Translator: Wan ED/PR: Solarin
41. Outside the borders (8)
There are several types of myths.
‘Founding Myth’, which consecrates the origin of the nation, birth of the dynasty and process of founding.
‘Hero Myth’, which recorded the hero’s birth, growth and achievements.
‘Explanation Myth’, which explains the natural or cultural phenomena origins and history.
Through those Explanation Myths, also called the Nature Myths, Heavenly Myths or Technology Myths people explained why the heaven and earth are divided, why there is a sun and moon in the sky, and how mankind came to be.
The majority of the existing Explanation myths, which were explaining how the universe and world came to be, were ‘Creation Myths’.
On the Korean Peninsula, there existed numerous creation myths, born from the imagination and studies of ancient people.
The representative creation myth was ‘Creation Song[1]’.
Maitreya, who divided heaven and earth during the creation, and made the sun, moon and stars, asked a certain wise rat about the origin of fire and water.
At that, the wise rat said:
— Is Maitreya curious about the origin of fire and water? If I tell Maitreya about that origin, what will You give me?
At the wise rat’s words, Maitreya replied:
— I will give you the rice box[2] of this world.
The wise rat, who accepted Maitreya’s suggestion, informed him about the origin of fire and water that were at Geumdeong Mountain and Soha Mountain[3].
Later on, when the Creation Song became widely known to people through shamanistic stories, that wise rat was granted a life as a Jin and became the Seo tribe’s head.
The wise rat, who lived while gathering the grains in the rice box and listening to words at night for a long time, self-proclaimed himself Cunning and blended into the human world.
As an extreme fan of humans, he loved the imperfect humans with potential talents and the dramatic stories they made.
Using his bright ears, he found humans who lived dramatic lives to bestow them blessings, and involved himself in the lives of those humans, who, if compared to the Jin people’s lifespan, lived a life short like a blink of an eye.
The thing Cunning recently fell for was one of the types of manifestation of humanity’s thought and sensitivities, ‘fashion’.
It was a domain of art in which Cunning’s excellency manifested in full.
And as a result of that…
“Head-nim. Owner’s son came.”
“Tell him to come in.”
Korean headquarters of ‘Neuru’, one of the top five high-end premium fashion brands
Cunning entered here solely relying on the reviews of his designs.
Famous as a freelance designer, he was appointed as this year Neuru’s chief designer under the name ‘Seodol[4]’.
“Cunning hyung! I heard You returned to the office and came!”
After the door opened, Wang Chansol appeared in the crack.
Wang Chansol, who appeared just now, was the student of Korea’s most prestigious high school, famous as the worst troublemaker and was one of the new candidates to bestow a blessing.
Seodol, who locked himself up in the laboratory to study the ‘eyes’ that were observing the current Eungwang District, decreased his designer work for a while and the frequency of his visits to the office drastically decreased.
Although he pushed back the work, he couldn’t neglect Wang Chansol, who even born with wealth and talent, was living an eccentric life.
Seodol smiled, while welcoming Wang Chansol.
“What is the matter?”
“I have a request…”
At Wang Chansol’s words, Seodol began to get very excited.
Until now, each one of the requests Wang Chansol made were nothing but fun.
An advice on how to win the battle royal that broke out between the 2nd year class 0, or designing the suit for the revered teacher of Hong Gyubin, one of the humans he personally cherished, etc.
Seodol, who heard Wang Chansol’s general explanation, nodded his head.
“You want to dig out the Newspaper Club’s abroad coverage trip schedule, but it seems difficult to deceive the eyes of that child, you call 1st year class 0’s lunatic Hwang-ssi, so instead you want me to spy, huh?”
“Yep! We fought during the tag match before, it was my first time seeing such a powerful lunatic! He laughed while playing with me and Geun-Chan with one hand.”
Wang Chansol brought out the concise information about Hwang Jiho.
Seodol listened to his words with great attention, while thinking.
‘It wouldn’t be easy to break two Chansols with one hand. The 1st year class 0’s lunatic Hwang Jiho you say? Moreover, he was said to be the chairman Hwang Myeong-ho’s relative, right? If so…’
The majority of Hwang family of Hwang Myeong Group was composed of Hwang-ho’s closest associates and his alter-egos, but there were rare cases of humans entering it.
There was a possibility that a child with great talent was adopted, but Seodol’s thoughts were different.
‘Isn’t that related to Hwang-ho starting to show enthusiasm from beginning of this year? He made active movements after March. It covers up with the time Korean schools start a new term and the 1st year Hwang Jiho entered the school.’
Seodol fell into thought, while Wang Chansol opened a few holograms, as he spoke:
“I asked Geun-Chan and secured the key spying points of the Icarus East Wing’s highest floor. Ah, here is the picture of the lunatic, please be careful of this kid. And this junior-nim too! If you look at his actions, he also isn’t ordinary.”
The people in the pictures opened by Wang Chansol were Hwang Jiho and Jo Uisin.
Looking at two pictures, Seodol felt his eyes light up.
Because both of them were beings that Seodol paid attention to.
‘Hwang-ho! Unknown Supernova!’
When Seodol started smiling softly, Wang Chansol made a satisfied face.
“Good. In exchange, shall You tell me a fun story?”
Not only was Cunning smiling softly, he even used a polite tone!
Wang Chansol was satisfied by the fact that his suggestion was effective and took out the story that he prepared to give in return.
“Then let me tell You about Geun Chansol’s secret story of elementary school days! During her crooked days, Geun Chansol met with the king of backstreets, who ruled all elementary schools in Eungwang District….”
Seodol listen about the great confrontation between Geun Chansol and king of unknown name, while retorting back with polite tone.
Perhaps thanks to making interesting plans and listening to fun stories, his head was overflowing with designs to put in the spring collection for the approaching next year.
‘Should I take the trouble and send those children new clothes?’
Seodol liked to dress the people he cherished enough to bestow a blessing in good clothes, especially in those of his design.
Kwon Jane had Eternal Lake’s team members taking care of her well, but the problem was the person who didn’t have people to take care of him around.
Though in Hong Gyubin’s case, he ended up always dressing well, as he advised him ‘You don’t know when Your reverend teacher will call You, so wouldn’t it be better to always keep an appearance[5]?’, while annoying him a few times.
But, there were people, who disregarded Seodol’s persistent requests and only sometimes dressed up, because it was annoying to always do it.
‘When I finish the work Wang Chansol requested, should I make a few new summer clothes and sent them? If I personally look for them, everyone will be surprised and annoyed, correct?[6]’
Seodol smiled, while having thoughts that would make people, who received his blessing, pass out screaming if they knew.
And the movement result of carrying out those thoughts.
He caught Hong Gyubin trying to leave the country in the middle of the night.
“Where are you going at this hour?”
Seodol, who saw Hong Gyubin’s ticket, smiled brightly as he spoke.
The ticket destination was Sichuan Chengdu City.
It was one of the places confirmed to be on the Newspaper Club’s movement route when Seodol was hanging on the outer wall of the Icarus’s East Wing.
“The place where Eungwang School’s Newspaper Club went, sir?” [7]
Hwang-ho, Unknown Supernova, Geun Chansol, Wang Chansol and even Hong Gyubin were gathering there!
Seodol, who reached his stress limits, because of his heavy workload, spoke promptly:
“I shall go too.”
***
While the majority of the people standing in the hotel’s lobby were taking on serious faces.
The first to break the silence was Wang Chansol.
“Cunning hyung!… Hyung did You brought that nasty and clingy first disciple with you?”
The man Wang Chansol spoke to and Hwang Jiho called Cunning, was someone I met twice.
First time, at the Neuru’s VIP store, I visited with Ju Su-hyeok and Maeng Hyodon using the reservation priority ticket Wang Chansol gave me.
Second time, at the cafe buffet in Hwang Myeong Tower, where we went for the second round after the chess tournament victory.
“No. I followed him, sir.”
“Heuk.”
“Wait, did you use a polite tone just now?”
When Cunning smiled softly and replied, GeunChan&WangChan became even more disgusted.
I guess they were well aware of the fact that they have to be careful when the Neuru’s chief designer and Seo tribe’s head, Cunning is smiling softly and using a polite tone.
“Hello, teacher Jegal-nim. I’m Player Association Korean branch’s media and PR team 1’s leader, Hong Gyubin.”
On the other hand, Hong Gyubin somehow completely erased his serious expression and slyly introduced himself to Jegal Jaegeol like usual.
I guess after that incident, he made that sound for Jegal Jaegeol every time they met.
“I know. What brings You here? I’m planning to go out with my students right now.”
Jegal Jaegeol drew a line with a stern expression.
He openly showed that he had no intention of wasting time on Hong Gyubin, but Hong Gyubin wasn’t bothered by Jegal Jaegeol’s attitude, and stuck to him diligently.
“What a lucky coin cid ence, as teacher Jegal-nim is here, I wish to consult something with You.”
At the expression ‘coincidence’, the 2nd year class 0’s members’ faces turned sour at the same time.
“Booo!”
“What? Are you calling that coincidence now?”
“No matter, even if you’re outside of Korean Peninsula, you have to use Korean properly, right?”
“Do you know what coincidence means~? Use our language!”
As I recalled the 2nd year class 0’s senior bastards, who yesterday under some ‘coincidence’ turned up the Newspaper Club’s members’ insides at the Chengu international airport, those words felt extremely sympathetic.
Amidst the 2nd year class 0’s pouring out boos and jeers, Hong Gyubin smiled widely and showed Jegal Jaegeol a hologram.
As if the content of the hologram was related to Mok Uram, Jegal Jaegeol’s complexion turned worried.
“… Where is this student right now?”
“Under protection. As You know, the Chinese Association can’t extract much power against public security officers. I tried to solve it on my own, but they requested at least two Players to vouch for this student’s identity.”
“Will it be okay if I go?”
“Yes. Because teacher Jegal-nim’s fame is known even in China. The position of Eungwang School’s teacher will also be helpful.”
When it seemed like Jegal Jaegeol would leave together with Hong Gyubin, the 2nd year class 0 hurriedly stuck to Jegal Jaegeol’s side.
“Wait! I don’t know what it is about, but we’re going too!”
“Players are needed to vouch for identity, correct? We’re Players too!”
“There are also many kids with alias!”
“Anyhow, wouldn’t it be better if there are many Players? It seems to be related to the student of our school, so we’re worried about the student from the same school.”
“Right. The public security officers may find some kind of loophole again. If there are over twenty Players, they won’t be able to complain, correct?”
It seemed that some mindless sounds were mixed in, but anyhow, those were words about trying to help solve the situation.
As if Jegal Jaegeol also thought so, he was worried and then replied.
“… Don’t cause trouble.”
“Yep!”
“Yees!”
Hong Gyubin frowned when Jegal Jaegeol wasn’t looking at him, and the 2nd year class 0’s senior bastards smiled proudly, provoking Hong Gyubin.
While Jegal Jaegeol fanatics, who were no different from each other, had a war of nerves, Jegal Jaegeol was sincerely solving the situation.
I and Hwang Jiho decided to stay in the hotel, so Jegal Jaegeol, who was heading to the Association, spoke with an apologetic face.
“I’m sorry to leave the 1st year children alone, huh? If something happens, call me straight away.”
“Yes. The club president senior-nim should wake up soon, so please don’t worry too much.”
After Hong Gyubin with Jegal Jaegeol and the 2nd year class 0’s senior bastards left to the Association.
The lobby swept in chaos all at once, fell silent with one stroke.
In the empty lobby, Cunning walked up to me.
“Hello? I’m Seo tribe’s head, call me Cunning. I’m Neuru’s chief designer.”
Cunning, wearing a fish mouth[8] lapel jacket, with colorful decorations, held out a business card towards me.
On the business card, the name ‘Seodol’ was written in stylish cursive in both Korean and English.
After I accepted the card, Seodol spoke:
“I enjoyed listening about the performance Unknown Supernova had showed during the Eungwang School entrance practical exam. I was also deeply impressed by the subjugations after your admission. You left such a record just when You became the 1st high schooler! Ah, considering Your childhood background, what was most surprising was Your chess tournament victory![9]”
Seodol rattled friendly with an excited face.
‘It’s ominous.’
I was reluctant to keep listening to the baptism of praises on its own, but thinking of Cunning’s notoriety, I felt even more uncomfortable.
Seodol, who was throwing up a passionate speech, suddenly got to the point with a cautious voice.
“Hey, here is my point. Jo Uisin? Wouldn’t You accept a blessing from me…”
“Get out.”
Before Seodol’s words even finished, Hwang Jiho cut him off.
*~*~*
[1] Creation Song — 장세가, a shamanistic song from the South Hamgyong Province about the creation of the world. It roughly goes as follows:
> Maitreya is born together with the world and divides the heaven and earth by enacting four cooper pillars to hold the sky.
> There are two suns and moons, so Maitreya takes out one sun and moon and turns them into stars.
> Maitreya makes himself clothes from arrowroot.
> Maitreya finds the water and fire to cook thanks to the rat, as mentioned in the chapter.
> Maitreya is bestowed by heavens five golden and five silver insects, they become humans and Maitreya pairs them up, creation of humanity achieved!
> Maitreya is challenged by Buddha (who according to some stories, comes before his time) over the rule of the world. Maitreya wins a few rounds, but then Buddha proposes a final challenge. The one who makes the flowers bloom on his knees during the sleep, will win. Maitreya does exactly that, he falls asleep and the flower blooms at his knees, but Buddha, who was only half-asleep, steals the blooming flower and puts it on his own knee. As a result, Buddha wins. But the world becomes much murkier and full of misfortune after Buddha takes over.
*It’s an old song, so the names Maitreya and Buddha (I’m not certain if it’s really Buddha actually) were probably adapted when Buddhism spread in Korea.
[2] rice box — dwiju. It’s not used to kill people! It’s mostly famous because of Prince Sado (사도세자) of Joseon Dynasty, who was locked up by his father in it and died from thirst and starvation (this story is much more fucked up than this sentence made it sounds, by the way), but it’s really just a box! A box to keep rice in.
[3] Geumdeong Mountain and Soha Mountain — not real mountains as far as I know. I would roughly translate their names as Golden Nugget Mountain and Stream Mountain. But it’s uncertain as I don’t have hanja.
[4] Seodol — ‘dol’ part is shared with his name ‘Cunning (꾀돌이 kwi-dol-i)’. Interestingly, ‘dol (돌)’ means stone.
[5] You don’t know when Your reverend teacher will call You, so wouldn’t it be better to always keep an appearance — Haa, this is one of those times when ‘politeness’ is getting really complicated. So Seodol uses casual ‘you’, but is speaking in a polite tone. I’m still capitalizing You, so you know that he is using a polite tone, but it’s worth remembering that he isn’t elevating the listener (Hong Gyubin).
[6] When I finish the work Wang Chansol requested, should I make a few new summer clothes and sent them? If I personally look for them, everyone will be surprised and annoyed, correct? — He is also using a polite tone in his thoughts now.
[7] “The place where Eungwang School’s Newspaper Club went, sir?” — polite tone again!
[8] fish mouth — in Korean it sounds exactly the same as how they would say ‘pc mouse’ so this translator was very very confused for a moment, but also… It checks out.
[9] Seodol towards Jo Uisin — He uses a polite ‘You’ surprisingly (or not really).
Translator’s note: Seodol, don’t push Hwang-ho’s buttons.
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