Chapter 486: Dirt (7)

Royal lineage and descendants.

Humans.

The biggest difference between the two is the existence of true names.

And for people of royal lineage and their descendants, their souls tend to be very unstable.

Hwang Jiho mentioned it before when he explained what deep sleep was.

— The soul of royal lineages and descendants is every unstably. Descendants are relatively more stable, but their souls can leave their bodies at any time. The wedge between our soul and our body is our true name.

Like Baekho-gun, there were people of royal lineage who lost their true names.

However, such cases are very few.

In a situation where one loses their true name, either they fall into a deep sleep, or in the worst case scenario, they lose their life.

Therefore, if someone wants to target people of royal lineage, it would be best to take advantage of their true name, just as Principal Hwangbo Yoon said.

This was common sense, but there was something that caught my mind.

“How does it discriminate against those who have true names?”

“Royal lineage and descendants recognize each other. Having that same mechanism, humans can recognize them too. That man’s grandson must have the same ability.”

Royal lineage and descendants recognize each other.

Just like when Yeom Junyeol saw Hwang Jiho and knew that he was of a royal lineage.

Meanwhile, Sung Gukeon has the ability to distinguish royal lineage and descendants.

Sung Gukeon’s eyes were granted an order from a superior being.

Using his power, he can determine whether someone is human or not.

‘The reason why royal lineage and descendants recognize each other is because they sense the existence of real names. So does Sung Gukeon’s ability work on the same principle?’

“I investigated with that in mind, but it wasn’t easy. The subject of the investigation itself was tricky, and if I was found to be doing this research, the royal lineage and their descendants wouldn’t stay put. I had to keep myself secure while working on such a big project.”

There are more people of royal lineage who hide their identities than those who show themselves bare.

Those who are hostile to humans tend to be more prominent.

Even then, Principal Hwangbo Yoon found a way to distinguish and attack them.

She smiled deeply and began to explain what she achieved with her research.

“People of royal lineage and descendants sealed their true names deep in their hearts. In order to penetrate their hearts and to determine which people are of royal lineage, there are several methods.”

...Several methods?

As expected, Principal Hwangbo Yoon was on a different level.

“The first method needs someone who has a true name too. That doesn’t apply to humans. It seems that people with true names recognize each other instinctively.”

The first method was mentioned earlier.

It’s not what was applied in the secret passage.

Hwangbo Yoon’s explanation continued.

“Second, make the subject unconscious and then use an ability that can penetrate their dreams.”

I also know of that second method.

Hwang Jiho explained it while we were inside the garden.

— Nightmares invade our consciousness through dreams. It can swallow the true name that we sealed in our hearts.

Does Principal Hwangbo Yoon know about nightmares?

“Do you happen to know about the god of nightmares? ...From your expression, it seems like you do. I see there’s a high school student who knows about Insomnium.”

The principal looked at me with an intrigued face.

Somehow I can see her similarity with Hwang Jiho, and perhaps that’s the reason why she appointed her as principal.

“When otherworld conflict first began, Insomnium swept this land and left ‘nightmare dust’ behind. I saw a royal lineage that was eaten away by that speck, and guess what? They were afraid that their true name would get swallowed up. That’s how I got the hang of it. But it seems the dust alone can’t swallow their true names.”

So Insomnium was active in this land during the last century.

The principal’s voice was somewhat cold.

Indeed, it seemed that her only goal was to distinguish them.

She devised something that makes people of royal lineage powerless at once, so I had to make her explain it in detail even if she doesn’t wish to.

She entertained my request and added an explanation.

“Even with high levels of intelligence, their souls would only shake a little and be put to sleep for a while. Their memories would get erased for a while.”

According to her, the means of attack could not be installed unless it was close to the terrestrial strata.

“Do you have any more questions?”

It was a teacher-like question.

She’s a book collector and an eccentric principal, but her nature as a teacher still showed.

“No, thank you for answering my questions.”

“You really are polite.”

Even her words were teacher-like.

Her expression returned to a serious face when I first showed her the rare book files.

“Then can you give me the rare book files from that man? I want to read the next page.”

She told me everything I was curious about, so I couldn’t refuse.

I handed her the files that I extracted.

She immediately bid me goodbye after we exchanged device codes, perhaps wanting to dive into the books right away.

She did say that I can ask her again anytime I have a question.

‘Alright. I should go to the next place.’

My meeting with the principal was concluded safely, but my activities for today doesn’t end there.

Looking at the clock, I still had some time left.

The next place was also inside the campus, so I thought I would arrive on time.

I left the office and the administrative building when...

“Your appointment seems to be over.”

As soon as I stepped outside, I saw Hwang Jiho was waiting for me.

Isn’t it time for extracurriculars right now?

Why’s he here, ditching the newspaper club again?

Hwang Jiho looked at me.

“Don’t tell me you stayed up all night, Jo Euishin. I guess you weren’t resting in your dorm room. You didn’t drink your medicine too. What are you doing?”

...How the hell did he know that?

I didn’t skip taking medicine on purpose, I just forgot because I was busy.

I decided to give an excuse for now.

“I was thinking of eating dinner first before taking my medicine.”

“Looking at your face, it doesn’t seem like you ate anything today either.”

The excuse didn’t work.

I was just exposed further.

From his demeanor, I think he already knew where I’m headed next.

“I think you’re very busy, but you’d better stop by the cafeteria in the central area. The menu today is not bad.”

The menu has never been bad in this school though.

I wanted to refute him, but his next words made me swallow mine.

“I know you’re going to meet Jeokho at the Eunyeonggwan. Shouldn’t we eat before that? The Replay function takes up a lot of energy after all.”