Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
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Woo Ji-hyun arrived at the classroom earlier than usual today and unfolded his laptop with a stern expression.
He then began meticulously rereading the manuscripts the students had sent, his eyes full of caution.
All the while jotting down the manuscripts' issues, revision directions, and the things he wanted to say on a sheet of A4 paper.
Creak.
"Coffee?"
"Thanks."
The door opened, and Kang Tae-jin made his entrance.
He was holding large-sized iced Americanos from the coffee shop in both hands.
"Cake too? Want me to bring it over?"
"No thanks. I'm cutting back on snacks as much as possible."
"Still dieting?"
"Someone said it: Dieting goes until the day you die. The moment it ends, your body balloons right back up."
Kang Tae-jin shook his head vigorously.
For someone who loved eating, the very word "diet" was a source of horrific stress.
"Ugh. Hate even thinking about it. The world's full of delicious stuff."
"Not a full diet, but managing ahead of time is good. These days, even the hyungs are exercising and fixing their eating habits. To live long and healthy."
"I know, but it's not easy."
"Just skip late-night snacks, and it'll help a ton with weight control. Best not to eat after 6 PM."
Kang Tae-jin shook his head at Woo Ji-hyun's advice.
For him, whose job was all about meeting people, late-night eats were impossible to quit.
Drinking while having dinner was just his daily routine.
And Woo Ji-hyun wasn't really telling him to do it that way anyway.
"That's impossible for me."
"Not easy, right? I'm a freelancer, so I can manage, but you've got sales to handle."
"Thanks for not calling me a vendor?"
Kang Tae-jin, with his kindly face, smiled and held out the coffee.
Woo Ji-hyun smirked back and clinked their Americanos together like a toast.
"There's an age gap—how could I say something so rude to hyung?"
"Sometimes I think how lucky I am to be close with you and Jin-jeong. If we weren't, I'd be shoving my way in hard, right?"
"Come on. Neither I nor Jin-jeong hyung butts in without reason. There's always a cause. And I'm way more patient than Jin-jeong hyung anyway."
"Looks like a tie to me."
Woo Ji-hyun put on a shocked face.
No matter how he sliced it, he wasn't An Jin-jeong level.
"Huh."
"What's 'huh'? Not just me—everyone thinks so. Woo-jin would agree on this. The guy they call sniper doesn't hold back much with you or Jin-jeong. Well, he picks his spots smartly."
"My image was like that..."
"Why so shocked? It's obvious."
Kang Tae-jin looked incredulous instead.
Woo Ji-hyun's face was like he hadn't entertained the idea even a speck.
"No way—how could you guys see me like that?"
"Simple. We saw you as you are and judged."
"Whoa."
"But what's with the serious face? What're you staring at?"
Sucking on his iced Americano through the straw, Kang Tae-jin leaned in close.
He craned his neck toward the laptop screen.
A Hangul file with a striking clean white background came into view.
"Students' manuscripts. Kind of like grading homework."
"Haha! Been a while since I heard that. 'Homework check.'"
"Feels that way to me too. Never imagined I'd end up teaching anyone."
"Gonna be more of it going forward. You heard about season 2 talks?"
Woo Ji-hyun nodded.
This creative academy had been Q&D Management's own initiative, but he'd heard from Yeo Woo-jin that season 2 might get government backing.
Yeo Woo-jin had even subtly suggested he join that one too.
"Yeah, Woo-jin hyung mentioned it."
"Could you do season 2?"
Like Yeo Woo-jin, Kang Tae-jin tested the waters.
He was the youngest lecturer, but student satisfaction ratings were highest for him.
He was also the priciest writer on the faculty.
"Have to check my schedule. Work's not slowing down—it's ramping up."
"Webtoon's stabilized now, right? Sure, you gotta keep tending it."
"Got other stuff cooking."
Woo Ji-hyun said it, thinking of his Elder project.
But he didn't elaborate.
No need to go around blabbing.
"What? Offer from somewhere else? University? Another agency?"
"Nah. Personal thing."
"Serializing under a second pen name? If that's it, I've got opinions."
Kang Tae-jin's eyes lit up.
Some A-rank writers pumped out books under alt accounts.
Plenty of agencies encouraged it.
And with what he'd heard about Naver, Kang Tae-jin stared intently at Woo Ji-hyun, eyes gleaming.
"Nah, I don't do that. You know I could've but held off."
"Now's perfect. Double the cash. Your caliber—even a fresh pen name would chart high. You're tailor-made for snack culture."
"I think so too."
"Ugh, so cocky. Miss the old innocent, pure Ji-hyun."
Kang Tae-jin shook his head at the smug tone.
Admitting it would've bruised his pride too much.
"Gotta savor this sometimes. How far I've come."
"You earned it hard. Anyone'd admit that much. And if you write like that and flop, that's its own issue. Means you're not cut out for this."
"Exactly."
"On that note—any standouts? Promising kids?"
Kang Tae-jin nodded toward the laptop.
But Woo Ji-hyun stared back at the expectant Kang Tae-jin and shook his head.
"No geniuses. You know that."
"Still, some decent ones? Kids who just need polish. Honestly, didn't expect true geniuses—they teach themselves. But raw talent? Worth hoping for."
"Plenty talented. The trick is drawing it out, helping it grow."
"That's your job—your role."
Kang Tae-jin dumped the responsibility on Woo Ji-hyun with shameless ease.
Even though he'd been the one to kick off the whole mess.
"You hyungs are the ones who blew it up."
"Psh, what does that matter now? If it works, great. So spill—who caught the eye of a top active writer?"
"Not great writing, but some with real talent. Not pro level yet, obviously."
"Wouldn't be now. If they were pro-ready, they wouldn't have applied."
Woo Ji-hyun opened the neatly named folders and mouse-pointed to a few.
But when he selected one, Kang Tae-jin's expression turned subtle.
"Why?"
"Her talented? Hmm."
"Opinions split, huh?"
"Yeah, most say 'unique.' Doesn't fit pure fantasy-martial arts, nor straight romance."
"Isn't that up to the writing? Her range is broad—I bet she'll debut fastest."
Kang Tae-jin's eyes went wide.
She sounded highly rated, unexpectedly.
"That good?"
"If it pans out. Writing doesn't always bend to will. Luck factors in."
"Hoo."
"But most are seriously rough."
Out of 19, Woo Ji-hyun had picked just three.
The rest? Acorn-measuring contest.
The key was they were improving, bit by bit.
"Better than day one, right? That's the takeaway, they say."
"Relieved part. They're progressing. Genre knowledge shot up especially. Basics were sorely lacking at first. Martial arts especially."
"Martial arts has sky-high barriers. No wonder the novels are drying up."
"Vicious cycle—no money, so writers bail on martial arts."
"Truly lamentable."
Kang Tae-jin, a personal martial arts genre fan, wore a deeply regretful look.
Steady output was vital for genre diversity.
But with no pay, you couldn't beg writers to produce.
"Won't vanish entirely. Diehard fans are locked in. Just no fresh blood."
"So why not you give it a shot? You're a martial arts writer."
"Later. Not now."
"Feels like you could spark a martial arts boom."
Kang Tae-jin floated the idea with faint hope.
As one of the hottest writers out there, Woo Ji-hyun could CPR the dying genre.
But Woo Ji-hyun shook his head firmly.
"Too tough for me. You know—I'm the lucky case."
"Luck's a skill. You're not a writing god, but not pure luck either. Decent writing got these results."
"Tough now, but good times coming soon."
"Hello!"
The classroom door flew open as Im Seung-hye—the one with zero lates and perfect attendance—burst in.
Greeting in her bubbly twenty-something voice.
Woo Ji-hyun and Kang Tae-jin both smiled to welcome her.
"Good morning."
"Energy's overflowing as always."
"Huh? The department head's here today?"
Im Seung-hye's eyes widened as she came in with the door flung wide.
Woo Ji-hyun was always first in, so expected.
Kang Tae-jin? Surprise.
"I can't be here? That it?"
"Hoho! No way. Just shocked 'cause you're usually not."
"Hmm. Is that so?"
Kang Tae-jin shot them a meaningful glance.
Then alternated looks between Woo Ji-hyun and Im Seung-hye.
Suspicion plain as day.
"It's fine. Tae-jin hyung's always like this."
"What?"
"You mentally prepped?"
Ignoring the bug-eyed Kang Tae-jin, Woo Ji-hyun asked seriously.
Im Seung-hye's face hardened too.
She stared at Woo Ji-hyun, instantly tense.
"Yes. Ready for whatever harsh words."
"Harsh words now."
"Teacher's never wrong. We all know you soften it plenty."
"As expected of Woo Ji-hyun."
"Harsh words" out of Woo Ji-hyun's mouth had Kang Tae-jin nodding right away.
His looks matched the term perfectly.
But Woo Ji-hyun felt utterly wronged.