Chapter 49: Contaminated Orc Garrison (3)

After destroying the altar and returning to camp, Kim Ki-Rok found the campsite in an uproar.

"Hey! I'm tellin' ya! I've done everything with Ji-Hee, got it?! We watched dramas, played games—everything![1]"

Kim Ki-Rok was baffled. In times like these, it was fastest to check with those nearby to understand what was going on.

"Miss Ji-Yeon." Kim Ki-Rok asked.

"Oh, Guildmaster. Welcome back." Lee Ji-Yeon responded.

"Yes. I returned safely. But what is going on here?"

The red-haired beauty, Fire Elementalist Lee Ji-Yeon, turned her head. "Oh. The thing is..."

Over by the campfire, two spirits were facing off against each other.

"

Neiigh!

"

"Ji-Hee! What is that

horsehead

saying?!"

"Eh, it's just an old geezer. I pity the princess, having to entertain a grandpa...

Hmm.

But I find it fun, though." Kim Ji-Hee clearly appended her thoughts at the end, but the first few remarks were all from the horse spirit.

"You know who I am? I'm a man of the new generation!" the flustered Kan Cho-Woo said.

"

Neeeiigh!

"

"Ji-Hee! What's he saying?!"

Kim Ji-Hee nibbled on the fruit Lee Ji-Ah had cut for her and continued to interpret. "What is this new-generation old geezer even talking about?"

Angered, Kan Cho-Woo swung his staff, but of course it was useless against the horse spirit.

"

Snort!

"

Even without interpretation, the tone of the horse was obvious. Kan Cho-Woo was truly furious.

"Why, you little! I'll cut your body in two, make one half into yukhoe[2], and grill the other half!"

"

Neeigh

."

"What's this old coot with no body going on about?"

"

Neigh!

"

"Ah, he's old, so he must be losing his mind."

"W-what!" Kan Cho-Woo swung his staff again, but it was useless. "I dare you to say that again!" he shouted.

"

Neigh!

"

"Fine, old man. I know you're old, so I'll say it one more time."

"

Neeeigh!!

"

"I asked if your mind's going because you're old!"

"

Neigh

!"

"You don't even have a body!"

"Well, neither do you!" Kan Cho-Woo pointed out angrily.

"

Snort.

"

Again, the horse spirit sneered. It spread its large wings on its back and let out a loud cry.

"

Neeeeighh!"

"Old man. I know I don't have a body," Kim Ji-Hee said.

"

Neeigh

!"

"You're the one who didn't know, so you kept flailing your staff around."

"Graaagh!" Kan Cho-Woo clutched the back of his neck as he shook with rage. At this rate, he looked ready to collapse. Whether a spirit could have high blood pressure or not was another question.

The comedic back-and-forth between the two spirits was enough to pique the interest of the guild members, who had gathered in small groups to watch. Some had even brought over popcorn and cola, propping open their chairs and settling down for the show.

"It's a Pegasus," Kim Ki-Rok said.

"Oh, that's a real Pegasus?" Lee Ji-Yeon responded in surprise.

"It must be. No other horse possesses white wings and the intelligence of a human. Of course, it would be a unicorn if it had a horn instead of wings." Kim Ki-Rok explained.

"A Pegasus, huh..."

The Pegasus spirit grumbled tauntingly as it sat down next to Kim Ji-Hee.

"So, why is a Pegasus here?" Kim Ki-Rok questioned.

"According to Ji-Hee, it picked up on some sweet mana and came here," Lee Ji-Yeon explained.

Spirits without physical bodies were void of their five senses, but they still could detect mana.

"It looks like the Pegasus found its way here by following Ji-Hee's mana." Kim Ki-Rok inferred.

"Her mana?"

"To spirits, Ji-Hee's mana is extremely attractive. Not only did she awaken with the skills Spirit Contract and Spiritualism, she also has Spirit Vision now."

Having grasped the situation, Kim Ki-Rok approached Ji-Hee. The Pegasus, flicking its tail, lazily opened an eye to size him up.

"

Nee-eigh."

By now, Ji-Hee was no longer even prompted to interpret. She simply took a bite of fruit and continued with her task. "What's with this mundane human? He looks like an average NPC villager."

"Me?" Kim Ki-Rok asked.

"

Neigh

."

"Who else would I be talking to?" Kim Ji-Hee said.

Kim Ki-Rok quietly stared at this delinquent mare and removed a mana stone from his subspace pocket.

"I'm just someone who happened to stumble across this spirit mana stone."

The Pegasus spirit's eyes shot wide open. This was a special type of mana stone capable of holding spirits. The spirit had to consent, but it made it possible to transport a bound spirit elsewhere.

"And I also happen to be Ji-Hee's father."

The Pegasus spirit was bewildered.

Kim Ji-Hee's father? Wait, something about him felt different.

"

Neeeigh.

"

"Huh? Yeah, he's family." Kim Ji-Hee responded directly to the Pegasus.

"

Neeigh

."

"You want to know his name?"

"

Snort.

"

"Kim Ki-Rok!" she told the Pegasus.

With Ji-Hee's help in conveying the information, the Pegasus spirit flattened himself on the ground.

"

Prrr

." (Elder Kim Ki-Rok.)[3]

"

Hm?

" Kim Ki-Rok wondered why he was being called elder.

"

Neeigh!

"

(Pegasus Mandong greets you!)

Momentarily taken aback by the odd name, Kim Ki-Rok—now in his seventy-seventh lifetime—wasn't one to fuss over such things.

"Oh, okay. I entrust Ji-Hee to you."

"

Prrr

!" (Yes, elder. Leave it to Mandong!)

"Okay. I'll put you in the spirit mana stone before we destroy the Gate and the entrance closes." Kim Ki-Rok said to the Pegasus.

"

Neigh!

"

(Thank you very much, elder!)

***

When he was still alive, Pegasus Mandong had lived in this forest. He died at the hands of a Black Wizard who had come to plant dark mana here.

"

Prrr.

"

(Elder.)

"Yes, Mandong."

"

Prrrrrr.

"

(Dark mana stones are installed throughout the forest, and they are constantly emitting dark mana.)

"I know. Five altars in total." Kim Ki-Rok replied to the Pegasus.

"

Neeeigh!

" (As expected from elder!)

Although he knew Kim Ji-Hee was only interpreting, Kim Ki-Rok couldn't shake off the strange feeling he got when she kept calling him elder.

However, this was an opportunity to get additional information. "Mandong. How many Black Wizards came into this area?"

"

Prrrrr.

"

(Right. At first, I counted total of thirty-two wizards. After I became a spirit, I hid and kept tabs on them. That's how I learned that there are 302 Black Wizards in total, committing evil deeds not just in any single country, but on a continent-wide scale, Elder!)

"Did you know how long they had been preparing for?"

"

Neeigh!

" (They said it was three years! Elder!)

A three-year long-term project. Not only that, but a project that targeted the entire continent?

"Thanks for the intel. I will give you a big reward later."

"

Neeeigh

!" (Oh no, Elder. That wouldn't be necessary!)

"How about I arrange a contract with Ji-Hee for you?" Kim Ki-Rok offered.

"

Neeeeeigh!

" (I am deeply sorry for going back on my words! Thank you, Elder!)

"

Haha.

"

"

Neeeigh!

" (Elder! I know where the grass called Spirit Plants is!)

"

Haha...

Oh? What's this about Spirit Plants?"

"

Neigh!

" (That's right, Elder!)

Kim Ki-Rok stroked his imaginary beard as Mandong lay flat on the floor to express his gratitude. The scene looked so surreal that one couldn't help wondering what on earth was going on.

"Feels like something out of a skit," an onlooker commented.

Nonetheless, it was entertaining, and the skit only became more interesting with the addition of a new actor.

"No! Kim Ki-Rok! What are you saying?" Kan Cho-Woo protested.

"Sir Kan Cho-Woo." Kim Ki-Rok said.

"Why are you addressing me as sir all of a sudden?"

Chuckling, Kim Ki-Rok ruffled the hair of Ji-Hee, who was sitting on his knee, feet swinging.

"As you know, A Pegasus is an excellent steed. Not only are they the best mares on land, they also dominate the skies thanks to their wings."

Mandong bobbed his head in agreement.

"For Ji-Hee's safety, rather than a knight's spirit, Mandong the Pegasus would be more helpful. If I contract with her, then..."

"Then what?" Kan Cho-Woo inquired.

"Among people, Ji-Hee, and among horses, Mandong[4]. Ji-Hee will become an invincible Spiritualist."

"Huh? That phrase sounds familiar." said an onlooker.

"Wait. Is that really where this conversation is headed?" another one commented.

Ignoring the group who were baffled while munching popcorn, Kim Ki-Rok hoisted Ji-Hee up and placed her on Mandong's back. Reading the atmosphere, Mandong stood on all fours and spread his wings wide. Kim Ki-Rok took The Black Staff of Marcus from his subspace pocket and handed it to Kim Ji-Hee.

"Behold!"

"Hum?"

Despite Kim Ji-Hee's puzzled expression, Kim Ki-Rok declared toward Kan Cho-Woo. "Among men, Ji-Hee! Among horses, Mandong!"

"Ohhh! This is perfect content! Among men, Ji-Hee! Among horses, Mandong!" A Hunter from the PR team, who also served as a cameraman, was filming while slapping his knee in excitement.

***

A new video was uploaded to the DG channel on MeTube, titled "Among Men, XX, among Horse, XX."

People who had read Romance of the Three Kingdoms knew this referenced Lu Bu and Red Mare.

Upon watching her first video from the DG Guild channel, Lee Young-Ji had called DG Guild without hesitation and asked for permission to create a fan cafe. The owner of said cafe was now watching the newly-released video with a puzzled expression.

"Among Men, something... among Horses, something?"

There wasn't time to dwell on it for long. Lunch break was almost over, so Lee Young-Ji propped her phone on a stand and hit play immediately.

DG Guild had already announced that they'd be participating in Gate activities after the sudden appearance of numerous Gates.

"So this is the inside of a Gate," Lee Young-Ji said to herself.

At first, nothing seemed to stand out. The Hunters, having finished clearing monsters for the day, were resting in a place reminiscent of a camp. It was so peaceful it hardly felt like a Gate at all.

However, that didn't last long.

"What'd you call me?! Old geezer?! Old geezer?!"

Kan Cho-Woo, otherwise known as Kim Ji-Hee's contracted spirit, appeared furious.

"

Neeeigh!

"

Next to them, a white spirit of a winged horse seemed to be stirring up trouble.

"A Pegasus?" Lee Young-Ji said, perplexed.

As expected of the DG Guild channel—appearing ordinary at a glance but never actually ordinary. With her eyes wide open, Lee Young-Ji concentrated on the video, which was getting more entertaining by the second.

"Hey! You know who I am? Huh?" Kan Cho-Woo shouted.

"Looks like Mr. Kan Cho-Woo also watches dramas." Lee Young-Ji muttered as she watched the video.

Kan Cho-Woo appeared on the screen again as he argued with the Pegasus. "Ji-Hee! What is it saying?!"

Kim Ji-Hee, nibbling on a rabbit-shaped apple, tilted her head in response to his shout. "Old fogey."

"What?!"

An old man and a horse were exchanging insults.

They looked moments away from grabbing each other by the collar, when suddenly the screen suddenly fast-forwarded, and Kim Ki-Rok appeared. As expected from the Crazy Bastard.

He quickly lured the Pegasus with a spirit mana stone.

"

Neeeigh!

"

"Pegasus Mandong sends his regards!" Kim Ji-Hee said.

"

Pfft!

" The mismatch between Kim Ji-Hee's sweet smile and those bizarre words had Lee Young-Ji bursting out in laughter.

After the whirlwind of a comedic exchange that almost felt like a scripted act, the screen was filled with the sight of Kim Ji-Hee riding Mandong the Pegasus.

Behold.

The subtitles emerged below the image of Kim Ji-Hee tilting her head in confusion and holding the staff that Kim Ki-Rok had given her.

"Among Humans, Ji-Hee! Among Horses, Mandong!"

And with that, the video ended.

Lee Young-Ji immediately used her work computer to check an online portal. Sure enough, the same familiar phrases were trending in real-time searches.

"There they are."

5. Among Men, Kim Ji-Hee. Among Horses Mandong.

8. Among Men, Lu Bu. Among Horses, Red Hare.

The video title was in fifth place. Others had to search the term in eighth place to understand the meaning more accurately.

Lee Young-Ji clicked on the search term ranked eighth to check the content and shook her head in admiration.

"Of course, nothing less is expected from the Crazy Bastard."

***

With the support of Pegasus Mandong, who became Kim Ji-Hee's second contracted spirit, the clearing speed of the Gate doubled.

Mandong had been a spiritual being who had guarded the forest before the invasion of the Black Wizards. He knew the terrain well and could survey from the sky, giving the guild members aerial support. He was literally functioning as both a navigation and an early-warning system in one. With this powerful support, the DG Guild destroyed all four altars just six hours into their search on the second day.

"It's currently 3 p.m. Looks like we'll be finished much earlier than I thought," said Cha Min-Ji.

"It's all thanks to Mandong."

The operation would have taken a lot longer without Mandong's help.

"By the way, who gave Mandong his name?"

"They say he was injured fighting monsters that were destroying the forest, and while he was lying there ill, an Elf happened to pass by and help him. That's the one who named him."

"An Elf?"

"Yes, an Elf."

"Huh? An Elf gave him the name Mandong?" Cha Min-Ji questioned.

The name feels a bit... tacky.

Cha Min-Ji's face showed a subtle expression.

Meanwhile, the guild members who had scattered to destroy altars began to return. Once everyone was back, they encircled the area.

Kim Ki-Rok radioed his instructions to the Hunters on standby. "Let's quickly regroup, defeat the Orc Lord, and go home."

—Roger.

—Okay.

—Let's go!

—CHAAAARGE!

No sooner had the transmission ended than the Hunters charged toward the Orc stronghold. Seeing this, Kim Ki-Rok drew his weapon and armed himself.

"Guildmaster, you're heading over too?"

"No. I'll stay here to block any of the Orcs trying to escape this way," Kim Ki-Rok replied.

BOOOOM!

With a deafening explosion, the battle commenced.

1. Homage to the famous Korean film, Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time. ☜

2.

Yukhoe

is a Korean dish consisting of raw beef, similar to steak tartare. ☜

3. Words between parentheses represents Kim Ji-Hee interpretation of the Pegasus. ☜

4. A reference to the ancient Chinese saying, "Among men, Lu Bu; among horses, Red Mare," which comes from the famous

Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

☜