450 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

EP.450 Second Trial - 4 How do you make a wolf show its vulnerable, gaping maw? Obviously, you have to become someone whom the wolf feels comfortable enough to show its weakest point to. The problem is, how do you gain the trust of a wolf? Once this thought crossed my mind, there was little reason to ponder further. School ties, regional ties, blood ties. Methods I've used well in the past. Regardless of time and place, tapping into relationships that easily open hearts was all that was needed. "Gaettongi……?" Sam An Geom looked at me, seemingly unsure, as if he was trying to figure out how he knew me. "Of course! You're Uncle Cheol from Musuchon, aren't you? I'm Gaettongi. Do you really not remember me?" "The names of the Joseon kids in the village were all pretty similar…" If there was an Uncle Cheol in Musuchon, then Kang Yoon Ho should be there too. So, how do I make someone from a nonexistent village remember me as if I was there? Start with the name. Original childhood names are often given with the hope that bad luck will overlook children, hence simple, humble ones. Gaettong, Maalttong, Maltongi—common names, but ones that village folks wouldn't question. If I introduce myself with such a name, Sam An Geom might start thinking of me as one of the kids from Musuchon. “Do you remember the deputy chief, not the village chief? You know, the one with the black hair.” “Deputy chief…? That old stiff guy?” “Yes. I’m the son of the cousin's son-in-law of the deputy chief’s family.” A relation impossible to remember. But using the real person of the deputy chief to add detail to the story. "The deputy chief's cousin? I don’t remember anyone like that. Perhaps you've mistaken me for someone else?" Sam An Geom's wary look could have cut through me. Doesn't remember things from almost 20 years ago? It doesn’t matter. It's actually a good chance. > Summon the Musuchon folks among the alumni. Let's hear some old stories. Already finished the background research. “Don’t you remember my grandfather? You know, the one living by that small stream? I've heard he once offered you a taste of wild honey he found accidentally.” “Honey…? Now that you mention it, that does ring a bell.” Memories of delicious tastes from childhood linger long. The sweet memory on the tongue connects him to me. Once Sam An Geom's suspicion collapsed, he retreated back into the caves of his memories. But he wouldn't find me in those caves. Because I was never there in the first place. I can, however, make the suspicion disappear. Simply tell the truth about everything, except for myself. “You might not recall it, but every time I saw you with a sword, I was scared yet impressed, and when we locked eyes from afar, I’d run away on sight.” A memory shared by Musuchon folks. A really trivial one, but still. “Ah! Now I remember! So you were one of those kids!” To Sam An Geom, to Jo Cheol, it was a fond memory. Only then did he look at me as if he genuinely remembered. But is that memory real? There’s a 20-year age difference between Sam An Geom and me. Moreover, it's been many years since Sam An Geom left Musuchon. Adults and children—it's naturally difficult to remember even if I actually did exist there. But precisely because of that, I can exploit the gaps in memory. The mundane everyday life Sam An Geom overlooked. The kids playing in a corner of Hwachon Village. One of those kids might have been me, and so his memory fills the gap. “That’s right! Looks like you’re finally remembering.” I refrained from laughing inwardly, pretending to be delighted as I spoke to Cheol. “Indeed. Nice to see you. Living in Muhan, are you?” What a pleasant encounter. The Joseon kid Gaettongi and Kang Yoon Ho had indeed lived in Musuchon. “To think we'd meet in a place like this. Have you had anything to eat yet?” After exchanging a bit of Musuchon lore from other alumni, I naturally brought up the topic of a meal. "Uh…" Why? Feeling reluctant because you’re on the run? “No worries if you have or haven’t! Anyway, let’s grab something to eat together!” But you see, if we part ways here, it’ll just end up a brief chance encounter, and I’m not about to give up. “Sure. Let’s go grab a meal.” With a smiling face, as I tugged on his sleeve, Cheol moved his feet with a forced grin. ————— A relationship between complete strangers became one of hometown folk. Gaining inner closeness, we naturally transitioned to a meal setting, building goodwill. As we reached the doorway to his heart, casually speaking of hometown tales— “Let me pour you a drink first.” It was time to open the door with some alcohol. “Drinking in broad daylight is a bit…” “Come now! Isn’t that a bit unkind? It’s been decades since I ran into someone from my hometown here; let me have the honor of sharing a drink.” Standing up with an earnest posture, I offered Sam An Geom a drink with both hands. “Hehe. Well, alright then. I’ll take it.” Whether he’d been avoiding drinks due to being on the lam, he hesitated for a moment before, unable to resist, nodding in agreement. As the intense liquor burned down our throats, I pretended to be tipsy and opened my mouth to speak. “Ahh. How long has it really been? It’s been over 15 years since you left when I was just a snotty-nosed brat, right?” “Seems like more than 15 years.” Good. Already looking back on old times. I like it. “Mentioning Uncle Cheol brings back some childhood memories.” Following the plan, I aimed to guide us back to the past, emptying the drink from my refilled glass as I spoke. “Childhood?” “Whether you know it or not, Uncle Cheol, when we were really young, if we misbehaved, my mom would say, ‘If you keep that up, Uncle Cheol will scold you! Do you know the sword Uncle Cheol carries around?’ and then, I’d be so scared, I’d act like a model child for days. Haha.” “Haha. Right. The village women used to say, ‘If you keep causing trouble, Uncle Cheol will come after you!’ whenever their kids caused a ruckus.” Sam An Geom recalled a more pleasant memory, emptying another shot of the potent liquor. Go ahead, keep drinking. Opening the door to your heart. How does one gain favor with someone who doesn't recall if a certain boy named Gaettongi even existed? The memories I recount are not Gaettongi's personal remembrances but shared ones linked directly with Sam An Geom. Use alcohol to open the heart, and let it bring back memories of the past. The young man before him now connects to those past scenes as one of the kids. To Sam An Geom, this kid who wasn't much of anything seems to remember him fondly from their shared past. Now, there's no reason for him to doubt the Gaettongi before him. The bond between Sam An Geom and me becomes solidified. "Since I was a child, Uncle Cheol, you were my hero." Having gained genuine warmth and closeness, it's time to take another step forward. "Me, Gaettongi… No, I mean… ahem." Perhaps due to the continuous drinking, Jo Cheol couldn't immediately recall my name and sheepishly avoided my gaze. "You can call me Gaettongi, or Yun Ho if you prefer." “Yun Ho. You said I was your hero?” Sam An Geom widened his eyes, looking at me as if he had heard the most unexpected thing. "You escaped from a poor village like Musuchon and made a name for yourself in the world. Every time I heard about your feats, I resolved to succeed like you, Uncle Cheol." I added credibility with my expression. As if meeting a favorite idol in a private fan meet, I gazed at him in awe. “It’s not that much.” Sam An Geom turned his head, embarrassed. "It really is to me." “……” Perhaps because I said it without a trace of doubt. With his head still turned, Sam An Geom snuck a sidelong glance at my admiring face. “Well then… Pour me another drink.” Sam An Geom eventually, with a twitching mouth, handed me the bottle. “I heard how you sliced through an enemy, earning the name Sam An Geom, and even as a kid, watching from afar, it felt like you had eyes on the back of your head. I bragged about you a lot.” “Hoho! Is that so?” Sam An Geom couldn't help but smile as he accepted the drink I offered. Time to peer into the wolf's maw. Being just a hometown acquaintance isn't enough to see what lies within. To become a trusted ally, I move closer, idolizing the other person even more. So what's next? Since it’s our first meeting, should I merely be content as an admiring young hometown fellow? "Uncle Cheol, it was really nice meeting you after so long. Today's meal is on me." No, the plan for today isn't over. "What are you saying? Don't make me out to be someone without manners." How could such a person run off with the money? "It's alright." “Even so…” Sam An Geom's reaction was only natural. He's the senior from our hometown, and I'm the junior. Furthermore, I even called him my hero. But if a hero accepts a meal from his admirer? It’s not good for his pride. But you see, I anticipated this. "I'm the owner of this inn." "What?" Now it’s time to show him just how significant I've become. —— “Innkeeper, how was your meal?” The inn staff gathered around to greet me. “It seems like the seasonings have gotten a bit strong. Pay attention to the difference in meals when serving inside the inn and outside.” “We'll make sure to adjust it, sir.” “Alright. Now get back to your work.” I waved my hand dismissively, and the staff dispersed efficiently. “Yun Ho, you…” Why are you surprised? “Ha! In striving to become like you, brother, I've worked hard, and now, I can serve you a meal like this." I laughed, acting as if it was no big deal. A random encounter with a hometown person. That guy, whom just moments ago he thought was a young admirer, turns out to be the boss. Which means, the one the boss admires is Sam An Geom. How's that? From a relationship where you were looking downwards, it suddenly turns into one where you feel like you should be moving closer to my side? “Hahaha. The little snot-nosed kid from Musuchon has succeeded!” “Not as much as you, Uncle Cheol.” Even in the uplifting situation, I continued to praise my counterpart. Sam An Geom chuckled and patted my shoulder. “Yeah. I ate well.” “Brother, where are you staying?” As if regretting that our meeting would end with just this interaction, I asked Sam An Geom. “Ah… Just renting a shabby little room and sleeping there.” Embarrassed by my success, perhaps, Sam An Geom awkwardly avoided eye contact. “What? The great Sam An Geom, staying in some shabby room?” I reacted dramatically, as though I'd heard something unthinkable. “Well, it’s because… I’ve got my circumstances.” No problem. I’ve already got it all figured out. “Hey, attendant!” “Yes, Innkeeper!” “Is the best room available?” “It’s occupied, sir.” “Then offer the guest extra money to move to another inn.” “No, that’s not necessary!” As I firmly gave the order, Sam An Geom surprisingly tried to stop me. “Uncle Cheol, I wish to have the honor of accommodating you.” Truth is, it's available. I’d already planned this with the attendant. “No, really, it’s fine.” “Don’t make me out to be rude. Hey. Quickly relocate that guest and offer the best room to my brother. Got it?” Didn’t I say I respected Sam An Geom? I’m proving it with my actions. “Yes, sir!” “Any talk behind my brother’s back later and you'll be in big trouble.” “Understood. I’ll guide him right away.” “Geez…” “Brother, I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now.” “Thank you, young one.” In Sam An Geom's eyes, the suspicion he initially held had completely vanished. In just a few hours, my role transitioned from a mere stranger to Gaettongi from his childhood, from a junior from home to a brother he should indeed get acquainted with. “Rest well, brother.” Have a good rest. It’s time to plot my next strategy. —— "Incredible guy. He really pulled it off." Upon returning to the manor and informing everyone of the success, Jeon Gil San spoke in amazement. “This is just the beginning.” "Are you sure about this? They call him Sam An Geom for a reason. That guy's infamous for cutting down anyone who approaches him from behind without even looking, hence the name. His methods are so brutal that there's no telling how many have ended up crippled or dead just because they rubbed him the wrong way," Jeon Gil San commented with concern. "Kang Gong Ja Nim?" Jagal So Jeo asked, her eyes filled with worries. "He won't just draw his sword against someone he's become close to," I reassured her with confidence. "If you say so, but what are you planning to do next? Are you going to say you just want to browse the account books or something?" "As if a wolf would open its mouth at that." "Then what?" "What do you think someone who’s gone into hiding would do?" "Hmm?" "Sitting cooped up in a room makes you restless, but swinging a sword would attract too much attention. So, maybe try fishing out of boredom. If even that doesn’t entertain you, you start paying attention to gossip." "You're saying he'll start being curious about rumors?" "Exactly. So we need to wait until the bait I've set out spreads far enough." "Bait you've set out?" "We know the hidden fish’s location. Now, we just have to wait for the scent of the bait to make them poke their heads out." I don’t always have to act alone. Now it was time to wait for the fish to react to the bait spread out before them. —— "This is the best room we have available." "Hehe. Thank you." Who would have thought I'd run into a hometown junior? Sam An Geom, Jo Cheol, unable to hide his smile as he moved from a room fit for a sewer rat to a well-lit one with a plush bed. "If you don't mind me asking, what exactly is your relationship with our innkeeper?" the attendant asked, eyeing Jo Cheol curiously. "A very close younger brother from my hometown." Jo Cheol spoke with pride in his voice, as if boasting about his admirable younger sibling. "Ah! Is that so. It's impressive to have such a remarkable younger brother." "Haha. To think he's the innkeeper at such a young age. I agree." "Innkeeper? What do you mean?" The attendant tilted his head, puzzled. "Are you saying the innkeeper is someone else?" Perhaps there’s a separate owner, while the younger brother runs the place. It could be. He mentioned he admired me. Surely, he exaggerated to make a good impression on me. But what the attendant said next was beyond Jo Cheol’s expectations. "Our innkeeper isn’t just running an inn. He conducts some substantial businesses within Muhan." "...Business?"