Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Is the Writer Omnipotent?
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[Real-Time Search Rankings]
1. Pen on White Paper
2. Pen on White Paper Identity
3. Family Photo
Portal sites' real-time search rankings reveal exactly what the public craves right now.
In modern society, the masses' attention flares up hot and fades just as fast.
That's why the rankings shift rapidly too.
Sustaining people's interest is incredibly tough.
But then, something extraordinary happened.
For three straight days, a single name had held the top spot in real-time searches.
The owner of that name was "Pen on White Paper," who had claimed the title of the 17th King of Singers on Mask Singer.
Entertainment reporters flooded the news with articles to satisfy the public's curiosity.
["Pen on White Paper," the 17th King of Singers on the hit show Mask Singer, brought Round 1 with "Come Back to Me," Round 2 with "Father," and finally Round 3 with "Family Photo," leaving audiences in the studio and viewers at home in tears.]
[Netizens are fiercely debating his true identity.]
[Meanwhile, "Pen on White Paper" has dominated the top of real-time searches for three days straight since the King of Singers finale aired, proving the public's fervor shows no signs of cooling.]
* * *
In a word: jackpot.
'No way it would blow up this big.'
Shin PD, who had watched the competition live, had anticipated massive buzz for this episode.
He'd invited hidden masters like Lee Sang-jin, who had been out of the spotlight.
But the explosion surpassed even his expectations.
Viewership ratings, media plays, online articles, real-time searches—everything.
And the interest wasn't dying down with time.
Previously, attention usually peaked for a day, maybe two or three at most, before dropping to zero.
It would only pick up again once Sunday rolled around and the new competition started.
'That was the usual pattern.'
But the episode where "Pen on White Paper"—Tae-seong—crowned King of Singers showed no signs of falling off after three days.
'And even Senior Lee Sang-jin is holding steady in the searches.'
A first-round dropout.
The performer who should have vanished from the public's eye the quickest.
Lee Sang-jin had followed that script at first.
After the debut episode, he shot up briefly in searches, then faded away.
But with the second week's broadcast, he climbed back into the rankings.
Tae-seong's overwhelming skill had crushed not just his opponent, but even the defending King—no contest.
That spotlight naturally rebounded onto Lee Sang-jin, who had put up a real fight in Round 1.
'Good thing Senior's pleased about it.'
After the second episode aired, Lee Sang-jin called him personally.
Hearing the senior's cheerful laugh as he called it a fun experience had put Tae-seong's mind at ease.
'Still, how far will this go?'
Shin PD wasn't the only one wondering.
Everyone was.
How long could "Pen on White Paper" hold onto the throne?
That anticipation was already building hype for next week's episode.
'Heh, times like this make being a PD the best gig ever.'
Unlike the public, Shin PD could satisfy his curiosity sooner.
Rehearsal recording was scheduled for the day after tomorrow.
Viewers had to wait two weeks to see the competition unfold, but Shin PD knew it all on the spot.
He patted himself on the back for becoming a PD.
* * *
"Pen on White Paper," the center of the world's attention.
The man behind the mask, Tae-seong, was minding the convenience store.
'Hmm.'
His eyes on the smartphone caught the real-time searches.
His own name, still unyielding at number one.
'Wearing the mask turns out to be surprisingly convenient.'
Sure, he had the public's focus, but no one in real life recognized him.
Thanks to the mask.
If he'd competed without it and taken first place?
He couldn't be running this store right now.
Too many people would swarm the place.
'Anyway...'
Tae-seong glanced around the convenience store interior.
The tiny 8-pyeong space was crammed floor to ceiling with goods.
'No customers.'
Like most convenience stores, his father's shop didn't see much traffic.
Nearby, there were plenty of competitors.
Three within 100 meters.
Seven if you stretched to 200.
And his father's was the smallest among them.
Customers naturally gravitated to the bigger ones.
Larger stores could stock a wider variety.
'Must've been tough.'
Two days since his parents left for their Europe trip.
Tae-seong had checked sales each night while watching the store.
'Dad's store is a franchised rental from HQ. Margins are slim. Plus, plenty of mandatory clauses.'
Rising minimum wage made operations even harder.
His father's face had been grim lately.
'Hmm, wish I could help somehow.'
Before his many reincarnations.
His parents had sacrificed so much for him.
He wanted to repay them somehow.
At least ensure their retirement was comfortable.
'No rent would be the biggest win.'
For small business owners like store operators, labor costs topped expenses.
Rent came second.
It varied by location, but in busy districts, it was sky-high.
His father's small store sat in a prime spot, so rent was brutal.
'Gotta buy a commercial space.'
Ideally, this one.
They were locked into the HQ contract—couldn't just relocate willy-nilly.
'Lease is almost up anyway. Worst case, move elsewhere.'
Options swirled in his head.
'But nothing I can do right now.'
Contracts and practical hurdles blocked immediate action.
'What I can do immediately...'
spruce up the current store a bit.
"Time to get moving."
With a rough plan in mind, Tae-seong set to work.
* * *
The narrower the store, the messier it gets.
Shelves packed with everything, stacked in layers due to limited space.
Over time, chaos reigns.
"Guess I should start by sorting these."
His father's store was no exception.
Goods stuffed in like a game of Tetris.
To grab one item, you had to unload the pile above it.
Stepping in felt suffocating.
'Dad's no great manager.'
A wonderful father, sure—but as a businessman? Failing grade.
'Not entirely his fault, though.'
Convenience stores are a franchise game.
Franchises don't just lend a name—they're supposed to train you on everything.
If they skimp on that, it's on HQ.
They take a cut of profits but provide zilch in guidance.
'Hmm, this goes over here.'
Pushing aside his irritation with HQ, Tae-seong's hands kept sorting.
Merchandise stacked like kids' block towers began to straighten under his touch.
His mind already mapped the perfect layout—no wasted moves.
* * *
Lee Min-joo was on a school hiatus.
Working part-time gigs to save for tuition.
One was this convenience store.
'Wonder if that hot guy's working today?'
Lately, shifts here were a highlight.
A few days back, the owner uncle stepped aside for his son.
And that son? Drop-dead gorgeous.
Tall, handsome—shift motivation right there.
'No way he's an actor.'
At first, just eye candy. But the face rang a bell, so she searched online.
Turned out the guy had acting creds.
'Or writer?'
Wild resume.
Original author of Black Knight's Her, plus novels galore.
Then he blew up acting in the drama.
Still starring in YouTube dramas too.
'Directing them now? Total powerhouse.'
The more she dug, the more fascinating.
'Whatever his job...'
Key point: same store.
Made coming to work fun.
"Huh?"
Across the street, the convenience store buzzed with people.
"What the—?"
Morning hours.
That many customers?
'Did word get out that Tae-seong oppa works here?'
Somewhere along the way, he'd become "oppa" in her mind.
Logical guess.
Black Knight's Her and Otherworld Chef had made Tae-seong a household name.
Him working a convenience store?
Bound to draw crowds.
"Argh... crowds mean headaches."
She'd picked this store from many because it was dead quiet.
Pre-shift scouting: least traffic meant easiest work.
Spot on.
Fewer customers, lighter load than elsewhere.
No slacking, though.
But a rush? Brutal.
Mood soured before clocking in.
Shoulders slumped, she crossed the street and pushed open the door.
"Hello..."
Words died on her lips.
The store looked transformed.
Before: merchandise in utter disarray.
Tiny space forced Tetris-level stacking just to fit everything.
But the block towers were gone.
Goods neatly arrayed—everything visible at a glance.
Even the gift drinks piled in the corner: sorted.
Same store? Hard to believe.
'Was it always this spacious?'
Cleared clutter made it feel bigger.
"Oh? You're here."
"Ah, yeah."
"Hang on. Once these customers clear, I'll hand over."
"Yes! I'll help!"
"Thanks."
His smile sent her heart racing.
'Aah—! Heart, behave!'
Scolding her pulse, she ducked into the staff room to change.
Staff room? More like a storage closet buried in stock.
Or it had been.
"Whoa..."
Everything in there: organized.
'All in one night?'
Unbelievable.
Even better: finding stuff was easier now.
'How? It's perfect.'
Before: random jumble.
Experience helped, but newbies wasted half a day hunting items.
Now? Obvious at a glance.
Mind-blowing.
'Store this tidy... suddenly, I actually wanna work.'
She shed her jacket, donned the uniform vest.
Heading out, she spotted customers entering.
"Welcome!"
A bright smile lit her face.