Surviving in a third-rate martial arts world
Vol. 1 - Ch. 10

Regardless of my judgment as a former reader, Wang Dae-geon has completely been intoxicated with his emotions for the past few months.

It was as if he were the doomed person in the novel and I were his counterpart.

Even so, he couldn’t say a word to me in front of Ju Cheol-rim or the Evil Blood Clan people he treats as brothers. He couldn’t be anything but a pathetic guy.

‘No. Actually, he isn’t so pathetic.’

I was about to take a step away from him, but then he called me in his unique tone.

“But, Eun-ri, Ju Hyung is curious… that crazy bald head. Is he still on the second floor?”

“Yes.”

Without ever having to listen to his question, I gave an answer. Actually, it was obvious what was happening.

I guess they wanted to ask if Mu Myung was still inside on the second floor.

“If it is him, I saw him yesterday too. He refused to sit and said he would stay in the room for the time being and take care of the patient. So, Mister Won, please do not go up to the 2^nd floor for the time being. I think it will be awkward to see him.”

I made up all the lies without a care. Well, what about a lie? It isn’t like this guy could see through my lies like Ja-hyun could, and it isn’t like Mu Myung, who left last night, will come back to speak the truth.

Well, Ju Cheol-rim and Wang Dae-geon had been beaten to pulp by Mu Myung and hadn’t been able to step into the 2nd floor for the past few days in his fear.

They showed such shameless looks and were determined to wait a week before they knew of his presence in the guesthouse.

Then, I am not sure if he didn’t want to speak more or didn’t want to show his intimidated look, but he raised his voice for no reason.

Ugh, again! Eun-ri, Mister Won? I told you to just call me by my name or something else!”

“…”

“You keep making mistakes with that. Though I have been waiting for you to start calling me, now I am getting a little upset with your nature.”

“…”

I hate this.

“Eun-ri, you aren’t young anymore. This guy will teach you carefully, so don’t make any more mistakes.”

How was Ju Eun-ri able to call this man Dae-geon and follow him sincerely?

In the <Return of Heavenly Demon>, whenever Ja-hyun encounters Wang Dae-geon, he suddenly appears from somewhere and blocks Ja-hyun’s path, so it wasn’t completely unaware of Wang Dae-geon’s personality.

Well, it wouldn’t have been easy for Eun-ri, who had known Wang Dae-geon since she was 16, to show him that she didn’t like him.

Even if there were some things that did catch me off guard, I probably had to pretend not to notice and say, ‘but he is still good to me’.

But, as someone who has a deep understanding of Wang Dae-geon’s psychology, knows his future actions, and has more social experience than Eun-ri, it was almost impossible not to hate people like Wang Dae-geon.

“Yes. Won… bro. I have to work now, so will you please leave the kitchen?”

“It looks like there is a lot to do… I can help you.”

“No.”

Because of that, although I could do it, I didn’t hide my dislike for Wang Dae-geon.

But if the other person asks, ‘Do you hate me? Uh? No.’ Just enough to make him wonder and imagine running, I kept a smiling face and tried to use a friendly tone to show that I didn’t hate it.

“Go get me some water, please, if you have nothing else to do. And trim a few trees. Since your income is the greatest, you must make the most of it.”

“…”

Even if I said it, perhaps it was because of the innocent expression on Eun-ri’s face, or maybe it was because he’s never even considered the possibility that a woman younger than him would rebel against Wang Dae-geon, who, as always, doesn’t show a single hint of anger but has this puzzled look on her face.

‘Uh, okay, I will do it later when I have time.’, he said, making me shake my head.

A few days had passed since Ja-hyun opened his eyes.

Meanwhile, the physician had made a visit, and the cotton cloth wrapped around Ja-hyun’s body turned a bit lighter, and the diet that consisted of a bowl of watery porridge was replaced with an easy-to-digest meal.

Despite that, Ja-hyun was still unable to leave the guesthouse room. Not only Ja-hyun’s wishes were fulfilled, but mine as well.

In the hope that he would only focus on recovering and that he wouldn’t run into Ju Cheol-rim, who returned to his room on the second floor after wandering around for no reason, or Wang Dae-geon, who was in the alcove on the first floor, I brought Ja-hyun meals 3 times a day, showing an unfiltered look of frustration every time he spoke.

Still, like Ju Cheol-rim, I never shouted or pretended to raise my hand.

As expected, there weren't many differences between this guy and the Ja-hyun from the book, except for the fact that he started talking more and became more erratic in behavior.

It was relatively recently that I realized that fact. After that, I was able to stop being as scared as before when I saw Ja-hyun’s frown.

This was because I already knew from the book that he wouldn’t carelessly lay hands on a woman who hadn’t learned martial arts.

‘Well, if it was needed, he wouldn’t hesitate to touch it.’

Aside from that, I told Ja-hyun to avoid Ju Cheol-rim and Wang Dae-geon because I didn’t want him to get caught up in the meaningless and unpleasant events that appeared in the original work, but I guess that unknowingly, dissatisfaction built up inside Ja-hyun.

Because it was a very hot day, just to think about it, I took a moment during the business hours and brought a basin full of water, towel, and bed, and he said this without a look.

“I want to take a bath today.”

I answered with a straight face.

“No.”

After speaking, I thought it might be harsh, so I added an additional explanation.

“The wounds on the body haven’t even healed yet. It is time for you to just get cleaned by cloth.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Doesn’t matter…? Didn’t you hear what the physician said the other day? He told you to refrain from going into the water for a couple more days. If possible, avoid the water from touching the wound.”

I squeezed out the water-soaked cloth as hard as I could.

It was given to him to wipe his face, but as soon as the other person took it, he immediately started taking off the shirt.

However, I was used to this, so I just looked at the scar-covered upper body and said,

“Ah, don’t undo that. It hasn’t been long since it was done.”

“I wasn’t asking for your opinion.”

Ja-hyun eventually gave up on untying the cloth, said something about his neck being wiped, and I just snorted.

“Is it okay if I just stop taking a bath in the tub?”

“I said don’t bother.”

“I plan to go to the river tonight. So when you bring dinner in the evening, make sure you also bring in a change of clothes.”

“…”

Who is this guy treating me like some maid?

No, let’s be patient. Let’s bear with him this time, Eun-ri.

“You want to go to the river later?”

Instead of answering the question I asked, he gave me a positive look, making me ask.

“You don’t mean to tell me you will dip yourself in the river, right?”

“You don’t think so?”

“No, if you were fine, I wouldn’t have said a thing.”

Although the ending was vague, the meaning of my words was clear.

Due to extensive and profound wounds on his body, he couldn’t go around bathing himself in open waters.

“No. What if you get infected?”

Even after I said it, I thought ‘oops’ for a moment. Does Ja-hyun even understand the concept of infection? What if he asks me to explain it?

“As I said before, I never asked for your opinion.”

Fortunately, he didn’t seem to care much about my words. He continued to speak in an annoyed tone.

“Don’t you understand what I said? You need to just bring in clothes, as I tell you.”

I frowned at his extremely arrogant tone.

No… Who are you treating me as some inferior being since earlier?

“Ju Eun-ri.”

“…”

“Answer?”

What is this? Is it about my answer?

“I don’t want to. I won't. What kind of bastard's answer is this? Anyway, even if other people worry about it…”

When I mumbled the words for him to listen, Ja-hyun showed a genuine look of shock.

What? Why would I care about you? Is that what I looked like?

“What? Wouldn’t it be better for you to worry about you than to worry about me, Ju Eun-ri?”

Seriously man!

“Seeing how you live in this shabby place to feed yourself and let an unknown man into your place and give them things without thought, I guess it makes more sense for you to worry about yourself than about me.”

“…”

Even though all this was said, I felt bad.

“Y-You..!”

I got angry and opened my mouth!

How smart do you think you are?

Not only is his body broken, but even the head seems broken! I have a great business running! So don’t care!

“…”

I was about to shout it back, but then I went silent.

When I looked at him objectively, it felt like there was a flaw in my personality as I was criticizing the weaknesses of a child who, although a bit pricky, hadn't recovered from the wounds and had no place to head home.

Of course, even though Ja-hyun has no memories of his current life, he has memories of being great in the past, and he knows he can destroy 10-20 of such guesthouses if he wants to. But I cannot give him chances to do it.

“What?”

Ja-hyun asked in a soft voice.

I was so distracted and mumbled to myself.

“There is no need for you to worry… Bring the clothes; what more? Ask me, your lifesaver, to do anything and be your personal servant. Very great right, What is great in this future....?”

Of course, it would be great. I knew. But I wanted to say something back to him.

Knowing that Ja-hyun wouldn’t be angry at a small rebuke, but then, for some reason, like he heard my words, Ja-hyun mumbled.

“Wasn’t it Ju Eun-ri who told me to take it easy?”

“Yah, I never said this much, okay?”

No matter how much I thought back, I couldn’t recall telling him to speak to me this condescendingly.

What does he think of me? his servant? An ass wipe?

Well, I don’t know for sure, but I feel very keenly that the current me is a much greater opponent to him than the original Eun-ri.

After that talk, which continued for several minutes, one side got pushed unilaterally.

No matter how much I tried to stop him, this time Ja-hyun showed no signs of backing down.

“That is it. enough.”

In the end, I, who was well aware of his iron-strong stubbornness, was the first to declare defeat.

Right, whatever.

Would it be possible for the MC of a murim novel to die from an infected wound? At most, he will be sick for a few more days.

The problem was that in that case, there was a high chance that I would have to take care of him.

‘It cannot be helped.’

I sighed deeply.

Since this had happened, it wouldn’t be bad to show a bit of sincerity and score points with Ja-hyun.

“I will put the boiled water in the tub later before the business closes, so don’t go to the river and get sick. Wait till the night and wash yourself.”

Ja-hyun, who was silent, slowly opened his mouth as he thought about the words to say.

“Favors are gratefully accepted.”

It was a decision made despite the hassle. But although the other person said thank you, this attitude looked insincere.

I glanced sideways at Ja-hyun, who wasn’t wiping his face with a towel.

Then, Ja-hyun, who seemed to be turning the gaze towards me, made me avert my eyes.

‘Ugh, why is he looking at me like that again?’

I sighed again.

Despite getting used to him for the past few days, I felt uncomfortable around him.

It was alright when we were talking, but when there was silence, he would always narrow his eyes and stare at me like he was seeing right through me. It made me feel a little like I was gasping for air.

Is it because the book Return of the Heavenly Demon was a poor novel that didn’t describe in detail the inner lives of the MC and the supporting characters?

Sometimes, I felt like the MC of this novel I read was such a stranger to me.

“I will come to call you at night, so don’t wander around and wait here. I am busy, so I will leave now.”

“…”

Right, people.

It feels like a real person is what I was dealing with, rather than a character on paper.

Every time it happened, I would experience an odd emotion that was hard to put into words. As a result, I quickly left the room, grabbed the basin, and ended the conversation.

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