Chapter 78
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: One Masterpiece and Retirement
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No matter how you slice it, calling a person a dog or a pig was way over the line. To prove I was human, I dove into that manga, reading it cover to cover over two full days.
'Shit.'
And then it hit me. This wasn't a work you could just copy or imitate.
Sometimes, a person's masterpiece transcends imitation so completely that all you can do is marvel at it in awe.
'How the hell do you even approach this?'
The story was great, but what truly overwhelmed me was the feast of characters. I couldn't stand even talking to that Team Leader jerk, but this time, I had no choice but to ask.
Zombie Code really nails the blend of Japanese culture, history, and their signature manga flair. Any previous works by the author? I'd love to check them out for reference.
The Team Leader took forever to reply. He must've looked into it because of my question.
A few shorts, but nothing worth watching. Can't recommend them.
At least tell me the titles.
MonX Shiro Brothers, LotX-san, stuff like that. Started around 2013? 2014. But seriously, spend your time on something else. Total waste.
What a cold-hearted bastard.
'Practically a rookie, and they hit it this big? A once-in-a-lifetime fluke?'
I was so hooked I wanted more, but the Team Leader clammed up.
Any news on the next work?
I asked out of sheer thirst for more, but the reply floored me.
Retired.
Retired after dropping one masterpiece.
'Huh?'
That author had achieved every writer's dream. Raked in cash, earned fame.
Sure, our dream was getting out of this place, but blowing up big was every creator's wish.
Thud.
Ye-jin came back from her room with her laptop. The draft from the open door snapped me out of it.
"Let me take a look."
Ye-jin searched for flights. If it were just tourism, it'd be easy, but I had to track down a person.
"Even if we cover academy classes with special lectures, factoring in the Company President Queen recording schedule, the max is 12 days. You okay with writing?"
"No issue pushing the new work back a bit."
The top idol and Jirisan Elf series had stockpiles overflowing. I wrote like mad not to chase deadlines, but to wrap up fast and start the next one.
"Should I tag along?"
"I'd love that."
"Talk to Min Team Leader? We could debut DM in Japan while we're at it."
"Oh! That's brilliant. Make it happen!"
I hadn't even thought that far. Ye-jin really was a treasure.
"This month won't work. Holidays overlap, and schedules need aligning. I'll rough out costs by tomorrow. And..."
She scoured the internet carefully.
"Jump or Champ, right? No hits on MonX Shiro Brothers. Probably the original title. Any other details?"
"Nope. Nothing."
"Rough age of the author?"
"Zero clue."
I was frustrated too. But knowing this much was something. With clues, we could track them, right?
"I'll draft official letters to both publishers. We're kinda a manga production company ourselves, so they won't ignore us. Japan's got yakuza fame—might pique interest in The Boss's Youngest Son."
With Ye-jin, things moved at warp speed compared to solo. She crammed everything possible into the schedule 'while we're at it.' I was starting to think just holing up in the goshiwon writing might be easier when she paused.
Suddenly, like she'd overlooked something crucial, she asked.
"But... do you have a passport?"
Of course not.
People who land jobs in their major have no worries, but most college grads fret over careers. Once the student shield vanishes, you're blasted straight into the real world. She was wavering over this.
'Do I have to follow the set path?'
She didn't know when it started, but her altruism had surged. Trips to Indukwon were great; given the chance, she wanted more volunteering.
But that was for the rich. You needed money to have time.
"Hiiing."
Days blurred in turmoil over this. Today, she flopped face-down on the bed, rolling around without changing.
She'd met many, adults included, but the answers were always,
Get a stable job first, then think about that stuff.
Survival first. How would she solve it? A close friend suggested, "Marry quick?" But no thanks.
Skip dating for marriage? She wasn't even interested in guys.
"Dunno, dunno."
Best to escape reality now. Grabbed her smartphone for a novel, but her face heated up.
"Ah!"
Remembered uploading her story recently.
'Idiot?'
No expectations, so who would read it? Even if someone did, it'd be embarrassing.
She dashed to the computer.
"Hoo. Hoo."
Suddenly terrified. What if hate comments? No, indifference might be worse.
Ridiculous to fret over three measly chapters if you hadn't tried it yourself.
This thrill, this tension!
Fumbled the password, navigated to her novel.
"Knew it."
Results eased her but left regret.
Ch. 1 Views: 13
Ch. 2 Views: 9
Ch. 3 Views: 5
No comments.
"Thirteen people read it..."
Her voice lacked energy. Only five made it to the end.
'Enjoyed it, cheers.' Something like that might've cheered her up.
"Thirteen..."
About to tear up and crawl back to bed when a sparkle caught her eye at the top-right of the monitor.
Hello. I'm the author Memento Mori. I read your work and...
New scam?
"Memento Mori..."
Familiar pen name.
"Aaah? Memento Mori!"
I want to invest in your potential. Please get back to me if you see this.
Unbelievable.
"N-No way!"
She shot up, yelling "Yow!" in shock.
Memento Mori—the Boss's Youngest Son author? Stunned, she checked the fan cafe.
Whoa, jealous! Got a DM from Memo-ri author! Gotta step up my game!
Memo-ri DMing a post with 4 views? What even?
Memo-ri body double theory gaining traction.
Ten bodies wouldn't be enough.
Proof: My little sis got one too.
Others had gotten DMs from Memento Mori before. Seeing that made her heart race harder.
'F-For real?'
Felt like a birthday gift.
Swipe!
Checked the clock.
"Ah..."
Past 10 p.m.—too rude to contact now.
The DM seemed okay, but what if even that was impolite?
She held back.
Hot, hot!
Face burning, she bolted to the bathroom.
Shwaaaa.
Cold shower water hit her face.
"Whoa, whoa..."
Excitement wouldn't fade. What part of her story caught his eye?
A writer of his caliber wouldn't message lightly!
Smack smack!
Slapped her cheeks, wrapped her hair in a towel, sat back down.
The DM was real.
"Whoa."
Overjoyed, but surreal, leaving her dazed.
"Maybe... he's waiting for my reply?"
Saw the date, thought that, then chuckled.
"No way."
Decided to message tomorrow morning, then leaped into bed.
Riiiing.
Unknown number. Exactly 9 a.m. Recording this afternoon, time to get up anyway.
'Spam?'
Lately, real estate pitches or "great deals" calls. Even for famous Kim Mi-young Team Leader, 9 a.m. sharp was foul play, right?
"...Hello?"
Figured I'd bite. Treated it like an alarm.
-...H-Hello...
"Who's this?"
Voice faint. Woman, maybe.
-I saw your DM and called. If you're busy, I can call back later...
I bolted upright.
"The DM?"
-Yes. Is this Memento Mori?
"Yes!"
Most recent DMs I'd sent got replies. Except one denial.
"This is Memento Mori! Sorry, which work is yours?"
-...That Young Lady's Bucket List...
Goosebumps.
"..."
No wake-up shock like this before. Wait, maybe the time regression? Anyway, dream or hallucination from waiting? Couldn't tell.
I'd been awake 10 seconds.
-Hello?
"Ah, yes! Sorry. Go ahead."
-You said you'd help in the DM. What do I do?
Verify first. I didn't know Number 7's voice. Only her face—no name, no address.
"Can we meet to talk?"
Couldn't ID from novel alone; needed to see her.
"Contract comes first—procedures."
-Contract? What...
"No pressure. Join our agency for management. Think publisher. Not rushing; review the contract, think it over."
Too fast?
-Ah, got it.
"Where do you live?"
-Seoul.
Perfect!
"When can we meet?"
Too eager?
-One sec.
Recording today—no afternoon. Wait till day after tomorrow? Madness.
-Tomorrow's booked, so day after okay? Mornings or afternoons fine.
Damn... Could I stay sane two days? Might not even be her, but I needed confirmation or I'd lose it.
"Today?"
-Pardon? Today?
"Yes. Where in Seoul? I'll come right now. My schedule's packed—morning or bust."
-I can come to you when convenient.
"No. Morning's free today."
-Then... Myeongmuk-dong...
Whoa? Super close!
"One hour."
Hung up, sprinted to the hall, showered like lightning. Grabbed a contract from the drawer, hailed a cab.
15 minutes away.
World felt vast under the same sky, but Myeongmuk-dong? Kinda deflating. Lucky—we shared a neighborhood, could've bumped into her.
Texted Ye-jin.
Heading out for something. Straight to the studio after.
In the cab, checked the phone screen again.
Meeeow.
Her presumed number stared back. In one hour, I'd name it.
'Heart's pounding.'
Her name would feel alien either way.
'Time, fly!'
As if reading me, the cab sped.
"Keep the change!"
"Thanks! Have a great day!"
Arrived. Seven minutes early.
McDonald's.
Coincidence?
My dying wish treat for her. Memories flooded back.
"Welcome!"
Scanned the room instinctively for a familiar face. Nothing. Took a window seat, gazed outside.
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