627 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"Hyang Mae..." When she frankly shared her innermost thoughts, Kang Yun Ho's emotionally charged voice echoed from behind. Jegal Hyang restrained her urge to turn and gaze at her lover, fixing her eyes straight ahead. She clenched her fists tight to reinforce her resolve. A confident demeanor that was rarely seen in Jegal Hyang. It wasn't because Sanhasa Jikdo hadn't responded to her declaration. 'I feel as if I've taken a step closer to becoming the first wife!' If she had turned around, her true intentions might have been exposed immediately. 'It was perfect. Absolutely perfect.' She could only reflect on the eloquence that she found hard to believe was her own. She was proud of having spoken so confidently, expressing her true feelings without trembling. It was perfectly executed, to the point she felt she could outshine Ha Yeon and Hwa Rin to secure the position of the rightful wife. She was overwhelmed with pride. "Heh heh." Jegal Hyang couldn't help but let out a small laugh in the end. "It was touching, but the last comment was a bit..." Of course, that moment of pride was soon shattered. "What?!" "Sanhasa Jikdo has been hurt. Even tools have personalities, you know." "Huh?!" Jegal Hyang, startled, scrutinized Sanhasa Jikdo’s expression for any signs of injury. Why did it seem more expressionless than before? It must just be her imagination. Surely, it was just her imagination. Only now did she recall that there was but one being who could grant her a way out. [...] "Oh, um, I know you intended to help! But, I, I want to leave!" Was it really hurt? Did she speak too harshly? She wondered if she had hurt its feelings, cursing her devastating lack of communication skills as she fumbled for words. [Do you not regret it?] Luckily, the response lacked personal emotion. Jegal Hyang sighed with relief, deciding to apologize. "Oh, um, if you're pouting, I might regret it a little. What I said before is true, but I tend to speak a bit harshly when I've been holding something in." [Today is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Regretting it later won't allow you to return to this world.] "Ah! That's fine with me!" [Think carefully. The future may be more challenging than you imagine.] Sanhasa Jikdo’s voice carried an undeniable concern. Jegal Hyang wasn't unaware of the worry. Though it was a fantasy world, it was a place where she could be eternally happy with Kang Gong Ja. She could become Ga Ga's rightful wife, monopolizing Kang Gong Ja's affections forever. On the other hand, the outside world isn’t solely built on happiness. She understood that, alongside her beloved, there would be times of laughter, sorrow, anger, and tears. The silver-haired woman who fell in love with the man with black hair understood this. However. "I believe in Kang Gong Ja." Jegal Hyang said, smiling. It was a smile suggesting she was ready to endure everything. It was the smile of a woman stepping from worry into happiness. A slight curve formed at the corner of Sanhasa Jikdo’s otherwise expressionless mouth. [For a lofty declaration of love, it was quite endearing.] "Then!" [Come closer.] "Hyang Mae..." Is it really okay to go? Jegal Hyang glanced briefly at Kang Yun Ho for a signal, and when her lover nodded, she slowly approached Sanhasa Jikdo. [I will speak, and you will reveal your name, answer my question, and finally, say you consent while extending your hand.] Jegal Hyang, without taking the time to marvel at the identical look of Sanhasa Jikdo, nodded at her words. "Yes? Okay!" Simultaneously with Jegal Hyang’s response, incomprehensible words began to resonate from Sanhasa Jikdo's lips. A glow spread around them. A circle of light was formed. Characters emerged. Oracle bone script. Words used before the First Emperor of Qin unified the characters. In a world where those capable of recognizing them were long gone, extinct letters and language diffused. A transformation swept over the once mirror-like visages of the two figures. Silver-haired, blue-eyed Jegal Hyang. Silver-haired, golden-eyed Sanhasa Jikdo. Sanhasa Jikdo knelt on one knee, speaking with eyes not of this world, directed at the seer. [The gate of heaven has closed. The earth has changed a hundredfold. In an era where those who veer from heavenly virtue write their own laws. One who holds the vistas of the celestial realms reports to the seer.] "Seer, Jegal Hyang! I'm listening. Please proceed." [What do you wish to achieve in a world where the heavenly decree is unknowable?] Sanhasa Jikdo inquired with a gentle voice. Like a grandmother asking her granddaughter what kind of woman she wishes to become. Jegal Hyang’s tense heart was eased instantly by that voice. Jegal Hyang answered Sanhasa Jikdo as if there was no need to ponder. "I'll be happy by Kang Gong Ja's side. While it’s my dream to make a name for myself as an artist, I want to create art for Kang Gong Ja. And I'll have a cute baby resembling Ga Ga!" A slight curve formed at the corner of Sanhasa Jikdo’s eye. Golden light flowed from Sanhasa Jikdo’s hand. The hand extended towards its next destination of light. [To be beside one who swims against the fierce currents of destiny and depicting it would indeed be a grand achievement worthy of one who holds the vistas of the celestial realm. Therefore, seer.] The aura of light moved towards Jegal Hyang. "Yes? Yes, yes, yes!" [Would you become the master of Sanhasa Jikdo?] Always letting go of the warm world, moving forward. Not settling, but advancing. It doesn’t matter. Like the golden sunlight that tirelessly runs across the sky illuminating the world, even if it gets tough for a while. Even if night falls, it’s alright. Because her lover is with her. Because Kang Gong Ja is with her. A warm day will surely dawn anew. She’s certain that she won’t regret today’s choice. "I consent." Jegal Hyang grasped the light of tomorrow. ** "The, the light?!" [Now, my task is done.] Is it nearing its end? Not a master of an ego sword but an ego scroll. The colossal halo was absorbed into Jegal So Jeo's body. Sanhasa Jikdo looked at Jegal So Jeo, its expression conveying a sense of laying down a heavy burden. "Have I become the master of Sanhasa Jikdo?" [Finally, I manage to hold the scroll in my hands. I wish I had more time.] Jegal So Jeo, with an astounded expression, asked, and Sanhasa Jikdo nodded regretfully. "So, does that mean I've become the owner?" [It does.] "Tool!!! Hurry and open the door!" [......] "Jegal So Jeo...." "Ah... Was that too much?" It was a picture-perfect change in demeanor. Jegal So Jeo, having acted impulsively, glanced at Sanhasa Jikdo's response but Heuk Hwa Je Gal Hyang merely smiled in satisfaction. [Until you can capture your vistas within your mind, it's time for a temporary farewell.] From Sanhasa Jikdo's toes, it began to disappear into a mass of light. "What? A farewell? What about the exit? You have to open the gateway before you go!" [You will know what to do.] "I don't know! You can't disappear just like this. Wait! Wait!" "Hey! You need to open it!" Even if it’s someone leaving a job, they should hand over responsibilities. Are they just going to leave without even sharing their personal tips? [I await the day we meet again.] "Listen to people, will you?!" Sanhasa Jikdo simply smiled and bowed gracefully towards us, bidding farewell. -------------- Outsmarted. Outsmarted indeed. Sanhasa Jikdo vanished without leaving any transition or guidance. That smile just now was like that of someone leaving their job regardless of what the boss says, with no worry about future responsibilities. And now begins the brunt of the tasks handed over to the successor. "Hyang Mae! It's dangerous!" Time, which had been paused, began to move again. The collapse resumed. I rushed over to Jegal So Jeo and hurriedly carried her. "Why is the collapse happening again?" "Because the one who paused it has disappeared! Anyway, exit! Since you’re the owner now. Try opening the gateway!" "How do I do that?!" Jegal So Jeo, unprepared and overwhelmed like a new recruit suddenly handed a bombshell, replied in confusion. In a company setting, that'd be grounds for quitting immediately. And the tool just left without even a manual! "Let's try everything we can, orders or whatever!" There must be something different having become the owner. Quick-paced incantations, a thousand knotted junctions. Trying anything. While running away from the collapsing world, she shouted. "Then, with what Kang Gong Ja did! O dark one darker than twilight. O redder than blood! Explosion!" "No need to repeat what I did...!" Just as I tried to intervene. 一 BOOOM! An explosion erupted in front of us, one that would be a rare sight even in a fantasy world. "It exploded!" "...." How is this even working? Dumbfounded, I could only stare at the now-ruined scene before me. "Sh-should we try something else? O dark one darker than darkness, deeper than the night!" "No, don’t! Not that spell!!!" I stopped her urgently. "What do you mean?" "That's not a spell to open doors! Just focus on opening a door, with whatever you think is appropriate!" Being the owner of Sanhasa Jikdo should mean she’s the master of this world. The magic from before must have worked because she was now its master. "Ah! Then! Open gate! Poisonous space! Eight trigrams sword technique! Forbidden investigation! …It's not working?" Hyang Mae, your sense for creating spells is disastrous. Unlike the previous explosion, the world remained unmoved. "The sky is... Let's just keep running!" The world continued to collapse. The edges of the bright blue sky were being gnawed away by darkness. If nothing worked, keep running. "Up ahead!" "Oh, no!" YW9peUx5cktZYXhyU2hzY1VsMkQ0WUoyekJqckxQZWNoM1o2ck1NRjl0OW8xQnFoaXdjaXZLT0F3K1A3alZUQg A massive tidal wave, larger than most buildings, was rushing towards us. The bigger issue was that the wave wasn't water but a landslide. How to escape that? Or is it even possible? Just as doubt began to creep in— "Explosion!" With a single spell, the tsunami of earth erupted. "Whoa." "This is... kind of fun?" ***** "For now! Let’s run towards the lakeside!" The beam of light emanating from the Utopian Fragrance hadn’t disappeared. Jegal Hyang helped Kang Yun Ho with her spells, yet they continued struggling to close the distance to the light beam. "The path’s gone!" To make matters worse, the ground cracked again. "Ugh!" In a dire situation, we halted for a moment. How were we supposed to proceed? Jegal Hyang couldn’t provide the answer to her lover. While obstacles could be destroyed, the sky was fading. Suddenly it was visibly engulfed in darkness. Jegal Hyang, filled with guilt, spoke to Kang Yun Ho. "Ga Ga was right! Thinking back, perhaps it was hurt! It's my fault." "No, it's not! It’s only a tool, after all. Its fault for sulking!" "R-right! How dare it! Claiming to allow me to draw Kang Gong Ja and yet…!" In a flash, an idea struck Jegal Hyang's mind. "What is it?" "Ga Ga. Please let me down for a moment." "...Understood." When Jegal Hyang spoke with determination, Kang Yun Ho complied without question. This might be what it feels like to have a lover with whom one is truly in sync. As she calmed her excitement, Jegal Hyang turned to face forward. "What are you planning?" Jegal Hyang nodded. "Sanhasa Jikdo said I’m already holding the scroll." Simultaneously, the world froze. Just as Sanhasa Jikdo had done before. "The world...?" Jegal Hyang heard her lover's bewildered voice but felt no need to explain. There was something more crucial right now. She closed her eyes. 'I must introspect.' Sanhasa Jikdo had mentioned she held the scroll. Not in her physical grasp. Consequently, it must be held elsewhere. The sound of the world being devoured echoed. No, not here. She must delve deeper. She focused her mind. More intensely than when reading a novel. More concentrated than when practicing martial arts. More focused than when lost in a canvas. Into the depths of her perceptions. Jegal Hyang immerses herself deep within her inner world. 'This is...?' Jegal Hyang found herself momentarily speechless before an overwhelmingly grand sight. The world within her imagination. Sanhasa Jikdo stood imposingly like an endless mountain range, resembling a grand backdrop draped across her world. A vast open field. A river and ocean stretching from an unknown beginning to an unknown end. Countless mountains. An immense world for a single mind to contain. A child stood before this enormous golden world. A child named Jegal Hyang. Only now did she understand why Sanhasa Jikdo said she was barely holding onto it. 'It's impossible.' Though she became the owner of the celebrated painting, this didn’t mean she had mastery over its contents. However. 'I have to do it.' For the sake of the lover who risked his life to rescue her. For the sake of a happy future. She steeled her resolve. 一 You will know what to do. What could she possibly do before a picture she couldn’t manipulate? Following Sanhasa Jikdo’s guidance, Jegal Hyang soon discovered the answer. "I just need to do what I do best." Jegal Hyang opened her eyes. Light seeped from her chest. Though it was akin to the glow of a firefly compared to what lay asleep within her world, it was enough for what she desired to create. "A brush...?" The new master of Sanhasa Jikdo was a talented artist after all. The fine brush she held appeared to be the perfect tool to sketch a new image upon the canvas of fantasy.