EX-rank’s Replay (375)

Translator: Wan ED/PR: Solarin

 
59. True nature (10)

Early morning time, Eungwang School’s residential zone’s 1st year building.

Before the band type device she wore on the wrist vibrated, Han Yi opened her eyes.

The moment she opened her eyes, she felt a vibration on her wrist, and Han Yi realized it was her time to stand up.

With a hazy mind, because she has just woken up, Han Yi recalled the dream she had last night.
 

‘… I had the exact same dream today too.’
 

Since she entered the school, Han Yi often had the same dream.

The dream about someone with covered eyes looking down at Han Yi.

His form gradually became clearer, but because it was difficult to read lips just like before, she couldn’t understand what he wanted to say.
 

‘What is he saying? I think it’s a word I should be able to recognize this time…’
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Han Yi retraced her memories that were becoming blurry, and recalled the movement of the lips of someone with his eyes covered.

If an ordinary person saw what Han Yi saw, they would just stop on the silhouette of what they assume was a face and a mouth.

But Han Yi was familiar with reading the lips’ movement, her observation skills and memorization skills were on the outstanding side among Players.
 

‘He repeated the same word several times. It seems he will keep repeating that word until I recognize it…’
 

Even during the taehokwon training, Han Yi thought about that ‘someone’.

She recalled the movements of the lips, and even the shaking of the faint form, to guess how they moved.

While stuck doing revision work over a dozen of times in her head, Han Yi became certain.

Realizing what kind of word it was, Han Yi unknowingly stopped the taehokwon basic posture, ‘tiger step’.
 

‘Right. It seems he repeated the word ‘true nature[1]’ several times. It’s clear that he is guiding me to recognize something about ‘true nature’. If it was the true nature of someone with covered eyes, I would think about it even without him saying that exactly, so why did he trouble himself saying that…?’
 

After the word was revealed, Han Yi’s thoughts gradually prolonged.

Han Yi didn’t move for a long time while she thought.

In the meantime, the advisor of the Taehokwon Small Group, Gong Cheonghwon stood in front of Han Yi, but Han Yi, who was sensitive to presence, didn’t realize his approach and fell into thoughts for a while.

Gong Cheonghwon, who waited in front of Han Yi for over a minute, poured a superpower wave.
 

Paat!
 

Detecting a powerful superpower wave so close to her, Han Yi swiftly raised her head.

Behind the light of superpower wave that sparkled and disappeared, she saw Gong Cheonghwon’s face.
 

“I’m glad. If You can’t detect superpower wave, when Your concentration falters, I would have to give You additional instructions.”
 

As a Player, who faced with the danger of otherworlds and Enemies, she couldn’t be careless about superpower waves detection, no matter the situation she was placed in.

Though Han Yi was reassured that her detection ability hadn’t lost its edge, she kicked herself that she wasn’t able to perceive Gong Cheonghwon’s approach.

And that she didn’t concentrate on the Taehokwon Small Group’s activities.
 

“I wasn’t able to concentrate on the practice and was having distracting thoughts. My apologies…”
 

When Han Yi apologized right away, Gong Cheonghwon didn’t reprimand her.

Instead, he fixed Han Yi’s basic posture, that became sloppy, while speaking:
 

“I watched Playlist broadcast where Miro was participating yesterday. I also heard what happened at the time.”
 

If it was someone like Gong Cheonghwon, who had a connection with Dokgo Miro, she thought he would surely watch it, but it also seemed that even when busy, he made time to watch the broadcast and also heard what happened at the broadcasting station.

Gong Cheonghwon kindly praised Han Yi’s efforts.
 

“Han Yi has no experience fighting without protectors, but You fought for Miro and People at the broadcasting station, correct? You have worked hard.”

“… Thank You.”
 

Even though she didn’t hear the voice, she felt like she knew how warm that voice was.

Han Yi also smiled softly in return.

Starting with that, the very few students of the Taehokwon Small Group talked about the conquest of otherworlds that appeared on the broadcasting station, and asked Han Yi some questions or praised her.

Because of that, the taehokwon morning practice became somewhat lax, but Gong Cheonghwon turn a blind eye to it, so it ended without them hearing any nagging.
 

“Then see You at class.”

“Yes…!”
 

Thanks to sharing a conversation with Gong Cheonghwon and hearing compliments, Han Yi headed to school with a somewhat better mood.
 

‘My mind is still complicated, but it will be fine.’
 

The ‘someone’ and the certain word that repeatedly appeared in her dreams.

Dokgo Miro, who was defeated in the Playlist final contest.

Dokgo Miro’s past actions that hang somewhere in her mind.

Jeong Haeon, who seemed to have guessed something about that.

Many things hang on her mind, but it seemed that some of them will be solved today.
 

‘When I talk with senior Jeong Haeon after classes today, I will be able to learn something…’
 

While ruminating over the time and location she promised to meet at with Jeong Haeon, Han Yi headed to the 1st year class 0’s classroom.

Han Yi was someone who went to the school somewhat early, but there were many class children, who came earlier than her.

After happily welcoming Han Yi when seeing her enter the classroom, the class children naturally struck up a conversation.

The topic of the conversation was about the child, who wasn’t currently coming to school.
 

“Then Daeseok-i isn’t coming to school today?”

“Ye. It seems he is busy with the Association Research Institute work.”

“He got called in the late afternoon, so it really seems like there is a lot of work.”
 

Kim Yuri soothed the a bit bitter Min Geurin.

Min Geurin didn’t show it openly like Song Daeseok, but it seemed that she was sad about the time they spent together were gradually decreasing.

Mok Uram was about to express a doubt at the fact that the two people weren’t in a relationship, but he was quickly stopped thanks to Maeng Hyodon.

The class children restrained themselves from pushing the two to date, and collectively decided to observe them for now.
 

“Lena? Is the device malfunctioning? I think You were staring on the hologram with nothing on it since a while.”
 

Hearing Mok Uram words, Kwon Lena turned her eyes away from the device hologram and smiled with an awkward face.
 

“Uh? Ah, I can’t contact unnie, so… It seems she is busy because of yesterday’s matter.”

“The Association People took the Employees of Namkung Products at the broadcasting station with them. I guess they haven’t finish Their investigation yet.”

“In the first place, such investigations are uselessly long. Don’t worry.”
 

Kwon Lena nodded at the class children’s reassurance, and closed the hologram.

At that moment, the door opened and Sawol Seeum greeted them brightly.
 

“Hello everyone! I met senior Yeom Junyeol-nim on the way to school a moment ago!”
 

Sawol Seeum, who came to school, naturally changed the topic.

After Sawol Seeum mentioned ‘senior Yeom Junyeol-nim’, Hwang-ho, who was quietly listening to the conversation from the classroom corner, suddenly opened his mouth.
 

“Jo Uisin wasn’t by his side?”

“Yes? There was no Uisin-i.”

“… The vice homeroom teacher or the 1st year class 1’s homeroom teacher?”

“Teacher Yong Jegeon-nim and teacher Kim Sinrok-nim? No.”
 

Hearing the answer, Hwang-ho closed his mouth again.

Instead, Kim Yuri, who knew a lot about him, asked as someone from the Student Council like Yeom Junyeol.
 

“Teacher Yong Jegeon-nim wasn’t with Him? He goes to school with senior Yeom Junyeol-nim almost every day.”

“He wasn’t with Him today. Ah, while flying, I saw an air shuttle with the Red Lion logo in front of the school gate, and it seemed that the team master ‘Ruler of Red Flames’-nim was inside of it!”

“Ruler of Red Flames… That’s senior Yeom Junyeol-nim’s father, right?”

“Yes! It seemed that Person wanted to follow Him all the way inside the school gates, but because senior Yeom Junyeol-nim stopped Him, He just waited in front of the school gates.”
 

At those words, everyone made the faces like they could imagine that scene even without looking.

The whole nation knew for a fact how much the fool-for-his-son Yeom Bangyeol cherished and was proud of Yeom Junyeol.

No, considering that the Red Lion was one of the world top 10 Pro Player teams, it seemed like it was world-wide known fact.
 

“Because senior Yeom Junyeol-nim asked this and that about the otherworld conquest we did, I also asked things I was curious about.”
 

Everyone, excluding some slow-witted class children, guessed what Sawol Seeum was curious about and asked Yeom Junyeol.

The whereabouts of Yong Jegeon who went to join Yeom Juneyol and didn’t return, and Jo Uisin, who disappeared.

Ever since the Youth Training Camp, Sawol Seeum was following Jo Uisin very well, and Yeom Junyeol would know Jo Uisin’s whereabouts.
 

“What happened to Uisin-i?”
 

When Kim Yuri precisely grasped the crux of the matter and asked, Sawol Seeum readily replied:
 

“He didn’t explain in detail, but I guess there was also a battle on senior Yeom Junyeol-nim’s side. After the battle, Uisin-i was taken to the Yong tribe’s residence to be treated and rest. It seems like he won’t be attending school today.”

“Then Uisin-i and Daeseok-i will both be absent today? Teacher Ham Geunhyeong-nim will be sad.”
 

Kim Yuri mentioned Ham Geun-hyeong, but Kim Yuri herself made a sad face, while saying that.

Kim Yuri was disappointed but then turned the words around.
 

“Ah, right. I should talk about it, if Uisin-i conveniently isn’t around. Guys-ah, are you busy on this weekend?”

“I don’t exactly have anything in particular. What is on the weekend?”

“Saturday, October 31st is Halloween. Do You perhaps plan to gather with class children to hold a party? If there is a party, I hope Miro will come too.” [2]

“But what Halloween have to do with Uisin-i being absent?”

“Hahaha, I wasn’t trying to talk about Halloween.”
 

As if Kim Yuri worried that Jo Uisin would suddenly appear, she warily watched the door, and lowered her voice, opening her mouth.

It seemed that Hwang-ho guessed what Kim Yuri was about to say, but other children didn’t know what this was about, and were noticeably curious.
 

“The thing is, this Sunday is Uisin-i’s birthday!”
 

* * *
 
Kim Sinrok, who heard my suggestion, first made a flustered face, and then a complicated one.

That embarrassed face was dyed with his deeply rooted self-depreciating attitude.
 

“I think that Jo Uisin-gun’s idea is good. Isn’t the student Seong Gukeon an assemblyman, who represents the voices of a nation? It doesn’t look good for such a person to distance himself from the existence of Jin people and descendants, correct? Someday he will have to accept things that must be accepted. However…”
 

Instead of looking at me, Kim Sinrok looked down at the pieces of porcelain covered by the jade space.
 

“I can’t be the trigger for that.”
 

Kim Sinrok flatly rejected my suggestion.

I predicted a possibility of Kim Sinrok refusing, but his attitude seemed firmer than I thought.
 

“May I ask why You think so?”
 

At my question, Kim Sinrok spoke with a voice that seemed to be fading out.
 

“… To say it badly, that child is stubborn, to say it kindly, he is very clear with his standing.”
 

Kim Sinrok called Seong Gukeon ‘that child’.

From my standpoint, Seong Gukeon was a much older adult senior, who became a national assemblyman twice, but it seemed that Kim Sinrok was thinking of Seong Gukeon as a ‘child’ without realizing it.
 

“Whatever I say, it won’t change that child’s thinking. Rather, there is a chance that he will learn my true nature for no reason. In that case, his wariness of Jin people and descendants would grow even stronger.”
 

Finishing those words, Kim Sinrok closed his mouth as if he had nothing more to say.

Silence fell for a while.

It looked like Yong Jegeon would watch how I go from here, as he was looking at me, while covering his smiling lips with one hand.
 

‘Kim Sinrok only knows of the 3rd year highshooler Seong Gukeon, so it may be natural for him to think this way.’
 

Kim Sinrok might have been unconsciously trying to avoid learning about Seong Gukeon’s recent life events.

I made up my mind to first inform Kim Sinrok how Seong Gukeon appeared now.
 

“Do You remember what kind of relationship teacher Ham Geunhyeong-nim and senior Seong Gukeon-nim had?”

“… It was very bad. With teacher Ham Geun-hyeong, who was a man of principles, and student Seong Gukeon, who was somewhat mischievous, it was like water and oil.”
 

Kim Sinrok opened his heavy mouth.

But could the things Seong Gukeon did be described as just ‘somewhat mischievous’?

Anyway, I decided to tell him about the sight of the two I have witnessed.
 

“Not a long time ago, those two People met at Hongcheon.”
 

I started to describe the events of Seong Gukeon and teacher Ham Geunhyeong-nim running into each other.

As my words continued, Kim Sinrok’s expression gradually changed.
 

*~*~*
 

[1] true nature — I’m using ‘true nature’ to match the chapter title, but it could also be interpreted as just ‘identity’…

[2] “Saturday, October 31st is Halloween. Do You perhaps plan to gather with class children to hold a party? If there is a party, I hope Miro will come too.” — Sawol Seeum’s sentence
 

Translator’s note: Hm, before Eun-ho said that a person’s true nature doesn’t change even if they reincarnate… following on that, it would imply that the ability to let go of someone’s preconceived nature and see them again that Seong Gukeon was unable to show before, but showed now is also his true nature, and not something he actively learned. That also matches Jo Uisin’s worldview… But I really must wonder, is unchanged nature truly real in this fictional world? (You can press ‘skip’ button to skip the literary debate and get to screaming on Jo Uisin about his birthday.)
 

 

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9 responses

  1. Senomnom

    Looking at the note, unchanged nature sounds like a soul—whether each individual has a nature unique to themselves that stays constant, becoming their identity.
    Kinda happened with Eun ho and han Yi. I kinda don’t remember who else.
    Not too sure what u mean by Seong Gukeons true nature tho. 😭
    Thanks for the chapter!

    1. Ahah, it’s okay to have trouble understanding a note, I tried to avoid spoilers so I said the things a bit vaguely, and I also forgot that, while I keep in my head the original Korean meaning of the title, it won’t the same for you, the readers. So if you allow me to explain my statement in a bit more depth.

      정체 (jeongche) means ‘true and original form’ of something. It often means something inborn, something that can’t or is difficult to change. It’s the foundation of being. So yes, it could refer to soul. It could refer to personality. It can also means an identity. The question is is 정체 (jeongche), that’s your soul, personality, identity, unchangeable? According to Eun-ho and Jo Uisin, yes. The person will be the same person no matter what (at least that’s the reading I got from them at this point in the story). But Eun-ho and Jo Uisin are the worst people to judge that, because they’re both people who sincerely need to believe that people don’t change for the sake of their sanity. Eun-ho needs it because it was around 5000 years since he met his friends and all of them went through a lot in the meantime. Jo Uisin needs to believe it, because otherwise it would mean that his Playable Character may not always be the perfect people he sees them as, and the villains could be changed (rehabilitated, perhaps!), and that probably would destroy him at the moment. But if you look just at this chapter… 정체 (jeongche) doesn’t seem so unchangeable. So I question where the line is drawn and what is true for the story (because while I don’t believe in a true nature in a real life, I can see and believe it into it in the story).

      Anyway, thank you for reading.

      1. Senomnom

        Woooah your explanation is really fascinating!
        The reliability of uisin and eun ho is questioned because of their need for this belief to be true—didn’t even consider that.
        Thank youuuuu!

        1. I could also be overthinking it x.x We will only find out once the story ends probably.

  2. Ohhh Uisin’s birthday! I think I vaguely remember this from reading MTL a year ago. This guy is really something…

    Thank you for your hard work!

    1. Thank you for reading!

  3. That Damned Smile…

    🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

  4. Nishicchi

    Hmmm… Eunho’s and Uisin’s beliefs huh? Theyre pretty similar people so in way, that might be what makes them incompatible in a sense. If you know what I mean.

    Thinking deeper about it, we also had a chapter title that has that kind of title, didnt we? By the 400+ or 500+. I dont remember accurately…

    Regardless, I think the reason why you’re asking is because of that guy, yea? We know for a fact that in the narrative of the story, with the help of someone close to him, he’s trying to change. But he and the person helping him has acknowledged that him changing will take a rather long time, which is why he’s constatly guided. It seems like the “poison” is bearing fruit. He’s the only exception in the story from what I remember, but so far, Eunho’s and Uisin’s belief seems to hold true. Even if people change whether in a small or in a big way, there are still unchanging aspects.

    In a way, reincarnation with or without memories probably has a big hand in the change you know? (Although technically what Uisin and Eunho experienced was a transfer… well, ### ANW IM GOING OFF TOPIC XD.)

    I personally believe that it is possible for a person to change completely though. But there is also a case which I didnt just know the person enough to see all their sides which is why when I can say that they’ve changed, other people might see that same person and think not really.

    Going off a tangent again, I really do love those little stuff that can make you think of deep stuff. Makes novels such great stuff imo.

    Thanks for the chapter, Wan.

    1. That guy, too. But I was also thinking about it because of something that Hyeonmu said in the future chapters and the situation regarding their friend, the situation regarding the higher being that visited this chapter, the confusing matter of Insomnium’s name, the strong distinction between Jin people and descendants, Jo Uisin’s Player Trajectory… While their worldview seems to hold true so far (though Jo Uisin’s perspective on his Playable Characters in clearly wrong), some things bother me… besides, when pawn reaches the end of the board it can change into another piece. Does it mean that it wasn’t a pawn from the beginning? Or that the piece they changed into is fake?

      Yes, I love it too, thank you for reading, Nishicchi.
      (I allowed myself to redact something, because of possible spoilers).

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