Chapter 4
Chapter 4
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Is the Author Omnipotent?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Something new had been added to Tae-seong's daily routine.
It was reading fantasy novels on his commute to work.
He was well aware of the appeal of novels.
He had once been a great literary figure, leaving his name in history.
From classical literature to poetry and plays.
He had learned across various genres and written them himself.
'It's different.'
But fantasy novels—what were collectively called genre fiction—had a different starting point.
'There are no constraints.'
Writing has forms and methods.
Take pure literature as an example: it had to convey a clear story infused with the author's philosophy to be considered a good work.
Genre fiction was different.
It pursued one thing only.
That was fun.
'As long as it entertains the reader, it doesn't hesitate to shatter conventions.'
In fact, that was what made it fun for readers.
At least, it was for him.
'It brings back old memories.'
Genre fiction felt even more special to Tae-seong.
The reason was that he had experienced reincarnation like the protagonists and lived in another world.
Because of that, genre novels became a way for him to reminisce about the past.
[Today's read was fun too. Thanks!]
At first, he just read.
Then, by chance, he saw the comments and started leaving greetings to express his gratitude.
There were no replies, but he didn't mind.
It was a small token of appreciation for a good read.
'Lots of comments today.'
On average, there were about 20 comments.
But today, there were over 50.
He suddenly grew curious about what others thought.
[Panmu Master: Kek-! So cathartic!]
[Black Cat: Feels like a decade-old sweet potato sliding right down!]
[Lee Ye-reung: This chapter was really fun!]
Most of the comments were positive.
Many cheered at the protagonist's bold exploits.
'I wonder if the author sees these.'
He wondered.
Did the author read all these comments?
'Even as a mere reader, this feels so good.'
How must it feel for the author themselves?
'Internet serialization...'
There were many places to read genre novels.
The platform Tae-seong used, ones linked to major portals.
There were even dedicated serialization sites.
He had been amazed that anyone could post freely there.
'There were so many works.'
He couldn't imagine the effort a writer put into even one story.
Yet there were hundreds of them.
The quality varied.
Some pursued fun as genre fiction should, while others veered off that path.
One thing was certain: they all wanted something.
'They all crave recognition from others.'
He saw humanity's instinctive desire reflected in the writing.
Occasionally, there were stories that didn't chase that.
Ones that followed the path the writer truly wanted.
What was fascinating was how popular those were.
Not with everyone, of course.
But they garnered overwhelming acclaim from those whose tastes matched, landing in the top ranks.
'Fun.'
The competition itself was entertaining.
And he wondered.
What was the thrill of serializing in real-time?
'Should I give it a try?'
The thought struck him.
And Tae-seong acted on it immediately.
Over many lifetimes, he had sometimes made cautious, deliberate choices.
But through repeated lives, he had learned one thing.
'The best way is to just start.'
If it didn't work, he could find alternatives then.
Worrying about unhatched chickens was a waste when human lifespans were so short.
* * *
He got home after work.
It had been a busy day.
Any ordinary person would have collapsed from exhaustion.
But Tae-seong was fine.
Thanks to consistent exercise, his stamina had built up.
On top of that, he possessed mental fortitude that transcended the body.
Fatigue wouldn't dominate him anytime soon.
Tae-seong finished his routine and sat at the computer.
Normally, he would meditate and get a good night's sleep, but tonight the pattern changed.
'Where should I write it?'
He planned to write.
To share one of his experienced lives in writing with others.
The first hurdle was where to write it.
He could use a word processor, but it wasn't installed on his computer.
In the end, he chose Notepad.
A blank white page filled the screen.
Staring at the blinking cursor, Tae-seong pondered.
'What story should I tell?'
Countless lives flashed through his mind.
All of them fascinating.
He had been a hero commanding the world, a king unifying continents.
Sometimes a bard singing of the world, or entangled with spirits his whole life.
'Come to think of it...'
One story sparked.
It matched the current trends in genre fiction.
Tae-seong placed his hands on the keyboard, gazing at the blinking cursor at the top of the Notepad.
* * *
"Alright then, sleep well, son."
Mwah!
"Daddy, good night!"
After kissing his son's forehead, Han Sang-tae left the room.
"Whew—it's already 10."
His son had gone to bed late tonight.
His free time had been pushed back as a result.
He sat in his chair and turned on the computer.
"Not sleeping?"
"Yeah, just gonna read a bit before bed."
"Only a little, okay? You'll be tired tomorrow too."
"Got it."
"Then I'll head to bed first."
"Yeah, I'll come soon."
Once his wife entered the master bedroom, Han Sang-tae dove into his own world.
41 this year.
He had reached middle age.
In modern slang, a textbook ajusshi.
He had no intention of denying it.
Much had changed.
Sagging belly, increasing wrinkles and grays—they all announced his age.
But compared to his teens, some things hadn't changed.
Novels, precisely.
Genre fantasy novels.
He had been a fan since high school.
Renting them for 700 won at the rental shop had been his joy through school.
Other kids scolded him for reading such stuff, but to him, those who didn't get the fun were the pitiful ones.
Devouring countless books, he once dreamed of becoming a writer.
At first, it was a bit of rebellion.
Seeing stories that didn't meet his standards, thinking, "I could write better."
But writing wasn't easy.
Above all, writing consistently and regularly was the hardest.
In the end, he gave up midway and chose an ordinary life.
An ordinary job, meeting the woman he loved, marriage, a son.
A satisfying life.
Yet he still couldn't let go of genre novels.
They had become a part of his life.
"Hmm..."
Lately, even that was starting to feel stale.
Predictable plots, cookie-cutter characters.
Everything felt formulaic.
'In the past, they unfolded stories more patiently.'
The smartphone era brought changes to genre fiction too.
One was the pacing.
Stories used to weave multiple threads in detail.
Now, with simpler structures focused on the protagonist, fast pacing was the trend.
He wasn't criticizing it.
From someone who had read novels since the old days, it just felt regrettable.
'Hm? A new one?'
Then a novel caught his eye.
Not in the pro writers' board or the mixed amateur-pro general board, but the free board.
Most were messes without appeal, but he frequented it anyway, hoping to find the occasional gem.
The title that stood out was [Return of the SSS-Class Hunter].
'Fits the current trends.'
SSS-Class in the title was a staple of recent hits.
Free boards were full of newbie writers thinking, "I'll do things differently."
They often used offbeat titles rejecting trends.
That's why this one stood out.
'Three chapters in one day. Got a stockpile?'
Most who posted multiple on day one had pre-written stock.
But something caught his eye.
'130 views, but 14 comments? And 33 likes?'
Impressive numbers.
100 views with 10 likes was considered good.
Even on the pro board.
Especially the comment count was odd.
'Even if the author replied to some, that's still 7 comments.'
7 was high, raising questions.
To solve it, Han Sang-tae clicked chapter 1.
And when he came back to his senses.
"Whoa..."
An exclamation escaped him.
A bit over-the-top for just three chapters.
But his body was still trembling with thrill.
"Perfect."
A pearl in the mud?
No.
This was a diamond hidden among the muck.
Everything was flawless.
Each chapter had its own beginning, development, turn, and conclusion.
Short stories chained together, leading to the next.
No bloat.
No unnecessary exposition or characters.
Everything that appeared served the story.
It kept the focus on the protagonist.
Unique skills, solid plot.
Yet the side characters felt alive.
Each one seemed like a real person.
"A pro?"
Sometimes established writers hid their names and posted new works on free boards.
Reasons varied.
Contract issues, ongoing series, or unfinished works.
He ruled out the last.
No one who could write like this would have unfinished stuff.
Han Sang-tae shifted his gaze to the pen name.
[Jeong Tae-seong]