Seoul Dragon - Chapter 61

The events I had stirred up in America spread far and wide.

No, not just far and wide—that's an understatement.

By the time I returned to Korea, literally everyone knew about it.

Contacts poured in from all directions.

First, my parents.

-Are you really okay?

"I told you I'm fine. I resolved everything."

-Still, you did well. You saved many people, didn't you? As long as you're safe and did something good, that's what matters.

My parents seemed relieved just by the fact that I was safe and hadn't done anything wrong.

Well, it's understandable for them to worry, considering I went to face those horrific undead.

Anyway, after confirming that my body was completely unharmed and there were no problems, my parents coolly ended the call.

Next were my classmates and juniors.

When I visited the lecture hall to attend a class after a while, Hangyeol, Sihyun, and Suyeon made a fuss upon seeing me.

"Wow, look who it is! I was about to completely forget your face."

"Well, it was more important than classes, so it couldn't be helped. Hey, Hangyeol. Do you have any notes summarizing the lecture content?"

"Yep. Who do you think I am? I prepared everything. In return, buy me a meal."

"That's fine... What do you want to eat? You guys too, tell me if there's anything you want to eat. I'll treat you after the lecture ends."

The juniors' faces brightened.

"Sweet! Hey, Sihyun, didn't you say there was something you wanted to eat?"

"Y-yes, but... Is it really okay? I feel like I've been freeloading off you since before."

"At times like this, you just say 'thank you' and accept it gratefully."

When I said that, the burden that had been slightly visible on Sihyun's face disappeared.

Afterwards, well, everyone I met told me I was awesome, amazing, and so on before leaving.

Just how far has that video spread?

"Hey, look at this. You're basically flooding video sites and such. You're literally becoming the mother of nationalist TV shows."

"Ugh... I'd prefer not to appear on those..."

"But there's no way around it, think about it. A Korean person appeared and solved an issue that threatened America's existence with just one breath attack."

"...Is that so?"

"Our school is already quite familiar with your existence, so it ends at this level, but if you go outside to places where elderly people are, it will be no joke."

That's somewhat frightening.

Elderly people asking me for autographs?

I'm not a trot singer or anything...

But then I thought it might actually happen.

What I did wasn't an ordinary feat.

Literally, I saved an entire country, didn't I?

Honestly, I haven't fully grasped it because it felt too easy, but I essentially prevented a massive massacre.

To the extent that I could understand why people elevated me as a hero.

...Still, it's a bit cringe-worthy.

Of course I feel proud of what I did, and I think, "That's right, it's me," but beyond that, being praised by people makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable.

When I expressed these feelings to my classmates, they nodded.

"Well, that's because you've always been that kind of person. At times like this, just enjoy it. Give some autographs, dance a little."

"What's with the sudden dance out of nowhere?"

"I'm joking, joking. But aren't you getting offers to appear on TV? Those TV people are extremely sensitive to trends, so they'll try to cast you somehow."

"...Me on TV? Why?"

"The broadcasting industry lives and dies by ratings, and right now, there's no hotter topic than you."

"That's true."

"That's why. If you appear, the ratings are guaranteed. You know how many people watched your press conference live, right?"

"...That's true too."

"See? You've come too far to be called an ordinary person now. You're a public figure, a civil servant with a position. As time passes, even bigger things will probably happen, so it might be good to get used to it?"

That's right. It was now impossible to return to being the ordinary citizen Yoon Seohyun.

I'm already a Dragon-type mutant recognized worldwide, an individual who can threaten a nation's existence.

As Hangyeol said, perhaps it was time to stop trying to live as an ordinary citizen in a half-hearted way.

"You're saying I shouldn't be too humble and find it difficult if I become too famous?"

"Bull."

"That's just the right amount."

"Anyway, other guys have been watching you all this time, seen all your blunders, so would they treat you differently just because you've become famous? Oh, but if I hang out with you, you'll pay the friend fee, right?"

"Hahaha! You crazy bastard."

I burst into laughter at his absurd words.

This guy, somehow the frequency of his jokes seemed to have increased since I became a dragon.

He probably didn't want me to feel burdened.

I was grateful just for the thought.

"Speaking of which, can I have your autograph?"

"That's really random. Why?"

"It's obvious that the broadcasting industry will soon be all over you, so at a time like this, I should get an autograph, you know? I'll treasure it."

"Ahaha!"

I laughed for a while and gave him five autographs.

"Why give me five?"

"Sell them if you need money. As you said, if I become even more famous than now, incomparably so, and gain popularity, they might be worth quite a bit?"

"Would you really sell them?"

"Sell them, sell them. That's why I'm giving them to you. Come to think of it, isn't it interesting how a worthless piece of paper suddenly gains value?"

After all, how many people have I given autographs to so far?

I could afford to show that much generosity to a friend.

Though, I wonder if anyone would actually buy them.

Uh, well.

Why is this actually happening?

"Uh, Vice Chief. What did you just say...?"

"We've received casting requests from broadcasting stations. Addressed to you, Bureau Chief."

"What kind of entertainment shows?"

"Well, there are too many types. It's difficult to pinpoint just one."

"...What?"

"First, one variety show, one talk show and quiz show hosted by two famous celebrities who invite guests, one daily life observation show..."

"Wait, wait a minute. So many all of a sudden!?"

What in the world is going on? Hangyeol's words became reality, and I felt bewildered.

No, why?

"The issue you resolved in America has spread widely through video sites and the internet."

"...I knew that, but casting for entertainment shows?"

"Well, at some point, you started to catch people's attention, so I thought it might be about time... This incident seems to have been the catalyst."

"My goodness..."

"But if you want to decline, that's fine. Not all casting requests are accepted anyway."

"That's true, but..."

"These days, even civil servants appear on entertainment shows as long as they aren't problematic, so it doesn't seem bad."

Honestly, it's a bit burdensome...

What should I do? Should I go or not?

Just refusing to appear doesn't seem right either.

Since my original purpose was to instill a friendly image of mutants, this might actually be a good opportunity.

Then, if I were to appear, which entertainment show would be better?

I thought carefully.

First, I'll decline the daily life observation show.

I don't want to show my daily life to others, and it might harm my sister and those around me.

Then, the variety show? This one is somewhat appealing.

I quite enjoyed that format where celebrities struggle, which I've watched since childhood.

Besides, I probably wouldn't even struggle much.

On what basis am I confident? The way variety shows make people work is similar.

They either don't provide food, make you work, or make you run around here and there.

But I don't feel any discomfort in any of those situations.

...Being able to comfortably watch celebrities I like struggle up close? This might be fun.

As for the talk show... well, it seems like I'd be repeating stories I've already told, so not really.

Alright. Let's try appearing on a variety show. Consider it a new experience. I'm already as famous as I can be, so how much more famous could I get?

"Hmm... I've thought about various things."

"Yes."

"I'd like to appear on a variety show."

"Oh, is that so?"

The Vice Chief seemed surprised again. Well, since I've never talked about my hobbies or such, he wouldn't know that I like entertainment shows.

"I've been watching the variety show that sent the casting request for a while. So I'm quite interested."

"If that's the case, I'll communicate that to them. Ah, regarding the filming schedule, we should go to the broadcasting station together. Will your time be okay?"

"It's fine. But will you be okay, Vice Chief? You must have a lot of work..."

Come to think of it, I was concerned that I might be burdening the Vice Chief by agreeing to appear.

Is this really okay...?

"Haha, this is also considered work, so it's fine. By the way, I am a bit worried about the image."

"Because if you're too friendly, the mutant crime rate might rise?"

"That's right. But then again, I don't think that will happen. Especially since videos of how you handled that terrifying army in America have been circulating."

"Ahaha..."

"You handled it really intensely. It made my knees weak just watching."

"I had to handle it that way in that situation."

"I completely understand. I saw the original of that corpse dragon... Honestly, I've seen all sorts of bloody scenes, but it was so shocking that I couldn't bear it. The situation was serious enough that those beings massacred thousands and were trying to kill many more, so you had to be decisive."

"...Yes."

"So you don't need to worry about the friendly image aspect. As long as there's a firm image that there's no mercy for criminals, it's fine. Well then, let's contact the broadcasting station right away. For things like this, it's better to contact them as soon as possible to coordinate schedules."

"Yes!"

And so, my appearance on an entertainment show was decided.