Chapter 37

Saerom felt dazed after hearing Hyejeong's words.

"Kim Jin-woo, the author of Pure Romance?"

"Yes. Hehe."

"…."

The fact that her younger sister was an aspiring actress was something she had never imagined.

It made sense, though, considering how many roles she had taken on a whim.

'My sister has never even taken a small part.'

Honestly, if she had tried to take advantage for personal gain, it would have been entirely possible.

"May I ask for your name?"

"My name is Kim Hyejeong…."

"Can you also give me your number?"

"Me? Ah, yes!"

Since Kim Jin-woo was often unreachable, there was no harm in having the family's number.

'Phew, I have to go this far…'

…. I have to.

After all, Pure Romance is growing at an alarming rate right now.

Considering it was a script written in less than three months, it's an incredible achievement.

Most importantly, Kim Jin-woo is unlike any author she has encountered before.

Nod─

Saerom bowed politely and disappeared.

"Wow… He really looks more like a celebrity than actual celebrities."

"I agree with that."

Kang Jun continued the conversation while answering.

"Hyejeong, did you know that I was the lead in Kim Jin-woo's new work?"

"No, I just found out."

"…. You really have a cool older brother."

"Um?"

"His charisma is amazing, and he has a broad appeal."

"Our older brother?"

"Yes. The script is as perfect as if it had been prepared for ten years."

She looked at Kang Jun as if he were a strange person.

"You're good at socializing."

"Me? No, it's not about socializing…."

"Not you. Our older brother."

How did he build his public image to get such consistent reactions from people?

Even if we set aside Kang Jun, the fact that Mr. Jeong asked for the number is telling.

"He's really something, isn't he?"

After that, the variety show production centered around Kang Jun began.

A broadcast where a famous actor-turned-acting teacher and four ordinary people had a casual talk.

Especially, since the students were all aspiring actors, a group of handsome and beautiful people gathered.

"If it's edited well, it will be very entertaining."

"Agreed."

Saerom crossed her arms and alternated her gaze between Kang Jun and Hyejeong.

* * *

I finally arrived at the headquarters of Tempest.

Ding─

At that moment, I received a message from Im Jae-joon.

[Author, I'm giving you the contact information for the advertisement script I mentioned earlier! 010-21….]

[I think it would be good if we meet the advertiser together tomorrow!]

"Ah, this is my first side income."

I don't know how much I'll get, but I already have 5,000 in my account.

"I'm finally a Silver…!"

In the lobby of Tempest Entertainment.

I glanced around the familiar environment and headed for the elevator.

Before going to my workspace, I called my younger sister.

-Hello? Older brother?

"Hyejeong, I came to Seoul today. I'll stay at the company tonight and probably go home tomorrow."

-You know it's already been a month, right?

"Ah, are Mom and Dad doing well? I called them a few days ago."

-Of course.

"Got it."

-By the way, older brother. But I….

"Yes? What is it?"

-Ah, never mind. It's fine.

"???"

Why did you hesitate so much and then stop talking?

This is definitely Hyejeong hiding something.

"Tell me. Now."

-Mom! Older brother called me a crazy woman!!

"I never, crazy woman!!!"

Using Mom as a trump card is cheating.

Click.

My younger sister hung up without a word.

I didn't raise her to do this.

"Cut the allowance."

In the workspace provided in the Tempest Entertainment building.

Entering my own space after a month felt particularly moving.

Creak─

Hwang Hyo-ju was waiting in the workspace.

"Older brother, you're here?"

"Ah, I brought you here, but you've been… But, anyway."

"Yes?"

Hyo-ju was fully set up, from makeup to attire.

She had never dressed like this when she was in Im Ju's workspace.

"Is it because you're at this entertainment company?"

"No, Team Leader Byun."

"Huh?"

"I'm trying to seduce you."

"…."

This girl is a natural at flirting.

Well, I respect her preferences.

"Okay, good luck."

"While you were away, I edited Pure Romance materials and sent them to the JTBS web planning team."

"Really? What kind of materials?"

"The synopsis, characters, and network map. They asked me to send it again because it lacked detail."

"Ah, I see. Good job."

"From now on, give me the small tasks. I'll handle them so you don't have to worry."

"Wow, you're really good at your job."

Indeed, having an assistant is necessary.

That way, I can enjoy more honey.

"But, older brother, did you know that Pure Romance episodes 1 and 2 are airing in Japan right now?"

"Ah, I heard the reaction was good."

"More than the ratings… It's spreading a lot on SNS."

"Really?"

I turned on the internet and checked the articles about Pure Romance in Japan.

It was plastered with all kinds of national pride news, making it hard to gauge what to believe.

"Hmm… I think the exact figures will be available next week."

Then, I opened my laptop and checked the scripts I had written over the past month.

Five scripts written while traveling around various places in Busan.

I spent a long time in the workspace, focusing solely on revising the scripts.

I wrote while traveling to the sea and islands, so there were many typos and editing points.

* * *

The next day,

I went to meet the advertiser with Im Jae-joon.

"Haha, I've been really enjoying Pure Romance lately."

"Thank you, advertiser."

"Im Jae-joon really recommended you. Haha."

"Ah, did he?"

I glanced at him, and he had a proud look on his face.

"Actually, the dialogue is very important for this advertisement concept."

"Yes."

"Please give us lively and vivid dialogue like in Pure Romance."

"Don't worry!"

The advertiser then handed over a short advertisement synopsis.

However, the script's weight in the advertisement was surprisingly high.

The first scene showed Im Jae-joon handing a drink to a junior on campus.

The woman shyly tried to accept the drink.

At that moment, another woman appeared, showing jealousy.

The jealous woman had been flirting with Jae-joon, and their past flashed by panoramically.

During this process, they had to reveal sweet memories and a beautiful love story.

The romantic narrative of a love triangle continued.

In the end, Jae-joon appeared and handed the drink to the flirting woman, reconciling.

"Hmm…? This feels more like a real drama than an advertisement?"

"Yes, as I mentioned…."

His voice faded out completely.

'Oh… This is stressful.'

I thought it would be a simple advertisement with two or three scenes.

But it was a series of four advertisements, each about ten minutes long.

I should probably back out now.

Swoosh─

The advertiser subtly showed me the contract.

The advance payment written on the document was a staggering amount.

"80 million won… as an advance?"

"Yes. If it's insufficient…."

"No, no. I'm not even a model for the advertisement."

"Haha. So, will you sign it?"

I was deep in thought, considering the contract.

Whether the quality of the drama created by the system would match the script I wrote.

In the professional world, if you receive money, you must deliver the value.

I had to provide a service that clearly differentiated me from ordinary writers.

"…. I'll do it."

Combining the money earned from Pure Romance and the advance payment, I could level up.

Desiring to quickly raise my system level, I signed the contract.

Ultimately, it turned out to be the best choice I made recently.

* * *

As soon as I got home, I went to the kitchen and picked up a can of beer.

It didn't seem like my parents bought it, so it was probably Hyejeong's beer.

"Sweet."

I took 3,000 won from my wallet and put it in the refrigerator.

Since four cans of beer cost 10,000 won, I considered 500 won as delivery fee.

Creak─

I opened my room door for the first time in a long while.

"Phew…."

I took off my socks and checked my body, but there was no spot left unbruised.

"I hope the next work starts and ends in Seoul."

If I have to go on an overseas location shoot,

Shiver─

The thought alone made me shudder.

Hasn't everything I imagined come true so far?

"Phew."

I almost messed up.

I shouldn't think negatively; I need to focus on this work.

After all, the luck of having a work produced by a major network on my second try doesn't come to just anyone.

"But before that…."

Swoosh─

I took out the synopsis I received from the advertiser and skimmed through it again.

I needed to write about twenty scenes, which was tight to do in a few days.

Tap, tap─

#1 The junior, after receiving the drink, shyly greets.

-Senior, I prefer something other than the drink.

-What do you mean?

-I've liked you for a long time….

-Hold on! What are you two doing right now?

Pause─

I stopped typing and read the synopsis again.

"Hmm, this is a bit too safe. Can I add some impact?"

In reality, the synopsis was too specific to add much variation through dialogue.

I needed to use props or the surrounding environment to enhance the drama.

Ding─

At that moment, the advertiser transferred the payment.

I immediately checked my account balance.

Combining the money from Pure Romance, I had already surpassed 100 million won.

"Ah, Silver! Finally!"

I immediately deposited the money into the system.

【※ Silver Upgrade: 110-110101-1011 (Virtual Account, W Bank)】

【※ Deposit Amount: 100 million won / 100 million won】

Instantly, the familiar system message echoed in my mind.

Ding─

【You have been upgraded to Silver.】

【The range of actors the system applies to has increased.】

【The probability of writing consecutive works has increased.】

【You have obtained additional benefits.】

【You have obtained 1 point of Benefit Enhancement Points.】

"Benefit Enhancement Points?"

Can I use them to change actors or level up new skills?

Indeed, to level up skills, upgrading my rank was the right choice.

"What will this benefit be…?"

【Multiple Writing Lv 1: You can write multiple works simultaneously. 'Sub Works' can be refreshed after a certain period of time. (Cooldown: 1 year)】

This was a feature I thought might appear someday.

Since upgrading my rank would allow me to write two works at the same time.

"The certain period… A 1-year cooldown is a bit harsh."

Using enhancement points might reduce the cooldown.

Moreover, the system clearly specified 'Sub Works.'

There must be a difference compared to existing works.

【You can use Multiple Writing (Lv 1) according to your will.】

Without hesitation, I immediately used the multiple writing function.

Ding─

At that moment, the system activated again.

【Searching for a work that fits the actor you recently met.】

"Ah, I remember this."

This was the same message I saw when I first met Se-mi.

Soon, I rejoiced at the title of the drama the system gave me.

【Content: Campus Romance 1-4 Episodes】

【Genre: Romance, University, Love Triangle】

【Location: Near Sinchon Station, Yeonji University Campus】

【Time Limit: Unlimited】

【※ Gold Upgrade: 110-110101-1011 (Virtual Account, W Bank)】

【※ Deposit Amount: 0 won / 500 million won】

The Gold upgrade required 1 billion won, not 10 billion.

I was worried it might jump by ten times each time.

"Campus Romance…!"

* * *

On the campus of a university in Seoul.

I placed my laptop on my lap and started writing the script.

"So that's why they specifically mentioned a 'Sub Work.'"

A four-part drama, each part exactly 20 minutes long.

The main character was Im Jae-joon, whom I recently met.

"Is it right to use the points for multiple writing?"

The amount was so small that it was impossible to write a web drama.

Using points might shorten the skill cooldown or increase the length of the sub work.

Tap, tap, tap─

I started writing the drama, holding my breath.

I needed only four 10-minute scripts.

"Ah, this scene is really good."

Im Jae-joon handing a snack to a woman.

Not a drink, but the atmosphere was similar to what I saw in the synopsis.

"Hmm, this is enough for the system."

The female lead witnessing Im Jae-joon giving the snack.

The scene smoothly transitions to his turning back.

"I'll use what I need and discard the rest."

I copied the drama and modified it to fit the advertisement.

Although it was quite different from the original synopsis, I didn't care and followed my own path.

Most people would think:

How important could a script be for an advertisement?

But,

Later, the advertising industry professionals were all shocked.

The landscape of drama advertisements changed before and after Im Jae-joon's advertisement.