Chapter 003. Business is about to start!

Items that others can't obtain.

My very own items.

"What exactly are they?"

"Even if you can't use them right now, would you like to see them?"

I nodded, and Lapis swung her arm.

Then, my room disappeared, and only a single building remained on a white background.

"What, what is this?"

It had transformed into a place similar to an electronics store.

"I temporarily moved us to the store. Once we're done, we'll return to where we were."

I nodded.

I turned my gaze toward the items in the store.

There were a vast number of items on display.

Overall, they were very useful for drawing comics.

One item caught my eye.

It looked like an ordinary door from the outside.

'Wow, this is a game-changing item.'

It was something that any author living on deadlines would want to have.

However, it did look more expensive compared to the other items.

"How do you get points? You can't buy them with money, right?"

"Whenever you draw a page of your comic, you'll be given points that can be used in the store."

"So, if I draw comics in my notebook, will I get points?"

Lapis smiled.

"Not at all. You can only earn points by engaging in commercial activities or drawing possible pictures."

"So, it's just a cake in the sky for now."

"As I mentioned."

Yeah.

I finally understood.

To think that I could even obtain such items after a regression. Even though I haven't bought anything yet, just looking at the items makes me feel like I've gained a thousand troops.

If I earn points and buy all the items in this store...

'I will definitely succeed.'

With this, it would be hard to fail.

I now have a reason to draw comics as soon as possible.

* * *

I picked up my suddenly ringing phone.

- Mr. An! The sales of the first volume of your new work have already exceeded one million copies!

"Is that so?"

I answered calmly.

- It's not just "is that so"! At this rate and volume, it's a first in the industry! It's an incredible start that will go down in history, Mr. An!

"Yes, it's all thanks to Mr. Park from Bangsun Entertainment. I'm grateful for your trust in my new work, An Seo-jun. Please continue to support me."

- No, Mr. An, what are you saying? That's what I should say. Popular author! Star author An Seo-jun, keep it up! You're amazing, amazing!

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

Clatter.

A person in a white chef's uniform opened the door and started placing various dishes on my table.

"Super premium full-course meal, super premium abalone dish, super premium everything. It's all top-notch, Mr. Cosmic Star An Seo-jun."

I was in a VIP room of a high-end Chinese restaurant.

From the shiny dumplings to the nameless shrimp dishes, all the food was of mouth-watering quality.

"Mr. Park, I'm sorry, but I'm in the middle of a meal."

- Oh, what a blunder. Have a good time, Mr. An.

I put down my phone and was about to enjoy my meal when the chef took off his hat and bowed.

"Excuse me, if it's not too much trouble, could I ask for a photo and an autograph after you finish your meal? My wife, son, daughter, grandmother, and even my distant cousin are all big fans of An Seo-jun. I'd really appreciate it."

"Of course."

I answered with a smile, and the chef bowed again before leaving the room.

"What a turn of events in just one day."

Closing my eyes, the hardships I've faced over the years flashed by.

But they're all in the past now.

Yes.

I'm doing really well right now.

By ordering a high-end Chinese course meal, I'm showing that I have the potential to become the best author in this world.

No, I'm already the best!

"Seo-jun!"

"What is it?"

"An Seo-jun!"

"Ahem! Who's calling the great author An Seo-jun?"

Who's really calling my name?

I wiped my mouth elegantly and started looking for the source of the voice.

"An Seo-jun!"

"Huh? Mom?"

The person standing at the door was undoubtedly my mother.

In her left hand...

Was my school bag?

"You're living in a dream world. Get up quickly!"

Wait. School bag?

"Seo-jun, you have to go to school!"

"Ah!"

I opened my eyes wide at the slap on my calf.

Bewildered, I quickly looked around.

A small room with a bed, wardrobe, and desk. It was my ordinary room, not the VIP room of a Chinese restaurant I had just seen.

'Ah, it was a dream...'

The contract for the new work that sold one million copies in the first volume.

Becoming a popular author to the point of being asked for autographs by a high-end restaurant chef.

Eating in a VIP room of a high-end Chinese restaurant.

All of it was a dream.

'At least the regression was real, which is a relief.'

I secretly sighed in relief.

"Get up quickly, you'll be late. Didn't you promise to wake up on your own, Seo-jun? Right?"

Did I make such a promise that I couldn't keep?

I stretched and checked the clock.

'7:54.'

If I hurry, I can avoid being late.

"Breakfast is ready, so hurry and wash up."

"Okay!"

I quickly ran to the bathroom, washed my face, got dressed, and sat at the table.

'What a day to have this.'

There was only doenjang soup, rice, kimchi, and a fried egg, but I was satisfied.

It was exactly what I wanted to eat.

I wanted to savor the taste, but with the time, I had to eat quickly.

"I'm going to school!"

I put on my shoes and opened the front door.

"Seo-jun, are you forgetting something again?"

"Huh?"

"You almost left it behind again."

My mother gestured to her side.

At the end of her finger was a small bag next to the shoe rack.

"Oh, my indoor shoe bag!"

I quickly took it and ran out.

It was a rule in all schools to bring indoor shoes in this bag.

I had forgotten about it since middle school.

Running without stopping, I saw my peers walking and chatting not far away.

They all looked relaxed as they walked and talked.

'I guess I'm not late.'

Just as I was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief, someone put their arm on my shoulder.

"Hey, An Seo-jun. Let's play soccer after school. Come to my team."

"What are you talking about? I was on your team yesterday, so I should be on my team today. Hey, An Seo-jun, you're on my team today!"

Familiar and welcome faces.

They were friends I used to play with in elementary school.

I wanted to say something out of joy, but I held back and acted cool.

"I'll do it if I have time."

"Tsk, acting all high and mighty."

"An Beckham is a bit of a pricey midfielder, everyone wants him on their team."

"If An Seo-jun is Beckham, I'm Ronaldo."

"More nonsense."

As we walked and chatted, we soon arrived at school.

A building with two five-story structures.

The soccer field was full of sand, not artificial turf.

'How did I manage to play soccer here?'

I took out my indoor shoes from the bag and climbed the stairs.

My class was 6th grade, 7th class.

The room was already full of students, and fortunately, there was one empty seat left, which was mine.

Surrounded by peers, it felt new, but I shook my head.

'It's not time to play yet.'

Earning money to buy drawing tools and drawing comics were my priorities.

'How can I earn money?'

The problem was that I had no way to earn money.

I couldn't borrow from my parents.

I would have to explain the purpose, and they wouldn't allow it.

I couldn't work part-time either...

While I was lost in thought, the classroom door opened, and the teacher said, "Hello, everyone!"

The class president then called out, "Attention, salute!" and the class responded.

The teacher finished the morning assembly and was about to leave when he said,

"Oh, right." and returned to the podium.

"Everyone, do you know that the flower exhibition at Lake Park starts tomorrow? Make sure to participate..."

"Lake Park?"

The teacher continued, but I wasn't listening. Something had just clicked in my mind.

I was already grinning.

'That's it, Lake Park!'

A brilliant idea for earning money came to me.

Time passed.

As soon as school ended, I grabbed my school bag and ran out.

"Hey, An Beckham! What about soccer?"

"Next time!"

I was in a hurry.

"Where is it? Where is it?"

I went straight home and searched for the sketchbook and pens in the storage.

Bang! Lapis appeared with a small explosion and looked at me strangely.

"What's all this commotion?"

"Exactly, a commotion! A commotion to earn money!"

***

Sunday morning.

I grunted as I dragged a chair and a small desk.

They weren't that heavy, but for a 6th grader, they felt like iron blocks.

'I have to bring this to Lake Park.'

It was a problem not only to bring it there but also to bring it back home.

'At least it's close to home, which is a relief.'

I took a break to catch my breath.

Lapis tilted her head.

"Are you going to get muscle pain?"

"There's no choice. Earning money isn't easy. Hey, Lapis, can you help me lift one side?"

"Unfortunately, I don't have that function~"

"You're so heartless."

How far had I dragged it?

I wiped the sweat from my forehead and put down the desk.

I sat in the chair and enjoyed a sweet moment of rest.

'This should work.'

Between the lake and the square, it was a prime location where people often passed by.

I set up the table and checked the time.

9:30 AM.

"Mr. Seo-jun, isn't it too early with so few people around?"

"I'm not begging. More people will come."

People were starting to appear.

The peak time would be around 2 PM when lunch was over.

'With that many people, it should be doable.'

I took out the sketchbook and pens from my bag and placed them on the desk.

Lapis seemed to understand and smiled mischievously.

"Oh, so you're planning to sell your drawings."

"Using my strengths to the fullest, this is the best option."

The money-making idea I came up with was 'caricatures'.

Drawing portraits for a low price. It was particularly popular around the year 2000.

'Let's see, the price...'

When I was in my 20s, I charged 5,000 won per caricature.

'Since it's 2000 now, let's try 3,000 won.'

If I get just 10 customers, that's 30,000 won.

It might not seem like a lot to an adult, but to me, it was a golden opportunity.

'If I can save 30,000 won, it will be a big breakthrough.'

If I successfully sell caricatures, I can buy tools to draw comics.

I might not be able to buy screen tones and pens in bulk, but I can get enough manuscript paper and a couple of comic pens.

'Business is about to start!'

When the clock struck 10:00, I put up a sign saying 'Caricatures' on the table and waited for customers.

But.

'Why isn't it working as well as when I was in my 20s?'

Even after 1 hour, 2 hours.

The number of people at Lake Park increased, but there were no customers.

They just glanced at me curiously.

No one offered to pay for a drawing.

Not a single person!

Lapis commented as she watched the passersby.

"Only flies are buzzing around."

"Earning money isn't easy."

I might not earn a single penny.

'I can't go back empty-handed after bringing the desk.'

I steeled myself and tried to think of a solution.

"Miss!"

I called out to a seemingly gentle-looking young woman, who glanced at me.

I nodded and called out again.

"Would you like a caricature? I'll do my best to draw it well. I can't guarantee it will look exactly like you, but..."

"Oh, you."

The woman laughed and waved her hand, then sat down.

"Go ahead."

Thankfully, she became my first customer.

I focused and put the pen to the sketchbook.

'This is my chance.'

A chance to attract more customers.

My hand was already busy.

Although it was just a 3,000 won drawing, I poured my heart into filling the blank page.

It didn't take long.

"I'm done. Would you like to see it?"

"Wow!"

The woman exclaimed in amazement as she took the drawing.

She looked back and forth between me and the drawing.

"An elementary school student can draw like this? Are you a genius or something?"

She didn't hold back her praise.

Thanks to her, people started gathering around.

"Did this kid draw this?"

"He's a drawing prodigy. Brother, let's try it too."

"Hey, how much for one drawing?"

"Stand in line, no cutting."

Suddenly, customers started pouring in, and I was a bit overwhelmed.

I quickly regained my composure and shouted.

"3,000 won per drawing! It takes only 5 minutes per drawing!"