Chapter 84
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: The First Gathering
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Back in my room, I went over the manuscript one more time, tweaking minor words and phrasing for better flow.
After seeing Ye-jin's reaction, I felt confident enough to call it done.
When writing web novels, compromise is key. Sure, if you're crafting literature or poetry, you could agonize over a single sentence for months and it might pay off. But web novels survive on daily uploads. It's not about slacking off—it's knowing when to move on.
"This'll do."
My two novels were dominating the top spots on the major platforms, and the drama adaptation of my original work had broken 40% ratings. Still, like always, I was prepping my next project.
The romance novel could launch alongside the webtoon, so no rush there—I'd bought myself six months.
"Next up."
Time for Mount Jiri Elves. Factoring in the drama adaptation, I had to nail the ending. The show would wrap around the midpoint of the novel. Squeezing a minimum ten-volume story into 16 episodes was impossible from the start.
'They might do a season 2 later, but that concept doesn't exist here yet. Better plot it to end cleanly.'
The right mindset for web novels is writing each volume as if it could be the finale if the market demands it.
Conversely, it means being ready to extend if it sells well. That's how you stretch to 50 or 100 volumes. No author starts thinking, "Gotta write 100 volumes!"
I knocked out two parts of Mount Jiri Elves and dove into wrapping up season 1 of Strongest Idol Ever. Finishing this fast would let the idols transition into rulers.
Deep in focus, my phone buzzed.
【What should I wear today?】
Ah, out of nowhere.
【No dress code. Wear whatever's comfy.】
Every time she swoops in like this out of the blue, it just feels... nice. Like we're getting closer?
【It's our first time, though. Shouldn't I put in some effort?】
Stop it. My heart's racing.
【Everyone's writers—they won't care about outfits.】
Today was Saturday. The attached authors' meetup day. The inaugural one, and it held special meaning for me.
No reply from her, so I dove back into writing. My strength? Quick immersion like this.
I wasn't always like that. Quiet curse to the guy who trained me that way, as I pieced together the scene.
"We're on Billboard! Billboard!"
Hae-jin bawled her eyes out. Everyone in the waiting room knelt, arms wide, hugging it out.
Billboard.
The first male idol group in Korean history to...
'Is it really the first?'
Needed to fact-check. Even in fiction, real-world backdrops demand accuracy.
Writing Strongest Idol Ever made me realize marketing tricks I could use for my own group.
'Should be ready to deploy soon.'
Too early now, but post-Japan trip groundwork could pay off in the US.
Lee Sa-ra was on it positively, so sending D.M. stateside shouldn't be hard.
'Trends can be manufactured.'
Bad spin: manipulation. Good spin: buzz. Starts with "You know about that?" or "Seen it?" Even skeptics go "Who's that?" to "Whoa, really? That impressive?" when the crowd buzzes.
'That's how D.M. blows up.'
Obviously, no foundation means nothing sticks. Fame needs solid reasons built underneath.
Web novel analogy: Hear "It's so good!" and find only three chapters? "What the—?" But 300? "How'd I miss this?"
This marketing's everywhere already. Why corps dump cash early on new ventures.
Makes latecomers feel outdated, and limited stock creates FOMO sellouts.
'All it takes is my will, and I'm this capable guy.'
Plotting D.M.'s marketing while writing flew by. Time to get ready myself.
Shower time.
Stripped and rinsed. This routine had me humming unbidden.
"I smelled your shampoo amid the swaying flowers."
Not usually my type. Hmm... sometimes, though.
"What song's that?"
Gah—forgot the showers are communal.
Yi Myung-han walked in, head tilted.
"Sounds good. Who's it by?"
"Ah, just mumbling whatever came to mind."
"Whoa... President, you got music talent too? I love pop, so I've heard most."
Yes. No.
"Haha! Gotta go. See you later."
Bolted out. That song's not world-ready yet.
'Ugh, careful. Not blocking innocents.'
Team Leader jerk? Fair game. No collateral.
'That shampoo scent, though...'
Back in my room, wry smile.
The two held hands walking up, then awkwardly let go.
"...Nah."
Cheol-su grabbed it again firmly.
"Can't hide forever."
Do-rim flinched, then beamed. Boyfriends' perks: bursts of manly resolve like this.
No other writer has a guy like that!
"Yeah."
"Let's go!"
Up the hill they went. Cheol-su spoke.
"Next hit sells big, buy a car?"
"Save up first."
"Even small one's good—pick you up, take Grandma to hospital."
"... ."
"D-don't cry!"
Cheol-su soothed hiccuping Do-rim frantically.
Such a pure girl—none like her. Her innocence flustered yet charmed him.
"No crying, remember!"
"Yeah!"
Wiping her face with his sleeve, he pecked her lips lightly.
"Eek! Not outside!"
"Just today!"
Now inseparable. Writers bonded them—shared pains, endless talk. Needed someone to lean on.
Oh, one more lean spot.
Happiness Goshiwon.
Spotting someone at the sign, Cheol-su waved wildly.
"Author! Hi!"
Still calls him that, not President.
"Hello!"
Do-rim chimed loudly too.
"Cold out—why're you here?"
"Getting air, probably."
Cheol-su fixed Do-rim's red scarf snug.
"Don't. You'll trip."
"Won't."
Grinning beside her up the path, Do-rim suddenly felt.
'We're the kids here.'
President's the odd one usually, but boyfriend seemed extra immature today.
'Other authors coming—can't embarrass.'
Then the President ahead took a call. Drawing near, voice faint.
"Mom?"
Do-rim giggled.
"What?"
"Nothing."
All the same, huh.
Just one year. Son transformed beyond recognition—now Korea's top author.
"What'd he say?"
"He's coming."
"Good, great."
Yi-i initially disapproved. No degree, no real job—natural.
Now? Brags to everyone about "my son's drama!"
-My boy! Yeah! The youngest gangster son author! Know it? Huh!
Already "my son." How to handle? Frequent meets might help. Gathered opinions.
Invited next week. Harry's birthday dinner too.
"Next drama soon too."
"Really?"
Laughter blooms from son-news now. Once untouchable topic—world flipped.
"Tell 'em this time?"
"Wanna."
Wedding planned. But kids' reactions? Remarriage at their age no boast, especially rural.
"Hear the kids out."
Sudden dad and little sis one day.
Sounds like web novel title, right? But vibes exist.
'Mom's choice—good enough.'
My second life too; by my gauge, hers too. Should've met grim end, but happy now. That's it.
'Wedding maybe?'
If so, make it grand.
"President?"
"Ah, yes."
Her voice cleared my head. Mom's life mattered; this moment did too.
"Nothing fancy—just meet occasionally, share woes, swap ideas. No big deal."
Practice room table center, five of us circled.
Kim Cheol-su and Shin Do-rim glued side-by-side; Yi Myung-han next; inevitably, her and me adjacent.
No choice, really.
"Chicken and pizza ordered—eat, chat freely. Oh, webtoon updates from Executive Director Go separately."
Yi Myung-han whistled.
"Both your works to webtoon? Huge! Just get famous now!"
Fresh intros done; outgoing Yi Myung-han led vibe. Nice having him—eases me.
Where is this? Who are you people?
Calm down.
We'll give you... time to adjust... Must be tough...
Tragic—it's no dream, can't leave, can't meet people. Welcome.
Don't cry—listen close. We'll help.
A scene only I knew flashed by.
Ah, nose tingling.
That's how we gathered here.
"I wanna go webtoon like you seniors too! Help me!"
Yi Myung-han declared; Shin Do-rim waved shyly.
"Not senior. Haven't debuted yet."
"No way! Anyone who started before me is senior! Take me!"
"Eek! Stop! Me!"
Yi Myung-han headbutted walls three days post-capture. Then turned withdrawn, writing nonstop.
That's the Yi Myung-han I knew.
"Ah... haha...!"
She laughed at him, hand over mouth, shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
Our eyes met.
"Snrk... Sorry."
Ah, scary face?
"Funny's funny. It is."
My old Yi Myung-han gone now. Waited out his antics, then addressed all.
"Yi Myung-han writer's also our PD, so he'll lead this group, handle everything going forward."
"Me?"
Blank stare my way.
"Should I?"
"No! Me, obviously! Will do! Haha! Honor! Take me, authors!"
"Stop it!"
"Haha—! Quit it! President's talking!"
Laughs peaked; she stepped in. First meet today, yet she commanded attention effortlessly. Probably her sincerity with everyone.
"Our group's name..."
I said, looking around.