EX rank supporting role’s replay in a prestigious school

Testing the candidates’ skills in poetry might seem like an insufficient test of their capability of being a shaman.

However, considering the nature of the relationship between the Dragon King and the shamans, it was a credible one.

Those who have a natural talent for shamanism can appreciate the Dragon King best when they see him.

The better they express their impression, the better their ability to connect to the Dragon King.

“I wrote a poem about the moment when the Dragon King came down and the Dragon Palace regained its brilliant light and color.”

The first one to go was the sharp-eyed shaman.

The candidate captured what she saw with her own eyes and the impression she got when the Dragon King descended.

She had a precious tone, writing three stanzas, six lines, and twelve syllables.

It felt as if the words were forcibly filled according to the set measures, but her appreciation was well conveyed.

Just listening to the short poem made it feel like I was watching the scene with my eyes.

“I have written a poem about the majestic voice of the Dragon King which resonated in the Dragon Palace.”

The second to go was the sharp-eared shaman, writing about the moment he greeted the candidates, his warning to the monster, and the sadness shown by the shamans’ betrayal.

The poem felt a bit awkward, but thanks to her good use of onomatopoeia, I felt a sense of rhyme as if I could hear what happened that time.

“I will present my poem.”

The third one was the youngest palace shaman.

She prepared a prose poem.

Rather than being a poem, it felt like a very short essay, a report even.

It felt stiff because it was written in business-like words without using the verse form of a poem.

Still, it was well felt that the youngest shaman had a strong spirit enough to objectively observe and describe a powerful superior being that is the Dragon King.

Some of the dragons nodded while listening to her poem.

The last one to go was Yoon Yeorang.

‘I wonder what kind of poem she wrote.’

It’s something that anyone who played PMH would be curious about.

In PMH, Yoon Yeorang couldn’t write a poem.

She declared that she couldn’t because she saw through the fact that the dragon before her was Imoogi, not the Dragon King.

But now, right here, the real Dragon King is present.

“What poem did you prepare?”

Yoon Yeorang answered Hwangryong’s question with a look of anticipation.

Yoon Yeorang seems to have been unable to control herself.

“Yes! I’ve written about the wonderful, strong, and beautiful Dragon King. The first verse contains feelings I felt in my dream, and the second verse describes how I felt lonely when I couldn’t see him, and the third is about when I came to the Dragon Palace, and…”

After a long explanation, Yoon Yeorang finally recited her poem.

Cheerful words were arranged livelily in her poem, sounding more like a nursery rhyme.

The dragons were constantly impressed as they listened to her clear poem.

Those here knew that it wasn’t easy to describe an unknown being using such easy, bright words.

Yoon Yeorang’s poem contained understanding, goodwill, and respect for the Dragon King.

‘Yoon Yeorang had such wonderful feelings.’

Just as when Yoon Yeorang sang, I almost got up from my seat to give her a standing ovation, but I managed to stop myself knowing that the Dragon King was here.

Anyone who has a good understanding of poetry will know how great Yoon Yeorang conveyed her feelings.

It’s a shame that my playable character, the Namok Poet Jegal, wasn’t here.

Jegal would’ve made excellent comments that even superior beings would not find fault in.

While I was lost in thought, the Dragon King appreciated the poems and said,

[Everyone who took the test is perfect as a shaman.]

The candidates’ eyes opened wide at the Dragon King’s words.

The youngest palace shaman looked embarrassed but bright.

The Dragon King approached them, and as he came closer, Kim Shinrok took a few steps back.

[Will you be my shaman?]

When the Dragon King asked, the four who took the test gladly accepted.

The joy of the Dragon King spread throughout the Dragon Palace, and the clouds once again shone brightly.

It seemed that the succession ceremony for the shamans began.

[Shamans, accept this power and be with me and the dragons of this world.]

A yellow (Yoohwang) cloud around Yoon Yeorang.

A jade (Byeok) cloud around the sharp-eyed shaman.

A purple (Ja) cloud around the sharp-eared shaman.

And for the youngest palace shaman, a red (Hong) cloud.

The youngest shaman was flustered when she saw the color of the cloud that surrounded her, then she looked at Hwangryong.

Behind Hwangryong was the child of the same age as Yeom Junyeol, who is now her predecessor.

‘I don’t think the youngest shaman knew. I heard that Hwangryong told them what happened back at the Yellow Dragon Palace, but did he not tell them about Hong?’

Before the test began, Hwangryong conveyed a message through Unryong.

The tigers and I couldn’t understand what Unryong was trying to say, but Yong Jegun interpreted it for us.

— From the beginning, Shaman Hong wasn’t supposed to be in her place. Someone else should’ve had her spot.

That woman still expressed her gratitude.

She did not change her mind even if the Dragon King offered her a seat among the shamans.

Instead, she hesitated and suggested something else.

— If you’ll allow me, I’d like to help the Dragon Palace as my atonement. The Dragon Palace has no shamans left.

Although the youngest palace shaman is still there, it was clear that she’d become a formal one since she actively played a role in the advent ritual.

The Dragon King said that he would be happy to accept her to remain as a shaman in any form, and Hwangryong said,

— If you mean it, stay in the Dragon Palace. Throw away your atonement. It’s our fault that we couldn’t do anything about your troubles.

When she heard that, the girl shed tears and expressed her apology and gratitude.

Hwangryong only took the words of gratitude to heart and accepted her as a shaman of the Dragon Palace.

Fwaaaat!

Even while the youngest shaman was flustered, the energy permeated each of their bodies.

The youngest shaman became Shaman Hong, not having the chance to refuse or hear details.

With that, they officially became the Dragon King’s shamans.

[The succession of my shamans is over. From now on, you will be with me and the Dragon Clan.]

When the Dragon King proclaimed, the Dragon Clan who solemnly watched the ceremony finally approached the shamans.

Hwangryong, Cheongryong, and Yong Jegun also followed.

“Welcome to our family.”

Cheongryong greeted her as the head of the Dragon Clan.

Following him, the other dragons greeted the shamans as well.

With hesitation, the shamans returned the greeting.

Seeing the scene, I realized that the shaman succession ceremony scenario was completed safely.

[I’m glad that you are safe. I’ve been waiting for you to become my shaman.]

The Dragon King approached and spoke to Yoon Yeorang, the latter smiling as if flowers had bloomed when the Dragon King talked to her.

At the same time, the clouds of yellow floated around Yoon Yeorang and shone brightly.

The past Shaman Yoohwang’s clouds felt dark and unpleasant, but Yoon Yeoran’gs looked cheerful.

“I’m happy too! I’m a shaman now, so I feel closer to you, Dragon King. I can hear your voice more clearly too! Will you come more often in my dreams now?”

[Of course.]

The Dragon Clan was astonished when Yoon Yeorang revealed that she met the Dragon King many times already.

I was proud that everyone recognized the greatness of my playable character.

“I wanted to say something when I finally became a shaman.”

[My shaman, tell me anything.]

“I’ve been thinking about why the previous shamans betrayed the great and wonderful Dragon King. I heard it was because they wanted eternal life, but I don’t understand why they would choose that over the Dragon King.”

Everyone breathed in at Yoon Yeorang’s words.

They seemed surprised at her boldness of bringing up a sensitive topic to the Dragon King in this good place and wondered what he would say.

I had no idea why Yoon Yeorang would bring it up too.

She spoke in a voice that was devoid of malice.

“Becoming a shaman means abandoning our name and wearing a cloth over our faces, even if the Dragon King does not require it. I think that’s why.”

[Can you tell me in more detail why you thought so?]

The Dragon King, who knows better than anyone that there is no malice in Yoon Yeorang’s heart, listened with interest.

“If we hide our name and face and live in a closed society, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by bad thoughts quickly!”

Yoon Yeorang’s words seemed so simple and clear that they almost didn’t make sense, but they did.

Where names and faces can be hidden, ugly nature comes out, more so in a closed society.

This happened countless times in history.

Many complex ideas and conspiracies surrounded the shamans’ betrayal, but Yoon Yeorang had a point.

“So I want to be the Dragon King’s shaman, showing my own face as Yoon Yeorang, not Yoohwang.”

Yoon Yeorang must’ve thought hard about this, her thoughts going in a direction that even I couldn’t think of.

The Dragon King listened silently to Yoon Yeorang’s words before asking the other shamans.

[What do my other shamans think?]

They seemed to agree with Yoon Yeorang.

They didn’t want to wear that cloth and throw away their name.

“Actually, I also think it would feel a little strange to wear that cloth.”

“I think it’s a good idea to keep using our name.”

“…Well, yes.”

The Dragon King confirmed the shamans’ will and said,

[My shaman, Yoon Yeorang, is not only born with strong power but is also wise.]

I agreed with the Dragon King.

Yoon Yeorang’s proposal may prevent the change of mind of the shamans in the distant future.

[My shamans, you do not need to hide your face for me, nor do you have to give up your names. I am satisfied just by the fact that you follow me and spend your time with me.]

My playable character has opened a new path in a direction I couldn’t imagine.

Hwangryong looked pensive when Yoon Yeorang referred to a “closed society,” but perhaps her proposal will bring about a brighter change.

Yoon Yeorang’s proposal did not stop there.

[You seem to have more to say. Speak.]

“Yes! Actually, I have an offer I wanted to give you if the exam ended early.”

With a determined look, Yoon Yeorang said,

“I want to give the Dragon King a New Year’s bow!”

That reminded me, and the others who were there, of the important holiday that slipped our minds.

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