Chương 128: S.05 Time to Fly 10(01)

Scene 01_01. She'd been certain she had hidden herself well all this while. The familiar presence that always came hunting for her — eyes flung wide, feet rushing — slipping away from that much, she'd been certain, she could now manage with her eyes shut. From the Sunday she'd brought home the home bar to this very Thursday noon, she'd believed she had hidden herself cleverly, and well. Surely. She had been certain. Where, in such, a hurry, might you be going. It chilled her to the bone.

The voice was calm — terror itself, made calm. Even after the voice reached her ears, the presence behind it was one she refused to believe. It couldn't be. After how cunningly she'd dodged and slipped away, this had to be a dream. Gyeong-seo: Aaaagh!!! A pale, exquisite hand seized Gyeong-seo's earlobe and yanked hard, and in an instant it stripped away both Gyeong-seo's five senses and her vague certainty. Hee-jin: You — how dare you — right now — where do you think you're running off to??

Dragged along by Hee-jin's teeth-gritted snarl, Gyeong-seo got hauled off, her earlobe near to tearing clean away. Hee-jin showed no mercy in her grip. Hee-jin: You dared — over the weekend — huh? The second I was gone — you sweet-talked The Oldest into — pulling off a home bar??? Gyeong-seo: Ow!! Wait! Let go and then talk!! I paid for all that on my own card!! Hee-jin: And the electric bill for the home bar — your ancestors cover that, do they? Hm?

Gyeong-seo's screams, as she was hauled along, rang faint and far across the noon of the broad hanok village. Gyeong-seo: Ow!! Wh — where are we going!! Strategist! Please let go of me!? Please!? Aagh!! Hey, everybody!! The Strategist's gonna beat me to death!! Somebody!! Help me!!! Gyeong-seo's cries stretched out faint yet grand, but Hee-jin had no intention of ever letting her go. Lose her now, and there was no telling when she'd ever drag her back again. Gyeong-seo: You stashed booze in there too, sis!!

Hee-jin: I stashed one bottle. Gyeong-seo: Then why!! ~ Where are we going!? Huh?! Just let me — li — Gyeong-seo's desperate begging and pleading fell, all at once, into silence. Her eyes went round and wide. Hee-jin was hauling her straight toward the Grand Hall. Gyeong-seo strained with everything she had, fighting tooth and nail to preserve her earlobe and somehow flee, but Hee-jin's steps and Gyeong-seo's were already crossing into the great building of the Grand Hall.

Gyeong-seo begged and pleaded as if this were no place for her, struggling to be turned away by any means. But to her dismay, Hee-jin's voice carried, clear and ringing, into the council chamber of the Grand Hall. Hee-jin: The Oldest. It's the Strategist. Ji-young: Come in. Yeon-su, who stood guarding the Grand Hall's council chamber before the great 창호지(Changhoji_Traditional paper-paneled door), stole a quick glance at the hauled-in Gyeong-seo, then cleared her throat and opened the closed door.

Even as Gyeong-seo stamped her 운혜(Unhye_Everyday traditional shoes) in a frantic bid to keep from being dragged in, Hee-jin's merciless grip left her no choice but to be hauled limply along. She was dragged, at last, into the Grand Hall's council chamber, where the directorate heads sat ringed around. A fairly warm light filled the inner council chamber of the Grand Hall. Only now did Hee-jin release Gyeong-seo's earlobe.

The moment Gyeong-seo moved to bolt out, Yeon-su, as if she'd permit not one step of escape, shut the chamber's great paper-paneled door fast and planted herself square in front of it. Frozen cold, Gyeong-seo, still short of crossing the threshold, turned her stiffened steps like a machine and slowly looked behind her. Hee-jin: What are you doing, not paying your respects? With frozen eyes Gyeong-seo stole a glance at Ji-young's hand.

For some reason, Ji-young's hand — which should have been empty — held a rolled-up 두루마리(Durumari_decree). Ji-young pursed her lips and pointedly looked away from Gyeong-seo, as if to say it wasn't her fault. Gyeong-seo quickly turned her gaze to plead for help, looking to I-seon. I-seon said nothing at all. Next she looked to Soo-a. Soo-a, beaming brightly, met Gyeong-seo's eyes head-on.

Next came her own superior, Eun-jae, Director of the Directorate of Support, and after that, Jeong-in, who'd be no help whatsoever. Having looked over every last one of them, down to the deputies stationed behind each office's director, Gyeong-seo took in the sight of So-eun standing alone and the empty chair before her. She turned her stiffened head back to Ji-young. In the end, not a soul met Gyeong-seo's pleading eyes, nor helped her. Gyeong-seo: The — Oldest.

Might I — ask — why — I've — come — to — this — chamber — at — this — hour — Hee-jin, who had dragged her along by the upper arm, forced Gyeong-seo's rigid body down onto the empty chair before So-eun. Ji-young: Er, well, you see. Ji-young unrolled the decree in her hand. Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators! Ji-young: Ah, yes. You've come at just the right time. Officer Mun Gyeong-seo of the Directorate of Support?

At Ji-young's voice — brazenly questioning her as though seeing Gyeong-seo for the very first time — Gyeong-seo couldn't even answer, fixing her attention only on the nature of the decree in Ji-young's hand. She studied the ornament laid out on the great chamber table, studied the decree again, studied Ji-young's gaze and Hee-jin's gaze too, and then, as if something had gone badly wrong, strained to crank her stalled brain for all it was worth. Ji-young: So I was thinking of creating a new post~?

This past Monday, I skipped the meeting, and everyone kept on about how we really ought to hold one, nagging me to no end, and seeing as it happened to be Thursday, I figured, ah, let's just meet today. So we met, and an item came up on the agenda~ and so, Gyeong-seo: I am not listening. Ji-young: We put the item to a show of hands, and would you believe it, it turned out unanimous. Gyeong-seo: This — surely — has — nothing — to — do — with — me. Ji-young and Gyeong-seo each said only what they wanted to say.

They kept on, earnestly, each carrying their own separate end of a conversation that connected nowhere. Ji-young: So, here's the thing, Ji-young's intent, though careful and halting, came across straight and crisply enunciated. The directors gathered in the Grand Hall's council chamber nodded along to her voice, as if at least relieved.

Among them, only Gyeong-seo — the lone one who couldn't so much as grasp her own situation, a ringing the only thing hanging in her ears, a dumbfounded look on her face — gazed at Ji-young, utterly dazed. So-eun, standing behind Gyeong-seo's chair, carefully touched that Gyeong-seo's shoulder. Gyeong-seo: Aagh!!! At Gyeong-seo's abruptly burst-out shriek, everyone in the chamber fixed their eyes on her. So-eun, startled as if spooked, stole a glance at her own hand.

Gyeong-seo's cry came so close to a scream that one might wonder whether So-eun had touched her with a blade in hand. Now that the words had burst loose, Gyeong-seo spat them out. Gyeong-seo: Wait, Ah-ni. But — me, you know? I'm a low-ranking nobody, so why am I here? Hm? Why'd you suddenly call me into an emergency weekly meeting?? Huh!? Will somebody just give me a straight answer!! I was resting just fine, so why me!?

At Gyeong-seo's lightly sniveling whining and reproach, Hee-jin cleared her throat and delivered the message to her. Hee-jin: As you just heard, you, Gyeong-seo, have now been formally appointed as Sanctum Warden. And the post of Sanctum Warden has been newly designated an official position of the senior second rank, directly under the Director of the Inspectorate. As it is a post that never existed before, The Oldest says you'll be testing out its workload anew, on this very occasion. Gyeong-seo: Ah. Ha. So.

That's. How. It. Is. I. Had. No. Idea. It. Was. Me. All. Along. All. I. Could. Hear. Was. The. Ringing. In. My. Ears. Hee-jin: Therefore, from this hour today, Sanctum Warden Mun Gyeong-seo shall move her office at once, to the front of the Sealed Sanctum, to the Inspectorate — Gyeong-seo: Ah. Um. I'll. Just. Hand. In. My. Resignation. I. Quit. This. Shit. Job. Hee-jin: And the one who gave the greatest help, right up to The Oldest's ascension, was none other than Sanctum Warden Mun Gyeong-seo.

Since this is a family calling, The Oldest says that neither rejection nor removal will proceed, for the time being, without the consent of all personnel — so the moment this meeting ends, go to your quarters, gather your belongings, and move your post to the office prepared for you, temporarily, beside the Director of the Inspectorate. Gyeong-seo broke into a fit verging on a genuine seizure and turned the chamber into bedlam. Still seated, she thrashed and flailed with all her might.

So-eun, standing behind her, frowned faintly and took a step back, retreating from Gyeong-seo. I-seon, seated on the opposite side, also drew her body away a touch, as if Gyeong-seo's flailing and fit were a nuisance. Soo-a: Um, Strategist, but then. Surely, my deputy's position... Hee-jin: The deputy remains the deputy, and the Sanctum Warden — reorganized under the Director of the Inspectorate — will be assigned a separate deputy of her own.

As you can see, The Oldest's Special Task Force Squad Leader, Kwak So-eun, has been reassigned to the post of the Sanctum Warden's deputy. Seeing as it's a senior second-rank post, there was also The Oldest's consideration that it ought to come with treatment to match. Soo-a: Ah. For a moment I was worried. Gyeong-seo sis as my deputy — that'd have been horrid. Gyeong-seo: Hey!!! Hee-jin: Ahem, the Director of the Inspectorate is the Sanctum Warden's direct superior.

'Hey,' you say? During work hours — outside of after-hours, weekends, and holidays — do try to show one another respect. Soo-a, in a composed voice, delivered her clumsy meaning. Soo-a: Still, I'm truly grateful Gyeong-seo sis got promoted up here. And relieved. It feels like Gyeong-seo sis has finally landed a real post. But since she's someone who really doesn't do any work, part of me was worried. To think she's not my deputy — what a relief. Phew. Gyeong-seo: You call that comfort!!... Ma'am!!

Soo-a didn't bother to answer, only smiling brightly. At Soo-a's brazen smile, Gyeong-seo felt her insides flip over. Ji-young, laughing softly, spoke clear and ringing across the room. Ji-young: And — today. Sanctum Warden, come to my quarters in a little while. I have something to tell you. Gyeong-seo: Haa.... At Gyeong-seo's sigh, Ji-young, beaming, leaned her head in a touch closer and more pointedly. Ji-young: I'm. Asking. A favor.? Gyeong-seo:... Yes.... Soo-a: This worked out wonderfully for me.

We can lend each other a hand. I was rather busy with the regional audit as it was. Gyeong-seo: Aaagh!! No!!! Boo-hoo-hoo, no-o-o~!! Scene 01_02. After a single round of aftermath had passed, Hee-jin and Gyeong-seo walked side by side, getting along. At Gyeong-seo's side, as she stepped along beside Hee-jin, were tucked two butterfly ornaments and a 곰방대(Gom-bang-dae_Slender Pipe Ornament) she had never once worn before.

Gyeong-seo walked utterly dazed, clutching the decree of appointment in her hand, a stunned look on her face. Hee-jin nudged Gyeong-seo's arm as if to hurry her, steering her further ahead. Hee-jin: Ah-ni, Sanctum Warden. Do walk properly. Are you being hauled off somewhere? Gyeong-seo: Hnngh. Hng-hng. Hng. Shtrateejist shish, I'm weawwy shomeone who hateth wowk. Ish there no way I can jusht not wowk. Hee-jin: If such a thing existed, you'd tell me too. I'm suffering as well.

Gyeong-seo: Then why am I bee-ing dwagged awong by my shish'sh hand wike thish. At Gyeong-seo's gesturing — her jaw half-unhinged in her slurring, just short of drooling — Hee-jin offered no further reply. Stepping into Ji-young's quarters, Hee-jin roughly grabbed Gyeong-seo's slack jaw and set it back into place, then climbed up onto the wooden floor. Gyeong-seo, after carelessly slipping off her 운혜(Unhye_Everyday traditional shoes), climbed up onto the floor as well.

Hee-jin, standing still, sent Gyeong-seo a pointed look. Gyeong-seo: Ahem ahem. The Oldest. I'm — go — go — going out of my mind. Ji-young: Aigoo!! Looks like our Sanctum Warden hasn't gotten the title to roll off her tongue yet!! I'll just figure out what you mean on my own~! Yes~ Sanctum Warden~?! Do come in~! Gyeong-seo came inside, stood in a row beside Hee-jin, and bowed to Ji-young.

Ji-young, with a dignified air, returned the bow to them both, then handed Gyeong-seo the 두루마리(Durumari_decree) laid on the tea table. Gyeong-seo, reading the mood in silence, carefully took up the decree Ji-young held out. Gyeong-seo: Th — this is. What — another one, now. Ji-young: Another~?

'Another,' you say. That stings. Gyeong-seo: Ah, that's. I didn't mean it like that, it's just. I've already been thinking of you, The Oldest, as a drinking buddy bound to me by the home bar. So. I mean. This is. At Gyeong-seo's hurried excuse, Ji-young, forcing back a laugh, twitched her lips and tipped her chin toward the decree in Gyeong-seo's hand. Ji-young: The list of the local regions whose audits are complete, and the matters to mind in the remaining Northwestern Province.

Gyeong-seo closed her eyes gently and let her tumultuous days gone by flit past like a lantern's turning shadows. Ji-young watched Gyeong-seo's expression with a smile, then offered a small cough and began to convey her true intent. Ji-young: Sanctum Warden. Gyeong-seo:.... Yes. The Oldest. Ji-young: I called you because I have a favor to ask. Gyeong-seo:...... Haaa.... Yes.... A favor.... Yes....

Ji-young: There's a place it'll soon be put to use, so today, prepare the 환무 (Hwan-mu_Illusion Fog) together with the Strategist. Gyeong-seo let out a great sigh and, her gaze turned somewhat serious, mulled over something. Gyeong-seo: Do you need a great deal? Ji-young nodded. At Ji-young's wordless assent, Gyeong-seo sank into a deeper deliberation. Gyeong-seo:.... Understood. Ji-young: First, once the two of you have things more or less in order, let me know. The sooner, the better. Gyeong-seo: Yes.

Ji-young: The reason for your promotion to Sanctum Warden, in truth, is mostly that. I was hoping you, Sanctum Warden, would put in a little more effort in the Sealed Sanctum. Gyeong-seo: Either way, I weave hemp cloth on the loom in the Sealed Sanctum, so the Sanctum itself is nothing to me, really. Unlike the others. It's the work that's the problem. The work itself is the only problem. Ji-young, nodding with a smile held in, sprang to her feet with a light heart. Ji-young: Let's eat!! I haven't had a thing.

It's already lunchtime. Ji-young sprang to her feet. Hee-jin and Gyeong-seo rose as well. Gyeong-seo, looking like she'd need a good while yet to adjust, still floundered, seeming unsure of even which way to step — so Hee-jin, as if to guide the dazed Gyeong-seo, took her by the upper arm and set her in place.