445 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

EP.445 Declaration - 9 "You! Just now! Huff! I heard! You were! Huff!" How urgently did you run here? Jeon Gil San seemed to have rushed over the moment he heard the news that I became a successor candidate, as he struggled to catch his breath. "Take a breather. I always tell you to do some basic martial arts training. If you keep drinking and partying all the time, you'll age quickly." Living recklessly, I went for a health check-up, and the doctor solemnly said, "Our diagnosis is fatty liver. Your cholesterol levels are high. There's also some blood pressure. You must exercise. Have there been any recent changes in your environment?" "I've just been living as usual." "Eat less greasy food, reduce salt intake, and eat a bit less. Quitting alcohol is essential." That's when I realized living a slender life wasn't feasible. Exercising in old age is to survive, not to look good. Don't regret it later. You fool. "Do I look like I'm in a position to—huff! Hoooo." Jeon Gil San, out of breath to the point of collapse, finally sat down and started taking deep breaths. "I'll make us some tea." Even though he came to berate me, he's still a guest. I carefully took out the teaware from the cabinet. It has been a while since I brewed tea myself. Usually, Sojeo brewed it for me. As I was caught up in a small sentiment while boiling the water, Jeon Gil San, having caught his breath, finally spoke. "Is it true?" What truth. I didn’t even need to ask. "It is." I nodded while handling the tea leaves. "I see... I thought something was odd." Jeon Gil San spoke as if he had finally found evidence to confirm his suspicions. "What is?" "You sent away a girl who seemed like you'd die without her, and yet you showed no reaction! In such a case, you should have been drowning in alcohol with me all night long! But you seemed too calm! You first removed the woman who was a distraction to your succession from your grandfather's sight, and that was your plan all along!" Jeon Gil San pointed at me like a detective who had figured out how to create six burnt bodies with five dead people, unraveling an alibi. "Sigh." You'd be useless if you opened a detective agency. "Don't try to dismiss with a sigh! You dare deceive me! You miserable bastard!" "When did I ever deceive you?" "You're terrifying! I knew you were a scary guy, but the more I know, the scarier you get!!!" Jeon Gil San stared at me with a look of shock and disbelief. Jeon Gil San, what should I do with this guy? If it were just a passing acquaintance, I’d threaten him like in the past and say not to see each other again. But now, he's a reliable financial source. During the Ho Pil recruitment incident and the attempt to acquire Baedal Guest House, although both failed, he has a good eye for things. Recently, he's been running two franchises in prime locations. Thanks to that, he’s been steadily sending me cash and promissory notes every week. 'If I marry Jegal Sojeo, Jeon Gil San would become my brother-in-law.' What a depressing thought. But if familial ties bind us, there's no need to antagonize him. I need to win Jeon Gil San over. In a world where familial ties and social connections are fundamental, even if family relationships can’t be expected, future ties through marriage can be relied upon. Fortunately, I already had a plan in mind. "I heard it just a few days ago. Man Geum Jeonju suddenly told me to take the successor test." Start by appealing that it wasn’t my decision. I deliberately clicked my tongue, expressing a displeased look. "And you expect me to believe that? Do you think the qualification of a successor is a joke?" "Isn't he your grandfather?" "Ah…" A look of realization flickered across Jeon Gil San's face. Even to family, he’s not an easy elder. "I went for a business report, and since he seemed satisfied, I thought all the tiresome tests were finally over and I’d get the Daseogak back. I didn't expect him to suddenly tell me to take the succession test." "He seemed satisfied? Your grandfather…?" I subtly placed a teacup in front of the bewildered Jeon Gil San. It's not something I wanted. You know how your grandfather is. An unfathomable person. Having made my point clear, let's move on to the next matter. I sighed lightly and spoke. "If you pass, you pass. Where else do you move on to the next stage? It's absurd. That's why I was debating whether to talk to you or not, and as soon as I left Man Geum Jeonju's mansion, I headed straight to your store." Did you say I tried to deceive you? Not at all. Truthfully, I consider you close, so I wanted to discuss my dilemma with you first. Clarifying this intention. In reality, I just happened to pass by. "When did you ever do that? When?" "You asked why I had a gloomy face a little while ago." "Gloomy? When was that… Ah! That day you suggested meeting Mae Hyang together and then suddenly changed your mind?!" "When did I do that?" "Do you know how upset I was because of you when I wanted to hold hands with Mae Hyang, but got rejected and was told not to make reservations anymore?!" "……." How is that my fault? "Thankfully, I decided to switch my favorite from Mae Hyang to another courtesan. Anyway, you say you heard it just a few days ago…" Jeon Gil San examined my face as if searching for any hint that I was lying. Search all you want. See if you can find anything. Even if he exclaims that starting tomorrow we'll be enemies and turns away, there's nothing I can do. However, parting in a less bitter way is the human way to live, isn’t it? As long as he doesn’t close his franchise business and becomes an eternal nemesis, it’s fine. "Kang Yoon Ho." After a long observation, Jeon Gil San called out to me in an unexpectedly serious tone. "What?" "So, what are you going to do?" Is he asking my intentions? "I'll see it through to the end." I replied with determined resolve. Having explained my circumstances, I can declare that I don’t wish to jump into the successor battle. I simply have no choice in the matter. It’s something I’m forced to do. It might sound honorable. But one should not avoid what cannot be avoided. "…Even if it means ending up as enemies with me?" He nodded. "You have a fallback, but I don’t." "A fallback?" "Even if you fail the successor test, you don’t lose much. You're still Man Geum Jeonju's grandson. Your high-rolling life in Muchan isn’t going to change much." "And what about you?" "If I fail this test, it's over for me." I set down my teacup, deliberately making eye contact with Jeon Gil San. "Over?" "You see it as an opportunity, but I'm hanging by a thread over a precipice, and your grandfather is the one holding the knife." Eui Chang's Daseogak is under Man Geum Jeonju's mortgage, and my business was built with his money. The last remaining Daseogak in Muchan is Jegal Sojeo’s. If I don't stay on his good side, I'll lose everything I've gained. Jeon Gil San knew these facts well. "Hmm..." "The only thing I can do is climb up and surprise your grandfather before he cuts the rope." "A surprise, you say, to my grandfather?" "If I can." I chuckled softly, creating a subtle alliance between Jeon Gil San and myself, presenting a common, albeit informal, adversary. "I see. So that’s how it is." I've explained my unavoidable predicament. Yet, if we must part ways, so be it. I’ll still compete with you if it comes to that. I wonder if he understood my position. Jeon Gil San finally took a sip of the tea I had served. "This tea you brewed, it tastes bad." Jeon Gil San finished his drink silently and left a brief remark. "You brew it yourself, then." Why does it taste worse than when Sojeo brews it? It's the same tea leaves. "Still, it was a nice drink." Jeon Gil San stood up as he said this. "Are you leaving?" "As long as you haven’t deceived me again, it's fine." "..." Could it be that the real issue he was upset about wasn't the successor matter but the lie? Well, my first encounter with Jeon Gil San was deceptive. "Oh, by the way." Opening the door, Jeon Gil San paused and turned back as if remembering something. "Hm?" "My mother knows who you are, so she didn't curse you out. I'm off now!" I have so many aunts that I cannot even keep track of who they all are. Jeon Gil San waved as he nodded at me, and just as quickly as he had arrived, he left. ———————— "You're here! Everyone is waiting for you." Two days later, the meeting for Man Geum Jeonju's successor candidates took place, not at Jeonju's mansion but at another venue. "Lady Jegal, shall we go in together?" "Y-Yes." Jegal Sojeo held onto my sleeve, whether from nerves or because she hadn't recovered from expending a week's worth of energy. "Master Kang and Miss Jegal are entering!" As the door opened, I saw Man Geum Jeonju, his daughters, and the successor candidates. "That's... that guy...!" "He really has dark hair?" "Why on earth did grandfather have to...?" "Didn't I tell you to be careful with your words?" "But Mother, that dark-haired guy kept everyone waiting and showed up late." There are quite a few of them. Man Geum Jeonju originally had twelve children. With the only son deceased and one of the successor candidates meeting an unfortunate accident, there were ten candidates present today. I've heard enough about Man Geum Jeonju's grandchildren's bad reputations, but seeing them, they truly seem like the kind who cause constant trouble. "You've arrived." I bore the gazes of those who seemed uncertain if they were successors or ruffians and stood before Man Geum Jeonju. "I could come comfortably, thanks to your consideration." I should have realized when they offered to send a carriage. It was intentionally late so that I would grab all the attention. I'm overwhelmed. Man Geum Jeonju seemed to understand my thoughts from my look, and the corner of his mouth twitched upward. "Everyone’s focused on you." In response to Man Geum Jeonju's comment, I turned and clasped my hands to face the barrage of gazes. "Nice to meet you. I am Kang Yoon Ho. Alongside Jegal Sojeo, I run a small business." Jegal Sojeo followed my lead and bowed as well. "Ha. Calling a local guesthouse a business." A small chuckle of ridicule was heard. It seems they've done some background checking since I’m a successor candidate. It doesn't matter. I'm a successor candidate personally chosen by Man Geum Jeonju. "I have certainly arrived later than others. But now that I'm at the starting point, I'll do my best to run." I may not be able to radiate a warrior's aura, but I can certainly make myself appear imposing. I spoke confidently. With the right posture and intonation, a determined expression, and the composure to handle the intense stares, I stood tall, just like a tree destined to become a great one. "Ugh." A groan of intimidation came from somewhere. "Tch. How shameless." "Sigh..." Jeon Gil San, why the sigh? "Hehe. Come, have a seat." "Master Kang, Miss Jegal, please follow me." "Now that everyone has gathered, let us proceed with what was previously discussed." Watching Jegal Sojeo and me take our seats, Man Geum Jeonju immediately got to the point. "Grandfather, when you say what was previously discussed, you don’t mean...?" Could there have been homework during my absence? "Yes. I will announce the passers of the first test. General Manager!" Luckily, since I received a recommendation, I'm good to go. "Yes, Man Geum Jeonju. Thank you for your hard work over the past six months. We have six candidates who passed the first test." "Six?!" "Did you say six? Father! Are you reducing it by nearly half in one go?" "Are you hard of hearing earlier than your father? Or are you protesting against him?" "..." No one dared respond to Man Geum Jeonju's imposing demeanor. "General Manager, proceed with the announcement." "Yes! First, Master Kang Yoon Ho, for the Baedal Guesthouse business, has passed!" "Thank you." I stood and bowed gently towards those present. "Next! Master Song Gyeom!" "Brother! You passed!" "Thank you, Mother! Thank you, Grandfather!" "Next one!" It feels like a university entrance announcement day. The reactions vary with each name called. "Last one!" By now, five names had been called, leaving only one more slot. "Please!" "Pleease!" "Father!" The General Manager scanned the gathering, teetering on the brink of tears, before calmly announcing the final successful candidate. "Master Jeon Gil San!" "Heeeew." Oh, Jeon Gil San made it. He exhaled a sigh of relief, bowing his head. "Aaaah!" "No way!" "Gil San, stand up already!" A woman who appeared to be Jeon Gil San's mother patted his back. Oh, so it's that lady. They do resemble each other indeed. "Master Jeon Gil San?" Why isn't he getting up? "Grandfather." Jeon Gil San slowly rose at the General Manager's call, looking at Man Geum Jeonju with a stern expression. "Yes? Do you have something to say?" "Yes, I do." Jeon Gil San nodded firmly, keeping his lips tightly sealed. "Speak your mind." What could he possibly want to say? As Jeon Gil San took a deep breath, the previously noisy room turned its focus entirely on him. What's going on? He wetted his dry lips, then spoke with eyes full of resolve. "I am withdrawing from the successor contest." "Withdrawing from the successor contest?" What did he just say? Every eye in the room grew wide with shock. "Yes, and instead—" "Instead?" Jeon Gil San's head turned. With a look of unwavering determination, his gaze fixed firmly on a single point. And what lay at the end of that gaze was neither his grandfather nor his mother. "I will support Kang Yoon Ho." [A true brother indeed] It was me.