434 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

The secular disciple of the Hwasan Sect. The red-haired main character of the original work. More specifically, he has hair the color of red plum blossoms and is also an orphan. He lives with his disgraced master, Jinmu, deep within the Hwasan Sect. A master who fell out of favor with the Hwasan Sect and his orphaned disciple. Because of this, the two lead an obscure life. I know what will happen to the protagonist and what choices he should make, but I genuinely did not know his real name. — Please enter the name of the game’s protagonist. Because there was no default name for the protagonist. If you didn’t specify one, the game wouldn’t proceed, so I put my own name just like most visual novel players to make immersion easier. "It can’t really be that the protagonist’s name is the same as mine, right?" I introduced myself using the pen name Ji Woo precisely to avoid unnecessary wariness by being a namesake. What if it really turns out to be Kang Yun Ho? Would I then be known as Black Kang Yun Ho and he as Red Kang Yun Ho if we both became famous? — Who among Black Kang Yun Ho and Red Kang Yun Ho would be more renowned? — It is certain that Black Kang Yun Ho is better at night matters. It wouldn’t turn out like that, right? "They said Seocheon Pyoguk might be asked casually about his name, so he might eventually tell." I turned my gaze to the opened letter. —— [Dear Ji Woo.] [Today, I went to the market to buy medicinal herbs for my master.] [Since this morning, I trekked around to procure good quality herbs at a cheaper price than elsewhere. I even said I’d become a regular and managed to haggle down expensive herbs. I couldn’t help but feel a bit proud, as if I were a great merchant.] [Of course, I could have bought the herbs at any pharmacy, but the money is, after all, your sponsorship, Ji Woo. It shouldn’t go to waste.] Perhaps because he decided to share his innermost thoughts, the content of the letter felt personal, like reading a mutual diary. [However, I have something to confess to you, Ji Woo.] "Oh? Is there an issue?" Is he short on money? [The truth is, I bought a snack with the leftover money.] "I thought it was something serious." A smile involuntarily spread on my face at the protagonist’s confessional-like writing. [You have no idea how much I deliberated in front of the stall.] The continuation read quite seriously, contrasting with my smile. [You did say I could buy something to eat, Ji Woo. But would it be right to buy snacks while my master is unwell? I spent all day walking; surely, it’s okay to buy a piece of candy? I pondered for a long time in front of the stall. A martial artist from the Hwasan Sect asked me if I had something urgent, and the stall owner handed me a candy.] [The candy handed to me, to merely taste, became a problem.] [That one snack thoroughly shattered my dilemma. When I came to my senses, the candy was already in my mouth.] [How could someone from Hwasan be swayed by something as trivial as a snack? I was genuinely at a loss over my feelings of shame. Yet, the enjoyment lingering in my mouth persisted.] [Since you, Ji Woo, told me to buy something tasty with the sponsorship, it should be okay to eat it, right?] [Today was delicious and joyful, thanks to you, Ji Woo.] Feeling the protagonist’s small rebellion and happiness, my smile didn’t fade. Did I become an accomplice? It feels like skipping night classes with a friend and sharing the blame together, like a camaraderie in making mischief. [P.S. When I brought back candy for my master, he was pleased. I think I made a good purchase.] [P.S. 2. He shared half of it with me. Even though I declined since I’d already eaten one on my way back, I eventually surrendered to both my master and the power of the snack.] [P.S. 3. Do you, Ji Woo, like sweets as well? You can simply reply with ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in your next letter.] "Supporting him is more rewarding than I thought." I’m quite satisfied with the positive response. And it isn’t like he’s a Somalian child becoming an African pirate; he is, after all, the original protagonist destined to make a significant mark in the martial arts world. Is this what makes playing the role of a benefactor so enjoyable? Let’s move on to the next letter. --- [Dear Ji Woo.] [Are you familiar with the term secular disciple?] "It feels like being asked by a young cousin if I know what a tokusatsu is." Of course, I know. It's like predicting that a character with a cool expression will suddenly transform into the sixth ranger, exciting everyone. Being a secular disciple is nothing extraordinary. In prestigious sects, they not only foster talented children as core disciples but also teach martial arts for a fee. These children are called secular disciples. The martial arts that secular disciples learn are inferior to those taught to core disciples who will inherit the sect. However, even diluted martial arts from a prestigious sect hold a prestige that common martial arts cannot compare to. Core disciples stay in the sect to support it, while secular disciples leave to continue their family lines. Secular disciples can claim, "I studied under someone from the Hwasan Sect!" and, upon later becoming successful, they contribute to the sect, fostering a positive cycle. [There are many secular disciples in the Hwasan Sect.] [They hail from wealthy families, high-ranking officials, and military backgrounds. They are parents’ well-off children, receiving ample living expenses, spending money freely. Thanks to them, the market near the Hwasan Sect is bustling daily.] [On the other hand, as a secular disciple without relatives, I didn’t have the luxury of spending freely. Oh! Please don’t pity me too much. Though I lack relatives, I have my master, and having been part of the Beggars’ Sect, I didn’t grow up starving. I don’t mind at all.] [And now, thanks to you, Ji Woo, you’re here with me. The reason I mention this is because, with the recent money you gave me, I bought shoes!] The letter was buoyant, almost flying off the page. [My master scolded me for spending too long at the market, but their words didn’t really register! Buying new shoes for the first time in my life surely deserves some thoughtful consideration, right?] [At last, I no longer have to anxiously search among discarded shoes from other secular disciples, hoping to find a pair that fits me. You have no idea how happy this makes me, Ji Woo.] [With these shoes, I’ll start practicing my light footwork skills. Thanks to you, Ji Woo, I feel like I can finally overcome the obstacles that were holding me back.] "So, I ended up buying his first pair of shoes with my money?" That’s great news. Even if it wasn’t intentional, with every step he takes in them, he’ll think of me, and our bond will grow stronger. [Ah! I might have gotten too excited and said something I shouldn’t have. Please don’t tell my master about the story of the discarded shoes. Promise me.] He seems to care little about his impoverished background but doesn’t want his master to be hurt by it. Admirable of him. I flipped to the next page of the letter. [I cried.] "You were just soaring with happiness a moment ago." Why the sudden tears? [While joyfully walking in my new shoes, I stepped into dirty mud. No matter how much I washed them, they wouldn’t regain yesterday’s look . . .] The handwriting was trembling at the end. It seems he was overcome with emotion even while writing. How unfortunate. [Is this the price for wanting too much? I’ve been feeling down for days, and my master became worried.] [But I can’t make my ailing master worry for me. I’ll continue wearing the dirty shoes while practicing light footwork. Even if they’re dirty, they’re still new enough to be useful for practice. As for the remaining new shoes, I’ll just look at them for now and wear them when an important day comes.] "In the original story, he seemed a bit more nonchalant about his poor past, but perhaps it's because he's not an adult yet." The protagonist generally had a bright personality and didn't mind much, though the occasional storytelling of his childhood would shock the princess. He just laughed it off. It seems he may not be entirely unconcerned about his challenging circumstances, even if his bright disposition remains due to still being in his formative years. [P.S. If you ever decide to visit Hwasan Sect, please give me a heads-up so I can wear the clean shoes.] I’m fine with that. Knowing his difficult situation, I intended to help, and perhaps it will allow me to get closer to the protagonist’s heart. I opened the next letter. --- [Dear Ji Woo.] [My master has been guiding me throughout the day after a long while. Thanks to you, Ji Woo, it seems his health is slightly improving these days.] [I’ve been feeling oddly excited lately. I can’t help but smile without realizing it when I’m idle. What do you think the reason could be?] [Could it be because I have a father-like master and now a friend too? I have this feeling that everything is going to turn out well!] [P.S. Ji Woo, I referred to you as a friend; I hope there’s no misunderstanding.] [P.S. 2. Come to think of it, not knowing a friend's name seems strange. I would like to know it.] "Instead of mine, I'd like you to tell me yours." I’m glad he’s excited, thanks to my support, but simply exchanging letters might not be enough. "Since you said you’d ask Seocheon Pyoguk, you’ll probably find out." I opened the next letter, hoping it would finally reveal his name.