The teleporter brought them to Koreas Player Association in an instant.

Weve arrivHuh?! He yelped in surprise. Wh-why are there so many people?

It was no longer the Association they knew. There were people at the entrance, sidewalk, the street, even people looking on from the rooftops. They were all here for one reason.

I-Its Specter-nim!

Oh my god It really is him

Thank you for coming back!

To see Specter.

By police estimates, there had been over fifty thousand people gathered in front of the Association.

As he looked over the mob, Seo Jun-ho felt touched. Hed never even dreamed that so many people would gather here for him.

Thank you.

It was that much more touching because he hadnt expected it. There was a big difference between hearing that people hadnt forgotten him and his comrades sacrifice and seeing it for himself.

Specter! Specter!

Specter! Specter!

Their chants were so loud that they couldnt be replicated over speakers; it gave him goosebumps. They were all trying to send one message.

Were glad youre back. And thank you.

Even the large billboards connected to the buildings were playing videos from his past. Seo Jun-ho started to feel a little sheepish and lowered his head. When he did, they started to cheer again.

You really are quite famous. Even the Frost Queen was in awe.

Specter-nim, we will escort you inside. The Association Players flanked him. Seo Jun-ho looked back one last time.

You guys will see this too.

He made a promise. He would show his friends the same, heartwarming scene.

* * *

Youre here?

As he entered the waiting room, Shim Deok-gu stood up as if hed been there for a while. Seo Jun-ho took off his mask and flopped down on the sofa.

Is this your doing?

The people? Nah. Deok-gu laughed. The police estimated that there are about 52,000 people and counting. Do you think Im the president or something? Even if he were, it would be impossible to gather so many people in such a short time.

How about the billboards?

Ahem. Well, thats He squared his shoulders proudly, but a moment later, he sighed and looked at his friend. Even though Ive known you for so long, youre always unpredictable.

A few hours ago, Seo Jun-ho had sent him a message, telling him to start preparations for the conference.

Youre not gonna be announcing your cooperation with the Association this time, right?

Yeah. Seo Jun-ho nodded.

You told me before you went to Rome that Specter will only have a working relationship with the Association so that we can build connections, rather than working under us.

I did. But I changed my mind. He closed his eyes as if remembering something. Deok-gu, do you remember when you came to my hospital room? You said something to me that day.

It had already been four months, but it still felt like yesterday.

You told me that the world is peaceful now. That I dont need to return because our sacrifice saved the world. That I should live for myself now.

But after four months of seeing it myself, I dont think thats right. The fiends werent this bold 25 years agothey couldnt be.

Jun-ho. Thats because of the Five Heroes, and their effect is irreplaceable. But now

I know. The fiends I encountered at Paradise treated me like a has-been.

They were no longer scared of him. They hunted him like a trophy to be won.

Jun-ho. Deok-gus face was solemn. There is nothing more dangerous than the courage of someone who is weak.

I know. He agreed. He knew all too well how things ended up. But I cant just stand by any longer.

Why are you so

Paradise, Seo Jun-ho said darkly. Do you know why it was made? HahaIt was made to create the second Specter.

! Deok-gu was speechless.

Isnt it funny? They hated me so much but they sacrificed thousands of children to create a similar being.

Its not your fault.

I know that. But that doesnt change the fact that it started because of me.

So youre saying youre gonna take responsibility?

Yeah. To be honest, I thought that all I needed to do was get a little stronger and save my friends. But Paradise had completely changed his mind. But after I thought about it, I dont think its enough when the fiends are working around the clock.

The fiends from the past had been different. Before they did something bad, they would always remember Specters face.

Specter always shows up at the sinners door. All fiends who meet him die.

That simple phrase had dissuaded crime, and Specters simple existence kept people safe.

But as you said, you cant take on the same role as before.

I know. I dont want to do this either. If there was someone else to carry the burden, he wouldnt need to do anything. But no one could. The Nine Heavens and the rankers Their levels and stats are higher than mine were, but they dont want to step forward.

Rather, no one could step forward. There was no one as powerful or influential as Specter.

They know that its too dangerous. After thinking about it for a long time, he realized that he was the only person who could do this. My skills may not be enough, but my influence is.

The moment he opened his mouth, players listened. And he would make it so that fiends would think twice again before they committed a crime.

Only Specter can destroy the fiends like this, as he did in the past.

Seo Jun-ho was a person. A selfish person.

Specter is a complete entity. It would be a neat little ending if I retired and all that was left of me remained in history books.

But he refused to take such an easy path. He would use his name and influence to make people vigilant of the fiends again.

You have made a difficult decision. I will remember your courage. The Frost Queen applauded his bravery.

It was easy to be a hero if you had nothing to lose. It was much harder when you could lose everything.

After a long while, Shim Deok-gu spoke again. Once you make an announcement, you wont be able to take it back.

Ive already made my decision.

Every time the fiends incite terror, people will be looking for you. And if you dont appear the moment they want you to, theyll curse you.

As admired and loved as he was, Specter could lose all that in an instant. But Seo Jun-ho had already made up his mind.

I know.

There will be a dozena hundred times more fiends that will be hunting for Specter.

It cant be helped.

Shim Deok-gu let out a long sigh and scratched his hair that his stylist had spent so long on. No matter what he said, he couldnt change his friends mind.

Youre as stubborn as a mule

Ive always been like this. Whenever Seo Jun-ho caused a stir, Shim Deok-gu had always cleaned up after him. He clapped his hands together.

Do whatever you want, you bastard. What can I do for you?

Raise the volume. As high as you can.

Even louder than they are now? Things will get pretty noisy.

Seo Jun-ho smiled. Turn it up so that my voice will reach the 2nd floor.

* * *

The conference room was packed. Theyd reduced the amount of seats to save as much room as possible, but there was still barely any room to breathe.

Is this the power of Specter?

Its not just reporters today. Look over there.

The reporters gasped as they saw who were sitting near the front.

A-are those Big 6 Vice-Guildmasters and Team Leaders?

Hes the hero that saved their generation. But to them, hes just a thing of the past.

Even the rankers are here.

The reporters were practically drooling. The conference today was like a buffet. No matter who they wrote about, theyd be able to make up scoops.

What do you think theyre talking about?

I dunno Dont you think theyll be talking about something important though? Like global politics.

Unlike the reporters, the players were cool; especially the Big 6 Team Leaders.

Paradise I came to see Seo Jun-ho, but I found something even better, muttered Kiora. She was part of the mercenary Guild, Hallem.

The Team Leader of the Dokkaebi Guild replied, Why are you looking for Mr. Snake head?

Mr. Snake head? What are you saying, shorty?

Gong Juha wrinkled her nose at the insult. What made her more frustrated was that Kioras body was much more mature than hers. She let out a long sigh, trying to contain her anger, then gave a big smile.

Ah, Im so~ close to Mr. Seo Jun-ho that I accidentally called him by his nickname. Unlike you, old woman, were really close.

Pfft, seeing how he hasnt joined Dokkaebi yet, I can tell exactly what your relationship is like.

Wh-what are you saying? Personal relationships arent related to affiliations.

Wanna bet? Im pretty sure Ill be able to convince Seo Jun-ho to join Hallem today.

Th-thats low!

Hahaha!

The four others watched the two fight as they always did. Even though they were from each of the Big 6 Guilds, they were known to meet quite frequently. Of course, this didnt mean that they went easy on each other when it came to competition and guild affairs.

Pfft, youre the one that set the bar that low.

Oh, really? I dont want to hear that from someone whos always making the news for getting into bar fights.

Please be mindful of your position and shut your mouths.

Unlike what the reporters expected, they were childish and bickered a lot, but they knew when to be quiet.

S-Specter-nim and President Shim Deok-gu will soon be entering. Please settle down now.

The look in their eyes changed into anticipation. They were about to meet the living legend, Specter.

Though, theyd actually all come down to the 1st floor to meet Seo Jun-ho, not Specter.

The Super Rookie broke the Cave of Trials record.

And he did it with only a single D-rank skill

If he can get another one, hell grow exponentially.

He was a perfect, S-grade gemstone. But when they came down, Specter had announced his own press conference, and they were no longer ordered to recruit Seo Jun-ho.

Specter is admired all over the world.

If he joins a guild

Our influence will shoot up.

They all had the same goal.

I-I cant believe Ill be seeing Specter-nim in person! Except, of course, Gong Juha.

The door clicked open as the live broadcast started. Thousands of eyes stared, waiting.

A man stepped out, radiating an exceptional presence.

Specter.