Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 348

The Great War (2)

“This wind doesn’t have much *gyeonggyesim* [vigilance/caution]. I thought El was just a pushover.”

So, I was quite taken aback when I heard what followed. My blurry eyes snapped open. Only then did I start to notice the subtle sense of unease. The embrace I was leaning into was too broad to be El. The arm and hand supporting me were also much longer and larger. Mine looked up to see who she was leaning on. Instead of the person with hair as blue as the sea that she expected, there was someone completely different. Jet-black hair rippling in the gentle breeze and even darker black eyes came into view. When our eyes met, he smiled playfully.

“Hello.”

“……”

Mine calmly pulled away and stepped back a little. She checked again to see if it was a familiar face, but the result was not much different.

“Who are you?”

“Hey, is that all the reaction I get?”

Seeing that he wasn’t particularly flustered, he seemed quite disappointed. The atmosphere was light, but Mine was wary. He looked soft because he was smiling, but if you looked closely, he had a rather cold impression. Above all, the fact that he had entered the king’s domain without permission and she hadn’t felt anything was reason enough to be wary of him.

“I’ll ask again. Who are you?”

“Who do you think I am?”

“If you keep avoiding the question, I will assume you have no intention of talking. You must have come here for a reason. Do you want to be banished like this?”

“How fierce. You were cute a minute ago.”

“That was because I mistook you for someone else for a moment, so I would appreciate it if you would forget about it. I just assumed it would be the Spirit Kings since you approached me so casually.”

“Wow, so you don’t *gyeonggyesim* [distrust] the Spirit Kings? This generation must be getting along well. Is it El’s influence? I didn’t know one person could cause such a big change.”

The black-haired man seemed to have a knack for changing the subject. His face, framed by his hands in a flower *batchim* [supporting pose], sparkled *b 부담스럽게udamseureopge* [excessively/uncomfortably] in front of my eyes. Instead of showing her discomfort, Mine carefully pondered his words.

“You mentioned El a moment ago. Are you acquainted with El?”

“I know him. We’re incredibly close.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m El’s progenitor.”

“……”

Mine’s expression, which had been unchanging and *mumigeonjo* [expressionless/dry] all along, contorted for the first time. The man brazenly uttering the words ‘ancestor’ in front of the Spirit King did not seem normal at all. Her *gyeonggyesim* [wariness] grew stronger, but the black-haired man simply wore a triumphant smile on his face. He seemed to genuinely enjoy her *jilsaekhaneun* [disgusted] reaction.

‘He’s a god with a very bad *seonggyeok* [personality],’ Mine judged, and calmly examined the other person’s appearance again. Judging by the fact that he had entered the king’s domain silently, he was clearly a high-ranking god. Even when he was still, his presence was considerable, and overall, she felt a chilly aura. It was the energy that she had *musimko* [unintentionally] felt as *cheongnyanggam* [refreshing] when they first touched. But on closer inspection, it was a *chadichan hangi* [icy chill]. It felt like anyone who was swallowed would freeze solid.

Mine slowly closed her eyes and opened them again. The deeper she delved, the more *ajjilhan* [dizzying] she felt. She had only tried to gauge his power for a moment, but it felt like groping through a *saekaman amheuk* [pitch-black darkness]. There were not many gods who could possess such *gwonneung* [authority/power]. Including the mention of El, his identity soon narrowed down to one.

“……A Demon God, then. Are you Canos?”

The only one who could be called Elquines’ progenitor was the Demon God, the first Elquines. Of course, the Spirit King was not a concept *ieojineun* [connected] by blood, so it was just an analogy. No Spirit King regarded their *seondae* [predecessor] as an ancestor, and that was the same for Mine. If the other man—the Demon God Canos—hadn’t mentioned it himself, she wouldn’t have even thought about it. But the person who said that didn’t seem to regard *hudae* [descendants] as descendants either. He just enjoyed using provocative expressions on purpose. ‘He’s a god with a bad *seonggyeok* [personality] after all,’ Mine reaffirmed her judgment of him.

“Hmm, I guess I can’t fool someone who’s a Spirit King. Even though I’m *galmurihago* [concealing] my power, you noticed so quickly, geez.”

“What brings a Demon God to me?”

Ignoring Canos, who was *yeokryeok* [filled] with disappointment, Mine went straight to the point. Her *bonneung* [instinct] had been warning her for a long time not to deal with him for too long. It seemed best to finish the conversation as quickly as possible and send him back. Fortunately, Canos didn’t seem to have any intention of dragging out the business.

“To be exact, I don’t just have business with the wind. But when I came, there was only one of you. Well, everyone seems busy, so I’d appreciate it if you could listen on their behalf.”

“Is it related to the current situation?”

“That’s right.”

At the expected answer, Mine straightened her posture. She had already guessed that there would be measures taken by the *singye* [divine realm] regarding the *악신*’s [evil god’s] spell. She didn’t expect the Demon God to come in person, but considering the seriousness of the matter, it was understandable.

“First, please confirm this.”

Canos *pyeolchyeo* [spread] his palm and lightly *sseureotda* [stroked] the air. As he did so, a cross-section was cut out as if a *po* [cloth] was being torn. As it fluttered down, it soon turned into a *saehayan* [pure white] piece of paper. Inside, *geuljawa geurim* [letters and drawings] were densely filled. It was a *domyeon jjain* [blueprint designed] in a complex format.

“It’s a purification *sik* [formula/ritual] that *singye* [the divine realm] is designing these days.”

“Purification *sik* [formula]? Not *somyeolsikineun* [annihilating] it?”

“Ultimately, that’s the goal, but in the current state, the damage to be *gamsuhal* [endured] is too great. First, we’ll try purification. Fortunately, it looks like we’ll be able to complete it on time. We plan to start as soon as it’s completed, but before that, we need your cooperation.”

“What do you need me to do?”

“We need a *bangjin* [magic circle] to *gojeonghal* [fix/secure] the *teul* [framework] we’ve *jjada* [woven/created] on the Arkadon side. We need to build huge mana *gijung* [pillars] at each *bangwi* [cardinal direction]. Arkadon is under the jurisdiction of the Spirit King, so I’ll *ilhim* [entrust] that part entirely to you.”

Mine slowly *salpyeotda* [examined] the *domyeon* [blueprint]. Unfamiliar structures and formats were the main focus, but explanations were *cheombudoeeo* [attached] in detail in each paragraph, so it was not difficult to understand. ‘The Demon God didn’t write this himself,’ Mine *tamsaekhago* [searched for] the truth without a word and nodded.

“I understand what it is. I think we’ll need the cooperation of the dragons for this. I’ll discuss it with the Dragon Lord.”

“You’d better hurry. It looks like the situation is getting worse.”

The voice answering was light, but the content it contained was not. Mine hardened her face and *salpyeotda* [examined] Arkadon’s side. The *giryu* [air currents] *gamsago* [enveloping] the atmosphere was strange. She felt an unpleasant sensation as if some kind of *bulsumul* [impurity] was mixed in.

“Arkadon’s *chawonmak* [dimensional barrier] has been damaged. It’s connected to the Demon World.”

“Ah, that’s what I’m saying. Thanks to that, I’m in a *nancheohage* [difficult] situation.”

Canos nodded with a face that was not *nancheohaji* [troubled] at all. His expression was almost non-existent, but he seemed to be deep in thought. When Mine sent him a *uiahan* [questioning] look, he soon smiled *amureochi anke* [nonchalantly].

“In a timely manner, I visited the Spirit World, and the Spirit King I happened to meet was none other than Minerva. I guess you could call this *unmyeong* [fate]?”

“I don’t understand the *uimi* [meaning].”

“I actually keep my promises well. Surprisingly.”

“Is that so?”

“Really. I can’t break an *seoyak* [oath] I made in the name of the *jusin* [chief god].”

“……Isn’t that something no one can break?”

“Yeah, that’s why everyone wants an *seoyak* [oath] when they make a promise with me. But I think there’s a *teum* [gap/loophole] to *ppajyeonagal* [escape] this time. I *myeongsihae* [specified] the *jeonje* [premise], ‘in case of damage.’ I think I’m *cham giteukhae* [quite ingenious].”

“……?”

I don’t understand a word of what he’s saying. Mine just blinked. Canos just bent his eyes, perhaps because he wasn’t trying to get her to understand in the first place.

“Minerva, are you interested in *mori* [driving/herding]?”

* * *

If the most *hwasahan gungcheo* [splendid palace] in the *singye* [divine realm] is the *gungcheo* [palace] of Prawoss, the god of flowers and colors, the darkest is the *gungcheo* [palace] of Shannon, the god of the *myeonggye* [underworld]. Most of the gods’ *gungcheo* [palaces] are in the form of *ungjanghan* [magnificent] palaces, but his *gungcheo* [palace] was in the form of a *jeotaek* [mansion] that was *da sseureojyeo ganeun* [falling apart] like an abandoned *hyunga* [haunted house]. The vicinity was filled with *sikeomeon neupji* [pitch-black swamps], and *geomeun gureum* [black clouds] and *an gae* [fog] were *jaukhall* [thick] all year round. There was a *jeongwon* [garden], but it only *bugakam* [highlighted] the *eumchimham* [gloominess] with *hoesaek* [gray] plants and trees that were *angsanghan* [bare] without leaves. Some could not *geumchi motham chansareul* [help but admire] at this sight that seemed like *mangnyeong* [spirits] would pop out at any moment, but generally, more people *kkeorineun* [avoided] it.

For that reason, Shannon’s *gungcheo* [palace] had few *bangmungaek* [visitors]. In the first place, Shannon himself *meomuneun* [stayed] in the *myeonggye* [underworld] more often, so it was practically an abandoned *gungcheo* [palace]. In fact, in recent years, the *akmyeong* [bad reputation] has deepened even more. Rumors began to spread that *giihansineum* [strange groans] and *tonggok* [wails] sounds were heard from inside the *jeotaek* [mansion]. The dominant opinion was that Shannon had *gaduodun* [imprisoned] the *aknyeongdeul* [evil spirits] he was sending to hell inside the *jeotaek* [mansion].

It was a *teomeoni eopneun goedam* [ridiculous rumor], but it was not a *heotsomun* [false rumor] at all in that the reality was not much different. However, the only difference was that the *daesang* [target] was not *aknyeongdeul* [evil spirits] but gods. Currently, his *gungcheo* [palace] was called a *mudeom* [tomb] among the high-ranking gods. In the sense that if you go in, you become a *siche* [corpse]. True to its name, the inside of the *jeotaek* [mansion], from the entrance to the hall, was full of *neolbeureojin* [scattered] gods. It was a *gwanggyeong* [scene] that would make you believe it was a *siche bat* [corpse field]. In the middle of it, a *ureongchan* [booming] voice *ullyeo peojyeotda* [echoed].

“I can’t do it anymore!”

The one who *ageul sseumyeo ireoseotda* [screamed and stood up] had *meori saek* [hair color] as *dachae로운* [colorful] as a *muji gae* [rainbow]. Because of her *hwonchilhan* [tall] height and *geonjangan physique* [sturdy build], she looked like a *namsin* [male god] at first glance, but there was no one who didn’t know that she was a *yeosin* [female god]. Her silver eyes, which were usually *chingsongbatneun* [praised] as *seongsereopda* [holy] by her *chujongjadeul* [followers] and looked like they *meogeumeun pureun boseok* [held blue jewels], were now full of *hyunghunghan energy* [fierce energy].

“Just tell that *saekki* [bastard] to become an *aksin* [evil god]! Either way, it’s *gaepan* [a mess]! Whether I die fighting him or have all my *jeonggi* [energy] *ppophigo* [drained] here! If the result is the same, I’d rather die fighting! I don’t want to die like this!”

“Die? You’re being too *eomsal* [dramatic], Iowen. You won’t die just from *somo* [consuming] some *sinryeok* [divine power].”

Shannon, who was *changjosin* [creating] the *bangjin* [magic circle], *daekkuhahmyeo eoi eopseo haetda* [retorted, dumbfounded] at *cheon sin* [heavenly god] Iowen’s *tujeong* [whining]. Iowen *balkkeunhaeseo sorichyeotda* [became angry and shouted] even more.

“*Gojakira ni* [just a little]? Did you just say *gojak* [just a little]? I don’t have any *him* [strength] left in my body, how is that *gojak* [just a little]? *Gaduodugo* [Imprisoning] us for days and nights and *ppopaga dani sinryeok* [draining divine power]! Do you think we’re *manaseok* [mana stones] or power plants?”

“Well, the *yongdo* [purpose] isn’t that different.”

“*Eisssi* [Damn it]! At times like this, shouldn’t you at least say that’s not true on the outside to make it sound better?”

“What’s there to make it sound better? We’re all in the same *cheoji* [situation].”

“Anyway! Look around! Everyone’s about to *ppeotgi* [collapse]! Even if you treat us like *manaseok* [mana stones], you should give us time to *hoebok* [recover]!”

At those words, Shannon calmly *dorabwatda juwireul* [looked around]. Everyone she met sent her *kwaenghan* [hollow] looks. It was a *cheojeolhan* [desperate] look that even the *danhohan* [resolute] Shannon could not *oemyeonhagi* [ignore].

“……Hmm, *hwaksilhi* [certainly]. Everyone looks bad.”

“So let us *swige* [rest]!”

“Alright. I’ll give you a break for a while.”

“Really? Really?”

“Yes, really. Anyway, Canos is *jarireul biwosseunikka* [vacated his seat] now.”

The moment those who had *hwasaek* [brightened faces] became *geudaero ureureu sseureojyeotda* [immediately collapsed]. Those who were *mollin* [driven] to the *jikjeon* [brink] of their *hangye* [limit] did not even have the *him* [strength] to *hwanhoseongeul* [cheer]. While everyone was *maeum nohgo dae(大)jaro ppeodeun* [lying sprawled out comfortably], Perdes sat in a *hangugeok* [corner] and slowly *sumeul golratda* [caught her breath]. She had joined almost at the last minute, so she was in better condition than the others. Still, she didn’t think she would be able to *ireokigeona geotji* [get up or walk] for a while. To be honest, she didn’t even have the *giryeok* [energy] to *beongeut* [move] her lips. She felt scared of Shannon and Iowen, who were *meoljjeonghage umjigigo tteodeuneun* [moving and talking normally] in front of her eyes. The Demon God Canos also *amureochi anke umjigyeosseotda* [moved without a care] until just before *jarireul biugi* [vacating his seat]. Even though he *somo* [consumed] more *him* [power] than the others.

“Wow, it’s completely *cheochamhane* [miserable].”

A *gyeongkwaehan* [cheerful] voice was heard when she was *gyeondigo hyeongijeung mukmukhi* [enduring dizziness silently] while leaning against the wall. When she opened her eyes, something was *bulssuk deulimireojyeotda* [suddenly thrust forward]. A stranger was *naemireo* [holding out] a *gwail* [fruit] that looked like a *boksunga* [peach] to her. He was a *namsin* [male god] with *eunbal* [silver hair] that was *kkaekkeutan* [clean] to the point of being *tumyeonghal* [transparent]. His *seonmyeonghan* [vivid] blue eyes were very *gangnyeol* [intense], but thanks to his *gilge cheojyeo inneun nunkkori* [long, drooping eyes], his overall *insang* [impression] was *seogeulseogeul* [amiable].

“Take it.”

“……?”

“It’s a *seongwa* [divine fruit]. It’ll help relieve *piro* [fatigue].”

“Ah…… Thank you.”

Surprised, Perdes *eokjiro jjanaetda* [forced out] a voice that did not *naoji* [come out]. *Seongwa* [divine fruit] was a *gwihan gwail* [precious fruit] even in the *singye* [divine realm]. It was a *yeongyak jungui yeongyak* [elixir of elixirs] that heals the body when a god *chwihamyeon* [becomes intoxicated], turns animals into *yeongmul* [divine creatures], and gives humans *ineung* [superpowers] when they eat it. But the *namsin*’s [male god’s] expression *naemineun* [holding] it was *danjoropgiman* [simple] like he was giving out a *heunhan gansik* [common snack]. While Perdes, who had *josimsureopge badadeun* [carefully received] it, *meomutgeorineun* [hesitating], the *eunbal*’s [silver-haired] *namsin* [male god] *doradanimyeo juwireul geonneatda seongwa* [went around handing out divine fruit] to the others one by one. Those who were *sseureojyeo itdeon arabogo* [recognized him lying down] *tabakhaetjiman byeollo singyeong sseuneun gisaegi anieotda* [scolded him but didn’t seem to care much]. Rather, he *eungjingeul gahatda* [retaliated] with *geo chin haengdong* [rough actions] such as *mujabihage geot cha geona yokseoreul naebaetneun* [ruthlessly kicking or swearing]. His *taedo* [attitude] did not *dallajiji* [change] even in front of Iowen.

“으아, you’re finally here! I’m alive. But why is there only one? Are there no more?”

“One per person.”

“Where’s that!”

“Where is it. It’s here.”

“*Chisahage* [stingy].”

“*Dakchyeo* [shut up].”

*Bulsonhan daesa ieojyeotda geo chimeopsi* [Insolent words continued unreservedly] to the *choegosin* [highest god]. Perdes *jikyebodeon umjilhaetjiman* [watching flinched], but the *dangsajadeuri or those around them were daesureopji anke yeogineun the situation* [parties or those around them did not care much about the situation]. It meant that they were already *iksukada* [familiar] to this situation.

Eventually, he *dorawa* [returned] to the side where Perdes was after finishing all his *yongmu* [business] and *jarireul jabatda* [took a seat] next to her. A faint *baram naemsae punggyeotda* [wind smell wafted] from him as he *kkaemureo meogneun hanip seongwa* [bit into a bite of divine fruit]. It was *jeunggeo* [evidence] that he was from Minerva. But even if that wasn’t the case, Perdes could not help but *arabol su* [recognize] his *jeongche* [identity]. The ‘Healing Garden’ where *seongwa* [divine fruit] grows was one of the 13 *geumyeok* [forbidden areas] existing in the *singye* [divine realm], and the only one who could *churiphal su jayuropge* [enter freely] inside was the *gwanrija* [administrator]. And the *gwanrija* [administrator] of the *dowon* [garden] had never *bakkwin jeogi* [changed] since it was *cheoeum jeonghaejin* [first determined]. Lusef, the god of justice and discernment. The *changjosin* [creator god] of the unicorn tribe and the *sangeupsin* [higher god] called *musin* [martial god] was the *juini* [owner] of that name.