I am not the original protagonist.
The reckless Kang Yoon-ho I possessed can hardly be called a mere extra in the original story.
In the game, he exists only in records, created to endow the heroine Murong Sang-a with widow and villain attributes.
The protagonist of this martial arts otome game makes it clear with dialogue in the original.
[That red hair. It’s the Volcano Sect.]
Red hair belongs to the Volcano Sect?
In a world where Green Forest people’s hair is green and the Sichuan Tang Family’s hair is purple, it’s still hard to fathom.
Perhaps they called it red hair because it’s associated with the most famous sword technique of the Volcano Sect, the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, and the protagonist’s hair color is red, like red plum blossoms.
“A red-haired disciple of the Volcano Sect.”
I quietly recited the shocking line that still lingers in my memory.
The kind and righteous protagonist, who offered noodles to the princess I first met with money that wasn’t even in his pocket, even earned a small frown for not offering something like carbonara.
Thoughts about the original protagonist wouldn’t easily leave my mind.
“Leaving the Volcano Sect, getting embroiled in various incidents while traversing the heroic journey, ultimately leading to the ending.”
That’s the storyline of the protagonist I saw. There were endless points to provide feedback on, but I could sum it up like this.
Honestly, I don’t want to get involved with the protagonist.
If I were an extra starting from the Volcano Sect or a martial artist, it would be different, but I’m Kang Yoon-ho, the barbarian from Joseon.
I can hardly bear the lives of the women who believe in me, let alone worry about the life of an absolute stranger like the protagonist.
Unless one problem is resolved.
“The issue is that I play a big role when the Demonic Cult rises.”
In the original, the protagonist plays a crucial role when the Demonic Cult stirs chaos in the world. Had this world flowed according to the original history, the protagonist’s fate would not have changed.
That is, if things had gone as they were supposed to.
“Because of me, the storyline has crumbled.”
It’s been two years since I fell into this world. There were signs.
I looked up at the ceiling and recalled the heroine I first encountered in this world.
“Murong Sang-a likely no longer needs money.”
I thought I hadn’t disturbed the original plot significantly when I escaped from the Murong family, but upon reflection, I realized I had disturbed it quite a lot.
The financial figure needed to win over the original Murong Sang-a route?
I didn’t play through the whole original Murong Sang-a route, so I’m not sure, but there must have been times when a large sum of money was required in the story. But now, she doesn’t need the protagonist’s wealth anymore.
When I escaped the Murong family, I handed over the entire Kang family fortune in the Central Plains to her.
Of course, I thought there was a chance she wouldn’t easily absorb the Kang family fortune, but that was just my worry. The Joseon ginseng brought by the Murong family to the Sichuan Tang family must be Murong Sang-a’s.
Compared to the fortune I provided, the money the original protagonist accumulates is likely not even a large sum.
It’s safe to say that with my appearance, the original protagonist’s Murong Sang-a storyline has effectively been erased.
“The Heavenly Killing Star episode may not have been deleted, but I will surely make it so.”
The Heavenly Killing Star. A murderous fiend roams the Central Plains, indiscriminately slaughtering.
So-hee, who had fallen under the killing intent of the Heavenly Killing Star, is no longer here.
Of course, she hasn’t completely vanished. It’s just that the timing has been slightly delayed. If I don’t advance, So-hee will eventually meet her fate.
No matter. I will ensure So-hee’s unfortunate future does not come to pass.
“The biggest problem is that the crucial Poison Girl episode has disappeared.”
Even though the Murong Sang-a storyline is gone and the Heavenly Killing Star episode is gone, I wasn’t overly worried about the original protagonist.
But the Poison Girl, Lady Tang’s episode is different.
If the Heavenly Killing Star is a mid-story arc, the Poison Girl is an early one.
It’s the episode that becomes the reason the protagonist gains fame and becomes close with the princess, allowing us to see the princess’s might.
Without Lady Tang’s Poison Girl arc, the early storyline of the martial arts otome game comes to a halt.
“In the end, I’ve erased both of the protagonist’s heroines.”
With the Poison Girl, Lady Tang, forever eradicated, the protagonist has lost a means to raise his fame in one fell swoop.
He can still act as a hero, but he’ll merely be remembered as a unique martial artist of the Volcano Sect working under the heroes.
“I’m also an extra, and now I’ve made the protagonist an extra too.”
I’m fine. If the original heroines are the true heroines, that means an opportunity has opened up for me.
The protagonist will probably find another woman and happily play romantic games. With his exceptional martial arts talent, he’ll likely settle down somewhere without worry.
Two extras lived happily ever after. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
“The problem is that the world has to deal with those Demonic Cult bastards without the protagonist.”
Is that even possible?
Can they truly stop the catastrophe without the protagonist and the one woman he can barely control?
“Just as troublesome as the true heroine.”
Is Lady Tang, So-hee, or maybe someone else the true heroine? Or, perhaps one day I might see Murong Sang-a again as the true heroine?
I have no intention of stopping the rise of my fame, nor do I plan on giving up on having a heroine in my arms.
But if a scheduled catastrophe comes, the Demonic Cult bastards could show up at my bookstore.
Time is still left. But it feels like an unresolved vacation assignment looms before me.
What on earth should I do?
——————————
“Master Kang! Shall we head to the Seocheon Post Office together?”
When I regained my senses, I heard a voice from the door belonging to the Tang family.
Had I fallen asleep somehow? My mind was cluttered with various problems, but thanks to fatigue, I felt light as a feather.
“Are we departing straight to Yichang?”
“No, the ship won’t arrive today. It seems you’ve been invited by the Seocheon Post Office to come along.”
“Understood.”
The Seocheon Post Office? Although it operates under the Sichuan Tang family, what could possibly require an invitation for me to attend?
I had doubts, but I proceeded with my companions to the Seocheon Post Office.
“My apologies. Suddenly, there has been an influx of customers. Please bear with us, esteemed guests, for a moment.”
“It’s perfectly fine.”
A sweating individual emerged from the Seocheon Post Office and led us to the guest room.
To sweat that much in this weather? They must be quite busy.
“Why can’t we board? If the ship arrives, can’t we just get on?”
“Unfortunately, we have a limit on the number of people who can board. If you attempt to board suddenly, it won’t be possible.”
“What’s wrong with just one or two extra people boarding?!”
“Only individuals with verified identities can board the ship.”
“Who here has a more verified identity than me?”
“Ah, only those with reservations may board.”
“Ugh!”
“Listen here, Pyo-du! Did I not say I have plenty of money!”
“Money doesn’t solve this problem!”
“Are you really going to act like this between us?!”
“We can help you when the next ship comes. As for this one, unfortunately, it’s a bit tough for me.”
“Ugh. Fine, then do that.”
Seems it’s tough to find a ship. Sounds of uproar could be heard from here and there.
“Looks like everyone is quite busy.”
The soundproofing isn’t very good.
“I apologize! As winter loosens up and passengers wish to ride the Yangtze River, it seems we’ve encountered this mess.”
The man who introduced himself as the division chief of the umbrella branch, wearing a friendly expression, entered the guest room.
“Sorry for appearing and perhaps adding to your burdens.”
“No, that’s not the case. Which post office operates here to complain? Rather, it’s the post office that is narrow and has to make you lodge in an inn that I feel sorry for.”
Though he wasn’t truly sorry and thought it was a sweet deal, we exchanged polite banter as a formality.
“We thank you for lending us your ship.”
“Ah, yes. A well-mannered young man. I suppose it’s okay to hand over this token.”
The chief pulled out an object the size of a finger from his pocket and showed it to me.
“An emerald token?”
What the chief held was a finely crafted emerald token.
“The reason I summoned you here is precisely because of this token. If you have something to ask of the Seocheon Post Office, just use this token. They will most likely entertain most requests.”
A free pass to the Seocheon Post Office, huh.
Having the right to use the post office for free isn’t just about obtaining free delivery service. Although their main task is delivery, one could also request assistance requiring martial prowess.
It’s an excellent item. However.
“Thank you, but I must decline.”
I returned the emerald token.
“Why is that?”
“Master Kang. It’s a precious item. Please do not refuse it.”
As I declined, the Tang family member watching from the side urged me not to.
Declining a free delivery pass? I must look like a weirdo.
“The Deputy Head has recovered his senses. Continuously relying on the Tang family isn’t a decent matter.”
This is poison. If I consume it, I’ll die.
“That’s certainly proper behavior. However, you seem to be misunderstanding something.”
The Tang family member seemed to grasp my intent as he nodded in agreement and spoke.
“Misunderstanding?”
“This token is not a gift to Master Kang from the Tang family but rather one from Lady Tang for Master Kang.”
“From her? What do you mean?”
“Won’t you be using this post office to exchange letters during your correspondence with her?”
“Oh, I see.”
“The Seocheon Post Office has branches evenly distributed around Hubei Province, Shaanxi Province, and nearby Sichuan Province. Naturally, the headquarters is in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan where the Tang family is. When you send any letters to Lady Tang, it should arrive at the capital faster than any other post office.”
The Tang family member seemed to understand why I was being given the emerald token and elaborated further.
“I’m not sure about the reasons, but I heard Lady Tang directed that Master Kang should be given an emerald token.”
“Looks like it was meant for exchanging letters.”
Now that I think about it, I did mention I’d like to send a letter to her, but I never specified how.
Could it be that Lady Tang took the initiative for my convenience? Though it wasn’t as touching as an experience that ranks among the finest in life, I felt a slight wave of emotion.
“You can use this for sending letters or you’re welcome to come by anytime for any other matters as well. For some reason, our Postmaster asked us to expand the branch in Yichang considerably, so feel free to visit anytime.”
Is it my fault? It’s a good thing if the post office I can turn to expands, but it also makes me feel uneasy.
The expansion of the post office was surely influenced by the Tang Family Head. Furthermore, such excessive attention from the Tang Family Head could be poison to me.
I sent a look toward the Tang family member as if saying, “Won’t I die if I eat this?”
“That emerald token belongs to Lady Tang; there’s no need to worry about other issues.”
The Tang family member nodded as if there’s not a single problem at all.
Is this to say I don’t need to care about issues as long as I don’t cause trouble as well?
I feel a bit sorry for Lady Tang, but if I play the role of poison, the Tang family’s position should be firm, so I suppose aiming for this much is acceptable.
“I’ll use it well.”
Let’s not use it excessively. In the end, I accepted the emerald token.
“It is to be used only by Master Kang Yoon-ho; it couldn’t be passed on to anyone else. Likewise, it’s acceptable to send letters to others, but if someone else sent a letter to Master Kang, a payment would be needed.”
“I didn’t expect so much.”
Even aside from when I want to send a letter to Lady Tang, I’m wondering if I’ll even have a reason to use it…
Huh?
Wait a moment.
A letter?
“Master Kang! Is something the matter?”
Noticing my serious expression, the Tang family member inquired with concern.
You see.
An excellent idea has just occurred to me.
——–
“I’ve got a method!”
I hurried back to my guest room, pulling out the writing materials Lady Tang had gifted me.
There’s something I can do.
The shattered storyline.
The protagonist’s growth has come to an end.
While I can’t save the heroine routes, there is a way to grow the protagonist.
A method only I can employ in this world.
“Let’s write a letter.”
Not to Lady Tang, but to the original protagonist.
From now on, I will be—
“I will become the protagonist’s fairy godfather.”
