Chapter 93
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Elders' Council Request
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The past mistakes committed by the House of Moss, as spoken by the elders.
It was an incident from over 30 years ago.
"That was... over 30 years ago now."
It was an event so deeply tied to Grand Elder Okwon that I'd looked into it separately after his funeral.
Why had a single spirit arts practitioner spent their entire life shrouded in trauma? Why had they nearly fallen into corruption?
If no curiosity stirred within you about such things, you wouldn't be a Fixer.
The Seocho-gu Great Disaster was an accident that occurred in Seoul's Seocho-gu in 1997, claiming countless lives.
Compounded by the Asian financial crisis, it was regarded as one of the most horrific incidents of the late '90s.
"Do you know all the details behind that incident?"
"No. I've only pieced together a rough outline from the news articles available at the time."
"I see. Even so, the fact that you investigated it on your own means we can assume you know it involved spirit arts practitioners, right?"
"Yes."
The incident plunged the entire Seocho-gu area into mourning, ensnaring numerous civilians and spirit arts practitioners alike in the calamity.
"It happened back when we were still young and active. The elders of that time were brimming with overconfidence."
"The onmyoji feared nothing. The House of Moss—our Sentai family—had entered an unprecedented golden age upon hearing rumors of the 'opening of Japanese popular culture' policy."
"Before that, onmyoji had been persecuted for being too steeped in foreign influences. With the leash removed, they naturally grew arrogant."
"And wouldn't you know it, that same year, the Lunar Blossom Sect's shrine maiden entered secluded meditation, leaving them to falter while the Sentai family surged ahead."
A year later, in '98, news of the Japanese pop culture opening policy broke, unleashing the House of Moss completely. At the exact same time, the shrine maiden fell ill and secluded herself, turning the Lunar Blossom Shrine inward to bolster their unity.
Yes, the timing was exquisitely perfect.
The Lunar Blossom Sect, meant to keep the House of Moss in check, turned a blind eye to the onmyoji's recklessness due to their internal focus. Emboldened by the changing times, the onmyoji began flaunting their power even more wildly.
Ultimately, the overconfident House of Moss made the foolish attempt to turn a disaster-class anomaly into a 'friend.'
"What anomaly were they trying to tame back then?"
"Don't laugh at us when you hear this. What they tried to tame was..."
The Jet-Black.
"No way... How could they even think of taming that?"
"The elders back then judged it docile. They believed it could be tamed."
"Above all, it thoroughly concealed its true power and nature. The onmyoji fell hook, line, and sinker for its nonsense about becoming friends."
"The Anomaly Management Department's classification standards weren't clear yet. The Sentai family saw the entity manifesting through a half-breed body as a kind of 'blessing,' much like the Lunar Blossom Sect possessing Mount Mujin. They deluded themselves into thinking onmyoji could have nonhuman allies too."
"Think about it. Even the most untalented human could surpass genius by borrowing the Jet-Black's power. Without knowing the side effects, it's hard to resist that temptation."
Back then, they viewed the Jet-Black as a disaster-class anomaly. And they thought taming it would let them save more lives.
Allowing the Jet-Black into one's body awakened talent. Anyone who once hosted it gained potential and ability rivaling the greatest geniuses of the era.
Half-breeds prayed desperately for the Jet-Black to enter them. Some onmyoji openly worshipped it as a savior.
"If onmyoji could borrow the Jet-Black's power, they'd stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Lunar Blossom Sect, owners of Mount Mujin."
"No one would dare ignore the Sentai family, capable of taming a disaster-class. No one would flaunt their power before onmyoji."
"Such hubris. That hubris brought the great disaster."
Not these three elders before me now, but the elders of that era believed they could tame the Jet-Black with their power alone. Their attempt failed spectacularly.
The Jet-Black they thought tame unleashed its power effortlessly, turning Seocho-gu into a wasteland. It rampaged even wilder, slaughtering the very onmyoji who trusted and worshipped it.
People rushed in too late to contain it, by which time an entire city district was caught in its massacre.
"Countless people died. Countless orphans and victims were left behind."
"That's when the hardline human-supremacist exorcists first emerged."
"The hardliners might be remnants of that chaotic era."
The victims of the past had grown up, unleashing their hatred on the culprits.
In the end, this was the result of hatred chaining endlessly.
"Not all hardline exorcists were victims of that day. But some certainly have reason to hate the House of Moss."
"That incident—and all the accidents since caused by the Jet-Black—made other spirit arts groups despise us."
"We're paying dearly for trying to make an anomaly a friend."
The House of Moss collapsed completely the day they trusted the Jet-Black.
They were shunned by all groups.
Onmyoji families under the House of Moss defected en masse.
"It's no wonder calls arise to kill all half-breeds to suppress the Jet-Black... We... might deserve to vanish..."
"Elder Oh Moon-hak! What are you saying? Don't talk nonsense again!"
"...Sorry. I spoke out of turn. Must be senility..."
The elders explained why they were hated.
Honestly, it wasn't their sin. They had merely inherited the crimes of their predecessors.
Yet they accepted the hatred as natural.
"We deserve the hate. We know we must atone for failing to swiftly deal with those reckless elders who defied heaven."
"But... we don't want to burden today's children with that sin. They are innocent... No need to kill the little ones."
Elder Bang Du-young murmured in a voice thick with sorrow.
She was already frail, her vitality spent.
Frankly, she seemed on the verge of death at any moment. She no longer looked capable of fighting.
"Oh dear, forgive us. We've kept our noble guest here prattling on about our petty troubles."
"We hope we haven't upset you."
"Not at all. I'm glad to learn about your situation here."
It was deep lore, but intriguing nonetheless.
I was starting to grasp why they were so eager to meet me.
"Now, enough of our tale. Please accept the reward we've prepared for you."
They handed over a thick envelope and a mysterious bankbook.
"What's this? The amount is..."
Is this really just a reward?
The sum was far too massive for mere compensation.
No, how many zeros are there?
One... two...
"Um, I think you gave me the wrong bankbook."
"No, that's exactly what we intended."
"And take a look at those documents too."
Opening the thick envelope revealed stacks of land deeds and letters of intent to transfer.
Rights to the House of Moss headquarters?
"..."
"What do you think? We prepared it for you."
"It's everything we have. Take it without burden."
It was real.
This was all they possessed.
Now I understood the astronomical sum and the abundance of property documents.
"You're handing the House of Moss... over to me?"
Rights to the Sentai family headquarters.
And authority over every branch scattered across regions.
All of it.
"As you see, we're too old."
"Frankly, we might not wake up tomorrow morning."
"And our old friend Ha-il, guardian of the Sentai family, is nearing his end too. Lifespans have limits, after all."
"Indeed. At my age, it's time to retire."
Mr. Ha-il was advanced in years as well.
The pillars upholding the House of Moss were crumbling with age. Before they died, they wanted to entrust it to me.
"But why me, of all people?"
"Who else is more suited than you?"
"You achieved shikigami transformation with a disaster-class anomaly no one else could conquer. And look, you keep it by your side like a person! You've accomplished alone what the House of Moss dreamed of but never achieved!"
Elder Oh Moon-hak shouted excitedly, pointing at Sowol, who sat demurely beside me.
"Moreover, you're a monster who handles calamities and disasters. No one fits as Sentai family head better than you."
"Indeed. And your personal prowess rivals a calamity-class anomaly, they say."
"We have no one to rely on. If we don't shelter these half-breed orphans who've lost parents and homes... who knows what fates await them."
"Please. Take the Sentai family. Yes? We old folks don't know how much longer we can keep going..."
I couldn't readily agree to the elders' plea to take over the House of Moss.
This might be a poisoned chalice.
Running a group meant bearing that much responsibility.
And more people to protect would make my life endlessly busier.
"I'll think it over first."
I returned the documents to them.
The bankbook too. I couldn't accept such a massive sum.
Taking it would bind me to managing and caring for the House of Moss for life.
"I see. Well, we can't just dump the House of Moss on you out of nowhere."
"At least mull it over. If you decide it's not for you, we'll give separate compensation for this job... No need to feel burdened..."
"Yes. No pressure at all. With your power, more children could smile, but it's fine if not. No one will force the House of Moss on you."
The elders sighed regretfully, their disappointment plain as day.
These old folks were dead set on foisting the House of Moss onto me.
I wouldn't budge easily. Great rewards came with great risks.
"Right! Why not visit the 9th floor? Seeing it might change your mind."
"Exactly. No young man full of vigor ever disliked the 9th floor. They all fell for it."
"You're rejecting it before even enjoying the House of Moss. Come on, Fixer, no need to hold back. The young lady too—plenty of amenities for anomalies up there."
The elders urged me to sample the pleasure without responsibility first.
What on earth was on basement level 9?
"Oh, and Fixer. Could you take one of our requests?"
"Pardon? A request?"
"Yes. We'd like you to guard the Sentai family for a while. We're too weak. We want to borrow your strength."
Since I wouldn't take the House of Moss, the elders offered a request instead.
To protect the Sentai family. Hard to refuse that.
"But I've heard half-breeds are all gifted in yin-yang arts. Can't you just train the ones here? For combat power, I mean. Do you really need to commission me?"
"It's... we can't just raise talent freely. The Sentai family has many restrictions."
The House of Moss had numerous constraints preventing arbitrary training of onmyoji.
The Outer Division—the onmyoji representing the family's combat strength—could number no more than three. Elders couldn't exceed four. Such treaties existed.
All to check the Jet-Black.
"And we can't allow half-breeds to grow too strong... lest the Jet-Black seize their bodies."
"That's why we can't have more than three Outer Division onmyoji. Many leave the House of Moss to grow stronger. It's a safe haven, but too oppressive. Some even strike out independently."
So Haeri was one of only three Outer Division members.
She'd been highly trusted. One of just three elites in the House of Moss.
"Then since Mr. Ha-il will retire due to age, let's protect until a new Outer Division is selected. Just need one more. With Haeri and the unintroduced third member. Right?"
"Ah... you mean Haeri."
Mentioning Haeri darkened the elders' faces instantly.
What? Wasn't she just recovering? They said she needed absolute rest. They were hiding something after all.
"We tried to give you the House of Moss, yet hid this? Haeri is in the sealing chamber now."
"Pardon? What do you mean? Not the treatment room, but the sealing chamber?"
"Yes. Those possessed by the Jet-Black... must be sealed. That's the rule."
"Such a rule exists? It was just a momentary possession... Does it leave aftereffects?"
"No aftereffects. But the rule stems from the anxiety that once-possessed might be retaken at any time."
"If it manifests as a mask, kill or seal. Only two outcomes."
A rule born of mere anxiety.
Unreasonable oppression.
"Hold on—even assuming such a rule, does possession by the Jet-Black really mean instant retake? Truly no aftereffects?"
"No aftereffects. Proven multiple times, fully verified. No special sequelae from Jet-Black possession. Unrelated to facts."
"Resistance to the Jet-Black actually increases. And talent blooms further."
"That's why seal or kill. Must block any path to strength."
Elder Oh Moon-hak sighed deeply, revealing the rule's truth.
Those possessed by the Jet-Black were less likely to be retaken.
Immunity built up. Yet external pressure demanded killing or sealing any half-breed once possessed.
"Possession wasn't their choice anyway. Right?"
"Exactly. Especially new-generation like Haeri, indoctrinated from childhood with the Jet-Black's terror near-obsessively. They neither desire nor succumb to it. It was forced."
"We heard about Garam University. It grants the host's desires, they said. But Haeri showed no interest in the Jet-Black during our interview."
"That was truth. I vouch for it. Pure truth."
Then Haeri was possessed simply as the sole half-breed at Garam University.
Involuntarily possessed—unjust enough—now facing sealing too?
"Isn't that rule too unreasonable?"
"But... we can't break it."
"Defy it... and the Sentai family collapses."
They had to comply unconditionally.
No freedom in the House of Moss.
Haeri is practically a one-sided victim.
I'd monitored their status throughout the conversation to verify their words.
No 'Deception' flared. By my experience, they spoke only truth.
All of it.
Realizing this made my head spin slightly.
I'd thought conversing with Haeri—who briefly held the Jet-Black's memories—essential to fight it. But she was sealed. Not by choice, but external pressure.
"Then... when will that seal be lifted?"
"Until the Jet-Black vanishes completely."
"Who knows when that will be?"
"Exactly. We didn't want Haeri sealed."
"She was exceptional. A skilled onmyoji. Had she grown normally, she'd have joined the elder council within three years, succeeding us. Truthfully... Haeri was our hope."
The Jet-Black had ruined one person's future.
And an unreasonable rule sealed Haeri.
"Calm down... We... have no complaints about the rule."
"Not no complaints—you can't voice them. And Haeri's opinion? It doesn't end with you accepting it."
"Haeri... agreed. She accepted it... Said someday, when the Jet-Black is gone for good, she'd return. 'See you in that future.' We probably won't be there."
Oh Moon-hak, teacher to all onmyoji in the House of Moss, rubbed his eyes recounting Haeri's final words.
Haeri had been his disciple too. He seemed pained at losing such a cherished student.
"Now do you understand why we asked you to protect the House of Moss?"
"That's why we issued the request. We truly lack the power to defend here."
"Of our three Outer Division, one is a doddering old man. Another is abroad. The last... had to be sealed yesterday."
"And our request isn't lifelong protection. Just until the third Outer Division you haven't met—Hwaryeong—returns. Until then."
The elders truly had no power to protect the House of Moss.
Even their Outer Division had lost function.
To shield their treasures from external forces and the Jet-Black stalking half-breed bodies, they needed strength. They'd chosen me for that.
[Become an Ally to Prevent the House of Moss's Fall]
A new quest had appeared.
A quest to become the House of Moss's ally.
I had a feeling.
If I refused here...
The House of Moss would definitely vanish.
No place left for half-breed children to live.
Uncontrolled half-breeds could cause unknown chaos.
And suppressing the Jet-Black, ever eyeing them to target me, would grow harder.
One faction's fall led straight to ruin.
"Understood. I'll take the request."
I accepted the Elders' Council's request.
Not for the fee or reward.
Too many children here to refuse.
The hardliners would slaughter every half-breed, age be damned.
I couldn't stand by and watch.
The request: Guard until the third Outer Division, shrine maiden Hwaryeong—currently in Japan—returns.
Protect the House of Moss until then. That's all.