I can’t believe I’m getting kicked out of the room I borrowed.
When my mother kicked me out to clean the pigsty, it wasn’t unfair at all. Since she didn’t seem inclined to open the door, I eventually gave up and went back down to the first floor of the inn.
I barely ate anything earlier; I wonder if they have some noodles or something I could order.
“Oh? Were you here?”
When I came down to the first floor, a familiar face acknowledged me.
“Mr. Wang? What brings you here?”
It was Mr. Wang from the cloth shop. Fancy seeing him here.
“I’ve been so busy today that I haven’t eaten a single meal. I suddenly found some free time and came to order food.”
Mr. Wang’s cloth shop is near this inn.
“I’m going to eat too; do you want to join me?”
“I was going to take it to go because I’m busy, but, well, let’s eat together.”
Mr. Wang and I sat down and ordered some simple food.
“Business is going well these days?”
“I’m dying here. It’s been a complete mess lately.”
“Why’s that?”
I asked casually, but it seems there might be an issue.
“The head of the Gapsu Association was assassinated. The Gapsu Association supplies most of the silk in Chilgok County. Now they say they can’t deliver silk for a while.”
“If you can’t sell silk, it must be hard to make money.”
While the cloth shop mainly sells fabrics like silk and unbleached cotton, it’s likely that selling luxurious silk is where the real profits lie.
“Right! You get it quickly! Why don’t they sell it at the original price? Why aren’t they putting it out for sale? Are they hiding it? Every customer gets into a frenzy over it.”
“Ugh. How can they say they have no silk? That’s just cruel.”
You have to receive stock to be able to sell it. It reminds me of my days working part-time at a convenience store.
“一 Do you have that white broth ramen? Do you have honey sweets?
一 No.
一 You’re hiding it and lying. I’ve been a regular for ten years; let me see the storeroom.
一 This convenience store just opened a year ago. Ma’am! Why are you trying to open the storeroom without permission!
There have to be a bunch of people looking for trouble for all sorts of reasons. Later, I just wrote big on paper: ‘Item you’re looking for is not available. Go to the next convenience store.’
Seriously, it’s the troublemakers that are the problem everywhere.
“No, they are hiding it, for sure.”
Mr. Wang spoke cautiously, covering his mouth.
“Oh, I see.”
So this is why those troublemakers exist.
“If I sell it right before I hear news that the Gapsu Association will resume silk delivery after the funeral, I’ll make a good profit. This is an opportunity.”
Mr. Wang had a proud expression as he relished his perfect plan.
“You have to time it well.”
“Even if I miss the timing, it will only drop to the original price. This is a business without losses. By the way, aren’t you working as a storyteller?”
“I am. I was invited to perform at the Gapsu Association’s sixtieth birthday party not long ago.”
When I performed, the reactions were great, and I got paid a lot. But then a series of horrific incidents occurred; that’s the issue.
“What I mean is, I’m talking about street performances. You came here and performed for a few days, and then you just disappeared from the marketplace.”
“Things happened after that that kept me from performing in the streets.”
After performing a few times, I met the Cheonsapa. The ending conditions screen popped up. Wrote “Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes” and failed spectacularly. Disappointment ruined my life! Just as I was thinking this, I got an invitation to the Gapsu Association’s sixtieth birthday.
I struck it big at the birthday party and thought to myself how life is full of ups and downs, then I met the Heavenly Killing Star. At this point, it’s not just ups and downs; it’s been a sequence of incidents on the level of a sports car.
“I mean, you’ve been a significant part of my recent busyness.”
An unexpected story spilled from Mr. Wang’s mouth.
“Huh?”
What does he mean?
“You see, people are talking all over the marketplace about you these days.”
“Huh?”
“The performance at the Gapsu Association’s sixtieth birthday party spread like wildfire. The VIPs there were absolutely thrilled by your Hamurin Prince story, causing quite the stir!”
The reactions were fantastic back then. I was eating and drinking, at peak condition, so my performance was stellar, and I was satisfied too.
“That spread to the marketplace?”
“It’s a huge deal! The VIPs invited to the Gapsu Association are not your average folks. Would they find ordinary storytelling amusing? The people from the marketplace, who didn’t get to hear your story inside the banquet hall, were even more excited!”
“Oh wow. That’s surprising.”
“So you should come out and tell your Hamurin Prince story again. I’m busy as hell, and where have you been? Didn’t that storyteller run off somewhere else? Are you hiding like that silk? I’m getting hassle from people!”
“There are many waiting for me, so while it’s nice to be wanted, I’m a bit worried.”
Suddenly, memories of that day arise. The rain falling from the sky, the damp ground, the foul smell, and the pain.
“Why? Is it because of those Cheonsapa guys?”
“Yeah, kind of.”
If I’m just going to earn money to hand over to the Cheonsapa, it’s better not to do it at all.
“Let me tell you some good news. I haven’t seen those Cheonsapa guys around lately.”
“Huh? Did the government office take them?”
“No, they just disappeared for some reason. If you’re worried about the Cheonsapa, you shouldn’t hesitate to perform.”
Did they get killed by other members of the Black Knife? Did they clean up the Cheonsapa at the castle gate? What’s the reason? If they’re not around, that’s definitely good news.
“Then I can perform after all.”
“If you just show up, it’ll be money hand over fist. Don’t worry and come out.”
“Food is served!”
After eating the food brought by the attendant, I parted ways with Mr. Wang.
——–
“Sohee?”
Can you open the door now?
As evening fell, I stood again in front of the room, calling for the Heavenly Killing Star. I really want to rest in bed.
I have no idea what exactly Heavenly Killing Star was dissatisfied about, but I waited until it got late.
I even considered walking outside for a bit, but I felt I’d get that fleeing feeling, so I couldn’t leave the inn.
There were fewer guests today, so at least I didn’t have to worry about odd looks, but if the inn was crowded, I’d probably have heard complaints about me not leaving quickly.
“Come in.”
The door to the guest room opened, and I heard a voice from inside.
Yes. Thank you. You’re finally opening the door.
As I stepped inside, the Heavenly Killing Star was squatting in the corner of the guest room just like yesterday.
‘That’s not the face of Ok-bun.’
Heavenly Killing Star’s face in the corner was her true face. Maybe she’s relaxed because she didn’t need to disguise herself for the situation.
“Sohee, your clothes have changed.”
It wasn’t the outfit I first met her in. I had no idea where she got it, but she was now dressed in ninja attire.
“I changed into comfortable clothes.”
Is that outfit comfortable?
The neckline was exposing, and red strings dangled from her neck and body.
Especially that red string leading from her neck to her chest is quite something. Is it just fashion? Or is it some superior size that even inner strength can’t support?
The side of her chest gently pressing against the red string would surely keep men awake that night just by looking at it.
It would be nice for someone watching, but she says she finds that ninja outfit comfortable; that’s odd.
Does it feel like a uniform or work attire? I guess it’s familiar and feels comfy.
“Sohee, it’s dark now; shouldn’t you eat something?”
I held a simple snack in my hand.
“I’m not hungry.”
“I don’t know why you’re feeling down, but you’ll feel worse if you’re starving too. I’ll put it beside you; eat it if you get hungry.”
I just wanted to feed her something she likes and foster friendship, but the Gapsu Association’s martial artists ruined it all.
I cautiously moved closer to where Heavenly Killing Star was.
As I turn my gaze slightly towards her, a stunning view would unfold, but I shouldn’t look.
Big brothers don’t think such things about their childhood friend’s little sister. I should just bend down and place the food there.
But the moment I bent down, I realized it.
I’ve underestimated ‘that.’
Overwhelming mass generates overwhelming gravity. No matter how much I pretend to be nonchalant or keep a poker face, there are things a man cannot withstand.
At that moment, as my gaze was being subtly drawn by that singularity’s gravity, my eyes met with Heavenly Killing Star’s.
Gah! Sohee, it’s not that I was lured and let my gaze drift! This is a matter of an unavoidable gravitational phenomenon!
Fortunately, Heavenly Killing Star was merely watching me place the food beside her.
Once I set the food next to her, she glanced at the menu I placed down for a moment. A dissatisfied look in her eyes.
Is it perhaps not the menu she wanted?
She’s pushing her luck.
Some live on a block of flour bread for a day, and here she is asking for rose-tteok twice a day, that’s crossing a line.
I placed the food down next to Sohee and sat on the bed. Heavenly Killing Star continued to stare at me without touching her food.
Does she not think about food? Should I strike up a conversation? Asking why she locked the door would be a bad move, though; maybe I could bring up a memory that doesn’t exist.
“Running….”
Heavenly Killing Star murmured in a low voice.
“Huh?”
“I thought you would run away. I didn’t expect you to stay.”
“Haha. Sohee, where would I run off to, leaving you behind?”
Running away from the killer, that’s a clear death flag in martial arts.
The moment I even show a hint of wanting to flee, I’ll go from “brother” to “bro” cracking into pieces, becoming a complete scoundrel.
The essence of Cheonli Chujong Hyang is still probably in my body too; running away isn’t the right move. If I want to part ways, I should let Heavenly Killing Star leave me, I can’t be the one to go.
“Right.”
Heavenly Killing Star nodded quietly and buried her face in her knees.
Is there nothing left to say? Then I guess I should tidy up my clothes.
Pulling out my prized Joseon outfit from my belongings.
“Wow. They really cleaned it well.”
I could wash old clothes just anywhere in a stream, but I couldn’t do that with a thick robe. I’d prefer dry cleaning if only there was a laundromat here.
When I was at the Gapsu Association, I asked one of the servants who passed by to clean it for me.
Later, when they brought it back, I just got up to thank them, but I didn’t expect it to look this good. It looks completely new. I should have given a better thank you since I was getting ready to welcome Heavenly Killing Star.
“I have to work tomorrow.”
I subtly hinted about my schedule for tomorrow to Heavenly Killing Star. I’m going out. She can come or not.
I need to keep working, or I’ll get neurotic from this subtle back-and-forth in this room with Heavenly Killing Star.
It would be better to head out to work as a storyteller and earn money.
“You speak well.”
While I sorted through the clothes I would wear tomorrow, Heavenly Killing Star spoke from behind me. Her voice was low, but I could sense a tone of praise in it.
She must be referring to my performance at the Gapsu Association.
“I only did that to ensure you wouldn’t get hurt, Sohee. I may not be a great speaker, but just now, I felt a surge of strength.”
A big brother gets strength when thinking of his little sister. I could just dress it up that way.
“You tell stories well too.”
What could she be talking about? She can’t have found out about my childhood friend lie yet. Did she see me performing?
“Did you hear me speaking at the Gapsu Association?”
“They said it was a story from Joseon. Just a bit.”
Heavenly Killing Star gave a little nod. So she saw that much.
“I feel a bit embarrassed knowing you heard me. I must be blushing right now.”
I scratched my cheek and gave a shy expression.
Heavenly Sohee stared at me intensely before parting her lips. There was something she seemed hesitant to say. She continued to look at me and finally spoke.
“Did you tell stories that well even when you were little?”
The hesitation she had was a question about my past.
This is the opportunity.
It’s the first time she’s shown curiosity about me since yesterday. It’s evidence that she’s interested in me.
Yeah, I’ve always spoken well since I was little. My three-inch tongue melted everyone’s heart. Spouting such self-praising lines is a lame move. I can’t just give a casual answer to this question.
I let out an inward sigh of relief.
Thank goodness.
I had already prepared what to say in this situation.
Heavenly Killing Star interrogating me.
A way to use if she couldn’t trust me with yesterday’s logic.
A method I had concocted for when she became curious about my past.
Should I try to use that plan now?
