Translator: Wan ED/PR: Personal Ghost
30. Senior’s request (1)
Eungwang District regional office of the member of the National Assembly, Seong Gukeon.
Space made into a book cafe so district residents could comfortably come and hand over civil complaints.
The most eye-catching was the glass wall full of post-it notes left by Seong Gukeon’s backers and supporters.
Beyond that wall, the staff members in charge of the district, looked at Seong Gukeon who was greeting visiting citizens.
“Assemblyman-nim is visiting often these days. He didn’t use to come often to the Eungwang District office.”
“Yeah. I think the frequency of otherworld conquests has decreased since the previous year.”
“Didn’t Muyeong write a resignation letter when they conquered for three days straight?”
“Ah, that. It really went up to a point where he almost accepted that resignation.”
On the other side, beyond the glass wall, Seung Gukeon was chatting with all the citizens with a smiling face.
It was a warm appearance, hardly worthy of the ‘Matchless in the Nation’ who took the seat of the highest contributor in numerous otherworld conquests and overcame the Assembly siege by himself.
“Ah, did he reconcile with Muyeong-ssi? They fought again during the previous otherworld conquest.”
“Yeah. I think they will reconcile soon as he didn’t get hurt this time.”
Soon, Seong Gukeon, who finished conversing with all citizens, opened the door and entered, and the staff members gave him their greetings.
“Assemblyman-nim, hello.”
“You came, assemblyman-nim.”
As if someone called in the meantime, Seong Gukeon was communicating through the earring.
After he waved his hand, while only mouthing the reply to the staff members’ greetings, and entered his individual office straight away.
Swish.
As if the other person was worried about Seong Gukeon, Seong Gukeon replied a few times that his body was okay and that he was healthy.
“Yes. Then I’ll call you again.”
In front of Seong Gukeon who finished a long call.
His head assistant and bodyguard, and moreover, his junior from the same school, Jeon Muyeong was waiting.
“Sorry for making you wait.”
“It’s fine. Who was the Person you were talking with?”
“Elder[1] Great Hero Iron Arm Song Manseok.”
“Ah… I heard that he was close with assemblyman-nim’s grandfather-nim?”
“Yeah. Let’s go see and greet him together next time.”
Seong Gukeon lost his grandfather before he was born.
Song Manseok treated Seong Gukeon like his own grandchild.
Seong Gukeon smiled with an unusually child-like face as he recalled his childhood years.
Even though Jeon Muyeong thought that this expression didn’t suit Seong Gukeon, he gave it a good score inside.
‘I think that if we take a picture and publish it, the approval rating will go up.’
Shouldn’t we use it during the next election?
While thinking so, Jeon Muyeong pushed out the stack of documents.
“Requested Eungwang School documents. Everything was printed out on paper.”
“Okay, you worked hard.”
“This month you requested documents more than four times. Eungwang School side may complain.”
“Hehehee! Then they do it or don’t.”
Seong Gukeon laughed cheerfully, but his eyes checking the documents were sharp.
Eungwang School had Jin people among its directors and foundation employees.
Was it because Seong Gukeon didn’t trust Jin people and descendants?
Immediately after the Fantasy Controversy exploded, Seong Gukeon rushed to check Eungwang School’s statistics.
‘It seems that there is something you didn’t tell even me. Will you tell me someday?’
Seong Gukeon checked all the documents in a short amount of time.
As if he didn’t discover anything particularly weird, he put the stack of documents into the disintegrator while he spoke up:
“Tomorrow evening’s schedule is empty, right? Let’s have a meal with the junior-nim. Siwan will also come.”
“If it’s a junior, are you talking about Unknown Supernova?”
“Yeah. We should buy a meal for juniors who are working hard between Jin people and descendants.”
Seong Gukeon stared through the window at the Eungwang School visible in the distance as he spoke.
“And I want to make a request.”
***
This world after the Clash of Different Worlds.
The concept was a bit different from the world I was in before, but religions existed.
‘Because there is ‘God’ called a higher being.’
Majority of higher beings after the Clash of Different Worlds approved paganism with a tacit agreement.
But the pseudo-religion groups that borrowed their names and authority to do business were completely excluded.
‘After the Clash of Different Worlds, the fanatic groups fought a war with the pseudo groups a few times, right?’
Fanatics emerged victorious in numerous holy wars thanks to the support of higher beings’ blessings and Jin people’s aid.
But even so, fearless pseudo groups continued to exist like before.
Thanks to that, it seemed that the phrase ‘Do you know about Dao?’, used by pseudos, multilevel marketers and peddlers in the world I was before, was also used here.
As if a method of eradication worthy of that phrase was also famous, Tak ascetic, who recognized Maeng Hyodon’s words straight away, fumbled with his words.
“What Dao?! Ehem, that’s not what I’m saying, I…!”
Tak ascetic got embarrassed and then laughed ‘hehehe’.
He probably realized how suspicious He was.
‘There is no way for someone wearing a hanbok and grabbing a highschool student early in the morning, and then talking about clear energy or something wouldn’t be suspicious.’
When I contemplated if I should call Eungwang School security team or Homeroom Teacher Ham Geunhyeong-nim.
“What’s going on!? Please get away from that student!”
I heard a loud and high-pitched voice.
2nd year Guideline Club member, Ma Jinseung.
He was one of the Playable Characters who burned with a one-sided sense of rivalry towards Yeom Junyeol.
“Hey, did someone call senior Ma Jinseung?”
“Let’s call the Student Council. Junyeol oppa may come.”
“Guideline Club is in charge of gate guidance, so I called them.”
“Ah, what are you saying? Let’s call the Student Council right now.”
“I’m calling them now. Hongryong[2] summoning!”
Ma Jinseung picked a fight with Yeom Junyeol several times and was completely brushed off, so he probably was already famous among the 1st years because of that?
Ma Jinseung’s reputation and popularity was rock-bottom.
Even so, worthy of my Playable Character, he was doing his own thing without care about strong outfielders.
An argument broke out between Tak ascetic and Ma Jinseung, and Maeng Hyodon, stuck in the middle of this, was visibly weighing when to flee.
“Jinseung, what are you doing?”
A person wearing the Student Council badge arrived.
However, it wasn’t the person the students were waiting for.
“Um? Senior Hongryong-nim?”
“It’s not him.”
“Hongryong summoning failed…”
The one to arrive was Gwak Gyeong-gu with a face mature enough to look like a teacher if not for the school uniform.
Ma Jinseung spoke to Gwak Gyeong-gu, with veins popping on his neck.
“This Person, unfitting of His age, grabbed a 1st year student and was spreading pseudo teachings. Let’s drag Him out!”
“What is this guy saying?! I don’t believe in god!”
There were also people in our class who were acting unfitting for their age who were many times older than Tak ascetic.
Gwak Gyeong-gu, who recognized Tak ascetic, greeted him.
“Uh, Grandpa Tak. Hello. What are you doing here?”
“What! There is not even a few years gap between me and your father, what grandpa!”
“I was told to call you so by dad.”
“Gwak-ssi, that bastard!”
Tak ascetic ground his teeth, but in the end he was persuaded by Gwak Gyeong-gu to head out.
Turning around to look at Maeng Hyodon with eyes filled with regrets, Tak ascetic shouted:
“You have my business card, right? Contact me! Understand?!”
“Grandpa Tak, let’s go quickly.”
Maeng Hyodon sighed while staring at Tak ascetic who was dragged away by Ma Jinseung and Gwak Gyeong-gu.
“Are you okay?”
“…Uh.”
Even at my question, Maeng Hyodon was making a face as if he lost his soul.
When I was contemplating if we should drop by the snack bar to feed him something before going to the classroom.
“Uh, that was organized quickly. Grandpa Tak left, huh?”
The one who spoke up was Ju Su-hyeok.
“Hey, what is up with that old man? How did he get into the school?”
“Grandpa Tak is an honorary teacher at Eungwang School. He received a permanent entrance permit.”
“Honorary teacher? What is that again?”
“It would be a bit long to explain…”
Ju Su-hyeok concisely recited Tak ascetic’s career.
In his 20s, Tak ascetic reached the top place in all bare-handed martial arts tournaments in the Player category.
It was said that it was so much that the Player category was reduced or abolished to prevent one Player from monopolizing the rewards.
In recognition of such a career, he received an honorary teacher position at Eungwang School.
‘That ascetic had such a career!’
At the present moment, Players were generally banned from participating in the sport tournaments, and there were little to no separate Player category tournaments.
The reason for the current situation being like this wasn’t only Tak ascetic, but anyway, there was no change to the fact that Tak ascetic was remarkable.
“Grandpa Tak didn’t have even one disciple yet… I guess he took a liking to Hyodon.”
“There are no disciples after he clings to them in such a repulsive way, right?”
“Hahaha, is that so?”
Seeing that Tak ascetic, who had such a career, didn’t have a disciple, he obviously had high standards.
Listening to the story, it seemed Tak ascetic also asked Ju Su-hyeok to become his disciple.
But Ju Su-hyeok, who was already learning twin swords under Master Gwak, refused.
‘If it’s not someone of Ju Su-hyeok or Maeng Hyodon’s caliber, he won’t be satisfied, right?’
Tak ascetic still overflowed with people standing in line to ask to be accepted as disciples.
Like this, he threw away this pride and hung onto Maeng Hyodon even when receiving pseudo ascetic treatment.
I nodded my head to Tak ascetic’s insight.
‘Eungwang School teachers are amazing, but a bit of special training is needed to display Maeng Hyodon’s skills.’
Even in the game, the process of acquiring Maeng Hyodon’s derivative skill was very difficult.
At the time, I had to spend an enormous amount of time repeating individual training and undergoing numerous trials and errors.
‘If I use the method I used in the game, Maeng Hyodon won’t be able to obtain derivative skill even when he becomes a 3rd year. He is strong even without a derivative skill, but… Thinking about the incidents in the future, it’s better to obtain it.’
If someone like Tak ascetic became his master, I would be able to greatly reduce the time and effort.
The problem was Maeng Hyodon’s stubbornness…
“Grandpa Tak didn’t have a disciple for a long time, so I guess he is a bit anxious because of it. He is not a bad Person, so think about it.”
“Okay.”
Luckily, thanks to Ju Su-hyeok’s words, Maeng Hyodon’s thoughts seemed to change in a bit more positive direction.
But he still seemed a little reluctant.
***
The moment we entered the 1st year class 0’s classroom, Maeng Hyodon was assaulted with questions.
It was because of the circulating rumor that Maeng Hyodon received an offer to join a pseudo-religion from a certain ascetic.
“Hyodon, don’t become a pseudo!”
“Right. Especially in the place which uses the name of some famous higher being! Jin people may come to kill you!”
“Yes! A higher being may even curse you through Jin people!”
“Hahahaha!”
After Kim Yuri, Kwon Lena and Sawol Seeum fired up, Maeng Hyodon listened to their stories with a face as if he lost his soul again.
Hwang Jiho, who was aware of Tak ascetic’s identity, burst out into a delighted laughter at the side.
“If there was a guy doing business while getting cocky in the divine realm or spitting on Heavenly God’s name, I would also do something like that.”
After laughing to his heart’s content, Hwang Jiho lowered his voice and mumbled.
It seemed there was no need to worry about pseudos in Eungwang District.
“You ate today too, eh?”
After I sat down, Hwang Jiho checked if I drank that disgusting elixir or not today.
I had no idea how he knew that, but as it was the Nok tribe’s elixir, there probably was a way to guess from a special superpower wave’s remains.
‘And thinking about it, I’m not exhausted.’
Though I had a rough spar with Baek Ho-gun yesterday.
I guess, worthy of how disgusting it was, the elixir effects were showing.
“Are you curious what effects does the elixir have? You will naturally learn it when you drink it all, but I can tell you now.”
Hwang Jiho’s eyes sparkled when he asked, but I put on an iron wall.
“No, I’m not curious.”
At my words, Hwang Jiho made a displeased face.
Han Yi, who saw that face by accident, made a serious expression.
“It seems that Hwang Jiho has bad thoughts again.”
“I guess that bastard is like that again.”
It seemed that Hwang Jiho’s reputation as a troublemaker was smoothly being maintained.
***
After classes.
General Club Council Building, Newspaper Club room.
The club room was full of piled up boxes.
“Today the 2nd print of teacher Jegal Jaegeol-nim’s magazine came out!”
“Oh, the supplements are also as they were.”
“Yeah. If they weren’t, I had no idea what the 2nd year class 0 heroes may do, you know?”
The club president and vice president stared into space[3] as they spoke.
‘Even so, it’s a bit much.’
They were bulky thanks to also including photo books, sets of posters and stickers and hardcover storage boxes besides magazines, but even considering this, the number of boxes was too much.
As if also thinking the same as me, a certain club member asked:
“But even so, isn’t it too many? It seems to be more than 100 copies.”
“It’s because class 0 requested 3 copies for each person as they will cover all expenses.”
“Yes?”
“One for reading, one for collection and one for preservation. They said they need three.”
Jegal Jaegeol’s genuine hardcore fans had an uncommon dignity.
“In case it’s not enough, I took plenty more. In any case, class 0 covers all expenses, you know? Hahaha. Thanks to that, I also took my share for safekeeping.”
That club president was also Jegal Jaegeol’s fanatic.
***
Dormitory room.
I recalled a certain Jegal Jaegeol’s fanatic.
‘He wouldn’t be secretly overworking now. ‘
I wrote a message.
[Me] Hello, Team Leader Hong Gyubin-nim. Are you busy right now?
Message was marked as read straight away, but it took some time until a reply arrived.
[Hong Gyubin] …
[Hong Gyubin] Uisin, it seems like you know the exact timing when I end my overtime, huh…
[Hong Gyubin] Okay… What happened? I’m currently on my way home. Should I go back to the Association…?
Hong Gyubin had a manner of speaking as if he gave up everything.
I took a picture of the extra Jegal Jaegeol magazine, which I received after requesting it from the club president, and sent it.
[Me] I wanted to give you this. If you’re busy, should I send it through mail?
The answer came flying at a terrifyingly quick message sending speed.
[Hong Gyubin] What are you talking about Uisin? I’m not even a bit busy or tired.
[Hong Gyubin] Thank you for contacting me. I’m going to meet you right now! What do you want to eat? Just say it. I’ll buy you anything. If not, is there anything you want? There are three VIP floors we can go without prior reservation right now. Ah, let’s think about when we meet. Come out in front of school gates!
When I was preparing to go out, one more additional message arrived.
[Hong Gyubin] Ah, can I receive three copies of that magazine…?
It seemed that Hong Gyubin also needed one copy for reading, one for collection and one for preservation.
*~*~*
[1] Elder – a honorific word used to refer to someone’s parent, or a friend of one’s parent or one’s older friend.
[2] Hongryong – it was translated as Red Dragon before, and I know that I asked about whether I should translate it as Red Dragon or Hongryong before, and the reply was Red Dragon, because it’s simpler. But after long agonizing, I came to the conclusion that it would actually make much more sense to translate it as Hongryong. It will spare me frustration over differentiating different ‘reds’ and will make more sense for a little thing in chapter 995~ something (I didn’t check what chapter it was, don’t believe me on that). I’m sorry you will have to memorize another korean word, but I believe in you. You got it, ya?
[3] stared into space – raws: stared at a distant mountain
Translator’s note: Hong Gyubin summoning! Success!
Did you see a mistake? 🐞
Leave a Reply