"Hello, Writer Ha. Are you busy at the moment?"

— No. I'm actually quite free these days after completing the Records series. What is it about?

Ha Jae-Gun's voice sounded much more energetic than usual.

Kwon Tae-Won wet his lips with the tip of his tongue. A sudden wave of anxiety gripped him, and he started off carefully, "I’ve called to discuss your next novel."

— Oh, about my next novel?

"I know it’s going to be tough on you, but how about riding on the momentum and working on another title? What do you think, Writer Ha?”

— Hmm, actually…

Ha Jae-Gun’s voice suddenly sounded pretty tired all of a sudden. The change in tension in their conversation suddenly made Kwon Tae-Won feel weak in his legs.

Kwon Tae-Won took a seat in the chair placed outside the convenience store as he listened to Ha Jae-Gun.

— I haven’t thought of my next novel since I have been writing so many of them recently.

“That’s true… It’s also going to be exhausting for you as well.”

— I’m going to be honest with you, editor-in-chief. I’m looking to join a contest next month, that’s why I’m working on something else in the meantime.

“A contest?”

— Yes. It’s called the Digital Literature Award, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. I have a long-form novel written back in my university days, so I’m looking to revise that and submit it for the contest.

A bitter smile formed on Kwon Tae-Won’s face. “Ah, I see. Writer Ha is great at writing, so I think you’ll be able to get good results from it.”

Kwon Tae-Won encouraged Ha Jae-Gun to suppress his disappointment because he knew how passionate Ha Jae-Gun was about writing.

It was why he had been treating Ha Jae-Gun with an open mind and with the utmost respect even though their sales had long bottomed out.

“You will be attending the authors’ meet this Saturday, right?”

— Ah, yes, that’s right....