Press (1)
The media system in the Free City of Lindel couldn’t even be properly called the press. This was the conclusion that Jung Hayan and I had come to.
Of course, it couldn’t be denied that many people here wanted to wield a pen. Freedom of the press was an ideal concept that a democratic area such as Lindel would desire. Nevertheless, it was obvious that media companies couldn’t just write articles at will.
‘That’s because it’s too scary to do so.’
After all, this was a country that was dominated by force. A person could die simply by just offending someone formidable or was of high status. Thus, the creation of articles was done conscientiously.
Any topic had to be raked over with a fine-tooth comb, for even the slightest mistake in word choice could cost you your life. No one knew when a passive reader could turn into a crazed murderer and stalk after the media people just because they had offended someone.
I had guessed as much upon reading a newspaper. I found nothing that could be called a legit article. There were notices and announcements, sure, but the closest ones I could find were just showbiz stuff, like what the biggest guilds liked to eat for breakfast and such.
This proved to be a disappointment, seeing as I had been on the lookout for a true journalist. On the other hand, I could understand, though. Life and money were crucial to survive in such a place like Lindel. No one would dare spark controversy, especially within the media world.
The question was, would I be able to find someone who’d dare to change this?
I needed a true journalist. I needed someone who could keep up with the trend of the times.
Lindel was still relatively considered a ‘new’ place, but the system had been established for a while now. Therefore, it was important to note how much things had changed since the past economically, politically, or even socially.
Even culture could play a part. What was the ideal lifestyle like at this point? How could smaller guilds rank up to be of equal footing with the larger ones? These were topics that would be sure to catch the public’s attention.
In some ways, I could say I was lucky. If I had stumbled upon Lindel when it was still just developing, I might have chosen to travel elsewhere. However, what this place still lacked was a little spark in controversy.
Humans were the types to be interested in others’ lives. This place needed content that would soothe people’s boredom. Upon observation, I noticed that many people seemed to share my sentiments, which told me my plan might work.
“Oppa, I think most of them have come.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, they’ll be expecting you in a few minutes… What else should I do?”
“Oh, no, you’ve already done enough. Thank you so much for everything, Hayan.”
“It was no problem at all…”
“I will definitely repay you when all of this is over.”
“Yes, I know. I trust you, oppa!”
She deserved it. After all, this had a chance of working in the first place because of Jung Hayan.
I pecked her on the lips before I entered the other room, and the crowd of people turned to face me. The noisy hubbub suddenly quieted down upon my arrival.
They were all watching me now, both curious and anxious about what I had called them here for. I plastered a smile on my face and spoke.
“I’m glad to see you all.”
“Ah… It’s also nice to meet you.”
“I am Kim Seong-gyeong from the Lindel Daily.”
“It’s my pleasure to meet you. I am Kiyoung Lee of the Blue Guild.”
Upon assessing their expressions, I knew these people cared much more about how much I was willing to give, rather than what I was about to say. Money was, after all, a scarcity in Lindel unless you were a guild member.
After a few moments, their meals arrived. I could see everyone’s expression brightening. I knew it was crucial to get to the main point right away, but this was a necessary distraction.
“Of course, the reason I gathered all of you today is to ask you to write a small article for me.”
“Ah, of course, I’ve been expecting this. Of course, I’d be willing to write. Isn’t Blue Guild running at the highest stock price recently? I’d be honored to promote your guild.”
‘Ah, promotion. What rubbish.’
I knew even if they posted a promotional article about us, it would all be for naught. The influence of media companies in this world was practically nonexistent.
“I heard that four of you broke through the tutorial dungeon in the shortest time and successfully completed the attack of the Garden of Terror. This will be a good article.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Yes, our backstory was good, but at this rate, even the Blue Guild would do a better job promoting the article than these people.
“Hahaha, I agree. All you have to do is give us the order, and we’ll take the article into the direction you want it to go.”
I leaned back slightly, my demeanor changing. This was the reply I was looking for.
“Actually, the article I would want you to write is different from what you have in mind.”
“Oh?”
“I would like you to write an article about a woman named Jung Yura, who comes from the Black Swan Guild. The exact details are…”
Very slowly, I began to explain the details of the article. I did not add or flesh anything more than what I wanted to be included within it. All I calmly stated were the events that had transpired within the dungeon expedition.
However, the people’s faltering expressions before me revealed what they thought about this proposed article of mine. ‘I am not a suicide seeker’ and ‘I still want to live more’ were imprinted on everyone’s faces.
“It doesn’t matter if you just write what I have told you. Of course, it’s also your freedom to flesh it out in any way you would want to. I personally would appreciate it if you write it a little more provocatively. You know the public likes stimulating content. The gold you will receive will surely not disappoint you.”
“…”
“…”
I had expected an ominous silence to descend in the room.
“Well, this seems like a difficult preposition…”
“You think?”
“Yes… I can understand your intentions for wanting this article written, but the content…”
“Oh no, I am not telling you to write about the Black Swan Guild itself. Rather, I am asking you to focus on Jung Yura as an individual.”
“Yes, but still…”
I watched these people exchange unsure looks with each other, and the discomfort in the room began to heighten as they pondered over my proposed article. If I had come from a less influential guild or my name was not already known within the city, these people would say no to my face and left in a hurry.
“I know what you’re worried about.”
“O-Oh…”
“You are worried for your safety. You know publishing an article like this will earn you some definite consequences. However, I want you to know that this article isn’t for my intentions…”
“Whose-?”
“It is Cha Hee-ra’s will.”
Of course, what I had just said was a lie—a necessary one.
“I understand that you will be afraid, nonetheless. Jung Yura’s personal retaliation is very scary. I know that even if the Mercenary Queen herself grants you her protection, it will be difficult.”
“…”
“If you write the article, you will have to use your real name.”
“Ah…”
“I know some of you are also worried about the impact the article will receive once it gets published. Nothing good ever comes from criticizing large guilds. However, people will be wondering why this kind of incident happened. Your sales rates will go up beyond comparison, and you will be able to earn more than your usual salaries.”
“Ah, but the gold isn’t the problem here…”
“The more people read your article, the safer you will be. The more articles are sold under your name, the more influence you can gain – thus making you safer.”
I could see looks of understanding pass over some of the reporters’ faces. After all, some of these people had probably also been working for the press back when they were still living on Earth.
“Just because they have power doesn’t mean they can just disregard the public. Large guilds also value public attention. They cannot act recklessly. Everybody knows this. There is already a social system established within Lindel. The era of simply operating by hunting or dungeon expeditions has already passed.”
There were still expressions of fear imprinted on their faces. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy trying to persuade them.
“No matter how you put it, publishing an article like this is still dangerous…”
“The Red Mercenary Guild will be supporting you. Is that not protection enough? You know how influential Cha Hee-ra is in this city.”
“But, if the article will be written using our real names…”
“That part is the most important. If you are proven correct, it will be difficult to avoid the blame from the standpoint of the Black Swan Guild.”
I tried to speak as calmly as I could to try and ease the anxiety of the reporters. I knew Cha Hee-ra wouldn’t be enough to spark them to do my bidding. Even if protection was guaranteed, it was still a highly-risky move to write an article against any large, existing guild.
I sighed a little and began to speak again.
“Why do you think the media companies in Lindel have not been successful thus far?”
“That’s… Well, retaliation, for one thing…”
“Yeah. Of course, the thought of retaliation is scary. That’s why you’ve been writing substandard articles so far. Of course, I am not condemning or insulting what you have been doing. This is an unavoidable situation. I understand that this continent is a place where it will not be easy to publish such articles carelessly.”
“Yeah.”
“But that’s not the right answer.”
“You think…?”
“To trap yourself in this type of mindset means you’re only hindering the success of your companies. This isn’t the way to go about it.”
“…”
“The biggest reason for your failure is that you don’t have the drive to push through. Perhaps those who had been journalists back on Earth can understand me. The most important thing is that you do not directly state which side you’re on. You let the public do that. Instead, you simply insinuate. That’s what gives the press a lot of power in this type of background.”
“Are you telling me to take the side of the Blue Guild and Red Mercenaries?”
“Yes, of course. Just write the article we need. The press won’t be completely free from the matter either way. You can criticize the enemies of the Blue and Red Mercenaries and defend us. All you need to do is move the public. There will be no disadvantage if you go the other way. You can choose the Black Swan, or if you have a route that leads to another faction, you can go there. The fact stands that you will not be free from retaliation whichever path you choose to take. External pressure is an inevitable routine. But isn’t risking your lives a natural occurrence in a place like Lindel?”
“Ah…”
“And as you are threatened, I will see to it that you will gain even bigger rewards.”
“That…”
“You’ll get insurmountable gold.”
“…”
“And, most importantly…”
“…”
“You’ll get the power you seek.”
Of course, this was only an illusion. At the very least, their sales rates would indeed get higher, and they would gain a semblance of influence. However, influence wasn’t the same thing as power.
Looking at the expressions on their faces now, I knew I had them reeled in – hook, line, and sinker.
I bowed.
“Thank you very much for hearing me out.”