Ep484 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

The words inscribed on the first page of the book were undoubtedly in Korean. The mother tongue that only Baek Woo-jin could comprehend in this world. As soon as he laid eyes on it, an overwhelming surge of emotions swept over him. Shock, confusion, astonishment. Amidst the chaos and bewilderment, there was a tinge of joy. Because he had lived such a miserable life there, he thought he would never experience homesickness. ‘Maybe not entirely.’ He suddenly understood why there was a saying about old grudges turning into affection. His struggle against the tidal wave of emotions only lasted up until that point. He couldn’t afford to be merely surprised and pleased, as the situation surrounding Baek Woo-jin was far from ordinary. So, setting aside his emotions, Baek Woo-jin read the first passage inscribed on the page. [Damn, this sucks.] [I complained that the book I borrowed from the library was boring, and got sucked into its world.] The character, Baek Yuseong, was a transmigrator like himself. In a similar fashion. Yet, it wasn’t entirely the same. ‘Library...’ Unlike him, who was drawn into this world while reading a web novel on his smartphone, it was written that Baek Yuseong borrowed a book from a library. This meant that he was pulled into this world much earlier than Baek Woo-jin. Libraries where one would borrow novels were only seen during his middle school days. Since then, as novels began to gradually transition to being serialized online, the publication of physical books dwindled, leading the industry to naturally fade away. The fact that Baek Yuseong borrowed and read books there indicated he got transmigrated into this world at least 5 to 10 years earlier than Baek Woo-jin. ‘It couldn’t have been the same novel.’ Even if they shared the same universe, it couldn’t be exactly the same novel. Above all, the eras are different. And although the protagonist follows a heroic path, the details are vastly different. “…Did they write another novel set in a world that already failed once?” In truth, whether or not the novel based on the world where Baek Yuseong was transmigrated into failed is unknown. For all he knew, it might have garnered some popularity, mingled with the nostalgia of the library days. However, there was a reason Baek Woo-jin assumed the first novel in this universe had failed. ‘If the author ever tasted success even once, they wouldn’t write a novel like this.’ Both novels Baek Woo-jin had transmigrated into were third-rate. The plot meandered without direction, and the storyline continually shifted. That’s why Baek Woo-jin, who used to read novels lying at home, once unleashed 5,700 words of comments out of frustration. Unable to bear the consistently unstable and erratic atmosphere of the story, he shouted in exasperation, which led to his current predicament. Baek Woo-jin, who had suffered and gained experience there, knew well. Those who have tasted success, even once, never act without a backbone. Even if they foresee failure and seek change, they do not indiscriminately pull in every idea and turn their carefully crafted narrative into literary garbage. Having concluded his thoughts, Baek Woo-jin slapped his forehead and sighed. “Ah…, this isn’t the time to be worrying about that.” Whether Baek Yuseong’s world was a success or not didn’t matter at all right now. Knowing this, he still found himself digressing. But it was inevitable for him. “What can I do when just thinking about that bastard makes my blood boil uncontrollably…!” He could not forgive the one who had thrust him into the abyss of death, not once, but twice. If he had the chance to behead either the Demon King he fought in that other world or the third-rate author who threw him into this mess, he’d choose the author, even if it meant facing obliteration with everyone else. “Phew, let’s calm down.” After venting his anger and soothing the turmoil of his emotions, he turned the page with a more collected mindset. His thoughts continued there as well. [With each passing day, I come to realize.] [Just how good the world I lived in really was.] [Every other day, someone dies, and I crawl on the ground just to survive.] Unlike himself, who had been transmigrated as the child of a noble family, Baek Yuseong had been a beggar. During a time when a bloody storm swept across Zhongyuan, unlike the deceptively peaceful present. A beggar who lost his parents and home in the war between two great factions that divided Zhongyuan. Who endured countless jeers and scorn to beg for a handful of food, or rather, life itself. Hungry and powerless, a beggar. [Choosing the wrong house to beg at, ended up fighting with the household slaves; unable to overcome the numerical disadvantage, I was beaten, when my true fate found me.] [The Cheonmun Sect, they said.] [I bore the sign of a hero born with the star of heroism.] [My life changed drastically from that moment.] Having trained in martial arts at the Cheonmun Sect, he exhibited innate talent, quickly reaching a high level of mastery. What followed was the familiar saga everyone knew. Bolstered by the backing of the Cheonmun Sect, he emerged in the chaotic martial world, transforming into a hero. Overcoming countless crises and growing stronger, he ultimately drove out the evildoers and stood tall. “…Quite similar to me.” A narrative not too different from his own experiences in the previous world. Of course, a single book couldn’t possibly encapsulate his entire life. His own life was filled with unspeakable pains and joys. Hence, trying to measure it with just one book was futile. It shouldn’t be, and yet, he found himself inadvertently empathizing. “He sure had a tough life, this guy.” Delving deeper into life's trenches compared to others. After the lengthy saga summarized in just a few pages, he read on about what followed. [The reward for the arduous times that came thereafter.] [A god with atrocious writing skills spoke to me.] [Having suffered to save this world, I will grant you a wish in return—just name it.] At this paragraph, Baek Woo-jin’s face scrunched in disbelief. “A god spoke…?” This implied the third-rate author had personally reached out to him. “Favoritism, huh.” Baek Woo-jin had already saved one world. However, no god appeared to him. He only heard the voice of a goddess, who seemed to be an agent of the third-rate author. While his wish was granted just the same, it somehow left him a bit disgruntled. If he had heard the author’s voice, his wish might have been vastly different. Suppressing the simmering anger, he turned the page. [So, I made a request.] [I don’t care about anything else, just let me land a solid punch on your face.] At this, his heart raced. What would happen? Did the wish get granted? [It was denied.] “…….” Of course. No way would that miserly author grant such a wish. [I pondered over what to wish for.] [Should I ask to return to my original world?] [But I've formed so many connections here.] [It wasn’t an easy decision.] [So, I said.] [Give me some time to think.] [The usually unyielding third-rate author surprisingly agreed to my request and said before leaving.] [I’m conceptualizing my next work, so feel free to let me know whenever you decide.] “…Next work?” Sensing an ominous atmosphere, he flipped to the next page. [At that moment, I was convinced.] [If he wrote another story, someone else would surely experience what I did.] [Because.] Baek Woo-jin didn’t need to read further to know what the next line would be. “Because he writes terribly.” [Because he writes terribly.] Seeing the exact sentence appear made Baek Woo-jin grin. “As expected.” If it was just a matter of his writing not resonating with the era's sensibilities, it might be appreciated someday. But writing without any backbone would never receive good feedback, no matter when or where it was placed. And his writing was undeniably the latter. Feeling a strong sense of camaraderie once more, he turned the page. [I suddenly had a thought.] [Could he be deliberately writing poorly to abduct those who criticize his books?] [Perhaps I am here because… it was an inescapable part of the plot he created.] “…….” A perspective Baek Woo-jin had never considered. Though not entirely implausible. “No, it’s quite plausible.” He thought the author’s joy ended at writing third-rate novels. But if not, what then? What if his pleasure lay in selecting and abducting a critic who read his book, forcing them to endure hardships and overcome them? “…If that's the case, he's a villain beyond imagination.” To delight in watching someone struggle through trials. “Shouldn’t he be called an evil god at this point?” Baek Woo-jin chuckled bitterly. Seeing it written down, it almost seemed humorous. What differentiates a benevolent god from a malevolent one? Such distinctions are mere illusions crafted by humans. Gods are simply gods. Unfathomable beings that humans can neither fully comprehend nor should they strive to. Pausing his thoughts, he turned another page. [Suddenly, an emotion surged.] [I want to ruin the picture he has painted.] [To disrupt his desired flow and leave it in complete disarray.] [And so, I finally decided on the wish I would ask of him.] What could he have wished from the god to disrupt the story? With a heart pounding in anticipation, he turned the few remaining pages of the book. [Let me see the future.] [That's what I wished for.] Author’s Note I will see you in the next chapter. Thank you, as always, for reading. Have a peaceful night. (_ _)