Posters (2)
Following Cheon Hyang, I arrived in front of Manokru, and sure enough, even in broad daylight, crowds of people were swarming the place like sardines.
A large wooden board stood in front of the grand entrance, perfect for posting notices, and it was plastered with quite a few posters already.
Cheon Hyang stopped in front of the board and called over one of the gatekeepers.
"Y-yes, ma'am! Lady Owner!"
The gatekeeper came running over, his face tense with nerves. I hadn't noticed before, but now he looked pretty imposing. After seeing him spar with Yoo Hwa-yeon and Hwa Hyo-seon, I'd just thought all these martial artists were on the same level. But thinking about it in modern terms, it was like the CEO of a massive corporation casually hanging out in the lobby on the first floor. To these people, Cheon Hyang was probably on that level. No wonder the gatekeeper was breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Which ones are the expired posters?"
"Just a moment, please."
The gatekeeper scrutinized the board and peeled off a single sheet barely clinging to the corner.
"This one."
Cheon Hyang carefully folded the paper and tucked it into her bosom. Then she removed a poster from the center and moved it to a spot in the corner.
"Lady Owner? That's..."
"I know."
"Ah, yes."
Cheon Hyang shot the gatekeeper a glare that said don't argue, and he bowed his head obediently. She applied paste to the back of the paper I'd given her and neatly affixed it right in the center of the board.
"There, all done. I hope the owner turns up soon."
"Thanks."
"No big deal. Hehe."
With that, Cheon Hyang suddenly twisted her body coyly.
"Hey, since we've run into each other like this, it's fate... maybe just for a bit..."
She trailed off ambiguously. Was something bothering her? Why was she wriggling like that?
"A, a walk together or something..."
Cheon Hyang lowered her head and started kicking at the innocent ground with her toes. She'd done this last time too—was this woman just really into walks? But I'd left the convenience store empty. Sure, the bandits were watching it, but having the owner there versus not was worlds apart.
There's my excuse, I thought.
"I can't leave the store unattended for too long. Next time."
"Ah, next time..."
Cheon Hyang put on a deliberately crestfallen expression and drooped her head. She looked a bit bitter for a moment, then lifted her chin with resolve.
"Can't be helped. I shouldn't have held up a busy man like you."
"No, it's not like that."
"Well, I hope you find the owner. Definitely."
And with that, Cheon Hyang turned and entered Manokru without a backward glance.
Having turned her down twice now, I didn't feel great either. Plus, being alone with a woman like that... it was one of my worst-case scenarios. I'd even used the busy store as an excuse. Of course, I knew Cheon Hyang wasn't the type to make up lies like that woman, but trauma was a wall you couldn't scale without some serious courage. A simple walk invite wasn't enough to vault it. Not for me.
"Let's head back."
"Yeah! Boss!"
"Right! Strategist!"
I had no idea what was up, but Yoo Hwa-yeon and Hwa Hyo-seon looked thrilled.
"Come again!"
I sent off a customer and was organizing the cash box when the convenience store door suddenly swung open.
"Welcome..."
It was a familiar face—Hyeok, Cheon Hyang's bodyguard.
"Innkeeper."
"What can I get you?"
I plastered on a customer-friendly smile, but all I got back was a stone-cold glare that could kill.
What's his deal?
"Looking for something specific...?"
"How can such a dense man have so much..."
Hyeok muttered under his breath. Then, out of nowhere, he slammed his fist on the counter.
Bam!
"Come out. Let's have a go."
...Huh?
"What the hell...?"
"Exactly what I said. Man to man, one round."
"Why would I fight you?"
"I don't like you."
What is this now?
"Fight just 'cause you don't like me?"
Murim folks really were something else. If they didn't like you, out came the sword first.
"Beat me, and I won't interfere with you anymore."
"Why do I need to beat you? You're a trained martial artist, and I'm just a store clerk."
Hyeok bit his lower lip—he clearly hadn't considered that. So he'd been ready to draw steel on a regular guy? Trying to murder me?
"Fine, no weapons. We'll compete in whatever event you choose."
"Even without swords... why should I even bother with this pointless showdown?"
The air was thick enough to cut with a knife, but I swallowed hard and spoke up. Back in the early days, maybe I'd be scared, but now I had Yoo Hwa-yeon, Hwa Hyo-seon, and the bandits protecting me! Threats like this didn't faze me anymore!
And sure enough, the gathered bandits, Yoo Hwa-yeon, and Hwa Hyo-seon were all glaring daggers at Hyeok.
Yoo Hwa-yeon spoke first. "You barge in here throwing a tantrum? Fight me first."
Then Hwa Hyo-seon. "No, me. You're getting cocky 'cause I go easy on you."
Hyeok let out a scoffing laugh. "What a pathetic bunch. A man relying on others for protection? Makes me ashamed I ever saw you as a rival."
That lit a fire in my head too. Barging in, mocking and insulting us—who wouldn't snap?
Besides, this guy couldn't kill me. Cheon Hyang was the reason. If I died, no more cigarette shipments, and Hyeok had to know that. No bodyguard worth his salt sabotaged his lady's business. So he couldn't touch me.
That realization snapped my patience.
"I don't know what your problem is, but fine. Let's do this man-to-man."
"Hmph! Cocky bastard. You pick the event."
I wanted to flatten this arrogant prick's nose. I'd done nothing wrong!
What could we do without weapons, pure man-to-man? I sized up Hyeok. Solid muscles. Raw strength? No way I'd beat a martial artist who'd trained his whole life.
Had to pick what I was best at. He'd handed me the choice, after all.
After a moment's thought, inspiration struck.
"Arm wrestling! That's the manly way."
"Arm... wrestling?"
"Yep! Arm wrestling!"
No swords, pure manly contest. Lucky for me, before holing up in my room, I'd been a bit of a gambling man. In the army, I'd tried arm wrestling for fun, lost my first match, and got pissed. After that, I scoured videos and self-taught the keys to victory. By corporal, rivals dwindled. By sergeant, none left. As sergeant major, I was raiding dojos. Back at school, I crushed friends and seniors alike—even the gym rat who lived for weights went down in one.
No one knew arm wrestling like I did. Especially not in Murim.
But how could a lowly clerk beat a lifelong martial artist with brute force? Half right, half wrong. Strength mattered, but technique—focus and selection—was king. Sword-swinging muscles and arm-wrestling ones? Totally different. I'd lose a sword-endurance match, but arm wrestling? My win.
Murim folk never targeted those muscles. Even a clerk's practical strength from daily grind counted. No forearms from my past life, but this body would do. Technique covered the rest.
I clenched my fist. Crunch. Battle-hardened muscles flexed proudly.
"Not a total slacker body, huh."
"Scared now?"
"As if. Rely on muscle alone, and you'll regret it."
We locked eyes, leaned over the counter, and gripped hands. I felt it instantly. His power. The searing heat. This guy was dead serious. No idea why, but...
"Single round. First to topple loses."
"I know."
"Hwa-yeon!"
"Uh, yeah?"
"Ref?"
"Sure."
Yoo Hwa-yeon approached, dazed, and gently placed her hand over ours.
"Ready... go!"
The word hit, and I contracted my forearms with all I had.
"Nngh!!"
"Urgh!!"
Strong. But I'd expected this. All within calculations. Time for technique: flexion and pronation! Fancy names, but basically wrist-curling. Forearms and wrists—mine cooperated perfectly.
"Hup!"
Hyeok's wrist buckled. I tried tilting it my way, but damn—he held. Martial artist resilience?
We gritted teeth, staring daggers. His face flushed red. I poured everything in. Back and forth. Neck and neck on the counter.
Even the cat—fourth customer—watched with interest. Bandits cheered.
"Whoa! Strategist bro! Crush him!"
"Flip him!!"
I ground my molars, flashed Hyeok a cocky grin to psych him out.
"Guh! Why not... forfeit?"
"Khuh! No... way. That all you... got?"
"Hell no! Once I go all out... you're done! Raaagh!!"
"Kkh! I haven't even... used half!!"
"Big talk! Hyaah!!"
"Die!! Hraaagh!!"
My arm trembled. Limit. It was drifting his way. No, can't lose. Total L.
All those eyes on me—bandits, Hwa Hyo-seon, Yoo Hwa-yeon, even the cat. Their hopes rode on me.
Second technique: side pressure. Shoulder muscles yanked his arm inward.
"Raaaagh!!!"
Shoulders bulged. Last reserves flipped the tide.
Sudden surge—he wobbled hard. Yes! His arm tipped my way.
Don't underestimate a modern arm-wrestling nerd!!!
"Hraaagh!!"
Kaboom!!!
The crash echoed. Hyeok's side was down.
"Nngh!!"
"W-whoa... whoaaa!! We won!!!"
Euphoria. I'd beaten a Murim guy! Hell yeah!
Hyeok, still fuming, pounded the counter.
"Grr... Fine. You win, innkeeper."
Whoa, admitting it straight up? Turns out he respected results.
Hyeok let his throbbing arm dangle, grabbed his sword from the counter, and stormed out without a word.
I followed. "Hey!"
He glanced back, slouched shoulders trudging away.
"Explain yourself before you go."
I'd accepted the challenge out of pride, but the reason nagged me.
Hyeok paused, then spoke. "The Lady Owner... that poster..."
"What?"
"Sigh. Know how to post on Manokru's board?"
Slap paste on it?
"Twenty silver taels."
"Huh?"
"Cost per poster to Manokru. Cheapest corner spot."
What? The board had prices?
"Prime spot for crowds—great advertising. Everyone wants in, so Lady Owner's rule. Edge is twenty silvers. Center skyrockets."
I blinked. Meaning...
"Know the center price for your poster? Three whole gold taels. She gave you prime spot free. Not a coin. And you!"
Hyeok lunged, grabbing my collar.
"You! What makes you so special, turning her down every time? She's always talking about you! How pathetic do I feel? And you can't even grant her tiny wish? Who the hell are you?!"
I really hadn't known. Modern ads were bidding wars too. Murim was no different. People gonna people. My bad for not thinking.
"Grr! Whatever!"
He shoved me off. "Promise is promise. I'll leave you alone. Won't happen again."
Hyeok turned and vanished into the distance.
I stood there, staring after him. Yeah, I'd be pissed too. Your boss shows favor to some weirdo, and he doesn't even appreciate it? Totally get Hyeok.
This was on me. Can't take kindness for granted.
Back inside, I shrugged off my vest.
"Boss, where to?" Yoo Hwa-yeon asked. I handed it over.
"Be right back."
"I'll come."
"Nah, solo trip. Watch the store."
"B-but it's dangerous..."
"Just to Manokru up front? Safe as houses. Normal folks walk around all the time. Gotta be fine."
"True, but..."
"See ya. Close early if no customers."
I bolted for Manokru, steps quickening.