Chapter 35: The Season of Change

The summer, once so stifling, had been swept away by autumn winds before anyone realized it, and uniforms had changed from summer to winter wear.

Even the bookstores and rental shops reflected the change of seasons.

Newly released novels lined up to fill the display shelves, and staff could be seen all around, busy rearranging the order of the displays.

"Isn't there anything interesting to read?"

One student rustled a snack bag in his hand as he spoke, standing before the shelves.

The friend who came with him moved to the next section and ran his fingers over other book spines.

"Hey, check this out. What's with this cover?"

At the spot where the student's finger stopped lay a book with a delicately illustrated cover set against a bright background.

The protagonist's gaze was intense, and the swirling cloak trailing behind hinted at the story inside.

The title read: ‘The Lord of the Smartphone’.

It was impossible to look away.

"The art is gorgeous. Kind of looks like an animation."

Other students began to gather, one by one, drawn by the cover.

It had been a long time since a book’s cover—not its spine—captured people’s attention like this.

Novel covers usually featured only typographic designs or simple backgrounds, but this one was different.

It looked just like a comic book, pulling the eye in with a full illustrated scene.

One student pulled out the book and turned the first page.

He read a few lines, then flipped the page.

Before long, he’d turned two, three pages—his hand couldn’t stop wanting the next.

"Hey, this is actually pretty good! The writing’s really smooth."

"Really? Let me see."

The student reading the book grew quiet, now fully absorbed.

His eyes flew down the lines.

"Who’s the author?"

"Here, Unreal Oppa? What kind of name is that?"

They burst out laughing after reading the pen name, but the laughter quickly died down.

"Huh? Did you say Unreal Oppa?"

A student nearby pricked up his ears and dashed over, snatching the book away.

"Th-this is... oh wow!"

His face quickly shifted to one of awestruck delight as he stared at the cover.

"A genre novel with an illustrated cover? This is revolutionary!"

He stopped carefully inspecting the outside and dove into reading the contents.

"Don’t you guys know Unreal Oppa? The author of 'A Genius Adopted by a Chaebol Family.'"

"What? Seriously?! This is by that guy?"

"You fools, you don’t even know the author’s pen name?"

"I just read whatever’s fun. Pen names don’t matter, do they?"

"Hey, you should at least know the pen name of the author who wrote your favorite book. What you just said is like knowing HOT’s songs but not knowing the singer! How can you do that? Reflect on yourself. I’m buying this."

Before anyone realized, two or three people had gathered, clutching copies of ‘The Lord of the Smartphone’ and lining up at the register.

That was just the beginning.

Even adults passing by began to pick up the book.

Their gaze lingered on the illustrated cover, and after reading a few lines, they were hooked—unable to put it down, they made their way to the checkout.

The buzz that started in the rental shop began to spread, and soon more and more people came looking for the book through word of mouth.

The cover of ‘The Lord of the Smartphone’ became its own form of marketing.

The title and content matched perfectly, sparking interest.

‘The Lord of the Smartphone’ didn’t start out on the bestseller shelf, but from a single plain illustrated slot, it began to be picked up, spread by word of mouth.

10:00 a.m., Mideum Publishing.

[Unreal Oppa’s new work is out! The Lord of the Smartphone is going to be a mega hit!!!]

┗ Seriously, this author can’t be human. How do you write a novel like this...

┗ The immersion is insane! Feels like he knows economics or something—the logic is flawless.

┗ Unreal Oppa? I thought that pen name was childish, but turns out I was the childish one;; I kneel before him.

┗ The prose is just so clean. You rarely see this level of writing skill in recent novels. Who is it? Someone interview him now!

┗ My pick for best new novel this year. Putting an illustration on the cover was a genius move, lol. It’s so pretty!

┗ The Lord of the Smartphone is just crazy good. If it ever gets adapted, I’ll watch for sure. Feels like Three Kingdoms with merchants.

┗ When’s volume 3 coming out? I already devoured up to volume 2. Publisher, get moving! Lock the author in the canning room!!!

┗ Honestly, Unreal Oppa is a seriously legit writer. Oppa, I’m cheering you on, lol. You’re a guy, right?!

┗ Checked it out on a friend’s recommendation and lost a whole day... Ended up dozing off in class the next day; is this real life?

"PD Lee! PD Lee!"

From early morning, CEO Hwang Da-gyu’s booming voice shook the air.

The faces of all the employees in the office were taut with anxiety.

"What the hell are you doing!! Didn’t I tell you to lock in a contract with Unreal Oppa’s next work, no matter what? Didn’t I?!"

The office door swung open and CEO Hwang stormed in, looking for PD Lee Tae-gyu.

There was no hiding the anger burning on his flushed face.

"S-sorry, sir......"

Producer Lee Tae-kwon, who had been working inside, sprang up in shock and bowed his head.

"What about Chief Oh? What’s he doing? He was all talk about taking responsibility, and this is the result?! Do you even know which publisher that novel ended up with?!"

CEO Hwang’s shout seemed like it could bring the ceiling crashing down.

Even the mug on the PD’s desk seemed to tremble.

Lee Tae-kwon shrank into himself, lowering his head—he couldn’t even think of a proper excuse.

He swallowed silently.

As CEO Hwang’s voice rose, the atmosphere in the office grew sharper and more tense.

"Pantheon? We lost the author we’d been scouting to a company I’ve never even heard of? Does this make any sense?!"

CEO Hwang snatched a newspaper off the desk and hurled it to the floor.

The sharp sound of paper cutting through the air echoed across the room.

"We got outmaneuvered by a brand new publisher, you idiots. What have you been doing all day, just sitting around?! Huh!!"

"......"

Lee Tae-kwon couldn’t open his mouth.

He could only keep bowing in apology.

CEO Hwang’s rage showed no signs of abating.

The bloodshot eyes on his furious face were downright demonic.

"What’s Chief Oh doing now? Why’d he boast about getting the contract? All talk, no action!"

"I’m sorry......"

"From now on, it’s your responsibility. Get the next contract, even if you have to get down on your knees. This is your last chance. If you fail, be ready to hand in your resignation. Got it?!"

"......"

Lee Tae-kwon never once raised his head.

He could feel sweat beading on the back of his neck.

‘Ah, I’m screwed......’

Watching the scene unfold from afar, I swallowed hard.

My body trembled.

Whenever the CEO’s gaze landed on me, it felt like I was strapped to a torture chair.

The resignation letter tucked away in my desk drawer flashed through my mind.

"You think I gave you guys the company card just to have you waste time like this?! If you spent money, you should be showing results. Do you think you deserve company money when you can’t even do your jobs right?"

It was CEO Hwang Da-gyu himself who gave out those cards without us even asking.

"...... I’ll get it done."

But there aren’t many things an ordinary office worker can say.

In the end, Producer Lee Tae-kwon said he’d secure the contract and bowed deeply.

"I’ll be watching you all closely."

With those words, CEO Hwang snorted and stormed out of the office.

"...... Chief Oh. Check what terms Unreal Oppa’s author signed with Pantheon under."

In a voice drained of all energy, PD Lee Tae-kwon grabbed his cigarettes and headed outside.

"Haa......"

His exhausted sigh drifted through the office.

"Haa......"

I followed suit with a heavy sigh of my own.

I seriously considered whether I should quit.

October 1999, Class 7, Grade 3, XX Middle School.

A cool breeze drifted between the tightly clustered desks, and the students’ faces were filled with both excitement and tension.

Today was the day for career counseling.

The students went into the counseling office one by one, in order of their numbers.

Inside, they were asked about their plans for high school and future careers.

"Seunghyun, it’s your turn."

At last, it was my turn.

I left the classroom and made my way to the counseling office.

I entered the room.

"Sit here."

The homeroom teacher peered at my student record and report card on the desk.

Tension filled the counseling office.

After scanning my grades thoughtfully, the homeroom teacher fixed his gaze on me.

"Hmm, your grades are about average for the class. With your current record, you should be able to get into your chosen high school. But your career aspiration is... writer, is it?"

Looking at what I’d written, he looked at me with a mix of curiosity and surprise.

I could understand why.

Not many students put down 'writer' as their future dream.

In fact, you could say there are almost none.

"Yes, I want to be a writer."

"You’re interested in writing, Seunghyun? Then you must be considering the creative writing department for university, right?"

"No, sir. I have no plans to go to college."

At his question, I shook my head to show I had no intention of attending university.

"What? You’re not going to college?"

"Yes. After graduating high school, I plan to get a special military exemption and start working as a writer right away."

I laid out my plans for the teacher.

Wasting four years at university was simply too great a loss for me.

For me, even writing a single more letter in that time would be more valuable.

"You have to go to college to be a writer. Studying Korean literature or creative writing will broaden your horizons and help you more."

The teacher, choosing his words carefully, urged me to pursue higher education.

"I don’t think college is a necessity for writing. What’s important is having eyes to see the world, the ability to express ideas, and perseverance. Studying for the entrance exam to go to college wouldn’t help me. Spending four years there would be a waste for me, too."

Going to college with half a mind was never a good idea.

Why did I think this way?

Simply put, in my past life, I deeply regretted going to college.

Why did I regret it?

After graduation, the only thing that improved was my annual salary. I never once used anything I learned in school at work.

That’s when the thought hit me.

If you’re just going to work at a company, do you really need a college degree?

I grew more and more doubtful.

I shook my head calmly.

"Writing is a tough job. If things don’t work out, you’ll need to get a regular job, and for that, you’ll need a degree."

The teacher sighed, voicing his disapproval.

Apparently, even in his mind, 'writer' meant a poor, unstable career.

Of course, a teacher’s job is to offer realistic advice, but I also think respecting and supporting a student’s own dreams is just as important.

At this rate, the conversation was only going to sour both our moods and never end.

"That’s why it’s best to go to college, no matter what."

The homeroom teacher stubbornly insisted on university.

"Um..."

At that, I hesitated a moment before finally making up my mind.

"Sir, the truth is, I’ve already signed a formal contract with a publisher and am currently writing. I’ve had two works published so far, and the results aren’t bad."

"What? What do you mean?"

At my words, the teacher’s eyes widened in surprise.

His face was filled with disbelief.

"My books are on sale at bookstores right now."

"......"

For a moment, the counseling room fell silent.

"The author of ‘A Genius Adopted by a Chaebol Family’—that’s me. I can prove it if you need."

I’d never wanted to reveal my identity to anyone, but the teacher’s unbending insistence that his way was the only way didn’t sit right with me, so after some consideration, I decided to come clean.

‘A Genius Adopted by a Chaebol Family’ had caused a big stir socially, so I figured the teacher would at least know the title. Judging by his reaction, he did.

"Sir, I want to live as a writer. So please, respect my wishes and cheer me on."

I felt the young teacher, who was younger than I was in my previous life, needed a bit of advice, so I shared my thoughts.

Maybe it was a bit rude, but I wanted my own thoughts to be respected, too.

"...... I’m sorry. I don’t think there’s any point in continuing the counseling."

The teacher, a little embarrassed, cleared his throat and indicated the counseling was over.

"Um, sir, please keep my writing a secret. Thank you for listening."

I decided that my teacher would be the only one to know.

I didn’t want my classmates to find out.

After making him promise, I left the counseling room.

Bzzzz.

At that moment, my phone vibrated inside my jacket pocket.

As I walked back to class, I checked my phone.