Chimaek Night and the Editor's Proposal
One hour of watching Illusion's World over chicken and beer.
"It's over."
"Yeah, it turned out pretty entertaining, huh?"
"Totally. But seeing that defeat at the end kinda stings."
"What can you do? It's the truth."
"Tch. Most of the users got wiped out anyway. We've got breathing room until day after tomorrow morning."
"That's why we're chimaeking right now."
"Heh, you got it."
"Cheers!"
The two clinked their glasses.
"Ahh, hits the spot."
"Whoa, this is living!"
"Can't wait for next week."
"What do you mean 'can't wait'?"
"We gotta look forward to it. Next time, it'll be us winning on screen."
"Oh, right! Yeah, one more round then?"
"Hell yeah."
"Let's invite Ye-rin and Ji-yeon next week too."
"Even better."
The two grinned.
"By the way, how long till they recapture it?"
Mu-hyuk gave Sung Min-woo a casual reply.
"Dunno. Seemed pretty far along, though."
"So, wrap party once it's recaptured?"
"Nah."
"Oh, you mean shifting to Kairon?"
"High chance."
"Damn, that'd be a real war."
"It already is."
"Eh, this one's small-scale, honestly."
"Bigger just means messier."
"True, but way more thrilling."
Mu-hyuk nodded.
"Definitely..."
But survival odds would drop too.
"Eh, we'll adapt."
They clinked glasses again and downed their beers.
"Ahh."
Setting down their glasses, they chatted idly while fiddling with their phones.
He replied to a text from Ye-rin and browsed the Illusion homepage.
The internet was buzzing about Mu-hyuk and Illusion's World, but he remained unfazed.
Then he checked his Illusion inbox and spotted something intriguing.
[Title: I'd Like to Edit Mu-hyuk-nim's Videos!]
[Content: Hello! I'm Lee Han-gyu! I was blown away by your recent videos. Your skills are insane, but the summons' movements? Mind-blowing! The editing was kinda meh, though, which bummed me out. So, I wanna edit them myself and upload to sites. Revenue might come from views, so I'm asking permission. Please reply! ㅠㅠ Pretty please. I'll be waiting!]
Most messages were trades, enhancement requests, broadcast deals, or spam.
Video editing? That piqued his interest.
Wonder what it's about.
He clicked the title, and the full content appeared.
He chuckled the whole way through.
Fun guy.
Sung Min-woo tilted his head and leaned in.
"What? Why the grin?"
"Got a whisper."
"What kinda whisper?"
"Wants to edit videos and post 'em online."
"Huh? Who? Broadcasters?"
"Nah, seems like a regular player."
"Hmm, gotcha."
Sung Min-woo leaned back.
"What, disinterested 'cause it's a normie?"
"Huh? Nah, well... yeah. Not a pro broadcaster—how good could it be? Looks like he's just cashing in on good footage."
"Maybe. First time I've gotten one like this."
"Really? Eh, trying it once wouldn't hurt."
"You talk like you've done it."
Sung Min-woo snickered.
"Duh. Someone wanted to edit mine too."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah, but it sucked. No buzz, no cash."
"Hmm."
Negative take, but Mu-hyuk was intrigued.
"What was the split back then?"
"Industry standard, 15%."
"Fifteen percent?"
"Yup."
"Not bad for zero effort."
"Pretty much."
"Alright, let's check his skills first."
Mu-hyuk fired off a reply right away.
[Title: Mu-hyuk here.]
[Content: I'd like to hand it over, but can I see some of your past edits first?]
He hit send, clicked the ID, and subscribed for notifications on posts or replies.
"Now, beer time."
"Roger!"
They drank with Sung Min-woo again.
"Ahh."
No sooner had he set down his glass—
Vrrr.
His phone buzzed.
"Damn, fast."
"Know what it is?"
"Obvious. That whisper guy."
Ignoring Sung Min-woo's grumble, he checked.
Reply from Lee Han-gyu.
"Yup."
"See? Dude's money-hungry."
"Hmm."
But the content didn't scream greed.
[Content: Yes sir! Sending now! Check and reply! I'll wait! I love editing, but nothing's caught my eye lately. Heart's pounding—I'm thrilled! Please say yes ㅠㅠ No hassle! No extra filming needed!]
Grinning, he checked the videos.
Three in total.
He played the first.
"Lemme see too."
"Go ahead."
They watched together.
"Uh, hmm?"
"Oho."
Sung Min-woo flinched midway; Mu-hyuk looked hooked.
End reactions differed: Sung Min-woo gawked in shock; Mu-hyuk nodded approvingly. But both impressed.
"Damn good."
"Whoa, gripped me hard. What? 'Regular player' my ass—skills are pro-level."
"Yeah."
The other two were top-notch too.
"No issues at this level."
"Ahh, jealous. My editor was trash."
"This one might flop too."
"True. I saw one he sent—solid. But mine? Meh."
"Same risk. These are his best; yours might tank."
"Yeah, yours'd be tough."
"Right?"
"Too many scenes to wrangle."
Mu-hyuk's 200+ summons alone.
Plus limited revives?
Headache just thinking edits.
"I'd say 90% chance it flops awkwardly."
"Likely."
Mu-hyuk rarely watched his own raw footage.
Only pro-edited like Illusion's World.
Regular clips bored him.
A regular editor, no extra shots? Low expectations.
Still intriguing.
And these samples? Solid. Worth the gamble.
[Content: Enjoyed them. Call me? Number...]
Less than a minute later, the call came.
"Hello?"
"Ah, hello! Lee Han-gyu here!"
"The whisper guy, right?"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Need your number. And about revenue..."
"Ah, yes! 20% of profits!"
"Ah, yes! 20% of profits!"
"Twenty percent?"
Five more than Sung Min-woo's guy.
"Sounds good."
"Thank you!"
"Thank you!"
"No extra filming needed."
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Got it. Go nuts."
"Uh, contract...?"
"Uh, contract...?"
"I'll send one."
"Ah, yes!"
"Ah, yes!"
He hung up and called Kim Min-ho PD.
"PD-nim, quick favor. Personal contract..."
"Sure. Got it. Our firm's handling it—I'll loop them in."
"Thanks."
Contract prep went smoothly.
Mail it over.
Messaged Lee Han-gyu for his address.
Finally, he set down his phone and resumed chimaek.
"Yo, real drinking now!"
"Let's do it."
"Auntie! Two more 1L pitchers!"
"Coming right up!"
That night, Mu-hyuk blacked out hard—barely remembered getting home.
*
Only after downing Mom's hangover soup did the haze lift.
"Ugh, alive."
"Why'd you drink so much again?"
"Ah, you know Min-woo?"
"Of course."
"Only saw him in-game. Long time no see IRL, so we talked and chimaeked—got carried away."
"Moderation. Drunk driving's no joke."
"Got it. I'll be careful. Sis?"
"Sleeping."
"Dad too?"
"Probably on Illusion, that guy."
"Fishing?"
"Yup."
Dad Kang Seon-woo was hooked on Illusion travels and fishing lately. Mom too.
"Comes straight home after work now."
"Totally immersed."
"I'll log in after dishes."
"You too, Mom?"
"Duh. So much to see."
Mu-hyuk smiled involuntarily.
"Why the smile?"
"Just... nice to see."
"Silly."
Mom finished dishes.
"No real breakfast?"
"Nah, got plans."
"Alright, Mom's off to rest."
"Have fun."
He checked the time and pulled out his phone.
Grinning, he pocketed it.
Time to go.
Showered, dressed sharp, headed out.
Drove to Seoul Station. Text came; he parked, stepped out, waved at Ye-rin descending the stairs.
She waved back wildly.
"Oppa!"
Yelling, she dashed over.
"Kyaa!"
Leapt into his arms.
"Missed you so much!"
"Me too."
Game meets were routine. IRL? Different vibe.
Fresh thrill hit him as they got in the car.
"Today, whatever you want."
"Yay! Awesome!"
"Where first?"
"Lunch, oppa."
"Figured."
Big appetite.
He recalled his spot.
"Got a place in mind."
"My oppa...!"
Ye-rin pecked his cheek.
"Hehe."
"That all?"
"Huh?"
Mu-hyuk gave deeper affection.
"Eek! Everyone's watching...!"
"Better hurry then."
Revved up and sped off.