EX-rank’s Replay (345)

Translator: Wan ED/PR: Solarin

 
56. Mistake (2)

“Why — is my dongsaeng here…”
 

Cheon Dongha, who ran with all his might, was panting for breath.

Cheon Dongha looked at us with eyes filled with a mix of confusion and wariness.

The gaze of Cheon Dongha passed from Jeok-ho, who was holding Cheon Seong-heon, to Baek Ho-gun, who was standing at his side, and stopped at Kim Sinrok.
 

“… Teacher Kim Sinrok-nim, what’s going on?”
 

It was a natural thing for Cheon Dongha to speak up to Kim Sinrok, whose face he knew, rather that me and Hwang Jiho, who were highschoolers, or unknown beings like Jeok-ho and Baek-ho.

But there was no way that Kim Sinrok would open his mouth in front of the Ho tribe’s head and his father.
 

‘Even if Kim Sinrok cherishes his students, he will probably prioritize the Ho tribe.’
 

As I expected, Kim Sinrok didn’t reveal any emotion on his face, and observed the situation without a word.

When Kim Sinrok showed no signs of opening his mouth, the arrow turned towards Hwang Jiho and me this time.

Hwang Jiho was observing Cheon Dongha with sparkling eyes.

I guess he was interested in Cheon Dongha’s amazing Gwangrim.
 

“The moment I reported for duty at the research institute, I was ordered to re-examine the reports I submitted in the meantime, so I thought that something was strange. Was it your doing?”

“You are quite sharp, eh? We prepared a dummy, how did you find out?”
 

Hwang Jiho used a geezer-like tone towards Cheon Dongha!

Perhaps because he was caught kidnapping his dongsaeng, it seemed he decided to quit imitating a highschooler in front of Cheon Dongha. [1]

When Hwang Jiho spit out informal speech, Cheon Dongha didn’t comment on it and let it slip, as even if it was suspicious, it wasn’t as suspicious as the situation itself.
 

“It wasn’t hard to notice that it was a fake, because the speed of my donsaeng blinking was extremely regular. Usually, the movement is irregular because it would match the text paragraphs he is reading.”
 

He saw through the dummy Hwang Jiho prepared because of Cheon Seong-heon’s usual blinking pattern, huh?

But did he figure it out through the Thousand Li Eyes, while working on the work Hwang Jiho ordered?

It was a heart that cared about his dongsaeng, worthy of a hyung, and outstanding observation skills worthy of a Player, as expected from my Playable Character.
 

“I thought something was strange, so I activated the Gwangrim and examined the surrounding. There was a red smoke slipping out of the research building and moving towards the Silver Light (Eunhwi) Building, coming here. The movements of the red smoke stopped in front of the Silver Light (Eunhwi) Building. And as expected, my dongsaeng was in the smoke.”
 

I guess, although ‘Eyes embracing Heaven and Earth’ couldn’t see through and see the content of Jeok-ho’s Red Smoke, they could see the existence of the Red Smoke itself.

At Cheon Dongha’s explanation, Jeok-ho and Kim Sinrok made surprised faces side by side, and they looked so similar it truly felt like the two Ho were connected by blood.

Cheon Dongha looked at Kim Sinrok and opened and closed his mouth for a moment, it seemed he had a lot to say to Kim Sinrok.

Even so, Cheon Dongha prioritized his dongsaeng.
 

“It doesn’t seem like a meaningless prank. Please explain what are you doing. Depending on the answer, I’ll contact the Association and deal with it.”
 

The moment Cheon Dongha finished his words, Hwang Jiho glanced at me.

It wasn’t difficult to guess the reason Hwang Jiho looked at me at a timing like this.

It was certain that he was trying to check if Cheon Dongha was worthy of trusting when I saw him reflected in ‘the things I know’.
 

‘Cheon Dongha didn’t fall for Dark Mastermind’s appeasement until the end. Considering his action in PMH, he is trustworthy. But though knowing isn’t a big problem by itself, I feel sorry because it feels like I’m involving him in the Ho tribe’s situation…’
 

Moreover, I didn’t know what the Ho tribe was thinking of it.

While I thought it over and over, Hwang Jiho’s gaze was on me.
 

‘Asking for my opinion, means he is probably hesitating. He would be considering even revealing his identity.’
 

I nodded once.

Then Hwang Jiho also nodded and opened his mouth.
 

“First of all, it would be best to reveal this one’s identity, eh? Well, it’s not like I was actively hiding it.”

“… What sound is that?”
 

Seeing how Hwang Jiho spoke in front of our class kids, he didn’t seem to have the intention of hiding it.

Even so, how will it sound when he says it like that?

But as Cheon Dongha’s head was too good, he would have made a hypothesis in his head with those words as a basis.
 

“You, who have connections with the business world, probably heard that rumor ‘The key members of the Hwang Myeong Group aren’t human’.”

“I’ve heard it. There are Jin people and descendants mixed in the human society. Hwang Myeong Group is also like that, right? Even among our school teachers teacher Yong Jegeon-nim is like that.”

“It’s not the standard comparable to Yong Jegeon being among Eungwang School teachers.”
 

Paaa…!
 

Hwang Jiho’s eyes and hair were dyed golden.

In the eyes, that changed like that of a beast, magic power was blazing.
 

“Among people known as members of the Hwang Myeong Group, all beings with the surname Hwang, are Ho tribe members or are people related to them. For a reference, all Hwangs of the Hwang Myeong Group you have met were the Ho tribe members.”

“…!”
 

Cheon Dongha understood Hwang Jiho’s words and made a shocked face.

But to speak precisely, among the family members of the Hwang Myeong Group, all Ho tribe members, who use surname Hwang would be Hwang Jiho and his alter-egos.

As both Hwang Jiho and his alter-egos were Ho tribe members, it wasn’t the wrong thing to say.
 

“Then you… the chairman-nim… and the Person I saw before…”
 

Cheon Dongha had a confused face.

I guess while working at Hwang Myeong Research Institute, he met more of Hwang Jiho’s alter-egos.

Hwang Jiho didn’t deny Cheon Dongha’s guess.
 

“Yeah, all of them were Ho tribe members. Among the beings currently standing before you, the only human is Jo Uisin.”
 

I met Cheon Dongha’s eyes.

Cheon Dongha seemed to think ‘Then why a human, Uisin-i, is here?’.

Cheon Dongha held back that doubt and continued to speak with Hwang Jiho.

It seemed that his dongsaeng was the top priority in Cheon Dongha’s head right now.
 

“When looking back at modern history, the Ho tribe didn’t get largely involved in the human society… Why is the Ho tribe suddenly kidnapping my dongsaeng? Is the symptoms my dongsaeng shown related to the Ho tribe?”
 

Hwang Jiho couldn’t reply.

It was probably because Hwang Jiho also still didn’t know the answer.
 

“In the basement of the Silver Light (Eunhwi) Building there is a certain Ho tribe member who fell into ‘Deep Sleep’.”

“… Among the Eungwang School ghost stories, there is a ghost story related to Silver Light (Eunhwi) Building.”

“Are you talking about the story that the chairman holds a spirit invocation ceremony every month in the basement of Silver Light (Eunhwi) Building to attempt to resurrect a corpse? Well, I tried something similar once to try to wake up that Ho.”
 

In that moment, the identity of one of the Eungwang School’s ghost story about the school chairman was revealed.

At the time, when trying to gather information about the ghost stories, Hwang Jiho looked at the ghost stories, and said nonsense such as ‘how did information leaked out?’, so I guess he didn’t mean it as a joke.
 

“I guess the Ho, who fell into a Deep Sleep and my dongsaeng are related.”
 

Hwang Jiho didn’t deny Cheon Dongha’s words.
 

“… If you didn’t discover your dongsaeng and protect him, one of the possibilities would disappear.”
 

Cheon Seong-heon, who was floating in the air wrapped in the red smoke summoned by Jeok-ho, was observing our conversation.

Hwang Jiho looked at Cheon Seong-heon, who couldn’t move anything but his eyes, and then pressed his temples, as he said:
 

“I can’t let go of your dongsaeng here right now. Instead, I’ll allow you to follow.”
 

Cheon Dongha couldn’t reply right away.

It seemed difficult to make a decision on what kind of move he should make if he had to steal back his dongsaeng, or if not, if he should follow.

In the end, Cheon Dongha asked for Cheon Seong-heon’s opinion.
 

“… What do you think? Do you want to go to the basement?”
 

Cheon Seong-heon, who didn’t move his eyes and observed the situation, reacted right away as if he was waiting, and blinked once.
 

“Got it.”
 

Cheon Dongha replied with a complicated face.

Anxiety and doubts were mixed on his face, but it felt like he made a resolution to deal with it as a hyung if something happens.
 

“Then let’s go.”
 

Hwang Jiho took a step and Jeok-ho and Kim Sinrok followed after him.

Cheon Dongha stood right beside Cheon Seong-heon and moved, and Baek Ho-gun quietly guarded him from behind and moved later.
 

* * *
 
Inside Silver Light (Eunhwi) Building.

As if the secretary wasn’t here today, I felt no sense of presence at all.

The pure white marble emitted cold energy and the Silver Light (Eunhwi) Building felt even more lonely[2] for some reason.
 

“Follow. Don’t fall too far behind.”
 

Hwang Jiho said and took the lead.

The place Hwang Jiho headed to was chairman office.

In the area where the chairman office was, it was divided into a big secretary office, a reception room and a study, and Hwang Jiho’s feet headed to the study.

He stopped behind the desk with a nameplate with chairman Hwang Myeong-ho written on it, and raised his hand to the wall.
 

Creaaak…..!
 

When Hwang Jiho poured superpower wave at the space that looked like a wall, a door appeared.

Behind the door was an elevator inlaid with silver.
 

“There is an elevator in such a place…!?”
 

Cheon Dongha recalled the guide map of the Silver Light (Eunhwi) Building which was revealed to the public in his head, and was amazed.

It seemed he realized anew that Hwang Jiho was the member of the Ho tribe.

After everyone crossed the door, the elevator moved to the basement.
 

‘Thinking about it, among the facilities in the Eungwang District, the places connected to the Ho tribe are mostly underground.’
 

The basement of the Silver Shadow (Eunyeong) Building, where Jeok-ho and Kim Sinrok tortured the perpetrators.

The basement of the Hwang Myeong-ho’s great mansion, where the magic circle for hosting the 12 Zodiac Meeting was.

Basement of the Hwang Myeong Research Institute, where Cheon Seong-heon was.

And now, the basement of the Silver Light (Eunhwi) Building, where Eunho was sleeping.

They were all basements.
 

‘Is it related to the Power of Earth?’
 

If I was to pinpoint the place with the most powerful Power of Earth even on the Korean Peninsula, which was abundant with the Power of Earth, it would be right here, Eungwang District.

As Jin people could draw on and use the Power of Earth, it seemed that all key facilities were underground.

So in case of the emergency, they would utilize the Power of Earth to handle it.
 

‘In addition to utilization, there are many constraints on the Power of Earth. Even so, if it was Hwang Jiho, I think he would be able to do it… Did Hwang Jiho in PMH fought using the Power of Earth?’
 

Ding!
 

While I was contemplating ways to kill Hwang Jiho after a while, the elevator arrived at its destination.

When the door opened, I saw numerous pillars[3].

The pillars stretched out so high I had to raise my head high to see them.

Each one of the pillars was engraved with the ancient language, and it seemed to be some kind of barrier personally made by Hwang Jiho.
 

“I didn’t know that the Silver Light (Eunhwi) Building has a basement. Speaking of that, the ancient language that so elaborately written on the walls, isn’t it a Power of Earth utilization magic technique[4]?”

“That’s the correct answer. The barrier of this level is necessary to protect the being in this place[5]. The magic technique engraved on each of the pillars is slightly different. Hm…”
 

Hwang Jiho’s voice suddenly stopped.

At the same time, The faces of the Ho tribe members hardened and they looked around.
 

“… There seems to be someone besides us, eh?”

“Something is over there!”
 

As if Cheon Dongha activated the Gwangrim, he pointed at the other side, as he spoke.

Hwang Jiho activated Brilliant Gaze and looked in the direction Cheon Dongha pointed.

The eyes that turned golden were filled with anger.
 

“Mountain Spirit, what are you doing here!?”
 

Hwang Jiho roared at them in rage.

Because his voice was filled with superpower wave, my ears hurt.

I also activated the Brilliant Gaze skill right away and looked in that direction.

I saw someone lying in the coffin made from silver, in the center of the basement filled with pillars.
 

‘Is the one over there Eun-ho…?!’
 

A youth with silver hair so long the silver coffin was overflowing with them, had his eyes closed as if he was sleeping.

Though faint, I felt a sense of life and superpower wave, but there were no signs of him waking up at all.

And besides the sleeping Eun-ho, shimmered the Mountain Spirit.

The Mountain Spirit was holding something in their hands.
 

‘The Mountain Spirit seems to be placing something on Eun-ho’s body. What? A branch…?’
 

The Mountain Spirit placed a branch a bit bigger than a forearm on Eun-ho body, and then ran with all their might.

If they escape from here, it won’t be long until they are caught by Baek Ho-gun or Hwang Jiho and rolled around under an excuse of training.

Thanks to the enraged Hwang Jiho and Baek Ho-gun running to Eun-ho as if flying, the distance decreased in an instant.

When we approached close enough to distinguish Eun-ho’s looks even without using a skill.
 

“That… isn’t it a branch of Heavenly Sacred Tree from Heavenly Wings (Cheonik) Mountain?”
 

Following Cheon Dongha’s words, a system message rang in my head.
 

⟨Skill ‘Power of Fate’ activated.⟩
 

*~*~*
 
[1] Perhaps because he was caught kidnapping his dongsaeng, it seemed he decided to quit imitating a highschooler in front of Cheon Dongha. — I need to point something out. Hwang-ho didn’t use polite speech* when briefly talking with Cheon Dongha, when Jo Uisin found Cheon Eunha. It seemed that Jo Uisin was so out of his mind, he didn’t notice it.
* Though it could be interpreted as him talking to himself or talking to Jo Uisin, in which case he would use informal tone.

[2] lonely — or quiet.

[3] pillars — There are two proverbs that may have a connection to this chapter title.

One is: Roof rafters are thicker than pillars — which means that what takes the lead and what follows is reversed and things go against reason.

Second is: When you hit the pillar, the beam cries. — it means that something can be understood even if you didn’t say it directly.

[4] magic technique — based on the Japanese word 術式, it refers to both medical procedures and sorcery techniques.

[5] The barrier of this level is necessary to protect the being in this place — this is one of those sentences that could be interpreted very differently if our understanding shifts. You see ‘the being in this place’ could really just mean ‘the thing in this place’, or it could refer to more things than one.
 

Translator’s note: The fun of this chapter title is that it implies that some assumption may be wrong, which in turn make all assumptions Jo Uisin makes as ‘possibly wrong’.
 

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