Chương 43: S.04 Memory of the Clock 08(03)

Scene 07_02. It was already a night with the sun long gone down. Unlike the daytime, when not a single intact building could be found, the Headquarters under moonlight had taken on a shape barely different from its original form. As if all his work were done, the Dokkaebi King, house-sized frame and all, left a cute little hand-wave behind and faded from sight along with a great blue plume of smoke.

Ji-young, who had been bending at the waist to see him off, straightened and flopped flat onto her back in the yard of her own residence under the deep night. Chae-rim, rising abruptly from Ji-young's shadow, fussed over Ji-young's splayed limbs as though to tidy them. Just then, Yeon-su and Hee-jin came into the yard with startled eyes. The shopping bag in Yeon-su's hand rustled softly. As they rushed in with Chae-rim to help Ji-young up from where she sprawled, Ji-young swept her long arm and waved them all off.

Ji-young: If you lot stand over me, I cannot lie down even when I want to. Honestly. Yeon-su: Th — that is, The Oldest. The floor is cold. Ji-young: My body temperature runs around twenty-seven degrees, there is no way this would — achoo!! Ji-young sneezed as though the thing had seized her whole body and shot up from where she lay. Ji-young: Ah, SSi. Rhinitis. Really. Dusting off the dirt clinging to her in scattered patches, she dragged her feet along again and stepped up onto the veranda of her own residence.

After a moment of thought, Ji-young folded her arms. Having drawn a deep consideration over herself, she led the two of them inside. Once the two of them were in the residence, Ji-young shut the door and laid out an 주식(Jusik_Incantation Guard). Having made sure the sound would not carry out, Ji-young called Yeon-su first. Ji-young: Twig. Having confirmed that working hours had long since passed, Ji-young used the informal form for Yeon-su. Yeon-su: Yes. Ji-young: Would you be able to change residences soon?

At Ji-young's abrupt suggestion, Yeon-su's eyes went wide and she asked back. Yeon-su: Yes?? Am I, by any chance, fir — Ji-young: Aigoo, really. SSi. Having shut the window, Ji-young took cushions from atop the drawer chest and tossed them carelessly onto the spots in front of Hee-jin and Yeon-su. At Ji-young's gesture, Hee-jin and Yeon-su were at a loss, flustered. Ji-young did not set her dirt-stained body onto the cushioned mat.

Ji-young settled in the middle of the room, and the two of them—wavering over whether to even place the cushions and sit at all—took their seats carefully according to Ji-young's invitation. Yeon-su, unwilling to miss the moment, pulled out a warm drink and handed it to Ji-young. Ji-young took the drink, twisted off the cap, and eased her thirst first. Yeon-su also passed a drink to Hee-jin. Hee-jin did not open it and only held it carefully in her hand. She thought it had gone too cool to drink.

Ji-young, seeming to find that lukewarm drink about right, tipped the whole thing back in one go and called Yeon-su again. Ji-young: Twig. No. Secret Agent. Yeon-su: Yes. Ji-young: From this moment on, I will be issuing my first directive as The Oldest. Strategist, please listen through, and give me your yea or nay. Hee-jin: Yes. Ji-young: As not everyone is aware yet of the Guide's identity, I have not made it public on purpose — but, on their end, we must assume they already know.

As long as that is the case, they may move to take So-hui out at any moment, we cannot say when. Hee-jin: That is so. Ji-young: So. The Secret Agent will take her orders from me and protect the Guide. Do not worry about me. Yeon-su: But the first one they will target is The Oldest. Ji-young: That is what I want. I mean to make them come at me instead. Yeon-su: It is too dangerous. Hee-jin: However, the Guide being taken out is a danger no less grave.

As we came to see through this first calamity, with only Si-yeon alone it cannot be enough. Ji-young: Which is why I plan to have Gyeong-seo stay with Si-yeon as well. So, I want the Secret Agent and Gyeong-seo to go and take responsibility for the two of them together. Hee-jin: But then, The Oldest's garments will — You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Ji-young: Eh, she can just pull overtime. What is the big deal. Scene 07_03.

Gyeong-seo, in the middle of rushing the last of the garment stitching, let out a sudden great sneeze. As the sneeze stretched on, a chill crept over her along with an unfamiliar unease. Scene 07_04. Hee-jin: She will very likely throw a tantrum to end all tantrums. Ji-young: Wow, really, that one is going to live a nice long life. Plenty of people to hate her. Yeon-su was thinking for a moment. There was nothing that would amount to a problem, but an uneasiness she could not quite hide lingered on her face.

Yeon-su: Still, you must truly be careful. As you saw through this one, they do not hesitate even at the most disgraceful methods. And behind them there is always — Ji-young: I know. So it is fine. Do not worry, and take care of my younger sisters for me. I am not telling you to neglect me, just that I want the Guide better guarded — ah, really, do not take this the wrong way. I am not firing you. This is not some part-time job. Yeon-su creased her brow a little and scratched at the inside of her ear.

Ji-young: Anyway. Do that for me. Yeon-su: Understood. Ji-young: And, Strategist. Hee-jin: Yes. Ji-young: Move into your residence with the Secret Agent. Until she leaves. Over at the side quarters in front. Hee-jin: Hm. Yeon-su: Um, I snore very loudly, and since I was little the Strategist has really been at me over it — Ji-young:?? She yells at you for snoring??? Aigoo. Yelling at someone over a physiological thing like that is a bit — Hee-jin: Ah, that. There has been a misunderstanding.

Yeon-su also grinds her teeth, that is why. And she has beaten me in her sleep with sand while talking in her sleep — Ji-young: Ah. That, I admit. That is fair. Hee-jin: If it were just snoring, I would never have said a word. I am not that light a sleeper, either. Yeon-su, as though this were nothing like the truth, pounded at her chest quietly with a wracked expression. Yeon-su: Hah — Ji-young: Anyway. Leaving myself out of it, the threat order goes, first the Guide, then the Strategist.

They may well decide to cut off my hands and feet before they even think about coming for me. Hee-jin: Yes. That is true. Ji-young nodded and gave the rest of her directive. Ji-young: So, you two, move together for the time being. After the Secret Agent leaves for the outside, hmm — Yeon-su: I will be fine. What we have is personal, an old childish feeling — but it is also true that she is the most skilled when it comes to protection or combat, no one better.

And in truth there is someone else I should be resenting, which makes me feel sorry instead. She has taken my petty anger in silence all this time. At Yeon-su's cautious self-examination, Ji-young smiled faintly and nodded. Ji-young: Anyway. Strategist, once the Secret Agent is out, you move together with the Martial Director. Hee-jin: Understood. Having received everyone's consent, a great rumbling sounded from Ji-young's stomach. Ji-young: Ah. That is right. Hee-jin: Yes?

Ji-young: Has it not been a while since any of us ate? No sooner had Ji-young finished her question than deep sounds rolled out from Yeon-su's and Hee-jin's stomachs as well. Ji-young: Thirst was not the issue at all, then. Aoh, I am starving. How does one eat around here?? Yeon-su: I will tell The Kitchens right away to have something brought over. Ji-young, upon hearing Yeon-su's words, suddenly burst out laughing. Ji-young: No way. Really??? For real?? Yeon-su: Yes. Yes …

that is, according to the old records, its origin lies in a decree once personally issued by the ruling king at the time — Ji-young: Aoh. Honestly. Really. Hee-jin: The Former The Oldest did abolish the attendant system and overhauled quite a lot of the old customs, but this particular one she did not touch. At Hee-jin's composed explanation, Ji-young nodded as though something had come to her. A small recollection swept through her head, but she did not come forward with a gloomy face over it.

She only quietly scolded herself, saying it was already past. Letting out a small sigh, Ji-young carried on from Hee-jin's words. Ji-young: It is likely because she was learning to cook. Truly. She was always saying she would make something delicious for me or So-hui, so she kept bringing home what she had learned and cooking for us — ah, but I did not realize she had not gotten rid of this one yet. So. Not everyone can use The Kitchens, then. The standard is top-rank houses, yes?? Hee-jin: Yes.

Only the top ten houses may use it. Ji-young: Aoh!! Stingy. Where on earth is the cafeteria?? Hee-jin: Er, then The Kitchens staff will raise a fuss. Ji-young: Do not fire them, just raise their pay. And their rank. Hee-jin: That is — yes, that is true. Ji-young: A family trade? For them, too? Hee-jin: Yes. Ji-young: Then, could the Secret Agent go now and call in the staff of The Kitchens? After issuing the directive, Ji-young lifted the Incantation Guard she had fixed to the door.

Yeon-su bent at the waist and left. Ji-young glanced at her dirt-streaked garments and eyed her sweat-soaked clothes with distaste. At Ji-young's sullen expression, Hee-jin carefully asked Ji-young. Hee-jin: How are you. Feeling. At Hee-jin's question, Ji-young held back her words. After a stretch of not very long, Ji-young answered with a thin smile. Ji-young: Good. Heavy, and sad. And I miss her. The first thing I feel — no, the last thing I still feel — is that I am sorry. I am sorry to mother.

But even so, it is good. No, it is a relief. That is the biggest one. Sorry, and relieved. Relieved, and therefore sorry. Ji-young gently ran her hand along the low writing table set behind her. Hee-jin: I am sorry. For the needless question. Ji-young: Strategist. Hee-jin: Yes. Ji-young: From now on, I would rather you did not keep turning mother's matter, or what went on between the two of us — past things, in short — over in your head. Hee-jin: Understood. Ji-young: Because it was a choice. For you, and for me.

Hee-jin: Yes. Ji-young: Truly, I am all right now. Because she remains in me. In Yeon-hui. In So-hui, in Si-yeon, in you, in everyone here. Here, now, my own traces will remain. It is all right. Because it is a choice. Hee-jin: Understood. After letting out a small sigh, Ji-young carefully asked Hee-jin, picking up the thread of the short silence. Ji-young: Did you go. Hee-jin: Yes. Ji-young nodded at Hee-jin's small but firm answer. Ji-young: And in that time, what of Yeon-su.

Hee-jin glanced down briefly at the cooled drink in her hand. Hee-jin: It did not take long, but just in case, I had her sleep in my car for a short while. At Hee-jin's composed account, Ji-young stole a look at the drink she had already emptied. Ji-young: Ah. So that is why the drink had gone lukewarm. Hee-jin: Only, the moment I arrived, the Martial Director nearly made a scene, which caught me a little off guard. The Martial Director is dim in ordinary matters, but occasionally she is not.

Ji-young: Ah, you are right. I forgot to mention I had sent the Martial Director on an errand. I was busy asking the Dokkaebi King for this and that. I am sorry. Hee-jin: Not at all. It is fine. Thanks to Yeon-su, it was settled quickly. At Hee-jin's voice, Ji-young smiled lightly and nodded. Letting out a small sigh and pushing the short silence aside, Ji-young carried on to Hee-jin. Ji-young: There will be a fuss the moment they arrive. Hee-jin: That is precisely how it will be bearable for you.

The water is already spilled. Rather than waiting for it to dry, sweeping it up will be quickest. The world of the dead has bought us time. There is nothing to worry about, so please bear with it a little longer. As if she had heard everything she had to hear, asked everything she had to ask, and learned what she had to learn, Ji-young nodded while rubbing her belly in slow circles. As a yawn tried to force its way up, Ji-young, as though to shake sleep back off, stretched out long.

A stranger, even louder sound rolled out of Hee-jin's belly. Ji-young: Uh. Hmm. Ah. Hmm.