332 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Title: Three People - Part 2 --- [Dear Hwarin,] [How have you been?] [I have a confession to make. Although I promised to wait for ten years, as soon as I returned, I got into a relationship with someone with pink hair.] [Not long ago, I had a marriage meeting with the youngest daughter of the Jeagal family, and currently, I'm living with both of them.] [You'll forgive me, right?] [With love, Kang Yun Ho.] If I sent such a letter, I feared I’d soon receive an urgent message saying that the poison masters of the Tang family were on their way to Infinite to avenge me, so I couldn’t just ignore the affections the two women had for me. Of course, it wasn’t that there was nothing between us. I must find the true heroine. As a twisted fate's changer, I must save the cursed destinies of the heroines and won’t reject the affections they have for me. While I left the Tang family with such resolution, facing this situation made me pause for reflection. Accepting the affections of various women is my decision. But what's the alternative? Would the women who care for me accept such a side of me? Of course, there was a way. Like the woodcutter in the folktale, I could confess the truth once the relationships became so deep that they couldn't progress further, like sneaking through a snake hole. But that wouldn't be right for these two in front of me. I needed to tell them now. I looked up to see the two women staring at me blankly. ‘Muyeong Sintu, Im Ha Yeon.’ After much effort, there were two paths she could choose from. Living a normal life as a courtesan with the help of the martial order, or becoming a shadowless warrior. If I hadn’t revealed the truth now, she would have become a shadowless warrior without hesitation. Would that be right? If she discovers I have a fiancée, wouldn't she feel bitter betrayal for trusting me and not wanting to become a thief? If she’s truly a heroine, I must hold onto her. However, my intent is to rescue heroines from their fates, not to ruin them. Thus, revealing the truth at this moment was timely. ‘I have a contractual relationship with Jeagal Hyang.’ Is she truly the heroine? With looks to rival Im Ha Yeon and multiple talents, she could well be a character from an uncleared route. But that remains a mere possibility. What I know for sure now is that she has begun to have feelings for me. Watching her feelings grow into full bloom might be another joy, but I already have women I must be responsible for. Of course, this doesn’t mean I intend to reject Miss Jeagal’s affections. Rather, liking me even after knowing this truth is a different matter. “I have a fiancée, actually.” That’s why I had to tell the two women now at this point. --- “Wh-what, are you joking?” Jeagal Hyang asked, seemingly not believing me. “I’m not joking. I have a fiancée who is far away.” As I denied it, Im Ha Yeon crossed her arms and questioned me next. “A childhood friend you promised to marry back in your hometown? Is that what you mean?” Gah. “N-no, it’s not that.” Well, there is a younger sister I've promised my future with, but she’s at the training house, not my hometown. She is my childhood friend, and also not. It's not 100% true, so it's incorrect. “Then what is it! Tell us!” Im Ha Yeon prodded me impatiently for answers. I took a deep breath. Responding with earnestness, devoid of lies. “There is my fiancée in the Sichuan Tang family.” “Did the Tang family forcefully pair you up?” Did she assume something related to the Tang family’s outcast children? Im Ha Yeon looked at me, her mouth agape. “She is indeed a very distant collateral relative of the Tang family. But it’s not forced. We agreed of our own will to get married.” I shook my head. “That…can’t be…” “Why didn’t you say anything until now?” Im Ha Yeon bit her lip slightly and glared at me as she questioned further. “For various reasons, she’s been receiving secret treatment within the Tang family. Until I sensed your feelings, it wasn’t the sort of thing I could easily talk about.” Poisoners are beings born from the biological experiments of the Tang family. Besides, there was even involvement with the demonic cult. No matter how close the person might be, it wasn’t a story one could casually bring up. “R-really, you, Sir Kang, are engaged?” “...Really, it seems.” Im Ha Yeon stared into my eyes for some time, the disbelief etching furrows in her brow. “I’m sorry. No matter the reason, I should have told you.” Even with any excuse, being guilty doesn’t change. While kneeling, I bowed my head to them. A brief silence. Even for someone braced for it, the silence that fell among the three of us was hard to endure. The chilly night wind of the Yangtze River blew through the estate. ...This is suffocating. Though I have a fiancée, we aren’t of the ‘let’s all live together happily’ vibe right now. “Then, even while whispering sweet nothings beside me on the pavilion, you did so with a fiancée?” After the brief silence passed, a voice colder than the night wind of the Yangtze approached me. “Yes.” Both women took a step toward me. “S-so, even while engaged, you had a marriage meeting with me?” “Y-yes.” “Despite your fiancée, you claimed responsibility before the incense hosts?” “Y-yes.” Why do they keep getting closer? “Even though you’re engaged, you suggested we live together?” “Y-yes.” Slowly raising my head at the sight of the two pairs of shoes before me. They stood in front of me, blocking out the moonlight. “You.” “Hm?” Everyone's faces were grim. Why are they making expressions I've never seen before? Let’s all calm down. This is a process of taking one step back for future trials. I can explain everything. “First of all, take this!” “Oof!” I got hit. “Sir Kang.” Even Miss Jeagal can make such a face. But what is that in your hand? “M-Miss Jeagal. W-where did that iron fan come from?” "Kang Gongja-nim, you are... you are an enemy of women!" In the end, I was struck again and then thrown out. --- "Ouch, my whole body aches." I ended up spending the night at the Un-Gi Inn. "Consider yourself lucky you weren't torn to shreds." An Suksu, having heard roughly what transpired, clicked his tongue as he handed me my breakfast while I was sitting on the first floor. "Hahaha." "I made beef soup and abalone porridge. Choose what you want, eat up, and then go back and humbly beg for forgiveness." As expected, An Suksu's cooking is delicious. The porridge tastes heavenly with well-fermented kimchi on top. "They don't seem like they'll forgive me." Who would've thought their anger would reach the point of throwing punches? I’d completely forgotten that both were martial artists. "You're speaking nonsense. Look at your face." "Pardon?" "Not even a scratch on your face. Despite their anger, they were still thinking of you." "Ah..." Now that I think about it, my face isn't hurt at all. "This is too much. Some people can't even come home drunk without a nagging, you know." "An Suksu, everyone at the fraternity knows you have a good marital relationship." "Stop the nonsense and go handle things. Their fury will have calmed by now, so they'll listen to you." Can't I stay a couple more days before going back? I feel like they'll hit me again. I nodded as calmly as I could and went up to the office. --- "Lucky I wasn't divided into five pieces." Truth be told, if my secrets as a married man with a childhood friend promised for the future, a fiancée, and someone actively pursuing lovers while attending marriage meetings got out, mere expulsion wouldn't have sufficed. Revealing the matters related to the poisoner was even more complicated, so I thought it better to disclose official relationships first. Of course, part of my calculations was that getting forgiveness once would make it easier the second and third times. "Hm? What's this golden wound medicine on the desk?" When I unlocked the office door, there was an unfamiliar golden wound ointment and a note atop the desk. [Use it.] Did Miss Ha Yeon bring this? Her affection still lingered in the simple message. "Is there still a chance for reconciliation?" I sat on the bed, staring at the medicine for a moment. I've confessed my hidden secrets. Now, I must accept whatever the two decide. If both women truly leave me, could I accept that? Must I accept it, regardless of how I feel about them? There are so many things I haven't said yet. 一 If there’s someone at Dasageuk you truly want as yours, don't reject them. Hwarin-ah. Could it really be okay? "A hero has many wives and concubines." Honestly, I don't want to let go. I'll respect the decisions of Im Ha Yeon and Jeagal Hyang, but sitting idly by is not what I want. So what should I do? "Screw it, I'll become a hero." Let's push forward boldly. --- As I knocked on the mansion door, the guard opened it for me. Thank goodness I wasn't banned from entering. That's a relief. Sensing presence from the annex, I knocked, only for the slight noises inside to fall silent immediately. Miss Ha Yeon. Does she not wish to see me yet? Then, I'll try another approach. "Miss Jeagal." Fortunately, I sensed someone on the other side of the door. "..." "I'm coming in." I carefully opened the door to the dark room. "...Hehehe." Miss Jeagal. Her spirit seems quite drained! I cleared my throat consciously as I stepped into the room. No reaction. She appeared half like a zombie. Despite the door opening, Jeagal So Jeo only emitted an eerie giggle, not looking in my direction. "Miss Jeagal, I'll open the windows." I swiftly went around, opening the windows for ventilation and light. "Eek! Oh?! S-Sir Kang?!" Is she some child of darkness? Only now does she react. "I'm sorry. I know it's shameless, but I've come to apologize once more." I knelt before Jeagal Hyang again. "...." "You must be disappointed, wondering how I could hide such truths. It's only natural you'd feel hurt. But even so, I felt I must stand before you again." After bowing my head, a fleeting yet substantial silence lingered. "...You, you're truly awful..." The words from Jeagal Hyang were neither harsh insults nor fierce fury, but rather water-logged resentment. It hurts. This pains more than the blows I received yesterday. But continually begging for forgiveness won’t suffice. Having decided to brace myself, I'll push through this storm of criticism. "Actually, Man-geum Jeon-ju was aware of my engagement." Let’s start by speaking the truth. "What? Grandfather knew?" "My fiancée. The late grandfather of Dang Hwarin was friends with Man-geum Jeon-ju. I declined the marriage meeting, revealing my engagement, but Man-geum Jeon-ju proceeded, holding Dasageuk's debt hostage." It's time to unveil the hidden truth to her. "How could that be?!" "It's the truth. That's why I proposed a fake relationship to Miss Jeagal initially. Neither of us was intent on marrying." "Then... So, the marriage meeting with me was arranged forcibly. So, everything until now was..." Her complexion darkens. Is she reverting to despair mode? I'm not here to build walls, saying I never had feelings for you. Our relationship up to now was orchestrated by Man-geum Jeon-ju. First, make sure she understands this, and redirect her blame at Man-geum Jeon-ju. I cautiously observed Jeagal Hyang. If, knowing the truth, she continues to harbor feelings for me, I won’t reject her. Yet, lacking full certainty that she is the heroine, I won't forcefully hold on to her. So, what’s the next step? 'Let's set the lobster trap.' I’m talking about trapping, not fishing. If the fish enters, though knowing it's a trap, it's the fish's fault. "While our first meeting was as it was, every subsequent meeting was out of my own desire to see you." "What?" "I enjoyed it. Talking with a reader of my work, having conversations with someone who shares my hobbies, and having someone with whom I can converse freely was all delightful." Let’s speak honestly. I genuinely enjoyed our interactions. Had there been no feelings, I would have avoided meeting you. "Ah..." "Where could I possibly find a woman like Miss Jeagal, who is beautiful, talented, a supportive bride, and with whom I share such harmonious conversations? Before I knew it, even though it was called a contractual relationship, I found myself eagerly awaiting our meetings." "Hehe. I-It's not that much..." Ah, compliments truly are her weak point. Now that the trap is set, it's time to place the bait inside. "My fiancée requires treatment for ten years." Feigning a pained expression, I let out this distressing truth. "Ten years?" "Though she urged me to forget about her, I vowed to wait for her for ten years. What is a mere decade if we are bound by mutual affection?" "Ugh..." Don't shrink away at the mention of a fiancée so suddenly. "If you wish, you may end this relationship." "E-End it?" "Man-geum Jeon-ju sternly asked if I had no plans to marry past the age of thirty! The world would scorn me, he said. And he wasn’t wrong." "I mean, who other than monks and hermits wouldn't marry by that age?" "Exactly. Whether he knew my fiancée allowed for other women or not, he insisted on introducing me to a supportive partner and arranged a marriage meeting with you, Miss Jeagal." A beautiful, talented, supportive bride. I recalled what I had just said, looking at her kindly. "A-Accepting other women?" There’s a reaction to the bait. Now, let's pretend to withdraw it. "Even if you decide to step back, Miss Jeagal, Man-geum Jeon-ju wouldn't give up. I would likely marry another of his granddaughters." Even if you don't enter the trap, my fate would remain unchanged. Turning my kind gaze away from Jeagal Hyang, I looked towards the window, expressing reluctant acceptance of an undesired marriage. What will her response be? I kept my gaze at the window, wearing a pained expression, waiting for her answer. "…I-I don't want that." Jeagal Hyang's voice, though small, was firm with resolve. "Miss Jeagal." "P-Please, give me a little time." I nodded to Jeagal Hyang and exited her room. ----- "Phew." The trap has been set. Now it's time for the hidden Im Ha Yeon to appear.