Chapter 2
Chapter 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Sherlock Holmes (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"A new author's book! Give it a read!"
"Hm? Sherlock Holmes?"
Edn had adapted Sherlock Holmes to fit this world and penned it himself.
A Study in Scarlet had made its debut.
But sales weren't anything special.
It piqued some interest with its fresh feel compared to existing works, but it didn't cause a sensation.
A few readers gave it evaluations like, "Hm, not bad."
To begin with, mystery novels weren't easy reads even in the modern world.
In a world overflowing with dopamine hits, there was no reason to pick up something challenging.
The medieval era was no different.
Books were hard to come by.
Yet thanks to Edn's efforts, commoners could now access them more easily than before.
As a result, time-strapped common folk preferred short, punchy reads.
Nobles, valuing appearances, sought cultured tomes.
And regrettably, both groups craved dopamine just the same.
Even in eras when books were scarce, knightly tales flooded the market—same old stories with swapped characters.
You know, the refined ones where knights rescue princesses.
Now that commoners could afford books too, that trend had only intensified.
A world satisfying nobles' desires while feeding the masses' dopamine fixes.
In such times, mystery novels seemed out of place.
"Haa, what now?"
"Don't worry too much, boss."
Foren Hestins, owner of Jenectra Publishing House.
He let out a deep sigh at the sight of the unsold Sherlock Holmes copies.
From a publisher's standpoint, poor sales meant pulping the stock, simple as that.
But he couldn't bring himself to do it.
The reason was straightforward.
He'd fallen head over heels for Sherlock Holmes.
It was definitely off the mainstream path.
But that very quality had hooked him instead, and he'd tumbled right in.
He just figured the public hadn't recognized its value yet.
"Why can't they see this masterpiece?!"
One book packed with everything you could want.
A brilliant protagonist, a fitting sidekick.
Intricate plot twists, and even backstory for the villains to enrich the tale.
Some folks didn't want villains fleshed out, but without it, they'd feel something missing.
Plus, it didn't cut off awkwardly mid-story, so nothing disrupted the flow.
Considering most authors deliberately cliffhungered halfway, this was downright unusual.
"Why don't they get it?!"
"Boss..."
Ignoring his secretary's pitying gaze, he racked his brains furiously.
Suddenly, inspiration struck, and he shouted.
"We'll promote it! Front page, with illustrations!"
"What?! That's..."
The startled secretary grabbed his boss's shoulder in a panic.
"No way! Pouring that much effort into one novel?!"
"Don't stop me! We'll make it an extra edition!"
"B-Boss...!"
And so, the mad publisher and his failed restraint birthed a collaboration.
"Extra! Extra!"
"Extra? Hear something?"
"Nah. Let's check it out anyway."
The extra edition was thin on content, as extras tended to be.
But the front-page Sherlock Holmes feature grabbed eyes successfully.
The boss had gone nuts, sinking a fortune into illustrations.
They rarely added pictures like that.
Not even big papers did it for minor stuff—let alone a mid-tier publisher.
Thanks to that, it went viral unexpectedly.
The first print run of Sherlock Holmes sold out.
Of course, Edn had no idea yet.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Maybe you can't fill up on the first bite, huh.
The first week's sales—last week's statement—had arrived.
I hadn't asked for it, but they sent it anyway.
Not good results, though.
Total of 324 copies sold.
At about ten thousand won per book in Korean currency, that was a bit over three million earned.
Someone might say,
That's solid sales for a debut, pretty popular, right?
Good going for a newbie author.
But here's the thing.
If I'd written a knightly tale, it'd have sold thousands at least.
First print would be more than a thousand copies.
Guaranteed money-makers, after all.
This was just curiosity buys because my book felt different from the norm.
"Not easy, huh."
I sighed softly and set the statement down.
First week for a debut author—decent achievement, arguably.
But as I said, knightly tales would've netted several times more.
"Tch. Take it slow on the second one?"
Currently writing The Sign of the Four.
Halfway done; time to wrap up the case's truth.
At this pace, no rush.
Holmes's role dips here anyway, a bit of a lull.
"Mm, time for an outing."
Sitting writing all day, body's stiff.
Plus, saw Sis after ages—couldn't just hole up.
She'd barge in and drag me out for air.
Beat her to it!
With that, I headed to the streets.
Bustling more than expected—must be market day.
My second hometown was rural-ish, but roads were paved, city sizable.
Just agriculture-focused.
Strolling slowly, a boy offered me a paper.
"Extra edition!"
"Extra?"
"Yes! Care to see?"
The boy held it out politely with both hands.
Good kid.
Handed over a few coins and took it.
He grinned, thrilled at the sale.
"Thank you!"
"Yeah, take care."
As he left hawking "Extra!", I unfolded it slowly.
Wonder what's up.
Heart pounding a bit, I opened it—and froze at the surprise.
"...What the."
Front page, massive Sherlock Holmes volume 1 promo.
Even illustrations—serious cash splashed.
"Heh, really."
I never requested this?
Staring in bewilderment, snippets of talk drifted over.
"You read this?"
"Yeah, was fun."
"Really?"
"Yep. Kinda tough, but Holmes's skills make it smooth."
"Tough or easy? Anyway, fun? I'll read it."
Two guys walking, chatting my book.
One recommends, the other takes it up.
Unthinkable for an unpopular work.
"What? World pranking me?"
No, no.
Maybe that guy's just quirky?
Shook my head to clear it.
Turned—and gaped in shock.
"What?! Not Rachel?!"
"Heh heh. Holmes, what a guy."
"Kuhk. Had to get revenge, kuhk! Damn bastards!"
What? Seriously?
Glanced around—everyone clutching Sherlock Holmes.
Discussing, sharing impressions.
Beyond belief; I stood dumbfounded.
"...Am I going mad already?"
Otherwise, it made no sense.
Could only stare blankly at the street for a bit.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I snapped out of it soon enough.
Whew, can't space out here.
Writing Sherlock Holmes, I'd felt excitement laced with anxiety.
Would this even land?
So mismatched with the era.
Fantasy elements might've passed as such.
But minus Holmes's near-superhuman traits, it was pretty realistic.
In a world prizing magic over science, faith over tech, it seemed unfit.
Proof: dismal first-week sales.
But that was then.
"Damn, those idiot guards!"
"Right? Let the culprit slip right under their noses, tsk tsk."
Holmes grilling the cops scene, huh.
That bit was tricky.
Victorian England had police with ranks.
This medieval world? No such thing.
Closest: city guards.
They checked gates, kept order.
Swapping them in caused issues—ranks mismatched.
Had to pester butlers and maids to fix it.
Biena helped most.
"Nah, not the point now."
How'd it blow up?
Honestly, not that many discussing on streets.
Fifty out of a hundred?
...Looks like a lot now.
Anyway, popularity's good for me.
Just curious about the why.
"Head to Jenectra?"
They'll know there.
Walked slowly, ears perked for chatter.
That guy's talking Holmes?
Or her?
Not overthinking.
Just curious, that's all.
Kept going till the familiar sign appeared.
Finally at Jenectra Publishing House.
"Argh, I said none left! No stock yet!"
"No stock my ass! Hand it over now!"
Wait, a protest?
Crowd yelling outside Jenectra.
Placards—no, torches?
Fists rule over law here, sure.
Looked like a real riot; I edged away.
"...Sir Author. Boss says fetch you for rescue."
"Oh? The secretary, right."
Foren Hestins's secretary scooped me up.
Slipped in the back door to the office.
A man greeted with a mix of joy and woe.
"Author! Welcome."
"Ah, hi. Nice to meet you. So, what's going on?"
"Haha, well..."
He scratched his head awkwardly before explaining.