Book 23 Chapter 23
The Great Revival!
A Roundtable Discussion with Biryu-yeon and his Crew
Unbending Fighting Spirit!
Painful Efforts!
Massive Lobbying!
Constant Public Opinion Manipulation!
Diligent Sabotage!
And,
Blackmail! Threats! To the Author!
In the End—
Finally…… Finally……
Jang Hong: The Great Revival!!!!!!!!!! A Roundtable Discussion with Biryu-yeon and his Crew. Kyahoooo!
Hyo Ryong: Ah, it feels like coming home, Hyung.
Jang Hong: You might have thought we were exiled, but we've finally returned. Kreeee, it's truly moving!
Hyo Ryong: I agree.
Jang Hong: But where did "that guy" go? Normally, he would have shown up by now and said a few arrogant words with a "Hmph," but it's strange.
Hyo Ryong: Speaking of which, he said he wasn't really in the mood to talk.
Jang Hong: Huh? Why? That guy who was always annoyingly energetic is acting strange.
Hyo Ryong: I don't know? It's clear he's quite dejected.
Jang Hong: Dejected? Don't you think that statement is an insult to the word "dejected"?
Hyo Ryong: I feel a bit sorry.
Jang Hong: You should feel very sorry.
Hyo Ryong: Anyway, he said he's not in the mood to talk today. It seems he's received quite a mental shock.
Jang Hong: It's karma! Still, it's more exciting when that guy acts a bit cocky. How can we properly maintain this spot like this?
Hyo Ryong: If it stays like this, there's a 99% chance we'll be cut in the next volume.
Jang Hong: (Screaming) Noooooo! How can we give up the spot we fought so hard to get back! We can't retreat like this! Hyo Ryong! Let's quickly come up with a plan.
Hyo Ryong: Shall I bring Miss Yoon? She's quite the topic of conversation around here. People say she looks surprisingly good.
Jang Hong: (Firmly) Rejected! We can't drag any more women into this corner!!
Hyo Ryong: A woman……? I had a feeling she wasn't.
Jang Hong: Anyway, no! Yoon Joon-ho is currently disguised as a woman. So she's a woman!
Hyo Ryong: Then what do we do?
Jang Hong: Let's bring the author!
Hyo Ryong: The author?
Jang Hong: Yes, the author! Quickly!
Hyo Ryong: That sounds like the worst option……
(Hyo Ryong brings Author M anyway)
Author M: Hello, I'm Author M. It's been a while. Wow, this corner is still around, huh.
Jang Hong & Hyo Ryong: What do you mean by that? Are you picking a fight now!
Author M: No, I was just expressing my honest feelings. Be more open-minded. I mean, broaden your horizons.
Jang Hong: Well, that's fine. Make yourself comfortable, as if you're at a hearing.
Author M: It's a place where the observers are more uncomfortable than the parties involved.
Hyo Ryong: Alright, let's get to the main point, both of you. First, to the author. Is it true that a new work is coming out?
Author M: Yes, it's true.
Hyo Ryong: So it was true. I was hesitant. When is it coming out?
Author M: It's coming out on August 7, 2007. I don't know the exact time. I'd love to tell you down to the second, but I guess the moment you pick up the book at the bookstore will be that time.
Jang Hong: Where will it be released?
Author M: It will be released under the brand Daewon Archetype. The title is "Mermaid Saga."
Jang Hong: I didn't ask for the title of the work!
Author M: You were going to ask anyway, weren't you?
Jang Hong: That may be true, but (shouting) please answer only the questions!
Author M: It's not a martial arts story.
Jang Hong: (Shouting!) That's also an answer to a question I haven't asked yet! Please don't answer before I ask!
Author M: Why? Is it because your screentime has decreased?
Jang Hong: This is why people in the industry are difficult. They know too much……
Hyo Ryong: Is it your first new work in a while?
Author M: It's my first, not my first in a while.
Hyo Ryong: Is that true? I thought it's been quite a while since you wrote "Biraedo."
Author M: It's already been 10 years. It's a bit shorter if you count from publication. I thought it was about time to prepare another story.
Hyo Ryong: I see. The new work… "Mermaid Saga," did you say? What does it mean?
Author M: It means "The War Record of the Mermaid Princess." Not "biography" like in "biography of a great person," but "war record" like in "war."
Hyo Ryong: I see. What is the content?
Author M: It's a secret, of course. I'm the type who doesn't even watch trailers, so I don't usually give previews. However, the illustrations for the work were done by Jeong Jun-ho, who also worked on "Lineage 2." I think you'll be able to see some great artwork.
Hyo Ryong: I see. There are rumors that the release cycle of "Biraedo" will be even slower with the new work out? There are even talks of it being released once a year.
Author M: That won't happen. "Biraedo" will continue at its current pace. Unless something special happens, I intend to maintain the pace of one book every three months.
Hyo Ryong: That's good news. Hearing that puts my mind at ease.
Author M: Was your last question the only one you wanted to ask?
Hyo Ryong: Let's overlook the minor details. Well, Biryu-yeon, that friend, isn't planning to show up because he's dejected, so I think it's best to wrap this up between us. There probably isn't anything more to dig up anyway.
Author M: I am not a blanket.
Jang Hong: Well, that's just a metaphor. Don't worry about it and let's wrap up.
Author M: Venturing into a new challenge is always heart-pounding. While I'm a little nervous and tense, the mere fact that I've been given the opportunity to challenge myself makes me incredibly happy. I want to move forward. No matter how much I move forward and forward, it's exciting to know that there's always another peak. I won't be bored for a while. There's still a long way to go until I conquer all those mountains.
It's already been almost 10 years since I wrote "Biraedo." And now, I'm about to start another story that I've kept in a corner of my heart for 10 years. It's true that I'm a little nervous. But I don't want to run away from this opportunity for a new challenge. That would be like throwing away the chance to overcome my own limitations. Progress and evolution might be the absolute command embedded in human genes. I don't see the end of it yet, but I believe I'm walking a righteous path. I've walked this one path for 10 years. And, even though I'm now starting a second story, I don't think of it as having two paths. It's because my intention remains to write fun stories, enjoyable stories, stories that can capture people's hearts, and stories that give strength when read. I intend to keep walking this path. I don't know what I'll see, hear, or feel along the way, but I'll make sure to tell you all about it without forgetting.
Thank you.
To drag even the author into this corner, woo~