Chapter 51
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Better the Interpretation than the Dream
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sowol and Haeyul-nim followed me into the office, and Taoist Master Mun Seonwoo, who had been waiting for me, spat out her drink before freezing up and struggling to maintain a poker face.
However, Nam Yu-ha, Ha-yeon, and Yu-rim, who were sitting beside her, looked utterly terrified, their eyes fixed firmly on the floor.
"Uh... welcome, Fixer."
"Yes, Taoist Master. Before we dive into our important discussion, let's feed the kids first."
"Th-that's a great idea. Yu-ha, go eat with the kids in the next room. I need to talk with the Fixer."
"Yes, Mother... I mean, Master."
Nam Yu-ha immediately stood up at her foster mother's words.
"I didn't know what you all liked, so I bought a bunch of stuff. Eat whatever you want. Just put the shells and bones in the bag."
"Thank you, Mister. Kids, let's go."
I handed over the king crab, sashimi, and other prepared seafood. Yu-ha bowed silently to me and scurried off to the next room with the others.
They seemed completely intimidated by the Ink Sea Ghost King's presence. Facing a calamity-grade anomaly was something most people wouldn't encounter even once in their lifetime, let alone until death.
[Status: Reverence, Bewilderment, Terror]
I had deliberately brought Sowol and Haeyul-nim manifested to seize the initiative. Judging by the Taoist Master's state, it had worked spectacularly.
It was always easier to steer the conversation my way if I firmly suppressed their momentum first.
"That one... is the Ink Sea Ghost King?"
"Yes. She's reluctant to show her true form, but I thought it necessary, so I asked her to manifest briefly."
"Ah... I see."
Even Taoist Master Mun Seonwoo seemed to struggle against a calamity-grade anomaly.
Sowol, a disaster-grade, was somewhat manageable, but bringing out the Ink Sea Ghost King had thrown everyone off balance.
Their mental strength was probably draining in real time. This should clearly demonstrate that I had full control over the Ink Sea Ghost King.
"Haeyul-nim, you can go back now."
"I'm hungry... Fine."
Haeyul grumbled as she returned to the Breath of Ink Sea. Sorry, but I couldn't let her join Yu-ha and the kids for a meal. They'd probably pass out.
Once the Ink Sea Ghost King vanished, Sowol deftly brewed some coffee and handed it to the Taoist Master—as if to show she was better at tending to me.
"This must be the White-Faced Bride."
"Yes. Her name is Baek Sowol."
"Ah... even a name..."
Taoist Master Mun Seonwoo sipped her coffee cautiously while stealing glances at Sowol.
This was the first time I'd shown her Sowol at disaster-grade.
"Can you handle even calamities beyond disaster-grade as perfectly as that?"
"It's less 'handling' and more a partnership. Like the bond between a spirit medium and a spirit."
"Ah... I get it."
Once Sowol reverted to her ring, Taoist Master Mun Seonwoo finally wiped her cold sweat, caught her breath, and returned to her usual self.
"First off, I wasn't specifically investigating you, Fixer. But the Lunar Blossom Sect had already looked into it. And there was nothing worth investigating."
A document with my information lay before her.
Apart from a very basic profile, it was all blank.
Taoist Master Mun Seonwoo shoved the document aside with a headache and questioned me.
"Let me ask one thing first. You're Korean, right, Fixer?"
"Pardon? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Your past is too opaque. We couldn't find any proper records. That's why I'm confirming if you're definitely Korean. If there were ties or a backstory, maybe, but your history is too clean. Like the records were erased."
Too many missing details, and suddenly appearing out of nowhere.
In short, I seemed like a spy. Fair enough—I was a possessed soul. Detailed records on me would be hard to find.
"I'm Korean. Only speak Korean. Love kimchi."
"Sorry. Even I think it was a weird question. I was just told to ask, so please understand."
Taoist Master Mun Seonwoo apologized quickly and shared her personal feelings to emphasize she harbored no hostility.
"Personally, I have no intention of fighting you, Fixer, and I'm grateful you protected Yu-ha. But I have my role and position, so I must convey the Lunar Blossom Sect's views, which might make my tone firm. Please forgive me."
"No problem. That's understandable."
Personally, she didn't want to fight or antagonize me, but as a member of the Lunar Blossom Sect's Dharma Guardians, she had to relay their stance.
I understood. Individual thoughts and group will rarely align perfectly.
"As I mentioned on the phone earlier, talk about you keeps coming up."
"Within the Lunar Blossom Sect?"
"Yes. Specifically, alongside the Oracle's revelation, the sect's elders raised objections. About whether it's right for one person to wield a calamity-grade anomaly. Honestly, to those who know nothing about you... it feels dangerous."
Even handling a catastrophe-grade anomaly as an individual was risky; learning of a calamity-grade one would naturally provoke caution.
I'd known this might happen, but I hadn't expected the Lunar Blossom Sect's Oracle to react so quickly.
Could she divine anything? She'd sensed I'd acquired the Ink Sea Ghost King without seeing it—perhaps she possessed clairvoyance.
"I can see why a calamity would unsettle people."
"Thank you for understanding. The sect is divided into factions right now."
Debates raged on how to handle me: moderates wanted to leave me be, hardliners wanted me eliminated.
"They just learned you single-handedly resolved the Black Night Society's cult leader and his followers' atrocities, so internal evaluations might shift. But those viewing you as hostile due to the calamity-grade anomaly's danger will persist."
"I expected that much backlash."
The Ink Sea Ghost King had no intent to harm humans, but only I knew that. Sealed, she could be exploited like Jangcheong had tried.
From the Lunar Blossom Sect's perspective, I was a new Jangcheong candidate. They knew little of me, with no trust built.
My ties were only with Taoist Master Mun Seonwoo and Nam Yu-ha; others barely knew me.
Unlike Buddhism from Cursed Mountain Lodge or the Church from Andromalius, I'd never taken Lunar Blossom Sect requests...
Even Mun Seonwoo and Yu-ha had many enemies in the sect. So, they likely wanted to suppress my power and claim the Ink Sea Ghost King's heart I'd rescued.
"That sounds problematic."
"I figured. I advocated against hardline responses, but now they're lumping me in as deluded by you."
"Pardon?"
I was dumbfounded hearing Taoist Master Mun Seonwoo had been criticized for defending me.
Come to think of it, she'd said opportunists plagued Yu-ha, leading her to entrust her to me.
It must be frustrating for Mun Seonwoo too. Stirring up trouble unnecessarily.
She had reason to be angry, building good relations with me. Still, the elders' stance was understandable.
They had to restrain me: an unknown with a murky past wielding a calamity-grade anomaly that could devastate the peninsula.
"The Lunar Blossom Sect is ancient and clannish. Lots of what kids call 'boomers'—inflexible, stubborn, hard to talk to. They're experienced elders, so their strong reactions make sense, but it's frustrating."
"It's a clash of interests. They see me as a threat since they don't know me. From your position, why interfere? Tough situation."
No side was purely wrong. Neither I nor the elders.
It stemmed from mutual ignorance.
The elders weren't evil; their priority was public safety.
"Guess I'll have to meet them in person."
"You sure? The shrine is crawling with those hostile to you. Like walking into enemy territory. They might ignore you and force the issue."
"Oh, Taoist Master. No need for such worry."
Trying to suppress me by force?
I'd welcome a show of force—it'd give me justification.
"I won't just take it lying down."
"...You're scarier. Please don't say you're seriously planning to wreck the place."
"No, not wrecking. If they try force, I'll resist accordingly."
"That's better. Whew."
The battle with Jangcheong taught me much.
No one's invincible; no absolute strongest exists.
I had no plans to rampage in their midst. Getting countered or them desperately trying to kill me would be a headache.
I'd resist just enough to avoid grudges.
Above all, the Lunar Blossom Sect handled issues in mountains, remote areas, or rural spots beyond Anomaly Management. Their collapse would devastate farmlands and fisheries.
Fruit prices would spike at Chuseok, inflation rising. Seafood already pricey would double, leaving me unable to feed Haeyul properly. Realistic risks abounded.
"So, heading to the shrine per the Oracle and elders' summons is set. Can you tell me about the Oracle? And the revelation she received?"
"I've never met her one-on-one, so details are scarce. But I know the era's greatest shaman is selected as Oracle."
Age unknown, appearance veiled. Always behind a screen.
Shrouded in mystery, allowing her to claim divinity without leaking heavenly secrets incurring wrath.
Secrecy was the Oracle's hallmark.
"No one but the elders knows her identity? She really exists?"
"She does. You'll understand once inside the shrine."
"Then what was the revelation?"
"The content of the revelation..."
Taoist Master Mun Seonwoo pulled out a crumpled paper.
The calamities were two, yet
the third reveals itself.
When the moon waxes and wanes six times,
the watch forgets its initial restraint.
Above and below, this and that unite,
sharing blood and calling to each other.
Those without precepts
forget their names and walk into the shadows.
The unified land
becomes unified ash.
The opener of the door walks the path of man,
upholding divine will and proclaiming human salvation.
Yet he is not human,
nor are those who follow him.
"It warns that within the next six months, a great danger will descend on this land, and earthly creatures must beware."
The revelation Taoist Master Mun Seonwoo showed was shocking.
It was almost like...
"Seeing this revelation, I totally get why they're so wary of me."
The opener of the door walks man's path, upholding divine will and proclaiming human salvation.
Yet he is not human, nor are his followers.
Depending on interpretation, it could easily target me.
From others' views, I hardly seemed human. Would anyone see someone unbleeding from stabs as the same?
And followers not human... anomalies, right?
My advancing companions weren't human.
White-Faced Bride Sowol, Bboong-bboong, and Ink Sea Ghost King Haeyul—all anomalies.
Especially, "calamities were two, yet the third reveals"—echoed Jangcheong's words. Awakening Ink Sea and Ash Ghost Kings to become the third calamity.
It aligned perfectly, interpretable as me with Ink Sea awakening Ash to birth the third.
"I thought it targeted the Black Night Society's cult leader. So when you said you'd dealt with him, I assumed the revelation ended..."
The revelation remained valid.
"The Oracle insists her visions don't err. Futures are malleable with effort, but this one's effect persists. The future hasn't changed yet."
Jangcheong's death hadn't altered it.
In other words, the revelation's calamity wasn't Jangcheong.
Thus, the elders would pinpoint me, bearer of the apparent Ink Sea Ghost King, as the culprit.
Especially having gauged my inhuman strength.
My feats—raiding Cursed Mountain Lodge, halting the demon's advent, now slaying a terrorist cult leader—didn't scream "human."
"Is this why you mentioned forceful measures?"
"From the elders' position, they have no choice. I don't see you as the revelation's subject, but based on clues alone, you fit best."
Should I hand over the Ink Sea Ghost King and seal my powers?
No.
"I still think that's off."
The revelation discusses calamities first, but the last lines address the door-opener separately.
Hard to see the door-opener as the calamity instigator. No mention of the door unleashing calamity.
"Then?"
"Could be someone to stop the calamity. Revelations are open to interpretation, right?"
As the saying goes, better the interpretation than the dream.
It seems the door-opener dooms the world by opening the door, but doesn't outright accuse.
Just mentions.
"And the first lines bother me. Hard to say Ink Sea and Ash awakening births the third. Could mean 'calamities were just two, but a third popped up unexpectedly.' Right?"
"Certainly... that works."
Simply a third emerging—not definitively from those two.
Not even confirmed if those calamities mean Ink Sea and Ash.
"Maybe awakening both counters the third. Opening the door could mean breaking seals."
"Using one calamity... to catch another?"
"One possible method."
Unlike traditional spirit mediums, I could fight anomaly with anomaly.
Ink Sea and Ash mutual destruction would wreck the peninsula, but cooperation?
Might resolve better.
Revelations depend on interpretation.
Hard to pin it solely on me.
Outcome hinges on how we resolve it.
I refused to bow to the Lunar Blossom Sect's coercion over one revelation.
They had their ways; I had mine.