Book 20 Chapter 29
A Roundtable Discussion with Biryu Yeon and His Gang
Biryu Yeon: Finally, volume 20. Twenty volumes, I say. Double of ten volumes. Double.
Hyo Ryong: It really is. I never thought we'd come this far…
Biryu Yeon: The author probably never imagined it either. Back in the days when we had to end stories in just three or four volumes, this was unimaginable.
Hyo Ryong: That's right. This story has been going on for that long. It's already been 10 years since we first started.
Jang Hong: Huh! Is it already that long?
Biryu Yeon: No, it's still 9 years. There's still a year left.
Hyo Ryong: That doesn't make you any younger, though, does it?
Biryu Yeon: Ryong Ryong, you've learned to hit the nail on the head now, haven't you? Excellent!
Hyo Ryong: Thank you. But there's something strange, Yeon.
Biryu Yeon: What is it?
Hyo Ryong: Even after 20 volumes, why have you never faced a proper crisis? I thought this time you'd finally face a real crisis, but you just cleverly slipped away like a loach.
Jang Hong: Right! I've always wondered about that.
Biryu Yeon: Ah, that's because I'm the most invincible protagonist in the universe. Have you already forgotten such common sense? Protagonists always receive special treatment.
Hyo Ryong: That common sense is news to me. Protagonists receiving special treatment! Isn't that incredibly unfair?
Biryu Yeon: Right! It is unfair. Of course, it's unfair! So? The world is inherently unfair. Absolute equality is a fantasy. If everyone were treated the same, what fun would there be in such a terribly boring world?
Hyo Ryong: Uncle Jang, please do something about that annoying guy.
Jang Hong: Do you think he'll budge at your words? You'll have to endure it, Hyo Ryong.
Hyo Ryong: (Biting his collar) Argh! I'm so frustrated!
Jang Hong: But you don't need to be so disheartened. There's good news too.
Hyo Ryong: Good news? What good news?
Jang Hong: It's news that will surely pique your interest. They say that in the next volume, that annoying guy will finally get a good beating. They say he'll be thoroughly beaten!
Hyo Ryong: Oh, come on! No way, right? He's the protagonist, isn't he? He walks around boasting about being immortal and invincible. And indeed, there hasn't been a plausible crisis so far. The fact that I can't refute it makes me even more furious.
Jang Hong: That's why the people around him always suffer needlessly. They have to face the crises that he should be facing.
Hyo Ryong: That's true. But is there really someone who can give that shameless, cockroach-like guy a taste of his own medicine?
Jang Hong: Well, I vaguely heard that there is one person.
Hyo Ryong: Then, is it that person?
Jang Hong: I don't know about that. But does it matter who it is? What matters is that guy will get a harsh punishment. It's not fair if only we supporting characters get beaten up all the time, is it?
Hyo Ryong: That's definitely true. But is that rumor really true?
Biryu Yeon: (Suddenly interjecting between the two) Of course, that's a lie. You fell for such a deception, Ryong Ryong, you're still inexperienced!
Hyo Ryong: Get your bothersome finger away from me.
Jang Hong: Well, is it really a lie? There's a rumor that the source of this information is the author himself.
Biryu Yeon: Hmph, the protagonist is eternal. Not even gods or Buddhas can do anything to me! Since when did this corner turn into a preview for the next volume? Be faithful to your main job, your main job.
Jang Hong: It's a gossip corner anyway, so it doesn't matter if various topics come up. Besides, how happy would the readers be if such hopeful news were revealed?
Biryu Yeon: Hmph, my dear readers will shed tears of blood. They might even hold candlelight vigils. The publisher's website will crash, and the phone lines will be jammed. Hahahahahaha!
Jang Hong: That's a severe case. Prince Charming syndrome.
Hyo Ryong: I agree. It's a terminal symptom. I really hope he gets properly beaten in the next volume. It would be fine to replace the protagonist at this point, wouldn't it?
Jang Hong: That's exactly what I mean. If that guy were gone, couldn't we two become the top stars? Hui, you'll continue to play the role of a lead supporting character. A semi-lead, so to speak.
Mo Yong Hui: (Happily) C-Can I really?
Jang Hong: You truly have no ambition. Let's live with hope, hope.
Biryu Yeon: It's delusion. Delusion! Don't be disappointed later. We'll see in the next volume. We'll see whose words are true!
Jang Hong & Hyo Ryong: See you in the next volume, you say? Do you think anyone's scared? Justice always prevails! Don't you know such a famous proverb?
Biryu Yeon: I don't know! I don't know! I don't know! Absolutely not!
Mo Yong Hui: (Bows) Then, I'll see you in the next volume!
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Biryu Yeon & Hyo Ryong & Jang Hong: Hey, Mo Yong Hui! Why are you suddenly wrapping things up alone? Our conversation isn't over yet.
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Mo Yong Hui: I thought I should sometimes make a quick exit. I'm a semi-lead, aren't I?
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Biryu Yeon & Hyo Ryong & Jang Hong: ……