Chapter 19

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 19

Chapter Title: A Whopping 400 Chapters!

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Marching straight from March until today, I'd given it my all and poured every ounce of passion into it. Thanks to this amazing work, I'd even become the building owner and gained some family along the way.

'Finish Kunlun Return first.'

With just one work left, I'd hyperfocus on it, and Infinite Reincarnation wouldn't drag past this month either. Of course, the serialization would continue into next month. It was just that my pace was insanely fast.

'For the third work, no more churning out volume.'

Running a company meant a ton of things to handle, plus I still had to keep searching for Number 7.

Above all, with the building debt nearly paid off, I no longer needed to grind myself into the dirt for massive cash.

【I am Kunlun, and Kunlun is me.】

"Hoo..."

7:43 PM.

The long-awaited finale.

I hadn't expected to wrap up 400 chapters this quickly myself. Considering there was another work with a similar episode count left, I'd really busted my ass.

'You grow the most when finishing one work and starting a new one.'

It didn't apply to me, but newbie authors gained tons of insights in that phase.

"What a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠relief."

I could've stretched it to 500 chapters, but sharp-eyed readers might've caught ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠on.

As Memento Mori's debut work, quality mattered more than length, even if it was short.

They'd think it was over? Bam, a stronger foe appears! Didn't see that coming? Even tougher one incoming! Pulling that could've turned off readers from my next project.

Click.

I tidied the files and headed to the pantry. The expanded space, thanks to knocking down partitions, welcomed me warmly.

Gurgle.

My stomach growled at the aroma. Jin-seong's cooking skills kept leveling up. It seemed impossible to top, yet each time it blew my mind.

'Number 7...'

Every delicious bite brought her to mind. The more money I made, the deeper the longing grew.

-People heading out before dawn or clocking out late need it, so let's extend pantry hours from 4 AM to 11 PM. Better than tossing leftovers.

Jin-seong's bright idea.

Next month, we'd build a new pantry. The old building allowed for a 10-pyeong studio or storage on the roof.

"You're here?"

Ye-jin greeted me. She had to be one of the busiest in this goshiwon.

"Whatcha doing?"

"Putting together a waiting list."

She tucked her hair behind her ear with a pen and smiled.

"Waiting list for what?"

"Word's gotten out about how great our goshiwon is—calls pouring in daily. We've got two empty rooms held for potential author tenants, so can't give those up. Lots of folks are willing to wait for the next vacancy."

Made sense. Eating out cost at least 10,000 won a day. Our pantry offered better free meals and sides. At 200,000 won monthly rent, food was basically free.

"Which brings me to... maybe bump the rent a bit?"

"Nah, don't. It was originally 700 million won. We got it for 550 million, so chalk the extra 150 million up to food costs."

That was the Saintly Lady's will.

"Okay..."

Ye-jin knew there was no compromising on meals, so she dropped it.

"Let's eat."

"Yessir!"

"Where's Jin-seong?"

"Meeting a friend, he said."

"Really?"

Odd. He had friends?

First time since we got close that Jin-seong stepped out. Felt off.

Still, alone time with Ye-jin was precious. Some things were tough to say with him around.

"How's everything?"

"Going great. But, President."

"Yeah?"

"Your next work—gonna do it on StoryWorld?"

"For the time being."

"Personal contract again?"

"Haven't thought about it."

"You're the company president now, so company-to-company with StoryWorld sounds better. Great for our promo and tax handling."

"You're right! Our executive director's the best."

Spending 14 hours a day writing meant I missed stuff. Ye-jin and the others covered it. Nothing but gratitude.

"Actually, I finished Kunlun Return today."

"...Pfft!"

Ye-jin spat out rice.

"...Oh no! S-sorry! Eek!"

She grabbed tissues and wiped my face frantically.

"It's fine, haha!"

Her shock was adorable.

"B-but serialization's only at 359?"

"Yep, wraps next month. 400 chapters."

"..."

"..."

Her gaze turned fierce.

"Um... if the webtoon team knows the ending early, they can adapt or add fitting elements. Could you share the manuscript ahead?"

"With you?"

"Yes!"

"Sure. I'll send it later."

"Yayyy—! Oops. The webtoon team's gonna love it. Got carried away... hehe."

"Ease up on work thoughts sometimes. Rest."

"I am! Promise!"

Her butt wiggled. Looked like sudden urgency hit.

"Haa... haa..."

"Stuffed?"

"Y-yeah... full."

"Head back and rest if you're done. I'll grab coffee first."

"Webtoon folks might be waiting, so send the manuscript right when ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you get to your room."

"This late?"

"Th-they work nights drawing!"

"Got it. Will do."

I chuckled watching her tidy her bowl and bolt.

'Can't pay much yet, but...'

Jin-seong, Ye-jin—I'd make sure they wanted for nothing.

'No variables left. Savings into coins for now.'

If performance held, minus operating costs, I could invest 100 million monthly.

IMF hit, and video rental shops once topped 20,000 nationwide. That was genre fiction's first boom.

Hit a decent level, sell 20,000 copies minimum. Military libraries and bookstores stocked them too.

Everything that starts ends.

Rentals vanished one by one, ushering the dark ages. 90% gone in 15 years; folks swapped books for smartphones.

Now those smartphones sparked genre fiction's second golden age.

'Not mainstream yet, but...'

Manager Kim swallowed hard at his monitor. The comet-like rookie from March was flipping the industry.

'Sky's the limit.'

8 PM. Still at the office.

'It's up!'

Checking Kunlun Return religiously before heading home was routine now.

"Whoa... insane again."

He'd heard 400-chapter finale. Begged inwardly for 500, no 1,000, but author was firm.

Made sense—with Infinite Reincarnation too, all-day writing grind.

'Genius plus effort? Terrifying.'

Memento Mori alone drove 75% of StoryWorld's revenue.

March to July: 29% new member surge. Both works sailed past 300 episodes flawlessly.

Long-runners could drag or hit sour notes, but not a single dud episode.

'Wish we could do something for the author.'

StoryWorld prized fairness. No tweaking splits or big advances.

'If he jumps ship...'

Memento Mori serializing elsewhere? Nightmare. His fandom was huge; readers would follow.

'Probably eyeing finale, so call tomorrow.'

His uniqueness? Killer storytelling speed.

Others struggled with one daily episode; he dropped 3-4 per work. No days off—6-8 total daily. Unheard of.

'Must lock him down.'

As he rose, footsteps behind.

"Oh, Executive Director? Not out yet?"

"Heading now. Saw Kunlun Return?"

"You too?"

"Yep, haha!"

They walked to the elevator. Rare private chat alone.

"Saw one writer like Memento Mori, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠15 years back. Once."

"Another monster?"

"Not huge hit then."

Doors opened; they entered.

"Terminal cancer."

"Ugh..."

"Wrote a book every three days for family. Hospital meals, six months straight."

"Ah..."

"I was his editor. Kunlun Return brings it back."

Cornered, humans' limits—he'd seen it. Pace slowed from pain late, but 50 books in six months before passing.

"Give whatever you can. Vitamins even."

"If fairness issue, I'll buy and send personally."

"Haha! I'll chip in half. As a fan."

"Yes, as fans."

Next month, Memento Mori takes over 600 million.

One billion revenue in half-year. StoryWorld pocketed 300 million easy.

How not to adore?

"Ughhh... aaaah!"

Flopped on bed, kicking skyward. Ye-jin buried her face in the pillow, muffling screams of joy.

"Kyaaaah—!"

Others saw up to 363. But she held finale manuscript.

"First time feeling this..."

Panting, sprawled starfish.

'Quit exam prep right call.'

Still cramming? Balding from stress.

'I'm the only one knowing this novel's end first!'

Wanting to yell from the roof.

What's the big deal? Everyone sees eventually.

"Ah, so happy..."

Lifelong mediocrity dashed mom's hopes.

Certificates galore, but no "This forever!" passion.

Now? Daily joy. Devouring fun novels felt heavenly. Writer downstairs!

"Agh... too precious to read."

Read? Regret end. Skip? Curiosity kills sleep.

She'd monitor today's reactions first.

"Gotta clip this for the author, hehe!"

Knowing he skipped comments, she curated positives.

"...Any terms!?"