Chapter 59
Chapter 59
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Is the Author Omnipotent?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A few days passed.
Tae-seong signed a formal contract with NetPrince.
The terms were quite favorable considering it was a non-exclusive agreement.
He did not require investment funds, so they opted to increase the revenue share instead.
The global rollout was scheduled to begin after the translation work and reviews were completed.
NetPrince asked if a translator had been selected yet.
The representative explained that they were narrowing down candidates through internal meetings.
Tae-seong mentioned that he had someone he wished to recommend for the position.
The representative inquired if he knew a specific translator.
Tae-seong noted that he had worked with a professional during the Chinese release of SSS-Class Hunter’s Return.
The representative recalled that his previous works had been significant successes in China.
Tae-seong modestly replied that they were well-received and praised the translator's skills as top-notch.
The representative promised to review the candidate while maintaining that the selection would be strictly merit-based.
Tae-seong agreed that the best translator would inevitably produce the highest quality version.
The representative thanked him for his understanding and asked for the individual's name.
Tae-seong provided the name of Choi Eun-ha.
The representative made a note of the recommendation before they finalized the contract.
NetPrince issued press releases through various media outlets to announce the new partnership.
The announcements confirmed that Otherworld Chef would continue its uploads on Nutube for existing viewers.
The news sparked a great deal of curiosity among the general public.
Many people who had not previously seen the drama began to explore the channel.
Consequently, the number of subscribers for the channel experienced a significant surge.
Meanwhile, Tae-seong began planning the next phase of production for the series.
He decided it was time to conclude the first season of the show.
He had designed the project with a seasonal structure in mind from the very beginning.
The first season focused on the protagonist’s arrival in the otherworld and his adaptation to tribal life.
The narrative was approaching the point where the original novel introduced significant changes.
A group of strangers was destined to arrive at the tribal village.
Among them was a noble named Arkel who had fled after a military defeat.
In the original text, Arkel served as the protagonist's most loyal companion throughout the journey.
He was intended to be a major character in the live-action adaptation as well.
Tae-seong reviewed the viewer comments to gauge the audience's expectations.
Many fans were eagerly anticipating the introduction of Arkel to the story.
The primary concern was finding an actor who could match the character’s description in the novel and webtoon.
Arkel was portrayed as an exceptionally handsome man with blonde hair and fair skin.
The character possessed a massive following due to his compelling backstory.
Tae-seong recognized that casting such an iconic figure required immense care.
He understood that a poor casting choice would shatter the audience's immersion in the story.
He decided to hold auditions to find an actor who could embody Arkel’s unique presence.
The studio conducted three rounds of auditions featuring thirty different applicants.
The excellent contract conditions drew a large number of foreign actors to the casting call.
However, none of the participants successfully captured the specific aesthetic of the character.
Tae-seong’s concerns regarding the role deepened as the days passed without a suitable candidate.
He briefly considered proceeding without the character before deciding to continue the search.
His smartphone interrupted his thoughts with a notification of an incoming call.
He answered happily when he realized it was Choi Eun-ha on the line.
Eun-ha greeted him with her characteristic enthusiasm and vibrant energy.
She inquired if he had mentioned her name to the representatives at NetPrince.
Tae-seong confirmed his recommendation and offered an apology if it had caused her any inconvenience.
She quickly reassured him and revealed that the company had already contacted her with an offer.
Tae-seong congratulated her and noted that they would not have called if she lacked the necessary skills.
Eun-ha expressed her profound gratitude for the opportunity and credited him for the breakthrough.
He insisted that her talent was the true reason for the offer.
She promised to buy him dinner as a token of her appreciation before they concluded the call.
Tae-seong felt a sense of relief regarding the quality of the upcoming Chinese translation.
He knew that her deep understanding of the culture would ensure the drama's success in that market.
He was also encouraged by NetPrince’s ability to recognize and secure top-tier talent.
***
The lights remained on at the TS Media office despite it being ten o'clock at night.
This was an unusual occurrence since the studio typically maintained strict working hours.
Tae-seong himself was still at his desk, which was even more surprising to those who knew his habits.
He was browsing the website of a foreign modeling agency in search of a specific look.
He found many handsome and tall men, yet none of them met his high standards for the role.
The filming for the season finale was scheduled to begin in only one month.
The absence of a male lead for the character of Arkel was becoming a significant source of stress.
He considered the backup plan of removing the character entirely from the adaptation.
The drama already focused more on culinary themes than the original plot.
He believed the audience might accept the omission, yet he felt it would be a missed opportunity.
He wished for a miracle that would bring Arkel to life in the mortal realm.
A familiar voice responded that the wheel of reincarnation only turned in the other world.
Tae-seong turned his head to find a man dressed in a white suit standing in the office.
He recognized the visitor as the Archangel Gabriel.
Gabriel had been observing Tae-seong's long cycle of reincarnations for centuries.
Tae-seong inquired about the reason for the angel’s sudden appearance in human form.
Gabriel explained that he wished to witness Tae-seong’s rare state of struggle up close.
Tae-seong remarked on the angel's strange fascination with human suffering.
Gabriel noted that it was a unique sight to see someone with hundreds of lives behind them feeling so troubled.
Tae-seong observed Gabriel’s stunning and mystical appearance in silence for a moment.
The angel possessed sea-blue eyes and features that were far too perfect for a mortal man.
His golden hair fell like silk to his back, creating a captivating and otherworldly image.
Tae-seong suddenly smiled as a new idea occurred to him.
He asked Gabriel if he would be willing to participate in the drama as an actor.
Gabriel was visibly flustered by the unexpected and absurd proposal.
He listened with a sigh as Tae-seong explained the desperate need for an actor with an angelic appearance.
Gabriel noted that the character of Arkel was indeed a divine mistake in human form.
He initially declined the offer, stating that his role as an observer made such an act impossible.
Tae-seong began to stroke his chin, a gesture that signaled he was formulating a scheme.
He reminded the archangel of a significant event that had occurred during his seventy-seventh life.
He recalled how he had sealed a dangerous entity at Gabriel’s personal request to save the mortal world.
Gabriel tensed up as he realized Tae-seong was bringing up a debt from the distant past.
Tae-seong declared that it was finally time for the archangel to repay that favor.
Gabriel suddenly felt a profound sense of regret for choosing to visit the office that night.