Chapter 36: The Genius of the Market

[Author-nim, how are you? This is Deputy Manager Oh Juseon from Mideum Publishing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your new work. As always, your writing skills are remarkable……]

The message, which began with congratulations,

[……We would like to discuss signing your new work with us at Mideum……]

ended with that line.

"I wondered when they'd reach out, but the response was at 5G speed."

Since the book had just been published and reactions were starting to come in, I'd already thought Mideum Publishing might send a proposal for a new contract. As expected, they did.

[We hope to welcome you under the same conditions as your contract with Pantheon.]

No matter how much they investigated, they couldn't possibly know the terms of my Pantheon contract, and yet they sent such a message.

Mideum, who never seemed like they’d increase the royalty rate, now came bowing their head.

"It doesn't feel right to completely turn my back on Mideum Publishing. What should I do?"

It's true that my contract with Mideum Publishing was a bit stingy, but personally, our relationship wasn't bad. There wasn't any particular downside. So, since I had no reason to think negatively about the next contract, I took a moment to consider.

"There’s no need to sour the relationship. Let's use this chance to raise my value another step."

It's important to always know and secure your own worth.

So, I decided to propose terms that were a level higher this time as well.

"This time, I'll push for a 9% share on paper books. For e-books, same as Pantheon. And I'll ask for an illustrated cover."

Now, illustrated covers would become the industry standard. There's already a precedent, and reader reactions were visibly positive, so it's certain that publishers would start following my lead and set illustrated covers as a basic requirement.

Why?

Because it worked out well.

[Here are the proposed contract terms for your new work.

Paper book 9%, e-book 80%, cover illustration (cost borne by the publisher).]

On my way to the classroom, I paused and sent Mideum Publishing the terms I wanted.

[Thank you for your quick response. I will report to the PD and contact you again right away.]

A reply came almost immediately.

They seemed quite desperate.

"They're the ones who need this, so I'll just wait for the next message."

Cutting off contact, I resumed my steps toward the classroom.

I'm looking forward to their next message.

Bzzz.

The phone I’d left on my desk started vibrating.

[Here are the proposed contract terms for your new work.

Paper book 9%, e-book 80%, cover illustration (cost borne by the publisher).]

"Heh... Will the CEO really approve this?"

The moment I checked the message, a dry laugh escaped me.

The contract terms on the screen didn’t fit the CEO’s character, who was always trying to lower the author’s share.

"Damn CEO bastard. Whatever. I'll just submit it as is."

Securing the contract was more important, even if I had to raise the terms.

If I failed to get the contract, I'd get double the scolding, so I decided to focus on landing the deal rather than haggling over terms.

"PD-nim... I spoke to Author Unreal... The contract terms are a bit......"

After getting chewed out by the CEO, I glanced nervously at the PD and showed him Unreal Oppa’s proposed terms.

"...This is unbelievable. He really signed with Pantheon on these terms?"

Even the PD couldn’t close his mouth at terms that top authors rarely secured.

Not even well-known writers dared to mention such conditions.

"He said he won't sign unless these are met."

"Exclusive contract?"

"He won't do it. Last time we tried, he turned us down and signed with Pantheon instead."

A moment of reminiscence passed.

"Is he really a middle schooler? It's almost suspicious."

The PD muttered quietly, gripping a pen and tapping the desk.

"Proceed as is."

After much hesitation, the PD finally spoke.

"Are you sure you want to proceed?"

I asked again, cautiously.

"If we don’t? That old man will chew me out again, right?"

"N-no, sir. I’ll go ahead as you say."

Better to be chewed out like a dog than in a way that's truly soul-crushing.

"Ah, but make sure you include a clause requiring at least ten volumes. That way, maybe I’ll get scolded less."

"Yes, understood."

If the next work failed, I really might have to hand in my resignation, but based on the author's performance so far, it was worth the bet.

If at least 3,000 copies of each of ten volumes sold, I could enjoy at least some temporary freedom from the CEO’s grip.

I went straight back to my seat and began drafting the contract.

[Author-nim, we have accepted all of your requested contract terms. I’d like to visit you this evening if possible. Would that work for you?]

By the time fifth period was ending, a message arrived from Mideum Publishing.

"Why are they so fast? They must be really in a hurry."

If I'd known, maybe I could've pushed the contract terms even higher.

The desperation in their message made me feel a little regretful about the conditions.

"Let’s stop thinking about it. Paper books are pretty much on their way out anyway. This is enough."

I recalled a time in my previous life when I couldn't work, even though I wanted to. At my first company, I had to quit after three months because they delayed my salary, and I struggled for nearly a year to find another job.

Compared to that time, my current situation was paradise.

I decided to let go of greed that didn't suit me and take things one step at a time.

[I think around 6 o’clock will be fine.]

[Yes, I’ll come to your house by 6 o’clock. Thank you for making time. See you soon.]

"Hmm, I’ll skip academy today."

Today was an academy day, but the contract was more important, so I decided to skip it.

"What?! What did you just say? You're not going to academy??"

At some point, Yooa had returned to her seat and was glaring at me.

"I have something important today."

"What could be more important than studying?"

"There are lots of things. Some of them are major life events."

"More important than getting into high school?"

"Yeah, this is more important than high school entrance."

She really only cares about studying.

It’s just like someone who ranks in the top 50 in the whole school.

"What is it?"

"If you ask, it's only right to tell you, but... it's a secret."

Majayong~

I waved my index finger left and right.

"Tch. You really have a lot of secrets."

"It’s the mystique concept. If you know, you might get hurt."

"Fine. I'll go alone today."

Seeing her acting so much like a typical middle schooler brought a smile to my lips.

I turned my eyes toward the front, where the teacher’s desk was.

"Alright, everyone worked hard today. Don't forget your homework. Class president."

Attention, salute!

Thank you!

At the teacher’s cue, the class president stood and led the greeting.

We left the classroom for home, leaving behind the cleaning crew.

"Come to think of it, was it a mistake to reveal I’m an author?"

Ever since my identity came out, things with the homeroom teacher had gotten a little awkward. The teacher, who used to joke around, now looked at me with a careful gaze.

"Is it because I became famous? Hmm... Or am I just getting cocky?!"

I decided I needed to solve this problem soon.

I'd rather not let things get awkward between teacher and student.

"Oh, Author-nim. You came early."

Passing through the back gate and almost home, I saw Deputy Manager Oh, familiar as ever, with a black bag slung over his shoulder, greeting me.

"It’s still a while before six o’clock. You’re early?"

"Ha ha, I was lucky—no traffic, so I made it quickly. Will your mother be at home?"

"That’s good. She should be home. Please come in."

I went inside with Deputy Manager Oh and, in front of my mom, examined my third contract.

"As you requested, we included the clause, but added a special condition. You’ll need to write at least ten volumes..."

"Hmm, that’s fine. Let’s do it that way."

I was planning to write at least ten volumes anyway, so I stamped the contract without issue.

"Thank you. By the way, when do you think you can start on the new work?"

"Well, I just finished writing volume 4 of The Lord of the Smartphone, so... probably around winter. I’ll deliver by February next year."

Since I always organized new ideas as they came to me, it wouldn't be difficult to start right after The Lord of the Smartphone ended.

"Thank you. I hope your next work is another big hit."

Just as quickly as he’d arrived, Deputy Manager Oh left like the wind.

"Of all the jobs I’ve seen, publishing staff seem to be the busiest."

Thinking of Deputy Manager Oh’s hard work, I changed into comfortable clothes and got ready to work.

Mid-October 1999. As I opened the newspaper on the breakfast table, my eyes locked onto a striking headline.

[Saerom Technology Hits Upper Limit Again, "A Novel Moves Reality."]

[Market Moves Just as Depicted in Web Novel ‘A Genius Was Adopted by a Chaebol Family’]

┗ Is the author from the future?

┗ How much have people who invested early after reading this novel made?

┗ Author-nim, what’s the next stock?

┗ Bring Unreal Oppa into the company. He reads the market better than any so-called expert from a top university.

Community reactions were explosive.

At first I was scared, but now, I found myself enjoying it.

[Saerom Technology Trading Volume Explodes.]

The 30 million won I invested in early August had now reached 400 million won.

"Still, this feels risky... It’s rising too fast."

The stock’s growth curve was even steeper than in real history.

My planned sell-off was for early February, but I started to think I needed to revise my plan.

"I’ll sell in mid-January."

Whether it was a 100x profit or 200x, that wasn’t the point anymore.

My instincts told me—if I sold at the historical date, it would be dangerous.

So, I decided to pull out about half a month earlier.

[A novel-driven investment boom leads to Saerom Technology……]

Not just newspapers, but online news started covering my novel. On anonymous forums and message boards, economic passages from A Genius Was Adopted by a Chaebol Family were being screencapped and shared, and some people even wrote analysis posts on my lines.

[Speculation rises: Is the author actually an economics or investment expert……]

Eventually, people even started guessing that my main profession was economics or investment expert.

"I really have become a genius."

I couldn’t help but laugh at the idea.

Being treated as a genius didn’t feel bad, but it was still kind of funny.

[There are calls to invite the author to teach economics.

TV stations are contacting Mideum Publishing……]

"They want to contact Unreal Oppa for a TV appearance… Cough."

W-what?!

A TV appearance?!

"......"

I stared at the news post, stunned, my mind blank.

Bzzz.

At the same time, my phone started to vibrate violently.