Chapter 514: Side Story 3. Close Friends (2)

Side Story 3. Close Friends (2)

Namsan Grand Pharos Hotel.

The 'Neotin Webtoon Writers' Night' gathering was held in the Emerald Hall here.

Min Ha-young, who entered with Taek-gyu, hung a name tag around her neck and sat down.

"They say a lot of celebrities are coming today too."

As the sales of the webtoon business grow day by day, Neotin did not spare money. A famous MC was hired as the host, and many celebrity performances were prepared. After the event, a hotel buffet is scheduled to be served.

Hundreds of writers were already gathered in the huge hall.

Min Ha-young, perhaps awkward as it was her first time at such a place, widened her rabbit-like eyes and looked around. Taek-gyu, who had participated in many larger events, wasn't particularly impressed.

While they were sitting quietly in a corner seat together, a man approached and spoke cautiously.

"Are you perhaps Author Ha Yi-ryeong?"

Min Ha-young was startled and her eyes widened.

"Yes? How do you know me?"

"I saw your name tag."

"Ah! I see."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Author Palmble."

"Yes, hello."

"I'm a fan of yours, could you give me an autograph?"

At those words, Min Ha-young waved her hand in fluster.

"Excuse me? Autograph? Oh, no. Why would you want my autograph?"

Taek-gyu stepped up on her behalf.

"Please give me the paper."

Taek-gyu quickly took the paper and handed it to Min Ha-young.

"Sign it for him quickly."

Min Ha-young had no choice but to sign. In the meantime, other writers flocked in. Everyone scrambled to greet her and ask for autographs.

'Is this the dignity of the No. 1 writer of Neotin Webtoon?'

Taek-gyu gave a thumbs up.

"Oh! Popular writer."

At those words, Min Ha-young blushed.

"Don't do that. I'm already embarrassed enough."

***

Kwon Soo-ryun was sitting at a table with close writers.

They met through an internet community and had been holding meetings and drawing webtoons together even before their debut, and at one time, Min Ha-young also belonged to this group.

"Author Ha Yi-ryeong is here."

"She's quite brazen."

"Yeah. To think she came to a place like this after trying to drag fellow writers into a pyramid scheme."

"Did she really brag that the Princess of Norway is her fan?"

"Ridiculous. The princess is a fan of Lost Fantasy, would she be a fan of Author Ha Yi-ryeong?"

"She's really lucky. Turned her life around by getting the Lost Fantasy IP."

"Did she catch a good man or something?"

Originally, one's own success is the natural result of effort and skill, but it's easy to think that others' success is due to luck.

Before long, a long line formed in front of Min Ha-young to get autographs.

Seeing that, Kwon Soo-ryun stood up from her seat.

"It's been a while since we met, I should say hello."

***

Taek-gyu said, looking at the man in front of him.

"Oh! It's Author Taifong. I saw him on TV."

"Hello."

As webtoons emerged as trending content, the popularity of webtoon artists also increased. Some appeared on TV and enjoyed popularity like celebrities.

Looking around, Taek-gyu spotted a woman sitting at another table. A white, small face with distinct features. An appearance that would likely be called pretty anywhere. She looked somewhat familiar.

"Oh! Isn't that her? Kwon Soo-ryun, right?"

"Uh-huh. That's right."

They weren't close, but since they were in the same class, he knew her face.

"Is she a webtoon artist too?"

"Yeah. She's currently serializing on Neotin."

"I don't think I've seen the name Kwon Soo-ryun."

"Because she uses the pen name Seo Ryun."

"Really?"

Taek-gyu searched for her work on his smartphone.

"She used to draw cartoons every day back then too, so she debuted as well."

It's nice to meet a high school classmate in a place like this.

Taek-gyu raised his hand.

"Yo!"

At that moment, Min Ha-young stopped him.

"D-don't."

"Are you worried I'll say 'hisashiburi'? I quit 'hisashiburi' a long time ago. I was just going to say 'long time no see'."

"I know that, but don't pretend to know her."

"Why?"

"J-just because."

'Is there something between the two?'

Just as he was thinking that, three writers sitting at the same table as Kwon Soo-ryun got up and walked over.

Kwon Soo-ryun greeted her warmly.

"Oh my! Ha-young. Hello. To think we meet here."

For some reason, Min Ha-young lowered her head deeply.

"Uh-huh. Ah, hello."

"It's been a really long time."

Kwon Soo-ryun, who was greeting her happily, looked at the man sitting next to Min Ha-young.

"Oh! Are you perhaps Oh Taek-gyu?"

"Yeah. Long time no see."

In her memory, Oh Taek-gyu wore glasses and had a chubby build. But compared to then, he lost a lot of weight and his face improved a lot.

Kwon Soo-ryun, who was usually interested in fashion, immediately noticed that Taek-gyu's outfit, from glasses to shoes, was all luxury brands. Moreover, the watch on his wrist was a Patek Philippe.

'Is it a fake?'

Thinking that, Kwon Soo-ryun said to Min Ha-young.

"I'm glad you look healthy. You don't do that anymore these days, right?"

"Huh? That?"

Seeing Min Ha-young flustered, Kwon Soo-ryun smiled inwardly.

"Illegal pyramid schemes. Surely you're not doing it these days too?"

At those words, the writers around them were surprised.

Author Taifong asked.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Ah! Before Author Ha Yi-ryeong started drawing webtoons, she did illegal pyramid schemes. Was it Jeil Gold Coin? You know, that coin scam by Kang Jin-hoo's relative. When she contacted me after a long time and we met, she told me to buy that coin saying I could make a lot of money."

Min Ha-young, who fell into the pyramid scheme, contacted her friend Kwon Soo-ryun first. As soon as she heard the story, she kicked her seat and left.

Not stopping there, she spread rumors everywhere that she was doing a pyramid scheme, so she lost contact with all the writers she knew before.

Thinking about it now, it was rather fortunate. If she had really dragged fellow writers into the pyramid scheme, she wouldn't have been able to show her face.

Anyway, they didn't contact each other after that incident.

This was the same even after she debuted. But as long as they work in the same industry, they are bound to run into each other like this in the future.

Min Ha-young couldn't say anything and lowered her head deeply.

It is true that she was once involved in a pyramid scheme and tried to drag people around her into it. She even thought she should apologize if she ever met her.

But to think she would reveal it publicly in a place where all the other writers were gathered.

She felt like everyone was laughing at her.

While Min Ha-young was flustered and couldn't say anything, Kwon Soo-ryun continued to speak.

"Do you know how worried I was that you were caught too when I saw the news that the pyramid scheme gang was rounded up? I heard you told other writers besides me to buy it too?"

Seeing Kwon Soo-ryun's expression and tone, Taek-gyu noticed the situation and clicked his tongue inwardly.

'Excessive success is bound to invite envy and jealousy.'

Anyway, what should be done in this case?

Taek-gyu spoke on behalf of Min Ha-young.

"That was for coverage."

"What? Coverage?"

"Yeah. To draw a webtoon related to pyramid schemes, right, Ha-young?"

"Huh?"

Min Ha-young looked at Taek-gyu with her rabbit-like eyes wide open.

'What if you get more surprised?'

Kwon Soo-ryun was flustered.

"D-don't lie! Does it make sense that she joined a pyramid scheme for coverage?"

'Yeah. It's a lie.'

Data research, my foot. She really was involved in the pyramid scheme. But Taek-gyu continued to lie without changing his expression.

"It's true. A writer should be able to at least infiltrate a pyramid scheme to draw a good webtoon."

Hearing those words, the writers murmured all at once.

"Wow! She entered the pyramid scheme herself for coverage?"

"So that was it. I knew it."

"No wonder it felt strange when I heard the rumors."

"Author Ha Yi-ryeong is really amazing!"

Kwon Soo-ryun looked like she absolutely couldn't believe it. Based on what she knew, absolutely not.

"If she went in for coverage, does it make sense to tell me to buy coins?"

That makes sense.

Taek-gyu changed the subject before the lie was exposed.

"All the writers here should be grateful to Ha-young."

"What do you mean? Be grateful for not dragging us into the pyramid scheme?"

"No. Because Ha-young caught Hell Rabbit."

At those words, all the writers were shocked.

"What kind of nonsense is that?"

"It's true. Thanks to Ha-young's tip-off, the Hell Rabbit site was shut down."

"Stop talking nonsense!"

This is true.

Because Min Ha-young cried and tipped off, Oh Taek-gyu stepped up. Otherwise, Hell Rabbit would still be operating.

But proving those words isn't easy. Unless Oh Taek-gyu reveals his identity himself.

'But even if I reveal my identity, they won't believe me.'

Fortunately, at that moment, he saw a familiar face.

Taek-gyu quickly waved his hand.

"Excuse me! CEO!"

CEO Lee Baek-hoon was surprised to see Taek-gyu.

"Ah! You really came. Nice to meet you."

"Please tell the writers. Tell them that Author Ha Yi-ryeong here tipped off and requested to shut down Hell Rabbit, so it was shut down. You know everything, CEO."

".........?"

Team Leader Lee Baek-hoon looked alternately at Oh Taek-gyu and Min Ha-young with surprised eyes.

"What is the relationship between you two?"

"High school classmates."

Team Leader Lee Baek-hoon realized the situation.

'The Vice President of OTK Company was Author Ha Yi-ryeong's friend? That's why Author Ha Yi-ryeong could get the Lost Fantasy IP from OTK Games and draw the webtoon, and that's why the Vice President stepped up so actively in the Hell Rabbit matter!'

Now the whole situation made sense.

Team Leader Lee Baek-hoon spoke loudly so that the writers around could hear.

"Vice Pre... No, this gentleman is right. Thanks to Author Ha Yi-ryeong's tip-off and request, we were able to round up the Hell Rabbit management team. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Author Ha Yi-ryeong."

Hell Rabbit is Korea's largest illegal webtoon site.

There's no need to explain how much damage webtoon artists have suffered due to that site.

When the site was shut down, countless writers drew congratulatory messages and posted them.

But to think Author Ha Yi-ryeong played a decisive role in shutting down Hell Rabbit, which was practically the nemesis of webtoon artists, and rounding up the management team!

"Thank you, Author Ha Yi-ryeong!"

"You've worked hard."

"Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

"Thank you so much, Author!"

Clap clap clap!

The writers stood up all at once and applauded, and Min Ha-young bowed her head in embarrassment.

However, the most surprised person was Kwon Soo-ryun. Just a moment ago, she had cornered her opponent by revealing the fact about the pyramid scheme, but the atmosphere reversed in an instant.

'Really? Did Min Ha-young really shut down Hell Rabbit?'

Before she knew it, the writers who were with her stepped back and avoided her gaze.

Trying to embarrass Min Ha-young but getting cornered instead, Kwon Soo-ryun's pupils shook greatly. In this situation, bringing up the pyramid scheme story again wouldn't work at all.

To the flustered her, Taek-gyu said a word.

"Ah! Indeed, you don't need to be thankful. Your webtoon wasn't on Hell Rabbit."

The Hell Rabbit operator illegally copied and serviced popular webtoons serialized on Neotin Webtoon, Rujin Comics, Three Mix, etc., for free.

In other words, they didn't bother copying unpopular webtoons.

That included the webtoon serialized by Kwon Soo-ryun.

She was already furious every time she saw comments like 'No-jam webtoon filtered even by Hell Rabbit', and Taek-gyu touched that point properly.

To her trembling with anger, Taek-gyu said as if admonishing.

"It is morally very wrong to frame a friend out of envy and jealousy just because they are doing well."

Kwon Soo-ryun couldn't hold it in and screamed.

"Hey! Oh Taek-gyu!!!"

***

Perhaps unable to bear the gaze of those around her, Kwon Soo-ryun disappeared as if running away even before the event started.

Min Ha-young enjoyed the event until the end with Taek-gyu and came out.

On the way back in the car, Min Ha-young said.

"Thanks for today. You saved me. I always only receive help."

Taek-gyu grinned and said.

"Friends should help each other."

Min Ha-young also smiled.

"Still, thank you."

"Anyway, what are you going to do about Kwon Soo-ryun? You'll run into her again later."

"I'm planning to meet her soon and talk. I'll apologize for what I did wrong, after all, she's a friend I've known for a long time."

"Good idea."

Min Ha-young looked at Taek-gyu and thought.

'We're friends now... but well, there's plenty of time ahead.'

***

TL/Notes:

"Hisashiburi" is a Japanese greeting meaning "long time no see," often used by otakus or in anime contexts.