Translator: Wan ED/PR: Personal Ghost
[1]
Snare’s size clothing I bought every time I thought about Snare.
More than 100 outfits were spread out throughout the entire wide living room[2].
“Uisin oppa bought all of this? So cute…!”
“Wow… So small…”
“I should take pictures.”
Eun-ho’s three descendants siblings couldn’t take their eyes off of the tiny sized clothes.
Snare was wagging its tail quickly while sitting on the mat I bought.
As if Snare also liked the new clothes, its eyes were twinkling.
‘I hoped I would reassure it now.’
Even today, Snare didn’t show its charms or asked to be hugged even once.
I guess it still wasn’t relieved, even though I drank all of that like-the-swamp-in-the-underworld[2] Nok tribe’s elixir.
I asked Snare with a voice as soft as possible.
“Snare, which outfit do you like best?”
I asked Snare, whose eyes were sparkling, but there was no reply.
Ominous.
It was even more ominous because Hwang Jiho, who was watching this situation, was making a face as if he was about to explode at any moment.
Keuung…
Snare turned its head.
Seeing that appearance, I couldn’t move for a while.
It seemed like Snare was still angry.
Is there something wrong with the kind Snare?
There was nothing wrong, so in the end it was me who was all wrong.
Of course, it means that I have to do better.
I tried to come up with ways to ease Snare’s anger, but I couldn’t think of anything.
Hwang Jiho, who saw me stiff and not moving, burst out laughing.
“Hahahaha!”
Laughing Hwang Jiho.
Snare who curled up into a ball on the floor and looked up at me.
Eun-ho’s descendants looked at us with confusion.
“Hwangho-nim..?”
“… Wow, this is the first time I see Hwangho-nim laugh like this.”
“I should take a video.”
Situation was settled the moment after Jeok-ho, who arrived late, spoke up:
“Let’s just go, Jo Uisin.”
“… Yes.”
I put my regrets aside and took my eyes off of the white back of Snare.
Like this, under Jeok-ho’s guidance I moved to the drawing room.
Was it because it was summer soon? The interior changed greatly.
The gold base color scheme was the same as before, but the curtains were changed to curtains from thin and translucent material, and furniture was changed to furniture in brighter colors.
‘You care about the sense of season just as before, huh?’
Today’s tea was Korean blackberry[3] ice tea and refreshments were fruit jelly[4] made from apricot.
It seemed that this menu was selected considering that though inside the manor the temperature was pleasant, outside was quite hot.
‘But I don’t see Baek Ho-gun.’
I thought he was at the entrance, but I didn’t see him in the drawing room.
As I saw Baek Ho-gun’s share of the white porcelain teacup, it seemed that Hwang Jiho called him.
“He comes now, eh?”
After drinking a few sips of ice tea, Baek Ho-gun arrived.
After Baek Ho-gun took his seat, Hwang Jiho got straight to the point.
“Zhu Ganglie’s whereabouts are unknown.”
“There is no way that he died, right?”
I dealt a big damage to him, but it wasn’t enough to kill him.
“He is not dead. Because there are no abnormalities in the barrier.”
You could discern whether or not Zhu Ganglie was alive by looking at the barrier?
Hwang Jiho’s words continued:
“The divine realm barrier is connected to the power of all 12 Zodiac heads. If anyone among the heads dies, I would know about it.”
Then where the hell is Zhu Ganglie?
Looking at me, who fell into worries, Jeok-ho spoke:
“The Don tribe appears to be searching for the missing Zhu Ganglie inside. The last trace left was when he contacted the subordinate…”
It seemed that Jeok-ho was investigating the Don tribe.
I guess that as he completely recovered from his injuries and the risk of getting hurt became small because there was no Zhu Ganglie in the Don tribe, Hwang Jiho allowed it.
“There are several guesses. The dominating opinion is that Zhu Ganglie, who failed the mission, hid without leaving a trace. Appears that morale fell pretty low, ah?”
Jeok-ho opened a hologram with the results of a simple investigation on the side as he spoke.
The daily records of Zhu Ganglie’s search by the Don tribe’s side were organized.
After Jeok-ho’s report ended, Hwang Jiho opened his mouth again.
“There are no clues anywhere that the Ho tribe was connected to that pig’s disappearance, so there won’t be any problems.”
Hwang Jiho grinned as he spoke:
“There is no Zhu Ganglie in the Don tribe, and even when Zhu Ganglie returns, there won’t be the Nine Iron Teeth Rake, right? There is no need to fear a pig without teeth. There is something we should be more concerned about now than that pig’s whereabouts, right?”
This time, Hwang Jiho unfolded holograms.
The first hologram opened with a picture of the Ju-Oh and TC Groups’ next heads.
The second hologram opened with the names of the Woo tribe, Sa tribe, Ma tribe and Won[5] tribe and the map of the Korean Peninsula with their bases marked.
“The first is what ‘That Person’ is aiming for. The second is the identity of the long tail. Correct?”
I nodded my head as I answered those words.
“Right. They were aiming for the Ju-Oh and TC Groups’ next heads two times. There must be a reason why they are aiming so persistently for them.”
“If it was to directly hit the Groups’ operations, it would be much faster and more effective to aim for the current heads, right? Why the next heads?… We have no idea what they’re aiming for, eh?”
In the game, Dark Mastermind achieved half of their goal by making TC Group’s next head withdraw from the frontlines during the Jamsil Baseball Stadium incident.
‘Ju-Oh Group’s next head was in good health, but the Group’s operations itself had issues. I can’t accurately figure out what Dark Mastermind is aiming for with only the information from the game.’
Considering the incidents which happened after that, I came up with a few candidates, but I was still not sure of any of them.
“We narrowed down the remaining candidates for the Long Tail, but it’s impossible to surveil them all. We plan to continue to watch the Don tribe.”
I nodded at Hwang Jiho’s words.
It was difficult to surveil the Jin tribes, who had a strong influence on Korean Peninsula, at the same time.
First of all, it was best to make sure that the Don tribe is surveilled.
‘Dark Mastermind’s next move will be during the summer break.’
It was best to make preparations for that now.
“I’ll also attempt some things besides that on this side. I’ll inform you if there are results.”
The eyes of Hwang Jiho, who finished the explanation, lit up a bit.
I guess that guy was doing something again behind the scenes.
“If so, it seems that this story is roughly settled, eh?”
Once the story related to the boat party was finished to a certain degree, I decided to switch to the topic that didn’t seem greatly related to Dark Mastermind.
There were two things I wanted to request from Hwang Jiho today.
“I have something to request, related to our class children.”
“Speak.”
This guy seemed to be quite fond of our class children, so he may accept it.
“Speaking of Han Yi’s hearing, is there nothing you can do with your power?”
“I tried to reinvestigate it a few times. Be it superpowers or modern medicine, it seems they can’t solve it, eh?”
Hwang Jiho looked into it first?
Han Yi and Hwang Jiho didn’t show it at all, so I had no idea.
“I can’t even properly figure out the cause. It seems like she didn’t have the ability to ‘hear’ from the beginning, eh? Healing skills or Gwangrims won’t work. Because no matter how powerful the healing category superpower is, they can’t make something ‘which she didn’t have from the beginning’.”
So even myth category Ho tribe’s power couldn’t solve it?
It seemed that the problem Han Yi had was more severe than I thought.
‘I wanted to hear the performance together.’
As if Hwang Jiho also thought the same, his eyes were sunken.
It seemed better to switch to the next topic.
“It seems that Min Geurin was caught by a strange guy. Please look into it.”
I unfolded a hologram with posts and comments on the Eungwang School community general bulletin board that I took screenshots of yesterday.
“As no direct swearing is used, it isn’t moderated. But the content is screwed. Facts and lies are mixed to make a plausible nonsense rumor.”
For example, a nonsense rumor that Min Geurin abused her power at the National Art Museum of Modern Korean Art, which was exhibiting her works.
There were newspaper articles presented as evidence.
First, an article explaining the time and location of when Min Geurin’s art exhibition will be held.
Second, an article talking about the increasing number of employees at the Art Museum quitting because of mental problems.
Those two kinds.
“I have no idea how those articles are evidence that Min Geurin abuses her power.”
“People will believe what they want to believe, you know? People developed mental problems, while the paintings of such genius were exhibited, so they probably want to tie the two together.”
I opened one more hologram.
It was a noisy content with a story, which had nothing to do with Min Geurin, of a so called acquaintance of the employee who quit their job at the Art Museum.
A thing presented as evidence was the Art Museum’s employee ID card.
‘Though, I have no idea what is the relation between this ID card and Min Geurin’s abuse of power.’
Even so, crazy people will believe in this nonsense rumor, saying that there are three pieces of objective evidence.
“It’s because this here becomes quite plausible when mixed with delusions, the things like this are often called ‘brain-fficials’[6]. With as many as two real articles as evidence and testimony of a related party, it will turn into a rumor.”
“… It’s so extremely stupid, I don’t know where I should start criticizing, eh? They’re idiots, huh? Both the deceiving bastards and the deceived bastards.”
“There are many people who are envious of Min Geurin. It’s better to catch them quickly, because followers exist.”
Hwang Jiho answered while he screenshotted the hologram I opened with his own device.
“Got it. I’ll find out who that bastard is.”
If Eungwang School’s chairman is going to do the sweep in person, then the criminal is going to be captured soon.
I moved to the next topic.
It was a topic related to the taste and depths of hell I experienced for the past week.
“I want to ask about the effects of the Nok tribe’s elixir you spoke about before. I drank all of it, but other than the effect of relieving fatigue, I don’t know anything in particular.”
While I spoke, my face hardened as I recalled the taste of that elixir.
Hwang Jiho, who saw my expression, was about to laugh any minute now.
“You know about the Ho tribe’s divine treasure, right? That elixir is mixed with the essence[7] of the spring manifested by the divine treasure.”
It’s mixed with what?
It was nowhere a match for the divine treasure itself, but that spring’s essence was also valuable.
“If my expectations are right, part of the power that is in our ‘eyes’ will probably also appear in your eyes. You should also become aware of it soon.”
Hwang Jiho spoke nonchalantly, but the content was quite serious.
Ho tribe’s eyes.
Part of the power in those eyes.
With this, the scope of strategies I could use in the future when playing a move would increase.
However, there was something more important than this.
“If it’s so good, let’s make an elixir for Snare.”
“… Even the Nok tribe’s elixir doesn’t improve your drop in intelligence, eh?”
Hwang Jiho was making a tired face, but I was serious.
It seemed that Jeok-ho, who heard my words, said ‘Jo Uisin…’ with his eyes as if he saw something pitiful, but I ignored it.
When the conversation moved to the conclusion and we moved to the living room.
Eun-ho’s three descendants siblings were waiting for me.
“Hey… Please look at this…!”
Youngest Eun Jaeho unfolded a hologram.
In the video which opened, Snare was staring at the tiny sized clothes spread out on the floor of the living room.
It seemed that this video was taken after I moved to the drawing room.
[Woof woof!]
[Ack, Divine Beast. My apologies! I didn’t want to steal it, I was planning to organize the Divine Beast’s cabinet.] [9]
Oldest Eun Saeho apologized to Snare.
I guess Snare was worried someone would steal them.
If that happened, I would buy new ones, so there was no need to worry.
[Don’t do that to Jo Uisin.]
Then, I heard Baek Ho-gun’s voice.
[That punk[10] will be careful in the future.]
Baek Ho-gun, who said that, petted Snare a few times and then disappeared outside of the screen.
I guess that is why Baek Ho-gun was late before.
Keeung….
While I lost my soul staring at the screen, Snare approached my feet.
Snare’s expression was very sorry.
Maybe after hearing Baek Ho-gun’s words, it thought it was harsh.
“No. Everything is my fault. I’m sorry!”
There was no way that Snare did something wrong, so it was all my fault.
Clever Snare heard my response and rubbed its head against the hem of my trousers.
After such a very long time, I saw Snare’s charms.
‘Finally, Snare forgave me…!’
Hwang Jiho looked at me, who was deeply touched, with a tired expression and Eun Jaeho was diligently taking videos.
Even so, it didn’t bother me at all.
After spending my time at Hwang Myeong-ho’s mansion until late Sunday night.
The walk trail heading towards the dormitory with the three of us: me, Snare and Baek-ho.
Baek Ho-gun left a word:
“Come to Silver Training Hall next week.”
The spar schedule with Baek Ho-gun was confirmed.
***
Monday morning.
1st year class 0’s classroom.
“Did you all receive a message? Homeroom teacher-nim said that it seems that his business trip will be longer than expected.”
“Ah… Then Teacher Ham Geunhyeong-nim won’t come? Who will do the day-start meeting for our class?”
“Our class vice homeroom teacher hasn’t been decided yet, so I don’t know.”
There was not much time left before the day-start meeting.
The class children talked about Ham Geun-hyeong’s absence because of the prolonged business trip to Hongcheon.
“Geurin, do you want to eat it? It’s an early gray sablé, a new product at MITRON.”
“Ah? You didn’t make them personally?”
“I wanted to use them as a reference! I plan to make them mimicking those. Do you want to make them together?”
Kim Yuri offered snacks to Min Geurin who appeared anxious.
When looking at Kim Yuri closely, she seemed a bit tense.
One of the reasons Kim Yuri joined class 0 at first was because she ‘can easily ask for help from the homeroom teacher with powerful superpowers’, so it couldn’t be helped.
Swish—
The automatic door opened and I saw someone through the door crack.
It was Kim Sinrok.
‘Kim Sinrok is the homeroom teacher of the 1st year class 1. Is he even thinking of taking charge of this class?’
He would be able to come here after entrusting the role of the class 1’s homeroom teacher to vice homeroom teacher.
However, it was somewhat strange.
“Is that troublemaker the temporary homeroom teacher? Eh, isn’t it strange?”
Hwang Jiho looked flustered.
If a descendant who was no different from his own son, was to become his homeroom teacher, even if temporary, it would be subtle.
With Hwang Jiho making such an expression, I felt refreshed.
“The class 0’s classroom is here. Then please do your best.”
However, Kim Sinrok didn’t enter the classroom.
Rather, he said goodbyes in a different direction and then disappeared.
And the person who entered the classroom and stood at the teacher’s desk was…
Yong Jegeon.
“I’m Yong Jegeon, the Game category Yong, who will be the temporary homeroom teacher as replacement of Teacher Ham Geunhyeong-nim. Please take care of me.”
Why is that dragon here…?
Yong Jegeon smiled very brightly, while looking at me.
*~*~*
[1] No title – ‘Senior’s request (7)’ =-=
[2] living room, drawing room – so this chapter made me realize that my definitions were slightly off, so from now on:
Living room will be used for the room daily used by family members to sit and play in or other casual activities.
Drawing room will be used specifically for the room used to receive and entertain guests.
[3] underworld – referring to the world of the dead. Also, a reminder – Nok means deer.
[4] Korean blackberry – Rubus coreanus, in Korean bokbunja (복분자) mean overturned pot (the story goes it has something to do with pissing pot, and Korean blackberry effect of strengthening kidneys.)
[5] fruit jelly – gwasilpyeon (과실편), the name used in raws, or gwapyeon (과편). A classic jelly-like dessert traditionally served in the royal court.
[6] Woo tribe, Sa tribe, Ma tribe and Won – Woo: cow, Sa: snake, Ma: horse, Won: monkey
[7] brain-fficials – a slang word which refers to the act of asserting one’s thoughts as official truth. Namu wiki wants me to believe that it’s similar to ‘headcanon’, but this translator believes they are not similar at all. If this translator was wrong, you could say this is an example of brain-fficialism, but they are not.
[8] spring, essence – spring could also be a figurative word for a source of power; essence could also be purified water.
[9] [Ack, Divine Beast. My apologies! I didn’t want to steal it, I was planning to organize the Divine Beast’s cabinet.] – Descendants speak to Snare using a polite tone.
[10] punk – 녀석 (nyeoseok), it’s a term which generally refers to someone immature, but I couldn’t tell if Baek-ho meant it in an endearing way as ‘ah, this little kid’ or slightly impolite form of that guy/man.
Translator’s note:
*Kim Sinrok appears!*
Hwang-ho: *about to experience a social nightmare*
*Yong Jegeon appears!*
Hwang-ho: Oh, thank goodness.
Did you see a mistake? 🐞
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