Chapter 54: The Year Santa Came Early

“What’s the occasion? You’re up early.”

─ It’s still before coloring, but I wanted to show you the comic.

“You’ve already finished a whole volume?”

─ Once I started, it got fun. So I got a little immersed, and before I knew it, it was done.

“Wow, that’s impressive, Daesik. Sure. Come over.”



Even when reading novels, I’d thought his concentration was something else, but his work speed was no joke either.

People say they’re immersed, but there aren’t many who can truly focus on one thing.

All the more so if you’re still a student.

Balancing school and cram school schedules while working is easier said than done; it’s extremely difficult.

I figured he must’ve been cutting into his sleep to boost his working speed.



“I’m really curious how you adapted and drew it.”



This is a project that means a lot to me, too.

My first webtoon—my first comic experience—even in my previous life, I never had this chance, so I was more excited than anyone.



─ Ding dong.



Less than ten minutes after we finished talking, the doorbell rang.



“Man, what are you, Speedman or something? You’re already here?”



Go Daesik came in through the door with a thick bag slung over his shoulder. Maybe he was chilled by the cold wind, because his face was flushed red, and the chill clinging to his clothes reached me.

“Time is money, right? So I ran. Hmph.”



His belly protruded toward me.

He puffed out his breath, looking all smug.

It reminded me of Go Daesik back in middle school.

Seeing him return to that version of himself, full of confidence and curiosity, made me feel good.



“Anyway, hurry and check it out. See if there’s anything lacking.”



Daesik, full of anticipation, handed me the stack of paper with sparkling eyes.

I took the thick pile and immediately sat down on the sofa to check inside.



‘Really, I’m speechless. It’s not even colored, but the quality is amazing. Once it’s fully colored, it’ll be incredible.’



The moment I opened the pages, I couldn’t help but recognize Daesik’s drawing skills. Just from the characters’ looks and expressions, you could instantly grasp the protagonist’s personality.

I moved to the next page.

The next scene began with a desolate street.

Polluted ground, collapsed bricks, shop buildings with broken signs.

Standing in the middle was a boy holding a smartphone.

The boy’s gaze was fixed on a run-down Lord’s Manor standing at the edge of the ruins.



[Connecting to the Lord Panel.]

1. Check overdue taxes.

2. Sanitation inspection.

3. View current estate defense status.



Information about the state of the domain appeared on the screen.

The protagonist clicked through the phone’s screen, agonizing over how to save the domain.



[One month later, creditors visit the domain.]

[Warning: If you fail to extend the debt, the domain will fall into the creditors’ hands.]



“Oh.”



Reading it as a comic instead of text made it even more vivid.

The panel composition was sharp, and the speech bubbles were placed perfectly, never breaking immersion.

There was no need to mention the smooth shifts in perspective, and the characters’ expressions and gazes anchored each scene perfectly.



[“Should I just say I’m screwed? I may be the lord in name, but inside I’m just a debtor.”]



Even within the gloom, the glimmer of hope urged me to turn the next page.

The deeper I went, the more I was sucked into the comic.

Even though I wrote these scenes, the new angles and composition I hadn’t thought of made the immersion even stronger.



“This is really good.”

“Really?”

“No joke. If you published this as a comic book right now, I bet it’d be a hit.”



If we just nail the marketing and promotion, I think sales will surpass expectations.

Every single panel radiates Daesik’s dedication.



‘It’s really a shame it’s not the 2020s yet.’



Soon enough, online comic platforms will start appearing, but we still have to wait a few more years.

A world where there’s more money in webcomics than in regular paper books.

It’s frustrating not being able to jump on that wave right away.



‘Still, it’s fine to start with a comic book and prepare for a webtoon later.’



The nickname “Novel Maniac” wasn’t for nothing—his scene transitions and narrative flow were wonderfully executed.

It’s not something a rookie high schooler could easily do, but no doubt his hard work played a part, and Daesik had a talent of his own.



“Daesik, let’s keep going like this. As soon as you’re ready with volume three, let’s get ready to publish.”

“Hey, can we really just publish it because we want to?”

“Well, not quite, but don’t worry about that part. I’ll take care of it.”



I have connections at Faith Publishing and Pantheon Publishing, and I personally have plenty of capital.

With these conditions, publishing shouldn’t be difficult.



“Also, isn’t it tough working at home right now?”



Daesik’s room was so cramped with a desk and bed that it was a terrible environment for working.

So I started thinking he might need a separate studio.



“Who’s ever satisfied from the start? There are entrepreneurs who started in storage rooms. I’m practically a noble in comparison.”

“You rascal. Just wait. I’ll set up a separate studio near home for you. From now on, work there. Rest at home.”

“I told you, it’s fine.”

“It’s not fine for me, so that’s how it is. Daesik, just hang in there. I’ll make sure you shine.”



If Daesik was someone who didn’t even recognize his own situation and just slacked off, I wouldn’t be investing in him like this.

The Daesik I’ve seen is someone I can be proud of anywhere.



“If that’s how you feel, I’ll accept. Just you wait, I’ll definitely pay you back.”



He pumped his fist in the air with determined resolve, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Even that gesture looked adorable and cool in my eyes.

We chatted about the project for a while, had breakfast together, and then wrapped up today’s meeting.



***



Ring the bells, ring the bells♬

Carol music poured onto the streets, announcing that Christmas of 2001 was just around the corner.

I opened my phone calendar and, seeing “December 24,” fell into contemplation. Excited children’s laughter drifted by. All over town, glittering decorations caught my eye. Kids ran around hoping for snow, and every shop welcomed guests with its own music.



“What could I do for those who worked hard this year?!”

Watching them, I fell deep in thought.

Dad, still heading out to work before dawn. Mom, cleaning and making meals for us. Daesik’s family, forced to live in a van after falling on hard times. I wanted to do something special for everyone.



─ If you cry, Santa Claus won’t give you a present, you know?



And then, a family member’s voice playfully threatened a child.



“Ah! That’s it. I’ll become Santa for everyone.”



Just as I was mulling it over, that cute family moment sparked a great idea in my mind. I wanted to create a day where we could all forget the hardships of the year and just laugh—a Santa Claus cosplay.

I felt a smile spreading across my lips at the thought of how special this time would be for me, too.

I went straight to the local stationery shop and bought a Santa outfit. Red cape and hat, white beard, a cushion for the belly—everything.

I quickly finished my preparations to become Santa Claus.



“As for the gifts, instead of picking something myself, I’ll get department store vouchers so everyone can buy what they need.”



Wondering what presents to give, I decided on department store vouchers, so everyone could pick what they needed. 200,000 won per person. I prepared each voucher carefully, putting name tags on every box. I printed the labels in advance, stuck them on the boxes, and tied ribbons.

Just handing over envelopes seemed boring, so I decided to put every voucher in a box.



“Alright, perfect. Let’s go with this.”



I put all the prepared gifts into my sack and hid it deep in my room so Mom wouldn’t find it.

On Christmas Eve, with all preparations complete, I deliberately kept out of sight until evening, pretending I wasn’t home.

Mom called out, saying Daesik had come, but I kept up the act.

During that time, I pulled out the Santa costume I’d hidden in my closet and transformed into Santa Claus.

I draped the red cape, stuffed the cushion in my belly, attached the white beard, and stood before the mirror for a final check. Then, with the gift sack slung over my shoulder, I quietly left my room.



“Where did Seunghyun go?”

“I don’t know. If he’s not coming down when we call, I guess he’s out?”



Dad and Mom’s voices drifted in.

I also heard the sound of people chatting in the living room.



“Hehe.”



Imagining everyone’s reaction when they saw me, I couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.

Mom, Dad, Da-hye, Go Daesik and his family, my uncle, and my aunt’s family—all gathered, sharing food and stories.

Feeling the warm, happy atmosphere, I crept down the stairs.



“Ho ho! Merry Christmas! Good children, good adults! Santa Claus has come with presents!”



As I reached the first floor, I tightened my belly and scratched my throat to show off my loud voice.

A husky, rough voice echoed through the living room.



“......?”

“......?”



The living room fell silent for a moment at my sudden entrance.



“Oppa, what’s that! Ahahaha!”



Laughter burst out everywhere, starting with Da-hye.

She clutched her belly laughing, and Go Daesik applauded and cheered.



“Santa Claus is here! Maybe it’s because I was good this year?”



Dad, Mom, my uncle and aunt, my aunt and uncle-in-law, and Daesik’s parents all laughed and played along.



“Santa Claus~ Give us presents too!”



Da-hye looked at me with shining eyes, clearly entertained.



“Now, presents have an order. Kids go last. Alright, adults first, please step up for your gifts.”



I mixed formal and informal speech as I handed out the boxes with the vouchers inside, starting with the oldest.



“Wow, never thought I’d get a gift from Santa Claus in my life.”



Dad chimed in, delighted.



“Wow, it’s a 200,000-won voucher.”



With every present, everyone’s faces lit up. Even the adults untied the ribbons like children, gasping when they saw what was inside.

Everyone except my parents fixed their gaze on me at the sight of such generous gift vouchers.



“Please accept it. It’s a special present I prepared. And Dad helped out a little too.”



I turned to Dad and gave him a playful wink.



“Huh? Ah, yeah, just take it. Don’t feel pressured. If you need anything, buy it with that. It’s Christmas today, after all. Please accept it, for Seunghyun’s sake.”



Luckily, Dad quickly caught on and played along with me.

Blood truly is thicker than water.

Like father, like son!

Maybe it was thanks to Dad’s words, but Daesik’s parents, who’d looked overwhelmed, gratefully accepted the vouchers and thanked us over and over.



“Will there ever be another day when we all laugh together like this? Thank you, Seunghyun.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just seeing you all happy makes me happier than anything.”



Money no longer mattered to me.

What I wanted more than money was laughter.

Choosing to become Santa Claus today would be remembered as one of the best days of my life.

And so, the final week of 2001 passed, leading into the morning of the new year, 2002.