Big Life Chapter 11-20

Chapter 11

-Pat!

“Araghh, f***! This shit again!”

“Meow.”

Rika who was eating her cat feed meowed in surprise as she heard the profanity.

In front of the computer, Jaegun buried his face onto his two hands. The screen was now of a blue color, filled with error messages.

“It’s hasn’t been long since I fixed it and now it’s acting up again.”

He was complaining, but it was a computer that he had been using for a long time. He owned it since his college days, so it has been in use for about 7 years already.

“Damn it. At least I sent my project in before it busted.”

He had sent the third martial arts novel of the series to the publisher. He was about to write the fourth one before it crashed. It wasn’t the worst situation to be in, but he was in the dark on trying to write from now on.

“Is it time for me to buy a new PC?”

He thought it wasn’t a bad idea to buy a new computer now.

He still had about 1,500,000 Won left from his contract payment. He gave 300,000 Won to his dad and even after buying Rika’s cat food, and the living necessities left him this much.

‘No. Not yet. I can’t relax.’

Jaegun shook the thought out. He knew that money always seemed aplenty, but it always had a tendency to flow off.

The rent and the utility bills would take him under 1,000,000 Won. Without even thinking about the next month, was he going to buy an expensive computer? This was the mindset of someone who wanted to live for one day and die.

‘I should just go to a PC bang. I could cut my rent for a month and use it there.’

His head was filled with ideas for his novels. He had to write new these things down or else he thought that his mind might burst. Jaegun suddenly kicked his chair and shot up.

At that moment.

“Right! I have that!”

He glanced towards the corner of the room. The old and tattered laptop was in sight; however, there shouldn’t be a big problem if he just used it to write.

‘It even has ‘Word’. It works fine, so why not use that?”’

He put his broken computer below his desk and replaced it with Seo Gunwoo’s laptop. As he connected the power cord to the laptop and turned it on, it made a BEEP sound and the booting started..

‘You are, indeed, older than my 7 year old computer.’

-Winnnnnggg!

A phone call from the editor-in-chief came.

Jaegun double-clicked on Word from the desktop as he picked up the phone.

“Yes?”

“Yes, hello. How did you write 3 books in a day? Did you already write these?”

“Haha, no. That’s not it. The story just came to me.”

It wasn’t a lie. After he obtained the new memories, his writing has changed.

It wasn’t his choice, but everything changed. It gave him motivation and new thoughts. He could tell from his writing.

“Wow. Then this seriously wasn’t written before and was written in a week?”

She was really surprised.

Jaegun’s normal speed was about 1 book per one month.

“I skimmed it and book 3 was good too. There isn’t much to change there as well. Good work, Mr. Ha.”

“No. The compliments should go to you for checking my work.”

“Hahaha, no. But there’s a surprising piece of news.”

“Surprising?”

“You should hold onto your phone.”

With those words, Jaegun tightened his grip on the phone.

“What is it? Is it something bad?”

“It should be good. After all, there’s no writer that doesn’t like their books being copied”

Jaegun couldn’t believe his ears.

My writing? Being lengthened in copy?

Jaegun couldn’t believe his ears. Across the phone, the editor was laughing.

“Are you listening? Mr. Ha? Mr. Ha?”

The editor asked even though she knew that he was listening.

Jaegun stood up and walked around until finally he sat down on to his chair.

“Yes. Yes. I’m here. I’m here.”

“The reception of your books was amazing. The stores loved it. Therefore, we decided to print 1000 of them.”

“What? How-how many? 1000?”

Jaegun’s legs shook as he listened to her, completely flabbergasted.

With the development of the internet and e-books, regular books were in distress. It was amazing that the book even got lengthed. It was impossible for that to be in the thousands.

“Are-are you joking somehow? Or are you pulling my leg?”

Jaegun knew that she wasn’t, but he had to ask. His two eyes were still in disarray.

“Do you really think I would joke with something like this? Congratulations, Mr. Ha. It was your perseverance coming through. You’ll soon be making money and your living will be much better.”

Jaegun signed a contract with each book at 8%.

A single book costs 8 dollars, so he got about 640 Won. For 1000 books, it was 640,000 Won. There was the 3.3 % tax to worry about, but he could still make a flat profit.

Contrary to the flabbergasted Jaegun who was unable to respond, the editor continued her cheerful talk.

“Then, keep on working. I’ll be waiting for your next episode. Don’t overdo yourself either. Ah, and let’s have lunch together some time.”

“Yes. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Really, thank you.”

He headed straight for the fridge. He took out cold water and started gulping it down.

His chest was bursting. He needed to vent this feeling with someone, but Jaein and Jongjin were working right now.

So Jaegun picked up Rika and shouted, ”Did you hear that? I’m getting more books! And 1000 of them too!”

“Meow.”

“It’s now 3000 releases for one book! That’s about 1,900,000 Won for a book. This is crazy! Really! To think I could get about 2,000,000 Won for one book! Do you think this makes sense?”

“Meow. Meow.”

This was probably nothing to successful writers, but to Jaegun, who received almost nothing for 5 years, it was a success like nothing ever before.

“Yeah! To continue this feeling, I want to write book 4. I’ll write book 4 in a week as well! Just you wait, by the next month, I’ll be freaking rich and I’ll buy you a cat tower or whatever that is!”

With immense happiness, Jaegun set off on writing on Se Gunwoo’s laptop. He knew the general outline of book 4. He just needed to calmly write it down.

-Tap! Tap. Tappp! Taptap!

On the monitor screen, words were flying on the page.

‘Now here, the main needs to get hit. And then he needs to retreat quietly… Hmm?”

While he was typing, Jaegun had a mysterious feeling.

‘Something feels weird.’

Usually when he was typing, the mind went faster than his typing. However, today, it was the opposite. It felt like his typing was faster than his mind.

‘Wait-wait-wait, what? What is this?’

He looked at the clock; only an hour had passed since he started. Yet, the document he was writing on read over 20 pages.

‘What? Is the file wrong? How much did I write?”

Jaegun suprisedly looked at the document information tab. Then, he took a heavy breath; his mind went numb. He lost his sense of feeling; as if he was free falling.

-Letters: 10798

‘Whaaat? I wrote about 10 thousand letters in an hour?’

Jaegun’s typing speed was not slow, it was about the same as the average writer. Yet, even in a good condition, his fastest was about 3500. To write at this rate, he needed to spend about at least 2 hours and a half.

‘This isn’t only about a good condition?’

This wasn’t writing or revising an old book. It was making a new one from scratch, and it was 10 thousand characters for one hour, he couldn’t believe it. It was out of human reach. His mind felt the numbness and shock again.

‘If I can write like this, I would be able to write about 1 book per day.’

The book he was writing was about 140,000 letters. Therefore, if he could write at the same speed, he could write a book in 14 hours.

‘Let’s do it.’

Chapter 12

Jaegun shook his tired hands and resolved his mind.

‘I’ll try to make a record with finishing a book in one day’

“Rika, you’re the witness. Check out how fast I type.”

“Meow. Meow.”

Jaegun shoved his face into the computer and started to write the novel. Rika secretly slipped out of the her house and moved under the bed. In that position, she looked at Jaegun typing the book.

“I’m so tired.”

6:30 in the afternoon.

Jongjin, who just finished overtime, was wearing slippers. The dungeon project was not looking to an end. The private testing was right ahead. Until the deadline, overtime was going to be his closest friend.

“Manager Lee, would you want a cup of coffee?”

Jongjin asked passing by. Manager Lee was one of those people in this loud office that didn’t fit well with him.

“Assistant Manager Park, Sorry. I want to finish reading this book before overtime starts. Go ahead and have a drink.”

Manager Lee responded with his head down. In his hands, he had a book.

Jonjin stepped forward and asked.

“What’s that book you’re reading so intently?”

“All I read is martial arts. But seriously, this is pretty entertaining.”

“Martial Arts?”

Jongjin’s two eyes shined bright. Obviously, his best friend’s job came to mind.

Manager Lee continued.

“This writer’s previous works was… what should I say? Syntax and order had the basics, but the story was awfully boring. There was useless information everywhere. So I read about 2 or 3 books and just threw it away. And then he hasn’t released anything for a while but it seems like he studied a lot. I can’t stop reading.”

Jongin couldn’t stop his curiosity and looked at the book cover. And then his eyes widened. The book name was Martial Rankings. The author’s name was Pyung Cheon Yu.

“What? Wha, what?”

“What? Did you read this before? Do you know this writer?”

“N-no. It’s just… yes. I just thought it looked like something I read before. The name seems similar.”

Jongjin answered quickly.

Manager Lee just shook his head and went back to reading.

“Well, all martial arts books have similar titles and have that feeling.”

“Haha, that’s right. Anyway, Manager Lee, I’ll just go get that cup of coffee and come back.”

“Go ahead.”

Jongjin left the office in a hurry.

As soon as he pressed the elevator button, he pulled out his phone and called Jaegun. The only person who used Pyung Cheon Yu as a pen name was his best friend.

“Hello?”

Jaegun quickly picked up the phone.

In an elevator all by himself, Jongjin asked.

“Hey, do you know anyone who uses the same pen name as you?”

“What is this random question about?”

“Speak up, man. Is there anyone else who uses Pyung Cheon Yu?

“Don’t think so. No. There isn’t. At least to my knowledge.”

“Then is your new book called Martial Rankings?”

“Dude, are you so busy that you couldn’t even read my book?”

“Sorry, but I was so occupied that I couldn’t read. I called because my Manager in the office is reading the crap out of your book.”

“Really?”

Jaegun’s reply was full of happiness.

Jongjin, as a friend, felt his happiness and quickly continued his words.

“Hey, this isn’t to make you feel good. That Manager, he’s a complete genre reading. He reads a lot and he’s also awfully stubborn. Because he read most things he should have. A person like that says your book is fun; He says he can’t stop reading. He even denied my offer to drink coffee.

“Dang. That feels good.”

“How’s the book? Is it printing well?”

“Don’t be surprised. I got it printed. A 1000 copies.”

Jongjin was so surprised that he bent his waist and hit the back of the elevator and moaned.

“Aoohhhh…? Seriously! In this small amount of time, you freaking got a 1000 copies printed? Isn’t this a success omen?! Aren’t your days of suffering gonna end?! Are you going to buy a house and stuff like that?!”

“Don’t get too excited. Buying a house isn’t a few coins.”

“Yeah ok. Getting too excited and later it could be weird. Hey, I was just feeling happy. I’m just spitting out words now. Hey, awesome job, Jaegun. I feel freaking good.”

“Just you wait, I’ll finish the series and I’ll get you a feast.”

“I’m gonna eat the plates clean. Finish the series and call me.”

“Thanks. You have fun, too.”

Beep!

The phone shut off.

Jaegun, who was busy typing before he picked up the phone, put down the phone smiling and sat down.

Jongjin’s phone call was thankful. His words helped him and it served as a purpose for him to stop and take a break.

‘There actually is people who says it’s fun.’

It was Jaegun who felt weird.

It was a long time ago that Jaegun threw out his habit of searching his own books online. It was because of all the critics.

Is this a book,etc, aren’t you sorry to the trees, etc. All these comments made him so depressed that it made him harder to write books. It was better to not see them.

‘Let’s endure it.’

He wanted to see the comments on the new book, but Jaegun pushed down that feeling. Even if he checked, he was going to check after he finished the series to comfort his mind.

Beep!

“Hello.”

“Hello, sir. This is writer Ha Jaegun, right?”

“… who is this?”

“Oh sorry. You don’t know me? This is Hetae Media’s Ma Jonggu. Hahaha, I’m not sure how you’ve been living.

Jaegun’s hand which were holding the phone shook. Without realizing it, he was biting too hard and his teeth were making his lips bleed. It was an uncontrollable reaction.

Hetae Media.

It was the company that released his debut work 5 years ago.

It was the company that gave him so much suffering and sadness.

It was a memory that he wanted to forget. It was the reason why he deleted their phone number.

The other person’s calm voice continued.

“I couldn’t ask how you were for a couple of years. There was a lot of things going on. Today’s market issues, me doing work meant for the above people…”

“What is it.”

Jaegun cut him off.

“I’m busy writing my book. If you have anything to say, you should just say it.”

“Ah yes. You are writing, right? I was having fun reading it.”

The other person mentioned Jaegun’s new project.

From Jaegun’s lip, a small laugh came out. Jongjin’s overreaction wasn’t too overreacted, he thought. His book was getting up there. No message for a couple of years and now these hyenas come smelling and calling.

“It was really fun. The story is clear and straightforward. A marvelous work. I always knew you were going to make a blast some day. Hahaha.”

‘This bitch.’ an ugly facial expression came onto Jaegun’s face.

This was the person who didn’t even consider him a writer and humiliated him when his statistics were low. Now the same person was spitting out compliments.

“Like I said last time, I want to say some greetings. Do you still live in Suwon? I can come and serve you some dinner…”

“No. I’m fine.”

Jaegun completely cut him off and rejected him. It was obvious. He was going to buy expensive food and slip a contract in the talk. He didn’t even remotely think to sign with Hetae Media.

“I’m eating well without missing any meals. I don’t think you have any other things to talk about so I’ll cut off.”

“Writer Ha? W, wait. No. Writer Ha, please don’t cut off and listen to me for a lit… !

Beep!

Jaegun ignored the other’s fast talking and cut off the phone. A call came back just 10 seconds. Jaegun just blocked the phone number.

The world became completely quiet.

Chapter 13

“Hoooo.”

A sigh came out of his lips.

Jaegun put his head back and looked up at the ceiling. Rika came over and hopped on Jaegun’s knees.

“Humans seem to easily change  depending on the situation.”

Jaegun murmured as he touched Rika’s neck. Hetae Media’s general managers’ call was still in his mind and it made his stomach sick.

His debut in Hetae Media didn’t have good results. But it wasn’t completely on the floor either. It was just average-ish.

Jaegun was relieved and wanted to write till 7 books as he planned. However, that small dream came to a close when he was writing his 3rd book. Jaegun could still remember the depressing night a few years ago, when that message from the management came.

“Writer Ha, Since the results aren’t good, let’s end it at 4 books.’

A death sentence like judgment for a writer.

It was the end of the series with an early ending.

The paper copies, unlike the electronic books, cost money. Thus, the less popular books are forced to end earlier. The printers don’t care if the ending is good or not. As it is just a ‘project that became a bomb.’

At that time, Jaegun forgot his pride and tried to hang on to the general manager.

‘I need to write until the 5th book to finish the story. Just please let me write to the 5th.’

But the general manager’s response was ice cold.

‘You know the market enough so why are you like this? Our publishers are small. We need to produce more popular work to eat and live. If we produce till the 5th book for your series, we won’t be able to pay the next month’s employees. I understand your feelings but let’s try again next time. I have a meeting so I’ll cut off.”

It seemed as though that phone call was back in his ears.

The hand scratching Rika’s tightened up. Rika then put her face on Jaegun’s chest and rubbed. As time went by, Jaegun calmed down.

“Thanks, Rika. I’m better now, I don’t feel anything.”

“Meow.”

“I’ve now met a great editor. I’ve now started to write a selling book now. The poor past is now over. The person whose sad at the past is not me.

Jaegun, regaining his strength, went to the front of the computer and sat down.

When he looked at the clock, it was 6 pm. He started just after noon so he’s been working for 6 hours.

“Wow, Rika. I’ve been working for 6 hours and wrote about half a book.”

When he checked the document info, it was over 65,000 letters. At this rate, he could be able to finish writing a book it 7-8 hours.

“My neck hurts and I’m tired. I’ll get some coffee as a break.”

Jaegun pressed on his hurting waist. His hands hurt after writing for 6 hours while typing at a speed of 10,000 letters per hour. He went to the sink and took out the instant stick coffee and turned on the coffee pot’s button on.

“Dang it, I didn’t do the dishes.”

Jaegun was lazily going to do the dishes until he noticed a gray mug. It was one of Se Gunwoo’s things. Since it was a cup, he washed it, but he never used it before.

“Now I see it, the cup is actually pretty good. OK. One more.”

Jaegun put another stick into the mug and poured some hot water to the brink. A strong aroma rose up. A smell stronger than usual came through his nose.

“Hmmm. That’s good. Not jealous of the professional coffees.”

Jaegun, as a break, watched the internet news and slowly drank his hot coffee.

Even though it was instant coffee, it seemed better than usual. He happily drank everything on the mug .

“Huh?”

Putting down the mug cup, Jaegun looked down to his body and shook his head.

Energy was flowing through him. Just a while ago, his body was heavy like wet cotton and it hurt, but now he felt refreshed like he’d just got a rest.

“Hm? Is it the caffeine?”

Jaegun put down the mug in the sink confused. He didn’t notice the white marks left on the bottom of the gray mug.

“Ha, well now my condition is amazing. Let’s finish it by 2 am.”

Jaegun started to hit the keyboard again.

The words on the screen filled as fast as light. The one cup of coffee from Se Gun Woo’s mug gave him the new energy.

“Editor, Are you busy?”

Starbooks publisher’s office.

Editor Gwon Tewon was just back from a trip and was checking the writer’s book schedules. Employee Jung Somii was just coming to her.

“Ah. Somii, yes, it’s fine. Go ahead.”

Tewon moved his gaze from the monitor to Somii and answered. He was the kind of person who was never condescending to any underlings. Somii who was a new employee for about 6 months laughed meekly and continued.

“It’s about the, Martial Rankings, by Writer Ha.”

“Yes. What about Writer Ha?”

“He finished all 10 book of the series and sent them. So I was wondering what I should do with this.”

“WHattt?!”

Tewon unawarely stood up.

“He really sent all 10 books of the series? Seriously?”

“Yes. I’ve checked it. He finished from the 4th book to the 10th and sent 7 books of content to us.”

“Wow. I can’t believe this. What happened? How long has it been since he sent us the 3rd book and now he finished the 10th book? How could this be?”

Tewon shook his head and sat back down.

It has only been 10 days since he has gotten the 3rd book.

The Jaegun Tewon knew was a writer who finished a book in about a month. It was surprising that that Jaegun sent the 3rd book in a week.

But now, sending 7 books in 10 days, it had to be books that he’d written earlier and saved.

“Did you read some of the books?”

“Yes. Not all of them, but I’m now on the 8th book.”

“You read a lot. How did you feel?”

Somii put her two hands on her chest and said with a small but confident voice.

“I thought it was fine. The story is clear and the plot twist is good. I have to see about the story, but until now I don’t see any holes in it.

“Really? Did something happen to Writer Ha this year?”

“It must be a year of success for him.”

“Yes. Anyway I get it. I’ll check it and reply back so you can just leave it.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Somii returned back to her seat.

Tewon alone, he put his chin on the desk and went into his thoughts.

Jaegun’s books have been getting good reviews. After the 4th book was printed, the plan was to increase the print by a 1000 copies. Now it was going to be 4000 copies per book.

Usually after a book goes out, it takes about 1 month until the next one is released.

It was to help the writer, but it was also to help the readers adjust themselves on the time period after the books are released on the market.

But that was during the time when books were printed only in paper copy.

Now the electronic market existed. If the series was already over, wouldn’t it be better to print them all and then put them on the internet? That could be the shortcut to greater success.

‘What would the original writer be thinking of right now.’

Tewon pulled out his phone. And then on the long list of contacts, he pulled out Ha Jaegun’s and pushed the call button. After a brief beep, Jaegun picked up the phone.

“Yes, Editor.”

“Writer Ha. You wrote this before, right? How did you finish till the 10th book in only 10 days?”

“Haha, how was the book? It has to be good.”

“The Publisher’s employee said that it was fun. But I didn’t get to read it yet, but it must be good. Oh and Writer Ha.”

Tewon stopped for a second and check his afternoon schedule.

Since he got the final book of the series, it was time to make the contract for the next work.

If Jaegun somehow signed with another publisher, that was bad news. Now Jaegun, in the editor’s opinion, became a writer that could not be let gone.

“Are you good for dinner today? I only said that I wanted to meet you a couple of times, but I haven’t seen you in a while.”

Chapter 14

“Today?”

“Yes, do you have any plans today?”

“Hmmm…”

Jaegun’s reply didn’t come right after.

On the other side of the phone came a repeating unknown buzzing sound.

Tewon became nervous.

He worked a long time as an editor, he had that ‘feeling.’ Now it seemed that feeling was coming to him now. It might be that writer called Jaegun was already…

“Sorry.”

Jaegun’s voice returned with the signal.

“I must have pushed a wrong button with my ear. You wanted to meet today, right?”

“Yes, Writer, are you ok?”

“Of course. I’m fine. I’ve finished writing the series and I’m free. Where do you want to meet? The same place?”

“I’ll go close to where you live.”

“No. There’s nothing to eat here. It’s not far so I’ll go to Guloo Station and see you there. How about 7?”

“Yes, Writer. That seems fine. Ah, also…”

Tewon slurred his words and moved his glance to editor’s office.

Somii was already putting her face on the screen and was typing fast on the keyboard. She was already ordering Jaegun’s books in a list.

She was always doing more before even being told to do so. She knew how to do her job,  and so, she never got intimidated when facing an overload of work.

With both his eyes on Somii’s laudable self, he replied back on his phone.

“If it’s fine Writer Ha, could your head editor also come as well?”

It was good for the head editor to meet with the writer. Especially with a writer like Jaegun who seemed to be close to success. Tewon wanted Somii to get more opportunities and experience as a editor.

Jaegun didn’t stop and accepted the offer.

“That’s good for me. We can see each other’s faces and exchange greetings.”

“Yes, Writer. I’ll see you at 7.

“OK. Thank you.

Tewon stretched as he cut off the phone.

After he finished that call, he felt refreshed. He felt that his ‘feeling’ was getting worse as time went on. Jaegun didn’t change. He was the same diligent hardworking nice guy.

“Representative.”

Tewon, surprised, stood up. A man with half hair about in his 60s was walking in with his hands clasped behind his back. It was StarBooks representative Park Jeguk.

“Hey hey. Don’t stand up. Just sit down.”

Jeguk pushed Tewon’s shoulder and made him sit down. And he pulled a chair on the side and asked passing by.

“Is there anything good going on?”

“Nothing changed except Martial Rankings.”

“The freaking market is terrible.”

Jeguk scratched his neck and complained. Looking at Tewon’s schedule, he continued his question.

“Is that book selling well right now?”

“The reviews are good. From book 4, there’s going to be more copies. If the reactions are good, there might be more.”

“Hmm. That’s good. I just wish he could write faster. We have to finish printing in paper to release it electronically and suck the juice out. People these days don’t even read paper books. They use their phones.”

“The world is changing after all.”

“No, Editor, How about we slow the book down and start the electronic service quickly?”

“Speaking of, I needed to tell you something. I’ve got the last book of the series.”

“What? When?”

“He sent it yesterday. Somii skimmed it, but it didn’t seem like there was anything wrong with it.”

“He sent 10 books already? Wait, but he wants to end it in only 10 books? You said the reviews are good? Isn’t this a series that we can push over 20 plus books?”

A publisher wants to pull a successful series as long as it can. Tewon shook his head and answered.

“We were going to meet today during dinner. We can start discussing the contract for later. I’ll ask him if he has any intention of stretching the series.”

“Ah. Yes. Good job.”

Jeguk tapped his shoulder and stood up.

“Give him some expensive food, 300 or 400 dollars doesn’t matter so just swipe it. Give him some specials. You eat as well. And persuade him well. You need to lock him up.”

“Haha. Yes.”

“We need to lock this writer up. At a time like this, we found a selling writer, this is good news. We can’t miss this money line. Hmm.”

Jeguk walked out with his hands clasped on his back, the same way he walked in the office.

Tewon gazed at Jeguk’s back with a complex expression on his face. It has been 9 years since he joined StarBooks, the representative was old and unmarried when he joined; but now he was a dad of two children. A lot of things have changed.

“Somii, You and I are going to leave together today, so please finish the work by 6:30.”

“Yes, editor.”

Somii’s energized voice came back.

Tewon downloaded the book from the company’s mailbox and and started reading it. Even though he was in a position of an editor and had to treat a book like a job, he turned into a reader and immersed himself into the novel.

‘I should get ready to leave now.’

It was 6 and Jaegun started to get ready to leave.

Beep!

The phone rang on his pocket as he was putting on his shoes. When he checked the phone number, Jaegun’s face tightened.

Hetae Media’s Assistant Manager Park Gyungsoo

‘What is it?’

Jaegun couldn’t answer the phone right away and was stuck in his thoughts.

Even though he deleted Ma Jonggu’s phone number, there was a reason why he didn’t delete Park Gyungsoo’s.

Even though he didn’t have much power, he was a person who tried to help out Jaegun as much as possible in the company.

‘Are they planning to use Gyungsoo to try and get a contract out of me? If then, they are completely mistaking the game.’

Out of Jaegun, a laugh came out. Business is business. Gyungsoo’s niceness was a different problem.

Jaegun picked up the phone.

“Assistant Manager Park?”

“Ah. You had my phone number. Hello. Hello. Writer Ha. Anything happened?

It was the same rushed and nervous voice.

Jaegun felt the same sorry feeling and answered.

“Nothing else happened. You’re doing fine?”

“Yes. I’ve been doing fine. Hahaha. Yes. I’ve been doing fine.

Jaegun’s eyes were on the clock on the wall’s minute hand. If he didn’t leave right now, he was going to be late so he was going to have to talk while walking.

“Did general manager Ma tell you to get a contract signed?”

Jaegun closed the door and walked through the hall.

He didn’t want to beat around the bush. Gyungsoo was the type of person who was careful with every writer he spoke with. He also had a weak hearing. It was better to talk straight away.

“Ahhh. That is… I wanted to to ask how you’ve been doing and with that purpose…”

“I’m sorry to you, assistant manager, but I have no mind to sign with Hetae Media. No, since this is business, there is no reason to be sorry to you. Right? I have no bad feelings with you, assistant manager.”

With Jaegun’s sure tone, Gyungsoo’s voice became more rushed.

“That is, Writer Ha, the general manager said he would listen to any conditions at all. He said he wanted to give you the best conditions. Seriously. Can’t you listen just once?

“Assistant manager, I’m not sure if you understa…”

Jaegun’s stopped mid sentence.

Just 10 steps away was a car. And next to that car, there was Gyungsoo in a crouching position holding a phone.

“Ah… Writer Ha.”

Gyungsoo, noticing Jaegun, put down his phone and laughed awkwardly. Of course, Jaegun couldn’t laugh. The only people who knew where he lived out of Suwon’s people were the employee’s of StarBooks. Did his personal information get exposed or something.

Chapter 15

Gyungsoo quickly ran up.

Jaegun, until he came up his nose, stood there. It was true that this unexpected meeting was uncomfortable and baffling.

“He…llo.”

“How did you know?”

“Yes? Ah…”

Gyungsoo read the discomfort in Jaegun’s face and stopped for a second. However he knew that this wasn’t a matter to be hidden so he quickly explained.

“The general manager told me to get over here… I was looking for the exact place and you just appeared…..”

Jaegun closed his mouth and was speechless. He didn’t feel like he needed to ask how he found out.

This line of job is small. A person who worked here works over there. A person who worked over there works over here. And then here and there and over there, people start to know each other. Perhaps general manager Ma had contacts in StarBooks.

Hetae Media knew that Jaegun wouldn’t like yet they still found his address and sent a person here. Jaegun was sorting out the perfect response for this discomfort in his head.

“Writer Ha, if it’s before dinner time, you should come with me…”

“I have a meeting.”

“Ah. Yes then talking while standing here is bad so we should go to a nearby cafe…”

“No. I will simply speak right here. What I want is a contract requirement.”

“Con, contract requirement?”

Gyungsoo’s face revealed his fear.

This was the first time that he saw this confident and self-confirmed Jaegun. The old Jaegun wasn’t like this. As they were a writer and an editor, they had different jobs, but he was like him, a powerless man.

Jaegun put up his hands and folded his fingers one by one and continued his words.

“11% royalties from 3000 copies, extra 1%, from 4000 copies, extra 1% from 5000 copies and so on. Also a contract span of two years. Electronic books should be 7 to 3. Of course the 7 is me. Send this to general manager Ma.”

“Wr-writer Ha? This, this is…”

Gyungsoo turned pale and couldn’t continue his words. This wasn’t impossible. The deal that Jaegun just proposed was a deal that A type famous writers could negotiate.

“I’m busy so I’ll assume you heard me and I’ll go first.”

“W-writer Ha. Wait a second. Excuse me.”

“Don’t follow me!”

As Jaegun looked back with a furious face, Gyungsoo stopped following and froze in place.

“Don’t follow me, and do not come to my house without my consent or there’ll be no contract. And give me the answer today by text.”

Jaegun spoke hardly and furiously turned around . Gyungsoo with his shivering body could only watch Jaegun’s figure move farther away.

“…I’m sorry. Gyungsoo-Seonbae**”

Jaegun wasn’t too happy about this. However, it was the only option. As long as Gyungsoo was an employee of Hetae Media, he couldn’t do anything else. So he chose this path to just completely cut them off.

When he couldn’t see Jaegun anymore. Gyungsoo finally got control of himself and called his superior. The other accepted the call before the first bell stopped ringing.

“What? It ended already?”

“That is, general manager, he says he’ll sign if we accept his demands.”

“Demands. What does he want?”

Gyungsoo said Jaegun’s demands one by one. The other voice’s breathing across the phone started getting heavier.

“This mad man, first time since his debut he’s selling 1000 copies and what?!” Does this guy think he’s on the level of other top writers? Is this guy going crazy because people are saying he’s gaining popularity?”

Gyungsoo held his phone away from his ear and wrinkled his face. He waited until the screams were over and asked.

“What should I do now, general manager.”

“Do what?”

“Are you going crazy, assistant manager? Don’t speak nonsense and go meet that ‘My Husband is a Werewolf’ writer. Throw that Ha Jaegun guy away.”

Beep!

Phone shut off as soon as the he stopped.

Gyungsoo looked down at the floor and sighed. Skepticism filled him like a flood. Is this the dream that he had since his school days?

“Are you sure with this? The representative said to buy you expensive things.”

“I wanted to eat meat. I don’t want to go far away and I’m fine right here.”

StarBooks Tewon and Jaegun met at a popular meat restaurant sitting across each other. The employee girl came over to take orders.

“What do you want?”

“Can I have the beef rib eye serving for three first.”

Tewon didn’t hesitate and bought the expensive meal that costs 30 dollars per serving. Jaegun was surprised, but he knew that the meal bought to a writer was always paid with the company card so he kept quiet.

“Before I speak, I have something to say.”

Tewon smiled and opened his mouth.

“Your book is getting printed a thousand copies more.”

“Then…. it means that one book is getting about 4000 copies?”

“Yes. Estimate about 2500 dollars. It means you’re getting about 2500 dollars each month. Of course only from the paper books.”

Jaegun’s smile was earnest. He didn’t need to hide his feeling in front of Tewon.

Now like other employees, he had a stable cash flow of money coming in. He didn’t need to worry about the gas fees or wash in cold water like fish flopping around. Life changes in a moment like this.

“If the reviews are good, then we might sell about 5000 copies per book.”

“I wish that could happen.”

“And because of that, Writer Ha, Do you have any intentions of lengthening the series?

Jaegun put down his cup and met Tewon’s gaze.

“You want me to write more of the series?”

“Yes. I’ve read until the 10th book and there’s a fight that starts in the 8th book. If we can lengthen the story from the 8th book to the 10th book, we can write about to 15 books. Other than that, the plot might break and ruin the series.”

Tewon wasn’t a editor that only looked for the gain of the company.

He wanted the ratio that also didn’t ruin the project. This was why he had a lot of popularity among writers. Jaegun also felt that too.

“How is it? If we can go till 15 books, the book may increase in popularity and we might go over 5000 books and maybe up to 6000. Your royalties will also increase by that much as well.”

“But I thought I finished the story pretty cleanly…”

Jaegun slurred his words and moved his head sideways.

A young girl was coming through the door and entering the restaurant.

With a 160 cm height, a small body and two large eyes, she had a cute impression. Jaegun felt the entire restaurant getting brighter.

“Somii, here!”

Tewon held up his hand and shouted.

The cute girl that Jaegun saw smiled, put her shoes in the cabinet, and walked over. And then, to Jaegun, she bent her waist 90 degrees and greeted him without caring about the other customers.

“Hello, Writer Ha, I am StarBooks’ employee Jung Somii. I’m late because I was parking.”

Like her face, she had a clean and happy voice.

Jaegun, with his eyes on her white socks below her shorts, awkwardly nodded to her. The cat inscribed on her sock looked like Rika. He felt good.

Chapter 16

“I should have already mentioned her during that phone call. She is the head editor for your project, Writer Ha. Sit down, Miss.”

Somii sat down next to Tewon. She reached for the cup and poured some water. Jaegun said.

“You must be tired after reading over my lacking books.”

“What are you talking about. The book is so entertaining that work doesn’t seem like work.”

“Thanks for the made up words.”

Somii wrinkled her face as if she was suffering unfairness..

“I’m serious, Mister. I’m not used to the martial arts genre, but I read your books well.”

Jaegun shyly laughed and shook his head.

It’s common for writers to get praise from the editors.

It’s more of an encouragement to help the suffering writers than a compliment.

In the past when Jaegun didn’t sell well, he let the compliments slip through his ear. However, with this new book in the market, it felt different now. Somii’s complements as an editor were finally reaching his heart.

Everyone’s cups were full of soju, and with Somii’s skillful hands, the meat was roasting well.

Common talks about daily life went back and forth across the table. When the second bottle of soju was being opened, Tewon spoke.

“Writer Ha, about the suggestion I mentioned earlier…”

Jaegun, with meat in his mouth, shook his head.

His eyes were stuck on the grill and he was deep in thought. Tewon waited calmly without intervening or adding.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t lengthen the book.”

“I see…”

“I feel like I completely finished the series in 10 books. Of course, if I lengthen the series, I would get more profit, but to the perspective of the readers, I feel like that would be hard.”

Tewon’s disappointment was on his face.

Unexperienced at these kind of talks, Somii sat tight mouthed. Her two ears were perked up trying to make sense of the atmosphere.

“If Writer Ha says so, I guess there’s nothing else to say. OK. Actually, it’s pretty good just the way it is.”

“But…”

Tewon, wondering what he was going to say, opened his eyes wide and held out the cup with two hands. Jaegun poured soju and continued.

“I will contract the next work right now.”

“A sequel contract?”

Jaegun laughed and replied back with a mischievous tone.

“Why are you so surprised? I thought you were going to mention first about making a sequel contract.”

“N, No. It would be great if you could do that. But with the end of the series, you must be tired and in need of some rest…”

Jaegun shook his head and cut him off.

“I’m fine. When I have momentum, I should pull it with me. I’ll send the synopsis tomorrow. And I’ll finish about 5 books before a week.”

Tewon almost spit out the drink in his mouth.

“5 books in a week?! Do you think that would be possible?”

“Actually I have some in reserve. I think I can do it.”

It was a lie.

He didn’t have a word of reserve. It was just that he had the skill of writing 10,000 words per hour now. So he was ranting about it.

“The problem is to make the rough copy good for you, but I’ll try as much as I did for Martial Rankings.”

“I believe in your writing skills. I think you have the feeling now so the sequel would be good as well.”

Jaegun drank a sip of water with a calm expression.

It was time to bring up the hard topics.

Now he was a ‘selling writer’ so it was time to bring up his worth.

Tewon was a humanly good editor who helped Jaegun from the nameless days till now. So it was harder for Jaegun to bring up the topic.

“Writer Ha, what are you thinking so hard about?”

Jaegun firmly lifted his head . With the mental attitude to talk not to editor Tewon, but to the entire Starbooks, he opened his mouth.

“Now I want to edit the contract details.”

“Ah. Yes. Of course, writer. We can’t have the same contract as last time, of course.”

“I didn’t completely make a big success yet so I have no mind to reach for unreachable conditions. Just with 9 percent royalties with a bonus over 3000 copies and…”

Suddenly Tewon took out sheets of paper from the bag. And he pulled out a contract and gave it to Jaegun.

“Would you look at this for a moment?”

“… A contract?”

“I prepared this because I thought I would be contracting for a sequel with you. Please look through the contents. “

Jaegun shaking his puzzled head opened the contract. As he turned the pages, the feeling of surprise was getting added. In the contract were conditions better than what Jaegun secretly wanted.

“Editor, this…?”

Jaegun couldn’t continue.

Basically with 10 percent royalties and 1 percent added every time 1000 copies were printed after the basic 3000 copies. The settlement ratio for the electronic books were also 6 and 4, Jaegun with 6.

Jaegun’s contract way’s were  basically paper books.

Paper books have larger cost and there are larger risks of loss.

The publishers obviously make contracts with the electronic market in their mind. Therefore, without being a great writer, it’s hard to get over 5. To Jaegun who only got one good writing, it was an unconventional condition.

“Editor? Did you prepare this earlier?”

“I thought we needed to do at least that much as a starter. Rather, I’m sorry that we could only do that much. If you blast this new work as well, then I’ll try and fry the representative to get a higher condition.”

Jaegun’s heart was pounding and he could only shake his head.

He was so happy to this editor’s patronizing mind that cared for him so much.

“Now, I think all the important things have been taken care of so let’s concentrate and eat?”

“Yes. Of course. Eat. You too, Miss.”

“Eat and get strength, writer.”

The three people lifted their cups.

The surroundings got louder as more people came in. Even with the loudness, inside Jaegun’s mind was the makings of the sequel. It was quickly taking form.

‘No. What is this?’

Hetae Media’s main editorial department.

Assistant manager Park Gyungsoo was looking at his monitor at his spot.

Filled on the screen was the comments on StarBooks’ writer Pyung Cheon Yu’s new work ‘Martial Rankings.’

Man in 20s: When is the 3rd book coming out.

Woman in 30s: It’s really fun.

Man in 40s frequent visitor: Absolutely getting the 3rd book.

Man in 10s student visitor: my friends at school don’t read anything except the Martial Ranking series.

We overfilled the volume of the first book so we couldn’t get the book. Sadness.

Gyungsoo’s face felt more pale because of the light from the monitor.

Gyungsoo couldn’t believe it.

It has been only 8 days since he met Jaegun. But now he was on the sequel and it was starting to grow more popular than the previous work.

It was just then.

“WHERE IS GENERAL MANAGER MA?!”

The representative with rage came in to the editorial office.

Gyungsoo went pale and stood up shaking.

“Ah, I don’t think he’s in work yet…”

“Does that man know what time is it and he’s still not showing his face? Does he think he can be late just because he’s the general manager?! Call him and tell him to run! Tell him to come to my room as soon as he’s here.”

“Yes, representative.”

The representative went back furiously.

Gyungsoo plopped down on to his seat. It was terrifying just thinking of how bad manager Ma was going to get chewed after missing a hit writer.

Chapter 17

General Manager Ma Jonggu got the call and came after an hour.

He was covered in sweat because he was meeting with a writer for a contract.

As soon as Manager Ma went into the office, screams loud enough that the entire room could hear the noise. ‘You know you’ve done, so you fix it!’ came before the ‘ACKKK!’, scream.

Then, the office door opened and Manager Ma came out. Limping because he was kicked in the shin, he gloomily went up to Gyungsu and said.

“Call with your phone.”

“What? W-where?”

“Ha Jaegun! Call Ha Jaegun! He blocked my phone you idiot.!”

Manager Ma shouted as he crashed his fist on to the desk

Surprised by the outburst, Gyungsu hurriedly took out his phone. Manager Ma was crouching with his hands behind his head, right before him.

At the same time.

Jaegun rang the doorbell of his parent’s house. He could hear his sister Jaeyn’s voice.

“Who is i… is it Jaegun?”

Recognizing Jaegun from the interphone, Jaeyn opened the door. Jaegun smiled and entered the house.

“What is it? I got no call either”

“Nothing, just it’s your day off as well.”

“Funny, that’s why you asked my days off yesterday? What wind blew today? You never came when I sang for you to come.”

Jaegun answered back with a laugh.

He lived like a no name writer that struggled to keep his body healthy. He was embarrassed to even show his face to his family and so that’s why he refused her invitations.

However, now it was different.

Because of Martial Rankings and the sequel, the reviews were good. Now feeling the moment, he decided to visit his family. It was to give his mom a present and to alert his situation.

“Where are mom and dad?”

“Mom is in the barber, dad is at morning shift since yesterday.

Jaegun’s dad lost his job three years ago at the rescue workplace. Since then, he’s been working as a security guard at a condominium. It was a hard job with changing shift times but he never missed work other than the holidays.

“Have you eaten breakfast?”

“Yeah, it’s late, ah, wait, a call.”

Pulled out his phone, Jaegun’s eye twitched.

It was Gyungsu of Hetae Media.

Knowing what this was about, Jaegun having a small smile took the call.

“Hello.”

“Writer Ha, Hello. This is Hetae Media’s Gyungsu.”

“Yes. What is it?”

Jaegun said coldly. As he expected, Gyungsu spit out a string of words.

“Ah, yes, this is about the contract I’ve mentioned. I’ll have to meet you and see you and talk about the contract but I think we can make your agreements. If today is good, we would like to see you.

“I’ve mentioned that day. I wanted an answer on that day. But now it’s already been a week.”

“Th,thaat. That is because of the meetings and the internal situations we had here so we needed some time.

“I don’t care what internal meetings Hetae Media had. The important thing is that I got no reply. So I’ll cut off if you have nothing else to say.”

The voice on the other side changed as Jaegun was going to cut off.

“Writer Ha, This is General Manager Ma Jonggu. I’m sorry that we couldn’t give you a call right away. Please give us one more chance to redeem ourselves. I’ll try not to disappoint you. Please don’t cut off. Yes? I’m begging you, sir.”

Manager Ma, afraid of Jaegun cutting off, spit out the words fast. Jaegun looked up at the ceiling and thought. It was true that he felt bad that they were begging to him this badly.

“Hello? Sir? Sir?”

“I’m thinking.”

“S-sorry. I can wait.”

Jaegun ignored Jaeyn’s look of what is it and closed his eyes. Manager’s Ma uneven breathing could be heard across the phone.

“OK. I’ll see.”

Jaegun opened his mouth reaching a decision.

“I’ll believe in your words of not disappointing me, General Manager Ma.”

“Th-Thank you. Thank you. Sir. Really thank you. When should I go? I’ll go and visit you.”

“I’m at my Suwon home. I’ll be up there by 4-5 so about…”

Manager Ma quickly cut him off.

“If you’re in Suwon, it’s that place with your family? Then I’ll go over there. I can get there by an hour.”

It was the address that he made a contract with his debut work. Jaegun, somewhat surprised, looked at the wall clock and nodded his head.

“Then I’ll do that. I’ll wait.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll be right over.”

Jaegun put his phone away in his pocket. He pulled out a bottle of milk from the fridge. Jaeyn, who was waiting, asked.

“What is it? Publisher? Listening to it, it seemed they were begging to you?”

“They’re asking for a sequel contract.”

“…sequel?”

Jaeyn just asked that and swallowed her other words.

It might be that if she continued, she might breach her brother’s sensitive parts.

It was a pain but Jaeyn knew. Her brother wasn’t a writer that a publisher would be begging this much for. He wasn’t that popular of a writer. So she was more curious about that phone call.

“I’ll go to a cafe and come back later. They should come in about an hour from Seoul.”

But Jaegun predictions were wrong.

It was about 30 minutes before the bell rang. As he looked at the interphone, it was Manager’s Ma and Gyungsu’s faces. They must have ignored all the signals coming here.

“I’ll be in the room then.”

“Sorry. I’ll be quick.”

“No it’s fine. Take it slow.”

Jaeyn went into her room and Jaegun opened the door.

“Ah. Hello, sir.”

In Manager’s Ma and Gyungsu’s hands were an expensive beef ribs set and a ginseng set. Manager Ma lifted it up and said.

“I’m sorry we came unexpectedly so we couldn’t have time to select a proper gift. I hope they will be good for you.”

“Thank you. I’ll take them.”

Jaegun was surprised.

He never had gotten such an expensive gift even on holidays.

The best was just a tuna set and a ham set that employees got.

In middle of receiving such a gift, Jaegun felt it again. His value has gone way up.

“Come in.”

Jaegun went sideways and told them to come in. since they came to the house, there was no point going to a cafe. It was better to just talk in his room. Manager Ma and Gyungsu took off their boots and came in.

Chapter 18

“Should I get you a cup of coffee?”

“No, I drank some already. I’m fine.”

The three people sat on cushions in Jaegun’s room.  In the bleak room that was vacant for so long, Jaegun first said.

“I’ll forget everything that doesn’t have anything to do with business. I won’t say any words.”

“Ahah, Yes…”

Manager Ma Jonggu could only put down his head because he felt a bit guilty. He knew it himself. It was the truth that he was harsh on the past no-name writer Jaegun. He could have done better to him, but he didn’t.

“You know the conditions that I gave to Gyungsu, right? I’ll start from there.”

“That is, sir, the paper books conditions are fine, but the electronic book conditions are a bit… yes. Couldn’t you lengthen the contract length or give us more on the ratio? Couldn’t something like that occur?”

Jonggu was saying this, practically begging.

Even though he wasn’t the type to act like a baby, Jaegun looked around and let out a sight as if he was frustrated. Just with this, Jonggu and Gyungsu became afraid and shook.

“Then let’s do this.”

Jaegun, even though he thought of this earlier, said like he just thought of it now.

“I’ll only take 10 percent for the paper books. I don’t need guaranteed circulation, and I’ll take 1 percent starting from 4000 copies. But I’ll keep the 2 year contract with the 7 and 3 ratio for the electronic books.

Jonggu’s face showed his complicated thoughts. Jaegun added as if he was being generous.

“I’m being generous.”

“Ah, Yes. Sir… but…”

It was awkward for Jonggu to contract like this.

There was no way to see how many paper books were going to sell and the market wasn’t good as well. There was no guarantee that Jaegun’s books were going to be a string of successes. It was his honest thoughts that he wanted to take more on the electronic side of the business.

Just then, Jaegun held up his index finger and continued.

“If you listen to my personal request, I can maybe allow the contract year to increase to 3 years. Or maybe I can give you 1 more on the electronic settlement ratio.

“Personal request?”

Jaegun held up his middle finger and his ring finger as well and opened three fingers.

“Enter in 30,000 dollars in first.”

Jonggu opened his mouth wide enough to show his uvula.

There was no way to know what Jaegun was going to write, how many books he was going to write; there was absolutely no information on his new works. And with that, an input of 30,000 dollars, that was a huge amount.

“Wr-writer Ha…”

Instead of the flabbergasted Jonggu, Gyungsu spoke up.

“This might be a bad question, but if you sign with use, how many books are you gonna write for the series.”

“At least 10 books.”

Gyungsu nodded his head and did the calculations.

The cost for a 10 book series is about 24,000 dollars if it’s 3000 copies per book. To not have any losses, there constantly needs to be at least 3000 copies selling or Jaegun had to increase the series length. There was no guarantee that even 3000 copies would be sold either.

‘If we contract and make a loss…’

The thing that was left was the electronic platform.

If there was a loss, the only way to make it up was like electronic books. Hetae Media went into the electronic market a bit late. To make a profit for the company, they needed some more time to grow.

“Hmm…”

Jonggu was deep in thought pressing on his nose.

It was Jonggu’s way of just throwing out writers who didn’t result in money. Therefore, that was why he was afraid. He was afraid if Jaegun was going to throw out Hetae Media the same way.

“10 books… Please, you need to write no matter what until the 10th book.”

“I said it with my mouth. If the project needs more because of pacing, I would write more.”

Jonggu felt somewhat relieved but one part of his mind was still hesitant. Jaegun pulled out his phone, checked it, and showed it to Jonggu.

“Would you look at this?”

Jonggu and Gyungsu’s eyes both went to the phone screen. It contained Starbooks’ Somii’s message.

The Modern Rankings is printing 2000 more copies. The Martial Rankings is also probably printing a thousand more copies. Now it’s 4000 copies and 5000 copies. Total of 9000 copies! This is good news so I thought to tell you as soon as the news was released. Good work today as well.

“Hmmm…”

From Jonggu’s mouth came a strange chime. Jaegun ignored it and continued.

“My value as a writer is rising by the minute. There might not be a contract condition like this any more.”

“I- I’ll give it to you!”

Jonggu said with a determined face and pulled out his phone.

“Can I give a call to the General Manager?”

“You can do that. I’ll be out for a second to get some coffee and to give you some room.”

Jaegun left his room and closed the door. Jaeyn, who was leaning against the wall, became surprised and straightened up.

“What are you doing?”

“I- I was getting some water and I was checking…. Jaegun, I just heard something but 30,000 dollars? Am I hearing that right? The book you’re writing goes for much money?!”

“I was going to give some money to mom, about 3000 dollars and it’s just one zero behind it. It’s nothing.”

He was thinking before the contract. He was going to give all the money of the contract for the not so good living household. Jaeyn became excited.

“Not- not that much, with that much money, you can cover your entire rent fees…”

Jaegun with a bright face poured himself coffee.

The hot steaming water melted the coffee mix. Jaegun blew on the hot coffee a few times and drank a few sips. And before he drank all of it, the 30,000 dollars were deposited into his account.

“I’ve done it, sir.”

To Jonggu who just left the room, Jaegun nodded.

“I’ve checked it, by the SMS notifications. Thank you.”

Jaeyn couldn’t close her open mouth. Seriously, did 30,000 dollars of an amount just get deposited? To just a no-name writer like her brother?

Jaeyn wanted to ask her brother about his work or his writer. She didn’t want to give any pressure on her all ready tired brother. Also, she was really hurt from reading all the terrible comments on his books, so she didn’t bother with that either anymore. Therefore, she didn’t know that her brother had just broke the bank with his previous releases.

“I hope you will do good, sir.”

At the front of the door, Jaegun and Jonggu shook hands.

There were smiles, not person to person, but from business to business.

“Thank you. I’ll try to send you about 5 books in a week.”

You don’t have to be a friend, but don’t be an enemy.

Jaegun, with the teachings of his father, sent off Jonggu and Gyungsu with a smile. In his mind was already the making of a series that he was going to send to Hetae Media.

“Team Leader, Aren’t you going to have lunch?”

“Go ahead. I bought a sandwich to eat while reading.”

Game company Nexon mobile team office.

Team Leader Lee Suhee fixed her long hair reaching to the shoulder in a bun. Then with one hand, she ate a sandwich and started reading a book on her knees.

‘Hahaha, funny.’

The book that she was reading was called the ‘Pegelon’s Magician’, a fantasy type book. It was also Pyung Cheon Yu’s new book. She finished reading his previous series and was just starting on the first book of ‘Pegelon’s Magician.’

Suhee knew who Pyung Cheon Yu was. From his debut book that failed miserably to his newest books, everything he made was on her bookshelf. Pyung Cheon Yu was the only man who, in her 27 years, made her open her heart.

“Sob, sob.”

Suhee turned her head to the random crying noise. The youngest employee Hyemi was coming to her seat rubbing her tears away.

“Hyemi, what’s wrong? What happened?”

Suhee comforted her and asked. Hyemi wiping her tears with a tissue cried.

“Sob, I’m sorry, team leader. But I really can’t work with Writer Oh. It’s so hard..”

Suhee opened her eyes wide.

It was already the 4th time that Myunghoon caused a problem, now it wasn’t a problem that was going to be fixed with nice words.

“Where is Writer Oh right now?!”

Chapter 19

“In the resting room… Sob.”

Suhee immediately left and went to the resting room.

Myunghoon was on the hammock. He was shaking the chair and leniently relaxing while drinking coffee. As Suhee approached, Myunghoon lifted his head and said like he was enjoying himself.

“Hey, hey, Lee Suhee. What’s up? You didn’t go get lunch?”

“I think I told you not to call me that in office?”

Suhee looked around the empty resting place and said irritated. Myunghoon got up and made a saluting gesture and answered.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. Team Leader, Lee, Su, Hee.”

Out of her mouth came huge sigh. It was a personality that couldn’t be fixed. There was no change from her college days to now. Combined with the stress of frequent overtimes and with this, her irritation exploded.

“What’s wrong right now!?”

Suhee cut right to the point?

Myunghoon laughed and sat down. He shook the A4 paper that was ripped in his hands. It was the character design that Hyemi designed.

“That woman call Hyemi, you said she was a food and nutrition major in college? I could tell from her working. Isn’t it better to tell her that she should quit Nexon and work at a high school restaurant as a nutrition master?”

“Tell me what the issue is.”

Suhee swallowed her anger and said. Myunghoon laughed and shook the paper in his hand roughly and answered.

“Issue? Yeah, it’s an issue that she can only design something like this. From the food type to the setting, there’s nothing I like. 20 year woman from a gas station is working part time and she meet a racer man? And falls in love? There’s a limit to this inducement. With a design as low as this, asking me to write a scenario…!”

Myunghoon shook his hand again and threw the paper randomly. The paper piece hung in the air for a second then fell onto the floor.

“It’s going to be hard to work if it’s going to be this way.”

“Then get me a design that’s good enough.”

Myunghoon twitched his foot and replied. Suhee’s eyes became colder by the second.

“Isn’t the problem your personality, not the design?”

“Whoa, is the team leader attacking my person?”

“…let’s stop.”

Suhee went on her knees and picked up the pieces of paper that Myunghoon spread on the floor.

“Hyemi is an employee that I like. Without any concern to her major, she works hard and unlike someone, her personality isn’t messed up.

Myunghoon’s face, which was holding a smile the whole time, hardened. She met his eyes and continued.

“Attacking personalities? Who was the one that said about nutrition majors and quitting to go to a nutrition company? How can you forget something you said 30 seconds ago and say crazy outbursts? And from a prideful WR, IT, ER. “

“Let’s stop, Suhee. It’s about to get bad.”

Myunghoon’s face was getting red. Suhee laughed through her nose and turned up the conditions a notch.

“Finish the draft by 3 days. There’s a schedule so we can’t be waiting like this.”

“I can’t write anything with a trash design like this even with 30 days.”

“Then if you can’t do it, I’ll look for a different writer.”

Myunghoon widened both his eyes. Just for a second and he put his head to the ceiling and laughed hard. Suhee was looking at him with a confident smile on her face.

“You’re gonna look for another writer? In 3 days, he has to write 3 character scenarios and 10 guests and you think you’re gonna find something like that? It’s gonna take at least a day just to get used to the entire story”

“There could be if I look.”

“Work is one thing, but how are you gonna find them? How are you gonna find a writer with skill like me in 3 days, recruit him, and give him the job? Ha, Team Leader Lee Suhee, I didn’t think you were a young woman who doesn’t know the world too well.”

“If you said enough, I’ll be out.”

Lee Suhee turned around and left. Myunghoon gazed at her back with hard eyes. If this wasn’t the office and was his house, the mug in his hand would already be thrown away and broken.

Suhee coming back to her seat, took out her phone and looked up her phone number list. She found Park Jongjin and his profile. Suhee took a breath and pressed the call button

“Hey, Lee Suhee? What’s going on? Calling me?”

“It’s been a while, you’ve been well?”

After asking Jongjin his well being, she reached out across her desk for a book. The end of her white and thin five fingers were on the writer Pyung Cheon Yu’s name.

“You’ve done a good job. Take this on the way out.”

“Ah, You knew that I like this drink. Call me if something is wrong.

“Yes, yes, have a safe trip.”

The delivery man left.

Jaegun looked down at Rika on her bed. Behind him was an air conditioner of the best quality.

Jaegun pointed to the air conditioner.

“Look at that Rika, that’s called an air conditioner, it’s cool right?”

“… Meow?”

“It’s July and the heat is about to come soon, but I have no concern. There is no need to have a cold shower every 30 minutes like last year. Why is that? Hehe, you’re curious? If you’re curious, I’ll tell you. It’s because of the air conditioner.”

“Meow? Meow?”

Rika with a confused face shook her head sideways and cried. Jaegun couldn’t stand her cute gestures and hugged her.

“I have no worries anymore. This must be like that saying about success at the end of hardship. Now I can write about books I want to write now.”

With the Martial Rankings and the Modern Rankings , the monthly money was about 5000 dollars. The Pegelon’s Magician released on Hetae Media was getting good reviews and was already printing 1500 copies. Therefore, Jonggu got to keep his general manager job.

Beep!

A call came from Jaeyn. Jaegun put Rika down and answered the phone laying down.

“Yes, sister.”

“Are you busy? Mom says she’s gonna make you a fish dinner today.”

“I’ve ate duck stew just yesterday. What’s with another fish stew today.”

“A writer has to keep his stamina. It’s not like you’re doing any other exercises or anything.”

Jaegun was suffering from constant dinner invites from his sister and mother. The house environment was so much better because of the 30,000 dollars he had given to solve the problem of the rent.

“Don’t be like that, Jaegun. Come back home, yeah? There’s no reason to be in that one room anymore.

Jaegun without answering changed his gaze. The relationship between his father and him was still pretty bad. Even though he was getting good results, he got no response from him much less an encouragement.

And there was an important problem first.

Jaegun didn’t want to leave this one room. To be exact, he didn’t want to be away from this room. He didn’t know it, but it was the place where a writer had just changed his life.

“A call’s coming in, I’ll call back.”

“Do it quickly.”

Jaegun cut off the phone from her sister and took the new call.

“What’s up?”

“Did you get a call?”

“What is this randomness? What call?”

“Ah, no call yet, looked in a hurry though, it’s just that Suhee called and she asked your phone number and where you lived, and I told her. Fine?”

“Suhee…? What for?”

“I don’t know, It felt like she wanted to ask you a favor, isn’t it that? That, when we had that meeting with everyone, Myunghoon said. He was writing a scenario with Suhee at Nexon. She might be tired with putting up with him and might be asking you.

“No way.”

“Get some pride, man. You’re selling well. Anyway, call me at night, I don’t have much time left at lunchtime. I need to get some cigs and brush.

“OK. I got it.”

Jaegun lay down on the bed and looked up at the ceiling in disbelief.

Lee Suhee…

In the college days where the future looked dim, his first love, who he had to let go of because he had nothing. He had no idea why she was looking for him now.

Beep!

Jaegun, surprised at the vibrations of the phone, sat up. A phone number that was not registered was showing up at the screen. An engine sound was getting louder across the main road outside his window.

Chapter 20

Jaegun took the call with a nervous voice.

“Hello?”

“Is this Jaegun?”

The voice was familiar in his brain and it created a picture in his mind. He could see the woman with a beautiful smile right in front of him.

“It’s Suhee, Lee Suhee, I’m sorry I called you so unexpectedly. Are you doing well?”

The car engine sound stopped.

Jaegun walked towards the window. Across the street, there was a cloud like white car in front of him. It was a few meters long, but he could tell who the driver was.

“Hello? Jaegun?”

“I’m listening. Sorry. I’ve been fine. And you?”

“Yeah. I’m good. Fine.”

After the times that they were apart, it felt like elementary school speaking class.

“I asked Jongjin for the number.”

“Yes, I see.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come to the meeting with the all the graduates. I hear you’re still writing books. Good work.”

“Nah. It’s just I have nothing else I can do.”

“Are you busy? If you’re not, can I see you for a second?”

Jaegun was about to say yes but Suhee spit out a few more words.

“I’ll be real. I contacted you because of work. I’m in a hurry so I came near your house.”

Jaegun smiled at this.

She didn’t change at all. She was always the straightforward style who didn’t soften words.

“Sorry. Did you feel bad?”

“No. You see the end of the road and the 4th floor on the orange building.”

“4th floor, yes, I see it, are you there.”

“Yes, 2nd floor… wait.”

Jaegun was terrified when he looked at the mirror. Because of the air conditioner, he didn’t have time to clean up.

His hair was spiked like a porcupine and he hadn’t shaved so his beard was growing.

“Suhee, I’m sorry but could you wait in front of my house for 5 minutes. I’ll be there.”

“Take your time.”

Jaegun ran into the bathroom.

As soon as he shaved, he rubbed his hair with his left hand and brushed his teeth with the right. When he was drying himself, it was perfectly 5 minutes.

“You cleaned?”

Suhee smiled at the front of the parking lot.

Jaegun, on the top of the stairs, dusted off his hair.

“You haven’t changed. How many years have it been?”

“I don’t remember. Come in.”

“Thanks.”

Suhee went with Jaegun in to the one room.

Jaegun asked.Suhee who was standing in the middle of the room.

“If it’s hot, should I close the windows and turn on the air conditioner?”

“No, I’m fine. Wow, you raise a cat?”

Suhee found Rika who was under the cat tower and went with a surprised face.

Rika looked at Suhee’s face, closed both her eyes and yawned.

“So cute… what’s her name?”

“Rika.”

Suhee carefully touched Rika’s neck. Rika didn’t reject her and accepted her touch. Still looking at her surroundings, she said.

“I can tell your personality just by looking at your room.”

“Personality?”

“You only need the things you need to live. It’s like looking at your bag during college.”

Suhee matched Jaegun’s glance and laughed. Jaegun also laughed. His heart pounded. The room felt more lively just with Suhee’s presence.

“Yes… what’s the work?”

“Ah, I forgot.”

Suhee moved her hand that was rubbing Rika and took out some papers from her bag.

“This is the game that our company is developing. It’s a racing game with some dating. I need a writer that could write a scenario with these girl characters.”

“Hmmm.”

Jaegun carefully read the papers that Suhee gave him.

Suhee was so nervous that her throat was dry. She was nervous that he would laugh at her like Myunghoon did.

“Ha.”

At a point, Jaegun laughed.

Suhee went pale and asked.

“Why…. laugh?”

“It’s funny.”

“What is ?”

Jaegun, with his eyes on the paper, answered while laughing.

“It is. It’s funny that a girl working at a gas station meets a racer and falls in love. It’s an idea that could easily happen. It’s good because it’s possible. It’s relatable to the public.”

“I see…”

From Suhee came a sigh of relief. Jaegun’s laugh was a positive one.

“This next character Cha Selin is also pretty good. Of course, a girl working at a construction site isn’t likely in real life. But this is a game. If you can just save the details of the construction site, you can be persuasive enough. Hey, this is pretty good. Did you make this?”

Asking that, Jaegun was still looking at the paper.

Suhee fell in deep thought as she looked at Jaegun. There was no difference from the past Jaegun and this Jaegun. The two were overlapping.

The past was like this too.

He had no other thoughts when he was reading.

He poured hot water into ramen and started reading a book, and most likely he would eat the ramen after the water had cooled.

“I’ve finished reading it.”

Jaegun turned his head.

Suhee swallowed once and asked.

“How is it? Can you do it?”

Jaegun wanted to ask “Why me” but he stopped.

The important thing was that Suhee acknowledged that he was a writer and a human. So he made a decision and nodded his head.

“I’ll try. I’ve done work at gas stations and construction sites. I’ll be able to write something funny

Suhee’s face brightened up at that sound.

“Thanks. The contract isn’t bad. After it’s released and gets 150%, there’s incentive and …”

“It’s fine.”

Jaegun laughed and stopped her.

“I know you’ll take care of me.”

“Ok…”

“When do I need to do it by?”

“That’s the problem, Could you do it in 3 days? I didn’t show it to you yet, but you need to understand the story about the game, and it is a bit time limited.”

“3 days, I’ll do it.”

Jaegun answered confidently.

He had the power to write 10,000 letters in an hour. In two days, the only work he needed to do was to send the Modern Ranking’s 6th book to StarBooks. He wasn’t too busy.

“I’ll hurry.”

“Thanks. I should go then. I have a lot of work to do.”

Suhee took her bag and stood up. There was so many things that they needed to discuss, but it would have to wait. She rubbed Rika once more and went to the front door and wore her shoes.

“I’m fine whenever, so give me a call. And let’s eat dinner sometime.”

“Ok, Be safe.”

Jaegun sent her away and sat in front of the notebook. Rika jumped up on his legs and took his place.

“Suhee is pretty, right?”

“Meow…!”

“That was sharp. OK. You’re the prettiest and Suhee is next in line. Fine?”

Rika acted all cute rubbing his head.

3 hours later…

Suhee pulled out her phone. She was resting in the living room with some coffee when a message came.

“I’ve sent Oh Sumin and Cha Selin’s character scenarios. Check it and message me.”

Suhee opened her eyes wide and looked at the clock. It’s only been 3 hours but the scenario drafts were already in? It was not possible.

“That’s weird. Did I explain something weird to him? Did he write something weird?”

She had no hope or expectation of receiving it in one day. She was thinking at least one day if he was fast. Suhee quickly walked to her computer.

“I can’t believe…!”

Suhee was shocked when she opened the document. She sat with her mouth open.

It was a 32,000 letter scenario draft. There was almost no typing errors and Jaegun’s writing was short and concise showing the two character’s stories well.

Suhee calmed herself and read through the draft from beginning to end. Then she printed it for all the employees.

“This is the Oh Sumin and Cha Selin’s character scenario. Read it and give me some comments.”

The employees all looked flabbergasted.

They had been used to Myunghoon’s extreme personality and his working style. A person like that who had just left the company in a fury today calmed himself down and finished a scenario?

“Wow, This is fun.”

The first employee that spoke up was Hemii, who was a fast reader.

“The character is really in depth. The back story is good too.”

Later another employee said

“The scenario, I think, took in mind the quest coins as well. The cases are all really unique, and they fit right in.”

“Did Writer Oh get something weird? I didn’t know he could write so well. He could have done this earlier and not have made so many employees miserable.

Suhee didn’t answer and only smiled. It was confirmed. It was not her biased opinion on his writing.

At that moment, Myunghoon called. She thought ‘he’ll never be a gentleman’ as she picked up the call.

“Hello.”

“I think I was a bit furious. I changed the scenario for Oh Sumin. Changed her job to a family restaurant, I sent it to your mail so check it over. It was hard for me work to such low standards. If you can’t say yes to this, I have no other words. Find another writer.

Was it the moment?

Myunghoon’s voice sounded a lot more arrogant than usual today for Suhee.

It didn’t take long to make a decision. Suhee hardened her mind and asked.

“Could you tell me your bank account number?”

“Bank account number? Haha, what’s that? I don’t need any contract money. I don’t live that life. Just read the draft.”

“No, I wanted to give you your final payment.”

“Final… payment?”

Myung Hoon’s voice lost its laughing tone.

Suhee searched up the next character that she was going to send to Jaegun and continued.

“Nexon is going to revoke its contract with Writer Oh Myunghoon. I have to give you your money because of the contract. Even if it’s for coming to this company even though you’re not a proper employee and causing toils on everyone.”

“Su, Suhee? What are you talking…”

“I’m busy, let’s cut off. Send me the number by text.”

Beep!

Suhee put down her phone. She turned her phone over when the call came again. The employees who had found their energy in a long time moved quickly to find their respective work to do.

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