Chapter 22
Chapter 22
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Dreaming of the Big Leagues
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Barun Publishing was in an uproar.
The scandal with writer Woo Ji-hyun had finally leaked out.
Writers getting together for a drink wasn’t unusual in their circles. If anything, finding one who didn’t drink was the real challenge.
The problem was that reps from Future Books and Rubin Media had been at the gathering.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. It’s not the first time the boss has chewed me out.”
“Still, he was louder than usual this time.”
“You heard it all?”
Yeom Tae-seong, who could be called the vice president, glanced toward the president’s office.
The voice booming out from inside was practically a shout.
“Yeah, crystal clear. Everyone in the office probably heard.”
“I heard it too.”
Yoo Mi-rae raised her hand slightly.
She’d locked eyes with Jo Jin-gu and couldn’t help it.
“I must’ve looked pathetic.”
“What even happened?”
“Future Books and Rubin Media approached Woo Ji-hyun a month ago.”
“Oh...”
Yeom Tae-seong’s face hardened.
It was the kind of issue that would rile up the boss for sure.
Especially since Future Books already had a track record.
“We found out too late.”
“Without the writer telling us, it’s not easy to know.”
“That’s just an excuse. We dropped the ball on managing our writers.”
“...I’m sorry.”
No sooner had Jo Jin-gu finished than Yoo Mi-rae, Woo Ji-hyun’s handler, apologized in a subdued voice.
The primary responsibility fell on her.
She was the one in closest contact with him.
“It’s not your fault, Mi-rae. Those two companies are the shameless ones pushing so hard.”
“Did Woo Ji-hyun sign with them?”
“Not yet, from what I hear. Rubin Media’s not even picking up. But the boss laid into me over the next project.”
“Which makes sense. No contract yet.”
Jo Jin-gu nodded and looked at Yoo Mi-rae.
He wanted to check on the progress of Asura Sword Emperor.
“How many volumes of Asura Sword Emperor do we have?”
“Up to volume 8 so far, but I have a feeling he’s further along.”
“He said this one’s planned for 12 volumes, right?”
“Yeah, that’s what he told me. The finale’s volume 12.”
Jo Jin-gu’s expression grew serious.
At Woo Ji-hyun’s pace so far, he’d wrap it up around February.
That meant they needed to lock down the next contract fast.
‘Rubin Media’s got no connection, but Future Books is different. Not close friends, but we know people. And they’ve got deep pockets.’
Things hadn’t ended well at Phil Media, so Woo Ji-hyun probably wouldn’t jump ship hastily.
Barun hadn’t shortchanged him either.
What worried Jo Jin-gu was Future Books’ capital.
Pros like him were bound to waver at the right price.
“Guess we need to set up a meeting.”
“Make it two this time.”
“We’ll see.”
Jo Jin-gu gave Yeom Tae-seong a meaningful look.
Then he stared quietly at the tightly shut president’s door.
* * *
Strolling through Hongdae, packed with people on every street, Im Sang-min clicked his tongue.
The Christmas carols blaring everywhere were one thing, but the crowds were insane.
Even Friday and Saturday nights in Bupyeong, Incheon, got busy, but nothing like this.
“Too many people.”
“That’s Hongdae for you.”
“It’s normal. Especially Christmas Eve.”
Unlike the grumbling Im Sang-min, Woo Ji-hyun and Kim In-hu looked unfazed.
Whether coupled up or solo, the area always buzzed on nights like this.
“We’ll get in, right?”
“Of course. Once night hits, it’ll thin out big time. Don’t sweat it.”
“Taxi fare’s gonna sting.”
“I said don’t worry about that.”
Woo Ji-hyun flashed a reassuring grin at Im Sang-min’s cautious money worries.
Even from Seoul, the fare via the Gyeongin Expressway wouldn’t break the bank.
And at dawn? No traffic jams.
‘I’m not exactly broke.’
Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero was sprinting toward its finale, and Asura Sword Emperor dropped steadily every month.
Meaning royalties hit his account like clockwork from both.
But even without big bucks, Woo Ji-hyun wouldn’t skip Hongdae on Christmas Eve with friends.
‘Miss it now, and it’ll cost more later.’
Twenties: broke but energetic.
Thirties: money but no stamina.
And it all got spent anyway.
Study had its season; so did play.
He wasn’t about to waste this prime time.
‘Taxi fare’s nothing.’
He was saving for a deposit, but blowing off steam now and then mattered.
Long-haul writing needed self-care—and stress relief.
“As expected from a hit writer. Money lets you be generous.”
“Not yet. Maybe mid-tier? Climbed from C-rank to B-rank.”
“When I make bank, I’ll treat big.”
“Guessing I’ll hold my breath till the year after next?”
Woo Ji-hyun teased.
Im Sang-min’s one-year training started next year, so real earnings were two years out.
“Ninety percent chance. Even with a part-time gig, living costs come first.”
“But you’ll date anyway.”
“Older woman. Heh!”
Woo Ji-hyun chuckled at Im Sang-min’s cocky vibe and checked their destination, picking up the pace.
Still early evening, crowds everywhere, but spots weren’t open yet.
“Too early, huh? Still closed.”
“Let’s grab soju first then. Can’t do it sober.”
“Not that you want soju, right?”
Kim In-hu smirked at Im Sang-min jumping straight to booze despite his disappointment.
The guy’s game was obvious.
“Can’t deny it.”
“We need dinner anyway. Light drinks, then go. Too late and we’ll hit a waitlist.”
“How long’s the wait?”
“No way to know till we check.”
Even Woo Ji-hyun couldn’t say for sure.
First time for him too.
“It’s popular, so brace for a line.”
“We’re up all night anyway. Eat first.”
“And check out the girls. Whew.”
Im Sang-min let out a whoop.
Incheon boy through and through—pretty girls passing, and he chimed in without thinking.
Problem was, Kim In-hu did too.
On break from Seoul uni, but still gaping.
“Hot.”
“Right? Top three prettiest I’ve seen.”
“Agreed.”
Woo Ji-hyun shook his head at his friends’ guy talk.
But his eyes snuck after the three women walking off.
“Hm?”
“What?”
“Thought I saw someone I know.”
“Close friend?”
Woo Ji-hyun shook his head.
More like a total stranger.
Maybe he’d seen wrong.
“So, what’re we eating?”
All three mouths shut at once.
The two picky ones brought instant silence.
Woo Ji-hyun pointed to the safest bet: a dakgalbi joint.
A bit past 9 p.m., he led Kim In-hu and Im Sang-min to the spot they’d scoped.
Even this early, a long line snaked toward Club ND2’s entrance near the samgyeopsal tents.
Mostly guys, but plenty of women too.
“Whoa.”
“Came early and still a line.”
Im Sang-min gawked at the queue; Kim In-hu smacked his lips.
Club newbie Im Sang-min was stunned seeing TV scenes live.
Kim In-hu wasn’t—he’d hit clubs in college.
“Christmas Eve effect?”
“Looks like it. Every single’s here.”
“All young.”
“Dude, we’re young.”
Kim In-hu laughed at Woo Ji-hyun’s old-man mutter.
By age, they were still fresh 22.
“Oh, right.”
“What’s with that reaction?”
“Feels good. Way different from home.”
“Totally.”
Kim In-hu grinned, energy up—no sign of earlier fatigue.
Club beats leaking out already had him pumped.
Im Sang-min’s face, though, was tense.
“Just have fun. Clubs aren’t a big deal.”
“Not my scene.”
“You haven’t tried it. And when else we coming?”
“Quit the old-man talk.”
Im Sang-min pulled smokes from his pocket, scoffing.
Same age, but Woo Ji-hyun sounded ancient.
“You’ll thank me later. Soon you won’t even get in.”
“Not never.”
Kim In-hu, up front, pointed to the street.
A red sports car pulled up; three guys hopped out.
“Hello!”
In fancy track suits and shades, they got nods from the guards and waltzed in.
Woo Ji-hyun couldn’t help a wry smile.
Word hadn’t caught on yet, but “Gold Spoon” fit perfectly.
That sports car stuck in his mind.
‘Tough now, but someday me too.’
Few genre pros drove imports.
Only mega-hits could sustain them.
But paid serialization would change that.
He’d seen it happen.
Eyes gleaming, Woo Ji-hyun vowed.
Even lining up now, things would shift.
“Born Dirt Spoon, I’ll die Gold Spoon.”
“What’s that? Dirt Spoon? Gold Spoon?”
Terms not big till 2017—Kim In-hu tilted his head.
Woo Ji-hyun waved it off with a laugh.
No point explaining; too soon for that.
“Hey, we won’t get bounced, right?”
As they neared the door, spotting so-called Bouncer Rejections, Im Sang-min spoke up carefully.
While Woo Ji-hyun steeled himself amid the parade of sports cars and imports.