The Demon Race and the Horse Clan.

The conflict between the two has been constantly portrayed both in PMH and in this world.

Inside the PMH game, the Horse Clan is known to have continued strife with the Demon Race after the occurrence of collisions with otherworlds, and perhaps because of that depiction, the Horse Clan was seen as less important and not really delved into the story.

The reason for the two’s conflict was revealed during the 12-point alliance talks.

— [Sensitive Heukma] “I’m busy so hurry up and end this. The Demon Race bastards are coming in again.”

— [Gyeryong Chicken-Dragon] “Those guys again? If only the Horse Clan (Ma-jok) and Demon Race (ma-jok) aren’t homonyms…”

It was the Korean Peninsula where the first otherworld spawned, and many clans headed to Korea where the intelligence (from the myths they came from) was strongest.

Those who settled on the Korean Peninsula naturally came to use Korean as their language, and the overlapping names of the Horse Clan and the Demon Race were a side effect.

Other clans also have overlapping names with other things, but their reaction to that varies

‘The Fox Clan (Ho-jok) doesn’t mind sharing the name with the Tiger Clan (Ho-jok). They just tell people to call them foxes if people get confused.’

Some didn’t mind overlapping names, and some did.

Just by looking at the conversation between Heukma and the head of the Chicken Clan, I can see just how badly the Demon Race disliked it.

The traces of the quarrel between the two were referenced a lot.

When I went to Hongcheon with Joo Soohyuk to fetch Maeng Hyodon, we encountered Heukma on the way.

— Amid yesterday’s typhoon, I was busy taking care of the Demon Race’s attempted invasion.

Maeng Hyodon saved Heukma’s horses on the day of the typhoon.

Heukma thanked Maeng Hyodon and offered Hwang Jiho an exclusive alliance in return.

— After the worldly collisions, and even after the Horse Clan settled on the Korean Peninsula, our quarrel with the Demon Race has never halted. Fights that range from petty pranks to actions that tried to exterminate our Clan. Over the course of a hundred years, I have dealt with a lot of demons.

— Until now, it has been a pain though it was less difficult to fight against the Demon Race with our own strength. But the situation is getting worse.

From Heukma’s words, it seems that not all of the Demon Race is against them.

In the first place, the Demon Race is much larger than other clans, and they have a habit of not sticking with each other, so most of them have differences.

In addition, since the Fomorians are derived from the Danu mythology and are based largely in England, it’s possible that they’re not hostile toward the Horse Clan.

‘I don’t know what’s going on, but I can’t believe Heukma is here. Wasn’t the situation of their clan so bad last time that one of their horse spirits was in danger? Are they more at ease now because of the deal with the Tiger Clan?

Celtic myth and horses.

There is a big link between the two.

The horse and donkey, and Epona, the goddess of abundance and prosperity.

They were mentioned in Ovidiu’s, an ancient Roman poet, Metamorphoses.

There wasn’t any special narrative, but perhaps due to the high status of horses in ancient times, Epona was widely known and worshipped not only in Celtic areas but also throughout Europe.

‘Considering the abilities mentioned by Heukma in the past, there’s a huge possibility that Heukma has a connection with Epona.’

The day Heukma visited the Chairman’s office, she explained the process of capturing and torturing a priest of the Demon Clan.

In her short explanation, an ability of hers was mentioned.

‘Heukma forcibly read memories that passed by like a lantern by dangling the priest on the boundary between life and death.’

Epona is widely known as the guardian of horse riders, but she also carried out other important tasks.

Directing the dead.

Epona was a goddess who traverses the thin line between life and death.

Heukma’s power is likely connected to Epona’s.

And today’s Halloween Party.

It might be natural that Heukma appears at a party that is said to celebrate the dead’s return.

“I think we’ll have to wait a little longer. At this rate, we’ll arrive later than Muyeong.”

Heukma was already crossing the bridge, as it seems she arrived earlier than we did.

Before Heukma disappeared from view, I decided to inform Sung Gukeon just in case.

“That’s the Horse Clan’s head.”

“You mean the clan head based in Hongcheon? Where?”

Instead of being surprised, Sung Gukeon immediately asked where Heukma was.

Sung Gukeon seems to know about the Horse Clan since he was also born in Hongcheon.

“The woman with a black horse’s mane as a mask. The skin under her mask is dark, and she’s wearing a frock coat over a three-piece suit.”

When I pointed in her direction and explained, Sung Gukeon stared for a while.

He seems to be memorizing her appearance.

Only after Heukma disappeared from view did Sung Gukeon speak again.

“I didn’t know you knew Heukma.”

I don’t have to hide this fact.

I saw her with some kids from school and Tak Geosan that day in Hongcheon.

“When we went to Hongcheon last time, Heukma thanked one of my classmates.”

“An expression of gratitude? What did my Class Zero hoobae do to get the greetings of a royal lineage?”

Rather than expecting an answer, it seems that Sung Gukeon is wondering what his hoobae’s involvement with this royal lineage was.

I told him what happened on the day of the typhoon.

As he admired the performance of his hoobae, Sung Gukeon made a subtle face when I mentioned that the Horse Clan’s shinsoo (spirit) was almost killed by the Demon Race if it weren’t saved by Maeng Hyodon.

“Conflict between royal lineage is common. Humans getting involved too.”

Sung Gukeon told me that I could contact him anytime if something happens.

The topic of conversation then changed to Tak Geosan and Maeng Hyodon.

“Hyodon is the student of that Master Tak Geosan, right? I’ve heard of him from the artist-nim. He said he doesn’t know how to brag about this recent student of his.”

Sung Gukeon is acquainted with Painter Hong Kyungbok and Iron Arm Song Manseok, so he surely must know about Tak Geosan.

I felt relaxed when we talked about Maeng Hyodon, which made me think Sung Gukeon brought him up on purpose.

While we were talking, we crossed the bridge naturally.

When we crossed about half of the long bridge over the dark sea…

The far side, which hadn’t been visible from where we were earlier because of the sea fog, slowly came into view.

“The sea fog wasn’t just a natural phenomenon, I see. It’s a boundary. If we had crossed without a legitimate invitation, we would’ve continued walking on the bridge and seen nothing from the other side.”

Sung Gukeon analyzed the magic used by the Fomorians.

The sea fog recognized us as legitimate guests, and it gradually disappeared to reveal this breathtaking castle before us.

I saw a spire rising high up into the sky and a flying buttress facing the sea breeze.

‘They used this style instead of the ones commonly mentioned in Danu myths. What a stench.’

If we think carefully about why Celtic polytheism remained in the form of myths and legends, not religion, and which one greatly influenced Gothic architecture, it makes sense.

The Fomorians are against the Danu in all forms.

‘They seem well prepared.’

Putting aside the intention and malice behind the architecture, the old-fashioned secluded castle built over a cliff was quite charming.

It was spectacular to see pumpkin lanterns and floating hands in white gloves leading the guests inside.

Kwiiiiik…!

I turned around after hearing the noise and saw the bridge that we crossed was moving.

It was lifted from both sides of the cliff and the castle.

‘So it was a drawbridge? Well, even if they hide it with magic, there’s still a possibility of things happening if they left the bridge down.’

Although the bridge disappeared and the place seemed isolated at first glance, I don’t think there isn’t a player that can cross this sea without a bridge.

Masters like Im Yeonhwa, who has the ability to run on the surface of the sea, and Yong Jegun, who can use his flight skills.

Not to mention usable item cards.

Though there are still some exceptions, like Do Sihoo.

‘There must be something about the sea. Maybe the Fomorians have an advantage.’

There are a lot of theories as to the etymology of “Fomor”, but some say it means “sea” in Gaelic.

However, there are a lot of stories related to the sea in Tuatha Dé Danann, so it probably isn’t going to be a one-sided fight, if ever there is one.

“Amazing. This is better than most museums.”

While walking along the corridor leading to the hall, Sung Gukeon admired the Demon Race’s collection.

Paintings, sculptures, and furniture in elaborate frames were displayed.

Their wonder was on full display as they were illuminated in the dim light of an amber lamp.

When we arrived at the main hall, we saw masked party guests chatting here and there.

At first glance, it reminded me of the people at the Hwanmong Auction, but my mind was changed quickly.

‘Hwanmong Auction had more guests, but I think this party has a qualitative advantage in terms of the guests. The party itself, the organizers, and the participants.’

On our side alone, we have a lawmaker and the head of a clan.

Seeing the party guests, Sung Gukeon held out a crystal cocktail glass.

“You can drink if you want to. You have to learn from adults how to handle alcohol.”

But the drink he was handing me was surely a non-alcoholic cocktail.

Sung Gukeon’s demeanor showed a guest who was there to enjoy the party, but his eyes and energy wave tell a different story.

Ding… ding…

The noise of chatter in the main hall disappeared in an instant when the clear sound of a bell resonated.

The place where the ball rang was on the platform furthest from the hall’s entrance.

Two people were standing on the platform, one holding a bell and the other preparing to amplify his voice by placing his finger on his vocal cord.

Soon, a man in a blue mask announced the start of the party with a voice that made the whole party ring.

“Welcome to our party. On this year’s celebration of the return of souls, we will take charge of your entertainment with the best prizes!”

The man in a blue mask clapped.

Then, the floating gloved hands that led us from the outside appeared everywhere in the banquet hall.

They were holding golden trays, on which were placed a pumpkin-shaped badge.

“The auction that everyone is looking forward to will be at the end of the party. For now, please enjoy the party itself and the games we have prepared.”

End of the party.

Sung Gukeon and I exchanged glances and nodded once to each other.

Jeon Muyeong, who should be somewhere in this party venue, will start moving after hearing those words.

Meanwhile, the gloved hands were busy distributing badges to the party guests.

I don’t know what sort of ‘game’ we’ll be playing, but I guess it requires wearing this badge.

‘It’ll be troublesome if it’s some kind of location-tracking device.’

I thought so, but I can’t afford to do anything risky yet.

As if he had the same idea, Sung Gukeon immediately accepted the badge and wore it.

“Now, the game we will be playing is…”

Break!

At that moment, I heard the sound of windows breaking in the hall.