Chapter 442: What must be hidden (6)

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“Baekho-nim, welcome.”

“Good work. It took a bit long just as expected.”

It seems like the tigers knew that Baekho-gun was out to catch Sanryeong.

The sulking Sanryeong had a shocked reaction when he sensed that the tigers around him increased.

He pretended to lose consciousness and tried to escape from Baekho-gun’s grasp when he saw a gap.

I don’t know why my main playable character struggled to contain Sanryeong.

It was unlike him to make such a loppy mistake.

Whoosh!

Sanryeong discovered my presence after Hwang Jiho and Eunho.

When he saw me, his face became noticeably bright.

He suddenly stared at me as he rubbed his hands together.

Is he asking me to help him?

Though something else was on my mind.

‘I can see Sanryeong without using a glare skill now.’

Being close to a lump of gas, I had to use a glare skill at first to properly see Sanryeong.

Now, I can distinguish his movements and his expressions just by concentrating.

Maybe it’s because of Baekho-gun’s intensive training program for Sanryeong.

I felt for Baekho-gun having to work so hard, but I felt proud of how strong the mythical Tiger Clan is.

“There’s something in that guy’s hand.”

Cheon Dongha must’ve seen Sanryeong too using his World of Eyes.

Although Sanryeong’s presence is more prominent now than before, I can’t discredit how sharp Cheon Dongha’s eyes are.

As my thoughts formed of praises for Baekho-gun and Cheon Dongha, a small voice came out around Baekho-gun’s grasp.

“…You're so mean.”

Sanryeong spoke.

He was looking at me while he said it and I don’t know what he meant, but I was amazed that he spoke.

Of course, after hearing his words, I didn’t feel like helping him.

‘This guy saw me wearing a hanbok and taking pictures last time so he’s one to talk about who’s mean.’

I drank the decaffeinated mixed coffee that Eunho served me while the tigers whispered to each other.

“He’s clinging onto Jo Euishin. Though Jo Euishin is relentless.”

“Euishin hyung is a wise man who knows how to distinguish public and private matters, that’s why.”

Isn’t that just common sense?

Eunho might’ve just said those words, but his compliment made me feel shy.

“He’s gained this much aura to be visible, it’s not strange to hear him talk.”

“It seems a little late though. Is it because Sanryeong has been slacking off?”

Hwang Jiho, being a victim of all kinds of mischief committed by Sanryeong, made acrimonious remarks.

This old man said I’m rather relentless, but he’s on another level.

Sanryeong looked used to Hwang Jiho’s antics, but the old man looked at me and rattled further.

“…Are you really the mountain spirit of Cheonik Mountain?”

Eunho, who was closely observing Sanryeong, asked him.

I don’t know much about beings like mountain spirits, but does he look different from the perspective of the tigers?

‘No, if there’s something wrong with Sanryeong, all the tigers would’ve known.’

After all, the mythical and legendary tigers allowed Sanryeong to stay in the mansion and play with Eunho’s descendants.

I’m sure that’s really the Cheonik mountain spirit.

As I thought, Hwang Jiho confirmed it.

“This lesser mountain spirit received the spirit of Tiger Clan’s sacred Cheonik Mountain. I can’t believe it too, but it’s sadly so.”

Hwang Jiho sounded legitimately disappointed.

Well, Sanryeong took Eunho’s descendants to trick him using a dead body, so it would be more strange if Hwang Jiho were pleased with him.

Eunho asked again as if his doubts were still unsettled.

“Hwangho-nim and Baekho hyungnim found Sanryeong in Cheonik Mountain, right?”

“Yes, it’s certain that Sanryeong is the aura of Cheonik Mountain. Yours truly guarantees it.”

Eunho’s face was gentle, but his eyes looking at Sanryeong seemed unusual.

I remember a similar expression that Cheon Sungheon makes, and whenever that expression comes out, his insights are usually correct.

Eunho talked to Baekho-gun.

“Baekho hyungnim, can you put Sanryeong on the sofa?”

“I’m worried that he’ll escape.”

Baekho-gun replied with a cool voice.

Sanryeong, who was held by Baekho-gun, noticeably flinched.

It seems like he knows himself that he did something wrong.

Eunho prepared quice tea for Baekho-gun and Sanryeong.

“Hwangho-nim and Baekho hyungnim are here so it’s impossible for him to escape. You just didn’t follow him the last time in Silver Hall’s basement because you were worried about me.”

“Well, if he runs away again this time, this body will personally capture Sanryeong.”

The old man, who had been leaving up Sanryeong’s education to Baekho-gun all this time, spoke proudly.

It would’ve been all easier on everyone if he’d helped earlier.

I guess it can’t be helped since Hwang Jiho has a lot of things to do.

I understood him, but I still felt irked knowing how hard Baekho-gun had to work.

Eunho put down two cups of quince tea on the table and spoke.

“If I treat him with courtesy, I believe Sanryeong will do the same. That’s the way it should be if he really received Cheonik Mountain’s aura.”

Eunho spoke softly, but the hidden meaning between his words weren’t soft at all.

He means that if Sanryeong were to misbehave here, he would not be recognized as Cheonik Mountain’s spirit.

That would mean Sanryeong is not the spirit of the tigers’ sacred mountain, nor a guest, nor has any business staying in the tigers’ mansion.

Sanryeong was no fool as he nodded vigorously.

“…Hmm.”

Cheon Dongha looked deep in thought.

As he held the cup of coffee given by Eunho, he seemed to be thinking ‘Should I be staying here?’

‘Eunho is a family to the tigers, and Cheon Dongha is treating Eunho like his own brother too. Hwang Jiho and Baekho-gun has to recognize him too.’

The tigers won’t be hiding their identity in front of Cheon Dongha and will be treating him naturally.

To put it in another way, it’s like the tigers and Cheon Dongha are distant relatives.

Cheon Dongha’s position is more complicated than mine.

Sanryeong visibly lost a little bit of his sulking so Eunho spoke again.

“In the era of myths, mountain streams on the Korean Peninsula were overflowing with mountain spirits and heavenly spirits. Unlike now. Do you know why?”

“Those who become powerful become mountain god spirits, become superior beings, and then ascend to the skies. This land has become increasingly distant from the gods’ powers.”

“That’s right. Despite that, a mountain that has strong mythical intellect continues to have mountain spirits. However, it will be hard for that to happen for Cheonik Mountain.”

Eunho floated a hologram.

It was something I was familiar with.

It was a satellite photo showing the location of the terrestrial stratum that crosses Cheonik Mountain, the one that the Pig Clan cut off.

The location reminded me of a PMH prequest ‘Fight The Wild Boar Who Invaded the Dormitory’

‘No one did that prequest since the rewards weren’t worth it. The quest start position changed every time I played it so I had to record it.’

Since the boundary of Eungwang High can’t prevent wild animals from coming in, Cheonik Mountain suffered from the attack of wild boars.

The Jiikhoe was set to deal with it, but then Choi Pyeondeuk was appointed as their adviser.

In the end, the wild boars weren’t properly eradicated.

The PMH situation is very different from this world now, but that was only after I came to this world.

“The terrestrial stratum of Cheonik Mountain has been cut off for a long time now. That weakened the mythical intellect of the mountain. If we hadn’t found Shinsoo, he would’ve died in human hands.”

Since Eunho played PMH, he must know about the story of Cotton Wool.

The mere mention of it made my heart break.

It’s fortunate that Baekho-gun rescued Olmu.

While I was relieved that the angel is now safe and alive, Hwang Jiho spoke.

“The work to restore it began in March. Isn’t it possible for a mountain spirit to emerge from that time.”

“It’s difficult to have a mountain spirit strong enough to become a superior being in that short period of time. Though maybe a legendary feat like that would be possible at Cheonik Mountain.’

Just like the day when we discovered the secrets of Imoogi’s Exorcism, Eunho displays far more superior knowledge of terrestrial lines than Hwang Jiho.

Hearing Eunho’s explanation, Hwang Jiho nodded.

“In the meantime, there was no incident at the Cheonik Mountain that points that feat. We’ve been on high alert since the works began. There were a few students who came to the mountain to play pranks, but that’s the extent of it.”

A few people came to mind.

Bang Yoonseob who comes to the mountain to smoke, and Woo Kihwan and the Class 3-0 who chase after the universe’s energy.

Certainly those guys are far from it.

“The terrestrial lines of the Cheonik Mountain has survived, but it’s not complete yet. It’s strange that a mountain spirit would be able to live there.”

Eunho’s words continued.

“It’s unlikely that he is a being naturally spawned from Cheonik Mountain. I think you are someone who died on the Cheonik Mountain a long time ago.”

“Doesn’t one usually go through the cycle of reincarnation or disappear when one dies? Is it possible for someone to remain in this land and become a mountain spirit?”

“Yes, I’ve heard of it from Toyeon-nim. A very rare but powerful soul is said to have the ability to go beyond the rules of reincarnation.”

The moment Ok Toyeon’s name left Eunho’s lips, a hint of sorrow was seen on his face.

I remember hearing Ok Toyeon say she wishes Eunho would return, so the two must’ve been very close before.

On the other hand, Hwang Jiho couldn’t hide his irritation at the mention of the rabbit’s name.

He hates Ok Toyeon, but I guess he trusts her knowledge of reincarnations.

‘But does that mean Sanryeong is a powerful soul?’

Surely an ordinary soul could make the Tiger Clan believe he was something else, but looking at Sanryeong again, I can’t believe it.

“There are countless beings who have died in Cheonik Mountain. The mountain went through several wars, including attacks from foreign enemies. Allies, enemies, irrelevant existences… The pool is too wide.”

Hwang Jiho looked like his head was aching.

Eunho looked straight at Sanryeong.

“You are not a naturally occurring mountain spirit. I think you died at the Cheonik Mountain, but instead of crossing to the cycle of reincarnation, you stayed in this land and received the aura of the mountain.”

Eunho asked once more.

“Who are you?”

Everyone held their breath, and Sanryeong hesitated for a bit.

“…I don’t remember.”

Sanryeong spoke in a thin, trembling voice, not used to using words to speak.

He coughed a few times and sipped quince tea to clear his voice.

“When I came to my senses, I was in Cheonik Mountain… I don’t know about reincarnation or about my death.”

Sanryeong briefly explained what he experienced when he opened his eyes at Cheonik Mountain.

It seems that it took quite a while before he gained a sense of self.

After his explanation, Sanryeong looked at me.

“Then I realized the power that I had. The ability to communicate with something in the sky. And… the skies said something to me.”

And then, Sanryeong said something I never would’ve imagined.

“That if I helped that guy, he will help me in return.”

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