Translator: Wan ED/PR: novio
21. Six words (4)
When I was organizing my thoughts, Hwang Jiho spoke up:
“… Seeing as you are making that face again, you seem to have found an answer.”
“What face?”
“Suspicious face.”
It seemed that ‘suspicious’ became a fixed descriptor for my expression.
“Jo Uisin, tell me. Did you crack the code?”
“It’s a bit too much to say I cracked the code. Because those words are expressing the coordinates by themselves. There was a period between words, so I realized it immediately.”
“What are you talking about?”
Hwang Jiho’s doubts were natural.
This system is still not-widely known.
To the degree that Kwon Jane who lived in England for a long time wasn’t familiar with it.
“I do not know in what situation and what kind of message was sent by Jeop previous time, so it’s hard to compare, but this time there was no need to trouble yourself using a complicated code.”
“Why?”
“Because even you, the guardian of the divine realm, couldn’t read the message. It was circumstances where the message was visible exclusively for Kwon Jane, there was no need for the trouble of encoding it. So I thought it’s not a code.”
Hwang Jiho had a very displeased expression, but didn’t object.
The barrier system jointly made by 12 Zodiac Alliance was pierced, but rather than saying Hwang Jiho’s abilities were insufficient, it should be said that the traitor’s hit to the back of the head was big.
Jeop pierced the barrier and sent a message, so he seemed to have a lot of thoughts about it.
But he may be making that expression just because a traitor’s existence is unpleasant.
“There are several ways to designate a location. GPS coordinates can also be used, but 60-base system or 10-base system are used for longitude, latitude and altitude when designating GPS coordinates values, so it’s complicated. Other address systems to designate locations are more intuitive and comfortable to use.”
“Do you want to say those rows of words are the address system?”
After I nodded my head once, Hwang Jiho made an expression like he couldn’t understand.
It seemed it would be better to describe everything in order.
“How much do you think the Earth’s surface area is in square meters?”
“Earth’s surface is around 510 trillion square meters.”
As soon as I asked the question, the answer came out straight away.
Did he really answer straight away without any prior preparations?
“Right. The surface area of Earth is around 510 trillion square meters. And if you divide Earth’s surface by using squares 3 meters long and high, or 9 square meters in other words, you will get around 57 trillion pieces. There was a person who tried to make a new address system by giving each of those pieces a name.”
I opened one hologram as I was speaking.
‘what3words’
It was an address system born from the idea of the person named Chris Sheldrick who was working in the English music performance industry.
“Korea’s address system is well designed, but there are many foreign countries where it isn’t the case. There are dozens of places where people live where official addresses don’t exist at all.”
Chris Sheldrick was giving performances all over the world.
Several times he was in the situation where, because of an imperfect address system, equipment wasn’t delivered or an artist lost their way and couldn’t arrive in the venue on time and so the performance itself couldn’t be held.
There were still many countries in this world which didn’t have a designated address system and GPS coordinates based on latitude, longitude and altitude in base-10 or base-60 numeral systems, were extremely complex and difficult to use in daily life.
So he came up with the idea of simple addressing with words.
“If you combine 40 thousand words which are not difficult and likely to be known by anyone into 3 word combinations, you will get 64 trillion combinations. So if you use three words, you can name every of the 57 trillion pieces of the Earth’s surface.”
This new address system was made and used in dozens of languages by now.
In addition, there were some countries that officially adopted this address system.
‘Even if people can’t memorize entire GPS coordinates, they should be able to memorize it if it’s only three words.’
I unfolded a hologram with the ‘what3words’ webpage.
Then I opened two windows.
“And this address system formed with three words can be used both in Korean and English. To use it you must put a period between three words.”
I imputed the message sent by Nabiryeong into each window.
In one window was the result of inputting ‘의외. 예매. 그대’.
In the other window opened the result of inputting ‘items. exhales. dame’.
“… Seokchon Lake!” [1]
The results of input in both languages were the same.
Seokchon Lake located in Seoul, Songpa district, Jamsil 47.
Its area was around 210 thousand square meters.
The six words left by Nabiryeong pointed to the certain point corresponding to precisely 9 square meters at Seokchon Lake.
“Right, he is British. And it’s also a system made by a worker in the performance industry. Even if senior Kwon Jane-nim doesn’t recognize it straight away, if she consults with the team members who are in charge of Kwon Jane’s performance planning while going around the world, someone will recognize it when they see three words in two kinds of languages and periods. Jeop would be aiming for that.”
After my words ended, the living room fell silent.
Baek Ho-gun was always silent, but even Hwang Jiho kept his mouth shut for several seconds while he stared at me intently.
The long silence ended with Hwang Jiho opening his mouth.
“Jo Uisin, don’t you need a blessing?”
“No, why?”
It seemed I heard similar words before the 12 Zodiac Alliance Meeting.
Like that time, I didn’t even think about it and put on the iron wall.
Hwang Jiho’s eyes were sparkling ominously.
“I really want to look inside of your head.”
“I won’t take the blessing after hearing that.”
I ate my remaining portion of hotcakes while scolding Hwang Jiho.
***
After the three of us finished talking, we moved to the dining room.
As if cooking was just finished, Eun-ho’s three descendants were diligently serving plates.
‘No matter how I think about it, it’s this smell.’
It was the smell of instant food that before entering Eungwang School I ate it day and night, but my relationship with it was cut off thanks to the dormitory cafeteria.
Hwang Jiho mumbled.
“Ramen? … I don’t remember buying it.”
On the dining table laid a white porcelain bowl overflowing with dignity.
In it was one bowl-worthy of terribly overcooked ramen.
“… Sinrok oppa prepared it! He said that if we fail we can at least cook ramen.”
“We burned rice, and the entire stew, because… I didn’t expect to burn a stew. I thought the longer you boil it, the better it tastes.”
“I-I’m sorry… I dropped all the side dishes on the floor, so…”
Looking at the strips of aprons Eun-ho’s descendants were wearing, they seemed brand new, but their entire fronts were filled with stains of unknown identity and traces of burns.
I got an idea of those guys’ cooking skills and events during the process.
‘It seems that teacher Kim Sinrok-nim prepared ramen for such a case….’
Ramen was also ruined.
It seemed that Eun-ho’s descendants failed to control water in the ramen.
I don’t think it was white soup ramen, as the soup was transparent, but the noodles were so extremely swollen that the soup was almost not visible, as if it was only filled with noodles.
It seemed that Hwang Jiho also discovered the misery inside the bowl, but he spoke towards Eun-ho’s descendant with a soft expression.
“… Did you also prepare your share?”
“That… all failed and this is the only one which succeeded.”
Inside the pot Eun Seoho was holding was one bowl worthy of soup remaining.
I guess even that still failed and it was remaining results.
“Okay. Go wash. I’ll eat first. And eat well.”
“I’ll eat well.”
“…”
After I, Hwang Jiho and Baek Ho-gun each took our seats, Eun-ho’s descendants smiled with relieved expression and disappeared outside the dining room.
Baek Ho-gun was the first to pick up his chopsticks.
His movements froze for a second when he swallowed the first bite, but after that he started to eat mechanically.
Following my Playable Character who was patient, considerate, and strong, I also took a bite.
A mushy sensation spread through my mouth.
‘… It’s a taste that makes you miss the hotcakes you ate moments ago.’
While I munched and swallowed familiar wheat flour lumps.
Swish—.
The automatic door to the dining room opened.
“Excuse me for interrupting a meal. I’m sorry for being late. I’m back, Hwang-ho, Baek-ho. Long time no see, Jo Uisin.”
“Hello.”
“Come in quickly, Jeok-ho.”
One to appear was busy with investigation of the Don tribe[2], Jeok-ho.
“I tried to see your face with Jeok-ho today, but he ended up late. I’ll brief you over Kwon Jane’s case. Listen to the conversation before you go, Jeok-ho.”
“Understood.”
Jeok-ho, who replied, looked more tired than usual.
From the conversation’s context, it seemed that he would have to go out again.
“… Ramen? Its shape is quite special.”
Jeok-ho’s gaze turned towards the empty table and then towards the noodle lumps we were eating.
The eyes of Hwang Jiho, who was the most sluggish among three of us to move his chopsticks, suddenly sparkled as he looked at Jeok-ho.
“Eun-ho’s descendants cooked ramen prepared by Kim Sinrok. Do you want to eat it?”
Hwang Jiho launched ‘suffer with me!’ operation[3].
Jeok-ho didn’t hesitate.
Rather, he smiled while replying with a bit of a happy face.
“I’ll eat.”
Jeok-ho’s expression didn’t change even once and he ate everything to the last bite.
***
Next day, after classes.
In the Newspaper Club room used exclusively by freshmen.
Newspaper Club president gave us a new task.
‘Cover the topic of Teacher’s Day and events prepared by students.’
Presents can’t be given, so all kinds of events are prepared utilizing individual superpowers for Teacher’s Day.
There will be a wide range to cover.
“Class 0 is amazing even on Teacher’s Day!”
“It’s 2nd year class 0 again.”
Reading the materials gathered on the previous years Teacher’s Days, it was overflowing with content worthy of astonishments.
‘The talents of the students of Korea’s most prestigious highschool are going to waste like that, huh…!’
The 1st year class 0’s moai incident.
Geun Chansol and Wang Chansol, the two of them who were also class president and vice class president during that time, made Jegal Jaegeol’s moai model in the soil playground in the center of the 1st year zone.
The moai made of the otherworldly ores was about 20 meters tall and weighed 100 tons.
Even the Guideline Club was astonished, so they tried to dig up what kind of supernatural powers were used to make moai and to install it in such a short period of time, but they failed.
Even though the GeunChan&WangChan duo responded to Newspaper Club’s interview, they replied that as it’s a joke secret, their mouth can’t reveal a hidden secret.
‘The 2nd year class 0 didn’t change. Current 3rd year class 0… their relationship with their homeroom teacher is subtle.’
There were several types of teachers who were put in charge of problem children.
For example, stern types like Ham Geun-hyeong.
Both Ham Geun-hyeong’s face and Gwangrim were scary, so there were no students who easily got sassy in front of him.
But all kids going to school among 1st year class 0 are kind and the rest was quiet as worthy of people who didn’t come to school, so Ham Geun-hyeong didn’t encounter any incidents.
‘In Eungwang School, not coming to school is not against the rules. It’s hard to call our class problem children, but…’
There were also virtuous types like Jegal Jaegeol.
Because the teacher is good beyond measure, the students will be influenced as a principle.
The 2nd year class 0 were the strongest and the worst rascals like before, but they won’t do anything that could possibly hurt Jegal Jaegeol.
And if Jegal Jaegeol sincerely tells them to stop, they will listen well.
‘The problem is the types like the homeroom teacher of the 3rd year class 0…’
The type that goes crazy with students.
The 3rd year class 0 homeroom teacher, the head of the Research Department, Im Yeonhwa.
She was this third case.
‘She looks sane during Understanding of Jin people 1, but…’
Im Yeonhwa’s performance during the Understanding of Jin people 1 class which she was in charge of and I was listening to, was excellent.
She was in charge of the problem children from the current 3 year class 0 since the previous year.
As she repaid double of the pranks she went through personally or witnessed, the current 3rd year class 0 was losing their heads over her actions.
‘It seems that the current 3rd year class 0 also had a particular taste, what kind of joke is that?’
During Teacher’s Day’s celebration.
They turned class 0’s classroom into a haunted house.
They were said to devote their hearts and souls to seeing Im Yeonhwa frightened.
However, one hour passed since Im Yeonhwa entered the classroom, then two hours passed and there was still no reaction.
Class 0 seniors thought there was some kind of problem and rushed inside the classroom.
And they suffered the worst fright of their lives since they were born.
‘Conversely, she remade the haunted house into a more frightening one and used it to pull a prank on her students…!’
After their homeroom teacher’s craziness that could overpower even them, the 3rd year class 0 seniors were said to be quietly trying to feel the Universe.
‘… Is it quiet?’
Doubts remained, but I spent my club activity time while listening to the filled with enthusiasm Mun Saeron’s coverage plan.
***
After finishing evening training, my room.
The first thing I did was to check the device messages.
I examined sender lists, but even today, the message from Min Geurin didn’t come.
‘Let’s check other messages.’
The one on top was group chat with Ju Su-hyeok and Maeng Hyodon.
[Ju Su-hyeok] We caught Yunseop smoking an electronic cigarette today. I guess he secretly stole it from his uncle. Electronic cigarettes are also smoking, so he is going to buy bread!
[Maeng Hyodon] It seems he is faster than before, but still slow
[Ju Su-hyeok] Hyodon caught him escaping!
As I checked all the messages, it seemed that my Bread Shuttle was secretly smoking an electronic cigarette and so he was caught by Maeng Hyodon and Ju Su-hyeok.
Next message came from Wings Club president, Seong Siwan.
[Seong Siwan] Uisin, do you have time late afternoon on Teacher’s Day?
[Seong Siwan] My older cousin who graduated is coming to see his homeroom teacher-nim and I guess he wants to meet with Unknown Supernova. If it’s okay, can you show your face for a bit? ㅎㅎ We’ll buy dinner!
Seong Siwan’s older cousin?
I had no idea who it was, but I sent a reply: It’s alright for now.
Lastly was a message from Hwang Jiho.
[Hwang Jiho] I’m going to Seokchon Lake tomorrow.
*~*~*
[1] “… Seokchon Lake!” — if you use it in what3words it will indeed point you towards Seokchon Lake. And you know what? Jamsil Sport Complex is quite close! You can even see that cursed Baseball Stadium on the map!
[2] Don – pig.
[3] ‘suffer with me!’ operation – water ghost operation in raws. It’s slang for the behavior of drawing others to suffer injustice with you.
Translator’s note: I believe this is the chapter where this translator fell in love with this novel really hard for the first time. Then they only keep falling harder in later chapters.
Site note: I noticed (very belatedly) that anti-spammer went a bit crazy. If your comments didn’t get through before I’m very sorry, I’ll keep an eye on that from now on, so there shouldn’t be problems. I can only salvage comments from 15 days ago, so I’m sorry if some comments were lost. Believe me I love every little comment. Even if I don’t have time to answer them, I’ll always see them and appreciate them (unless they land in fucking spam, gods dammit anti-spammer). Thank you very much.
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