393. The Shin Family Guild (2)

Shin Sehee’s press conference played out live alongside the Utopia broadcast, plunging the world into chaos.

Especially the chat window watching the Utopia broadcast, which bordered on a complete meltdown.

– What in the world is going on…?

– Seriously, this is so out of the blue.

– She sends the kids into the gate and then suddenly declares she’s leaving? Is this even for real????

– Wait, didn’t Shin Sehee have a crush on Jin Yuha? The girl could barely speak, all flustered, just looking at her. What did she eat wrong all of sudden?

Shin Sehee’s unexpected move ignited countless theories in the chat window, such as: “Shin Sehee was brainwashed by a demon,” or “She must have confessed to Jin Yuha and got rejected,” or “Shin Sehee was always a nobody in Utopia from the start.”

It was around this time that the quiet murmurs of a “Shin Sehee ostracism rumour” began to catch fire online.

– Guess Shin Sehee didn’t get along with Utopia after all…

– Jin Yuha was the one in charge, and Shin Sehee greedy to take over, but the other party couldn’t accept it, that’s it.

– Honestly, both the sub-party and Shin Sehee were overshadowed by Utopia, so they couldn’t even get a proper payout all this time.

And so, a few people began to express sympathy for Shin Sehee and the sub-party.

– Ha, is this even allowed? No matter what, this ain’t right. At least she could’ve waited until the party members or Jin Yuha came out of the gate. To do this while the kids are inside is backstabbing. To be betrayed by the axe you trusted. This b*tch Shin Sehee. I knew she was shady from the start, we never should’ve accepted her.

– Tru dat.

– Hope the Shin Family Guild gets wrecked.

– Please.

– Ah….How will Yuha cope….? She’s still doing Gate, unaware of everything….

After all, it was difficult to view her departure favorably, taking all 68 members of Utopia’s sub-party with her, seemingly waiting until the party members were all inside the gate.

* * *

Krrrraaahh—

Meanwhile, I found myself facing Black Hedgehogs.

They bared red eyes, bristling with thorns from their backs, glaring at me.

I stared at the massive, hedgehog-like monsters and thought to myself.

‘Hmm, I wonder if Shin Sehee has declared her departure from Utopia by now…? It must be a complete mess.’

Before entering the gate, I had heard the general gist of Shin Sehee’s plans.

– Right after Jin Yuha enters the gate, I will hold a press conference declaring my departure from Utopia.

– What!? Le-, Leave!? Why!??? Ah, no! We’re doomed without you! Was there something I didn’t do enough?

At those words, my mind went blank for a moment.

After all, Utopia without her was now unimaginable.

– Hehe, the sight of Jin Yuha flustered and begging… This is quite nice. Could you perhaps do it one more time?

– I can’t do without you. Don’t leave. Please.

– Ugh…. Ahem. How dangerous. I almost said I wouldn’t leave for a second there.

– No, I told you not to go.

– … Jin Yuha-ssi. This is unavoidable, understand? First, please listen to what I have to say.

And having heard her words, I…

‘Ha.’

A hollow laugh escaped me.

The most crucial point this time around was, in the end, the monopolization of dungeons across the globe and the construction of bunkers.

Only then could the damage from the final Demon Realm Gate be minimized.

Truthfully, that plan could proceed far more smoothly if it carried Utopia’s name.

In the meantime, the reputation Utopia had built, politically and economically, was unparalleled.

To the point where no group would dare to challenge it.

– But, if we do that. Hunters filled with malice might defect and turn into fiends.

At Shin Sehee’s words, I could only nod in the end.

It was easy for Utopia to suppress with power.

The opposition of the general public, or even that of powerful figures, wasn’t much of a problem either.

But the defection of Hunters who possessed power was significant.

What was the reason that Awakened ones, practically a different species entirely from ordinary humans, could live together?

Of course, the easiest reason was the existence of the Rank 1 who possessed overwhelming power.

The hero, Rina, the Demon Emperor.

Because she wouldn’t allow it.

But going deeper than that.

Because their honor and wealth were preserved.

Once a hunter cleared a gate, people looked upon them with envy and respect.

And just consistently venturing through gates guaranteed a certain amount of wealth.

Even in the case of Lee Yuri, before entering the academy, she was struggling due to her family’s immense debt.

If she had only wanted to live for herself, she could have earned enough to live luxuriously.

But, monopolizing the gates would fundamentally prevent that.

– So, Utopia has to remain as a beacon of hope, until the end. Even if we turn Hunters across the globe into our enemies. With the hope that Utopia will mete out some righteous retribution the moment it emerges from the gates.

Before her, who was willing to bear all the malice and resentment,

I could only nod my head heavily.

‘Tch…I need to clear this as quickly as possible and get out.’

I gathered my strength and further accelerated the clearing of the Gate.

* * *

Meanwhile, Shin Sehee, after holding a press conference that shocked the world.

And establishing the Shin-Ga Guild in the blink of an eye.

She quickly moved on to the next phase.

Under the guise of establishing guild branches, she purchased land to build bunkers around the world and splurged astronomical amounts of money.

She used power and shady schemes, which she hadn’t directly revealed before due to Utopia’s image, without any hesitation.

“Councilor Nicholas-nim. Hehe, yes, it’s me, Shin Sehee. Wouldn’t you like to be re-elected as a city councilor?”

– … What are you suddenly talking about? Shin Sehee-yang.

A man’s voice rumbled heavily over the phone.

“Of course, I understand that our involvement in your affairs might be…unpleasant for you, Assemblyman. But, if your constituents were to see that video of your youngest daughter, wouldn’t re-election become…difficult?”

– What in the─!!!

“Ah, the video. The one where your youngest daughter, affiliated with the Behar Guild, is seen oppressing civilians. It’s in my possession.”

– Oppressing!? I-I know about that incident! It was justified─!

“Was it? Wouldn’t you say it qualifies as…oppression?”

The assemblyman’s ragged breathing echoed from the phone.

– What is it you want?

Shin Sehee swiped at her tablet, answering coolly.

“Simple. I need you to approve the permit for a large-scale underground facility in Eastern Washington. The paperwork’s already been submitted. Just needs your signature.”

– I can’t possibly authorize something of that magnitude! The Assembly…! And besides, a guild from another nation can’t just do something so outrageous!!!

“The Assembly? Don’t worry. Senator Dorgan and Representative Madison are having similar conversations with us.”

– That…! This is outrageous blackmail!! You’ve gone completely mad since leaving Utopia!!!

“Heh heh, I’ll send you a sample video and article. Take a look and call me back.”

*Click.*

Ending the call, Shin Sehee turned to Lee Minyoung, who stood behind her.

“Lee Minyoung. Send Assemblyman Nicholas the video of his youngest son. Imply that we could also connect him to abuse of power or even s*xual misconduct.”

“…Yes, understood.”

Lee Minyoung nodded stiffly at Shin Sehee’s words.

And packaged together the fabricated video and article to send to him.

“It’s not like it’s entirely fabricated, so it’ll be hard for him to deny completely. This is why scrupulous politicians are such a pain…”

Shin Sehee exhaled a long sigh.

“How are the remaining locations progressing?”

“Most of the countries where the government holds more sway than the Hunter Association are finalized. However…”

“The problem lies with the Hunter Association personnel, then?”

“…Yes, that is correct.”

It’s true that you can solve government issues to a certain extent just by spending enough money.

But countries where the Hunter Association has strong influence are a little different.

It’s because their livelihoods are at stake.

“Hmph, we’ll have to use *those* people for that side.”

The people Shin Sehee had in mind.

None other than Lina’s former disciples.

Once hailed as heroes of the world, but now corrupted and degenerate, the ones who stabbed Lina in the back.

They still held positions within the International Hunter Association.

But under the Shin Group’s chilling surveillance, they were neither dead nor alive, simply carrying out their tasks.

“Putting pressure on them through those channels should force the Hunter Association to comply.”

And Lee Minyoung, gazing at her from behind, swallowed hard.

‘*…I mean, we’re definitely doing what’s right, but seeing her like this really makes me question if it’s the right thing to do…*’

The way she caressed her crimson eyes and blood-red lips made her seem like a mastermind pulling the strings of the entire world from behind the scenes.

From the original 《Velvet School Life》

— The Serpent Who Devoured Corruption —

This was Shin Sehee’s bed end.