Goblin Library - Chapter 57

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 57

Yu Tae-poong froze in shock at the revelation that Hong-ae, the courtesan, was only seventeen years old. He stammered as he forced his words out.
“I… wait, how could someone so young be working as a courtesan…?”
“Back then, girls that age were already getting married and having children. And Hong-ae was already in her third year as a courtesan at that point.”
“So she started working as a courtesan when she was fourteen?”
By modern standards, that was barely middle school age.
As Yu Tae-poong asked with wide, astonished eyes, Pot Goblin nodded in confirmation.
“It seems absurd by today’s thinking, but back then, people simply accepted such things as the way of the world.”
Dung Carrier Goblin nodded in agreement with Pot Goblin’s words.
“People got married at ten years old back then. That’s why there’s even a term for child grooms, after all.”
“Getting married in your mid-twenties is considered early nowadays, but in that era, unmarried men and women in their twenties were pitied as failures. Times and cultures are simply different.”
Hearing the words of the two goblins who had lived through that era, Yu Tae-poong nodded and opened the book titled Hong-ae.

***

Hong-ae was the premier courtesan of the Wolkwang-ru establishment. The Western dresses and jewelry she wore quickly became fashionable throughout Gyeongseong.
When Hong-ae walked the streets, people turned their heads to watch, and everyone greeted her with respect.
Though she was a courtesan, every person in Gyeongseong—or rather, every man—treated Hong-ae with reverence, and women admired her with longing.
Even Japanese police officers regarded Hong-ae with deference and bowed courteously to her.
This could not have been otherwise, for among Hong-ae’s clientele were many high-ranking Japanese officials. One misstep with Hong-ae could result in falling out of favor with those powerful men.

Hong-ae stepped into the grand opening ceremony of the Mitsuda Department Store.
“Welcome, Miss Hong-ae.”
Mitsuda, the president of the Mitsuda Department Store, approached with a radiant smile and greeted her.
Hong-ae smiled and bowed her head respectfully.
“Thank you for inviting me to such a prestigious event.”
“Haha! No matter how precious the occasion, it pales in comparison to your presence, Miss Hong-ae. I should be the one thanking you for gracing us with your attendance. Come this way, please.”
As Mitsuda walked toward one side with a smile, Hong-ae followed in his footsteps.
“Miss Hong-ae, please look this way.”
“Miss Hong-ae!”
Reporters rushed forward, their camera flashes erupting in rapid succession as they captured photographs.
Hong-ae responded with a graceful smile, raising her hand and positioning herself to allow them to photograph her.
After giving the reporters ample time to capture their shots, Hong-ae offered one final radiant smile before making her way toward the VIP seating area.
“So many people have come to celebrate.”
At Hong-ae’s remark, Mitsuda nodded with a pleased expression.
“Indeed, I am deeply grateful. This success is entirely due to your efforts, Miss Hong-ae.”
“Not at all. I believe people are simply interested in such a grand department store opening in Gyeongseong.”
“Haha! I’m truly grateful for your kind words.”
Mitsuda had asked Hong-ae to ensure that the distinguished guests who sought her company would attend the Mitsuda Department Store opening ceremony.
Having accepted his request, Hong-ae distributed invitations to the high-ranking officials and prominent figures who came to see her.
However, she did not give them to many people. Though Mitsuda had provided her with twenty invitations, she gifted them to only two individuals.
This strategy proved remarkably effective for publicity.
Had she distributed invitations to many people, some would have thought, “Everyone received one, so I don’t need to attend.”
But by giving invitations to only two people, personally requesting their attendance, they felt specially honored and eagerly promised to come.
As a result, rumors spread that one was not a true celebrity unless they attended the Mitsuda Department Store opening.
Thus, everyone scrambled to obtain invitations, and crowds of people arrived at the venue.
As Hong-ae entered, the distinguished guests and celebrities seated in the VIP section rose in unison and bowed slightly.
Hong-ae responded with a smile, offering a deep bow in return.
Though merely a courtesan by title, Hong-ae was a woman deeply beloved by all.
Once all the VIP guests were seated, President Mitsuda greeted the crowd and officially commenced the opening ceremony.
After the congratulatory remarks from the distinguished guests concluded, President Mitsuda introduced Hong-ae.
“I present to you the most beloved woman in Gyeongseong, Miss Hong-ae.”
Hong-ae smiled and ascended the platform.
“I am Hong-ae. Thank you for inviting me to this prestigious occasion.”
As she spoke, Hong-ae’s eyes drifted subtly toward a clock. A large timepiece hung at the entrance of the Mitsuda Department Store.

「11:32」

Hong-ae checked the time, grabbed the megaphone from the podium, and spoke.
『Though I’m not the best singer, I’d like to offer a song to all of you who’ve graced us with your presence. And to achieve better sound quality, I won’t be using the megaphone… so I’d appreciate it if you could listen as quietly as possible.』
Hong-ae stepped away from the megaphone and began singing slowly. Without the amplification, her voice was soft, yet it carried a compelling resonance that rippled through the crowd.
The audience fell silent, closing their lips to savor the melody.
Though unplanned, as Hong-ae began singing, Mitsuda gave the band a quick signal.
The band responded by playing music in harmony with Hong-ae’s voice. As the gentle melody intertwined with her melancholic tones, the audience quietly enjoyed the performance.
Hong-ae smiled gratefully toward the band that had accompanied her, then descended slowly from the podium.
Mitsuda’s face glowed with satisfaction as he watched her.
Hong-ae truly understood how to capture the public’s attention and affection.
After stepping down, Hong-ae placed her index finger to her lips and approached the watching audience, waving her hand.
As she drew near, the spectators who had been about to cry out fell silent at the sight of her finger against her lips and waved their hands enthusiastically instead.
Seeing this, Hong-ae smiled and moved forward, and the crowd slowly followed her steps.
Fortunately, there were no incidents of people pushing others aside to get a closer look at Hong-ae.
Everyone simply watched her quietly and enjoyed the song.
Hong-ae waved her hand and sang, then subtly turned her head to check the clock once more.

「11:34.」

The second hand was pointing toward the twelve.
As the second hand touched twelve, it became 11:35.
Now.
Hong-ae’s lips suddenly tightened as she lowered her body slightly.
Boom! Boom!
With an explosion loud enough to deafen the ears, the VIP section erupted.
Boom! Crash! Crash!
The wooden plywood and chairs that had formed the VIP section and podium flew in all directions and fell.
『Kyaaaah!』
And from the blast’s impact, Hong-ae’s body was lifted into the air. She had positioned herself at a distance from the explosion point, but the blast radius was larger than expected.
A man suddenly caught her falling body.
Thud!
The man who caught Hong-ae and fell whispered into her ear.
『Comrade Hong-ae, the operation was successful.』
Despite the man’s words, Hong-ae’s face remained dazed. She had known the explosion would occur and had descended from the podium to sing and create distance, but the shockwave still delivered considerable impact to her delicate frame.
『Ah… ah….』
Hong-ae, startled and bewildered, could only utter sounds of confusion. The man looked at her with sympathy, quickly scanned the surroundings, and spoke.
『Then take care of yourself.』
The man seated her, then weaved through the fleeing crowd and quickly exited the venue.
Hong-ae watched his departing figure in a daze, and only after he disappeared did her senses gradually return.
『Hong-ae! Hong-ae!』
Hearing her name called, Hong-ae turned her head. There stood a middle-aged man in a police uniform, calling to her while glancing around nervously.
Inspector Kuroda… he’s alive!
Inspector Kuroda, the man who deserved to die, was still breathing. Hong-ae, her eyes burning with fury and regret, lowered her head to steady herself before raising her hand.
“Inspector Kuroda! Inspector Kuroda!”
At Hong-ae’s cry, Inspector Kuroda spotted her and rushed over.
“Hong-ae, are you alright?”
“I was so frightened and shocked….”
When Hong-ae gently rested her head against his shoulder, Inspector Kuroda’s face brightened.
She had never allowed him close, even when pouring his drinks, yet now she was leaning against him of her own accord….
Inspector Kuroda quickly steadied her and helped her up.
“Ow.”
As Hong-ae stumbled, Inspector Kuroda tightened his grip on her arm and hurried outside.
Leaning against Inspector Kuroda as they emerged, Hong-ae cast a sharp gaze back at the venue.
The platform and VIP section—the epicenter of the explosion—were utterly devastated.
Among the Japanese officials, landowners, and traitors who had received invitations, many lay dead.
Though men like Inspector Kuroda had escaped with their lives, this operation could be called a success.

***

“This bastard Kuroda is truly depraved. Having such feelings for someone who looks younger than his own daughter.”
At Yu Tae-poong’s words, Pot Goblin nodded.
“That filthy creature. I considered killing him several times back then.”
“Why didn’t you?”
Reading through the book, I’d encountered several stories about Inspector Kuroda—he was the kind of man who arrested Independence Movement fighters and treated them brutally.
“If the Spirit Servants went around carelessly killing people, what would become of this world?”
“That’s true.”
If creatures like goblins—or rather, beings like Bamboo Sword Goblin—went around killing humans, who would stop them?
Setting aside other abilities, with just the power to traverse doors and go anywhere, they could kill anyone.
Yu Tae-poong, relieved that goblins didn’t kill humans, suddenly asked a question.
“Then the Spirit Servants can’t kill people?”
“They don’t kill, but… it’s not absolute.”
“Not absolute?”
Seeing Yu Tae-poong’s puzzled expression, Dung Carrier Goblin spoke.
“It means we’re not forbidden from killing humans.”
Yu Tae-poong looked at him in shock.
“You can kill?”
“If a human strikes first at a Spirit Servant, causality is established… then we can kill. That’s why causality is so terrifying. Touch a Spirit Servant first and you never know what might happen to you.”
At Dung Carrier Goblin’s words, Yu Tae-poong swallowed hard.
Watching him, Pot Goblin spoke.
“We goblins can’t exactly be called ‘alive,’ but we’re beings with emotions nonetheless. If we’re angered, we can kill.”
“But you said we can’t, didn’t you?”
At Yu Tae-poong’s words, Dung Carrier Goblin regarded him with a puzzled expression and asked.
“Is it okay for humans to kill humans?”
“No, it isn’t.”
“Right. It isn’t. But murders happen anyway, don’t they?”
“Well… that’s true.”
Yu Tae-poong, now convinced, nodded with a somewhat reluctant acceptance.
“It’s the same with us. Spirit Servants shouldn’t kill humans either, but… when circumstances arise that necessitate it, we do. In exchange, we face consequences for our actions.”
“Consequences?”
“There’s an agency that oversees such matters. They arrest Spirit Servants when we cause incidents.”
“Is it something like a reaper?”
“Similar to that, but… slightly different. For now, you can think of them as office workers.”
“Office workers?”
“Yes. Office workers belonging to the Afterlife….”
Dung Carrier Goblin stopped mid-sentence. Pot Goblin had kicked him sharply with her foot.
“Huh? Why?”
Pot Goblin sighed at Dung Carrier Goblin’s confused expression and spoke.
“Don’t talk about such things. What if Yu Tae-poong gets frightened?”
“Oh….”
Dung Carrier Goblin realized his mistake and glanced at Yu Tae-poong. Until now, they had refrained from discussing ghosts, the afterlife, and the Afterlife, but in the excitement of conversation, he had inadvertently mentioned related topics.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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