Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
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This is a work of fiction and has no relation to any real names, events, organizations, place names, or individuals.
Chapter 5: Not an A-Rank Writer, But a Steady One.
A martial arts novel titled *Asura Sword Emperor* went up on Munpia's author serialization section.
The community where Munpia users freely posted immediately buzzed with activity.
That was because the author of *Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero*, which had been gaining solid popularity at rental shops lately, was the one serializing *Asura Sword Emperor*.
With the completed volumes not even out yet, users started pouring out all sorts of speculation.
"Hmm. Well, look at this?"
And among them were more than a few publishing industry folks.
Woo Ji-hyun, who had started making a name with *Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero*, had begun serializing a new novel, and no one could hide their bewilderment.
"*Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero* is getting good reactions—why start another novel now? Is it collapsing midway, so he's switching to something new? Or working on two at once?"
Gong Hyun-jung, who handled planning at Rubin Media Publishing, tilted his head as he looked at *Asura Sword Emperor*.
From his perspective, the author's decision made no sense.
Of course, he had a few guesses.
He knew that surprisingly many writers got burned out or lost momentum midway and took a break by writing something else.
On top of that, since *Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero*'s author was on his debut work with no experience, it wouldn't be strange at all if it fell apart partway.
"If it fizzled out midway, he'll have to change his pen name. Obidio and the National Book and Video Rental Association won't let it slide."
Everyone knew the current system was messed up, but changing an established structure wasn't easy.
All the publishers' presidents would have to band together and make a stand, but the fallout would be massive.
That was why they didn't.
Of course, the biggest reason was that no one wanted to take the hit themselves.
"No way in hell would publishers ever unite. Every last one of them is so damn greedy."
Even at Rubin Media, where he worked, the president had zero intention of stepping up.
The same went for the other publishers' bosses.
"For now, let's read the novel. See if it's collapsed or not."
His position might sound high-ranking, but he was essentially an errand boy for the higher-ups, so whenever he had free time, he scoured Munpia, Joara, Jayworld, and the like, hunting for promising rookies.
That's how he'd discovered Woo Ji-hyun and *Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero* over the summer.
In the end, he'd lost the contract race to Barun Publishing.
"The more I think about it, the more it stings. Among this year's rookies, it was genuinely top-tier."
It had reached 2,700 copies by volume 4—the line where rental shops could start returns.
He'd figured the numbers would drop once volume 4 was freshly out, but surprisingly, it showed staying power and climbed close to 2,800 copies.
That's why Gong Hyun-jung regretted it more the more he thought about it.
If he'd signed Woo Ji-hyun, that success would have been his achievement.
"Huh?"
Lost in those thoughts while reading the prologue, Gong Hyun-jung's pupils suddenly shook.
Just like with *Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero*, the short prologue packed a punch.
He ended up blazing through all three chapters posted that day.
"This isn't collapsed at all. With this level of skill, no way it'd crumble. Is he seriously working on two at once?"
After reading the three new chapters, he was convinced.
It definitely hadn't fallen apart midway.
He quickly opened the messaging feature.
*Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero* was with Barun Publishing, so a sequel contract might already be in place—but on the off chance it wasn't.
'Some people are surprisingly cautious. From the writing, he seems fairly mature, age-wise.'
Just three chapters, but Gong Hyun-jung had a feeling.
*Asura Sword Emperor* could match or exceed *Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero*'s performance.
No, the situation was actually better.
*Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero* was a pure rookie effort, but *Asura Sword Emperor* was its follow-up.
Snap!
Not even considering who'd offer the rice cake, Gong Hyun-jung was already sipping his own fantasy broth, grinning to himself.
Finally, with a smile brimming with greed, he placed the last period and sent a message to Woo Ji-hyun.
* * *
After knocking out an endoscopy, LASIK surgery, and braces all at once, Woo Ji-hyun dove back into writing.
He'd handed over all the manuscripts for *Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero* up to volume 12, so now it was just proofreading.
Even that was done through volume 11, so he could work on his next project with a truly clear mind.
"*Asura Sword Emperor*. I reworked the early parts so much. So much agonizing, so much suffering. Looking back later, it was all pointless worry."
Genre fiction isn't pure literature.
It wasn't born for artistic merit, yet some writers obsessed over it.
Worse, they even forced it on others.
Genre lit was just for killing time, after all.
"As long as it's fun. Fun is the most important thing. Whether it has artistic value? That's for readers to decide later. And if you're nitpicking artistry, don't read genre—go for pure lit."
Woo Ji-hyun had realized this simple truth far too late.
The essence of genre fiction was fun, plain and simple.
That's why webtoons boomed, and the genre lit market eventually grew too—yet back then, he'd clung uselessly to artistry.
But now, Woo Ji-hyun was different.
"I'm selling pure fun. Martial arts style, of course. It's still mostly martial arts. Though even that's shifting to modern stuff soon."
Along with *Solar Sculptor*'s mega-hit came Yak, a game novel, and the game fantasy genre was exploding at terrifying speed.
Its simple, intuitive system mechanics hooked readers' eyes and curiosity instantly.
Soon after, talk of "modern stories are dead" would prove dead wrong as the market flipped.
But for now, martial arts was still fine.
"Gotta milk it while it lasts. Even if martial arts gets niche later, royalties stay steady thanks to the loyal fans."
The current 20-somethings would keep reading into their 30s and 40s.
It just wouldn't pass to teens, so it naturally faded from paid serialization markets later.
"Hm?"
Believing consistent serialization was the best promo, Woo Ji-hyun logged into Munpia to upload the next *Asura Sword Emperor* chapter as usual—and his eyebrow twitched.
The sheet mask he was wearing twitched along, letting air in.
"This guy's still persistent. Too bad. No plans to get tangled with you this time."
The betrayal from his past life still burned vividly in his memory.
When the publisher scammed him, this guy had stepped up to help, so Woo Ji-hyun had thought he was a reliable hyung.
But how wrong he'd been—how the man saw him as just a disposable pawn—he'd learned that far too late.
It cost him the prime 7 months, plus no small stress and backlash after.
So yeah, the thought of this hyung still made his teeth grind.
"He probably has no clue, but still, no desire to get involved again. Unless I get to serve up some sweet revenge later. Hmph."
The message was polite and lengthy, filling the inbox—but Woo Ji-hyun skimmed and deleted it.
Back then, Rubin Media had no one trustworthy.
If he'd been screwed on print runs, other writers might've been too.
Plus, countless who'd dipped in and bailed, so Woo Ji-hyun wanted nothing to do with Rubin Media.
"Goal's to move by May next year. Clean full lease."
Woo Ji-hyun's eyes gleamed.
His current studio was fully furnished, so monthly rent alone was 350,000 won.
Add fixed costs—phone bill, maintenance, city gas, water, electric—and it hit 600,000 easy.
Not even counting food, the biggest sinkhole.
"Full lease is the way to save."
House-hopping on month-to-month meant savings stayed small, so he planned to grind out words and stack cash.
Luckily, *Asura Sword Emperor* had full-volume guarantees, so if he wrote fast, he could fill the 1-year lease and move cleanly.
3 million per volume—simple math: 10 volumes got him a 30-million-won 1.5-room or two-room full lease.
Bzzz! Bzzz!
Steel-resolving for the grind, his phone suddenly rang.
In that moment, Woo Ji-hyun had a stray thought.
Maybe time to upgrade to a smartphone.
"Yeah, Mom."
-You know Chuseok's coming up, right?
She jumped straight to the point the second he picked up, making him chuckle.
Another confirmation of whose hasty temperament he'd inherited.
"I know. But I don't think I can make it this time."
-Why not? It's practically next door—how can you not come?
"Work piled up suddenly. I'll visit Grandpa separately, though."
-Because of Dad?
Her loud voice dropped low for a moment.
A habit from far in the future, when she'd watch his mood.
Rare to see now.
"Partially. And I wanna see him quietly. I'll send pocket money instead."
-Pocket money? What have I ever done for you? We're scraping by now, but back then...
"No old stories. They'll never end."
-Alright, let's just live happily from now on. Writing going well?
For a split second, Woo Ji-hyun nearly blurted, "That day never comes."
Knowing the future, it'd almost slipped out reflexively.
And part of him held a sliver of hope.
Maybe the future would change for the better.
"Writing hard."
-But really, you okay? I know you love writing, but wouldn't college be better? Keep writing as a hobby, get a stable job—that feels right to me. You discharged in May this year, so late start, but one solid year of prep next year could get you into a good school.
"Mom's son has no brains for studying. And tuition? College ain't cheap. Twice a year, every year."
-That's...
She trailed off.
Vocational college: four semesters. Four-year uni: eight.
Hence all the student loans.
Of course, current Woo Ji-hyun had no tuition worries, but he wasn't about to toss money into the void.
"Income's unstable, sure, but there's vision. So trust me."
-Got it. You taking your esophagitis meds steadily?
"Of course."
-Got a girlfriend? I mean a woman you're seeing. A girlfriend.