Chapter 6: Mr. Jang, aren’t you thirsty?

“Jangbung, aren’t you thirsty?”

Jangbung looked up, surprised.

“Huh? No, I’m fine.”

Manager Park pouted, leaning back.

“I’m thirsty…”

Jangbung glanced at the water cooler.

“Then, over there at the water cooler… Oh! Wait a moment. I’ll replace the water jug right away.”

Manager Park waved a hand, chuckling.

“You don’t have to go that far for me, haha.”

Jangbung grinned, already heading to the cooler.

“Haha, it’s the least I can do. By the way, Manager Park, you’ve got that strategy meeting soon. Are you prepared?”

Manager Park’s eyes widened.

“Oh no, my head’s all over the place. I forgot to grab the materials.”

Jangbung hoisted the water jug.

“I’ll grab the materials after changing this. You go ahead to the meeting room.”

Manager Park nodded, heading off.

“Alright, I’ll head in first then~”

The conference room was tense.

“Kim Jangbung, late again,” Manager Kim snapped.

“Move faster, Assistant Manager Kim Jangbung,” Manager Choi added.

Jangbung hurried in, clutching a stack of papers.

“Sorry, Manager Kim, Manager Choi. The materials took longer to prepare than I thought…”

Manager Kim waved him off.

“Enough. Manager Park, show the PPT you prepared on the competitor’s status.”

Manager Park nodded, turning to Jangbung.

“Yes, Assistant Manager Kim Jangbung, please pull up the PPT we worked on together.”

Jangbung froze, confused.

“……???? … Yes, I’ll open it now.”

The screen lit up with the presentation.

“The competitor has been aggressively marketing for three months with hundreds of millions in author benefits, internet broadcasts, and Google ads, causing a continuous loss of authors and readers.”

“As you can see, since the new platform launched, our top-tier viewership has dropped by about 30%, and some lower-tier works have seen up to a 50% decline.”

“This is likely due to readers switching to the competitor’s platform after their subscription period ends. Currently, viewership for the same works on both platforms is nearly equal.”

“However, we must consider that the competitor is running free access events. We have over 20 years of established works, brand recognition, and still-competitive authors. With a bit more effort, we can maintain our edge.”

Manager Kim turned to Jangbung.

“Assistant Manager Kim.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I saw your so-called strategy proposal. Do you think it’s feasible?”

Jangbung straightened, his voice firm.

“I believe we have to do it. Adjusting settlement ratios to sway public opinion, offering e-book and cover contracts to prevent author loss, and providing ongoing author benefits through contests are necessary to regain favor.”

Manager Kim sighed heavily.

“Assistant Manager Kim, you know the last contest just ended, right?”

“Yes. But I think shortening the contest cycle and adding another this year…”

Manager Kim cut him off.

“Assistant Manager Kim, do you know the biggest problem with your proposals?”

Jangbung fell silent.

“……”

“They cost too much. The competitor’s entry is already cutting our profits, and you want to spend even more?”

Jangbung responded carefully.

“We could use the operating profits to increase internal reserves and cover it.”

Manager Kim’s voice rose.

“Do you think the board will approve that? Their salaries and dividends would take a hit. The competitor’s slashing their own margins to enter this market, turning it into a mess. You want us to follow suit and bleed ourselves dry?”

Manager Choi interjected.

“Assistant Manager Kim Jangbung.”

“Yes, Manager Choi.”

“Isn’t it time you showed some loyalty to the company?”

Jangbung blinked, caught off guard.

“Huh?”

Manager Choi’s tone was sharp.

“These kinds of proposals come from thinking it’s not your money. If you were the landowner and the tenants refused to work, would you just give them the land?”

Manager Kim nodded.

“Exactly, Manager Choi. Assistant Manager Kim, if it was your money, would you throw it around like that? This industry doesn’t grow just by tossing money at it. We’ve worked hard for 20 years, and the pie hasn’t grown much. You want to play the same game as those idiots cutting their own margins for a tiny slice?”

Jangbung tried to argue.

“But if we take additional measures, we can prevent further losses.”

Manager Kim shook his head.

“Those cutting their margins will eventually fall in line when they see the pie’s size. We don’t need to match their pace. I’m not saying do nothing—just make sure the events we promised authors are delivered on time, without omissions like last time.”

Jangbung nodded.

“That’s already been submitted for approval.”

Manager Kim frowned.

“I didn’t get it.”

Manager Choi laughed lightly.

“Hoho… I got busy and forgot to check.”

Manager Kim’s voice was stern.

“Manager Choi, let’s be sharp. Get everything submitted quickly this time, no omissions. I’ll approve it.”

Manager Choi nodded.

“Yes. Oh, Manager Park, any additional proposals?”

Manager Park grinned widely.

“There’s one~!”

Manager Kim leaned forward.

“What is it?”

Manager Park’s eyes sparkled.

“The issue is that author and reader sentiment is souring. I’ve got a trump card to fix it!”

Manager Kim pressed.

“What? What is it?”

Manager Park leaned in.

“Double the payment benefit event we ran last month.”

Manager Kim raised an eyebrow.

“The one where we gave 1,000 won cashback to 100 people for using PayPal?”

Manager Park nodded eagerly.

“Yes, yes! If we double it, it’ll look like we’re working twice as hard, improving sentiment. Readers will use PayPal more, boosting our revenue too!”

Manager Choi clapped.

“Hoho, that’s a good one.”

Manager Kim smiled.

“That’s what I’m talking about, not just throwing money away. Good job, Manager Park!”

Manager Park beamed.

“Hehe.”

Manager Kim turned to Jangbung.

“Assistant Manager Kim, take a page from Manager Park’s book. Constructive proposals like that are what we need.”

Jangbung sat in silence.

“……”

His phone buzzed loudly.

Brrring, brrring.

“Sorry, it’s a call from an author.”

Manager Kim glared.

“Turn it off during meetings. Take it and come back quickly!”

Manager Kim muttered as Jangbung left.

“Why’s that guy so clueless?”

Manager Choi nodded.

“Right? Throwing money into the void—who can’t do that?”

Manager Park chimed in, incredulous.

“And get this—he ignored the water cooler needing a refill for 30 minutes!”

Manager Choi gasped.

“How could he? So tactless~”

Jangbung answered his phone.

“This is Kim Jangbung.”

A cheerful voice responded.

“Hello, Mr. Kim Jangbung. This is the new web novel platform. You’ve passed the document screening, and we’d like to schedule an interview…”