504 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

EP.504 The Third Trial - 10 A log missile, you say. A log missile was launched from my room. Countless log missiles hammered against the windows and the walls. This commotion caused all the guards in the mansion to rush out in alarm. “An assassin!!! There’s an assassin in Kang Gongja-nim’s room!!!” “Is Kang Gongja-nim unharmed?!” “Fortunately, he is not injured!” “Chase after the flying log! The assassin flew away with it!” “What? Are you saying the assassin flew through the air on a log?” “I know it sounds unbelievable, but it's true! Find them!” The guards quickly exited the mansion, leaving only essential personnel, pursuing the airborne assassin that had become a star in the sky. I wonder if the assassin survived. It must have felt akin to a car crash. It’d be fortunate even to recover a body. While escaping the threat to my life wasn’t the most pressing concern, there was actually a bigger issue at hand. “Aaah... Aaaah...” Inside my devastated room. Steel balls, poles, and logs littered everywhere. There weren't many pieces of furniture left unscathed from the bombardment. Jegal Sojeo was left speechless by the chaos she had caused. “Jegal Sojeo.” Upon hearing my call, Jegal Sojeo snapped back to reality and fell to her knees before me. “Hah! I, Jegal Hyang, dared to doubt Kang Gongja-nim. I must atone with my life...!” Jegal Sojeo, why are you kneeling? And why are you picking up that pole? “What are you doing with the pole on your stomach?” “Huuuf. Tell my mom that her daughter was the most diligent for all of her 18 years. Huuuf.” “Uh, Jegal Sojeo? Please put that down and talk.” “The fault of an unforgivable mistake, after all... But does this hurt a lot?” Yes. It hurts very much. “The assassin seemed to be in a lot of pain too.” “Oh, oooh.” If you’re scared, just let it go. “Stand up, please.” I extended a hand to Jegal Sojeo as I approached her. “You’re... not angry?” Jegal Sojeo timidly looked up at me with her head bowed. As I surveyed the carnage and let out a small sigh, her blue eyes quivered. She looked like a small frightened puppy, scared of being scolded after causing trouble. Resisting the urge to embrace her, I placed my fingertips on Jegal Sojeo’s head. “I am angry. What on earth have you installed in the room? Argh!” It’s a punishment! I gave her a scalp massage that jolted her awake. “Aaah! Kang Gongja-nim, it hurts.” Consider my hands a miracle cure. Jegal Sojeo sprang up from her spot, tossing away the pole like someone suddenly rising from a subway station bench at the final stop. “Oh my. Steel balls and poles, really.” The mess in the room can be cleaned up. The furniture isn't mine but belongs to the Capital of All Things, so it doesn’t matter much. Thanks to Jegal Sojeo, I was saved. However, regardless of the situation, some things needed to be addressed. “Well, you see...” “Did you set it up because of Ha Yeon so-jeo?” I seem to recall her calling it a betrayal prevention tactic. As I pressed a bit, Jegal Sojeo looked down, fidgeting with her fingers, and began to speak. “If Ha Yeon Unni is determined to betray again, there’s no stopping her with ordinary means. I figured ordinary measures wouldn’t work.” “Even if it’s a joke, it's too dangerous if you get hit.” I don’t mind if they want to engage in a battle of nerves. But steel balls? It could be disastrous if hit wrongly. “Yes?” Jegal Sojeo looked up at me as if wondering what I was talking about. “Isn’t it excessive even for a prank?” “If Ha Yeon Unni is serious, she can dodge all of this.” “...” Come to think of it, when Ha Yeon so-jeo was performing the Silent Sword technique, before raiding a house with trap mechanisms, they had tested it together. “No matter how I calculated, the best I could manage was to make her retreat to the window. So I created it to buy time during the warning signals.” Jegal Sojeo, did you install a warning system in the room too? A trap that only served to delay a thief who could walk above water was enough to disable an assassin and leave them in critical condition. Scary. “Nevertheless, it was too excessive.” “There are things you must protect, even against Ha Yeon Unni.” Jegal Sojeo’s eyes reflected her unwavering determination to defend the things she could never concede. And I could tell where that gaze was directed. “Haha.” Realizing what she had said, Jegal Sojeo turned her head to the side, her face blushing. “I’m... sorry. When Ha Yeon Unni betrayed without a word, and it seemed like Kang Gongja-nim was complicit, I couldn’t hold back for a moment. I think I went a bit overboard. I’m really sorry.” Now I understand the situation a bit better. Jegal Sojeo must have thought that something that should never happen in the room was occurring, hence her reactions, despite the steel balls and poles flying around. “I was upset for a different reason, not because of that. You see, thanks to Jegal Sojeo, I was saved. And also...” “Yes?” I met Jegal Sojeo’s trembling blue eyes. I actually know, Jegal Sojeo has a hard time dealing with others and is cautious, seldom acting impulsively. If Jegal Sojeo momentarily lost her sanity, it means one thing. That I'm important enough for her to impulsively react. That fact made me quite happy. “It’s nothing. Thanks to Jegal Sojeo, I was saved. Thank you very much.” Acknowledging her mistake was enough. I wanted to express my gratitude without diluting its significance with prior admonishment, so I kept it until now. “Hehe. It was nothing, really.” If a trap launching log missiles was nothing, I wondered if they could make a mansion-transforming robot if they really tried. I curbed my curiosity. “If you ever have a small wish, I will fulfill it without fail.” “A... wish?” Jegal Sojeo’s eyes sparkled as if she hadn’t been in a panic just moments ago. “Instead, please let me know in advance if you plan to install anything in my room next time.” “Ah... Um... Yes!” Her answer left me feeling uncertain for some reason. ——— “We’re sorry!” “We have committed an unforgivable sin!” The next morning, as dawn broke, the leaders of the mansion’s guards knelt before me in unison in the courtyard. “How could the mansion's security be breached? Weren’t the defenses supposed to be strengthened? What exactly happened?” Even more fighters had been brought in to bolster security. I frowned and asked in a stern voice. “It seems... Cheongpo Geomgaek was the assassin.” “What do you mean?” Cheongpo Geomgaek was a warrior I met just last evening. Now they’re saying that he was the assassin? “The body of the warrior who stood guard with Cheongpo Geomgaek was found in the warehouse. Near it, we found blue clothes, typically worn by Cheongpo Geomgaek. It seems he had ill intentions from the start.” “A hired guard turned out to be an assassin? Didn’t you verify their identity properly?” “We apologize. Although he had a rough personality, he was known for his skills as long as he was paid. We hired him from the Capital of All Things when needed. We never expected this.” A frequently used freelancer had betrayed us. Perhaps the first assassination attempt was thoroughly prepared; it seems they even planned for a backup situation in case it failed. "Did you catch the assassin in the end?" “Well... We found traces of significant blood loss, but...” “So you didn’t catch them.” Upon my cold conclusion, the guard reporting to me closed his eyes tightly. “Based on the traces around the log, I’d say they suffered injuries bad enough to keep them bedridden for several months.” “That’s certain!” I should consider myself lucky to have survived. The assassin must have suffered severe internal injuries. Even if they survived, they would need several months to recover, let alone finish the last trial. I was fortunate, thanks to Jegal Sojeo, though I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. “Kang Gongja-nim.” While I was deliberating for a moment, the head of the mansion guards approached me. “Yes?” “I am responsible for this incident. As the head of the mansion’s security, I’ll step down and await punishment.” The head guard knelt before me, signifying accountability. “Captain!” “Raise your head.” “How can one who failed in his duty to protect his master hold his head high?” The head guard, like a general awaiting execution for losing a battle, clenched his fists tightly as he bowed to me. Indeed, it was a critical mistake as the person in charge couldn’t avoid censure. “Weren’t you the guard captain who boldly led the charge against numerous attackers previously? Rise up.” During the raid by the mercenaries, he was the warrior willing to risk his life to protect us. He was taciturn, typically keeping quiet about the estate’s happenings, and was well-regarded. Though not a perfect figure of trust, he was a warrior worthy of my confidence. After all, nothing tragic happened this time. It would be a waste to dismiss someone so responsible and dedicated over one mistake. “Kang Gongja-nim.” The guard captain looked up at me, eyes trembling. “We don’t have time for this.” “But…” “Cheongpo Geomgaek must have been paid enough to abandon his reputation. Surely someone offered him money.” “...!” If he, a wanderer, risked being branded an assassin, there must be a substantial reason. “If he’s severely injured, he might seek an apothecary or physician. Beginning with any healthcare providers he frequented could be worthwhile.” “I will move immediately.” “If mistakes are made again, both my head and yours might roll. Give it your all.” “Understood!” I surprisingly didn’t mind hearing the word “understood” from the head guard, a sound unfamiliar yet not unpleasant. "Kang Gongja-nim! Thank you!" "I’m heading out. Assemble a reliable escort to accompany me. It would be preferable if they can also drive a carriage." "I’ll assemble them right away. But where are you headed?" I had no intention of staying put any longer. Once the identity of a leaf is revealed, naturally, the roots must be unearthed. Having identified the assassin, there must have been someone providing either ample remuneration or prior contact. To find out who Cheongpo Geomgaek met with, there was a place to visit. “We’re going to the tavern.” “...What?”