WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
Chapter 3: Episode 1: Land of the Dokkaebi (3)
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* * *
Gonga led him to a small meeting room in the Central Main Hall.
Mongryeon was already there, watching Ise with pleased eyes.
“Now that you’ve eaten properly and cleaned yourself up, you look much more presentable.”
“It’s thanks to your consideration.”
“Remember this. A healthy body is a sturdy foundation. Great strength is built upon it. From now on, eat all three meals without fail, and have at least two snacks as well.”
“Yes, Chief.”
Mongryeon clapped twice, then handed him a silver token.
“This is proof of your identity at Gwisu Temple. Don’t lose it, and keep it with you at all times.”
“Yes.”
“Now, let me explain what you’ll be doing from here on. I intend to help you enter Great Exorcist Order.”
“Great Exorcist Order?”
“That’s right. I’ll explain the details gradually. For now, think of it as the largest, most organized, and strongest group currently hunting demons.”
Ise listened closely, engraving the name Great Exorcist Order in his mind.
“To enter Great Exorcist Order, you need Learning, Martial Prowess, Courage, and Principle.”
Learning was the wisdom needed to gain the basic knowledge and insight required to hunt demons.
Martial prowess meant a healthy body and formidable combat ability.
Courage was the boldness to face an enemy without fearing death.
Principle was the mindset to uphold the center of the Dao and do what ought to be done.
After hearing the explanation, Ise tilted his head.
“It’s... different from what I expected.”
“I thought it might be. Let me tell you this much first. Great Exorcist Order isn’t an organization that goes around hunting demons because it burns with vengeance. Hunting demons is closer to a means to an end. It is a Daoist order.”
“I don’t quite understand.”
“That’s a normal reaction. For now, let’s focus on two things that will take time. First, your identity token will allow you into the library at the end of the main hall. There are many books there containing all kinds of knowledge, including the history of the dokkaebi people. Start by steadily studying books related to demon hunting.”
At the mention of a library, Ise’s eyes lit up.
He had learned to read early, and he had always loved visiting Teacher Wiseong’s study to borrow books.
“Second, build your basic fitness. Exercise every day for as long as your body can handle it. For suitable exercises, refer to the Basic Physical Training Guide in the library.”
“Yes.”
“For about a month, focus on building your fundamentals.”
“I understand, Chief.”
Mongryeon’s lips curled upward, apparently pleased by his brisk answer.
* * *
A week after giving him those simple instructions, Mongryeon went on a covert trip far from home.
While she was away, she asked the dokkaebi of Gwisu Temple about the boy’s well-being, intending to check on the work she had assigned her human disciple.
Yet the carrier pigeons only returned with the same answer.
They did not know.
They only knew that he ate lunch, exercised for six hours, ate dinner, and then never left the library.
‘What is that boy doing?’
A few days later, when Mongryeon returned to Gwisu Temple, she understood why the dokkaebi had been unable to keep track of Ise.
That rigid boy did nothing but eat, exercise, and read.
After lunch, he began exercising. Once he finished dinner, he entered the library.
Then he read all day, slept on the library floor for about four hours, ate the rice balls he had prepared in advance, and read again until lunchtime.
He was pointlessly diligent, too. He carefully wrote down every book he had read in the borrowing record, and the pace at which he finished them was beyond compare.
To the dokkaebi, who disliked reading, it was enough to make a dokkaebi weep.
Gonga sometimes came to watch him, fascinated by the sight. Soon enough, though, she would complain that she was bored, let out a long yawn, lean against his shoulder, and doze for a while before leaving.
She grumbled that he stayed so still, it was almost relaxing.
Mongryeon had told him to work hard, but she had not expected this much.
She looked back and forth between Chanmo and Ise, then let out a soft laugh.
“Does he like reading that much? He barely knows whether food is going into his mouth or his nose.”
“I thought he seemed bright. You already knew, Chief?”
“If he had been born into an influential family, he should have become a scholar. He’s no ordinary clever child. Make sure he eats well.”
“Yes, don’t worry. As you can see, he eats plenty.”
“Tsk. At least he listens well.”
Mongryeon approached Ise, who was hurriedly shoveling food into his mouth.
He clearly intended to finish quickly and bury himself in the library again.
Unable to watch any longer, Mongryeon set a bowl of water in front of him.
“Eat slowly. You’ll upset your stomach.”
“Chief.”
“How much sleep are you getting?”
“From 11 p.m. until 3 a.m.”
Four hours.
It was nowhere near enough sleep, and he was only getting it through short naps on the library floor.
“Sleep more.”
“How much more should I sleep?”
“Double it.”
“...?”
“Have you forgotten what I told you? You need to eat well and sleep well if you want to grow.”
“But I don’t have enough time... I also need to increase my physical training.”
“You’re comfortable here now. You’re even talking back?”
“...I’ll increase it.”
“Sleep in your room. The floor is no good for proper rest.”
“...”
“Answer me.”
“Yes.”
As Mongryeon instructed, Ise increased the time he spent sleeping and began sleeping in his room.
The problem, if it could be called one, was that his mealtimes became even shorter.
* * *
A month after Ise joined Gwisu Temple, Mongryeon’s worries proved unfounded.
Ise had stopped visiting the library.
Instead, he had sharply increased the time he spent on basic physical training.
Now it seemed as though he spent every day doing nothing but eating, sleeping, and exercising.
Mongryeon called for him.
“Why haven’t you been going to the library lately?”
“I memorized every book. I think I only need to visit occasionally now to check that I haven’t forgotten anything.”
Mongryeon could hardly believe it. He was not the sort of child who would lie, but it was beyond common sense.
“What level of memorization are we talking about?”
“I may not remember every single word exactly, but I remember almost all the important points.”
“I’ll need to test that. Tell me about the Human-Faced Ape Demon in Records of Mountains and Rivers.”
“It is a high-ranking demon of Danger Level Two. It has a human face, a monkey’s body, one arm, and one leg. It uses sound arts through cries that resemble sighs, and its weakness is water attacks.”
Mongryeon searched through everything she knew and tested him as thoroughly as she could, but Ise answered without the slightest hesitation, reciting it all like a sutra.
In terms of knowledge alone, he might have surpassed even her, a veteran of countless battles.
“...I had my suspicions. Setting aside your reading speed, your ability to learn and memorize is truly exceptional. Well done. Even if you think you have memorized everything, visit from time to time and turn it into long-term memory. That is what it means to truly make knowledge your own. Though it seems you already know that.”
“Yes.”
“Do not forget. Demon hunting is not done through strength alone. Like a tiger hunting prey, you create a situation where victory is certain, then fight safely.”
“I’ll remember that.”
Mongryeon looked him over from head to toe.
“It seems you have trained diligently as well.”
He had gained a suitable amount of muscle without hindering his growth, and his frame and build were developing splendidly.
What a delightful disciple. She could dote on him to death.
He was progressing faster than expected, but now that he had read every book in the library, it was time to tell him about the deeper truths of this world.
Once he had a clear goal, he could begin serious training and aim for greater heights.
“What is a demon?”
“A wicked being.”
“I’ll praise your nerve for calling them wicked right in front of one. Explain in more detail.”
Ise thought for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts, then replied calmly.
“They are beings who once strove to become sacred beasts or immortals, but lost their principles and fell into demonic qi. Or they are those who died and became vengeful ghosts and evil spirits, unable to let go of this world.”
“Correct. That is the common explanation of demon. There are exceptions, of course, such as dokkaebi like us, who were born adapted to demonic qi. Then what is demonic qi?”
“I read that it is corrupted divine qi, but I did not understand what that meant.”
“That is roughly correct. Divine qi, called spiritual energy in the human realm, is a mysterious force that decides fate and maintains the balance of yin, yang, and the five elements. You could call it the foundation of this world.”
Mongryeon paused for a breath before continuing.
“Whether human, animal, or plant, if one awakens the spiritual root they were born with through some opportunity, or gains a spiritual root later in life, they can overcome their lifespan, defy the heavenly order, and become something beyond human. How old do you think I am?”
“You look to be in your early twenties.”
“Stop flattering me.”
“...You look somewhere between thirty and forty.”
“You have taken quite a few years off. It has been a long time since I stopped counting, but this Chief is over three hundred and forty years old.”
Ise did the math in his head.
Dokkaebi lived twice as long as humans, so their lifespan should have been around two hundred years.
“The process of cultivating the Dao to become an immortal is called immortal cultivation, and those who pursue it are called cultivators.”
“It sounds like something from a novel. Then are you a cultivator as well, Chief?”
“We do not pursue the Dao, but we are similar in that we accumulate demonic qi, raise our realm, and transcend our limits.”
Ise was still young, so this was likely his first time hearing such things. Yet stories of cultivators active throughout the world were already widespread.
For those whose livelihood involved dealing with demon, it was common knowledge.
“You will learn about spiritual energy in detail once you enter Great Exorcist Order, so study it then. Nothing would be more ridiculous than a demon lecturing about the Dao.”
“You once said that Great Exorcist Order is a Daoist order that does not hunt demons out of burning vengeance, and that hunting demons is only a means. Are they cultivators?”
“Yes. Great Exorcist Order is a group that seeks to attain immortal cultivation by accumulating spiritual energy through the Demon Extermination and Spirit Subjugation Method, which hunts demons and subdues spirits.”
“I don’t think it suits me.”
“You do not understand. The steady center that lets you pursue revenge without losing your composure is precisely the quality of an exceptional cultivator.”
“Is that so?”
“There are other Daoist orders, and you could grow stronger by joining a martial school or another organization, but... aside from a very few cultivation sects and certain cultivation clans, most are second-rate. Among them, only Great Exorcist Order can be called the true heir to the orthodox cultivation world.”
Ise listened quietly to Mongryeon’s explanation.
Her words were as fascinating as an old story told by a grandmother.
“Without a spiritual root, you cannot handle spiritual energy, and demon hunting is nearly impossible. Even a mid-ranking demon could tear your limbs apart the moment you met it. You do not appear to have a spiritual root, but do not worry. Once you go to Great Exorcist Order, they will make one for you.”
“Then when can I join Great Exorcist Order?”
“You can take Great Exorcist Order’s entrance examination from the age of sixteen until nineteen. It is held once a year, so you will only have four chances in your life.”
“Is there a reason for the age restriction?”
“If you are too young, your body is incomplete and unsuitable for training. If you are too old, a spiritual root cannot be made.”
“I understand.”
“Creating a spiritual root is beyond what I can do... and you are so clever that you will likely handle the learning side on your own. For the next six years, I will teach you how to use your body properly. Follow me.”
Mongryeon led Ise to the armory.
The dokkaebi people were known for their martial arts and weapon techniques as much as their demonic power.
Their natural strength was immense, so their primary weapon was the Gold Chain Staff, called a dokkaebi club. Still, they could wield swords, sabers, spears, and more. Even barehanded, they often overpowered low-ranking demon through sheer strength.
Ise had occasionally tested his strength against dokkaebi boys his own age, and every time, he had keenly felt the gap between their races.
“Is there a weapon you want?”
“Not particularly...”
If he had to choose, perhaps a hand axe, which he had used since childhood.
Ise chose a small hand axe and a shield.
At first, he had wanted to use two axes, one in each hand, but protecting his body seemed more important.
“A hand axe. Its reach is somewhat short, but that does not matter much against demon. Most of them will have a longer reach than you anyway. Why did you choose a shield?”
“I read that protecting your body before attacking your opponent is the second principle of hunting.”
“Good. Use that equipment as your foundation, but when hunting a particular demon, be ready to swap the shield for the appropriate secondary weapon. When you fought the Snail-Headed Scholar, for example, you carried a spear packed with bamboo salt in one hand. You instinctively know how to hunt demons.”
“Yes.”
“Use those for now. I will soon find you much better weapons. Let us begin with how to use your body. Once you have learned all the basic fist and kicking techniques, I will teach you the dokkaebi people’s secret techniques, Dokkaebi Steps and Dokkaebi Senses. You can use them even without spiritual energy.”
Ise nodded, his face full of anticipation.
“For your information, this Chief’s instruction is harsh.”
“Please teach me with the mindset that it cannot be helped even if I die.”
“You have quite the nerve.”
Despite her words, Mongryeon looked thoroughly pleased.
Footnotes:
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