Chapter 32 - Divine Illness
Divine Illness
Translator : Elizabeth
Chapter 32. Divine Illness (Sin-byeong)
However.
Even if they came to ask for advice, was this method really right.
I approached the front door, leaving the safety chain on, and pushed the door open slightly. The door stopped at a span's distance and didn't open further, and through that narrow gap, I opened my mouth toward beyond the door.
“You came because you need my advice.”
“…! That is correct. Please-”
The opponent showed a surprised look for a moment and tried to continue speaking, but I was faster.
“Even so, is it right to visit abruptly like this?”
“I apologize. I won't make excuses. But since it was an urgent matter, I had no choice but to visit risking discourtesy.”
At that moment, one Arcana flashed through my mind.
[JUSTICE]
Justice. Meaning truth.
For now, there was no lie in his words.
While I shut my mouth worrying for a moment, he caught his breath and continued speaking.
“I came here by the order of the Chairman of Hyunwon Group. If Yu Ah-jin-ssi solves his problem, the Chairman will surely pay a corresponding price.”
“Hmm.”
Hyunwon Group. A conglomerate whose name almost no one in South Korea didn't know.
Honestly speaking, I didn't like this situation. The fact itself that they could visit a private residence directly just because their circumstances were urgent was eerie.
But.
‘The problem is. It’s not something I can avoid just because I want to avoid it. Since it already happened.’
Right.
It’s this much ability.
I expected something similar like this would happen someday. If there is a fortunate thing, is it that the first one to visit me isn't a person with malice.
If it’s something I have to face someday anyway, it was better to take the initiative.
I reached a conclusion.
“Well, good. Let’s listen to the story for now.”
“…! Thank you! Then right now-”
“However.”
“…?”
“The conversation will be held over a screen.”
The opponent seemed to have come with the thought of taking me directly, but I couldn't concede on this condition. He stepped back for a moment and made a call somewhere, and after a not-short call, eventually accepted my demand.
I sat in front of the computer without letting anyone into the house. And installed the video conferencing program I heard from the man in front of the door and faced the opponent.
Inside the screen, a luxurious office unfolded. A dark wooden desk and neatly organized documents. Certificates and medals filling one side of the wall seemed to show the history he walked.
The elderly man sitting in the center had neat hair sparsely mixed with white and deep-set eyes. Eyes that looked gentle yet seemed unlikely to retreat once fixed.
—Nice to meet you. I am called Yoon Ji-cheol of Hyunwon.
“Yes. I am Yu Ah-jin.”
His eyebrow flinched minutely. He seemed bothered by the fact that my video screen was showing only the table, not my face, but he didn't say anything in the end.
—….
“….”
Silence flowed for a moment.
Whether uncomfortable with the fact that he had to speak first, Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman's expression was tinged with awkwardness. Eventually, he cleared his throat and opened his mouth.
—Khe-heum. Then first, I will talk about remuneration first. If you…
“No. Let’s put the remuneration on tab as a debt.”
I cut him off.
Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman's expression hardened even more. In his position, he probably almost never received such a response. However, he soon organized his expression and asked back calmly.
—Putting it on tab as debt, what will you do if you don't receive the price? Also, the value of remuneration we think of might be different.
“Then, let’s take care of it ourselves when that time comes.”
—…!?
At those words, Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman showed a noticeably flustered look. It wasn't a problem of calculation, but an expression surprised by the attitude itself, convinced that she would never see a loss even if opinions differed.
Against him, a conglomerate chairman, who could have such conviction. While feeling bewildered by the attitude he couldn't understand at all, his trust seemed to become even firmer rather.
Because that was confidence one could never have without skill backing it up.
Not minding his reaction, I put down the Tarot deck in the center of the table.
“Then from now on, I will find out what problem you have.”
—…Without even listening to detailed explanation?
“Yes. Such thing not particularly.”
—…Ha.
Letting the opponent's admiration flow past roughly, I picked one Tarot card from the deck.
The first card that came out like that.
[THE MAGICIAN]
Magician.
Tarot's Magician is usually drawn as a figure pointing one hand to the sky and the other to the ground.
On the table, a cup, sword, wand, and pentacle are placed, symbolizing ability to handle will, knowledge, emotion, and material, meaning existence realizing possibility into reality through will.
Received talent from heaven and preparation is already perfectly finished. Ability and will are both full without needing to say.
Truly a perfect existence.
Looking at the card for a moment, I opened my mouth.
The source of the worry currently rotting Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman's insides. That identity is exactly.
“You have a smart grandson. A very, very smart grandson.”
—…That is so. This is really fascinating. Are you really reading mind or something?
Speaking up to there, I placed my hand on the deck immediately and flipped the second card. I didn't bother answering Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman's words.
Then what came out was.
[THE MOON]
Moon.
Instant.
Flinch, and.
‘…This is.’
My hand trembled.
It couldn't be helped.
‘Divine Illness (Sin-byeong)… is it?’
Divine Illness (Sin-byeong).
Cause unknown abnormal symptoms said to appear when connected with spiritual beings like gods.
God….
‘God you say….’
I, who fell into 16th century Germany out of the blue and returned to modern times as if nothing happened… there is no way I wouldn't be interested in that existence.
Using ability, I had tried to find out what existence gave me power, or what the concept of ‘God’ people talk about is.
And this power responded faithfully to such will and showed something. That was a certain Arcana.
…Showed, but.
‘Actually, couldn't see it.’
It was different in texture from that blurry Arcana that came to mind when worrying about the fact that history didn't change even though my tracks were engraved in actual history.
‘That Arcana presumed to be Magician was just too faint, not fully manifested, so I couldn't recognize the shape, that’s all.’
But the Arcana appearing when thinking of the existence who gave me power was different. That was a problem of where the Arcana emerged.
It emerged right in the middle of the huge energy mass located in my inner side.
As if something is floating inside the sun. Too bright, too intense, I couldn't even place my gaze. Existence was clearly felt but felt like vision would burn the moment I checked.
Even when thinking of the identity of the existence called God, Arcana appeared clearly. And that was a problem because it appeared in a heterogeneous way.
Something was seen indeed. Clearly caught in vision, but focus didn't match. The more I tried to focus, the image became rather blurrier. As if the more I try to see the object in front of eyes, it gets pushed away becoming fog.
So eventually couldn't know.
What God is.
But….
Now.
‘The question is solved a little.’
Didn't figure out everything about God.
But at least could know what Divine Illness spoken in Korean shamanism is.
‘For now let’s focus on the opponent in front of eyes.’
I cut off thoughts there and spoke toward Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman waiting for answer beyond the screen.
“Grandson is suffering from Divine Illness.”
—…Correct.
Saying so, I flipped the third card immediately.
What came out was.
[THE FOOL]
Fool.
—The Fool?
Beyond the screen, Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman revealed noticeably surprised look.
—What is the meaning of the card that came out now? Surely… does it mean my grandson becomes a fool?
Restless, he urged the meaning of the Fool Arcana like a person who heard an ominous sentence.
I shook my head and denied calmly.
“No. Grandson’s Nureum-gut (Pressing exorcism/ritual to suppress spirit) ends successfully. Fool Arcana just means, grandson returning to ordinary position again will live a new life.”
—…New life, you say?
“Since he will live treating innate ability as nonexistent, it is same as new life. But it doesn't mean losing life as chaebol or anything. You don't have to worry about that.”
Speaking up to there, I.
“But your worry isn't something like that.”
Without cutting off or hesitating, stabbed Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman's inner thoughts abruptly.
—…!
Like a person whose thoughts were caught, Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman's body stiffened with a thud for a moment.
“So the words that time is urgent meant this. Lunar November 25th to 26th. When it becomes January 1st in solar calendar. You already set the date for Nureum-gut on that day.”
I continued speaking without giving time to catch breath.
“While clearly not wanting the grandson suffering from Divine Illness to act like a mentally insane person, you couldn't endure the insight piercing the world he showed since childhood disappearing. So you found me.”
I tapped the Magician card spread at first lightly tok tok.
“Suppressing Divine Illness, but wanting to maintain Divine Spirit (Shamanic ability).”
Short silence flowed.
And Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman's voice opening his mouth again, was distinctly different from before.
—…Is that a strange thing? Wishing one’s own bloodline to be more outstanding, more superior existence?
Tone and nuance became much more polite.
—…Teacher will also understand this heart someday when you age and have bloodline.
Even the title changed to ‘Teacher’ before knowing it.
To that, I asked back as if asking what he is saying right now.
“Isn't that a natural story that doesn't even need to bring up age?”
Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman asked back with a momentarily flustered look.
—…Weren't you trying to say I am being greedy?
“Grandson’s ability wasn't stolen from somewhere, but a talent possessed from birth. Why does the heart wishing to handle it properly become greed?”
I countered as if I really didn't understand.
—…Th, that is so?
Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman tilted his head then soon accepted cautiously. Then asked again with a much brighter expression.
—T, then… does it mean my wish can come true? You mean he can use that Divine Spirit without suffering the symptom called Divine Illness?
I nodded lightly.
“Yes. Not particularly a difficult thing.”
—…!
Glancing at his appearance surprised hearing definite answer beyond screen, I rummaged through the desk next to the table. Trying to take out a talisman sheet, hesitated for a moment, then picked up a board game card instead.
And engraved my name on it.
Lifted it as is in front of the cam and said.
“Just need to carry this around.”
Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman stammered as if hard to believe.
—No matter how I look… it looks like a toy for children though….
“Correct. It is a toy. Using this as a talisman.”
—Ah, if it’s a talisman… I will pay the price sufficiently, so can't you write on something more proper?
As if not satisfied at all, he glanced at the card in the screen.
I shook my head firmly.
“Then rather effect becomes excessive so not good.”
—…You mean excessive?
Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman immersed in thought for a moment nodded then asked again.
—Too much is as bad as too little. If so it can't be helped. But that talisman Teacher wrote… what is the principle? How can one use Divine Spirit without receiving god?
As the problem showed signs of being solved easier than expected, his curiosity seemed to start raising its head.
I asked back calmly.
“Chairman-nim, do not believe in existence called God right?”
Instant Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman was speechless.
—…No, that… Khe-heum. That is true but. Human knowledge isn't perfect right. I do think they just attached name ‘God’ to unknown phenomenon.
He wiped cold sweat with a handkerchief as if he didn't know he would say such words while discussing shamanism related story.
“Actually I think similarly.”
—…Teacher too?
Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman blinked several times with eyes wide open. Right now he, was genuinely flustered.
I started explaining to him what I saw with the Moon Arcana.
“In my view Divine Illness is a phenomenon occurring as excessively accumulated unconsciousness overflows to the surface.”
—…Unconsciousness?
Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman asked back narrowing his brow. It was because a concept not matching the word shamanism popped out.
“The world existing in a person's head isn't a space existing as material. That is closer to information. Brain doesn't touch outside world directly. Only accepts information reduced to electric signals and chemical reactions.”
—…Sounds like talking about brain in a vat theory.
He added words cautiously.
“Correct. Quite similar concept. If replacing with grandson’s case, can be seen as case where data collection ability is excessively superior compared to others. It means living in a world with higher resolution than others.”
I stopped speaking for a moment and looked at him. Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman was staring at the screen focused lest he miss any word.
“Seeing same scene hearing same words but accepting much more information than others. Subtle change of expression, blank between words, even things like atmosphere of space. The identity of sensation people commonly call Divine Spirit is exactly that.”
—Huh….
Short exclamation flowed out. Sign of understanding flashed in his eyes. As a person who led a company for a lifetime, there was no resistance in understanding abstract concepts.
“Problem is that most of those information piled up in unorganized state. Information not standardized into language, data accumulated in form of unconsciousness. Symptom appearing when that exceeds limit, is what is commonly called Divine Illness.”
Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman interlocked fingers unconsciously. Seemed as if reconstructing explanation one by one in head.
“What would be the reason humanity could develop from time no different from beasts to now.”
He didn't answer. Instead waited for words that would follow naturally.
“There would be various factors, but I see role of language as biggest among them.”
Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman nodded.
“It’s clear if comparing thinking ability of baby and adult. Human who acquired language organizes world’s information in form that can be named. Not only simple objects like tree or stone, but even high-dimensional concepts like guilt, fear, responsibility, power.”
—Haa….
He exhaled deep breath. Seemed to feel explanation connecting into one line gradually.
“Chairman-nim’s grandson, accepted such high-dimensional information too much before becoming ready to handle them. Unorganized unconsciousness kept swelling inside.”
—Then… receiving spirit (god) Teacher thinks is….
Conviction mixed in Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman's voice. Reaction of grasping something.
I nodded and concluded speech.
“What god, what god. Attaching such names and giving form to unbearable unconsciousness. This is closer to data processing method binding unorganized information into one story rather than act of accepting transcendental existence.”
—….
Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman who heard all stories fell into silence with head down for a moment. Only regular breathing sound was heard from beyond screen.
Organizing thoughts like that for a while, soon he raised head and muttered low.
—…Oh my god. So it was ‘too much is as bad as too little’. Since if effect is excessive it would be no different from receiving spirit.
Like a person whose long-standing question was solved, a light of strange acceptance rose on his face.
I waited quietly without breaking that lingering feeling.
A moment later, as if returned to reality Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman looked at me again and asked.
—Does Teacher… have nothing you want from me?
“I already told you remuneration is put on tab as debt.”
—Wasn't that story about consultation fee? Talisman is another item, so price for that should be calculated separately.
It was a reasonable word. I nodded obediently.
Thinking for a moment, answered as if not putting much weight.
“…Then, please give as you see fit (Ara-seo) after checking effect of talisman.”
Hearing my words Yoon Ji-cheol Chairman stayed motionless as if screen paused for a moment then soon.
—…As I see fit?
Laughed with meaningful expression.