The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel-Chapter 216: New Employee - 2

Writing Contest.

A proving ground for new authors, and a battleground where confident writers flaunt their skills in hopes of winning a prize.

If the contest itself is prestigious, simply winning can bring prize money and fame—and later, massive publicity during serialization.

For those truly confident in their writing, it’s a rite of passage worth attempting at least once.

“Does the Yichang Literary Society also hold events for new authors?”

New author events. From what I gathered from the Hwang brothers, the Yichang Literary Society was preparing a writing contest specifically for rookie writers.

I had assumed a literary society was just some place where scholars read books together, recited poetry, painted, drank, and fooled around.

“The chairman of the Yichang Literary Society is a scholar so renowned that even His Majesty the Emperor once sought his counsel. After retiring, he returned to his hometown and founded the literary society in Yichang. He's dedicated himself to discovering poor but talented writers hidden in obscurity.”

“That’s... a very noble pursuit.”

It’s not uncommon—even in Joseon—for retired officials to return home and teach students.

Looks like this literary society’s chairman also does a bit of headhunting for authors on the side.

“Yes. The Yichang Literary Society’s events are not only famous in Yichang, but also in nearby cities, including Wuchang, the provincial capital of Hubei.”

Sounds like it’s quite the big deal.

Makes sense—writing contests probably aren’t that common in this world. And on top of that, the head judge is a retired high official from the Hanlin Academy. That alone would give it some serious weight.

“And you’re inviting me to be a judge for such a meaningful event?”

“Yes. For the upcoming contest, we would very much like to invite Store Manager Kang Yun-ho.”

“I’m not even a member of the Yichang Literary Society, though.”

“Normally, only society members are eligible to judge. But this time, we’d like to make an exception for you, Store Manager Kang.”

“And what’s the reason for inviting me, someone outside your society, to judge a contest you’re organizing?”

“To writers like us, the artistry and literary merit of a piece are important. But to struggling authors, what matters more is whether someone can judge how well a work will sell. And who better to understand that than the manager of the most famous bookstore in Yichang?”

“So, you want me to assess the commercial viability of the entries.”

Basically, like how a publisher or web novel platform picks judges for their contests—to spot what might actually sell.

“After Storm of the Tang Clan, many members of the literary society admitted their lack of insight when it comes to novels. We would be honored if you, Store Manager Kang, would join as a judge and offer your expertise.”

I get that it’s an honorable position. But... I’m not really interested.

Let’s step back for now.

“I’d feel a bit overwhelmed being invited as a judge to such a major event. After all, I’m just a lowly bookstore manager.”

“Please don’t say such things! Who was it that discovered the author Ho-pil, who took the world by storm? It was none other than you, Store Manager Kang!”

“I just got lucky. If Ho-pil had gone to the literary society first, maybe it would’ve been you who discovered him.”

“Luck? If I had been the judge, my narrow-minded vision would’ve disqualified Storm of the Tang Clan during the screening process! None of the award-winning works from the literary society even come close to what Ho-pil achieved!”

“I appreciate the compliments, but I’m currently busy preparing to reopen Daseogak.”

“Isn’t there any way...?”

Pay me.

I almost said it while looking at the Hwang brothers’ desperate faces—but held back.

Flattering me is nice and all, but I’m a specialist, damn it. You can’t just exploit me for free. Time is money, my friend.

They keep talking about how prestigious the position is, but no one’s offering compensation.

If I ask for money now, they’ll probably frown like I’m some greedy bastard tainting this sacred position.

There’s no benefit for me in being a judge.

It would eat up a lot of my time.

I still have to prepare Daseogak’s reopening, hire staff, reestablish supplier relationships...

Sure, it’s a big-name event in Hubei, but I really don’t have the time for it.

No matter how famous it is...

Wait a second... famous?

A thought suddenly sparked in my head.

The most prestigious event in all of Hubei. Recognized by writers everywhere.

Then [N O V E L I G H T] maybe—just maybe—I don’t need money. There could be another way to profit from this.

“Then, I just have one request.”

I looked at the Hwang brothers and made my proposal in a serious tone.

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“What’s with the walnut cakes?”

“A friend gave them to me as a gift, to celebrate my safe return.”

After barely escaping death, I didn’t feel like cleaning, so I returned to the Baek Family Manor.

“They’re stuffed with a ton of walnuts. The red bean paste is great too.”

“Give me one.”

“Must be from some high-end bakery.”

“I’ll be heading in to rest.”

“You’re not having any walnut cakes? They’re crispy outside, moist inside—absolutely delicious.”

“I had one on the way.”

And yeah... they were good.

I quietly watched the Tang Clan folks sharing the warm walnut cakes, then turned and headed to the room prepared for me in the Baek Manor.

“What a mess that guy from the fabric shop put me through.”

I muttered, thinking about Mr. Wang from the Chilgok textile store—or rather, the former Shadowless Phantom Thief.

He must’ve given me that Black Coin out of goodwill. Otherwise, why risk exposing himself, someone who had gone completely off the grid?

Honestly, I wouldn’t have made a fuss if he’d just told me.

Back in the day, he probably split the sky in two with his blade and shouted Wingardium Moutainleviosa! to make his lackeys move mountains for him or something.

From Arsène Lupin to rival detectives turned walking murder-magnet machines, and that gentleman thief whose name I won’t even explain anymore—I love thief stories. It’s a shame, really.

“I wonder if Im Ha-yeon might be the true heroine.”

After thinking of the former Shadowless Phantom Thief, I found myself thinking of the current one.

The woman with pink twin-tails.

A stunning beauty, naturally—she’s from a martial arts dating sim, after all.

It’s hard to get a proper read on her since she always glares at me like she wants to kill me.

But when she acts like an airhead, her eyes curve ever so slightly—and if she were to smile, I bet she’d have that sultry charm you'd expect from a top-tier courtesan.

In modern terms, Qinggi would be like an idol who sings and dances.

If she worked as a courtesan, you’d probably have to book a session with a pile of money just to hear her sing a single note or watch one short dance.

“Well, I’ve at least established a connection with Im Ha-yeon.”

I don’t know if she’s the true heroine. Unlike with the Poisoned One or the Heavenly Killing Star, I don’t see anything I can “heal” as a Fate-Reverser.

Maybe... kleptomania?

The Fate-Reverser seems to be able to change a heroine’s destiny.

But does it only work on things like terminal illnesses, like with the Heavenly Killing Star or the Poisoned Ones?

Then... what are the original main heroines about, exactly?

If it’s not just illness but fate itself, that’d make sense.

Still, I don’t know. I almost started overthinking it—but quickly gave up.

I’ve already formed a bond with Im Ha-yeon, so there’s no need to stress.

What matters now is saving my girls from their cursed destinies—and for that, I need Fame Points.

First, I need to get Daseogak up and running again.

I lay down on the bed, my body and soul utterly drained, and closed my eyes.

“Young Master Kang!”

A voice like a new recruit waking up a senior soldier who’s refusing to get out of bed. Guess I slept long. The relaxed chirping of birds in the morning told me I must’ve gotten a good rest.

“What is it?” 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

“A gentleman named Scholar Hwang is here to see you.”

Wow. That was fast.

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“You’re here quite early, I see.”

Standing at the gates of the Baek Family Manor—no, the Seocheon Escort Bureau—I found none other than Scholar Hwang’s younger brother.

Then again, if both brothers are scholars, are they both “Scholar Hwang”?

“You still look like you haven’t recovered from the journey. Are you here about what we discussed yesterday?”

If he was here to reject the deal, I wasn’t going to do it. I braced myself to respond accordingly.

Fortunately, I was pleasantly wrong.

Scholar Hwang’s brother nodded, his face brightening with excitement.

“We’ve officially selected you, Store Manager Kang, as the award presenter for the event.”

“Fantastic news!”

I cheered aloud.

It wasn’t just about being a judge—I had made it a condition that I also be allowed to present the award. That was the price of accepting the position.

In the end, what matters most is Fame Points.

Whether it’s storytelling or writing novels, it’s all in service of gaining more fame.

Sure, the award recipient gets attention, but the person presenting the award also ends up in the spotlight.

It wouldn’t just be, “Kang Yun-ho of Daseogak became a judge at a new writer’s contest.”

If I went on stage and personally handed out the award, it would leave a far deeper impression on people.

And I had asked for one more thing for the sake of my Fame Points.

“Of course, when we announce the contest in the official bulletin under the name of the Yichang Literary Society, we’ll be stating that you, Store Manager Kang Yun-ho, are serving as both a judge and an award presenter.”

There was a time when Storm of the Tang Clan sold like wildfire thanks to a glowing official bulletin article praising it.

If my name made it into the official bulletin, my fame would spread through Yichang in no time.

“Thank you.”

“While being the award presenter is an honorable role, may I ask why you specifically requested that it be published in the official bulletin?”

“I simply need more people to know who I am.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Hwa-rin, the true owner of Daseogak, now lives with the Tang Clan. I’ll be running the store on my own, and there’s a chance people might cause trouble just because I’m considered a foreigner. But if word spreads that I’ve been appointed to such a prestigious role, it’ll help prevent unnecessary headaches.”

Also, it wouldn’t hurt to scrub away the ‘ruthless merchant’ rumors while I’m at it.

“I hadn’t considered the inconvenience you might face as someone from another country. That was shortsighted of me.”

“Not at all.”

“The chairman would like to meet you in person. Would you happen to have time now?”

“Of course. Let’s go together.”

And with that, I set off with Scholar Hwang’s brother.

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I’d already seen the face of the Yichang Literary Society’s chairman once.

The day I almost got dragged away by Tang Clan members.

It was the chairman who stepped in and warned them that if my head came back separated from my body, there would be consequences.

Things had been too chaotic back then, so I hadn’t had the chance to properly thank him. I should take care of that while I’m there.

“No, absolutely not!”

“Why not?! That makes no sense!”

As we neared the chairman’s home, I heard a voice yelling—a voice I definitely recognized.

“Application submissions ended yesterday!”

“That’s not possible! There’s no way!”

The woman shouted angrily, completely ignoring the people staring at her.

Pink twin-tails.

That voice. That back.

Yep.

“What brings you here?”

“Guh—! Store Manager Kang Yun-ho?!”

Im Ha-yeon.

What the hell are you doing here?