Chapter 97: Ghost Path (2)
The scenery of the street continuously changed.
Each time it did, the lantern in the professors hand would sway slightly.
The direction the lantern pointed had changed.
There had been a straight road just moments before, but now it bent with the light and intersections that hadnt been there before appeared.
And with each change of direction, we went deeper into another world.
We walked while following only the light.
Now, there was little left of the real Geumchon Market.
The ground beneath us was no longer a paved road but damp earth, and instead of buildings, there were trees with silver trunks and purple leaves.
Occasionally, streetlights and signs in unexpected places appeared. This was clear evidence that we hadnt completely left reality behind.
The professor mentioned that those with a special talent could enter this path or spy on the residents of the other world without the aid of tools like the lantern.
Are these the people you say have spiritual inspiration?
Thats right. Do you know how these individuals differ from magic users?
Magic has little to do with it. While a skilled mage can replicate similar effects, its not quite the same.
Traits like [Spiritual Inspiration] or [Divine Possession] are necessary. The trait that Jang Hyeon-deok possesses, called [Living Altar], belongs to the same lineage as these.
But how do I explain this?
Explaining this is difficult. Mages too can see ghosts through the use of magical powers. If you study necromancy, you can do even more. However, a different kind of talent is required to access the otherworld or to use traditional Eastern techniques.
I have seen many people who have come to handle special powers over the years. It has exploded in number over the past 20 years, but even 20 years ago, there were people with such abilities, albeit unseen. Did you know that?
There were witches and psychics even 20 years ago. Not just 20 years ago, there were grimoires that were written a hundred or even a thousand years ago.
Yes, but theres something strange about magic.
Strange? How so?
Precisely, the Mages I mean, especially those like you. The power used by Mages seems somewhat different from others.
What do you mean by different?
It might be better to say their worldview is different. Unlike other powers that have a consistent lineage or tradition, Mages seem to exhibit an oddly constructed structure. Magic claims to have its own lineage or tradition, but, well What do you think? Who taught you magic? Can you tell me what they said about magic?
I never really learned magic. No one taught me after all.
I dont mean to be rude, but when I delve into the components and nature of magic, it often feels not like a traditional ritual or technique but rather like a setting from a modern game or novel.
What could this possibly mean? Well, it does fit the setting of the game.
I could also sympathize with the aspect of having a different worldview.
In the first place, the [Cthulhu Mythos] which this game was based on didnt feature magic in forms like fireballs or magic bullets.
While there were some magics related to the [Cthulhu Mythos], most of the magic I could use fit better with typical epic fantasy games.
Ive always just passed it off as a game mechanic, but why would an NPC professor bring up such questions?Updated from n0velb(i)n.c(o)/m
Could it be that he had more knowledge than what I knew through my playthrough?
I cant discuss who taught me magic, but Ive had similar thoughts. Is there any way I can learn more about this?
When I agreed with his words, the professor responded in a noticeably brighter tone.
Is that so? I actually wanted to study this further, but mages are notoriously uncooperative, so it was difficult. If youre more interested, maybe you could come to our university after this is over. We could explore it together.
Is this an invitation to enter graduate school?
The professor continued to speak enthusiastically about magic even afterward, yet much of what he said held little immediate relevance for me. Moreover, his questions were becoming so numerous that they started to feel truly burdensome.
Ah, hold on a moment. It seems we are almost at the Thousand Gold Temple.
Oh, we should start being more careful now.
The professor reluctantly fell silent as if regretting the end of the conversation. Was another barrage of questions waiting for me on the way back?
Turning my gaze forward, the sight of the Thousand Gold Temple began to come into view.
From here on, we really had to be careful.
A majestic, grand hanok building spread over a small hill covered with purple leaves and a variety of flowers blooming out of season.
It seemed the phrase roof like a whales back must have been coined for such buildings.
The Thousand Gold Temple was not just one building.
A wall stretched broadly enough to encompass an entire hill.
Dozens of buildings were tied to that wall.
Pavilions soaring toward the sky and every visible spot elaborately carved with demonic faces.
All of this was the Thousand Gold Temple.
Why are you closing the gate all of a sudden?
Whats the problem? Call the leader of the Thousand Gold Temple!
Ghosts and monsters gathered in front of the main gate were shouting in unison.
Didnt I see a similar scene at Cheong-hos house? It was exactly like that.
Crowds pushed forward and shouted for the doors to be opened.
But the gates of the Thousand Gold Temple remained closed, and the procession of white ghosts stalled and accumulated before turning into a mass of bodies.
This is troublesome. What could possibly be the cause of this sudden event?
Professor, has anything like this happened before?
No, nothing like this. Though it might be a difficult place for the living, Its a place thats always been open to beings like ghosts.
I see.
This was just a question I posed to maintain the pretense that it was indeed my first time visiting the Thousand Gold Temple.
But what exactly was happening here?
It was only when the clamor of the pressing ghosts reached its peak that someone appeared to explain the situation.
Shush, back off!!
Shush, back off!!
However, appeared wasnt quite the right word.
They had been standing by the main gate from the start.
There is someone among you who intends to harm the Thousand Gold Temple and the great king of Man-geum!
The large jangseung (Korean totem pole) standing to the right of the temples main gate spoke up.
Under the head of the jangseung, the famous characters Great General of All Under Heaven were engraved.
We cannot let anyone in until we find and expel the cursed soul!
This time, a jangseung with Female General of the Underworld engraved on it shouted out.
The scene of the menacing-looking giant jangseung shouting loudly was more powerful than one might expect.
-Move aside!
-Open the gate!
-Gaahh!!
But their words had no effect.
Despite the jangseungs threats, the ghost screamed even louder and grew frenzied.
Perhaps if they had come out a little earlier things would have been different, but by now the trampled and jumbled ghosts were already far from normal.
Professor, lets step back for now.
That seems wise. Standing too close to the front might draw us into the fray.
This was going to be quite a spectacle.
Even I had rarely had the chance to witness the jangseung of the Thousand Gold Temple spring into action and fight.
-If you dont back off, youll be sorry!
-If you really want to challenge us, we wont hold back!
Grrrrrrr!!!
The surrounding earth and sand, rocks and stones, began to rise into the air.
They then clung around the wooden pillars of the jangseung, forming their bodies.
Now the two jangseung were beginning to rise into their huge forms that fit their fierce faces.
-Get lost, you shameless ghosts!
-You fools! Were not taking anyone else in today!
Boom!
Crash!
Watching a pair of monsters that were each about 8 meters tall going on a rampage. It was as if Mountain Tai itself was moving,
Every time the two jangseung swung their arms, ghosts exploded, and each stomp of their feet caused an earthquake.
-Gaahhh!
-Die! Die!
Despite this, the ghosts did not retreat. They continued to charge toward the two towering figures while screaming meaningless cries and hurling themselves at the threats before them.
I tried to pull the professors wheelchair back to safety, but he said something unexpected.
Mage friend, is there any chance you can stop this fight?