There are several kinds of myths.
The founding myth that explains the origin of the country, the myth of the birth of the founder.
Mythology of heroes that depicts their birth, growth, and achievements.
Myths that explain the origin of natural objects and cultural phenomena.
People have tried to explain why the sky and the earth are divided, why there is a sun and a moon in the sky, and how humanity has begun to emerge.
Among the myths that try to explain these things, the most common was the Changse Myth which explains how the universe and the world were created.
There have also been countless other myths that say that the Korean Peninsula was born from the imaginations of ancient people.
The most prominent one was something called the Genesis.
The Genesis explains how the earth and heaven are separated. It talks about a Mireuk, the one said to be the creator of the sun, moon, and the stars, asking a wise mouse about the origin of fire and water.
And the wise mouse said to him…
— You are curious about the basics of fire and water? Shall I tell you?
Mireuk replied to the wise mouse’s words.
— I will offer you anything in this world.
In response to Mireuk’s proposal, the wise mouse told him about the basics of fire and water, in Geumdung Mountain and Soha Mountain.
Later on, when the Genesis became widely known to the people, the wise mouse was given life as part of royal lineage and became the head of the Rat Clan.
The wise mouse had been living for a long time, listening to people at night. The mouse had been living in the human world, calling itself a Prankster.
The Prankster is an extreme human hymnist and loved the potential of imperfect humans and the dramatic stories that they have.
The rat had been going around, giving orders to humans and at the same time listening to their humane stories with his big bright ears.
One of the forms of expression of human thought and emotion that the Prankster was interested in recently is ‘fashion’.
The Prankster also dives into the field of art.
And as a result…
“Leader, the owner’s son is here.”
“Send him in.”
At the Korean Headquarters of ‘Neuru’, one of the world’s top five high-end luxury fashion brands.
The Prankster was here through the power of his designs.
He was known here as Seodol, a famous freelance designer. He was appointed as the exclusive chief designer of Neuru this year.
“Prankster hyung! I heard you stopped by at your office!”
When the door opened, Wang Chansol appeared with a cheerful smile.
Wang Chansol, he famous student at Korea’s most prestigious high school, was one of the candidates to receive his order.
Seodol was currently being careful of the ‘Eye’ that is watching over Eungwang High. He had reduced his workload to keep up with other things, but he’s still a bit behind.
Although he was behind in his work, he couldn’t just neglect Wang Chansol. The kid had lived an odd life even though he was born with wealth and talent.
Seodol smiled and greeted Wang Chansol.
“What’s the matter?”
“I have a favor to ask of you…”
Seodol’s heart began to race in excitement upon hearing Wang Chansol’s words.
Up until now, all the requests that Wang Chansol had asked for have been interesting.
Wang Chansol had asked him for advice in overcoming the battle royale between the Year 2 Class Zero students, and he requested for a suit to be specially designed for one of Seodol’s favorite person, Hong Gyubin.
Seodol nodded after hearing Wang Chansol’s explanation.
“You want to find out the newspaper department’s plans for the overseas coverage, but instead you want some recon because of that ‘Crazy Hwang’ from Year 1 Class Zero?”
“Yep! I’ve never seen such a tough guy to deal with. During a match of tag before, he used one hand to deal with both me and Geumchan. And he was smiling and laughing all throughout!”
Wang Chansol briefly shared some information about Hwang Jiho.
Seodol listened carefully to his words.
‘It’s not easy to deal with the two Chansol with just one hand. Hwang Jiho? A crazy guy in Year 1 Class Zero? He said that Hwang Jiho was a relative of Hwangmyeong’s Chairman. So that means…’
The Hwang family of the Hwangmyeong Group consists mostly of the Yellow Tiger’s closest aides and his alter ego. Humans were not part of the group.
There was a possibility that the Chairman adopted a very talented child, but Seodol’s instincts tell him otherwise.
‘Is this related to the Yellow Tiger suddenly becoming motivated and active this year? It was after March that he became active. It coincides with the start of the school semester in Korea, and the admission period of the freshman Hwang Jiho.’
While Seodol was lost in thought, Wang Chansol spoke again after floating several holograms.
“I asked Geum Chan to secure the Icarus East Wing! Ah, this is the picture of the crazy guy, be careful of him. This junior student too! His track record is not normal either.”
Wang Chansol showed pictures of Hwang Jiho and Jo Euishin.
Seeing the two pictures, Seodol suddenly had his eyes wide open.
They were the two people that Seodol was interested in.
‘The Yellow Tiger! The Nameless Supernova!”
When Seodol began to laugh gently, Wang Chansol looked satisfied.
“Alright. Can you tell me a fun story in exchange?”
Wang Chansol was satisfied that his proposal worked out, and he told the story that he had prepared in return.
“Then let’s talk about Geum Chansol when he was in elementary! When Geum Chansol was crooked, he met the king of defeat that defeated all the elementary schools around Eungwang. He met him at a certain back alley and…”
Seodol listened to the story of Geum Chansol and the unknown king of defeat.
Perhaps as thanks to the pleasant plans and the interesting stories, his head was already full of designs and inspiration for the collection to be released next spring.
‘Since it’s been a while, should I send some new clothes to them?’
Seodol loved to give clothes to the people that he gave order to, especially clothes that he designed himself.
Although Kwon Jein is said to take good care of her team members, but his concern was on the person who has no one taking care of him.
In the case of Hong Gyubin, he always has to remind him to keep himself in shape and always dress well.
But despite Seodol’s persistence, the man was truly hard-headed.
‘How many new pieces can I make after finishing what Wang Chansol has asked for? If I go there myself, I guess everyone would be surprised and annoyed, right?’
Seodol smiled at the thought of surprising the humans that he gave the order to.
And the result of putting that idea into action is…
Hong Gyubin, who was about to leave the country in the middle of the night, was caught red-handed.
“Where are you off to at this hour?”
Seodol approached Hong Gyubin, who was already holding his ticket, with a big smile.
The destination indicated in the ticket; Chengdu City.
It was the destination of the newspaper department, a fact that he confirmed by hanging from the outer wall of the East Wing of Icarus.
“Oho, that’s where the newspaper department of Eungwang High is right now.”
‘The Yellow Tiger, the Nameless Supernova, the GeumChanWangChan Duo, and Hong Gyubin… they’re all going to be at the same place…!’
Seodol didn’t miss a beat in saying what he wanted to say.
“I’m coming with you.”
* * *
Most of the people standing in the hotel lobby looked serious.
Wang Chansol was the first one to break the silence.
“Prankster hyung! … You brought that pathetic and clingy student with you?”
This wasn’t the first time that Jiho met this Prankster guy.
The first time was at Neuru’s VIP store, which was visited by Joo Soohyuk and Maeng Hyodon using the reservation ticket given by Wang Chansol.
The second time was when a cake buffet stopped by at the Hwangmyeong Tower after the chess tournament.
“No, I was the one who followed Gyubin-nim.”
“Oh my.”
“Wait a second, why are you using honorifics?”
When Seodol replied with nothing but a gentle smile, the GeumChanWangChan duo hated it even more.
They must be fully aware now of why the Neuru’s chief designer and head of the Rat Clan speaks uses honorifics with Hong Gyubin.
“Hello there, Professor Jegal. I am Hong Gyubin, team leader of PR Team 1 of the Players’ Association Korea.”
Meanwhile, Hong Gyubin ironically introduced himself to Jegal.
Even after that incident, it must be a ritual now for the two of them to do that every time they meet.
“I know. What’s going on here? I was just about to go out with my students.”
Jegal drew the line with a stern expression.
He was openly expressing that he had no intention of spending time with Hong Gyubin, but Gyubin didn’t give in to Jegal’s attitude.
“What a coincidence! I happen to have something that I want to consult with you, Professor Jegal.”
The faces of the Class Zero seniors all showed disgust the moment they heard the word ‘coincidence’.
To think that it was the same excuse that they made when they interrupted our trip…
“O-oohhh what?!”
“What? What do you mean coincidence?”
“Just because we’re in a different country doesn’t mean you can spout your lies!”
“Do you even know what ‘coincidence’ means? Do you not know how to speak Korean?!”
What a sight.
While the Class Zero seniors were protesting, Hong Gyubin smiled brightly and showed a hologram to Jegal.
I don’t know if the contents of the hologram were related to Mok Wooram, but I saw Jegal’s face suddenly become filled with anxiousness.
“…Where is this student now?”
“He’s under our protection. As you may know, the Chinese Players’ Association can’t just use force against their own public security. I tried to resolve it on my own, but we need another player to confirm and guarantee this student’s identity.”
“Should I go?”
“Yes. You’re also well known in China, Professor Jegal. Your position as a teacher at Eungwang High will also help.”
Upon sensing that Jegal was about to leave with Hong Gyubin, the Class Zero seniors quickly stuck to the professor’s side.
“Stop right there! We don’t know where you’re going, but we’re coming with you!”
“I heard you need some players to guarantee the identity of someone? We’re players too you know!”
“There’s a lot of us here!”
“I’m sure the more players there are, the better it is for the situation! I think a student from our school is involved, so we’re starting to get worried as well.”
I’m not sure if they meant what they were saying, but either way, they’re trying to help with the situation.
Jegal gave his answer after thinking for a few moments.
“…Don’t cause any trouble there.”
“Of course!”
“We won’t!”
Hong Gyubin silently hated it, while the Class Zero seniors gave a sly and teasing smile to him.
While Jegal’s students were continuing their silent fight, Jegal sincerely handled the situation.
Hwang Jiho and I decided to stay back at the hotel.
Jegal addressed us with some regret.
“Looks like the Year 1 students should stay behind. Sorry guys. Call me right away if anything happens.”
“Yes. I’m sure the other seniors will wake up soon so you don’t need to worry much.”
After Hong Gyubin, Jegal, and the Year 2 Seniors left for the association.
The lobby quickly became quiet.
The Prankster walked toward me in the quiet lobby.
“Hello? I am the Cunning Rat, head of Rat Clan. I’m also the chief designer at Neuru.”
The Prankster, who wore a fisherman’s lapel jacket with colorful designs, gave me his business card.
On the business card, the name Seodol was beautifully written in both Korean and English.
When I accepted the business card, Seodol spoke once again.
“I know you as the Nameless Supernova from the entrance examination incident at Eungwang High. I enjoyed your show of skill then. Your record after the admissions was also impressive. I can’t believe you already have that kind of track record as a freshman in high school! Oh but considering your background, the most surprising thing was that you won the chess tournament!”
Seodol spoke in a friendly voice with such an excited-looking face.
‘Ah… this is a bit uncomfortable…’
The continuous praise itself was unpleasant to hear, but it felt more uncomfortable that it’s the Prankster, head of the Rat Clan who is saying all these things to me.
After speaking so enthusiastically, Seodol suddenly brought up something with a cautious voice.
“Ah, right. What I meant to ask you, Jo Euishin. I was thinking, uhm, maybe you would like to receive an order from…”
“Get lost.”
Hwang Jiho cut off Seodol’s words before he could even finish speaking.
