Chapter 17: For Now, Money is the Priority, But… (3)

Everyone entered the restaurant with tense faces. The interior was spacious and clean, with elegant tables. High-end restaurants of this era definitely had a certain flair. Looking around, most of the men were in suits, while the women wore formal attire or hanbok. Everyone seemed to be conversing with an air of refinement while they ate. Seeing this, the assistants grew even stiffer.

Just then, the portly publisher stood up from a window seat and welcomed us.

“Ah, Teacher and disciples! Welcome, welcome!” “Why did you call us to a place like this so suddenly? It’s a bit overwhelming,” Teacher Park Chul-min said. “Nonsense! Of course I should treat you in a place like this. You’re all heroes.” “Heroes? Please, it’s nothing like that.” “Now, now, everyone please have a seat.”

At the publisher’s urging, we split between two tables. Teacher Park and Lee Ki-chul sat with the publisher and the female employee, while the rest of us huddled at the other table.

“Isn’t it expensive here?” Teacher Park asked. “Of course it is! That’s why it’s a proper ‘treat,’ isn’t it? Haha.”

The publisher laughed heartily, and Teacher Park gave an awkward smile. He clearly felt burdened by the setting.

“I’ve pre-ordered the food, so just eat when it arrives.” “Ah, yes.”

Suddenly, Lee Jung-ho picked up a menu from the next table and jumped in surprise. He surreptitiously showed it to Heo Dong-soo and Shim Kyung-chul, who sat beside him. Naturally, those two were just as shocked. Just how high were the prices?

“It seems there were no issues with this work,” Teacher Park remarked.

The publisher looked puzzled. “Issues with what?” “The manuscript. You didn’t mention any problems with censorship.” “Haha! Well, the biggest reason is that it’s a sci-fi manga. It’s not a fight between humans, for one. But more than that, the censorship committee members were quite lenient this time.”

Teacher Park looked bewildered. “Pardon? Why?” “Isn’t it obvious? They’re dying to know what happens next, too! And we got lucky. By the way, did you hear that Teacher Chu Dong-shik received a publication ban?” “Why? He’s not the type to draw problematic manga.” “Those lazy bastards at the office were so bored they left the censorship to an 18-year-old girl. She’s an intern from a vocational high school. What does a kid like that know? She just cut out whatever she personally didn’t like. She’s already tasted the high of power at such a young age. Tsk, tsk.”

The publisher frowned and clicked his tongue.

“How did Teacher Chu find out?” “He went there to demand why his manga was banned. That’s how he found out.” “I heard that man was taken to Namsan and tortured in the past.” (Note: Namsan was the headquarters of the KCIA, infamous for political torture). “Even so, he’s a remarkable man. To still stand up and argue after going through that. That’s why the censors hate running into him.” “I see.” “Anyway, I was honestly a bit worried this time. Even though your manga is great, I thought the censors might throw a fit over the battle scenes.” “I think we were lucky in that regard as well.”

The conversation continued to flow. Listening to them, I began to realize just how much the artists of this era were restricted. While the local industry was retreating bit by bit due to these conditions, it would eventually be overtaken by Japanese manga, which had freer subject matter and higher quality.

I was eavesdropping on their talk when Go Ju-bong nudged me.

“Huh? What?” “What are you doing? The food is here.”

The table was already set with dishes. I looked down: it was donkatsu (pork cutlet). I expected steak in a place like this. Then again, I saw in the newspaper just the other day that the country isn’t self-sufficient in rice yet, so there’s a national movement to consume more flour-based products like bread. Still, donkatsu at a luxury hotel restaurant… it felt a bit lackluster to me.

Contrary to my thoughts, everyone else was staring at their pork cutlets with wide, wonder-filled eyes.

“I saw this on TV. They said this is how you eat it.”

Lee Jung-ho acted like an expert, stabbing the meat with his fork and awkwardly sawing away with his knife. It looked clumsy, but the others were busy copying him.

It was then that someone approached Teacher Park’s table.

“Oh? If it isn’t President Kim?”

Teacher Park and the publisher turned around and looked startled. Their expressions quickly turned sour. The publisher gave an awkward smile.

“President Lee… what brings you here?” “What else? I’m here for a meal with the people who are busy doing great work for the manga industry.”

President Kim and Teacher Park glanced behind the man called President Lee. My eyes followed their gaze. A group of middle-aged men in suits were laughing and talking over their meal.

“Oh? Aren’t those the members of the Manga Censorship Committee?” “Yes, they are. Haha.”

The man laughed and then turned toward Teacher Park.

“And who might this be?” “This is Teacher Park Chul-min. This time—” “Ah, I know. Yes, yes. Aren’t you the teacher who drew that manga called Star Five? My, what a pleasure to meet you.”

President Lee held out his hand, and Teacher Park shook it with a strained smile.

“Ah, yes.”

President Kim asked with a surprised look, “How do you know about that, Lee?” “Come now, I make sure to keep up with popular manga. I am a publisher president, after all.” “I see.”

President Kim’s expression remained skeptical. President Lee spoke again.

“I heard the second volume of Star Five is out at the wholesalers. I’ll be sure to buy it and read it. Please keep up the good work.” “Ah, yes.” “Well then, enjoy your time. I’ll be off.”

With that breezy farewell, he returned to his table. Teacher Park and President Kim watched him go for a moment before turning back with uncomfortable looks. President Kim frowned.

“Lee Bong-tae… that man really has a talent for making me feel rotten every time I meet him.” “That man… he doesn’t even remember me,” Teacher Park whispered. “Pardon?” “I was under his company until the year before last.” “Ah.”

President Kim nodded as if he finally understood. Teacher Park continued.

“To be honest, I don’t believe him when he says he read my manga. He’s not a man who likes manga to begin with.” “I heard a rumor that he once tried to be a manga artist himself. Is that true?”

Teacher Park nodded at Kim’s question.

“Yes, the rumor is true. Teacher Heo Bong told me. His skills were terrible, but since Chairman Lee of Hapdong was his junior from the military, he begged for help, and Heo Bong helped him with his drawings for a while. I heard he eventually gave up because he had zero talent.” “Teacher Heo Bong… isn’t he the president of Ddaeng-cho Books?” “Yes, that’s right.” “I see. That’s how it was. Anyway, now that man is a shareholder of Hapdong and serving as a president. Chairman Lee must have really pushed for him.”

President Kim glared back at the table where President Lee and the censors were gathered. He withdrew his gaze and smiled at Teacher Park.

“Well, let’s forget about him and have a beer, shall we?”

He called a waiter and ordered beers, including a few bottles for our table.

“Beer?” “Wow, today is really our lucky day!”

On our end, the guys had no idea what was going on; they were just thrilled at the sight of beer.

A few days later.

I was in the office as usual, working on the sequel to Star Five. The door opened, and Teacher Park walked in.

“Hello, sir.” “Oh, you were working.” “Yes.”

He nodded, set his handbag on the table, and pulled out an envelope. He handed it to me.

“What’s this?” “Manuscript fees. Exactly 25%.”

I checked: 125,000 won. It seemed he had received 500,000 won for the two volumes.

“And this… is a bonus.” “A bonus?” “Yes. President Kim from Goryeo Books gave this to me separately because the books sold so well. This is also 25%.”

The envelope felt even thicker.

“Wait…!” “It must be a lot this time, seeing how surprised you are.”

I was already surprised by the 125,000 won. But this one contained 250,000 won. Combined, I had 375,000 won. My hands literally trembled at the thought of such a fortune.

“I received a total of 1.5 million won. In case you don’t believe me, here is the receipt for the money I got from the publisher.”

As he fumbled in his pocket, I waved my hand.

“It’s fine. I believe you.” “Anyway, I’ve never received such a large sum before. They said the reaction was so good that Goryeo Books finally has some room to breathe. They’ve been in the red lately. Well, I was the same.”

He let out a happy laugh and looked at me.

“How is the sequel? Is the story flowing well?” “Yes. The scale is much larger than the previous one, so preparing the setting is taking some time.”

Actually, it was because I was more focused on Iron X, but I didn’t want to rush. I didn’t know what else he might demand if I finished too quickly. Right now, my personal time was more important.

Teacher Park seemed convinced by my excuse.

“Ah, that makes sense. Star Five has a lot of lore. Even while drawing those two volumes, I was honestly surprised by how plausible and detailed you made every corner of the story.”

He checked his watch and stood up.

“Ah, I have an appointment, so I have to go. I mainly came by to give you the money. When can you hand over the storyboard?” “The first volume should be finished in about two or three days.” “Alright. Good to know.”

He left the office. He’s been quite busy lately, though it has nothing to do with me.

Since I started writing stories, I’ve had much more free time. The seniors didn’t really interfere with my work. Thus, the sequels for Star Five and the storyboards for Iron X were progressing smoothly.

On Sunday morning, I told them I’d be out until lunch and headed out. I wanted to celebrate having come into some money by treating my sister to a meal. I had visited her a few days ago to set a time.

It was my way of giving back to her, considering how hard she worked as a live-in maid. If I worked hard and found a house where the whole family could live, I’d feel less guilty toward the original Park Yi-chang. It wasn’t intentional, but I had taken over his body, after all.

I arrived on time and sat on a wooden bench near the house where she stayed. But for some reason, thirty minutes passed with no sign of her. I kept checking the clock at the supermarket, but even after an hour, she didn’t appear. Did the homeowners change their minds, or did something happen in the house? I decided to wait a bit longer since I was already there. However, another hour passed, and still nothing.

I decided I had to ring the bell to check, but just then, a young girl came out of the house carrying a grocery basket. She looked about 16 or 17. She flinched in surprise when she saw me.

“Um, are you a guest?” “No. But let me ask you something.” “Yes? Ah, sure. What is it?” “Is the maid here right now?” “Pardon? The maid?” “Yes.”

The girl looked at me with a strange expression.

“Huh? I’m the maid here.”

She then paused and nodded as if realizing something.

“Oh, you mean the previous maid. She quit.” “What? She quit?” “Yes. I’ve been working as the maid here since yesterday.”

What the hell was this? Did my sister get fired? After five years of work, just like that?