GMLS Ch 44

The hunting game consisted of three rounds, each with three matches, for a total of nine matches. The rules of the game were as follows.

Before starting, everyone draws a lot to determine their role for that round. The roles are ‘Prey,’ ‘Hunter,’ and ‘Divine Beast.’ The Divine Beasts are further divided into the black ‘The Ice and Snow Qilin’ and the white ‘The White Tiger of Cheontae.’

However, at the start, The Ice and Snow Qilin must wear a ‘Prey’ sash, while The White Tiger of Cheontae can choose which sash to wear. They usually choose to be a ‘Hunter.’

The winner is determined by a point system. Prey gets 1 point for surviving until the end of a match. Hunters get 1 point for each prey they personally capture. This applies equally to The Ice and Snow Qilin and The White Tiger of Cheontae while their identities are still hidden.

Their true activities can only begin after their identities are revealed.

In the case of The Ice and Snow Qilin, this happens when they are caught by a hunter. At that moment, they immediately switch their sash from red to black and become ‘The Ice and Snow Qilin.’ The hunter who caught them is penalized two points for the sin of awakening a fallen divine beast and is sent to the coffin.

In the middle of the hunting ground, a safe zone called the ‘Celestial Realm’ is created. It is very small and can only accommodate about six people on a first-come, first-served basis.

When the game resumes, it is The Ice and Snow Qilin’s world. The Ice and Snow Qilin, having revealed its true form, can capture both prey and hunters without distinction, put them in the coffin, and convert them into points.

“……A coffin.”

“It’s a place to put the captured people.”

“Not a prison, not an enclosure, why a coffin of all things?”

The name was not just ominous, it was chilling.

“I don’t know the reason either. These kinds of games are often like that, aren’t they? Anyway, it’s a coffin.”

There is only one way to stop The Ice and Snow Qilin before time runs out: The White Tiger of Cheontae. If The Ice and Snow Qilin accidentally captures the hidden White Tiger of Cheontae, The White Tiger of Cheontae shouts ‘Eohheung,’ and The Ice and Snow Qilin is immediately sent to the coffin.

At this time, The White Tiger of Cheontae is considered to have not died, gains 3 points, and the round ends immediately.

“……Eohheung.”

“Yes. If it’s not pronounced properly, it will be invalidated. Also, if The White Tiger of Cheontae chooses to start the game as prey instead of a hunter and is caught by a hunter other than The Ice and Snow Qilin, they will also be sent to the coffin. Even if they are The White Tiger of Cheontae, they die as an ordinary prey.”

“……”

“It’s easier to understand if you think of the divine beasts as being sealed in ‘human’ bodies. Both must meet their conditions to be reborn as divine beasts.”

It was still difficult. Yihwa’s face darkened. Muryun, finding Yihwa adorable, smiled warmly.

Ahem.

Monghyul coughed and continued his explanation.

“Finally, there are two ways for a prey to survive when confronted by a hunter.”

One is to bluff, saying, ‘I am The Ice and Snow Qilin.’ In reality, The Ice and Snow Qilin, for whom it is advantageous to be caught quickly, would sometimes act naively and deliberately lure hunters.

The other is to say, ‘Sangseon hui gyeonchacheo.’ This is a rule where the hunter pretends not to know just once. It can only be used once in all nine matches, and when used, a black circle is drawn at the end of the sash to mark it.

This method was derived from an anecdote about Sangseon himself.

Before the Yeon Continent existed, a woodcutter lived in an ancient village. Born of humble origins and illiterate, his faith and reverence for Sangseon were so great that he offered purified water to him every day.

One day, the woodcutter’s village was attacked by a band of ruffians. The woodcutter barely escaped, but before him was the violently churning Jumun River. Despairing at the wide river, where the opposite bank was barely visible, the woodcutter cried out to the heavens, ‘Sangseon(上仙) hui(希) gyeonchacheo(見此處).’

‘O Sangseon, I pray you, look upon where I am.’

Sangseon, looking down upon his call, took pity on the woodcutter and sent down a small boat made from a piece of the celestial pillar. The woodcutter crossed the river in that boat.

It would have been good if he had crossed safely to the other side, but unfortunately, the woodcutter was struck by an arrow from behind and died. When he died, the boat that carried him also lost its power and sank to the bottom of the Jumun River… or so the story goes.

In any case, because of this origin, in the past, it was a phrase used by high-ranking people or generals in war. A person saved by Sangseon could not be harmed by a mere mortal. To put it simply, it was an elegant way of begging for one’s life.

It was a great eyesore, but in ancient times when the influence of spirits and gods was stronger than now, if one said those words, they were usually spared.

‘Though now it’s just used to mean a single chance at revival in a mere hunting game.’

In the same vein, the same phrase is used as the starting signal for the test to decide the heir. It meant, We hope that Sangseon will personally look down and preside over a fair test.

“It can only be used once in all nine matches. Also, in exchange, you must grant one wish to the hunter who caught you.”

“A wish?”

“Yes. It wasn’t in the original rules, but I added it. I got the idea from a folktale.”

That’s right. It was a rule he added, inspired by a folktale, for Muryun’s sake. As expected, Muryun’s face became pleased upon hearing the rule. My years of serving you have not been in vain. Well done. In response to the silent praise, Monghyul gave a light bow.

The general explanation was over. At Monghyul’s gesture, a eunuch quickly presented the lot box. Yihwa, waiting for his turn, looked around.

Being held in the Imperial Palace, and with the Emperor himself participating, even a commoner’s game became a grand event.

The place called the ‘coffin’ was an area prepared under a white canopy. Two Imperial Guards stood guard in front, showing just how seriously they were taking this. The atmosphere was such that if you were caught and taken there, you might as well be dragged to the Uigeumbu.

‘Well, the atmosphere here is just as intense.’

Due to security concerns, all participants were allowed to carry weapons. The top-tier and special-class warriors, lined up with swords at their waists, looked as if they were about to face a life-or-death battle, not a game.

In addition, the current location was set up as a base camp, with canopies for rest and simple refreshments prepared. Countless palace servants moved about busily.

The Ministry of Rites was supervising, and the overall director was Yeo Yullyeong. When Muryun, frowning, asked why the Shangshuling was involved in such an event, he nonchalantly replied, ‘I came in my capacity as an advisor,’ adding that Monghyul had asked him various things while adapting the hunting game rules for a royal event.

Muryun’s murderous gaze turned to Monghyul. The points he had earned with the folktale were all gone. He flinched and pretended not to notice.

“Captain of the Guard, please draw.”

Yihwa snapped back to his senses. It was suddenly his turn. Yihwa carefully checked the lot he had drawn. White. It was ‘The White Tiger of Cheontae.’ A divine beast from the very first match! What if I mess up? Still, this will be fun.

Thinking thoughts that would have made Muryun die of cuteness if he knew, Yihwa tried his best to act nonchalant and handed the lot to the official from the Ministry of Rites. The official, after checking the color, asked if he would be prey or a hunter.

After a moment’s thought, Yihwa took the red sash of a prey and tied it around his waist. Muryun, wearing the same red sash, came and stood next to Yihwa.

“Are you excited?”

“Yes. This is my first time playing a game like this.”

Since everyone was gathered in small groups, the conversation between the Emperor and the Captain of the Guard was clearly audible, whether they wanted it to be or not.

“When I was young, I was so busy just trying to survive day by day that I didn’t even know games existed. After Your Majesty saved my life, I had to train myself relentlessly for the day I would see you again.”

The expressions of those who caught a glimpse of Yihwa’s life story in that one sentence became strange. Surprise. Pity. Sympathy. Respect. Eyes filled with various thoughts and emotions turned towards Yihwa, pretending not to look.

Muryun’s mood soured at once.

“If the preparations are finished, why haven’t we started yet? At this rate, the sun will set!”

It was still morning. But considering they had nine matches to play, he wasn’t entirely wrong. As the Ministry of Rites scurried about, the Shangshuling shouted in a voice tinged with laughter.

“Red Sashes. Out!”

The first round began.

The prey, wearing red sashes, all rushed into the forest. It was a private property of the imperial family, not far from the capital city. Although there were ridges, they were gentle, making the terrain more like a forest than a mountain.

Monghyul ran swiftly, scanning the faces of his comrades. First, His Majesty. And Yihwa. A large number of Imperial Guards. A small number of Milyeong Army. Wi Junghyuk and Heukwol were not there.

‘This round is a lost cause. To think those two would both be red sashes.’

Should I have rigged it after all? Monghyul clicked his tongue, but it was already too late. To change roles, he had to wait for the next round.

The problem was that the coffin wasn’t filling up as quickly as expected, and the game of tag was progressing slowly. This was because of the existence of The Ice and Snow Qilin and The White Tiger of Cheontae.

The hunting game, while appearing to be a simple game of tag, was actually not. The participants needed to engage in a lot of conversation with each other, in addition to simply moving their bodies. The red and blue sashes had to gauge and suspect each other, see through truths and lies, and hunt and flee accordingly.

“Found one! A red sash!”

However, there was one thing Monghyul had overlooked. The vast majority of the participants in this game were outstanding martial artists. Among them, there were no strategists. In other words, they were all brawn.

Why think when it’s so tiring? Can’t we just catch them all? Or just not get caught until the end? With such thoughts, the simple-minded men rampaged like a herd of cattle.

“He disappeared.”

“Stealth?”

“It must be that guy, the one they call His Majesty’s shadow.”

“Let’s search the vicinity first. He couldn’t have gone far.”

Monghyul felt a shiver run down his spine. Cold sweat trickled down his back.

‘What, what is this!’

He knew this feeling. It was the same one he had when he snuck into the 3rd Prince’s quarters in the past, got caught, and barely escaped.

“His hiding skills are top-notch.”

“The rat.”

But it was more chilling now than it was back then. In the chilling presence that felt like it could cut through his flesh, Monghyul held his breath.