Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
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Woo Ji-hyun called out to his friend with a serious expression.
He wasn't oblivious to Ye Seong-pil's feelings.
Even though it had been in his previous life, Woo Ji-hyun had gone through the exact same ordeal.
Sure, he was now one of the top writers making it big, leading the pack among emerging authors, but that was thanks to his experience—not some innate talent.
“Speak freely. We're friends, right? That's why I called you out. And I know how much you're holding back for my sake, so don't overthink it. You're probably racking your brain right now, wondering which words to pick so I won't get offended.”
“You're a mind reader.”
“I'd have done the same in your shoes. We've known each other for over seven years now.”
“Ugh, you're exhausting.”
“Heh heh heh! Why? I like it. Got a buddy to grab a drink with when things get tough. Have you ever met another writer our age? I haven't.”
Woo Ji-hyun shook his head.
He hadn't really calculated it before, but hearing it was seven years made it feel like a long time.
“You're right about that. Writers our age are rare. Anyway, what I want to say boils down to one thing: do what you want. You're the one writing the story. You're the one who'll take the heat for it. Your name and pen name go on your novel—not the editor's. So whether it's praise or backlash, it's all on you.”
“Hmm.”
“If it blows up, great. If it flops, that's on you too. That's why I want you to make the call yourself. No regrets later.”
“…….”
The words “no regrets” struck a deep chord in Ye Seong-pil.
That one phrase lodged itself firmly in his mind.
“If you're gonna regret it either way, isn't it better to do what you want and regret that?”
“How do you know my heart so well?”
“Been there myself. That novel I wrote before enlistment? Total disaster. Not just a flop—an absolute trainwreck. It was so bad I didn't even bring up a contract for the next one. I act like it's no big deal now, but back then? It wrecked me.”
“It was the one that kicked off the Machine series, though.”
Ye Seong-pil nodded emphatically.
He knew it was about Blaze.
And in that moment, he was struck anew by how impressive Woo Ji-hyun was.
Climbing back from rock bottom and writing again wasn't as easy as it sounded.
‘Most people flail around like I do.’
Self-loathing and despair usually kept them from snapping out of it.
But Woo Ji-hyun had clawed his way out of that pit.
Ye Seong-pil saw that as something to emulate in his friend.
“So what? If it's no fun, readers won't touch it. But if it's only fun for you, they won't either. Mix in some mass appeal, and you'll build a fanbase. You've got the talent. You can pull it off. Getting lost along the way is normal. Though it's kinda funny hearing this from me.”
Woo Ji-hyun looked sheepish.
He felt like he was overstepping, bossing around a peer like that.
“What's funny about it? It's golden advice from a top writer. And exactly what I needed to hear. You've cleared the fog in my head.”
“Not just the booze wearing off?”
Ye Seong-pil tossed out the girly compliment without hesitation, prompting Woo Ji-hyun to raise his soju glass.
Ye Seong-pil lifted his own glass, his face a bit more relaxed.
“Of course the booze is fading. If I got drunk off this, it wouldn't be me.”
“Hey, give me the name of that editor who fed you that crap.”
“Why do you want their name?”
“This industry's small. We might cross paths someday. Gotta prepare. I'm not the type to demand a new editor, but I don't wanna work with someone who rubs me wrong. Unnecessary stress.”
Woo Ji-hyun shook his head, as if the mere thought was horrifying.
Memories from his past life—of endless regrets from a mismatched editor—flooded back.
Once was enough.
“It might work out fine for you.”
“Doesn't look that way to me. And they say you dodge the shit.”
“Come on, calling someone shit without meeting them?”
“That's why you gotta watch your words. Even at drinks. Assuming they stick around the biz, anyway.”
Woo Ji-hyun wondered idly.
Where was that editor who'd become his nemesis?
In his past life, he'd met them at Linus Publishing, but he hadn't spotted them yet.
Or maybe they'd crossed paths without realizing.
‘I hope we never do, Deputy Ihu-jin.’
Woo Ji-hyun shook his head, recalling the Nine Thousand Demon Gods days.
The endless phone debates over edits came rushing back.
“Alright, let's drink easy now. Heavy talk's done.”
“I'll sip mine then. If I match your pace, I'm done for.”
“Nah, booze is for getting smashed. No half-measures. Go all in.”
“That's how you crash hard, dude.”
With his thoughts sorted, Ye Seong-pil's face brightened as he started pouring soju into his mouth.
His legendary two-bottle tolerance mindset was kicking in.
And at times like this, Ye Seong-pil really needed watching.
“Come on, drink! Drink till we drop!”
“Eat some snacks, man!”
The two devolved into trading barbs.
But oddly, the vibe was great.
* * *
Min A-rang stopped typing and glared at her large monitor.
More precisely, at the HWP file neatly filled with Korean text.
“Hmm. This doesn't make sense.”
“What's got you looking so grave?”
“Oh, Director.”
“Something bad?”
Jo Jin-gu, passing by with a mug of coffee in hand, asked in a low voice.
He'd overheard her mutter and paused to approach.
“No, nothing like that. It's just... weird.”
“Weird how?”
“Woo Ji-hyun segmented all his novels perfectly to spec.”
“Isn't that good? Less work for you, A-rang.”
Jo Jin-gu gave her a what’s-the-problem look.
It was something to be grateful for, not complain about.
“Doesn't it strike you as odd? I never told him the segment lengths. And check the revision dates.”
“Hm?”
“These aren't recent. He did the segmenting while writing. And this was before Kakao Page was even on the table.”
“Now that you mention it.”
Jo Jin-gu's expression hardened too.
Solar Chronicle, New Wind Machine Alliance, Nine Thousand Demon Gods, Blood Link—all neatly segmented.
The issue was the timing.
He couldn't recall exactly, but it overlapped with writing periods.
“To me, it looks like he prepped ahead.”
“Same here. But how'd he know? The 5,000-character standard isn't even set. It's just the minimum.”
“Exactly. I skimmed, and nothing's under 5,000. Max is around 5,500.”
“Unbelievable.”
Jo Jin-gu tilted his head, incredulous even seeing it.
The more he thought, the stranger it got.
And once more, he marveled at Woo Ji-hyun's foresight.
“That's why it gave me chills.”
“Me too. How'd he anticipate and prepare?”
“Should we ask?”
“Think he'll answer straight?”
Jo Jin-gu countered.
From what he'd seen of Woo Ji-hyun, he'd likely dodge vaguely.
And they couldn't pry too hard.
“Probably not.”
“Let it slide. It's not bad—makes your job easier, right?”
“True, but it's spooky.”
“Writers are full of quirks. Woo Ji-hyun's not quirky so much as uniquely steady. Most spend big elsewhere, but he funnels it all home. Rare to see that diligence, especially so young.”
Jo Jin-gu respected Woo Ji-hyun despite the age gap.
He knew better than anyone how hard it was to stay grounded young.
Most guys his age would flex or splurge; Woo Ji-hyun didn't.
His buys felt practical, not impulsive.
“I agree. He's one of a kind.”
“Hearing 'fine young man' from you feels off, though. He's just a year older than you.”
“Oh? That's a compliment. No one like him around me. Plenty of great guys, sure.”
“Speaking of, A-rang. Want me to set you up?”
Min A-rang's eyes went wide.
Longtime employee or not, this was a first from Jo Jin-gu.
And hilariously, other staff were eavesdropping.
The guys especially perked up, ears straining as they angled toward them.
“Set me up?”
“Yeah, got a guy who'd suit you. Friend of a friend.”
“Oh, thanks, but I'm not looking to date. Sorry, Director.”
“Really? He's a catch.”
Jo Jin-gu looked disappointed at her polite, instant refusal.
He truly thought they'd click.
Or more accurately, Min A-rang was a gem.
No clue how she'd be as a girlfriend, but objectively? Top-tier.
“I'm loving work too much right now.”
“Can't argue with that. His loss, then.”
Pushing when she prioritized career felt wrong.
Especially with listeners around, Jo Jin-gu dropped it.
“Oh, Director—read Woo Ji-hyun's new one yet?”
“Nope. You have?”
“Yes.”
“How is it? First sports novel for you.”
The romance arc wasn't separated yet, so even as a newbie, she'd read tons.
Sales was her main gig, sure.
But sports? Total newbie.
And as a woman less into soccer than men, Jo Jin-gu eyed her with mild concern.
“I loved it.”
“Really? A soccer novel?”
“Yeah, I like soccer. Dad got me into overseas leagues. Wasn't unfamiliar. The system elements made it fresh too. But mostly, it's just fun.”
“System elements, huh.”
Jo Jin-gu looked puzzled.
Her enthusiasm seemed genuine.
“See for yourself. Super readable—flies by.”
“Guess I'll check it out.”