Chapter 16
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: The Webtoon Team's First Dinner
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Some people specialized in drawing illustrations, while others were experts at storyboarding adaptations. Cold Noodles Lover had no talent for art. But he was a master of directing scenes.
"Fuck... this is the real deal."
He'd started out just hoping to make some quick cash, but the moment he read the prologue, his vision went dark at the thought of how to fit it all into a single chapter.
The pretty team leader's words were starting to feel all too real: the novel's first chapter would become the webtoon's first chapter.
'There's nothing to cut.'
No, if anything, he could see countless images filling the blank spaces. Even parts the original didn't explain were vividly playing out in his mind.
Tremble.
Goosebumps prickled his skin. He had a feeling this was a masterpiece in the making.
He let out a long breath and dove into chapter one. He read on like someone who couldn't let go of their work even to take a shit, ignoring incoming calls until he'd caught up to the latest release.
"Whoa..."
He'd heard it was wrapping up at 400 chapters, but even past the midpoint, the momentum hadn't flagged at all.
He'd done storyboards for a few martial arts novels before, but nothing like this.
It twisted every clichéd trope from past martial arts stories. The protagonist always seized the initiative and was perpetually strong.
There were no patterns of enduring trials, honing martial arts, and advancing step by step. He'd reached this point without a single boring or frustrating moment.
"You can write it like this, huh."
Even scenes of characters chatting idly by a campfire to pad the length? Not a trace. No meaningless dialogue, and explanations were sparse too.
"What time is it now?"
He hadn't realized how much time had passed. It was nearing 9 p.m.
"They must be off work by now. Still, just in case..."
He dialed the number from the business card.
- Author niimm!
Go Ye-jin's high-pitched voice greeted him.
"Sorry for the late call. Is there any chance we could sign a contract? Tomorrow? Got it. Will the original author be there tomorrow too? I have a few questions. Understood. I'll be there by 6."
Whew...
He leaned back in his chair after the frantic call.
The whole day had vanished into reading the novel. He should've started yesterday if he knew it'd be like this.
'Four episodes a day?'
That kid he'd glimpsed on the rooftop was a monster like this?
He gave a wry smile.
'At this pace, we won't be able to keep up.'
My pace hadn't slowed. I wrote ten episodes a day and stockpiled two. With four episodes serialized across two novels, the revenue was beyond imagination.
"Everyone's coming today, right?"
"Yes!"
In the meantime, Ye-jin had even recruited a colorist, a post-processor, and an editor. She was the kind of talent who could've served the nation if she'd passed the civil service exam.
"Hey! Your chopsticks are crooked over there!"
"Then you do it!"
"You be team leader then!"
"This guy!"
Jin-seong was playing servant for now, but his role was huge too.
We'd scouted a few companies and installed CCTV throughout the building. Jin-seong handled security.
"Hellooooo."
He doubled as the face of the place.
The first woman to arrive on the rooftop bowed deeply.
That drawn-out speech pattern... it had been a while.
"Ah! Author, you've arrived?"
Jin-seong waved enthusiastically with a bright smile, and Ugly Duckling shuddered like an arrow had pierced her heart. She'd been the first to sign after that initial meeting three days ago.
'Not intentional, but we're using beauty traps and hunk appeal too.'
Jin-seong might have a weird head on his shoulders, but his looks were probably top-tier around here.
"Have a seat wherever!"
"Whoa! Dinner party today?"
There were three grills on the mat, piled with ten portions of pork belly. Soju and beer came in pairs.
How?
'I'm the building owner!'
After ten years of hell, didn't I deserve this perk?
"Hello!"
Cold Noodles Lover arrived, followed by Gu Tae-jun with an excited grin.
"Is the mention in chapter 192 a foreshadowing?"
"I'm thinking of storyboarding the prologue like this—what do you think as the original author?"
"Any ideas for the costumes?"
"When does the heroine's love line peak?"
Unlike three days ago, questions bombarded me.
"Ho ho hup! The president's head must be spinning from writing all day, so ask slowly! The night's young!"
Ye-jin said with a beaming smile.
'Thanks, Ye-jin.'
The rapid-fire from both sides had me flustered too.
"Hello!"
Two came in together. They'd probably run into each other downstairs.
"Jeong Ha here for coloring!"
"Side Dish Complainer for post-processing, editing, and typesetting!"
After ten years numbered like an inmate with no human treatment, I found their witty pen names amusing, but Jin-seong still flinched.
"...Side Dish Complainer..."
As today's chef, it hit Jin-seong hard.
Anyway, our webtoon team's first dinner kicked off.
- Haha! Deputy Manager Jin-seong! You're hilarious!
- What's so funny? It's true! How many spies are in our country!
Young men and women gathered, stars poured from the sky, rooftop romance, and alcohol as the spark.
- Whoa, this building's yours, President?
- No wonder!
- We can move into the vacant rooms? How much?
- For free?
I'm not like that team leader bastard. I'll legally spare no support for the authors.
Well, if it looks like locking writers in goshiwon rooms to churn out work, it's no different—but I respect their free will.
'A sanctuary for those obsessed with creation or truly homeless.'
I knew from experience how much such a space boosted skills.
Of course, holing up playing games yields no growth, but I wouldn't take those types anyway.
- Deputy Manager Jin-seong's cooking himself?
- Haha! Not full meals, just a few side dishes!
The pantry was evolving daily.
Pork stir-fry, bulgogi, even grilled fish some days.
Jin-seong was turning it into a Korean buffet—my bank balance shrank, but my heart overflowed.
- To Kunlun Return!
- Let's hit it big!
- Woo!
In ten years, we'd formalize RS and MG splits. At pure profit of 100 won, RS 50 meant 50% revenue share.
I set the company's RS at 50%. Original authors usually get 7-10%, but I allocated more to assistants.
The company and originals are mine anyway.
I wanted everyone smiling if the work succeeded. That'd make them care more, raising quality—I knew it well.
'Who knew coming back from that hell would help like this.'
The webtoon team's inaugural dinner wound down.
June.
Scorching heat began sneaking in during the afternoons.
Kunlun Return neared 300 chapters, with Infinite Reincarnation hot on its heels.
In two months, both would wrap.
Started in March, 400 chapters each—800 total—in half a year.
32 volumes. I was achieving what even imprisonment couldn't force.
'That's what that team leader bastard doesn't get.'
Freedom is humanity's strongest drive.
Being unable to leave and choosing not to are worlds apart. Earning 100 million a month beats scraping a meal voucher for first place.
"I've got enough stockpiled..."
Readers clamored for more, but scouting couldn't slack. Not something to dump on Jin-seong or Ye-jin.
'He's definitely active somewhere.'
I had to monitor with the team leader's demonic gaze. Understand his criteria, sense his targets to preempt him.
'He won't touch famous ones like me. Sudden hiatus would cause uproar.'
He targeted aspiring writers ruthlessly. Not all would've panned out. Rookies brimming with potential—that's where he'd start.
I scoured the free serialization section on StoryWorld.
One chapter's enough. No need for two. It decides the rest.
'I wasted four years too.'
He might not have serialized all my stuff. Revenue only counts if it sells.
'If someone's captured, they won't shine yet.'
No standouts on StoryWorld, so now women's romance platforms.
Female writers were kidnapped too, including Number 7. Fewer women probably to avoid spotlight on disappearances.
"Whew..."
Four hours in, nothing. I'd toiled months without quitting.
'Skip the famous.'
Even he'd avoid known names.
'Thirsty for a single message.'
Those who could awaken soon with nurturing—that was his prey.
Then one caught my eye.
'Huh? This is good.'
Eight chapters up. Standard romance fantasy, but nailed "regression."
My regression/reincarnation trend had proliferated, but this flowed naturally. Solid writing too.
I messaged immediately.
Hello. This is Memento Mori Studio. I thoroughly enjoyed your work. Care to join us...?
Didn't expect a reply. My studio was newborn—no novel publications, just incorporated.
But.
Hello! Are you Memento Mori? Wow! The Infinite Reincarnation author?
Instant reply.
"Memento Mori?"
Shortened to Memory? Not bad.
Our studio maximizes author convenience and income. 80% to author, 20% company. Meet up if you have time...?
I'll come! Tomorrow works! Wow! Thank you!
After seeing off Watermelon, who signed in a frenzy of excitement, I sank into thought.
'Webtoon's self-sufficient with the team, but distributing novels needs staff, right?'
Ten years of just writing left me clueless on industry ops.
Time like this?
"Ye-jin! Help!"
I needed our all-purpose team leader.
Evening pantry.
"I looked into it briefly: we need proofreaders, editors, and distributors. More writers mean more hires. Oh, and settlement managers."
Minimum three.
"Shall we recruit?"
Having nailed the webtoon team, Ye-jin brimmed with confidence.
"Hmm..."
We needed people, sure.
"How many vacancies now?"
"Two."
No takers yet, so they sat empty.
"Over twenty residents then."
A few months in, no incidents—solid folks.
"You know them roughly?"
"Just those who pay rent in person. Half auto-transfer; never seen their faces."
Jin-seong, apron on and stir-frying japchae, turned to us.
"Room 101, early 70s male, day laborer. 102, late 50s male. Office job vibe, occupation unknown. 103..."
"Hey, hold up. You know everyone here?"
Jin-seong smirked.