“This is my first time seeing a white horse in real life. It makes me want to draw.” Min Green stated her feelings peacefully.
The reason the air taxi stopped at will seemed to have something to do with those three white horses, but it was probably because they didn’t show any hostility to this side. On the other hand, Song Dae-seok spoke in a firm voice, apparently in deep thought. “Three white horses? No way…”
“Dae-seok, why are you doing this?”
“What are the coordinates here?” As I sat near the driver’s seat and operated the panel, the navigation screen appeared as a hologram.
Currently, the air taxi stopped near Gari Mountain, where Hong Kyung-bok was hiding. To be more precise, it was Sammachi Pass at Oeumsan Mountain in Hongcheon-gun.
When I saw the name of Sammachi, something came to my mind.
‘Sammachi Pass in Oeumsan Mountain, three white horses… Could it be related to that legend?’
The legend of Sammachi in Oeumsan Mountain. Long ago, there was a prophecy that five outstanding longevity would be born in this region. However, rumors spread that once these five generals were born, disasters would spread, and the villagers decided to cut off the Ley of this mountain to prevent the birth of longevity.
As people flocked to the ridge, pierced the ridge with iron spears, and poured molten copper, dark red blood spurted out and five cries echoed for days. It was said that when the crying ceased, the three white horses who suddenly appeared and watched them suddenly disappeared.
Thus, the mountain where the five voices spread was called Oeumsan Mountain, and the hill where three white horses disappeared was called Sammachi.
‘I remember it as a legend that touches my heart.’
Usually, the belief that longevity would be born through revelations and prophecies was called auspicious, and such people play an active role in history and become heroes. However, those who accepted the birth of the five generals as a bad omen even cut off their own Ley.
‘If that had been such a bad thing, the white horse wouldn’t have disappeared so much.’
From ancient times, white horses had been treated as messengers, spirit creatures, auspicious symbols, and sacred animals that came down from the sky regardless of East and West.
In traditional wedding ceremonies, the groom would ride on a white horse that symbolized both the sun and Byeoksa Temple.
‘It seems that the villagers realized something was wrong too late.’
Seeing the names Oeumsan and Sammachi were given to this place as if to appease the soul, the villagers who cut off the Ley must have realized something in turn.
Hey, hey.
The three white horses suddenly started running towards the mountain, making a mournful sound close to the sound of the wind.
“Oh, it’s gone.”
“…There is no horse ranch near here. There is no way there are white horses in the wild,” Song Dae-seok muttered with a complicated face. He must have known the area well.
Wow!
Once the three white horses disappeared, the air taxi started moving again.
“Dae-seok, why are you like this? Is there anything you find strange?”
“The area where the air taxi stopped earlier is said to be Sammachi in Oeumsan…”
When Min Green asked, Song Dae-seok told us about the legend of Sammachi in Oeumsan Mountain. When Song Dae-seok finished speaking, Min Green nodded and said, “So maybe that’s where the great players came from. It may have been that many years have passed and the Leys have come to life.”
“A great player?”
“Grandpa Song Man-seok and my father-in-law are from here.”
I had heard that Song Man-seok and Hong Kyung-bok had been close friends for a long time, but were they really from Dongdong? There was something that came to mind in Min Green’s words.
‘As Min Green had said, even if the Ley lines are cut off, there is a possibility that they will be resurrected someday as long as they do not die completely.’
Oeumsan had been described as bloody in legend. It was now as green as any other mountain.
‘It’s still a hypothesis, but maybe the Leys have been resurrected and the five heroes have begun to appear.’
Min Green’s words continued. She seemed excited to think that Master might be a hero in the legend. “Then there are only two. Could there be three more?”
“…There is another very good player from this area.”
“Are you famous?”
“No, I am not famous. I don’t like being in the media. They say that if you become a celebrity, you will make a lot of money, and they will end up ripping you off in the end.”
I didn’t know who he was, but he seemed to have a very realistic way of thinking.
“Who?”
“…”
Song Dae-seok did not answer my question. At that time, Min Green also asked if he was curious.
“Tell me, Dae-seok. Are there any other outstanding players from Hongcheon?”
“The principal of Eungwang High.” He immediately answered Min Green’s question. Although the discriminatory treatment bothered me a little, my playable character’s attitude toward my childhood friend was very desirable.
‘By the way, the principal of Eungwang?’
Was that the principal who made a secret library in the basement? He thought he was a geek who used his budget and private money to collect old and rare books.
In Eungwang High, the person who served as the principal for a long time could not be an ordinary player.
‘The Great Heroes Cast Iron Arm Song Man-seok, Hong Kyung-bok, the principal of Eungwang HIgh. These three might not be the only great players from here.’
There was one more person that came to mind.
‘Sung Siwan came to Hongcheon to research his grandfather’s library. In other words, it is highly probable that Sung Siwan and Seong Guk-eon’s grandfather are from Hongcheon.’
Even though he knew he was going to die, he signed a contract with the Jinjok to protect the Korean Peninsula, then proceeded to leave a clue. I didn’t know if it was a coincidence, but they were all from this area.
The branch manager died early, the headmaster of Eungwang High was avoiding the press, and Hong Kyung-bok was famous for his drawing skills rather than his talent, so only Song Man-seok was left famous as a player.
“Other than that? Since there are five generals, who else is there?”
“I don’t know. In the beginning, there were very few players in this area. The rule of 20% player percentage is not observed here. Not even 5%.”
Players appeared at a low rate? Maybe that was because the Ley was cut off.
“About 5% of those who showed their talents here should move right away. So did our house.”
“Oh… Dae-seok said that he moved next door to our house as soon as his talents appeared in kindergarten.”
Although they were childhood friends with Min Green who lived in Seoul, Song Dae-seok had been born in Hongcheon. When I met Sung Siwan, I knew I should ask where Seong Guk-eon and Sung Siwan were born.
“I don’t know if the white horse appeared by chance, but it would be great if Master Song and Grandpa Song Man-seok were heroes in the legend.”
My playable character, who I thought was just a human, found out that if it was a hero in the legend, the assistant referee would explode. There was also Baekho-gun, a mythical being.
‘Since a white horse has appeared, you might know something if you are a demon.’
Among the 12 alliances, it was not possible to recklessly come into contact with the long-tailed demon who was still a traitor.
Oops, Weeing!
The air taxi stopped with a notification of arrival at the destination. A part of Mt. Gari was designated as an air taxi ban area, so I had to walk from there.
“…have arrived.” Min Green, who had been talking about legends and heroes, shut her mouth.
When I came here, I would have exchanged messages with Hong Kyung-bok, but I thought I was feeling nervous because it had been a long time since we had met in person.
“Let’s go.”
“Huh…” Min Green hesitated, put on his hooded hat, and got out of the air taxi.
* * *
One day after Do Sihoo disappeared.
His whereabouts were still unknown.
‘Where are you and what are you doing?’
Jang Namwook looked up at the device hologram, all looking nervous. Do Sihoo was always worried because he was always playing dangerous and absurd pranks.
I was worried about whether I should inform the Players Association and Military Academy even now.
Ding dong.
At that time, a message arrived from Do Won-woo.
[Won-woo] I tried to contact the relatives who were close with Sihoo. He wasn’t there.
[Won-woo] If you are known in the family, you may have a hard time again… …. I think it’s going to be difficult to find people in our company.
[Won-woo] Did you say you contacted Soohyuk?
Of course, Jang Namwook had contacted Joo Soohyuk, a close friend of Do Sihoo. Joo Soohyuk met him at a basketball game, a baseball field, and a party on a boat, and became friends from time to time.
When I called and informed the situation, Joo Soohyuk suggested the following:
—I think you should look for the sea side. Seasickness is severe and Do Sihoo can’t even swim in the sea?
When Jang Namwook was puzzled, Joo Soohyuk added:
—Seasickness is a serious subject, and Sihoo likes the sea. He must have been greatly influenced by his father, who was the king of ships.
Joo Soohyuk had said that he would mobilize someone who could move Joo Suhyok to find him. However, the Korean Peninsula is a land surrounded by sea on three sides. It was difficult to find all the areas adjacent to the coast. Jang Nam-wook’s worries deepened.
Puck!
Someone slapped Jang Namwook in the head, who was only looking at the device hologram. When I turned around, I saw a group of cadets from the same class sharing the same floor as the dormitory.
“Eat some rice, you asshole. You have to have the energy to grab that bastard after the city.”
“The face is yielding to you. I’m going to make sure my belly explodes today.”
“For that, I’m going to hit you in the back of the head.”
Triangular kimbap and milk cartons were stacked in front. It seemed that he had brought it for Jang Namwook, who was lost in the room while making contact with the device.
“Thank you for your concern. I will eat and work hard.”
“Isn’t this bastard Jang Namwook getting tired of running away from home because he sucks every time like this? Just wait comfortably.”
“Yeah, ma’am. Just eat it.”
Despite being bruised, Jang Namwook began to eat triangular gimbap. Tuna mayonnaise and Jeonju bibim, cheese buldak, and anchovy with gochujang…
They were triangular gimbap with two flavors at the same time, but strangely, none of the flavors were felt. Still, I was able to calm myself down and lessen the worries of my classmates.
* * *
We wandered for a long time while walking on Mt. Gari.
Although Min Green had been there once, the mountain was steep and the road leading to the hut was covered with weeds, making it difficult to see.
“Sorry… I should have remembered it well.”
“It’s okay. Let’s go slowly.”
“Yeah, you’ll get hurt if you go in a hurry. There’s still a lot left until the time he promised with his grandfather. tell me if it’s hard I’ll pick you up. And you walk away from Green.”
In the midst of this, Song Dae-seok did not change. When speaking to Min Green and I, his tone of voice itself was different.
It was nice to see the naughty guy pampering his childhood friend Min Green.
At this point in time…
“Uh… … .”
Min Green, who was walking ahead, saw something of her and stopped abruptly.
“Master…”
At the end of Min Green’s gaze, an old man in her daily life Hanbok could be seen. It was Hong Kyung-bok, an artist I had only seen in photos.
‘There is still more than an hour until the appointment time.’
Artist Hong Kyung-bok must have been waiting outside because he was worried that his only remaining student would come.
Sabak.
At the same time as the sound of rustling leaves could be heard, Hong Kyung-bok moved to the front of Min Green at once.
‘Did you even write the Chukji Act? It’s not normal!’
He smiled kindly as he looked at his students and friends he had not seen in a long time.
“It took a lot of hard work to come a long way. Let’s go in.”
“Master…”
Min Green was crying and unable to speak. Artist Hong Kyung-bok began to walk with his back facing forward. The two priests walked down the mountain path without talking. Song Dae-seok and I kept our mouths shut and followed him.
When he saw the hut hidden in the shade of the mountain, Hong Kyung-bok began to speak in a locked voice.
“It’s a little early when Geun-hyung comes, but let’s have lunch together.”
“…Are you Ham Geun Hyeong?”
“Yeah, Ham Geun Yeong said his work was finished, so it would be nice to go with him when he goes back.”
Teacher Ham Geun Hyeong seemed to have had an exchange with Song Man-seok and Hong Kyung-bok, both of them.
―Beep!
Suddenly, alarms went off on everyone’s devices. It was a warning alarm for the creation of another world from the association.
[SSR-class otherworldly generation forecast]
“Tomorrow, an SSR-class dungeon is scheduled to occur near here…?”
“Huh…”
Player SAT-K seemed to have caught a harbinger at Mt. Gari and, in doing so, sent an alert to nearby devices.
‘Since an aura has occurred, it is not related to the darkness….’
Crisp.
As I was reading the message on the hologram, Professor Ham Geun Hyeong appeared from the other side of the bush.
“Hello, old man. A request for support came from Sokcho, so it was a little late.”
It turned out that Ham Geun Hyeong was not alone.
“Huh? Who is the student next to you, and is your brother-in-law your disciple?”
“Not my disciple. Because my ability was so powerful, a story came from me, who was in Gangwon-do. He was brought in to protect him because he was mentally unstable.”
The person Ham Geun Hyeong brought turned out to be Do Sihoo
