Thud!
The legendary title of a thief in the Martial Arts World is known as 신투 (God Thief).
You could imagine the slippery images of legendary thieves like Lupin, Phantom Thief, Iron Mask, and so on from various media.
Whether it’s the Master Thief of Legends or the Shadowless Thief, the nicknames for these elusive thieves can vary slightly in different Martial Arts stories, but it doesn’t really matter.
Most share similar clichés anyway.
Of course, being a thief, if caught by the owner, they must whoosh away, possessing not just rare but legendary-level skills in Light Body Movement and being adept in Concealment Techniques and disguises.
As a legendary thief, they even take on the image of a hard-to-catch golden goblin or a miracle shuttle.
Now, the 무영신투 (Shadowless Thief)?
In a typical Martial Arts story, one might picture a master of exceptional Light Body Movement, a mysterious figure whose identity no one knows—a thief of unmatched skill.
If it were a normal Martial Arts story, that is.
“But this world isn’t Martial Arts; it’s a Martial Arts dating sim, that’s the problem.”
When thinking of the archetype of a thief, wouldn’t it often be a middle-aged expert famous for legendary thievery since their teenage years?
So why on earth is the 신투 a young woman with pink braided hair?
In the story, while the 무영신투 shows outstanding abilities, one might doubt if she truly deserves to be called a thief.
“Well, since we’ve met, I should at least plant a good image.”
How great it would have been if the Shadowless Thief were a relaxed middle-aged protagonist! Then there wouldn’t have been anything to worry about.
All the women represented in the original work could potentially become true heroines, so I should help.
Bang!
“Catch that stowaway!”
“We’re going up! Corner her!”
As I opened the cabin door, the deck was in chaos.
“Eek! Please don’t stab me!”
She dodges! A girl with braided hair is whoosh narrowly avoiding an incoming sword.
It looks like she barely escaped, but someone like me, a master in a Martial Arts dating sim, can immediately recognize it was a minimal movement to evade in the narrow space of the ship.
She’s probably an outstanding fighter with excellent Body Movement skills. However, the opponents aren’t easy, and this place isn’t exactly her home turf.
With about a dozen postmen shuffling in to close in on her, soon the Shadowless Thief was cornered at the edge of the deck.
It was time to call “Checkmate!” and what do you know? Behind the Shadowless Thief, the rushing current of the river can be seen.
If she were a master who could walk on water or had dolphin-level swimming skills, she might escape, but perhaps that’s not her skill set.
“Who are you? How dare you stow away on the Seocheon Post Office ship!”
Pyo-du raises his sword, questioning her.
“……”
“Why don’t you answer quick! Looking at you, it seems you are exactly the person we’ve been looking for from the Sabomun!”
“I’m someone who ran away from the evil ones of Sabomun!”
“Don’t lie! My nose cannot be fooled. There’s a scent of perfume all over the deck! Even without face paint, you smell that strong. You’re a courtesan, aren’t you?”
Pyo-du’s sharp observation! While a regular person might not notice, focusing on my sense of smell, I can catch that scent wafting from the deck.
“I’m not a full courtesan; I’m an apprentice courtesan. I escaped from the academy last night during the commotion.”
The “academy” here is what you’d call a Courtesan Academy. If you make it through training at the academy, you could become the star courtesan. If your grades are low, you might end up in prostitution instead.
Even thieves need fake identities to launder money. For her, in this world, she’s still just an apprentice courtesan.
“Ah, so it’s a runaway courtesan.”
“No wonder they were searching for someone at the academy.”
“A stowaway successfully breaching the Seocheon Post Office! Who’s managing the cargo around here?”
“I’ll behave and get off quietly. If you want, I can pay for the fare… Uh, uh-oh?”
The Shadowless Thief frantically searched her overly ample chest, only for her eyes to widen as she seemed to have realized something serious.
Did a thief lose her cash? She hurriedly checked every part of her body but finally shook her head in disappointment.
“I won’t accept the fare.”
Pyo-du carelessly replied to her.
“Really?”
The Shadowless Thief, upon hearing this, looked as surprised as a student who found their public transport card reading “No Balance” and was at a loss on what to do.
“Bind that courtesan and hand her over to Sabomun.”
“Wha-why?”
“As a runaway courtesan and stowaway, do you need any more reasons?”
It’s true. Even in a world where courtesans are treated somewhat like idols, they still possess a lowly status. Returning her to where she came from, away from her register, makes sense.
“Ugh!”
“Bind her!”
With Pyo-du’s command, the postmen cautiously closed in on the Shadowless Thief.
In front of her stood postmen with swords. Here, in the middle of the river! Unless the river in Yichang has enough depth, jumping from this rushing current could mean death.
The situation had reached a boiling point.
With a trembling face, the Shadowless Thief gazed at the raging current behind her. Will she get caught or will she fall? She must be pondering the dilemma.
Either way, it’s a desperate situation.
Finally, it’s my turn to step in!
“Only when the truth is revealed can I assist you.”
I manipulated the Small Wheel Mental Image Technique, drawing the attention of the postmen behind me.
“Master Kang!”
“Lady! If you keep lying, it’ll only make things worse.”
I approached her with a relaxed expression.
“W-what lies am I telling?”
“Despite not wearing much makeup, you reek of perfume, and I can see calluses on your hands from wielding a brush and instrument. So, you must indeed be a courtesan. However…”
“However?”
“I can also see calluses from wielding weapons on your hands. You’ve moved on this ship faster and more nimbly than any sailor, indicating that you have learned the ascending movement techniques.”
Let’s act like I’ve seen all the evidence with my own eyes. I focused hard on the Shadowless Thief’s hands, and she was taken aback, quickly hiding them behind her.
“I’ve picked up some martial arts as a hobby.”
Sounds like you’re a real magician learning to kill with spells through your preparatory classes.
“It’d be better to speak frankly. The Sabomun has also handed me plenty of evidence.”
“Evidence?”
“Had they merely moved to catch a runaway courtesan, they could have asked for help finding her. They didn’t mention runaway courtesan; it suggests the Sabomun wished to avoid attention. Now, a courtesan from the entertainment district, a Sabamun, and a trained courtesan? The conclusion seems obvious.”
The culprit is in here! I felt like a detective strolled into the scene of a murder, slowly weaving through the postmen toward the Shadowless Thief.
“What’s your conclusion?”
Pyo-du looked at me who had approached him, with a curious expression.
I passed him and looked towards her, stating my gathered facts.
“Hao-mun.”
“Huh?”
“What relation do you have with Hao-mun?”
—
Hao-mun.
While the orthodox sect had information groups made up of beggars, in the underworld, there’s a faction called Hao-mun which consists of thieves, gamblers, courtesans, and other low-class citizens in society.
A courtesan trained in martial arts and a thief.
The fact that the Shadowless Thief is associated with Hao-mun is part of the original setting; her allegiance probably hasn’t changed either.
“I don’t have any relation with Hao-mun…”
“Think it over. You’re a runaway courtesan now. If this continues, you’ll be handed over to Sabomun. But if it becomes a matter of sects, you’d have to consider which side to lean towards. So if you’re honest, I might help you.”
I spoke to her with a glare that seemed to know everything. She stiffened her expression and lowered her head slightly.
Don’t ponder it. Accept my help when it’s offered. If you deny even that, you’re going to be dragged away.
“…The Hao-mun Umbrella Division was attacked last night.”
Seems like she reached her decision, answering about the events of last night.
“Hao-mun Umbrella Division?”
“Several factions, including Sabomun, launched a sudden raid, and the chief of the Umbrella Academy is dead. Only I, an apprentice courtesan, managed to escape.”
“So you were on your way to convey this news to Yichang?”
“Yes. I was cautious, as if I was caught, the information could leak.”
So that’s what happened.
Hao-mun is a nationwide faction. Sabomun is the faction in Yichang.
At first glance, it seems like Sabomun went crazy, but the reality is different.
Hao-mun is an organization formed by the lower classes of society. It’s more of a group selling information than a martial arts sect swinging blades.
Even if there’s a force to handle their operations, they likely think they can manage without information leaking out.
“I appreciate your honesty. Pyo-du, while it may seem proper to turn in a runaway courtesan, it might be better to not get involved if it turns into a sect matter.”
It’s not a runaway courtesan’s affair; it’s a dispute among factions. Ignoring it could very well be the best option.
I carefully advised Pyo-du to play dumb.
“Master Kang. A runaway courtesan skilled in martial arts might lie.”
Looks like he didn’t want things to go smoothly. Pyo-du is the one in charge of this ship. It seems he’s not someone who can be easily swayed by my words.
Then I suppose it’s time to bring out my plan.
“Where was that lady hiding?”
“In a wine barrel.”
“Since I bought the barrel, that makes it my responsibility.”
“……”
“Take me to Yichang.”
I spoke firmly.
“Master!”
“I bought the barrel, so I’ve already paid for that lady’s fare.”
“Sabomun may hear about this and retaliate.”
“If they had that in mind, they would have acted at the port.”
The main culprit from Sabomun publicly cursed at me. I could tell everyone had drawn their swords. They had been scared on their home turf, and now they’re planning to harm me here in Yichang?
If people from the Tang family or the Seocheon Post Office hear about this, if I end up hurt, it wouldn’t end well for Sabomun either.
“If that’s your wish…”
“Lady.”
“Y-Yes, yes!”
“I guarantee your safety. Your heart may feel heavy about this approaching misfortune, but your body should be at ease.”
I spoke to her with a serious expression, like a righteous swordsman, then I headed back to the cabin without looking back.
—
Victory tune plays!
After the chaos calmed down, I stood on the deck under the moonlight, smiling at my victory.
What’s the best way to create a connection with a woman?
Just shove a lady hiding in a wine barrel onto the deck?
And just threaten gently to keep her safe!
All I have to do is keep her quivering and tie her up as a runaway courtesan, and I’ll take care of the rest.
Just like a knight on a white horse!
Through my brilliant deduction, I peculiarly display intellect and save her decisively, solidifying her admiration for my heroics.
I don’t know if the Shadowless Thief is the true heroine or not, but if we meet again someday, I’ll surely leave a good impression.
Even if that’s not the case, at least I’ve managed to reduce the chance of a bookstore being robbed!
‘Now, it’s time to wrap this up.’
I’ve saved the Shadowless Thief twice. Now, just wait…
“Master.”
Yeah! It’s about time to show up!
