Chapter 63
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Even in the Thick Fog
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Centered around Grand Elder Ok-won, the three elders of the first team pierced through the fog at the forefront, entering Mujin Mountain.
He had confidently declared that they could reach the fifth fog layer without getting lost, as he knew the path by heart.
"We'll head in as well."
Following the first team, Elder Jeong Mi-dam and the remaining two elders advanced into the fog. It was better to enter with some spacing between groups.
The fog of Mujin Mountain had a tendency to concentrate anomalies toward large clusters of people, so maintaining a certain distance allowed for smoother movement.
Still, with lanterns in hand, it was unlikely they'd lose sight of the lead. Even if the vanguard vanished in the thick fog in an instant, the light from their lanterns could still be tracked with the naked eye.
Soon after, the Four Guardians and the Shrine Maiden entered the fog as well.
Since the Shrine Maiden couldn't walk on her own, Jo Un-gyeol carried her in a wooden box on his back, while the other three Guardians protected him as they moved.
"It's finally our turn."
"F-Fixer, aren't you nervous...?"
"Hmm. Less nervous and more anxious about screwing this up. They say the fog's especially thick today. I just hope everyone makes it to the destination safely."
If the elders ahead were wiped out, or if the Shrine Maiden failed to reach the destination, nothing could proceed.
It wouldn't matter much if I got lost in the fog or encountered disaster-class anomalies, but if the essential personnel didn't arrive, everything would fall apart.
"So we'll follow behind while checking for any stragglers. As we discussed, I'll sense presences, and Taoist, you call out with your technique."
In case anyone had fallen behind, I'd spread out my senses to detect them.
I was the only one who could reliably use aura detection in the thick fog of Mujin Mountain, so I'd take on the role of the tracking hound.
In turn, Taoist Moon Seon-woo would use his "Whistle of Summoning Command," a Taoist art adapted from shamans' methods of calling spirits. It drew the attention of targets at long range.
We'd search directly while also luring the targets toward us.
"What if an anomaly hears it and comes?"
"No worries there. The Whistle of Summoning Command can be targeted to specific individuals, so no other anomalies will be drawn in. And with my proficiency level, there's no chance of a mistake."
"Reliable as ever, Taoist. Oh, right. Do-gyeom."
"Yes, sir!"
"Take this."
I handed the trembling Lee Do-gyeom the Dice of the Golden Rule.
I'd heard Lee Do-gyeom had incredibly good luck. He was one of the top winners in Mujin City, even banned from buying lottery tickets. So, I figured he'd get the most out of the Dice of the Golden Rule.
"What's this?"
"It's called the Dice of the Golden Rule. Black for misfortune, gold for luck. The number determines the strength. Use it in a pinch."
"Wh-what if black comes up?"
"That's why you throw it when you're about to die anyway. No loss if you're already done for—misfortune or not, does it matter?"
Lee Do-gyeom clutched the die with a terrified expression.
For some reason, I had a feeling it would perform best in his hands.
"Alright, let's go."
Preparations complete. We followed the others into the fog.
About an hour after entering the fog.
No incidents so far. No anomalies appeared.
It was still just an ordinary mountain path—ordinary, aside from the complete absence of animal or insect sounds.
"Fixer, the mingli paper's color is starting to change."
"Means we're at the second fog layer."
We'd reached the second fog after just one hour inside Mujin Mountain.
Now the real anomalies would begin.
"----"
"It's starting."
"Ji----"
The second fog's defining trait was distorted voices—words became hard to hear.
From here, voices warped: sometimes audible, sometimes not, or only to certain people, plunging everything into chaos.
For example, my words might not reach Taoist Moon Seon-woo but be clear to Lee Do-gyeom, sowing total confusion.
"----right."
"Can't make out the words, but I get the gist."
Of course, lip-reading helped guess meanings, and hand signals allowed basic communication.
But the voice distortion wasn't the only danger.
"----!"
Screams distorted too, failing to come through clearly. All sounds warped.
Even if a companion screamed behind you, it often didn't transmit.
Thus, silent attackers could kill allies unnoticed.
Of course, with my Perception over 50, that was no issue.
"Taoist, take Do-gyeom and fall back. Ah, you probably can't hear that."
I tossed the yelling Lee Do-gyeom—whose words I couldn't make out—to Taoist Moon Seon-woo, then faced the massive monster lunging for his back.
Long, pure white fur without a single pattern.
Crimson skin exposed on its face, blood-red eyes.
And fangs like hundreds of nails driven in.
This matched the legends of the Jangsanbeom.
It should have looked grotesque and horrifying.
Thanks to the Baby Mode Pack, it appeared to me as a big, fierce, but somehow cute creature.
The description explained the recent surge in Jangsanbeom sightings.
In the end, it was humanity's fault.
As modern life made pet ownership easier, abused animals multiplied exponentially.
Factory-farmed livestock met even crueler ends.
This endless malice had birthed the monster before me.
-Kkiiieeeek...
The Jangsanbeom's ragged breathing reached me, like nails on a chalkboard.
"Master. Help me. It hurts. I want to stop. Don't get mad. I did wrong."
It glared at my eyes, ready to tear me apart, and spoke.
Mimicking Taoist Moon Seon-woo's voice.
Pouring out endless grudges.
To other spirit artists, it might be terrifying. To me, it didn't seem that dangerous.
No—it looked pained.
This wasn't something to eliminate. It needed help.
"I thought you an evil to slay. But you've suffered much too."
-Kkiiieeeek!
It emitted a ear-piercing screech like a threat.
Like the death cry of a thrashing beast.
How badly must they have been tormented to birth such an anomaly?
The pain went beyond mere slaughter. I felt the beasts' rage from abuse.
Could humans who create such things truly be called human?
Will the chain of hatred ever break?
"Master. Forgive me. I'm hungry. Sorry. Thirsty. Sorry. I don't want to die."
Spitting pained apologies, the Jangsanbeom bit my hand.
-20 Vitality
[Severe physical damage incurred.]
20 damage.
A normal spirit artist would've lost their arm entirely.
"So hungry. How long were you neglected?"
-Kkiiik....
I let it chew my arm.
My bloodless arm couldn't sate its hunger no matter how it bit, but if that satisfied it, I could give freely.
-Oppa... share the shock with me...
"Not enough to share yet."
Calming Sowol, who tensed at the disaster-class arrival, I stroked the Jangsanbeom's head as it gnawed my arm.
It wasn't my doing, but as a human, seeing suffering caused by humans stirred pity.
"Taoist, don't."
"But----mouth-!"
I sensed chanting behind me and waved my free hand to stop the Taoist.
They weren't foes to kill with attacks, but 'friends' we could befriend.
Strategy: Seeks those who don't hurt, those who call its name.
Even in this form, it craved love.
Could I give these children the affection they sought?
I must. They terrify others, but not me.
Someone has to love you.
"I'll be your protector from now on. I'll feed you well, so promise not to bite people?"
-Kkiik....
"Of course. Bring your siblings too. I'll support you all, so tell them they don't have to scatter."
I stroked its head and chin to soothe it.
It had only known rough hands and pain; I wanted to give warmth.
Soon, it spat out my arm.
Then, two more Jangsanbeom approached from the fog.
They exchanged glances like conversing, then nuzzled their massive heads toward me, sniffing and seeking pets.
I'd somehow picked up three super-sized stray cats.
Affinity: 30%
[Wants to play with you.]
[Still hates humans.]
Affinity hadn't skyrocketed. They still saw humans as threats.
I hadn't expected instant conversion from one act of kindness.
Deep wounds birthed these friends; how could I conquer them in one go?
Even beasts feel pain and fear.
I couldn't make them trust humans immediately.
"What happened, Fixer...? I've never seen a Jangsanbeom stop attacking..."
Taoist Moon Seon-woo approached cautiously and asked.
This time, his voice came through clearly, undistorted.
"Sometimes fighting isn't the answer. Of course, it's dangerous—don't try this at home."
"You're the only one who can handle anomalies this way. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't."
I smiled at the admiring Taoist, then told him to look after Lee Do-gyeom, who had collapsed foaming at the mouth, half-fainted.
"Good. Kids, since we're here, how about hide-and-seek? Plenty of people in these mountains. Let's play find-them-all."
I'd recruit them into the expedition to boost affinity and ease their hostility toward humans. Hence, the game proposal.
Too big for the Fixer Office, but if things went well, I could carve out a spot for them in Mujin Mountain.
Perfect for raising in a vast mountain.
Lunar Blossom Sect wouldn't lose out either. With three disaster-class under their wing, elders could cooperate for mutual benefit.
-Kkiiing.
"Names first? Got it."
They'd travel with me if I named them.
The Strategy guide mentioned wanting names called, so cool names it was.
The fluffy white-furred one blended into fog like clouds: Baek-un (White Cloud).
The spotless white one: Baek-seol (White Snow).
The smallest, a flower among white siblings: Baek-hwa (White Flower).
"You're Baek-un, Baek-seol, and Baek-hwa from now on."
Naming the three skyrocketed affinity to 50% each. Delighted, they licked my face.
-12 Vitality
[Skin feels like it's peeling.]
Their tongues were weapons too.
No wonder they were killing machines.
But with them as friends, hope emerged.
Hope that no one would die, and we'd reach the end.
"Taoist, plan change."
"---?"
"Ah, first, let's escape this fog."
I mounted Baek-un.
Riding them would efficiently break out of the second fog.
"R-Ride this!?"
"Hop on quick. Baek-hwa, lower your back?"
The startled Taoist snapped to, hoisted the dazed Do-gyeom onto his waist, and mounted Baek-hwa.
My new friends showed no resistance to riders.
"Fixer, the paper darkened more!"
"Entering the third fog. Voices should clear up now, so here's the new plan."
Taming the Jangsanbeom cost us the lead.
But we gained fast mountain travel.
"Fog's too thick today. Bound to be stragglers. But now we have mounts, so we'll rescue everyone lost, pick up the Shrine Maiden, and break through."
Exiting the second fog restored communication.
Thus, I briefed the Taoist on the new plan: search for scattered allies.
The third fog projected past traumas and nightmares—convincing hallucinations.
120% chance some elders were lost.
High-Will Guardians or frequent visitor Ok-won might be fine, but desk-job elders? Highly likely.
I'd anticipated stragglers from the start.
Third fog onset would spawn wanderers.
Too many together drew anomalies—no perfect solution.
Sacrifices seemed inevitable, but now we had swift traversal via mountain-speed Jangsanbeom.
We could hit-and-run before more gathered.
So, save everyone and escort to the end.
We had the means now—no excuse not to.
Elder Han Ju-seong had separated from the group.
He was in Grand Elder Ok-won's first team, thought he was keeping up, but opened his eyes to find everyone gone.
Ok-won was right.
Pushing through the second fog, Ok-won warned of thicker-than-usual mist and to stick close.
Sensing the Shrine Maiden's entry, Mujin Mountain raged fiercer—don't lose the lead.
Despite the warning, Han Ju-seong lost Ok-won.
He wasn't alone. Amid fog tens of times denser, even Elder Jeong Mi-dam and trailing Guardians got lost.
Between trauma-hallucination third fog, endless-loop fourth if off-path, and sense-disrupting fifth—everyone wandered.
Stragglers multiplied in the empowered Mujin fog. At this rate, no one would reach the goal.
"Urk..."
Terror of imminent death churned Han Ju-seong's stomach.
He couldn't hold back, grabbed a tree, and vomited.
"Hic..."
After retching, he wiped his mouth and wept.
He'd devoted life to Lunar Blossom Sect networking, minimizing conflicts, securing alliances.
Key role in gaining Korean Buddhist White Lotus Order's consent to awaken the Incinerating Ghost King.
But field ops? He faltered often, got lost repeatedly—Ok-won always retrieved him.
He'd waited long this time too, but no one came.
Finally, he collapsed, covering his face.
Facing disaster-class like this? Shredded instantly.
Mujin anomalies were vicious—who knew the gruesome death?
"Haven't even seen my grandchild yet..."
Choking sobs, he pictured daughter and son-in-law.
Long-dead wife's face faded from memory.
Only daughter and unborn grandchild remained.
"Knew this might happen... didn't want to come..."
He regretted his choice.
Why enter knowing death loomed, driven by duty?
Why hasten doom foolishly?
Should've fled to America with daughter.
Passed the buck to a successor.
"Sorry, Yeon-ju... Dad can't come back..."
Han Ju-seong lamented his hubris.
No talent, yet he strutted.
Ok-won and Jeong Mi-dam could breach fifth fog solo.
Lost now, they'd arrive eventually.
But him? Crumbling at third—a mere mortal.
Followed bravely; result? Alone, lost, dying.
Different from dog death how?
Stayed home, peaceful retirement.
Went to America with daughter, no death here.
Abandoned homeland, future...
Then no dog death.
Regret surged. Punishment for past sins?
Han Ju-seong thought heaven punished his karma.
"But I... wanted to help them too..."
Why weak Elder Han joined the Sevenfold Pilgrimage?
Simple: to help, even a little.
Fixer said two rituals simultaneous at end.
Combat vet Ok-won and healer Jeong Mi-dam alone? Unsettling.
Two rituals needed skilled musicians to sync without tangle.
Celestial Musician Han Ju-seong joined to assist.
Lifetime as lackey, hiding in Ok-won's shadow, mocking Shrine Maiden's sin.
So, in twilight years, proper work.
Collapsed before arrival.
"Yeon-ju..."
After calling her name endlessly, Han Ju-seong stood abruptly.
The Fixer's pre-expedition words resurfaced.
'You might separate in fog. Still, push to end alone if needed. Got it? No fleeing midway from fear.'
Fixer said don't run if lost—increased success.
Quitting now was fleeing?
His heart held no spark.
Yet he stepped forward.
Tears endless. Disaster-class death imminent.
Knowing, he walked.
"If no one... no one arrives... it can't be..."
At least two ritual elders must reach end alive.
If he quit and plans crumbled?
If truly no one arrived?
He'd never rest in death.
No room for failure.
Mid-abandon impossible.
Knew risks entering. So go to end.
For sole daughter, unborn grandchild.
He must advance.
Be bait if needed.
For others' success.
-Whiiik.
Then, a whistle pierced Han Ju-seong's ears.
Familiar melody.
The whistle he'd taught Mujin City's children.
Blow if lost—so parents find easy.
Simple charm, barely magic.
Why here, now?
"Could it be..."
Rescue? By whom? Why?
He sensed something charging toward him.
Pure white fur.
Red eyes.
"Ah."
Jangsanbeom.
Dead.
Shredded inescapably.
Han Ju-seong crumpled.
Legs gave at the most dreaded anomaly.
As he squeezed eyes shut against obliteration, a familiar voice rang.
"Elder Han Ju-seong! What are you doing? Get up quick!"
"Eh...? Taoist Moon Seon-woo...? Why are you..."
"Talk on the way. Why so many stragglers? Elders quit already!?"
Han Ju-seong stared at the hand-extending Taoist, incredulous laugh escaping.
Riding a people-munching Jangsanbeom.
"The Fixer's doing too...?"
"Yes. He tamed the Jangsanbeom, said save everyone. Die at the goal if at all—mount up, quick!"
The Sevenfold Pilgrimage.
Planned assuming elder sacrifices.
At least half dying en route.
"We'll go alive. Die when we die. Must reach the peak."
Han Ju-seong rubbed his eyes.
Absurd miracle—heaven hadn't abandoned him.
Yes, he had a mission.
This wasn't his death place yet.
"You. Fine whistle. Remembered my lesson well... But range too short."
"Pardon?"
"Whistle... like this."
From the galloping Jangsanbeom, the Celestial Musician's whistle resounded.
Sound filled eerily silent Mujin Mountain.
Underground spirits stirred, curious if rituals began.
"Linking people, drawing bonds. That's true Whistle of Summoning Command. Soon, lost ones will gather to this sound."
The Jangsanbeom rescue squad began saving lost elders and lone Guardians who'd reached the fifth fog.