A Regressor's Bucket List

Following Kim Satgat, who led the way, U-jin arrived at a shabby three-room thatched cottage.

Even at a glance, the house was covered in dust, looking as if no one had looked after it for quite some time.

From the perspective of U-jin, who had seen the streets of Joseon integrated with the advanced technology of the Floating Territory, the appearance of the house felt quite awkward.

Of course, it might have been just for show, but the exterior of the thatched cottage bore no trace of any technology possessed by the Floating Territory.

It looked as if a cottage that might have existed in the actual Joseon era had been moved here exactly as it was.

“How is it? It is my first time inviting someone here.”

Kim Satgat’s low voice drifted toward U-jin.

The reason was simple. This was the residence where Kim Satgat lived within the Floating Territory.

It was a bit strange.

Given that he held a special duty as a ‘Guide’ and was one of the pillars of martial power, Kim Satgat’s position could be considered that of an executive of ‘Floating Specter Joseon.’

Despite being an executive, the fact that he lived in such a raw, three-room thatched cottage on the outskirts—one that didn’t even incorporate the technology of the Floating Territory—seemed inconsistent.

While it didn’t need to be as grand as Sejong’s Inner Palace, considering his status, it should have at least been decently equipped. This place was crummier than any house U-jin had seen while passing through the marketplace.

“It was a gift bestowed upon me by the Great King.”

“…It seems a bit humble for a gift.”

“Humble, you say!”

“…….”

“My friend, can a fellow from the Peninsula not even read Feng Shui?”

And the reason, ironically, lay with Kim Satgat himself.

As he had personally stated, his duty in the Floating Territory was that of a ‘Guide.’

Except for the brief periods he spent in the Floating Territory to report to Sejong, he spent most of his time traveling around the Upper Plane.

Simply put, since his job always involved wandering outside, he didn't really need a proper sleeping quarter in the Floating Territory.

Of course, Sejong had tried to provide him with a suitable place, but Kim Satgat had refused and requested his own spot in this quiet, outermost area.

…Well, considering the thick layer of dust proved it was rarely used, U-jin wasn't sure how much meaning it actually held.

Shrug.

“There is a low hill lined with bamboo behind it, and a river flows before one's eyes.”

“…….”

“This much can truly be called a propitious site of Baesan-imsu.”

Regardless of how often he used it, Kim Satgat seemed to have a great deal of affection for his residence.

To call this Baesan-imsu (mountain in the back and water in the front).

U-jin wondered if he was joking, but Kim Satgat’s eyes were sparkling with genuine belief, without a single shred of doubt.

“What do you mean, Feng Shui… A propitious site isn't some neighborhood kid's name. If you apply it to a place like this, what are actual propitious sites supposed to be called?”

“Haha. My friend, young people these days have no romance. Do you not know the meaning of Yuyu-jajeok (living free and easy)? A place where one’s heart is at peace is a propitious site.”

“…….”

“Conversely, a place that binds a person is an inauspicious site. Is it not so?”

Instead of answering, U-jin merely shrugged as if he didn't understand.

Creeeeeak—

Kim Satgat opened the paper-sliding door, which creaked from a lack of oil, and headed inside the cottage.

“It is narrow, but sit on the veranda and wait a moment. I shall return shortly.”

“…Okay.”

The sound of rustling came from inside, and as he had said, Kim Satgat soon emerged carrying a small pouch and a single scroll.

Swish, swish—

“Ahem, did I not tell you to sit?”

“…….”

After lightly brushing away the dust covering the narrow veranda, Kim Satgat gestured with an open palm for U-jin to take a seat.

“Forgive me for not having any tea to offer. I hope you understand.”

“Well… it doesn't matter. More importantly…”

U-jin’s gaze was already fixed on the pouch Kim Satgat had brought out.

If U-jin’s hunch was correct.

He suspected that the ‘clues regarding the Four Divine Beasts,’ which he hadn't been able to find even before his regression, were right there.

“Would you like to open it yourself?”

Nod.

U-jin replied instantly to Kim Satgat’s question, and the man tossed the pouch over as if it were nothing special.

And inside it.

As expected, the items U-jin had been looking for were there.

In other words, several clues regarding the ‘Four Divine Beasts’ were contained within.

***

A single long feather that looked like nothing special.

A blue scale about the size of a fist that also looked unremarkable.

And a single stone.

To anyone else, they were accessories that looked like junk among junk.

However, the explanation that followed from Kim Satgat’s mouth revealed just how valuable they were.

“In order, they are the Vermilion Bird's Tail Feather, the Azure Dragon's Reverse Scale, and the Black Tortoise's Cold Iron.”

“…!”

Kim Satgat spoke with certainty, as if he had already finished all verifications, but from U-jin’s perspective, it was a story difficult to accept at face value.

If his words were true, these were Divine Objects that were practically the symbols of the three Divine Beasts, excluding the White Tiger.

They were names far too grand to be attached to things that looked so insignificant on the outside.

…Moreover.

‘…He didn’t tell me back then.’

These were items U-jin had never seen even in his previous life, when he was active in the Suicide Squad searching for the Four Divine Beasts.

There was no way he wouldn't have had items then that he possessed now, and U-jin couldn't fathom what circumstances had intervened in the meantime.

It wasn't as if Kim Satgat would have gone out of his way to hide these from him.

After a moment of silence with a dizzy head, U-jin spoke to Kim Satgat.

“…I think I’m going to need an explanation.”

“Hahaha. Is that so? I thought you would recognize them instantly.”

“…….”

“Fine, I shall explain briefly.”

Slide—

Reaching naturally into the pouch, the first thing Kim Satgat pulled out was the ‘Vermilion Bird's Tail Feather.’

“The Vermilion Bird's Tail Feather is not something that can originally be touched like this.”

“…….”

“As the guardian deity of the south who governs fire and summer among the Five Elements, the Vermilion Bird possesses a more powerful fire energy than anyone else, and the part with the most intense fire energy is this ‘tail feather.’”

Though it was his first time seeing it, it wasn't information U-jin didn't know.

‘…The Vermilion Bird's Tail Feather.’

If he remembered correctly, it was something he had once searched for in his past life.

However, this was his first time seeing it in person; he had only encountered it through legends.

“According to legend, the tail feather is described as something where fire burns intensely, constantly repeating the cycle of life and death.”

“…….”

“And this ‘Azure Dragon's Reverse Scale’ is famous enough that it needs no explanation.”

The Reverse Scale.

Among the eighty-one scales on a dragon’s body, it is the single scale attached inversely beneath the throat.

As Kim Satgat said, even someone unfamiliar with legends would have heard the idiomatic expression ‘to touch the reverse scale’ at least once.

Naturally, U-jin also knew what that ‘Reverse Scale’ meant.

“…However, if there is one thing slightly different from what is known to the world, there is no mention in the accurate legends that this Reverse Scale specifically means the Azure Dragon’s weakness. Rather, like the Vermilion Bird's Tail Feather, it is described as the part where the energy of the Azure Dragon—who governs wood and spring among the Five Elements—is strongest.”

“…….”

“All eighty-one scales that make up its body contain the Azure Dragon’s energy, but it is recorded that a scale that has accumulated vast energy over a long time will sprout life of its own and flip over. Thus, it can be called the essence of the Azure Dragon’s power.”

“…….”

“Perhaps the Azure Dragon's Divine Instrument, which causes wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, also originates from this Reverse Scale. According to the original legends, it is said to wriggle because it cannot contain its own energy.”

The contents of the legends Kim Satgat spoke of were not different at all from what U-jin had experienced before his regression.

…No, rather, since he hadn't seen the physical forms of these Divine Objects back then and only knew them through the legends, strictly speaking, his current situation was better in terms of experience.

‘…Just why?’

U-jin couldn't understand why Kim Satgat, who already possessed such Divine Objects, hadn't shown them to the Suicide Squad in his past life.

For now, he silently listened to the man’s words.

“And finally, the Black Tortoise's Cold Iron. This one certainly requires an explanation.”

Nodding to himself, Kim Satgat pulled out the Black Tortoise's Cold Iron and handed it to U-jin.

Thud—

“In truth, in the case of the Black Tortoise's Cold Iron, it is better known by the name Ten-thousand-year Cold Iron than its original name.”

“…!”

“It seems that term is frequently used in the Murim in particular. I haven't found the exact reason for that etymology, though.”

Ten-thousand-year Cold Iron was certainly a popular name.

“…Ten-thousand-year Cold Iron.”

It meant exactly what it said.

Cold Iron that had aged for ten thousand years.

It was known to the world as something incredibly rare and powerful; it was said that if one used it to forge weapons, they could create armaments of the ‘treasure’ rank.

“…When I first brought it up to the Floating Territory, the old man tried to use it as a part for some Arc-something-or-other, so I had to work quite hard to stop him.”

Shrug.

“In any case, whether it is Ten-thousand-year Cold Iron or Black Tortoise's Cold Iron, the important part is the latter half of the name.”

The character ‘Han’ for ‘cold’ and ‘Cheol’ for ‘iron.’

Analyzing the literal meaning, it was ‘cold iron.’

“Do you know that the Black Tortoise is the guardian deity of the north and governs ‘water’ and ‘winter’ among the Five Elements?”

Nod.

“Yes. If the Vermilion Bird symbolizes the Great Yang, the Black Tortoise symbolizes the Great Yin. This Black Tortoise's Cold Iron is also an object where the Black Tortoise’s energy is concentrated, similar to the special properties of the other Divine Objects.”

“…….”

“It is only natural. This is what grows on its back to replace the overflow when the Black Tortoise’s energy reaches a level beyond concentration.”

Shrug.

“According to the original legends, the Black Tortoise's Cold Iron itself emits a powerful black light and is shrouded in frost, giving off a chill strong enough to bring the surface temperature down to absolute zero. You probably wouldn't have even been able to hold it.”

“…….”

“…Originally, that is.”

…Kim Satgat’s final words hit the mark.

There was one thing in common among the three Divine Objects he had explained.

The Vermilion Bird's Tail Feather, which should have been repeating the cycle of life and death while burning with flames, was silent.

The Azure Dragon's Reverse Scale, which should have been manifesting miracles of life-sprouting energy while wriggling, was still.

And the Black Tortoise's Cold Iron, which should have lowered the surrounding temperature to absolute zero with its freezing chill, was warm with Kim Satgat’s body heat.

…Yes.

All three Divine Objects were failing to manifest their own energy.

Just like the reality of this Upper Plane, where even the existence of the Four Divine Beasts had been forgotten.