Chapter 9
Jaegun shook his tired hands and resolved his mind .
‘I’ll try to make a record with finishing a book in one day’
“Rika, you’re the witness . Check out how fast I type . ”
“Meow . Meow . ”
Jaegun shoved his face into the computer and started to write the novel . Rika secretly slipped out of the her house and moved under the bed . In that position, she looked at Jaegun typing the book .
………
“I’m so tired . ”
6:30 in the afternoon .
Jongjin, who just finished overtime, was wearing slippers . The dungeon project was not looking to an end . The private testing was right ahead . Until the deadline, overtime was going to be his closest friend .
“Manager Lee, would you want a cup of coffee?”
Jongjin asked passing by . Manager Lee was one of those people in this loud office that didn’t fit well with him .
“Assistant Manager Park, Sorry . I want to finish reading this book before overtime starts . Go ahead and have a drink . ”
Manager Lee responded with his head down . In his hands, he had a book .
Jonjin stepped forward and asked .
“What’s that book you’re reading so intently?”
“All I read is martial arts . But seriously, this is pretty entertaining . ”
“Martial Arts?”
Jongjin’s two eyes shined bright . Obviously, his best friend’s job came to mind .
Manager Lee continued .
“This writer’s previous works was… what should I say? Syntax and order had the basics, but the story was awfully boring . There was useless information everywhere . So I read about 2 or 3 books and just threw it away . And then he hasn’t released anything for a while but it seems like he studied a lot . I can’t stop reading . ”
Jongin couldn’t stop his curiosity and looked at the book cover . And then his eyes widened . The book name was Martial Rankings . The author’s name was Pyung Cheon Yu .
“What? Wha, what?”
“What? Did you read this before? Do you know this writer?”
“N-no . It’s just… yes . I just thought it looked like something I read before . The name seems similar . ”
Jongjin answered quickly .
Manager Lee just shook his head and went back to reading .
“Well, all martial arts books have similar titles and have that feeling . ”
“Haha, that’s right . Anyway, Manager Lee, I’ll just go get that cup of coffee and come back . ”
“Go ahead . ”
Jongjin left the office in a hurry .
As soon as he pressed the elevator button, he pulled out his phone and called Jaegun . The only person who used Pyung Cheon Yu as a pen name was his best friend .
“Hello?”
Jaegun quickly picked up the phone .
In an elevator all by himself, Jongjin asked .
“Hey, do you know anyone who uses the same pen name as you?”
“What is this random question about?”
“Speak up, man . Is there anyone else who uses Pyung Cheon Yu?
“Don’t think so . No . There isn’t . At least to my knowledge . ”
“Then is your new book called Martial Rankings?”
“Dude, are you so busy that you couldn’t even read my book?”
“Sorry, but I was so occupied that I couldn’t read . I called because my Manager in the office is reading the crap out of your book . ”
“Really?”
Jaegun’s reply was full of happiness .
Jongjin, as a friend, felt his happiness and quickly continued his words .
“Hey, this isn’t to make you feel good . That Manager, he’s a complete genre reading . He reads a lot and he’s also awfully stubborn . Because he read most things he should have . A person like that says your book is fun; He says he can’t stop reading . He even denied my offer to drink coffee .
“Dang . That feels good . ”
“How’s the book? Is it printing well?”
“Don’t be surprised . I got it printed . A 1000 copies . ”
Jongjin was so surprised that he bent his waist and hit the back of the elevator and moaned .
“Aoohhhh…? Seriously! In this small amount of time, you freaking got a 1000 copies printed? Isn’t this a success omen?! Aren’t your days of suffering gonna end?! Are you going to buy a house and stuff like that?!”
“Don’t get too excited . Buying a house isn’t a few coins . ”
“Yeah ok . Getting too excited and later it could be weird . Hey, I was just feeling happy . I’m just spitting out words now . Hey, awesome job, Jaegun . I feel freaking good . ”
“Just you wait, I’ll finish the series and I’ll get you a feast . ”
“I’m gonna eat the plates clean . Finish the series and call me . ”
“Thanks . You have fun, too . ”
Beep!
The phone shut off .
Jaegun, who was busy typing before he picked up the phone, put down the phone smiling and sat down .
Jongjin’s phone call was thankful . His words helped him and it served as a purpose for him to stop and take a break .
‘There actually is people who says it’s fun . ’
It was Jaegun who felt weird .
It was a long time ago that Jaegun threw out his habit of searching his own books online . It was because of all the critics .
Is this a book,etc, aren’t you sorry to the trees, etc . All these comments made him so depressed that it made him harder to write books . It was better to not see them .
‘Let’s endure it . ’
He wanted to see the comments on the new book, but Jaegun pushed down that feeling . Even if he checked, he was going to check after he finished the series to comfort his mind .
Beep!
“Hello . ”
“Hello, sir . This is writer Ha Jaegun, right?”
“… who is this?”
“Oh sorry . You don’t know me? This is Hetae Media’s Ma Jonggu . Hahaha, I’m not sure how you’ve been living .
Jaegun’s hand which were holding the phone shook . Without realizing it, he was biting too hard and his teeth were making his lips bleed . It was an uncontrollable reaction .
Hetae Media .
It was the company that released his debut work 5 years ago .
It was the company that gave him so much suffering and sadness .
It was a memory that he wanted to forget . It was the reason why he deleted their phone number .
The other person’s calm voice continued .
“I couldn’t ask how you were for a couple of years . There was a lot of things going on . Today’s market issues, me doing work meant for the above people…”
“What is it . ”
Jaegun cut him off .
“I’m busy writing my book . If you have anything to say, you should just say it . ”
“Ah yes . You are writing, right? I was having fun reading it . ”
The other person mentioned Jaegun’s new project .
From Jaegun’s lip, a small laugh came out . Jongjin’s overreaction wasn’t too overreacted, he thought . His book was getting up there . No message for a couple of years and now these hyenas come smelling and calling .
“It was really fun . The story is clear and straightforward . A marvelous work . I always knew you were going to make a blast some day . Hahaha . ”
‘This bitch . ’ an ugly facial expression came onto Jaegun’s face .
This was the person who didn’t even consider him a writer and humiliated him when his statistics were low . Now the same person was spitting out compliments .
“Like I said last time, I want to say some greetings . Do you still live in Suwon? I can come and serve you some dinner…”
“No . I’m fine . ”
Jaegun completely cut him off and rejected him . It was obvious . He was going to buy expensive food and slip a contract in the talk . He didn’t even remotely think to sign with Hetae Media .
“I’m eating well without missing any meals . I don’t think you have any other things to talk about so I’ll cut off . ”
“Writer Ha? W, wait . No . Writer Ha, please don’t cut off and listen to me for a lit… !
Beep!
Jaegun ignored the other’s fast talking and cut off the phone . A call came back just 10 seconds . Jaegun just blocked the phone number .
The world became completely quiet .