A Letter from Ma-Rok, Defender of the Dumb and Brave
To anyone reading this scroll—
…Sorry if it's smudged. I dropped grilled boar fat on it. Twice.
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🪓 Section 1: Who Am I?
I'm Ma-Rok. You might know me as:
The one with the really big hammer
The guy who yells before, during, and after a fight
The one Ji-Mun once called "a bear disguised as a person, disguised as a bigger bear"
I'm not one for writing words, but Yul-Rin said I should try. She also threatened to lace my dried meat with her "special seasoning" if I didn't.
So here we are.
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🛡️ Section 2: About My Life Philosophy
Simple things work best.
You hungry? Eat.
You tired? Sleep.
Someone tries to kill your friends? Hit them. Hard. In the knees if possible.
I used to be part of a small border-town clan. Life was harsh. People didn't respect kind hearts, only strong arms. So I built mine until they listened.
But now, I travel with people who don't just listen to strength. They make space for kindness. Even Ji-Mun. Sort of.
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🔨 Section 3: About the Team
Sun-Ho: Our leader. Too polite. Too calm. Probably a storm in disguise. I'd follow him into a dragon's mouth—but I'd yell at the dragon first to behave.
So-Ri: Classy. Deadly. Has fans sharp enough to slice wind. Once told me I have "gentle energy." I didn't know whether to blush or check if I was cursed.
Yul-Rin: She terrifies me a little. But I like her. She taught me that poisons have flavor notes. Still not sure if that's a good thing.
Ji-Mun: Loud. Annoying. Somehow loveable. Reminds me of my younger brother—if my brother had too many stories and not enough survival instinct.
Yeon: The quiet one. Like a pebble in your boot—you don't notice until it moves and suddenly you're dead. I'd protect him with my life.
Master Jang: I once saw him win a duel with a teacup. I don't understand him, but I respect him. He naps better than most men fight.
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🍖 Section 4: Final Thoughts
I'm not fancy with words. But I know what loyalty smells like. What courage feels like. What it sounds like when a friend steps up beside you instead of behind.
These people? My people?
We're not just surviving.
We're becoming something.
If you're ever lucky enough to walk beside someone who'd take a blade for you without blinking, do this:
1. Fight for them.
2. Cook for them.
3. And laugh like tomorrow's a myth.
Signed, a little messy but with strength,
Ma-Rok, Hammer of the West, Protector of Campfires
P.S. If Ji-Mun tells you I cried at Yeon's drawing of our party last week… he's right.