Chapter 3

“Are you really okay? It doesn’t seem like a normal pain…”

Song Chaeji let out a deep sigh at the clearly worried words.

The most important issue right now wasn’t the mysterious man they had just brought in yesterday, but the girl herself.

Her kind and selfless heart was the real concern.

“Yang Sodang. That man is a man, but right now, we need to worry about you.”

“But…”

Yang Sodang’s trailing words and the trust-filled gaze she directed at Song Chaeji spoke volumes.

She believed that with Song Chaeji by her side, her problems would be solved.

“Of course, if you do your best, it won’t be a problem, but…”

“Ah, it’s out!”

“Just in case, Yang Sodang, let’s go together.”

§

‘If this is reality, what should I do from now on?’

The sharp pain in his head, as if it were a dream, allowed Namgung Woo to objectively analyze his current situation.

First, he understood that this was reality.

But what had happened to him?

Had his consciousness been transferred into the game “Chasing Deer Murim”?

Or had he been transported to a completely different world with the game’s body?

The situation was similar to what he had occasionally read in novels, so Namgung Woo quickly accepted the reality and analyzed the situation.

It was clear that he now possessed the body of a character from “Chasing Deer Murim.” The energy flowing within him and the immediate control over his eyes confirmed it.

But that was all Namgung Woo could figure out.

The information he had was too scarce. He could come up with a few more hypotheses, but determining which one was correct would have to wait.

‘For now, it’s best to focus on what’s in front of me.’

Gathering information was urgent.

As he organized his thoughts, Namgung Woo was greeted by the sight of Yang Sodang running toward him and Song Chaeji following behind, rubbing her forehead.

Remembering belatedly that they had saved him, Namgung Woo clasped his hands together in a gesture more formal than the Fist Salute—a Bow Salute, as was customary in “Chasing Deer Murim.”

“I am deeply grateful for your help. I will repay this kindness.”

Even if his body from “Chasing Deer Murim” could endure days and nights of hardship without a single muscle ache, the fact that they had offered him shelter was enough for Namgung Woo to feel indebted.

Song Chaeji, moved by Namgung Woo’s sincere Bow Salute, quickly resolved the matter she had been pondering.

She clenched her right hand into a fist and placed it against her open left palm—a basic Fist Salute among martial artists.

Though slightly different in meaning from the Bow Salute, it was still a gesture of respect.

“I must apologize for my earlier rudeness.”

“Not at all. It’s only natural to be cautious of a stranger.”

“Thank you for understanding. Let me introduce myself. I’m Song Chaeji. And this here is…”

“Yang Sodang!”

Yang Sodang raised her hand and shouted her name.

Despite the chaotic situation, her lively demeanor brought a smile to Namgung Woo’s face.

“I won’t forget the kindness of saving me.”

Though she seemed to be in her mid-teens, Namgung Woo spoke respectfully, honoring his savior.

Perhaps it was awkward to receive such respect from an elder. Yang Sodang giggled and hid behind Song Chaeji.

“Hehe, it’s nothing…”

“Then I should introduce myself. I am…”

Just as Namgung Woo was about to reveal his name, a loud crash interrupted him.

The door swung open violently.

“Those guys…”

Song Chaeji’s expression hardened as if she had expected them to come. She gripped the sword at her side tightly and turned her body.

“Sorry, but let’s save the introductions for later.”

Before Namgung Woo could respond, Song Chaeji stepped forward.

Through the open door, Namgung Woo saw a group of people approaching.

“This is rude. You’ll have to pay for the door repairs.”

“Huh, it’s just a rundown inn. Think of it as early demolition prep!”

Right!

The man’s taunting words were met with cheers from the group behind him.

‘So that’s why there were no guests in what seemed like an inn.’

Namgung Woo’s eyes quickly scanned the surroundings.

The interior was clean, showing signs of regular maintenance, but there were no traces of human activity.

‘They must have been disrupting business.’

The fact that his guess was correct was evident from Yang Sodang’s pale expression.

With Song Chaeji gone, Yang Sodang seemed to have lost her protector.

“What’s the issue with those people?”

Namgung Woo approached Yang Sodang and asked. But before she could answer, the commotion at the door grew louder.

Song Chaeji’s angry voice, devoid of any formalities, echoed.

“Fine! If you’re going to keep this up, let’s settle it with a Martial Duel, as agreed!”

As if they had been waiting for Song Chaeji’s bold declaration, the group chuckled and stepped back from the door.

Namgung Woo watched the scene unfold and roughly understood the situation.

“So, you’re in conflict with them over this place.”

“…Sigh. You’ve seen an unsightly side of us.”

Song Chaeji, who had been about to say something to Yang Sodang, turned her gaze to Namgung Woo, who had spoken first.

“I didn’t mean to drag you into this. Luckily, they haven’t noticed you yet. There’s a back door; you can leave without being seen.”

Perhaps she had stood in front of the door to hide Namgung Woo. Her thoughtfulness was deeper than he had imagined.

Song Chaeji tried to exclude Namgung Woo, a third party, at this point, but he didn’t leave.

“It seems you’re in conflict with those people.”

“Sigh… Well, it’s not something to hide. Yes.”

According to Song Chaeji’s explanation, the group belonged to the Black Bear Faction, a local gang that controlled the county. They were trying to force Yang Sodang’s father to sell the inn at an absurdly low price.

From this explanation, Namgung Woo learned two things.

First, the location. If Song Chaeji was correct, Namgung Woo was currently in Pyeongyo County, a village in Shanxi Province.

Second, this wasn’t the world of “Chasing Deer Murim.” Despite having traveled across the Central Plains, the setting of “Chasing Deer Murim,” Namgung Woo had never heard of the Black Bear Faction.

Even if there were many small factions in remote counties, the fact that Namgung Woo hadn’t heard of them suggested that this was a separate world from “Chasing Deer Murim.”

“Then shouldn’t you seek help from the authorities?”

In the martial world, there was a famous saying.

“Officials and martial artists do not interfere with each other.”

More poetically, “Well water does not intrude upon river water.”

No matter how many martial artists used force to exploit the people, openly defying the authorities was unthinkable—or so Namgung Woo thought. Song Chaeji cut him off sharply.

“It’s useless. If they haven’t acted by now, they must have already been bribed. And more importantly…”

Song Chaeji tapped the sword at her side, emphasizing its presence.

“I’m also a martial artist. Reporting to the authorities would mean losing the right to claim the martial way. This is better.”

Rather than relying on uncertain authorities, she trusted her own martial skills.

As a martial artist living in the martial world, there was no better answer.

How could someone who lived by the sword not have faith in their own skills?

Thus, Song Chaeji challenged the Black Bear Faction to a Martial Duel. In modern times, this would have caused an uproar as vigilantism, but in the martial world, it was an everyday occurrence.

There was much more Namgung Woo wanted to ask, but their time was up. Shouts and laughter seeped in from outside the door.

The mocking tone, bordering on arrogance, made Song Chaeji’s brow furrow.

“We’re out of time. Yang Sodang, escort the gentleman out. And…”

“I’ll watch too.”

As Song Chaeji’s eyes turned to him, Namgung Woo spoke firmly.

Namgung Woo had no reason to leave. The two were his saviors, and observing how strong these mysterious martial artists were in this unknown world was something he welcomed.

“…Do as you please. But I can’t take responsibility. Just looking after Yang Sodang is enough for me.”

“That’s fine. I’m already grateful for your consideration.”

Namgung Woo smiled faintly, causing Song Chaeji to flinch and step back.

“Ahem, well, let’s go.”

Perhaps due to the urgency, Song Chaeji’s movements were hurried.

Namgung Woo, with a faint smile, followed Song Chaeji.