Chapter 30
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Expanding Horizons
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I couldn't watch TV, but I knew exactly how the world was spinning.
"Even if he can't sing, with that visual..."
At this point in time, no one would believe a Korean could top the Billboard charts.
But I knew.
"It could happen, right?"
Of course, launching a new venture would require new experts, and I even knew that expert's name.
"Since we're filming anyway, might as well approach it naturally."
Our society still ran more on connections than pure talent most of the time. I swallowed hard, eyeing the PD wrapping up preparations over there.
"There's no rule saying I have to stick only to webnovels."
If I'm doing this, wouldn't it be even better if both sides succeeded?
The issue was that Jin-seong sang like absolute garbage, but with some training, that could probably be glossed over somehow.
"Okay! Cast members, please gather over here!"
Right, deal with the task at hand first.
The PD came over to me.
"Viewers might not know much about genre novels, so if you could steer the early conversation that way, it'd help."
"Got it."
"Keep it natural. No need to stress—we'll edit it perfectly."
Stress, huh. Maybe thanks to those ten years locked away? I'd grown strangely numb to this sort of thing. Experiencing the extremes had left me unfazed by pretty much everything.
If things had gone the wrong way, I'd probably be shaking like a leaf in front of people.
"Maybe because I've already died once."
The shoot dragged on after that, but it was dull stuff, so let's skip it. Plenty of days ahead to spin yarns.
"Great work, everyone!"
"You all did amazing!"
That night, with the event wrapped up, a simple party kicked off on the rooftop.
Our nearly completed communal kitchen was showing its true grandeur. A restaurant you could use comfortably anytime, rain or shine!
"Jin-seong, whoa! Impressive! You didn't look nervous at all!"
Ye-jin laughed, slapping Jin-seong's back.
"Why get tense? It's not like I'm swinging a knife in battle."
Jin-guk chimed in from the side.
"Exactly! No reason to tense up unless it's a battlefield!"
I could guess what was rattling around in their heads without asking. Let's just drink.
More importantly.
"Ye-jin."
"Yes?"
"Find some people for me."
"Who? More authors?"
"No, something different this time."
While writing, these thoughts would occasionally cross my mind.
How far could I go?
What was I capable of?
Making it to the moon in ten years? Tough. But asked what mark I could leave in ten years, I had an answer.
"Ideally all five, but at least three..."
With Jin-guk here, we'd have the numbers.
"Got it."
I rattled off the names and stared hard at Jin-seong and Jin-guk. These two were faces too good to hog for myself.
"Oh, right, bro—one toilet on the first floor's clogged. I'll plunge it tomorrow."
"Stuff like that should be fixed the moment you spot it."
"It was bigger than expected. Normal tools won't cut it."
"Hm, so you gave it a shot."
"Of course!"
"Alright. Report back once it's handled."
They sure as hell weren't cut out for lives spent on chores like that.
Two weeks later, settlement day rolled around right on schedule.
After covering operating costs, it was time to dip into coins and prep for the future. Laying out all the ideas I'd solidified in my head made my path crystal clear.
Build Amazon?
"Zero knowledge on that front."
Start Tesla?
"I'm no engineering major, and even if I busted my ass from now, no way I'd beat Musk."
In the end, what I excelled at was content. And leveraging the future knowledge I vaguely recalled? That was the safest bet too.
"Build it step by step, and the odds go up."
Whether I'd returned to the past or glimpsed the future, early on my mindset was just scribble novels until I tracked down the team leader and killed him. But gradually, my vision had broadened.
"President, thank you as always."
One of the aunties handed me some yogurt on her way in.
"Thanks, I'll enjoy it."
Now I had a rough idea of who lived where. They'd all been scraping by on the brink, but their faces were definitely brighter than before.
Was this what was changing me?
"Might as well go as far as I can. I've died once—what's there I can't handle?"
I stretched, ready to kick off another fulfilling day, when Ye-jin came rushing up.
"Whoa, watch your step!"
"Eek! I could navigate here blindfolded! Anyway, just got a call!"
Why was she so hyped?
"From the Korea Creative Content Agency!"
"...What's that?"
If you don't know, just ask straight.
"I looked it up quick—it's the agency that supports and promotes every content industry produced in Korea!"
"And?"
"They want to meet for details. Sounds like a golden opportunity, right? Oh, and someone from the Comics and Animation Promotion Agency wants to join too."
"Yeah?"
Honestly, this was a total blind spot for me.
"Want me to set up the meeting?"
They say look up to see clouds, look down to see dog shit.
Was it because I was aiming higher? Or had I gotten that famous?
"Let's hear them out at least."
"Yes! I'll slot it after the first episode airs. That'll work better."
Being on TV would definitely snag us some extra backing. Ye-jin was sharp as ever.
"Content agency, huh."
The list of people to meet was growing, and I'd have to carve up my time more. Which meant...
"Time to write."
I needed a bigger stockpile.
Everyone has their own trigger for diving into manga, but most naturally dreamed it up after reading Japanese masterpieces.
We'd lament while reading Slam Dunk or Dragon Ball, wondering when we'd ever create something like that.
But people have those gut feelings, you know?
"Jackpot. This is a total smash hit!"
She was a newbie at Happiness Goshiwon, but these days she was blissfully happy. She'd volunteered for grueling 12-hour drawing marathons, but mindset shapes emotion.
"How'd they pull off that direction? Gotta steal it for mine."
Work files for Kunlun Return and Infinite Reincarnation circulated among the webtoon crew, spurring friendly rivalry and inspiration.
The Youngest Son of the Gangster Household was slated for launch this year too, so the teams on all three were grinding souls into it—not out of duty, but because the thrill wouldn't quit.
"Ah, time flies..."
She hurried into the hallway. So absorbed, she'd skipped every meal. She rushed up to the rooftop.
This goshiwon had an insane restaurant. When she first arrived, her plan was save cash and bail ASAP. Now? Changed her tune.
"Ah, hello."
Odd hour—she figured it'd be empty. But a guy stood at the soup pot, apron on.
"Eating now? You're late. Sit down."
"I can handle it!"
Her face burned as she spoke, but Jin-seong smiled and jerked his chin.
"Soup's reduced—needs reseasoning. I'll whip it up quick."
If this restaurant had a star attraction, it was that guy.
God knew why he was here, but the reason she made sure to eat at least one solid meal a day? His cooking.
"Almost ready."
Yeah, the food. Not some withered side dishes like in typical goshiwons, but daily handmade meals brimming with care, laid before her.
Sweet radish salad, pink sausage pancakes, seasoned mussels, a bulgogi rice set, even bean sprout soup. Seaweed, kimchi, and cubed radish kimchi were staples, so one bowl of rice vanished in a flash.
"Chew thoroughly. You skipped lunch too."
Jin-seong sat across from her. His warm smile evoked a beaming groom. Possessed by the vibe of a weary bride dragging home after overtime, she felt her fatigue melt away.
"How are you this good at cooking?"
Normally, someone staring while she ate solo would creep her out. He was the exception.
"I'm the sole heir to a third-generation prestigious family."
"Huh? That... prestigious family?"
"Yep. That one. Mom's got a grudge against it all, so I live free now. But as a kid, I picked up a ton peeking over shoulders."
"I see..."
Jin-seong's eyes held a quiet sadness laced with pain. It only made him more magnetic—she nearly dropped her spoon, blurting hastily.
"D-do you have a girlfriend by any chance?"
She gasped inwardly after asking. But Jin-seong answered casually. Maybe he heard it so often?
"Dating when you know how the eldest daughter-in-law of a prestigious family has to live? That's a sin."
"...That serious?"
"That's how Mom lived..."
Jin-seong flashed a bright laugh.
"At least running the restaurant gave her some breathing room. But I still have to carry on the line, unchanged."
Maybe Jin-seong wanted to flee it all.
"Sorry. Had no idea."
"No one's at fault. It's always been that way—probably won't change."
He said it plainly, but his face showed no torment. It was emotion worn smooth from endless rumination.
"Ate it all already."
The mood had felt too heavy for food to go down, yet her bowl was empty.
"Want seconds?"
Jin-seong smiled. She waved frantically.
"No! I'm stuffed!"
Jin-seong cleared the dishes with practiced ease.
"Let me get that!"
No time for gloves—she scrubbed them. Moments later, they stepped out of the kitchen, leaning on the railing to gaze over Seoul.
"...So you'll have to go back soon?"
"Who knows. If they call, I go... but..."
She thought she saw a flicker of hope at the corner of Jin-seong's mouth.
"For some reason, hanging around Hyun-woo bro clears out the complicated thoughts."
Could military service delay it? Glory for the family change things? Futile dreams, but he'd run anyway. Lately, something had shifted—hard to pin down.
"So I've decided to shelve it for now. Whatever bro tasks me with, it's fun."
Stars spilled across the sky, his profile gazing at them dazzlingly bright. Then he started humming softly.
"C... ah... ah..."
Pitch and rhythm be damned, but from Jin-seong, even that carried vibe.
"What song's that? Never heard it."
"Dunno. Caught bro singing it a few times—it's stuck in my head. Find myself humming along without thinking."
"Pop song?"
Whatever it was, it suited him perfectly.
"Found one?"
"Yes!"
Ye-jin bubbled with excitement.
"Others are pending, but this one replied right away! Inspiration hit instantly! Wants to collab! First Korean commission ever—super grateful!"
I had no plans to steal. He'd need years to craft a masterpiece anyway, but coaxing out what was meant to emerge from him early? Just a spark of insight.
Even if it wasn't exactly what I remembered, no big deal. Future plays rode on luck, and outpacing the era didn't guarantee hits.
Above all, Jin-seong wasn't on that original stage.
"Let's give it a shot."
I wasn't expecting to fill up on the first scoop. Novels start with one character—no quitting, and the end arrives eventually.
"I'll make my own BTS."
Failure? Fine. If someone spots Jin-seong in the process, feels that spark of joy—that's content's core.
Hell, sounds a lot like novels, doesn't it?