718 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"Incomplete resurrection, you say?" Siwang Elder observed Eon Ga Young's condition in the examination room and then returned to me to explain the situation. "The soul barely grew enough to allow the body to move, but that's all. It couldn't fully prepare to awaken." "But it did respond properly to my call." I had an inkling something was amiss. Still, hearing it was a flawed resurrection from the start was unsettling. "Isn't it natural for a child to get up and run to their parents even if they hear them calling while asleep?" "A child, you say?" She has a mature enough physique to wed immediately. Did he sense my underlying thoughts? Or was he simply frustrated upon seeing my confusion? Siwang Elder furrowed his brows and gestured towards the room where Eon Ga Young was. "Then does that child seem normal to you now?" "It's a matter of preference. Please respect that." "What?" "Oh, nothing." Elder, saying she's not normal is... While a gentle and strict maid who forbids anything lewd might be appealing, or even a golden retriever-like maid could be nice, there's nothing like the fundamental traditional expressionless maid, wouldn't you say? "I once said Ga Young's body was like armor even an adult would struggle to wear. Before awakening, she was like an infant; now, she's like a young girl, just barely able to drag around that armor." "So is that why her face is expressionless?" "She's straining just to move her body—where would she find energy to spare elsewhere?" Thank goodness. I was concerned it was about my preferences somehow bleeding through. But it was simply a matter of operational efficiency. After all, I, Lee Kang Yoon Ho, only fed her the purest and cleanest maid's thoughts in the world. "I see. So, is there no way to complete the unfinished ritual?" The soul hadn't fully matured. I understood the situation. Even if awakening Eon Ga Young's memories, Siwang Elder's granddaughter, was too much, was there a way to ensure the soul's growth? Upon hearing my question, Siwang Elder pondered for a moment, let out a small sigh, and spoke. "…That child is akin to Theseus’s ship." "Pardon…? Theseus's ship, you say?" It took a moment to comprehend the terms. "Unfamiliar with Theseus's ship? It's understandable, as it's a Western folklore. Think of it as a tale where a hero named Tae (太) saves many lives by sailing on a ship." Elder, how could I not know of Theseus's ship? Theseus's ship. Over time, as the ship sailed, repairs were needed. Being primarily wooden, it was only natural to replace old planks with new ones. As time passed, more parts required renovation. Replace enough planks, and eventually, none of the original parts would remain. While maintaining its original form, could a ship made entirely of new parts still be called Theseus's ship? A famous conundrum, indeed. Of course, that wasn't precisely what I aimed to highlight. "I've heard of it." "Good to know. Ga Young's soul was torn and weakened, unable to withstand the pressure of the descent. Like an old Theseus's ship, it needed extensive repairs." "And I was responsible for those repairs." "Would you still call that child, who grew with your thoughts, Ga Young? I myself struggled to be certain." "…" To give thoughts is not merely to feed a soul. Eon Ga Young's ship had already broken. Now, all we could do was create a new ship with a few planks. So, would this newly awakened person and the Eon Ga Young from before truly be the same? The deep furrows on Siwang Elder’s brow hinted at the weight of his considerations. "However, I believed there was hope if we could stimulate the remnant soul during the final stage and complete its growth. Even if her nature changed by consuming your thoughts, if her memories returned, we could see my granddaughter again." "I'm sorry." He likely didn’t hold much hope. But perhaps he thought it the only way to see his granddaughter again. Yet I failed Siwang Elder’s final expectations, so he has every right to be upset. "Seeing hope is good enough. Since her launch ceremony is over, we'll have to look for other ways." Inside the newly awakened Eon Ga Young, there certainly lies his granddaughter. Siwang Elder displayed a faint smile, as if clutching onto a glimmer of hope at the edge of despair. "She's continually hungry. Is there another reason for it?" If the original plan couldn’t be executed, it was time to discuss more immediate issues. "She was constantly hungry, you say? Since when?" "Right after dealing with the warriors on the ship. Despite eating her fill on the way here, and relishing the snacks, she keeps being hungry." "Continuous hunger following an incomplete resurrection. Perhaps…" Does he have a hunch regarding something? "Is something wrong?" Siwang Elder squinted and stroked his beard, then abruptly stood up. "We must hurry. Come with me." —— "Elder. To the training grounds, why?" "Master, is it over?" As we moved to the training grounds, Eon Ga Young swiftly approached me as if she had been waiting. I somehow felt like I had a tail. The sensation of a beauty trailing behind me was indeed peculiar. "The two of you should stay more than fifty steps apart." "No." "Listen to your grandfather, child." It seemed Siwang Elder anticipated her response, so he coaxed Eon Ga Young gently. "No one can separate a master and his maid." "…" "Hmm. Indeed, that's the spirit!" He didn't foresee her making a declaration only a true maid could. I involuntarily began clapping. "I like being praised." Eon Ga Young, with her expressionless face, basked in my applause. "You're quite remarkable indeed…" Siwang Elder, there's no need to worry by touching your forehead like that. I've thoroughly ingrained her with the proper etiquette as her master. "Ga Young, a true master-servant relationship can't be divided by mere footsteps. Step back for a moment." "Understood. Executing order." Siwang Elder sighed deeply as his granddaughter complied without hesitation, retreating beyond fifty paces. "Haha, but at least she's awake." "Now, get serious. Things could become dangerous, so stay alert." Siwang Elder adjusted his expression and looked at me with a serious gaze. "Is it dangerous?" "It might just be my old worries, but we must confirm. Make a small cut on your fingertip and attempt to draw your thoughts in the usual way." "I'll do it right away." This was familiar to me. I closed my eyes and focused my mind as I normally did. A golden energy arose along my shoulders. I imbued my thoughts into the Reversal Heavenly Energy. The thoughts to embed were of a perfectly expressionless beautiful maid. No, that's not right. Let's go with the thoughts of an ordinary maid. "Ah... Uh... Oh..." The pained voice of the expressionless maid pierced my ears. "Elder?" "Keep your focus." I heard the sound of something slicing through the air and colliding. The air vibrated. I wasn't sure what was happening, but I needed to concentrate. The sounds disappeared. I closed my ears to extract the thing within me. The Reversal Heavenly Energy found the essence within me. The thought of the perfect maid, enshrined in the blood at my fingertip. "It's done. Now, how exactly—what?!" Upon opening my eyes, a bewildering scene unfolded before me. "Grrrr!" Before me, Eon Ga Young was being restrained by Siwang Elder, eyes wild and frenzied. She wasn't even fully subdued. She was resisting. It was like watching someone trying to contain a dangerous beast. He barely managed to control her, yet she seemed ready to break free at any moment and devour someone whole. "Quickly, feed her!" His urgent voice underscored the gravity of the situation. "Grrrr!" "What power is this?!" "Elder!" For a moment, she broke free from his grip. Even during the battle on the ship, her strength seemed otherworldly, but this was a force even the eminent martial artists couldn't easily handle. Should I escape? Just as I was about to move my internal energy to the keynote points— "Stay still!" "Huff." Siwang Elder, determined not to lose his grip, swiftly contained her movement with a deft display of skill. Indeed, it was like watching a lightweight martial artist subduing a beast with martial prowess. "What are you doing?! Feed her quickly! If you don't hurry, both you and Ga Young might be in danger!" "Grrrrr!" Perhaps lured by the enticing "food" at my fingertip. Eon Ga Young's gaze sharpened on me. The reasoned, expressionless eyes had vanished, leaving only primal instincts behind. "Must you keep restraining her?" "Do you want her to bite your finger off?!" "There's an easier way." "What nonsense are you spouting?!" Elder, you don't need to give me that look as though you don't understand what's happening. I am well aware of the situation. UlFRblVJeEt0R01oWGZFZXFXMGFSOFVmMVhCbVRhUzJWOVVZNHlPSlhQWUMvb2RpRE03SnpON3c4UmtPQmhzTA She might seek her master's flesh and blood. It's the scenario Siwang Elder was worried about to the point of wearing out my ears with his warnings. It was a concern ever since the initial resurrection attempt, but I wasn't frightened. [Sit!] Because I knew how to quell those concerns. "Grr?" The growling ceased. There was curiosity in the voice. [Sit! Stay calm!] "Uh... Oh..." Subdued instincts gave way to returning reason. [Ah. Let's do it.] "Oh..." She obediently opened her mouth. The golden-tinged crimson energy bloomed like a flower on her pink tongue. "Good job." I patted her head with pride, and Ga Young leaned her head against my hand with contentment after feeding. "What in the world just...?" --- "The bond between the soul and the body remains fragile—such that she could easily become a bloodthirsty demon. Yet amidst that, your commands still reach her?" Siwang Elder was incredulous, though impressed. Even if she lost her reason, the pathway of consciousness remained connected. I had already confirmed this on the ship, so there was no reason to fear. I kept my voice steady and addressed the situation. "Isn't that why I fed her my thoughts in the first place? But what was that just now?" "Ga Young right now is akin to a young girl wearing armor that even an adult would struggle to don. She'd use all her energy just moving, so when hungry, what do you think she'd want to eat?" "Her usual, the thoughts. We should give her what she’s used to." Upon us turning our eyes towards Eon Ga Young, she patted her stomach and flashed us a thumbs-up. "Master, I'm full. The maid is fully recovered." "Th-that's good to hear." "Truly... It seems the master-servant relationship is firmly established." Siwang Elder seemed torn between a wry smile and a frown as he observed the two of us. Indeed, seeing his granddaughter becoming someone's maid must evoke complex feelings. "Haha." "Yes. Master and maid. Perfect." "Could you give us some time to talk? Please wait outside for a moment." "Okay, Grandpa." "…" Siwang Elder appeared taken aback when Eon Ga Young nodded without hesitation, staring blankly after her as she left. "Elder?" "It's nothing. It's just still somewhat surreal." "That's understandable." The granddaughter he longed for had awakened. Siwang Elder shook his head as if to clear his thoughts and returned to the main topic. "You know as well as I do that her condition isn't complete." "I understand she could be driven by instinct during the descent." She's drawn to my blood. Even with a complete resurrection, it would be something to be cautious about, so this wasn't entirely surprising. "It's not just physical transformation I’m speaking of. It’s her personality as well." "Personality?" "That child hasn't formed a complete personality as a human. Her current behavior is akin to a child who only acts according to what their parents taught them." "In other words, she acts not by discerning right from wrong as an adult would, but because she thinks her parent's words are absolute, like a child." Siwang Elder nodded slowly. "Indeed. Once her soul matures, she will then develop a proper personality. For now, we must feed her thoughts and observe the growth of her soul." "I'll take responsibility and look after her." It seems it's a process that will take her through her youthful stages and adolescence until she develops an adult’s character. This wasn’t a huge issue, as I had already committed to it. "The problem is if an irreversible accident occurs in a moment of oversight." Siwang Elder looked at me with a tone of concern. "I'm more resilient than you might think." "Ordinary human flesh isn't strong enough to withstand even a playful stroke from a tiger." Even Siwang Elder struggled to contain her strength. Certainly, for an ordinary human, a single misstep could spell disaster. "You don't need to worry too much. I'm not of ordinary flesh." "What are you saying?" "I've mastered an external martial art. It's called Jade Body Protection Technique." "Jade Body Protection Technique?" "Sure, if she really tried to chew me up, it might be tough. But I have mobility techniques and thorough preparations. It's not that easy…" "Did you say Jade Body Protection Technique?" "Pardon?" Siwang Elder suddenly bore a look of incredulity. Was he skeptical because I hadn't trained like a martial artist, but rather acquired an external technique like a merchant throwing money around? "Do you have any connection to demonic sects?" "What are you suggesting all of a sudden?" "Being the Jegal family's son-in-law means you're likely not from the demonic side. Is it related to the Golden Demon?" You're not wrong about the demonic sect connection. I learned it from my childhood friend, who has a restless future in the Assassins Guild. "Is learning the Jade Body Protection Technique a sign of being from a demonic sect? Why do you bring up the sect leader all of a sudden?" "Haven’t you thought that the external martial art you’ve mastered is excessively good?" "It certainly is a ridiculous technique considering the money spent on it." Another name for Jade Body Protection Technique is the "Gleaming Skin Technique." It's a martial art technique acquired by applying a lotion valued like silver to the skin every day. Ordinary martial artists couldn't afford it due to its lack of cost-effectiveness, but it was an external technique capable of lightly deflecting ordinary blade attacks. "Have you ever thought about why such a technique isn't the secret art of a particular family?" "What?" "Half a century ago, during the major conflicts between orthodox and unorthodox sects, the victims of the demonic sects weren’t just people of the Eon family." "You don't mean…" The Jade Body Protection Technique is indeed an extraordinarily good external martial art. Usually, techniques to toughen the skin are external martial arts used by those who practice fist arts rather than swordsmanship. It's not even like dipping one's hands in heated sand. If this martial art belonged to a particular family, that family would need to be knowledgeable in medicinal substances. In other words... "You’re practicing a secret art leaked from the Eon family's heritage."