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A World Covered in Glass
Episode 8.
[Eungae Gyo-ryong: Is Buikchung good?]
-I found this while cleaning my house—is it a good one? I really have no idea
Yo-seon (178.1): Oh, here we go again.
Seeing the reaction from Yo-seon (178.1)—who surprisingly leaves a lot of comments on my posts—I couldn’t help but smile.
[Eungae Gyoryong: I really don’t know, How do I raise this thing? Should I give it some spirit fruit?]
Yoseon (333.3): You’re not seriously suggesting that “spirit fruit” is the “Self-Exceeding Herb” I know, are you?
Yoseon (66.66): Oh no, are you falling for it again? That guy’s doing that on purpose.
Eungae Gyoryong: Yo-po-ti, you’re falling for it again
Yo-seon (333.3): How dare he! You fell for it again...!
Laughing heartily, she checked the replies and found that quite a few Yo-seons didn’t know what a Buikchung was, more than she’d expected.
Then again, unless you’re a Chung-sa, you wouldn’t know every single spirit insect.
This reaction seems only natural.
└Yo-seon (12.12): So it’s a Bu-ik-chung. You’ve got quite a rare one there. Was that one assigned to you as well?
A Yo-seon who looked quite elderly recognized the Bu-ik-chung.
“A Bu-ik-chung should be fine.”
I looked it up beforehand, and it didn’t seem like the kind of spirit beast that would send Yoseon’s room into an uproar. The prevailing reaction was simply, “Oh, that’s a rare spirit beast—you actually have one?”
The reason for this is that Buikchung’s strength varies depending on how it’s raised, and its role differs based on the owner who handles it.
To begin with, they’re not very useful unless you’re a Je-bu-sa, and above all, they say raising this creature is difficult in and of itself.
└SunlightIsThisWorld: Judging by the fact that it doesn’t even look like a proper talisman, it’s a 1st-tier Bu-ik-chung. You’re trying to raise that?
└Eungae Gyo-ryong: Yeah, Je-bu-sul isn’t particularly hard.
As Sunshine said, the Buikchung I’d just hatched was a 1st-rank Youngchung, and as described in *Baekchung Seobang*, to reach 9th-rank power, I had to constantly feed it talismans to make it molt.
Its rank increases with each molt.
Usually, it had to reach at least 3rd rank to truly show its power, so it was still way too early for it to be of any real use.
└Yoseon (178.1): You’re so rich you can even raise a Buikchung—I’m jealous... If I saw something like that, I wouldn’t even dare try raising it; I’d just sell it right away.
└Yoseon (963.3): Totally agree. I know a bit about this—they say you have to be as rich as the pillars of a clan to raise a Buikchung.
└Yoseon (66.66): Just how much money does Do-woo have to even be able to raise those?
[Eungae Goryong: There are way too many materials in the East, so I’m trying to get rid of some of this T_T]
-Check this out T_T
“A picture of Baekryeongji and Hwangryeongji piled up like a mountain in the East”
└Yoseon (66.66): Damn it!
└Yoseon (178.1): Ugh… My training for today is completely ruined.
└Yoseon (963.3): Wow, is there really that much? There’s probably more there than in our sect’s warehouse.
[Yoseon (178.1): [Eungae Gyoryong] Recruiting people to raid the Eastern Region.]
-Those who can no longer tolerate the [Eungae Gyo-ryong]’s antics, gather here!
└Yoseon (124.1): Sign up
└Yoseon (66.66): Sign up
└Yoseon (963.3): Sign up
└Yoseon (444.44): Tongue
“Heh heh, here it comes.”
I knew it would turn out like this.
With public sentiment growing restless, it seems I’ll have to resort to drastic measures at this point.
[Eungae Gyoryong: Dumping Jashimdan.]
-It seemed perfectly ripe, so I tried refining it using the Yangheo Step. It’s obviously a total flop—a yawn-inducing failure—but since it’s useless to me, I’m dumping it.
I found some Jashimcho-gwa pills and various auxiliary herbs in the Alchemy Lab, so I tried refining them as an experiment.
The result was a success.
Thanks to the “Yanghe Gye-dan”—an ultra-rare item—I managed to create a “Yawn” even on my first try.
“Since one Jashimcho-gwa can make five pills, this is actually a better deal.”
The great thing about the Yanghe Gye-dan is that it prevents the mixture from exploding or burning, allowing even beginners to perform fairly high-level alchemy.
Plus, the Physical Alchemy Path.
Unlike the bizarre idea of refining inside a demon’s belly, this was actually pretty impressive.
By circulating the elixir path within my body and refining it through internal samadhi evolution, I could definitely scrutinize the energy of the medicinal ingredients in much greater detail.
No wonder the Immortal Maidens practiced the Physical Body Refinement Path—it wasn’t for nothing, was it?
The biggest drawback used to be sustaining internal injuries if it exploded, but thanks to the Yanghe Staircase, that’s no longer a concern. Plus, since it allows the body to absorb the residual medicinal effects, even if the refinement fails, my body ends up filled with nothing but beneficial energy—so not doing it would be foolish.
“Awesome, awesome! This is a total windfall!”
The Yoxian (178.1)’s recruitment drive for a raid on Dongbu fizzled out with the arrival of the Jashimdan.
That’s because I put it up for auction.
The Jasimdan that removes poison?
This is an ultra-rare elixir that’s practically impossible to get your hands on.
“Hehehe.”
Mom and Dad, who left me this Eastern Region—you’re the best! They might be Jinseon filled with sinister schemes, but I’ve decided to just think of them as my parents.
It’s more comfortable that way.
So what if they are Jinseon?
There’s nothing I can do about it anyway.
I’ll just enjoy it.
“It’s going up quite a bit. I thought it wouldn’t go for much since I made it myself.”
The auction price, which started at just one Youngseok, has already surpassed 100.
I’ve only listed one out of five, and it’s already this high.
I figured it would be perfect to list one every time the Yo Seonbang burns down.
Of course, even if I sell them, I still can’t use the Youngseok yet… but there’s nothing I can do about it.
I’ll just have to use them to change the subject.
“Anyway…”
I turned off the Yo Seonbang and watched the baby Youngchung wriggling around.
“At first they said they looked like leaves, and now I see they really do. Right now, they’re just talisman-like insects.”
As I quietly watched the Buikchung crunching away at the talisman, I suddenly felt uneasy because I couldn’t quite picture how it would change as it molted repeatedly.
They say it does turn into a talisman, but right now, it doesn’t really sink in.
“I don’t know. I guess time will take care of it.”
The Spirit Insects aren’t just the Buikchung.
The eternal friends of those who mend.
I hatched the Jinjinchung, a cleaning Spirit Insect that cleans up the Eastern Region, and I also hatched the Nokmyeongchung, which takes care of the Yeongmok and Yeongcho.
I left the rest of the Spirit Insects alone since I didn’t think I’d need them.
It’s fine to just leave the Spirit Trees and Spirit Herbs alone, but I’ve heard they’re better off with them, so I’m raising them.
The Jinjinchung feeds on dust and such from the Eastern Region, and the Nokmyeongchung preys on pests in the soil, so there was nothing for me to worry about.
There was only one thing I needed to worry about.
It was the Buikchung.
“I guess I’ll make some food for these guys.”
I took out a sheet of Baekryeong paper, picked up a brush, and drew the talisman in a single stroke.
The result was a Grade 1 Concealment Talisman.
I hadn’t done this many times, but perhaps I’d already picked up some know-how—I’d even managed to produce a Grade 1 Concealment Talisman that was top-quality.
“Off to a good start.”
Chuckling to myself, I put the pedal to the metal with my talisman-making.
In the blink of an eye, I surpassed 10, then 20, then 30.
After drawing thirty, my spiritual energy was quite depleted.
“I’ve been working too hard. I should stop now.”
After scattering all the Food Scrolls and Hiding Scrolls to the Buichung, I returned to my quarters and flopped down on my back.
Lately, I’ve been living a surprisingly regular life—unlike my usual self.
When I wake up in the morning, I browse the forums a bit, then practice my Zashi Trust.
When I get hungry, I cook a meal with Young-gwa and Young-jae, then train in alchemy or ritual casting while tending to the spirit insects.
Among all the Gyo-ryong in this world, I might just be the hardest-working one?
A few days later.
The auction for the Jasimdan ended.
The winning bid was 109 Spirit Stones, and this time, [Sunlight Is This World] took the lot.
[Sunlight Is This World: Jasimdan Review]
-Sell more! Sell more! Sell more! Sell more! Sell more! Sell more! Sell more! Sell more! Sell more! Sell more! Sell more! Sell more! Sell more! Sell more!
It seems the effect was better than expected.
That guy, who’s usually so calm, just writes like that whenever he gets excited.
“Hehehe.”
Time passed without incident.
Even during that time, Heukpung didn’t show his face.
It couldn’t be helped.
‘I liked the stealth technique Heukpung mentioned… I’ll use it as a talisman for now.’
And so, a year later.
My talisman-making rank had risen.
I was now able to craft 2nd-rank talismans.
Naturally, the Buikchung had also begun molting and had become 2nd-rank Buikchung.
“Definitely… those that used to look like torn leaves have had their holes filled in a bit.”
Now, if you glanced at them from a distance, you might even think, “Is that a talisman?” They’d improved enough to make you wonder that.
But it’s only natural that they still look a bit lacking.
Since I had to raise their rank to at least Level 3, I had to feed them relentlessly.
“Gulp… Will I be able to handle this?”
I fed them talismans steadily for a year.
All these creatures did was eat and defecate, so naturally, I went through quite a lot of talismans.
“Well, I still have more than enough spares...”
There’s more than enough to feed them until at least the third rank.
But after that... how should I put it?
I’m already starting to feel a little worried.
Looking at the five Buikchung, I was overcome by a strange sense of unease.
They say that once they molt one more time, they’ll lay eggs, but I can’t help but think that’ll make things even harder.
“I might have to come up with a different plan, or maybe even go find some Baekryeongji somewhere.”
It feels like if I just keep feeding these guys—as if I’d spent a hundred years doing nothing but eating, pooping, and writing—the talismans in my study will run out completely.
“I wonder what would happen if I didn’t give them the talismans… They’d probably die or run away, right?”
Still, deep down, I’ve worked hard to raise them, so I might be a little sad if they died.
Of course, they’d probably be fine for a few months without food, but the fact remains that I have to support them.
“Is this what it means to be a parent…?”
I agonized over it, but it doesn’t matter.
Today, anyway.
I’m going to step outside.
“It’s been a long, long time.”
A full hundred years and two years, no less.
It was time for the giant who had been crouching in the East to step out into the world.
I put on a neat outfit made from Hwagolwi fabric.
A white dobok with a purple skirt.
It’s a splendid outfit.
On top of that, with a nameless sword slung at my waist, I stood there looking like a beautiful young woman ready to step out onto the island nation.
I quickly tucked the Spirit-Charging Staff, which contained the Spirit Beetle, and some talismans into my bosom.
Just in case, I packed some spirit essence as well.
“All right.”
I might look a bit shabby because of the bundle, but there’s nothing I can do about it.
There’s no time to waste.
She tied her silver hair, tinged with purple, tightly into a ponytail and stood up.
“I’m really heading out now!”
Her heart is pounding for no reason.
A beat that’s half nervousness, half excitement.
She can practically feel the blood rushing vigorously through her body.
The pleasant thumping of her heart makes the corners of her mouth curl upward without her realizing it.
[Eungae Gyo-ryong: I’m really leaving now!]
-I’m really going outside! Really! I’m really, really leaving!?
└Yo-seon (178.1): So this person hadn’t even left the house yet? That’s really something now...
└Yoseon (777.54): Just go out already!!
└SunlightIsTheWorld: Sell some more Jasimdan before you go!! Or at least some Jasimcho-gwa!
└Yoseon (963.3): This is why they’re called “silver spoon” kids… They don’t know how hard life is once you leave home.
└ManyTails: I’m rooting for our Eungae! Be careful! Bring back a souvenir when you come back!
└TurtleTurtle: Is the egg finally hatching?
└Yoseon (12.12): I wish you good luck.
└Yoseon (66.66): O Divine One!!
└Eungae Gyo-ryong: Stop saying such unlucky things!
└HateHumans: You’ll be meeting a human soon. Never trust humans—the moment you see one, cut off their head.
└Eungae Gyo-ryong: ;;;;;;;
Anyway, preparations are complete.
I’ve also received encouragement from the Yo-seons.
“Let’s go.”
Kugugung.
As I lifted the Eastern Seal, the tightly shut door opened.
And what I saw was…
“Again?!”
It was the East again.
But it was a little different from before.
There was a door that clearly looked like an exit, and a formation was drawn on the floor.
In front of the formation.
A jade token was floating there—it looked like a magical artifact radiating the same energy as the formation.
‘Could this be a teleportation formation?’
A teleportation array that could take me back to the Eastern Region.
And a jade token for that purpose.
That’s what it looked like.
“Wow, they went this far? Am I really some kind of royalty or something?”
As I gripped the jade token, just as I’d expected, the same energy as the teleportation array flowed through it.
It seemed to be a teleportation token that would allow me to return to the Eastern Region in case of danger.
“If they’ve gone this far for me, there’s no reason not to go. Alright, let’s go!”
Once again, she activated the Eastern Gate’s seal.
Kugugugugung—.
The massive gate to the East swung open...
And the world that immediately came into view was...
“Wow... what is this?”
It was a world covered on all sides by glass that looked as if it were about to shatter.