Hello readers! For those who are wondering how Shangbaoqi Golden Rake looks like, I found this drawing of Jo Eui-shin. According to the novel, there are nine prongs attached to this weapon and they are also called ‘teeth’! The author uses the two terms back and forth, so I wanted to let you guys know that they are the same:)

(Before reading, please note that Hwang Jiho calls Baek Ho-kun ‘Baek Ho’ in the novel.)

<Weapon Rarity rises from UR to UR+.>

Along with the new system message, a rarity change effect flowed out of the Shangbaoqin Golden Rake.

Flash-!

The vision turned white due to the Shangbaoqin Golden Rake, which began to shine. When Baek Ho-kun, who blocked the prong with Baek Ah in his hands gradually disappeared through the light, the surrounding landscape changed completely.

“Where am I….?”

This space, as if time had stopped, was in the nighttime.

The ceiling of the training room at the Eunryeon Hall was also dark to express Western Chilsu, but the lighting embedded in the wall gave the impression that it was part of the interior decoration.

(*Western Chilsu – White Tiger)

But where I was standing now was a completely different place.

‘That is…..’

Under the starry night sky.

There was a giant chessboard with broken parts everywhere. The chessboard was full of black and white chess pieces. The situation itself was not strange, but the chess piece in front of me was somewhat strange.

‘The one that’s placed in front of where I’m standing. Only the black chess piece is particularly in bad condition….’

The black chess pieces against the solid white chess pieces shining bright were cracked and old. It was questionable whether it would be okay to grab that black chess piece and make the next move.

[You managed to control this Shangbaoqin Golden Rake safely.]

Suddenly, a voice was heard from the Shangbaoqin Golden Rake that I was holding. It was the same voice I had heard in Cymopleia.

[Haven’t you changed your mind about fighting with the pig yet?]

Of course, it did not change.

Zhu Ganglie returned and darkness was still there.

(*Zhu Ganglie – a real name of Zhu Bajie, a big character in a Chinese story)

There was a lot of work to be done.

“Of course.”

[Do you know that the person who encouraged Zhu Ganglie is not a person who humans dare to confront? Are you aware that if you go against Zhu Ganglie, you’ll also have to fight them, right?]

I knew that.

Because even with the power of my excellent playable characters, it was difficult to resist them.

Still, my answer was fixed.

“Yes.”

When I answered without hesitation, the Shangbaoqi Golden Rake in my hand vibrated and released the power wave.

[Hahahaha! That’s a good mindset to have! If you maintain that mindset, Laozi and I will acknowledge you as the owner of Shangbaoqi Golden Rake!]

(*Laozi – Chinese Philosopher)

After the power wave wrapped around Shangbaoqi Golden Rake, the hilt of the weapon changed from soil color to ebony color, and the teeth changed from iron color to jet black color. The blackened hilt and teeth looked firmer and sharper.

[I’m already looking forward to my owner using the ‘ninth prong’.]

The ninth prong, which is known to be the most powerful.

The one that even Zhu Ganglie wasn’t able to use.

Hearing that, I thought to myself that one day, I will use the ninth prong for sure.

[But how come you’re here in bansang?…. Hmm…]

(*Bangsang – somewhere between reality and imagination)

“Are you talking about this world? What’s this space?”

[This is a space that visually embodies your spirit.]

This is my spirit world?

When I first saw the broken chessboard and chess pieces, I thought there was no way that this could be my spirit world. But watching the black chess pieces’ onslaught, I was convinced.

“How was Zhu Ganglie’s spirit world?”

[You should’ve seen it too.]

Is it talking about the space I saw when I was stabbed by the Shangbaoqi Golden Rake that Zhu Ganglie was holding?

“I couldn’t see anything, though.”

In the space where time seemed to have stopped,

There was just me and Shangbaoqi Golden Rake.

[You saw it right.]

What? I saw it right?

I didn’t understand, so I tried to ask back, but a thought flashed through my head.

“Is it possible that the empty space I saw is the world that embodies the spirit of Zhu Ganglie?”

How can there be nothing in the spirit world of Zhu Ganglie, who is well known for his greed and desire?

[I’m glad that the new owner has something left inside the spirit world. It’s dark here but I see many stars.]

When Shangbaoqi Golden Rake finished its words, my vision began to turn white again.

Flash-!

When the light has disappeared, I could see Baek Ho-kun.

A system message was heard in the remnants of the power wave rising from Baek Ah, that touched Shangbaoqi Golden Rake.

<Skill Level of ‘Use of All Nature’ increased from 4 to 5.>

‘Use of All Nature’ skill also increased.

Is it the result of enhancing a UR-class item to UR+ by filling in the proficiency level, and hearing the voice of the weapon perfectly?

“It seems like you’ve achieved what you want.”

Baek Ho-kun, who looked at me silently, spoke as he picked up Baek Ah and Yeong Ho tied with sight skill. At the end of Baek Ho-kun’s gaze, there was Shangbaoqi Golden Rake that turned black and polished.

“Did you hear the voice?”

“Yes, I did. Thank you.”

A warmth spread across Baek Ho-kun’s face.

Bark! Bark! Bark!

As if he realized that the match was over, my clever Olmu came to where I was.

“Let’s end it here for today.”

“Okay.”

As I answered and tried to lift Olmu, I sensed something strange in Baek Ho-kun’s words.

‘Did he just say ‘for today?’ Is he thinking of continuing the combat training with me?’

My goal, which was to hear Shangbaoqi Golden Rake’s voice, was achieved, but it seems like Baek Ho-kun will still continue to help me with the training. If my playable character, the mythical Tiger Clan, could help, of course, it would be welcome.

“Ah, come to think of it…’

I think I heard that Olmu and Baek Ho-kun are also training together.

I asked Olmu, who was waiting for my pat in my arms.

“I heard from Hwang Jiho that you’re training too. Can you show me?”

…..Knngg.

Olmu turned his head away and twisted his body in my arms. He was making a sound as if he was tired.

“Are you tired, Olmu? I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to pressure you. Let’s play!”

….Bark!

Good that I apologized.

Olmu became energetic again and started wiggling his tail.

“Somebody came, stay here.”

Back Ho-kun, who was staring at me and Olmu, tilted his body and headed outside. Did Tiger Clan come to Eunryeon Hall? Or is somebody trying to break the shield of Byeoksa temple?

“Jo Eui-shin, how come you’re here? …Ah, are you doing that training again?”

It was Hwang Jiho.

Besides, something whitish was dangling in Hwang Jiho’s hand.

‘Wait, is that….’

<Skill, ‘Sight’ is activated.>

When the power wave was focused on my eyes, I could clearly see what Hwang Jiho was holding. It was a mountain spirit that developed a much more distinct appearance than before.

The mountain spirit was dangling upside down in Hwang Jiho’s hand. Looking at me, the mountain spirit started moving his body for help.

Crrrrr……

When there was a cry that sounded like it was coming from a beast from hell, the mountain spirit stopped moving.

‘Where is that sound coming from?’

There’s no way that Baek Ho-kun or Olmu make such a sound so, the sound was likely coming from either Hwang Jiho or the mountain spirit or the old part of the building.

“Why are you here?”

“I came here to ask Baek Ho for mountain spirit’s mental training.”

Hwang Jiho shook the mountain spirit in his hand with an annoyed face.

The mountain spirit begged for mercy, rubbing both hands together, but Hwang Jiho wasn’t listening at all.

“What did the mountain spirit do?”

“This dude taught a strange play to Eun Ho’s juniors.”

Hwang Jiho’s explanation was as follows.

Hwang Jiho was taking a rest after he returned home.

All of a sudden, he couldn’t sense the presence of the three of Eun Ho’s juniors so he quickly went out to look for them.

Where he found them was in the middle of the maze garden.

Eun Ho’s juniors were lying there covered in blood.

“Right after they were found, they looked so pale. But…..”

When Hwang Jiho hurriedly ran up to where the kids were, they suddenly stood up and started laughing. They said,

-Mr.Hwang Ho! Were you surprised?

-We learned how to erase our presence so we wanted to surprise you!

-I took a picture, can I send it to Eui-shin hyung?

(*Hyung – brother in Korean, but doesn’t have to be biologically related)

Seeing Juniors, who put fake blood made with dyes for their play, Hwang Jiho still managed to put a smile on his face.

-You guys fooled the leader of the Tiger Clan. Which one of you three came up with this idea?

Hwang Jiho thought he would find the one who started this and teach him not to do it next time. Then, the juniors pointed at the mountain spirit celebrating the success of their play at the corner of the maze garden.

-The mountain spirit taught us. He said he knows a lot about fun plays.

-Yes! I think he learned it from the third-grade students in class 0 at Eungwang High.

-Mr. Hwang Ho and Eui-shin oppa is also in class 0, right? I also want to be assigned to class 0 next year! I will start preparing myself from now on.

-You guys are lucky…. If I happen to go to Eungwang High, I will also go to class 0.

Hearing their talk, Hwang Jiho pressed his forehead as if he was having a headache.

“This damn silly mountain spirit taught something weird to my juniors….”

“And I can’t believe that the dream of my juniors is to go to class 0!”

As the chairman of Eungwang High and the senior of class o, that must be giving him a headache.

“So that’s what happened. Please teach him a lesson, Baek Ho.”

As he spoke, Hwang Jiho threw the mountain spirit in front of Baek Ho-kun. The mountain spirit startled and tried to run away. But before he could do that, he was caught by Baek Ho-kun’s sight skill.

“If you are a spirit who resides in the holy land, Yeong mountain, and Cheonak mountain, where the best warriors on the Korean Peninsula Tiger Clan are, you must have combat skills. Get ready.”

Srrrnng-!

Baek Ho-kun held out his Baek Ah towards the mountain spirit with a cold face. Then, a unilateral attack continued.

“Hahaha! Baek Ho is energetic today. Good that I brought that dude here!”

Hwang Jiho laughed in excitement as if he was feeling much better. In the meantime, I played with cute Olmu while watching Baek Ho-kun’s attack. It seemed that the mountain spirit looked at me with disappointed eyes, but that couldn’t really catch my attention because of Olmu, who kept tickling my palm with his tiny tongue.

* * *

The final exam ended last week but still, the aftermath of the exam continued.

In Eungwang High, which is at the forefront of dealing with the rapidly changing modern Another World Theory, there were frequent objections to the answer to the test question. Therefore, in Eungwaung High, the grades were announced first based on the pre-determined scoring criteria, and there was a period of reviewing objections and correcting grades for one week.

‘From what I heard, it seems like there’s a lot going on in the second grade this time.’

The topic that was in controversy was an essay-type problem related to the potential of random item boxes’ usage that appears in another world.

I heard that the students, who got their marks deducted for containing a description that it is better to disassemble a box of rarity grade R or lower, raised objections and had a fierce discussion.

The winners were the students.

The one who sparked the debate was my disciple, Yeom Jun-yeol.

Besides that problem, I heard that Yeom Jun-yeol raised objections to several answers for other questions that were marked wrong, and managed to receive either the original or bonus mark.

‘So this was the reason why Yeom Jun-yeol didn’t mention his grade.’

Yeom Jun-yeol aimed for the last-minute reversal by raising an objection without giving up the top student position. It is not yet known what his ranking will be after his exam is corrected, but I think it is worth looking forward to it.

There was one more thing that became a hot topic after the final exam.

‘He finally grabbed the chance.’

An innocent victim who got involved in a case of illegal admission.

A student who was unwillingly illegally admitted through special screening. I heard that the student was allowed to enter the school after making it to the top 50% of the final exam. A few are still saying that the student should be expelled, but the student chose to remain in Eungwang High and passed the exam. That means he will stay in Eungwang High no matter what.

It was when I was entering the school while looking at the news bulletin board.

“Hey, vice president.”

It was Song Dae-seok.

While there were several students who were sneaking a peek at his face, he continued his words.

“I passed the intern document examination.”

One more good news was added.

It was good news that Song Dae-seok passed his intern document examination, and I was happy that he told me about his result.

“Congrats. Did you tell Min Green?”

“….No, not yet. Since she might cry if I fail to pass the interview.”

Song Dae-seok was really considerate towards Min Green.

With that said, Song Dae-seok walked to the classroom without talking further.

Although we didn’t say a single word to each other as we walked, I didn’t find the silence heavy nor uncomfortable.

* * *

A young man who looks like in his twenties.

And a child who reaches about the height of the man’s waist.

Two of them exchanged the carriage that they each prepared.

A pouch filled with a weird-looking fluid came out from the carriage the child gave, while countless 50,000won paper money came out from the carriage from the young man.

“I checked the money! Thanks for using us, Hwang Ho!”

The child spoke brightly, looking down at the carriage full of money. Hwang Ho, who was staring at the child touching the pile of paper money, spoke.

“I have a request for you.”

“Okay! Tell me. If you pay me, I will do it.”

Hwang Ho has tried several tests on the Deer Clan. It was to decide whether he should trust them or not. They’ve built trust through the trade that has been maintained between the two for thousands of years, but he still needed confirmation.

After several deals and trade, Hwang Ho finally made up his mind to trust them.

“Do you know anything about a poison that deteriorates a body with power?”

As he was speaking, Hwang Ho quietly observed the leader of the Deer Clan.

The head of the Deer Clan, who looked like a child, blinked quickly and stamped his feet.

“There’s a poison like that? Did you just make that up? It’s something I’ve never heard about!”

“I found it near the lake of the theme park that I recently took over. I’m tentatively calling it power poison.”

The power poison that is abundant in the frozen type of another world.

It was impossible to make an antidote with the science and technology of the association and the Tiger Clan.

‘It can either be mithridatized by Jo Eui-shin or by using an item with a very high rarity, but that doesn’t solve the fundamental issue. We have to create an antidote.’

Hwang Ho concluded that he needs the Deer Clan involved in this. So he has spent a lot of time checking whether they’re trustworthy or not.

“Here, take a look.”

The poison in a swirl of the golden power wave flowed out of the Hwang Ho’s hand. Seeing it, the Deer Clan’s face was filled with excitement.

He became so excited that he almost changed his appearance back to the divine creature and his horns popped out. Seeing his excitement, Hwang Ho was even more certain that the Deer Clan is trustworthy.

“I want to study this! Let me do it!”

Hwang Ho smiled at the leader of the Deer Clan, who was holding out his hands towards him.

“The acquisition of Seok-chon Lake Theme Park is officially finished. You’ll be able to find the remnants of the power poison there, so contact me once you’re ready to start the study.”