Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
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Before deleting the posts on the serialization board, Woo Ji-hyun checked the comments one last time when his phone rang.
But his mother's voice didn't sound right.
-Ji-hyun-ah.
"Is something wrong?"
-It's exactly as you said. Really, just like that.
Her voice, thick with moisture, came through the speaker.
At the same time, he could feel the immense sense of betrayal his mother was experiencing.
"What did I say?"
-Even Mother-nim's response was word-for-word what you predicted. For real.
"Did she really say that?"
-Yeah. She said she's endured it for decades herself. But in the end, he always comes back. So just hold on and live through it.
A silent chuckle escaped Woo Ji-hyun's lips.
It was unfolding exactly as he had anticipated.
"The problem is Dad. He's not going to just sit still."
-You're right. I have no idea how he can be so brazen.
"What are you going to do?"
Woo Ji-hyun asked carefully.
He had laid out various options, but that was the extent of what he could do.
Ultimately, the decision was his mother's to make.
And no matter what she chose, Woo Ji-hyun planned to help her to the best of his ability.
'Before, I was too busy looking out for myself, but things are different now.'
The royalties coming in monthly were no small sum.
Compared to peers at big corporations, his monthly pay or annual salary might be less, but it wasn't incomparable.
Moreover, Solar Chronicle's royalties hadn't even started coming in yet, so Woo Ji-hyun had plenty of leeway.
-I'm going to sort it out. It's not like I don't know that man's personality. Clinging won't change anything. The issue is Sol-i, but thanks to you, I've prepared in advance, so it shouldn't be a big burden.
"No matter what decision you make, I'm on your side, Mom."
-Thank you. I can hold on like this because of you.
"Don't mention it. It's only natural. So, you're going ahead with the plan right away?"
-Yeah. Since Father-nim is in the middle of inheritance anyway, might as well end it cleanly now. I supported another family's son for over twenty years—I can't leave empty-handed.
"Of course. You more than deserve it, Mom. If anything, it's the least they could do."
Woo Ji-hyun replied without hesitation.
From everything he'd seen so far, his mother absolutely deserved it.
-I'm calling to let you know, since a son should be aware.
"If anything feels off, call me right away. I'll come running."
-Hahaha. Hearing that makes me feel so secure. But Mom hasn't lived all these years in vain. Don't worry. I'll handle it just fine.
"Of course I trust you. Who’s my mom?"
-Having you and Sol-i makes Mom feel truly secure. And thank you.
"You're welcome."
Woo Ji-hyun shook his head at his mother's voice, filled with sincerity.
Compared to the love she'd given him, what he'd done was truly nothing.
If anything, he owed her so much more moving forward.
'That's why I have to succeed even more. It's still a world where dirt spoons can rise to silver spoons.'
The ancient sages said to dream big and aim high, but Woo Ji-hyun kept his hopes realistic.
He felt this was more than enough.
-Don't skip meals. Don't overdo it because you're busy. You know health comes first, right?
"Of course."
-Good. I'll call again later, son.
"Take care getting home. Hang in there."
After the short but intense call ended, Woo Ji-hyun quietly stared at his phone.
Unlike with his grandfather, he could feel he'd changed his mother's fate.
And in a positive direction, twisting the axis of destiny, so a smile naturally formed on Woo Ji-hyun's face.
"I regressed staking my fate on it—changes like this are only natural. She deserves it anyway."
He wasn't asking for some impossible miracle, after all.
He just hoped for a slightly more positive path, a better road ahead.
That's why Woo Ji-hyun thought this was barely scratching the surface.
Click. Click.
After finishing the call with his mother, Woo Ji-hyun began deleting the free serialization chapters of Solar Chronicle.
With volumes 1 and 2 coming out tomorrow, he had to remove the free chapters by the end of the day.
That way, Jeondaehyeop or Obidio wouldn't have anything to say.
"It's a shame. With these views, switching to paid serialization now could've easily netted 5 or 6 thousand."
It was hypothetical, but considering total views, completion rate, and favorites, it didn't seem impossible.
Of course, paid views could've tanked miserably too.
"For now, let's solidify my reliable author position. That way, when the paid serialization market opens, I can build my own reader base. With the perception that 'this author's work is trustworthy.'"
Thinking not just about the immediate present but the near future, Woo Ji-hyun deleted the final chapter.
* * *
Jo Jin-gu entered the break room and glanced at the wristwatch he'd worn for years.
The hands, marked by time, pointed to 2 p.m.
"About thirty minutes left."
"Huh? Here for coffee?"
"Yeah, just a light cup while I work."
"It's two-thirty, right? When Woo Ji-hyun writer is supposed to arrive."
Min A-rang, Woo Ji-hyun's editor and the one handling 'Beauty' at Linus Publishing, asked with a bright smile.
She glanced at the clock on the break room wall.
"Right. But it's his first time here, and he's coming from Incheon, so he might be a bit late."
"Keeping appointments is important."
"Still, Woo Ji-hyun writer is good about punctuality. Even if late, not by much."
"He's definitely different from other writers. No wonder they call him the Machine."
Jo Jin-gu chuckled at her use of "Machine."
But he didn't deny it.
Woo Ji-hyun's pace was more than worthy of the title.
With results backing it up, planners, editors, and even other writers were stunned.
"He really is a machine. And one that delivers results."
"I've heard rumors he writes two or three volumes a month."
"True. I know firsthand since I've seen it. Tomorrow's Solar Chronicle was written after finishing Asura Sword Emperor."
"Wow."
Min A-rang, who understood writers' struggles as an editor, gaped in admiration once more.
It was an insane pace—no, performance.
Even if asked to write a diary, she couldn't match it.
"No wonder other writers are curious about him. Planners go without saying."
"Other publishers must be eyeing him hard."
"No direct meetings that I know of, but they're definitely watching closely."
Besides Linus Publishing, eight other publishers steadily released paper books.
Most of them coveted Woo Ji-hyun.
No, it would be weirder if they didn't.
"Then today, we should lock in one more contract—no, two more."
"That would be ideal, if possible."
"But impressive. The contract says he's turning twenty-four this year."
"Just one year older than you, Deputy Min."
"And getting 5 million per volume."
Min A-rang looked genuinely envious.
5 million per volume was more than double her monthly salary.
"The key is he's worth every won and more. How many volumes of manuscript do we have so far?"
"Five. All proofread, edited, and author-approved."
"That's Woo Ji-hyun writer's true value."
"Still, Section Chief, isn't 2,700 copies too many for first print? I'm not even sure about 2,500."
Min A-rang composed herself and spoke cautiously.
Even with Woo Ji-hyun's 'reliable author' reputation lately, printing 2,700 for volumes 1 and 2 felt excessive.
"Of course it'll lose money. Stable is around 2,500. Rental shops take that many for new releases. Factor in returns, even less. But it's just a 200-copy difference. No big deal."
"You think it'll sell that much?"
"A hope? It's full preorder guarantee anyway, and we can adjust from volume 3. Who knows? Maybe not Solar Sculptor level, but a Yak-level hit?"
Min A-rang stroked her chin thoughtfully.
Having read Solar Chronicle herself, she knew it was exceptionally well-crafted.
It could rank among the year's top martial arts novels.
And it hadn't faltered through five volumes.
"I hope so. So everyone says you had foresight, Section Chief."
"Hahaha. That would be nice."
"Excuse me."
Jo Jin-gu, who'd come for coffee but hadn't even opened a mix packet while chatting with Min A-rang, whipped his head toward the office entrance.
A very familiar voice came from there.
"Woo Ji-hyun writer!"
"Ah, Section Chief."
Woo Ji-hyun, entering the office a bit awkwardly, spotted Jo Jin-gu and lit up with a pleased expression.
He quickly approached him.
"Come on in, writer."
"Hello."
"No need to go out of your way."
As Woo Ji-hyun handed over a box of drinks with his greeting, Jo Jin-gu smiled awkwardly.
He didn't need to bring anything.
"Didn't feel right coming empty-handed. First visit and all."
"Really, just come as is next time. Haha."
"Got it."
"Oh, and this is your editor, Woo Ji-hyun writer."
Placing the drink box on a side table, Jo Jin-gu gestured toward Min A-rang.
Min A-rang, who'd followed him out, bowed her head promptly.
"Hello! I'm Min A-rang, your editor. Voice matches, right?"
"It does."
Woo Ji-hyun nodded with a faint smile at Min A-rang's energetic greeting.
But that reaction left her slightly flustered.
It was completely different from other writers she'd met.
"Here's my business card."
"Sure."
Min A-rang quickly composed herself.
Not everyone was swayed by her looks, after all.
Still, it stung her pride a bit.
'He could've at least blushed.'
She grumbled inwardly.
It wasn't the reaction she'd expected.
At the same time, Min A-rang quickly scanned Woo Ji-hyun.
'His style... surprisingly good?'
Rather than Woo Ji-hyun being surprised, Min A-rang was the one taken aback.
He felt entirely different from the writers she'd seen before.
"Come this way for now."
"Yes."
While Min A-rang was still surprised, Jo Jin-gu led Woo Ji-hyun to the meeting room.
It wasn't polite to leave a guest at the entrance.
And it wouldn't do to disturb the hardworking staff.
"Some tea, please."
"Yes, Section Chief. Something special!"