Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Second Debut and Steady Success
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This is a work of fiction and has no relation to any real names, events, organizations, place names, or persons.
Lately, Woo Ji-hyun was really in the groove when it came to writing.
Views and favorites for his Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero were climbing day by day.
Of course, hate comments were still pouring in.
But no popular story ever escaped them.
“Nice, nice.”
It had exploded with reactions before, but it had clear limitations too.
That was why it never reached number one on the Golden Best.
“Geukcheon’s Scripture is number one again. Does that mean the future hasn’t changed much? Or has my skill not grown as much as I thought?”
It was an old manuscript he’d written ages ago, and though he’d poured his best into it, it was hard to call it 100% the same.
The polish was much higher now, but that unique vibe was inevitably fuzzier.
Plus, he’d targeted the ebook market with short, easy-to-read sentences, leaving descriptions a bit sparse.
“And yet, it climbed to second place.”
The difference in comments was huge, even if per-episode views were similar.
That kept it from Golden Best number one.
“Hmm. Should I be satisfied here?”
Golden Best number one didn’t guarantee print sales.
Lower-ranked works had outsold higher ones plenty of times.
But if he had a choice, first beat second.
It had taken ages to hit number one last time too.
“What’s missing?”
Even amid his insane writing pace, Woo Ji-hyun devoured top Munpia hits nonstop.
Writing well was key, but reading trends was just as crucial.
So he kept up steady reading alongside work and workouts.
Bzzz!
Then the phone on his desk—disguised as a clock—vibrated.
Someone was calling.
“Hello?”
“Yes, Author-nim! This is Yoo Mi-rae from Barun Publishing!”
“Yes, Editor.”
Lunch break had just ended, and her voice brimmed with energy over the speaker.
But Woo Ji-hyun’s face stayed cynical despite the young woman’s cheer.
Beautiful editors existed only in novels, after all.
That changed later, when paid serials boomed and authors raked in billions.
“But anyway, I’m calling about the cover. We’ve got three drafts incorporating your requests as much as possible. Pick your favorite! Of course, if none click, we can redo them—just takes time.”
“I’ll check now.”
“Okay!”
A call meant the drafts were already emailed, so he jumped into Naver.
He quickly pulled up Barun’s cover mocks.
“Number two looks best.”
“Shall we go with two?”
“Yes, that works.”
Woo Ji-hyun didn’t agonize.
Compared to Rubin Media’s zero options and weird covers—which had left him cover-traumatized—Barun was heaven.
“By the way, what about your profile and author’s note?”
“Profile can be a short intro and bio. No author’s note planned.”
“Got it. We’ll handle it that way!”
“Yes.”
He ended the call amid her pep.
Then resumed brooding.
He’d regressed with a second chance, hit second place—not third or fourth—and quitting now felt like a waste.
Tap.
Meanwhile, Yoo Mi-rae eyed her big monitor curiously post-call.
Specifically, a HWP file in the wallpaper corner.
“Section Chief.”
“Hm? What’s up, Yoo?”
“Who’s this Woo Ji-hyun author?”
“Why?”
Jo Jin-gu tilted his head, emerging from the break room with a iced-coffee mug.
Her out-of-nowhere question threw him.
“He’s got about one and a half volumes serialized on Munpia right now—Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero.”
“I know.”
“But this morning, volume five arrived.”
“That’s great, right? Ideal is four volumes stockpiled before launch. Covers any surprises.”
Jo Jin-gu countered like it was a win.
If all Barun’s contracted authors matched Woo Ji-hyun, he’d have zero worries.
Especially after those advance-payment deadbeats—he winced just thinking of it.
Zing!
No joke—his occiput stung at the memory.
He’d gotten chewed out by the boss yesterday too.
‘How do you settle billions at once? Collect bit by bit. For ancient debts, certified mail first, then legal.’
Cumulative losses topped nine hundred million won.
He got the boss’s stress, but strictly speaking, it wasn’t his fault much.
Predecessor left over eight hundred million in shit.
The shitter was elsewhere; he was just cleanup.
“But it’s too fast. I’m not super experienced, but no author’s ever delivered this quick.”
“Some are machines. Happened before. But quality matters. Read the five volumes?”
“Got through half before lunch…”
“And?”
He massaged his throbbing nape with his left hand, eyes glinting with faint curiosity.
Wondering her verdict.
“It’s getting better and better. Like his skill levels up as he writes.”
“Oh?”
“That made me curious. He’s established, so why’d his last publisher let him go?”
“Word is, they never offered a next-work contract?”
Her eyes went wide.
Hard to believe they’d ditch a writer this good—one whose Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero could top Today’s Best with right timing.
“For real? Why?”
“Army issue too, but usually they lock in good ones early. Smart for publishers. But no next-contract talk, he said. So he prepped a submission.”
“Whoa.”
“Unbelievable, right? I was skeptical on the submission too. Plenty swap pens and fake newbie. Most are contracted anyway, so low expectations. But that try paid off.”
Jo Jin-gu grinned triumphantly.
Golden Best top ranks didn’t guarantee jackpots, but stats said above average.
Steady back-half momentum could surprise.
Key fact: contracting Golden Best top-10s wasn’t easy.
“Even submissions? He’s way better than that.”
“Said he was thinking about it. Full-time if no offers. So far, so good.”
“That old publisher’s gotta regret it.”
“Probably. And he probably shopped it around. Places he poked aren’t few.”
“With these results, totally.”
Yoo Mi-rae nodded firmly.
A hair from first, but right timing could’ve nailed Golden Best one.
Personally, she bet print run flips the script.
Ample stockpile, quality rising despite speed—she saw win potential.
“But we beat the competition to it.”
“Precisely you, Chief.”
“Heh. Coffee bribe for more good work?”
“I’ll savor it.”
His good mood meant free chief-brewed joe—rare treat.
“Chew thoroughly, Assistant Yoo—it’s a plea for your best.”
“Will do!”
Her bright reply drew his chuckle as he headed back to the break room.
Yoo Mi-rae resumed proofreading volume five from morning.
* * *
Woo Ji-hyun took a deep breath.
Post-return, everything flowed per plan.
He’d buried Legender without releasing it—unavoidable.
Cold truth: reader-rejected works were just self-indulgent navel-gazing.
“Whew.”
Burying that sore thumb deep, he logged into Munpia.
But his face was grave.
Resolved determination as he connected.
“Huh?”
ID entry for login—and he yelped.
Yesterday’s second-place Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero was now first.
Geukcheon’s Scripture had dropped to second.
“Yes!”
He’d half-given up after last night’s upload.
No rank shift after this much? Nothing left to do.
Sure, serialize extra to outlast it—but he didn’t want that grind.
“Flipped at the wire. My efforts weren’t wasted.”
Body twenty-three, mind forty.
Over twenty years writing.
Stubborn ranks had worried him—but this confirmed it.
His instincts were spot-on.
“Heh. Ha ha ha ha!”
He laughed freely at the bold Golden Best number one.
Neighbors all at work—no face to lose.
Might seem small to others, but not him.
“Graceful finale. Gotta thank them in the launch notice.”
Grinning, he drafted the announcement.
Packed with gratitude for readers’ love.
“Done.”
Pre-planned, so five minutes max.
Eyes closed after posting—he sensed it.
The real start was now.
“Launch day after tomorrow. No more, no less—exactly 2,500 copies. Clean 2,500 for finale volume.”
Golden Best one would boost promo.
No back-half sag, no rushed end—he had hopes.
Sell more than last time.