I Woke Up as the Villain

‘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 revealing himself to various media was something else entirely.

‘My Star Factor skill has…’

『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. He could now grow at a level about three times faster than others when the hunting experience boost potion was used. Upon that discovery, he felt his NewTube and social media activities were clearly meaningful.

‘Unlocking the additional ability is just around the corner.’ 

By then, Yu-Seong's cell phone rang from receiving a text message. It came from Park Jin-Hwan.

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

"What?"

Before Choi Yu-Seong tilted his head and could reply back with incoherent words, questioning the message 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 his shoulders lightly, left the room, and headed to the living room.

***

“The Hunter's Night,” KBS channel 2's TV program, was a popular late-night show with an average viewer rating of around 5%. As the program name suggested, the main content was hunter-related. The program was about various contents, such as inviting and interviewing hunters in-person 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 blunt speakers, so it was a bit contentious in the public. However, as seen from the high audience rating, the program had a big fan base.

There were two main characters of “The Hunter's Night” today. 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 Choi Yu-Seong, a rookie who had been rising at a frightening pace recently.

In the beginning, it started with an interview with Kim Hyuk-Joon, who came out as a guest. There were conversations about the future direction of his activities, records and somewhat personal questions.

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

“We are just close friends, but word got around after our picture was taken when we went out to eat together once. I gave an explanation as an official announcement before, but that was really just a rumor. If it was real, I would rather show off about it. Haha,” said Hyuk-Joon.

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

"To tell 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 8 years, skillfully responded to those questions.

“Then now, let's move on to the second main character. It's one of the most popular keywords 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 his shoulders and answered, "To be honest, I can't compete with Choi Yu-Seong in terms of looks. 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.”

Amid a natural flow, the show revealed the hunting videos that Choi Yu-Seong had posted on NewTube recently. The three people silently watched Choi Yu-Seong, who ran around the dungeon wearing a battle suit holding a spear, fight. The video ended, and Kim Dong-Sook gave a comment first, "How fancy."

“He is wearing outstanding equipment, like he is showing off his status as a conglomerate’s son. 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. He looked surprised at that question. "Oh, I'm sorry. It's my first time watching a video…and I was really surprised."

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

"That dungeon, isn't it 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 and pointed out, "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 again to speak up first. He said, "Wow, I have nothing to say. I also thought I watched tons of dungeon hunting videos while being a host of this show “The Hunter's Night,” but this just catches my eye."

He shrugged his shoulders 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. His battle is like a movie. How could he hunt like that?”

"I half agree with you, Jin-Hyo. But my thoughts are a little different. If it's simply flashy and ineffective, it’ll really be just like a movie. But if you see that move where he pushes 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 over again ten times.”

Search tinyurl.com/2p9emv8w for the original.

Kim Hyuk-Joon raised his voice while pointing at one part of the video. "Wow... Isn't that like an 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. In fact, such a similar pattern of conversation continued afterward.

Kim Hyuk-Joon personally asked for the video several times, expressed admiration, and sometimes evaluated Choi Yu-Seong's battle from the A-rank hunter’s point of view. He said, “He is also good at effectively using his physical strength. He uses it at the exact time when it’s necessary. When there is no need, he smoothly dodges with relaxed motions. Besides, how many leveling effects were there in this video? It seemed to be at a rather fast pace… There's a possibility that he has some special skill related to the experience points."

It was a fact that even ordinary people, not only players, knew that the silver airflow was wrapped around the player from head to toe when leveling up took place. However, it was not easy to notice that the level-up speed was faster than the general standard. Moreover, the video was edited and cut throughout, so it would be even more difficult to recognize.

Even Kim Dong-Sook and Han Jin-Hyo, who watched a bunch of hunter videos as hosts of the show "The Hunter's Night," also didn’t realize such a fact. However, Kim Hyuk-Joon 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 Choi Yu-Seong's skills and utility. Of course, it was all positive. Amid such admiration, 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 became 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 added an additional question, Kim Hyuk-Joon scratched his cheek with an awkward look. He said, “I think they have different charming points, 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 Choi Yu-Seong is the best among the active D-rank hunters currently."

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

"In fact, I think Kim Do-Jin is a little more superior. I can say that his battle is neater. When I saw him clearing the sixth rank 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 since Choi Yu-Seong is still growing. 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 was deep in thought suddenly applauded. He commented, "If the two grow above the A-rank and work together, it would be really incredible."

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

“That's... Maybe Korea's first attack team in the world's top 10?”

“Maybe they could become the first attack squad globally ranking in the top 10 for the first time in Korea?”

Guilds and attack parties were slightly different.

If the guild focused on developing the size of the business through a dungeon attack because it had a rather private and strong purpose for operating profit, the attack parties did more work that was public and challenging.

The attack parties were groups who tried to restore people’s territory after the dungeon breaks appeared, and made it a hellish land where humans could not live. Of course, the guild could make such an attack team. And so far, the most accomplished attack team in Korea was very clear.

"The best record in Korea so far is the attack team where Chuck Jun-Hui, Korea's Swordmaster, is the leader, right? The team is ranked 12th in the world.”

“They were the ones who vanquished the 9th ranked dungeon ‘The Frozen Land’ in Ulleungdo Island.”

At that time, the five members of Taegeuk attack team, including Chuck Jun-Hui, Korea's Swordmaster, were the top ten guilds’ presidents. However, just now, the pair of Choi Yu-Seong and Kim Do-Jin was 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 Choi 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."

After Hyuk-Joon’s joke, a short chat continued for a while. Then, the show ‘The Hunter's Night’ ended with the two hosts’ closing remarks. They said that they were looking forward to the growth of Kim Hyuk-Joon and Choi Yu-Seong.