TL: Hanguk
Jǫrmungandr’s Mental World.
Beyond the pitch-black darkness, an eerie blue light gleamed coldly, glaring at Jǫrmungandr.
“Kukukuk. Is that you, Fenrir?”
Jǫrmungandr spoke, staring directly into the darkness. His voice brimmed with confidence.
If he hadn’t transcended his limits, he would have been scared, but now things were different.
There’s no rule saying I have to die.
In fact, Jǫrmungandr considered it fortunate that he had encountered Blackie right now.
If he could devour Blackie’s mind and grow his body further, he’d easily be able to spit out <Earthworm>.
As Jǫrmungandr flicked his tongue while looking at Blackie,
…!
The number of glowing blue lights in the darkness increased.
“Grrr…”
Thump. Thump.
Slowly walking out of the darkness and revealing himself was the massive wolf Blackie with dark blue fur.
Thump. Thump.
“Jǫrmungandr, it’s been a while.”
Following Blackie, Eomdol with his massive rock body appeared, and
“It’s been a while.”
Then, the giant spider Ggomi also made her appearance.
Behind them, the Blackie Family revealed themselves in order of rank and surrounded Jǫrmungandr.
What the hell?! Fenrir, aren’t you supposed to be a noble wolf that hunts gods?! You’re supposed to fight alone! Why aren’t you fighting alone?! This isn’t right!
Jǫrmungandr was bewildered at how things were unfolding contrary to his expectations.
And then,
“Fenrir? Am I not your friend?!”
Bang!
Starting with Blackie’s first punch, the Blackie Family’s group beating began.
Kaboom! Bang!
Smack! Smack!
“I couldn’t sleep because of you!”
“You bullied me for being the youngest, didn’t you?! Now you’re the youngest!”
“How dare you try to swallow me?!”
The snake faction’s attacks were especially fierce.
“Ah… I surrender! Please spare me!”
And so Jǫrmungandr raised the white flag, experiencing firsthand that there’s no defense against a group beating.
“Grrr. Fine. Then tell me where you hid the treasure.”
Blackie asked Jǫrmungandr while raising the corner of his mouth.
“Wh-what?! Treasure?!”
“Our Besugu saw you hiding a shiny object. If you claim ignorance, things might get very interesting. Grrr.”
When Blackie growled and threatened, Mukbupal, Besugu, and Sipdeokgu silently prepared to attack.
“Ah. If it’s the shiny object… I know what you’re talking about! I’ll give it to you!”
Having gotten a hint from Blackie’s words, Jǫrmungandr hurriedly took out a shiny black object.
→ A stone formed from the condensed remnants of poisons left over after Jǫrmungandr digested his prey.
→ It contains over ten thousand kinds of poisons and is lethal enough to poison even gods or great dragons upon contact.
In other words, if it were given to Sejun, he would die instantly.
“Grrrr. Besugu, bow your head.”
Blackie glared murderously at Besugu, who had almost provided information that could’ve killed Sejun, and ordered.
“Yes!”
Besugu immediately slammed his head to the ground. Saying anything unnecessary here would only earn a beating.
It’s ruined!
The grand plan of bringing the beautiful gemstone to Sejun and exchanging it for roasted and dried sweet potato snacks was now ruined for Blackie.
Thwack!
“Urgh!”
In his frustration, Blackie smacked the back of Jǫrmungandr’s head.
Why hit me after I gave it to you?!
While Jǫrmungandr was feeling wronged,
“Now, the next question. I heard you were nearby when Destruction-nim fell. Was that your doing?”
Blackie asked another question.
“Me? I was elsewhere at the time.”
“Liar! I saw you! You were right next to Destruction-nim when he fell!”
Sipdeokgu shouted vehemently at Jǫrmungandr’s answer. If he made a mistake, he might end up like Besugu, slamming his head to the ground.
“It wasn’t me!”
“‘It wasn’t me’?! How dare the youngest speak so informally?!”
“I wasn’t…”
Jǫrmungandr hurriedly tried to adjust his speech, but,
“This is insubordination!”
“The youngest needs to be taught a lesson!”
Whack. Thwack-thwack.
Mukbupal and Sipdeokgu, who had been looking for any excuse to hit him, eagerly raised their fists against Jǫrmungandr.
“Let’s hit him first!”
Besugu, who had been bowing his head, secretly joined in.
A moment later…
“Sob sob. But… it really wasn’t me. At that time, I was somewhere else on an errand for the Creator God.”
Jǫrmungandr, whose white body had turned blue with bruises becoming a blue snake, spoke while sniffling.
“Grrr. Is that true?”
“Yes, it’s true! If you ask the Creator God or the First Apostle of the Creator, Emila, they can prove my innocence.”
“Hm…”
He’s not lying.
Judging from Jǫrmungandr’s reaction, it seemed true that he wasn’t present when Destruction fell into corruption.
Then what’s going on?
It wasn’t possible that Sipdeokgu would lie to him either.
This is very suspicious.
Blackie had a strong feeling that there was something going on that they didn’t yet understand.
But that wasn’t the most important matter at the moment.
Hehehe. I wonder what name the butler will give him?
Blackie was far more curious about the new name Sejun would come up with for Jǫrmungandr.
“Everyone, let’s go out.”
With that, Blackie led his subordinates out.
***
Inside Jǫrmungandr’s Stomach.
[You’ve planted a Detoxifying Green Onion Seed in the body of Jǫrmungandr, the Greed that Devours the World and 3rd seat of the Apostle of Destruction.]
…
..
.
While waiting for Blackie family to wake up, Sejun was busy planting crops inside Jǫrmungandr’s stomach lining.
As he was deeply engrossed in planting,
[You have completed the quest.]
[As a quest completion reward, peace has returned to <Earthworm> and 15,192 other worlds.]
…
..
.
Upon completing the quest, rewards began to appear.
The rewards included +100 to all stats, <Power: Sturdy Body>, and official appointment as a Mid-Level Administrator of the White Tower.
However, <Title: One Who Glimpsed Long Into the Beginning> was activated, and <Power: Sturdy Body> was absorbed,
<Power: Mighty Strength>
<Power: Mighty Stamina>
…
..
.
along with 4 other powers.
And then,
→ Even if you suffer fatal damage, as long as you have remaining magic power and vitality, your body will not break.
→ Your body becomes sturdier, reducing damage received.
→ All stat potential +1000
→ All stats +300
All of these effects combined into a single upgraded power.
“Oh. This is nice.”
While Sejun was reviewing the enhanced power’s options,
Kihihit. Kking!
[Hehehe. Butler! The great Blackie has exorcised this one!]
Blackie, who had regained consciousness, called out to Sejun while holding a blue snake about the thickness of a finger and as long as a handspan in his mouth.
Yol-yol…
It was Jǫrmungandr, whose white body had turned blue even in reality, reflecting how badly he was beaten in the mental world.
“Good job, my little Blackie.”
When Sejun fed Blackie a piece of roasted and dried sweet potato as a reward for his hard work,
Chomp. Chomp. Chomp.
Hehehe. Kking!
[Hehehe. Butler! Give him a name!]
While enjoying the sweet potato snack, Blackie asked Sejun to give Jǫrmungandr a new name.
Finally, the time has come.
Sejun braced himself as he began to scrutinize Jǫrmungandr carefully, determined to pick the perfect name based on his traits.
No matter how “great” the first eleven names he had come up with were, if he messed up the twelfth, it would all be for nothing.
Adding the eyes to the dragon’s painting. (TL: This and the next line are both idioms borrowed from Chinese. The first one means adding finishing touches. It comes from a story about a painter who painted four dragons but did not paint their eyes. He claimed that if he did, the dragons would fly away. When asked to prove it, he drew eyes on two of them, and both came to life and flew away.)
Ending things beautifully. (TL: This one means something like finishing something strong.)
A good final name was essential to make everything else seem right.
Hmph. I’ve prepared for this moment with the “Eleventh Naming Strategy”.
It’s all about assembling Chinese characters.
If you place “一” (one) above “十” (ten), you get “干” (gan).
If you place “一” (one) below “十” (ten), you get “土” (to).
Jǫrmungandr, who makes “Yol-yol” sounds, is a snake, blue from bruises, and somewhat resembles a fat innkeeper worm…
As Sejun carefully examined Jǫrmungandr’s features, his Naming Shop was officially open.
Thump. Thump.
Blackie family gazed at Sejun with sparkling eyes, their expressions brimming with anticipation.
And then,
Ppukun! Ppukun!
Sukun! Sukun!
Deokkun! Deokkun!
The excitement from the Eight-Nine-Ten line members, who had been waiting for this moment, was especially high.
Amid everyone’s eager expectations, Sejun began the task of naming.
Let’s see… It’s blue and looks like a fat innkeeper worm, so how about Pagaeto? [TL: 파개토(Pagaeto) = 파(Pa) from 파란색 which means Blue + 개(gae) from 개불 which means fat innkeeper worm or pen*s fish + hanja 土 (to)]
Or maybe, combining Jǫrmungandr and its bruises… Jomeongto? [TL: 요멍토(Jomeongto) = 요(Jo) from Jǫrmungandr + 멍(meong) means bruise + hanja 土 (to)]
Since it has blue bruises, Pameonggan? [TL: 파멍간 (Pameonggan) = 파(Pa) from 파란색 which means Blue + 멍(meong) means bruise + hanja 干 (gan)]
Or since it’s a snake resembling a fat innkeeper worm, Gaesagan? [TL: 개사간(Gaesagan) = 개(gae) from 개불 which means fat innkeeper worm or pen*s fish + 사(sa) probably from 사도 meaning Apostle + hanja 干 (gan)]
Hmm… none of these are good.
None of the names had that “spark” of inspiration.
“Nyorori?”
For a moment, he recalled the name of the snake character from an old cartoon about the 12 Zodiac animals he had watched as a child. (TL: Its talking about Eto Ranger)
No! Nyorori was kind!
He decided to protect the name. Who exactly he was protecting it from, he didn’t know, but still.
And
“Hmm….”
He fell into thought again.
This needs some storytelling!
Sejun began recalling Jǫrmungandr’s story.
‘He ate his friend.’
‘Blackie spared his life in exchange for seven roasted and dried sweet potato snacks.’
‘And he has blue bruises from being beaten.’
‘He looks like a fat innkeeper worm.’
‘Since he’s the last one to join the Apostles of Destruction, he’ll be the youngest forever.’
Perfect! Something’s coming to me now.
“If he’s forever the youngest, what does the future look like for him?”
Black.
While the bruises might heal and disappear naturally, the resemblance to a fat innkeeper worm won’t change.
So, a black fat innkeeper worm means…
“Ka….bulto. Kabulto. Wow.” [TL: 까불토(Kabulto) = 까(Ka) from 까망 meaning Black+ 불(bul) is from 까불 which means to ‘don’t act out’ or ‘not mess around’ which is the taken from the above storytelling. Also if you notice it also contains 까 so it becomes double meaning and another part is explained in another not below + hanja 土 (to) ]
The more he said it, the more he felt it was a great name.
And the symmetry, starting with Blackie and ending with Kabulto. Perfect. (TL: Blackie’s name in Korean romanized is Kamangi so the starting name starting with Ka in Kamangi and the ending name ending with Ka in Kabulto all coming to a full circle.)
This is genius. Even if I say so myself.
“Hahaha. Isn’t this too perfect?”
As Sejun celebrated his naming masterpiece,
Kihihit. Kking! Kking!
[Hehe! Kabulto, don’t act up from now on! This is the butler’s naming skill at its peak!]
“Don’t act out, Kabulto!”
Kkiruk!
Sharalang!
…
..
.
Blackie family began teasing Kabulto about his new name, excited and full of energy.
And then,
[The name ‘Kabulto’ has been imbued with a special effect.]
[All stats increase by 101.]
[<Power: Black Flame> has been granted.]
Special effects were imbued in the name Kabulto.
<Power: Black Flame> allowed the creation of black flames that would not extinguish until they had burned their target completely.
As an added note, it was mentioned that, likely due to the ‘Flame’ in the name, the flames became stronger on Saturdays. [TL: So the another meaning of ‘Bul’ is Flame and the reasoning for it becoming stronger on Saturdays is because the name conatins ‘to’ which in this context taken from 토요일(Toyoil meaning Saturday). ]
Thus, Kabulto became the youngest member of Blackie family with a fitting new name.
Ppuuu!
[Hey, youngest! Massage my legs!]
Yol-yol!
Bebe!
[Hey, youngest! Bring me some water!]
Yol-yol!
Hihit!
[Hey, youngest! Aren’t you going to clean this place?!]
Yol-yol!
Calls for the youngest came from all directions, leaving Kabulto with no time to rest.
Ah… I am the last one…
Kabulto belatedly regretted being the last to join Blackie family.
“I think we should leave Jǫrmungandr’s body as it is.”
Leaving Jǫrmungandr’s stomach behind, Sejun returned to <Earthworm>.
Jǫrmungandr was simply too big to fit into the Void Storage.
Moreover, according to Kaiser, the current location of <Earthworm> was at the outskirts of Destruction.
Removing <Earthworm> from there would expose it to the surrounding energy of destruction, which wasn’t ideal.
On the other hand, within Jǫrmungandr’s body, the energy of destruction was being safely converted into energy of creation, making it a safer choice.
A Trojan Horse, if you will?
“Hehehe.”
As Sejun let out a sinister laugh,
“Meow?! Great Hybrid Chairman Park’s face is getting ugly, meow!”
Poke. Poke.
Unable to tolerate Sejun’s increasingly “ugly” expression, Theo urgently began administering emergency treatment with his front paws.
“…….”
Since even he thought he looked a bit ugly this time, he quietly received Theo’s massage.
After a moment,
“Puhuhut. All done, meow! Your face is back to its usual level of uglyness, meow!”
I, Vice Chairman Theo, have saved Chairman Park’s face, meow!
Theo wiped his forehead with his paw, feeling proud after saving Sejun’s face.
And then
[Black Tower’s Tower Farmer Park Sejun has completed the task of persuading all 12 Apostles of Destruction.]
[Six tasks remain.]
“Phew. That’s a relief.”
<Earthworm> is safe now.
Even the Creator God wiped his forehead in relief.
*****
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