Chapter 39
Chapter 39
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Is the Author Omnipotent?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Isn't this something..."
Jang Seong-ho, the CEO of Figure World, exclaimed in admiration as he received the blueprints.
The final blueprints he got after signing the contract were for Mirine.
"This is a masterpiece."
Jang Seong-ho had created dozens, hundreds of figures.
Now, just by looking at the blueprints, he could envision the final quality.
And the character Mirine was undoubtedly worthy of being called a masterpiece.
"This one seems like it'll turn out the best?"
Among the four products commissioned by TS Media, this one seemed to have the highest completion potential.
"Since they've given us such fantastic blueprints, let's put our all into making it."
CEO Jang Seong-ho rolled up his sleeves.
Blueprints were merely the foundation.
With a solid foundation in place, it was time to focus on building the structure.
His hands, now fully concentrated, began producing the highest-quality products.
* * *
Tae-seong held a meeting with Deputy Manager Im Byeong-cheol.
All the figure samples had come out.
"Oh ho..."
Deputy Manager Im Byeong-cheol's eyes sparkled as he took the sample.
He examined the figure meticulously, turning it this way and that.
"This has better quality than I expected."
"Thank you."
"If it's this level of quality, the per-unit price should be pretty high... Is that okay?"
It was TS Media's responsibility to produce the figures.
Grape Books would earn a commission from those sales.
Since the commission was based on sales price, they could profit regardless of the unit price.
What Deputy Manager Im Byeong-cheol was concerned about was TS Media's side.
"It's fine. We've set the price so they won't take a loss."
"If the CEO says so, then it must be. When will the products be ready?"
"It'll take about three months."
Deputy Manager Im Byeong-cheol nodded.
He knew that for products of this caliber, that much time was reasonable.
"How about launching sales alongside Season 3 serialization in three months?"
"Yes. And what about Japan?"
"Kang Team Leader is currently negotiating. It should go smoothly without major issues."
"I'd like to run figure sales concurrently with the Japanese serialization."
"Hmm, that does sound good. The issue is that selling in Japan would require going through another company, which means higher commissions."
It was a question of whether that was okay.
"Yes, please proceed."
"Got it. We'll handle that simultaneously as well."
TS Media's first product under their name.
Sales of the SSS-Class Hunter's Return figures were drawing ever closer.
* * *
Tae-seong met with PD Kim after a long time.
PD Kim had reached out first.
[Author! Our drama's heading overseas!]
Most original authors transfer drama production rights via copyright contracts.
In such cases, they don't get incentives even if the drama sells abroad.
But Tae-seong had signed a running guarantee contract.
Not only did his earnings vary with the drama's performance, but he also received a share from secondary sales.
That's what he needed to discuss with PD Kim.
"Long time no see! You've gotten even more handsome."
"Thank you."
"Americano?"
"Yes."
The two, meeting at a café, ordered Americanos and sat down.
"As I mentioned on the phone, Black Knight's Her has contracts with five countries."
"That's quite a few."
"Actually, we've had plenty of offers before, but the higher-ups pushed to raise the price. We couldn't delay forever, though, or the buzz would fade."
Tae-seong nodded.
Normally, it wouldn't be odd to sign contracts while Black Knight's Her was airing domestically.
"The contract countries are Singapore, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, and finally China."
All powerhouse markets.
"The total copyright fees from each country come to about 4.2 billion won. Incentives will be paid to you as per our contract."
The drama copyright market had shrunk compared to before.
But the incentives alone meant tens of millions in profit—not bad at all.
"Oh, and I'm quitting MBY this time."
"Quitting?"
"Yeah, I've been getting transfer offers nonstop. The conditions are good, and most importantly, they promised not to meddle with my productions."
She smiled brightly.
He could tell it was influenced by what he'd said before, without her needing to say it.
"You'll do great wherever you go, PD-nim."
"Of course. Let's work together again when there's a chance. Got it?"
"Absolutely."
* * *
-Author, this is Team Leader Kang Min-woo.
Kang Min-woo Team Leader contacted him a week after the meeting with Deputy Manager Im Byeong-cheol.
"Yes, I was actually waiting for your call."
-I should've reached out sooner. We just wrapped up talks with Japan. Sorry about that.
"No worries. How did it go?"
-Overall agreement reached. From webtoon serialization to figure sales, the Japanese branch will handle it. I'd like to meet separately to discuss details. Does your schedule allow?
"I'll visit tomorrow."
-Got it. See you tomorrow then.
* * *
Tae-seong arrived at Grape Books' headquarters for the meeting.
"Author!"
Team Leader Kang Min-woo came out to greet him.
"Long time no see."
"Yes, I hope you've been well?"
"Thanks to you, I have."
"I'm glad to hear that. Come on in."
"Yes."
Guided by Team Leader Kang Min-woo, he entered the conference room.
"Shall we get straight to it?"
"Yes."
Team Leader Kang Min-woo pulled out documents and explained the upcoming schedule.
"For Japan, it might be best to align Season 1 serialization with around when Season 3 starts in Korea."
"Hmm, that's a tight schedule."
"Translation and manuscript revisions take time, but since we're doing figure sales concurrently, starting serialization and sales together should maximize promo effects."
Team Leader Kang Min-woo's reasoning was sound.
"Plus, simultaneous launches in both countries would make promo articles easier and allow joint marketing for sales."
There was clear justification for the tight timeline.
Not just Team Leader Kang Min-woo—Grape Books knew exactly what selling products entailed.
"Understood. If that's the reason, we'll adjust our schedule accordingly."
"Thank you. If needed, we can provide manpower support."
"Really?"
"Yes. Japan's showing huge expectations for SSS-Class Hunter's Return and promised full support. One part is providing translation staff."
"We won't refuse the help."
"Yes. We'll follow up on that soon."
"Yes. Also, about Black Knight's Her."
"Ah, yes."
"I heard the drama copyrights sold."
"Oh! That's great news. Black Knight's Her webtoon serialization starts soon too. With copyrights sold, articles will go out and promo will be solid. Do you know which countries?"
Tae-seong listed the countries he knew.
"Japan's included?"
"Yes, that's what I heard."
"Hmm..."
"Any way to tie that into promo for SSS-Class Hunter's Return?"
"Good idea. We'll look into it."
"Please do."
"Yessir!"
* * *
Back at the office, Tae-seong immediately gathered Team 1.
"How much of Season 3 do we have in reserve?"
"Completed drafts up to Episode 11. Episode 12 is in final coloring, and Episode 13 has started backgrounds."
Tae-seong nodded at Lee Chang-o's explanation.
"Everyone except Sang-jun, who's on Episode 12, stop work."
"Stop?"
"Yes. Japan serialization is confirmed. Season 1 there needs to start two months from now, when Season 3 runs here."
"Two months?"
"Dialogue tweaks aren't too hard, but isn't it too rushed? Especially with translation too."
Lee Chang-o and Lee Sang-jun spoke in turn.
"Grape Books is providing translation help."
"Hmm... in that case..."
"We'll focus on manuscript revisions."
"That could work?"
"If Grape Books handles translation quickly, time-wise it's doable."
Tae-seong smiled at the shift from 'impossible' to 'worth a shot.'
"Alright, let's go with that and give it a try."
"Yes!"
Two months ahead.
All revisions had to be done.
* * *
"Hoo-!"
"Finally..."
"It's done..."
Team 1 collapsed in exhaustion.
Everyone had poured themselves into revisions to meet the deadline.
"Good work, everyone."
Unlike his fatigued team, Tae-seong looked fine.
They knew he'd done the most and longest revisions, so they shook their heads.
"CEO, aren't you tired?"
"I am."
'Doesn't look like it at all,' nearly slipped out.
But too drained to argue, they slumped over their desks.
Tae-seong smiled at the sight.
"You've all worked hard, so take tomorrow off."
"Really?!"
"Is that okay?"
"Yes, it's fine. Team 1 rests tomorrow, back to work the day after."
"Yay!"
Watching his cheering team, Tae-seong left the office.
In the hallway, he called Team Leader Kang Min-woo.
-Ah! Author. Just checking the final manuscripts. Great job hitting the schedule!
"The rest is on you."
-Yes! Will keep you updated as things progress.
After the call, he gazed out the window.
The sky was bluer than ever.
* * *
He let the team rest, but Tae-seong had no time to.
He still had much to do.
[Han Seong-ho: Uploaded Black Knight's Her Episode 11. Please review.]
Black Knight's Her had reached Episode 11 drafts.
Han Seong-ho and Yu Min-kyung's teamwork was fantastic.
Even without much oversight from Tae-seong, they produced solid drafts.
Of course, he was still doing the initial sketches.
[Lee Sang-jun: Otherworld Chef Episode 4 done, but still rough spots. Thinking of revisions. Sending marked-up version.]
"I told everyone to rest today."
Lee Sang-jun hadn't come to the office.
He'd handled it from home.
Typical of his responsible friend.
Leading Team 3, his hands passed or revised manuscripts.
Final say was Tae-seong's, but Lee Sang-jun made most calls.
"They're syncing up better."
Tae-seong smiled satisfied after checking Otherworld Chef.
It had been total chaos at first.
Teamwork was new, so adaptation took time.
Lee Sang-jun's steady handling improved their rhythm.
'She's adapting too.'
Ki Min-jeong, once timid and worrisome, was settling into Team 3.
She'd briefly joined the figure department to draw Mirine's blueprints.
Her skills caught teammates' eyes.
Working in the same field, they couldn't ignore superior talent.
Now back in Team 3, she meshed with the group.
The company ran smoothly as planned.
With dedicated members, webtoon production flowed well.
Results would emerge soon.
"Alright, time for me to work."
Tae-seong opened the Return of the Sword Immortal manuscript.
[Return of the Sword Immortal Volume 3]
He dove into the past tale as he unfolded the Volume 3 manuscript.