SSS-Class Revival Hunter - Chapter 54

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈

Chapter 54: The Ultimate Fanboy (2)

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"Haah."

The Witch sighed as if worried.

"Don't go too far. I can cover for minor mistakes, but if you really go overboard, I can't control the media."

"You know there is no one better behaved than me. I am a prophet, okay? I have a decent idea of what the most exemplary answers would be."

"...Can I really trust you?"

"Hey, of course."

I received the microphone from the Witch. Even in the last moment of handing it over, the Witch seemed concerned about me, but I was truly fine. I had a [secret weapon] for this.

"Ah. Ahem."

I lightly cleared my throat. My voice spread across the plaza through the speakers.

"Hello, everyone. I am a hunter known by the alias King of Death. Nice to meet you all for the first time."

Click! Click!

Lights created a grand wave. I wasn't too flustered. Maybe my experience being surrounded by a crowd yesterday served as a kind of vaccination? Surprisingly relaxed, I endured the flash bombardment.

"Your name is... John Evans, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

The young reporter looked straight at me. Their eyes, burning with journalistic spirit, seemed to say they wouldn't miss a single move of mine, determined to expose my true identity.

It was a rather intimidating gaze.

"Hmm."

Facing such a look at this moment, there was only one thought occupying my mind.

"I think it's all because of my shortcomings that these concerns are arising."

A lesson in what not to do.

Don't be like the Flame Emperor!

"What?"

The reporter blinked, microphone in hand, apparently not expecting this kind of response. Meanwhile, I recalled the Flame Emperor's smug face in my mind and said,

"I'll say it again. I think it's all because of my shortcomings that these concerns are arising."

My ultimate strategy was very simple.

'Just say the opposite of what the Flame Emperor would say!'

Did I have any great interviewing skills?

I was different from the Witch. I had no talent for captivating a crowd with a speech. I lacked talent, skills, and even experience.

But I had one thing.

Knowledge that others didn't know.

Specifically, interviews of the most despicable hunter in this world!

'If I just go the opposite way of the Flame Emperor, I'll at least hit a decent mark.'

I had been a fan of the Flame Emperor for almost ten years. As a result, my head was like a library filled with records of the Flame Emperor's atrocities and outrageous statements.

If the Flame Emperor were holding this microphone right now?

He would have said:

「It's all because I'm so great that I conquered up to the 20th floor. You little punks.」

「I worked myself to the bone clearing it, so what? What do you want me to do about it? Of course the items and experience points I got there are mine. Listen, Mr. Hack Reporter. If I don't take them, then who the fuck should I give them to? Huh?」

「Your dad?」

This wasn't something I made up on the spot. He actually said that!

‘That's why before regression, the Witch's face turned pale during the press conference….’

The infamous [Your dad?] incident.

Understandably, the press conference exploded spectacularly. The reporters' curses were broadcasted live, and even though the Witch hastily ended it, it was too late.

A complete disaster.

The live broadcast was abruptly cut off, but the tragedy didn't end there.

Yoo Soo-Ha retaliated against the reporters by spewing insults about their parents, their in-laws, outright obscenities, and every other curse in existence, all of which independent streamers broadcast in full.

‘No wonder they call him the Flame Retard.’

Rumor has it that the Witch was bedridden for a week after that day.

Probably, the [Your dad?] incident was a turning point for the Witch, leading to her aversion to the hunter named Yoo Soo-Ha. Maybe this incident even contributed to the major guilds distancing themselves from the Flame Emperor.

‘In the past, the Flame Emperor completely botched this press conference.’

Meaning…

‘I just need to do the exact opposite of the Flame Emperor.’

Turn the worst into the best!

I recalled the Flame Emperor’s outrageous quotes as I firmly gripped the microphone.

「It's all because I'm so great that I conquered up to the 20th floor. You little punks.」

"I'm aware of the heated public opinion about me. But it's an overestimation. Without the Black Dragon Master and Sword Saint here, I could never have conquered the 20th floor alone."

「I slaved away to conquer this, so what?」

"Of course, I pride myself on having put in maximum effort. I strived to the bone with the goal of zero casualties. But I don't see it as my 'sacrifice.'

"It was simply what I ought to do as a human being and what I ought to do as a hunter. More than anything... I did it because I wanted to."

「Of course the items and experience points I got there are mine. Listen, Mr. Hack Reporter. If I don't take them, then who the fuck should I give them to? Huh?」

"Therefore, I have no intention of claiming my rights. I've entrusted the rights from the 10th to 19th floors to the guild leaders here. Regarding monopolizing the 20th floor... No. The 20th floor is more like a [Greenbelt] area. The original residents of the tower will live there, and I will be content with the role of a manager."

「Your dad?」

"Mr. Evans. That's all."

"......"

"Do you have any more questions?"

The young reporter, previously ablaze with journalistic spirit, stuttered.

"No... I don't."

Good.

I quickly thought further.

If the Flame Emperor was in my place, how would he have responded to the reporter's silence?

「Alright. If you have nothing to say, get lost, you American pig.」

I could vividly imagine the scene, complete with the grandeur of a middle finger.

‘So, if I say the exact opposite of this...’

I spoke.

"Thank you. Ah, if there are any other questions, let's briefly take them, everyone."

Silence fell across the plaza for a moment.

But it was only for a brief moment.

"Here! Summons Times!"

"Please take my question, King of Death! Tower Daily!"

"From the Babel Tower Broadcasting System!"

"King of Death!"

The reporters eagerly raised their hands. Sensing that I was approachable, they rushed to get more material for their stories.

They looked like ducklings eagerly waving their beaks toward their mother.

‘Wow.’

I admired the press corps inwardly.

‘...This learn-by-bad-example strategy is fucking incredible.’

As expected of Flame Retard, the most obnoxious psychopath in the world.

He always served as my compass in the worst possible way.

Even now, the compass clearly guided me on how to react.

「What? Summons Times? I won't do interviews with you. It's full of old fogies. Just opening your newspaper makes it smell old. Hey, if you're a journalist, at least take a shower.」

I thought of the Flame Emperor's quotes and said,

"---Then let's start with a question from the Summons Times reporter."

The effect was tremendous.

The press conference ended on a high note. It was, quite literally, a tremendous success. Although the rapid-fire questions and answers continued for over an hour, I did not make so much as one slip of the tongue.

In fact, it was not easy to conclude the conference. The reporters were desperate to extract even one more line of news. In the end, the Witch had to snatch the microphone from me to pacify the press.

"Everyone! I understand your desire to know more about our new hero. However, unfortunately, we're running out of time." The Witch gestured towards the sky.

[00:05:27]

The light clock was now just minutes away from 0:00:00.

Just a few minutes until the new stage opens!

The perfect excuse to end the press conference.

"After a night's rest, we will devote ourselves to clearing the tower once again today. Please continue to watch over us with keen interest and warm support. We will make every effort toward our goal of zero casualties once again."

"Ah..."

Sighs of regret echoed here and there.

Just when it seemed the conference was wrapping up, a brave soul raised their hand.

"Uhh, Black Dragon Master! One last question, please!"

"Yes. This will be the final question and then we'll conclude."

"Black Dragon Master and King of Death! What's the relationship between you two?"

At that moment, people's eyes sparkled.

Pure curiosity. A hint of slyness.

Humanity's eternal fascination: romance. The reporters probably wanted to link the Witch and me in that direction.

"Hmm..."

The Witch glanced at me.

A hint of mischief in her eyes.

"Our relationship..."

The Witch slowly opened her lips.

And then came a statement destined to be remembered.

"More than friends, comrades in arms."

Murmurs and whispers.

The press was unsure where to focus. Should they concentrate on the phrase "more than friends" or on "comrades in arms"? They couldn't grasp the exact nature of our relationship.

The person who asked the question widened their eyes in surprise.

"Are you saying it's more than a friendship?"

"Well,"

The Witch replied leisurely.

"As I said, we are comrades in arms who are more than friends. That is all. I hope this leaves no room for mistaken ideas or misunderstandings."

"Misinterpretation and misunderstanding mean...!"

"Today's press conference hosted by Black Dragon ends here."

The Witch stood up.

"Once again, I sincerely thank everyone for your interest and support. This has been the Black Witch, guild master of the Black Dragon Guild. I wish all of you a pleasant day."

The reporters also stood up quickly.

"Black Dragon Master! You can't just leave like this!"

"Please, a more detailed comment on your last statement!"

"Black Dragon Master!"

"King of Death, what do you think about her statement! King of Death!"

Wow.

The reporters cried out hoarsely, trying to get more information. But the Witch remained composed throughout, smiling slyly as she led me behind the stage.

"Let's go now."

"Okay."

I glanced back at the press corps. They all looked dejected.

"...Leaving after heating up the grill like this?"

"I am a woman who watches dramas."

The Witch playfully winked with her left eye.

"A grand impression is left only when you fan the flames at the end."

Indeed, a statement befitting a guild leader who reigned over the tower.

Behind the stage.

We walked until we were out of sight of the public. There, the Witch let out a big sigh and suddenly grabbed both my hands.

"Perfect! King of Death!"

Her eyes sparkled.

It was hard to believe that this was the same person who had been managing her expressions so neutrally throughout the press conference.

"When did you learn to handle interviews like that! I'm impressed!"

"Uh... "

I just did the opposite of what the Flame Emperor would have done.

"Your humble attitude was especially a plus! People love heroes, but there's something they love even more. A hero who bows to them! Of course, if humility becomes servility, that's a problem... but you were just right. It was a perfect balance!"

I just recited the opposite of what the Flame Emperor used to say.

"Not knowing you also had the talent to handle the media was a surprise. Ahh, where have you been all this time? You're conquering the tower, building a great image, making my shoulders feel ten times lighter...!"

"......"

What?

I was feeling guilty for just mimicking a psychopath's opposite behavior.

"Don't hesitate to tell me if you want anything. Money? Fame? Power? Or a lover? Don't worry, if it exists in the tower, I'll give it to you."

"I'm already taking care of what I want... But, Black Dragon Master. What was that statement about being more than friends but less than comrades? I was quite surprised."

"Oh, that?"

The Witch shrugged nonchalantly.

"It was nothing. I was deliberately putting up a smokescreen."

"Smoke?"

"Yes. The media will dig for romantic scandals that do not even exist anyway, and that will damage your image. If that is inevitable, it is better to lay down a smokescreen that focuses their attention on you and me."

"Is that so...?"

I wasn't sure if it was the right or wrong approach, having no experience in handling the media.

The Witch smiled faintly.

"Don't worry. King of Death. I've been handling public opinion alone for years. Trust me completely in this field. Leave it to the expert. Got it?"

"Ah, yes."

Strange.

Something felt odd... like being targeted by an unknown monster in a hunting ground. But this wasn't a hunting ground; it was Babylon, the first-floor city of the tower. There couldn't possibly be any monsters.

Was it just my imagination?

-Tsk, tsk.

The Guardian Spirit clicked his tongue.

-Pathetic, Zombie. You have a head but no brain, so how could I not call you a zombie? A so-called hunter walking straight into a place of death on his own two feet without even realizing it. Good grief.

'What now?'

-Pathetic! Pathetic!

The Sword Emperor pounded his chest in frustration. With that already fierce face and the chest-beating, the spirit looked exactly like a gorilla.

Then, it happened.

"Woahhh!"

Beyond the stage, in the direction of the plaza, a mighty cheer erupted. It had a slightly different quality from the cheers directed at us earlier.

"Ten!"

"Nine!"

"Eight!"

The countdown began.

I stopped talking to the Witch and looked up at the sky.

[00 : 00 : 05]

Time had nearly run out for the opening of the 21st-floor stage.

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One!"

And then.

[00 : 00 : 00]

The beams of light that formed numbers in the sky scattered in all directions. The cheers of the people grew even louder. Responding to their cheers, the beams of light regrouped to form the image of a goddess.

[Warriors.]

In the blue sky.

The goddess's figure spoke.

[Those who climb the tower.]

[Congratulations on breaking through the shadow filled with the Demon King's resentment.]

The moment a new stage was unveiled.

The crowd, having already witnessed the goddess's image before, chattered happily.

But I knew, having experienced the tower in the past.

-Zombie.

'Yes.'

I nodded.

'I won't be careless.'