Chapter 383: 383
This guy just popped out of nowhere and demands us to kneel down… . .
Han Su-Yeong next to me carried a dumbfounded expression, while Yu Jung-Hyeok was already reaching towards his sword . Cheok Jun-Gyeong was massaging his forehead; it seemed that he expected a situation like this already .
– My apologies, Descendant . I tried to talk him out of it, but I wasn’t successful .
True, he’d not enjoy situations like this . But, he owed <Hongik> a lot, so he probably couldn’t say no to them asking him to organise this meeting… .
– I shall leave it to your decision .
I nodded my head and looked at the Taoist hermit .
[Constellation ruling over the Peninsula’s Winds has revealed his Modifier!]
[Constellation, ‘Heavenly Wind God’, is now looking at you!]
The ‘Heavenly Wind God’ – the Constellation who founded <Hongik> alongside the Heavenly King .
His real name was ‘Pungbaek’, although most of us simply knew him as the God of Wind . (TL: One of the three gods/ministers that served Hwanung the Heavenly King, father of the ancient Korea’s founder, Dangun . Wind God/God of Wind switcheroo isn’t a typo, though – the first one’s from the raw, while the second one is the official name of the god . )
Ku-gugugugu!
The Status of the Constellation who had finally revealed his Modifier, caused strong gusts of wind that resembled the flapping wings of a giant Phoenix, to sweep past the surroundings . And then, all ambient noises disappeared .
The Reincarnators outside the wind wall were shouting something in my direction, but I couldn’t hear them . Pungbaek had cut off all the sounds coming from outside .
He probably didn’t want others to hear our conversation .
[Oh, descendant of the Peninsula, I’ve heard the tales of your bravery . As your fame spreads far and wide, the status of the Peninsula rises higher in accordance . This god sees that situation as very satisfactory . ]
I quickly sent a signal with my eyes to Yu Jung-Hyeok busy raising his momentum – telling him to hold it, let’s at least hear this guy out first .
[However, I’ve heard disturbing stories that lately, you’ve been building inappropriate relationships with foreign Constellations . ]
… . I began wondering whether I should keep listening or not, though .
[Archangels and Demon Kings are not Constellations originally from East Asia, or the Peninsula . Meaning, they are foreign influences . ]
Han Su-Yeong shot me a sneaky glare .
– Hey, you . Are you just gonna let this guy be?
– I shall cut him down .
– What the heck, is the wire crossed or something? How come I can hear Yu Jung-Hyeok’s voice?
– I combined the Midday Tryst’s space .
My declaration prompted an explosion of messages from her and Yu Jung-Hyeok .
– Hey! Stop messing around! You want me to listen to that arrogant bastard’s voice in my head, too?
– You’ve taken words out of my mouth .
I sighed softly after seeing the two growl at each other .
– Stop it, both of you . That’s not important right now, is it?
While we were squabbling inside our chatroom, Pungbaek was still continuing on with his dull moral lecture .
[… . meaning, descendant’s friendly behaviour towards foreign influences has caused much dishonour to the Peninsula, and this god considers that as a weighty crime . However, if you, the descendant, reflect deeply regarding this matter and repent, then… . . ]
Hell, a Constellation that agreed with those words even made his appearance, too .
[Constellation, ‘Founder of National Isolation Policy’, agrees in part with the assertion of ‘Heavenly Wind God’ . ]
Of course, not everyone was like that; our little peninsula boasted a surprisingly wide variety of Constellations, after all .
[Constellation, ‘Bald General of Justice’, is polishing his head . ]
[Constellation, ‘First Sorcerer of Joseon’, is clicking his tongue . ]
[Constellation, ‘Prisoner of Golden Headband’, is yawning in boredom . ]
[Portion of Korean Peninsula’s Constellations thinks the declaration by ‘Heavenly Wind God’ is old-fashioned . ]
[Who dares to hide behind anonymous Modifiers and run their mouths off?!]
As Pungbaek’s true voice rang thunderously in the air, the weather above began shifting ominously . Suppressed by that tremendous aura, several Constellations quickly shut their mouths .
Whatever the case might have been, he was an existence very close to the ancestor god of the Peninsula .
Although the individual amount received differed, Constellations of the Peninsula had indeed received benefits and favours from <Hongik>, and none could challenge them face to face as a result .
Not even Cheok Jun-Gyeong himself .
[By the way, why are you still standing up?]
Eventually, Pungbaek’s gaze landed on me . The current atmosphere shifted ever so slightly from what it was like earlier .
[Did I not tell you to kneel?]
Ginormous pressure pushed down on me . Not just me, though; it pushed down on the entire <Kim Dok-Ja’s Company> .
[Fables from Nebula <Hongik> are observing <Kim Dok-Ja’s Company>!]
It felt as if a giant ancient tree had bent down to take a look at us – a giant tree that salivated after the nutrients meant for a new-born sprout .
I quietly held that gaze for a little while, before making my reply . “I don’t want to . ”
[Indeed, you don’t… . What did you say?]
“I said, I don’t want to . ”
[Constellation, ‘Prisoner of Golden Headband’, is liking your attitude . ]
[Constellation, ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is coaxing you to start with a punch first . ]
“I came here to participate in the Great War, not to kneel to you . ”
[How boundlessly arrogant . I looked favourably at your bravery and wished to pardon your sins, but… . ]
“After you pardon me, what then?”
Pungbaek’s brows quivered at my pointed reply .
“You were thinking of absorbing <Kim Dok-Ja’s Company> through the authority of <Hongik>, were you not?”
As if his hidden plot had been accurately pointed out, emotions could be spied on that stoic Constellation’s expression now .
[It is only obvious that your group must come under the wing of <Hongik> . ]
“Why do you think that?”
[If <Hongik> did not exercise its might at the beginning, your Nebula wouldn’t have been born . ]
As if he was a parent being betrayed by his child, Pungbaek began shouting at me .
[<Hongik> is the founder of the Peninsula! We gave birth to you, we set the morality you must follow, and we created the rules . It was us who determined what you’d see, feel, and think . Because the Fable of <Hongik> exists, you exist here now, and through that Fable, you survi… . ]
“Four years ago in Earth’s time, ‘scenarios’ began on the Korean Peninsula . ” I cut Pungbaek’s words off . “When the Peninsula fell into mortal danger, what did <Hongik> do at that time?”
[… . . !!]
“When scenarios began on the Peninsula, when the [Absolute Throne] appeared, when Outer Gods and Calamities descended, and when the Peninsula’s Incarnations and Constellations had to work together because of them… . ”
Certain memories began rushing back every time I spoke a word . Scenarios, overcome by the gathering of people who had no one to rely on; the [Four Yin Demon Beheading Sword] plunging down on the blind throne and the Peninsula’s Constellations who lent their Probabilities to that weapon .
[Fable, ‘King of a Kingless World’, is glaring at ‘Heavenly Wind God’ . ]
[Fable, ‘King of a Kingless World’, has begun its storytelling!]
I didn’t do anything, yet the Fable began coming to life, anyway . ‘King of a Kingless World’ was born as the [Absolute Throne] was destroyed .
I recited the story of this Fable, and through me, this Fable spoke of itself . “During those times, where were you and the oh-so-great Constellations of <Hongik>? And what were you all doing?”
Tsu-chuchuchut!
[You bastard!]
Pungbaek glared at me as if he’d start vomiting blood at any second .
“Of course, I know that you and <Hongik> worked hard to aid the Peninsula during its infant stages . I do acknowledge the value of the Fable you people possess . Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean everyone from the Peninsula must swear loyalty to you,” I finished my speech while watching Pungbaek’s beard tremble from rage . “Everyone has their own way of clearing ‘scenarios’ . Even if you’re the Peninsula’s highest-grade Constellation, you can’t interfere with the actions of <Kim Dok-Ja’s Company> . ”
Cheok Jun-Gyeong seemed to be enjoying my daring, fearless tone of voice . It’d probably be his first time seeing Pungbaek get treated in this manner .
[You dare, you dare… . !]
In place of the rendered-speechless Pungbaek, a Fable’s forceful aura rose up from behind him .
[Great Fable of the Nebula, <Hongik>, is staring at you!]
[Nebula, <Hongik>, is extending its roots towards <Kim Dok-Ja’s Company>!]
Great Fables belonging to <Hongik> began rising up to the heavens one by one like tree branches, and eventually, formed an image of a gigantic tree . I knew what that was straight away .
⸢The tree that connects the Heavens to Earth below, as well as the totality of all the Fables that <Hongik> puts to practice; the one Fable that supports all those Fables . ⸥
⸢The Fabled Tree, Shindansu . ⸥
Every Fable of <Hongik> began with that very tree in front of my eyes . Shindansu spread its holy aura all around and extended its branches made up of Fables .
Seeing that admonition alone wasn’t doing the trick, it was now trying to show off its might, instead . What a bitter experience that was .
The truly bitter thing about this situation was, though… .
“I see that the real highest-ranked Constellations of <Hongik> did disappear . ”
[… . What do you mean by that?]
This Shindansu was so much smaller and shabbier compared to the one that I knew . Not only that, the ends of the tree’s roots extending towards us were all horrifyingly damaged . What I saw were Great Fables failing to sustain their shapes after not having absorbed nutrients for a long time; most of the branches connected to these roots had withered almost beyond recognition .
That was the total sum of what <Hongik> currently possessed .
“I speak of these words because I pity you . ”
The ‘Pungbaek’ from the original storyline that I knew was not an obstinate geezer like this guy . Sure, he wasn’t exactly the warmest guy around, but still, he was a Constellation possessing far greater class and righteousness .
However, something happened to <Hongik> and the Nebula’s influence shrunk back at a rapid pace . The reason why Pungbaek became so destitute probably had something to do with that event .
[You dare to show disdain towards this god?!]
Pungbaek roared out and roused up the powers of the wind; giant storm energy began gathering all around us . As the enormous Status suppressed the entire land, Reincarnators from ‘Kaixenix Archipelago’ began writhing around in pain .
Han Su-Yeong urged me one more time .
– Kim Dok-Ja .
I nodded my head .
Although the current appearance of <Hongik> was lamentable, at the end of the day, it had nothing to do with us .
I took a step forward, prompting Yu Jung-Hyeok next to me to unsheathe his sword, while Han Su-Yeong unfurled the bandages on her left arm . And then… .
[Great Fable, ‘Demon World’s Spring’, has begun its storytelling!]
[Great Fable, ‘Torch that Swallowed the Myth’, has begun its storytelling!]
The Great Fables that had been held back until now opened their mouths simultaneously . Not only that… .
[Great Fable, ‘Kaixenix Archipelago’, is repeating its storytelling as if it’s displeased . ]
… . Along with a Great Fable that wasn’t even one of ours, too .
Shu-weh-eh-eh-ehk!!
The roots of the giant tree flying in towards us began crumbling away from the billowing waves generated from our Fables .
[Body of the Great Fable, ‘Shindansu’, is in great pain!]
Those menacing roots extending out to swallow us whole faltered in their tracks and scattered away – as if scared by the stories it could not devour . The still-intact roots belatedly retreated, and the withered, bony branches screamed out loudly .
[Body of the Great Fable, ‘Shindansu’, refuses to heed the orders of ‘Heavenly Wind God’ . ]
[But, how… . ?]
Shindansu withdrew its roots and instantly vanished from the view .
Perhaps taken greatly by surprise from the Statuses of the Great Fables we possessed, the freaking-out Pungbaek staggered back several steps .
I sensed the Constellations scattered around the neutral zone looking in this direction after getting startled by this disturbance .
[Ba-aht!]
Biyu suddenly popped up right above my head as if she was waiting for this moment . At the same time, I sensed her channel opening up .
[A large number of Constellations have joined the channel!]
Biyu’s channel was connected to Bihyung’s broadcast channel; I could picture that Dokkaebi’s pleased face already .
It was pretty clear why he had induced this situation; although I wasn’t too happy about it, this was something that had to be done sooner or later, anyway .
[Constellation, ‘Bald General of Justice’, is paying attention to your voice!]
[Constellation, ‘Maritime War God’, is waiting for your story . ]
[Demon King, ‘Ruler of East Hell’, is staring at you . ]
[Constellation, ‘Scribe of Heaven’, is waiting for you . ]
[Constellations of ‘Good’, ‘Evil’, and ‘Neutral’ are carefully observing you . ]
Several indirect messages floated up one after the other .
I stared at Pungbaek and opened my lips to issue a warning not just aimed at <Hongik> . “I will not say that everything we do will be righteous . However, the paths we tread will be decided by us alone . ”
I declared loudly towards the Constellations of the world .
“And, no one can change our decision . ”
<Episode 73: The hottest place in Hell (2)> Fin .
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