Chapter 61 – Neither Winner Nor Loser
Early May, after the fierce battle between <Brave King> and <Deadline> had raged.
Kang Min-Hyuk returned to life as an Animation High student.
Or, to be more precise…
“The assignments are almost over.”
“And what happens when they’re over?”
“You don’t know? More assignments start.”
In one corner of the classroom, kids were mimicking lines from some comic book, cracking jokes.
Min-Hyuk’s expression darkened for a split second as he watched them.
‘Jokes don’t sound like jokes anymore.’
He had run full throttle for months to win the true sword duel against Yang Jae-han.
Even after finishing that workload, the manuscripts kept coming, and assignments kept piling up…
A self-inflicted disaster—no, a blessing—but for some reason, transparent liquid seemed to gather under his eyes.
“Hm? Why the face, Min-Hyuk-kun?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing.”
Well… he was still satisfied.
The response to <Brave King> Chapter 15 had been quite good…
And most of the school assignments were actually enjoyable.
Even if he’d had to use a few “chances” along the way…
The manuscripts up until the end of the second episode were already fully planned, with storyboards done too—so the workload and difficulty should be relatively lighter from here.
Compared to last month, Min-Hyuk finally had a bit of breathing room.
Of course, serialization would continue after this, and it would affect the upcoming reader poll…
‘Still… running nonstop will lead to burnout.’
Min-Hyuk rotated his wrists, stretching them out.
He knew all too well—from his past life—how recklessly pushing himself could end an artist’s career.
He was trying to pace himself, at least somewhat.
Serializing comics was like trekking through a jungle—you never knew when or where an unexpected accident might strike, just like with the Reverse Heaven’s Monarch design this time.
There was no need to sprint from the very beginning.
With that thought, he loosened the mental rubber band a little and refocused on classes and assignments.
And, as usual, while eating in the cafeteria—
“Min-Hyuk-kun, how do you predict the outcome of this <New Chance> showdown?”
“…New Chance showdown? What’s that?”
Min-Hyuk tilted his head at Oh Dong-gyo’s sudden question.
Dong-gyo glanced around furtively, then whispered,
“Brave King vs Deadline. Which one do you think wins the reader poll? It was super close, right? And…”
And…?
“You’re basically connected to Brave King… so shouldn’t you be even more interested?”
Connected… well, more like the author himself.
But seeing Dong-gyo trying to be considerate in his own way made Min-Hyuk feel a little guilty.
Still—what could he do?
‘Sorry… I really hate anything that makes things more complicated.’
His school life was already hectic enough—he didn’t want to add any extra headaches.
Min-Hyuk huffed through his nose, chewed and swallowed a mini tonkatsu from his tray, and answered.
“…Doesn’t that get announced in early July anyway?”
New Chance poll results were released every two months.
Results from January–February were announced in the first March issue, March–April in the first May issue, and so on.
So for May…
The results of Brave King and Deadline’s clash wouldn’t be known until the first week of July.
Dong-gyo clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“Tsk tsk tsk… so naïve, Min-Hyuk-kun. That’s only the information released externally to readers.”
“…Huh? What do you mean?”
“Comic magazine polls come in real-time. Publishers tally them weekly. So internally, they already know the results. They just announce every two months because weekly announcements would be too much work. Most artists can just ask their editor and get told right away.”
…Wait, I didn’t know that?
“How do you know all this?”
“Hey hey, this is common sense. Common sense. Shouldn’t an aspiring comic artist know at least this much?”
You just have to ask…?
Min-Hyuk’s brow furrowed deeply in bewilderment.
***
The day ended, and evening finally arrived.
“Today too, plump plump, we’re doing assignments plump plump.”
“Damn it… drawing time again?”
Everyone was stretching and groaning in the lounge ahead of serious drawing hours.
Tap tap tap!
In a quiet corner of the corridor, Kang Min-Hyuk held his phone to his ear, nervously biting his thumbnail.
The unusual anxiousness on his face was because…
Ring ring ring! Ring ring ring!
“Ughhh… are you busy?”
It was because his editor, Go Gwang-jin, hadn’t picked up the phone at all.
‘Maybe I shouldn’t ask… No, I should at least check.’
His heart wavered back and forth.
The showdown with Yang Jae-han.
He desperately wanted to know the result.
Comics were all about personal taste and value—there didn’t have to be a clear winner or loser…
But honestly, after pouring everything into it, he couldn’t help wanting to see how it turned out.
While he kept redialing endlessly—
“I should… head in soon.”
6:50.
Only ten minutes left until drawing time began.
Min-Hyuk scratched his head and was about to turn back when—
Ring ring ring!
The ringtone sounded, and [Go Gwang-jin Editor] lit up clearly on the screen.
‘It’s him!’
Min-Hyuk took a deep breath and pressed the answer button.
“Hello?”
<<Ah—sorry, Min-Hyuk artist-nim. We had a long all-staff meeting… I couldn’t call back. What’s up? Why’d you call?>>
“Well… about that…”
Min-Hyuk hesitated for a second before speaking.
“The reader poll results for this issue… is it possible to know them?”
<<Huh? Suddenly? Well, of course I can tell you… You’re just curious?>>
“Yeah. Chapter 15 was the one I put the most effort into, so I’m really wondering how it did.”
He couldn’t quite bring himself to say outright “Did I beat Yang Jae-han?”…
So he phrased it more indirectly.
Then Gwang-jin said,
<<The poll results are really good. Over 560 votes just this week.>>
“Is that a lot?”
<<Very. Normally we get between 200 and 300 votes per week. At this level, first place in the weekly ranking is basically guaranteed.>>
“Then… does that mean I got first this week?”
<<Ah, well… about that…>>
For a moment, a strange tone crept into Gwang-jin’s voice.
<<Hmmm… You’re wondering if you beat Yang Jae-han-sensei, right?>>
“Ah—no, not exactly like that…”
<<It’s fine. I’ve been going crazy because I wanted to win too. There’s nothing wrong with a writer having a competitive streak. I’m the one who egged you on in the first place, after all.>>
Min-Hyuk swallowed hard and asked again.
“…So… what was the result?”
<<Well…>>
Gwang-jin’s voice grew grave and heavy.
The kind of tone that made it sound like bad news was coming, as if it were obvious.
But then—
<<It’s a tie.>>
As if nothing had happened, he dropped the line in his usual voice.
“Huh?”
<<560 to 560 votes. We just got the final tally in the meeting. Exact same number. Even we were stunned—this is the first time it’s happened. Anyway, this is an incredible achievement, so you can celebrate.>>
Min-Hyuk’s lips twitched.
He felt a pang of disappointment that he hadn’t won…
No—honestly, there wasn’t even anything to be disappointed about.
‘My opponent is Yang Jae-han, after all.’
In the twilight years of published comics, the genius writer who received the most attention and respect from creators.
That Yang Jae-han had come out swinging with a new work, and now his own was being evaluated on the exact same level.
Winning would’ve been better, but still…
Thump! Thump!
Just that fact alone was enough to make Min-Hyuk’s heart race.
“Huuu… thank goodness.”
<<Were you nervous?>>
“Yeah. I was terrified I’d get completely crushed.”
<<Kid, I think Brave King is more fun.>>
“Really? Not just saying that?”
<<What, you think adults lie to kids? Come on.>>
A smile spread across Min-Hyuk’s face.
Then Gwang-jin added,
<<Ah right—Min-Hyuk, what do you think of Yang Jae-han-sensei?>>
“Hm…? Suddenly? Well… I respect him as an artist. I was a huge fan of Aureka too…”
<<So you like him?>>
“Yeah, pretty much. Why?”
The call continued, but Min-Hyuk’s mind was already racing ahead—relieved, excited, and somehow lighter than before.
<<Yang Jae-han-sensei said he wants to meet you once. He’s curious what kind of amazing artist is drawing comics like this.>>
In that instant, Min-Hyuk’s heart—barely calming down—started pounding wildly again.
‘Yang Jae-han wants to meet me?’
The same Yang Jae-han who had been one of his childhood idols?
Joy, a hot flush across his forehead, and a whirlwind of emotions left Min-Hyuk speechless, mouth opening and closing without sound.
<<So… is it okay if I give him your number?>>
“Ah—y-yes… of course. Absolutely fine.”
<<Okay.>>
As the conversation was winding down—
Ding-dong-ding-dong!
“Alright everyone, time to head to the drawing room! Min-Hyuk, you too—get moving.”
The bell signaling drawing time rang, and teachers stepped into the corridor, herding the lost souls toward the drawing room.
Min-Hyuk nodded quickly and spoke in a rush.
“Ah—I’ve got drawing time now. Gotta go.”
<<Alright, good luck!>>
Click.
After hanging up, Min-Hyuk strode down the corridor with renewed energy.
‘Yang Jae-han-sensei…’
The corners of his mouth twitched upward, almost reaching for the sky.
***
The next afternoon, during free time after classes ended.
Oh Dong-gyo tilted his head, staring straight at Min-Hyuk.
“Min-Hyuk-kun, what’s up with you?”
“Hm? What?”
“You seemed completely out of it during class. Like… not yourself at all.”
“Oh… really?”
Well, he had spent most of the time staring out the window.
Min-Hyuk huffed indifferently. Dong-gyo adjusted his glasses and pressed on.
“Are you sick?”
“Nope.”
“Having an identity crisis?”
“If I was, I wouldn’t be at Animation High.”
“Family trouble at home?”
“No, nothing like that.”
Min-Hyuk waved off the barrage of questions.
Dong-gyo crossed his arms, then spoke in a grave tone.
“Naruhodo… I finally understand.”
“Understand what?”
“…You’ve fallen in love.”
“What?”
What the hell is he talking about?
Min-Hyuk’s eyebrow twitched at the absurd statement.
“First-year high school, sharing a class with girls… spending all day in a work-only environment. Falling for someone is only natural. Yes, very natural.”
“……”
“So… who is it?”
Dong-gyo leaned in close and whispered.
Goosebumps prickled across Min-Hyuk’s entire body.
“What are you even saying? It’s not like that.”
He pushed Dong-gyo away with one hand, face twisted in displeasure.
Then…
“Ohooo… denying it only makes it more suspicious~”
“Seriously, stop.”
Just then—
Vrrrrrm!
Min-Hyuk’s phone buzzed in his pocket.
When he pulled it out, an unknown number was calling.
In that moment, instinct screamed at him.
‘It’s Yang Jae-han-sensei!’
He pressed the answer button and stepped into the corridor.
“H-Hello?”
His voice came out softer and higher-pitched than usual as he walked away.
Behind him—
“As expected… it’s love…! I knew it.”
Oh Dong-gyo stared at his retreating back, eyes gleaming with conviction.
He looked thoroughly convinced of his misunderstanding.
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