Translator: Wan ED/PR: Personal Ghost
40. Meaning of blessing (3)
The blessing system of this world was quite unique.
The ‘blessing’ meant planting and engraving the ‘presence’ of higher beings or Jin people, born from the myths and stories, on one being under mutual consent.
When the beings that were originally difficult to perceive in the mundane world, became objectively material, the presence that formed could change into a powerful power through the blessing.
As the force of superpowers of the one bestowing a blessing doesn’t diminish, and the blessing can be one-sidedly withdrawn, there was not a small number of beings who bestowed blessings.
Of course, there were risks.
If a powerful blessing that doesn’t match the receiving party’s vessel is bestowed, there is a chance that both the giver and receiver’s body and soul will break down.
Because of such a possibility, the mutual consent was needed when bestowing a blessing.
“I introduced Seeum to a Jin I know, so he could receive his blessing, hoping that it could be of help when he starts to attend Eungwang School again.”
Sawol Seeum’s blessing was something that wasn’t in the game.
When I met him again during April Fool’s Day, Sawol Seeum had a Gye tribe’s[1] blessing on him.
As if the power of blessing was quite strong, even Hwang Jiho was concerned.
‘Let’s check it.’
Sawol Seeum, as if not planning on listening to Sawol Semin’s words about not calling Oh Hyejeong aunt, pursed his lips a little.
As I took a side glance at Sawol Seeum, who was absentmindedly listening to Sawol Semin, I opened the menu.
⟨Reading ‘Sawol Seeum’ character’s data.⟩
[Name] Sawol Seeum
[Titles] Successor of last dynasty’s messenger, Eungwang School’s 1st year
[Blessing] Gye’s suggestion ‘Call me when using Flight’
….
….
….
Just as I remembered, he had a blessing, which wasn’t in the game.
‘There was a scenario the Gye tribe appeared in, but there are too little clues to judge.’
Because I couldn’t draw a conclusion when recalling the scenario from the game again and looking at the status window, I asked Oh Hyejeong.
“What kind of Jin? Is it a trustworthy Jin?”
“The origin of that Gye is a white chicken, which announced the birth of Gyerim (Chicken Forest) dynasty’s founder. He was the sacred chicken, who informed king Tallhae about the location of the golden chest, in which the founder was sleeping just after he was born, and after Kim family dynasty[2] started, he obtained a name and became a Jin.”
Gyerim was a different name for Silla, and a chicken was Silla’s national bird.
The Gye, who bestowed Sawol Seeum a blessing, didn’t directly interfere in the process of establishing a nation like the Ho tribe, but as he appeared in the country myth, he would be categorized as a Myth category Gye tribe member.
Considering that sacred chicken’s actions, I was convinced and could nod my head.
“If it’s a Gye taking his roots from Gyerim, he can be trusted, and he can take care of Sawol family.”
“Oh, your eyes changed. Weren’t you doubtful a moment ago?”
“The sacred chicken from Gyerim was respected as an auspicious being even during the last dynasty, correct? And he was a sacred animal, which foreseen the king’s ascension.”
“You know a lot.”
“Because even during the last dynasty’s Jongmyo ancestral rite, the brass bowl the sacred water[3] was poured in was engraved with the chicken.”
I didn’t know about a Gye who suddenly pops out of nowhere, but if he was a Gye, who protected humans for a long time and had deep connection with the last dynasty, he was worthy of trust.
At least in the matters related to Sawol family.
“Right. The Jin I introduced doesn’t have as strong of an authority as the Yong tribe, but he is a Jin, who is loyal to the last dynasty, so he is worthy of trust. But his personality is a bit… out there as if he became fussy because he lived for too long, so when he loses his temper, he doesn’t look left and right and just jumps in. That’s what I’m worried about.”
Gyerim’s founder, Kim Alji was born about two thousand years ago, during king Tallhae’s reign in the first century.
You live too long if you’re two thousand years old, huh?
I don’t know how Oh Hyejeong would react if she knew the average age of the 1st year class 0’s members.
“You’re worried that the Gye will excessively interfere?”
“Yeah. Our young master-nim’s vessel was said to be big, but I’m worried if he won’t receive a new, heavy blessing, and I’m concerned that if something happens, that chicken will go to Eungwang District to make a mess.”
From the way she spoke, isn’t the white chicken of the Gye tribe more unhinged than Oh Hyejeong?
I started to worry about Sawol Seeum.
“I’ll watch him closely.”
“Okay, please do. It would be difficult for me to go outside before marrying to Semin-ssi. Because those codgers will certainly be annoying.”
Oh Hyejeong, who spoke like this, looked at Sawol Semin with a happy face.
Sawol Semin, who felt Oh Hyejeong’s gaze, looked in this direction, and his face turned visibly red.
The two people clearly liked each other, and my Playable Characters, Sawol Seeum and Oh Hyeji, seemed to want Oh Hyejeong’s happiness, so I also decided to support them.
After we moved under the guidance of Sawol Semin, who cooled his face down, for a few minutes, Sawol Seeum said with a bright voice.
“My room is over there. I’ll open the door!”
As the door to Sawol Seeum’s room was made out of changhoji[4], at first glance they seemed to lack security, but it didn’t seem like just any barrier was engraved on the door handle.
Paat!
The light gushed from the barrier technique on the door handle, which responded to Sawol Seeum’s superpower wave.
After the light faded, even though no hand touched the door handle, the changhoji door softly opened as if welcoming a visitor.
The instant I saw the archaic room as if taken out of the scene in a historical drama, I ended up freezing.
Because ‘that word’ was plastered all over the room.
[‘Red Wall Phantom Thief’, who broke Fantasy Gate[5], returns cultural assets]
[Virtues of the righteous thief Red Wall Phantom Thief, who exposed the Fantasy Auction. The Cultural Heritage Administration says ‘Thank You’]
[Righteous Red Wall Phantom Thief, what is his identity?]
My head spun, when I looked at the printed newspaper headlines.
Sawol Seeum had no idea about my inner turmoil and spoke innocently.
“This is the first time I invited a class friend to my room! Is there something You would like to do first?”
“Bring tea and snacks.”
“Ah, alright!”
Sawol Seeum flew outside to prepare tea.
The served tea was China root[6] tea with honey and on water infused with pine tree’s root nodule. The white China roots were brewed cold, and the red China roots were brewed hot.
The snacks accompanying the tea, were plums, which were in season and seemed very sweet, as they were generously sprinkled with white sugar.
After the tea and snacks were served, the late introductions started.
“My introduction is late. My name is….”
After meeting with those people for the first time in the appearance of Jo Uisin and finishing the greetings.
Oh Hyejeong, who finished introducing herself, told her story.
After shortly telling her story from the moment of the engagement ceremony, described as ‘nuts’ and ‘senile’, to the moment when she met me, Oh Hyejeong thanked me again and then changed the topic.
“Do you perhaps know my dongsaeng? Eungwang School’s 3rd year’s Oh Hyeji.”
“We met as opponents during the chess tournament. I also owe her for Cymopoleia.”
“Can you talk about Hyeji? Our young master-nim has almost no contact with Hyeji.”
This time I spoke about the things I knew.
When I reached the story about Cymopoleia, Oh Hyejeong cut me off for a moment.
“Did those codgers go crazy and try to tie Su-hyeok and Hyeji?”
I only talked about boarding Cymopoleia together with Ju Su-hyeok, and meeting Oh Hyeji after that.
But Oh Hyejeong noticed like a devil.
Even though I didn’t reply to that question, Oh Hyejeong clicked her tongue as if she confirmed it.
“Ha, those codgers still didn’t come back to their senses. Can you contact me straight away if something happens?”
“Ah… Please also contact me.”
After exchanging the device codes with Oh Hyejeong and Sawol Semin, my story continued.
At the words that Ju Su-gyeom covered Oh Hyeji and got hurt during the otherworld conquest, Oh Hyejeong made a very subtle expression and asked a few times.
“…We’re talking about that Ju Su-gyeom? That human? That guy?”
“Yes, I saw him receive treatment on the deck. Senior Oh Hyeji-nim seemed worried.”
When Oh Hyejeong was frowning deeply.
Ding, ding!
A clear and bright bell sound rang out from somewhere.
As I turned my head around, following the bell sound, I spotted a shadow of a bird with a bell beyond the changhoji.
“Ah, I guess the meal preparations are done! Let’s go!”
When Sawol Seeum opened the door, I saw a bird, made out of a superpower wave, holding a bell in its beak and shaking it.
The bird made a circle around Sawol Seeum and started to guide us, while flapping its wings.
“The Heart of Pine Forest is in that direction, correct? Even I wasn’t able to go there often!”
“It seems that elders are considerate, because we’re hosting a precious benefactor, huh?”
As I was embarrassed by the words ‘precious benefactor’, I shut my mouth and stared at the pine tree forest.
It was a pine forest that didn’t seem to have a road at the first glance, but mysteriously, every time we took a step forward in the direction the bird flew, a clear path opened.
After we walked through the pine forest for a while, a pavilion at the end of the road started to became visible.
Ding-ding, ding-ding.
The bird, who finished guiding us, rang the bell two times as if expressing goodbyes, and then disappeared at the side of the people who were waiting for us.
In a spacious pavilion, I saw four people in hanboks.
In the bright and clean complexions of the old and middle-aged couples, who were waiting for us, I glimpsed traces of Sawol Seeum.
“Those are my grandparents-nim and parents-nim.”
A moment didn’t pass since Sawol Seeum whispered into my ear, when they bowed their heads to greet me.
“We welcome the benefactor who saved our precious family.”
It was embarrassing to be treated by People much older than me with such politeness, but I responded with the most polite greeting.
“Thank You for Your kind welcome. I only did what anyone should do. Please raise your heads.”
“It’s only natural to give such greetings to the benefactor, who saved the family members of the current and previous family’s head of the Sawol clan[7].”
‘That word’ didn’t come out, but as I received such response from Sawol Seeum’s parents and grandparents, my cheeks felt ticklish.
“I’m Sawol Seeum’s class friend. I hope You will treat me as such.”
“Uisin…”
Sawol Seeum looked at me with a moved face.
The four elders, who saw that, looked at us with warm faces.
“Our benefactor… no, Seeum’s class friend is a truly good child, huh”
“I heard stories from Seeum, but He seems to be an upright child, even in reality.”
When we sat down, while listening to compliments.
The elders saw Oh Hyejeong, who stuck close to Sawol Semin’s side, and spoke:
“Our daughter[8] came, huh?”
“Sister-ssi, you came?”
Bang!
Sawol Semin, who sat down, slammed his knee into the table.
“Semin-ssi, are You okay?”
“… I’m fine. Father, hyung-nim, why are you calling Hyejeong-ssi like that?”
At Sawol Semin’s words, the elders feigned innocence as if they didn’t know what it was about.
“Would it be better to just call her dear?”
“If you don’t like sister-ssi, how about gyesu-ssi[9]?”
It seemed no one here was on Sawol Semin’s side.
***
Hwang Myeong Eungwang Hospital, Player specialized ward, highest floor, hospital room.
All other Eungwang School’s students were discharged, but there was one person, Kim Yuri, remaining in the hospital room.
“How are you today?”
“Everything as usual. Um, sorry for every day…”
“I don’t come every day because there is a need to come. It seems I’ll be absent for some time, so I’m just perfecting the defenses.”
Isn’t that what it meant?
While Kim Yuri thought like this, she looked at Hwang-ho, who was making a barrier, with a subtle expression.
‘I can’t continue like this. If I just simply endure, I’ll only end up harming others.’
Kim Yuri decided to accept the existence of her Gwangrim.
But just that wasn’t enough.
‘I have to use that power.’
Kim Yuri recalled the Jeop who bestowed her a blessing and then withdrew it.
The Jeop, who had some kind of a goal, approached Kim Yuri and used her.
She had no idea what the goal was, but when recalling the events on the Seongmo Island, she was terrified.
She wanted to become stronger before she was squashed by her vague fears and hurt people around her.
‘I want to learn more about higher beings and Gwangrims than what is taught in the class.’
The people she thought she could get advice from were Ham Geun-hyeong and Yu Sang-hui.
However, Yu Sang-hui was busy with her future career prospects, and Ham Geun-hyeong was the same.
The reason for Ham Geun-hyeong was that out of consideration for Kim Yuri and settling the incident, his work-load increased exceptionally.
If not those two, there was only one choice.
A being who saw through Kim Yuri’s Gwangrim and was handling that power without difficulty while unfolding a barrier.
It was Hwang-ho.
“Jiho, um…. I have a question. I want to somehow use this Gwangrim a bit, but…”
Hwang-ho replied while unfolding a Barrier Art,
“There is no way that you’re thinking of accepting a blessing again, right? No matter with how sweet of a tone they engraved their presence, the effect may not match the words they left behind.”
At those words, the higher beings, surrounding Kim Yuri, cried out.
The content of which was that if she was going to receive a blessing, she should receive it from them.
Unlike when she received a blessing from Jeop, she didn’t have a Gwangrim Sealing on her, and it has been a long time since she was with them, so she could hear their voices clearly.
“Um, I wish to refuse any blessings for a while.”
Because she saw very well how the beautiful butterfly Jin, who wished her more courage with a warm and kind voice, played her.
“I don’t want to suppress that power, I want to use it well.”
“It won’t be easy.”
“But if there is a way, I want to make it with my own strength.”
Hwang-ho didn’t reply straight away and fell into thoughts.
In the dark hospital room, because of the shinning gold mana engraved into the Barrier Art, Hwang-ho’s eyes were dyed golden-yellow.
“Got it. Let’s introduce you to our head shaman.”
“Thank you!”
“Next time, the head shaman will come instead of me.”
“Ok!”
Kim Yuri, who thanked him a few times, hesitantly asked:
“Then that’s all done, but can I ask one more question?”
“We will see when I hear it.”
Hwang-ho nodded his head once.
It meant that if he was able to answer would depend on the question.
“… Are Uisin and Jiho humans?”
A mischievousness from a moment ago disappeared from Hwang-ho’s face.
When Kim Yuri somehow became unable to judge the age from the face of the class friend she saw so often, she got nervous and swallowed hard.
“Jo Uisin is human.”
Hwang-ho replied only with that and disappeared outside the hospital room.
*~*~*
[1] Gye tribe — ‘Chicken’ tribe.
[2] Kim family dynasty — A fun fact. ‘Kim’ surname of Silla dynasty actually comes from ‘금 (geun)’, which means gold, after the golden chest Kim Alji was said to be found. Why Geun changed to kim (김) is not certain, some say it had to do with Five Elements theory and the Joseon dynasty, which founder was Yi Seong-gye, who had 李 (Prunus salicina/ Chinese Plum) character in his name, which has a connection to trees. And gold (or metal) beats tree/plants like all game-freaks know. So Joseon dynasty, which had a weak legitimacy in its early days, was very wary of anything that could shake their position and didn’t use gold. A more reasonable reason was that it was the effect of changing Chinese pronunciation of 金 (gold/metal), strong tendency to avoid using characters related to rulers and Mongolian kings (‘Golden Clan’), who had strong connections with Goryeo.
[3] the brass bowl and sacred water — 계이 (Gyei) is a special brass bowl with a chicken pattern used in ancestral rite, which holds sacred water, 명수 (Myeong-su), which means bright water and was clear water gathered early at dawn after full moon (it’s supposed to be a morning dew, but considering how hard it’s to gather, it probably referred to well water) during the spring, and in summer it holds uljangju (울창주), a mix of turmeric liquor and millet alcohol, which summons the spirits of ancestors.
[4] changhoji – 창호지, a traditional Korean paper used for doors and windows.
[5] Fantasy Gate — I usually translate ‘Gate’ as controversy, but considering the word play here, I’m leaving it with the literal translation ‘Gate’.
[6] China root — Wolfiporia extensa
[7] Sawol clan — I usually use ‘family’ for ‘일족 (iljuk)’, which means all close and distant relatives, but to make the sentence less confusing, ‘clan’ is used here.
[8] Our daughter — they use a short, cute version for ‘daughter in law’. In Korean it sounds as if they’re calling her birdie.
[9] gyesu — between brothers, a way to refer to dongsaeng’s wife.
Translator’s note: Ah… Jo Uisin called himself Sawol Seeum’s friend! Such a rare occurrence ㅠㅠ
Did you see a mistake? 🐞
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