”

“W-What?!”

Siegfried’s eyes went wide.

The Supreme Commander of the campaign?

Nobody had ever told him anything about that.

***

“M-Me? I’m the Supreme Commander?”

“His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Stuttgart, has appointed you as the Supreme Commander of the Coral Expedition Force.”

Before the officer could even finish his sentence, several officers came forward with a ceremonial sword.

“This is the imperial sword personally bestowed by His Imperial Majesty to you, the Supreme Commander of the Coral Expedition Force.”

“Eh?!”

“Please accept it, Your Imperial Majesty!”

Siegfried stood frozen, overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events.

‘Why the hell am I the Supreme Commander? Nobody told me anything about this!’

Unbeknownst to him, Emperor Stuttgart had already planned to appoint him as the Supreme Commander from the very beginning.

The only other Adventurer to be crowned king after Siegfried, Cain, had been placed in charge of the vanguard forces to establish a foothold in the Coral Planet.

Once the foundation was set, Siegfried was meant to step in and take full command over the entire expeditionary force.

“I… I am greatly honored by His Imperial Majesty’s grace.”

With that, Siegfried dropped to one knee before the imperial sword and accepted the role bestowed upon him.

Along with it came the rank of Grand Marshal of the Marchioni Empire’s army.

The officer then said, “Please, follow me, sir. Allow me to escort you to the VIP suite aboard the transport vessel.”

“No,” Siegfried shook his head. Then, he looked back and said, “There are others here who have been waiting for their turn. I can’t accept special treatment while they are still standing in line.”

“But, sir—”

“Enough,” Siegfried flatly cut off the officer.

He clearly remembered the words Lee Geon spat when he publicly declared his intent to take him down.

“I’m going to lead a revolution against Han Tae-Sung.”

If news spread that Siegfried had used his special privileges to skip the line and board the transport vessel first while others waited in line…

Look at this guy! He’s the very thing we, the common people, should loathe! We need to fight against the system! Stick a pitchfork right into that fat pig’s gut!’ Siegfried could already predict exactly what Lee Geon would say during his next livestream.

‘I have to stay alert at all times,’ he thought.

He couldn’t afford to give his enemies an excuse to criticise him.

After all, public opinion was a very powerful force. Once opinion of him dipped, and the floodgates of narrative burst open, even someone with the image of a saint could be dragged through the mud in a heartbeat.

Siegfried had his own set of followers that most likely numbered far more than Lee Geon’s fanatics. However, he stood to lose far more from any controversy, as he had to keep up his public image while Lee Geon was feeding off negative attention and chaos.

“I’ll see you when we land.”

“B-But sir!”

“Let’s go, Hamchi.”

“Kyuuu! Let’s go!”

With that, Siegfried decided to do the right thing and lined up to board the transport vessel just like everyone else.

***

At the same time, Duke Neighdelberg gave his report to Emperor Stuttgart.

“We have received word that Siegfried von Proa has accepted the imperial sword bestowed upon him and has boarded the transport vessel bound for the Coral Planet.”

“I see.”

As always, Emperor Stuttgart responded while keeping his eyes on the documents in his hands.

“That was faster than I expected. I thought he would rest for a few days at least.”

“I believe he is not the type to rest, sire.”

“True.”

“But there was something unusual in the report.”

“Unusual?”

“Siegfried von Proa chose to sit in the economy section of the transport vessel rather than the VIP section. He traveled among the other Adventurers, mingling with them.”

“Hmm…”

Emperor Stuttgart set down his quill and looked at the duke.

“A man who holds the title of Emperor and is the Supreme Commander of the Marchioni Empire’s Expedition Force chose to sit in the economy section rather than the VIP section?”

“Yes, my lord,” Duke Neighdelberg replied with a bow. Then, he added, “And I was told that he mingled with the other Adventurers while playing Hardstone throughout the journey.”

“A show of anti-elitism…” Emperor Stuttagart muttered to himself. Then, he said, “Is he trying to appeal to the masses?”

“There is no other way to interpret it, sire,” Duke Neighdelberg replied. Then, he continued, “Siegfried von Proa is quite renowned for his modest and humble nature. But was it truly necessary for him to squeeze into that cramped and unsanitary space? No less with common Adventurers?”

“Hard to say. My brother has always been that type,” Emperor Stuttgart muttered. Then, he paused before saying, “Anyway, I understand. Good work.”

“Your grace is immeasurable, sire.”

“Keep me updated on the situation on the Coral Planet. You are to report everything directly to me with no delays.”

“As you command, sire,” Duke Neighdelberg replied with a bow before retreating from the chamber.

“Public sentiment… appealing to the common folks…” Even after the duke had withdrawn, Emperor Stuttgart sat silently for a while, repeating these words as he fell into deep contemplation.