Phantom Thief.

A legendary title given to master thieves in the martial arts world.

Think Lupin, phantom thieves, mystical burglars, or masked rogues—basically, any thief that shows up in stories pulling off impossible heists and disappearing into thin air. That’s the vibe.

Some call them the Supreme Phantom Thief, others the Spirit Phantom, the White-Masked Phantom, or the Shadowless Phantom Thief—each martial arts tale has its own twist on the title, but really, it doesn’t matter.

They’re all cut from the same cloth.

Because what’s a thief without a proper escape? These guys need to bolt the second they’re caught, so naturally, they’ve got legendary-level lightness skills, maybe the best in the entire world. They’re also experts in stealth and disguise.

Being legendary, they’re treated like walking, talking jackpots—like golden goblins or living, breathing delivery systems for miracle encounters.

The Shadowless Phantom Thief.

In a typical martial arts novel, this would be someone with insane lightness skills, appearing and vanishing like smoke. A mysterious thief whose identity is completely unknown.

If this were a typical martial arts novel, that is.

“The problem is, this world isn’t just a martial arts world—it’s a martial arts dating sim.”

Now, the classic image of a phantom thief would be, what? Someone who started thieving in their teens, never once saw the inside of a jail cell, and made it to middle age still pulling off legendary heists. A seasoned master with a reputation throughout the martial world.

So why the hell is the Phantom Thief a young woman with pink twin-tails?

In the game, the Shadowless Phantom Thief had solid skills, sure, but whether she really deserved to be called a phantom thief? That was up for debate.

“Well, since we’ve met, I better leave a good impression.”

Man, wouldn’t it have been great if the Shadowless Phantom Thief had just been some laid-back middle-aged master? Then I wouldn’t have to get involved at all.

But since every woman in the original story had the potential to become a true heroine, I guess I had to help her out, for now.

----------

"Catch that stowaway bitch!"

"She's heading up! Corner her!"

As I opened the cabin door and stepped out, the deck was in chaos.

"Eek! Don’t swing that sword at me!"

She dodged that? A young woman with twin-tails flying behind her ducked under a swinging blade, shrieking.

It looked like a lucky dodge, but someone like me—an expert in martial arts dating sims—could tell at a glance. In the tight space of a ship, she’d used minimal movement to avoid the attack.

So, her footwork and lightness skills really were top-tier, huh? But her opponents weren’t pushovers, and this wasn’t exactly her home turf.

A dozen or so escort guards were closing in, tightening their formation. Before long, the Shadowless Phantom Thief was driven into a corner of the deck.

It was checkmate. Behind her, the raging currents of the Yangtze River.

If she was someone who could literally walk on water, or swim like a Yangtze dolphin, maybe she could get away. But I guess she wasn’t quite on that level.

"Who the hell are you! How dare you stow away on the Western Escort Bureau’s ship!"

The head escort raised his sword and barked at her.

"..."

"Answer me! Or are you just going to stand there? I bet you're the one Sabomun’s been looking for!"

"I'm running from those Sabomun bastards!"

"Don’t lie to me! You can't fool my nose. The whole deck reeks of powder and perfume. Even without makeup, that smell is thick. You’re a courtesan, aren’t you?"

Sharp, typical of an escort captain. Most people wouldn’t notice, but once I focused, yeah, I could pick up the scent of a pleasure house in the air.

"I'm not a full courtesan, just an apprentice. I ran from the training house last night when things got crazy."

The Gyobang. Basically, a courtesan academy.

If you max out your stats and become an SSS-ranked courtesan, you graduate and become a top-tier entertainer, selling your voice and talent. The lower ranks? They end up selling something else entirely.

Even a thief needs a fake ID to launder money. So in this world, I guess the Shadowless Phantom Thief was just an apprentice courtesan?

"So you were a runaway courtesan."

"No wonder people from the brothel were looking for someone."

"I can’t believe the Western Escort Bureau got breached by a stowaway! Who the hell was in charge of cargo inspection?"

"I’ll just stay quiet until we dock, okay? I’ll pay for the ride if you want—wait, what? Oh no, no no..."

Amid the chaos, she reached into her now generously filled chest, rummaging around—and then her eyes went wide with panic.

Did the thief lose her cash? She frantically searched herself, but eventually slumped, disappointed.

"We won’t be taking your fare," the head escort said flatly.

"Really?"

She looked just like some student at the bus terminal, card in hand, seeing Insufficient Funds pop up on the reader, completely flustered—until she heard his words, and her face lit up with relief.

"Tie her up and hand her over to Sabomun."

"Wh-Why?!"

"A runaway courtesan and a stowaway. Do you need more reason?"

He wasn’t wrong. Even if courtesans were treated like idols in this world, low birth was still low birth. The brothel owned her registry; sending her back was the rightful thing to do.

"Ugh!"

"Tie her up!"

At the captain’s order, the escorts carefully advanced on her.

In front of her, swords. Behind her, the middle of the Yangtze. Maybe she’d stand a chance in Yichang, where the water was calmer, but here in Wusan? Jumping into these rapids was basically suicide.

The scene was set.

The Shadowless Phantom Thief stared at the raging river behind her, face pale with fear. Was she going to let herself be caught? Or jump?

She must’ve been weighing her options, both equally hopeless.

Now, it was my cue.

"It’s only if you tell the truth that I can help you."

I activated the Soyoon Mental Resonance Technique, drawing everyone’s attention to me as I stood behind the guards.

"Young Master Kang!"

"Young lady, keep lying, and you’re just making this worse."

I strolled forward, calm and collected, pushing her.

"W-What lie are you accusing me of?"

"You may not be wearing makeup, but you still smell like powder, and your hands are calloused from holding brushes and instruments—so yes, you’re definitely a courtesan-in-training. But."

"But?"

"I can also see callouses from gripping weapons. And moving quicker and sharper than the crew on a rocking boat in the middle of the river? That tells me you’ve mastered advanced lightness skills."

Act like all the evidence was obvious to me. I furrowed my brow, staring at her hands. She gasped and quickly hid them behind her back.

"I picked up a little martial arts as a hobby."

Yeah, right. That’s like saying you studied a bit of necromancy for your debutante lessons.

"You should’ve just told the truth. And Sabomun’s already given us plenty of clues."

"Clues?"

"If all they wanted was a runaway courtesan, they could’ve just asked us to help catch her. But they didn’t. They didn’t want anyone else to know. That means they didn’t want eyes on this. A courtesan from the pleasure district, a sect like Sabomun, and a girl trained in martial arts... there’s only one conclusion."

The culprit... is among us! I strode through the escorts like I was some world-class detective, murder case pending, heading straight toward the Shadowless Phantom Thief.

"What conclusion?"

The escort captain glanced at me, now standing close, and asked with a curious ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) look.

I ignored him and looked straight at her, laying out the truth I’d pieced together for the Shadowless Phantom Thief.

"Hao Clan."

"Huh?"

"What’s your connection to the Hao Clan?"

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

Hao Clan.

If the orthodox sects have the Beggars’ Sect, a group of informants made up of vagrants, then the demonic sects have the Hao Clan—a network of thieves, gamblers, courtesans, merchants, and other lower-class folks who deal in information.

A courtesan trained in martial arts, and a thief.

Her being with the Hao Clan was part of the original story, so it’s not like that’s changed.

"I don’t have anything to do with the Hao Clan..."

"Think carefully. Right now, you’re a runaway courtesan. If this keeps up, you’ll be dragged off to Sabomun. But if this becomes a matter between sects, then sides have to be chosen carefully. So if you’re honest, I might just be able to help you."

I stared at her like I already knew everything. Her face stiffened, and she lowered her head slightly.

Don’t hesitate. Take the help while I’m offering it. Deny me now, and you’re as good as caught.

"...The Hao Clan’s Wusan branch was attacked last night."

Looks like she’d made up her mind. She began telling me what really happened.

"The Hao Clan’s Wusan branch?"

"Sabomun and a few other sects ambushed us. The branch head, who also ran the Wusan training house, was killed. I was the only apprentice courtesan who managed to escape."

"You were heading to Yichang to deliver the news?"

"Yes. If I got captured in the chaos, the information could leak, so I was trying to be careful."

So that’s how it was.

The Hao Clan is a nationwide demonic faction. Sabomun is just a local group here in Wusan.

At first glance, it looked like Sabomun had lost its mind. But there was more to it.

The Hao Clan is an organization built by the lower classes. They’re not so much a sect of martial artists as they are brokers of information.

Sure, they probably have a combat unit or two, but as long as no word gets to them, Sabomun might’ve thought they could handle it.

"Thanks for telling the truth. Captain, you might be right to detain a runaway courtesan, but if this is a sect matter, it might be best not to get involved."

This wasn’t just about a runaway courtesan—it was a fight between factions. The escort bureau sticking its nose into this wouldn’t do anyone any good.

I carefully suggested that the captain let this go.

"Young Master Kang. A runaway courtesan trained in martial arts might very well be lying."

Trying to do this the easy way, but of course not. The captain held the real authority on this ship. He wasn’t about to back down just because I asked.

Fine. Time to use the move I’d saved for this.

"Where was she hiding?"

"In a wine jar."

"Then I bought that wine jar, didn’t I? That makes her my responsibility."

"..."

"Drop her off at Yichang."

I said it flatly.

"Young Master!"

"She was in the jar when I bought it, so I already paid her fare."

"Sabomun might come after you once they hear about this."

"If they were going to do that, they would’ve done it back at the harbor."

I’d already seen how Sabomun’s leader had backed down after everyone drew their swords at me for cursing him out. He lost his nerve even in his own backyard—what, he’s going to chase me all the way to Yichang and try something?

Now the Tang Clan people, the Western Escort Bureau, they all knew what was going on. If I even got scratched, Sabomun wouldn’t survive it either.

"If that’s your wish, then..."

"Young lady."

"Y-Yes?"

"I’ll guarantee your safety. I know this must be heavy on your heart, but try to rest easy."

With the air of a noble swordsman, I said my piece and walked away, not even looking back, heading straight for my cabin.

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

"Perfect."

The chaos had died down, and now, under the moonlit deck, I stood alone, smiling in victory.

What’s the best way to make a strong impression on a woman?

— Corner her on deck after she’s been hiding in a wine jar?

— Scare her a little, but make sure she doesn’t get hurt?

— Threaten her with capture and claim she’s a runaway courtesan?

— Then just stop right there and let me handle the rest?

Classic White Knight routine.

I played the intellectual hero with sharp deductions, then saved her at the last second, branding myself in her mind as the one who saved her life.

I didn’t know if the Shadowless Phantom Thief would turn out to be a true heroine or not, but if we crossed paths again, this would definitely leave a good impression.

Even if not, at least that’s one less person trying to rob my bookstore.

Now to seal the deal.

I’d saved her life twice now. All that was left was to wait...

"Young Master."

There we go. Right on cue.