696 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"Language defines the boundaries of thought." Even Siwang Eoreusin mentioned that the most ideal way to control Hwal Gangs' rampage was through a master-servant relationship. He only worried about the persona that might form from consuming the concept of servitude. Feeding her the notion of a slave was frightening, as it could confine her to thinking like one for life, preventing her from leading a normal existence. While there are other types of master-servant dynamics, most of them are simple contractual loyalties, with the risk that they might suddenly turn and bite you. Instead, let's bind her in a family relationship. It may lack loyalty and coercion, but the ties of blood are tough after all. The proposal from Siwang Eoreusin was reasonable. That is, if I didn't know a word that could describe an appropriate master-servant relationship. "Maid." Here, "maid" is not used in the dictionary sense of a servant. ‘It’s more like a heroine trait from subculture—a maid.’ A heroine trait that suggests a character who is unflinchingly loyal to their master, never betraying, bound to their master beyond duty, joined with them in spirit. The essence of the notion I fed to Hwal Gangs. ‘Language not only defines thought, but can also encapsulate countless ideas within it.' Just as I imbued countless notions into simple variables like fire and lightning. With 'maid,' I could encapsulate exactly the essence I intended. ‘Maid offers the freedom to live a normal life.’ Loyalty, after all, is directed only toward the master; in other interactions, she can be equal or even superior. There are many clichés of maids living normal lives as students outside of their duties. Some even have harmonious friendships and are popular at school. Meanwhile, the loner protagonist, having no friends, eats alone until one day the popular maid drops down beside him to join him for lunch without a second thought. It is a soul-level relationship, far more genuine than a mere financial transaction-bound slavery. The idea of feeding the notion of a maid was the answer. "As expected, a maid is the quintessential augmented human." T1NrUTkreFYvQUZ1VEE0bGdJSWROd2kvMDNIak9HZUd0OXJtb2VkT3R5T0NsRWY5MUpJck9jNDFaUzdjRkxqcA Unless she pilots a robot to an unfortunate end, she should lead a regular life. I wouldn't need to worry about increasing the number of spouses under critical eyes. Not that I have a particular inclination for maid attire, or that I tried dressing Hayan Sojeo and Hyangmae in housemaid costumes, only to remain unsatisfied. A maid's uniform is only fitting when worn by a maid, anything else is just cosplay. It wasn’t about having stumbled upon a small epiphany. "However you think about it, it's a perfect decision." As the sense of fulfillment washed over me, someone smacked me on the back. "What nonsense are you muttering about since earlier?" "Ouch! Take it easy, man!" It was Gilsan. He demanded that I disinfect his shoulder wound, yet here he was whacking me. Having finished my obligations, I was finally able to return to my room at Un family after several days. "A guy disappears in the middle of the night and shows up days later, wounded with nail and teeth marks. Did you really go see Siwang Eoreusin, or did you elope with some beauty for a few days?" Gilsan looked at the wounds on my shoulder with suspicion. "I did meet a beauty in the middle of the night." "What?" “It’s been a hard journey back. Just apply the medicine carefully. Unyeop, did anything notable happen while I was away for a few days?” Even though Siwang Eoreusin had given me what he called a good remedy, it hurt like hell. Suppressing a frown, I asked the deputy manager beside me. “It seems there’s an issue with opening the Dassak at the city of Ak Yang next to Dong Jeong Lake.” “Ak Yang? Isn’t that as prosperous as Jang Sa where we stay? What’s the problem?” “I’ll organize the details and report them to you by tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, Kang Gongja, how did you end up this injured?” Noticing Unyeop’s worried voice as he examined my shoulder, I assured him. “I managed to avert a disaster of explaining why I brought a new bride less than two months after receiving permission to marry.” “What?” “Yeah, tell us more.” “Honestly, it’s not entirely my fault—it was more of an accident. I don’t even have the strength to lift a finger right now. I’ll explain more tomorrow.” The task of imbuing this notion took quite a toll. I let my exhaustion show visibly. “Can’t even lift a finger, seriously?” “You didn’t happen to be called by Siwang Eoreusin to his quarters for days on end…?” “Huh?” Why did their expressions suddenly turn so grave? “This fool! Pretending to be indifferent at the brothel, yet he causes trouble. Where is it? Spit it out now.” “Spit what out?” “This isn’t the time for delays. Deputy Director, prepare hush money.” “I’m on it.” Gilsan took out his coat in the middle of the night, preparing to head out. “What’s going on?” “Kang Yoonho, I mean, brother-in-law. I understand it’s your first time. If you've gotten yourself tangled up, just tell us where the brothel is.” With an understanding expression, Gilsan kept nodding his head solemnly in front of me. “What brothel?” “What else? The brothel where the girl left nail marks on your back! How wild was last night that you can’t even lift a finger now?” “No, that's not it…” A woman's nail and teeth marks on a man returned from an exhausting ordeal. I finally caught on to the misunderstanding these two were entangled in, but they had already united in purpose. “If word reaches Jegal Ga, Kang Gongja’s limbs won’t be safe, so swift action seems necessary.” “Seems like you’ve barely shaken off a clingy one demanding to follow you back. This won’t just end here. Before she’s camping with baggage in front of Un family tomorrow morning to protest, spill it. I’m good at handling this kind of situation quickly.” “It’s not like that. Just sit down.” As I sighed helplessly and tried to hold them back, the deputy director and Unyeop approached me with burning determination. "Kang Gongja, if a courtesan is trying to blackmail you, there's no need to worry. You can trust us." "Unyeop?" "Just acquire the entire brothel. How dare they... How dare they think of threatening the heir of the Mangum Jeonjang! I’ll demote them to doing laundry by hand in the dead of winter." "Let’s add the task of slicing onions too." "Great idea!" "No..." Why are these two so in sync? I couldn't rest until I stopped these two from rushing out and untangled the misunderstanding. --- "Uncle!" "Did the head come here personally?" Inside the room with the ice coffin, Siwang Eon Woo Jin was examining Hwal Gangs, who had consumed blood infused with a notion for the first time, while meeting Eon Ja Myung, the family head. "I heard most of the story on the way here. Hwal Gangs has awakened?" "That boy named Kang Yoonho has quite the mysterious ability." "As expected..." The head of the Eon family nodded, touching his chin as if he anticipated this. "Did you know something about it?" "Jaegal Geuk is known for his immense love for his children. For such a Jaegal head to willingly hand over his youngest daughter to a black-haired outsider… I figured there must be more hidden facets." The idea that Hwal Gangs has awakened is unbelievable, but if it involves Kang Yoonho, it's plausible. The Eon family head quickly accepted the notion. After all, he was their son-in-law from the Jegal lineage. Their cherished youngest daughter. He must have been meticulously chosen. But to settle for a black-haired one... Kang Yoonho’s mere title stirred endless imagination among people. "It must be destiny brought by the heavens." Siwang Eon Woo Jin nodded in agreement with the head of the Eon family. The man chosen by Yeo Wa Nang Rang, and a fate decided by the heavens. Siwang's gaze fell upon the woman who looked a bit healthier than yesterday. "I heard about the debt situation." Siwang scoffed as the Eon family head delicately broached the sensitive topic. "You’ve been entirely swayed by Geum Gwi's wordplay." Unaware that it involved planning for future heirs until it became evident. Originally, he might have felt betrayed by the wordplay, but Siwang merely smiled. Lifelong effort had led to reaching the pinnacle of an old bond. "What course of action do you plan on taking?" "I intend to make Kang Yoonho the master of Hwal Gangs." Siwang recalled what Kang Yoonho said before returning to his quarters. 一 “I embedded the notion of a woman who is loyal only to one man, brimming with professional pride. You don't have to worry too much.” He had certainly been confident. A dedicated maid—a term tough to translate accurately into Middle Earth language, somewhat akin to a personal manager. Establishing that master-servant relationship was essential, so there shouldn’t be much concern. Although he regretted that his suggestion was declined, he had to respect the decision of the newlywed. "Uncle! What do you mean by this? You're giving Hwal Gangs to an outsider?" "It’s exactly what it sounds like. This child has chosen Kang Yoonho as their master." "You’re saying you would hand over Hwal Gangs, which you invested so much wealth and lifelong effort into, to Mangum Jeonjang? Hwal Gangs isn’t something to be given to outsiders!" "Are you saying we should kill Kang Yoonho and perform the great ceremony again?" "That’s not what I’m saying at all…!" It was a hope barely found. Retracting wasn’t an option. Though the Eon family head read the intention in Siwang’s voice, as the head representing the family's interests, stepping back wasn’t an easy decision. "I respect your stance as the head. However, any debt of the family will be your responsibility." "We can resolve it with Hwal Gangs." The response was immediate. "..." "It probably isn't enough, right? Nonetheless, with Hwal Gangs, we might play with the interest and principal ratio a bit." "Never mind. Just drop the topic." Siwang sighed softly. "Uncle!" "The once bright child has been replaced by a clueless bear." "Haha! The one who entrusted the family to this bear is you, Uncle." To the family, he was the majestic head, but in front of his elder uncle, he was nothing more than a naïve nephew, despite his age. "Since we’ve found hope, I intend to give it a try." "Uncle, are you truly okay with this? This child is your…" Though he respected Siwang’s decision, the Eon family head looked worriedly at Hwal Gangs. "I only need to witness the completion of the great ceremony. As long as I see her awaken and live life again, what else could I wish for?" --- “Ak Yang?” The following afternoon, I subtly suggested my plans to Siwang Eoreusin. “There’s a problem in a recently started venture, so I’ll need to head to Ak Yang.” “Just when we found the clue to awaken this child, are you saying you’ll leave Jinju Un family?” “It’s not something I need to depart for immediately. However, I can’t remain bound to the Un family indefinitely, so I’m discussing leaving when circumstances permit.” My primary goal was business expansion. Issues had mostly been resolved in Jang Sa, the provincial capital of Honam Province where Jinju Un family was based. Yet, other cities in Honam Province still faced numerous challenges. “Is your departure truly necessary?” Sir, it makes it difficult when you openly grimace like that. I have no desire to abandon my sleeping augmented human maid either. “To avoid hearing criticism for wandering while my fiancée learns to be a bride at her in-laws, I need to at least make a show of conducting business in Honam Province.” I subtly used my in-laws as an excuse. Originally, I didn’t come to engage in business in Honam Province, but was bound here because of Jinju Un family. It’s important to convey that I’m conducting business out of necessity. This way, I’d continue to receive the Un family’s support. “…I see.” Siwang Eoreusin reluctantly conceded, frowning slightly. “When do you propose to move?” Siwang Eoreusin would determine when it was feasible to be absent. The sooner, the better, but… Siwang Eoreusin pondered for a moment, then casually suggested, "Why don't we move together?" "Excuse me?" "That child needs to continue consuming your intent, and you need to advance your business. So, let's go together."