Chapter 10

Chapter 13. Orange Juice, Please

Seoul Publishing Company.

This was the place where the manga magazine IP Jump, the parent company, was located.

It was obvious that this call would be about the contest.

They had mentioned that they would contact the winners individually before the announcement.

I couldn't help but feel a chill run down my spine, experiencing firsthand what I had only heard about.

"Hello?"

I wanted to answer calmly, but my trembling voice betrayed me.

- Hello, this is Kim Jeongmin, an assistant at IP Jump. Is this An Seojun, the artist?

"Yes, it's me."

- The reason I'm asking is that your profile for the contest submission states that you are 13 years old. I just wanted to confirm, are you really 13 years old?

"Yes, I'm 13, or 12 by international age."

It seemed as if the person on the other end put down the phone for a moment, and it went quiet before the voice came back a few seconds later.

- I apologize for the interruption. Honestly, it's hard to believe you're really 13.

"Is that so?"

I tried to sound casual, but if I were in their shoes, I wouldn't believe it either.

This isn't the kind of manga a primary school student could draw.

I nodded in agreement.

- To be honest, this is a big issue for our editorial department. I'm sorry, but we need to confirm that no other artists have helped you or that this isn't a proxy submission.

"If you really need to confirm, I can come to the editorial office and show you the process of drawing the manuscript."

- Ah... I see.

With just those words, I immediately gained their trust.

- First of all, I personally found your manuscript very interesting. The story flows well, and I'm really curious about the second chapter.

"Yes, but did you call me about the contest results?"

This time, I asked the question.

I was getting impatient because they hadn't mentioned anything about the award.

- Oh, the decision hasn't been finalized yet. We are currently in the final review stage.

"Is that so?"

What, it wasn't a pre-award call.

- The manuscript was fine, but I called to confirm the information in your profile. Your response will be considered in the review. See you next time.

"Yes, thank you."

I ended the call and had no choice but to explain everything to my mother.

"An artist is coming to our house! That's great, Jun. Do whatever you want!"

My mother, who had seen the results, easily gave her permission.

Or maybe she thought I should have the experience since I'm so young.

Anyway, since I had her permission, it was a good thing.

I was looking forward to the results of the contest.

'Hurry up, time!'

A week later,

My submission won the IP Jump New Artist Award, taking the Gold Prize.

B22

* * *

The news of my win spread quickly.

"Congratulations, Seojun!"

"As expected. I thought you could do it, Seojun. It was amazing."

Uncle Jinho and Aunt Heejin were as happy as if it were their own achievement.

Right after the win, the editorial department set up a meeting.

I vaguely remembered the way to the Seoul Publishing Company. I had visited a few times in high school to submit manuscripts.

'This time, I'm not here to submit a manuscript, but to sign a contract.'

Unlike the past, where I was stuck in the contest hell, I passed with flying colors this time.

Fortunately, it seems I'll debut early in this life.

'Is this the place?'

I stopped and looked up at the white building in front of me.

A six-story building in Yongsan, the entire building was the Seoul Publishing Company, and the 5th floor was the IP Jump department.

As I climbed the stairs and arrived, the office scene came into view.

"Is the manuscript from Mr. Kim ready yet?"

"He just submitted it and left."

"The printing company said the single-volume printing is done."

"Please check the order list."

The busy manga department staff.

As I was looking around in amazement, one of the staff members noticed me and paused.

"Are you Mr. An Seojun?"

"Hello."

My voice spread through the department, and the staff members got up and turned to look at me.

"Where?"

"Really, a primary school student."

Everyone looked at me in amazement and greeted me.

It felt like I had become a popular star.

"Oh, I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting!"

A staff member quickly came out.

"Didn't we talk on the phone before? Let me introduce myself again. I'm Assistant Kim Jeongmin."

"I remember. Hello."

Jeongmin smiled warmly as I bowed.

"Please have a seat. Would you like coffee...? Oh, juice, or soda?"

Coffee was not an option.

Caffeine is too early for a growing primary school student.

"Orange juice, please."

"Sure, I'll get that for you."

I sat down at the table as he handed me the juice bottle.

"It's really nice to meet you. I have a lot of questions I wanted to ask."

"I'm honored to have won the award from Seoul Publishing Company."

Jeongmin smiled lightly at my answer and asked me a question.

"Personally, I was very curious. Have you ever learned how to draw manga, or did you teach yourself?"

I knew this question would come up.

"Actually, I'm an assistant to Mr. Park Jinho, who is serialized in Chance."

Upon hearing this, Jeongmin hit his palm with his fist and replied.

"Oh! Mr. Jinho. He's doing well these days. I know him well. I was in charge when he was serialized in IP Jump. I was a bit disappointed when he moved to Chance, but it's great to have a connection with his student."

I'm not actually Park Jinho's student, but I didn't argue.

"Anyway, 'Soul Takers.' I found it very interesting! It stood out among the 187 submissions. Of course, your profile did too, hahaha!"

'Why didn't you give me the Grand Prize?'

Of course, I was grateful for the Gold Prize, which was worth a million bows.

But I felt a bit disappointed that it was rated slightly lower than the Grand Prize.

"The world of 'yoma' living in the modern world is very powerful, and I could really relate to the powerless protagonist. I almost cried when he awakened his power."

My intention was perfectly conveyed. The editor caught it well.

"I think it would be good to market you as a genius. Of course, it's just my opinion."

Jeongmin smiled again and took out a notepad.

"The most important thing. Have you gotten permission from your parents?"

"I got their permission when you called me last time."

"Phew, that's a relief."

While writing something with a pen, Jeongmin continued to ask questions.

"You'll have to serialize while attending school. Do you think you can manage the time?"

Unlike the bi-weekly Chance, IP Jump was a weekly serialization.

The weekly serialization volume was usually 12-16 pages.

Including the storyboard and manuscript, you have to draw it within 6 days.

"I'm not a slow drawer. I can draw 4 pages a day. But just in case, I'll keep 5 chapters of the manuscript in reserve before serialization."

"Oh, I see."

Jeongmin was briefly impressed.

"Then, how much do you know about our IP Jump...?"

"As I mentioned earlier, it's the best among the top three publishing companies in the country. That's why I submitted to this contest."

"Ahaha, thank you for saying that. This will be a quick process."

Jeongmin brought out the contract and handed it to me.

"I want to give you the best treatment for the Gold Prize. Please check it. We'll discuss the details with your legal guardian, but I need you to review it."

I unfolded the stack of papers Jeongmin brought and first checked the payment section.

16 pages per chapter, so 640,000 won per week.

As the editor said, it was the best treatment for a newcomer in this era.

I was very satisfied with this part.

'What about the single-volume profit ratio?'

I searched the contract, but there was no mention of single-volume profits.

'Can't be...?'

I doubted my eyes, but the single-volume profit distribution was indeed not written.

Upon checking the clause, it was clearly stated that all single-volume profits would go to the publishing company.

'Oh, look at this.'

A sense of betrayal and disappointment crept in.

'These guys?'

I never thought the IP Jump, one of the top three publishing companies, would do this.

'They underestimated me because I'm young.'

They probably thought I was just a kid who knew how to draw and didn't understand the world.

'If I were a real kid, I would have been fooled.'

Other kids would have signed the contract without caring about the money, just happy to be called an artist.

But who am I?

Even if I only know how to draw manga, I can still tell the difference.

'Come to think of it, this era had a lot of per-chapter contracts.'

The per-chapter contract itself isn't bad.

This contract was no exception.

The advance and manuscript fees were higher than those of a typical artist, and they would likely do a lot of advertising for the Gold Prize.

If the story is interesting, the single-volume sales would soar.

'But the profit that comes back to me is zero.'

The higher the single-volume sales, the more popular the artist becomes.

But no matter how high or low the sales, none of the profit would come to me.

It was absurd for me, who aimed to be a popular artist.

I put the contract in my bag and stood up.

"Can I take the contract?"

"Ah, yes, of course. If possible, I'd like to explain it to your parents when we meet..."

"I'll read it first. I'll contact you after I read it carefully and think about it."

"Hmm... I understand."

Jeongmin's expression seemed to stiffen for a moment, but it must have been my imagination.

"I enjoyed the tour. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Mr. An Seojun."

* * *

"Yep, it's a per-chapter contract."

Park Jinho carefully examined the contract and said.

"Even with a high manuscript fee, you have to completely give up on single-volume profits... To give such a contract? This is really not right."

"Yep, it's a contract that ties you down completely."

Park Jinho and Aunt Heewon had the same thoughts as me.

"Shouldn't we call the person in charge and negotiate to lower the manuscript fee and get the single-volume profits?"

"I would do the same. 'Soul Takers' is a work that would be a waste to lose single-volume profits."

"I'll call them."

I picked up the phone and called the person in charge. The call connected with a click.

"Hello, this is An Seojun."

- Hello, Mr. An. Have you thought about it?

"I would like you to add a clause to the contract."

- Yes, what clause?

"8% of the single-volume royalties."

- That...

"I want to sign the contract if you can do that."

- Hmm, I want to explain the contract to your parents when I meet them...

"I've already talked to my parents. Please add 8% of the single-volume royalties."

After a long silence from Jeongmin, a heavy voice came through.

Without saying anything about holding a meeting or contacting the upper management,

- That seems a bit difficult.

"Would it be impossible even if you lower the manuscript fee?"

- No, I'm sorry.

There was no room for negotiation, not even offering 5% if 8% was not possible.

It was as if they were openly telling me, 'You won't get any single-volume profits,' which was very disappointing.

'What should I do now?'

If I reject their offer, I'll have to submit to another publishing company. If I fail to get accepted, it would be hard to reuse the manuscript.

Should I sign the per-chapter contract as IP Jump demands and debut?

As I was deep in thought, Lapis's wings shimmered.

"A per-chapter contract isn't necessarily bad. They're giving you a higher advance and manuscript fee. 40,000 won per page is the best treatment for a newcomer in this era. Is this a loss for Seojun, or a gain?"

As Lapis said,

I was at a crossroads.

"This is your future, Seojun. Will you grit your teeth and be satisfied with debuting at a young age, or will you take a new challenge?"

Right.

Don't be anxious.

Think carefully.

'It's my decision.'

"Think about your goal, Seojun."

My goal is to be a world-class manga artist.

I'm not the type to settle for moderate success.

'I'm even embarrassed that I hesitated for a moment.'

After finishing my thoughts, I gripped the phone tightly.

"Yes, I understand."

If I don't sign the contract, the contest win will be canceled.

The aspiring artists who won the award had to sign the contract, even if it meant crying and gnashing their teeth, to debut.

No matter what kind of contract it was.

'The publishing company is the client.'

Until now, any aspiring artist would have signed the per-chapter contract to debut.

But you chose the wrong opponent.

"Let's pretend this never happened."

- Yes?

I hung up the phone with those words.

"I'll return all the prize money. Let's make the contest win completely null and void."