449 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

EP.449 Second Test - Part 3 Infinity's Dohwa. A man wearing a straw hat was walking. If one was familiar with martial arts, they would immediately recognize the man's sun-tanned, sturdy body and the scar that extended from his left jaw upwards, as well as the powerful, measured strides he took, as indicators of his substantial skills. To an ordinary person, however, the fishing rod in the man's hands might lead them to regard him simply as a fisherman, worthy of little attention. The "fisherman" was none other than Sam Angom, Jo Chul. A wanderer who had borrowed money from the Mankeum Finance and then disappeared. 'Naturally, Mu Han really is great.' Sam Angom had a relieved smile on his face as he thought to himself. Countless Koreans came to Mu Han, the center of logistics, in search of work. Despite his striking black hair inherited from his grandmother, which made him stand out everywhere else, it drew little attention in Mu Han. Though this was anticipated, there was something he hadn't expected. 'Why are there so many Koreans wearing straw hats here?' There couldn't be many who vanished with a hefty sum like he did. So why were so many Koreans wearing straw hats? It was when Sam Angom, pondering this small mystery, was heading towards the fishing spot. "Hey!" "Hmm?" Jo Chul looked around, alerted by a voice from behind. There wasn't anyone else there. "Is this bastard deaf?" A thug-like figure pointed a finger at Jo Chul. "Are you talking to me?" "Who else here with a straw hat other than you? You're really late." For a thug to pick a fight with the renowned Sam Angom. Sam Angom thought about how to respond and then let out a small laugh. "What is it?" In his younger days, he often got into quarrels just because of his black hair. Could this guy be trying to extort money from him? If that was indeed the case, Sam Angom decided he might indulge in some nostalgic play, with interest. "What? You don't know? Ah, I see. You look different now. Here!!!" The thug, noticing Sam Angom's lower face, fished something out of his pocket. "...Money?" What the thug offered was a money pouch. "Last time's tab! You didn't come to repay it yet, did you? I was waiting, ready to pay you this time!" "Tab?" He was the one who had skipped out on a debt. Sam Angom was bewildered. "Where's your delivery bag? Show me before the noodles get cold." "Ha..." "You bastard. Did you really forget?" Apparently, there was some misunderstanding. Sam Angom felt a bit of regret, figuring out how to express himself. "Delivery here! Sir! I’ve come to collect on a tab as well.” A Korean in a straw hat with a peculiar wooden bag appeared behind Sam Angom. "Oh? Wait a second then..." The thug shifted his gaze up and down Sam Angom, trying to comprehend the situation. "I'm not Korean." When Sam Angom exuded a faint hostility, the thug finally realized his mistake and bowed repeatedly in apology. "Great warrior! I'm sorry! Your attire was so similar..." Jo Chul, with an expression of annoyance, waved his hand dismissively and watched the Korean deliveryman his food with interest. ‘Are Koreans running a food delivery business in Mu Han?’ No wonder there were indifferent looks despite wearing a straw hat. His attire seemed quite similar to these Korean deliverymen. “Are you—someone I haven't seen before? Are you Korean?” As Jo Chul was turning away, the deliveryman who just began to grow a beard called out to him. “Are you deaf?” Such a familiar situation. Precisely what had become familiar since the day he arrived in Mu Han. Sam Angom frowned, bothered by the interaction. "I came to spread good news. Even if your country betrays you, we'll extend our hand to you! When you need assistance, after all—" "...I’ve no intention of joining your Korean community association, so stop pestering me." Annoying individuals. The moment they see someone they don’t recognize with black hair, they ask if they'd join the Korean community association. Jo Chul tilted his straw hat up slightly, revealing his grey eyes. "Ah! We're not that strict. If you have black hair, you can go through the signup process. Just fill out the application with your address, name, workplace, salary, marital status, any noteworthy skills or connections, and write my name as a reference! You’ll even get a sack of rice for free!" "Leave." Seeing Sam Angom’s intent to use force if further pestered, the deliveryman clicked his tongue in disappointment. "Tsk! Thought I'd get a sack of rice! If you need help, head to Un Kigyeok Inn! The Korean community is always waiting for you! Goodbye!" "……So many Koreans can be a problem too." Troublesome fellows. Jo Chul quickened his pace for his fishing without realizing that a homing pigeon was soaring above him. —— "Name: Jo Chul. Alias: Sam Angom. Borrowed money from the Hangzhou branch of Mankeum and then disappeared. Spotted near Mu Han's Dohwa. Noted his current residence and regular eateries and locations." Inside the mansion's office. I began explaining the information compiled by the accountants I’ve recently hired. "You really found him." "I told you we could." I nodded indifferently at Jeon Gil San's exclamation of admiration. I didn’t suggest a referral program for nothing. The Korean community in Mu Han is something I have thoroughly under control. "Aged 42. Originating from Musuchon. Huh?" One of the accountants muttered in surprise. "Why? You know that village?" "It used to be a slash-and-burn village. During the famine, they all scattered, but some Koreans lived there. Looks like it’s true that Jo Chul’s grandmother was Korean." "If it's his grandmother, he probably doesn’t have much self-awareness of being Korean." It's similar to how an American named James might have a Mexican grandmother but doesn't consider himself Mexican. "He started wandering in his twenties. In his mid-thirties, he earned the alias Sam Angom, a skilled martial artist." That covers his basic personal information. "Now that he’s found, we need to reclaim the money. What’s his financial status?" Talking to him about paying back Mankeum comes later. First, we need to ensure there’s something to collect from him. The accountant shuffled through the documents from the Mankeum Finance and spoke with a darkened expression. "He’s... completely broke." "Broke, you say? And he's supposed to be a martial arts master." Isn't it expected that someone with a renowned name would have gathered some assets? "He was a guest at Hoga’s estate, part of the Hyungmun order, for ten years, but they went bankrupt. Because of that, he didn’t get any of the money he was owed and turned into a pauper." So, he’s like someone who needed his severance pay, but the company went under. "Is that why he borrowed money?" "He claimed to want to start a business, and they lent it to him. They never imagined he’d disappear with it." "I can already picture Grandfather raising a storm over this. Lending money without collateral to a broke person—were they thinking straight?" Jeon Gil San scoffed incredulously, confidently declaring that he would later revamp their way of thinking himself. This guy’s getting ahead of himself, practically tasting victory already. "It's awkward to collect when he has nothing." When I mumbled and looked around, everyone avoided my gaze, seemingly unable to think of a solution. Even Jeon Gil San, who was on the verge of scolding, ducked his head like a student taking late notes when I cast a critical gaze. This is a dilemma. A martial arts master without possessions, and the money to be collected is a substantial sum. It was great to find him within a day, but numerous issues still lay ahead. "Um..." Jegal Sojeo, who had drawn closer, carefully tugged at my sleeve and called out to me. "Yes, Jegal Sojeo. Do you have something to say?" Might she have a solution? As all the attention abruptly shifted toward her, Jegal Sojeo glanced around nervously before speaking with newfound determination. "I, well, maybe he could sell himself?" "Whoa." The atmosphere in the room froze instantly. Selling him to a brothel. It’s a method often suggested when someone gets in trouble with loan sharks. "As expected of the granddaughter of the Mankeum merchant lord." Whispers of astonishment rippled through the crowd. "No, uh, that's not what I meant. Since he's a master, you know..." "If he’s regarded as a master, does that mean his skills are above ordinary even in the bedroom? Gil San, is there demand for this sort of thing?" Given that it’s Jegal Sojeo's suggestion, it’s not something to dismiss. I tossed the topic to Jeon Gil San, known for his insight into indulgent matters. "I’m not too familiar with that area, but I heard there’s a match for each taste." "I see..." Truly the Jegal clan! Known for monopolizing unique strategies in the martial arts realm! "Ahaha. Young Master Kang, that's not what I meant. Uhh. I'm sorry." Jegal Sojeo’s face turned pale with realization. Was that not it? "Ah, do you mean that someone might pay to have Sam Angom indebted to them?" "Yes, exactly!" Jegal Sojeo quickly nodded in agreement, breaking free from the depths of misunderstanding. "A sharp idea indeed. But he likely vanished because he had no intent to repay. Should we try to capture him first?" Capture him unharmed, then negotiate to trade him to another sect for a signing fee. "Can you restrain Sam Angom without injury?" "......." I had no answer to Jeon Gil San’s question. The opponent was a skilled fighter. Using the Mankeum Finance's forces was not an option for this trial. "It’s a problem even if he's subdued. What if he refuses to pay, saying even if beaten to death, he'd rather not? We have to get the money within a month." "He has no assets, no intention to pay, and he's a master. This difficulty isn’t called impossible for no reason..." Impossible difficulty. The supposedly easiest challenge proved this tough. Even when passing what seemed the hardest hurdle, insurmountable barriers lay ahead. A sigh of frustration echoed somewhere. The room fell into a silence colored by shared concern, as no one presented a viable solution. Except for one. "Hum?" Jegal Sojeo was examining the compiled documents prepared by the accountants. Was she discovering something? Her usual demeanor was gone, replaced by a grave focus as she flipped through the papers. "Jegal Sojeo?" "Uh, Young Master Kang. There's something strange." Jegal Sojeo approached, handing over a document while avoiding eye contact shyly. "Yes, please go ahead." "The promissory note Sam Angom used... it doesn’t seem to have been collected." Her finger pointed to a blank section. Information unnoticed by anyone else. "Uncollected? Does that mean he hasn’t used the promissory note yet?" "Yes, that’s correct!" For Jegal Sojeo to draw out such a crucial piece of information no one else noticed was remarkable. She beamed at me with an effervescent grin, seemingly proud of how quickly I understood her words. Her smile was too close. The subtle fragrance of hydrangeas tickled my nose. "……." "Young Master Kang?" "A, nothing." Darn. I found myself momentarily captivated. "Gilsan. Shall I get the bedding ready?" Jeon Gil San grinned mischievously. "If Sam Angom still holds the promissory note... If we could preserve the principal, it could easily resolve everything." In modern times, such a delinquent note would already have been flagged, but once a note is issued, it becomes a matter of trust for the finance company—should it be presented, it must be honored. The fact that it hasn't returned to them indicates the note hasn't been cashed. If we secure it, we’d only need to charge interest. "Good news, no doubt. But how do we retrieve meat from the belly of a wolf?" "We'll have to make him regurgitate it willingly." "What?" I committed to proving myself to the Mankeum merchant lord. This "impossible" difficulty, said to be beyond resolution, would see my success. Only with such resolve can I become the heir to the Mankeum Finance. What should I do? How can I reclaim the promissory note Sam Angom carries? I quickly sifted through his information. There’s ample information. I am prepared. Then. "I have a way." -- The morning in Mu Han. Sam Angom was fishing, just as he had been the previous day. "Ah, another small fry. Small fry. Bring your uncle over, at least. Hey, you!" The most annoying thing for a fisherman is disruptions caused by others. It's even more bothersome when there’s no luck with the fish. As I cast my line, I made an exaggerated fuss until Sam Angom couldn't help but speak up. "...You're going to scare the fish away." Unable to hold back any longer, Jo Chul finally uttered a word to me. "You brat! You brought the big one. Come here! Huh? What did you say?" I waved a fish at Sam Angom, who hadn’t caught any, boasting subtly. "It's nothing..." Trying to slip away, are you? "Oh?!" I feigned surprise as I moved closer to Sam Angom for the next phase of my plan. "I'm not Korean. Stop with the constant suggestions from that Korean community association..." How persistent had the suggestions been? As I, with my black hair, approached, Sam Angom warned me with apparent annoyance. But here's the thing. Joining the association wasn't my goal. "Uncle Deok Cheol?" I clasped my hands over my mouth, approaching Sam Angom slowly as if I’d just witnessed the unbelievable. "I'm not that person." "Uncle Sang Cheol? No, that's not it. Another name... Gang Cheol? No, Gang Cheol left with Sister Maetal..." "You must have mistaken me for someone else." No, I've identified you precisely. I needed to retrieve the promissory note Sam Angom held. But how? In a situation where he’d run off with a large sum, trusting no one, hiding with a straw hat. There’s no telling when someone might pursue him. He’ll view the world with suspicion, caution in every gaze. To someone like that... "Chul from Musuchon! Don't you remember me? It’s me!" I took a confident step forward. "Who...?" "I'm Yun Ho! The little rascal from Musuchon!" If a trustworthy fellow from his hometown appeared. What would you do?