There are many records in Chinese legends regarding the Mujigi.

The most famous tale is that during the Xia Dynasty, the Mujigi was sealed beneath the river by King Wu. However, there are also records that showcase the immense power of the Mujigi.

The Mujigi possesses a massive physique, an unyielding strength that is not an exaggeration but truly capable of causing natural disasters, and in some regions, it is even revered as a goddess.

"Right now, it looks like a small child, but it's a strong Jin tribe. With that kind of power, it must have been targeted by the secret forces, even if they had to take on the Great Heavenly Sage."

Even when thinking about the situations of Gugalanna and Unsa, who were in similar positions, this seems to make sense.

In the case of Unsa, even though they don't have the same power as Mujigi or Gugalanna, they still hold significant influence in the Korean Peninsula and could shake the Ho-jok if needed. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Thus, one must not be swayed by appearances. However, since Mujigi was introduced as the younger sibling of the Great Heavenly Sage, and the weak image from just after the rescue kept lingering in my mind, I couldn’t help but feel concerned.

I wondered if its long sleeves would get in the way while moving, or if it might trip with its short legs while walking quickly.

Although not far from the banquet hall, Mujigi guided me to the lounge, separated enough to block out any sound.

"Sit down."

Mujigi hopped onto a slightly higher chair first and then motioned for me to sit.

It would have been better if the furniture had been arranged to fit Mujigi’s height, but it seemed like the Great Heavenly Sage hadn’t considered this.

Before sitting down, I lowered my body enough to make eye contact with Mujigi, approaching the chair where it was seated.

Mujigi furrowed its brows and said,

"I didn’t tell you to sit on the floor."

"I know. You didn’t eat anything at the banquet, right? Should I prepare something to drink?"

"Anything will do."

The lounge had simple drinks and snacks prepared by the hotel. I still wasn’t sure of Mujigi’s tastes, but recalling the meal I had with the Great Heavenly Sage, I chose something based on the dessert we had then.

It seemed that even when families are separated for a long time, they still end up having similar tastes, like the Hyeong family.

Mujigi, who was staring intently at the grapefruit juice and flat white cookies on the tray, reached out and began eating without resistance. Fortunately, it seemed to enjoy the taste.

"As I heard, you’re polite. I’ve heard a lot about you."

At that time, Mujigi was unconscious, so we were meeting for the first time. I wondered what could have been heard about me. It probably had to be unnecessary chatter from the Great Heavenly Sage or the city chief.

The city chief could have scolded me freely, but since I couldn’t criticize him in front of his younger sibling, I stayed quiet.

Mujigi put down the half-eaten cookie and continued.

"So today, I want to hear from you, not anyone else."

"What should I talk about?"

"When I came to rescue you."

That story must have already been told by the Great Heavenly Sage, but it seemed like Mujigi wanted to confirm the truth, probably because my actions had been exaggerated when passed along.

Explaining the situation to Mujigi wasn’t difficult. I went on to recount everything clearly.

How the Great Heavenly Sage had asked the Ho-jok to search for Mujigi.

How Do Won-woo had realized the anomaly at the TC research center and launched a solo attack.

How other student council members, including Ji Myung-su and especially those present at today’s irregular luncheon—Yeom Jun-yeol, Kwak Gyeong-gu, Ahn Da-in, and Yoo Sang-hoon—had joined.

Afterward, how the Great Heavenly Sage destroyed the tank the children had found, and how Yoo Sang-hee treated Mujigi.

I summarized the events briefly while highlighting the contributions of those who helped Mujigi, but Mujigi grew increasingly dissatisfied.

Mujigi furrowed its small eyebrows, protesting.

"Tell me about you too. Why aren’t you saying anything?"

"I don’t have much to say, because I didn’t do much."

I was simply being honest, but Mujigi’s expression started to grow clouded.

I could feel frustration, sadness, and disappointment in its expression, which left me feeling embarrassed.

"Are you deliberately not saying anything?"

"Huh?"

"Are you suspicious that I might have been brainwashed by that guy when I was captured? My brother and the Ho-jok all treat you like a benefactor, but why are you trying to stop me from doing the same?"

For a moment, I didn’t fully understand what Mujigi meant, but as it looked at me with eyes filled with moisture, I felt like I had been struck by lightning.

Mujigi was said to be a thousand-year-old great monster, but not long after being rescued, it was now in the form of a child and younger sibling.

So if Mujigi was feeling hurt, it was probably my fault.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t keep quiet out of suspicion or to hide anything."

"Then what? If there’s no reason, just say it."

Reluctantly, I had to forcefully dig up what I had done and add details to explain it.

Mujigi asked sharp questions in between, requesting detailed explanations about what I thought and how I acted.

As a result, I had to explain in great detail why the children wore the crow masks and acted the way they did that day.

As I answered all of my actions during that time with sincere effort, it almost seemed like I had # Nоvеlight # done something significant for Mujigi.

"Just as I thought. You’re really a benefactor."

"But that day..."

"The one who caused the most damage to the research center was Do Won-woo, the one who found the tank where I was trapped was Yeom Jun-yeol, a descendant of the dragon clan, the one who destroyed the tank was my brother, and the one who treated me was Yoo Sang-hee. Are you trying to say that? I’m tired of hearing that story. Give me another drink."

Mujigi, being a great monster, quickly understood what I was trying to say.

With no words left, I had no choice but to prepare the drink as instructed.

Worried that it might be tired of the grapefruit flavor, I brought pineapple juice instead, and Mujigi seemed pleased, which made me happy as well.

As Mujigi ate the snacks, its previously displeased expression faded. It seemed like its mood had improved.

With a softer face, Mujigi spoke.

"My brother said that you and Yeom Jun-yeol might go through something big. He said whether I join or not is up to me."

The Great Heavenly Sage had said that if we asked, Mujigi would step forward to help, but it seemed like there were other circumstances.

It was only natural to confirm the intentions of the involved parties.

"Since you’re my benefactor, I’ll lend you my strength. You don’t have to speak through my brother."

In the end, just as the Great Heavenly Sage had said, Mujigi readily offered help.

Mujigi and I exchanged device codes and headed back to the banquet hall.

When we returned, Huang Ji-ho, who had been waiting by the door, greeted us.

"Jo Yi-shin, did you have a good conversation with Mujigi? Ah, you don’t have to tell me what you talked about. Seeing the White Tiger laughing openly in the mansion, I can guess what was said."

"White Tiger? Is he doing well?"

"Of course."

The conversation about the tribesmen suddenly turned into a discussion about how things were going.

Looking around, the hallway was fortunately empty, and since this was a gathering of players, the door was sturdy enough to block out sound, and the abilities of the participants were contained.

‘It seems that the White Tiger met Mujigi while he was adventuring with the Four Beasts in China.’

After exchanging brief news, they engaged in some meaningless banter. Huang Ji-ho, showing off that I had the White Tiger’s favor, was mockingly teasing Mujigi, who found it absurd.

"Is that what you call monitoring? I owe my life to my benefactor."

"Who doesn’t?"

Both spoke grandly.

From a distance, it looked like a high schooler arguing with an elementary schooler, so I found myself pitying Huang Ji-ho for tormenting a child and moved on ahead to the banquet hall.

Though Mujigi had left, the Great Heavenly Sage had organized the luncheon, so the good atmosphere was still intact.

‘The kids who didn’t have any connections seem to have gotten closer.’

Since the Great Heavenly Sage couldn’t interact with all the kids at once, the children naturally began to converse among themselves.

For example, Jang Nam-wook and Cheon Dong-ha.

Players usually have good eyesight, so it’s rare for them to wear glasses, but both of them had special vision and glasses, which seemed to make a quick bond between them.

Even when Jang Nam-wook spoke at length, Cheon Dong-ha quickly grasped the main point and responded to everything.

"Seeing Yi-shin hyung and Yeom Jun-yeol hyung getting along, I’m happy too."

For now, Eun-ho, who was the heir of TC Group, was also present.

Eun-ho, looking like Cheon Eun-ha, offered drinks and began recounting what had happened while I was away.

Then, after glancing at the kids who were looking at me with expectant eyes, he said,

"The people sitting here are the same age as me. I’ll introduce them to you."

For a moment, I thought they must be older, but quickly realized Eun-ho meant they were the same age as Cheon Eun-ha.

Though they weren’t from Eun-gwang High, they were students from other schools, like military academies.

As Eun-ho began the introductions, younger-looking kids began to gather.

Most were middle schoolers, and some were even preparing for the entrance exam to Eun-gwang High.

"Yi-shin hyung, I’ll answer that question. I took the exam last year, so I can give you a more accurate answer."

Eun-ho kindly started answering the kids’ questions.

Since Eun-ho had better grades than me and was more familiar with the latest trends in the exam, I decided to leave it to him.

‘Some of them might join Eun-gwang High next year.’

I glanced around at the potential future juniors.

Among them was a familiar face.

It was Ju Su-ri, the cousin of Ju Su-hyeok.

Ju Su-ri, probably a fan of Ahn Da-in, was hanging around her, though trying to avoid interfering with Ju Su-hyeok.

I was contemplating whether I should send Ahn Da-in’s photo later when I felt a sharp stare at me.

Looking toward the gaze, I saw a small child.

Upon seeing the child's face, I immediately recalled someone.

‘She looks like Oh Hye-je and Oh Hye-jung. The middle schooler from the Oh family.’

Though not as prominent as the Cheon family, the Oh family had a few kids who were considered valuable.

Oh Hye-jeong, Oh Hye-ji, and this middle schooler.

After the collapse of the Dragon Palace in Plama-go, the curse that shook the Oh family caused the youngest to survive and be protected by Ju Su-gyeom.

Though Oh Hye-ji was a skilled player, this child had even more talent, which was why expectations were high for her.

‘But are they not getting along with Ju Su-ri? Or is she just glaring at him to call him over?’

Given the situation in the Oh family during their high school years, I was worried about the mental state of this child.

Ju Su-ri, sensing the gaze, approached and spoke to the child.

I also moved closer, partly to check on them and partly to greet them.

Their voices could be heard.

"...I’ll enter Eun-gwang High next year."

"You’re not old enough yet."

"I quit school and took the GED. I’ll go to Eun-gwang High."

It seemed like these two were also future Eun-gwang High juniors.