章 43: 12 Zodiac Alliance Meeting (1)
The moment I descended from the air shuttle I used to move through the maze garden, Snare threw its entire body at me and presented its charms.
Woof! Woof!
Snare's leg supporter was removed and it ran towards me with somewhat awkward steps.
As if it was very happy without a supporter, it spun in circles around me, rubbed its body against me, and made a fuss.
"Hi, Snare. Have you been well?"
With such a healthy look, it seemed it was growing faster than a usual puppy.
Now the name Snare matched it better than Cotton Ball.
I held Snare in my arms and carefully stroked it from its ears to the end of its tail.
"Jo Uisin-nim…! Hello!"
"Uisin-nim, hello!"
"Si… Hello!"
Eun-ho's three descendants emerged.
As they started to fully live at the chairman mansion, they greeted me in comfortable clothes.
But what was that 'Jo Uisin-nim'?
"Just use hyung."
I spoke while holding Snare with one hand and stroking the heads of Eun-ho's descendants with the other.
The very soft, silver hair moving between my fingers felt extremely good.
When I saw them for the first time, their hair was black, but there was no need to hide it in the mansion, so I guess they relaxed and appeared in this form.
"Yes, Jo Uisin hyung!"
"Uisin oppa!"
"Ui-uisin hyung."
The three answered in union.
Seeing this made me think of my younger siblings.
They aren't humans, but they're still only teenage kids…
Wait, oppa?
It's not only boys?
The three of them look very much the same and all have short hair, so I had no idea.
"Um, we can't say our True Names, but those are our names we will be using in this world…"
Of course you must not say your True Names.
Jin people was the word which meant 'people who possess true names'.
Both Jin people and their descendants learn their true name when they awaken their power and abilities.
Their True Name was the root of their existence and their power itself.
It was to the degree that Baek Ho-gun, who lost his true name formed with the power granted by Heavenly God, was treated like a criminal and ridiculed.
'If anyone gets that lost True Name, Baek Ho-gun would become a puppet.'
Baek Ho-gun, who had lost his True Name, couldn't leave the divine realm of Eungwang District and had his power sealed.
Perhaps Heavenly God tried to protect Baek Ho-gun from dangers inside the divine realm?
"I'm Eun Seoho…"
"I'm Eun Niho.[1]"
"E-eun Jaeho."
The two of them were middle school students, but it felt as if I was watching elementary school student's introductions.
I don't know what type of life they led before, but they didn't look very familiar with interactions with other people.
"I'll call you when it's time for dinner. Until then, please wait in your rooms.[2]"
When we exchanged device codes.
Jeok-ho called for Eun-ho's descendants.
"Yess!"
"Yes, Jeokho-nim!"
"Yes…"
At Jeok-ho's words, the three descendants looked at the device hologram where my contact information was saved with wide smiles and then ran upstairs.
"Eun-ho's descendants also follow Jo Uisin very well."
"They're very well-mannered kids. It seems they are thankful because of the April Fool's incident."
"No, it doesn't seem to be only that."
Not only that?
"It's difficult to speak precisely, but… Jo Uisin inspires trust. Without that, there was no way that Baek-ho and even that Hwang-ho would've moved. I don't know, but maybe the other Ho tribe members also feel the same."
What was that supposed to mean?
I stared at him with doubts, asking for further detailed explanation.
Receiving my gaze, Jeok-ho closed his eyes for a second and fell into his thoughts, then he opened them.
This reaction was exactly the same as Ungnyeo of Grief.
"I made Jo Uisin confused, I'm sorry. It's difficult to explain."
I completely couldn't guess what Jeok-ho wanted to say.
Was it something related to me experiencing this world through the game?
Or if not, were there some other hidden factors?
Jeok-ho didn't say anything beyond that and changed the topic.
"My thanks are late. During infiltration, if you didn't stop me when I lost my mind… I would have failed to catch those people who tarnished the divine realm."
I tried to figure out what answer I should give…
Keeung.
I was worrying, so Snare rubbed its head against my chest asking to play with it.
Seeing Snare, Jeok-ho said with a little smile:
"Let's go. There is a guest to introduce."
While coming across an automatic maid serving tea, we entered the living room on the 1st floor.
The first to come into my eyes was Hwang Jiho sitting in the seat of honor and putting a rice cake into his mouth with a dissatisfied expression.
"….Rice cakes are delicious."
Why are you eating with such an expression then?
Even though Hwang Jiho savored the bukkumi, wrapped in paper, and pumpkin-jujube tea, his expression gradually became more rotten.
"Hahaha, I personally served those rice cakes to Heng'e[3] in the Moon Palace. There is no way they are not delicious!"
Looks like the reason for his rotten expression was this guy.
'Who is it?'
On the sofa opposite of Baek Ho-gun, an unknown woman was sitting cross-legged.
She adjusted the headrest of the leather sofa to 45 degrees and sat in a comfortable position as if it was her own house, while munching on rice cakes.
I recognized her face.
'The Moon Rabbit Rice Cakes CEO, a To tribe member…!'
I remembered seeing her on the Moon Rabbit Rice Cake's web page.
The name used in this world was: 'Ok Toyeon'.
She had a strong mindset, used her identity as a Jin for business and she gained great success selling the highest quality goods.
"Is this the human kid that saved Eun-ho's descendants?"
"Yes, Ok Toyeon."
Hearing Jeok-ho's answer, the To tribe member picked up kong chaltteoks with one hand as she surveyed me from the top to the bottom.
"Hmm…. He is really just a human."
She put two kong chaltteoks in her mouth, ate both, and then continued speaking as she grabbed chapssaltteok.
I guess she really likes rice cakes.
"It's a human trusted by other sacred tigers besides Eun-ho… Yeah, if it's the human who saved Eun-ho's descendants, I can trust him."
Ok Toyeon swallowed the chapssaltteok with two bites, wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin, and then stood up.
"The name I use in the human world is Ok Toyeon. I'm the Ho tribe's sworn friend and the head of the To Tribe! Today, I came to participate with the Ho tribe during the 12 Zodiac Alliance Meeting."
"She is an excellent sworn friend in terms of hiding Eun-ho's descendants."
I guess Hwang Jiho is still deeply angry about it.
But Ok Toyeon didn't seem bothered by it.
Rather she suddenly cupped her face in her hands and acted cute to provoke Hwang-ho.
That was strong aggro.
"…but we're closer to Eun-ho than Hwang-ho!"
The word 'but', a call for violence, came out…!
"I hope that Eun-ho will be the Ho tribe's head again."
"Go die."
Are they really sworn friends?
'She said they're closer to Eun-ho than Hwang-ho, and the To tribe decided to secretly hide Eun-ho's descendants. It may be related to a past I don't know about.'
The look in Hwang Jiho's eyes emitted such a bloodthirst as if he was about to slice some meat.
Ok Toyeon received even this murderous look upfront with a cheerful smile.
She has such guts, so she would be able to protect Eun-ho's descendants and keep them in secret from the Ho tribe, huh?
"Haha, if Hwang-ho comes to kill me, I guess I will have to just trust that Śakra-nim will help me again. He came to kill me a few times in the past, but in the end he couldn't do it."
So was it kill, or not to kill, even in the past?
Even if Ok Toyeon said that, I came to understand very little.
"… I was surprised that Śakra helped the To tribe."
Jeok-ho had a subtle expression.
One of the higher beings in this world was the Buddhist god, Śakra.
Even Eun-ho's descendant said that the To tribe was helped by Śakra, who strengthened the barrier.
"The To tribe and He have a connection. Śakra is the best of Eight Legion's Protection Gods and a higher being without whose interference, our To tribe would be annihilated."
The mischievousness disappeared from Ok Toyeon's expression for a second.
"But Heavenly God is also like that and how much a higher being can interfere into this world is limited. If you didn't come to rescue us, almost all of us would have died or fallen into a deep sleep."
Hwang Jiho talked about that situation like it wasn't a big deal, but I guess it was a fierce battle.
"The unidentified Jin people and Enemies which received higher being protection. They were really ignorantly strong. Our To tribe also isn't even a type which specializes in fighting. It was a close call."
In the game, the To tribe almost didn't appear.
It was only mentioned 'They were greatly weakened at some point.'
'In the game, there was no Ho tribe support, so the To tribe would be drawn towards destruction. And all of Eun-ho's descendants would end up dead.'
Ok Toyeon's words continued to the end.
"We ARE sworn friends, but until now we weren't particularly friendly with the Ho tribe, beside Eun-ho. Even so, didn't we receive kindness? We will pay it back. By all means. It also includes the human who protected Eun-ho's descendants."
Ok Toyeon's eyes were resolute when she said that, but she added unnecessary words:
"Um, we'll repay the kindness, but being too friendly with the Ho tribe members other than Eun-ho is a bit…"
"Get out as soon as the 12 Zodiac Alliance Meeting ends."
It seems that Hwang Jiho will continue to be deeply pissed for the time being.
***
Inside the elevator.
In this 5-story mansion there was also an elevator installed.
That elevator also seemed to have a gimmick of moving to the unmarked floors.
After Hwang Jiho put his hand somewhere on the wall, the elevator started moving to the floor without a number.
"Soo… Why is the human who rescued Eun-ho's descendants here?"
"This meeting was suggested by Jo Uisin."
"You're saying that the Ho tribe moved at the words of a human?"
Ok Toyeon stared at me with her red eyes.
"He was the first to realize the traitor in the 12 Zodiac Alliance and He offered the clues. Even during this meeting, Jo Uisin will be able to find something."
"Um-um. I heard that there are many outstanding talents among the human Players, but to see one in reality… I also heard there are quite a few guys who gave a blessing to a human, even among 12 Zodiac Alliance bastards."
At Ok Toyeon's words, Hwang Jiho suddenly cut in.
"Jo Uisin, do you need a blessing?"
"No."
I firmly refused without thinking.
Why would I accept it if I don't know what they will request for giving a blessing or what blessing I would receive?
Depending on the scale of the blessing buff effect, the one giving a blessing would share some part of the target receiving a blessing's mind.
'I don't want to receive a blessing if possible.'
And looking at my status window, the blessing section is marked with (Some loading failed.)….
There is no way it's somebody's blessing, right?
Even if it was a blessing, besides the Transcendent Universe there is no existence that would be able to give me a blessing. [4]
"Oh! There is no one who ever refused the offer of a blessing from a freaking Myth category Ho tribe member! But if it was me, I would also refuse."
"I'm not giving you a blessing."
"I didn't even think of accepting it?"
Hwang Jiho and Ok Toyeon started a glaring contest.
Caught in the middle, I decided to just stay quiet.
'It's amazing.'
There were many money-eating facilities at the Eungwang School, but I thought they still had a long way to go to match chairman Hwang Myeong-ho's mansion.
The enormous golden fence barrier and the maze garden.
The costs to make it and maintain it would be obviously huge.
However, even they couldn't match the madness of the basement facilities.
'The entire room is full of ancient spells and divine blessings. It's even entirely made out of the highest rank otherworldly metal…!'
The detailed inscriptions in ancient language fused with dense mana between the golden, otherworldly metal.
It was an enormous magic formation, incorporating the wisdom of the ancient scholars.
The things I saw only in the setting book were here in reality.
"The 12 Zodiac Alliance Meeting cannot be held with devices which leave records in the human world. So, as the one who hosts the meeting, I have to show this degree of power."
Hwang Jiho said, as if showing off, when he saw me, who couldn't suppress his shock at the installations in this room.
If it was this quality, it was worth showing off.
"Hey, before we start the meeting, let me ask one more time. Jo Uisin, you wanted for the 12 Zodiacs to gather to check something, right? By what means you are gonna find the traitor?"
Gazes of everyone in the room gathered on me.
'That guy is a Jin tribe head like Hwang-ho or Ok Toyeon. The being which killed Jeok-ho in the game will appear at today's meeting.'
PMH's concrete collapse incident event.
In the game Kim Sinrok died, Choe Pyeondeuk slipped the punishment and so on. The main character party lost numerous cooperative chances and clues with Jeok-ho.
During the 2nd semester, Jeok-ho became close with Ju Su-hyeok by chance at some point, and they started investigating together.
He realized a traitor in the 12 Zodiac Alliance at the end of 1st year.
Even though Jeok-ho was in a bad condition, with his unique information gathering abilities and a bit of luck, he succeeded in getting a little closer to the dark mastermind's identity.
'Because he was made a fool by Ungnyeo of Grief and committed a deadly sin, his relationship with Hwang Jiho and Baek Ho-gun in the game was very awkward. So he also didn't receive any help. But for some reason, those three seem to live together now.'
It was too dangerous of information to tell the main character's party, who were still students.
In the end, Jeok-ho fought and died alone.
'I cannot let Jeok-ho's devotion, which I saw in the game, in the other world, be in vain.'
After I organized my thoughts, I opened my mouth.
"Make every participant say at least two words. That will be enough."
At my words, Hwang Jiho smiled for the first time today.
The smile of the guy who usually laughs in the classroom everyday, was a bit salty today.
"Hahaha! Let's observe what move Jo Uisin will make this time. Moon Rabbit, get inside the magic formation."
"Umm, I hate standing beside Hwang-ho."
"Get lost if you hate it."
"Hahaha, I was joking."
Hwang Jiho's smile immediately stopped Ok Toyeon's aggro.
After Ok Toyeon entered the magic formation, Hwang Jiho snapped his fingers once.
Paaaa—.
The shape of magic formation started to change.
Following Hwang Jiho's will, the power and patterns moved.
The magic formation's original shape started to split into 12 parts and above each domain writings appeared.
子(Rat), 丑(Cow), 寅(Tiger), 卯(Rabbit), 辰(Dragon), 巳(Snake), 午(Horse), 未(Sheep), 申(Monkey), 酉(Chicken), 戌(Dog), 亥(Pig). [5]
Hwang Jiho was in the 寅(Tiger) domain.
Ok Toyeon stood beside Hwang Jiho, in the 卯(Rabbit) domain.
"Preparations are complete. I'm activating the magic circuit exclusively for 12 Zodiac Alliance meetings."
Hwang Jiho's hair and eyes changed to a golden color.
"Whoaa, even if I saw it a few times already, it's really a power worthy of your taste. Power."
I couldn't tell if the words of Ok Toyeon I heard were a compliment or a curse.
I saw veins raise on Hwang Jiho's forehead.
Paaaat—!
Hwang Jiho's pupils turned into those of a beast and at the same time lights appeared in all 12 domains.
In 10 unoccupied places, silhouettes showed up.
Before the silhouettes, Hwang Jiho and Ok Toyeon words materialized with superpowers.
Seo Tribe(Rat), 子[Cunning Rat]
Woo Tribe(Cow), 丑[Diligent Cow]
Ho Tribe(Tiger), 寅[Tiger-nim]
To Tribe(Rabbit), 卯[Fucking Moon Rabbit]
Yong Tribe(Dragon), 辰[Max Level Blue Dragon]
Sa Tribe(Snake), 巳[Getting out] [6]
Ma Tribe(Horse), 午[Sensitive Black Horse]
Yang Tribe(Sheep), 未[SheepZzz]
Won Tribe(Monkey), 申[Universe's most powerful Great Sage]
Gye Tribe(Chicken), 酉[Mt. Gyeryong's Rarity Rooster]
Gyeon Tribe(Dog), 戌[The guy who says dogshit is most dogshit]
Don Tribe(Pig), 亥[IAmZhuBajie]
Why are your nicknames like this!
The Korean Peninsula, where the first Clash of Different Worlds occurred, possessed the most powerful Power of Earth.
The heads of the oldest Jin tribes on this Korean Peninsula almost all possessed nicknames like elementary students.
"Wait, why is my nickname like this! Ah, come on! Hwang-ho is in charge of this magic formation, so I can't change it! Did others each make their own nickname? Then why are they like this? I didn't see others in the meantime, but did they all go rotten? Is it senility? Anyway, Hwang-ho, change mine to something a bit more cute, please!"
Hwang Jiho completely ignored the whining Ok Toyeon.
The moment he started speaking, the light raised in the 寅 domain where he stood.
寅[Tiger-nim] "I confirm every 12 Zodiac Alliance head's in attendance. Let's proceed with a meeting."
Hwang Jiho's words were perfectly subtitled and appeared above the magic formation.
Soon, voices and subtitles raised from the other domains.
子[Cunning Rat] "That unmotivated Hwang-ho called us? What happened?"
巳[Getting out] "Aren't there a lot of incidents at Eungwang School these days? Is it because of that? The fool I gave a blessing and the priest cherished by the daughter of the higher being I serve are at Eungwang School. If something happens to them, Hwang-ho is going to answer to me first."
辰[Max Level Blue Dragon] "My precious tribe member and descendant are at Eungwang School. There is no way Eungwang School is in danger."
I seemed to know all the subjects the Sa and Yong were talking about.
I don't think it was just my imagination.
午[Sensitive Black Horse] "I'm busy, finish it quickly. Demons bastards are attacking again."
酉[Mt. Gyeryong's Rarity Rooster] "They're at it again? The Ma tribe is homophones with those disgusting things in Korean[7], so if you go out from Korean Peninsula for a bit;;"
申[Universe's most powerful Great Sage] "Talking horse, just change the name or leave Korean Peninsula"
午[Sensitive Black Horse] "I don't like both options."
子[Cunning Rat] "After the Clash of Different Worlds, the Korean Peninsula was the most overflowing with the Power of Earth[8]. There is the opinion that, in Korea, even the lowest rank Jin people can show off their power, so of course they would hate to leave."
卯[Fucking Moon Rabbit] "Does anyone know how to change a nickname? I'll give you different Moon Rabbit rice cakes sets for a year."
Utter nonsense.
What meeting? This is complete chaos.
How did this holding by the straws alliance not crumble down for 100 years?
丑[Dilligent Cow] "Fucking Moon Rabbit suits you well so I'll just pretend I don't know. ^_^"
巳[Getting out] "Same as the cow."
戌[The guy who says dogshit is most dogshit] "Same 2."
子[Cunning Rat] "One vote on that three Jin people above don't know a way to change a nickname anyway. Moon Rabbit is currently in the magic formation domain of the sacred tiger."
丑[Diligent Cow] "I've been caught ^_^"
卯[Fucking Moon Rabbit] "ㅗㅠㅠㅗ"
They even use emoticons.
Though the emoticons are not sounded.
Each voice and writing was a manifestation of dignity and magic of the Jin tribe's head.
The ancient magic communication formation with a perfect supplementation which transcends physical and spiritual boundaries, worthy to be boasted about, is used for such conversations…!
Complete waste of talent. Waste of supernatural powers. Waste of money.
亥[IAmZhuBajie] "Ehem, let's do a bit of progress. I'm telling you, I'm a bit of a busy person. That's it."
辰[Max Level Blue Dragon] "This one is also busy."
戌[The guy who says dogshit is most dogshit] "I third the words of the pig and the dragon."
未[SheepZzz] "Um… Then, you know. Can I say a word?"
丑[Diligent Cow] "Please ^_^"
午[Sensitive Black Horse] "Make it short."
申[Universe's most powerful Great Sage] "Short k"
With this everyone in 12 Zodiac made at least one comment.
Anyway, it seemed that my guess was correct.
'I caught the tail of the traitor who murdered Jeok-ho in the game…!'
While I had such thoughts…
The words of the Yang tribe's head suddenly changed the meeting atmosphere.
未[SheepZzz] "There is a person who carries[9] the Nightmare and came. I feel Nightmare's energy beyond the magic circuit connecting the meeting."
The end of the Yang tribe member's words sank into terrible silence.
The faces of Hwang Jiho, Ok Toyeon and Jeok-ho, who were watching the situation, hardened.
申[Universe's most powerful Great Sage] "??? Nightmare?? I give up, let's search for light."
酉[Mt. Gyeryong's Rarity Rooster] "Ha, Nightmare? Are we perhaps talking about the god of nightmares, Insomnium? When did they do something in the present world?"
子[Cunning Rat] "…That great higher being that has the highest authority to interfere into human world? 20 years ago? It seemed they had been quiet for 15 years at least."
丑[Diligent Cow] "Yes? Nightmare? ^_^;"
辰[Max Level Blue Dragon] "You're saying that Nightmare came to the Korean Peninsula?"
午[Sensitive Black Horse] "Quickly, say it's a lie."
Nightmare?
What is that, to make those Jin people so agitated?
未[SheepZzz] "As an embodiment of the symbol of sleep and dreams, I would never say a lie about Nightmare."
The Yang's words continued.
未[SheepZzz] "We only have to uphold a 'nonaggression promise'. However, we have been in this 12 Zodiac alliance together for 100 years, so let me warn you. Currently, a person attending this 12 Zodiac meeting, or a person around the magic formation, is the 'Nightmare' itself. So don't be swallowed by the Nightmare."
The Yang left words of serious warning and didn't speak for a while.
The Jin tribe's heads were silent.
The Yang then added:
未[SheepZzz] "In any case, Nightmare isn't around me, so I don't have to worry. It's fine as long as it's not me!"
That seriousness didn't last 10 seconds.
*~*~*
[1] Eun Niho — it would be 'Iho' according to official romanization, but it doesn't look very good does it?
[2] ..Until then, please wait in your rooms. — Jeok-ho is speaking to the descendants using a formal, polite tone.
[3] Heng'e – popularly known as Chang'e. Heng'e was her original name, but was changed to Chang'e as 'Heng' has similar pronunciation to the taboo character of the Emperor Wen of Han's name.
[4] ..besides Transcendent Universe there is no existence that would be able to give me a blessing — from the context I believe that Jo Uisin means here no one else would be able to give him a blessing, but in fact it could also mean 'besides Transcendent Universe there is no existence worthy giving me a blessing'…
[5] Zodiacs — So in English the most popular translations of 丑 and 未 is ox and goat respectively. But in Korean it's cow and sheep, so they're like this in the story. The word for rat and mouse is the same in Korean, so you may see me use them interchangeably.
[6] Getting out — Literally 'shedding skin' or 'molting'. (I have also a have a suspicion it could be read as 'talking'.)
[7] Ma tribe homophones with demons — both 'Ma tribe' and 'Demon (tribe)' would be spelled the same in Korean. They only differ in hanja.
[8] Power of Earth (mentioned by the rat) — That's curious. Hanja appeared here. Now this is curious because, Jo Uisin used the same word, but without hanja, a few sentences above. Now, the most reasonable reason I can think of why hanja suddenly popped out here is because they speak about two different things… But I have a few other guesses (language related, not story related).
[9] carries — could also mean leads the Nightmare
Translator's Note: I wanted to translate [Cunning Rat] as [Mickey Mouse] and [Diligent Cow] as [Donkey Cow] (I have my reasons and they were good reasons I swear), but apparently not 'all' of their nicknames supposed to sound like elementary students, so they were left as this.
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