Chapter 111 – The White Knight Rode in on a Nuclear Bomb
“What exactly do you mean by that?”
Ki Cheon-yong asked back with a face full of interest.
Yang Jae-han, who had declared retirement after finishing Aureka.
The reason he returned was none other than because of Writer David?
Writer David.
He was the comic artist who would now engage in a fierce battle with Writer Shin Yo-seop at the Bucheon Comic Awards.
Since Cheon-yong himself was also enjoying Brave King and the work was constantly mentioned across all comic communities……
His ears couldn’t help but perk up.
“Hmm…….”
Yang Jae-han stroked his chin for a moment, took a sip of the americano in front of him, and spoke.
“You might find this a bit arrogant, but when I finished Aureka, I was quite fed up.”
“Were you exhausted from the long work?”
“No, it wasn’t exactly that…… I just thought there was nothing more I could do with comics in Korea. I was told I was the best-selling artist in the industry, yet the limit seemed clear. I couldn’t make much money, so there was no influx of new writers…… and there wasn’t much sense of competition either. Of course, there are exceptional people like Writer Shin Yo-seop.”
Tap tap! Tap tap tap!
Ki Cheon-yong nodded with interest and continued typing rapidly as he asked.
“……So at that time, Writer David’s work stimulated you?”
“Yes. It was the day I disbanded the studio. On my way home, there was a huge promotional poster plastered in the bookstore. It said a new writer named ‘David’ was starting a new serialization. I wondered what kind of amazing writer had appeared to make such a fuss…….”
Tap tap.
Jae-han tapped the table with his finger, then lifted the corner of his mouth slightly and said.
“He was really good. So good that I actually felt jealous.”
Ki Cheon-yong’s eyes widened round as he continued typing.
“Hmm, so the great Writer Yang Jae-han felt jealous of that rookie writer and decided to resume serialization…… is that it?”
“Yes. And somehow, I had this feeling. If I stopped here, that writer would quickly overtake me…… And I also realized I had been thinking wrong about something.”
“Which part?”
“The idea that Korean comics had reached their limit.”
“Ah…….”
He couldn’t deny it.
Even though Yang Jae-han had produced the outstanding work Aureka……
Until David appeared and created a rivalry, Korean comics were, how should he put it.
‘Slowly but surely sinking.’
But the rivalry between David and Yang Jae-han created a rebound momentum.
Thanks to that, Ki Cheon-yong’s financial situation had improved a little as well.
“Um…… have you ever met Writer David in person?”
“Yes, I have.”
“Could you tell me a little about him? Or even introduce me if possible. Personally, I’m quite interested in him too.”
“Is it because of the Bucheon Comic Awards?”
“……? Ah, how did you know?”
“I haven’t been watching Editor-in-Chief Ki Cheon-yong for just a day or two.”
Ki Cheon-yong scratched his head and said.
“Haaaa, I really can’t win against you, Writer-nim.”
“Give and take. Tell me what you know about the Bucheon Comic Awards. Then I’ll tell you about Writer David as much as I can without causing him any trouble.”
“Ughhh…… You’re making me an offer I can’t refuse. Then, everything I say here is off the record.”
“Understood.”
‘Tsk, I didn’t want to spill this yet.’
But there was no helping it.
The story about Writer David was too tempting to just let pass.
Ki Cheon-yong let out a deep sigh and said.
“To start the story, I have to begin with the current administration.”
And so, Ki Cheon-yong poured out everything he knew.
Starting from the president’s ‘Contents Korea’ slogan and how the Bucheon Comic Awards fell under that extension.
When he had finished explaining everything.
“So that’s how it is. The Bucheon Comic Awards will be the Presidential Award this year…… ughhh.”
Writer Yang Jae-han crossed his arms and let out a groaning sound.
Ki Cheon-yong’s face grew even darker with discomfort.
‘Damn it.’
He had gotten too excited talking about Writer David and spilled it carelessly, and now the atmosphere was flowing in an unintended direction.
A slightly frozen atmosphere.
“Writer Shin Yo-seop is also participating in the Bucheon Comic Awards, right?”
“Yes, according to the information I have.”
“Hmm…….”
As Writer Yang Jae-han stroked his chin, Ki Cheon-yong’s face darkened further.
‘I screwed up.’
He had thrown it out impulsively because of his excitement over Writer David, but the mood had shifted in an unexpected way.
“I’m sorry, Writer Yang Jae-han, I didn’t mean to—”
“This is going to be fun!”
“Huh?”
“Writer Shin Yo-seop versus Writer David. This is really going to be fun. Don’t you think? No wonder……! Both of them suddenly increased their serialization pages and started polishing their quality like crazy. It was all because of this. I wonder what kind of result will come out.”
Writer Yang Jae-han’s words didn’t stop, as if he was deeply excited.
“Writer-nim, weren’t you angry?”
“Angry? Why would I be?”
“Well, since you can’t submit to the Bucheon Comic Awards…….”
“Eh, what’s the big deal about that? Haha! I’m just looking forward to it because two skilled writers are going head-to-head. Of course, it would’ve been even more exciting if I could compete too, so that part is a bit disappointing.”
“Ah…….”
For a moment, Ki Cheon-yong felt awkward.
‘This is Yang Jae-han alright.’
He remembered it anew.
A person crazy about comics, both as a reader and as a writer.
A writer who would accept anything without hesitation if it meant something more interesting, newer, or better could happen.
Come to think of it.
That was exactly why he had declared retirement back when he no longer felt any interest in comics.
After boldly completing a legendary work in the comic industry.
‘So a situation where they fight each other and grow…… is actually enjoyable for him.’
Somehow.
Just by looking at him, it made sense why people called him a genius or a monster.
“Ahem! Then may I hear it too? The story about Writer David.”
When Cheon-yong asked, Yang Jae-han smiled faintly and said.
“I’ll tell you something that will really surprise you. However, everything I say here is also off the record.”
“Yes, of course.”
“If this leaks anywhere, I’ll assume Editor-in-Chief Cheon-yong spread it and tear everything down. I’ve never told this story anywhere else, so if it gets out, it’ll definitely be traced back to you.”
“……R-right.”
From the way he spoke, he was dead serious.
Besides, he wasn’t the type to joke around much anyway.
Cheon-yong answered with an awkward smile.
“Please tell me. Hehe.”
“Writer David. He’s a high school student. He debuted back in middle school.”
“……What?”
For a moment, Cheon-yong’s mouth fell open.
“So, so…… that means he’s a first-year high school student right now?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“You’re not joking, are you?”
“You know I’m not good at that kind of thing.”
“Uh…… um.”
It was a possibility he had never even considered for a second.
Judging from the quality of Brave King, the character design, storytelling, and the overall maturity felt in the work, he had assumed the writer was at least in his mid-to-late thirties.
To be even more honest.
‘I thought it was a highly skilled established writer who started serializing under a new pen name.’
But the person who drew that comic was a high school student?
And he had debuted in middle school?
With his voice full of excitement, he asked again.
“Is there more? Anything at all, please.”
“Well. I think it’s best to stop here for today. And…… wouldn’t it be right to hear the detailed story from the writer himself? At the Bucheon Comic Awards ceremony, for example.”
“Ah…….”
At that moment, goosebumps ran down Cheon-yong’s spine.
Writer Yang Jae-han maintained a smile the entire time.
Only now did he understand why Yang Jae-han had deliberately leaked information about Writer David to him.
‘He wants me to drop the nuclear bomb.’
This year, thanks to the president’s involvement, the prestige and attention on the Bucheon Comic Awards would rise noticeably.
And if the winner at that event turned out to be a genius high school student?
It was perfect material to grab headlines.
Reporters were always looking for stories, and this was prime cooking material.
Moreover, what if Brave King even won the Grand Prize?
‘It might really receive enormous attention…….’
Gulp.
Just thinking about the ripple effect this would cause made excitement surge within him.
“Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“……Yes.”
Cheon-yong made a gesture of zipping his lips with his finger.
After all, a trump card’s true power appears when you hide it and hide it, then release it at the perfect timing.
So, until the bomb actually exploded, he had to pretend he knew nothing even if he had heard the story here.
Only then would the figure known as David become the white knight on horseback who would save Korean comics……
And it could become the foundation for a proper resurgence of Korean comics.
On the faces of Ki Cheon-yong and Yang Jae-han, expressions mixed with excitement and anticipation crossed.
At that moment, Yang Jae-han finished the rest of his coffee and said.
“Well, since the main topic is over, shall we continue with my interview now?”
***
Scratch scratch! Scratch scratch!
Late at night, inside the drawing room.
Kim Rok-hee, Oh Dong-gyo, and Kang Min-hyuk.
The three of them gripped their manuscript pages and were fiercely wrestling with them.
Kang Min-hyuk handled the pen touches for the main characters.
Oh Dong-gyo did the pen touches and inking for the extras and some of the female characters.
Rok-hee took care of the screentones and backgrounds.
While they were deep in work.
“Huuu.”
Another page done.
Min-hyuk let out a deep sigh as he looked at the manuscript.
The scene where the moderator character Coup-ler snapped his fingers and blew up one of the monsters charging at him.
The overall atmosphere and mood were captured perfectly.
- How about using light like this in this part?
- Hmm, that looks good.
This page was created by taking the original manuscript from the first storyboard and incorporating the idea Kim Rok-hee had suggested during the team meeting.
From Min-hyuk’s perspective, it was a 100%—no, 300% satisfying result.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
‘The speed of producing manuscripts has definitely increased. The quality has gone up noticeably too.’
Paying the two quite generous wages didn’t feel wasteful at all.
Rok-hee and Dong-gyo.
While they might still lack the ability to draw long-form comics on their own……
Their skill at refining and completing manuscript pages was already at a level where they could debut as pros right now.
If they could maintain this pace, Min-hyuk’s planned early December finale would be more than achievable.
And whenever they took a break after pouring out work like this……
“Min-hyuk-kun, I finished this cut. Can I get some feedback?”
“Hmm, it’s good. Let’s just shift this strand of hair one layer to the side.”
“Ooooh! It definitely looks much better now! As expected of Min-hyuk-kun! Sharing know-how like this without holding back.”
“……No, it’s not that big a deal.”
The three of them would gather in the lounge downstairs and engage in heated feedback and discussion.
Of course, in the middle of that scene……
“Keep your voices down, okay? What if someone passing by hears?”
“Ah, gomen!”
There was also Han Yu-ra, sipping canned coffee with a relaxed face while watching the scene.
And after working hard on the manuscripts like this.
“This chapter, done! Good work everyone.”
“Huuu, I’m tired.”
“How do you do this every day, Min-hyuk-kun…….”
“Shall we call Emperor City sweet and sour pork tomorrow?”
“Call!”
On weekends, Kang Min-hyuk became the generous writer(?) who treated the team to meals as encouragement.
It was truly a situation like sailing with a favorable wind.
“Krr, that was delicious.”
“As expected, sweet and sour pork has to be from Emperor City.”
And so, on a Saturday afternoon, just like any other time, the four of Min-hyuk’s group had eaten Emperor City sweet and sour pork and were heading back to the dormitory.
“Ice cream is on Yu-ra?”
“Why me?”
“Aww, Yu-ra is the writer who earns money~”
“You guys get assistant pay too.”
“Is that the same as this?”
Rok-hee was massaging Han Yu-ra’s shoulders and acting cute when.
Thud!
Suddenly Min-hyuk stopped walking and said.
“Hey guys, I have something to take care of for a bit. You three go back first.”
“Huh? Something to do?”
“Suddenly?”
A look of puzzlement appeared on everyone’s faces.
**************
Check out new Translated Novel:
[1] The Regressor Who Turns Trash Martial Arts into Divine Techniques
[2] I Descended as the Iron-Blooded All-Master
[3] The Female Employees I Couldn't Eat
**************
TL Note:
Want to read ahead?
Join the Premium Tier on Patreon and access 60 advance chapters and all 6 translated novels.
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/cw/Vritratls
For this novel specifically, check the collection under “Comic Artist”
**************