Novelist Running Through Time

TL: KSD

On a night when the crescent moon was hidden by clouds,

A man ran through the back alleys of Gyeongseong.

Japanese patrol officers, making the heavy sound of their boots, chased after the man who had dashed off, his coat flapping behind him.

-Catch him!

-Don’t let him get away!

However, what the patrol officers encountered in the complex back alleys was a crossroads that split into three paths.

The commander leading the patrol officers frowned and divided his forces into three groups.

-Takeuchi! Head towards the market! Mito! You go towards the police station!

-Yes, sir!

-And Hasegawa…

Just when the patrol officers had stopped for a moment upon the commander’s shout,

-Wait!

A man hiding in the shadows of the back alley dashed out like lightning.

And then,

Twin pistols pulled from the flaps of his coat began to mercilessly spit fire as if they had been waiting for this moment.

-Aaaaaargh!

-Kill, kill that bastard!

With every burst of gunfire, patrol officers in yellow uniforms fell like leaves in the wind.

Too late to respond to the commander’s command, aiming with their Type 38 rifles was futile against the intruder who had already penetrated their ranks with a long wooden stick.

Soon, a wolf had entered the flock of sheep.

And in a place where each other’s breathing could be clearly heard,

A ruthless shootout began.

Bang-!

The man grabbed the closest Japanese patrol officer by the collar, pulled him close, and shot him under the chin.

As bones shattered and air escaped, blood and bone fragments scattered into the darkness of the Gyeongseong back alleys.

Using the corpse as a shield, he blocked several shots, then placed a pistol on the corpse’s shoulder and fired three times in quick succession, killing three patrol officers.

The corpse, now useless, was discarded to incapacitate two patrol officers, and he quickly subdued four others who were in a panic with rapid-fire.

Dodging a strike from a patrol officer wielding a sword, he created a hole in the officer’s forehead. Then, seizing the sword, he swung it once, plunging it into the chest of another patrol officer.

The two patrol officers who had been hit by the thrown corpse barely managed to get up. He dealt with them by firing both pistols at the same time.

Click. The hammer fell on an empty chamber. He had run out of bullets. But there was no time to reload.

The man casually threw the two pistols to the ground and whipped out new ones from his coat pocket.

And then, those pistols gleefully continued to fire as if it was their turn.

In the dense formation, a gunfight unfolded around the man. Soon, the bodies lying around him formed a circle, which from an aerial view, looked momentarily like a flower.

-Wha, what is this…!

The commander, who had been hiding behind his subordinates and survived until the end,

Shook with shock and fear as he pointed at the man.

-You, what the hell are you!

The man responded by aiming a pistol at the commander’s head.

That was a sufficient answer.

Bang! With the last gunshot, the commander’s body collapsed.

Without sparing a glance at the numerous corpses on the ground, the man put away his pistols and sunglasses into his coat pocket.

Then, after looking up at the moon for a moment, he disappeared into the darkness of the Gyeongseong back alleys.

Only silence lingered in the place the man had left.

The night wind blowing through the alleyway stole the remaining warmth from the cold corpses.

But the moon in the sky shone quietly, doing nothing but silently watching over the earth.

Thus, the bloody night in Gyeongseong passed.

And then, the sound of Director So Tae-woong’s “Cut!” echoed.

“Cut! Okay!”

The bodies that had been lying around groaned as they got up. The man who had been massacring with twin pistols came out from the alleyway with an innocent expression, asking if everyone was okay.

“Ah, we’re fine! All good!”

“No need to monitor separately! The action was spectacularly captured!”

Director So Tae-woong and his right and left hands reviewed the footage with serious faces. The conclusion was clear.

“There’s nothing to cut, is there?”

“Today’s action scenes were perfectly captured as well.”

“As expected from our director!”

“Is everything ready for the Manchuria location? Have the horses been secured for shooting? What about extras who can ride horses?”

“Everything is on standby, Director~nim!”

“Good. Let’s call it a day for the shooting.”

Eventually, Director So Tae-woong decided to end the day’s shooting and promised to lead the staff to a land flowing with meat and alcohol.

Amidst the tremendous cheers that followed, Kim Byul, watching the festive atmosphere on set, thought to herself.

“…Wasn’t this supposed to be a noir film?”

EP 5-A Love Story

“It’s a bit ambiguous in terms of regulations…”

Lim Yang-wook and Moon In-seop stared intently at a Baekhak Entertainment employee.

The employee glanced back at them, sighed as if there was no other choice.

“Well, it’s possible. After all, the selection of managers isn’t that strictly defined. And for top celebrities, it’s common to stick with the same manager for decades, so both internal policies and the company culture smoothly facilitate networking-based hiring.”

Lim Yang-wook’s face brightened.

“Oh, then there’s no problem?”

“Yes, Department Head. But, that Ma Ki-hoon guy, he just entered his third year of high school, right?”

“Is that true, In-seop?”

“Yes.”

“That’s right.”

The management department employee stroked his chin beard, organizing the hiring process for Ma Ki-hoon.

“Since he’s a minor, things get a bit complicated if he joins the management department. It might be better for him to stay as a part-time worker within the Publishing Management Department for a year, as an intern. Of course, if he passes our company’s interview immediately upon becoming an adult, we will acknowledge his years of service. How does that sound, Author~nim?”

“I’m fine with that.”

“And for the manager’s salary… for one year, the publishing department will cover it.”

“Ah, don’t do that…”

“Oh, why would you say that, department head?”

“Our Author Moon brings in so much money for this company, and you’re asking our department to cover that tiny salary.”

“But the regulations…”

While Lim Yang-wook and the management department employee argued over who should pay Ma Ki-hoon’s salary,

I observed the familiar scene of the Publishing Management Department.

The bustling office, the Kukudas (Baek Seol’s pick) under the yellow shelf in the break room, and the open view of Seoul’s skyline beyond the window, all felt like they had become part of my daily life. (TL: A Korean snack)

Baek Seol, who had been busily carrying something, smiled and nodded at me from afar. I quietly returned the smile.

In the meantime, Lim Yang-wook seemed to have won the argument, approaching me proudly.

“Did you win?”

“I triumphed.”

“Congratulations.”

My response was in a soulless voice, causing Lim Yang-wook to bristle.

“This…! I just saved you from potentially having to pay the manager’s salary out of your own pocket!”

“Wow. Thank you.”

“Phew, even if it would have been unheard of until recently, at least I got to have a say in the management department because of you.”

I suddenly noticed the deep dark circles under Lim Yang-wook’s eyes. His skin seemed dry, and the luster of his hair seemed to have faded.

“Have you been very busy lately?”

“Busy, of course! I’m currently managing three signed authors. And in contact with five more.”

“Can you cover all that?”

“Not all of them are as frequently involved in variety shows as you. Mainly lectures, signings, contracts with publishers, that kind of work. When I was at Baekhak Publishing, I managed over twenty people by myself. That was truly killing me.”

“I see.”

My indifferent response prompted Lim Yang-wook to sneak a glance at me and ask,

“Have you been okay recently?”

“What do you mean?”

“Like… your condition.”

Condition? Of course, it’s not great. I’ve been depressed ever since the disaster at the restaurant with the hopeful family members.

But it was okay since I was pouring that depression into my writing.

“I’m okay, really.”

“Is that so…?”

“I did skip school to write, but you don’t have to worry too much. I chose that school precisely because it wouldn’t be a problem if I missed some days.”

“That’s true. But still, if you’re going to take a long leave like this time, let me know. No, now that you have a manager, I can just receive status updates regularly. [Today’s Moon In-seop], [Mood – Bad], [Condition – Poor], [Hungry], [Didn’t clean the house], [Can’t live alone]… It’s going to feel like raising a Tamagotchi.”

“What’s a Tamagotchi?”

“It’s a secret.”

Staring blankly at Lim Yang-wook, he smiled pleasantly.

He chewed on the Kukudas he had brought from the break room and asked me,

“So! How’s the writing going these days?”

“So-so.”

“You always say so-so.”

“I’ve got the main theme down, but I feel like my understanding of the setting could be deeper.”

“The setting?”

“It’s set in Brooklyn, USA.”

“Oh- America!”

Lim Yang-wook murmured in admiration.

His gaze seemed to drift from the present to the past.

“America’s nice…”

“Do you have good memories there?”

“Went there with a friend once. Still vivid in my mind. Must have been that great.”

Lim Yang-wook’s gaze returned from the past to look at me.

“Why don’t you go too? Winter break is coming up.”

“No thanks. Do you know how expensive the tickets are…?”

“You have plenty of money. Do you think I don’t know how much you’re making this month? I’ll pay for it.”

“Still… one should live according to their means…”

“Then go on the company’s dime. Baek Seol is going on a business trip to the US soon. You could go with her to take a look around. It’s not Brooklyn, but.”

“Is that okay?”

“It’s a trip to promote your book overseas, what’s wrong with the author going in person?”

I pondered for a moment but quickly shook my head.

“No thanks. Suddenly going to America…”

“Why?”

“For someone like me to go on an overseas trip, I need at least six months of mental preparation, to get ready step by step. Going on the spur of the moment like this would be too stressful…”

Tap. Tap.

Someone tapped my shoulder.

I turned my head to look behind me.

And…

Poof.

Fingers with long, well-maintained nails poked my cheek.

In my memory, Gu Yu-na was playfully smiling.

I stared blankly at her for a moment.

But Yu-na wasn’t the type to make such an expression…

Ah.

“Hello, Author Gu Yu-bin.”

“Ah, too formal~”

Gu Yu-bin, who never fails to make my list of Top 5 Annoyances, sat next to me and smiled naturally, unlike Yu-na, and stretched my cheek.

“You’ve gotten close with Yu-na, haven’t you? Then call me noona~”

I slapped her hand away from my cheek.

Then, I asked Lim Yang-wook,

“Why is Author Gu here?”

“Didn’t I tell you? Author Gu Yubin has also joined Baekhak Entertainment. She signed with the Publishing Management Department.”

“Yep. I figured I needed management since I’m on variety shows often. Hello, Manager?”

“Long time no see. How do you find the company?”

“It’s great! Feels like I’ve become a celebrity!”

“You’re practically a celebrity already. Haha.”

Gu Yu-bin and Lim Yang-wook exchanged polite greetings with a social smile. Gu Yu-bin seemed very accustomed to such conversations.

She skillfully led the conversation.

“So, you were talking about America?”

“Yes, Moon Author’s next book is set in America, and he’s feeling burdened about going on a research trip with company funds. Every time I see it, I realize how humble and frugal our Moon Author really is.”

“Right! Yu-na always talks about how good a friend In-seop is at home! She was being bullied at school, but thanks to In-seop, she’s doing well now?”

“Was there such an incident?”

“That’s why our father always smiles at the mention of Author Moon.”

Gu Yu-bin looked at me with eyes wide as those of a deer, as if she had just thought of something.

Then she clapped her hands together.

“Ah! Right! My family is going on a trip to America this winter! Would you like to join us, Author Moon?”

“What?”

“Do you have any other plans for the winter break?”

“Well, plans… I don’t really have any…”

Damn. It’s not about whether I want to go on the trip, but about whether I have plans.

That makes it harder to refuse, doesn’t it?

“Perfect! Then let’s go on the trip together. Okay?”

“…”

“Eh?”

And when she makes a face like Gu Yu-na’s and asks like that.

How could I possibly refuse…?

“…Yes.”

I found myself nodding involuntarily.

* * *

“You want to go on a trip to America?”

“Is that not okay?”

Gu Hak-jun was puzzled by the sudden mention of a trip to America.

But when his daughter smiled sweetly and clung to him, he found it impossible to refuse.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

“Dad, I love you~”

“Only at times like this?”

“Yeah.”

Gu Yu-bin, leaving her slightly sullen father behind, approached Gu Yu-na.

“Yu-na, this winter we’re-”

“I’m not going.”

“Why?”

Gu Yu-na was sitting on the sofa, looking at an iPad, and writing something.

The cheeky younger sister answered without even looking at her sister.

“I’m going to write. I don’t have time to waste on trips.”

“Really? Even if Author Moon is going?”

Gu Yu-na fell silent for a moment.

Then she turned her head sharply, keeping her expression hidden, and said,

“Well. I guess I can write there too.”

Gu Yubin smiled wickedly at her reaction.

Everything was going according to plan.

‘Moon In-seop.’

You can tell by looking into the eyes of that young genius boy.

‘Why does he despise me?’

Perhaps, during this trip, I might find the answer.

And even if I don’t find the answer,

The talent that shines bright enough to make someone like Gu Yu-bin be quickly forgotten by the public.

Just to see a glimpse of that brilliance.

“…”

Maybe I could write something worthy of my mother’s recognition.

That’s what she thought.

*****

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