Episode 2. Become the Main Character (4)
In the editorial department of Dragon Management, the new employee Cha JiHee had been observing Ji EunYu since morning. EunYu, usually diligent in her work, was now fiddling with her smartphone, looking more anxious than usual. JiHee, quick to notice these details, sensed something was amiss.
“Team Manager Kim,” JiHee called out.
“What is it?”
“Has there been any contact from writer Koo DaeSung?”
“Don’t even mention that guy,” Manager Kim MyungHoon replied irritably, clearly recalling yesterday's events.
JiHee sighed, “These days, even when you spoon-feed these new writers, they don’t know how to appreciate it, right?”
Manager Kim just grumbled under his breath.
JiHee continued, “EunYu really lacks judgment in choosing her writers, spending half a year on a pure literature writer…”
Manager Kim’s lips twitched slightly. He appreciated JiHee's ability to say what he was thinking.
“Just get back to work,” he said.
“Sure.”
For the next hour, the office was filled only with the sounds of clicking keyboards and mice. JiHee, Kim, and EunYu were each focused on their screens. JiHee's primary task was to check new releases on various platforms.
After about an hour, she stretched and said, “Sometimes when I’m monitoring these new stories, I think to myself…”
No one responded.
“Maybe I should try writing web novels too.”
Some editors chuckled quietly at her comment.
“The stories aren’t anything special. They’re full of grammatical errors and messy plots, yet tens of thousands of readers are following them.”
Again, silence.
“I’d rather be a writer than check for typos all day for a meager salary. Maybe I should try my luck at writing…”
“Cha JiHee,” Kim interrupted, “You talk as if you’ve never written before. You’ve already tried writing secretly.”
JiHee gasped, “How did you know, Manager Kim?!”
“It was a flop, wasn’t it?”
“You read my manuscript, didn’t you?”
“Do I need to taste poop to know it’s not chocolate?”
“Excuse me?”
“Who here hasn’t tried writing secretly?”
Realizing what Kim meant, JiHee's eyes widened, “You mean, you’ve tried writing too, Manager?”
Kim just shrugged, “Would I be here if I were successful?”
JiHee jokingly flexed her arm, “Well, I can’t do it. Not everyone can write, even if it looks easy.”
She returned to her screen, looking at "The Great Mage Who Returned After 100 Billion Rebirths". The title seemed like anyone could write it.
“Cha JiHee, do you know why these stories became popular?”
“Because they’re about rebirths…”
“It’s not just that. There’s more to it.”
Kim pulled out a thick file, filled with graphs and charts, from the cabinet.
“What’s this?”
“An analysis I made last year. It details why certain themes were popular, and why they succeeded.”
JiHee skimmed the file, impressed by its meticulousness. It was hard to believe Kim, who seemed so carefree, had created such a detailed document. It covered various genres, including rebirth, return, chaebol, supernatural, sports, raids, munchkin, experts, wuxia, and traditional fantasy.
“I made it for the Hatchling Project, to help develop new writers.”
“If we had this, we could have used it to…”
“You think it would help?”
“Yes! With this, I could start writing full-time—”
“No.”
JiHee’s face fell, “Why? Do you think I can’t write?”
“It’s not just you. It’s the same for anyone.”
“Really?”
“Economic theories explain past events well, but they’re almost useless in predicting the future. Our work is the same.”
JiHee understood. “So even with this analysis, there’s no guarantee of success?”
“Exactly. That’s why we keep trying new things. Sometimes, we strike gold, but it’s rare.”
“Your analogies are always so fantastical, Manager.”
JiHee felt a sense of emptiness. “It’s disheartening. Despite reading novels all day, we can’t predict what will succeed.”
“Well, that's how it is.”
“Aren’t you curious about why certain stories succeed? Your professionalism seems a bit weak.”
Kim shrugged, “Maybe some 'God of Novels' predetermines which stories will succeed.”
“Why don’t you write a novel about that? Call it 'The God of Novels'. Sounds interesting.”
Kim waved her off, “Get back to work. Don’t get caught up in fantasies of making it big as a writer.”
“Okay.”
JiHee returned to browsing the free-to-read section, hoping to find a new gem.
Suddenly, she noticed a new story.
After a few minutes, JiHee looked at Kim with an agitated expression.
“Manager.”
“What now?”
“Look at this.”
Kim, grumbling, came over. “Is this Lee HakHyun’s pen name?”
“Yes.”
“Did he start a new series already?”
“It seems so. He’s already published five chapters.”
Kim took the mouse from JiHee. “What the hell? He’s continuing Yu ChanYoung’s work without permission? If he publishes like this—”
“Look closer. The title and content are different.”
“Different?”
“Yes.”
Kim read from the prologue. “Another rebirth story… Wait, this is an anti-rebirth story?”
“Seems so.”
Kim scoffed, “These literary types think they can do anything. But this won’t succeed. Will readers really read this? Everyone complains about rebirth stories, but they’re still popular. This will flop for sure…”
“Manager.”
“What?”
“You never really know the future, do you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Look at the views.”
“Why bother? It's only five chapters.”
“Just look.”
Kim checked the views and was stunned.
“What the…!”
He stood up so quickly, his chair rolled back and bumped into something.
“Manager Kim.”
It was Ji EunYu, who had also read Lee HakHyun's story.
Kim turned serious, “Call Lee HakHyun. Quickly!”
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