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All the things Sanryeong did up to now came to my mind.
I first met him in Cheonik Mountain.
At the tip from Sung Gukeon, ‘On a moonless night, all hiking trails in Cheonik Mountain lead to the demon’s gate.’
(T/N: The demon’s gate “kimon” can also be translated as northeast. It is considered the direction that should be avoided.)
It was the day I investigated the mysterious story that shrouded Eungwang High.
‘Come to think of it, the story is related to terrestrial lines too.’
Although the condition of a ‘moonless night’ wasn’t met, the location of the demon’s gate can be located through a Demon’s Gate Lens.
Its location, confirmed by the lens, is consistent with the main points of the Cheonik Mountain terrestrial lines which the Pig Clan tried to cut off.
That day, other than the terrestrial line, I found a place that stood out strangely.
That’s where I encountered Sanryeong in front of the Cheondansu.
When I put my hand on the tree, as urged by Sanryeong, the skill level of Communication with Transcendent Universe increased and my Destiny skill activated.
‘The Destiny skill was induced by the communication skill.’
That wasn’t the only thing that caught my mind.
When I used the Communication with Transcendent Universe skill and went to the basement of Silver Hall to meet Eunho, Sanryeong was already there.
Sanryeong placed a branch of the Cheondansu on Eunho’s body before running away.
‘And the fact that he has the power to communicate with the skies..’
No matter how much I think about it, the “sky” that he refers to sounds like the transcendent universe.
Come to think of it, the rarity of the skill isn’t Ex-rank but UR-rank.
That means some other people in this world have it too.
I thought of information available in PMH, but I gave it up quickly.
‘…Sanryeong never appeared in PMH.’
No matter how powerful of a spirit Sanryeong is, he’d never have received aura from Cheonik Mountain in PMH.
The mountain’s terrestrial lines were cut off in the game, Shinsoo was lost, and the trees of the mountain dried out while the land rotted.
“Are you talking about Jo Euishin?”
Sanryeong was directly looking at me when he said those words, but Hwang Jiho still asked to confirm.
Sanryeong nodded vigorously, his face filled with disappointment and a feeling that he was being treated unfairly.
“Yeah, I do my best to help him, but that guy doesn’t help me.”
What is he talking about?
He sounded like a child complaining.
I remember Sanryeong signaling to me for help whenever he was being scolded by the tigers, but the reason for that is mostly self-inflicted.
Even if I help him, he’d still be scolded once I’m gone.
‘Well, I did ignore him openly a few times.’
I thought of appropriate words to soothe him, but Bakeho-gun beat me to speak.
“Don’t ask Jo Euishin for such a thing.”
His words didn’t seem to be enveloped with energy waves, but it was as if the air around Sanryeong became colder.
Sanryeong’s body hardened as if Baekho-gun’s words froze him.
My main playable character has been so considerate of him!
Although he had received a lot of help from Baekho-gun, Sanryeong gave Baekho-gun a hard time.
“It’s just as Baekho said. I don’t think you helped Jo Euishin, but if you did, it’s not good to ask for something in return.”
“You are the Tiger Clan’s Cheonik’s mountain spirit. Please don’t forget that.”
Hwang Jiho and Eunho said so.
Everyone sounded like they were talking to a child.
We don’t know what kind of existence Sanryeong really is, but if he was given life from Cheonik Mountain’s terrestrial lines, it’s clear that Sanryeong’s sense of self had just emerged.
‘In that case, his age would be very young among mountain spirits.’
Sanryeong nodded half-heartedly at the words of the tigers, though their words probably entered through one ear and exited the other.
The tigers changed the subject of the conversation even though they knew that Sanryeong hadn’t reflected properly.
I guess they think it’s no use talking to him further today.
“Okay, then let’s hear about this sky you speak of. How do you communicate with it?”
Pleased that he wasn’t getting nagged anymore, Sanryeong replied immediately.
Sanryeong explained how he communicates with the transcendent universe.
His explanation was clumsy and crude, but it was similar to the skill that I use.
“That guy probably has the same power? I saw him use it.”
His words turned everyone’s attention back to me.
I knew he’d say that because I have used the skill in front of him before.
Knowing that it was useless to make excuses, I decided to confess.
Even if Sanryeong didn’t say it, Hwang Jiho would’ve noticed it anyway.
“I think it’s the same skill.”
The tigers weren’t agitated, perhaps they’d already guessed it.
On the other hand, Cheon Dongha looked surprised.
Suffice to say, it’s a surprising thing to hear that your hoobae has the same skill as the Cheonik Mountain’s spirit.
Eunho asked me a question instead of throwing another one to Sanryeong who couldn’t explain it properly.
“So that power is a skill. Sanryeong uses it with his hands on the Cheondansu, so is it impossible to use the skill without the tree?”
Oh, that’s incorrect.
Cheondansu catalyzes communication and increases the time I can use it, but the skill is usable even without it.
I used it in the poor neighborhood that I lived in before I entered Eungwang High, so I’m sure of it.
I was choosing what words to say when Sanryeong answered first.
“No. But with it, it puts less pain on the body so it’s useful.”
“…You feel less pain?”
Hwang Jiho responded to the damned words that Sanryeong said.
More than the specifics of the skill activation, Hwang Jiho seemed more concerned that it puts strain on the body.
“As much as Sanryeong’s true identity is uncertain, souls in this world are less affected by worldly things. But the skill is enough to put Sanryeong in pain?”
If you use it for a long time, it does put a burden on your body.
But why didn’t these tigers suspect first that Sanryeong is just exaggerating?
Sanryeong’s useless statement made the tigers’ worries increase.
I was the one that Eunho asked, and his question was only regarding the tree and its relation to the communication skill.
Eunho put down his teacup silently and asked Hwang Jiho.
“Does Euishin hyung use that skill often?”
…Why ask Hwang Jiho when I’m right here?
Did he think I wouldn’t give a proper answer?
While I counted the number of times I used the skill in front of Hwang Jiho, he replied.
“A few times. He could’ve used it without me knowing too.”
“Looking at Euishin hyung’s face, it seems like so.”
“Jo Euishin…”
I thought I’d be scolded just like Sanryeong was, but the tigers fell silent.
The silence stung.
It felt like my tea has gone cold by the time Eunho spoke again.
“…We can’t change what already happened. I will have to be careful from now on.”
“That’s right. I’ll take caution too.”
The skill is only available to Sanryeong and me, so I don’t know what the tigers meant by that.
I think I should be the one who should be more careful.
“Then let me ask you another question.”
Eunho said as poured fresh tea into my cup.
As the scent of the warm tea spread, I felt like the atmosphere became lighter as well.
“What is this sky that Sanryeong talks about?”
Sanryeong used that word when he answered Eunho’s original question, but no one else seemed to have paid attention to it.
Everyone waited for my answer.
Eunho must’ve recognized what it is already.
“The name of the skill I use is Communication with Transcendent Universe.”
“…Transcendent Universe. Then that’s the thing I went into contact with before I opened my eyes.”
“It’s the first time I’ve heard of that.”
We discussed what the “Transcendent Universe” is.
But even after combining what Eunho experienced, what Sanryeong felt, and what I knew, we couldn’t find an answer to what it is.
In the end, couldn’t figure out what the transcendent universe is.
And that was the only thing left unknown.
‘What in the world is Sanryeong?’
Sanryeong is not a natural being spawned from Cheonik Mountain.
He’s a powerful spirit that remained in the mountain that became a mountain spirit after receiving the mountain’s aura.
Hwang Jiho and Eunho gave several hypotheses, but nothing sure came out.
‘Still, we have a clue.’
The transcendent universe surely knows.
Just like when I asked about Shinin (Son of God) and Cheongho’s identities, if we collect more clues, maybe the transcendent universe will answer.
No, considering what Sanryeong said, I guess there’s a better method.
“When I use the communication skill, the transcendent universe usually gives me two types of answers.”
“Two?”
“Affirmative or negative, and a location.”
My mind and vision turn blue, or I get a vision of a location being pointed to by a light.
So far, the transcendent universe gives me those types of answers.
However, it seemed different for Sanryeong.”
“Sanryeong, you said you were told by the transcendent universe that I’d help you if you help me. You probably get more specific answers from the transcendent universe than what I get then.”
“…Yeah, perhaps?”
Sanryeong blurted out at the end of my sentence.
Hwang Jiho asked him.
“What do you mean perhaps.”
“It talks to me before, but these days, my vision just turns red or blue. It means yes or no, I think.”
Then it’s just the same as mine?
Did Sanryeong’s communication level drop?
Hwang Jiho looked lost in thought before speaking again.
“Then you’ll have to ask as many questions as you can from now on. We’ll prepare about a thousand yes or no questions and…”
“Ah, no, I don’t wanna!”
Sanryeong jumped at Hwang Jiho’s words.
Hwang Jiho was somehow radical, but maybe we’d get Sanryeong’s identity if we ask about twenty questions.
“Just one or two questions make me sick and weak now.”
Sanryeong trembled.
He was terrified that he might disappear.
I can feel a little bit of a bluff, but he didn’t seem to be lying.
‘Maybe Sanryeong’s visibility and his communication skill have a connection.’
Sanryeong became able to communicate with us because he has a substance now, but it seems like his communication with the transcendent universe became limited in return.
I talked more with Sanryeong about the transcendent universe, but in the end, I haven’t found a solution.
In other words, I have one more thing to resolve.
It was well past lunchtime by the time we finished talking.
“Let’s have lunch.”
Hearing that, the sense of hunger came belatedly.
Hwang Jiho stood up and spoke to Cheon Dongha.
“Let’s have lunch together. Yours truly will prepare our food.”
“Oh… Should I help too?”
“Hahaha! You don’t have to. Just wait here.”
I guess he’s going to cook for Cheon Dongha too.
He was reluctant to be fed by the tigers, a stark difference from the barbarian class of Woo Kihwan.
By the way, will the descendents in the main house be able to eat properly?
I guess they could just order food from the automated maid.
“Don’t worry. Hwang Yuho will make them lunch.”
As if he read my mind and knew what I was concerned about, Hwang Jiho spoke.
But I wasn’t relieved.
Hwang Yuho is the elementary school student version of Hwang Jiho, and it will be hard for a young kid to cook.
Even the youngest Eun Jaeho has to step on a stool when the descendants try to cook, so wouldn’t it be better if I went to the house and helped them?
The thought brought me back to my senses.
“…How can I compare Eun Jaeho to this old man…?!’
No matter how young Hwang Yuho looks, he’s still Hwang Jiho.
I decided to turn my attention to something else.
Dingdong.
Just in time, a message arrived on my device.
[Prankster] I think the value of my gift will decrease if we keep it waiting, so I want to see you this evening.
[Prankster] See you later.
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