Ex Rank Supporting Role’s Replay in a Prestigious School

After finishing the conversation with In Seon-oh, I was supposed to hear from the Tigers, Hyeonmu, and Yongje-geon, but things didn't go as planned.

Hwang Ji-ho had chosen a hotel that was thoroughly fortified against Ineungpa, so he said it was fine, but I didn't want to sleep in an unfamiliar place, especially since nightmares would likely come if I slept.

Moreover, I wanted to exchange information quickly, so I came prepared to stay up all night.

However, the Tigers strongly opposed holding a meeting in the late night, and In Seon-oh also recommended going to sleep.

In Seon-oh spoke.

"There's something I want to test, so I'd prefer it if Yi-shin slept."

That statement puzzled not only me but also the Tigers.

What exactly did he want to test?

I couldn't immediately understand what he meant by wanting to test something, but I quickly realized what he had done to make that request.

"So that's why he delayed things. If I come early, I'll just go back to Eun-gwang-gu the same day."

It seemed that In Seon-oh wanted to confirm the nightmares that occur when I sleep.

But if needed, it could be tied to the terms of the deal. There must have been a reason for him to visit the territories of both clans after nightfall.

At that moment, In Seon-oh extended his hand, and a thin thread of Ineungpa formed.

A gray Ineungpa thread intricately wove itself into a web-like structure, expanding outward.

It wasn't easy to simply emit Ineungpa like that, and to be able to control it like this meant he was no ordinary figure.

"This is a barrier. It's similar to the one the leader of the Yang clan used."

Once the gray web-like barrier took shape, Hwang Ji-ho recognized it as a barrier.

In Seon-oh nodded.

"You recognized it right away. I mimicked the shape of the barrier I saw in the Yang clan's territory. The clan leader will be even more cautious at night, so I wanted to see the barrier in person during the night."

"Sharp eyes. This barrier is invisible to most, and it can't be created without that level of power and focus."

Given that Hwang Ji-ho, who was well-versed in barrier techniques, said that, it seemed to be of considerable skill.

During the 12-clan alliance meeting, when the leader of the Sleep clan confidently claimed that nightmares couldn't enter his domain, the perfection of that barrier was beyond question.

Cheong-ho, after observing the web barrier, asked In Seon-oh.

"Why didn't you say this earlier?"

"I wanted to prevent it from reaching the clan leader of the Yang clan. Ji-ho and the leader might be close."

"I'm not close with that guy at all."

Even without hearing that, I understood why In Seon-oh kept it hidden.

If he had said he was planning to visit the Yang clan's territory with a person burdened by nightmares to see a secret barrier, everyone would have been on high alert.

Rather than wanting to mimic it, they might have suspected he was planning to break through and infiltrate the nightmares.

If In Seon-oh had informed them, and if Hwang Ji-ho and the leader of the Sleep clan were close, there was a chance that the situation would have soured had In Seon-oh mentioned it beforehand.

Even if he showed them the barrier, he could have added a decoy barrier, or he could have brought a completely different form of barrier that he never used.

"He must be saying this now because he's sure that the Ho clan values me, burdened by nightmares, more than they do the Yang clan."

Upon hearing In Seon-oh's words, the Tigers nodded in agreement, and Yongje-geon, who had just returned, looked on with a fascinated expression.

Yongje-geon had been in a good mood ever since arriving on Jeju Island, but now he seemed even more pleased.

In Seon-oh, raising the web barrier to make it more visible, spoke again.

"I want to spread this barrier around Yi-shin while he's asleep. There are a few things I want to revise from the form used by the Yang clan's leader, so I need at least an hour to test it while he's asleep. It doesn't matter if someone's watching from the side."

It seemed like In Seon-oh wanted to test the barrier on the nightmare. Increasing the means to interfere with nightmares was a welcome idea.

Before I could respond, Hwang Ji-ho spoke.

"I'll stay by Yi-shin's side. I'll personally verify if there are any issues with the barrier."

"Hwang-ho, can't you set up this barrier yourself? You must have memorized the shape by now."

"The barrier used by that guy doesn't quite match with my Ineungpa. I could imitate it, but the effect wouldn't be that great."

From listening to Cheong-ho, it seemed that even Hwang Ji-ho couldn't create the barrier used by the Sleep clan leader.

He could see it and analyze the barrier's shape, but since the barrier ultimately used Ineungpa to unfold, there must have been limitations. Thаnk yоu fоr rеаding. This wаs brоught tо yоu by М|V|L*ЕМРYR.

With Hwang Ji-ho confirmed to be staying by my side as I slept, other figures from the Jinjok began to intrude.

"I want to watch too. Is that okay, Yi-shin?"

"I'd like to see you sleep too. You always carry such a heavy burden, and I'm always worried."

Yongje-geon and Hyeonmu, even before I could answer, seemed eager to come watch.

I had only agreed to what In Seon-oh wanted to do, but now more spectators were showing up.

In the end, most of the Jinjok ended up watching me sleep.

I couldn't quite understand why the Jinjok with True Names would want to watch the humans who are burdened by nightmares sleep while the nightmares ran rampant around them.

Even though In Seon-oh wasn't showing it openly, I was sure he was thinking the Jinjok were quite bold.

"At least it's safer for everyone to see. If something goes wrong, we can fight together," I thought, half giving up.

"I don't mind you watching, but you can't sleep next to me."

Hearing my warning, Yongje-geon was overjoyed.

"Are you worried about me, Yi-shin? Since you're worrying so much, I want to experience the nightmare once. I'm not afraid. Our dragon clan isn't weak enough to be swayed by scary dreams."

Yongje-geon emphasized the words "scary dream."

At that, I involuntarily recalled Yongje-geon immediately after waking up from a replayed nightmare.

Whether he had woken up from the dream or whether the dream was still continuing, he had been so flustered, but he said it so nonchalantly.

That was just like Yongje-geon.

"Was he pretending to be fine, just trying to provoke me and remind me of the replay's existence?"

There was no need to think about it. Yongje-geon must have aimed for both.

I had already told the dragon clan that the secret organization was targeting Yeom Jun-yeol's rampage.

In the game, Yeom Jun-yeol had been overwhelmed by the secret organization and went on a rampage, and Yongje-geon had long wanted to make Yeom Jun-yeol experience the replay.

Before I could say anything, Kim Shin-rok, his face changing color, scolded Yongje-geon.

"You want to experience a nightmare? Are you crazy? Will you come to your senses only after losing your True Name?"

Yongje-geon seemed pleased to be cared for by his one friend.

But despite what Kim Shin-rok said, there were tigers who still couldn't come to their senses even after losing their True Names, so there was a high possibility that Yongje-geon would remain the same even if he fell victim to the nightmare.

"Since there's a tiger worrying next to Yongje-geon, he probably won't try to sleep near me," I thought.

Kim Shin-rok's power might not be enough to stop Yongje-geon, but with Hwang Ji-ho and Cheong-ho helping, it would be fine.

In the end, In Seon-oh, the Jinjok, and their descendants crowded into my room.

Hwang Ji-ho had reserved a large room for no reason, so the space felt roomy, but knowing I had to sleep alone made me feel a little claustrophobic.

Hwang Ji-ho, seeing my expression, smiled knowingly, lifting the corners of his mouth.

"With so many watching, it must be hard for you to sleep. I'll light the sleep incense myself. You'll sleep soundly."

"I don't want to sleep too long."

"I'll make sure you sleep for the necessary amount of time."

Hwang Ji-ho took out a golden incense burner item card and materialized it.

Did he bring that item card by chance, or was he just always prepared?

Maybe he'd been ready to use the sleep incense ever since he learned I was using replays.

As Hwang Ji-ho's Ineungpa gently enveloped the golden incense burner, my eyelids began to droop.

"Sleep well, Jo Yi-shin."

"Goodnight, Yi-shin."

Just before I fell asleep, I heard the goodbyes, and through the golden smoke, I could see the gray spiderweb barrier unfolding.

In my drowsy state, I subconsciously followed the spiderweb with my eyes, confirming the shape of the barrier.

In the meantime, In Seon-oh must have rearranged the barrier because it looked a bit different from the one used by the Sleep clan leader.

Everyone lowered their voices out of consideration for me, and I closed my eyes.

The next day, in the afternoon.

When I woke up, it was already daylight.

I had said I didn't want to sleep for long, but it seemed like Hwang Ji-ho ignored me and just let me sleep.

"You're awake."

Hwang Ji-ho, who had been leaning against the one-person sofa by the bed, stood up.

Seeing that he was the only one in the room, it seemed like everyone else had returned to their rooms.

"You said you didn't want to sleep long."

"I said I'd let you sleep as much as you needed."

Honestly, I felt good because I had slept well.

Using incense or medicine to sleep wasn't the healthiest habit, but occasionally, I thought it might be okay.

I didn't want to say anything to Hwang Ji-ho, who probably stayed up all night, so I stopped myself from pushing further and changed the subject.

"Didn't you sleep?"

"Other avatars took care of it."

It seemed like he hadn't slept at all.

I wasn't sure if he could manage without sleep, but since the damage was shared with the avatars, he must have gotten some rest through that.

Looking at me as I woke up, Hwang Ji-ho wore a thoughtful expression.

"I still can't feel the nightmare. Of course, neither Cheong-ho nor Yongje-geon could. But seeing that it affected the barrier In Seon-oh set up, it's clear the nightmare moved. If you don't have the natural sensitivity, it seems you can't feel it."

Hwang Ji-ho had tried to feel the presence of the nightmare without sleeping, but it seemed that attempt failed.

It seemed that only those with sensitivity to dreams, like the Sleep clan leader or In Seon-oh, could feel the nightmares.

"And you must've felt the resentment. It seems to have reacted to the malice of the nightmare, more so than a dream," Hwang Ji-ho continued.

Despite not being weak, Hwang Ji-ho had trouble sensing something as irregular as a nightmare through normal means.

He stood up and spoke.

"Luckily, the nightmare wasn't strong enough for me to notice. Let's get ready. I've ordered in-room dining for us in the living room."

A little later, while having breakfast and lunch, I heard the stories of the previous night.

Although many had watched me sleep, only In Seon-oh and Hyeonmu were able to sense the nightmare.

It seemed that even Hyeonmu could only detect the nightmare because he had heightened his senses, expecting its presence.

So most of the conversation revolved around how the barrier In Seon-oh set up had changed.

"The spiderweb barrier reacted to the nightmare, but its durability was quite low."

"How low?"

"It could be broken by the Black Tiger's gentle tapping."

How could that even be called a barrier?

The fact that even the young and weak Black Tiger's hands could break it left me speechless for a moment.

While I was distracted, eating my meal, Hwang Ji-ho seemed pleased.

After finishing the meal, Hwang Ji-ho spoke again.

"I'm sure you're wondering where everyone is."

"Are they all eating?"

"No, they're sightseeing. One of the places we decided to visit is 99 Gol, and the other is Yongduam."

Hearing those two names, I felt a chill run down my spine.

One was ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) a place that forbade the intrusion of beasts, and the other was a place with a legacy of dragon slaying.