Chapter 159
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: Web Novel Doubts
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That's why confidence is so important.
Her overflowing confidence made me feel convinced despite myself. My prejudices, anxieties, and distrust about web novels bowed their heads slightly... while a voice saying maybe I should give it a try lifted its head in response.
"Um, hold on a second."
Still, experience had taught me that jumping into things like this led to regrets nine times out of ten, so I put off deciding.
Let me at least check the leaflet first...
Unlike the booklet-style pamphlet, the single-sheet leaflet was easy to read.
"Sure, take your time. Ask me anything if you have questions."
"Ah, okay..."
Song Ayoung smiled brightly without a hint of annoyance, and I bowed my head even deeper. Even though I'd gotten somewhat used to women, facing her still made me shy.
To hide my feelings, I fixed my gaze on the leaflet.
It listed the schedules and fees for the web novel classes, along with brief descriptions of the content.
Divided first into Professional, Aspiring, and Hobby classes.
And within those, further split into weekday and weekend sessions. If I were to take one, it'd probably be the Hobby class...
"Hep!"
I flinched involuntarily.
[Weekday Class Fee: 600,000 won/month]
[Weekend Class Fee: 400,000 won/month]
Wait a minute, damn it.
Were academy fees always this expensive?
The last time I'd attended one was back in middle school, paid for by my parents, so I hadn't thought about it. Looking back, even then it had been discounted to 270,000 won. With ten more years since, accounting for inflation... did this make sense?
...No, it doesn't.
No matter how I thought about it, it just seemed too pricey. Even the TOEIC academy I'd looked up in college had been around 200,000 won a month...
"I-it's a bit expensive, huh?"
A bit?
Noticing my sour expression, Song Ayoung hurriedly spoke up.
"Well, most people here come on government subsidies, so paying full price out of pocket can feel a little steep."
"Even with subsidies, wouldn't it still feel expensive?"
"Oh! No, really not. Because for things like drawing or webtoons, you might need months of classes, but web novels? You could jump into writing after just 2-3 weeks. Of course, some extend for detailed feedback on weak points."
"Hmm. Even factoring that in..."
I made a reluctant face, hoping maybe they'd knock off 50,000 won without subsidies.
But Song Ayoung kept saying things contrary to what I wanted.
"The quality is top-notch. Plus, it's off-season right now, so it's practically 1-on-1 tutoring. For web novels especially, the weekend class is empty, so if you sign up, I'd teach you myself."
"You? One-on-one?"
"Yes!"
Not what I'd hoped for, but it tempted me anyway.
"......"
For a split second, Oh Hana, Han Aebom, and Yoon Sua flashed through my mind in order... but no, absolutely not, I told myself.
If I'm going to learn, better from someone pretty. Not like I'm going to sleep with her or anything.
"Well... that's pretty appealing. But aren't you just a counselor?"
"Ah! Hardly anyone specifically wants to learn web novels. The barrier to entry is so low. I'm actually a web novel instructor, but with no students lately, I'm filling in as counselor too."
"So normally, that other person handles counseling calls..."
"Yep."
It sounded plausible enough, but plausible wasn't enough for such a big sum—even considering it was free money from Oh Hanam.
So I asked one more question, carefully, since it might be rude.
"Sorry if this is impolite, but the fee's so burdensome... Is there anything you—or instructor—can show to build some trust?"
"Oh, of course! Just a sec!"
Song Ayoung hesitated for a split second, then whipped out her phone and tapped away with the ease of muscle memory.
She showed me the screen.
[I Became the Villainess in a Romance Fantasy.]
[Total Views: 34,556,112]
[Comments: 191,002] [Author: Song Ayoung]
[Work Management]
"See 'Work Management'? Only authors can view that."
"Ah... so you're the author?"
"Yes!"
"But is 30 million views a lot?"
"Huge! Super huge! Can't go into details, but pure revenue alone exceeds 1 billion won."
"1 billion!"
Only when money came up did I realize how impressive it was. Before that, I hadn't known enough about web novels to appreciate it.
On the other hand, I wondered why someone who'd written such a hit was teaching at an academy.
I didn't ask. That would've been truly rude.
"So, have you decided?!"
Looking at Song Ayoung's expectant eyes, as if to say this should seal it, I opened my mouth. Her eyes widened round.
*
I fiddled with the leaflet in my hand and muttered.
"Maybe I should've just signed up right then."
In the end, I brazenly said I'd think about it one more day, took the leaflet, and left. It felt a bit guilty leaving like that.
40,000 won for weekends wasn't pocket change. Anyone who'd earned their own 40,000 wouldn't take it lightly.
More than that, my prejudice—or distrust—against the unknown was strong.
Wow, but it's surprising.
Someone who'd made 1 billion from web novels had been right there.
And...
['1 Trillion Market' Web Novels Usher in a New Era.]
[Conflicts Between Pure Literature, Popular Literature, and Web Novels. Web Novelists Still Not Recognized as 'Authors.']
[Web Novel Readers Exceed 7.2 Million. Industry Scale to Hit '2 Trillion' Soon.]
The news articles confirmed it: I was just out of the loop.
Web novels were a hot topic. It was ridiculous I'd missed something this big. People really don't notice what they ignore, no matter how famous.
Unless they're national soccer stars or world celebs...
Tsk, seeing this, maybe I should just go back tomorrow and tell Song Ayoung I'm in?
Especially the 1-on-1 format appealed to me.
A total newbie like me, who'd barely heard of web novels, would fall behind in a group and lose motivation from inferiority.
In that sense, with Song Ayoung's kindness today, imagining her teaching me step-by-step right beside me... sounded pretty satisfying.
What if I discover unexpected talent and debut as a web novel author like this?
That wouldn't be so bad.
[Web Novel Authors Earning Over 100 Million Won Monthly Surpass 500.]
Articles showed some authors raking in insane salaries.
Why couldn't I? If I succeeded, I could ditch stressful job hunting.
[Novel24]
"Right on time, ten minutes early as always. Sto..."
After a busy day, I stepped into the convenience store and froze. The Store Manager, wooden chopsticks in hand like some kid, eyes closed, muttering seriously.
"Haha! Emperor Sword Technique! Finger Divine Art! Flying Sword!"
"...Store Manager, what're you doing?"
Unable to watch, I tapped his shoulder. He peeked one eye open, then startled and fell backward.
"Argh! You scared me! Sneaking past my ki sense! You bastard!"
Scraping the barrel at home, and now he's lost it?
"What're you doing?"
"Wondering if I should call a psych ward or ER for a CT scan."
"You punk! It's not that. My eldest daughter said web novels are hot lately, told Dad to try one. It's way more fun than I thought. Different flavor from the murim novels I read as a kid—super refreshing plots these days."
"Didn't know you read that stuff at your age."
"You punk! Really! My body's old, but my heart's as young as yours!"
Young?
Did he mean the English word 'young'?
Shaking off the shock, I said,
"Store Manager."
"Yeah."
"I'm thinking of going to an academy on weekends starting tomorrow."
"What academy?"
I almost blurted the truth but held back.
"Just, y'know, job training."
If he read my novel and thought this pathetic display was me, I'd die of embarrassment.
One thing was clear: seeing his lame act solidified it.
Web novels really were hot right now.
"Hey, check this out. Fusion murim called Bicheonjaerim. Let's chat about it after."
"Pass."
No way in hell.
*
"Great decision!"
Song Ayoung beamed like it was her own victory—which it was. The moment I signed the enrollment form, she snatched it like a kung fu master, flashing a happy smile.
"Web novels involve luck, sure. But there's an ironclad rule: Write a true hit, and you'll succeed eventually."
"Got it."
"Key is reading public trends. Hot styles, themes, flows lately."
"Got it."
"So, I recommend thoroughly reading Nya-ha's Bicheonjaerim, number one on every platform, before weekend class."
I nodded absently, then frowned. What did she say?
"...Does it have to be that one? Specifically?"
"Hyunwoo, it's #1 everywhere for a reason. I skimmed it—perfect for beginners, and fun too. So yes, that one."
Thus, I had to buy the insane novel with over 300 chapters just to avoid it.
At the convenience store as usual, I sighed deeply.
Crazy.
What novel has 300 chapters?
Are they all like this?
Since I'd paid, I'd read it to not waste money.
Perfect for night shifts during downtime. Around 2 a.m., when customers thinned, I went to read Bicheonjaerim's chapter 1... no, prologue.
Ding-a-ling!
"Welcome..."
I jumped up at the door chime but froze. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief. Customers poured in like a war movie scene.
Right here, my store.
Why?
"This the place?"
"Yeah, here."
"Shower him with cash! Buy whatever!"
Watching the store fill instantly, I numbly set down my phone. What the hell was this?