Chapter 29
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: You Have Talent
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No one was around to see, but he hunched over like a dwarf, barely managing a reply.
"Ah, yes. Hello! Have you eaten?"
I had no idea what he was babbling about.
-I was reading your work and thought I'd reach out just in case. You planned that ending with the latest chapter, right?
The very Memento Mori was reading his clumsy, embarrassing manuscript!
"Oh, no, I didn't really think about it. It just felt right, haha!"
-You've got talent. Just take it easy with tomorrow's update—no need to overthink it. Keep nailing those cliffhangers at the end of each chapter like this, and your reactions will skyrocket.
"T-Talent? Thank you!"
Words he'd never heard in his life made the corners of his mouth tremble.
-Well then, looking forward to more fun reads ahead.
"Ah, yes, yes! Good night!"
He hung up and stood there in a daze. His heart pounded at the realization that he was actually keeping tabs on it.
But the moment was soon ruined.
"Hey! Come eat already!"
Back in reality, he scowled. He wanted to savor that stunned, euphoric feeling a bit longer, but as he headed to the living room, a chilly glare stabbed at him.
"The soup's gone cold. What took you so long?"
Mom picked up the soup bowl and headed to the pot.
"It's fine like this."
His sibling chimed in.
"Why reheat it like it's something special? He said it's fine cold."
He bristled, but knowing there was no winning against a high school senior, he held back, picked up his chopsticks—and Mom asked,
"Nice weather out there. Why don't you go exercise sometimes instead of holing up in your room?"
He shot back reflexively.
"I have to write."
"……."
He knew exactly what that look in Mom's eyes meant, no explanation needed.
"Look at you, big-shot author. Oh, but do they even count that kind of novel as real writing? Maybe I should try it sometime."
Bam!
He couldn't take it anymore. He slammed the table with his fist and shot to his feet.
"You just wait. I'll prove it to you!"
"……Hey! At least eat first! Hey!"
Storming into his room, he slammed the door and slumped into his chair.
-You've got talent.
Memento Mori's words echoed in his ears.
"Damn……."
Right now, he felt wronged, filthy, frustrated, and choked up—but he vowed to become an author no matter what, and hammered away at his keyboard.
"How do you become an author?"
Jin-guk asked out of the blue while eating in the break room.
"Yes, sir. How does someone become an author?"
"Why don't you give it a try?"
"No, just curious. Wondering if you have to be born with it or something."
"Hm, simply put, there are two things. First, if you can write, that's talent—style doesn't matter. After that, it's personal: whether you give up or not."
Even excluding the authors who'd been dragged off by the Team Leader and vanished without a trace, the writing world was full of creators who despaired, agonized, and quit every day.
But from my ten years of experience, sticking it out to the end meant you won.
"Sounds easy but tough."
"That's how it is. The obvious stuff is what trips you up when you actually try it. Hey, where's Jin-seong?"
"Uh, some meeting? Said he was heading down."
"Author meeting?"
"Yeah, supposed to meet downstairs……."
Lock someone in a room to write, and their focus and efficiency definitely improve.
Of course, that assumes no distractions—just pure writing. But sometimes, an extra push could overcome even that.
"……Um, have you read my novel?"
That's what she said.
Jin-seong flashed a sky-clear smile in response.
"No. I don't really read novels."
Was it okay for someone handling authors to say that outright?
"Oh, I see."
So why did this feel oddly fine?
Jin-seong set down his coffee and leaned toward her.
"Got any worries lately? You look tired. If there's anything I can help with, just say."
His seriousness was so intense that staring into those eyes might make her blurt, "I can't sleep because of you!"
Ha, what do I do?
Recently signed under Memento Mori, she wrote romance fantasy—and Jin-seong's impact was so strong she'd even swapped her protagonist for him.
Swoosh.
Jin-seong's long arm stretched across the table. Soon, the back of his hand touched her forehead, and with worried eyes, he asked,
"You feel feverish."
"N-No, I'm fine!"
"Authors are precious."
He'd skipped "to our company," but that only made her cheeks burn hotter.
"I'm okay! It doesn't hurt!"
"Good to hear."
As Jin-seong smiled and withdrew his arm, she ducked her head with a strange pang of regret.
Why did I even come here?
Not like she had a real purpose.
"So, I can expect your manuscript without worry?"
"Y-Yes!"
Not like you're even gonna read it! she screamed inwardly but kept it in. Time with him just felt this good.
"Alright, contact me once Volume 1's done. We'll meet again then."
"Ah, yes. Again……."
"Any idea when?"
She was halfway through, so with her thorough nature, it'd take another two weeks at least.
"One week!"
But thoughts and resolve were always different.
Back at the goshiwon after the meeting, Ye-jin greeted Jin-seong.
"What'd the author say?"
"Not sick."
"Come on, there had to be a reason for requesting the meeting."
"Says Volume 1 in a week."
"……."
She'd heard "I can't write lately," but maybe the Jin-seong effect had supercharged her motivation?
That face definitely has its uses.
Anyone could see Jin-seong was handsome. Standing with Jin-guk, they'd pass for models.
And it was mercilessly shaking the composure of Memento Mori's female authors.
"Alright, good luck."
Jin-seong waved halfheartedly and vanished.
Alone, Ye-jin organized files on her laptop.
<Female Authors: 4 Jin-seong meetings complete>
<Male Authors: 3 meetings scheduled>
"Guess I need to step it up."
Her author was busy—she had to help as much as possible.
"Speaking of……."
She checked her watch. The meeting time was approaching, but no word yet. Were they coming?
Waiting a bit, she tapped at her laptop again when she heard a car outside.
Here!
She straightened her clothes and stepped out.
"Hello."
Two people got out right on time.
"Team Leader Go Ye-jin?"
"Yes, Go Ye-jin from the call. This way, please?"
The new office was perfect for meetings with outsiders—spacious and pleasant.
"The president is tied up, so I'll handle the meeting."
"Sounds good. You mentioned a platform commission—could you elaborate?"
The two eyed Ye-jin professionally, scanning the surroundings too.
Not a big company.
Is this all the staff?
You had to check the client when taking jobs. They might take the deposit and fold.
Everyone starts optimistic—building platforms, starting ventures—but businesses? Half don't last a year.
"Here's a summary of other platforms as samples—start from page 8. Think of it as a hub for distributing text and art. Key point: can't lean too male- or female-oriented. Keep that in mind for design."
"Text and art……."
Money was money—they'd build anything. But Does this have business potential?
Ye-jin continued.
"Crucial is ease of use. Simple uploads for text and art, easy searches for readers."
"So, anyone registers novels, comics, etc., and anyone views them?"
"Exactly."
"Platform name decided?"
She named the one she'd heard from the author yesterday.
"Talent Market."
Starting with webnovels and webtoons, it'd evolve into a gateway for industry jobs and hires.
"Got it."
'Market' in the name was unusual, but it was the client's call.
"Any promo plans? We can handle viral marketing if you want."
Just building it didn't draw crowds. Marketing could cost more than development.
But Ye-jin replied without a hitch.
"We'll handle that."
The author knew how to gather writers and readers.
Her heart raced with curiosity, but she held back. The payoff would be sweeter later.
"Understood. We'll contact you with mockups based on your materials."
The two-hour meeting wrapped up.
Talent Market…….
Will this even work……?
Having handled many startups, they left tilting their heads—but Ye-jin smiled watching them go.
They don't get it yet.
As Memento Mori's general manager, she knew webnovels' power intimately. Especially once her prepared webtoons hit the world—the ripple effect would be huge. She was already excited.
The best marketing is a great work.
All that mattered was nailing it until then.
Making money was pure joy.
Sure, holing up writing novels was the same months ago as now—but everything around me had changed.
I owned this building, ran Memento Mori as president, and we had 31 authors signed as of yesterday.
The webtoon crew kept growing, and Youngest Son of the Gangster House was cruising along.
Think of it as a full-day rest.
September.
Still hot midday, but no need for AC. Ye-jin could breathe easier without electric bill worries.
Wow…… that's a crowd.
Stepping outside, I saw over 40 staff prepping the shoot.
One approached me.
"Hello! Review this first. No makeup, right?"
"Yeah."
No plans to become a celebrity. I skimmed the script she'd handed me when Jin-seong emerged.
The woman who'd stood stiff as a scarecrow before me suddenly dashed to him.
"Hello! Here's your script!"
"Eh……? Me too?"
"Of course! You're a key participant! Not that you have to stick exactly to it, but you need to know the blocking……."
Hey, the difference between me and him is kinda blatant.
He does look good, though.
He'd put some effort into the shoot—casual but styled. I chuckled watching.
My role was just author—no need to feel slighted.
"Kyaa! So handsome!"
"Could go pro as an actor."
"Heard rumors, but damn, better in person."
Female staff clustered, waving imaginary fans.
"Hm……."
Living together had dulled me to it. I'd dismissed him as that weird spy-hunting goshiwon nut, blind to his real value.
I nodded, watching Jin-seong and the reactions.
This is gonna work.