Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
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Finally, *Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero* was published.
It had started rolling out to distributors nationwide in earnest.
But even so, Woo Ji-hyun's daily life showed no signs of change.
He wasn't serializing anymore, so he focused solely on writing.
Thud!
"And with this, volume 7 is done!"
Punctuating the final period of volume 7, Woo Ji-hyun stretched.
He'd been glued to the computer all morning, leaving his whole body stiff and sore.
But the fact that he could immerse himself in work like this made him incredibly happy.
As you got older, you couldn't sit for long periods or concentrate for extended stretches even if you wanted to.
"At least it's all in the distributors now. Though the real results won't show until volume 4 comes out."
It was a momentous day with *Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero* hitting shelves, but Woo Ji-hyun wasn't overly emotional about it.
It wasn't like this was his first or second physical book release, and the true outcome wouldn't be clear until volume 4.
Back then, Obidio and Jeondaehyeop still wielded massive influence, so fantasy-martial arts novels that flopped at rental shops couldn't escape the brutal returns on volume 4.
Rental shops would stock up to volume 3, but if customer response was lukewarm or rental rates were poor, they'd send them right back.
That's why, for writers not guaranteed full runs, contracts often promised royalties on just the first three volumes as guaranteed print runs, with volume 4 onward based on actual sales.
And Woo Ji-hyun was one of them.
"It's ridiculous, but that's how the market worked back then. And it wouldn't be long before things changed anyway."
He was at the desperate endgame phase, so he didn't sweat it much.
He knew rental shops would fade away as ebooks took over.
To survive the transitional ebook market leading to paid serialization, he needed to stockpile as many segments as possible.
"Of course, landing a good agency helps too."
Right now, publishers' sales efforts weren't standout, but the paid serialization market was different.
Income varied wildly based on an agency's hustle, so Woo Ji-hyun factored that in when negotiating contracts.
"It's Section Chief Jo. Probably calling to congratulate me on the release."
With volume 7 wrapped, he took a break to calmly review and organize his future plans when his phone rang.
It was Jo Jin-gu, the section chief.
-Hello, Writer.
"Yes, it's been a while, Section Chief."
-Haha, congrats on *Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero* coming out. It's all hit distributors nationwide this morning. We'll have to wait for reactions, but I predict good results.
Jo Jin-gu's voice carried genuine confidence through the speaker.
It didn't sound like empty flattery.
Even so, Woo Ji-hyun remained composed.
"I hope so. The real numbers won't show until volume 4, though."
-True enough. But we're doing our utmost for the best outcome, so feel free to look forward to it. By the way, Writer, I heard from Assistant Manager Yoo Mi-rae that the finale isn't far off.
"I'm aiming for around 12 volumes. Just finished 7 today."
-Seven? Volume 7 already?
Jo Jin-gu's tone spiked with real surprise.
Volumes 1 and 2 had just dropped today, and hearing he'd already completed 7 was unbelievable.
He mentally recalled when Woo Ji-hyun had started writing.
'Over three volumes a month? For real?'
When they signed, Woo Ji-hyun had said he jumped straight into writing upon starting serialization.
Simple math: over three volumes per month.
When countless writers struggled to finish even one a month.
"Yeah, just passed the midpoint a bit."
-Why hasn't Phil Media locked in your next project?
"Couldn't write worth a damn. Haha."
Jo Jin-gu had let his true thoughts slip unwittingly.
Plenty of writers tormented him by missing deadlines, but Woo Ji-hyun was the polar opposite.
If forced to choose, he'd pick Woo Ji-hyun, no question.
Though if picking between a truly talented slow writer dubbed "end-of-life" and this guy, he'd hesitate a tad.
-You, Woo Ji-hyun?
"Yeah, before enlistment, I really couldn't write. Just fast, that's all."
*Blaze*, which he'd barely contracted, was written with enlistment looming, cranking out nearly a volume a week.
Cover design, proofreading, editing—all at breakneck speed.
And the results had come just as fast.
-Hard to believe.
"You know how it is. Reality's harsh. Couldn't cut it, so I didn't."
-Sometimes I think you're not twenty-three but thirty-three.
"I do write kinda old-school. Suits martial arts style, maybe."
Woo Ji-hyun deflected Jo Jin-gu's earnest words with a joke.
But it was something he often pondered.
Reader comments sometimes guessed his age, and not one pegged him in his twenties.
Most assumed thirties.
-I feel the same. But age doesn't matter for writers. It's how entertaining you make it. Readers pick what hooks them.
"Exactly."
-Haha, got carried away chatting 'cause I'm shocked. You were working, right?
"Nah, just finished 7 and taking a break."
-Calling 'cause we rushed through the contract last time without proper hospitality. Wanted to treat you to a meal—celebrate volumes 1 and 2 too.
"Fair. We did bolt after business last time."
-So, how about pork belly and soju? Know some great lamb skewer spots. Or sashimi if you're into raw fish.
Jo Jin-gu pressed on without pause, listing options.
Not knowing Woo Ji-hyun's tastes yet, he stuck to safe bets.
"Meat sounds safest. But this month's tough—how about September?"
-September?
His voice rose toward the end, caught off guard.
Today was July 20th.
Not next-next week, but next-next month? Jo Jin-gu's face twisted in invisible bewilderment.
"Yeah, wanna keep the momentum going now that I'm rolling. Plus, August has vacation."
-Ah.
Jo Jin-gu sighed deeply.
He'd fixated on meeting and overlooked August's holiday.
He marveled anew at Woo Ji-hyun.
A debutante with two books out, young too, yet savvy about publisher schedules.
"Printing presses shut down first week of August for vacation, sure—from their side. Not mine."
-Right.
Jo Jin-gu agreed.
For deadline-missing writers, he'd drag them by the collar over vacation talk—but not this one.
Even if volume 7 was a fib, volumes 1-6 were proofread, edited, revised—four months' buffer at least.
So with Woo Ji-hyun, Jo Jin-gu felt infinite leeway.
"How about early September? I'll head to Bucheon Station. Sound good?"
-First week Tuesday or Wednesday's free for me. Pick whatever suits you.
"Wednesday, 6 PM then."
-Hey, how about swinging by the office sometime?
Jo Jin-gu probed cautiously.
But Woo Ji-hyun saw right through it.
Mentally, he was light-years ahead of Jo Jin-gu.
'Not my first rodeo with this.'
He knew exactly why—smirking inwardly.
But kept it cool.
"I'm pretty shy. I'll visit once I'm ready."
-Got it. See you September 2nd, Wednesday. Take care, Writer.
"You too, Section Chief."
-Yes! Bye!
Hanging up, Woo Ji-hyun fired up his browser.
Contract signed, book out today—but post-discharge income was just the 500,000 won advance.
Meanwhile, expenses exploded: deposit, rent, phone bills.
He'd scrimped hard till now, but today? Splurge mode.
"New release deserves gifts for me! Got that discharge savings too!"
Math said massive deficit, but screw it today.
Stinginess stressed him as much as obsession did.
Roaring triumphantly, he logged into the online mall.
"Just 300,000 won. Chicken breast, white rice, brown rice included. Damn, that's nearly 100,000 already..."
His voice trailed off.
Past prices should've been dirt cheap, but broke as he was, even "cheap" felt meh.
"Shoes first. Boots, sneakers—no, too much. One pair sneakers."
His shoe situation was pathetically sparse—no shelf needed.
Wiping a mock tear, he picked decent mid-range kicks.
Once rich, he'd buy wants; for now, comfy basics.
Grabbed two jeans too.
Hem and fit calculated, tossed in cart. Tops? Oversized, for muscle gains from workouts.
"Shopping's the best. Thrilling. Perfect. Heh heh heh!"
Unleashing pent-up urges, he giggled.
Not pricey, but joy anyway.
Spending's the ultimate fun.
* * *
Before heading out, Woo Ji-hyun checked Munpia.
Two weeks post-release for *Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero*—reviews should trickle in.
Wanted daily checks, but bad ones shook him, so restraint.
But with drinks tonight, heart pounding, he hunted his reviews.
"Worth a read martial arts tale. Typical mass-produced stuff. Anyone writes nowadays. Quality dropping. Worse than Three Dragon Net days."
Praise existed, but humans fixate on one hate amid ten loves.
Bad reviews stabbed deep, etched after one glance.
"Still, not bad, right?"
Munpia done, he scoured Naver blogs.
Luckily, solid reviews there.
"Huh? Gotta grab the book before heading out."