Chapter 8
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Premium Debut
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49th chapter views: 9,311
LitWorld's all-time highest view count record was being shattered. Word of mouth had spread so far that readers were flocking over from other platforms to check out Kunlun Return, generating the strongest reaction in web novel history.
And this was all happening just in the second week.
"Bro, was this your dream? Getting a job at an amusement park?"
"......"
Having Jin-seong by his side was definitely reassuring. But feeling it wasn't enough, he'd scouted for a safe meeting spot and ended up here.
"It'll just take a minute. I'll buy you something tasty."
"Aw, man, I don't really care about food. Just nail that interview, and we're good."
Jin-seong looked like a celebrity even in his casual throw-on clothes. And he'd walked here in fake three-stripe slippers, no less...
"Must be nice being an alpha."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It's a thing."
The amusement park was packed with women, as expected. Every girl nearby stole at least one or two glances at Jin-seong. Some in school uniforms were even trailing after him.
"That spot looks good."
He spotted a cafe with outdoor tables and took a seat at an empty one.
Now to contact the LitWorld rep.
"Bro, spies hang out in places like this too, right?"
"......Yeah, right."
Did those girls know he was into guys like this?
"Spies' main job is destroying key facilities, after all."
So why was this place a key facility?
As long as I don't screw up big time, I won't lose that free #1 spot.
He'd never made money from writing before. He had no idea how much the Team Leader had scammed him out of, either.
So he didn't know the details of how to contract with Gulpia today, either. Internet searches only got you so far.
About 20 minutes later?
"Excuse me..."
A man approached them.
"Are you the author of Kunlun Return?"
He looked to be in his early forties, beaming as he asked.
"Nah."
Jin-seong replied casually, locking eyes with him.
"Ahem! Over here."
"Oh, s-sorry! Author-nim!"
"Huh? Bro, you're a writer?"
As Jin-seong shot him an incredulous look, the man pulled out a business card and handed it over.
Manager Kim Cheol-ong.
Could he trust this guy, at least?
His paranoia was kicking in, but with Jin-seong there and in such an open spot, it should be fine. Plus, tons of people were watching thanks to Jin-seong.
"The story's incredible. Really hooked me. The time regression setup was cool, but what really stood out was how readable each chapter is. The cliffhangers are perfectly timed. Any previous works?"
"First one."
He couldn't exactly say he'd written it while imprisoned for ten years.
"Wow... A debut, and it's this good? You've never finished a series before, right?"
The subtle droop at the corner of his mouth meant mild concern. Newbies sometimes flamed out after a hot start.
"Can I see the contract?"
"Of course. Normally, you'd apply for paid serialization on the platform first, but we made an exception..."
He knew LitWorld would grow massively. That Team Leader bastard couldn't have sunk his claws into a company this big. No way he'd risk it if he had.
"Before we sign, two conditions you have to keep. I don't want anyone knowing I'm the author. Not even your LitWorld staff—keep my personal info secret."
"No worries there. I'll handle this contract personally."
Looked like he'd already heard about the picky attitude over the phone.
"When do you plan to switch to paid, Author-nim?"
"Whenever you think is best."
He skimmed the contract while listening to Manager Kim.
"Standard is to go paid tomorrow, but I'd love if you could hold off a few more days."
"Pardon?"
"We might hit 10,000 free views in 24 hours—the first for our platform."
Later it'd hit tens of thousands concurrent, but for now, this was the limit. Manager Kim knew it too; he was trying to boost the platform.
"What's in it for me?"
"Full promo support."
He paused, eyeing the 'settlement' clause.
Author 70%, platform 30%. At 100 won per chapter, that's 70 won per purchase for him. After fees, maybe 64 won?
Still no real sense of it.
Free views and paid buys were different beasts; no clue how much he'd make yet.
"So what do I need to do?"
"Stockpile enough for whenever you go paid. Hit 10k views, and we'll make a banner right away."
He could tell why Manager Kim was so excited.
LitWorld's current paid #1 was pulling 3,000-3,300 buys in 24 hours.
If he nailed the paid switch, he might sweep free #1 straight into paid #1. Become LitWorld's top author.
"Um... do you have any stockpile left?"
Manager Kim thought he'd started with a bunch of chapters banked.
Made sense—7 chapters day one, 4 every day after.
"Some."
No need to say otherwise...
"Manager."
"Yes, Author-nim."
"Can we add a special clause here?"
Manager Kim flinched, forehead creasing faintly. Ten years staring at monitors made him a pro at reading faces.
"LitWorld takes full legal responsibility for any leak of the author's personal information."
His face crumpled.
"Yes! Finally going paid!"
She pumped her fist. It was great now, but hits like this could jump platforms anytime. Different sites had different serialization rules—might mean months of waiting.
Amazing. First to hit 10k.
Martial arts dominated the platform; she'd thought 10k views impossible. But Kunlun Return pulled it off.
Excited for what records tomorrow's paid debut would smash.
-Congrats! Our author-nim! Time to soar in paid!
She left another comment, smiling warmly.
The gem she'd spotted day one was smashing every LitWorld record on its way to paid.
Imitations about 'returning to the past' to restart were already popping up in free serialization.
But they couldn't touch Kunlun Return. It had that romance.
Author-nim must be meticulous. Starting serialization with so much stockpile.
Wishing it was 10—20—volumes deep, she stepped happily into the hallway.
Wonder what a genius like that looks like?
Writing something as epic as Kunlun Return would eat up 24 hours a day. Constant torment, lost in thought?
Heading to the pantry, she smacked her lips.
"Smack smack, Jin-seong-nim, today's the best too."
She eyed the new guy chowing down.
Possessed or something? First time seeing anyone eat like that. Consistent every time she'd caught him.
Passing the handsome guy, she grabbed a cup.
All these guys...
She needed to land a government job quick to escape this dump.
Slurp.
Filling her cup at the water cooler, she overheard their conversation by accident.
"Bro, that thing. Tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah."
"Shouldn't we throw a party or something?"
"Party? I'm already guilty mooching off you every time. I'll pay you back later! With interest!"
"Hmm, still feels empty just letting it pass. Grill some pork belly on the roof tomorrow?"
"......Is that even doable?"
"Tell the landlady auntie ahead, clean up spotless. I've seen other guys do it before. Just finish before pantry closing."
"......Wow, Saintly Lady really. Can't repay her kindness."
"Haha! Over pork belly? Bro, you crying?"
"Gotta burn the midnight oil for tomorrow. Sleep's a luxury before meeting Pork Belly God. Eat up! For tomorrow!"
She frowned and left the pantry.
What's with that speech?
Couldn't even parse some words.
My story was plastered across LitWorld's main banner.
【He Has Returned – Kunlun Return】
Prologue views: 14,015.
Latest chapter: 11,728.
Martial arts usually used 'Prologue' as 'Introduction,' but whatever—the arrow was loosed. No big ripples now; keep pumping wind till it lands.
Whew...
When was the last all-nighter?
Bzzzzt.
Phone rang.
"Hello."
-Manager Kim Cheol-ong.
"Yep, all prepped."
-Thanks! Confirmed your reserved chapters. 10, right?
"Yes."
-Whoa, 10 on paid day one. Readers will love it.
"What's a typical day one performance?"
-1/10th, sometimes 1/8th. Good conversion hits 1/5. 1/3's the record.
Latest at 11k now, so 1/10th meant 1,100 paid buys.
Crude math: 64 won per chapter x 10 = 700k won!
His entire savings barely topped 100k—that was huge.
Always set the bar low.
Don't die choking on kimchi soup dreams.
-Confirming: 8 PM paid switch?
"Yes."
-Got it. Thanks for the hard work so far—looking forward to more!
Hadn't slept writing those 10, but no fatigue. The payoff awaited.
Out the hall, straight to the roof.
"Huh? Bro! Why so early? Said I'd call when ready."
"I'll help. I got some shame."
"Work all done? Today's that big thing, right?"
"Finished!"
Newspaper spread on the bench, grill plate atop the gas burner.
Just ssam veggies, garlic, sauce—but this happiness rivaled owning the world beyond the railing.
"Ta-da!"
While the plate heated, Jin-seong pulled soju from the cooler.
"Day like this calls for a toast!"
First booze in 10 years. Sun still up, but wrap by 8 meant starting now.
"You get booze approved too?"
"Nah, secret. No drinking on the roof. Afraid someone'll jump."
"Heh, our holy water. Take it to the grave."
Just one bottle anyway, courtesy of Jin-seong.
Pour.
Sizzle sizzle—the pork belly cooking pulled him into tangled emotions when Jin-seong asked.
"Bro, you make money doing that?"
"Serializing?"
"Yeah. I root for you, but usually... hard living off novels."
True. Most probably. The guy's face showed real worry.
Even 1/10th conversion keeps me fed.
【Motto: One chapter no good? Two! Two no good? Three!】
Just write more.
"Jin-seong."
"Yeah?"
"It's fine. Got insurance."
"Insurance?"
"Yeah. Insurance."