Otherworld TRPG Game Master

148 – S3. Learning From The Past -5

Would the mice frozen by the snake’s gaze be like that?

The Namgung siblings and Envers were overwhelmed by the venomous gaze, their bodies stiff as they cautiously watched. Certain emotions have a way of overwhelming people.

The annoyance and anger that filled their eyes, as if they had been through some kind of mischievous incident, made it difficult to even ask if anything bad had happened today.

However, even if they had mustered the courage to ask, it wouldn’t have made much of a difference.

Who in the world would become a man, then a woman, then hate humans, then treat them like toys, then like them, then wear lingerie, then frills, then nothing at all?

For an evil god with a form that transcended the category of living beings, such transformations would have been meaningless acts, like a gentle breeze. Just as giving a stone or a blade a gender would not change anything.

Changing its form and voice to torment humans was its primary function, so it should have felt no emotion in playing a human.

The distance was too close.

It was the difference between controlling a character from beyond the text and an actor playing a role.

The role that the mad wizard had instructed it to play had seeped into the evil god’s data, bit by bit. It had made it empathize.

In the midst of the confusion that came with changing its own shell day by day, it couldn’t help but admit that something within it was changing little by little.

However, it was difficult to escape this situation, so it had no choice but to follow its fate.

Hee Young-hyun began the girl open ark RP (Roll-Play), pouring her emotions into it, as directed by the mad wizard.

Q. What kind of character is she?

A. Hee Young-hyun was a butterfly trapped in reality.

Q. Do you really think so?

A.

—- —-

Have you ever had a dream?

If there is someone who says no, he must be a terrible liar.

‘I have never had a dream.’ Only those who have lost their dreams say such things.

Because it is too painful to not achieve them, they end up pretending that they never existed, that they never wanted them.

I was originally a girl named So Young-hyun.

The word ‘young’ forever means a long life with black hair that does not turn white for a long time. It was a name given to me by my father, filled with the hope that I would live a long and healthy life.

I heard that he went to a very skilled Taoist priest and paid a lot of money for the name. Young-hyun, Young-hyun, when will you come out? I heard that my father and mother smiled as they stroked my pregnant belly.

However, I didn’t know that I would be born killing my mother.

The picture of a happy family that my father had dreamed of was torn apart from the very first stroke. He was tormented by worry until I turned seven, and finally concluded, ‘I have never had such a dream.’

So he took away his only daughter’s surname, gave me only my name, and abandoned me on the street.

Thus, I became Young-hyun.

The girl begged and wandered the streets, and after going through all sorts of hardships, she was taken in by a kind-hearted beggar and became an open ark.

He was my immediate predecessor as the open ark.

He was a windbag. He went around bragging that no matter how dark the future was, it would somehow work out. Even as the open ark was collapsing and a dark storm was approaching, he believed that if he did good deeds, heaven would surely help him.

If you ask me how bright he was.

He added the character ‘희’ (hope) to my name and called me Hee-young (Kinaga). It seems that he had called me that for a long time, hoping for hope.

I heard that when the open ark was flourishing, it had the nature of an orphanage that took in and cared for beggars from each region.

Since they had money and power, they were able to do such good deeds. The current open ark, which was crumbling, had no margin to continue such activities. But he did.

When I asked, ‘If we keep going like this, we’ll really become beggars. We’ll be sold to those Haomen guys!’

‘I was also a beggar who was raised by the open ark. So shouldn’t I help them even if they’re in trouble?’

He said. Seeking, seeking….

And then he died. He was said to have been attacked by a gang, but the open ark had no time to investigate the death of the ark, and they never found out who the culprit was.

I became the next open ark.Since the benefactor died by the sword, I wanted to protect the only open boat that the benefactor left behind. So I gave up this and that. I cut off the information network and sold it, and I also reduced the manpower.

Before my energy declined further, I sold it to Haowen for a high price and left my name, and finally, I stopped taking care of the young beggars.

As a result, now only the three characters of the name Huiyounghyun remain.

In closing, I would like to say that I have never dreamed.

Not even once.

—- —-

Clatter.

Huiyounghyun noisily put down the teacup on the old table. The liquid, which was almost like plain water, rippled for a moment and then settled down quietly.

Envers bowed his head slightly.

“Ah, thank you.”

“It’s lukewarm tea, so it will cool down quickly if you delay.”

“Then I’ll drink it and start.”

“…”

It was a deep meaning that if you didn’t want to drink cold tea, you should quickly tell me what you need and get out of here, but Envers took it as ‘I like cold tea’.

Only the clever Namgungmyung, who clearly understood her intention, was impatient, thinking, ‘Shouldn’t I go out now?’

Huiyounghyun thought that it would be a long story if he talked about it, so he said bluntly.

“What is your intention?”

“Intention… What intention?”

“The news of the 13th generation open ark, which disappeared with Cheonma 30 years ago… Why do you mention it? Did you think that you could handle it as you please with a shallow lie, even though you have fallen so low?”

“That’s a misunderstanding. I’ve never lied.”

Bang!

Huiyounghyun put down the teapot violently. The table shook and ripples spread.

“Then tell me how you got the news.”

“…That’s why, there is a wizard who handles the power of dimension, so in the mysterious tower, Cheonma and the master, that is, the open ark…”

“Ha, now you don’t even think about hiding the lie?”

“…”

It was an unbelievable story.

Even Envers, who had actually experienced it, hesitated to tell the story, so how could he explain it to the people of this world? When he was confused with embarrassment, unexpected support came.

It was Namgungmyung, who sat with his back straight, his fists clenched and placed on his knees.

“W, I have something to say!”

“Speak up, young master.”

“Daoist Cheonghui is a very famous Daoist! I saw with my own eyes that he summoned a dark cloud on the ground that filled this building!”

As the momentum of the conversation subsided for a moment, Envers thanked Ming in his heart and added.

“There may be lies. But you know that there is no lie in martial arts. I will hand over the Tagubong method, so you can verify it.”

“Who knows if it’s fake martial arts?”

“If your eyes and level are not enough to distinguish between fake and real, even fake martial arts will be helpful. And if it’s a fake as sophisticated as the real thing, this will also be helpful.”

Suck. Envers took a deep breath and said powerfully.

“If you were really that skeptical, you wouldn’t have listened to the story while serving tea, but you would have treated me badly earlier. Then, you must have needed something so much that you wanted to believe it even if it was fake martial arts?”

“…”

“Then believe me once. I will prove that my words are not false──”

Creepy!

Suddenly, there was a cold feeling on his neck, and Envers quickly raised both arms to cover the vital points of his neck and chest.

Namgungmyung and Namgungseunga also put their hands on the sword hilts at their waists and took a hasty posture.

It was a sharp murderous aura that instantly lowered the temperature inside the room.

Huiyounghyun was an undisputed master of martial arts, just by his momentum, he made Envers and the Namgung siblings react. A drop of cold sweat ran down the back of Envers’ neck.

“…Phew.”

A sinister dagger emerged from the sleeve that slightly covered the back of Huiyounghyun’s hand, and then it was retracted like a cat pulling in its claws. The murderous aura gradually subsided.

As snow piles up softly when winter comes, regret and regret settled on Huiyounghyun’s eyelids. It seemed that he had accepted Envers’ words in his heart. She looked down at her sleeve and said.

“You must find it strange? I call myself the name of the open ark, but what I pull out is a hidden weapon.”

“…I have learned Bongbeop, Gakbeop, and Kwonbeop. But I have never learned the art of hiding.””Yes. The Open has changed. Having lost the martial art that was its pillar, it had to find something to replace it as a pillar.”

Younghyun said, emptying a cup of tea, as if to calm himself down.

He said there had been a terrible internal conflict.

The Open had been split into three factions after the death of Bangju, who had led the Open, and the beggars who had shared his vision at the hands of Cheonma.

Where should they align themselves? Who should be the next Bangju? Who should have more power?

It would have been better if there had been someone with legitimate or someone with unparalleled martial arts. Since everyone was mediocre, the chaos only worsened.

Amidst such turmoil, the Open lost its identity.

Surely, when it had been in its prime, there had been a grand vision that all beggars had looked up to, but with no one to convey it or any martial art to pass on, it had been forgotten.

From Noble mtl dot com

Amidst the betrayals and desertions, Heeyounghyun eventually became Bangju.

“We had to change to survive. We cut off our useless wings and even our forelegs and hind legs without hesitation. That’s how we became snakes. Slithering in the sewers, filled with the pungent scent of poison.”

Most of the beggars had left the Open. They had simply become beggars, or wandering swordsmen with their martial arts, or fortune tellers, or courtesans.

The handful who remained were Heeyounghyun and a few others.

They had not taken the name of the Open because they were the strongest, but because they were the only ones who had clung to the dirty and tattered name of the Open.

“We are no longer beggars, nor courtesans, nor do we wield clubs, nor do we beg or flatter, so the form of the Open has long since crumbled.”

That’s how they had survived, clinging to life in the shadow of Haomon.

“But what’s the point of returning the Tagubong method now?”

Now that the Open no longer knew what it was.

“……”

The current Envers had no words to answer her. He could only vaguely sympathize with her loss.

To those who held only the name of the Open, which had become worn and old, would returning the Tagubong method have any meaning?

Would it be meaningful to pass on the form of a martial art that was used to beat dogs?

[Flowing with History: Returning the Tagubong Method to the Open]

Unable to answer, he could not bring himself to say that he would return it. Could returning the martial art to the Open, which had already fallen, give them a ladder to climb back up?

Still.

“………..I’ll come back later.”

“Later, you say?”

“Yes. Something….I can’t describe it, but I think you will need this Tagubong method. I’ll come back when I can explain why. “

“……Ha.”

Heehyun waved his hand, shivering. At the clear order to leave, Envers got up awkwardly, and the Namgung siblings also rose from their seats.

As the three of them awkwardly huddled together and crossed the threshold, Younghyun said in a voice barely audible.

“Next time, come without the dust on your tail. If there is a next time…………”

“……?”

Envers blinked, unable to understand his meaning, but Younghyun seemed to have no intention of explaining further.

As the three of them left the training ground, Namgungmyeong said slyly.

“………..The dust is a metaphor, isn’t it? Do you think he means to say we should dress up nicely, Master Cheonghwi?”

“Myeong, if that’s the case, then it must mean….that Younghyun is interested in Master Cheonghwi?”

“…..I don’t think so.”

It seemed like he was filled with anger rather than interest. If he had been interested…………wouldn’t he have acted like Luna?

Envers blushed as he recalled the memories of that moonlit night.

Because of that, he failed to notice the shadow that had been watching him and then disappeared into the crowd.

—- —-

The day before the birthday celebration of Namgung Chaekong, the head of the Namgung family.

Three people were training in the Namgung family’s private training ground. However, their appearance was quite different from usual. Two of them were sitting in a cross-legged position, concentrating, while the other was watching them from the sidelines.

This scene, reminiscent of a Confucian academy, was the result of them learning the secret technique of “eye insight” from a Taoist who had come from the West.Namgungmyung found this training very amusing, and he closed his eyes and smiled slightly.

“Master, is it the nape of my neck?”

“That’s too bad.”

“Um…is it my hand?”

“It was your wrist.”

However, Namgung Seung-ah’s anger was evident. She was naturally impatient, and her gaze was like a sharp knife.

“…Um, my shoulder?”

“No.”

“…My, my chest?”

“No.”

Selby’s face had also turned red, and it exploded soon after. Envers counted silently. One, two, three.

Bang.

“I don’t know! Are you lying to me just to tease me, Master Cheonghwi…?!”

“It’s a misunderstanding. I also learned this from Luna… I mean, Wol.”

“So, how can you sense such a feeling just by feeling a gaze──”

“Um, is it the crown of my head, Master?”

Namgung Seung-ah, who had been arguing, and Envers, who had been evading her, looked at Namgungmyung at the same time. Namgungmyung, who had his eyes tightly closed, concentrated for a moment and then said,

“It’s your face.”

“…It hasn’t even been three hours yet!”

When he tested his gaze perception, Namgungmyung had already mastered the technique of sensing gazes with considerable skill. His accuracy was high, and he was getting used to it quickly.

He now assumed that an attack was coming from the direction of the gaze and moved his body to dodge it. His movements were logical and effective.

Namgung Seung-ah, who saw this, seemed impatient. She closed her eyes tightly, sat down on the spot, and raised her voice.

“Lee… Look at me quickly, Master Cheonghwi! I’ll wake up soon too!”

“Sigh…”

“Look at me!”

Envers ignored Namgung Seung-ah’s nagging voice and stared at Namgungmyung with mysterious eyes. This young boy was a genius with great instincts from birth.

Three more hours passed, but Namgung Seung-ah still couldn’t wake up. Envers was worried that the siblings might grow apart, but it was a false alarm.

“…How are you so good at martial arts?!”

“Si, Sister. It hurts!”

Namgung Seung-ah was jealous, but she knew how to let it go. She brushed her younger brother’s hair to get rid of her frustration. It was a familiar sight.

“Does this happen often?”

“…Yes, Master Cheonghwi. Myung is always ahead of me like this. He even heard the Lord say, ‘You are the best talent in the world.'”

“I think that was an exaggeration. Your sister is also beautiful and excellent as a swordsman, and your older brother is… far away!”

“How much of an age difference is there between you and Lord So?”

Namgungmyung smiled awkwardly, thinking it was too much of a compliment. Envers felt a pang in his heart from the sense of awkwardness. He hesitated for a long time before asking cautiously.

“…Are you close to your brother?”

“Yes! Older Brother So is very busy, so we don’t get to hang out often… but he always cares about me. He even bought me a talisman last time!”

“That must have been great.”

“Yes. If I have one dream… it’s to be by the side of Older Brother So when he becomes the Lord. And I will make the family prosperous!”

Sparkling. Shining eyes. Beyond the boy’s eyes.

‘I’ll be Lord Roderus’ right-hand man!’

The passing image of the past clung to him.

Envers closed his eyes tightly, unable to face him.

“…You will definitely achieve it.”

Even on his closed eyelids, like a black spot left over from looking up at the sun, the faded memories of his childhood lingered for a long time.

—- —-

“This way, you pig-headed fool! This way!”

“Hurry up and put the table down, and put the flag over there!”

The preparations for the banquet were very noisy. All kinds of laborers were running around, moving furniture and food, and the members of the Namgung family were all dressed up and talking to each other.

In the distance, Namgungmyung and Namgungso were seen greeting each other with smiles. They seemed to be very close brothers.

Watching the scene with sunken eyes.

Envers was silent amidst the noise.

“… …”Sometimes, I felt like I had lost my way. What was the point of training so hard in martial arts? The vague dream of returning to that mansion and being recognized by everyone──wasn’t it too late for that?

[Dream: Return to Redburn Mansion, prove my worth, make those who ignored me kneel, and become the right-hand man of the lord⋯⋯?]

Could I achieve it?

With this body that started to ache whenever I used my magical powers, could I achieve it?

‘But what’s the point of the Tagu Bongbeop returning now?’

The words of Hyun Gae Bang Bang Yoohyun seemed to ring in his ears. There was a deep sense of doubt in that question. Would the future improve? Could what had been spilled be gathered up again? That was the fundamental question.

“…I.”

In the midst of such confusion, very faintly. When sunlight and moonlight seemed to brush past.

The incident happened.

Chuck, chuck, chuck, chuck.

The sound of footsteps could be heard, and the warriors of the Namgung family surrounded Envers in a circle. When he raised his head, wasn’t it the Taoist priest from the reception hall who was fanning himself with a folding fan and stepping forward?

“What’s going on here?”

“Hmph, your act is up. With my divine powers, I watched carefully what you were doing outside!”

“…?”

Outside, did he mean when he visited Haomon with the Namgung siblings?

“You tricked Gae Bang, who was dying from the lost Tagu Bongbeop, didn’t you? Then, where did you get that Tagu Bongbeop? It disappeared with Cheonma!”

“No, that’s…!”

“There is only one answer. You are a lackey of the Demonic Cult-!!”

“…?!”

A demonic hand reached out.