Chapter 41: The Hahoe Mask Author

[Unreal Author, First Genre Novel Writer to Appear on Public Broadcasting.]

[A Genius Has Been Adopted by a Chaebol Family.]

[The Lord of Smartphones.]

[Unreal Author is a Minor?!]

[How Old is Unreal Author?!]

[Hahoe Mask Author.]

The broadcast that spread across the country led me to fame.

Internet, newspapers, news—regardless of the medium, my pen name and my works were discussed daily, leaving a clear imprint in people's minds.

"Hey, you know that Unreal Oppa?! I heard there's a rumor he might be our age?"

"Oh, I saw the show too. He looked young."

"Right? Maybe that's why he wore the hahoe mask on TV?! That's what everyone's saying."

Even at school, talk about me never ceased.
l
"Still, he can't be a middle schooler. How could a middle schooler write like that? No matter how much I read, it doesn't seem like someone our age wrote it."

"True, right? He must be at least a high schooler."

Luckily, the kids guessed I was a high schooler, not a middle schooler.

It was a good thing I went on TV wearing the hahoe mask.

"If I'd just gone out there, it would've been dangerous."

At the kids' reactions, I let out a huge sigh of relief.

"There's nothing good about the kids finding out. That was a close one."

Even now, it's a mess—what if my face had become known?!

Just the thought is horrifying.

My sudden fame spread with astonishing speed. The day after the broadcast, as soon as I opened the PC communication screen, a flood of messages and post notifications poured in. The fax from Mideum Publishing was filled with lines like 'Sold out at each bookstore.'

A report that 'A Genius Has Been Adopted by a Chaebol Family' was selling explosively.

Another reprint was confirmed, and thanks to word-of-mouth among existing readers, even used bookstore prices were going above retail.

"Unreal Author, the reprint speed for 'A Genius Has Been Adopted by a Chaebol Family' is unprecedented. Marketing is seeing an explosive response right now. We expected your public broadcast appearance to have a big effect, but this is beyond our hopes."

The voices of the editor-in-chief and marketing team overlapped. Their tone was excited, but the numbers hidden inside made my head giddy with happiness. In my royalties account, numbers far bigger than before were steadily piling up.

It was the same for 'The Lord of Smartphones.' With seven volumes published so far, volumes 8, 9, and 10 were printed a month ahead of schedule. Sales soared, centered on major bookstores and rental shops, and the final volume—volume 10—sold out its first printing within a single day.

┗ It's finished in 10 volumes, but I want more because it's so good.

┗ Is there a sequel? This author is really amazing.

Readers' comments overflowed with love and curiosity, and Pantheon Publishing enjoyed an unexpected boom. Once struggling with an uncertain revenue structure, Pantheon became recognized through my works and secured contracts with several new writers, shaping up into a real publishing house.
The pen name Unreal Oppa became a brand, taking root in the market.

['The Lord of Smartphones' is now completed in 10 volumes and has sold over 70,000 copies. Of these, 20,000 copies of the last volume sold out in just two days, leading to another reprint.]

Pantheon Publishing put all its focus into aggressively marketing my work.

Naturally, this led to more sales, filling my account handsomely.

My pen name became a tidal wave, sweeping across Korea and heralding the winter.

***

5th Grade, Class 2. A peaceful morning with sunlight streaming down the curtains.

"I got a hahoe mask too! What do you think? Cool, right?"

Seungchul, famous as the class prankster, kicked open the half-closed classroom door and shouted. At his voice, I shifted my gaze from the window to the door. Seungchul had his face half-covered with a hahoe mask.

"I got one too~"

His best friend Jihoon also pulled out a hahoe mask from his bag and put it on, striking a pose. Not only Jihoon—other boys put on hahoe masks and started imitating Oppa. Yes, ever since Oppa appeared on TV, wearing a hahoe mask became a trend among the boys at our school.

They acted as if they were my Oppa himself.

"I see economics as a narrative! The characters change, and the industries move along with the story~!"



Jungmin climbed on the teacher's podium and spoke playfully, filling the classroom with laughter. Kids slapped their desks, others recited lines Oppa had said while wearing the mask, and watching them made me think of Oppa at school.

"Isn't he really cool? Wearing the hahoe mask adds this mysterious vibe and makes him look smart."

"Yeah, after I saw that show, I wanted to become a writer too."

I quietly bit my lip, trying not to let my trembling shoulders show. The words I didn't dare say echoed endlessly in my heart.

'That hahoe mask author is my Oppa!!'

I wanted to say it. I wanted to shout and brag about Oppa. But he told me not to. He said never to tell.

It's so hard not being able to call Oppa "Oppa" in front of everyone...

Oppa said,

Promises are even more important between people close to you.

I pushed down my frustration and waited for class to end.

First period, second, third, fourth, fifth.

Ding-dong-dang-dong.

Class was over.

"Should I buy a hahoe mask too?"

On the way home, holding hands with Hyein and Arin.

Arin mumbled as she stared at the hahoe masks hanging at the stationary shop.

"Want me to buy it for you?"

Perking up at the sound, I quietly asked Arin.

"Huh? No, it’s nothing. Just saying."

Arin shook her head.

"No, I'll buy it for you. For Hyein too."

Oppa told me never to just look out for one friend.

If I want to do something for my friends, make sure no one is left out.

So I told them I'd get them both hahoe masks.

"Let's go."

With hesitant Arin and Hyein, I went into the stationery store and picked out hahoe masks.

"There were only three left, and you girls are taking the last ones."

When I brought the three masks to the counter, the lady there said these were the last ones.

"Wow, are hahoe masks really popular these days?"

I asked while paying for the masks.

"Of course. Because of that writer called Unreal Oppa, hahoe masks are all the rage among kids now."

"I hope you sell a lot more."

She doesn’t know. She can’t possibly know that Unreal Oppa is my Oppa.

Ah, it makes my mouth itch.

I hope this hahoe mask craze sparked by Oppa keeps going strong.

'Oppa, right now I’m the proudest little sister in the world.'

The autumn sunlight blooming bright and wide gently warmed my eyes.

I couldn't brag to my friends, but because I have a brother to be proud of by my side, I am... truly, really happy.

***

December 1999. Winter break.

That season when the whole world turned white, my pen name was still on everyone’s lips. Newspapers, TV, radio, and news portals—'Unreal Author' appeared every day, and things that didn’t feel real kept happening to me in rapid succession.

─ Your pen name is a huge topic right now. Especially, coming out on TV with the hahoe mask seems to have really caught people’s attention. They’re calling you the Hahoe Mask Author.

It was Deputy Oh from Mideum Publishing. Lately, thanks to me, he said going to work was exciting, and he always brought me news first. His voice was filled with excitement.

It made me proud to know I could have a positive influence on someone through my own efforts.

─ On that note, would you consider doing a signing event?

"What? A signing event?"

At that moment, Deputy Oh brought up something that made my eyes widen.

Did I hear that right? A signing event. It’s something every author dreams about, but now that it was offered, I felt dazed.

But a faint smile crept to my lips.

"Um, no. I think keeping the mystery is better for the readers."

I spoke cautiously, but my heart was pounding. In my previous life, such a proposal was beyond imagination. Now, it had come true.

Still, I shook my head and declined.

─ If you hold a signing event, the book will sell even better.

"I really appreciate you thinking of me, but since I'm still a student, it's a bit difficult to do a signing event."

─ Hmm, understood. If you ever change your mind, please let us know.

Deputy Oh answered, his voice tinged with regret.

After hanging up, I quietly set down my phone. Gazing softly out the window, I saw snow gently blanketing the world outside. The tranquil, sparkling scene was just like the landscape in my heart.

A signing event. In my previous life, I would have leapt at the chance. But now, things were different. The important thing wasn't money but direction, and for now, I was satisfied that my direction was set.

'I can do it if I really want to.'

1999. This year was the most dramatic turning point in my life. The things I'd only imagined in my previous life became reality one by one, and I grew along with the flow.

I looked at volume 10, the completed set of 'The Lord of Smartphones,' sitting on my desk. The gentle scent of ink from the paper always calmed my heart. I still couldn't quite believe that these books had started at my fingertips.

『A Genius Has Been Adopted by a Chaebol Family』 surpassed 100,000 copies in total sales, and 『The Lord of Smartphones』 went into full reprinting the moment it was finished. Reader support was far more passionate than expected. Hundreds of comments were posted every day in online bookstore reviews, and reader groups formed spontaneously, filling online communities.

"Oppa, there’s a kid in my class who read all of 'The Lord of Smartphones.' What if they ask for your autograph?"

That night, after dinner with my family, Da-hye asked carefully.

"That's why I wore the hahoe mask. If that kid asks you, then my lovely little sister must have told them everything, right? I trust you wouldn't tell anyone, so unless you do, it won't happen. But if you do... your allowance might be in danger."

I laughed, ruffling Da-hye's hair.

"I never told! And I never will."

Sitting upright on the sofa, Da-hye straightened her back and opened her mouth.

Seeing her so determined and adorable, a smile spread across my lips.

She was clearly determined to protect her allowance at all costs.

Setting down the doll she’d been hugging, Da-hye came over and linked her arm in mine.

"But Oppa, really... Even if you become a famous author later, will you keep wearing the hahoe mask?"

I nodded.

"Yeah. Always. Because my secret will be safe as long as you keep it, Da-hye."

I told her, although I wouldn’t wear it forever, for now, this was best.

"Then I'll promise too. I’ll never tell anyone that the hahoe mask author is my Oppa."

Her words made my chest tighten unexpectedly. My little sister’s feelings reached me.

Holding onto my swelling heart, I turned to look out the window.

Watching the snow still falling silently outside.

'It's good.'

Savoring this moment, I leaned deep into the sofa and closed my eyes.

I quietly wished for this peace and happiness to last forever.