Chapter 10
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Unyielding Heart
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They say the important thing is an unyielding heart.
As a writer, sometimes you don't even know what you did right. Some stories climb the charts effortlessly on their own, while others you pour your soul into get completely ignored by readers.
"I'm so generous..."
I said that, but I couldn't help the smirk tugging at my lips.
Riiiing.
I stared at the incoming call—right on cue—and tried to sound calm.
"Yes, Section Chief?"
-Author! You checked the purchase numbers, right? It's a huge hit! Massive! We need more data, but female readers and the younger crowd are exploding!
It was only natural. Fantasy had broader appeal than martial arts.
-Most of the Kunlun Return readers double-dipped too!
Was it okay to just blurt that out?
"Glad to hear it."
-Hahaha! You'll be rolling in money soon!
Rolling in money. If that existed, I'd love to give it a try.
-Keep up the great serialization tomorrow!
Section Chief Kim was buzzing like he'd swallowed a motor, predicting paid purchases would top 7,000, monthly sales would hit this or that...
"You worked hard too, Section Chief."
I hung up and flopped onto the bed.
I'd done my part, and now I knew this wasn't a dream.
One hit might be luck, but back-to-back smashes with two stories? No way that was coincidence.
'Rolling in money...'
I'd never made big money before. Staring at the settlement page on Glsaesang, the numbers just felt unreal. Was this really mine?
'But why let it rot under me?'
I didn't know lotto numbers, but I knew plenty of things just as good.
They needed time to ripen, but when they did, they'd hit like a thunderbolt—guaranteed.
'Let's see...'
I couldn't use the internet when I was locked up. But under the guise of research materials, I could request any info I wanted.
The Team Leader knew you had to understand the world to write tasty novels.
'What would you do if you suddenly got rich?' Everyone's pondered that at least once.
It might never happen, but dreaming was free.
'Knowing and not acting is just stupid.'
It was 2014 now. One field was about to skyrocket within the next decade.
Stocks had a few picks too, but later for that. Right now, there was a safer bet than real estate—one only I could nail perfectly.
'Crypto...'
It'd peak wildly from 2017, sweeping the world in a frenzy, before dipping in 2022.
'Every time I get a lump sum, dump it into coins, diversified...'
One of the office writers did a modern fantasy on stocks and crypto, so I had the timeline down pat.
Hoping that guy did his homework right.
"Hm..."
A quick search showed current coin prices easily enough.
"500,000 won each."
With my current cash, I couldn't buy one. But after settlements, I could steadily stack them after essentials.
'Three years till the boom.'
No need to buy high when it moons. I knew other spots to rotate into by then.
'Stockpile as much as possible in the next three years.'
Writing cost nothing, and that Team Leader bastard gave me trauma for going out.
Survival came first for me. Food and shelter sorted, next was security.
'This place is surprisingly solid.'
Who'd guess a guy raking in 100 million a month was holed up in a goshiwon like Happiness?
'...'
Glsaesang's rankings proved I wasn't crazy. Time to prep for the future.
What to do with the cash?
'Wait. I'll find you and rip you apart.'
Four days later.
Both novels settled in nicely on paid. Mine traded 1st and 2nd place back and forth.
I split release times to avoid overlap—Kunlun Return at 8 PM, Infinite Reincarnation at 8 AM.
Now they split the top spot naturally through half the day each.
After confirming the morning upload had no issues, I headed to the kitchen. Jin-seong, apron on and wielding a ladle, greeted me.
'Here we go for real, you...'
These stories would flow smooth to volume 5.
For long-runners, you eyed the big arcs.
Volumes 1-3: protagonist focus. Up to 7: side characters synergize, easing into main plot. Stagnant sales? Wrap at 10. Momentum? Barrel to 15.
These were eyeing 20-ish volumes, so next couple months, I could write at my pace.
"Hyung, simple breakfast cool?"
"...Yeah, sure..."
The table already had four side dishes. Simple?
"Seaweed soup?"
"Yeah, it's my birthday today."
"Holy crap, why tell me now?"
"Haha! I don't know yours either? No need for fuss or gifts. A bowl of seaweed soup's plenty. But eating with you this year makes it nice."
Next year, something special.
"Gotta head home soon though."
"Yeah. Where to?"
"Mokpo."
"Go be filial. Regret it later otherwise."
I winced after saying it.
'You in a position to preach?'
I should stockpile chapters soon and visit mine too.
He served the soup and sat across. I asked,
"No job hunting?"
"Gotta catch spies first."
"...Planning to stick around like this?"
"Hey, I'm not slacking! I've profiled everyone in this goshiwon."
"Any spies?"
"A few suspects, no hard evidence."
"...I cleared?"
"Haha! Spies don't write fantasy novels. Mastering our language is tough enough. What was it? Oh, right. Infinite... Hwangsaeng? Even I struggle, spy'd be impossible."
Reincarnation, not...
"Plus, your build tells it all. How many pull-ups?"
"I'm search team material, punk."
"Hahahaha!"
Damn, just laughs?
"...Hahaha!"
Sigh, let's eat. Jin-seong looked pretty-boy pretty, but pure muscle underneath. Arms like a boxer's, ripped.
"Wanna work with me then?"
"What kinda gig?"
"Keep living like this, help if I'm in trouble. That's it."
"Loan sharks?"
"Nah. I'm just cautious. You never know."
Next door, one wall punch and he'd charge. Never tested his power, but spy-hunting meant baseline competence.
"Fine if no commute..."
"Million won."
"For real?"
"Dead serious."
The path up to the goshiwon was remote. Hilltop, sparse foot traffic. Kept rent low.
"Hyung, high schoolers mugging you?"
"Hey, search team, remember? Right hand black dragon, left flame dragon. Alternate punches, they're toast."
"Nuwe."
"Ha! Real power's black flame dragon combo..."
He half-listened, then glanced behind me.
"Hello?"
A woman appeared: messy hair, round glasses, blue tracksuit.
"Eating hearty from morning again."
She eyed us pitifully. Jin-seong offered,
"Seaweed soup?"
"Birthday or something?"
"Yep."
"..."
Awkward vibe hit. She looked like 'oops.'
"H-Happy birthday."
"Sit. Soup's still hot."
Jin-seong was raised right—grinning through her iciness.
"You guys eat."
"Where?"
"Gotta shit."
"..."
That blunt face always jarred, but it was her charm.
"..."
"..."
Awkward. Eat fast, clear out.
"...You game?"
Bank? No, 'what do you do?' desperation.
"And you, Ye-jin?"
"Huh?"
Her face screamed 'how you know my name?' I nodded at the name tag on Jin-seong's dish container.
"Oh, prepping for civil service exam."
Admin exam. Promising girl.
She said it snootily, like 'I'm above you lot,' spoon in hand—then her face fell forlorn at the seaweed soup.
"Got five certs, no place wants 'em."
"That spec? Anywhere'd take you."
"It's what I want. Gotta follow parents' path though."
"Hm..."
"No fake pity. We're not in that league."
Goshiwon NEET gamer—that's my image.
Life advice from me? She'd scoff. Not like I was qualified anyway.
'Parents...'
I grew up expectation-free, no parental dreams pushed. Good or bad? Her burden looked heavy.
"I'll head out first. Eat slow."
I cleared my bowl and returned to my room.
"Hmm..."
Episode fodder for today?
「"Father, even though I was born your son, the heir to this domain, my devotion to its growth isn't to meet your expectations."
The protagonist defied his father for the first time.
"What? After how I raised you!"
Father went nuclear.
"Isn't expecting something from your kids wrong from the start? I won't do this political marriage. She's thirteen, for god's sake. Cruel to both of us."
Father clutched his neck, bellowing.
"Don't you get it? Alliance with the baron's house frees us from that vile count's grip!"
The protagonist replied,
"I'll become the count. I'll live my life. I'll be a dutiful son—just watch me thrive as a parent would?"」
Fantasy or martial arts, shells were the same.
「The mad demon snarled,
"Why go this far? None of your business!"
The protagonist held his sword to the demon's throat.
"Don't justify crushing happiness for some 'greater good.' And yours isn't even that."
He was hunting villains the demonic cult hid in the central plains for rebellion.
"She'll never forgive you when the time comes! Kunlun!"
The protagonist smiled coldly, bowing mockingly.
"Same here. Wanna know something?"
"Wh-what?"
"You're screwed. I know the future."」
"Done for today!"
Stockpiling plus shifted times meant writing early daily.
2 AM.
Crazy output today—bedtime.
Before lying down, I checked comments on yesterday's upload for errors.
Argh, total blue-balls cliff!
Cliffing like this?
Author, you wanna die?