Chapter 4: Hello. This is Kim Jang-bung, the writer.

Jangbung adjusted his tie before dialing.

“Hello. Artist Biryongsaekma, this is Manager Kim Jangbung. How have you been? Yes. I’m contacting you regarding the event contract.”

The artist’s voice crackled through the phone, enthusiastic.

“Oh, there’s nothing wrong. We normally provide illustrations separately, but this time, you can request a special order from an existing illustrator and charge us the budget.”

Jangbung nodded, scribbling notes.

“Yes yes, but we’ll keep the copyright. Since the e-book contract is also involved, I think that’ll be okay. Yes, you can talk to the illustrator and send the estimate to my email. Yes? No. We appreciate it. Please take care of yourself during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for your hard work.”

He hung up, exhaling.

“Manager Kim, are you done talking?” Manager Choi asked, leaning against his desk.

Jangbung turned, offering a small smile.

“Yes. Manager Choi. Fortunately, the artist seems to like it too.”

Manager Choi raised an eyebrow, sipping her coffee.

“Who wouldn’t want to spend money? We don’t have a budget, so I wonder if it’s a waste of money.”

Jangbung’s smile faded slightly.

“We should have offered three events, but we only provided one. Since we’re adding an e-book contract this time, I think this is a decent amount of compensation.”

Manager Choi set her cup down, her tone sharp.

“Manager Kim made the proposal and Manager Kim confirmed it, so I’ll take care of it, but you should also know that Namseonghyang doesn’t make much additional profit from the e-book contract.”

Jangbung lowered his gaze.

“Yes, I’ll do my best to ensure that the company doesn’t suffer a loss.”

Manager Choi stood, grabbing her tablet.

“Okay, I have a contest meeting. Let’s go to the conference room.”

The conference room was already buzzing.

“Manager Choi, Manager Kim is always late!” Manager Park called out, smirking.

Manager Choi laughed, holding up a tray of coffee cups.

“Haha, Manager Kim, you should be diligent. I was late because I had to bring some coffee.”

Manager Park took a cup, nodding.

“Ah, that’s right. It’s an extension of the last meeting, but the winner of this final contest will be a talented person. No complaints, right?”

Jangbung nodded quickly.

“Yes, of course.”

Manager Park’s eyes narrowed, catching his hesitation.

“Manager Kim Jangbung, it seems like you have something to say. After this meeting, there will be no more, so say it.”

Jangbung cleared his throat.

“I think Yongki or Ggore would be fine.”

Manager Choi tilted her head, confused.

“You said you would choose a talented person because of the e-book connection, but wasn’t that agenda already finalized at the last meeting?”

Jangbung hesitated, his voice low.

“After all, the indicators seem better this way…”

Manager Park slammed his hand on the table.

“What’s the point if the indicators are good! Hey, Kim Jangbung, what kind of company is ours?”

Jangbung straightened, his voice steady.

“We’re a web novel company.”

Manager Park’s face reddened.

“Yeah. It’s a web novel company. A web novel company! Not a porn company. But what’s a rag? Since you’ve been judging contests, shouldn’t you have some sense now?”

Jangbung shifted uncomfortably.

“Manager Kim, a rag is one thing, but Yongki doesn’t have any…”

Manager Park cut in, exasperated.

“Oh my, what did you hear last time, Chief Kim Jangbung?”

Jangbung glanced at Manager Choi.

“Manager Choi?”

Manager Choi shook her head, her tone firm.

“Do you really have to give an award to a work that’s been going on about ‘fck house, fck house’ from the first episode?”

Manager Park nodded vigorously.

“Yeah. Manager Choi is right. A novel that uses low-quality porn titles to attract attention, like ‘eating’, ‘rag’, ‘f*ck house’ from the first episode. Do you really have to give an award to a novel like that? Huh?”

Jangbung tried to explain.

“But Manager, Manager, if you think about the best index and fun…”

Manager Park leaned forward, his voice low and serious.

“Manager Kim Jangbung. I’ll make it clear this time, so listen up.”

Jangbung nodded quickly.

“I’ll listen carefully, Manager.”

Manager Park’s eyes were sharp.

“It’s true that we hold an adult fiction contest. But even so, the scope of the awards shouldn’t extend to the realm of obscenity. It’s not our job to hand out awards to brats who write obsessed with sexual desire! We filter and filter the entries to award adult fiction that will sell, not pornography. Understand?”

Jangbung’s shoulders slumped.

“Yes. Understand.”

Manager Park softened slightly.

“If you understand, please pass on the news to the winning authors, and at least offer some words of comfort to those who didn’t win.”

Manager Choi chimed in, her tone gentle but pointed.

“That’s right. Manager Kim, you’ve been writing insincerely lately, and the eliminated writers have been harboring other thoughts. In times like these, please convey the message with a sense of urgency and sincerity.”

Jangbung nodded, his voice quiet.

“Yes, I will proceed with care.”

Manager Park waved him off.

“Okay, Manager Kim, you can leave, and Manager Choi will stay.”

Jangbung stood, heading for the door.

Manager Park’s voice rose, frustrated.

“Everything really annoys me.”

Manager Choi laughed lightly.

“Haha, Manager Kim is just a bit clueless.”

Manager Park shook his head, muttering.

“When I was a supervisor, I couldn’t even say a word to the manager! A competitor came into a market that didn’t even make a lick of money, and they were acting like this. Subordinates don’t know their place. Seriously, ugh!”

Manager Choi placed a hand on his arm.

“I’ll talk things out, Manager Park. Just calm down.”