(Note: Unfortunately, the new translator has also decided to drop this novel because of the difficulty and time it takes to research some terms and stuff, which takes too much of her time so we will have to go search for another translator. If anyone here is interesting they should let me know.)
Ok To-yeon widened her red eyes and scanned Do Shi-hoo from his head to toe.
“You were at the baseball stadium last time, right? I think there was one high school student who wore a TC Knights cap like you, wasn’t there?”
How Ok To-yeon distinguishes people is by whether they wear a TC Knights cap or not. Do Shi-hoo took off the cap he was forced to wear by Jang Nam-wook to say hello.
“Hello CEO Ok To-yeon. I was there too.”
Hearing that, Ok To-yeon’s face turned serious.
“Did any of the people there die? Have you been to any funerals? Or did anyone close to you die or get hurt severely?”
“Huh? No…..”
If one of the TC group or military academy officials was exposed to danger, there should’ve been a news article about the incident.
Do Shi-hoo and Jang Nam-wook were bewildered as if they had no idea about what she said.
“Is that so? But why am I seeing ‘death?’”
“Death….? Are you saying that you see a sign of death?!”
Jang Nam-wook was terrified.
Unlike Nam-wook, Do Shi-hoo had a calm face as if he couldn’t process her words.
“I’m a rabbit from the Moon Palace who received the blessing from Sakra. I’ve seen and experienced countless deaths so I can see a sign of it.”
(*Sakra – Ruler of heaven according to Buddhist cosmology.)
Sakra, Rabbit, Death.
The story of the rabbit who received Sakra’s blessing was famous in this world.
A long time ago, the monkeys, foxes, and rabbits together saved an old man who fainted due to starvation. The monkeys and foxes brought food for the old man, but the rabbit, who couldn’t find anything to bring, made a sacrifice of faith. This impressed the old man.
(*Sacrifice of Faith – to make offerings by burning one’s own body)
The old man was Sakra.
The rabbit, saved by Sakra, became the immortal rabbit of the moon.
“Unlike other Black Tortoise Clan, I don’t fall asleep because my soul left my physical body. And even if I lose my body, I go through the cycle of reincarnation.”
She spoke arrogantly.
“I don’t usually tell people about such things… but I’m warning you since you’re a friend of Eui-shin… and since you’re much younger than me. If you don’t want to die, don’t even look at the houses that are having funerals. Stay away from any objects with misfortunes and Eui-shin, you should stop hanging out with that….Ah!!”
Slap!
Someone slapped Ok To-yeon’s back. Although she was wearing a uniform over a thin t-shirt, the slap made a loud sound. Ok To-yoon tightly grabbed Ok To-yeon’s shoulder who was staggering.
“Hey, To-yeon?”
“To, To-yoon? Aigo, my shoulder is about to fall off! I’m going to die! Someone help!”
To-yeon, who’s been arrogantly talking about how she transcends death until just before, was now gone.
Ok To-yoon grabbed her shoulder even more tightly.
“You won’t die as long as the blessing protects you.”
“But still! It hurts! And even if I revive, I still die!”
“We’ll leave now since we have lots of work to catch up on.”
“Okay, I’m going! But can you please let go of my hand? There’s a rice cake cafe near here, can we stop by? I want to eat a cold rice cake set with…!”
Ok To-yoon, who covered Ok To-yeon’s mouth, slightly nodded at us and left.
I was surprised to see how the two escaped the stadium full of the crowd in a blink of an eye.
I once heard Hwang Jiho calling her ‘the warrior of the Rabbit Clan’ and it seemed like the nickname really matched her.
In the meantime, Do Shi-hoo, who was warned of death, spoke calmly.
“It’s no big deal. All I need to do is be more careful! I don’t think any of my acquaintances will die, but if that happens inevitably, I don’t know what excuse I should use. If I get locked up by getting into trouble, will I be able to avoid going to funerals and all that?”
“Shi-hoo……”
If he was at Eungwang High, he would’ve been in class 0.
Jang Nam-wook seemed worried about Do Shi-hoo and the ‘trouble’ he will get into.
Despite the ominous things that Ok To-yeon said, we moved on for our next schedule. Since we were full after eating too much take-out food at the baseball stadium, we decided to book a basketball court to play.
I was teamed up with Yoo Sang-hoon and Jang Nam-wook was teamed up with Do Shi-hoo for the first round. Yoo Sang-hoon and Do Shi-hoo, who weren’t satisfied with the first round, played another round 1 on 1.
When the two were concentrating on the game, I asked Jang Nam-wook who was sitting on the bench.
“I want to ask you something about the regulations within the military academy.”
I asked about the regulation on bringing in personal belongings.
Jang Nam-wook listed out the regulation as if he memorized all of it.
As I knew, the students in the military academy receive their necessities directly from the military.
“…..All of the above are prohibited items, and even if it belongs to the list of permitted items, one must fill out a declaration form.”
After his explanation, I was lost in thoughts for a while. I asked quietly.
“Replace everything that Do Shi-hoo brought in after May. And bring me all the things that are replaced without Do Shi-hoo knowing.”
“It will be possible but it will take some time. We can do this quickly if we let Do Shi-hoo know…”
“No.”
In the game, Do Shi-hoo acted very meticulously and carefully. But still, he was murdered within the military academy which had a strict security system.
The one who killed Do Shi-hoo must be someone who stays within the military academy or who is very close to Shi-hoo, enough to visit the academy.
There is a high possibility that the person is trusted by Do Shi-hoo.
‘Even if Do Shi-hoo is close with Jang Nam-wook, if he trusts that person more than Nam-wook and acts accordingly, everything’s over. If that happens, Jang Nam-wook will also be in danger.’
Although I trust Do Shi-hoo himself, it was hard to trust his mentality.
‘And there’s not even enough information about him. Although he’s a Tiger Clan, it will be difficult to completely grasp how things work within the military, military academy, and the TC group. Plus, he also has a lot of other things to do…’
With the limited information and methods I have, the only ones who I can trust are Jang Nam-wook and Do Won-woo.
‘To think further, it would make sense to include the next commander-in-chief of the TC group in the lists of suspects. However, there was no contact spotted between them and the TC group wouldn’t have been able to abuse their authority to the military academy.’
I spoke firmly.
“You have to do this alone. Don’t get caught by other students or the trainers.”
Jang Nam-wook nodded with a nervous face as if he remembered what Ok To-yeon said.
Yoo Sang-hoon and Do Shi-hoo, who didn’t notice our serious conversation, were laughing and chasing the ball.
* * *
The final exam ended, and the summer vacation was just around the corner.
The student council posted a summer vacation event announcement and also made an appeal saying that ‘Please stop making troubles’ as if they were directing it to class 0.
The first event of the first-graders summer vacation was a student retreat.
It was going to take place on the weekend right after the start of summer vacation.
‘Planning is done.’
I finished planning based on what I already knew and the things that have changed in this world.
Just in case, I also came up with backup plans.
‘But I’m not sure how things will go….’
This was the time when I really had to trust my playable characters NPC and the Tiger Clan.
“Teacher!”
Today was the last day meeting with Yeom Jun-yeol before the summer vacation.
The dorm was going to remain open for students who are willing to study or who have no choice but to stay in Seoul because their hometown is too far from the school. And of course, I decided to stay at the dorm.
So I had no issue with continuing the class but Yeom Jun-yeol wasn’t.
“I’m glad I can see you before the summer vacation starts since it will be hard for me to come to school for the time being.”
Yeom Jun-yeol, who was a star player, will be very busy with broadcasting and besides, he will also have to go on a trip with his foolish fellows.
“Although I took 2nd place on the final exam and also lost the chess match, I will build myself up throughout the vacation and bring a better result next time. I will also do a good job on the assignment you gave me!”
I was proud to see him sharing his goals even though he will be very busy from now on.
‘I was worried about him from our last text conversation, but I’m glad he looks okay now.’
“Good. I will give you lots of homework. Good luck.”
“Is it okay to ask if I have any questions while doing my homework?”
“Of course.”
“……Thank you!”
He looked so happy about getting homework from me which made me wonder.
After finishing the lesson with Yeom Jun-yeol,
“I’ll see you off today.”
I always left first using Gwanglim, ‘Time Without Shadows’ but this time, I decided to stay.
Yeom Jun-yeol seemed surprised but also happy.
“Really….? Thank you!”
Yeom Jun-yeol turned around multiple times as he left.
“Okay, I’m going now! For real!”
When Yeom Jun-yeol disappeared from my sight,
I called out the name of the person who seemed to be hiding in this space.
“Mr. Yong Je-gun, are you there?”
As soon as I said that, a corner of the classroom became crushed and Yong Je-gun appeared.
Since Yeom Jun-yeol looked discouraged after the final exam, I guessed that either Yeom Bang-yeol or Cheong Ryong would’ve told Yong Je-gun to follow Yeom Jun-yeol. And I was right.
“You read my presence? Wow.”
Unfortunately, it was hard to read Yong Je-gun’s presence while using Yeom Jun-yeol’s Gwanglim in the player’s trajectory.
“…..Why am I sensing Yeom Jun-yeol’s presence? Take off your mask.”
It wasn’t difficult for me to take off my mask.
Right before I did that, I unlocked Gwanglim and returned to my original appearance.
Seeing how my body changed before and after I took off my mask, Yong Je-gun seemed disappointed.
“I should’ve made a surprise attack. Too bad.”
I should be more careful next time.
“But why did you call me?”
“You told me you wanted to join us last time.”
Yong Je-gun widened his eyes.
“Okay, keep going.”
“It’s about the student retreat.”
“Ah, I have no issue with that since I’m a sub teacher now so I can go there. I already packed my stuff for the trip. This time, all classes 0, 1, and 2 are getting on a cruiser, right? I’ll get on the crui-”
“Don’t get on there.”
Yong Je-gun shut his mouth as he heard my firm voice.
“Instead, I have something else to ask you.”
* * *
The descendant of the Tiger Clan and the Bear Clan, Kim Shin-rok.
He came to know about who his parents are when he turned 20.
Although his father’s name got erased from the Dangun Myth after committing a great sin, his legacy written in the Tiger Clan’s historical record was remarkable.
The story of Jeok Ho fighting against the enemy at the front line with Baek Ho, Hwang Ho, and Cheong Ho shook his heart.
Among those four warriors, Jeok Ho was the only one who had a descendant.
And the fact that he was the only descendent left by the myth made him excited.
‘But now I’m not the only one.’
He wasn’t a knight running on the battlefield, but there was one more mythical Tiger Clan.
It was Eun Ho.
He was a previous leader of the Tiger Clan, whose name also got erased from the Dangun Myth just because he asked God for His mercy with Jeok Ho for the Bear Clan.
And Eun Ho’s hidden descendant was revealed, meaning Shin-rok wasn’t the only descendent.
‘But still, there’s no way that I’m treated the same way as Eun Ho’s juniors since I have the blood of the Tiger Clan and the Bear Clan.’
Kim Shin-rok began to walk to the maze garden outside the gate of the mansion.
He had lots of printed documents in his arms.
He could’ve just sent those documents through a device since their security level wasn’t high but still, Hwang Ho told him to bring them in physical copies.
– Stop by my mansion today. Why? Do I need to give you a reason? Then bring budget execution documents.
He spoke as if he wanted Kim Shin-rok to visit his mansion, not the documents.
Since Kim Shin-rok couldn’t disobey the leader’s words, he arrived at his mansion on time.
‘Should I have dinner here? It’s been a while since I last came here… I should also teach the juniors a few recipes.’
When he opened the door, he saw someone who he didn’t expect to see.
It was Jeok Ho.
Jeok Ho was standing there as if he was waiting for Shin-rok.
‘…..He’s here today.’
Jeok Ho, who was usually expressionless, seemed like he was relieved to see Shin-rok.
‘I must have seen it wrong.’
Kim Shin-rok made so many troubles when he first heard that his father, the mythical hero, was still alive. Jeok Ho had to take risks to save him many times and even be punished for all the troubles that he made.
Shin-rok couldn’t erase the thought that he’s a shackle to his father.
He greeted Jeok Ho politely, thinking that he’s not qualified to be his son.
“Hello, Sir Jeok Ho.”
Hearing that, Jeok Ho’s face turned dark.
Kim Shin-rok thought that it would’ve been better if he didn’t say anything.
“Hello, Shin-rok oppa!”
“Waa, are you staying here today? Mr. Hwang Ho is coming soon, so let’s play!”
“I like how the mansion is getting crowded with more people. Mr.Jeok Ho has been staying here for the past couple of days and Olmu has been staying indoors lately too!”
‘Jeok Ho has been staying here?’
Kim Shin-rok thought about it for a moment and concluded.
‘Since he was able to collect a lot of information about Zhu Ganglie, he must be resting here as a reward. I should leave early so he can rest more comfortably.’
Kim Shin-rok left the documents on the table in the living room.
“I came here to deliver Mr. Hwang Ho’s documents. I will leave now.”
The juniors looked disappointed hearing that.
“Stay here a bit longer….”
“Yes.”
“Why are you busy every day, Shin-rok oppa? Is Mr. Hwang Ho giving you too much work?”
“I know right!”
Kim Shin-rok calmed them down and walked up to the door.
