Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Is the Writer Omnipotent?
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Gangwon Provincial Office's investment proposal.
The direct investment amount wasn't particularly large.
But it included providing land owned by the local government.
"You can build a set here. Afterward, the provincial office will take responsibility for managing, maintaining, and repairing the set."
The conditions were favorable.
However, there was no such thing as a deal without strings attached.
"Once filming wraps up, we'll have to hand the set over to the provincial office."
Lee Hyun-min, the section chief, nodded at Tae-seong's words.
"Yes. We plan to develop it into a tourist site centered around the set."
It was common for local governments to turn drama sets into tourist attractions.
Especially for works that gained acclaim overseas, local governments made every effort to invest in them.
Overseas fans who enjoyed the drama would visit Korea to seek out filming locations related to it.
From that perspective, Otherworld Chef was an attractive investment opportunity.
With overseas expansion through Netflix already confirmed, the chances of international fans visiting were high.
"We'll discuss it internally and get back to you."
"Yes. We're looking forward to a positive response."
* * *
Gangwon Province's investment proposal wasn't bad.
There were no complaints right now, but as more people visited the village, dissatisfied voices would inevitably arise.
Safety concerns were another issue.
There were no suitable spots around the modified farm shed set to station security guards.
Above all, since the land belonged to someone else, there was the problem of trespassing on private property.
"Starting from season 2, we'll need to build a new set anyway."
Season 1 had dramatized episodes with the slum dwellers, but season 2 would cover their full integration into the kingdom.
It required designing something like a medieval castle interior.
Taking all that into account, Tae-seong was planning to purchase land and build a proper set.
So, this proposal coming in now was nothing but good news.
'The local government approached first. Talk about good luck.'
Bzzz-!
Just then, Tae-seong's smartphone buzzed.
He checked the number and answered.
"Hello."
-Hey! Director Jeong? It's Lee Gil-su.
The farm shed owner.
- Have you thought about that proposal I mentioned last time? There are a lot of people wanting to rent the shed now. I need you to decide ASAP...
"I was just about to call you."
-See? I called at the right time.
"We won't be extending the contract."
-Wh-what? What did you say?
"We'll restore all modifications to their original state and dismantle everything within a month."
-N-No, you don't have to go that far. Director Jeong, if the rent's too high, I can knock some off, you know?
"No, that's not it. Thank you for letting us use it. We'll restore the interior exactly as per the contract."
-Um... Director Jeong?
"I have a meeting, so I'll hang up first."
He could hear the voice calling after him from the other end of the line, but Tae-seong ended the call without hesitation.
* * *
They signed a formal contract with Gangwon Provincial Office.
There were no major disagreements, so they reached an agreement quickly.
They fully restored the interior of the farm shed they had been using.
Lee Gil-su, the owner, came by pleading to just leave it as is, but Tae-seong had no intention of doing so.
"We'll follow the contract."
There was some vindictive satisfaction in it, but the bigger reason was that he knew exactly how the owner planned to exploit the shed.
He was undoubtedly going to capitalize on Otherworld Chef's popularity for business.
That wasn't inherently bad, but the problem was not knowing how Otherworld Chef would be used in a place beyond his influence.
With his deep affection for the work, Tae-seong had no desire to watch it be exploited by others.
That's why the contract with the provincial office included a clause that they must accommodate TS Media's requests even after handover.
The provincial office tried to exclude it, but when he threatened to demand trademark and copyright fees, they accepted immediately.
"This wraps things up for now."
"You've worked hard."
Gabriel handed him a cup of coffee with a fragrant aroma wafting from it.
"Your coffee-making skills have improved a lot."
"Thank you."
"Is studying coffee fun?"
"Yes. I didn't realize it while just observing, but once I tried it myself, I got drawn into the subtle world of coffee."
Tae-seong couldn't help but chuckle at Gabriel's response.
An archangel describing coffee as a subtle world.
"Thanks for helping me out with my request this time."
"Not at all. I could only come because He permitted it. You should direct your thanks to Him."
"I'll pray later, then."
He took a sip.
A bitter taste filled his mouth, followed by a subtle acidity.
Gabriel's coffee skills were improving by leaps and bounds.
"By the way, Tae-seong."
"Yeah?"
"Lately, some people have been approaching me."
"Approaching you?"
"These are the business cards they gave me."
The card Gabriel handed over featured the company name BGC Entertainment.
"And these are from the others."
Gabriel pulled dozens of business cards from his pocket and placed them on the desk.
They were all from management and entertainment agencies.
"Thirty-two in total."
Tae-seong hadn't realized there were so many entertainment-related companies in Korea.
"We need to solidify your identity first."
"I'm already registered as a British citizen. Is there more work needed?"
Tae-seong had hacked the system to make Gabriel's identity British.
But identity wasn't the issue.
"If you're going to keep working in Korea, you need to be under a proper agency. Otherwise, you'll keep getting hounded by these companies."
"I see. It has been quite bothersome. Some even tailed me discreetly, like a spy operation."
"That's exactly why you need an affiliation."
The first place that came to mind was CY Entertainment.
Choi Woo-jong was the CEO, and the company itself was trustworthy.
The concern was whether Gabriel could adapt well to the human world.
"Gabriel, how much knowledge do you have of the human world?"
"Enough to live independently without issues."
"Really?"
"Yes. Knowledge from those who pray to us in each world flows to us archangels. If you're worried I might fail to adapt and cause problems, don't be. I'm not the ignorant Uriel or the narcissistic Raphael."
Tae-seong let out a hollow laugh at his grimace while mentioning his brothers.
"In that case, I'll introduce you to an agency I know. Stay there for the time being."
"For the time being?"
"Until Otherworld Chef's filming ends. After that, you can choose freely. Stay in the human world longer if you want, or return to your archangel duties."
"Understood."
Jin-woo picked up his smartphone at Gabriel's reply.
* * *
The next day.
TS Media, usually quiet in the morning, was abuzz.
The reason was the guest who had visited.
"Wow... he's real! So handsome."
"How can a person look like that?"
"His face is even smaller than on TV."
"Those proportions are insane! Easily a 9-head figure."
"Our CEO doesn't lose out to anyone looks-wise, but even he can't compete with that guy."
They spoke softly, but Tae-seong could hear everything.
It irked him, but it was true, so he had nothing to say.
"Um..."
Just then, a man appeared behind the employees.
"Wh-who... are you?"
At Han Seong-ho's question, the man reflexively handed over his business card.
"I'm Choi Woo-jong, CEO of CY Entertainment. I have an appointment with CEO Jeong today."
"You're here."
The slightly ajar door swung open fully as Tae-seong stepped out.
"CEO Choi, welcome."
"Yes! Writer... no, CEO Jeong."
"Come on in."
"Right away."
"And everyone."
Tae-seong smiled at the employees clustered by the door.
"Don't you have work to do?"
"Haha... yes, sir."
"Y-yeah, we do."
The employees scattered hurriedly at Tae-seong's unusually intimidating vibe.
Watching them, Tae-seong turned and headed inside.
* * *
"I'm Gabriel."
"I'm... Choi Woo-jong."
Choi Woo-jong tensed up without realizing it as he greeted Gabriel.
It felt like the first time meeting a top-tier actress.
'Is he even human?'
His beauty was so otherworldly it raised doubts.
"CEO Choi."
"Ah, yes."
"As I mentioned on the phone, Gabriel doesn't have an agency right now. If it's alright with you, I'd like CY to support him."
It was a gift falling into his lap.
Gabriel was currently the hottest commodity in the industry.
Major agencies and managements were pulling out all the stops to sign him.
For him to offer a management contract first was something to be grateful for.
"We'd welcome Gabriel requesting a contract with us."
"There's something I need to tell you first."
"Yes?"
"Gabriel is acting right now, but only at my request."
"Oh, so he's not originally an actor...?"
"Yes, he has another primary occupation. So after Otherworld Chef wraps, he might return to that."
"Hmm, so it's temporary activity."
"Exactly. I'd like to know if you can accommodate that in the contract."
Choi Woo-jong pondered briefly before nodding.
"It's possible. We can adjust the contract clauses accordingly."
"Thanks for accepting such a demanding request so readily."
"Not at all. I've owed you—Writer, I mean CEO Jeong—more times than I can count. Besides, any company would jump at the chance to sign Gabriel."
Choi Woo-jong said that, but from the company's perspective, it was indeed demanding.
Contracts set precedents.
This could disadvantage them in similar future situations.
Choi Woo-jong knew that full well.
Yet he accepted because repaying his debt to Tae-seong outweighed that.
It made Tae-seong all the more grateful.
"Thank you, CEO Choi."
"Oh, come on, no need for that. I'll revise the contract and bring it by tomorrow."
"Yes."
Choi Woo-jong left after those words.
Alone with Gabriel, Tae-seong asked him.
"What do you think?"
"He's a good person. His energy is pure. Above all, there's no falsehood in how he treats you, Tae-seong."
"Even without using angelic powers, you can tell that much."
"It's not something that disrupts balance."
World balance.
It was the absolute law created by God.
Even an archangel like Gabriel couldn't violate it.
That's why, having devoted himself as a human, he couldn't use archangel powers in this world.
Just as Tae-seong couldn't use his qi.
"So, your conclusion?"
"I'm satisfied if he helps with my duties."
"Alright, then let's go with that."
"Yes."
Just then, footsteps approached from outside.
He knew it was the employees.
The reason they weren't focusing on work, unlike usual, was obvious.
Knowing that, Tae-seong looked at Gabriel and said.
"Gabriel."
"Yes."
"Do some fan service."
"Fan service?"
Tae-seong smiled, stood, and opened the conference room door.
Through his eyes, he saw employees frozen, peering in through the conference room window.
They looked like kids caught stealing candy.
He addressed the stiff employees.
"Gabriel wants to chat with you all for a bit. Got time?"
"Y-yes!"
"Of course!"
"Naturally!"
They replied in perfect unison, as if rehearsed.
Tae-seong stepped aside.
"Go on in."
"Th-thank you!"
"Score!"
"Let's get autographs!"
Tae-seong chuckled at the employees, excited like children.