Chapter 48

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 48

Chapter Title: Main PD of The Truth of the World

-----------------------------------------------------------------

"Hoo..."

A sigh escaped my lips.

I was parked on a chair in the logistics center break room, but my mind was a tangled mess.

Not because of work, of course.

This damn side gig was the problem.

'I'm out of material.'

Lately, ideas for my side hustle channel, Nonsense Shorts, had run completely dry.

At first, I'd just whip up whatever came to mind or have the AI app spit out topics on command...

But recently, I'd developed this urge to create original ideas myself.

Sure, the AI app handled the actual video production, but if it generated the concepts too, what was I even doing?

'Weirdly enough, I'm stubborn about this stuff.'

The AI app was brilliant at churning out topics, of course.

Technically flawless, as expected.

But there was something missing in the crucial area.

'It's like that 2% shortfall.'

It could produce dozens of logical, plausible topics.

But since it was all pulled from trained data, it inevitably fell short on truly understanding people.

It couldn't perfectly capture that subtle human sentiment or the quirky, slightly unhinged vibe unique to us.

Nonsense was best when you wracked your own brain for it.

'Not many people I can ask for ideas from...'

I often bounced ideas off Lee Soo-yeon or Eun Ha-min.

But those two were wired so differently from me—they always gave answers that didn't fit my channel's vibe at all.

They just didn't have the knack for it.

"Haa."

"Why the heavy sighs?"

That's when someone tapped my shoulder.

I jumped and looked up to see the Team Leader peering down at me with a worried expression.

"Oh, Team Leader."

"Something bothering you? Your face looks like death."

"Ah, no. It's nothing."

I tried to brush it off, but she dragged a chair over and plopped down in front of me.

Then, out of nowhere, she grabbed my face with both hands.

Her cool, soft palms pressed against my cheeks.

"Uh... Team Leader?"

"Look at me. No avoiding my eyes."

"But we're still at the office..."

"So what? It's written all over your face: I've got worries."

"That's not—"

"I won't let go until you spill."

She twisted my head this way and that, urging me to talk.

Her eyes were dead serious as she laid down the law.

If I held out, she'd probably pinch my cheeks black and blue.

"It's... I can't come up with any ideas."

"Ideas? For what?"

"You know I do YouTube, right? Lately, I can't think of video topics."

I confessed honestly, and she finally released my face, bursting into giggles.

Her eyes crinkled in the cutest way as she laughed.

"That's it? I thought it was something serious."

"That's it? It's my livelihood on the line."

"If you marry me, you won't have to worry about money."

She kept laughing and patted my head.

What used to feel like teasing now sounded genuine lately.

"Don't suffer in silence next time. Come to me sooner."

"You're busy..."

"Never too busy for your troubles. I've got endless time for that."

She propped her chin on her hand and gazed at me.

"Ask me from now on. My imagination's killer."

"For real? Hit me with one right now, then."

"Hmm... Let me think."

She closed her eyes for a moment, pondering.

Then she snapped up her index finger confidently.

"How about the principle behind milk making you taller?"

"It helps with essential nutrients, but it's not the decisive factor, right?"

The myth that milk makes you grow taller had been debunked ages ago.

At my response, she clapped her hand over my mouth.

"Mmph?!"

"Shh. Hear me out. My ideas aren't that basic."

She lowered her voice ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with a grave expression, like she was leaking state secrets.

"Listen close. Milk's denser than water, right?"

"Mmph (yes)."

"That high-density liquid infiltrates the cartilage discs between your vertebrae, creating powerful osmotic pressure support."

"...?"

I blanked for a second. What was she even saying?

It felt a bit over my high-school-grad head.

"In simple terms, milk acts like a hydraulic jack between the bones. It physically pushes up your spine to make you taller. Calcium's just a sidekick—the key is hydraulics. Hydraulics."

"Pfft!"

I lost it.

Her hand muffled the laugh, but spit nearly flew.

"Kkh... Hydraulic jack? For the spine?"

"Why are you laughing?! You asked for an idea, and I gave you one!"

"I just never expected you to say something like that."

Tears welled up from laughing so hard.

This was it.

Exactly what I'd been craving.

Utter nonsense with a weirdly convincing twist.

The human flair AI could never replicate.

"If I'd known, I would've chugged more milk as a kid. Maybe install a hydraulic jack in my spine too."

"Quiet! You should be grateful, not mocking me!"

"Mmph?!"

We bickered for a good while before calming down.

My mood lifted instantly.

The Team Leader definitely had the touch.

Wasting talent like hers would be a loss for The Truth of the World.

"Team Leader."

"Hmph. What? Gonna tease me more?"

"No. Got a serious proposal."

"Proposal?"

She straightened up curiously.

"Ever thought about being my channel's PD?"

"PD? Me?"

"Yeah. You give ideas, I turn them into videos and upload. I'll give you 20% of the revenue from views on those vids. Sound good?"

Her eyes went wide.

Then she fidgeted with her fingers, hesitating.

"Well... I could."

"You could?"

"Don't need the money."

"What? 20% is huge. You know my channel's views lately."

Turning down cash?

She never talked money before, but I figured she'd take her fair share.

"Money for something else."

"Name it. Anything."

"Can I come over to your place a lot?"

"...Pardon?"

"Watch you make videos, eat together. Then I'll do it."

She smiled sweetly.

Her coming over? Fine by me. I welcomed it.

Her cooking was killer.

But...

'Show her me making videos?'

Problem.

I didn't make them myself.

I just told the AI app to whip one up, and it was done in three minutes.

I'd revealed I owned the channel but never shown anyone the process.

"Uh..."

Seeing my reluctance, her face fell.

"No good? Too much to ask?"

"No, it's not that! Trade secret and all..."

Right then, my pocket buzzed.

I pulled out my phone and checked.

"...!"

I couldn't believe my eyes.

Did it read my mind?

Pretend to make them manually? Perfect.

You've got it all planned out, huh.

"Actually, on second thought, it's fine."

"Really?"

"Yeah. But I need total focus when working, so stay quiet?"

"Of course! Won't even breathe!"

She beamed.

She looked so happy—I should've said yes sooner.

After work, I got home and planted myself at the computer.

The Team Leader was coming over this weekend—I had to prep.

Plugged my phone into the PC with a cable.

"Alright, let's see."

I commanded the AI app to install that production tool.

An installer popped up on screen.

The progress bar filled in seconds, and a Video Studio Pro icon appeared on the desktop.

Double-clicked to launch.

"Whoa..."

I was impressed.

The UI was insane.

It rivaled pro software like Premiere Pro or After Effects.

Timeline, effects panel, source monitor—all perfectly replicated.

"No worries. Who'd I share this goldmine with?"

Dove right into testing.

The Team Leader's idea from today: [Milk Hydraulic Jack Theory].

Normally, I'd chat: "Make a video on why milk makes you tall via hydraulic jack theory." Done.

But this time, manual mode with the tool.

Had to practice to not fumble in front of her.

"First, load sources..."

Luckily, the AI had stocked the library with all needed images and clips.

Dragged to timeline, added subtitles, sound effects, tweaked cuts.

"This... is more work than I thought."

Even aligning one subtitle was a chore.

Timing effects? Screen transitions had endless options.

Four hours of wrestling the monitor later...

"Ughhh..."

Stretched and leaned back, back screaming.

Glanced at the clock: 2 a.m.

"Insane."

Four hours for a 59-second Short.

With prepped assets, just assembly.

Picked up my phone, stared at the AI app.

Hit me how incredible it was.

"You're a real beast."

Cranking out this grind in three minutes, way higher quality than mine.

Deserves to be called AI god.

"I worship you, GOAT."

Rendered the finished video reverently.

Uploaded to the channel.

The Real Reason Milk Makes You Taller

Collapsed into bed after.

Curious about reactions, but exhaustion won. Eyes shut.

Check in the morning.

Next morning, grabbed my phone on autopilot.

Opened YouTube Studio app.

[Views: 11,842,900]

[Comments: 2,804]

"Whoa... What happened overnight?"

Exploded in a night.

A grin spread across my face.

Heart pounding, opened comments.

Wonder what chaos this time.

Laughed through the comments, and suddenly it was time to head to work.

Just reading them is hilarious.

From today, Team Leader's officially The Truth of the World's PD.

Time to brainstorm ideas with her.