Big Life

Chapter 35: What’s Important (3)

Both Ma Jong-Goo and Park Kyung-Soo were at a loss for words. Ha Jae-Gun sprung the question at them while they were still looking for the right time to bring up the topic.

“Ahaha… Actually…” Ma Jong-Goo said ambiguously while glancing at Park Kyung-Soo.

Park Kyung-Soo took the hint. He twirled his fingers nervously and spoke, “I-it’s not exactly like that. We’re also here to thank you for completing Wizard of Pezellon with 14 volumes, and it was also selling very well. Mm… We thought it’d be great if you could continue working using the deer antlers—Oh no, I’m sorry. That’s not it. Yeah, that’s not it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Pardon?”

“Deputy Park, you said ‘that’s not it,’ didn’t you? It’s fine as long as I enjoy the deer antlers with gratitude, right? I’ll take care of myself while writing the novels I like. That’s all, right?”

“No, that’s not all. Writer—” Park Kyung-Soo got so embarrassed and confused that he stopped talking, and his mind even turned blank.

Ha Jae-Gun smiled mischievously and said, “I’m just joking.”

“Hahahaha…My, to think that Writer Ha would also make jokes like that. I thought you would send us away. Ahahaha,” Ma Jong-Goo said as he broke out into a cold sweat.

As the tension softened, Ha Jae-Gun’s vision slowly turned toward the laptop screen.

“I’m working on the story for the Records series right now; the third part where the main characters of Murim Master and Modern Master would meet.”

“Ah, I see. You must be very busy. We don’t have any intention of rushing you, just that—”

“No, the issue isn’t the workload.” Ha Jae-Gun interrupted with a serious look.

“Writing would naturally come to me as long as the story is there. I’m not sure about the other authors, but that’s how it works. That’s the issue. I have no other new story ideas right now. That is why I can’t share much about my next work.”

“Mm, I see… If so, how about working on the planning together with us— No, never mind.” Ma Jong-Goo stopped himself mid-sentence. He almost shot himself in the leg. To think that he was about to suggest plotting out a new novel together with Ha Jae-Gun, whom he treated poorly before.

Plotting a novel with the author meant that the publishing company would decide the overall story, and the author would just write the entire novel according to the setting. This method was usually used for those who just couldn’t come up with original ideas.

Of course, the publishing company would rarely profit from helping a struggling writer. This was more commonly seen as a method of cooperation between publishers and writers.

Many years ago, Ma Jong-Goo had once helped Ha Jae-Gun plot a novel. Ha Jae-Gun had written a draft according to the plot, but Ma Jong-Goo had rejected it three times. The reason for his rejection was simple—it was boring.

Considering their past, there was no way Ma Jong-Goo could bring up that method again to Ha Jae-Gun.

All of a sudden, Rika cried softly and yawned, breaking the silence. The cold autumn breeze passed through the open windows and made the curtains flutter.

Park Kyung-Soo, who had been sipping on his coffee silently, suddenly looked up and spoke, “Writer Ha, I suddenly have an idea.”

“Hmm? Please say it.” Ha Jae-Gun, who was looking out the window, turned his attention to Park Kyung-Soo.

Park Kyung-Soo pointed at Ha Jae-Gun’s laptop and said, “What about writing a series for Wizard of Pezellon, like what you’re doing for the Records series?”

“Wizard of Pezellon?”

“Yes. In the story, Llyod Mobic becomes a great wizard, gets married, and his wife gives birth to a son. It’s a happy ending. So how about using the son as the second-generation adventurer as the focus of the story? I think it could be another interesting novel.”

“Hmm…” Ha Jae-Gun rubbed his chin and thought about it.

Afraid that Ha Jae-Gun would reject his idea, Park Kyung-Soo quickly added, “I think it wouldn’t be difficult to come up with a plot since the story is still based on Pezellon, and we could also reuse some of the characters from the first novel. The father is a great wizard, so turning the son into a sword master or mercenary sounds great.”

“Wait a minute, let me think this over.”

“Sure, sure. Please take your time.”

Ha Jae-Gun got engrossed in his thoughts amidst the silence.

The idea seemed quite plausible.

Technically, the Records series was similar. Using the same characters and world setting to devise a new storyline. Park Kyung-Soo’s suggestion was appealing to Ha Jae-Gun because he still couldn’t come up with an original idea for a new novel.

“I just have one question.” Ha Jae-Gun looked up after some contemplation.

Ma Jong-Goo and Park Kyung-Soo stiffened up. “Yes, Writer Ha. Please speak.”

“Since it’s a series, I won’t be asking too much, so we’ll keep the conditions as per the previous contract. However, could I get an advance of thirty million?”

The two men’s jaws dropped in shock. It wasn’t about the 30 million won advanced royalties that Ha Jae-Gun had asked for.

Wizard of Pezellon had achieved 6,000 copies per volume, so providing thirty million won as the advance wasn’t an issue for them.

However, the two men were shocked by the hidden meaning behind Ha Jae-Gun’s words.

“S-so Writer Ha, are you saying that you would sign your next novel…with us again?”

“If you give me what I asked.” Ha Jae-Gun smiled.

Ma Jong-Goo and Park Kyung-Soo’s faces lit up with bright smiles.

“O-of course, Writer Ha. We will definitely give you an advance of thirty million won. We’re actually quite apologetic for not being able to give you more. Haha, hahaha. Aigoo, thank you so much, Writer Ha.” Ma Jong-Goo’s tone was suddenly raised to the highest on the delighted bar despite his slightly lowered head.

He sounded like he would soon start singing hymns for Ha Jae-Gun.

“Since we’re on the topic, let’s sign the contract, then. Please give me the contract.”

“Ah,aigoo. Yes, Writer Ha. Deputy Park, the contract, quick.”

“Yes, yes. Here it is.” Park Kyung-Soo pulled out the papers in a hurry and handed them over to Ha Jae-Gun.

Ha Jae-Gun filled it out and signed it.

The novel title hadn’t been decided just yet, so he just wrote ‘Wizard of Pezellon Part 2’ on the contract as a temporary substitute.

“We’re really thankful, Writer Ha. This novel would definitely be a hit as well because your first novel was so popular.”

“It has to do well. I’ll start working on the storyline today.”

Ma Jong-Goo and Park Kyung-Soo started packing up and stood up.

“We should get going now. We won’t get in your way anymore. Ah, the advance royalties should arrive by tomorrow morning at the latest if it doesn’t arrive tonight.”

“All right, thank you.”

Ma Jong-Goo and Park Kyung-Soo headed to the porch and put on their shoes.

Ha Jae-Gun was about to follow them out to send them off, but they both raised their hands and stopped him.

“Please stay. We will get going,” Park Kyung-Soo said.

“Good luck with your writing, and please remember to take the deer antlers. Those aren’t suspicious antlers but the real stuff. They’re always up on the home shopping channels.”

“Hahaha, sure. I will have them. Please stay safe.” Ha Jae-Gun bade them goodbye.

As the two men headed down the stairs, Ma Jong-Goo quickly whipped out his phone and called their president. After reporting the results, their president broke into laughter and spoke with his husky voice.

— Really? You guys managed to sign his next novel in just one try? Why are both of you so good at your job?! You guys must be desperately trying to get a fatter bonus since Chuseok[1] is around the corner, huh?!

“Aigoo, are you going to fatten it up for us?”

Ma Jong-Goo was all smiles. He could already imagine the president dancing on his own in his own office.

— Don’t bother coming back to the office and just go home. Wait, you guys haven’t had lunch yet, right? Come back here, and we’ll have lunch together. Then, we’ll go someplace better for dinner and drinks. I’m more than happy to spend on you guys today.”

“Sir, is the budget ten million won?”

— You punk, are you trying to squeeze the company dry? How about you become the president, then? Stop putting on airs. Hurry up and come back.

“Yes, sir, we’ll be right back.”

After hanging up the call, Ma Jong-Goo tapped Park Kyung-Soo on the shoulder and said, “Deputy Park, you’re getting better with words. How are you so good at?”

“It’s nothing. I’m just using the cards that you once dealt, Department Head.”

“Let’s go back and have lunch with the president first, and I’ll treat you to a huge one for dinner, and I’m going to use the president’s company card, of course.

Hahaha.”

The two laughed for a while, enjoying the win that they had gotten today. Their laughter was so loud that even Ha Jae-Gun, whose window was closed, could hear them loud and clear.

‘Are they really that happy to sign me?’ Everything still felt surreal to Ha Jae-Gun.

Ha Jae-Gun still found it strange that his words could bring joy or sadness to the people around him. He had been living as an unknown writer until recently, so it would definitely take some time for him to get used to it.

“Phew, anyhow, now I have more work lined up since I signed another contract. I should do my best, then, right?”

Ha Jae-Gun went back to plotting the storyline for the third part of the Records series first. The second part of Wizard of Pezellon would have to come later.

After he was done plotting the storylines for both novels, he would then write five volumes for each novel.

Tak! Tadadak! Tadak!

A few hours later, Ha Jae-Gun finally felt fatigued. He reckoned that it had to be because of the drinking session he had last night with himself.

In the past, Ha Jae-Gun would have chosen to stop here and take a rest since he had a dinner appointment.

But now, he didn’t have to stop working out of worry for his stamina because he had the trusty Seo Gun-Woo cup. He would recover his energy as long as he made a cold cup of coffee and downed it before heading out!

“Phew, my face is getting hot. My shoulders feel like they’re about to fall out.”

It had been four hours since Ha Jae-Gun started working, and he finally stopped typing to massage his shoulders.

Seo Gun-Woo’s laptop allowed him to type ten thousand characters per hour, but it wouldn’t prevent him from feeling fatigued due to the high-speed typing.

“I have to stop. I’m done with the climax, so let’s just stop here. My gosh, I feel so tired today.”

“Meow, meow.” Rika seemed to agree with him as she pawed at Ha Jae-Gun’s stomach. Ha Jae-Gun hugged her and looked up at the clock. There were still two hours until his appointment.

Ha Jae-Gun quickly took a shower. He put on new clothes that he had ordered online and fixed his messy hair while staring at himself in the mirror.

“Rika, I’m sorry for always leaving you at home on your own. I really want to bring you along, but since it’s dinner plans again, I can’t bring you out. There’s also the issue of public transport…” said Ha Jae-Gun while staring at Rika.

Rika was looking at him curiously.

“Yeah, I would often find myself looking for ways for us to stay together most of the time, so I think I should just get myself a car.”

“Meow?”

“When the thirty million arrives in my account, I’ll go get myself a car. Why didn’t I think of that? I love public transport and alcohol, but I also want to travel around with you sometimes—No, not sometimes. Always. Everyday.” Ha Jae-Gun pulled Rika into a hug and rubbed his face on her.

Rika seemed annoyed as she struggled, but Ha Jae-Gun didn’t let her go.

“But it’ll be my first time buying a car. I’m just a paper driver since I haven’t really driven anything since getting my driver’s license when I was twenty. I probably should get a consultation with one of those car dealerships, right? Wait, maybe it would be better if I browsed on the Internet first.”

“Meow meow~!”

“Look at you throwing tantrums. Am I that annoying? Tsk.” Ha Jae-Gun let Rika go, pretending to sulk.

All of a sudden, something popped up in his mind.

“Right, why didn’t I think of that earlier? I’m so stupid…” Ha Jae-Gun muttered and picked up his phone. He looked for Ma Jong-Goo’s number and called the latter.

— Yes, Writer Ha!

“Hi, Department Head Ma. I have a favor to ask.”

— A favor? Hahaha, sure. Please speak. I’ll help you as long as it’s within my means.

Rika jumped onto the cat tower and curled up on one of the platforms before looking down at Ha Jae-Gun. Ha Jae-Gun saw all of Rika’s adorable movements just now as he replied to Ma Jong-Goo, “Please help me buy a car.”

1. Chuseok is Korea's Thanksgiving, also considered a major mid-autumn harvest festival and a three-day holiday in South Korea celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar on the full moon. ☜