Ch 342 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Phantom Thief - 1 "So you’re saying Moo Young Sin Tu has appeared? What does that even mean?" Members of Dasuhoe seated the member who brought the unexpected news at a prominent spot and began their questioning. After quenching his thirst with a drink from the table, the member who brought the news was surrounded by others eager to hear the intriguing story. "I was just having a meal at my usual tavern, and downing a yogurt they offered for free, when the staff shared an interesting tale." "An interesting tale?" "You know Yeom Gyeokju who lives near the harbor?" "Yeom Gyeokju? Isn't he the infamous merchant who shamelessly overcharges outrageous fees under the guise of brokering trade routes with distant traders?" "Yes, that very Yeom Gyeokju. Apparently, his house was robbed recently." "Haha, his place must have been heavily guarded. Whoever did it has some serious guts. But what does that have to do with Moo Young Sin Tu?" The members of Dasuhoe asked the member with the news, a hint of disappointment in their voices. Wealthy households hire guards because there are too many thieves targeting them to count on one's fingers and toes. It seemed far-fetched to connect a robbery at a rich person's house with the fabled Moo Young Sin Tu. Unless there was one undeniable fact. "They say the sign of Moo Young Sin Tu was found. The boxes that once held the jewelry were emptied, and only a black origami crane was left behind!" "A black origami crane?" The description was eerily similar to the tales from the novel. A few members' eyes widened in surprise. "Did the thief leave it as a mocking gesture? Yeom Gyeokju was reportedly furious. But the curious part is, that's not the end of it!" "What else happened?" Sensing the story's intrigue, members egged him on eagerly. "You know there’s an orphanage to the east of Wuhan, right? It's run by a monk." "Ah, yes! I'm aware. He takes in children with nowhere to go despite the difficult circumstances. But what’s that got to do with it?" "Brace yourself. That orphanage also found a black origami crane!" "What?! Of all places to loot, they chose an orphanage?" While some guests, slower on the uptake, voiced their outrage, eyes wide, others were starting to grasp the situation. "No, nothing was stolen. Instead, money was left behind. When Juju Seonim woke up, he found a sack filled with money and a black origami crane." "What?" "Wait a minute. This sounds familiar." At that moment, even the slower-thinking guests began to realize something. "You've caught on as well. Yes, it’s Moo Young Sin Tu. Take a look at the end of Volume 2 of Fengyun Heroes." The member brought out Volume 2 of Fengyun Heroes lying on the table and opened it. [Moo Young Sin Tu left behind the cleverly folded black paper as proof of his visit.] The black origami crane left by the thief who recently appeared in Wuhan was identical. At the notorious merchant's house, jewels were stolen and a black origami crane left behind, while at a place dedicated to good deeds despite hardship, money was left along with a black origami crane. Identical. Perfectly identical to Moo Young Sin Tu in Fengyun Heroes. "......" Around Dasuhoe, in the crowded second floor, amidst people with surprised eyes, a profound silence lingered for a moment. "......Could Moo Young Sin Tu truly exist?" As someone voiced out the thought on everyone's mind, breaking the eerie silence, the second floor of the Dasugak began to buzz with excitement. "Kya! Sister, they say Moo Young Sin Tu has appeared!" "Could it be that Ho Pil Writer predicted this?" "What?! Is Fengyun Heroes a prophecy book?!" "A thief stealing for the poor? Incredible!" "Amazing! To think Moo Young Sin Tu exists in Wuhan! That phantom thief is real!" "Unhyeon? So does that mean Unhyeon exists too?!" "Let's reread the part with Moo Young Sin Tu." "We must tell others about this!" People were rushing out of Dasugak, eager to share the astounding news with their companions. To spread the word that Fengyun Heroes had come to life. To tell the tale of the phantom thief, Moo Young Sin Tu, appearing in Wuhan. "Moo Young Sin Tu is real...? So Ho Pil Writer wasn't just speaking nonsense?" As Dasugak buzzed with excitement, the Dasuhoe member who had previously criticized Ho Pil Writer's risky move couldn't calm his surprised thoughts. —————— "How's the reaction these days?" "The sales of Fengyun Heroes have been climbing steadily." I informed Lim Ha-yeon about the recent turmoil at Dasugak while looking over the sales figures that Jeogal Hyang had just organized for me in the office. "A black origami crane? How did you come up with that idea? At first, you were intending to leave a note saying it was Moo Young Sin Tu, weren't you?" "Traditionally, a phantom thief must evoke a sense of mystery. Leaving an unmistakable symbol that's not easily replicated is key." Simply leaving a note saying Moo Young Sin Tu was here feels too childish and cheapens the image. Moo Young Sin Tu is a righteous thief. A thief who punishes the wicked and aids the weak. Establishing a mysterious symbol like a joker card or a chess piece would be more effective. So I pondered, how could I create a symbol for a mysterious thief? After some contemplation, the answer was the black origami crane. "I didn’t think they’d link the black paper left by the Moo Young Sin Tu in Fengyun Heroes to the black origami crane I created so quickly." "Normally, it would take more time to catch on. Even with the link of black paper, tying the fictional and real-life thieves isn't an easy task." "We have the travelers of Hawomundo spinning tales for us." I nodded at Lim Ha-yeon's words. Typically, it would take time for rumors about Lim Ha-yeon's righteous acts to spread, and someone would take forever to connect the thief appearing in Wuhan with the story of Fengyun Heroes. And even then, it would take more time for people to openly discuss the connection between the two thieves. Eventually, they would conclude that the thief appearing in Wuhan should be called Moo Young Sin Tu, but the entire process would have taken much longer. Of course, we compressed that time frame considerably through the mouths of the Hawomundo storytellers. "Because the rumors spread quickly, it gave us a significant advantage. We've only just started Moo Young Sin Tu's escapades. People are dying of curiosity, wondering if he truly exists, if he's actually a thief who robs the corrupt rich and shares with the poor." Hope should be answered with hope. As both a writer and an accomplice to the phantom thief, it was a task I had to embrace. I began folding the black origami crane that Lim Ha-yeon was to leave behind tonight. Having watched me silently for some time, Lim Ha-yeon finally spoke. "We'll need to move swiftly. By the way, where did you learn such a skill?" I learned it in elementary art class. After school, instead of buying dual-colored paper, I chose single-sided colored paper, using the left-over money to enjoy fried snacks dipped in spicy sauce at a local eatery. I also bought a 500-won glue stick, which would later become famous for another purpose. Of course, I can’t reveal that honestly. "What's the matter?" Seeing my slightly embarrassed expression, Lim Ha-yeon tilted her head and asked. In the modern world, paper folding is something even elementary kids are taught. But here, it’s different. Folding paper into unnecessary shapes using expensive paper is considered a high-level art form used for certain ceremonies and funerals. How should I explain this? I thought of something good. 'I should score some points with Lim Ha-yeon while I'm at it.' I intentionally got up, gazing longingly out the window, and began speaking. "I originally vowed never to fold origami cranes again." Start with a pledge to oneself. By arousing curiosity, I suggested that the paper crane held a deep past. "You vowed never to use that skill again?" I didn't answer Lim Ha-yeon right away. Emulating the act of pulling out a painful memory, I took a moment before continuing. "Yes, because it was a skill I learned for my ailing mother." "For your mother...?" Was she taken aback? Lim Ha-yeon's voice trembled slightly. "One day, my mother caught an infectious disease. Being young, I couldn't visit her in fear of catching it. Full of worry, I happened to meet a man from a foreign land at the harbor." "A man from a foreign land?" "He said he was a famous sorcerer. Was his name Abeno Seimei? Or Asakura You? Anyway, he told me something remarkable." "What did he tell you?" "He said if I folded a thousand cranes, one of the symbols of eternal life, and gifted them to my mother, a miracle might occur. As a child seeking hope, I learned how to fold them, pouring my heart into each one." "And then... you folded them?" Lim Ha-yeon knows how this story ends. She’d heard from the guild records what happened to my mother. But a tragic story, even if known, enhances its narrative appeal, making it more compelling. "I did fold them. As a child with clumsy hands, I initially struggled to fold them correctly. Yet, with each crane folded, wishing for my mother's recovery, I somehow convinced myself that she would get well." I deliberately raised one corner of my mouth slightly. A bittersweet smile of youthful ignorance, mourning the ineffective efforts of my younger days. This would draw a reaction. "When a mother is unwell, there's little a young child can do." Indeed. Lim Ha-yeon had similar experiences. "How many did I fold in total? I don’t remember. Maybe there was no need to remember since there was no longer a reason to fold." "......" Her death, my mother's passing. The boy no longer had a reason to use his skill. "If I had folded them faster, reached a thousand in time, would she have survived? Would the miracle have occurred? I’m still not sure." "It wasn't your fault..." Perfect. This is the moment. As Lim Ha-yeon approached with a solemn expression, I composed myself, casting aside sad memories with a gentle smile towards her. "I'm folding these paper cranes now, which I vowed never to fold again. I'm folding them for you, Ha-yeon." An origami crane I swore never to fold again. A crane folded only for my dear mother. I'm breaking that vow and folding it for you. For someone as precious as my mother. "Um..." Does she understand? Slightly embarrassed, Lim Ha-yeon avoided my gaze. The black origami crane that became Moo Young Sin Tu's symbol—within it, my feelings for you are encased. I was sure my message had gotten across, but since I had decided to score points, I might as well aim for perfection. "Though the first miracle didn't succeed, this time, it will." I took a step closer to Lim Ha-yeon, grasping her hand with a resolute expression. I will not let go. I will protect and cherish. Expressing my sincere resolve towards her. "You..." Lim Ha-yeon gazed at me with a flushed face. Isn't this a perfect score? Lim Ha-yeon took a step closer, her excited breath felt at a mere distance. Oh? Wait a moment. Did I aim too perfectly? Is it alright to progress things further? No, the guild leader did warn me to maintain some caution due to her role as a courtesan on the run. Hold on. Lim Ha-yeon, didn’t you also get a stern warning? Why are you cautiously leaning in? What do I do? Just as I was losing composure. "Eek!" A distressed voice came from behind us. "Ah!" "What?!" “That's so unfair, both of you!” Behind us stood Jeogal So-jeo with a sullen expression, looking dejected. "Haha. Jeogal So-jeo..." Oh, right. She was in the office with us. I had momentarily forgotten her presence since I had piled up documents high enough to block my view of her at her desk. With her head lowered in disappointment, Jeogal Hyang spoke up with a darkened expression. "Am I really that invisible? Even during family meals, I suddenly find myself alone. But still, I'm diligently working since earlier, even taking on Ha-yeon Unni's tasks since she's busy. But when she holds hands with you... I thought I'd intrude if I stepped in during your moment. And yet, she said she'd look out for me but just goes on ahead. What am I supposed to do?" Perhaps we've hit a nerve of PTSD. "Ah... um, Jeogal So-jeo?" Lim Ha-yeon approached Jeogal Hyang with an unusually apologetic expression. "Jeogal So-jeo, it's a misunderstanding. It's not like that." "Hmph..." Comforting the disheartened Jeogal So-jeo turned out to be quite the task for a while. **** Meanwhile, at the outset. The regular external meeting of the Dasuhoe. "Do you understand now? The grand scheme of Ho Pil Writer." One member said while clasping the shoulder of the member who had stirred discord accusing Ho Pil Writer of overstepping. "What on earth... And what’s with the sled?" The distressed member looked puzzled at the sled that could easily carry a person. "Get on." "What?" "Now, let's get ready, everyone." "Of course." Upon that cue, the other members of Dasuhoe began to prepare synchronously. "There’s no need for this, is there?!" "How dare you doubt Ho Pil Writer!" "Truly a troublemaker." "Quickly, tie him up!" "To lose faith signifies one's demise!" "Andidi—no, Ho-pil sir, we're sending another one up!" With the handling of the troublemaker and the news of Moo Young Sin Tu's appearance in Wuhan, the rumor began to spread throughout the entire region.