503 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

EP.503 Third Test - 9 Alliance. Unbeknownst to me, an unspoken alliance had formed between Jegal So Jeo and Ha Yeon So Jeo. I am unsure of the words exchanged, but after this alliance, the two who once faced off in rivalry ended their hostilities and started treating each other like sisters. The cold war had ended, and peace was restored. However, history tends to repeat itself. Alliances are always betrayed when the balance of power tips. Ha Yeon So Jeo crossed the line first, and Jegal So Jeo anticipated it. In the end, Ha Yeon So Jeo fell into Jegal So Jeo's trap and apologized. 'I never thought she'd be prepared for a second betrayal as well.' Jegal So Jeo, you are relentlessly thorough. Even the supreme martial techniques of the renowned Jegal family, so cunning and precise, showed no mercy as they turned on the intruder. A fist-sized metal ball was launched from the bed, and a pole shot out from the wall. Although Ha Yeon So Jeo could escape most traps unscathed, even this seemed too much. Thanks to this, the assassin was pushed to the window. 'If you flee recklessly, you'll die.' Could I flee? Even if I wanted to rise and escape, unfortunately, the door was halfway between the assassin and me. 'It seems it's the same guy from yesterday. Doesn't he intend to give up?' Can't he tell that I'm awake in this situation? Just leave already. The mechanism's firing paused momentarily. Though the intruder didn't look too well, they seemed unwilling to abandon their gaze. What should I do? 'I'll just have to follow Jo Cheol Hyeongnim's advice.' ———— "The survival technique I'll teach you is the mindset of a wanderer." Sam An Geom Jo Cheol's advice during the day was invaluable guidance. "The mindset of a wanderer?" "There's an ant right here. Look. If I draw a circle and place the ant in the middle, how do you think it will move?" Cheol Hyeongnim drew a large circle and placed an ant in the center. "It'll try to escape... Oh?!" "You think I can't catch an ant?" "...The ant is me." I was the ant, pursued by an assassin. Cheol Hyeongnim nodded as if confirming the answer. "The circle is the realm of awareness, and the ant is the difference in skill. Even if a lesser warrior moves fervently within the expected range, they're just like an ant within the circle to an expert. The reason you were cornered in the previous attack, despite your outstanding agility, is similar." No matter where the ant flees, it can be crushed. Just like how I, despite my desperate attempts, was eventually caught. "Then what should I do?" I asked with a frustrated expression. "I'll show you directly. I'll just block, so try to come at me." From the center of the training yard, Cheol Hyeongnim beckoned me, seemingly about to teach me a defensive technique. I charged straight in. "Ouch! You said you'd only block!" I ended up gazing at the clear autumn sky. In business transactions, integrity should be a principle. A person who lies doesn't last long. "That's the survival technique. It's about taking them by surprise." "You mean to launch an unexpected attack?" Taking by surprise. It means to attack unexpectedly. "Imagine if the ant suddenly escapes into the soil. I was only trying to catch the ant fleeing the circle, but there was an unforeseen exit. I thought everything was within the expected range, but there was actually an escape route." "I understand. However, the assassin is more skilled than I am. Are you suggesting I gamble?" "Well, isn't there something Kang Gongja is quite skilled at?" Cheol Hyeongnim shook his head and smiled at me. "Something I'm skilled at?" "The attack I just made, someone like you could easily avoid it. So why couldn't you?" Had I approached calmly, I might have easily dodged it. But why didn't I? "...You caught me off guard. With just a word." I couldn't fully utilize my range of awareness. Just one word and I was caught off-guard. "I like that you understand quickly. You don't necessarily need to gamble. It's about directing the opponent's thought process. It's the same when engaging in tactical battles among experts. You subtly move the circle, or you make them naturally focus on only half of the situation." "That's a difficult task." "When an expert presents a sword right in your face, you're already halfway prepared to introduce yourself to the afterlife. So, it's okay to be unsightly. It's okay to be called underhanded. Anything goes. Because even rolling in the muck is better than the alternative." The martial arts I've learned thus far were straightforward. Where to move my feet. How to fend off if the opponent reaches out. How to throw hidden weapons. But Cheol Hyeongnim's theory was different. "Manipulate their thinking. Create unpredictability." Not how I could create variables, but how I could make the opponent create them. While what I'd learned so far was akin to character clearing, what Cheol Hyeongnim was teaching me now was the flow of offensive and defensive engagements as a martial artist. How can someone lesser defeat someone greater? "Yes, that’s it. You have throwing techniques and agility. You have plenty of means to surprise the opponent by surpassing their expectations. Not just the circle, but the ant itself can create variables. I'll show you some useful methods from today." Suddenly throw sand. Spit. Roll on the ground. Curse their parents. Pretend you only have slashing form but end with a thrust. Sam An Geom Jo Cheol didn't hold back his valuable advice on surviving—not as an expert, but from the perspective of a wanderer, as a warrior surviving. ———— 'Survival in the martial world, Chapter 1. Make it unpredictable.' In summary, the survival strategy that Sam An Geom Hyeongnim hastily taught me boiled down to this. When the assassin was pushed back to the window from where he entered, the mechanism stopped. Perhaps there were no more traps? Or would they trigger again upon approach? The assassin was momentarily observing the situation. In the current scenario, a standard exchange would be disadvantageous. If even my escort couldn't survive, how could I possibly win? There was only one answer. 'I just need to do what I do best.' Guide their thoughts. The escape path was blocked. Just like last time, I'm the bird trapped in a cage. But unlike before, this is my estate. I can turn this game to my advantage. What should I do? The answer was already given. "I felt bad about being such a poor host last time, so I've prepared thoroughly for my guests this time. I do hope it’s to your liking." I grabbed onto the bed's headboard, rising calmly as I spoke. I had prepped the trap in advance. How does it feel to step into the lion's den of your own accord? 'Great, he's flustered.' It was subtle, but I could see tension in his jaw. I mustn't show fear. If he senses that the trap might not activate again, it's over. Stay composed. I am the lion. The lion waiting for its prey. Finishing my self-suggestion, I casually reached for the kettle. "You must be weary from the hurried late-night visit. Would you care for some tea? I have a rather refreshing one to offer." If you had the courage to come this far, that is. 'He's conflicted.' Will he quit today? Or take the risk? The heavy silence suggested a lot. Please don't come closer. Save me. —— Creak. Creak. The mechanism's sound echoed softly. The intruder flinched momentarily. Missing this chance would be foolish. I let out a derisive snort. "What startled you so? Come, have a drink." I extended the teacup, with a smile as if I were utterly unbothered. The circle you drew around me? It's what I hoped you'd believe. The aim was to turn the tables and hunt you. Guide their thought process. "......" Feeling nervous? From the corner of my eye, I noticed him watching my hand, the one holding the headboard since a while ago. 'He must assume that getting closer will trigger the trap.' In reality, it's just a regular headboard. I've been holding it intentionally to make it look like a trap switch. While his gaze was distracted, I discreetly slipped a hidden weapon from under the kettle into my pocket. Excellent. That's my second concealed weapon. The odds of survival just increased. What decision will he make? As we stood in this tense face-off, an unexpected twist arose. "K, Kang Gongja? Are you awake...?" —————— "K, Kang Gongja?" Jegal So Jeo, seemingly sensing something amiss, called again. 'Damn.' I hadn't anticipated Jegal So Jeo's arrival. If she suddenly entered, she'd be in harm's way. "Jegal So Jeo. What brings you here?" I replied naturally, not taking my eyes off the assassin. "I heard a strange noise..." "It's nothing to worry about. I rolled off the bed in my sleep." "It didn't sound like that though... M, may I come in for just a moment?" "Please, go rest. It's unbecoming for a young lady to frequent a man's quarters at such a late hour." I intentionally responded curtly. 'I need to make the worst possible scenario for the assassin.' By refusing potential assistance from Jegal So Jeo, the assassin might think I'm confident in handling this myself. He'd ponder if he can kill and escape safely if he triggers the mechanism. More than that, the moment he takes a hostage, a quiet escape is no longer plausible. Keep him in that indecisive loop. Direct his thoughts. "......" From beyond the door, a peculiar silence tinged with consternation was felt. "Jegal So Jeo. Let's discuss this tomorrow. I'm tired." I waved off Jegal So Jeo with an air of annoyance. Good. I discreetly retrieved another hidden weapon. Only the ones in the drawer remained now. "Why is Ha Yeon unnie allowed?" Unexpectedly, a tone of pouting rising from outside. "Ha Yeon So Jeo is away traveling, isn't she?" "The Absolute Retribution Formation of the Great Unyielding Fist activated. That means Ha Yeon unnie is back now, right?" It was an odd voice filled with conviction. "What?" "Kang Gongja. You said you were tired and went to sleep. It's strange to be awake at this hour. I thought it was an assassin, but here you are, responding clearly. Yet you seem to be hiding something from me, avoiding honesty... It feels like. Exactly like. Once again, only I..." What kind of monumental misunderstanding is this? "Jegal So Jeo! You mustn't come in!" "Yes! I know. Because Ha Yeon unnie needs to face punishment first!" What? "The Great Unyielding Fist's Absolute Retribution Formation!!!" "What the...!" Sensing something was amiss, the assassin lunged toward me. Damn it. Is it too late? I swiftly loaded the concealed weapon. "Secret Technique!!! Simultaneous Release!!!" From behind me, an immense force unleashed itself. "A log?!" Enormous logs were launched all at once. Logs hefty enough to send a grown man flying effortlessly. Where on earth did that come from? It wasn't even a thought worth pondering. "Ugh!" The assassin was struck by a log and propelled out the window in an instant. "As expected of the Jegal family!" Surpassing all expectations with overwhelming force! There was only one thing left to say to the assassin flying off with the logs. "Farewell, assassin. Live well in the Yangtze."