TALE OF THE NINE TAILED 1938
-One of them shows up at last. -What are you?
Enemies passed water in fear when hearing my name on the battlefield.
Don't be surprised.
Shinigami Mercenaries. My name is Ushiuchibo.
USHIUCHIBO: DEMON FROM JAPANESE FABLES
WHO HUNTS ANIMALS WITH DEADLY POISON
What's that?
Just some pricks hunting Joseon demons.
-Doesn't seem like much in person. -Whatever you are, go sit over there.
The Joseon mountain gods are mingling now.
Why is his head shaped like that?
You shits dare look down on me?
You all breathed in a fog full of deadly poison.
You have a death wish?
You're the ones who will be dying!
Only I can neutralize my poison.
I heard there was a poison bender, so I guess that's you, huh?
-You poisoned the Gyeongseong wells too. -I see you've heard of my reputation.
Hand over the treasures. Then, I'll spare their lives.
Don't be ridiculous.
Wh--
You have an hour at most.
Your body will be bled white, and you will die in pain.
-Not to a wuss like him! -Well?
-Will you give it up to save them? Or-- -Take it.
No, Yeon! You can't give him the treasures!
What choice is there?
To catch the hare, you enter its burrow.
-A hare? -Here you go.
Just like that?
The antidote.
Give it.
Now that I think about it, the easiest way to get an antidote…
Is to use violence.
For ages, we've called this, "hare and hounds."
Oh, gosh. Sumimasen.
We all have trust issues, you know.
-Shall we begin? -Yes.
-Geez. You packed all that? -Shall I slice him, shred him or peel him?
-Let's just chop him up. -No. Then he'll die too soon.
I don't like his face, so let's touch up his chin and nose.
That should fix him up.
You crazy bastards!
-Go with that one. -Sure!
Now I'll break your bones one at a time, until we get the antidote.
Where did Ushiuchibo go?
EPISODE 10
I hear a sound.
It's Ushiuchibo.
There's someone next to him.
That punk wants to take the treasures for himself!
That selfish prick.
I'll go take a look.
Yuki, wait for me!
Shall we take turns?
I haven't even started yet.
Hey.
-I'm the strongest mountain god. -True, true.
It's harder not to hit you at full force.
For a mountain god who lost her country…
That sure is a lot of talk.
Starting now, I'll hit you thrice.
Provide the antidote by then or I crack your head.
Squirm all you want.
Because you will all die here today.
Is that a laugh?
Hong-joo.
Move away!
I couldn't move my body.
This is his specialty.
Get out of my way.
-Strike one. -Wait!
Strike two.
Boss!
Strike three.
He's dead. You shouldn't have killed him.
He kept pissing me off.
Now there's three of them left.
You knew from the start, didn't you? That he spits poison when cornered.
Yeah.
Why didn't you tell us?
You two weren't interested in anything but my treasure in the first place.
Gosh, you evil bastard.
We must get out of here now.
-The mercenaries will come at his call. -We'll kill them all.
Not in our state.
Let's get out, and find a way to neutralize the poison. Come on.
Wait for me!
I'm the only one unscathed anyway.
Please save me. Save me! It's here!
Lord Lee Rang!
Over here, you bastards! Boss!
Be careful! They can withstand blade slashes!
Hey, get Mrs. Boss to the room first!
Hurry and go upstairs! Leave this to me!
Come here! Die! Die!
-Hurry! We have to go too! -Die, you all!
Geez! Why you--
Quick!
I'm scared. Gosh, I'm scared!
Whatever happens here tonight, stay out of it.
Don't come, you shit!
-Jae-yoo! -Our roommate's the best!
Please help me!
-What do we do? -What do you mean "what"?
Please open the door!
He'll die out there!
Hey! Have you lost your mind?
Is anyone there?
-Don't ever come out of my room. -And you?
I'll get the others.
Let me come with you.
I'll be back soon.
No!
Yeo-hee!
This is unbelievable!
Ushiuchibo is dead?
Joseon's mountain gods are this strong?
Gosh. The more I know, the more fascinating he is.
Don't be ridiculous! Ushiuchibo is the weakest of us all!
I wonder where that lovely nine-tailed fox went.
Was it west?
Yuki, you can't act alone!
-I'll just go look around! -Yuki!
Damn. Where the hell are they?
Hong-joo, hang in there. Okay?
Is it just me, or did we pass here earlier?
What the hell is this forest?
It's from the picture in Room 404.
One of them can use an illusion charm.
They have someone with such notable skills?
I guess he must be the boss.
-What's wrong with him? -It's the poison.
My sight has been getting blurry for some time too.
Hey, you okay?
Get your hands off me.
Oh, you prefer my feet then? Hey, you okay?
Hey, Moo-yeong! Hey!
Yeon.
This poison is much more lethal than I thought.
No, no. You can't collapse here, okay?
Hold on.
I don't like this at all.
You're a mercenary, huh?
-Is she your lover? -She's my friend. Why?
She's not your girlfriend then? What a relief.
I'm Yuki.
One moment.
What's that?
-Do you like snowmen? -What?
Because Yuki gifts snowmen to her lovers.
Oh, whoa!
This represents my love.
-Hey, hey! -Sheesh!
Why you little brat. This one's mine!
You crazy bitch! Yuki will have him!
-Wanna fight? -Winner gets to have him.
Hey, don't discuss my ownership with each other.
-Stay out of it! -Stay out of it!
-Stop it. Enough. -So unfair.
You're the one being unfair. This one drank a bunch of poison.
Yuki!
-Yuki! -It's Oogama.
-I have to go. -Why is that?
This would be your chance to take the treasures, no?
You're right. But boss hates when I move on my own.
I see.
So where is that boss of yours?
You'll see him soon.
Yeon! You have to catch her!
Ice.
Oh, shit!
Damn it.
Geez, you almost got me!
-You know about me? -Yeah.
I heard the rumor, all right. The ice cream-like demon mercenary.
My real name is Yuki-onna.
YUKI-ONNA: SNOW LADY, SNOW SPIRIT FROM JAPANESE FABLES
Yuki-onna, want to strike a deal with me?
A deal?
You…
-You came looking for these treasures, no? -That's…
-Will you give them to Yuki? -Be patient.
I'll give you one treasure. If you'll exchange it for the antidote.
-Stop! If something happens to you-- -I don't care.
That's enough.
I'm dying, right?
You won't die.
What if I turn into one those monsters and I don't even recognize you, Rang?
I won't let you.
I have a question.
Why did you save me back then?
You know, the first time you came to the club.
That day…
I was feeling so miserable.
I thought about just dying.
But then I saw you on stage.
You were singing a song no one was hearing…
with such a happy face.
I don't know why, but when I heard you singing…
I thought I should live.
Thank you.
For staying here by my side this very moment.
If I were alone…
I would've been so scared.
I'll stay by your side, for the rest of my life.
Lee Yeon gave it.
I've dreamt of this moment so many times.
But why today?
I…
I was perverse from birth.
I used to stumble at the pettiest misfortunes.
All my life…
I lived running from my past.
But don't intend to stumble or run anymore.
Because I have you.
Yeo-hee, what's wrong?
I'm cold.
You're burning up!
What should I do, Yeon?
Smile a little.
Don't touch me.
Until our wedding,
I'll save your dignity.
-I'll get off here. -You aren't going home, ma'am?
I'd like to walk.
Let her off.
Why is Yeo-hee running so late?
I hope nothing's happened to her.
No way.
Lord Lee Yeon and Lee Rang are at the hotel too.
Eun-ho!
-Eun-ho. -Ma'am! What are you doing here?
Who was that man just now?
-Ryuhei Kato, the Chief Commissioner. -Your brother-in-law?
Yeah, but he's about to become my husband.
Now what's that about?
They want me to marry that man.
Eun-ho.
You, listen to me carefully.
That man…
isn't human.
What do you mean the Chief Commissioner isn't human?
I saw him.
With my own eyes.
-Lord Lee Yeon! -Don't come!
If he's not human, what is he?
I don't know his original form.
But Eun-ho, don't ever get close to him.
Could this be the secret my sister saw?
She knew. That's why that bastard killed her.
Forget it, okay? You must forget.
-He's not someone you can deal with. -Then what should I do?
Get married to the enemy of my sister and my country,
and live deceiving myself?
What the hell did we fight for?
-This… -What about this dynamite?
I will do it.
-Even if I must grab and die with him-- -Why would you, ma'am?
I…
I've lived much longer than you can imagine.
I suffered all kinds of storms of life on this land.
But what can I do?
I still find Joseon to be beautiful.
And you fighting to protect it…
is seemingly beautiful to me.
You can't do it alone.
I have an idea.
I'll do it.
What?
I said, I'll get married.
-Here. -The antidote?
-That girl gave it to you? -Yeah.
-Why? -In exchange for the ruler.
-What? Gosh. -You yielded it to a Japanese demon?
Well, yeah. I needed to save you guys first, no?
Do you think it's really an antidote?
I wouldn't know.
What do you think it is?
I say it's an antidote.
Don't eat it.
-You wouldn't save us. I don't trust you. -Same here.
At the very least, don't gamble with Hong-joo's life.
If we're gambling.
-Hey! -This would be one, right?
-Yeon! -Goodness.
If I don't wake up, it's poison.
Crazy fool.
What do we do?
Yeon.
Oh, shit.
Let's go, let's go!
Hey, hey, I saved you. I did!
I saved you this time! I did!
Gosh, you idiot!
You ran over to us earlier, like, all--
It was super cool, right?
I just happened upon you two, that's all.
Don't get the wrong idea.
Way to ruin a good compliment.
We each serve a different boss.
If they become enemies, we have no choice but to fight.
Say that when that actually happens.
Now, we're one big family of roomies.
Me, Jae-yoo, and…
Hey, what's your name?
Well, just call me whatever. I'm fine with "hey" or "underboss."
-You don't have a name? -Just tell us.
-I don't want to say. -You serious?
Why not? We survived death together, no?
-Lee M-- Yeon. -A what? "Yeon"?
-Wh-- -Lee! Mi-yeon!
Well, you have a pretty name for a bandit gang member.
Hey! Boss gave me that name.
"Lee" after boss' surname. "Mi" for rice. "Yeon" for relationships.
It means to eat rice heartily and live a long life. Geez!
-All right, Mi-yeon. -Mi-yeon, paw!
Mi-yeon or Lee Yeon: potato potahto! And Hong-joo is even tackier, you--
-But Lord Lee Rang-- -Wait!
-You think boss and his missus is safe? -Oh, right!
Lord Lee Yeon will kill me if something happens to him!
Yeon…
Yeon!
Moo-yeong, what do we do?
Yeon is--
Hey! Why, that's nothing to joke about!
Sorry. This was an antidote after all.
-Moo-yeong, let's hurry and take it. -Oh, no.
Not for free.
What do you mean?
What are they like?
Aside from the fox, the others are weak from drinking poison.
-Is that so? -But I gave him the antidote.
-Why, you crazy-- -Yuki always has a reason.
What reason, what?
Ta-da!
I exchanged the antidote for this.
Wow!
It's the real deal!
It's really it!
-What are they plotting? -Guess they need an ally.
And the other two? How were they?
I fought the female mountain god.
She was pretty tough, despite the poison.
Yet you still gave them the antidote?
Well, they don't know what you can do, Nyudo.
More excellent bodies the better.
You've got a point.
Hold on to this, Yuki.
Give me the antidote.
-On one condition. -A condition?
You two made it this far for my treasures, huh?
But we have a mutual enemy now.
The mercenaries.
I'll give you the antidote and you catch them with me.
-That's my condition. -Geez. I'm all in.
Cheon Moo-yeong.
I don't need your help.
You think I'm doing this because you're so adorable?
Even if we end each other, we must get out first, no?
And one of the treasures you're so obsessed with is in their hands.
Swallow your ego and take it.
Mercenaries or not, if I were Yeon, I'd have left you to die.
You're red-white mask.
Why would you try to save me too?
I need your talents.
The girl we saw earlier.
She's a demon who controls snow and ice. You control fire.
And what if the mountain gods chip in?
Four Japanese demons and two mountain gods, it's six to one.
That's the real goal of this operation.
But what if Hong-joo and Moo-yeong sides with us?
What if this becomes a battle between the mercenaries and the mountain gods?
How many wishes do I have left?
Wishes?
I still have some left, right?
This is my last wish.
Get out of this room.
And stay as far away as you can.
No.
Then promise me one thing.
If I change…
Kill me with your own hands.
No.
I'll die with you.
Foxes only love one woman until the day they die.
You know, I really liked Gyeongseong.
The lights at the club.
The gorgeous stage costumes.
The jewels at our boutique.
It was filled with sparkles everywhere.
But what shined the brightest in Gyeongseong was…
It was you, Lee Rang.
Yeo-hee. Yeo-hee!
She's still breathing but-- No, don't die!
Yeo-hee, wake up. Wake up!
Lord Lee Rang.
-Boss. -Lord Lee Rang.
Honey, I cooked some jeon for you!
My goodness! Don't drink on an empty stomach!
I find your unconditional kindness quite frightening at times.
I'm frightening?
I wonder how a kind person like you can endure living with me.
I'm proud of myself too.
I still find you amazing.
If not you, who else could endure it?
Being the owner of the Stream of the Dead. A job that is heavy as hell.
An owner in name only.
I'm more like a powerless warden.
Neither allowed to interfere in the human world,
nor completely neglect it.
I can't fight nor protect anyone.
But you raised those kids instead.
Though Moo-yeong got a bit crooked in the very end.
They were all good mountain gods.
And you were a good teacher.
A good teacher, you say?
That's why I believe they'll make the right choice in the end. They will win.
Am I drunk?
You look handsome for some reason.
Really? Have another drink.
We're out of drinks. I'll go get some more.
-Honey. -Yes?
Want to go to the theater tomorrow?
-To the theater? You will? -Yeah.
Yeon once told me this.
To go out and see the world instead of just being pent-up in here.
Well, I'd love to! I'll be right back.
I wonder if the King of Five Paths will come to the theater.
I must find out what's unfolding around the stone and ruler.
This guy knows how to cure her?
Hurry and tell him, Mr. Jindo.
Tell me! Or else, you're coming with me to die!
An innocent mermaid can't be sacrificed in a fight between our bosses, no?
You don't want that either, huh?
I just happened to hear something.
A Yacha?
What if we get unlucky and one of our guys get hurt?
Don't leave the room if possible. But if someone gets bitten…
Give them some brewed iris pistil.
A pistil of an iris. Will that work?
Moo-yeong created the demon, so it should work.
How do we get that at this hour? Even if we go outside--
We must save her before it's too late.
-You're sleeping? -It's in the hotel restaurant!
Bonjour, mademoiselle. Bonjour, monsieur.
It's a French restaurant. I saw saffron in the cupboard.
-Sharp? -It's a type of spice in the iris family.
I'll go get it.
You're going there when it's full of Yachas now?
-I must go. -Take me with you then!
-I'll go too. -Hey!
-Why should I go there? -We're a family.
I'm sorry, but my life isn't mine.
-It's Madame Ryu's. -We have no time. Let's go.
Take care of Mrs. Boss.
Please hang in there until I get back.
They're having a damn feast, huh?
How do we get past them?
Their movements are slower than before.
Where do you think you're going?
Lord Lee Rang!
They can't even see that?
They can't see us without the light. They only react to noises.
So we approach them in silence?
No. We'll use that to our advantage.
Shin-ju, get the iris from the restaurant.
We'll lure them to one side in the loudest way possible.
Should I just scream with all my might?
-If you do, Shin-ju will be in danger. -Then?
The record player.
Let's move it over there and lure them.
At the sound of music, they'll swarm there.
Let's go.
So what's the plan now?
Look here. Out of the four mercenaries, the poison bender is dead.
So he's a goner.
Now it's the three of them and the three of us.
What are their powers?
The first one is Yuki-onna, the snow lady.
You guys saw her earlier.
The second guy's name was, Gamma-ray. Something with "gamma."
-Oogama, that's what she said. -She's right. It's Oogama.
And what's that?
A centuries-old Japanese toad demon.
I've read about it.
He's an airhead who's just strong.
OOGAMA: A GIANT TOAD DEMON FROM JAPANESE FABLES
-I'll take care of him. -Sure.
The problem is the third guy. Gosh, I don't know his name or power.
And he seems to be the boss.
Oh, well. I'll deal with this one.
How will you catch all three?
Well, I gave them the golden ruler, so they should come for the stone now.
I'll be the bait.
Is that necessary? They must be looking for you too.
-They'll come find you. -Gosh.
I don't have time to sit back and wait, you hear?
Because some prick let a Yacha loose at the hotel.
-Damn it. Then let's all go together. -It's fine.
Even if you took the antidote, it'll take some time to take effect.
I'll lure them in. In the meantime, you guys recover.
-Yeon. -Yeah?
-Just in case. -Wh-- Goodness.
Really?
Hey, why give me a gun when they aren't even humans, huh?
If things go awry, you must call me.
I'm not a kid. Here, take this back.
-Yeon! -Yeah?
Just one last thing.
Yeah, all right. I'll be back.
Excuse me!
-Please take me with you. -Get lost.
You beat me up earlier, remember?
-You not sorry? -Get lost.
Don't be like that. Let's make it out together.
-I'll help out. -Don't touch it!
Shush!
I'll kill you.
I'll be invisible.
President?
President, it's me.
Hurry, hurry!
Don't come here, you!
Boss, quick! Turn it on!
I'm not the kind to die in a place like this!
Stop pushing!
Geez.
Where the hell are they? Damn it!
What's this smell?
I definitely know this smell.
What's this now?
Who are you?
Please help me.
-I've seen this old man somewhere. -At Myoyeongak, sir.
Oh, right! I remember you.
You're an indigenous god?
Yes, sir. But where on earth are we?
-Why am I suddenly in the woods? -Why don't you tell me?
-How did you get in here? -Well.
I was at the hotel until a while ago.
But monsters started chasing me, so I jumped into an open room and…
Goodness, how pathetic.
This place is more dangerous.
It's teeming with Japanese demons.
Sir! Could you please take me with you?
I sprained my ankle while running from the monsters.
Gosh, I'm too busy for you to bother me like this.
Geez. Get on.
-Thank you, sir. -Geez.
How?
The poison bender from earlier smelled just like you.
A strangely unpleasant sweet smell.
This?
Caramels? You're one of the mercenaries.
-You're quite fast. -Are you the boss?
My name is Nyudo.
Onyudo.
-I like you. -You're not my type.
What?
Why is my body there?
You see, Onyudo has a meaning.
It means, I'm a body-switching demon.
ONYUDO: A BODY-SWITCHING DEMON FROM JAPANESE FABLES
What do you think? Do you like my new body?
My goodness.
Give me back my nice body.
Oh, dear.
You just had to stab me with a sword, didn't you?
You think you're above us, huh?
Being a mountain god of Joseon means nothing.
By the way, where is the treasure?
I'll never give it to you pricks.
What? Darn it.
Where did you put the treasure?
It's not there?
It can't be…
Hey, stop it. It's just going to weigh me down.
Shit.
-The treasure's not with me. -Is that so?
Guess the others have it then.
No!
You can't.
Boss, hurry and turn it on!
Where did that bastard go?
I will kill you with my own hands.
I wonder if Hong-joo and Moo-yeong are safe.
What if he pretends to be me?
My treasure has been stolen, and my body is in this state.
I don't even know if Rang is alive.
Where did everything start to fall apart?
Is she still alive?
I can hear her breathing.
What if she turns into a monster and tries to eat us?
-It's fine, as long as she's breathing. -This is getting me so anxious.
-What about Jae-yoo? -He went to find Madame Ryu.
I want to leave! I don't want to die in a place like this!
-Orchid! -Just leave her be.
He said not to go out.
Move, you little brat. Staying in here is terrifying!
You don't know what's out there!
-Madame Ryu might be back. -I'm not letting you out.
Have you lost your mind?
Did you forget Lord Lee Yeon and Lord Lee Rang saving you?
I owe them my life too!
-So annoying. -Don't get too upset.
If she stops breathing, I'll finish her.
We can't die in vain at a place like this.
Open the door!
Close it!
Saffron, saffron…
Saffron.
Okay, got it.
I don't want to die! I don't want to die!
Hey, you prick! Get it together.
Hey, get it together! Calm down!
I'm sorry, but I'm going!
No!
Go. Go!
Do you think we'll get out of here?
Why would you say that?
No reason.
Strangely, I have a bad feeling.
Just like the morning of the mountain god exam.
-But you passed the exam. -Instead, I lost what I loved the most.
You guys.
You didn't lose me.
I've only had eyes for you.
Hong-joo, you only had eyes for Lee Yeon.
But I only had eyes for you all along.
I wanted you.
Though I knew you wouldn't be mine.
Why do first loves always go wrong?
Because it's your first love?
What would you do if your first love took the treasure for herself?
Well, that's a difficult one.
Better than losing it to Yeon.
-Guys. -Yeon!
Why are you alone? What about the mercenaries?
Well, I was ambushed by them.
Don't tell me you ran away.
-Instead, I found their hideout. -Where?
But how are you guys feeling? Has the poison been fully neutralized?
The bleeding has stopped, but we're not fully recovered yet.
Good. I'll lure them to our hideout.
Well, let's hurry. Now is our chance.
Let's go.
Nyudo!
It's the mercenaries.
Nyudo!
If I attract their attention now, I'll be dead meat.
I can't fight them with this body.
Nyudo!
Hey, Nyudo isn't here.
How strange.
-I heard footsteps nearby. -Maybe it's one of the mountain gods.
I hope it's the nine-tailed fox.
-Here. -Please!
Please go elsewhere!
I don't think he's here.
Let's go.
Thank goodness.
Hold on.
Perhaps, this may be an opportunity.
They don't know our bodies switched.
But if they find out…
Over here!
-Nyudo! -Nyudo!
Hey, where were you?
What's with you?
Charge forward!
Boss!
Hang on to me!
-Lord Lee Rang. -Shin-ju, you got it?
-Let's go. -He was bitten!
-Let's go together. -You son of a--
I didn't mean to put you at risk!
-Why you-- -We save the living!
Yes, the living.
What should we do, Boss?
-Come here, you bastard! -Let's go together!
Just die!
Help me, help me!
-What are you doing? -We've waited long enough.
-Lord Lee Rang isn't coming! -He will!
What happens if he doesn't?
Madame always said to live or to die is our own decision to make.
-I want to live. -Let's wait a little longer.
-Move! -Stop it!
-Orchid! -You stay out of this.
I'm sorry.
What's with you?
I asked you a question.
What do you mean?
What's with the injury?
The nine-tailed fox got to me.
Idiot. Nyudo's an idiot.
And after all that bragging.
Shut up!
By the way, are you really Nyudo?
-What? -You can just switch bodies with the fox.
Don't tell me.
It's been switched.
Gosh. Without Ushiuchibo, we can't tell his original form.
You're right.
If you really are Nyudo, why didn't you switch bodies with him?
That bastard knows more about us than we thought.
-He even knows about my power. -How did he know?
That reminds me.
He did know about me too.
Shouldn't we tell boss?
Boss?
Where's the boss? You should know.
The bastard who stole my body wasn't the boss?
Shinigami Mercenaries has five members, not four.
Then where is--
Don't tell me.
And the mercenaries?
Still no word from them?
Their boss is at the Bando Hotel.
Satori is?
Yes. Now that Satori has joined the game,
for people and demons alike, that hotel…
will be a slaughterhouse.
Hurry up.
TALE OF THE NINE TAILED 1938
One, two, three.
From now on, you can't take one step out of this room.
Until you die.
Hong-joo!
How disappointing.
What is the reason Moo-yeong…
-Cheon Moo-yeong! -…came to this era?
Don't you have an idea?
He's trying to awaken something with the golden ruler.
It can't be! He can't wake that up!
Don't even think of having hope.
Don't die, Moo-yeong.
Please have my back, so I can fight.
TRANSLATED BY TIFFANY HWANG