Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Is the Author Omnipotent?
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Winter had arrived before he knew it.
It had been nine months since his first regression in the spring.
In that time, the novel [SSS-Class Hunter's Return] had reached its conclusion.
The final chapter racked up 62,000 views.
It ended on a high note, setting the all-time record for views on the platform.
The total chapter count came to a whopping 500.
He'd been posting two chapters a day, sprinting full throttle.
The webtoon adaptation was still soaring high as well.
Two million readers were following along on Grape Books.
"Now I can finally get some rest."
Season 1 wrapped up with chapter 50.
That meant he could take a break.
He'd been going nonstop for nine months.
Even Tae-seong, with his iron will, needed a chance to recharge.
"Just a little more."
The final manuscript he was working on now.
Once that was done, he planned to take it easy.
"Should I go on a trip with Mom and Dad?"
Tae-seong loved to travel.
It was a hobby he'd picked up over his many lives.
He didn't bother with rigid plans like most people.
He just picked a destination and wandered freely.
Bzzz-!
His smartphone buzzed on vibrate.
[Kwon Representative-nim]
He checked the name and picked up.
"Yes, Representative-nim."
*-Writer-nim! Sorry to call while you're working.*
"No, it's fine. What's up?"
Her voice was a bit more upbeat than usual.
He could tell something was going on.
*-It's about the overseas expansion for Grape Books and [SSS-Class Hunter's Return].*
"Overseas?"
That was unexpected.
*-I'll explain in detail when we meet. Are you free tonight?*
"Yes, my work wraps at 6, so anytime after that is good."
*-Great! I'll come to you near the office!*
"Got it."
He hung up and stared at his monitor for a moment.
"Overseas expansion?"
He was caught off guard by the unforeseen news.
* * *
He met Kwon Representative and headed to a Korean beef restaurant.
It had private rooms, perfect for talking.
As the side dishes were being set out, Kwon Representative began explaining.
"Do you know about a Chinese company called Baikcent by any chance?"
"First time hearing it."
"They started as a game company. Made games, imported them, grew big that way. A few years back, they started dominating the entire entertainment sector."
"And novels are part of that."
"Exactly. Baikcent's one of the top ten companies in China with massive capital. Naturally, they're investing in companies overseas too, not just in China."
"Grape Books must be one of them."
"Haha! As expected from you, Writer-nim. Tell you one thing, and you see it all."
She wet her dry throat with some water and continued.
"On the surface, it's a partnership, but Baikcent owns 22% of Grape Books' shares."
"That's a pretty significant stake."
"Yes, makes them the second-largest shareholder. Anyway, that's not the point. Some of Grape Books' top sellers have been exported to China through Baikcent."
"News to me."
"If they'd sold well in China, they'd have shouted it from the rooftops. But..."
He got it.
They'd have publicized it if it was a hit.
Since they hadn't, it stayed insider knowledge.
"You might not know, but China's online novel market is exploding. This is one of their top sites."
Kwon Representative handed over her smartphone.
It was open to a single site.
A site in Chinese.
"Oh, if the Chinese is making it hard to read..."
"Mostly wuxia novels."
"Yeah, given China's tastes... Huh? You read Chinese too?"
"A little."
"Wow... Writer-nim, is there anything you can't do?"
He smiled lightly and scanned the rankings.
Top ten were all wuxia.
What stood out was the view counts.
"The number one has over 400 million views? Is that a glitch?"
"Nope. The mainland's online novel market is already that huge."
"Whoa..."
China's online novel market.
It dwarfed anything imaginable in Korea.
"With all the wuxia dramas in China, lots of novels get adapted that way too."
China, the graveyard of IP rights.
Yet ironically, their domestic novel market kept booming.
"This site... Baikcent runs it."
He spotted the company name while scrolling.
"Technically a subsidiary. They absorbed the original operator."
"I see."
"Grape Books has deals with Baikcent to serialize some titles there for pay. But cultural differences between the countries mean no real hits yet."
"Makes sense. Success at home doesn't guarantee it abroad."
"Spot on. Still, it brings in some revenue, even if modest. You're already earning plenty domestically, so it might not matter much, but..."
"I'll do it."
"Really?"
"Yes. I became a writer to share my stories with as many readers as possible. No way I'm passing up this chance."
"Understood. Here's the contract then."
Kwon Representative slid the contract over.
It outlined the overseas expansion terms.
Nothing much different from the usual.
Just an added line about Baikcent handling payouts.
"Grape Books is covering translation costs. They've lined up a skilled translator, so no worries there."
"Got it."
"Can I proofread it in the middle?"
"Of course. But can you manage?"
"Yes, my Chinese is native-level. Don't worry about that."
"Ah-! I see. Alright, we'll handle it per your request."
"Thanks."
Overseas expansion.
An opportunity he hadn't seen coming.
'Will it connect across borders?'
A challenge even for Tae-seong.
He'd once rocked the entire continent as an author.
But this was a different world.
Information spread at insane speeds here among humanity.
Each person's culture and life experiences differed.
Above all, his novel was built purely from a Korean perspective.
No guarantees of success.
'Challenges are always fun.'
Diving into something new thrilled him.
"Oh, and Writer-nim."
"Yes?"
"Grape Books wants to invite you to their year-end party."
"Year-end party?"
"Yes, they host one every year-end for a select group of writers. Good for networking, plus events—pretty popular among authors."
"Hmm."
Tae-seong pondered for a moment.
He worked with Grape Books but had no direct contact.
Communication went through Kwon Representative mostly.
Whatever the reason, they'd backed his work massively.
A thank-you in person wouldn't hurt.
"Alright. I'll go. Oh, can my studio folks come too?"
"Absolutely! I'll send the date and location soon."
"Yes."
* * *
Word from Kwon Representative came two days later.
A text with the year-end party details.
Tae-seong shared it with the two during lunch.
"Party's on the 20th."
"Similar to last year."
"Have you been, Seong-ho?"
"Once, two years ago. Friend dragged me— he was serializing a webtoon on Grape Books."
"How was the vibe?"
"Pretty casual back then. But I've heard it's turned more like an awards ceremony lately."
"I see."
Tae-seong gathered his thoughts and looked at them.
"Let's meet at the office and head out together. Sound good?"
"Sure!"
"Yes!"
"Then let's wrap the final manuscript before then."
"Yes!"
[SSS-Class Hunter's Return]
The webtoon version was nearing its end too.
The whole studio poured effort into the last manuscript.
* * *
[SSS-Class Hunter's Return]
The legendary work had concluded.
This time, it was the webtoon.
Season 1's end, but fans mourned it anyway.
[Tagwang Mansae: Aww! There goes my weekly joy!]
[Kkokko Dak: Writer-nim, when's Season 2? T^T]
[Chokchik: Publisher, lock the writer up and make him draw!]
Hundreds, thousands of comments flooded the final chapter.
All lamenting the end.
Tae-seong smiled warmly at them.
'This is why I serialize.'
The joy of serialization.
Raw reactions from readers.
"Ngh-!"
Crack, pop-!
Stretching made his stiff muscles scream.
A week had passed since the final chapter.
He'd rested up fully.
His stamina, drained from serialization, had mostly recovered.
"Year-end party's tomorrow."
Winter had fully set in.
And tomorrow was Grape Books' party.
He'd meet the two at the hotel.
"It's a big-name event, so I should dress sharp."
Fashion depended on venue and vibe.
That was Tae-seong's creed, once a world-class designer.