Chapter 9

The protagonist hides their identity.

A stormy week passed, and the weekend finally arrived.

During that time, Jihoon had completed writing all the chapters of "The Dignity of Yeongju" up to the final part. With some chapters left in reserve, he only needed to proofread and post them to conclude the series.

In fact, there was something that concerned him more than the completion of the work.

"Has the decision on the establishment of the web novel department not been made yet?"

Jihoon lay on his bed, lost in thought. Lately, he couldn't think of anything else. He wondered if the business plan someone had submitted had been approved.

Jihoon tried to gather information within the company, but it was in vain. There was no angelic employee who would share such information with an intern.

If only he hadn't gone into the editor's office and hadn't looked at the desk, he wouldn't be so curious.

"Moreover, Senior Eun seems to be avoiding me for some reason. What's going on?"

He felt as if something was happening behind his back.

A sigh escaped him involuntarily.

No matter how much he thought about it, his status as an intern was a huge barrier. It was like a high wall without a door.

"What can an intern like me do? I should just focus on my assigned tasks."

Jihoon got up, took a shower, and changed his clothes. He had a place to go this morning.

On his desk was an old book he had found in an antique bookstore recently. The mysterious events surrounding this book made him think about his grandfather more than usual. He naturally concluded that he should visit him.

"Since my business card is ready, I should give it to Grandfather first."

Jihoon fiddled with the crisp business card and smiled. His parents would be happy, but he thought Grandfather would be even more delighted.

Jihoon left home and headed to the memorial park where his grandfather was enshrined.

It was located in Gyeonggi Province, and the accessibility was not good, so it took quite a while to get there.

"It was easier when I rode with Senior Eun. Maybe I should buy a car?"

Jihoon briefly imagined himself driving a nice car.

"Ridiculous."

Jihoon, who had snapped out of his sweet dream, started reading a book he took out of his bag.

Thanks to his hard work this week, he had no tasks to handle over the weekend. Normally, he would have to sit in front of his computer to edit overdue manuscripts, but today was different.

Vroom!

Then a message came. Jihoon put the book aside and took out his phone.

Jae-Eun: What are you doing?

It was from Yoon Eun, the assistant manager. Looking at the clock, it was still before lunchtime, so he must have woken up early today.

Me: I'm on my way to the memorial park to visit my grandfather.

Jae-Eun: Huh? Let's go together. The transportation there isn't good. It would be quick if we went by car.

Me: Senior, you should rest. How can you do that? It's a golden weekend.

Jae-Eun: Okay, got it.

The last message was a cute emoji of someone crawling into bed, and then Yoon Eun's messages stopped. Jihoon put his phone back in his pocket.

After a while, he arrived at his destination. Jihoon got off the bus and entered the memorial park with a light step.

In front of the columbarium where his grandfather was enshrined, he bowed his head in silence and smiled brightly.

"Grandfather, I'm here. I got a business card recently and wanted to give it to you first."

He placed the business card reverently, as Eun had told him. He wished he could have given it to him while he was alive. He felt a sense of regret.

Still, he was positive about getting a job at the publishing company and making books that people loved. He had recently been recognized by the company.

If he worked a little harder, something good might happen, he thought.

"By the way, Grandfather."

Jihoon took out the old book from his bag. It was the very book his grandfather had left behind.

"I found this by chance while organizing the antique bookstore. I had an accident at the company, but it helped me breathe a sigh of relief. I'll definitely get a permanent position next time I come. Please watch over me."

Jihoon bowed his head in silence again and left the memorial park.

On the way back by bus, Jihoon sat down and took out his grandfather's book again.

'Nothing is happening. Was it just my imagination? Or was it a hallucination due to overwork?'

He had gone to the memorial park hoping to see the mysterious light he had seen before. But the book left by his grandfather showed no reaction.

Was the one sentence that led him to find Seo Mi-ju just a coincidence?

'Well, if it were true, it would be a fantasy. Have I read too many novels where the protagonist gains power from a book? I should just think of it as a coincidence.'

Just as he was flipping through the blank pages, he felt a vibration in his pocket.

A regular vibration. It was a call, not a text message.

He took out his phone.

'An unknown number?'

It was a number starting with 010, but only the number was displayed, not a name. It was a number he hadn't saved.

It might be an author contracted with Seorim Publishing, so Jihoon cautiously answered the call while holding the book.

"Yes, this is Kang Jihoon."

― Hello! Is this Kang Jihoon, the author?

It was a lively voice, and the speaker sounded young.

Jihoon's mind was filled with question marks. There were few people who would call him "author."

"Yes, but who is this?"

― Oh! Nice to meet you. My name is Choi Jung-min, and I'm in charge of production at Noblesse. You can call me PD Choi.

"Noblesse?"

It was a familiar brand name. Jihoon's eyes lit up as he thought about it. Noblesse was a new company that was rapidly rising in the web novel industry.

"Ah, yes. PD, hello?"

― I really wanted to talk to you, so I got your contact from author Lee Kyunghoon. I'm really sorry for calling you so suddenly. You must be surprised, right? Haha.

"Not at all. I appreciate you reaching out."

Lee Kyunghoon was a web novel author who had been interacting with Jihoon for a long time. He was the author of the popular series "Wizard Storm."

It was common for authors to share their contact information with the publishing company's staff. He didn't feel particularly bad about it.

― If you're free today, would you like to meet?

"Today?"

He had good momentum.

Jihoon recalled his schedule for the day.

Apart from going home, proofreading the final part, uploading it, and getting a good night's sleep, he had no special plans.

"I think I'll be free in the evening. Can you tell me why you're calling?"

― It seems like your current work is coming to an end, and I'd like to cautiously propose a contract for your next work. Although we are a new company, both I and our CEO are paying attention to your work.

"Thank you."

He didn't expect such a direct sales pitch. Usually, such matters were discussed through messages or in person. Still, it felt good to be recognized.

However, Jihoon had been writing genre novels for a long time, even though he hadn't succeeded. He wasn't naive enough to jump at the bait thrown by a publishing company.

After a moment of thought, Jihoon spoke.

"However, I don't have any plans for a contract yet. I don't have a plan for my next work, and I need to discuss it with the publishing company I'm currently contracted with."

― Of course, I understand that. Whether it's your next work or the one after that, I really want to work with you.

"Is that so?"

Jihoon had received such proposals before.

But it was risky to sign a contract without even starting a serial. Of course, if he were a top-tier author, it would be different.

Jihoon was about to politely decline, saying he would contact them again if he started a new serial.

"I'm sorry, but..."

Just as he was about to speak, something unbelievable happened again. The mysterious light he had seen before started to emit from the book left by his grandfather.

Flash!

"Huh?"

Jihoon fixed his gaze on the book spread out on his lap. His mouth hung open.

― Hello? Author?

Choi Jung-min's voice echoed, but Jihoon couldn't respond. Words started to appear on the second blank page.

Jihoon focused all his attention on the magically forming sentence.

― You can never know if it was an opportunity unless you try.

The sentence was soon complete.

Jihoon blinked as he looked at it.

'So I didn't imagine it. This is real.'

This time, it was a sentence close to a maxim. As Jihoon thought deeply, he realized it was related to 'opportunity.'

'Maybe this sentence too?'

Could it be a sign that things would go well?

After experiencing the magic on the first page, Jihoon couldn't think otherwise.

― Kang Jihoon, author. Hello? Can you hear me?

"Ah, sorry."

He finally realized he was on the phone with Choi Jung-min from Noblesse.

― No, it's fine. I'm sorry. Maybe the call quality wasn't good. My phone has been acting up lately. Haha.

"It's probably because I'm on the move."

Jihoon let out a light sigh. He continued, reciting the new words in his mind.

"Thank you for the offer. If possible, I'd like to hear about your company and its vision. Is that okay?"

He should have politely declined. It was better to delay the contract from his current position.

But after seeing the note's encouragement to try, his thoughts changed.

Maybe it was an opportunity.

― Of course! If you allow it, I'll come to meet you this evening.

"I can come too..."

― No, it's better if I come. You're busy, so just give me your location.

He felt properly treated. It was a pleasure he hadn't felt in a long time. Jihoon gave him the address of a nearby café and ended the call.

'I was thinking of switching companies anyway, but I didn't expect the opportunity to come so soon. Noblesse... '

But he didn't get overly excited.

With the recent surge of publishing and management companies, it was difficult for them to secure authors. It could be a fishing expedition to increase their volume.

'I need to carefully consider the conditions before signing a contract. I don't want to become a caught fish.'

Just as he made up his mind, a message arrived.

Jihoon checked the screen.

Moon Hyun-Soo: Hello, author~ How's your weekend? Haha. Actually, I'm contacting you about your next work...

The rest of the message was hidden in the preview. It seemed he was contacting him about the next work contract because the current work was nearing completion.

He had received a few offers before, but Jihoon had politely declined.

'The timing is perfect. I'll read it later and reply.'

Jihoon put his phone back in his pocket. Then he suddenly became curious.

'But did people not see the white light when the words were engraved in the book? That's strange.'

He expected someone to be startled and shout, but it was unusually quiet.

Jihoon cautiously looked around the bus. No one was paying attention to him.

It was the same as usual.

'It seems the light was only visible to me. Then, these words too?'

He couldn't confirm that.

For now, Jihoon put the book back in his bag. It wasn't important right now.

**

Jihoon called author Lee Kyunghoon while heading to the meeting place and told him the whole story.

In short, it was a good opportunity.

Author Lee Kyunghoon said he had been contacted from that side and had passed on the information, not that he had pushed it.

Noblesse had recently received investments and was pursuing various projects, including OSMU (one source multi use) and overseas expansion. He added that signing a contract now would yield good results.

'You can never know if it was an opportunity unless you try... What a good saying. I'll give it a shot!'

His trust in the book left by his grandfather was growing.

Jihoon arrived at the meeting place.

He sat down and waited. A young man in casual clothes entered the café. It was clearly Choi Jung-min PD, who was supposed to meet him today.

Jihoon stood up and greeted him first.

"Are you Choi Jung-min PD from Noblesse?"

"Yes, are you Kang Jihoon, the author?"

"Yes, thank you for coming."

"Oh, no, it's fine. My house is nearby, so I came quickly!"

The friendly-looking Choi Jung-min PD handed him a business card. Jihoon considered giving him the Seorim Publishing business card but decided against it.

Being in a similar field could be advantageous, but it could also be a disadvantage.

For now, he would keep his identity hidden.