Chapter 68

# 68

User Manual for Reincarnated People Chapter 68

The Media (1)

The media outlets in the free city of Lindel could hardly be called media.

That was the conclusion Jeong Hyeon and I came to.

Of course, there are many who want to wield a pen.

Freedom of the press is an ideal that everyone living in a democratic country aspires to.

Nevertheless, the reason why media outlets in Lindel, where the social system is already established, cannot write articles as they please is probably obvious.

‘Because they are afraid.’

This continent is fundamentally a world governed by force.

It is common for people to be killed, and everyone knows how those who oppose large guilds pay the price in some way.

Writing even a single article must be done with great caution.

Not only must they avoid offending the powerful, but they must also think deeply when writing about murder cases.

After all, no one knows if a deranged killer might attack the media clan after reading the article.

In fact, I could understand this from the moment I first saw the newspapers sold in Lindel.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that there were no articles worth calling articles.

At best, they were mostly announcements about various events, and even articles about what the leader of a large guild had for breakfast were published.

Naturally, they must feel a certain degree of self-loathing.

That's what it means to be a journalist.

If asked how many people work with a sense of professional pride, I couldn't answer, but what I want is not a true journalist.

Rather, I want the opposite.

Someone who is desperate for money.

Selfish.

Someone who can throw the dice.

The kind of journalist commonly referred to as a 'yellow journalist,' and people who can follow the flow of the times are needed.

In fact, the background surrounding them is not bad.

Unlike the Lindel I heard about a long time ago, it is now somewhat systematized.

Where hunting was the only way to make a living, things are different now.

Those with leisure time enjoy cultural activities, and there is a trend of guilds investing in restaurants and theaters.

From the perspective of large and medium-sized guilds, they now have to pay attention to public opinion.

In a way, you could say they are lucky.

If I had fallen here in the early days, I wouldn't have thought of such a direction.

People are fundamentally very interested in other people's stories.

In simple terms, content to alleviate people's boredom is needed.

Considering the number of people gathered here, I couldn't help but realize that many people agree with my thoughts.

Of course, it's natural that many people would gather.

This is their livelihood.

"Brother, it seems most of them have come."

"Ah, really?"

"Yes. Except for a few... What should we do?"

"Leave them be. If this works out well, they will follow. More importantly, thank you, Hyeon."

"No, not at all."

"I'll definitely repay you when this is over."

"Okay!"

The reason we could achieve this much in such a short time is thanks to Jeong Hyeon's help.

After giving her a light kiss on the lips and entering the room, I saw the people gathered there.

I found it a bit amusing that they were quieter than before, thinking they were watching me.

However, it would be impossible to show any signs of this.

I smiled slightly and greeted them.

"Nice to meet you all."

"Ah... Nice to meet you."

"I'm Seong-kyung from the Lindel Daily."

"Really nice to meet you. I'm Gi-young from the Blue Guild."

They seemed more curious about how much they would be paid than the reason they were called.

After all, this is the only way they earn money in Lindel, so it's not unreasonable.

We exchanged pleasantries.

When a decent meal was served, their faces brightened.

While it would be good to get straight to the point, this time is also necessary.

"Of course, the reason I gathered you all is to ask you to write a small article."

"I had a rough idea, but indeed. Hahaha. Of course, we will write it. After all, the Blue Party is currently the hottest. It's fortunate that we can promote you."

'Promotion, my ass.'

In fact, even if an article is published, the promotional effect is minimal.

After all, the articles they publish have no influence.

"I heard that you cleared the tutorial dungeon in the shortest time with just four people and successfully completed the strategy for the Garden of Terror. It will be a good story."

Of course, it's not a good source.

The fact that a party cleared a dungeon is something that can be known without reading an article.

In fact, it would be more effective for the guild to promote itself.

"Hahaha. If you tell me how you want it written, I'll do my best to match it."

This is the current state of the people who lead the media in Lindel.

Of course, I don't mind. This is exactly what I wanted to hear.

"Actually, the article I want you to write is a bit different from what you think."

"Huh?"

"I want you to write an article about a woman named Jeong Yura from the Black Swan. The exact content is... "

Slowly. Very slowly, I began to explain the content of the article.

I didn't add or embellish anything.

I just calmly told them about the events that happened in the dungeon.

However, the expressions of the people in front of me were gradually becoming distorted.

This is a typical reaction.

They couldn't say it outright, but I could see what they were thinking.

'I am not a suicide candidate.'

Or.

'I still want to live.'

That's about right.

"Just write the existing content as it is. Of course, adding details is your freedom. Personally, I would appreciate it if you could write it a bit more provocatively. After all, the public likes provocative articles. Of course, I will ensure you are well compensated in gold."

"......"

"......"

The room became quiet, which is understandable.

It was a reaction I had already anticipated.

"Well, it seems difficult... "

"Huh?"

"It will be difficult to write such an article. I roughly understand why you are asking for it, but... the content is a bit... "

"I'm not asking you to write an article about the Black Swan. I want you to focus on Jeong Yura as an individual... "

"Even so... "

The way they exchanged glances was quite a sight.

More and more people were avoiding answering or feeling uncomfortable with the situation.

If I weren't Gi-young from the Blue Guild, some of them might have already stormed out, shouting to stop the nonsense.

"I know what you are worried about."

"Huh?"

"Probably your safety. It's natural to be afraid of potential retaliation. But don't worry. I'm not saying this lightly. This is more about... "

"Oh."

"Ms. Cha Hee-ra's intention."

Of course, it's a lie.

"Even so, I understand your fear. You are afraid of retaliation from the Black Swan and Jeong Yura. Even if the Queen of Mercenaries protects you, it's not an easy decision to make."

"......"

"If you write the article, it will be under your real name."

"Ah... "

"Perhaps some of you are imagining the impact of the article. Writing an article that criticizes a large guild will have a significant impact. People will be curious about why such an event occurred. The sales rate will skyrocket, and you will earn a lot of gold coins."

"Gold coins are not the issue... "

"The more people read the article, the safer you will be. The more your name is associated with the article or column, the more influence you will gain."

Some of them understood.

Of course, it's natural.

There are people who worked in the media on Earth.

"People with power do pay attention to public opinion. Large guilds also consider public perception. With much to protect, they cannot act recklessly. You all know this. The social system in Lindel is already somewhat established. The era of operating solely through hunting and dungeons is over."

An expression of understanding.

However, not one of agreement.

"Even so, I feel a bit uneasy. To be honest, being here is quite uncomfortable."

"The Red Mercenaries are supporting you. There's no need to be afraid. Ms. Cha Hee-ra has carefully considered this matter."

"But writing under our real names... "

"That's the important part. If something goes wrong, the Black Swan Guild will find it hard to avoid criticism. Of course, that's the case."

I could see the faces of the journalists, who were a bit anxious.

Of course, it's natural.

They have to tremble at the slightest breeze.

What they are worried about is obvious.

Even if the Red Mercenaries back them, writing an article that criticizes a large guild is still scary.

I took a slight sigh and continued.

"Why haven't the media in Lindel been able to function properly until now?"

"Well... retaliation... "

"Yes. Of course, you were afraid of retaliation. That's why you wrote subpar articles. I'm not criticizing or insulting your past work. It was an unavoidable situation. This continent operates on a strict power dynamic, and I understand that it's not easy to publish articles freely."

"Yes."

"But that's not the right answer."

"Huh?"

"Operating on a strict power dynamic is not the reason why the media cannot function properly. That's not a valid reason."

"......"

"The biggest reason is that you haven't set a clear direction. Those who have worked as journalists on Earth will understand what I mean. It's important to have a clear direction for the media. Which side will you stand on? Which side will you support? It's as important as deciding whether to support the ruling party or the opposition. This gives the media significant power in such a background."

"Are you suggesting we follow the Blue and Red Mercenaries' line?"

"Yes, of course. We need the articles you write. The media cannot be completely free. Just be half free. Exactly half. Criticize the enemies of the Blue and Red Mercenaries and support us. Move the public. Even if you choose another side, there will be no disadvantage. If you choose the Black Swan or another force, you can go that way. Of course, you might face threats to your life. External pressure will be a daily occurrence. But that's a natural part of life in Lindel. Those who enter dungeons and those who stand on the front lines are all risking their lives."

"Ah... "

"And in proportion to the threats you face, you will gain even greater rewards."

"What... "

"Gold coins."

"......"

"And."

"......"

"Power."

Of course, they won't actually gain power.

But I can make them think they will.

Among those who nodded blankly, I bowed again and said,

"Thank you sincerely for working with me."