Chapter 200: A Toast To Your Patriotism (1)
Evening.
Teacher, Im here. What would you like for dinner? Gukbap? Platinum Sun? Yumir? Or all three?
Tteokbokki.
Eh. Itll just be cream tteokbokki today, right? You should add that too, ow!
Stop saying weird things and just eat whatever I give you. Ill make it today.
Really? What side dish should I make?
None.
As I prepared and ate dinner with Yumir, who had barged into my room right after work, I brought up the events of the day and the story about the sports festival.
Yoon Iseon said she wished the Goblin would appear.
Do you really need to? Isnt it a bit beneath you to show up just to deal with a 17-year-old high school girl?
Its not about the level. Yoon Iseon was talking about the Goblins beliefs. She said it doesnt make sense for the Goblin to appear since its not about coming to defeat demons.
Thats true. So, what did you say?
I said it wouldnt be too bad to ask the Goblin if there was a way to do so. Ah, right.
As I mentioned to Yoon Iseon that it might be worth asking the Goblin once, I had a thought.
Yumir. It seems like Yoon Iseon might have caught on to my identity.
Oh, really? Teacher, theres no reason for Iseon to suspect. Why do you think so?
Because of you.
Me?
Perhaps Yoon Iseon already knew that I was the Goblin, and it might be because of Yumir that my identity was exposed.
Because of me, you think Iseon has figured out youre the Goblin? I dont think shes that observant
Its not about being observant; its because of you.
It couldnt be helped.
Otherwise, theres no reason she would approach me with concerns about the Goblin after the internship.
Why is it because of me that you were found out?
Well, you dont have friends.
Yumirs expression hardened.
What did you just say?
Failed the internship, didnt make friends, and the only person you meet is someone who couldnt possibly have a connection? Its obvious to suspect.
So, the problem arose because my social circle is too narrow?
Exactly.
Ive been worried about this for a while.
The closer I got to Yumir, the more connections with Yumir would increase, and naturally, those who suspected Yumir would start to suspect me.
Yumir was Platinum Sun.
Yumir had a rather deep relationship with Do Ji-hwan.
Platinum Sun had a rather deep relationship with the Goblin.
So?
Inferring that Do Ji-hwan is the Goblin is quite easy. Just by inserting a person named Yumir in the middle.
Hmph. Even if you try to pressure me like that, its useless.
As soon as I retorted, Yumir snorted and shrugged.
Even if you say my presence might reveal your identity, you were somewhat prepared for this, right?
Prepared?
Thinking of revealing your Goblin identity to some extent to Iseon, and not just her, Seol-hee unnie too, you were planning to spread information about yourself bit by bit, whether through me or Seol-hee unnie.
I didnt expect you to notice.
I never anticipated that she would guess this plan, despite being observant.
Right. From the moment I helped Iseon deal with Duoexini, I was planning to reveal my identity to her to some extent.
Do you trust Iseon?
I do.
Shes the original heroine, and even knowing the protagonists secret, she kept her mouth shut, a behavior Ive confirmed firsthand.
Yoon Iseon didnt say a word about the Duoexini incident.
She didnt tell anyone that she fought alongside the Goblin, nor that Yumir is Platinum Sun.
If she were a blabbermouth, I would have considered sending her somewhere far from Sejong Island for about a year.
So why do you sound like youre blaming me?
Just because.
Are you teasing me because I have no friends?
Im not that bad of a person.
It was just a remark.
Just kidding. Anyway, try hinting at Yoon Iseon tomorrow. If you talk to her first, dont you think shell think she can call on the Goblin?
Through me, asking the Goblin for a favor? Then why not ask you directly? Why go through me again?
The clear route is through you. Im just a suspect; she doesnt actually know if Im the Goblin.
Hmm, so theres a chance they think Im just an associate of the sect or someone who can connect to the Goblin. Alright, I can bridge that gap easily
But?
Are you really going out?
Yumir pulled up a video.
-Come out, Goblin! Lets see who the true Rider is on Sejong Island!
A challenge thrown by Hayabusa, are you really going to accept it?
An S-class hero, Hayabusa, had posted this declaration of war on the internet.
Its not about fighting as heroes and villains! Its about seeing who the real Rider is! If I win, Ill do my best to ensure youre not caught by others!
The provocation is no joke, but I dont see why youd respond to this guys declaration.
Theres a reason to respond.
Why?
Right now, the world sees this issue as a Korea vs. Japan match.
I thought to myself, but on the internet, netizens from certain countries were already arguing about which countrys Rider was the real one.
Strictly speaking, the Rider concept does originate from Japan. The original is Rider No. 1.
Oh, you admit it?
Of course. What needs to be acknowledged should be. My Rider transformation motif was inspired by Korean tokusatsu, but if you ask where that Korean tokusatsu got its influence, obviously its from Super Sentai or Rider. However.
I took out a mask and placed it over my face.
Even if it started in Japan, if it has become a completely new form of Rider, isnt that a different story?
There was no Rider after the cataclysm.
The motif of my transformed Rider wasnt based on the Riders from before the cataclysm, but as if the cataclysm had never happened.
Show my own originality?
Its not so much about my originality, but the question of whos real isnt really important. This applies to abilities as well.
While its represented by the name Rider, this issue can also be applied to the abilities used in this world.
If someones ability is the source, but they fully make it their own? If its a new form that has evolved from the original?
Are you talking about plagiarism?
Not exactly plagiarism. No, to put it more comfortably, yes, plagiarism.
I pointed to various videos circulating on the internet, including ones posted by ability users from other countries creating new costumes in the Rider style.
After the appearance of Dodjirider, the number of people creating costumes in the Rider style has skyrocketed. Look at this. Abroad, someone even made a flaming skull Rider.
Skeleton Rider?
Its about taking gimmicks from old content. Even if it started with American comics, whos the person now wearing a helmet looking like a burning skull?
France?
Right. Culture is meant to spread. And culture doesnt really have borders. The same goes for abilities. If someone starts using abilities in a Rider concept, others are bound to follow.
Its not about whos the original.
Since this concept came from pre-cataclysm culture, I had no intention of arguing over whos the original or the real one.
But.
I wanted to show them.
To the people of this world, to those living in an era where culture has been completely overturned by the cataclysm and the emergence of abilities.
I wanted to show them the culture they rightfully should have enjoyed if abilities hadnt existed.
Its a way of repaying for the stories that exist in this world.
Having been given the chance to read serialized novels, I wanted to show the culture that wouldnt have existed in this world as a form of repayment.
To let them enjoy and appreciate a different culture through my transformation.
In that sense, Ill show Hayabusa.
Even if it started as cultural content in Japan, how abilities are sublimated and used is a separate story. Discussing real vs. fake over that? Its meaningless. Dodjirider isnt a direct plagiarism of the existing Riders.
In essence, thats what youre saying.
Yumir pointed at me with a sour face.
To prove that Dodjiriders appearance isnt plagiarism?
Well, you can think of it that way.
At least in this world, my transformation into the Goblin Rider wasnt plagiarism.
Because in this world, the legendary Goblin Rider never existed.
And its necessary to show them the Goblin is on Sejong Island.
Them Pandemonium?
Right. By showing Im here, someone from Pandemonium will show up on Sejong Island. Thats who Im aiming for.
Who it will be, I didnt know.
Ill show Pandemonium. That the Goblin is still thriving.
That I had become even more vigorous.
And its also a perfect chance to show a new form.
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