Chương 53: S.04 Memory of the Clock 09(06)

Scene 12. In the inner courtyard of Yu-seok's dwelling, a fairly large number of vehicles had set themselves down. Watching the cars that came in one after another, Yu-seok drew a wordless smile. The late evening, already grown dim before he knew it, held a tremendous cold. Yu-seok, having thrown on a single thick Traditional outer coat, with the front-fold left loose, looked over each of the cars stepping in one by one. Beside Yu-seok stood Yeon-jin.

Looking over the cars stepping into the courtyard, Yu-seok asked Yeon-jin — Yu-seok: I ask this perhaps a touch late, but — Yeon-jin: Yes. Yu-seok: Why is it that you stepped forward, knowing it would fail. Yeon-jin: Because it was the Strategist's order. Yu-seok: You are not, by what I know, one to move on order alone. Yeon-jin: Before being a Master of the Province, I am a merchant. If a place yields profit, if I can be assured that profit can be had, I am one who does not waver.

Yu-seok: What was it about the failure that you saw profit in. Yeon-jin: The certainty that, even though I had called these people, I would not end up at odds with The Oldest. Yu-seok: Oh — I should like to hear that reason. The people from the cars that had come to a halt began to step out one by one. Yeon-jin, with a smile drawn out wordlessly, looked over the people who had stepped in, and set her answer aside for a moment.

Yeon-jin, walking forward first, drew up to all who had stepped from their cars and conveyed her greetings one by one. Some welcomed her gladly, while others conveyed only the lightest greeting at the level of bare acquaintance. In Yu-seok's broad inner courtyard — wider than a great school playground — there were already so many cars that there was no place left to park. Counting also those who had not yet stepped down from their cars, it was, in the end, quite a fair gathering.

The Master and the Deputy of each Province, at Yeon-jin's urging, stepped forward. Yu-seok, to the very end, only stood upright and quietly looked over them all. Yeon-jin, set foremost, conveyed a light greeting to Yu-seok and introduced everyone. Yeon-jin: The Masters and the Deputies of every Province, save the East, the South, and the Southwest, have set themselves here.

Following Yeon-jin's words after she had finished her introduction to Yu-seok, the Masters of the Province there gathered, carefully smoothing the unique hilts of their Province's blades, conveyed their greeting to Yu-seok. Yu-seok, with a smile, answered them all. Every Master of the Province raised the waists they had bent. Yu-seok: Executive Secretary Doe Yu-seok. It is cold — please step inside. Hyeon-sik: If it does not take long.

Hyeon-sik, the Master of the Northeastern Province, who looked to be of an age with Yu-seok, let out a deadpan voice at Yu-seok's invitation. Yu-seok, who had been about to turn and step inside first, halted his stride and listened to Hyeon-sik's words for a moment. Hyeon-sik: Let us do it here. Yeon-jin glanced sharply at Hyeon-sik and read the air about Yu-seok. Yu-seok, with a needling smirk drawn out, nodded his head to Yeon-jin, with whom his eyes had met.

Without any hesitation, Yeon-jin drew the blade in her hand and bored straight through the eye of the Deputy who had stood beside Hyeon-sik. It was a thing that took place in an instant. At the strike no one had been ready for, Hyeon-sik had no time even to be startled. Having driven the blade through the Deputy's eye, Yeon-jin asked Hyeon-sik, the Master of the Northeastern Province.

The Deputy, unable even to set himself fully on his knees, having yielded one eye to Yeon-jin, scattered only a hideous scream into the courtyard. Yeon-jin: Oppa. If you lie down here, won't you be cold? As Hyeon-sik moved to draw his own blade and aim it at Yeon-jin, Yu-seok hurled a dagger shaped of black sand and bored through even the Deputy's remaining eye. Yu-seok: For dogs, you talk too much. Won't come along when you're treated kindly.

Drawing out a needling smile, Yu-seok pulled out from within the breast-fold of his Traditional outer coat a small pouch, and with an offensively light air, flung it toward Hyeon-sik. Pointing toward the small charm-pouch that struck Hyeon-sik's face and fell to the ground, he said to Hyeon-sik — Yu-seok: It's Grey Ash — something the country pieces of shit from the back-country have never even handled. Past too late and it won't come back even, so decide.

Whether to let your Deputy lose both eyes here as he is, and offer up your own neck too, or whether to carry on the conversation in a warm reception room. Scene 13. It was already a fairly late hour. Around evening, when working hours were nearly ending, Soo-a and Hee-jin were stepping into the Martial Hall. Eun-jae, in a deadpan stance, was facing I-seon, who held a 장봉(Jang-bong_Long Staff) gripped in his hand. Jeong-in and Na-hyun, on the platform of the Martial Hall, watched the two's forms.

I-seon, with a slight twirl of the Long Staff, with a form closer to martial 무(武) than to dance 무(舞), as if aiming at Eun-jae's flank, swiftly moved his foot. The Battle boots stirred up dust upon the floor. The Long Staff cut through the air and drew a fierce wind-sound forth. Eun-jae, gripping a blue Ghost Light in her hand, let I-seon's Long Staff slip past, and quickly drew up close instead toward I-seon, who came rushing into her own bosom.

At Eun-jae's air, drawn close right before his nose, I-seon, as if having expected it, swung the Long Staff that had gone past Eun-jae back around, gripped the opposite end, and pushed his head forward to ram his head against Eun-jae's nose. Eun-jae, with an unexpected look, met I-seon's brow squarely — but Eun-jae was no longer in that place. Having lightly let I-seon's headbutt scatter aside, she lightly pushed I-seon's back with her hand.

I-seon, who had tried to ram his head, unable to steady his own momentum, wobbled forward in a half-crouch. Eun-jae left I-seon — about to fall — just as he was, and with a smile drew up to Soo-a, who had at that very moment stepped into the Martial Hall together with Hee-jin. Eun-jae: Soo-a~! At Eun-jae, who, with both arms spread wide, was trying to throw a tantrum like a child for Soo-a, Hee-jin cleared her throat and chided Eun-jae. Hee-jin: Ahem ahem. Director of the Directorate of Support.

It is still working hours. Eun-jae, undeterred by Hee-jin's restraint, scooped up Soo-a — who stood a great deal shorter than herself — in a single lift, and skillfully heaved her onto her own back. At the sight of Hee-jin letting out a light sigh, Eun-jae bared her bucktoothed grin brightly and lightly rubbed her shoulder against Hee-jin's. Eun-jae: Eh, this isn't the first day or the second I've been doing this. I-seon, who had rolled in the dirt, in a fit of frustration sat where he was and stomped his foot.

I-seon: Argh!! Truly!! I told you not to use the Goblin's craft!! Eun-jae, with Soo-a still on her back, drew up to I-seon, who was throwing a tantrum on the ground. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Eun-jae: Now, I'm a Goblin — if I don't use the Goblin's craft, what should I use. Should I not use Ghost Light either?? I-seon: No, not that. The bewitching part. That.

No, sis is the most — Hee-jin, who had drawn up close to I-seon, kicked the seated I-seon's backside with her foot to correct the title I-seon had let slip. I-seon: Aw, truly. All right. The, the Director's the best at body-craft, see? So I asked for a sparring match. You couldn't even hold out, and you went and used the Goblin's craft right off, see? How does that work?? From the pocket of Jeong-in, who had been on the platform, an alarm rang.

At the alarm signaling the end of working hours, smoothing her Traditional outer coat closed, she slowly came down from the platform. Jeong-in: Argh, I-seon sis, truly, what a letdown. I-seon: What!? These ones, truly. Now that her body's a bit better she takes me for an easy one. Hee-jin: You make yourself easy, so easy you are. I-seon: Hey!! Jeong-in used to be your subordinate!! See?! Hee-jin: Now, now. Jeong-in is a fine Director in her own right now. Subordinate of mine, indeed. She is the same rank as I am.

I-seon: Aaah!! Insufferable book-pedants!! I-seon, sprawling out onto the dirt floor entirely flat, kicked his limbs about as if it were unfair. Soo-a: Um, but. Hee-jin sis. Hee-jin: Yes?? As if no longer needing to call each other by their titles now that working hours had ended, each of them naturally dropped the formal titles and called each other by the friendly names according to age. To Hee-jin as well, none of this felt awkward. Soo-a: Is leaving them like that really fine? I-seon: What? Me? Lying down?

Without paying any mind to I-seon's flailing, Soo-a and Hee-jin carried on their deadpan conversation. Hee-jin: Ah. Yes. That's what I'll be doing. As for the details, after dinner I'll quietly tell all of you. Soo-a slowly nodded her head. I-seon: Hey!! SSibal stop ignoring me!! And you!! Song Hee-jin! Are you trying to pull off another asshole-move behind my back?? Lying on the floor, having paused for a moment in his flailing, I-seon glared sharply at Hee-jin. Hee-jin: Argh, truly, that idiot. Hey.

Didn't you hear? I said I'd tell everything after dinner. I-seon: Then just say it now. What's with the dinner talk. Since when did you eat your meals so well anyway. Jeong-in: That's true. At Jeong-in's chiming in on I-seon's side, Hee-jin gave Jeong-in a sidelong glance. Hee-jin: Tsk. Quite the impertinence. Yoo Jeong-in. Jeong-in, looking off at the distant mountains, hummed a whistle. Eun-jae, as if recalling something for a moment, looked around Hee-jin. Eun-jae: Hm? But, where's The Oldest?

Did Hee-jin go alone today? From beneath Hee-jin's shadow, Chae-rim's air gave forth its voice. Chae-rim: By The Oldest's order, I have been keeping for the moment. Eun-jae: Omo. What a startle. In a tone that hadn't been startled in the slightest, drawing a deadpan voice with which to convey her startle, Eun-jae looked again about the place. At the Martial Hall entrance, holding a game console box and the paper bag with the new phone, struggling under the load, Ji-young could be seen stepping in.

I-seon, who had been lying flat on the ground as if collapsing, sprang up startled and ran to Ji-young. Ji-young, having taken off every ornament that had been wound about her head and crammed them roughly into the paper bag, was walking on with a weary trudge. Soo-a, too, hurriedly let herself down from where she had been on Eun-jae's back, and met Ji-young with a bend of her waist.

At the gesture of I-seon — trying to take over the armful of game console box Ji-young was holding — Ji-young twisted her body to brush off the help, and walked on as if it were nothing as far as the edge of the platform. Ji-young: Ah, why's everyone outside in the cold like this?? I-seon: Ah, that, see, I. Settled on the steps that climbed up to the platform, Ji-young set the game console box beside her and sat with her knees spread wide.

Looking at Hee-jin and I-seon who had followed up to her, Ji-young, with a puzzled air, asked I-seon. Ji-young: Why is the Martial Director covered all over in dirt like that, did you get jumped or something?? I-seon: I wasn't! I am not so feeble as to be hit by anyone. Ji-young: Eh, looking at the rest, all unscathed — you got hit, you must have. I-seon: I wasn't! Ji-young, twisting her lips, goaded I-seon. I-seon, in the end, could not carry on his words.

Ji-young, looking at every Director set around her, with a sheepish smile, said — Ji-young: I, today. You all were busy, weren't you? It feels as though I alone went off and played, and it suddenly weighs on me a touch. Eun-jae: No, no. 김서방 (Kim-seobang_The Goblin's address-form for any human, regardless of surname). No, I mean, that. The Oldest. Ji-young: Eh, working hours are over. Let's all be at ease. With each other. Hee-jin: Among ourselves it's fine, but we cannot do so toward The Oldest.

The Oldest is the one who is always set right before the North Gate, where death is set foremost, and the first to face death. Always seated in The Oldest's place, all of this place — Ji-young: Be at ease, I'll block all of it anyway, aigoo my legs. So, where had we got to. Hee-jin: I have not yet conveyed it. Ji-young: Hmm, then I suppose I may explain it now myself, no? Hee-jin: Yes. Ji-young: You must be hungry and chilled, so I'll explain it quickly. We'll wrap it up and go eat. Scene 14.

It was not as great as the reception hall of the Headquarters' Audience Hall, but it was a larger space than the reception room set before Ji-young's dwelling. Yu-seok, seated in the head seat with his legs crossed, set his body deep into the chair as if reclining, and looked over all who were set there. The Deputy of Hyeon-sik, unable even to wipe away the blood, with eyes returned whole, was struggling, watching the air around him, to set himself onto a chair.

Yu-seok: Originally, the Province was a kind of dispatch position, closer to one that managed and reported on the local shamans and the false-faiths the Headquarters could not reach. Such a dispatch role, having stayed in the Province and carved out its own way of life, grew louder of voice, and through the Former The Oldest's gracious favor, has now become an autonomous power with the right of self-governance. No one rejected Yu-seok's words — already pressing the air down — and only sat and listened in silence.

Yu-seok: A dog with its leash off is hard to put back into its kennel. In truth, I have no particular intention of doing so anyway. But — when it comes to a matter of stake, it becomes another story, does it not. Ju-seop (Master of the Northern Province): What stake. Yu-seok: You will all have heard the news on the way. There must have been a summons too. The master of the Headquarters has changed. And — none other than The Key bearing the Harbinger sits in that seat. What that means, I trust you all will know.

Ju-seop (Master of the Northern Province): Then, Executive Secretary, are you saying a re — Yu-seok: This is no rebellion, no treason. Cutting Ju-seop's words short, Yu-seok unfolded his crossed legs and slowly tilted his body, setting his elbow upon the table as he conveyed his resolve to all. Yu-seok: It is a matter of returning to its proper place. That is why I have called all of you. Because the Headquarters, restored to its proper place, will need people to manage it as well.

Bo-ram (Master of the Western Province): However many our number may be, we cannot, by numbers alone, suppress the elite shamans and the body-crafters of the Headquarters. Furthermore, the East, the Southeast, and the South Masters of the Province have not even shown their faces. Should they join the Headquarters, their numbers will be impossible even to gauge — they will run far beyond the people we have gathered. Yu-seok: In a game of 장기 (Jang-gi_Korean chess), if you strike only the King, the game is won.

The other side has not yet completed its clean-up. The first Calamity took place only days ago. I have continued my preparation all this while. Bo-ram (Master of the Western Province): Whether the clean-up is done or not done, what matters is that they are stronger than any of us. Furthermore — they are always shrouded in a veil. Not knowing the enemy properly, a careless provocation only invites peril upon ourselves. Yu-seok: But — they do not know us either, do they.

As it happens, the chance has come upon both sides. And so we have come, taking that very chance. Jeong-hun (Master of the Southwestern Province): Hm. Coming Monday at noon, an invitation hosted by The Oldest has come to all the Masters of the Province. A meaning, I suppose, that she will convey her greetings to every Master of the Province. Likely the Masters of the Southern, Southeastern, and Eastern Provinces who did not come to this place will come as well.

What kind of words will pass at that time, I do not know, but I should think — Yu-seok: The other side, too, wishes to read this side. To gauge who stands hostile, or who stands as ally. Well, it seems mostly settled already, though. Yeon-jin (Master of the Northwestern Province): First of all, the number gathered at present is around seven hundred. A number a bit short of twice theirs. But, as has been mentioned, numbers are not the issue.

Those at the level of these who could not even stop me would never be enough. Hyeon-sik, watching the air about Yu-seok and Yeon-jin, gripped the fist set beneath the table. He could not bear the air of being given no regard at all, but it was clear that to step forward would be a meaningless dog's-death. He had no choice but to listen quietly to their words. Yeon-jin (Master of the Northwestern Province): First, if it is acceptable, I think it would do best to speak first of the method.

Everyone here will be holding it as a matter of the gravest weight. Yu-seok: Very well. Yu-seok, having given a willing answer, raised his body and set his bearing in order. As he set his body straight with a sudden propriety, he gave a light nod. Just as everyone in the reception room drew puzzled looks, in the middle of the great table, in a black water-channel writhing, a contorted air took form. It was the first sight, but anyone could have known. It was dangerous. An instinctive dread.

Every Master of the Province who had been seated rose hurriedly and tried to draw back. Yeon-jin, as if it were not so unfamiliar, did not adjust her seat. Hong-sin, who had risen as Deputy, also drew a frightened look at the unfamiliar grotesquerie. He could only glance toward Yeon-jin with a tense face. Watching Yeon-jin with no particular air, he hesitantly drew a step or two back. From the channel of black water, a familiar air was being shaped almost in completeness.

Watching the black water, draped in a darkness so terrible its end could not be measured, Yu-seok, with a smile drawn out, conveyed a needling voice to those gathered in the hall. Yu-seok: The country-folk, no doubt, will be seeing this for the first time. So — say your greetings. This is The Weeping of Contrition. Scene 15. After listening to all of Ji-young's explanation, no one was carrying on the words. Jeong-in, with her arms crossed, drawing out a deep deliberation, conveyed first a careful voice.

Jeong-in: But, even should it truly proceed as The Oldest intends, whether they will answer the call is itself a matter of doubt. Hee-jin: The summons has already been conveyed. They will come on Monday. Jeong-in: Will they follow? Without any conditions? Ji-young, raising up the body she had set on the platform steps, conveyed her answer to the concern Jeong-in had voiced. Ji-young: Conditions, well — Holding the things she had bought in her arms in a heap, having risen, Ji-young drew out a wide bright smile.

Ji-young: They will be the ones to make them. There is no need for us to set conditions upon those who have turned coat. Well — even so, the conditions or the aim will be plain enough. I-seon: What, exactly, would — Ji-young: Plain. My life, and your seats?