I need to become famous by writing a novel.
Whether for my survival in this world, or to save the heroine from her cursed fate, I ultimately have to build up my reputation and finances.
“I guess I’ve been worrying too much because I’m dreaming of useless things.”
Early in the morning, I sat up in bed, washing my face with cold water while talking to myself.
I dreamed of an unfamiliar room that I vaguely recognized, where I enjoyed a feast prepared just for me.
How much would I have to work as a pest control guy to eat that kind of meal in a place like that? I have two holes in my body, eating tasteless hospital food, which must be why I had such rubbish dreams.
I feel like I saw something other than food, but honestly, it was just a silly dream. Spending too much time thinking about it is a waste.
A month has already passed since I parted ways with So-hee.
Finally, my body has returned to normal, and I have no discomfort moving around. It’s time to shake off the bed and pick up my writing tools.
What kind of novel should I write to become famous?
“Should I write ‘Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes’?”
That’s the first novel I ever wrote in this world: ‘Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes.’
Of course, I’ve also penned various pieces since coming to this world, like ‘Joseon Folktales,’ ‘Joseon Women’s Virtues,’ and even a fake diary, but as a web novelist, ‘Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes’ is the only one I can genuinely call a novel.
What is ‘heroism’? It’s the foundation of my first martial arts novel built under the pillar of martial arts.
Should I rewrite that novel?
This time, instead of using low-quality materials like last time, I should use stiff, clean paper and quality ink so that it clearly looks like a new book at first glance.
“Let’s put ‘Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes’ on hold for now.”
I thought for a moment, but once again, I must set aside my lingering attachment. From what I’ve learned in Chilgok County, the stories of martial artists aren’t really a major genre in this world.
It’s not that I lack confidence in my writing, but if it really is such an unpopular genre, even if I write a sequel, it might end up turning into a brick of a fantasy novel that only a few seek out.
Even if it’s not boring, it might just become that kind of furniture novel that you only keep in a corner since it’s too heavy to read lightly.
“Transcribing is a problem too.”
Rewriting ‘Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes’ is an issue. Once I finish the book, I have to make copies.
It’ll take a long time to become famous with just one book, but if I manage to sell several copies at bookstores and find popularity in one or two places, I could quickly become known.
Transcribing is labor-intensive too. Even copying works from famous novelists on my computer took a lot of time and effort, and here, I have to do it all by hand.
I’ll have to produce about 30 copies on my own, and just thinking about it requires immense effort and time.
What if the transcribed books fail?
The time spent writing the book, the time to make copies, the cost of writing materials, and expenses incurred while living and writing—all of that would go to waste.
Just thinking about it is dreadful. Does that mean all my effort, stained with ink, will amount to nothing?
In the end, I have to write a book that can definitely succeed at once.
“Should I just give it a try?”
I need to write a novel that can absolutely make me famous, no matter how many times I have to restart. So, I began to sharpen my ink.
“Pest control guy! We’ve got a problem!”
As I was about to write, a man who managed the hidden residence of the assassin group entered through the door.
He was a familiar face who used to bring me medicine and help me apply it instead of So-hee, so I found him quite friendly.
“What’s going on?”
“I need you to pack your bags and leave by tomorrow!”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I just got an urgent message from the assassin group!”
Did they tell him to kick me out?
“No way! Did someone from the assassin group say to throw me out? I’m Kang Yoon-ho! I’m the one connected to Heavenly Killing Star as the brother of So-hee. Didn’t she tell you?”
To be honest, it wasn’t like I hadn’t sensed it before. But they wouldn’t throw me out harshly since I needed to recover; now that I’m all better, they plan to boot me out?
I have to hang on.
It’s free lodging; I can’t just leave easily.
“I know. That’s why they let you stay for an extra month and treated you.”
“Then why this?”
“Well… Today’s the day the lease on the hidden residence ends.”
“Huh? The lease?”
Here’s the situation.
The assassin group didn’t buy a hidden residence because Daeheung County doesn’t get a lot of contracts; they just signed a lease. They thought they could renew it, but there’s suddenly been a redevelopment boom in Daeheung County.
Rental prices are soaring, and finding another hidden residence nearby isn’t easy, so they decided to vacate.
“Can’t you extend it by a month?”
“They say if you want to extend it, you need to pay this price. Would you pay it if you were me?”
The man from the assassin group showed me a document detailing the extension costs.
“Oh wow. I guess I have to leave.”
With that amount, I could stay at a decent, cost-effective business hotel for two months.
“Sorry about this.”
“No need. I’ll just move to a nearby inn.”
I didn’t want to spend money on lodging, but I had enough to stay in an inn.
“Pack tomorrow and don’t just head to a nearby inn; get out of Daeheung County.”
The man from the assassin group advised me with a serious expression.
“Huh? Can’t I just stay in Daeheung County?”
“I heard the Martial Alliance is sending an investigation team for the Head of the Seong Family incident. If the news about your pest control activities reaches their ears, it could cause trouble for you. Best to leave Daeheung County.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
——
The next day, I finished packing and was ready to leave the hidden residence.
“If it looks like you’ll settle, go check back in with the assassin group.”
The caretaker of the hidden residence explained in detail how to contact the assassin branch.
“I don’t think I’ll need to ask anyone to kill someone.”
“Haha! It’s not like that. It’ll help 5th branch know where you reside.”
“I should remember that, given that I might not have a way to let So-hee know where I’m living until I get famous.”
“Now that we’re parting ways, let me give you a piece of life advice.”
The caretaker suddenly became serious, just like a manager giving advice after a lively drinking session.
“Alright. I’m all ears.”
“The assassin group doesn’t have marriage leave or retirement.”
“That sounds rough.”
Seems like the assassin group is quite a company with its own quirks. People seem okay, I can see why it’s a friendly kind of organization.
“But there is a thing for pregnancy leave, so keep that in mind.”
“Huh?”
“When making a decision, don’t sweat the procedures; just get it done in one shot. Got it?”
The caretaker patted my shoulder a few times as if to encourage me and then disappeared.
Wow, I get the general idea, but we’re not at that level yet!
————
To escape Daeheung County, I traveled with others for ten days until I reached another county.
“Welcome!”
Entering the inn to eat, a waitress cheerfully greeted me.
“What dishes are cheap and good here?”
If this were a martial arts novel, I’d probably order some noodles and dumplings. Since each inn has different specialties, I have to ask.
“Stir-fried pork and pork cutlet are the popular dishes!”
Sure, in the martial arts world, it’s got to be stir-fried pork and pork cutlet.
I wonder if there’s an inn anywhere serving noodles, dumplings, or congee as their main dish.
“How much?”
Thinking positively, I guess I’ve got lucky with my inn choices. It’s fantastic that the two favorite dishes of office workers are the specialties here.
“Stir-fried pork is 35 copper! Pork cutlet is 40 copper!”
Back in Chilgok County, a hearty soup that was thick and meaty only cost 30 copper. Prices are steep here. Once again, it seems like a hearty stew is the best value here.
“I’ll have a stir-fried pork, please.”
“Sure, I’ll take your 35 copper upfront.”
I pulled money from my pouch to pay and sprawled comfortably in my chair.
It’s already been ten days.
I’ve been training in martial arts, and my body feels like it’s improved to a solid +2 strength. Yet, still, a ten-day walk is exhausting.
Now that I’ve distanced myself quite a bit from Daeheung County, I shouldn’t have any issues with the Head of the Seong Family incident.
Maybe I should just settle down here and dive into writing?
“Your stir-fried pork is ready!”
As I pondered, the cheerful waitress brought out my dish.
That was fast. Stir-fried pork really thrives on quick service. However, the stir-fried pork she brought out seemed a bit off.
“Waitress, I think there’s a mistake with the food?”
Thank goodness, I didn’t have to order rice separately at my first table!
Sometimes I think I should note down establishments that don’t serve rice with stir-fried pork. Just because the price is decent, does it mean I have to order rice separately?
In this inn, though, rice and pork were both served; however, there was one additional item I hadn’t ordered.
“Oh! Was it a fried egg?”
“Yeah, I didn’t order this.”
“It’s a service we offer to newcomers or regulars at our inn!”
“Oh…a service.”
I barely managed to suppress the urge to smack my forehead.
I thought I was used to meals, so I’d let it slide, but it turns out this world uses the word “service.” Huh. Really. Service in the martial arts world.
“Enjoy your meal, and if you like it, please come again next time!”
The waitress cheerfully called out as she returned to her station.
I approached the food with a frown.
Today’s dish.
Stir-fried pork from a martial arts dating sim.
Flavors of fire and goodness.
I felt like I wanted to scribble ‘I’d like to buy this again’ on my review.
—————-
“It’s been a week since you fell behind on the room fees! When are you going to pay?”
“I told you I will!”
“The people you were with have all disappeared, and you’ve been here alone for over a week—are you really going to pay?”
After finishing a satisfying meal, I sat back with a glass of water when I heard a couple fighting from above.
Looks like the woman is behind on her room fees.
I understand that feeling from my days in college when I was scrambling for rent.
I had to wait another week for my side job money, so I’d awkwardly avoid the landlord by either studying in the library or only entering my apartment late at night.
“Give it to me right now! Where’s your pocket?”
“Don’t touch my clothes!”
“What the hell! Why does this woman look like she has a disease? Is this a plague or something?”
“No way! That woman!”
Suddenly, noise erupted from upstairs.
“Stay back! She’s contagious!”
“Call management! There’s a woman infected with plague in the inn!”
What the hell, was there someone infected with the plague staying at this inn?
I had planned to stay here long-term to write, but now I have to rethink it. Did I just hear someone cough? Better get up and check before hearing more noise.
I hurriedly got up and glanced towards the source of the commotion.
The inn was structured like a ‘ㅁ’, with an open center reaching the ceiling, making it easy to spot where the ruckus came from.
I saw a group of men gathered on one side, and a woman with an aggrieved expression had her head down.
Huh? Wait a second.
“Oh hell no. It’s not a plague, I swear….”
With purple hair parted neatly, sharp eyes, and a delinquent-like look, her distinctly different skin tone from the jaw down…
It was the woman I accidentally met at the Head of the Seong Family manor.
A character straight out of a martial arts dating sim.
Poisonous Stare. Lady Tang.
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