Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
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Woo Ji-hyun's expression turned serious as well.
It was a topic that couldn't help but feel heavy.
And it was a dilemma that almost every writer, including Joo Hye-seong, faced at least once.
Woo Ji-hyun had agonized over it countless times in his previous life, so he didn't take Joo Hye-seong's words lightly.
"I'm agonizing over it. Rather than scraping by as a so-so writer, maybe it's not so bad to call it quits around now. I'm twenty-nine already. In a few months, I'll be thirty, and I can't cling to writing forever."
His extremely realistic thinking made Woo Ji-hyun nod involuntarily.
But that didn't mean he agreed with Joo Hye-seong.
He simply empathized.
At twenty-nine, it was natural to have such thoughts.
You couldn't live doing only what you loved forever.
"Hyung, turning thirty doesn't change much. It's just a number. Your body might get a bit frailer, recovery a tad slower, but realistically, nothing major shifts."
"You say it like you've been through it."
"Come on. You can tell just by looking at the hyungs. Most of it's exaggeration, and you know it."
"Still, it's time to settle down for sure. The other hyungs have built some solid ground. Most have firm positions, unlike you. My situation's different."
Swoosh.
No sooner had he finished speaking than Joo Hye-seong lifted his glass again.
True to his reputation as a heavy drinker, he downed the soju like water.
"Then let me ask you the opposite. Do you think you could quit writing, hyung?"
"Of course not. It's practically my life's work. One of the few things I'm decent at. That's why I'm thinking of switching to planning. Similar to writers turning editors."
"They recognize your experience. You know plenty of writers, you're familiar with the industry—easier to adapt than a total newbie."
"Right."
There were plenty of former writers who became editors or planners in the genre lit world.
They loved writing too much to leave the industry entirely.
"But even as a planner, would things really change? I respect whatever you choose, hyung, but one thing's clear. You'd still agonize over whether to write or not."
"Hahaha. Yeah, I figure the same. But at least the salary's stable. I'd probably stick with the company in the end."
"You could boost income by writing faster, but that's not easy."
"Not every writer's got your speed. Stories don't flow endlessly for us."
Anguish clouded Joo Hye-seong's face.
It hadn't been easy to even bring this up.
"What do you want to do, hyung?"
"No clue. I want to write, but sitting in front of the monitor blanks my mind. Is this any good? Will this material hit? What if views tank? Rent this month? Living expenses? My head's crammed with worries."
Worries tied to livelihood were universal among writers.
Sure, some had escaped poverty a bit.
But fundamentally, they were all the same.
Freelancers meant unstable income for everyone.
"I get it. I worry about that constantly too."
"You? With your success?"
Woo Ji-hyun's Instagram showed a dazzling life.
Judgment's relative—someone might call it ordinary—but to Joo Hye-seong, Woo Ji-hyun lived enviably for their age group.
So he couldn't buy Woo Ji-hyun's words.
"I'm not immune to failure either. I've been through it. And hyung, you forgetting? I'm just a year younger than you. Thirty's looming for me too."
"Uh...."
"I understand your feelings better than anyone, hyung. I've wrestled with the same. But personally, I don't want you making a choice you'll regret. Sure, it's time to settle and carry your weight, but we're still young. Plus, it's the centenarian era—we could live to a hundred. Quitting dreams now feels premature. And isn't it frustrating? The market's booming, yet you'd leave?"
"...."
Joo Hye-seong bit his lip.
He knew it too.
How embarrassingly superior the current market was to the rental shop era.
And crucially, it was still growing.
"Hyung, don't fall for the sweet talk."
Flinch!
Joo Hye-seong jolted.
He hadn't expected that at all.
"You gotta eat first, right? You can write on the side while working. Double jobs aren't that hard—haven't heard that?"
"You could lay out a mat and sell."
"Anyone could guess with a little thought. New companies popping up everywhere. Editors and planners are in short supply."
"Right. As expected of a blockbuster writer. You're on top of the info."
Joo Hye-seong shook his head.
He'd thought Woo Ji-hyun just holed up writing at home, but he tracked industry trends spot-on.
"My ears work fine. News travels. But it's odd—they usually scout writers, not pitch planning roles."
"Means my skills as a writer aren't up to par. Got contracts left, hands too slow."
"You've got plenty of time to agonize. Humans can't avoid it. But I'd love for you to choose without regrets, hyung."
"I want that too. Just not easy."
"Give it one last all-out shot. No regrets left."
Woo Ji-hyun spoke carefully.
He didn't want to come off as overstepping.
"I'd love to blow up like you. Not God of Martial Arts, Return or Maestro on the Field levels, but Blood Link would do. That'd fulfill me. Be honest—Blood Link alone nets eight figures yearly, right?"
"Hahaha."
Woo Ji-hyun didn't answer.
He just laughed.
But that said enough to Joo Hye-seong.
"Eight figures as a planner? Tough."
"Incentives might make it possible. Or start your own company."
"Both distant dreams for me. Guess writing's the answer."
Three empty bottles had piled up neatly.
Yet neither Joo Hye-seong nor Woo Ji-hyun showed signs of drunkenness.
Just slightly flushed faces.
"Building a reader base is one way. No jackpots, but steady new releases bring ongoing income. Like a pension."
"So, basically, shut up and write."
"Yes. Faster the better."
"Tough, so tough. But talking with you clears my head. No backseat driving, nitpicking, or lecturing."
Joo Hye-seong spoke with genuine gratitude.
Other writers, especially hyungs, all acted the same when consulted.
They'd preach as if their word was gospel, demanding blind obedience.
Without considering his situation or why he agonized.
"I've been at the bottom too, hyung. Different from the hyungs' cases."
"You can do it too?"
"Yep. I did it. With a dash of luck."
"Hope luck finds me. Nothing huge—just better than now."
Joo Hye-seong spoke sincerely.
He didn't even dream of grand fortune.
Moderate luck would suffice.
"Don't give up, hyung."
"I'll give it another go. Can't lean on a dongsaeng's pep talks forever."
"Let's both thrive."
"Yeah."
Encouraging Joo Hye-seong, Woo Ji-hyun's eyes gleamed.
Tough now, but no rule said forever.
In his past life, Joo Hye-seong wrote till the end, so Woo Ji-hyun rooted for him wholeheartedly.
With his own future changed, he hoped Joo Hye-seong's veered positive too.
'Fight on, hyung.'
Unlike last time, Woo Ji-hyun silently wished him prosperity.
And steeled his own resolve.
The mindset that had loosened a bit.
* * *
Lee Woo-hyung entered a restaurant in Seoul's Nonhyeon-dong.
His deeply pulled-down cap hid over half his face, so despite the crowd at the entrance, no one recognized him.
"Athletes really stand out. Even covered, you can tell."
"Obviously. Know how hard I trained for this body?"
Entering a private room designed for undisturbed dining, Lee Woo-hyung removed his cap.
But the man already there chuckled at his words.
"A guy like that wants to meet at a bar?"
"It's not a bar. Regular restaurant. Food and drinks. And I'm not drinking."
"Then why here?"
"I'm not, but others might."
Settling in, Lee Woo-hyung grinned playfully.
The man looked exasperated.
Way too brazen.
"Sigh. How'd I end up friends with a punk like you...."
"How? Fate drew us. We got lots in common."
"That's what got me like this."
"Accept it. Reality."
Unlike the smirking Lee Woo-hyung, the man sighed lowly and shook his head.
Resignation wasn't easy yet.
"Who else is coming? Girlfriend?"
Pre-ordered food started arriving.
No alcohol anywhere.
"No way. Didn't call mine since you didn't call yours."
"I didn't?"
"Come on. Don't lie. Your love life's in my palm. The people I meet are tight with your girl."
"...."
The man's pupils shook briefly.
Instinct said he wasn't bluffing.
"No need to lie to me. I get why you're hiding it. But nineteen's too young, right? Adult soon, but still crime now?"
"Pffft!"
Mid-sip for sudden thirst, the man choked on Lee Woo-hyung's follow-up.
"Crime" hit hard.
He confirmed Lee Woo-hyung knew for sure.
"Impressive. Scaling that nine-year wall ain't easy. Especially a tough path. Artists are different, huh. Oh, today's guest is an artist too. Though he denies it."
"Wh-who?"
"The one you wanted to meet."
"Girl by chance?"
"No, no."