Episode 6, Chapter 1: Rippling Resentment

Huff... You're here. Let's go.

Gosh, is that what took you so long?

Hurry, let's go!

You're finally back. If the Divine Maiden wasn't here, I'd tie you up to the eaves.

Haha, sorry for being late, but I have a really good reason this time.

Sure, of course. You always do.

It's been a while, Divine Maiden.

Yes, it has. I'm happy to see Naksan is as lively as always.

Yes. Though recently, there's been a lot of sudden request cancellations...

The Serpent Dragon Guild has been causing all sorts of trouble.

...Nagi is becoming a bigger nuisance by the day.

Well! Seems like there's no choice but for me to step up.

Branch Master?

Between overdue payments and collection notices... That adds up to around, mmm, five hundred cases.

Err... Got it. I'll take care of those first.

I'm sorry, guys...

Well that sucks, but alright.

Go wait in front of Seonangdang. I'll be there soon.

What? Oh! Oookay!

What did you just say?

N-nothing. See you later!

Will he be okay? That... doesn't seem like it'll be easy to get out of..

It's been a while, everyone.

But... where's the branch master?

He got caught sneaking out and was... tied up. Literally.

Saw that coming.

Alright. We should hurry to the Toxic Mire and fix the situation with that Serpent... Lizard Dragon Guild or whatever it's called.

No, we can't. The Toxic Mire has been snake territory for a long time.

Acting rashly would just provoke Nagi.

The branch master wanted me to tell you to visit Dohwa Garden first.

It seems Headmistress Jiwon is already monitoring Nagi's activities.

Yes, that sounds good. Please relay my regards to the branch master.

Tied to the eaves... Will he be okay?

Something's off... There are a bunch of pojol out front.

Over there! Isn't that the Kumiho Divine Maiden?

Getting her to Nagi'll be worth an entire house! Grab her!

Nagi has the government officers on her side too...?

There might be more of them inside.

It was crawling with pojol outside, but it's quiet here.

Well, we still need to keep the place running.

Besides, they already caused a whole scene with us.

They're like, clan leader this, clan leader that! Argh!

They're not even paying clients. They just take up space.

Just as expected... Nagi is here...

What can we do like this?

Wait, I have an idea. Trust me.

Hey! You can't come in here!

Aren't you a government officer? Don't you know who I am?

Hahaha. I know you. You're the fox shaman without a divine weapon.

If I hand you over to Nagi, I'll be the next Head Pojol.

You should know, I'm only holding back because I was told not to cause a scene inside.

Oh dear... Listen to me carefully, then.

Huh? Listen to what?

With the power of spirits, I call upon you. Answer me.

Yes... I hear you, Divine Maiden.

In the deep valley of Moonglow Mountain, I've laid out endless gold riches for you.

Hurry on and find them for yourself.

Yes, Divine Maiden. I'll go now...

I'm so happy. Divine Maiden... Gold riches...

What's up with him? How'd you do that?

I cast an illusion. It was my first time, but... I succeeded!

I was wondering what the commotion was...

The revered Divine Maiden is here.

Nagi.

You're terrorizing innocent people. Stop at once.

Who, me? I'm just trying to right past wrongs.

Anyway, will this Sacred Soul Ritual finally be the day?

When we see that great divine weapon?

I'm looking forward it, like I do every other year.

I'm serious.

Nagi. Please, don't cause any more problems.

I'm asking as a friend.

A friend?

That's a funny way to put it.

Then, could I ask for something too?

If you're thinking about interfering, forget it.

That is, if you value your last remaining family.

I humbly meet the Divine Maiden.

Is anybody hurt?

I didn't know Nagi would come all the way here.

She warned us not to act rashly since she'd be the ruler of Baek-Ah soon.

Ugh, that little... I'd've kicked her off the balcony if she weren't a clan leader.

There are already some dokkaebi who've joined Nagi.

That Serpent Dragon Guild or whatever is basically all over the place.

Even dokkaebi...

I'm more worried about the other clan leaders.

Nagi's followers have been gathering in Cloudcrest Peak for a while.

I've already sent Yeonhwa out that way. How about you meet her and take her report?

Sounds like a plan. Please be careful.

Yes. May you remain safe as well, Divine Maiden.

Faster! Hap! Hap! Hap!

Hah! Hah!

What's this noise?

One I think I recognize. Let's check it out!

Master...! Argh!

What exactly does this exercise help strengthen?! Ahhh!

Shush!

Focus! Hmph. Hmm.

Once the balance of your body breaks,

So does your mind!

Your greatest foe lives within yourself!

...Now!

Ha!

Haha! I did it, Master!

Hmm. Yes! Very good!

Narae!

M-Mina?!

I humbly meet the Divine Maiden.

I am Chae-Ah of the Ma family.

Nice to meet you, Chae-Ah. But, how long has my little sister been here?

For the past year, Narae has been trained with me in footwork, martial arts, and inner discipline, learning to sense the flow of energy and...

How could you... You kept this a secret from me for a year?

But it's so boring being alone at the Shrine of Nine Fates!

And I'm doing all this training for you!

That's correct. Narae is always worried about the Divine Maiden.

I believe it was just yesterday... She said she could feel her sister's presence in the wind and got teary.

Narae. Follow me this instant!

Did I make a mistake, Narae?

Ugh, Master, seriously?!

You can't say that it's been a whole year!

Sorry, but can you wait here for a moment? I need to take my little sister home.

We'll just go with you.

Yeah, we'll come too. Is that okay?

Okay... That might be better.