EX rank supporting role’s replay in a prestigious school - Chapter 200

Hwang Jiho said this when the Red Tiger returned after being stabbed in the body by Jogangryeob.

(T/N: If you can remember, the Jongangryeob is the creature that originally wields the Sangbosimgeumpa, the weapon that Euishin used against the Shapeshifter.)

— What Hwangmyeong Group needs right now is that Chinese player who uses the light skill ‘Yeomje Divine Farmer’, one of the Samhwangohje. Yeomje Divine Farmer is a god of agriculture, medicine, and herbs. 

Samhwangohje, which translates to Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, referred to the eight rulers of ancient Chinese mythology. 

They were given the name at the beginning of Chinese civilization, just before the Ha Dynasty. Some also say that it was Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who later unified the whole country, who came up with the name.

Among the eight rulers in the myth, Yeomje Divine Farmer was considered the God and Emperor. In Greek mythology, it can be comparable to Zeus. 

‘A scenario in the game showed Yeowa and Bokhee of the Samhwangohje intervening…’

Yeomje Divine Farmer was rarely mentioned, so of course, there’s little information about the Chinese player who use light skill related to him. 

Although it’s a bit worrying to meet a player who uses such a strong light skill, I don’t think we’ll be in too much trouble given that it’s Hwang Jiho who will be with me.

“I’ll come.”

When I agreed, Jiho tilted his teacup with a satisfied smile.

“Have you ever met that player in person?”

“No. It’s been a while since I’ve gone outside of the Korean Peninsula. But I’m aware of his existence, and I already contacted him.”

It seemed like Hwang Jiho rarely went outside the Korean Peninsula.

Well, it’s going to be a problem if the head of the Tiger Clan frequently did.

“Considering the condition of Red Tiger’s body, I think it’s a necessary connection to have with this Chinese player. And this body needs it too.”

The Red Tiger’s body is suffering the burden of the heaven’s punishment, so there are limited ways to treat his injuries. 

The only thing that can offset the punishment given to him by the heavens is a player who borrows the healing power of a higher being in the form of light skill. 

Therefore, it will be necessary for the Tiger Clan to establish a connection with the player who borrows the power of Yeomje Divine Farmer, who is also a god of medicine and herbs. 

Listening to Hwang Jiho’s made me even more curious.

Looking at his actions lately, I can guess he really cares so much for his close friends, even on days when he doesn’t seem to care.

So just why did Hwang Jiho stop appearing in the story after the Red Tiger died in the game? 

‘Not just Hwang Jiho, the other people of the Tiger Clan became quiet too. Why didn’t they cooperate with White Tiger? Perhaps Hwang Jiho died or became immobile at the time he disappeared?’

I thought about a scenario where the Black Screen overpowers the Tiger Clan. Maybe that would explain Jiho’s sudden disappearance from the game. 

Hwang Jiho is a member of the great Tiger Clan, and his powers enable him to move through places with his alter ego. That fact makes things a bit more difficult to comprehend.

Still, it’s worth going after Hwang Jiho at the expense of many sacrifices. 

‘Catching Hwang Jiho means that the Tiger Clan and the Eungwang High would easily fall on their hands.’

Hwang Jiho’s position, in case he goes missing or dies, is to be replaced by personnel that was determined in advance. With Hwang Jiho’s life being treated as a collateral, the actions of his family are limited only. 

Yes, if ever I were in the side of the Black Screen, I concluded that it’s best to aim for Hwang Jiho first. 

‘If the Red Tiger dies, I’m sure Hwang Jiho will come and personally avenge him from the Black Screen. So, with that in mind…’

But it won’t be easy for the Black Screen to go after Jiho.

Thinking about it, that time was when the Black Screen itself cannot move freely yet. 

How on earth could they catch Hwang Jiho so quietly that he couldn’t be seen in the storyline?

If Hwang Jiho began to fight with the order and intelligence of the heavens, he would’ve freely disappeared to a different city. However, there were no signs of that happening before and after Hwang Jiho disappeared. 

“You seem to be deep in thought. Are you that interested in the Yeomje Divine Farmer?”

For a while, I completely forgot about the Samhwangohje.

Instead, I was thinking about how Hwang Jiho could be killed by enemies.

I can’t say that to him openly, so I just changed the subject. 

“Well, since the head of the Tiger Clan is interested in meeting that player personally, I’m quite curious about him as well.”

“His ability is excellent, but the fact that I’m willing to go and meet him personally with my own body says a lot about him. Ah right, besides building a connection, there’s also something I want to check.”

“Something you want to check?”

“Players’ entry process to China is relatively tricky. Do you know the reason why?”

I knew about it.

In China, there have been several cases like those similar to Kim Yuri. 

There have been several cases in China where incidents were caused by players’ light skills. These players of course were those who were excessively adored by higher beings. 

Most of them were Chinese players, but a lot of the incidents were also caused by foreigners crossing the border. 

China’s immigration screening has become quite strict and tricky due to the incidents and explosions caused by foreign players’ light skills.

“You’re talking about light skill going out of control right?”

“Yes. Those who were at the center of the light skill incident either died or lost their abilities. But there’s only one player who has fully learned how to control their light skill.”

There’s a player who can do that?

I thought about it hard, but nothing comes to mind. I investigated and researched a lot about major cases in China, but that never came up. 

“China is even stricter than Japan when it comes to information control. Even I haven’t personally stepped foot at the Chinese Player Association yet. This kind of information will surely affect player outflow in China, so it’s natural that they try to control it and prevent it from spreading. “

Korea also sometimes cover up cases related to energy wave and light skills, but it’s especially true for Japan and China.

“I plan to meet that player in person. If things go well, we might even get useful advice for Kim Yuri’s case.”

Hwang Jiho really cares and pays attention to the kids from our class. 

Though I guess it’s a natural charm of my playable character and our talented class president.

“Alright then, let’s go and have our dinner. We came all the way here, so I want to eat some local Gungbao jiding.”

(T/N: Gungbao jiding translates to Kung Pao Chicken. A traditional dish from Sichuan.)

“Rabbit meat seasoned with Wu Xiang or Mara is famous in Chengdu isn’t it?”

“It’s not that I can’t eat it, but I don’t want to put food in my mouth that could be related to the Moon Rabbit.”

He’s saying that as if he didn’t happily eat the rice cake made by the moon rabbit.

Jiho added something as if he read what was going on in my mind.

“There are many ingredients you can use instead of rabbit meat, but it’s not the same for rice cake.”

Well then, that made me realize Jiho’s gourmet theory.

* * *

At Hwangmyeong mansion.

At night, the White Tiger had just returned from Eunyeonggwan with Shinsoo.

The Red Tiger sensed the fishy smell of blood from White Tiger, so he decided to ask him.

“White Tiger, have you interrogated the Shapeshifter again?”

“That’s right.”

“I can’t believe you did that again… The Shapeshifter has been bothering you since a long time ago. Is it related to that?”

“No.”

The White Tiger said no right away, but the Red Tiger remained suspicious of him.

In this year’s April Fool’s Day incident, they succeeded in catching the Bear people. 

Even in the long history of antagonism between the two, this behavior of the White Tiger of interrogating them personally hasn’t been done by him before.

The White Tiger actively participated in capturing the Bear people, but that’s the extent of his help. He never went further than that.

‘There must be a reason why he’s acting this way.’

No matter how much he thought about it, Red Tiger couldn’t think of anything.

Sometimes, most of them never know what their silent friend is thinking about.

“Did you succeed in getting anything out of the interrogation?”

“No.”

The White Tiger seemed to be in a low mood.

Although his face loosened a bit when Shinsoo acted cute around his feet, his eyes were still colder than usual.

“Was he saying useless things again?”

“Yes. How does he act around you or you kid?”

“He never opens his mouth around us. Not even a scream.”

Upon hearing Red Tiger’s answer, White Tiger remained silent for a few seconds.

His face looked cold as usual, but the Red Tiger, who’s known him for a long time, was able to read his emotions even just for a bit.

‘What is he hesitating about?’

The White Tiger was silent, but he said what he had to say.

As time went by, the White Tiger turned out to be a very gentle criminal. But still, he doesn’t compare to the level of Jiho’s madness.

The Red Tiger silently astonished the way that the White Tiger’s eyes showed a little hesitation.

“Red Tiger, I have a favor to ask.”

“Go ahead.”

He wondered what kind of favor it was.

Red Tiger hid his nervousness as he looked at White Tiger.

“The moment that the word ‘true name’ comes out of that man’s mouth…”

As if he had abandoned all of his hesitations, the White Tiger hardened his resolve and spoke his mind.

“Kill him.”

* * *

After dinner, the energetic members of the newspaper department and the seniors of Class Zero had another strange showdown.

The confrontation event was a battle game where the two groups are sure to stay loud all night long.

“Never underestimate our newspaper department!”

“Hah! It wasn’t a complete defeat, you just got lucky!”

“Alright, alright. Just shut up and set up the console.”

The Year 2 Class Zero students rented a whole floor of the hotel, and with the cooperation of the newspaper department, they rented out a lounge where they could set up a huge game room.

Most of the members of the newspaper department and the Year Two Class Zero students entered the competition, but a small number of people didn’t join in.

“Alright. I’ll go and rest first.”

“Me too! Sunbaes, I’m rooting for you guys!”

Moon Saeron has a schedule tomorrow so she went to bed first, along with the other students who ran around and played too much the other night.

I had my own room, but I decided to keep my eyes on Hwang Jiho for a little while until our promised time. I’ll be going out with him in a bit anyway. 

“Hahaha! Alright, I’ll watch the game.”

“Are you good at games, Jiho?”

“I’ve tried it a few times. There are a lot of people at home who likes games.”

Is he talking about the descendants?

Hwang Jiho must be planning on spectating their game.

Leaving behind the noisy lounge, I went into the single room, called Superior Room, where I was assigned.

‘I’m going to take a nap. Jiho can just wake me up when he’s done watching their game.’

When I closed my eyes, I immediately fell asleep.

In my mind, I heard a scream from my playable character.

— Ahkkk!

That made me shoot up from my bed.

It was the voice of Moon Saeron, who was assigned to the room next door.

I immediately ran out of the hallway in my training clothes.

I saw Jiho and Jegal in front of Moon Saeron’s door. They must’ve heard her scream too.

“Saeron? What’s going on?”

Jegal asked carefully after checking that her door’s locks are undamaged.

Soon, the door opened with a rustling sound.

Saeron looked like she just woke up after a good night’s sleep. Her hair looked disheveled, but she didn’t look hurt anywhere.

Moon Saeron addressed us with an awkward face.

“Ahaha… I’m sorry. I’ve heard so many scary stories last night, they started appearing in my dreams!”

“You had a nightmare? Should I call in a doctor?”

Jegal was worried about his student who just had a nightmare, so he offered to call the doctor affectionately.

“I’m alright! It wasn’t that scary. Ah, now that I’m awake, I’ll just go hang out with the others. In a crowded place please! Year Two Class Zero seniors are still awake, right? The kids from the newspaper department are still awake, right? Wow, it would be so much fun to play and hang out together. I want to be with them until the morning! Do you all want to join in too?”

Whatever dream she had, I’m sure it terrified her.

She wanted to be in a crowded place. She wore her headgear and glanced toward the longue full of people who were immersed in the game.

“Let’s do that. Do you want anything to drink?”

“Just water, please! W-where are you going Professor Jegal?! I’ll come with you!”

…

After the fuss about Moon Saeron’s nightmare died down.

As I was fully awake, I decided to join the game.

Perhaps because of Moon Saeron’s nightmare, the topic of their conversation was dreams.

“I also had a scary dream after my first experience with world transition!”

“Well, everyone has had a dream of being chased by enemies at least once.”

“I don’t really get nightmares. I had a few dreams of eating rare items as a reward for clearing a world transition.”

Having no experience with dreams, I just listened to their conversation.

There were people who don’t really have dreams often, but only a few people don’t get dreams at all.

‘I guess Seongheon was similar to me.’

Cheon Seonghon was just like me.

It wasn’t that he didn’t have dreams at all, but he doesn’t have them that often. And he said that it’s always the same dream.

“It’s time, Jo Euishin.”

While everyone got tired of talking about dreams and just focused on the game again, Jiho whispered to me.

“Get ready and follow me.”