715 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

A voice, filled with determination, reverberated across the deck where the river breeze blew gently. No response was heard. No movement was detected. The name of the woman dissolved into the empty air, carried away by the wind. Perhaps it wasn't heard. But she wasn’t worried. Regardless of distance, a path through consciousness remained connected. Surely, the master's voice reached its servant. "Eon Ga Yeong?" The brow of the swordsman who appeared at first furrowed deeply. "Are you telling me there was a warrior from the Eon family hidden here?!" "Where are they?!" Could there have been guards hidden beforehand? The nearby warriors, taken aback by the confident voice, hurriedly glanced around in confusion. "If you lay down your swords even now, we might consider your actions with leniency." Should they roar, it would spell the end for all. Surrender swiftly. Like a detective, never losing composure in a crisis, they smiled at the martial artists. "......." Can they not grasp the situation? This is their last chance. It would take only five seconds for Hwagang-shi to appear on the deck. Confidently, they spread their fingers wide. "I will count to five. Consider this your last opportunity. Five! Four! Threeeee! Twoooooo! Oneeeeeee......" What is this? Why are they not showing up? "Khehehe! Of course, there’s no reinforcements!" A chuckle escaped from the criminal, who was tense moments earlier. "It was a bluff, huh. Such a shallow trick." Why do they grasp the sword firmly again? Couldn't this be resolved peacefully? "I am truly offering you a chance." It surely should have reached them, but it's strange. There was a reason they confidently called out. Based on what Sir Siwang said, she was meant to awaken now. However, if there was a variable... 'Was my strength not enough to awaken her?' Even the slimmest possibility was certain, but was it only possible in the presence of Eon, where Sir Siwang had prepared and waited? 'It can't be helped.' If the best strategy doesn't work, the secondary one will have to do. Break through. None of them are true masters. If they can’t employ sword energy, believing in the Okmyeon Hoshin Gong should suffice. 'The problem lies with the one who can use sword energy.' The distance once made opened up again as they cautiously moved forward. Can they break through? The longer they hesitate, the closer they edge to the afterlife. Let’s search for an opportunity instead of pondering. Differences in stride. A slight gap. They decided to charge toward the seemingly less skilled martial artist. Running head-on, one corner of the martial artist's mouth lifted. 'A trap?!' Realization struck just before the hand closed in. The first sword strike aimed boldly at the shoulder, waiting eagerly. Their speed must not slow. Twisting the shoulder, they just barely slipped past—the first strike grazing the fabric and down. The second strike followed, then the flickering sword energy of the third. Do not freeze. Assess the situation sharply. Find the best path. The front is a dead end. A moth charging in will be mercilessly shredded. They twisted their ankle, changing direction, using the body's momentum to spur momentum once more. As soon as speed dropped, a net of blades threatened to envelop them. It doesn't matter. "What type of movement technique is this?!" There's no way it can't be avoided. The movement technique they mastered was from the unparalleled thief, Muyoeng Sintu, in this realm. “This is not a movement technique for a mere constable!” They widened the distance immediately. Though the position shifted, the siege remained. Without ascending in the Saha Sajikdo’s ranks, death here would’ve been certain. “Even a son-in-law of Jegal Sega could use this movement technique.” If composure is lost, it's the end. They replied with a sly smile. "......." “If you mean to put down your weapons, now is the time. There’s no need to lose your lives protecting a reckless fool ignorant of his limit.” Can you handle the aftermath? "Brother......" "Do not be swayed! Remember what our family has done for us!" “No need to panic, Mr. Wan. Akgangsamgeom repays as much as received.” Akgangsamgeom, known for famously ganging up on one person in Akgang, the cowards notorious. “There’s nothing more precious than life. Especially when it involves three lives.” “…… Today, you face the same fate as the sailors who fell to pirates.” I never expected much. This is why blind trust in backing within Murim isn’t reliable. The dead, after all, tell no tales. “If that is your decision.” Now, the only thing they could trust was the skill they had honed relentlessly. “Throwing knives?!” In a surprise move, they hurled three daggers. One for distraction, one for alteration, the last with all their might. Nanyeongbi (亂影飛). Enough to transform an unsuspecting fighter into a guest heading to the afterlife. "Gasp!" "Tch!" The heart-striking move was rendered ineffective by the sword energy. There wasn't enough distance. Ideally, using Muyoeng's method would have put more distance, but it seemed impossible on a ship. “You had a hidden move, it seems!” All reserves were emptied. No breakthrough possible. "Khehehe! Pass my regards in the afterlife." With the criminal’s declaration, Akgangsamgeom surged forth. Can this be avoided? Even now, space to maneuver had dwindled. "Ugh!" It was too late. Swirling death approached. Behind them, the river loomed darker than the night. A decision was due: an immediate end or the slow drift towards one. No escape route visible. Even if they managed to escape, the following strikes would thwart true flight. Giving up wasn’t an option. Drag out the choice momentarily. Step back into the last remaining space. Caught between immediate demise and certain death. The final crossroads. At that very moment. “What?!” An entryway opened from the floor. The deck splintered upward. An icy chill surged. Looming death dispersed hurriedly. The chilling presence easily fractured the ceiling, lightly settling onto the deck. “Who are you?!” There was no need for curiosity. The only requirement was to warmly welcome the name given to her, for whom they had waited. “Eon Ga Yeong!” In the stillness encompassing the deck momentarily, Surely, the light exists for everyone, yet the silvery moonlight seemed to shine solely to bless her as she stepped into the world for the first time. The woman, an expressionless beauty despite her long hazel eyelashes, looked at me without a single twitch of her eyebrows. She remained still for some time as if trying to capture me entirely in her golden gaze. What could she be thinking? Should I try to speak to her? Before I could even ponder, the woman approached and quietly opened her mouth. "May I ask..." "Would she really?!" Is it happening? Listen up. There’s a tradition when meeting one's master for the first time. In the master-servant relationship, this is the essential first ritual and question. Even if Hwagang-shi was raised without a selfish intent, one can't neglect proper education. I had lightly mentioned this through the channel of consciousness. Could she really be going to do it? "You... my... master?" "Don't be bewildered!" Why the curious tilt of the head? No matter how unremarkable, I am your master. I should have laid a solid groundwork from the start. I wanted her to acknowledge me as her master completely. Was it too much to ask for? I was worried for nothing, it's unfair—so unfair. "Something feels off, brother." "Indeed. She doesn’t seem to be a warrior from the Eon family." Though I didn’t want to agree with those trying to kill me, they weren’t mistaken. There was a sleepy vibe to her. The way her face inched closer, it was like a dog with poor eyesight trying to sniff their owner. There was no helping it. [Eon Ga Yeong.] After speaking with intent once more, a slight liveliness returned to her indifferent golden eyes. [Master.] Yes, I am your master. Under the silver light of the moon, master and servant were finally able to see each other truly for the first time. ------ "What are you all doing? Move before more reinforcements arrive!" "We know!" The sound of the deck splintering was loud. People would soon rise. Without a moment to sort the situation, Akgangsamgeom's strike turned towards Eon Ga Yeong. "No!" I cried out in alarm, but the worry transformed into a fleeting fear. "What?!" The sword bounced back with a metallic sound that could never come from human flesh. "The sword... doesn’t work?" What kind of absurd body was this? The expression of Akgangsamgeom’s surprise mirrored my own. 'Why doesn’t she counterattack?' The expressionless woman merely looked at me as if nothing would bother her, not even an insect crawling over her. ‘Is her priority to protect me?’ Good. At least Hwagang-shi’s back is secured, then. Having gained the ultimate shield, I quickly aligned myself behind her, peeking out slightly. "Even when offered a chance, you refuse to take it. Now it’s much too late to regret." "Hiding behind a woman. How cowardly!" Yes. Not ashamed at all. I replied wearing a brazenly proud smile. "Girls shouldn’t fight. If that’s the sentiment you wish to express, perhaps you should take it to Dongyeong." "What?" Now that the tables have turned, there’s no need to prolong things. While I missed the chance for the first words I’d hoped to hear from my personal maid, it doesn’t matter. There was still a line I wanted to say. [Take care of them! Eon Ga Yeong!] "As you command." The personal maid swiftly transformed into a combat maid. "Damn! She’s no ordinary opponent. Stay alert!" Even if they remain vigilant, it won’t matter. They're not facing someone who can be countered with just attentiveness. "What?!" Like an arrow set loose from a bowstring, the woman dashed forward. The three swordsmen attempted to bar her path, swinging their swords, but like children attacking a tiger with sticks. "Oof!" One Flash (一閃). The three blades failed to halt her charge. Like stars fading, they scattered and disintegrated onto the floor. "Watch out!" One Punch (一拳). The martial artist burst apart like a drum unable to withstand human strength. "Gah!" One Kick (一脚). Another martial artist's waist folded under a single kick, letting out a final, desperate cry. "What is..." The swordsman, who had once boasted of his skills, looked helplessly at his fallen comrades before querying incredulously at the impending death. "Are you... are you human?" Death did not falter. There was no need to ponder his question. Answers and death can come hand in hand. "A maid." One Strike (一擊). To the moment of his end, the martial artist never grasped the meaning of that response. Only the hilt lingered, tumbling across the deck.