EX-rank’s Replay (35)

Translator: Wan ED/PR: Personal Ghost

 

10. April Fool’s Day (3)

The taxi driver was taken to the Foundation’s hospital by the team of Hwang Myeong-ho’s secretaries, who were called by Hwang Jiho.

I also saw after a long time the secretary, who was smiling as if she was wearing a mask, and who I met during my visit to the chairman’s office before the school started.

She gave me a small nod as if she remembered me.
 

‘I guess the secretary also knows Hwang Jiho’s identity… But Hwang Myeong-ho’s secretary team wouldn’t just simply work as secretaries.’
 

All the Ung tribe members were said to be captured alive.

For now…
 

‘Kim Sinrok’s experiment subjects for ‘Creative torture methods’ increased.’
 

Me, three Ho tribe members and Eun-ho’s descendant right now came to the chairman Hwang Myeong-ho’s residence.

I didn’t know the amount of underground floors, but on the outside it was a 5-story Mansion.
 

‘The golden walls and the maze garden look truly amazing in reality. In the game it was only hinted at in the background from far away and only for a moment.’
 

When we passed the security check and entered the mansion…

Right after I passed through the front door, something rushed at me.
 

Woof, woof—!
 

On the white natural marble…

The pure white puppy, as white as marble, ran towards us, wagging its tail.

The puppy looked a bit awkward, but it ran with all its might.

While doing that, it wagged its tail so fiercely, I was worried it would fall off.
 

‘One of its legs is in a supporter… Is there a problem with its leg?’
 

The feeling of extreme déjà vu hit my head.

The cotton-like puppy.

The puppy with a broken leg.

I reflexively cried out as I remembered the being in the game.
 

“Cotton Ball!”
 

Cotton Ball barked at Baek Ho-gun as if they were best friends, while leaning its body against Baek Ho-gun’s feet.
 

“Cotton Ball?”
 

Baek Ho-gun replied with a voice without warmth, while picking up Cotton Ball.

I guess Baek Ho-gun is the male owner An Dain saw.

Baek Ho-gun also wandered around the Heavenly Wings Mountain.

Did he adopt Cotton Ball then?
 

“This guy’s name is Snare.”
 

Baek Ho-gun stroked Cotton Ball’s head as he spoke.

Because he said it with his usual icy expression, the dissonance was enormous.

Still, Cotton Ball spun his tail like a motor as if he liked it and showed all his charms.

It looks like the puppy who rushes at a tiger because it doesn’t know what it is. [1]

But even that tiger seems to love the puppy, so it should be alright.
 

“Snare?”
 

On Cotton Ball’s collar ‘Snare’ was written in square Hangul letters.

Snare is another name for a trap.

Why would you name this fluff of cotton ball like a trap you use when hunting?
 

“Okay.”
 

When I couldn’t take my eyes off of Snare, Baek Ho-gun held Snare out for me.

Snare stuck out its tongue and acted cute even towards me.

It was urging me to hug it quickly.
 

‘Okay, then I’ll hug you quickly.’
 

I immediately embraced Snare and carefully stroked its head.

The soft and warm tail patted my arm.
 

‘No wonder you stole the title heroine An Dain soul, huh?’
 

It’s so cute, whether it’s Cotton Ball or Snare.
 

“Snare, take care of me.”
 

Woof woof!
 

After I played with Snare, I saw three shocked faces directed at me.

Baek Ho-gun was calm, but Hwang Jiho, Jeok-ho and Eun-ho’s descendant opened their mouths and eyes wide.
 

“Jo Uisin…”

“The divine beast, Snare, obeys a human! Jo Uisin who…!”

“That’s surely a divine beast. Then, is this sir human…?”
 

Divine beast? Are you saying Cotton Ball… Snare is a divine beast?

Are you saying that a puppy who died in the game after eating pesticides is a divine beast?

Aren’t divine beasts fantastic animals which guard divine realms?

Why would a divine beast die after eating pesticides?

It was a place which Hwang-ho was a guardian of, so I thought it didn’t have a divine beast.
 

“The divine beast prefers to be at Heavenly Wings Mountain alone. We didn’t pay attention, so it was only very recently that Baek-ho discovered it suddenly weakened… It lost all of its divine energy[2] and became so weak even humans could kill it. It’s amazing enough that it kept its life.”
 

Jeok-ho spoke with an expression of disbelief.
 

“Eungwang District’s divine beast doesn’t obey humans. Currently, its divine energy disappeared, and it lost its self-consciousness, however this is the first time…”
 

I wouldn’t be the first human.

Because in the game it shined its charms enough to melt An Dain’s ice-like face.
 

“We have a guess why it became this weak. Something cut the ley lines around the Heavenly Wings Mountain. We’re currently investigating it. Even so, if the divine beast dies in this situation, Heavenly Wings Mountain’s Power of Earth will decline and the ley lines will completely die. So we’re protecting it.”
 

What?

With the progress of the game, the trees around Heavenly Wings Mountain wilted and the ground began to rot.

I thought it was a background device to emphasize the game’s gloominess.

I guess, in reality, something cut the ley lines and illegally admitted bastards killed the divine beast.
 

“If it’s given a name and well taken care off, then its divine energy and self-awareness as a divine beast will return.”
 

I listened to Baek Ho-gun’s words as I stroked Snare.
 

‘Cut Heavenly Wings Mountain’s ley lines… Heavenly Wings Mountain is also a part of the Eungwang School’s campus. In addition, the Eungwang School’s barrier is applied. But it was pierced and the ley lines were cut? In what way?’
 

As this hypewreck’s rotten water, I had a guess.
 

Woof woof!
 

“Okay, Snare. Let’s go together!”

“…. The divine beast really follows Jo Uisin well.”
 

With Snare in my arms, I couldn’t leave as I planned, so I came inside.

After passing the entrance, the place we arrived at was the 1st floor’s living room.

All furniture, making up the impressive interior, were in the shade of gold as a base, but it was somewhat in the darker tone, so as to not strain eyes.

From the chairman’s office in the Silver Light Building and this, it looks like Hwang Jiho has a wonderful sense of aesthetic.

While admiring, I sat down on a natural cotton skin leather sofa with steel legs with bronze mirror finishing.
 

Wiiing—.
 

After I sat down at the comfortable sofa, the latest model of automatic maid automatically served black tea[3] and refreshments in accordance with the number of guests it counted.
 

‘Taking it out casually, huh?’
 

The black tea was smoky earl gray from the company which supplied the British royal family. The refreshments were a handmade carrot cake with an orange jam topping.

The preclearance tea set was hand painted with 22k gold on the edges and the cake stand was a work of art of golden craftsmanship.
 

‘It’s even more splendid than the chairman’s office. As expected from Hwang Myeong-ho’s living room.’
 

However, no one reached their hand out.
 

‘At least I should eat.’
 

In the middle of the stretching silence, I savored black tea without a sound.

Snare continued to ask for petting, leaning its head against me.

Stroking Snare with one hand and holding a teacup with the other, I slowly organized my thoughts.
 

‘The Jin people and Jin people’s descendants recognize each other. The Eun-ho’s descendant and those three Ho tribe’s members didn’t meet even once.’
 

Why would the Ho tribe not know about the existence of the Eun-ho’s descendant?

How did the Ung tribe know and aim for the Eun-ho’s descendant?

There were still many doubtful points remaining.
 

“Jo Uisin, you predicted the traffic accident, but you didn’t know about the Ung tribe or the Eun-ho’s descendant.”
 

Hwang Jiho suddenly clapped in my direction, taking me out of my thoughts.
 

“Yeah. If I had known, I would have requested help from the Ho tribe first.”
 

There were five Ung tribe members.

If I tried to solve this alone as I planned, I would have had to concentrate all my efforts on the desperate street battle.

As a bonus, Sawol Seeum, who was late, also would have gotten involved.
 

“You know to some degree about us and the future, but it’s not a perfect understanding. But I still don’t know if it’s a Gwangrim or a skill or it’s the result of some other factor I don’t know about.”
 

Hwang Jiho observed me as he shared some of his thoughts.

Though it was me who encouraged Hwang-ho, it would be more fun if found out by himself.
 

“Thank you, Jo Uisin. If not for you, Eun-ho’s descendant would have died.”
 

I expected more questions to come, so this was unexpected.

Hwang Jiho, who felt my gaze, smiled mischievously.

Strangely, that mischievous expression looked more mature than usual.
 

“I lived on this earth for 5 thousand years. I know where I should act and where to draw a line.”
 

Is there anyone who buys it?

…. Was a question at the tip of my tongue, but I saw the mood and decided to shut up.

Hwang Jiho turned his head towards Eun-ho’s descendant.

Hwang Jiho’s manner of speaking towards the middle schooler was a bit chilly.
 

“Why did you decide to come? Speak your business.”

“Is it okay to speak with Him[4] here?”
 

Eun-ho’s descendant glanced skittishly at me.

Among them, I was the only human.

If I’m here, there may be a situation which is difficult to speak about.

I should leave first and hear an adequate story next time.
 

“Then I’ll get going. Contact me next time…”
 

As I was about to stand up from the sofa, someone pressed my shoulder and made me sit down again.
 

Thud—.
 

Following the hand that grabbed my shoulder, my eyes turned towards Baek Ho-gun.
 

“Jo Uisin, this is the story of the child you had saved. You deserve to hear it.”
 

Is Baek Ho-gun really stopping me?

I looked at Hwang Jiho and Jeok-ho and they both nodded.

I guess the three Ho tribe members thought it was okay for me to hear the story with them.

Seeing their reaction, Eun-ho’s descendant opened his mouth again.
 

“… As Hwangho-nim already recognized, I’m of blood of Eunho-nim, the Ho tribe leader who lived with Hwangho-nim, Baekho-nim and Jeokho-nim 5 thousand years ago, at the time of Gaecheon[5].”
 

I guess Sinin ruled over the Korean Peninsula, but the one leading the Ho tribe was ‘Eun-ho’.

If I had to compare, Sinin was a king. Then Eun-ho was like a knight grand master.
 

“I’m connected by blood to Eunho-nim by the blood of my mother, who was Eunho-nim’s direct descendant. I turned 16 years old this year. Beside me there are two more.”
 

Three descendants of Eun-ho? No, there are four?

Now with the mother who is a descendant and three siblings, it’s four.

I heard it was difficult for Jin’s descendants’ to have offspring, but I guess those three siblings were insanely lucky.
 

“We were under the care of the To tribe[6] which is part of 12 Zodiac Alliance. But somehow information about location leaked and the Ung tribe, unidentified Jin tribe and Enemies attacked us.”
 

So the To tribe protected Eun-ho’s descendants?

The high grade rice cake brand, Moon Rabbit Rice Cakes were operated by that To tribe.
 

‘You’re saying not only the Ung tribe, but also another Jin tribe attacked? Are they the bastards who betrayed the 12 Zodiac Alliance?’
 

At the side, Hwang Jiho and Jeok-ho, who heard the descendant’s words, were obviously angry.
 

“Damn moon rabbit bastards kept their mouths shut well until now and…”

“Every year, at every national holiday, the To tribe send their Moon Rabbit Rice Cakes specialities. I thought they were acting nice, but little did I know it was out of a sense of guilt.”
 

I could see deep anger in Hwang Jiho and Jeok-ho’s eyes.

I would also be pissed if I didn’t know such an important fact for such a long time.

Eun-ho’s descendant continued.
 

“I came to request help. Currently, a higher being interfered and strengthened the barrier, but the barrier won’t last until tomorrow. The others of the two descendants are hiding in a different secret place… I came alone without To tribe’s knowledge.”

“… Why didn’t you look for us until now?”
 

After Hwang Jiho spoke through gritted teeth, Eun-ho’s descendant deeply bowed his head.
 

“My mother, who passed away after giving birth to the youngest, often said: ‘The sacred tigers will try to protect us and we will become their weakness. They will become weak if we are around, so we have to hide.’”
 

Crack–Crack-clank—!
 

Around Hwang Jiho, who sat in the best seat of honor, the furniture and floor shattered to powder.
 

‘This is the first time I see Hwang Jiho displaying his feelings like this.’
 

The mother, who was said to be Eun-ho’s direct descendant, passed away.

Then currently there are three Eun-ho’s descendants remaining.
 

“So Eun-ho’s direct descendant… who we didn’t meet even once, passed away?”
 

If it was a descendant of the leader they admired, they wouldn’t treat them any differently from their own child.

I could understand that by just looking at how the Yong tribe treated their descendant Yeom Junyeol.
 

“I tried to contact the Eungwang School through a device, but with my status I couldn’t contact the chairman-nim. So I thought the only way is to meet directly and ask for help.”
 

For a mere middle school student, contacting the chairman was almost impossible.

I also wouldn’t be able to have a conversation with Hwang Myeong-ho, if not for Jegal Jaegeol’s help.

The To tribe hid the descendants and seemed to be barely enduring the attack behind the barrier, so it was impossible for them to directly contact.
 

‘So he risked his life and came out to send a rescue request. In the game, he was assassinated by the Ung tribe, so it failed.’
 

In the game, the To tribe was mentioned to rapidly decline.

Though the To tribe’s leader and Moon Rabbit Rice Cakes CEO seemed to survive.

I guess most of them died in this event.
 

‘… If Hwang Jiho won’t move, I think at least I have to go.’
 

At the time when I was worried, Hwang Jiho spoke with the voice of suppressed emotions.
 

“Tell us the To tribe’s location. I will go with my alter-egos, Jeok-ho and those among the Ho tribe who work at Hwang Myeong Foundation.”

“Hwangho-nim…!”

“You, Baek-ho and Jo Uisin stay here. There may be remnants who will come to aim for the descendant.”
 

Hwang Jiho didn’t speak more than this, stood up from his seat and left the living room with Jeok-ho.

It’s a pity I couldn’t go in person, but I could become a disturbance in Ho tribe members’ team play.

I decided to follow Hwang Jiho’s words here.

So the ones remaining in the living room were: Me, Baek Ho-gun, Eun-ho’s descendant and Snare.
 

‘It’s awkward.’
 

There was no way that the reticent Baek Ho-gun would take overly sociable action to raise a mood.

Eun-ho’s descendant was in extremely low spirits.
 

‘He is not human, but he’s still only a sixteen-year-old kid.’
 

He came here while risking his own life, but even so, he would be extremely scared.

He was probably mentally exhausted.
 

Keuuk—.
 

I think I unconsciously put strength into my hands.

Snare struggled a bit.

Eun-ho’s descendant skittishly glanced at the divine beast in my arms.
 

“Hey.”
 

I bluntly threw a word at Eun-ho’s descendant.
 

“Do you want to hold it?”
 

I held out Snare in my arms towards Eun-ho’s descendant.

As if it liked the sensation of floating in the air, Snare stuck out its tongue and wagged its tail.

Eun-ho’s descendant, who couldn’t take his eyes off of this cotton ball-like divine beast, nodded.
 

“If the divine beast allows…”
 

Snare, who after being brought closer sniffed, looked at Eun-ho’s descendant and blinked its eyes.

It wasn’t the same active attitude as towards me or Baek Ho-gun, but it seemed to be a signal meaning ‘You may touch me’.

Eun-ho’s descendant hugged Snare.
 

“Wow… So warm….”
 

Eun-ho’s descendant stroked Snare as if his hand was touching a piece of glass.

Snare closed its eyes and accepted Eun-ho’s descendant’s touch.
 

‘He looks no different from an ordinary middle school kid.’
 

It seemed to be difficult to differentiate between humans, Jin people and descendants.

So in the game, the articles which appeared said the middle school student died in the traffic accident and ended on that.
 

‘There is a risk involved if you have something to protect as Eun-ho thought. It’s true it is dangerous, but… even so, I can’t agree with the words that it would weaken them.’
 

This world is dangerous, so there are many things to protect.

Thanks to that, I, who didn’t have anything and only waited for the day when I die, changed.
 

“You, didn’t you come here risking your life to protect the To tribe and your siblings? Is that weak?”
 

Eun-ho’s descendant stared at me with confused eyes.
 

“Good job. If you hadn’t plucked up your courage, the To tribe and your remaining siblings would have faced danger.”
 

Eun-ho’s descendant tightly bit his lips and bowed his head.

After that, neither me, nor Eun-ho’s descendant said anything.

Snare continued to gently lay in Eun-ho’s descendant’s arms.

And after a few hours.

Hwang Jiho sent a message.
 

[Hwang Jiho] Done. Everyone is safe.
 

***
 
The sun was already setting.

Eun-ho’s descendant was left at the mansion under the care of Kim Sinrok, who came after finishing the classes a bit earlier.

Baek Ho-gun planned to go to the Silver Shadow Building where the captured Ung tribe members were put, so we ended up going to Eungwang School together.
 

“I’m curious about something.”
 

Baek Ho-gun was the one who said I had the right to hear.
 

‘If it’s Baek Ho-gun, he will listen to my guess and judge if it’s right or wrong.’
 

This world’s Seoul and my previous world’s Seoul weren’t that different.

But then why did the place named ‘Eungwang District’ exist in this world?
 

“Eungwang District, Eungwang School, Silver Light Building (Eunhwi Building) and Silver Shadow Building (Eunyeong Building) were all named after your late leader Eun-ho?”
 

It seemed that Hwang-ho in particular cared deeply about Eun-ho.

Because Silver Light Building was a building Hwang-ho designed himself.
 

‘Eun-ho disappeared and hid the existence of his descendant from everyone in the Ho tribe. Later Hwang-ho became the guardian of the Divine Realm and built Silver Light Building to honor Eun-ho.’
 

That was my guess.
 

“Something like that.”
 

I guess my expectations were right.
 

“Is Eun-ho dead?”

“No. But he just cannot open his eyes.”
 

Is he in a vegetative-like state?

It’s like the two of the Ung Eight Immortals who are in deep sleep.

So he couldn’t appear in the game.

There was one last question I wanted to ask.
 

“Do you think you would have become weak if Eun-ho’s descendants stayed by your side?”

“… I, Hwang-ho and Jeok-ho almost died on multiple occasions when protecting Eun-ho. I understand why Eun-ho would make such a choice.”
 

Baek Ho-gun paused for a moment, then glanced down towards me with chilly eyes.
 

“However, I agree with what you said to descendant Jo Uisin.”
 

In the light of the setting sun, the corners of the white tiger’s lips raised very slightly into a smile.

Baek Ho-gun was someone who fought alone to protect this world and humans.

I was a bit worried and nervous, because he appeared to move differently from the game, but he still was like my Playable Character.
 

‘Baek Ho-gun hasn’t changed.’
 

Baek Ho-gun looked to be in a very good mood.

This is a chance I should seize and make a very important request.
 

“Can I sometimes come to see Cotton Ba… No, I mean, Snare?”

“Do as you want.”
 

‘Great. I shall do as I want.’
 

If I miss Snare’s cuteness, I’ll have to raid Hwang Jiho’s house.
 

***
 

Eungwang School’s off-limit zone.

It was a zone that incorporated the school’s buildings that were scheduled to be demolished.

It was a gloomy sight of the old incinerator and buildings whose demolition was delayed because of the ground conditions, building surveys, etc.

Eun-ho’s descendant’s case stole a lot of time, but my April Fool’s Day schedule still wasn’t finished.
 

‘The sun didn’t set yet. It’ll be okay.’
 

On April 1st, the sunset is around 7 pm.

Currently, it is 6:40 pm.
 

‘Because there was a description that those bastards work after the sun sets.’
 

However…

There were two 1st year class 1 students who were running out of the building.

They were the bastards I asked Yu Sang-hun about.

I felt as if my breath stopped.
 

‘They move quicker than in the game!’
 

⟨Using the Gwangrim ‘Player’s Trajectory’.⟩
 

I instinctively chose a character card which was efficient in the capture category.

Currently in the 3rd year at Eungwang School, the student council president: ‘Iron Lock Tao Wonu[7]’.
 

⟨Using active character’s Gwangrim ‘Iron Lock Chain’.⟩
 

Claank—!
 

From my body, dozens or hundreds of supernatural chains stretched out and firmly captured two people.
 

“What, what?! Un–Unknown Supernova?”

“Wait, why?”
 

My appearance didn’t change.

There were no recording devices in the off-limit zone.

I wasn’t concerned about showing my face to those scums.
 

‘Because those bastards will forget everything in the future.’
 

I dragged the two guys on the floor as I ran inside of the old school building.

They struggled to free themselves, but as illegally admitted, they have no way to resist the Gwangrim of the Eungwang School’s student council president.
 

“Hey, stop making any dog-like sounds!”
 

⟨Using active character’s skill ‘Partial Discharge’.⟩
 

Ziggg—!
 

“Kuaauk!”

“Aack, why! Uugh!”
 

Tao Wonu didn’t have a talent for Electro Arts.

However, through his desperate efforts he acquired the skill to efficiently use the Gwangrim ‘Iron Lock Chain’.

Until he obtained a derivative skill from Electro Arts.

That Partial Discharge was a skill which causes discharge only at the desired place.
 

“Huuuu…. What….”

“Why…. Whyy….”
 

After I fed them electricity every time they barked, they started to shut up.

But in any case, no one will come to their help, even if they wail.

Just like it was for the students who those bastards harassed here.
 

‘Why? Why did you move faster than in the game?’
 

I suddenly recalled 1st year class 1 homeroom teacher, Kim Sinrok.

To meet with Eun-ho’s descendant, he had to finish class earlier and go to Hwang Myeong-ho’s manor.
 

‘In this case, in the absence of the class 1 homeroom teacher, the time of the end-of-day meetings would be reduced. So those bastards could move faster than expected.’
 

The Ung tribe’s assassination attempt in front of the Eungwang School case.

Sawol Seeum first day at school.

Divine Beast’s existence.

Eun-ho and Eun-ho’s descendants.

A lot of information flooded at once today and I couldn’t think about it.

Now, all I could do was to run as quickly as possible.

Finally, I arrived at the 4th floor of the old school’s teachers bathroom.
 

‘Only the partition on the far side is closed…!’
 

Clang–!
 

I forcibly threw open the locked bathroom door.

With the student council’s president Tao Wonu’s physical strength, the door shattered easily.

And behind the opened door, there was a student on the toilet.

His mouth was closed shut with a green tape and his whole body was restrained with a SR rank binding item.
 

*~*~*
 

[1] the puppy who rushes at the tiger because it doesn’t know what it is – A proverb which describes a person who foolishly attacks or competes with strong people.

[2] divine energy — Um… So this is the word I may or may not have spent 7 hours researching and then wrote a page long note, only to realize that maybe the hanja of those two words overlaps and it’s indeed just in the simplest terms ‘Divine Qi’. I’m putting this note below, because some people may find it funny (and not very informative).

7 hours of complete insanity note here:

So the word used in raws is 신기. I have no proof as I didn’t check, but I think it’s usually translated as divinity or something like this? I mean, it was my first instinct and I still translate it like this, because it makes sense in the context, but oh gods, does it not mean that… So the word 신기 was coined by that Choe Han-gi guy who had A LOT of ideas about how Qi is EVERYWHERE in the universe and all laws are deprived from movements of Qi, but we are NOT talking about it.
The basic thing you need to know about Choe Han-gi guy is that he wanted to explain everything with Qi, including proving the empiricism theory (the philosophy you may know as ‘knowledge is drawn from things experienced through senses’ which opposed the rationalism which believed that reason is the source of human knowledge). 신기 was a word coined for that.
Breaking 신기 down, 기 refers to Qi as it’s in the Confucianism (basically a vital force of the universe, but also so much more that I spent 7 hours there and still understand nothing) and 신 refers to the constant motion of Qi, by which universe (ah, by the way when I say universe here I mean like ‘all what exist’) realizes its virtues. Those motions cannot be perceived or understood. From now on I’ll refer to 신 as Divinity. Please remember we’re not talking about Western concept of divinity and gods, we’re talking about the universe moving to realize virtues.
Now, what does it have to do with empiricism? (Is something that I still ask myself…)
So 신기, Choe Han-gi referred to, was not only a marvelous Qi but also a psychological ability to perceive those unperceived movements of Qi, aka Divinity. Because everything has Qi, so if your sensory organs kinda… I don’t know…send your Qi out? They will perceive the movements of Qi in other things, and that… I think it will give you enlightenment, or rather an experience? And you’re gonna move following that Divinity (Qi movement), because your Qi’s movement is being affected by those external Qi?? … … … (Can we return to the Qi gravity globes?)
The human body is built from four types of Qi: One is from Heaven (refer to Confucianism~), second from Earth, third is blood of the parents and finally the fourth is experience (it’s not an exact translation, but it will do). Out of those four, the first three cannot be changed, but the fourth can be changed. And therefore, we had proven the theory of empiricism. Yes, we have proved it. Don’t worry about it.

Okay, but what does it have anything to do with the supernatural powers? … … Well, it’s kinda the ability to manipulate Qi? I think? And as Qi acts as a source of powers usually in those types of novels, then we may say that the ability to affect the movements of Qi is a superpower………. You know. On second thought, maybe the hanja of those two words just overlapped and one has nothing to do with the other? Hmm… Maybe it’s literally a DIVINE QI????

[3] black tea — it’s called a black tea in English, but Koreans call this type of tea ‘red tea’.

[4] Him – the descendant is using a highly polite form of ‘This person’ towards Jo Uisin. Depending on the sentence I translate it as Sir or Him. Yes, this is also how the Ung tribe addresses ‘Dark Mastermind’.

[5] Gaecheon – refers to Gaecheon Myth, but I don’t think I addressed it before: Gaecheon Day is the Nation Founding day in Korea, but Gaecheon by itself means brook/stream or ‘covering the sky’. But! When we talk about Gaecheon Day, it Gaecheon means ‘clear sky’.

[6] To tribe – To for ‘Rabbit’.

[7] Tao Wonu – Normally I would romanize his name as Do Wonu, but I believe the author wants me to romanize his surname as To (you will see why later)* I also chose to further change it to Tao for reason that may be revealed later. If I’m wrong about it, just treat it as a little ester egg.

 

Translator’s note: Please note down it’s: ‘…. The divine beast really follows Jo Uisin well.’ not ‘Jo Uisin follows the divine beast really well’. I checked multiple times. Also Baek-ho’s answer ‘Something like that’ wasn’t really a confirmation… Strange.

10 responses

  1. Thanks for the chapter!

  2. Fluffums

    [1] Still… — It could also be ‘Not yet’… I’m not sure what Jo Uisin exactly means here. Feels a bit out of place…

    Judging from context I think it means “For now…” or “So far…” because they’re being tortured.

    1. Oooh! You may be right! Thank you for enlightenment!

  3. Thank you for the hardwork!

  4. Primordial

    *looks at divine powers note* Not reading that 🗿

  5. ZionFlaker

    Some typos:
    “…after a long time the secretary” could maybe be “…for the first time in a while the secretary”?
    “…right now came” should probably be just “came”?
    Is Snare’s “supporter” a brace?
    ??? “a natural cotton skin leather sofa with steel legs with bronze mirror finishing” might be “a natural leather sofa with cotton stuffing, and steel legs with a buffed bronze finishing”? Maybe? Don’t know how Jo Uisin can distinguish the different materials used to stuff a sofa…
    “The others of the three descendants” should probably be “The other two descendants”
    “…with the words it would weaken them” could maybe be “…with the idea that it would weaken them”
    “…what you say to descendant” should probably be “…what you said to the descendent”
    “fighted” should be “fought”
    “…guys on the floor” might be better as “…guys across the floor”
    Thanks for the chapter! Why is the secretary mentioned so frequently? Are we going to get her name? Additionally, gold walls and marble floors? That sounds absurdly blinding during the daytime! By the way, is Snare a Pomeranian? Jo Uisin made time in his schedule to clean out the trash, huzzah!

    1. Bracer would be also a word for that I suppose ?

      I… think I need to look into some textiles references, because I have no idea what author is talking about frankly speaking.

      Thanks for reading!

      Among characters who appeared (until chapter 1000), the secretary is in my top 5 of the most suspicious characters!
      I have no idea what breed Snare supposed to be but a lot of people assume Pomeranian, so that’s official headcanon I suppose.

  6. Maybe it wasnt really a confirmation because in Jo Uisin’s question, on how he addressed Eunho, it could be implied that he thinks that Eunho is dead. Baekho answering yes would be to confirm that everything was named after Eunho and he is dead, but he’s not, hence the answer.

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