Chapter 35

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Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 34

Chapter Title: Selling Talismans

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Sul Yeo-gwan's first-floor paper craft exhibition hall was basically a sorcery wiki to me, with my skill excelling at analysis.

Just observing the works on display throughout the hall let me grasp the spirit mediums' insight, the onmyoji's harmony, and the sorcerers' profundity.

'If I apply this well...'

It'd be useful in all sorts of ways.

Just like the secrets of Seal, Bind, and Release I'd acquired through the Nameless Registry, if I digested this properly, I could quickly replicate the simpler techniques.

In the end, it was all in the realm of sorcery and spells, so no need for faith or proving belief—I figured I could cheat my way into mimicking them.

Notifications popped up one after another, and my understanding of the 'Dragon Ascent' sorcery inscribed on the Blue Dragon paper craft hanging from the exhibition hall ceiling skyrocketed.

'A wind-element sorcery using qi.'

A spell of fierce gales strong enough to send even a dead dragon back to the heavens.

It was a banishment technique that instantly blew enemies off the battlefield, a powerful area-of-effect move that could outright erase lesser anomalies.

A high-difficulty technique that even among Taoists required strong command over wind energy to cast, but observing the Blue Dragon paper artwork revealed its weaknesses naturally.

'Too bad, I can't replicate this one. This is where the Fixer's limits show.'

From examining various artworks, I'd realized some techniques I could mimic, others not.

Deciphering a work through skills and reading the embedded sorcery didn't mean I could copy-ninja the spells outright.

The reason for the difference was simple: I couldn't properly handle wind energy.

No way someone who couldn't manage basic Five Elements could replicate wind sorcery.

The Fixer class was a normal type with no assigned element or particular affinities, making attribute-heavy techniques like 'Dragon Ascent' tricky to use.

Of course, that didn't mean it was pointless.

I couldn't replicate it, but understanding the sorcery and spotting its flaws let me figure out how to counter Dragon Ascent. That alone was a huge gain.

'If only I had a bit more time, I could've examined the works more closely.'

Unfortunately, my time was up. The academic conference was about to start, so I needed to head to the venue.

Who would've thought the exhibition would be more appealing than the conference itself? If it ended early, maybe I could circle back.

"Huh? What's this?"

As I moved toward the venue hoping the conference would wrap up quickly, some woman blocked our path.

A woman in a green jeogori with her face covered in red cloth angrily scolded us for being noisy in a place where we should be quiet.

She seemed genuinely unhinged, so I listened, but her words grew cruder, calling people trash and vermin.

I snapped and called her "auntie," which hit a nerve—she flew into a real rage and unleashed sorcery at Yu-ha.

I lost it because she targeted Yu-ha specifically, not me.

Picking on someone who clearly looked weak? No honor, no shame.

"Gah... Kek...!"

A shaman not affiliated with the Lunar Blossom Sect. That's why she didn't recognize Yu-ha?

Even with the old hag mask, any Lunar Blossom Sect shaman would've clocked her as Master Mun Seon-woo's adopted daughter on sight.

'Touching sorcery as a shaman, and losing her divine power means she lost her guardian spirit too.'

I'd wondered where her guardian spirit was, but it'd already left her body.

Losing her guardian spirit stripped her divine power and spiritual strength?

Why pick a fight with us out of nowhere?

With skills like that, what gave her the confidence?

"Pl-please..."

At her plea for mercy, I released my grip on Oh Se-eun's throat.

She'd erased her shadow in 3 seconds on my command, so no killing, but she needed punishment to never crawl back.

True to her sorcery-handling nature, she might hold grudges, so better break her spirit completely.

"Sp-spare me! My lord! Please, just my life..."

Before I could decide how to handle her, Oh Se-eun dropped to her knees, crawling on the floor, rubbing her hands desperately.

How pathetically she groveled.

If that's how she'd act, why start trouble in the first place?

"I-I didn't recognize you, sir. So bold... so ignorant... Just once. Please, just once..."

As I stared down at the begging, crying shaman, Yu-ha tugged my sleeve.

Her voice sounded pitying.

"Um, mister..."

"What's up, O-ryeong?"

"Don't kill her."

Looking up at me shaking her head, my grip naturally loosened.

Couldn't beat someone pleading for life in front of the kid.

Besides, Yu-ha had reasons for asking to spare her.

"Looks like she lost her guardian spirit and fell into divine loss syndrome..."

"Divine loss syndrome? What's that?"

"Well... It's like a mental illness shamans get when they lose their lifelong guardian spirit. Think of it as shamans' depression. Kinda like... menopause? Similar to that. Grief from the loss... made her a bit off."

So, she'd lost her guardian spirit and hit shaman menopause?

Menopause does twist personalities. Adult puberty, they call it.

That explained her weird behavior somewhat.

Losing a lifelong guardian spirit? Enough to drive anyone mad.

No wonder the White-Faced Bride hadn't reacted strongly.

Normally, she'd rush to kill anyone mouthing off to me, but she'd sensed Oh Se-eun's state from the ring.

Sowol was an aggregate of grudge spirits who'd met death before their weddings. From her perspective, Oh Se-eun was a fellow soul driven mad by losing her partner—worthy of pity.

"Hey. Oh Se-eun."

"Eek... H-how do you know my name..."

"I see everything."

"Hic..."

The shaman could only tremble in terror now, too scared to even cry.

I hadn't planned to kill her anyway. Thought about roughing her up to humble her, but she looked broken enough.

Hierarchy clearly established.

"Don't act so reckless without a guardian spirit. You'll end up dead for real."

"Y-yes, I'll remember. I'll remember..."

For shamans, compatibility with their guardian spirit is crucial.

Without one, relying on personal power and acting out like this? Dead any second.

Or maybe deep down, Oh Se-eun wanted to die living so recklessly.

Her begging now? Just scared when death loomed for real.

Humans crave death until it stares them down, then terror kicks in.

Whatever her inner thoughts, she was a pitiful soul with divine loss syndrome—a mental illness. Advice would suffice.

"Let's go in, O-ryeong."

"Okay, mister."

We passed Oh Se-eun, still glued to the spot, and entered the venue.

She never returned to the venue, turning tail for home instead.

"Lots of people. All big shots."

"Yeah."

Inside the venue, shamans, spirit mediums, onmyoji, and sorcerers gathered in groups, chattering.

Wall-lined figures in similar attire with stark white masks stood motionless like decorations, watching the room.

"Who are those?"

"Dunno. Me neither."

Yu-ha, like me, was a first-timer, clueless about the wall-liners.

What were they? White-masked, felt like ability users, but their auras were faint compared to the roaming crowd.

"Hmm? Where's Madam Osa? New faces instead."

As Yu-ha and I scanned the venue, a massive bear-like man approached me.

A seriously strong guy.

Worlds apart from Oh Se-eun, who'd blindly charged based on past glory.

'Around Master Mun Seon-woo's level.'

Strongest I'd met since entering this world was Master Mun Seon-woo; this uncle seemed his equal.

Mountain guardian—likely battle-hardened against all sorts.

"Good to see young blood at this conference. Call me Mountain Lord."

"Nice to meet you, Mountain Lord. I'm Do-gyeol."

Shortened Lee Do-hyun Fixer to code name Do-gyeol.

Inspired by Yu-ha shortening Five Flower Bell Spirit to O-ryeong.

"Good to meet you."

Kang San-jung grinned and offered his hand; I grabbed his bear-paw grip.

Too much pressure for a casual shake. Power flexing?

Maybe gauging my strength.

Most attendees itching to arm-wrestle newbies—might as well play along.

"Oh ho. Holding up?"

"Holding? I can take more."

"Hmm?"

I ramped it up, and his casual demeanor shifted.

[Status: Shock, Admiration, Interest]

"Got a master?"

"No. Never had one."

Where would I get a master?

My only teacher: Baby Mode Pack for Cowards.

"Hah. Then this strength is innate spiritual power? Too much for a mere human body."

Kang San-jung released my hand, stroking his chin thoughtfully, then muttered offhand.

"Could disrupt the balance."

His status changed again.

[Status: Killing Intent, Hostility, Conflict]

Another fight?

Unsure if I could subdue him without killing.

Tricky when you can't hold back.

Going all-out on an enemy risks accidental death—could lead to unwanted murder.

"Whoa, what am I thinking? This ain't a mountain! Haha, sorry for the threat. Occupational hazard. Hahaha!"

He snapped back, reverting to normal.

Seemed he'd pegged me as a balance-breaker to eliminate, but this wasn't his sacred mountain.

Not his turf? Balance-breakers irrelevant.

True mountain guardian. Nothing else on his watch.

"And who's she?"

"Oh, I'm O-ryeong."

"Right, right. Do-gyeol and O-ryeong. So, O-ryeong, how's the master?"

"Huh?"

Yu-ha blinked in confusion at his question; he patted her shoulder knowingly.

"Raised a fine disciple. Impressive."

"Uh... thank you."

Yu-ha bowed awkwardly, flustered.

He hadn't named names but clocked her as Master Mun Seon-woo's disciple-adopted daughter instantly.

Worlds apart from Oh Se-eun's reaction.

"Mountain Lord, those white-masked folks by the wall? Standing like screens—kinda creepy."

"Ah, them? Observers."

"Observers?"

"Yeah. Folks unqualified to attend but with recommendation letters. Purely observers—no speaking rights. They watch till end and leave."

Strong ones draw shoulder-surfers learning by osmosis as observers.

"Especially many this year. Double the usual."

Kang San-jung was surprised too, first time seeing so many—he hadn't noticed till I asked.

-Ah, can you hear me?

"Oh, starting finally."

Mid-chat with Kang San-jung, the MC took the stage announcing the start.

Venue lights dimmed; spotlight hit the podium.

"Greetings. I'm Yul-ryeong, hosting the 65th New Talent Conference."

The hahoe mask man introduced himself, then VIPs and brief remarks.

"Now, the purpose and goals of this 65th New Talent Conference. Please look at the screen."

Post-formalities, Yul-ryeong dove into the main intro.

A pre-recorded video appeared on the massive podium screen.

"See the video? That's the ultimate reason and goal for holding this 65th sooner than usual."

The screen showed a glowing stone covered in dense script.

The two skills combined flooded me with info.

Not just glowy phosphorescent rock. That stone was...

"As you see, the Shadowless Stone at Talisman Letters Society headquarters started glowing on its own. You know what that means."

Murmurs swelled at Yul-ryeong's words.

Shadowless Stone glowing meant 'it' returned to this land.

"Yes. The Nameless Registry has entered the peninsula. And likely, someone here holds it."

The Shadowless Stone was a divine relic that glowed to warn of the Nameless Registry's entry into Korea.

So it glowing meant the Registry existed somewhere here. That's how they knew.

"Those with freakishly rapid achievements lately, sudden fame, or inexplicable power spikes. Suspected among them: the Registry's owner."

Yul-ryeong stared right at me from the podium.

That's why they suspected me with the Registry.

Saw me as a sudden powerhouse via the Registry.

"Not from a famed house. Not from a strong faction. Someone rising with recent feats and growing fame."

Yul-ryeong clapped to quiet the noise and continued.

"Our Talisman Letters Society has long sought the lost Nameless Registry across all avenues. And you all here chase it for your own reasons."

The screen went dark.

Lights returned; Yul-ryeong announced this conference's twist.

"Proposing to shift this conference's goal to Nameless Registry grab-fest. Before it started, 'some group' contacted us. They knew who had it. We rigged invites for suspects... Glad you made it."

They'd baited me, certain it was me.

Complicates things.

Venue packed with Registry-wanters for varied motives.

Plus fanatics obsessed with it, and Yul-ryeong's 'some group' after it.

Unusually high observer count—not coincidence?

"O-ryeong."

"Yes, mister."

"Something I haven't told you. Listen?"

"I know. You have it, right?"

"What? You knew? Since when!?"

"Since you showed me the invite. Your face gave it away. Gotta sell the lie better."

Yu-ha had sussed out the Registry on me already.

Good. Saved explanation time.

"Bread-bag man. Got the Nameless Registry? Mind if we check?"

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I replied loudly to Yul-ryeong's blunt question.

"Search me and find it? Take it? No trades or buys?"

"Hahaha! What're you saying? It's the Talisman Letters Society's relic originally— we'll politely request return."

No buy intent. Just steal.

Too many foes around for talk.

Other attendees ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠eyed distances after catching hints from our exchange.

Observers twitching with killing intent emerging.

"O-ryeong—no, Yu-ha. Don't die. Hold out."

"Yes, mister."

Knew it was a trap but crawled in to peddle the Registry once—escaping clean means some blood.