Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Part 2: The Contact Arrives
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This is a work of fiction and has no relation to any real names, events, organizations, place names, or individuals.
Three days had passed since he began serializing in the general serialization section.
Surprisingly, a contact message had already arrived.
Even though he had only uploaded five chapters, there was a message waiting in his inbox.
“It was the same back then.”
Woo Ji-hyun wasn’t surprised by the reaction after just three days.
When he had abruptly ended *Legender* early and started serializing a martial arts novel, a contract offer had come around this time as well.
That martial arts novel had received the most messages during its run.
“Let’s see… Hmm?”
As Woo Ji-hyun checked the message, his expression hardened.
The first message had come from a publisher where two people with whom he had ended on bad terms worked.
“Bad blood is still a kind of connection, huh.”
This was the very publisher where he had submitted his manuscript and signed a contract.
And it was there that Woo Ji-hyun had been scammed.
He had trusted them initially because they seemed like a legitimate publisher, and even though he was about to enlist, he had signed two contracts, naively believing in people.
But that trust had boomeranged back as a scam.
“What a naive time that was. And surprisingly, it wasn’t all that uncommon.”
It felt frustrating in hindsight, but back then, he had been desperate.
Dead broke, every penny counted.
“Even if it doesn’t go full righteous punishment, they should still take responsibility for their mistakes.”
Woo Ji-hyun smirked and deleted the message.
He had no desire to start things off with bad blood.
He couldn’t avoid them entirely in this industry, but there was no need to seek them out.
“For now, let’s wait.”
Even with just five chapters, views and favorites were steadily climbing.
As such, Woo Ji-hyun didn’t rush.
Instead, he upped his pace and churned out chapters steadily.
“Time to show them the power that earned me the nickname ‘machine.’”
Even at thirty, he had written over 10,000 characters a day.
Now, at twenty-three, with physical condition and stamina incomparable to his thirties, Woo Ji-hyun dove headlong into writing.
* * *
Woo Ji-hyun visited Bucheon Station for the first time in ages.
It was his first time since returning to the past—and even after discharge, he hadn’t come.
His debut work, *D.A.F (Dream And Fantasy)*, had been published by Phil Media, whose office was near Bucheon Bukbu Station.
He had visited occasionally on days off, though not frequently.
“Good thing I was working buffet kitchen shifts, so I could come on weekdays. I was so naive back then.”
Woo Ji-hyun reminisced about the past.
A time when he truly knew nothing.
He had come to Bucheon Station feeling like he owned the world after one contract offer message and signed the deal.
Three years ago, modern fiction like that was rare, and even rarer now. It had bombed spectacularly.
“A smash hit back then printed over 10,000 copies, but mine barely hit 3,000.”
In hindsight, 3,000 copies was impressive.
At this point in late May, fewer than five new releases from publishers had exceeded 3,000 copies.
That’s why popular series were being dragged out as long as possible.
Clack.
Shaking his head, Woo Ji-hyun entered a cafe near Bucheon Bukbu Station.
He had no desire to visit the publisher’s office again after going there endlessly in the past.
It would just bother the staff and make him uncomfortable.
So, he had suggested meeting at a nearby cafe instead.
“Writer Woo Ji-hyun?”
“Yes.”
Sipping an iced Americano—something he hadn’t touched back then—he gazed out the window when a middle-aged man approached cautiously.
The neatly dressed man smiled warmly at Woo Ji-hyun and sat down.
“My hunch was right. I had a feeling it was you, Writer Woo Ji-hyun.”
“The options were limited, weren’t they?”
“Hahaha. Yes.”
The middle-aged man nodded with an awkward laugh.
It was well past lunchtime, so the second-floor cafe was mostly empty.
Only three people total, including Woo Ji-hyun.
With a sheepish smile, the man pulled a business card from his pocket.
“Let me introduce myself properly. I’m Jo Jin-gu from Barun Publishing.”
“Nice to meet you. Woo Ji-hyun. As you know, I don’t have cards. You’re a department head?”
Woo Ji-hyun’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
He had expected a manager or assistant manager level, not a department head.
He looked at Jo Jin-gu without hiding his surprise.
“The work is just that good. And I’m the one who discovered your series, Writer Woo Ji-hyun. So, I came myself to meet you. Hahaha.”
“I don’t know where to put myself.”
Barun Publishing was one of the oldest genre literature publishers.
It was also the most stable.
It was one of the few that hadn’t closed even by the time he died, so Woo Ji-hyun had decided inwardly the moment he got their message.
Barun was a solid choice for a comeback.
‘Future Books wouldn’t even glance at me now.’
He had a preferred publisher, but sadly, no contact from them.
They favored established authors over rookies anyway.
And those established ones were mid-tier hits or better.
“If you think so highly, I’m grateful. By the way, Writer, how old are you?”
“Twenty-three. Just discharged, so the short hair.”
“Ah, that explains the buzz cut. Planning to return to university then?”
Jo Jin-gu fired off questions without even ordering coffee.
Conversation was the best way to ease awkwardness.
Plus, despite his young age, Woo Ji-hyun exuded a mature aura, so Jo Jin-gu treaded carefully.
He knew all types existed in this business.
“No, I plan to write full-time.”
“Uh, well. Do you know the current market situation?”
“Yes, I’m a semi-veteran. Finished two series before enlisting.”
“Pardon?”
Jo Jin-gu’s pupils dilated.
He had been in the industry nearly ten years but never heard of Woo Ji-hyun.
The surprise was brief.
He quickly composed himself.
“Haha, it’s fine. They both bombed, so it’s natural you don’t know them.”
“I had no idea you were established. Mind if I ask which works?”
“Wrote *D.A.F.* and *Blaze*. Published by Phil Media.”
“Ah.”
Jo Jin-gu’s eyes shook.
Titles he hadn’t heard of.
But Woo Ji-hyun didn’t mind at all.
As if it were only natural.
“They bombed so hard, no one knows them. Never met anyone who has.”
“Hard to believe, seeing you write *Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero*.”
“Age brings some skill improvement, luckily.”
Actually, it was twenty years of experience, but no need to say that.
No intention of telling anyone.
“Looks like you’ve put in a lot of effort too. And thought deeply.”
“Effort’s a given. Without it…”
Woo Ji-hyun shook his head.
One of his few strengths was relentless effort.
Imagining himself without it sent chills down his spine.
“If I may ask, how far along is the manuscript?”
“130,000 characters—volume 1 done. Started volume 2 this morning.”
“Already?”
Jo Jin-gu’s eyes widened.
Volume 1 complete so soon after starting serialization.
“Yes, I write fast. Anyway, Department Head, I’d like details on the contract terms. Hate to hold you up when you’re busy.”
“Haha, thanks for bringing it up. Was wondering how to broach it. Here’s the contract; I’ll explain.”
Jo Jin-gu pulled the contract from his bag with practiced ease.
He explained point by point, especially detailing the additional clauses.
“Standard rookie terms.”
“Yes, didn’t know you were established. But adjustable. What do you want?”
Jo Jin-gu didn’t rush.
From their talk, he knew Woo Ji-hyun wasn’t one to be sweet-talked or pressured into signing.
“Can you bump royalty to 9%?”
“Possible. 10% is tough, but 1% is within my authority.”
Jo Jin-gu brightened.
Woo Ji-hyun wasn’t asking for the moon, as expected.
“Oh, and electronic rights for 3 years. 5 is too long.”
“Hmm.”
“That’s all I want. No more. Advance of exactly 500,000 won. It’s advance royalty anyway.”
Woo Ji-hyun offered his compromise.
Felt reasonable to ask.
‘Not a great deal, of course.’
He had seen and signed countless contracts.
Knew this was average for rookies.
Big-shot rookies got veteran treatment, but he wasn’t there.
Strictly, he was in limbo—not quite rookie, not quite vet.
“Understood.”
“Let’s stamp.”
“Thank you for signing, Writer Woo Ji-hyun.”
The hard part was deciding; after that, it was smooth.
Soon, they each took a copy and left the cafe.
“Please take care of me, Department Head.”
“I’ll do my best. Good manuscript, please.”
“I’ll write something fun. Don’t worry about deadlines.”
“With your pace, no worries.”
Jo Jin-gu smiled.
Daily serialization with this much buffer? Safe.
“See you next time.”
“Come by this evening. I’ll show you a great spot.”
“Got it. Take care.”
Parting amicably with Jo Jin-gu, Woo Ji-hyun headed home.
Now the real start began.
‘Plenty of time to slack later, when the market’s prime. For now, shut up and run.’