Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Chasing Dreams
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"Do-jun, are you by any chance the CEO of Starlight?"
Kang So-yeon's question laced with doubt.
I nodded slowly, hiding nothing.
Anyway, search "Starlight" on any portal site, and Kim Do-jun's name pops up blatantly. Thinking it's just a coincidence would be pure idiocy.
If it's Lightpia turning her novel into a game, with the CEO sharing the same name, even kids would catch on.
Ah, this person.
The Kim Do-jun I knew.
"Yeah. I'm the CEO of Starlight."
"How...?"
Clearly flustered, her pupils shook violently.
Even so, Starlight was carving out its own legend in the gaming world. Less than five years since founding, and it had stormed into Google's top revenue ranks.
Easy? Not a chance.
The daily game releases alone were beyond counting on your fingers. For a newbie to pull off a success story in that cutthroat arena was harder than finding a needle in a desert.
The ice in my cup was melting bit by bit.
I gazed at the distant sky mirrored in the window and spoke.
Before I knew it, my inner Hnama guy was gone.
Only the CEO remained.
What was it?
The drumbeat thundering in my chest had fallen silent.
"You said it yourself... you like a man chasing his dreams more than some flashy guy."
"!"
Words that could easily be misunderstood slipped out.
Not what I meant, though...
"Haha, not a confession. It just gave me a moment to look back at myself."
"Look back?"
Her head tilt made sense—she had no clue about my old situation.
My assets now topped 50 trillion won.
Selig in the US was deep into new drug development and mass production, throwing parties daily. Jin Seol-hwa said they were even setting up branches in other states.
A Korean branch within the next year? Very possible.
'Selig will skyrocket to 80 billion dollars max. That's the real start. Proof we're ready for global mega-acquisitions...'
China's wild expansion had the world in a chokehold. I planned to flip the script and strike back amid the chaos.
It might crash and burn.
But if it did, at least go down like a man.
Or just dive in headfirst, no regrets.
Starlight's acquisition would arm me with the cash for the acquisition wars ahead.
"You said it in front of Choi Jin-wook back then. Called me a basement-dwelling bum."
"..."
"I really was. Lucky rags-to-riches whiner, maybe. Like a mannequin—loaded but aimless, just taking up display space."
"..."
"Seong-ho tipped me off about the reunion. Thought it might spark something in my parched heart."
The spark? Kang So-yeon and Choi Jin-wook.
They'd been my ideals since school—top grades, athletic stars, kid magnets.
All-rounders, right?
I stared blankly at the billion-won watch on my wrist.
Reunion Kim Do-jun.
Today's? Worlds apart.
Starlight CEO. Owner of a US pharma behemoth.
That's not all.
Toss in the crypto stash, and unofficially, I might crack the global rich list.
I clenched my fist.
Cold sweat trickled.
Hoard the cash, spend only when needed—life of luxury, no envy. List 50 trillion at a marriage agency, and women would line up.
Doting on kids like they're your eyes.
Give 'em the world.
Not a bad happy life.
But not my life.
"So-yeon, you know?"
"What?"
"I read your novel."
"!"
"It hooked me. What dreams does a writer like 'you'—churning out stuff that fun—hold?"
Just for the cash?
No way.
She loves books, loves writing—that's why.
I adored that Kang So-yeon.
Top of the class, yet always pushing further—so damn beautiful.
Wanna be like that.
Full, rewarding days like hers.
"That's why I made the offer."
"Do, Do-jun..."
"300 million."
I held up three fingers.
Right now.
The old crush? Long gone.
Just businessman Kim Do-jun, here to seal the deal.
"300 million advance. Lightpia handles details, but it'll be solid for you."
"..."
"Your novels stand out. Read a bunch of other TS stories. No clue why, but yours have this unique pull others lack."
Her stories.
How to put it?
First line hits, reality blurs—a fresh world unfolds right there.
Sometimes wild fantasies beyond imagination, sometimes tales brushing my daily grind. Feels like adventuring with the hero.
No page-turning needed.
Phone or tablet screen flows on forever; emotions ride the story's rollercoaster.
Thrills, tension, tears, laughs—seamless, timeless immersion.
Webnovel speed and edge gripped me to the end.
Finish one? Already clicking the next.
'Wonder what game it'd birth...'
For that? 1 billion.
10 billion.
Worth every won.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Silent, empty space.
Drained, Kang So-yeon chucked her bag aside and collapsed on the sofa.
Today's meeting.
No trace of the old shy, withdrawn guy.
"A man chasing dreams..."
She remembered saying it.
No deep meaning—just preferred inner strength over surface flash.
She'd fielded tons of confessions.
They worshipped her looks, not her.
Age fades beauty—what then?
Would they stick around?
She hugged her shoulders.
No.
'Why does my heart hurt?'
Kim Do-jun.
Leaves shedding green for red and gold, dancing on the wind.
Like always, he confessed.
【Go out with me?】
Shorter than most.
Insecure face.
Anxious eyes, bitten lip.
Classic teen vibe.
Her reply:
[Sorry. Not dating anyone yet.]
Back then's Kim Do-jun versus now? Like aliens from parallel worlds.
She'd seen it.
Luxury watch, upgraded style.
Gestures dripping ease.
And outside?
Post-chat, swallowing regrets—a mystery woman appeared to greet her.
The woman wore life's scars, unlike her pristine self.
'Im Yun-ah, was it...'
Opening the car door, bowing deep—secretary or bodyguard for tycoons.
Heart ached deeper.
Tears brimmed.
Why?
Why this pang from that sight?
Since when?
The reunion?
Kang So-yeon pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the thrum. The heart that stalled for any guy now raced wild.
'...'
Kim Do-jun and that woman, flickering.
Just their cheerful chat replayed.
"I'll sign with Starlight."
Reason unknown.
But she craved it again.
The one who jump-started her frozen heart.
A deep urge to talk more.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "CEO, she's in."
"Really?"
Moonlight Girl—the pen name.
And that writer? Someone I knew.
Kang So-yeon.
My first crush. Still the friend I aspire to.
She took the offer straight-up.
"Gonna be slammed."
Im Yun-ah nodded, setting the bubbling miso soup on the table.
"You're not just anyone, CEO. Eat properly, sleep ten hours minimum..."
Off from her usual vibe.
This hero-who'd-charge-in-any-crisis woman carried a strange new scent.
Yeah.
Motherly instinct?
The miso soup was rich, mind-clearing.
Im Yun-ah: killer shot, fighter, chef extraordinaire—looks bely it all.
True all-rounder? Her, maybe.
Ring!
Phone buzzed.
No one calls this late—who?
Figured Jin Seol-hwa from the US. Nope—total surprise.
"Do-jun, booze... wanna?"
"Booze? Seong-ho, that you? What's up this hour?"
Park Seong-ho from the reunion.
Months since last chat?
Wonder how Christmas went with his girl.
Guy was marriage-bound, blissed out.
"Split with my girlfriend."
"What?"
"Split... sob!"
What the hell?
Park Seong-ho—basically my best bro.
Kept in touch post-school.
His breakup hit personal.
That grief-stricken voice crushed.
"Where? On my way."
Rolls-Royce Cullinan pulled up to a roadside dive bar.
There he was—downcast, slamming soju shots.
"You made it?"
Seong-ho swaying like a reed.
Empty soju bottles scattered everywhere.
"Split with your girl? Spill it proper."
My words drew a defeated mumble from his resigned face.
"Do-jun... You think money's king in life too?"