204

Chapter 204 - Return - 2

I am not the protagonist of the original story.

The character I am possessed by, Kang Yoonho, is not even significant enough to be called an extra in the original work.

He merely exists in the records to confer the attributes of a widow and a villainess onto the heroine, Mo Yong-sang-a, within the game.

The protagonist of the martial arts dating sim is clearly revealed through dialogue in the original work.

[That red hair. You must be from the Hwasan faction.]

To associate the Hwasan faction with red hair.

Even though it is a world where the Green Forest has green hair and the Sacheon Dang family has purple hair, it's still preposterous.

Probably because the most famous sword technique of the Hwasan faction is the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, they made it red hair. The fact that the protagonist's hair is also a plum blossom red must stem from the same reason.

"The red-haired disciple from the Hwasan faction."

I quietly recited the shocking line that I still remembered.

A kind and justice-loving protagonist, who, despite not having any money in his pocket, showed kindness to the princess he met for the first time by buying her noodles, but was teased for not treating her to at least a carbonara.

Concerns about the original protagonist don't easily leave my mind.

"Leaving the Hwasan faction to wander as a knight-errant, getting entangled or dragged into various incidents, and eventually reaching the ending."

That's the summary of the protagonist's storyline that I've seen. There's too much about the story I'd like to give feedback on, but it can be succinctly summarized to that extent.

Honestly, I don't want to get involved with the protagonist.

Maybe if I had started as an extra from the Hwasan faction or been a martial artist, it would be different, but I'm Kang Yoonho, the barbarian from Joseon.

It's hard enough to be responsible for my life and the lives of the women who trust me, let alone for the life of a protagonist that I completely do not know.

If only there weren't this one problem.

"The trouble is that the Demonic Sect plays a significant part when it rises."

In the original work, the protagonist plays a significant role when the Demonic Sect stirs the world. If this world had followed its original history, the protagonist's fate would not have changed.

If things had been as they were.

"The storyline has collapsed because of me."

It's been two years since I dropped into this world. There were forewarnings.

Looking up at the ceiling, I recalled the heroine I met first in this world.

"Mo Yong-sang-a probably no longer needs money."

I thought I hadn't greatly disrupted the original storyline when escaping the Moyong household, but upon reflection, I realized I had affected it significantly.

The necessary attribute to capture the original Mo Yong-sang-a was money.

I didn't play through the entire Mo Yong-sang-a route in the original, so I'm not exactly sure, but there must have been a time when a large sum of money was needed in the story. But now, the protagonist's money is of no use to her.

Because when I helped her escape the Moyong family, I handed over to her all the wealth of the Kang family in the Central Plains.

Of course, I thought she might have trouble easily absorbing the Kang family's wealth, but that was an unfounded worry. The Korean ginseng that arrived at the Sacheon Dang family from the Moyong family was obviously Mo Yong-sang-a's.

Compared to the wealth I gave her, the money the original protagonist accumulates would not even be considered a large sum.

It's safe to say that the original protagonist's Mo Yong-sang-a storyline route has effectively disappeared with my arrival.

"The Cheon Sal-sung episode may not be deleted, but I will make it disappear for sure."

Cheon Sal-sung. A murderous demon who roams the Central Plains, indiscriminately slaughtering.

Cheon So-hee, who fell victim to Cheon Sal-sung's murderous intentions, is no longer present.

It hasn't completely disappeared, of course. It's just that the timing has been slightly pushed back. If I don't take action, eventually, So-hee will meet her fate.

It doesn't matter. I'll make sure to prevent So-hee's miserable future.

"The biggest problem is that the most important Dang Hwarin episode has vanished."

Even if Mo Yong-sang-a's storyline disappeared, even if Cheon Sal-sung's episode vanished, I wasn't too worried about the original protagonist.

But the Dang Hwarin episode is different.

If Cheon Sal-sung's episode is part of the middle of the story, Dang Hwarin's episode is part of the beginning.

It's the episode that makes the protagonist famous, helps him get closer to the princess, and shows her strength.

Without the Dang Hwarin episode, the martial arts dating sim's storyline comes to a halt in the early stages.

"I've ended up erasing both heroines the protagonist was supposed to end up with."

With the Dang Hwarin episode gone, the protagonist has lost the opportunity to raise his fame in one fell swoop.

He may still act as a knight-errant, but he'll likely only be remembered as an unusual martial artist who left the Hwasan faction to pursue knighthood.

"I'm an extra myself, and now I've turned the protagonist into an extra, too."

For me, it's fine. If the original heroines are the real heroines, then it means an opportunity has come for me.

The protagonist can go find another woman and play at romance, ending up leading a happy life. He has exceptional martial arts talent, so he's bound to settle down somewhere without worries.

If only the two extras could live happily ever after. That would be nice.

"The problem is that the world has to confront the Demonic Sect hoodlums without the protagonist."

Is it possible?

I wonder if we can prevent the disaster without the protagonist and the one woman he could just barely control.

"As troublesome as the real heroine."

Will Dang Hwarin or Cheon So-hee, or someone else, be the real heroine? Or might it be Mo Yong-sang-a, whom I might see again someday?

I have no intention of halting my journey for fame, nor do I plan on giving up the heroines that may come into my arms.

However, if the predicted disaster happens, the hoodlums of the Demonic Sect might crash into my bookstore.

Time is still on my side. Yet, it feels like an unsolvable summer homework assignment lays before me.

What should I do?

------------------------------

"Young Master Kang. Let us go to Seocheon Courier Service together."

When I regained my senses, I heard the voice of a Dangpa from outside the door.

Had I fallen asleep without realizing it? Despite the multitude of problems cluttering my mind, thanks to the exhaustion of travel, my body felt light after a good sleep.

"Are we departing directly to the clinic?"

"No, the boats aren't coming in today. The Seocheon Courier Service branch in U-san invites you, so it seems you should go with them."

"Understood."

Seocheon Courier Service? Although it's operated by the Sacheon Dang family, what could they possibly want with inviting me?

While I had my doubts, I set out for the Seocheon Courier Service with my companions.

"I apologize. Customers have suddenly flocked in, so our distinguished guests, please wait a moment. I'm sorry."

"That's fine."

A person dripping with sweat emerged from the Seocheon Courier Service and led us to the guest room.

Such sweat in this weather. It must really be busy.

"Why can't I? If there's a boat coming, I should be able to board, right?"

"Young lady. There are limits to the number of passengers we can take, so we can't allow you to board so abruptly."

"Why is it a problem if just one or two more people board?"

"Only those with clear identities can board the ship."

"Who has a clearer identity than I do?"

"Haha, only those with reservations may board."

"Hmph!"

"Listen here, courier! Didn't I tell you that I have enough money!"

"It's not a matter of money!"

"Are we really going to do this?!"

"If you wait for the ship after next, I can help you. Even for me, this ship is difficult."

"Haha. Alright then, I'll settle for that."

Securing a boat seems to be a tough situation. Sounds of commotion drifted from here and there.

"It seems everyone is quite busy."

The soundproofing is rather poor.

"I'm sorry! The winter weather has warmed, and with everyone rushing at once to travel on the Yangtze River by boat, these complications have arisen."

The man, introducing himself as the branch head of U-san, came into the guest room with a pleasant face.

The branch head, becoming rather confidingly, complained that because Seocheon Courier Service, being run by the Dang family, operates large boats, many customers wish to make use of their services.

"I'm worried that by appearing so suddenly, we've only added to your burdens, my apologies."

"Not at all. This courier service is managed by whom but the Dang family? If anything, we should apologize for inconveniencing you to stay at the inn, given the tight quarters here."

Honestly, I was pleased rather than sorry, but out of politeness, we exchanged the obvious pleasantries.

"We are thankful that you are willing to lend us a boat."

"Haha. What a courteous young man you are. Indeed, it is right to hand this over to you."

The branch head then took a small object from his bosom and showed it to me.

"A jade tablet?"

What the branch head was holding was a finely carved jade tablet.

"My reason for inviting you here involves this jade tablet. If you have a request for Seocheon Courier Service, you can use this tablet. We will fulfill most requests."

A Seocheon Courier Service free pass.

The right to use courier services for free isn't just about saving on delivery charges. It's not just courier work, after all; they can assist with matters requiring force as well.

It's a very valuable item. However.

"I appreciate it, but I must decline."

I handed the jade tablet back.

"Why is that?"

"Young Master Kang, that's a valuable item. Please don't refuse it."

When I refused, the Dangpa watching beside me tried to persuade me.

Refusing a free courier service voucher—weird, isn't it?

"The head of the Dang family has regained consciousness. Continuing to owe the Dang family might not look good on their part."

This is poison. Touch it and you die.

"Certainly, it seems like a proper response. However, you're mistaken about something."

The Dangpa, seemingly grasping my intention, nodded and suggested a misunderstanding.

"What misunderstanding?"

"This tablet isn't a gift from the Dang family to Young Master Kang, but rather from Dang Hwarin herself."

"Hwarin? What are you talking about?"

"You will need to exchange letters with her using the courier service, will you not?"

"Ah."

"Seocheon Courier Service has branches evenly distributed in nearby provinces like Hubei and Shaanxi, and of course, the headquarters is naturally located in Sacheon Province where the Sacheon Dang family resides. Any letters you send to Miss Dang Hwarin will arrive faster at the capital than with any other courier service."

The Dangpa continued to explain, apparently aware of the reason for giving me the jade tablet.

"I'm also unaware of the reasons, but I heard Miss Dang Hwarin say to hand over the jade tablet to a Mr. Kang Yoonho."

"It was for letter exchanges."

Come to think of it, I did say I would write a letter to Hwarin, but I hadn't specified how I was going to send it.

Could Hwarin have thought the same and stepped forward to make things easier for me? It wasn't exactly as touching as the rarest experiences of life, but it was a bit moving.

"You may mainly send letters, but if you have other matters, please feel free to come to us anytime. It just so happens that the head of Seocheon Courier Service has ordered us to greatly expand the branch in Yichang, so don't worry and come by anytime."

Because of me? Having a courier service that I could ask for help from expanding is something I should be happy about, but it feels unsettling.

The expansion of the courier service would have been influenced by the head of the Dang family. And her excessive attention could prove to be poison for me.

I sent a glance to the Dangpa, as if asking, won't this poison kill me?

"The owner of that jade tablet is Miss Dang Hwarin. You needn't worry too much about other issues."

The Dangpa nodded as if there was no problem at all.

Is he saying that even if problems arise, Hwarin will take responsibility, so don't worry about it?

A bit guilty towards Hwarin, but as a poisoned person, the Dang family's standing must be solid, so expecting this much is probably okay.

"I'll make good use of it."

Let's not overdo it. In the end, I accepted the jade tablet.

"The jade tablet belongs to Miss Dang Hwarin, so it must not be transferred to anyone other than Young Master Kang Yoonho. Also, while it can be used to send letters to others besides Miss Dang Hwarin, if someone else wishes to send a letter to Young Master Kang Yoonho, they must pay."

"I wouldn't expect any less."

Would there be a use other than sending letters to Hwarin…

Wait?

Hold on?

Letters?

"Young Master Kang? Is something the matter?"

Seeing my serious expression, the Dangpa asked with concern.

Yes.

A very good idea just occurred to me.

--------

"That's it!"

I hurriedly returned to my room and quickly pulled out the brush and ink given to me by Hwarin.

I can do something.

A storyline that's been thoroughly shattered.

A protagonist whose development has concluded.

Even if I can't revive the heroine route, there is a way to cultivate the protagonist.

A method only possible within this world, by me.

"Let's write a letter."

Not to Hwarin, but

to the original protagonist.

From now on, I am.

"Going to be the protagonist's tall benefactor."