Chapter 14: Destiny is Inevitable (4)

I couldn’t help but look bewildered at Lee Ki-chul’s completely unexpected words. Yet, even after saying such a thing, he remained perfectly composed. I asked him,

“Refuse?” “Yes. If it were me.” “Why do you think that?” “In my opinion, your talent is quite extraordinary. Your ideas are good, and your sense of storytelling is excellent. Creating a story like this at your age is no ordinary feat. I expect you’ll be able to write a truly great work someday.”

I never expected Lee Ki-chul to say something like this. He was usually a man of few words, making him somewhat difficult to approach, but I always got the impression he was loyal to Teacher Park Chul-min. Was I wrong?

“However, this place is too narrow for you to fully exercise your talent. And it’s not that I particularly dislike the Teacher, but you never know how a person might change.”

Saying he didn’t “particularly dislike” him basically meant he didn’t like him either. Well, whether Lee Ki-chul was loyal to Park Chul-min or not wasn’t my concern.

Regardless, I agreed with him. I’d seen plenty of cases—not necessarily when people were destitute, but once money got involved—where people changed. It was the same whether it was close friends or family.

Lee Ki-chul took a drag of his cigarette, exhaled a large cloud, and spoke.

“With talent like yours, you should play in a bigger pond. You shouldn’t stay in a small studio like ours.” “······.” “That’s why you’re preparing your own work right now, isn’t it?”

I flinched involuntarily. This man… he knew. I stared at him for a moment before opening my mouth.

“Since you already know, I have to ask. Can I ask you a favor?” “Knowing and asking a favor seem like two different things. Shouldn’t the picture be me demanding something from you instead?” “Is there something you want?” “No. Nothing.”

Was he joking?

“Fine, what’s the favor?” “Could you help me work under a pseudonym?” “What?”

Ki-chul looked at me in disbelief. Then, he let out a hollow laugh.

“I didn’t think you’d be bold enough to think of that. A pseudonym… I honestly don’t know where the limit of your confidence is.”

Even though a lowly assistant was saying these things, he didn’t seem overly shocked. In fact, I was the one more surprised by his reaction. Maybe this man had lost the ability to feel surprise altogether. Looking at his response, it didn’t seem like he would help.

“I guess it’s not possible, then.” “I didn’t say it was impossible. I was just a bit startled.” “······Pardon?”

This man was truly unpredictable.

“I can help. But if it’s not the publisher currently contracted with this studio, your only other option is Hapdong Publishing.” “What about other places?” “Well, you could say it’s difficult. Many famous manga artists have stepped out to start their own publishing houses, but most of them went bankrupt. There is one place left called ‘Ddaeng-cho Books,’ but even that place is in an ambiguous position.”

Ddaeng-cho Books? I remembered hearing that name from a veteran artist. Back when two major publishers were in a power struggle to escape the monopoly, famous artists banded together to start it, but it reportedly collapsed within a year. I was desperate for money, but since I had no foundation yet, should I try it just to make a name for myself? Honestly, it felt more meaningful than the two publishers in the current duopoly.

“Do you know someone there?” “I do. Are you really planning to submit a manuscript to Ddaeng-cho?” “Well, it’s my first work, so I want to test it out.”

It would disappear soon anyway, according to history, but it seemed like a good experience. Contrary to my thoughts, however, Lee Ki-chul looked conflicted.

“It doesn’t seem like a good choice. But, if that’s what you want.” “But it’s a bit awkward for me to visit in person. Is there any way…?” “Hmm, if there’s someone you can trust, I can introduce you to them. We can say that person is the one working at the studio.”

Surprisingly, this problem might be solved easily. A certain someone came to mind for that role.

“Then, I’ll ask for your help.”

He nodded at my words and then spoke.

“However, I have a condition.”

A condition?

“What is it?” “When you finish that manuscript, show it to me first.”

I thought it was going to be something serious.

“Well, that’s…” “And one more thing.” “······.” “The manuscript must be at a level that I find fully convincing.”

I nodded at his words.

“I intended to do that anyway. If it’s not at a level where you can recognize it, I have no intention of publishing it.”

Ki-chul’s expression turned strange.

“I feel like I’ve just been insulted.” “No. It’s because you’re the one I acknowledge the most. I saw a lot of thought and ambition in your pen lines.” “What?”

He looked dumbfounded.

“You can see that in pen lines?” “Well, it’s just my feeling, but I definitely felt it.” “Ha, you’re an interesting fellow.”

He laughed. When he laughed like that, he felt much softer than usual.

“Ah, and I have one more favor.” “······?”

“Oh? Yi-chang.”

My sister, coming out of the gate, looked at me in surprise.

“What are you doing here?” “Nothing much, I was just passing by.” “Ah.”

She didn’t look like she believed me.

“Oh, since I ran into you, here.”

I abruptly held out a paper bag I was carrying.

“What’s this?” “I got a bonus this time. I bought something with it.” “A bonus? You get those?” “Yeah. I did a pretty good job.” “Listen to you brag.”

She said it mockingly, but her eyes widened as she opened the paper bag.

“Isn’t this… a coat? For me?” “Yeah. It was on sale, so I picked one up. Wear it.” “This looks expensive.”

Her eyes welled up as if she were moved.

“I said it was cheap. Don’t walk around in the cold; stay warm. It’ll cost more if you catch a cold and have to go to the hospital.” “······Can I really accept this?” “Just take it.” “A-alright.”

It was a coat I bought because I’d seen her wearing a thin outer garment in the freezing weather last time. I wanted to buy her a long padded parka, but where would I even find such a thing in this era? For the record, I bought the coat with money I borrowed from Lee Ki-chul. I was a bit surprised when he lent it to me so readily after I asked.

“I have to go back now. I’m out on an errand for the Teacher.” “Yes… okay.” “And if anything happens, here.”

I handed her a small slip of paper.

“It’s the address of the studio where I stay. Come find me there.” “Okay, I got it.” “And this.” “What is it this time?”

She opened the paper envelope I handed her and gasped. It was the money she had given me before.

“Oh? This…” “I took it because I was caught off guard then, but I’m giving it back.” “Hey, this is…” “I know your heart, so just keep it. I’m not in such a bad spot that I need an allowance from my sister. I’m the eldest son, after all. You’ve suffered enough for a long time. From now on, I’ll take responsibility for everything.” “Yi-chang······.”

I felt like things were about to get overly sentimental, so I quickly made my exit.

“I’m off, then.” “Okay. Get back safely.”

My sister waved her hand vigorously behind my back.

A few days later, the publisher’s president and the female employee visited again. This time, they came with a large bundle of gifts. As he entered the studio, the president greeted us with a wide grin.

“Oh, Teacher! I’m here.”

Park Chul-min, who was working on the second volume of Star Five, asked with a puzzled look.

“What brings you here so suddenly?”

He then made an ‘ah’ expression and led them into his office. He told Go Ju-bong to bring some tea. After they went inside, their conversation drifted over the sliding door.

“The manga we sent to the wholesalers were distributed to the rental shops in Seoul, and it’s a total madhouse!” “A madhouse?” “Yes! A total riot. They’re pestering us to send more books. The demand is massive.”

At the president’s words, Park Chul-min asked back in a surprised tone.

“Is that true?” “Yes. We haven’t even finished distributing to all of Seoul yet, and the rental shop owners who heard the news are clamoring to have it in their shops. I expected a reaction, but I never imagined it would be this good. Those Hapdong bastards are going to be so jealous. Man, it feels so refreshing!” “······.” “Ah, I’m talking too much nonsense.”

He laughed. After a pause, the president spoke again.

“Oh, this is a gift. Here, Miss Hong. Hand these out to the Teacher’s disciples outside.” “Yes, sir.”

The office door opened, and the female employee approached us in the studio. She handed out small cloth pouches to each of us. When I opened mine, I found stationery supplies like pen nibs, pen holders, pencils, mechanical pencils, and ballpoint pens.

Lee Jung-ho said in surprise, “Oh? Aren’t these all Japanese? They must be really expensive.”

In the case of the pen nibs, they were from a company I used to use a lot, so I knew them well. The price must have been insane in this era. The seniors were all excited to receive high-quality Japanese stationery. Go Ju-bong, in particular, was touching them carefully with trembling hands as if they were treasure. It wasn’t anything special to me, but I was satisfied that I’d saved some money on supplies.

Once the employee went back into the office, everyone was busy examining the Japanese gear. In the midst of that, I focused on the conversation coming from the Teacher’s room.

“This is something we prepared specially.”

It seemed they were giving Teacher Park a separate gift.

“And, about what I mentioned last time…” “You mean releasing more books?” “Yes, exactly.” “I’m working on the second volume now, and we’re still discussing the next story.” “Ah, I see. Then we’ll discuss this matter later.” “Let’s do that.”

About an hour later, after the fussing publisher’s people left, Park Chul-min called Lee Ki-chul. A moment later, Ki-chul came out and handed out envelopes to everyone.

“What’s this?”

When Shim Kyung-chul asked, Lee Ki-chul replied with an expressionless face.

“A bonus.” “A bonus? For what?” “The Teacher is keeping his promise because Star Five is doing well.” “A promise? He made a promise? With whom?” “Why so many questions?” “S-sorry.”

Shim Kyung-chul shrunk back. But Lee Ki-chul answered indifferently.

“Yi-chang made a promise with the Teacher—that he would distribute a bonus to the assistants here.” “What? Really?”

Suddenly, everyone’s eyes were on me. Then, they all opened their envelopes. I opened mine too. It contained six 500-won bills.

“Oh? 3,000 won? This much?!”

Lee Jung-ho shouted in surprise. The other seniors had similar expressions. 3,000 won was quite a bit of money. Go Ju-bong looked as if he couldn’t tell if it was a dream or reality. He seemed completely dazed, having been hit by luck twice today. As for the others, I hadn’t originally planned for them, but seeing them all so happy made me feel quietly proud.

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