Chapter 86

At a café located on the fourth floor of the building next to Sword Palace.

The building where the café is situated also houses the Korean branch office of the Neo Self-Defense Force.

In fact, this place had been previously designed by the Neo Self-Defense Force to entice former Sword King Yoon Sejin.

The café, which had been maintained since its contract period was still valid, has now reopened after a long time, to firmly capture Seong Jihan.

"Goddess… aren't we rushing things too much?"

Inside a private room in the café, Takeda spoke, wiping his sweat.

In his hand was a piece of paper the size of A4, shining golden.

'I can't believe the Akashic Page has a feature to strengthen the supporting gift…'

It was surprising that the Akashic Page, which was worth billions and used for the technological advancement of large companies, had such a feature.

Unless one was as powerful as the Goddess, it made more sense to invest billions in technological advancement rather than enhancing support gifts.

Still, Takeda felt anxious, as if he'd discovered a hidden secret.

"It can't be helped. Seong Jihan… it seems my Enchantment is almost wearing off."

"Even Sword King couldn't resist your Enchantment, Goddess! I can't believe it."

"Being an avatar means my powers are weaker. Even using the Akashic Page, it didn't take effect properly."

"But didn't you say it was successful last time?"

"No, it failed. He didn't contact me for two days. I had to send the first text."

Joo Eunji gritted her teeth.

To Takeda, not hearing back for just two days might not be alarming, but for Joo Eunji, it was an absolutely unacceptable situation.

Such an incident had never occurred since the Enchantment took effect.

'And his reply to my message seemed insincere.'

[Yes, is the time good for you? Shall we meet today?]

Too dry a tone for a message from a man in his twenties under Enchantment. If the Enchantment had worked properly, he wouldn't have replied in such a manner.

'I need to make my move this time.'

Even if it costs a fortune, she plans to use several Akashic Pages to ensure the Enchantment works.

Then she'll quickly take him to Japan.

"Akari."

As Joo Eunji subtly shifted her gaze behind her and called out a name, a woman dressed in full ninja attire sprang out of her shadow.

Takeda's eyes widened.

'Even Lady Akari came.'

Kato Akari.

Among the players of Japan's Diamond League, she was a female player who transitioned to the special class of 'Assassin'.

While she wasn't selected for the national team due to her lower level within the Diamond League, her unique stealthiness as an assassin gave her many real-world assignments.

Ito Shizuru had noticed Kato Akari's potential as a ninja long ago and used her power to make Akari her confidant.

Since then, Akari has been working as Ito Shizuru's right hand, handling covert operations for her.

"If you're here, the will of the main body must be significant."

"Yes. The main body in Tokyo has entrusted me with escorting the Akashic Pages. Furthermore, she told me to kidnap Seong Jihan in case things go awry."

"Kidnapping won't be easy."

"He's at most a Silver Rank player. A ship is also ready at Incheon Harbor."

Akari looked at the Akashic Page she pulled out.

"Personally, I think it'd be better to kidnap him with my abilities rather than using that item."

"No, if Seong Jihan resists too fiercely during a clash, there's a risk our plan could be exposed even before we get to Japan. It's better to finish things discreetly."

"Understood. I'll be prepared in case things go south."

Joo Eunji nodded.

If they failed even after using several Akashic Pages, they'd have no other choice.

'Even if the Encantment doesn't work fully, I can suppress his resistance.'

Once they get him to Japan, it's over.

He won't be able to resist the main body's allure.

The sound of the café door opening was heard, and Joo Eunji signaled to Takeda and Akari.

Takeda quickly hid behind the private room's wall, and Akari slipped back into Shizuru's shadow.

"Oh my~ Owner. You're here?"

And Joo Eunji, with a different tone from earlier, greeted Seong Jihan.

"You've reserved a nice place."

Seong Jihan calmly walked in and sat down as soon as he pulled the chair.

Right away, Joo Eunji tapped the floor twice with her heel.

Tapping the floor twice was a signal she had pre-arranged with Takeda.

'Believe in the Goddess…!'

Just as Takeda was about to emerge from where he was hiding,

Buzz!

The smartphone Joo Eunji had placed on the table vibrated slightly.

"Huh…?"

On the smartphone was a message,

["Seong Jihan has started a live broadcast on BattleTube!"]

* * * * *

On his way to the cafe Joo Eunji had told him about, Seong Jihan was deep in thought.

"Continuing to pretend to be enchanted might be too hard, since it's not my major."

He could pretend to be enchanted in front of Joo Eunji, but it was impossible to keep it up long-term, even just by text.

Instead of failing to act properly, wouldn't it be better to get rid of the avatar sooner?

If he gives away that he isn't really enchanted, the hands of Ito Shizuru could reach out to those around him, including Seah.

"But getting rid of the avatar is also problematic. They'll find another way to infiltrate…"

Lost in his thoughts, Seong Jihan entered a nearby building.

"Oh, it's Seong Jihan…!"

"What's happening here?"

People inside started murmuring upon seeing Seong Jihan.

"Wow… He looks even better in person!"

"Mr. Seong Jihan! Can I get an autograph?"

"Um… Can I take a photo with you?"

Some fans even approached him, asking for autographs and photos.

'People recognize me a lot. Do I need to start covering my face now?'

Having always been at home, Seong Jihan had never truly felt his offline popularity.

But, smiling, he responded kindly,

"Yes, it's fine."

For the first time in this life, Seong Jihan, who had tirelessly done fan service during his America First days, was doing it again.

"Jihan! I love watching BattleTube! My parents and I always wait for your 12am live streams!"

"Thank you."

"Oh, I'm so curious when you'll hit 1 million subscribers. Can you show your status window just to me?"

"Haha, I can't do that. Just wait a bit longer. It'll happen soon."

"Wow, you look even more amazing in person…"

"Hmm, did I not look as good during the broadcast?"

As Seong Jihan grinned and asked, the female fan blushed.

"No, you looked great during the broadcast too!"

"Thank you. I knew that, just teasing."

In this manner, Seong Jihan engaged with his fans.

'I have more attention than I thought.'

He was a superstar online, but since he mostly stayed at home playing games, he hadn't really felt his popularity.

Considering the popularity and attention he had when he was with America First, his current status felt trivial.

If he's getting this much attention, he thought it might be best to bring the matter into the public eye.

He decided to broadcast the actions of Ito Shizuru's avatar live.

"Everyone, I need to leave now. I have to start a live broadcast soon."

"Oh, really?"

"Are you shooting an advertisement today?"

"Not an advertisement. Something much more exciting."

Ending his fan service, Seong Jihan purchased an item from the Battle Market.

[First-Person View Sharing Ticket]

An item that allows you to share your viewpoint in a video and broadcast it on BattleTube.

A one-time item, with each ticket limited to 30 minutes.

The first-person view provided as a basic support to game participants in BattleNet.

The 'First-Person View Sharing Ticket' was an item that made this possible in the real world.

The ticket price was a whopping 10,000 GP and wasn't used often, but it was the best item for Seong Jihan, who can't carry a camera now.

'There's a different advantage to sharing perspectives than using a camera.'

If Seong Jihan becomes enchanted, viewers can share the appearance of Joo Eunji as seen from his perspective.

If that happens, everyone would know about Joo Eunji's danger.

"Oh my~ Owner. You came?"

Joo Eunji greeted Seong Jihan as he entered the cafe room.

Thud! Thud!

She tapped the floor twice with her heel.

'It's time.'

Seong Jihan immediately used the perspective sharing ticket and started the BattleTube broadcast.

– Oh, a sudden live stream?

– Huh? Didn't the game end today?

– Yeah, it should have ended at 12 o'clock?

Despite the unexpected daytime broadcast, viewers flocked to Seong Jihan's channel.

– Oh? Is this from Seong Jihan's perspective?

– Did he use the sharing ticket? The one worth 10 million won?

– Seems like it. But why did he suddenly use that expensive ticket?

Meanwhile, Joo Eunji's face…

…was frozen ever since she received a notification that Seong Jihan started a live stream.

"You weren't enchanted."

"I tried to pretend to be, but I forgot to send a text. Ito Shizuru."

"…Oh my. Who's Ito Shizuru? I'm Joo Eunji."

At Seong Jihan's words, she replied without changing her expression and sneakily glanced behind.

"Takeda. Start."

"Yes!"

Suddenly, Takeda sprang from the wall, holding a paper shining in gold.

– Huh, Takeda…?

– Why are you here?

-That paper…

-Isn't it the Akashic Page?

Gripping the Akashic Page, Takeda yelled at Seong Jihan,

"Mr. Seong! Let's 'exchange' emotions…!"

Supporting Gift, 'Exchange'.

As Takeda recruited many players in his role for the Neo Self-Defense Force, it was his unique talent.

He could 'exchange' the ecstatic emotions he felt when he saw Ito Shizuru, whom he calls a Goddess.

Flash!

Just as the Akashic Page was about to intensify Takeda's gift,

"Hand it over."

Seong Jihan reached out and the Akashic Page flew from Takeda's grasp to him.

"Wha-What?"

The Akashic Page, worth billions, was about to effortlessly enter Seong Jihan's grasp due to his Force, but at that moment,

Swoosh!

A female ninja emerged from Joo Eunji's shadow and caught the flying Akashic Page.

[Takeda. I told you to use the Akashic Page beforehand.]

Then, Japanese burst from the female ninja's mouth.

– Huh… a ninja? Is that real Japanese?

– What did she say?

– She scolded Takeda for not using the Akashic Page beforehand.

– …What's even happening?

The viewers felt that the ongoing live stream was not ordinary.

[Notes:

TL/N – Akari talks Japanese, hence the […] format and visible confusion in viewers in the next lines.]