Only I Am A Reader

Monsters disguised as humans… Although no one accepted that from the get-go, the revelation brought by the Heavenly Strength Society's efforts had upgraded humanity's perspective of their enemy.

The illogical versatility of monster abilities that took any shape or form made it hard for one to get surprised by it at this point in time, but this was still a shock to many. While some old folk legends did speak of humans that turned into monsters, it was hard to accept the other way around.

Dead bodies weren't enough evidence, but the report pointed at a similar but smaller case. Another clan of werewolves occupied one of the districts in a major city! The situation was quickly contained thanks to the tip, but it showed the world the urgency of cautiousness. Most importantly… It showed the Heavenly Strength Society's large contribution for the sake of humanity!

Let alone discovering such vital information, they even moved out at a time when manpower was stretched thin to vanquish the dangerous pitfall! Finding fault with the Society's conduct was becoming harder and harder!

'Things are going well so far…'

Exterminating monsters, battle training, proof of being worthy of their position, all of these were to be gained by doing what most of the members within the Heavenly Strength Society did, but a little tweak was needed to procure the most precious of resources that Leo sought, trust!

Rather than just jumping at monsters to fulfill their role as members of Society, a certain level of media cosmetics could make their fight as noble as that of the Murim League.

Just by sending someone with the right instructions and information, Leo was easily able to boost their image. If his target was resources such as pills and the like, he could obtain them if he headed to the main branches whose storage was untouchable by robbers, but he didn't have time to waste, nor did he desire the minimal returns that were now useless to him. Giving it up was more than worth it!

What he was doing might seem like adding annoying leg work to their already full schedule, but that was the only thing Leo could do to open up their path to survival. Just like the wise Heavenly Demon had wished before, the Heavenly Strength Society couldn't be the number 1 public enemy after the monsters themselves!

'Should we head for the vampires next?'

The Heavenly Strength Society beautification plan still had a lot to be done, but Leo knew the quickest way to make progress on all sides, fighting monsters, fighting monsters, and then fighting monsters some more! Leo had no plans to correct humanity's mistakes like Geochin was doing, but he was happily going to accept a nice portion of the protagonist's future monster raids.

Not only could he raise his fame and appear selfless, but he could also earn Reading Points and practice his abilities. Although the Four Heavenly Beasts' training behind closed doors might have ended, life itself was a learning journey. There was no end to progress!

`~~~`~~~`~~~`

The well-known werewolf raid was just the start of the Heavenly Strength Society's known exploits. While Geochin was leading the Murim League to cleanse the land from darkness, Leo led the elite youths of the Society to dispose of more troublesome and deceptive monsters, leaving his own mark within the folds of history.

Going around with that kind of numbers without rest wasn't realistic, but Leo didn't plan to impose that kind of burden on the people whose trust he had just started earning. In a sense, they were his legion, a one that he would take out only when necessary.

Taking the same path that Geochin took in the novel was both impossible and dangerous. Even if he wanted to give it his all, Leo could only make one big raid every few months or so. He had used the momentum of the first one's success to follow up with another, but he soon retreated with his little army back to Mount Heaven.

Once both forces were separated, the normal members were free to do as they wanted. To rest, to train, or even go on small squad missions... when all was said and done, Leo's authority wasn't enough to keep such large numbers at his beck and call, just as it was the case with the combined authority of four Scarlet Sky Warriors. At the same time, these breaks were perfect to do missions or go exploring with just the four of them!

As his time in this world was already starting to run out, Leo wanted to make use of every last minute. Whether it was minor Hidden Pieces or skills that he could learn faster on this side, both were priorities that he needed to find the best path towards them, all while not forgetting the main protection plan!

Once the Demon Lord descended on Murim, there would be no going back. In order to not have any regrets, Leo made several backup plans to change his steps whenever he would be stuck. To make the Heavenly Strength Society a necessity, to possess the power to change things, and most importantly… To spend as much time with Yeon! Even with his resolve to reunite, Leo wasn't sure when that would be.

'It's possible!'

It became harder to relax, but Leo's smile only grew bigger as the image he had in mind grew closer to completion. Perfection was impossible, but grabbing hold of every desired possibility was emotionally rewarding. As a reader who took charge of the steering wheel, he at least approached the matter in a systematic manner.

Rising upon the steady foundation that he spent 10 years building, things were expectedly smooth. Without having any chance encounter with his last boss Geochin, Leo confidently stepped forward. His monstrous friends carried him while he carried the Heavenly Strength Society. Since the top brass were all focusing on the Demon Lord's advent, he would take responsibility to keep the home that raised him to stay afloat!