Trapped in a Webnovel as a Good-For-Nothing
Chapter 92

‘Then again, the original novel doesn’t mention anything about social media.’

Thinking about the story’s basic setting, it made more sense that Kim Do-Jin did not have a social media account. Yu-Seong was just wondering since there were so many plot holes in the novel so far.

Anyway, the biggest advantage of showing off on various media was something else entirely.

『Special Skill: Star Factor D

The more people pay attention to the holder, the faster his growth level accelerates. Additional ability unlocked once the level of attention exceeds a certain number (86/100) → (93/100).

D-rank perks – Increases focus of attention when exposed to audiovisual media such as cameras.

Current acceleration rate +90% → +100%』

In a short period of time, Yu-Seong had grown up magnificently. If he also used the Hunting Experience Boost potion, his level would rise three times faster than others. Upon this discovery, he felt his NewTube and social media activities were clearly meaningful.

‘That additional ability is just around the corner.’

By then, Yu-Seong's cell phone dinged as it received a text message. It came from Park Jin-Hwan.

-Are you watching TV? If you're home, turn on KBC channel 2.

"What?"

Yu-Seong tilted his head at the random message. Before he could ask about the message's contents, Jin Yu-Ri appeared in front of the door and said somewhat excitedly, "Yu-Seong oppa, are you busy right now?"

"Huh?"

"If you're not busy, come out to the living room and watch TV."

Yu-Seong erased the reply he was writing to Park Jin-Hwan and stood up.

‘It’ll be faster to just check it out in person.’

Yu-Seong shrugged lightly, left the room, and headed to the living room.

***

The Hunter's Night, a TV program on KBS channel 2, was a popular late-night show with an average audience rating of around 5%. As the program name suggested, the main content was hunter-related. The program covered various topics, inviting and interviewing well-known hunters or investigating the hunters’ illegal behavior and corruption.

Sometimes, the content covered lighthearted things, but there were quite provocative parts as well. The two hosts who basically led the program were quite the blunt speakers, so the whole thing caused controversy pretty often among the public. However, as seen from the high audience rating, the program had a big fan base.

The Hunter's Night today focused on two main characters. The first one was Kim Hyuk-Joon, who was a popular entertainer, an A-rank hunter, and an influencer on social media. The second character was Yu-Seong, a rookie who had been rising at a frightening pace recently.

The program started with an interview with Kim Hyuk-Joon. The conversation centered around a few topics, including the future direction of his activities and his personal records, and it even included rather personal questions.

"...A while ago, there was a rumor that you were dating a member of a girl group. Do you have anything to say about this?” asked the interviewer.

“We are just close friends, but word got around after we went out to eat together once and somebody posted a picture of us. I gave an official explanation before, but that was really just a rumor. If it was real, I’m the kind of person who would rather show off about it. Haha,” said Hyuk-Joon.

"Oh, does that mean you do have feelings for her?”

"To tell you the truth, there are no feelings at all. It's too much for me to think about having a relationship right now since I'm busy working as both a celebrity and hunter.”

The two hosts, Kim Dong-Sook and Han Jin-Hyo, often asked difficult personal questions that were not written in the script beforehand. However, Kim Hyuk-Joon, who had been a celebrity for eight years, skillfully responded to those questions.

“Then now, let's move on to the second main character for today. His name is coming out a lot in the Korean hunter society these days, right?”

"Furthermore, he may become world-famous soon! We're going to talk about Choi Yu-Seong. What do you think of him, Hyuk-Joon? As you know, you both are very handsome. Don't you feel competitive?" asked Kim Dong-Sook.

Kim Hyuk-Joon shrugged. "To be honest, I can't compete with Choi Yu-Seong in terms of looks, can I? In fact, aren't they the top two handsome guys in the domestic hunter industry? I mean Kim Do-Jin and Choi Yu-Seong. It's just a matter of taste."

"A lot of people say you guys are the top three. You’re being too humble."

"Wow, I am honored to hear that.”

"It could be an honor for Choi Yu-Seong, too. Now, before the next conversation, let's watch a video.”

In a natural manner, the program shifted to reveal one of the hunting videos that Yu-Seong had posted on NewTube recently. The three people silently watched Yu-Seong fight as he ran around the dungeon wearing a battle suit and holding a spear.

The video ended, and Kim Dong-Sook commented first. "How fancy."

“He is wearing outstanding equipment, it’s almost like he is showing off his status as a son of a chaebol family. What do you think, Hyuk-Joon?” asked Han Jin-Hyo.

Kim Hyuk-Joon, who was watching the hunting video with rather sharp eyes, smiled awkwardly.

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's my first time watching a video of his… and I have to say that I am really surprised."

"If you don't mind, can I ask you to explain why you’re surprised?”

"Isn’t that dungeon the Bat Cave? I used to go there a lot when I was a D-rank hunter.”

"Yes, yes. Actually, his hunting speed is pretty fast," said Kim Dong-Sook.

Kim Hyuk-Joon looked somewhat upset at Dong-Sook’s words. "Do people usually describe that as ‘pretty fast’? I'd have to say ‘incredibly fast’. Can I see another video?”

At Kim Hyuk-Joon's request, several other videos were played. After the videos ended, it was Dong-Sook’s turn to speak.

"Wow, I have nothing to say. I also thought I watched tons of dungeon hunting videos while being a host of The Hunter's Night, but this just catches my eye."

He shrugged and looked at Han Jin-Hyo. "I actually didn't get it after the first video, but now I get what Kim Hyuk-Joon said. Watching this guy’s battles is like watching an action movie. How can he hunt like that?”

"I half agree with what you said first, Jin-Hyo,” Kim Hyuk-Joon butted in. “But my thoughts are a little different. His style of fighting would’ve been like a movie if it was flashy and ineffective, but…. Just take a look at that move where he pushes off the wall to catch the red bat… That's a perfectly calculated move. Look at that, can you see that one move leading him into the best position to fight? Let’s see it once again… I don't think I'll get sick of watching it even if I watch it ten times.”

Kim Hyuk-Joon’s pitch rose as he pointed at one part of the video. "Wow... Isn't that like a work of art? Oh, my goodness. Can I ask him to film a movie with me? Haha...."

The two hosts laughed and nodded at Kim Hyuk-Joon’s words. The conversation continued on the same note.

Kim Hyuk-Joon asked to watch the videos several times, expressed admiration, and sometimes evaluated Yu-Seong's combat abilities from an A-rank hunter’s point of view. He said, “He is also good at using his physical strength efficiently. He uses it at the exact moment it’s necessary. When there is no need, he smoothly dodges with relaxed motions. Besides, how many times did you see the level-up light in this video? It’s going pretty fast by any standards… There's a possibility that he has some special skill related to experience points."

It was a common fact that everybody knew, not only players—when a player leveled up, a sparkling stream of silvery air wrapped around them from head to toe. However, it was not that easy to figure out when someone’s level-up rate was higher than average. Moreover, the video was edited and cut throughout, which made the time between level-up lights even more blurry.

Even Kim Dong-Sook and Han Jin-Hyo, who had certainly watched their fair share of hunter videos as hosts of The Hunter's Night, hadn’t realized this. However, Kim Hyuk-Joon had correctly pointed it out.

"That's true. It does seem to occur quite often."

"Wow, I guess A-rank hunters have different insights.”

Kim Hyuk-Joon laughed at the two hosts’ compliments and continued explaining Yu-Seong's skills and utility. Of course, it was all positive.

Suddenly, Han Jin-Hyo asked a pretty sharp question, "What do you think of him compared to Kim Do-Jin?”

"Uh..."

For the first time, Kim Hyuk-Joon was speechless.

"Come to think of it, there was a news article a while ago about you saying that the best rookie of this era is Kim Do-Jin. Have you changed your mind at all?”

When Kim Dong-Sook quickly followed up with an additional question, Kim Hyuk-Joon scratched his cheek with an awkward look. He said, “I think they have different styles, just like their appearance.”

"Oh, wait a minute. Does that mean that you think the two of them have similar abilities?"

“I’d rather not say. But I think that right now, Yu-Seong is the best among the active D-rank hunters."

"Oh, what a clever answer." Han Jin-Hyo smacked her lips as if she was disappointed.

"In fact, I think Kim Do-Jin has the edge, although not by much. I can say that his fighting style is neater. When I saw him clearing that rank 6 dungeon a while ago, wow… I was proud that such a person is Korean," Kim Hyuk-Joon said.

“We'll have to wait and see, Yu-Seong is still growing, after all. Anyway, he’s a super rookie who will lead Korea in the future, right?" said Dong-Sook.

At the two hosts’ natural comment, Hyuk-Joon, who had been in deep thought, suddenly clapped. He commented, "If these two manage to surpass the A-rank and work together, it’s going to be really incredible."

It was an unexpected point of view for the two hosts, since they had only thought of these hunters as rivals. Their eyes widened in surprise.

“That's... Maybe they could become Korea's first raid team in the world's top 10?”

“Maybe they could become the first raid party ever ranking in the world top 10?”

Guilds and attack parties were slightly different. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ N0vᴇlFire(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Guilds had their own purposes and focused on profit, so they raided dungeons because they needed resources. On the other hand, the activity of raid parties was much more challenging and mostly in the public sector. Raid parties were groups that tried to restore human territory after a dungeon break had turned it into hellish land where humans could not live. Of course, guilds could also have their own raid teams.

Thus far, it was very easy to tell which raid party was the best in Korea.

"The best record in Korea so far is the raid party led by Cheok Jun-Hui, Korea's Swordmaster, right? The team is ranked 12th in the world.”

“They were the ones who vanquished the rank 9 dungeon ‘The Frozen Land’ on Ulleungdo Island.”

At that time, the five members of the raid party ‘Taegeuk,’ including Chuck Jun-Hui, Korea's Swordmaster, were among the presidents of the top ten guilds. However, just now, a pair of novices, Choi Yu-Seong and Kim Do-Jin, had just been evaluated a little higher than them.

All three secretly thought the same thing, but they didn't say it out loud.

"Anyway, I want to get closer to Yu-Seong. With that momentum, I think he'll be more famous than me sooner or later," said Hyuk-Joon.

"That is something you've never said to Kim Do-Jin."

"To be honest, strangely, I’m a little scared of Do-Jin. Haha."

The two hosts laughed at Hyuk-Joon’s joke, then continued with small talk for a little while. The show ended with their closing remarks, which made it clear that they were looking forward to seeing Kim Hyuk-Joon and Choi Yu-Seong grow.

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