290 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"A problem has arisen." It was the first turn at the gathering. Choi Pyo Sa approached the inn with a look of concern. "A problem? Is there an issue with teaching the children? Or is it about the ginseng candies I gave you last time?" I had given it to him, suggesting he feed it quickly if someone's talent emerged, but now there's a problem? Shaking his head, Choi Pyo Sa replied, "Both are fine. It's the innkeeper—he's decided against selling the inn." "You mean he changed his mind right before signing the agreement?" In the real world, finding even a tiny studio apartment is a daunting task. I thought it was a palatial house based only on photos, but it turns out it was called a palace because even ants resided there. Or perhaps it was a ridiculous real estate agent who ran out saying it was already taken when I arrived. To avoid such trouble, I had arranged for someone to find me the best location for a delivered food business. Though not the best location for an inn, it was perfect for a delivery restaurant. We had convinced the innkeeper and were on the brink of signing the contract, only for him to back out now. I asked in disbelief, "He insists on seeing you personally, yelling at the top of his lungs. I couldn’t handle it anymore," Choi Pyo Sa admitted, looking troubled. "Alright. I'll go see him." I need to hear what he has to say myself. ——– "I'm not selling!" The old innkeeper, arms crossed, shouted with a frown. "You finalize everything and decide to back out? What is this about?" I questioned the innkeeper, unable to hide my incredulity. This was the innkeeper who, with his failing business, had seemed ready to sell at a moment's notice. And yet, overnight, he had changed his mind. What's happening? "You Koreans, I've heard you're starting a new business? Then we have to redo the math." The innkeeper smirked as if he understood our intentions completely. So that's it. He must have caught wind of the news somehow. "What more could this inn have? It's far from the harbor, so no tourists come by, and being in a residential area, there aren't plenty of lodging guests either." "We do have regular lodging guests." "So I've heard there are some drunkards due to nearby taverns, but even then, because of the taverns, drinking guests aren't plenty." "Where did you hear all that from?" Not a single detail was casually investigated. It's not in a convenient location for travelers, it’s in a residential area with few lodging guests, and nearby taverns mean even drinking guests are sparse. It's remarkable he’s been running the inn here for so long. 'On the other hand, it is the perfect spot for a delivery restaurant.' There’s a large residential neighborhood ensuring delivery customers, and the nearby taverns mean there’s a lively night crowd. A lively night crowd implies potential customers ordering midnight snacks. It's an ideal location for running a delivery business day and night. "Brother, why are you making this difficult when you just need to sign?" The black-haired broker who had been listening nearby spoke to the innkeeper in a disappointed voice. "Do you know how much I paid for this inn?! Now that I notice, both the broker and the buyer have black hair! Is this some conspiracy?" The innkeeper glared at us in distrust. "Brother, what do you mean by that? I'm just looking into selling the inn because you said you wanted to sell it!" "Ahem. It's not like that." The innkeeper coughed awkwardly, apparently embarrassed. Seems like he's reluctant to sell it too cheaply for fear we might profit too much from it. Think quickly. The other party already knows about the delivery business prospects. If we attempt to negotiate aimlessly, it will just become a stagnant back-and-forth struggle. At times like this... "Fine. Forget it then." Break it off. "What?" "I'm not buying." I stated calmly. "W-what did you say?" "I came thinking I could buy it cheaply through this broker, but it’s obvious the old man is filled with greed. Did you two plot together? Thinking there's a naïve, black-haired young man to swindle with absurd profits?" Portraying the part of a wronged mark, I scowled as I pointed accusatorily at both of them. "What do you mean!" "Do you see me as someone who would do such a thing?" Both of them protested, waving their hands in agitation. "Enough. Do you think you're the only one willing to sell me an inn in this vast land? I'll leave. Broker, make sure I don’t see you again, or else." Turning my back without hesitation, I faced the entrance. "You... Seems you've never been in business long. That's not how it should go." "What did you say?" When I tried to leave, the innkeeper quickly grabbed my sleeve, startled. "Ahem. Why don't we negotiate and find a compromise? You can't simply say yes or no in business." The innkeeper stammered as he spoke to me. "Indeed. You're being too sensitive. We just need to agree on a price and sign." "And he's only interested in getting his broker's fee." I frowned at the broker chiming in. Ah, it’s the black-haired folks abroad you can’t trust. How could you do this to me? "Heh. You have a knack for making people feel uneasy." The broker, seemingly wounded, avoided my gaze. "Innkeeper. Are you sure you want to re-evaluate?" I've now shifted my gaze from the surprised broker to the flustered innkeeper. "I've heard about this famous Gi O Su Gu delivery food business with you Koreans. Doesn't it mean this inn is needed?" Still hopeful, is he? "Yes, indeed. If that's the case, how about this price?" Let me offer the ideal price. "Isn't this one-tenth less than the original price we agreed upon!" "Don't like it? Then..." I slashed through the innkeeper's shocked price with ink and wrote a new, even lower one beside it. "Lower by another ten percent. Are you serious?" "I'm serious." "What?" "They say, when planning for great things, one shouldn't fret over small expenses. That's why, despite dissatisfaction with the broker's fee, I didn't bargain. But since we're redoing the math, let's do it properly." "Is that true?" "Didn't I mention it before?" "The building’s poorly maintained, requiring extensive repairs—deducted. The food is so bad that a new chef is needed—deducted. There are no customers even as we speak—deducted. Shall I continue listing deductions?" "No, no." "Brother, let's just get rid of it quickly." "I'm done. I'll buy it at half the originally offered price." "Wh-what? That's absurd!" "If you don't want to sell, tear up the contract. Otherwise, sign it. And broker, don't think of showing up with unsigned papers. Trusting a black-haired person—I've seen everything now." "Ha ha..." "Lady Ha Yeon, let's go." "Wait, wait a minute!" I brushed off the innkeeper's hand trying to grab my sleeve and left the inn with Im Ha Yeon. ———————— "The final deal was settled at 70% of the original asking price." The black-haired broker entered my office, smiling broadly. "Good job." I welcomed the Korean broker with a warm smile and offered him a comfortable seat. "The way you immediately pegged the innkeeper and me as accomplices the moment suspicion arose was impressive." "You, on the other hand, managed to get so close to them, establishing a rapport and staking claims on the negotiation table—that was commendable." The game wasn’t broken. Rather, it extracted every last cent from the fool who believed he'd missed a great opportunity. To see him catch on instantly and act accordingly—it seems it wasn't false that he made a living as a broker even in Korea. "Hahaha! To survive as a lowly broker without a dime, I must be skilled at these things. But I was awed at how proficiently you negotiated the price down, Master." The broker shook his head in admiration, conceding to my skill. "Haha. So, how much should I pay you for the broker's fee?" "No need. I'm also a member of the fraternity, so how could I accept a fee from our Master?" He waved his hand dismissively. "Please accept it. To avoid any hard feelings, we should handle these matters cleanly." "It'd be a scandal for a guy who used to introduce tiny rooms to pocket such a large sum." "When you become an innkeeper, you'll see much larger sums than this, consider it an early appetizer." "Honestly, it’s alright! But if it’s okay, instead..." The broker hesitated, constantly gauging my reaction, clearly having something in mind but unable to voice it. If he's refusing money, it usually means he wants something more valuable than money. "Do you want the next turn?" The next in line for the meeting? Considering that would mean he wants to become an innkeeper. "Hahaha." The broker scratched his head, giving an awkward smile. "If I ask for too much just because I skipped on one broker's fee, that could spell trouble." He did work hard, after all. Not that hard, though. Even as I smiled, I hinted at this subtly. "Since I have a sharp eye for land, I’ll personally scout the inn locations for all members and will not charge the broker's fee." Admittedly, the inn location he scouted this time was excellent. And if I can avoid the brokerage fee, all the better. It's a decent offer. But it doesn't fully satisfy me. "Let’s do this. You won’t get the second chance. However, if the inns you recommend continue to prosper, tales of your keen eye will spread." "And when that happens..." "I'll consider giving you the turn." "I will do my utmost in scouting the land!" Good. Keep finding good locations and prove your ability. As your reputation grows positively, there will be no room for backtalk. Work hard. ————————– "Worried there might be gossip saying you’re playing games with the turns, Master." Im Ha Yeon, having listened to our conversation from the side, spoke up, sounding worried once the broker had left. "Actually, I’d prefer if there were some back talk." That would actually be ideal. "What? Why?" "Because it's not out of personal greed that turns are being manipulated. If word spreads that the one contributing most to the fraternity's cause receives the first turn, won't they want to act? Their actions will be motivated." "Now that you mention it, both Choi Pyo Sa and the broker are certainly useful to the fraternity." I nodded at Im Ha Yeon. One is a martial arts instructor; the other, a real estate agent. Both are essential figures in the business ventures we're undertaking in the foreign land. "All the members of the group have some wealth. If they’re given even a single motivation to act out of goodwill, they will surely produce results." Get them to naturally work for the fraternity’s benefit. Precisely, have them act for the fraternity in a manner that draws my attention. If it also benefits me, all the better. Encourage the notion that the more they enhance the reputation of the fraternity, the closer they are to being granted a forward turn. "It’s only fitting that you’re praised as our Master." Im Ha Yeon gazed at me with an expression of admiration. "Now all that's left is for Choi Pyo Sa to sign the papers. By the way, regarding those ginseng candies I entrusted to Choi Pyo Sa." "W-what about it?" Why does her voice suddenly quiver? "When I tried to take some out, the box seemed a bit light." The entire box was my share of the elixir. It should have been full, yet when offering a bit, it was noticeably lacking. "Perhaps the herbalist took some." Im Ha Yeon looked at me innocently with wide eyes. "Must have been urgent for them." I see. Given he has three wives and concubines to boot, he’d have relied quite heavily on such remedies. Unlike someone whose body reacts unnecessarily every morning, he was an ordinary man from central plains. While lost in thought, Im Ha Yeon abruptly stood up and exclaimed, "W-we should show it to Choi Pyo Sa quickly. Let’s go together." ********* In the dark of night, a figure moved swiftly across the rooftops, undetectable even to the eyes of a master, arriving at a window of an inn. "Still awake?" As Im Ha Yeon opened the window of the office and stepped in, she found Kang Yun Ho seated at his desk. She had left early from the gathering, where they were celebrating Choi Pyo Sa's seal of approval, due to her Gi O Su Gu training. She never expected Kang Yun Ho to still be awake, working. "Ugh... I was drafting documents to submit for governmental approval." With the innkeeper changed, they needed authorization from the office. Kang Yun Ho was diligently preparing the paperwork, rubbing his growling stomach as he worked. "You drank quite a bit with Choi Pyo Sa... why not sleep and handle this tomorrow?" Im Ha Yeon approached him with a look of concern. "It's not that much. But since the bureaucrats are slow, I need to be quick." "Don’t exhaust yourself. Just slip some money to a few officials; I hear they're receptive to that." Low-ranking officials are always hungry. With a little grease, they would place his documents where higher-ups could notice them. "Haha, I ought to ensure they don't demand more because of some oversight." "You really... Everyone's celebrating the fraternity's first inn tomorrow. Get some rest. I’ll help organize the documents." "Alright." Kang Yun Ho wasn’t in such a rush that he'd stubbornly continue working. As Im Ha Yeon deftly organized the documents, Kang Yun Ho stood up to assist her. Trouble arose, however, when Im Ha Yeon casually opened Kang Yun Ho's drawer, as she often did. "Why keep a box in here instead of just documents? It’s not even the type for storing papers..." There was a lavish box in the drawer. Im Ha Yeon sighed softly and attempted to pick it up. "Ah, that's..." Who was unlucky this time? Kang Yun Ho had hastily put the box away, leaving the lid insecure. As Im Ha Yeon lifted the box, the lid effortlessly fell off, revealing its contents quite clearly. "A... brush?" It was the luxurious brush Je Gal Hyang had gifted him.