714 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

A moonlit night without a single cloud. A man who arrived under the cover of shadow from fear of the moonlight was of a similar age to the deceased scholar. "If you wish to pay your respects to the departed, there's no reason to refuse." As if I had been expecting him, I poured a drink into the empty glass across from me. The man was startled at the sight of a prepared glass, yet he sat down and raised his glass. "The drink is excellent." "The moonlight is the best side dish." Now, to put on a little show. I know you’re the culprit. Yet you show no signs of worry or tension. From here on out, I'll be playing the role of a cunning detective. "Kang Po-kwae's deductions are truly impressive. Perhaps the culprit is..." Words slipped out in his excitement, but perhaps he realized his mistake. He stopped speaking. Is he doubting whether I'm certain about the culprit? 'You're the perpetrator, aren't you? As if I'd tell you that.' Though perhaps he isn't the culprit. It doesn't matter. I hold the key. In this scenario, feigning ignorance is the best strategy. “Why do you think he died?” Start with a light question. "The scholar?" "Why was he murdered?" I stared intently at the suspect. Pretending to casually delve into conversation, I aimed straight for the suspect's heart. "...!" "Why murder him?" "Surely, you don't think I’m the one who…" "It wasn't a robbery. Money wasn't the motive." No, someone like you is of no concern. Like an angler who lost interest in a fish he’d already caught, I withdrew my gaze from the man and tilted my glass to catch the moonlight. "Money wasn't the motive?" "Murder has a purpose. In a robbery, money is the goal, and murder is a means. However, the scholar's belongings included a purse with a significant sum." “What...!” The possibility of robbery vanished. The regret of someone who had unknowingly made a grave mistake was evident in the man’s voice. "If it were a robbery, the victim might have just been unlucky. But surely no thief would forget the money as a motive, so it was definitely a murder targeting the scholar." "It could have been an impulsive killing." "Hahaha! Rage as a motive! It's not a bad reason for murder. However, this was a thoroughly planned killing." I couldn't hide my smile, like a detective scoffing at a poor excuse. "And why do you say that?" "The killer used a pre-prepared murder weapon. Death itself was the goal." I clasped my fists together and pulled them in opposite directions, like pulling a taut rope prepared for the victim by the murderer. "..." "This murder case is actually quite intriguing." Whether it was the suspect's stiffening complexion or the case itself that was intriguing was unclear, yet the conversation continued. "Intriguing?" bGVoMGM0WlpFT2Y5cnFBWkcxZGEwKzZlZUpnMldkcU56akg1eDArYS9IV2daeXp5eXlPaE5JNFBLMTRJYlNQVw "Murder in the worst possible location to possibly escape from—a murder on board a ship! Isn’t it fascinating? The culprit provided an interesting answer, so now it’s time to solve the interesting problem. Why did the killer have no choice but to murder on the ship?" "Jegal Seol Rok..." The culprit’s answers were the detective’s questions. It was both something Jegal Seol Rok said and something I wrote. A friend well-versed in preparation and review. I nodded in satisfaction. “Though I am not Jegal Seol Rok, I should provide an answer as Inspector Kang Yoon Ho. It's strange to kill someone on a ship. Yet it was clearly a targeted murder of the scholar. Aha, now the outline of the culprit begins to form.” “The culprit’s outline?” A dark night. A time when all were asleep. In a cabin, a scholar met his end. On the culprit's answer sheet written over the victim, what would the detective inscribe? “What was the killer’s motive? Not robbery. The victim opened the door for the killer, hearing their voice without any light in the cabin. He's someone with a reason to kill the scholar, suggesting it was someone known.” “...” I narrowed down the possibilities. Just as the killer strangled his victim, the detective began to constrict the culprit’s throat. “What do you think? Is it a pretty convincing deduction?” “Continue.” If the other party started tightening my throat, I’d act right away. The man's gaze and tone were poised, ready to strike at any moment. Now, it's just one more step. A gesture towards the man. However. "This is as far as it goes, Wan Gongja." No move forward. "What?! How did you know it was me?" "Well, how could I have known?" A sidestep to the side, like a predator savoring its prey, I smirked leisurely. The rest is a secret. I've revealed enough. The detective has no intention of unmasking the culprit until we disembark. “How did you know I was acquainted with that bastard? Was it the passenger list? Or did a sailor witness our conversation before boarding?” Nonetheless, a slick prey has no intentions of backing down quietly. “I didn’t know.” “Stop lying!” It's true. I didn’t know you were the culprit. 'Depending on who showed up, I had a deduction scenario prepared.' I did shortlist potential suspects. You were on the list, but I wasn’t certain. However, my skills extend beyond just deduction. 'I might not be a brilliant detective, but I can act like one.' The hallmark of a great detective isn’t just deduction but also the ability to weave a convincing narrative. And I happen to have a knack for persuasive storytelling. “A person who had a reason for the scholar to end his life.” Now let’s circle the prey like a sly fox. “What?” "Purpose, you see. At the very least, someone who had a reason for the scholar to die before he returned to his homeland. That's all I thought." I didn’t know it was you. Nonchalantly, I shrugged my shoulders. "Jegal Seol Rok! So that's why he keeps taunting and confusing people! You're an exact replica of him!" "You're too kind." Like a snake coiling tighter around its prey, it was checkmate. Whatever words were used didn't matter. When the prey is left barely clinging to life. "Yes, a detective after all… it was foolish to hold onto hope." They would confess in desperation. "I'm not quite at the level to be called a detective yet." Barely caught. Almost lost one of the precious three permissions to use my father-in-law's name. A sigh of relief escaped internally. "Die!" A dagger flew out. "Heh." With a mocking laugh, it was easily deflected with one hand. "Martial arts master...?" No. Just a polished exterior achieved with money. Still, though... "You're the kind of person I can take down." —— With a swift move, I grabbed the man's collar and slammed him onto the deck. "You could have just enjoyed your last days. Tsk tsk." Thank you for being captured. There was an immense worry of what if you didn’t show up. "Heh heh." "Killing a person seems to have blinded you." "Person? I killed a beast." The man's chest heaved with fury as he shouted. “That’s a common excuse among killers.” Alright. Seems like he's got a lot to say, and I'm curious. Why did you kill? “He vowed silence for life after accepting a huge sum! Yet he was greedy for a cap! Threatened to report to the government upon reaching the mainland! Is that what a person should do?” The cap referred to the civil service exam, then. A lifelong secret and a huge sum of money... Wait, could it be? "An imposter for the exam, and on top of that, so brazen." “Heh heh. How can anyone bear the shame of turning a family's pride into disgrace overnight?” “......” Confirmed. Looking closely, the man's features and hair color are similar to the victim’s. It’s said that such fraud sometimes happens during provincial exams. To think it was an imposter exam issue. He had to kill him before docking, as the allegations would come out if it were revealed as murder. It ensured it looked like suicide. The mystery was quickly resolved. "I hold no personal grudge against you, but I will have to disappear with the honor of the Wan family at stake." The man, still not willing to give up, glared at me with smoldering eyes. “Looks like you haven't come to your senses...” It's about time they showed up. Since no sailors seem to be reacting, why not? "Why? Is no one reacting?" “......” Does he know something? The question was immediately answered. “The lookouts were taken care of.” “Well done.” A martial artist appeared on the deck. The martial artist approached the fallen man and helped him up. “A martial artist?” I hear the situation unraveling. Their aura doesn’t suggest they're an amateur. “You should have left this to me from the start.” “I thought it might be a trap.” “An esteemed inspector renowned in Hubei. I've heard of you. It couldn't have been wrong.” “You certainly live up to your reputation.” “Well then...” While the praise was flattering, it felt like a last meal. The man, with an expression void of personal feelings, drew his sword. “I hold no grudge, but let’s say it was a sneak attack.” My intuition wasn't wrong after all. —— The chilling moonlight glistened off the blade. Or rather, the blade shimmered in the moonlight. “A sword aura…?” He's a master. This might be a significant mistake. “You have nowhere to run.” “You think just one of you can handle Kang Yoon Ho?” Let's bluff for now. It’s all right, Kang Yoon Ho. Don't panic. What can you do if the opponent is a master? You’ve learned the unparalleled martial art of the Shadowless Step. This wide deck isn't something you can't navigate against him. “I will join you.” “...…” It wasn't just one. Two more emerged. “Be warned! Even grabbing the blade with his bare hands leaves no mark!” A wretched coward, calling reinforcements after all. I will definitely see you swing from the gallows. 'What should I do.' Stay calm. What's a sword aura? It’s as useless as cutting tofu for Ho-shin’s Defence. Actually, it’s something. We're screwed. 一 Isn't it too risky? You should have a guard with you. 一 It might draw attention and reveal our intentions. If it comes to it, the sailors watching will help. Let me try alone. I should have listened to Gil San. With every step, the three martial artists slowly claimed the space. There was no escape. One wrong move, and it could end in a single blow. Fortunately, it seemed they suspected the renowned inspector had something else up his sleeve, approaching cautiously. If it were Ha Yeon So Jeo, she wouldn't even sense a hint of tension. Right now, the only method I can think of is jumping off the ship. No, it’s not a waterfall; the depth and current would kill me instantly. ‘Find a way to survive.’ It's not too late to give up once breathing stops. Is there a way to handle these three? Impossible with my skills. What if I scream for help? I'll be dead by then. Both options are inadvisable. Could I run away? There's a chance, but a high risk of severe injury. Medium risk. What's the best option? Is there a way to survive? ‘There is.’ A memory flickered by. A faint possibility, but a certain one. A conversation with the Si Wang elders right before they left: 一 Before returning to the Eon clan, there's something you must do. 一 What is it? 一 Imbue intention. I didn't hesitate. I imbued my purpose. My wish. My will. Something I can now do with ease. 一 Open the channel of your mind. It's something I do daily, even without sleep. We’ve been connected since that day. So now. 一 Do what only the master can do. 一 What only the master can do? Time to act. If we are in a master-servant relationship, then I must do what only the master can do. If I am the master of Hwalgangsi. 一 Give a name to that child. A name. A name to call someone by. A name to call for help. [Eon Ga Young!] As the master of Hwalgangsi, I shouted out.