Big Life

— Excuse me, is this Mr. Ha Jae-Gun?

“Yes, that’s me.”

— Hello. I apologize for disrupting you. I’m Deputy Baek Jin-Hyuk, from HaneulSaem’s editorial team.

“Ah, I see. Hello.” Ha Jae-Gun understood the motive behind the call and immediately opened the door to the pantry. HaneulSaem was the literary brand under OongSung Publication Group that published Storm and Gale.

— I called as we’re actually planning to launch a new brand called Mysterium, focusing on the mystery genre.

“A new brand?”

— Yes. The new brand will be publishing novels focusing on the horror and mystery genres, and we’re wondering if you would be interested.

Ha Jae-Gun stopped in front of the vending machine and took out his wallet before replying, “What about my interest?”

— Would you be interested in signing your mystery novel with us?

“Ah…” Ha Jae-Gun finally understood and shook his head. They had to have heard him mention that he was working on a new mystery novel during the radio broadcast of Writer’s Night.

“But I’m still on the ideation stage… You said your name is Deputy Baek Jin-Hyuk, right?”

— That’s right, sir.

After inserting his coins into the machine, Ha Jae-Gun said, “I’m very thankful that you reached out to me, but I’m still at the ideation stage, so I can’t give you any answers right now. I’m not even halfway through the first draft.”

— It’s fine, we expected it.

“Really?”

— We want to offer you some help. We have a database built on top of our many years of experience. Not only can we help you in setting clear goals and directions, but we can also market your novel more effectively.

Deputy Baek quickly explained the details.

Ha Jae-Gun bent down and picked up his can of coffee while listening quietly.

— If you could send us a brief synopsis and draft of your novel, we can do a quick review and contact you again in the next few days. What do you think?

Deputy Baek’s voice sounded overly bright. Did they think that their offer was too good to be rejected? Their obvious overconfidence made Ha Jae-Gun feel slightly uncomfortable.

‘Is this because they’re the top in Korea?’

Ha Jae-Gun smiled faintly. Setting aside the weird feeling he got from them, it was true that they were a high-end publisher. Ha Jae-Gun was well aware of OongSung Publication Group’s greatness as a publisher.

OongSung was a globally known brand name that had been publishing works from famous writers and had been dominating the local market share. It was extremely rare for local writers with relatively poor performance to have their own works published with them. Thus, getting published under OongSung would be a great source of pride for any author, regardless of the novel’s performance.

“All right.” Ha Jae-Gun eventually gave a positive response. He decided to ignore the uncomfortable feeling earlier.

Ha Jae-Gun was bothered by their offer to make the work turn out better even before reading the first draft and setting goals and directions, but he still decided to agree with a smile.

“If so, I will send the documents as requested. Which email should I send it to…”

— I’ll drop you an email right now. And you will need to drop by our office and meet our editing team as well. Are you available sometime next week?

Ha Jae-Gun crushed the can in his hand slightly. How could they request to hold a meeting at their office without going through the proper procedures?

Ha Jae-Gun was much more sensitive these days as he was focusing on his novel.

The positive emotions he had from before vanished without a trace.

Ha Jae-Gun drew in a short breath and calmed himself down before asking, “Are you asking me to go to your office?”

— Yes. We will put together a team to help you plan out the novel after reviewing your synopsis and draft. So let’s have a meeting at our office and—

“Wait.” Ha Jae-Gun cut off the man firmly. “I won’t be going.”

— Pardon? Sir, what do you mean…?

“You haven’t read my draft yet, and I haven’t expressed my intentions of wanting to work with your editing team. So there’s no reason for me to appear at your office at all.”

— Ah, I apologize if I have offended you in any way. I have no other intentions for suggesting that—

“On top of that, I have no idea where OongSung HaneulSaem’s office is located, so I won’t be able to drop by as well.”

— S-sir, wait a minute…!

“Have a good day, I’ll be hanging up first.”

Beep!

Ha Jae-Gun ended the call and downed his coffee before pacing his breathing. The caffeine immediately gave him a boost. Ha Jae-Gun tossed the empty can into the nearby trash can and turned around.

Bzzt!

The call was from Deputy Baek. Ha Jae-Gun silenced his phone and left the pantry. He had long forgotten about the unpleasantness from the call earlier and was already thinking about how he should continue with his mystery novel.

“I’m sorry, Editor-in-chief.”

Deputy Baek and Deputy Kim stood side by side with hands gathered in front of them as if they were students waiting to be punished.

Oh Myung-Suk sat behind his desk and stared at him indifferently.

“I had no idea that he was such a successful writer in the fantasy genre novels and never expected that he would have won the Digital Literature Award. I’ve contacted too many writers today that I subconsciously followed the script meant for new writers…”

“Until when are you going to give me such sloppy excuses?!” Oh Myung-Suk yelled and slammed his fist on the desk.

Deputy Baek flinched and lost his balance from the sudden outburst.

Thankfully, Deputy Kim caught him in time, so he didn’t fall.

Deputy Kim apologized profusely. “It’s my fault, I should have contacted him personally instead of letting Deputy Baek—he wanted to help me since I have too much work on my plate… I’ll take responsibility for the mistake.”

Oh Myung-Suk tossed his glasses onto the desk. He pressed on his nose bridge and stood up. “You mentioned a script?”

Deputy Baek gulped and looked up.

Deputy Baek shut his eyes upon seeing Oh Myung-Suk’s disappointed look.

Oh Myung-Suk walked around his desk and stood before Deputy Baek. He put his face close to the latter’s face and growled. “You used a script on him? Was there a script specifically used to deal with writers? Bring it here.”

“Ed-editor-in-chief… It’s a mistake—”

“Bring it here!” Oh Myung-Suk yelled while pointing at the door. Deputy Baek could not withstand the rage coming from Oh Myung-Suk and eventually fell to the ground.

However, Deputy Kim couldn’t catch him in time.

“How dare you rate the writers’ levels on your own and create your own script? Popular writers warrant a personal visit, while new writers have to come to our office themselves because they’re not the effort. Is that the script?”

“I’m sorry, I’m very sorry…”

“Deputy Baek, I think you have misunderstood something here. Are you identifying yourself on the same level as OongSung? Did you think you’re OongSung itself when you’re just a mere employee?”

With that, Oh Myung-Suk glanced at Deputy Kim.

Deputy Kim immediately straightened himself and kept his eyes wide open.

“Please pick someone else. I’m taking Deputy Baek out of the Mysterium team, and I’ll handle Writer Ha Jae-Gun personally,” said Oh Myung-Suk.

“I-I understand, Editor-in-chief. I’ll make the arrangements accordingly,” Deputy Kim answered while nodding profusely to the point that his head looked like it would fall off his shoulders.

Just then, the door behind them flung wide open. There stood Oh Tae-Jin, the president of OongSung and Oh Myung-Suk’s father. He was probably one of the few people who could enter Oh Myung-Suk’s office without an appointment.

“Father, you’re here. You two, get out.”

Deputy Kim supported the pale-faced Deputy Baek out of the office.

Oh Tae-Jin watched as the door closed before asking Oh Myung-Suk, “What happened?”

“It’s nothing. It’s not anything serious. I was just annoyed that they reported to me without resolving the issue. I got a little over my head from the frustration and yelled at them.”

“Don’t go too hard on them. It’s not like they’ll gain the grit or start working smarter from it.”

“I understand, Father. Would you like some coffee?”

“Sure, I’ll have a cup.”

The father and son sat down and enjoyed their cup of coffee.

Oh Tae-Jin took a sip of the hot drink and asked, “How is it going with Mysterium?”

“I’m still looking for a decent novel for the launch, but nothing has caught my eyes yet, so I’m kind of worried.”

“It’s definitely not easy to find a decent novel, but there’s no need to put too much pressure on yourself. I fully understand that you’re doing this all for the company.”

“I know, but I still want to do my best. Once Mysterium starts showing good results, I’ll hand my position over to Myung-Hoon.”

“Yes, I’m glad that my eldest son is finally starting to start working in management.” Oh Tae-Jin patted Oh Myung-Suk’s thighs to encourage the latter.

Oh Myung-Suk looked down, and his heart ached when he saw his father’s wrinkled hand. His father had truly grown old over the years.

“How about having dinner together in a while? Let’s call Myung-Hoon, too.” Oh Tae-Jin suggested.

“I’m not sure if I can attend that, as I’ll probably visit a writer later.”

“You’re visiting a writer?”

“Yes, for Mysterium.”

“Who is it? Are they a new writer?”

“Father, you should know him well too. He’s Ha Jae-Gun, this year’s winner of the Modern Youth Literature Award.”

“Ahhh… I see.” Oh Tae-Jin nodded in surprise and looked up.

Oh Tae-Jin could still remember Ha Jae-Gun because the young man used Seo Gun-Woo’s pseudonym to win the grand prize at the Digital Literature Award. It had always been difficult for him to forget that name.

“He writes mystery novels, too?”

“I heard him mention that he’s going to write one while tuning in to Writer’s Night. He’s a good writer in the fantasy genre, so I thought of approaching him because I have some expectations,” Oh Myung-Suk explained.

“I see… Of course, we shouldn’t miss out on a good writer. Great writers are always hiding…” Oh Tae-Jin mumbled to himself.

Oh Myung-Suk noticed something off from that statement.

Ha Jae-Gun was a monstrous newbie writer. But Oh Tae-Jin’s surprised reaction toward Ha Jae-Gun made Oh Myung-Suk wonder, especially when Oh Tae-Jin had seen many more great writers and had been keeping in contact with most of them.

‘Does Father know that Ha Jae-Gun and Oh Myung-Hoon are classmates?’ Oh Myung-Suk thought to himself, but he was unable to bring up the fact with his father.

Oh Tae-Jin soon emerged from his thoughts and finished his coffee before standing up.

“Are you leaving, Father?”

“I shouldn’t be disturbing you when you’re so busy with work. Good luck.”

“I’ll call you later, Father.”

“Sure.”

When Oh Tae-Jin finally left, Oh Myung-Suk immediately called Oh Myung-Hoon. Oh Myung-Hoon didn’t pick up the call, but Oh Myung-Suk dialed him once again. He eventually heard Oh Myung-Hoon’s sullen voice on the other side of the line.

— Yeah.

“Are you not coming back home?”

— I do go back to my own house every day.

“Father misses you. Even if you can’t go home that often, you should give him a call. I don’t think it’s that difficult to call him, is it?”

— Is that all you have to say? I’m busy.

Oh Myung-Suk smiled wryly. Oh Myung-Hoon had been giving him the cold shoulder ever since he rejected helping the latter for the Modern Youth Literature Award. Oh Myung-Hoon left home and never returned even once since then.

“Are you not going to give your manuscript to Mysterium? I’m calling you to ask about it.”

— I told you that I’m not interested, and I’m busy as well.

“It’s going to be the launch novel, Myung-Hoon. It should be a great addition to your writing portfolio as well. And your brother here is the editor-in-chief as well...”

Oh Myung-Hoon snorted.

— So what? You didn’t even help me when I was desperate.

“I dare you to mention the Modern Youth Literature Award one more time.”

— That’s why I said forget it. I’m busy enough working on the drama adaptation of my novel and writing game scenarios.

Oh Myung-Suk couldn’t stand his brother’s excuses anymore and responded, “Busy? The schedule for the drama adaptation has been delayed time and time again. Plus, I’ve heard from your noona that the production hasn’t been doing very well. Plus, when is that game going to be released?”

Oh Myung-Hoon’s haggard breathing traveled to his ears.

Oh Myung-Suk then added, “Are you sure you’re even doing your job properly?”

— I’m busy, so I’m hanging up…!

Beep!

Oh Myung-Suk tilted his head back after the call was disconnected.

He squinted at the bright light coming from the LED lamp.

Oh Myung-Suk picked up his phone once more after some thought, recalling the fact that he was also an editor-in-chief instead of just being Oh Myung-Hoon’s older brother.