Chapter 30 – New Chance Colosseum
One of the two towering pillars of Korean comic magazines—New Chance.
The flagship title that had carried the magazine’s popularity for years, <Aureka>, had finally announced its conclusion through the magazine itself.
Perhaps because of that…
Comic-related communities were suddenly ablaze with the news.
[Toriweb – Aspiring Comic Artist Forum]
- Sailman: Wow, <Aureka> is really ending? Can New Chance even survive this? OTL
- AspiringR: Isn’t this a huge disaster? I might stop reading New Chance now too.
- KongjabanMan: I heard from an acquaintance artist—they’re aggressively taking submissions to replace <Aureka>. Right now, artists are probably bleeding ink trying to grab that one spot.
New Chance is going to collapse.
The already dying Korean comic industry is finished.
And so on.
The overall mood was overwhelmingly pessimistic…
Yet countless artists saw this event as an opportunity.
“How’s the storyboard?”
“Hmm… not bad. Let’s develop this part a bit more.”
Those who had never managed to secure serialization.
Or those who dreamed of becoming the next <Aureka>.
They locked themselves in their studios, their rooms, gripping pencils and pens, working like madmen.
Even if the Korean comic industry was dead.
Even if it didn’t make money.
No—precisely because of that, this spot was all the more coveted.
<Aureka> had been one of the very few works in Korea’s collapsing comic scene that still produced meaningful sales.
So numerous artists sharpened their blades, each preparing their own work.
And that included… Kang Min-hyuk.
“Kang Min-hyuk, Kang Min-hyuk, wake up.”
“Teacher, Min-hyuk said he didn’t sleep at all last night because he was preparing something for comics.”
“Hmm… really? Then just let him sleep.”
During the day, he rested(?) at school, securing enough sleep.
And after school ended…
Scritch scratch!
“Huuuuh…”
“Hey, should I attach the screentone here?”
“Use the one next to it.”
Together with Oh Seung-heon, he pushed the manuscript forward without pause.
When he was at Shin Pil-ho’s studio, Seung-heon had been close to a troll.
But after repeated work sessions, he had become quite skilled at relatively low-difficulty tasks like screentones and inking.
While they were working as usual—
Min-hyuk, who had been steadily drawing line art, let out a long breath and asked,
“Hey, Seung-heon.”
“What.”
“Why are you helping with this anyway? Isn’t it tiring?”
At first, he thought Seung-heon had just joined out of curiosity for a little while.
But now he was seriously helping with the work.
So naturally, Min-hyuk grew curious about what this guy was thinking.
Seung-heon scratched his chin for a moment before answering.
“Why else? Because it’s fun.”
“Fun? Cutting screentones is fun?”
“Hmm… not exactly that. Just… making comics is fun. Well, what I’m doing is simple stuff, though.”
The moment he heard that, Min-hyuk’s pupils widened.
He turned his head and stared quietly at Seung-heon…
Who was seriously focused on cutting screentone, expression earnest.
‘Hmm… so that’s how it is.’
If that was the case… then he could repay the help he’d received soon enough.
While Min-hyuk was gazing at him, Seung-heon spoke as he cut the screentone.
“Why are you staring like that? Did I do something wrong?”
Min-hyuk squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them again and said,
“No… just… thanks.”
“What’s with you all of a sudden?”
“If someone heard that, they’d think I’m some ungrateful piece of trash who doesn’t even know how to say thank you.”
“Why, guilty conscience?”
“Guilty? I already said I’d buy you food when this is done.”
“Definitely pork belly. Fresh, not frozen.”
“Yeah, yeah, I got it.”
Min-hyuk huffed through his nose and buried himself back in the work.
……
……
Some time passed like that.
“Huu… we finished on time.”
“Please pass… please pass…”
“Replacing <Aureka>’s slot, heh heh… If this gets through, I can finally escape this beggar life!!”
Across countless studios and rooms, numerous artists frantically completed their manuscripts within the deadlines New Chance had set.
And that included Kang Min-hyuk.
“Done! Done done done! Ughhh!”
“Wow, it actually finished.”
One finished chapter 1 manuscript, storyboards up to chapter 3.
Plus the revised planning document and character sheets—everything needed to enter the colosseum was finally ready.
“You’re sending the manuscript tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah. Editor Go Gwang-jin said he’ll come to school himself to pick it up.”
“Damn… the uncle’s really putting in effort, huh? Anyway, whatever—let’s go eat. I’m starving to death.”
“Yeah, let’s do that.”
As Min-hyuk carefully packed the manuscript and planning document into an envelope, a quiet mix of confidence and fulfillment settled across his face.
***
Early morning, inside the New Chance editorial department.
“Artist-nim, yes! You need to bring the manuscript within 30 minutes. That’s when the meeting starts.”
“I’ll make copies of this first!”
“Is the whiteboard marker in the conference room working?”
That morning, the office resembled a battlefield.
Editors desperately trying to collect last-minute manuscripts from artists who had barely finished in time and push them into the meeting.
Others frantically making copies so everyone could see the submissions they had secured…
Or checking supplies and equipment needed for the meeting.
Almost every person in New Chance was moving at breakneck speed.
And then… the moment the clock struck 10:00.
Song Mi-hyeon, seated at the head of the table, pushed up her glasses and spoke in a cool, detached tone.
“Is everyone here?”
“Looks like it.”
“Well then, we’ll proceed as usual. Read each work one by one… Each responsible editor will present their submission’s planning and concept. We’ll discuss opinions, then move to voting once everything is done.”
Everyone nodded.
Song Mi-hyeon tapped the topmost manuscript with her finger.
“Then let’s start with ‘Sweet Superhero Melanin.’ Everyone, read for five minutes.”
Flip flip flip!
Hands reached out in unison, turning pages of the copied manuscripts.
The responsible editor looked extremely tense.
The other editors showed various expressions—some smiling, some serious, some grim.
Each revealed their feelings faintly on their faces as they read.
Five minutes later, Song Mi-hyeon snapped her fingers twice.
“Presentation.”
“Ah, yes! First, ‘Sweet Superhero Melanin’ is from Kim Kyung-sik artist—who serialized ‘Roll Roll Roll Cake’ in Jump Comics until three months ago.”
The responsible editor continued the presentation with a nervous expression.
The moment the artist’s name and previous work were mentioned, the editors’ faces shifted in different directions.
‘His track record… was kind of ambiguous.’
‘I actually enjoyed that one, though.’
‘Hmm… how did he sweet-talk a Jump Comics artist?’
Just from the name and previous work, they could already gauge the artist’s level, the likely flow of the manuscript, and its potential.
The responsible editor quickly glanced at his competitors’ expressions before continuing.
“As you can see, it’s a hero story with comedy elements mixed in. The early chapters will hook readers with gags and a bright atmosphere, then transition into full-on battle mode during the Superhuman Tournament arc.”
“Thinking of something like Dragon Ball?”
“Yes, similar structure.”
“Hmm… superhumans. That’s still not very popular in Korea.”
“W-well… but the reader base has gotten more familiar with it lately compared to before, so I judged it would be okay. The art is strong, and the protagonist character has decent charm too.”
“Decent… charm, you say.”
At Song Mi-hyeon’s softly spoken jab, the responsible editor felt his breath catch.
After the presentation concluded—
“Next.”
Flip!
Song Mi-hyeon checked a score on the sheet in front of her.
Flip! Flip flip!
Almost simultaneously, more than a dozen editors marked their scores.
The pressure was suffocating for a moment, but the responsible editor moved on to reading the next submission.
One by one, the judging continued.
“This work is from Lee Kyung-hyuk artist, who serialized here until a year ago…”
Flip!
“Next.”
“This is from Gil Jung artist, who did ‘Rolina Night.’ This work is positioned as a classic shonen to replace <Aureka>…”
Flip!
Next manuscript, read, present, score, next manuscript, present…
The process repeated relentlessly.
Each editor had brought out their strongest Pokémon… no, their strongest artists, proudly showcasing every ounce of their skill.
As if to ask when exactly the Korean comic industry had ever truly died.
Manuscripts poured with soul after soul seized every eye in the room, screaming silently to be chosen.
One by one.
With every turn, the tension on the faces of the editors waiting their turn only deepened.
After who knows how long—
“Next.”
As the stack was passed forward… there it was.
[Brave King – Kang Min-hyuk]
The editors began turning the pages one by one.
Gwang-jin subtly glanced sideways, watching their expressions closely.
“…Hmm.”
Seriousness. Deep, grave seriousness.
Impossible to tell whether it leaned positive or negative.
But Gwang-jin felt neither tension nor worry.
Ahh, this cold, razor-sharp sensation.
Yes—this felt exactly like…
‘Lu Bu mounted on Red Hare, waiting for the moment to charge.’
And yet.
It might be wishful thinking, but… Gwang-jin was confident.
Kang Min-hyuk’s manuscript was going to tear this place apart today.
“Everyone finished reading?”
“Yes, roughly.”
As they nodded, Song Mi-hyeon pointed at Gwang-jin with an open palm.
Gwang-jin looked down at the planning document, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly as he began his presentation.
“First, this work is by rookie artist Kang Min-hyuk. He previously assisted Shin Pil-ho artist, played a very important role during short story production… and most recently won the grand prize at the competition. He carries real weight.”
“Competition? What competition?”
“There was one held by Korea Animation High School.”
Song Mi-hyeon’s eyes narrowed.
“…The Korea Animation competition? Then this artist is…”
“Yes. He’s a third-year middle school student.”
“What?”
“Middle… third year?”
“Huuuuh…”
In an instant, sighs and stunned murmurs erupted from every corner of the room.
Because…
‘Crazy—is this manuscript really from him?’
‘The art, directing, skill level… I thought it was at least from someone with several volumes of experience.’
‘A third-year middle schooler drew this?’
Objectively speaking, Brave King was a well-made manuscript.
It stood shoulder-to-shoulder with every competing work that had come before it.
No—honestly…
‘Frankly, it’s one step ahead of the others. In fundamentals, premise completion—everything.’
Song Mi-hyeon stroked her chin and examined the manuscript once more.
Meanwhile, Gwang-jin’s presentation continued smoothly.
“The planning for this work aims to combine the stimulating flavor of the Japanese hit GETZ with classic shonen elements. It starts as a school story, then layers in game-like systems for genre pleasure, while building strong, solid character foundations so readers can grow attached over time. Long-term, this creates loyalty toward both the work and the characters…”
Gwang-jin spoke fluently and clearly.
Tension and beads of sweat began appearing on the faces of the watching editors.
They all sensed it instinctively.
A predator had entered the room.
“That’s all.”
As Gwang-jin finished with a slight smirk, Song Mi-hyeon tapped the back of her pen against the table and asked,
“Gwang-jin, before we score… may I ask one thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“I heard this artist is in third year of middle school… Are there no concerns about serialization? He still has to attend school, and he has zero experience with long-form serialization. That’s a big risk factor, isn’t it?”
The other editors quickly nodded in agreement.
They all knew.
If they didn’t pull this manuscript down, their own artists wouldn’t survive.
Gwang-jin took a deep breath.
‘From here on… this is my fight.’
He had known from the very beginning that this moment would come.
‘Leave it to me, Kang Min-hyuk artist.’
Gwang-jin clenched his fist tightly, eyes burning with fighting spirit.