Translator: Wan ED/PR: Personal Ghost
28. Boat party under the moonlight (4)
One of the Korean Republic’s 4 Great Groups, Ju-Oh Group.
Ju-Oh Group’s head of conglomerate was the Ju family, but the children of the co-founder Oh were chairmans of Ju-Oh’s key companies and foundations.
The granddaughter of the Oh chairman with the highest influence power in the current Oh family, Oh Hyeji.
Right now, she was in the midst of fleeing.
‘You prepared two pairs to match with Su-hyeok’s dress code? Crazy!’
She was relieved at Ju Su-hyeok’s words that he handled the tuxedo before embarking.
Although Ju Su-hyeok didn’t wear that tuxedo, that ambiguous length dress, the tea length dress, didn’t suit Oh Hyeji’s taste from the start.
Oh Hyeji was planning to make an adequate excuse before the Moon Greeting party and change her dress.
The spare clothes the secretary showed her were again the same pink sand dress.
‘Sand pink… whether I liked or hated it before, now I completely hate it.’
The moment Oh Hyeji saw that color, she reflexively ran towards the window and jumped out.
While illuminated by moonlight, Oh Hyeji activated her Gwangrim ‘Under moonlight of Skanda[1]’, which increased her jumping power and movement speed under the moonlight.
When Oh Hyeji’s Gwangrim ended up activating, there was no one among Ju-Oh’s bodyguards team to follow.
And now.
Oh Hyeji was fleeing while stepping on the boat’s outerwall’s railing and wall decorations.
‘It was you guys who fought, why are you trying to patch relationships up by marrying our generation? Senility is awful and awful. Ju Su-hyeok has a girl he likes.’
Currently Ju Su-hyeok was in the midst of his first and secret love.
It was to the degree that even people who didn’t know Ju Su-hyeok very well could notice it if they observed him for a few days.
‘It’s Student Council’s Dain, right?’
A genius 1st year student who was the admissions co-1st place with Ju Su-hyeok, An Dain.
If An Dain entered visibility range, Ju Su-hyeok made a stupid expression.
Ju Su-hyeok who was a superhuman, who could come out from a drama or a movie, in front of An Dain always turned into an ordinary highschooler.
Oh Hyeji liked that look very much, so she was quietly cheering for the two.
‘It also seems that it isn’t like An Dain doesn’t like Ju Su-hyeok. No way, are they secretly in love with each other?’
As Oh Hyeji thought about two of her cute juniors, a laugh came out.
‘Then I have to diligently flee, because there may also be a next spare tuxedo for Ju Su-hyeok!’
While she made a promise to herself that she would throw away all the sand pink clothes she had when she got home, she entered the corridor through the window as there were no signs of anyone’s presence.
Oh Hyeji landed on the rug spread out in the corridor without a sound.
‘There is someone.’
Far away, she saw people wearing black business suits.
Oh Hyeji opened the closest door to her she saw and entered, hiding inside.
‘Uh?’
After the door closed, she sensed the smell of cigarettes mixed a bit with a pleasant scent.
The ship was designated as a no-smoking area as a principle, but there were some areas where smoking was possible.
‘It’s a smoking lounge! Do I have no luck?’
Oh Hyeji was about to jump out of the window, before the scent of cigarettes stuck to her body.
When Oh Hyeji stepped towards the window.
“I had more than enough people around here. How did you get in?”
There was a passenger.
As Oh Hyeji turned her head towards the direction she heard a voice coming from, she saw a man in a tuxedo.
A person with an untied tie and holding a smoking cigarette.
Oh Hyeji knew him.
‘… Sugyeom oppa!’
Ju Su-hyeok’s second older cousin and a workaholic who almost ended up as a fiance of her older sister Oh Hyejeong, Ju Sugyeom.
When Oh Hyeji was very young, she interacted with Ju Sugyeom.
In her dim memories, Ju Sugyeom was always kind towards Oh Hyeji.
‘It’s like that because of the Ju-Oh Split, but because of the engagement ceremony runaway incident a few years ago, it’s more awkward.’
Unlike Ju Su-hyeok with whom she attended school together both in the elementary school and middle school, there were few opportunities to meet with Ju Sugyeom who had a ten years age gap.
With the passing of time, a friendly relationship like that of the past gradually became difficult.
When Oh Hyeji was measuring the timing to say hello.
Wiinng–!
Ju Sugyeom stubbed out a cigarette on the ashtray stand made out of stainless steel, while manipulating buttons.
As all the windows opened, the sea breeze poured in and the cigarette smoke flowed out.
‘Oppa is smoking? Wait, it seems that he extinguished the cigarette because of me right now.’
Oh Hyeji hesitated if she should apologize, thank for consideration or if not, should she just leave.
Ju Sugyeom waited in front of the opened window, quietly staring at the hesitating Oh Hyeji.
When Oh Hyeji was about to say something.
Kuung—!
The ship shook together with a thundering sound.
Oh Hyeji grabbed the windowsill with shocked eyes.
‘Even though Cymopoleia’s tonnage is 50 thousand tons, it’s shaking to this degree!’
A few seconds didn’t pass when a notice was sent through the devices.
The notice informed that a natural superpower wave emission phenomena was detected in the area ahead, so they will be anchored for a while.
‘Looks like they also plan to delay the Moon Greeting party. It’s lucky it’s not to the degree we have to turn back.’
After Clash of Different Worlds, though rare, there were cases of natural superpower wave emissions from the ground or seafloor.
When Oh Hyeji fell into thoughts while checking the chart marking the area where the natural superpower wave was emitted.
“Take out your equipment card.”
“Yes?”
Ju Sugyeom took out and held a card while aiming in the direction of the sea.
***
Ju-Oh Group’s and TC Group’s next heads’ assassination.
No matter which head of a Jin tribe it was, it was difficult for them to kill a human possessing this degree of influence in the mortal world.
Moreover, assassination means killing a person in secret.
It was difficult to kill, but it wouldn’t be simple to finish this matter without revealing their identity.
The moves Zhu Ganglie could use would also be limited.
‘If so, then you have to decide when, where and how to target, right?’
First, ‘when’.
‘Zhu Ganglie would be aiming for the time before midnight.’
The number of times a day the Nine Iron Teeth Rake is possible to be used is limited.
Thinking how Zhu Ganglie was unwilling to use it even at the request of ‘That Person’, I could guess ‘when’ he would aim.
‘The risk will be small if he uses Nine Iron Teeth Rake’s Forking just before midnight, because the limited usage number will reset immediately after 12 pm passes. If I was Zhu Ganglie, I would also aim for before midnight.’
Next, second, ‘where’.
‘A place with a small number of people. You would want to target them when the two are each in their individual cabin, right?’
However, according to the schedule, even after midnight passes, it would be difficult for the two next heads to rest in the cabin.
So the last, ‘how’ to proceed with the assassination was the most important part.
‘Zhu Ganglie would try to cancel the Moon Greeting cocktail party.’
The Moon Greeting cocktail party was planned from one hour after the gala dinner until late dawn.
If the Moon Greeting cocktail party starts, it would be difficult to figure out the two next heads’ movements and midnight would pass during the party.
If so, he would somehow make sure to cancel the Moon Greeting cocktail party.
‘Combining the pattern Dark Mastermind showed or the information in the game, I can guess how they would come forward.’
The stratagem usually used by Dark Mastermind was ‘Make noise in the east, then strike in the west’ [2].
It’s also called the ‘Noisy east attacked west’ strategy.
It was a trick to make a commotion about striking in the east, while aiming at the west.
‘Even during the Jamsil Baseball Stadium incident, the two otherworlds were to separate the bodyguards teams, and the third otherworld was the main move. Feint operations are the tactics Dark Mastermind likes to use the most.’
With the first move they would halt the ship and cancel the party.
With the second move, they would separate the ship’s Players.
With the third move, they would deal with bodyguard teams.
And with the last move, they would plan on capturing the next heads.
‘Hull shaking moments ago was probably Zhu Ganglie’s first move, right?
The wave resulting from the supernatural wave spouting from the sea bottom instantly shook Cymopoleia.
Seeing the notice the captain sent to passengers, it was assumed to be a natural superpower wave emission phenomena, but it probably wasn’t right.
There was evidence.
Ding.
[Ok Toyeon] Benefactor! It was Zhu Ganglie just now!
[Ok Toyeon] He disguised it as a natural superpower wave, but he can’t deceive my Moon Palace Guide. That pig bastard had to use Nine Iron Teeth Rake’s first ‘fork’!
Possessed by Zhu Ganglie Nine Iron Teeth Rake’s nine teeth or nine forks.
It can display a miracle or deliver a powerful blow nine times a day.
Each time the fork is used, its strength gradually decreases, and according to what Zhu Ganglie said, the ninth fork was currently unusable.
‘It weakens each time the fork is used, but I heard that the last, ninth, displays the most powerful power, so it turned out well.’
The remaining forks are seven.
And besides those mentioned seven forks, there was a move remaining for Zhu Ganglie.
Piiiiiiing!
An alarm sound, together with a message and a map with marked coordinates rose up from the device.
[Emergency notice, SR++ rank otherworld formation guide]
As expected, Zhu Ganglie’s second move came.
Dark Mastermind’s support, ‘Otherworld Summoning’.
Zhu Ganglie didn’t stop Cymopoleia just to suspend the party.
‘Right now, excluding the bodyguards, the ship’s Players would be moving, right?’
The otherworld formed at Cymopoleia’s stern.
It was the opposite end from the bow where this ship’s highest grade’s cabins were located.
***
Oceanview suite room.
After the ship suddenly stopped.
Long explanation and nagging about the evacuation manual and location of the safe jackets allocated to each passenger and safe boats continued thanks to Jang Namuk.
Then the mood turned upside down because of the otherworld alarm.
“They said a SR++ rank otherworld? Did the otherworld appear without a warning phenomena again?!”
Jang Namuk began to panic a bit.
Ju Su-hyeok immediately took out an equipment card and prepared to go out.
But To Sihu also tried to follow behind him.
“Sihu, rest.”
“Haha, it’s fine. And the ship stopped. If I capture an Enemy in the otherworld, my mind may relax a bit, you know?”
He spoke like that, but To Sihu’s face was lifeless because he vomited a few times.
Seeing To Sihu’s complexion, Ju Su-hyeok started to make a harsh sound with a smile.
“If you try to force yourself to go right now, I’ll knock you out. Do you want to wait here in a fainted state or if not, do you want to wait here obediently?”
He usually couldn’t overwhelm Ju Su-hyeok, but with his current body state, he would be completely crushed if they fought.
He would only drain the strength of Ju Su-hyeok who had to fight soon, so To Sihu quickly decided to give up.
“Be careful and be back.”
Ju Su-hyeok nodded and then spoke towards the stiffened Jang Namuk.
“Namuk, please watch over Sihu.”
“Uh! No, I can also fight! Previously also—!”
Jang Namuk’s words stopped.
It was because he recalled anew how powerful the Enemies looked and how pathetic he looked during the previous Jamsil Baseball Stadium incident.
Jang Namuk was about to take a breath and say that he would provide support, but before that, Ju Su-hyeok cut in first.
“You know that it’s only one SR++ rank otherworld, right? There is enough manpower. On this ship are Uisin, Hyodon, Wonu hyung and Hyeji noona, you know? And my second cousin hyung and instructor-nim are also here! There is no one to take care of Sihu, though.”
Even though he understood, Jang Namuk couldn’t reply to Ju Su-hyeok’s words.
Ju Su-hyeok opened the door while saying goodbye with a bright voice.
“Then I’ll be back!”
Inside the room from which Ju Su-hyeok disappeared.
There were only two people, To Sihu lying on the sofa and still stiff like a stone statue Jang Namuk.
To Sihu suddenly spoke up.
“Namuk, do you want to play a word chain game?”
“No, I don’t.”
To Sihu, whose suggestion was refused, made a sullen face.
***
Currently, the ship was overflowing with outstanding Players.
My Playable Characters and NPCs.
There was no one among them who would lose against one SR++ otherworld.
‘All Players on the ship would be moving to conquer the otherworld, right?’
Excluding the bodyguards teams.
They would still remain at the next heads side.
‘However, if the threat comes, the heads would be persuaded to send the bodyguards’ teams to the battlefield.’
It was like that at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in the game.
As if the attack at the ship’s stern already started, the conquest process notices started to come up.
I heard the PlayerSAT-K’s alarm mixed with the sound of receiving a message.
Ding.
[Ok Toyeon] A Jin is riding a cloud and approaching the bow! He seems to be using his own Hiding Art, but even so, everything is visible in my eyes— He is a loser both in Barrier Art and Hiding Art just like before!
As described in the Journey to the West, Zhu Bajie was riding on a slower cloud than Somersault Cloud.
The only Jin that would be coming here riding on the cloud would be Zhu Ganglie.
Zhu Ganglie was personally coming towards the Cymopoleia.
‘It’s starting to show on the mini-map!’
As I checked the Exclusive Menu’s ‘Open the map of surrounding area’, I saw a dot approaching in this direction.
[Ok Toyeon] It seems Zhu Ganglie is thinking of using a ‘Fork’…! He is strengthening the natural superpower wave phenomena to break the barrier of Cymopoleia!
Kwaaaaa—!
The current of the surrounding superpower wave started to change.
The Nine Iron Teeth Rake’s Fork would display the type of power the owner, Zhu Ganglie, wished for.
‘The barrier of the vessel of this size has the same standard as the Jamsil Baseball Stadium, R+++ rank. If it was like usual, it would break as Zhu Ganglie wishes, right?’
Kwakwakwa—!
A high density superpower wave poured towards Cymopoleia.
The superpower wave of which light cut through the night sky.
If it had this degree of power, it would break the R+++ barrier and even I, who was standing on the main body deck, wouldn’t be able to stay safe.
I calmly stared at that power flow.
Paaa…!
However, the power embodying the Nine Iron Teeth Rake’s Fork was blocked by a curtain of light and disappeared.
Flash of light which shone for a second and then disappeared.
It was Hwang Jiho’s power.
Ding.
A message arrived from Hwang Jiho, who was observing the situation through the Moon Palace Guide at Ok Toyeon’s side.
[Hwang Jiho] The barrier I planted on Cymopoleia was broken.
Zhu Ganglie was said to not be able to use barriers well.
Considering that point, I had Hwang Jiho, who was proficient at Barrier Art, to make a clever job beforehand.
‘Done. Without revealing the Ho tribe’s interference, I consumed one Fork by borrowing Hwang Jiho’s power.’
With that, there are six Forks remaining.
[Hwang Jiho] Do well.
Hwang Jiho’s turn ended.
If I don’t do well, Hwang Jiho will interfere no matter what.
Really, it was time I had to do well.
*~*~*
[1] Under moonlight of Skanda – Time to address how much this translator is failing in interpreting that name. First of, Skanda refers to a buddhism guardian deity, whose name would be Witaecheon in Korean, it also corresponds to japanese ‘Idaten’. That deity is known for its speed and jumping abilities (So Idaten basically means speed god in japanese and is often used as slang). Skanda(Skand) is originally the name of the hindu military deity, known to spread disease among children (at least that is what korean wikis like to mention the most, besides basic birth legends and fighting demons). Now, both buddhist Skanda or hindu Skanda have little connection to the moon or at least this translator failed to find sources for it. I swear I saw somewhere the mention that when demons stole the holy scriptures and Skanda chased them down, it was during the night, under the moon or something… But no matter how much I look, I can’t find it! So I have no source to confirm it.
Second, the phrasing is a bit weird… You see ‘under moonlight’ is like a noun here (don’t think about it too deeply) and that noun has a possessive particle to Skanda… So actually it may be interpreted as something like ‘Speed-running god made from the moonlight’?? But that would make Oh Hyeji Skanda, and that is weird, because Skanda should be a higher being… Haa, I’m pretty sure it was addressed somewhere in later chapters, but as I have no idea where it was, I can only hope it will be brought up again or someone here can provide me with a source… Be it a source about Skanda’s moonlight related legends or the chapter of raws when that name was addressed.
[2] ‘Make noise in the east, then strike in the west’ – it’s one of the thirty-six stratagems. Actually, if you want to understand how Dark Mastermind moves, it’s good to remember thirty-six stratagems. That guy usually follows its rules.
Translator’s note: … Jo Uisin, I want to check your definition of ‘doing well’.
Did you see a mistake? 🐞
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