How to Survive as a Villain in a Novel

46 – Jeomsoy

The next day.

“I took care of the things that bothered me.”

Thanks to Ryu Seo-ah’s fainting, it was easy to stabilize her circle.

Well… The moment I came out of her dungeon holding her, there was a brief risk that she would be accused of being her molester.

She ordered Seon A-yeon, who followed her, to perjure her, so she was able to get out without much difficulty.

The ‘malice’ exuded by Seon A-yeon through gritted teeth is a bonus.

“Thanks to this, I have fully recovered from the malice that was poured into Ryu Seo-ah’s circle.”

Things went quite smoothly.

Not much time left until the final scenario of Act 1 begins. Ryu Seo-ah’s performance was essential to seeing that ending, so she felt much more at ease. If Ryu Seo-ah gives her best performance in the final scene of Act 1, she will be able to narrowly clear it as per the original.

“I’m a little worried, though.”

The problem is that the enemies in the final scenario of Act 1 are quite strong. Moreover, I can feel that the flow of the original story is gradually becoming distorted.

In the end, I also need to become stronger.

– [Han Chae-yoon]: See you at the customs clearance office tomorrow at 6 o’clock.

That’s why the call from Han Chae-yoon yesterday was very well-timed.

As she said, it would be of great help if just by chance I could find my vision.

Anyway, is it time?

I walked out the door of the dormitory.

* · * *

Orbis Academy Portal Customs Clearance Office.

The early morning air is somewhat cold and damp.

After all, I am also human, so I felt a strange sense of tension along with anticipation. Can you get your eyes back?

Of course, it doesn’t mean that I have no idea at all. At the restaurant the other day, Han Chae-yoon said she was definitely going to ‘China.’ Thinking back on the knowledge of the original work, one or two possible methods came to mind.

However, I was worried that the situation in China itself would not be very good.

“Mr. Lee Han.”

She heard a somewhat calm voice and when she activated her mind’s eye, it was Han Chae-yoon. The way she arrives at her exact time is unique to her.

After tying her hair back, they put something like a hairpin on her, and it seemed like her long black hair was tied up so that there would be no inconvenience in her activities.

In its own way, it fit well with Han Chae-yoon’s haughty image.

On the other hand, I wear black plain training clothes and pitch black sneakers. And a backpack. In contrast to the noble-looking Han Chae-yoon, I feel like I am her servant.

“Did you wait long?”

“No. I just arrived.”

As she approached, her expression became strange. It felt like she was somehow restless. The moment I was curious about the reason and was about to ask her, her mouth opened first.

“Is it my imagination? Mr. Lee Han is strangely hard on me? He even wears a half-band.”

She added quickly, probably because she was suspicious of my expression.

“I hope you feel comfortable speaking to Hyunjin Yoon and her new students.”

Hmm. When and where did you see that? I want to ask.

“Well, I just heard it in passing!”

Hmm, I guess that’s it.

That’s right. What.

Who is Sun A-yeon? It’s strange that I even use respectful language towards kids who attack me with their teeth clenched, saying they’re going to kill me.

On the other hand, what can I say about Han Chae-yoon? She is so calm that she feels like a member of society. Feeling like I was hired? Maybe it was because her first meeting with Han Chae-yoon started as a master-slave relationship.

In short.

“… Just naturally?”

You seem dissatisfied with my answer? She’s doing her snorting.

“Are you saying I’m uncomfortable?”

Hot.

It was a bit like that.

When I see her slightly tilting her head to the side like that and her red eyes shining, I feel like I have to shout, “I’m sorry, Master!”

Ttogak. Again.

She is the one who approaches me.

“Huh? Why can’t you answer?”

“If you want, you can speak informally…”

Han Chae-yoon came one step closer, almost as if their bodies were touching.

Perhaps it was because I was spraying perfume, but the scent of wood feels stronger today.

Instead of answering, she moved her nose.

Sniff.

She puts her hand on my chest and sniffs me, as if examining me.

“Smells like another woman.”

“…This is inevitable.”

An excuse came out reflexively.

In fact, in a situation where Han Chae-yoon is neither my girlfriend nor my owner, she has no reason to make excuses… But it is because she knows Han Chae-yoon’s possessiveness in the original work. She struggled instinctively.

One way or another, being on Han Chae-yoon’s list of interests means that you can become part of her ‘collection’ at any time. The reason she is a Zen character is simply because the path that Han Chae-yoon walks coincides with the path that her Zen characters walk.

“I think it would be better to hurry up and go. She won’t even be able to get all the way to China in one portal.”

Having said that, I managed to get rid of Han Chae-yoon.

Now that I think about it, I remember her wearing the ring I gave her the other day on her ring finger.

… China.

You’re not going to go and get eaten, right?

Take the Orbis portal to Hong Kong.

From there, go through the Black Cat’s portal once more.

After going through two portals, we arrived at our destination.

[Yunnan branch of the Black Cat Order]

Personal portals definitely cause severe motion sickness.

While I was stumbling for a moment, Han Chae-yoon leisurely exchanged greetings with her subordinates.

“See you, Lord Budan!”

“Thank you all for your hard work.”

“Who is next to you…?”

After seeing that Han Chae-yoon’s eyes were bent into half-moon shapes, I quickly stepped forward and opened her mouth. The moment the words ‘butler’ and ‘slave’ came out of that mouth, I felt like my role would be confirmed.

“I am an academy colleague. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Oh, you’re such a polite person! This is the first time we’ve met Master Budan’s academy colleagues. We’ll do our best while we’re here.”

Next to her, Han Chae-yoon could be heard licking her lips with regret.

Whoa. I lived.

Han Chae-yoon and her members chatted for a moment.

“… If there is a problem, I will contact you via email.”

“Chung!”

We opened the door of the Black Cat branch and walked out.

* · * *

I don’t know martial arts.

To be precise, I have never read it properly.

But one thing we can be sure of now is,

I think the background in a martial arts magazine would feel like this.

As soon as I opened the door to the Black Cat branch, what came into my mind was the unique scenery of a busy city.

It seems as if the Joseon Dynasty has unfolded.

Horses and carriages move around instead of cars,

Among the countless people walking around on the streets, not one was using a phone.

Instead, things like pigeons would often move around in the sky.

… Was the ride I took today a time-travel portal, not a space-travel portal?

Surely there is no way to travel through time?

Perhaps I was visibly embarrassed, Han Chae-yoon opened her mouth.

“After the Great Rift, China’s national system completely collapsed. Since the government was destroyed, networks such as communication networks and electric networks could not function properly.”

Hmm. I definitely remember it being mentioned in the original setting. In addition, the government is being replaced by the ‘old faction and one party’ that only appears in martial arts circles. There was also mention of Gaekjan and Jeomsoi.

But I didn’t know you could live in such a completely traditional way.

“What sustains China now are the talented people. And they decided to follow the ‘martial arts’ method. They banned all kinds of modern civilization. With them gone, the purity of mana went up a little. “Thanks to this, the entire country has returned to its old self.”

It was a very Chinese idea.

The entire country plays a concept to bring out mana efficiency.

“Of course, it’s based on the common people’s standards. The ruling class secretly enjoys everything they have, but anyway, they tend not to show it on the outside.”

Having said that, Han Chae-yoon smiled bitterly.

I also sympathized with her bitterness.

This ridiculous concept is probably the inevitable struggle of people to survive after being defeated by the Great Rift.

It was also something that could become our future at any time.

“The Black Cat was collecting martial arts and secret techniques here. And…”

Han Chae-yoon, uncharacteristically, swallowed her words.

Now that I think about it, in exchange for helping me find my eyes, he said he had one favor to ask.

I was just wondering what the request was.

I wonder if it has something to do with that silence.

What is it that even the Black Cat and its second-in-command, Han Chae-yoon, can’t handle?

Well. I’ll let you know when the time comes.

Anyway, more than that…

“Sniff.”

Maybe it’s because it’s a busy area, but I can’t stand the smell of food tickling my nose every time I walk.

Now that I think about it, I couldn’t even eat breakfast because I had to leave early in the morning.

“Shall we eat breakfast first?”

“I’m definitely hungry. Is there anything you’d like to eat?”

“I’d like to visit the guest house sometime.”

Of course, if you come to the martial arts world, it is a guesthouse.

Han Chae-yoon led me there, as there happened to be a guesthouse nearby.

“Welcome! Two guests are entering!”

With the employee’s comment, I activated my mind’s eye.

Because I wanted to see what the scenery of the guesthouse was like at least once.

It was a famous, seemingly large store. Because I could see people sitting on the second and third floors.

Wow.

From noble mtl dot com

It’s amazing to actually see a place you’ve only seen in dramas or movies.

When I was sitting at a table in the corner eating, someone suddenly fell from the second floor and the table was split in half.

It was a scene where people wearing martial arts uniforms looked like they were about to start a fight.

“Let’s sit here.”

Of course, that won’t happen.

I sat in a suitable corner with Han Chae-yoon and called an employee.

Of course, the calling name was Jeomsoy.

“Jumsoi!”

A man with a sad expression appeared at the table.

“Thank you for your hard work. Let’s each have a cup of warm tea. What would you like to order?”

Han Chae-yoon seems to be giving up the order to me.

Hmm. I don’t know the name of the martial arts food.

The only thing I remembered was the mention in the original that ‘Traditional martial arts-style food is best in guesthouses.’

“Is there anything you can recommend?”

“Would you like some carbonara somen?

“……?”

What does this Jeomsoy say now?

There was a bit of ridicule in his smile.

“Or rose gyoza?”

Is this friend really being territorial?

… To me, the villain?