Chapter 130 – The Starting Point of a New Era
Inside the classroom, during morning homeroom.
The soft morning sunlight streamed through the windows, gently illuminating the room.
The kids were noisily chatting about what happened over the weekend when one person walked into the classroom.
It was their homeroom teacher, Choi Jung-an.
“Hello, Teacher!”
“Good morning!”
The students greeted her warmly as usual.
Normally, Jung-an would have smiled and replied, but today she approached the teacher’s desk with a strangely stiff expression.
Bang!
She slammed her palm down on the desk and roared,
“Everyone, focus!”
As all eyes widened, Jung-an continued,
“I have something important to say today. Quiet down and listen carefully.”
Why is she acting like this all of a sudden?
While everyone blinked in confusion,
Jung-an suddenly lifted the corners of her mouth into a grin.
“This time, our class…… Yu-ra and Min-hyuk won awards at the Bucheon Comic Awards! It’s an incredible achievement for students in the Comic Creation Department, so let’s congratulate them with all our hearts! Applause!”
As soon as Jung-an started clapping,
“Wooooooo!”
“Han Yu-ra! Han Yu-ra!”
“Kang Min-hyuk! Kang Min-hyuk!”
The kids went even further, deliberately cheering excessively.
Some stomped their feet to make a rhythm, while others raised their arms high in the air.
‘Ah…… this is a bit much.’
‘Is this a victory parade or something?’
A hint of embarrassment appeared on Min-hyuk’s face.
On Han Yu-ra’s face, a serious expression rose as if she had expected this.
Just as the classroom was filled with loud cheers,
Choi Jung-an crossed her arms and spoke with a confident face.
“Quiet! Alright, that’s enough celebration. You all know that just because finals are over, you shouldn’t get lazy, right? There are still classes left until break. Keep fighting until the end!”
“Yeeees.”
“Ugh, she’s nagging again.”
Groans erupted from all over the classroom.
Watching this scene, a smile appeared on Min-hyuk’s face.
‘This kind of atmosphere…… isn’t bad at all.’
***
Lunchtime, inside the noisy cafeteria.
Min-hyuk and his group were eating in their usual corner.
Rok-hee rolled a few grains of rice with her spoon and spoke in a complaining voice.
“Haaaa…… Vacation is coming soon. Does it make sense to give us this much homework right now?”
“Seriously. Haaaa…… How are we supposed to rest properly like this?”
Dong-gyo’s face turned pale with exhaustion as well.
They had been grinding away for months on Brave King.
They hadn’t even rested properly yet.
Feeling Animation High’s signature heavy workload again made them sigh involuntarily.
Of course, in Han Yu-ra’s case,
“I’m already full from work.”
She shook her head because she had to keep working on her manuscripts at the same time.
At that moment, Min-hyuk smiled brightly and said,
“Still, let’s think of this as the good time. Once break starts…… that’s when the real ‘war’ begins.”
“You mean…… Bluehouse?”
“Huuu…… I’m already worried.”
The gloom on everyone’s faces grew even deeper.
‘I don’t want to do another project planning.’
‘Is it going to be endless feedback again?’
They had been tormented by Pan Hee-hyun’s sharp, piercing feedback to the point of almost developing neurosis, so they couldn’t help but worry already.
“Don’t worry too much. We’ll prepare together. Even Seung-heon is serializing, so what’s there that you guys can’t do?”
Min-hyuk said with a smile.
“Y-yeah? If you help us, Min-hyuk…… we can somehow manage, right?”
“Please, Min-hyuk-kun.”
At that, Han Yu-ra picked up a small piece of rolled omelette with her chopsticks, chewed it, and spoke.
“Seung-heon is a genius, a real genius. Haven’t you seen how popular Earth-Destroying Level Gag Impact is right now?”
“So what.”
“Don’t just blindly pump hope into them saying it’ll definitely work out and do well from the start. The result…… you only know after you actually do it.”
“Y-Yu-ra, can’t you say something a little more positive?”
“With this kind of thing, you have to be cold so you don’t get disappointed later.”
“Hiiing.”
Kim Rok-hee’s shoulders slumped at Han Yu-ra’s characteristically blunt and harsh words.
Min-hyuk smiled awkwardly.
‘Well…… no need to go that far.’
Kim Rok-hee and Oh Dong-gyo.
Fundamentally, both of them had outstanding talent.
On top of that, they had gained an enormous amount of experience while helping with the serialization of Brave King.
In fact, at this point, Min-hyuk’s help shouldn’t be necessary for them to break into serialization.
However……
He was only saying this because he was confident that if they continued with the same teamwork they had built so far and planned a new project together, both he and the two of them could create an even better work.
At that moment, Oh Dong-gyo adjusted his glasses and asked,
“But Min-hyuk-kun, it’s fine that you’re working with Bluehouse…… but what about the New Chance editorial team?”
At those words, the conversation around the table suddenly stopped.
Rok-hee and Yu-ra both paused with their chopsticks and looked at Min-hyuk.
To anyone watching, Min-hyuk clearly had a close relationship with the New Chance editorial team.
But if he was going to do webtoons……
It essentially meant he couldn’t work with them anymore, which was why they reacted this way.
Min-hyuk scooped up a spoonful of soup and said,
“I’m going to work with New Chance too.”
“Huh?”
“What?”
“Then…… you’re doing two works at the same time?”
Min-hyuk chuckled and shook his head.
“No way. I’m not a monster. If I did that, I’d really die.”
“Then what do you mean?”
When Yu-ra asked again, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Min-hyuk’s mouth.
“There’s a way.”
“Explain it in detail.”
“Hmm, here’s what I’m thinking……”
Min-hyuk put down his spoon for a moment and explained.
He calmly laid out the method he had come up with.
“So, that’s the plan.”
“Will that actually work?”
“Huh?”
“……You’re out of your mind.”
All three of them sat with their mouths wide open.
***
Inside the New Chance editorial department building.
“Huuuu……”
Go Gwang-jin, sitting in front of his computer, fiddled with his phone while nervously tapping his foot.
He bit his nails and let out heavy sighs — anyone could see he was extremely tense.
At that moment, Director Song Mi-hyeon, who was passing by, frowned and said,
“You, tone it down a bit. You’re disturbing other people working.”
“Awww, Director. That’s not the issue right now…… Aren’t you worried at all?”
“About what.”
“What do you mean ‘about what’? What if comic artist Kang Min-hyuk decides not to sign with us!”
Bucheon Comic Awards Grand Prize.
After Brave King, which was already popular, received that title, sales began to skyrocket.
Not only that.
Comic artist Yang Jae-han had also received the Our Comics Award, creating a synergistic effect.
Thanks to these overlapping blessings……
The total sales of the entire Brave King series had surpassed 900,000 copies, and with a bit of luck, it was on track to easily cross 1 million.
Compared to the Japanese comic market it wasn’t at the level of a massive hit, but considering the current size of the Korean comic market, it was an absurdly impressive result.
To New Chance, comic artist Kang Min-hyuk was nothing less than a jewel and a goose that laid golden eggs.
But there was one truth in this world.
If there is a goose that lays golden eggs……
There will also be many thieves aiming for it.
- Please serialize with our magazine. We’ll give you a better royalty rate and guarantee twice the promotion of before!
He could already picture it.
The image of Director Oh Han-cheol from Jump Comics smiling slyly and tempting the innocent Kang Min-hyuk with money.
“If Director Oh Han-cheol steals him away…… We absolutely have to get the contract for the next work signed today…… Huuu.”
Song Mi-hyeon shook her head and replied,
“Stop talking nonsense. Comic artist Kang Min-hyuk isn’t that kind of light person. You don’t need to worry.”
“How do you know that, Director?”
“I just know when I see it.”
“Whatever. Go set up drinks and snacks in the conference room. The appointment time is almost here.”
Song Mi-hyeon said while looking at the wall clock.
4 p.m.
It was the time Kang Min-hyuk had arranged with the school’s cooperation to visit the New Chance editorial department for the day.
“Damn it, damn iiiit……”
Go Gwang-jin took the drinks and snacks from the pantry and carried them to the conference room.
“I wonder what our comic artist Min-hyuk likes. Huuu.”
Just then.
Creak!
The door to the office opened.
“Hello, Director Song Mi-hyeon.”
“Ah, you’re here.”
The familiar voice came from beyond the door.
At that sound, every hair on Gwang-jin’s body stood on end.
Tap tap tap!
He immediately rushed out and bowed deeply.
“Oh, Comic artist Min-hyuk! Welcome! You must be tired from coming all the way here! You always work so hard!”
Despite his fierce appearance, he rubbed his hands together and bowed exaggeratedly.
In response……
“Haaaa. What’s wrong with you?”
Director Song Mi-hyeon pressed her forehead and shook her head.
“Huh? Why are you acting like that all of a sudden?”
Min-hyuk looked at him with wide, bewildered eyes.
“Ahaha, why? Because you, Comic artist Kang Min-hyuk, are New Chance’s representative comic artist. I’m just showing proper respect, that’s all.”
“……Can’t you just treat me like usual? It feels a bit burdensome.”
“……Should I, Comic artist Kang Min-hyuk?”
“I told you to treat me like usual.”
“R-right, Comic artist Kang Min-hyuk. Let’s…… go to the conference room.”
Huuu, I have to do well.
Sweat was dripping down Go Gwang-jin’s forehead.
***
Go Gwang-jin and Song Mi-hyeon.
And Kang Min-hyuk sitting across from them.
The three of them sat in the conference room.
“Here, help yourself comfortably.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Min-hyuk casually opened a can of drink and gulped it down.
At that moment, Go Gwang-jin, who had been fidgeting with his lips, quickly spoke up.
“Um, Comic artist Min-hyuk. By any chance…… has Director Oh Han-cheol contacted you?”
“Ah, yes, he did.”
“W-what? What did he say?”
“He asked if I had any thoughts about signing with Jump Comics.”
“……A-and your answer?”
Min-hyuk shrugged his shoulders and replied,
“Of course I said no. I told him I feel more comfortable working with the people at New Chance.”
“Huuuuuuuu……”
“Did you not trust me, Editor Go Gwang-jin?”
“Ah, no, it’s not that. I was just worried that scumbag might have said some nonsense. Hehe!”
Go Gwang-jin let out a sigh of relief inside.
Song Mi-hyeon shook her head slightly and gave him a sideways glance.
She didn’t say it out loud, but it felt like the words ‘See? I told you’ were ringing in his ears.
But none of that mattered now.
Since he had heard that Kang Min-hyuk would continue with them.
“Then today, it would be good to sign the contract for the next work right here. Of course, we can negotiate the conditions and details…… and if you want, we can also coordinate with your mother……”
At that moment, Min-hyuk emptied the can in his hand, placed it on the table, and smiled as he said,
“Before that, there’s something I’d like to tell you first.”
“Something? What is it?”
“I plan to serialize my next work as a webtoon.”
“Huh?”
“What?”
Then.
Even Director Song Mi-hyeon, who had remained calm until now, widened her eyes.
‘What is he saying?’
‘Out of nowhere?’
Webtoon.
The word referred to web-based color comics recently published on portal platforms like Bluehouse and Lemon Tree, or small sports newspaper webzines.
In their standards……
They were short-form works that lacked proper narrative or structure.
Honestly, it was extremely far from New Chance’s direction……
‘We don’t do webtoons.’
‘Doing something like that has no meaning.’
Their perception of it was generally negative in many ways.
“What do you mean……”
Just as Gwang-jin was about to ask,
Director Song Mi-hyeon stretched out her arm to stop him and spoke instead.
“Could you explain exactly what you mean by that, including the full context? Comic artist Kang Min-hyuk.”
“I know it might sound strange for me to say this, but……”
Kang Min-hyuk stroked his chin and spoke with a serious face.
“I believe webtoons are the future of Korean comics. And I think printed comics have now…… reached the very end of their twilight period.”
“Excuse me?”
“M-Min-hyuk.”
Shock and bewilderment deepened on both of their faces.
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