Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
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A short while later, a man entered the representative's office with a hearty voice, as if he were a triumphant general.
True to being a writer, he had a burly build, and Jo Jin-gu quickly changed his expression at the man's greeting, rising from his seat.
"Long time no see, Writer Woo-ju."
"Haha! I had some business here this morning, and it wrapped up quicker than expected, so I stopped by on a whim. Thought I'd have a cup of tea with you, President."
"Good call."
The man, who used the pen name Woo-ju—aiming for the universe's top spot—grinned good-naturedly as he took a seat.
He settled in as naturally as if it were his own master bedroom.
"The office feels different every time I visit. Must be because the company's growing by the day, right?"
"The layout's mostly the same. Employee seats shift a bit as needed, but even that's rare."
"You'll have to move to a bigger place this year, no? Hire more staff too. Frontier Management's the top dog in the industry, isn't it?"
"A bit more time left on the lease. Haha."
Jo Jin-gu matched his enthusiasm, though he inwardly wondered at the oddly effusive praise for the company.
First, he needed to figure out the reason for the visit.
Only then could he decide how to respond.
"Beverages are here."
"Oh, I'd like a caramel macchiato. Too late to ask now, huh?"
"No, it's fine. I'll get it for you."
Lee Ji-hye smiled awkwardly as she brought in a tray with two iced Americanos.
It was a hassle, but not so much that she couldn't manage.
She just thought it would've been nice if he'd mentioned it earlier.
"This Americano's for you, Ji-hye. Heh heh heh!"
"Ah, sure."
As the forty-something Woo-ju waggled his thick eyelids in a sleazy wink, Lee Ji-hye's face stiffened for a moment.
A fresh-faced newbie just starting her career facing a grin from a grizzled bachelor was a punch too strong.
She bolted from the representative's office in a hurry.
She hastily set the iced Americano she'd brought in front of Jo Jin-gu and fled like she was escaping.
"The editing department really scouts for beauties, huh. Editor A-rang's a stunner too. Oh, right—does A-rang still not have a boyfriend?"
"I'm not sure. We try not to discuss personal matters at work."
"Hmm. Guess I'll have to ask her myself then. Heh heh heh!"
Woo-ju let out a strange chuckle, who-knows-what running through his mind.
At the sight, Jo Jin-gu silently wished Min A-rang eternal peace.
He could tell exactly what Woo-ju was thinking without a word.
And he could vividly imagine how much of a headache it'd be for Min A-rang.
Thud.
Lee Ji-hye, who'd whipped up a caramel macchiato at lightning speed, set it down in front of Woo-ju and darted out of the office.
She didn't want to exchange even a word, leaving no room for it.
"Go ahead."
"Heh heh! Ji-hye seemed really shy."
Lee Ji-hye had breezed out without even making eye contact, but Woo-ju interpreted it his own way.
Seeing only what suited him.
Jo Jin-gu could only manage an awkward smile at what could be called an impressive display.
"How's the writing going?"
"That's why I'm dying here. With the end so close, progress is crawling for some reason. Maybe 'cause I hate to let it go."
"You still have to finish it. Your stockpile's running low, isn't it?"
Woo-ju's face showed surprise for a moment.
Frontier Management had grown, pulling in rookies and veterans alike.
Yet they knew his situation precisely, which left him amazed.
"How'd you know?"
"I get reports from your handler every day. As president, shouldn't I keep tabs on my writers' status?"
"Ooh! No wonder top companies stay on top."
"Nah, just hard work. Long road ahead."
Jo Jin-gu humbly shook his head and reached for his iced Americano.
But Woo-ju shook his head vigorously.
"Come on, President. Don't sell yourself short. Frontier Management's number one in industry sales right now. Everyone says you're the best at hustling for your writers."
"Appreciate it. We'll work even harder to keep that rep."
He knew it already, but it felt good to hear—validation for his efforts.
And it was true: among management firms and publishers, they were the most active.
Unlike stodgy publishers, he was out there pounding the pavement himself.
"That's actually why I came, President. Got a favor to ask."
"Shoot straight. My heart and ears are always open."
Jo Jin-gu smiled kindly, but inwardly he gave a wry smile.
Just as expected—a purpose behind the visit.
Still, he didn't show any displeasure.
Managing writers was arguably the core of the job.
"We talked about your next project contract last time, right?"
"Yeah. End's in sight now."
"Exactly. So I want to talk candidly about the next one with you. And bundle in that favor."
"Make yourself at home."
"Ahem."
Even at Jo Jin-gu's urging, Woo-ju didn't jump in.
Instead, he slyly gauged Jo's reaction while sipping his sweet caramel macchiato.
"No pressure—just say it. Negotiating terms is part of any contract."
"Then I'll be frank. I've got urgent personal business and need some cash."
"How much?"
"100 million. As an advance on the contract."
"If it's not rude, mind sharing what for?"
Jo Jin-gu's eyebrow twitched.
100 million wasn't pocket change.
Sure, advances were like advances on royalties—sell well, and it'd pay off.
But the question was how long to break even and turn a profit.
"Sorry, it's personal, hard to say."
"I see. So you need quick cash."
"Yes."
Woo-ju nodded boldly, his face not all that urgent for someone in need.
Jo Jin-gu's mind raced with possibilities.
Writers rarely needed emergency funds like this.
"You know 100 million's a big sum, Writer Woo-ju."
"But market trends these days? Not that huge. Plenty of firms offer 100 million advances."
"More than before, sure. Market's booming."
The genre market grew nearly double every year.
High-earners pulling eight figures were multiplying too.
Woo-ju's ask was reasonable, in a way.
'Reasonable, but not quite at "100 million advance" levels.'
Jo Jin-gu smirked inwardly.
They'd floated a next-work deal, but Woo-ju was solidly mid-tier at Frontier Management.
No hits, no flops.
Perfectly average.
For such a writer to demand what A-listers might, Jo Jin-gu was baffled.
If his current serial was blowing up, maybe.
But it was tracking just like his usual—average.
"And Frontier's the top earner among firms."
Woo-ju grinned, piling on the praise.
But Jo Jin-gu didn't smile.
Now he got why the constant company ass-kissing.
He straightened his expression.
"Truth is, Writer Woo-ju—"
"Yes?"
"100 million advance might be tough."
"...Why?"
Woo-ju's smarmy smile froze, his gaze turning heavy.
"I vowed when starting this company not to overextend funds. You've published physical books, so you know—publishers get burned on advances they can't recoup all the time."
"I'm different. I've written steadily. I won't slack off after getting paid."
Woo-ju spat it out rapid-fire, like a tirade.
It wasn't baseless; he'd seen it himself, so he got the concern.
But in his view, 100 million wasn't a stretch for Frontier Management.
He'd heard things too.
"Of course I trust you. Your work ethic's solid. But 100 million's just too much. Hope you understand."
"So it is discrimination."
"Pardon?"
Jo Jin-gu blinked in confusion at the out-of-left-field word.
But undeterred, Woo-ju sneered on.
"Because I'm B-rank, not a hitmaker, you're lowballing me. You splash 200 million on pretty faces and stars, though."
"...What are you saying?"
"Don't you know best, President?"
"..."
The honorific flipped from "President" to a colder "President" vibe.
But Jo Jin-gu was more stunned by "200 million" and who Woo-ju clearly meant.
From his expression, it wasn't a guess—pure certainty.
"Disappointing. Thought you'd be different, but hustlers are all the same. Favoring the stars."
"Not favoritism—"
"So advances are tiered by rank? S-rank gets 200 mil, A-rank 100, us B-ranks 20 or 30 mil?"
Woo-ju sniped.
With the deal dead, he went off the rails.
Not without reason, though.
He had something to back it.
"No such policy exists."
"So in your eyes, my worth's not even 100 mil. Got it. Loud and clear."
Swoosh.
Woo-ju stood.
Without hesitation or goodbye, he strode out of the office.
Negotiations busted—he saw no point sticking around Frontier Management.
"Writer!"