Translator: Wan ED/PR: Personal Ghost
24. 2 days without night (1)
Early morning, Saturday.
Among the currently opened stores in Eungwang District, the most reputable one, the handmade bakery ‘MITRON’.
I decided to prepare to buy the additional gifts with the meaning of apology here.
‘There is a queue even on a Saturday morning.’
Waiting for my turn, I checked the device and just in time, a new message came.
The message came up in the Jang Namuk and Yu Sang-hun group chat.
[Yu Sang-hun] Hey
[Yu Sang-hun] Is that Jang Namuk?
[Yu Sang-hun] (article link)
‘Jang Namuk did something to appear in an article?’
[Player Military Academy Highschool 1st year, Teacher’s Day surprise mass game]
Below the headline, the main body of the article included a video.
I saw the thumbnail with dozens of the Player Military Academy Highschool cadets.
‘Looking at the numbers, it seems that all 1st year cadets gathered. And this… this is Jang Namuk, right?’
Cadets standing in a row wearing formal uniforms.
At the very front of those cadets, standing facing them was Jang Namuk.
[Jang Namuk] Yeah, that’s correct. That’s me.
[Yu Sang-hun] ?
[Jang Namuk] It was an event prepared by the 1st years for Teacher’s Day’s ceremony. Sihu saw old records and then suddenly said to do it, so it turned out like this.
Jang Namuk’s summary was as following:
With To Sihu as a center, the Military Academy Highschool 1st years united.
With their group, it looked like from the events planned on Teacher’s Day, the mass game stuck.
‘Depending on the scale of the mass game, the preparation period only can take up to a year. Currently, isn’t it only done by guards of honor in the army?’
It was 10 years ago, but the Player Military Academy Highschool cadets had to participate in the mass game without exception.
It didn’t help improve the combat capabilities even a bit, but a harsh training process was necessary for mass games.
Then, after the joke-like truth that Player Military Academy isn’t supported because people hate doing mass games spread wide, all star Military Academy graduates mobilized to abolish mass games.
‘To do that voluntarily. I guess the relationship between those kids and teacher-nims is good.’
He said that from the beginning people gathered to do it voluntarily.
And that it didn’t take even one day for all 1st year highschool cadets to gather.
[Yu Sang-hun] Why isn’t To Sihu commanding?
[Jang Namuk] It somewhat turned out like this…
To Sihu planned it, but as meticulous and proficient at nagging Jang Namuk was suited for commanding the mass game, it seemed to end up like this.
‘Let’s see how Jang Namuk did.’
I opened a new window and played the video. Matching the military band’s performance, Jang Namuk’s orders rang.
It was a memorable card stunt, making names without interruptions each time the command changed.
Burst of admiration came out for the dozens of people visible beyond the screen, moving in perfect order.
‘They displayed the names of every teacher currently employed in military highschool, huh?’
At last, carnations and Player Military Academy badges came out.
After the carnations’ and badges’ display, and the military band’s performance stopped, the teachers who were sitting in the review stands of the drill grounds, gave enthusiastic, standing ovations.
Among the people in the review stands, the majority was wearing Military Academy service uniforms, but in the center there were also people wearing casual clothes.
Looking at the insignia attached to the clothes, the half-sleepiness that was still remaining, suddenly disappeared.
‘Star insignia! Even generals visited on Teacher’s Day.’
To finish the mass game without mistakes even with generals in front of them, I wanted to give them an applause.
It seemed that the reason why Jang Namuk’s online chatting seemed to lack energy was this.
[Me] You worked hard, eat well and go rest.
You really worked hard, Jang Namuk.
[Yu Sang-hun] gj
Jang Namuk’s hard work was an effort worthy of at least two letters.
[Jang Namuk] Right, Uisin, Sang-hun, thank you. Recently I couldn’t sleep, so it seems I will have to sleep a bit more. Instructor-nim[1] requested me and Sihu to come in uniforms during dinner time, so I will sleep until then.
Are you saying that the next day after you received the generals’ standing ovation, the planner and commander of the mass game are called to come in uniforms?
I could guess with who Jang Namuk was going to eat during the dinner time, but for Jang Namuk’s deep sleep, I decided to shut my mouth.
When I closed the group chat window, I suddenly had a thought like this:
‘Perhaps, wasn’t To Sihu acting considerate of Jang Namuk?’
He tried not to make it obvious, but Jang Namuk, who couldn’t do anything during the Jamsil Baseball Stadium incident, was a bit depressed.
To Sihu may have shifted the responsibility for the mass game’s command with such intentions.
Experiencing succeeding in something lets one find confidence.
But To Sihu may have done it, because it was annoying.
“Please come in. You’re the Person who came together with the 1st year class 0 students the previous time, yes?”
“Yes, hello.”
It was my turn, and I stood in front of the counter.
A man in a patissier outfit I saw before stood there.
It was a famous Player who was said to ‘have received a powerful blessing from a Jin’ by Hwang Jiho.
‘Did he remember me from that day I came? I’m not even wearing a school uniform today, but he recognized me?’
I guess he had an excellent memory, worthy of a Player.
I selected a set of Crème Brûlée in six different flavors.
And sorbet ice cream cake made with mango, strawberries and cherries which were in season.
I held those two.
“Is it a gift?”
“Yes, please wrap it.”
Patissier Player smiled, while he completed even the wrapping.
After finishing goodbyes, I came out of the bakery holding a wrapped gift with the dry ice and then thought it was a bit weird.
‘Does the patissier usually do checkout and even gift wrapping?’
It was also a weekend morning.
It bothered me a bit, but currently there were more important things.
***
Hwang Myeong-ho’s mansion in the Eungwang District.
The place I arrived at after crossing the golden fence and maze garden.
Hwang Jiho with twinkling eyes was the first to receive me.
“Come in, Jo Uisin. You’re late, huh?”
It still wasn’t past 9 in the morning.
On the contrary, it was rude to visit someone’s house this early.
Even so, Hwang Jiho troubled himself by saying ‘you’re late’.
It was provocative, but I couldn’t do anything about it.
“Uisin oppa, hello! You’re late!”
“Uisin hyung! We thought you would come yesterday…”
“Jo Uisin hyung, hello.”
Three siblings’ greetings were half-regretful and half-happy.
“I’m sorry.”
If I made excuses at the time like this, the kids’ hearts would only be hurt, so I just apologized.
Keung…
The three siblings weren’t the only targets I had to apologize to.
Our Snare came under my feet without looking at my face and rubbed against me with a bowed head.
It seemed to be expressing it was happy because I came, but it was regretful I didn’t come yesterday.
“I’m sorry, Snare.”
I crouched down and stroked its head as I apologized.
Even so, there was no reaction.
I couldn’t help it.
Snare didn’t push my hand away, so I would have to pet it until it forgave me.
I repeatedly stroked it for some time and then.
When I heard Hwang Jiho make a ‘ha’ sound and click his tongue.
Woof.
Snare raised its head, looked at me and quietly barked.
Snare lightly licked the finger I was stroking its head with.
It seemed to forgive me!
Filled with deep emotions, I hugged Snare.
“Thank you… As expected, you’re kind, huh, our Snare!”
Woof woof!
Snare responded to my words with a usual clear voice.
Endless joy.
“Jo Uisin, when you’re put in front of the divine beast, your intelligence suddenly declines, huh?”
During my and Snare’s touching reunion, Hwang Jiho was saying nonsense.
It would be better if he just observed this scene without a word like Baek Ho-gun.
I decided to spend the entire day today with Snare and Eun-ho’s descendants three siblings.
The gifts I prepared for descendants beforehand were VR game gear and software.
I prepared three sets, all of them exactly the same.
‘It has to be three so they won’t fight and can play multiplayer together.’
At first, the three siblings weren’t accustomed to using it and were at a loss, but soon they started to play happily.
What the children liked to play the most was ‘VR Theme park’.
‘They really seem to be very interested in amusement parks.’
After the three of them tried out a ride, they took off their VR gear straight away and diligently shared their impressions.
I heard Hwang Jiho, who was looking at it, say something:
“I have to finish the takeover by summer.”
It seems that the owner of the theme park in Seoul will change from Namkung Local Specialities to Hwang Myeong Group soon.
“Don’t we have more VR gears? I want to ride together with Hwangho-nim and Uisin hyung…”
“Divine beast can’t wear VR gear, right? I want to ride with it…”
“I want to go to a real amusement park!”
Seeing the three regretful siblings, I straight away sympathized with Hwang Jiho’s feelings.
As if our bright Snare also understood what the conversation was about, it turned on its charms in my arms.
Woof-woof!
The presents prepared for Snare were leashes of various design and color, so it could choose depending on its mood when going on a walk, and an exclusive mat to stop it from sitting on the cold floor.
I put down Snare for a moment on the mat so it could try to sit on it for a test, but it moaned and returned to my arms straight away.
It must have wanted to be in my arms while I was here.
Woof…!
As I saw Snare raise its head in expectation, I felt nothing particular about Hwang Jiho’s crazy spendings.
The guy uses what he has, what is the problem?
Right, it’s not a problem at all.
“Buy it quickly.”
“Okay.”
I hoped that Hwang Jiho would buy the theme park as quickly as possible and that we could all go to play together.
***
Time soon flowed, night.
After having a tea party while watching the moon in the maze garden, it was time to go to sleep.
“Can’t we sleep together with Uisin hyung?”
“I want to talk more.”
“There is still a lot to talk about…”
The three, wearing pajamas and holding pillows in their arms, looked up to me.
It was cute, but no.
When I was worrying about how to refuse, Hwang Jiho took the initiative.
“Can’t.”
Hwang Jiho said firmly.
He was a Jin who would easily do anything that descendants told him to do, but it seemed that even he had things he couldn’t back down on.
“Jo Uisin is seventeen, Niho, you’re sixteen. Even so, you’re saying to sleep together? I can’t agree to it.”
Hwang Jiho made a sound worthy of a guy who was old enough to live through the days when confucianism was this country’s state religion.
“Then Niho noona goes to sleep somewhere else. And Seoho hyung and I can sleep with Uisin hyung!”
“Ah, then only you get to sleep! Can’t!”
“Go to sleep. Sleep early and when you wake up, you can talk with Jo Uisin, right?”
In the end, Eun-ho’s three descendants returned to their respective rooms.
“… They never asked me for that.”
Hwang Jiho left a comment with audible loneliness and disappeared.
I was left in a guest room.
Of course, I wasn’t left alone.
Woof-woof!
“Okay, Snare. I’ll give you an arm pillow!”
Our bright Snare comprehended my words straight away, and it tightly hugged my arm, leaning its head against me.
Thanks to Snare’s warm body, drowsiness soon poured in.
When I thought I was sleeping, Snare licked my cheek.
Kuung…
“Snare? Why?”
Woof!
After I opened my eyes, Snare made a relieved expression.
Why are you like that?
“Okay, okay, I got it. Let’s sleep.”
After I soothed[2] Snare again and was about to fall asleep.
Snare woke me up again.
Woof, woof-woof…!
Snare was very anxious.
I couldn’t understand the reason why Snare was like this.
When the situation where Snare woke me up when I was about to fall asleep or when I dozed off and it sobered me up repeated a few times.
Knock, knock.
I heard the sound of knocking.
“Yes, please come in.”
The door opened and the one to enter was Baek Ho-gun.
Thanks to the corridor’s dim lights, I certainly saw Baek Ho-gun’s silhouette, but I couldn’t see his expression very well.
Whether I could see it or not, he would be expressionless, but I couldn’t see his face, so the feeling of intense pressure was stronger.
“Why?”
Because I repeatedly fell asleep and woke up, I asked with a bit of a hoarse voice.
Baek Ho-gun approached closer to me and Snare.
Woof-woof…! Woof!
Snare looked at Baek Ho-gun and barked quietly.
Baek Ho-gun quietly listened to Snare barking.
After a considerable amount of time passed, Baek Ho-gun opened his mouth.
“I’m sorry.”
What are you sorry for?
Did something happen for Baek Ho-gun to apologize to me?
I also tried to take some time to think about it, but I couldn’t understand what he was sorry for.
Even so, I decided to reply.
“It’s fine.”
Even if he had something to apologize to me for, I could turn a blind eye on it for my last Playable Character.
However even when I said ‘it’s fine’, Baek Ho-gun didn’t reply.
Baek Ho-gun didn’t say anything else and was just staring at me.
Keuung…
At that time, Snare moaned with a voice without energy.
‘Ah, Snare’s sleeping habits aren’t good, so he is apologizing for that?’
Eun-ho’s descendants said that Snare temporarily stays in Baek-ho’s bed.
On the outside, it’s like a situation where Baek Ho-gun ended up entrusting Snare to me, the guest, so he would be apologetic.
It’s fine even if our Snare would be fretting in all kinds of ways to me.
When I was about to say something like that.
“Someone came.”
Baek Ho-gun’s gaze turned towards the door.
A bit later than Baek Ho-gun, Snare also perked up its ears, while staring at the same place as Baek Ho-gun.
“Let’s go.”
I held Snare in my arms and put on slippers.
There is no way there were problems in the mansion where Hwang Jiho was, but I didn’t have a good feeling.
“You also come.”
Entrance.
Hwang Jiho was standing there.
Behind Hwang Jiho I saw Jeok-ho.
Before I could greet him, Jeok-ho opened his mouth.
“The Don tribe moved.”
The pigs finally moved?
It seemed that Jeok-ho, who was investigating the Don tribe, suddenly came back because of it.
But something was strange about Jeok-ho.
His image was blurred.
“Jeok-ho? Why are you using Red Smoke in front of me?”
Jeok-ho is using Red Smoke?
Current me couldn’t sense it, but I guess Hwang Jiho, who was also a Ho tribe member, felt it.
“Hwang-ho, you must not inform that child.”
That child?
Thud.
With those words as the last, Jeok-ho collapsed.
When in the instant the red fog which was covering Jeok-ho disappeared.
The jacket Jeok-ho was wearing and the entrance floor where he collapsed were wet with red blood.
*~*~*
[1] instructor-nim – military instructor.
[2] soothed – the specific word used in raws is: 고치다. It usually means to fix or correct something (like fixing a broken tool or correcting someone’s wrong mindset). Could also mean to heal someone from an illness.
Translator’s Note: RICE CAAAAAKES! Also, Jeok-ho ㅠㅠ You idiot… ㅠㅠ
(*Please don’t panic. It’ll be alright, okay?*)
Did you see a mistake? 🐞
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