The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel-Chapter 219: New Employee - 5

It’s common for what you like and what you’re good at to be two completely different things.

Back in middle school, I wanted to be the Pirate King, or fire off energy blasts, or at the very least, become the village chief of a ninja clan.

Or maybe I’d raise a dark flame goat in my left hand, and when the perfect moment came, I’d unleash it in dramatic fashion, shout “Don’t tell anyone what you saw,” and save a beautiful heroine.

In reality, I wasn’t even a background character in a comic book. Just a nobody passing by.

The same goes for Murong Shintu—Im Ha-yeon.

‘I already knew Im Ha-yeon wouldn’t win the contest.’

Even when I helped her submit her documents past the deadline, even when I waited until the very last moment so she could turn in her work—her outcome wouldn’t change.

Even if I pulled some strings and got her into the final judging round, the result would be the same.

She wouldn’t win the contest.

She wouldn’t become a writer.

Because—

‘In the future, Im Ha-yeon becomes Murong Shintu, a thief and courtesan—not a writer.’

I’ve never seen a character setting where she was listed as a writer.

Just because I have a setting that says I’m a writer and a salaryman, but doesn’t mention raising a dark flame goat, doesn’t mean I can suddenly throw a Dark Flame Goat Punch with my left hand.

Same logic applies to her—if she really were a writer, it would’ve been in her character description. So why wasn’t it?

Was it simply because, in the original future, she failed to submit to the Yichang contest and gave up on her dream right away?

I watched her desperately chase the dream of becoming a writer from right beside her.

The desire to create isn’t something you give up on easily when you want to be a writer.

Whether you’re scraping by worrying about tomorrow’s meals, dancing and singing for coin as a courtesan, or slaving away in a small company—if you have the strength and the passion to write, then you can write, any time.

If her original character setting didn’t include “writer” or even a hobby for writing, there’s only one conclusion.

‘In the original work, she must’ve failed to succeed as a writer and gave up the pen.’

It’s not rare for what you love and what you’re good at to be completely different. If I could be good at whatever I liked, I’d have learned Shadow Clone Technique first thing.

One of me would go to work, get yelled at by the boss, and grind through the day. Another would relax and write novels all night. And another would finally get around to playing those games that’ve been collecting dust for years.

If Im Ha-yeon gave up on her dream because she kept failing, falling into despair, I could understand that.

“So that’s it.”

“Ah... another failure, huh.”

I looked through the crowd of wailing aspiring writers who didn’t make the cut, searching for Im Ha-yeon. Her head was lowered so far, she looked about ready to bow down to the earth goddess herself.

“Ordinarily, this would be the end of the awards, but not this time! Everyone, don’t be disheartened—lift your heads!”

The Literary Society’s chairman barked out a booming voice, stirring up the defeated writers.

“Doesn’t it usually end with the grand prize?”

“Our guest judge and the creator of the new policy, Manager Kang Yun-ho, will explain.”

The chairman nodded to me.

Finally, it was my turn again. I stood from my seat and stepped up onto the platform.

“Greetings. Representing the Literary Society, I’m Kang Yun-ho from Daseogak. I’m here to introduce a new policy.”

“We’ve already heard your introduction. What’s this new policy?”

Instead of answering right away, I stayed silent to draw everyone’s attention. Then I glanced at Im Ha-yeon, who was peeking up again, clinging to some last shred of hope.

Murong Shintu, left with nothing but despair.

What could I offer her now that her one and only hope had vanished?

Naturally, I had to cast a new line.

“It’s called the Work-Study Scholarship program.”

A baited hook, disguised as the last rope of hope—something only I could offer.

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

What kind of ending awaits Im Ha-yeon now that her last hope is gone?

Regardless of what happens in the middle, I already know how her story ends.

Murong Shintu. Im Ha-yeon.

She eventually becomes a courtesan and a thief.

Granted, she becomes an incredible thief—good enough to earn the title “Phantom Godfist.” You could say she finally found something she was good at. But was that really the ending she wanted?

—No one dreams of climbing over other people’s walls, after all.

‘That couldn’t have been the future she wanted.’

If she gave up her dream of becoming a writer only after failing and falling into despair, then maybe I could offer her a new rope of hope.

I’d reignite the spark of her dream—and in return, gain a new staff member in Murong Shintu.

No one loses in this deal.

‘But if I want her to grab the rope, I need to prep the stage a bit.’

“A work-study scholarship? What’s that supposed to mean?”

One of the attendees raised a hand and asked.

“I know that many of the applicants who didn’t win at the Yichang Literary Society event today are struggling financially. The Society wants to support some of those people so they won’t have to give up on their dreams of writing.”

First step: remove resistance against me.

Just because I’m the son of someone they hate, or because they’ve got the wrong idea about me—that won’t disappear overnight. So what should I do?

‘I just need to step back and put the Yichang Literary Society front and center.’

If Im Ha-yeon didn’t want to accept help from me, I’d simply have her accept it from the Literary Society instead. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The end result? She’d be working at Daseogak either way.

“Sponsorship? But you used the term ‘work’ earlier, didn’t you?”

Sharp.

“That’s right. Work-study scholars will work at Daseogak and receive a grant larger than a typical bookstore staff salary.”

“So... you’re telling them to become shop assistants?”

Bingo.

“Absolutely not. Shop assistants? Are you equating bookstore staff to that?”

I raised my voice in mock offense.

“The work is pretty much the same, isn’t it?”

“If recommending good books to people who seek knowledge and the joy of reading is the same as being a shop assistant, then what are all of you here? Cooks at an inn?”

“......”

Those who’d called it “shop assistant” and others who had doubts were struck dumb by the accuracy of my rebuttal.

“Becoming a writer is hard for anyone. But it’s especially hard for those who have to worry about their next meal.”

I explained the intention behind the work-study program, weaving it through the silence that followed.

“Some here care for elderly mothers, some have to support wives and children. They want to become writers, but life doesn’t make it easy. If they don’t work, their mothers fall ill, their children go hungry.”

I deliberately made eye contact with those who looked the poorest among the writers. A few of them nodded instinctively.

“And even through those hard ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) lives, they still pick up the pen, exhausted as they are. Someone else would have given up—but they keep writing with inhuman strength, just because they have a dream.”

The dream of writing isn’t so easily crushed. Just like how the Black-Haired Barbarian once was.

More and more people began nodding, showing sympathy.

“The Yichang Literary Society and I want to give hope to people like that.”

I spoke with the intent to become the hope for those struggling writers who return home each day under the weight of the world on their shoulders—so that one day they can walk tall again.

“You’re saying this work-study scholarship is that hope?”

“The bookstore is indoors, so it’s neither hot nor cold. It’s not strenuous work either, so it’s not physically draining. That makes it the ideal job for those with a dream to write while supporting themselves.”

“Wouldn’t it make more sense to just sponsor them?”

Good point. But that won’t get Im Ha-yeon through the door.

“Today’s award winners are receiving sponsorships from the Literary Society. But giving sponsorships to those who didn’t win wouldn’t be fair. The work-study scholarship is a system designed for people who haven’t bloomed yet because of their circumstances.”

“Well said, indeed.”

“It actually doesn’t sound so bad when you put it like that.”

A favorable response popped up in the crowd.

“How much is the monthly wage?”

“We plan to offer an amount equivalent to the average monthly wage of a typesetter.”

Im Ha-yeon has no money right now.

If things keep going like this, she’ll either turn to theft, or go back to the brothel she fled from, face brutal consequences, and become a courtesan.

But what if Daseogak pays her the same as a typesetter?

What if there’s a job that lets her keep dreaming about being a writer?

Would she be able to turn that down so easily?

“No way. They’re paying that much for a bookstore assistant?”

“If you can get it, that’s insane.”

“Seeing that everyone’s understood the purpose of this program, I’ll now announce the selected candidates for the work-study scholarship, as chosen by the Yichang Literary Society.”

I read out the names from a list I’d prepared after reviewing everyone’s personal situations. Two people couldn’t share the same bookstore job, but they’d still be helpful.

As I called out the names, I glanced at her.

She looked conflicted.

Maybe the fact that I was involved was bothering her—but since it was the Literary Society offering the support, it might be okay. Still, working at Daseogak was probably what was catching on her nerves.

That’s probably what she was wrestling with.

But it’s not going to go the way you think.

“Yes! If I can just work at the bookstore, I don’t have to do backbreaking labor anymore!”

“Unnie! I got selected for the scholarship!”

“That’s the end of the list.”

Your name’s not on it.

Im Ha-yeon’s mouth fell open in shock when I didn’t call her name.

Why? Did you think maybe I created this whole program just for you?

Well, you’re not wrong—but if I said it outright, you’d just keep hesitating.

You thought it was your rope of hope, but turns out it wasn’t yours after all.

Let’s give her a little dose of disappointment.

“For the candidates I just named...”

I acted like I didn’t care about Im Ha-yeon. Like I had nothing to do with her. I kept speaking as if everything was normal.

I snuck a look at her face. Despair was starting to bloom.

I didn’t care.

“They left behind an additional list!”

I planned it all in advance.

“Ah, I was just thinking the number of staff is way too small. At this rate, the work-study scholars would basically turn into actual assistants.”

“Hahahahaha!”

“I’ll now call the additional names... Im Ha-yeon, Seong Jung-bang...”

I called her name in a flat, mechanical voice, like she was just another unimportant addition.

As her expression bloomed into pure joy, I quietly smiled to myself.

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

This program isn’t for you, Im Ha-yeon. I didn’t even think about you.

It’s not from me—it’s from the Yichang Literary Society. I’ve gone out of my way to minimize your resistance toward me.

But just for a moment, I let you taste an even deeper despair to make your hope all the more desperate.

“The names I called are only candidates. If you don’t come to Daseogak by sunset tomorrow, we’ll assume you’re declining and remove you from the list.”

“Yes, understood.”

I made sure to watch her without her noticing.

Why did Im Ha-yeon reject my help before?

I’d aimed at her weak spot and laid out the bait.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to take it—she just wanted something tastier.

Now that “tastier bait” is gone.

So is she really in a position to turn down the rope I’ve thrown her?

If she really hated me, she would’ve rejected help even from the Literary Society. But now she’ll have to think about it.

She wants to be a writer. I’ve seen just how desperately she wants it.

So what’s the final step to make her a Daseogak employee?

“Daseogak plans to offer two benefits to those selected as Outstanding Work-Study Scholars.”

All I have to do is provoke her desire.

“And what are they?”

“Daseogak will publish their manuscript.”

“What?!”

“Daseogak will publish it themselves?!”

Her eyes widened at my words. How’s that for an offer that’s hard to refuse?

But I wasn’t finished yet.

I’d stirred her desire—and now I’d throw out the one thing she absolutely couldn’t turn away from.

“Additionally, if selected, the writer Ho-pil will personally read and revise your draft.”

Now all that’s left... is to reel her in.