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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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“Are you sure he’s alright? He didn’t seem well at all…”
At the worried words, Song Chae-ji inwardly sighed.
The most pressing issue wasn’t the unknown man they’d just taken in, but the girl herself. Her kind and selfless nature was a real concern.
“Dang-ah….Yang So-dang. That man is one thing, but you should be worrying about yourself right now.”
“But…”
Yang So-dang’s voice trailed off, her eyes filled with trust as she looked at Song Chae-ji.
She believed that with Song Chae-ji around, her problems would be solved.
“O-Of course, if Unnie does her best, it won’t be a problem, but…”
“Ah, he’s out!”
“…Just in case, Dang-ah, let’s go together.”
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‘If this is reality, what should I do?’
Now that the piercing pain in his head was gone, his clear thoughts allowed Namgung-Woo to objectively analyze his current situation.
He understood that this was reality.
But what had happened to him?
Had his consciousness possessed a body within the game Chu-rok Murim?
Or had he been transported to a completely different world with the body from the game?
Since the situation resembled those from novels he had occasionally read, Namgung-Woo quickly accepted the reality before him and began to analyze it.
It was clear that he possessed the body of his Chu-rok Murim character.
The energy flowing within him, and the fact that he could immediately control his enhanced vision, were proof of that.
But that was all he knew.
He lacked information. He could form several hypotheses, but determining which one was correct was a matter for later.
‘For now, it’s best to focus on the matter at hand.’
Gathering information was his priority.
As he stepped out of the room after organizing his thoughts, he was met with the sight of Yang So-dang hurrying toward him and Song Chae-ji following behind while rubbing her forehead.
Remembering that they had saved him, Namgung-Woo clasped his hands together in a gesture more formal than a simple bow…a respectful greeting he was more accustomed to from the Chu-rok Murim.
“I’ve received your great kindness. I will certainly repay this debt.”
Even though his Chu-rok Murim body wouldn’t catch a cold or suffer muscle aches from sleeping outdoors, he still felt indebted to them for their kindness in providing him shelter.
Namgung-Woo’s sincere gesture helped Song Chae-ji make up her mind about something she had been pondering.
She made a fist with her right hand and placed it against the open palm of her left hand, a standard martial arts greeting.
While slightly different in meaning from Namgung-Woo’s greeting, it conveyed the same respect.
“I, too, would like to apologize for my rudeness.”
“Not at all. It’s natural to be wary of a complete stranger.”
“I’m grateful for your understanding. It’s late, but let’s introduce ourselves. I’m Song Chae-ji. And this is Dang-ah…”
“Yang So-dang!”
Yang So-dang raised her hand and declared her name.
Despite the chaotic situation, her cheerful demeanor brought a smile to Namgung-Woo’s face.
“I won’t forget your kindness in saving me.”
Although she appeared to be in her mid-teens, much younger than him, Namgung-Woo spoke respectfully, acknowledging her as his benefactor.
Perhaps unaccustomed to being addressed so formally, Yang So-dang giggled and shyly hid behind Song Chae-ji.
“Hehe..it was nothing…”
“Then, I should introduce myself. I am…”
As Namgung-Woo shifted his gaze back to Song Chae-ji and was about to reveal his name—
*Crash!*
The door burst open with a loud bang.
“Those bastards…”
Song Chae-ji’s expression hardened, as if expecting this. Tightening her grip on the sword at her side, she turned away.
“I apologize, but we’ll have to finish our introductions later.”
Song Chae-ji sprang into action even before Namgung-Woo could respond.
As she strode towards the door, a group of men came into his view.
“How rude. You’ll have to compensate us for the door.”
“Heh, it’s an inn that’s about to collapse anyway. Think of it as us helping with the demolition.”
“Isn’t that right?!”
Cheers erupted from behind the men at the leader’s call.
‘So it’s an inn after all, but I suppose this is why there weren’t any guests.’
Namgung-Woo’s eyes quickly scanned their surroundings.
The interior of the building was clean, as if it had been regularly maintained, but there were no signs of recent activity.
‘This group must have been disrupting their business.’
Yang So-dang’s pale face confirmed Namgung-Woo’s suspicions.
Perhaps it was because her protector, Song Chae-ji, was gone, but Yang So-dang looked frightened.
“What’s the problem with these men?”
Namgung-Woo asked as he approached Yang So-dang. But before she could answer, the commotion at the door escalated.
Song Chae-ji’s furious voice, no longer concerned with formalities, echoed through the inn.
“Fine! If you’re going to keep acting this way, then we’ll settle this with a spar, just as we agreed!”
As if waiting for her challenge, the group backed away from the doorway with faint smiles.
Observing the scene, Namgung-Woo grasped the situation.
“You seem to have a conflict with them over this place.”
“…Sigh. I apologize for this unseemly display.”
Song Chae-ji, who had been about to say something to Yang So-dang, turned to Namgung-Woo.
“I don’t want to get you involved. Fortunately, they didn’t come inside, so they probably haven’t noticed you. There’s a back door. You can leave through there without being seen.”
Had she immediately blocked the doorway to hide him? Song Chae-ji was more considerate than he thought.
While she tried to keep him out of it, Namgung-Woo didn’t leave.
“It seems you have a dispute with those men.”
“Sigh…well, it’s not something I need to hide. You’re right.”
According to Song Chae-ji’s explanation, the men belonged to the Black Bear Gang, a notorious group that controlled the town. They were trying to force Yang So-dang’s father to sell the inn to them at a ridiculously low price.
From her explanation, Namgung-Woo obtained two pieces of information.
First, their location. According to Song Chae-ji, he was currently in Pingyao County, a town in Shanxi Province.
Second, this wasn’t the world of Chu-rok Murim. Namgung-Woo prided himself on having explored the entire Central Plains region, the main stage of Chu-rok Murim, yet he had never heard of the Black Bear Gang.
Even though there were many small gangs operating within their own territories, judging from Song Chae-ji’s tone, they seemed relatively well-known in Shanxi Province.
The fact that he’d never heard of them meant this was a different world altogether.
“Then shouldn’t you ask the authorities for help?”
There was a famous saying in the martial world: [Gwanmu Bul Gachim] – “Officials and Martial Artists Shall Not Interfere”.
Officials didn’t involve themselves in martial arts affairs.
A more elegant way to put it would be [Jing Su Bul Beom Ha Su] – “Well Water Does Not Interfere with River Water”.
Though martial artists often wielded power and exploited the common people, Namgung-Woo found it hard to believe they could openly disregard the authorities.
To his question, Song Chae-ji firmly replied.
“It’s useless. The fact that they haven’t intervened even after things have escalated to this point means they’ve likely already been bribed. And more importantly…”
Song Chae-ji tapped the sword at her side, emphasizing its presence.
“I’m a martial artist too. If I report this to the authorities, I’ll lose the right to demand a spar by martial law. It’s better this way.”
She would trust her martial skills rather than rely on unreliable officials.
It was a fitting response for a martial artist living in the martial world.
Could someone who wandered the pugilistic world with only their sword as a companion lack faith in their own skills?
That’s why Song Chae-ji had challenged the Black Bear Gang to a spar. While this would be considered vigilantism in the modern world, it was commonplace in the martial world.
Namgung-Woo had many more questions, but they were running out of time. Laughter and shouts echoed from outside the door.
Song Chae-ji’s brow furrowed as she heard the mocking voices that were growing more arrogant.
“We’re out of time. Dang-ah, bring Ahjussi out. And…”
“I’ll go with you.”
Namgung-Woo spoke firmly as Song Chae-ji’s eyes turned to him.
He had no reason to leave.
First, they were his benefactors.
Second, this was a chance to observe the strength of martial artists in this unknown world.
“…Do as you please. But I can’t take responsibility for you. Protecting Dang-ah is already enough for me.”
“It’s alright. I’m grateful for your concern.”
As Namgung-Woo smiled gently, Song Chae-ji flinched slightly and let out a small gasp.
“Uh, hmm. Then, let’s go.”
Perhaps due to the urgency of the situation, her movements were flustered.
With a faint smile, Namgung-Woo followed her.
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Hmm, interesting that he isn’t concerned about possible fights. While I like this in my MC’s, it would be good if they explain why he is like this already.