Everyone is Young Except for Me

[A mysterious man! He raised a middle finger at the reporters!]

[What is the identity of the wolf mask riding the orc chief?]

[Why doesn’t he talk? Is it a mystical concept?]

[What is his identity and class? What is his appearance?]

These were the contents published on the front page of the newspaper the day after yesterday’s hot action. I slowly read the contents in the morning.

‘A man who seems to have an eccentric character appeared with the orc chief, Gorba.’

...These bastards. I read another article in a disgusted mood.

‘He must be ugly if he is wearing a wolf mask.’

This was nonsense. To be precise, it was a gnoll mask, not a wolf mask. More accurately, it was a dog mask. I didn’t know why they were mistaking it for a wolf.

There was another post right underneath. ‘A vicious employer driving the orcs to work. His wicked back.’

“Aish!” I folded up the newspaper and threw it on the couch. Certainly, the power of the press couldn’t be ignored. No matter if someone was good or bad, it was changed and interpreted according to the tastes of the journalists. I was frowning and pressing a hand to my temple when Mido approached.

“Grandfather! Where were you yesterday?” Mido’s cheeks were puffy because she just woke up and she asked with a sulky expression.

We had decided to meet up yesterday... ugh, I forgot about it. “I’m sorry. I connected and was killed in one blow by an orc.”

“Che, I didn’t know and waited at the fountain.”

“Huhu, I’m sorry.”

I couldn’t tell her the truth. If I said that I was the person in the newspaper, the house would probably be turned upside down. The media was also releasing a series of malicious articles so it was better to hide it at this time. Just because they didn’t get an interview...

It was a dilemma but I felt it was best to stay still. I made a small sigh and Mido asked me, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m just thinking too much lately.”

“Take it easy. You have to think about your health.”

“Keke. I understand.” I smiled and turned on the TV straight away. The channel was turned to 117 and there was a broadcast related to Arcstar.

-The unidentified man in a wolf mask who appeared in Windia yesterday is a hot topic.

-That’s right. He was riding a level 200 orc chief. I captured the orc chief calling him Brother.

Mido watched the news together with me and asked, “Who is that person?”

“...Who knows? I don’t know.”

“During the time when I arrived in Windia yesterday, a large orc ran away and a man was riding on him. I think it was this man.”

“Really?”

It seemed that Mido had been there.

-The title of Brother usually implies a close relationship.

-That’s right. That’s why there was a lot of disagreement among our experts. Looking at the orcs moving in an orderly manner, we think it is a taming ability related to the Star Fruit.

-However, there are rumors that he doesn’t have a good personality so a fact check is needed.

-It is true. Let’s look at the screen.

The floating screen showed an image of me raising my middle finger to the reporters. Unsurprisingly, my hands were covered with a mosaic.

“Puhahaha. That person is really fiery.” 

Mido burst out laughing next to me and I asked her, “What do you think about that person?”

“Let’s see... I haven’t met him but I think he definitely has a hot temper. I also don’t think it is bad to use orcs to rebuild the buildings.”

Fortunately, I looked good to Mido. I couldn’t help smiling at my granddaughter. The ensuing discussion on the screen was just about my identity. It was a trivial story about why I wore a mask and if I was ugly. I was speechless at the sight and turned it off. Then Mido spoke, “Grandfather, what are you doing today?”

“Um....? I’m playing Arcstar.”

“Really? What are you going to do in Arcstar?”

“Ah...”

I was a bit puzzled by the sudden question. What should I say? I was currently on a quest to repair the east gate with the orcs. The lord had appointed me the general manager of the place and I might have to be there for two more days.

...I couldn’t say it.

Mido suggested, “If you don’t have anything planned, then I’ll be your bus.”

“Bus? What is that?”

“Um, it is simple to explain it as a high level person raising a low level person.”

“You don’t need to do that...”

“Aing [1] ♡ I want to play with Grandfather.”

I was disarmed by my granddaughter’s sudden affection. Shit... I shouldn’t do this. However, the words that were the opposite of my thoughts popped out. “I understand. Let’s play together. Kuhuhu! Hahaha!”

My ears were red like kimchi dumplings.

* * *

I gave Mido pocket money and went straight to Arcstar. The place I appeared was the construction site where I logged off yesterday. The construction progress was in full swing but reporters appeared once I showed up.

“It’s the wolf mask!”

Damn, they came again. I frowned at the familiar flashing sound. My anger soared when I saw the crystal balls floating in the air. I wanted to break them with a dagger but I didn’t want to be in the news. I had to escape them quickly before Mido came. I opened the portal using the return stone in a familiar manner. Once I arrived at the lord’s castle, I went straight to Kerenos.

“Huh? What brings you here, old man?” 

“I have an appointment today.”

“Huh...?”

“You take command of the construction site.”

“Huh...?”

“Please.”

“Huh...? No...”

“Shut up!” 

Bam!

“Ack!”

I handed over the hot baton and headed to the central fountain to wait for Mido. By the way, there was just a problem...

“...Those damn guys are chasing me again.”

They seemed better at finding me than last time.

[The first apostle, ‘Prometheus,’ is frowning.]

This guy was also annoyed.

“Hey, should I just push them with Sun Road?”

[The first apostle, ‘Prometheus,’ is telling you to do what you want.]

“No, I can’t. My infamy will rise again and it will hurt.”

I didn’t want to experience a breathtaking chase like last time. After a long moment of thinking, I decided to think of another way. At this moment, Prometheus spoke up.

[The first apostle, ‘Prometheus,’ suggests tying them up.]

“Tying them up? What? Using the cobweb?”

[The first apostle, ‘Prometheus,’ is nodding.]

It was a good idea but if someone released them, I was almost certain to be chased. I’d rather it be in a place where no one could come... ah!

I walked toward the reporters with a wicked smile. The reporters asked me questions straight away.

“What is your level?”

“What is your class?”

“Are you going to apologize for your actions the other day?”

There were many questions but I raised an index finger to my mouth and asked for silence. The reporters fell silent. I asked for a pen and piece of paper from a reporter among them. 

“This one? Do you want this?”

The man nodded and handed it over. I wrote on it:

If you want to know who I am, follow me.

The reporters saw it and their eyes flashed. Then another question was asked.

“Are you finally going to reveal your identity?”

“What is your age?”

“It is the Star Fruit’s power, right?”

Ah, too dirty and noisy...

I once again wrote on the piece of paper.

I’ll kill you if you keep making noise.

Then all the reporters became mute. I could hear someone hiccup but I can finally get some peace. Now it was better.

I led them to Yurnia Forest. The reporters asked where they were going but I didn’t answer. It felt like I would be caught if I spoke. Thus, I was able to reach a familiar cliff. I wrote on the piece of paper: Please turn off the cameras. Then I’ll answer the questions.

“Turn off the cameras? Then we won’t be able to broadcast it.”

“Is there a reason for this?”

All 10 reporters were staring at me. I could feel my eyes reddening at the gaze. I spoke nonsense, “I have camera phobia.”

The reporters consulted each other before starting to turn off the cameras. It was as I guessed. The crystal ball was a camera. I swallowed the complaints in my heart.

[The first apostle, ‘Prometheus,’ is giggling.]

Once the cameras were off, I finally opened my mouth, “Follow me.”

“What are you going to say?

“Why can’t you tell us?”

“Are you ignoring us?”

I wasn’t obliged to answer. I fired a cobweb at a sturdy tree nearby.

“W-What?”

“What is that skill?”

“Cobweb?”

“Spider-Man??”

Everyone looked surprised and I beckoned for them to follow. They seemed to hesitate for a moment but they soon started to follow. I descended the cliff along with their grumbling voices and in the middle, I showed my true colors.

[Spider Climbing has been activated.]

“W-What?! How is he standing sideways on a cliff?”

“Is he really Spider-Man?”

“What the hell is he?”

I fired a cobweb at them.

“Shut up.”

“What is this X thing?”

“What is this?”

“Aaaack!”

They were helpless when struck by the cobwebs in a defenseless state. Their faces turned red as they were glued to the wall and one of them yelled at me.

“Xuck. What are you doing? Can you do this to us?!”

“Yes.”

The reporters’ faces reddened and they started to spit out curses.

“You crazy guy! Do you think you’ll be safe? Uh? Do you know who I...”

I fired cobwebs and blocked their mouths.

[The first apostle, ‘Prometheus,’ is nodding at the cider.]

Thus, I shut everyone’s mouth. They were like butterflies caught in the cobweb and I watched them struggling as I climbed the cliff with ease. Of course, I didn’t forget to cut the cobweb line they came down on.

“...Ah, I forgot.” I had something to say. This was the most important thing. “I’ll kill you if you interrupt my date.”

I was somehow looking forward to the articles tomorrow morning.

[1] Just a cute way of speaking