707 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Hubei Province. Wuchang. Wuchang, where the second branch of Daseogak was located, had a slightly different situation compared to the main branch in Yichang. Having opened just last summer, Wuchang's branch was overflowing with stories and lively discussions, especially about the tales of "Heroic Knights" and "The Phantom Bandit." Despite the inactivity due to a lack of sequels for several months, the fervor for Ho Pil's novels hadn't waned. All except for one small source of anxiety. "That's absurd!" "It's not like I'm speaking without any basis!" "Ho Pil doesn't know the number 4! Now isn't that just ridiculous?" The rumor that Ho Pil avoided releasing sequel volumes because the number 4 sounds like the word for 'death' in Korean was an endless topic of conversation in the Wuchang Daseohui. "Then what's the reason we've heard nothing from 'Heroic Knights' after its third volume?" "That's because..." "Ho Pil doesn't know the number 4! Following 'House of Storms' volume 3 and now 'Heroic Knights' volume 3, do you truly think it's just coincidence?" The rapid release of 'Heroic Knights' had ceased after volume 3 last summer. With 'House of Storms' also stopping at three volumes, an unease began to cautiously grow among the Daseohui members. "It probably just takes time to write. And it's only the nonsense from those who are trying to badmouth the author. Everyone knows why the next volume of 'Heroic Knights' isn't out." Most dismissed the rumor as baseless nonsense. The question lingered as to why 'Heroic Knights' had halted at three volumes, but it wasn't entirely without reason. "Are you talking about the phantom bandit incident?" "His best friend nearly died because of the 'Heroic Knights' he wrote. Imagine the shock." "Indeed." The incident when detective Kang Yoon Ho plunged into the Yangtze River to capture the phantom bandit. People shivered at the detective's remarkable actions, yet they couldn't help but click their tongues at the atrocities committed by the fake bandit. "The psychological impact must have been enormous. A character from his own novel came to life, and a fake version even tried to kill his friend." Many lives were lost. Given such a series of events, how could one be sure his friend wouldn't end up the same way? People didn't have to ponder deeply to empathize with how Ho Pil must have felt upon hearing the news. "Why would that be author Ho Pil's fault?" "This has nothing to do with Ho Pil. However, everyone knows Ho Pil is a sensitive author." The responsibility of having inadvertently brought to life both the phantom bandit and a fake one due to his novel must have weighed heavily on him. "They say he was so shocked that he couldn't even bring himself to write." "He'll take a good rest over the winter and return after collecting himself. All we have to do is wait patiently. There's no need to be swayed by such ridiculous nonsense." "Exactly. Saying Ho Pil doesn't know the number 4! Ridiculous! 'House of Storms' was delayed due to copyright issues, and 'Heroic Knights' was delayed due to the phantom bandit incident!" "Didn't Manager Kang recently become the heir of Mangum Bookstore? Surely there will be news regarding either 'House of Storms' or 'Heroic Knights' soon!" 'Ho Pil doesn't know the number 4.' It's just a ridiculous rumor. He merely needed time to collect himself after a series of events, and with Manager Kang's return, the follow-up volumes will soon be announced. The members of the Wuchang Daseohui steadfastly believed. [Ho Pil's New Work!] [Jegal Seol Ok.] "Could it be true... that Ho Pil really doesn't know the number 4?" "This can't be happening!!!!" "This is a nightmareeeeeee!" Even the sky over Wuchang crumbled. ** "The reaction is more intense than I expected." A city in Hunan Province, located between Yichang and Wuchang—Eunyeop and I had been residing in Anyang, allowing me to easily receive updates from Daseogak. "More intense than expected?" Gil San looked at me incredulously. "I'm so wronged. Where can you find an author as diligent and sincere as me?" I collapsed onto the table, pouring out my frustration. "As if someone who hasn't updated 'House of Storms' for a year can say that." "That statement is wrong! Releasing just one volume a year should be considered consistent publication, shouldn't it?" Claiming I ceased publications due to a year's absence was unjust. It's not like we're talking about web novels but traditional publishing. In the days when genre novels reigned in rental stores, releasing a book every few months made people say the author's hands were like motors. Even releasing two volumes of a light novel a year is considered diligent publication. "Even if you're diligent, releasing a volume a year is indeed a fast pace." "Un Yeop's got a point. I've written seven volumes in the past year and a half. While other authors might be working on 'House of Storms' volume 2, 'Heroic Knights' and 'Jegal Seol Ok' wouldn't have seen the light of day." I'm not typing everything quickly on a computer, editing, and proofreading it—I have to write everything by hand. Mistakes have to be corrected with ink, and if I'm not satisfied, I have to replace the paper and re-ink the writing tools. You can't just instantly see your written work. They all have to be printed and distributed—a cumbersome market indeed. And yet, the price for my hard work is the defamatory label of an author who doesn't know the number 4. How could I not feel aggrieved by this? "Considering you've written Jegal Seol Ok in just half a month, it's hardly an excuse, Ho Pil." "With 'House of Storms' held back due to copyright issues, 'Heroic Knights' was delayed due to Ha Yeon Sojeo's departure right before the heir exam. And during that time, I even wrote 'Jegal Seol Ok.' Shouldn't I be praised as a model author who never stops writing despite the circumstances?" "Even one of the greats, Kang Yoon Ho, seems a bit tongue-tied. Feeling guilty, perhaps?" "Ugh." Gil San's sharp words pierced my heart like a dagger. Yes, it ultimately boiled down to that issue. No matter how hard I tried, creating volume 4 had become an impossibility. Or rather, was it? The fact that I couldn't say it with confidence turned my words into hollow excuses. "Why can't you release volume 4?" "That's because releasing a new work draws more attention than a sequel!" "..." Why are both Gil San and the Vice-Manager giving me such disdainful looks? I cleared my throat awkwardly, jokingly, and then got to the main point. "There's something called maintaining interest. If we want people to keep talking about Ho Pil and Mangum Bookstore consistently, timing the releases matters more than simply launching two volumes simultaneously." "You're certainly getting enough attention to cause an uproar in the Daseohui." "Many are thrilled about news of Ho Pil’s new work, but there are also complaints. Are you okay with that?" I was prepared for it. In the end, every problem was something I had brought upon myself. "We have to face the controversy head-on." "Face it head-on?" "I have a plan." Despite the numerous controversies, I had a solid strategy to make Jegal Seol Ok a hit. "Isn't just releasing the fourth volume an option?" "I'm in agreement." Both of you, quiet down. ** "We must not read it!" Hwang Se Saeng gathered the members of the Yichang Daseohui and declared this with a loud voice. "Even if it is a new work from Ho Pil, this has crossed the line! With 'House of Storms' indefinitely on hold and no news on 'Heroic Knights', yet another new work?" "Exactly! We should band together and take collective action! How can we get another new work without receiving the sequels first?" They called for the release of 'House of Storms' Volume 4. Let's unite and make our intentions clear. The Daseohui decided to take a stand and pledged not to read Ho Pil’s novels. Hwang Se Saeng gathered everyone to align their resolve. "Still, wouldn't it make sense to read it before giving any opinions?" "No, we must not read it! Once you start, you can't turn back!" Hwang Se Saeng clutched the shoulder of a member whose resolve seemed to waver at the news of Ho Pil’s new work. "What on earth are you saying?" "Isn't it Ho Pil we're talking about? Certainly, it's going to be entertaining! Some may end up liking the new work more than 'Heroic Knights' or 'House of Storms'! Then the Daseohui will split into three factions again, and we'll lose our unified voice! We must not read it!" "He's right! If we end up divided, we'll never get to voice our demands to Ho Pil again!" "Let's go to Daseogak immediately and persuade the other Daseohui members too!" It's time to unify. United as one, we need to shout loudly at Ho Pil. We must tell him that we want sequels, not a new work. "On the day of Ho Pil's new release! We'll line up together in protest!" "Sounds good! Let's all come together with one heart and voice. A new work? That's beyond unreasonable!" They were convinced that their cries would reach Ho Pil as well. But Hwang Se Saeng and the members of the Daseohui were unaware as they raced to Daseogak. "What on earth is this...?" [A must-read for anyone from the Jegal family. - Jegal Family's Elder Council member, Jegal Geon.] [If there's only one book you read this year, let it be this one. - Jegal Family's Second Elder, Jegal Jun.] It came to light that no matter how many people band together, a greater voice sometimes exists in the world. "An endorsement written by the Jegal family's Elder Council...?!" It wasn't just any recommendation. This was a recommendation penned by esteemed figures stretching across the martial arts world and government—backed by the Jegal family's Elder Council, with their names proudly attached. [A must-see. - Head of Jegal family's Elder Council, Il Jang-ro Jegal Seung.] Faced with such an unbelievable endorsement, the jaws of the Daseohui members hung open, unable to close.