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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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To understand the KTB letters Ainsha and Tata saw, we need to rewind a few days.
KTB was a failing broadcasting company.
No, let’s be more precise. It was already bankrupt, a zombie company barely clinging to life under a mountain of debt. Its recognition was, naturally, rock bottom, practically digging its own grave. Few sane individuals actively sought out the KTB channel.
But perhaps because of this, KTB gambled everything on an advertising campaign.
“What kind of ad is that?”
“I know, right? It just says KTB.”
“What does it stand for?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s a bus company ad, since it’s on every bus.”
On the first day of the campaign, when the KTB ad appeared on buses, this was the typical reaction. Expecting people to recognize a practically unknown broadcasting company from three letters and a lot of white space was wishful thinking.
“Well, whatever.”
It was also inevitable that almost everyone immediately forgot about the ad. In this era of overflowing content, people were too accustomed to flashy advertisements to be intrigued by such a simplistic one.
“Huh? That ad’s here too?”
“Do you know what it is?”
“No, I just saw it yesterday. It was a bit unusual, so I remembered it.”
On the second day, when the KTB ad appeared on subways, some people found it odd or intriguing, but most dismissed it. This, however, was the last time people could casually ignore it.
“Whoa.”
On the third day, the KTB ad appeared on outdoor billboards. There wasn’t anything particularly special about it, except that every billboard in the city, normally a kaleidoscope of colors, was now displaying the same three letters.
The cityscape, now unified under a single, stark advertisement, like the Russian Khanate draped in silver dragon banners, stunned onlookers. But this was only the beginning.
“…Honey, what’s this?”
“What do you mean? It’s the kids’ milk.”
“I know, but why is there a KTB ad on it?”
“They were selling the milk with this ad for 100 won cheaper, so I bought it.”
On the fourth day, products with the KTB ad appeared. Milk cartons, disposable coffee cups, cigarette packs, alcohol bottles, t-shirts… everyday items now bore the three letters and a lot of white space.
“This is insane…”
On the fifth day, when the KTB ad appeared on TV, people couldn’t help but groan. No dialogue. No sound. No actors.
As if they had traveled back to the silent film era, the three letters, KTB, along with a vast expanse of white space, occupied the TV screen for over a minute, enough to unnerve any viewer.
At this point, even the most indifferent individuals started to wonder,
‘What is KTB?’
And the investigation began. The three letters dominated real-time search rankings. Self-proclaimed experts and online gurus speculated about a new luxury brand, a game, anything and everything. Ironically, no one mentioned the KTB broadcasting company.
It was understandable. Connecting a bankrupt, insignificant broadcasting company with such an extravagant advertising campaign was unthinkable.
“Huh? Where did KTB go?”
So, on the sixth day, when the KTB ads disappeared, people were utterly bewildered. The ads that had taken over their daily lives, from buses and subways to TV, vanished overnight.
Even the products on store shelves were replaced. It was as if the entire campaign had been a dream.
“If they’re going to take down the ads, they should at least tell us what it was!”
People weren’t just confused and disappointed. They felt a sense of betrayal, as if something had been taken from them. The enigmatic ad, despite its lack of substance, had captivated their attention and curiosity.
So, even after the ads disappeared, the speculation continued. In fact, people became even more determined to uncover the truth behind KTB.
“The KTB ad is back?!”
On the seventh day, when the KTB mark reappeared, people were in an uproar. The previously empty white space was now filled. People, already on edge, rushed to see the ad, like readers eagerly awaiting the final installment of a long-awaited mystery novel. And they were all stunned by what they saw.
[Channel KTB.]
[First come, first served.]
[Prize: 100 billion won.]
[【Music Challenge】 ― Coming soon.]
“…What the hell?”
That was the moment a program with the largest prize in broadcasting history was announced through the most bizarre advertising campaign ever.
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“It’s a broadcast advertisement.”
“I’m surprised. I’ve never seen or heard of such an advertising campaign.”
“Tata has never heard of it either. It must be a popular advertising strategy in this country.”
“As expected of the Sword Saint’s country. They do things other countries can’t even imagine.”
Ainsha expressed her admiration impassively. Even she, who traveled the world extensively, had never seen such an absurd spectacle.
Of course, by this country’s standards, it was an insane campaign, but for Ainsha, who was visiting for the first time, it was an understandable misunderstanding. Perhaps that was why her usually impassive face softened slightly as she watched the KTB ad on TV. But only for a moment.
Her eyes narrowed, and her expression returned to its usual blank slate. She stared at the TV for a moment, then spoke abruptly,
“Tata, I’m curious.”
“About what?”
“I want to know what kind of program warrants such an advertisement. So, I’m going to watch it.”
“Leave it to me. Tata booked accommodations with a TV, just in case.”
Tata declared, as if she were King Richard the Lionheart, preparing a hundred swords to face Joan of Arc’s mad advance. Ainsha replied flatly,
“No need for a TV. Throw it away.”
“…You want to see it in person?”
“Yes. I’ll see it in person.”
“Our schedule might be disrupted.”
“Schedules are meant to be changed. Therefore, we will change it.”
“Understood. I’ll make the necessary arrangements.”
Tata sighed at the girl’s impassive face. Suddenly, two figures approached them.
A man and a woman, dressed in clothes resembling priestly robes but more flowing and ethereal, spoke quietly,
“It’s a program called [Music Challenge].”
“It’s live today.”
“It starts at 7 PM.”
“It will be difficult to secure VIP seats on such short notice, so we’re looking into general admission tickets.”
“It’s impossible right now, but we should be able to secure them in an hour.”
“That is all.”
Even though she hadn’t called for them or given any instructions, the two figures presented their prepared answers. Tata wasn’t surprised. As if she had expected it, she simply nodded and gave further instructions.
“We’ll have tails soon. Split into three groups, lose them, and regroup.”
“Understood.”
The two figures clasped their hands in prayer, bowed, and disappeared into the crowd. Tata didn’t even bother watching them leave. She just clicked her tongue.
“I chose a future where we wouldn’t be noticed, but they’ve already caught up. It seems the Black Dragon Clan’s influence hasn’t diminished as much as I thought.”
“Of course. East Asia is the Black Dragon Clan’s territory.”
“Still, they’re the weakest of the Seven Dragons Association now. I heard they even suffered losses from a few intruders recently.”
“They deserved it. The Specters of the Liberation Brigade are surprisingly troublesome.”
“But we could have easily dealt with them.”
Tata spoke firmly.
Ainsha retorted flatly,
“Tata, that’s called running away, not dealing with them.”
“It doesn’t matter. Running away without losing is better than winning with bloodshed.”
“You’re right. I agree. As expected, Tata is wise.”
Clap, clap, clap.
Ainsha applauded impassively.
For the White Dragon Clan, being good at running away was a point of pride. It was their survival strategy, their winning formula. There was a reason why even Limon, who fought the Seven Dragons Association constantly, rarely encountered the White Dragon Clan.
“But Tata, there’s something I don’t understand.”
“What is it?”
“Why a wise person like Tata hasn’t married yet.”
Normally, such a comment would be hurtful. But Tata replied confidently,
“That’s simple. Tata married her job the moment she became your nanny.”
“I’m surprised and shocked. I’m your mother-in-law.”
“…Why are you my mother-in-law?”
“Your nanny position was created because of me. Creating is like giving birth. So, I’m your mother. And I demand a divorce.”
“Go lay an egg before you start acting like a mother-in-law.”
Tata brushed off Ainsha’s deadpan nonsense and looked at the KTB ads plastered everywhere.
“This is a brilliant advertising campaign. With some modifications, we could use this for missionary work back home.”
“I give up. It’ll start a religious war. I can’t mediate that. I’d rather die.”
“Hmm, that’s unfortunate. But I wonder who came up with such a bold strategy.”
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“Hey, PD Kim, I need to confirm something.”
“What is it?”
“Didn’t I tell you to keep the advertising simple? I didn’t want too many people crowding the program initially, so just put your program’s name out there.”
“You did.”
“Then why is your ad taking over every media outlet?”
“…Because we had money to spare?”
“…”
“What else could I do? The investor gave us a huge advertising budget and insisted we use it all, but the ad was so simple, I didn’t know where to spend it.”
“So you just started putting it everywhere?”
“It’s because we were short on time…”
“And you even forgot to include the necessary information, so you had to recall all the ads and reprint them, incurring penalty fees?”
“No, that was a mistake on the PR department’s side…”
“…I see why your broadcasting company failed.”
“We’re failing, not failed!”
“Is that something to be proud of?”
“Well, it worked out in the end, didn’t it? Our company is famous now!”
“Tsk, whatever. Just do what you want. I’m done anyway… I’ll just watch from the audience.”
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