Chapter 39: Chapter 39 - Pollen In The Air (2) (1/2)
Hey everyone,
SootyOwl and ShawnSuh here. We are loving the response you guys are having for the novel and for the work we are doing translating it. We come bearing some news that some of you might not like. As you know, The Great Storyteller is a Korean novel. Under Webnovel and Munpia's partners.h.i.+p to bring Korean novels to a greater audience, Munpia requested that their novels go premium after 40 chapters in order to protect their copyrights and for their authors' benefit.
We hope the you guys stick with us as we watch Juho's future change together, but we understand if you are unable to.
Thank you for your understanding.
Translated by: ShawnSuh
Edited by: SootyOwl
Chapter 39 - Pollen in the Air (2)
When Nabi read 'The Trace of a Bird' for the first time, she had already been arranging the introduction of the book. The book struck a fine balance between two contrasting subjects, growth and darkness. Along with its literary achievement, it appealed to the ma.s.s. Unfortunately, Korea was simply too small of a country for such a book. In order for the book to reach even more hearts, she felt that it needed to be distributed across the world.
Once she made up her mind, she immediately called Nam Kyung, who worked as an editor at Zelkova Publis.h.i.+ng Company. She had worked with him in the past on several occasions. He was a skilled editor. He was quick and easy to communicate with. While waiting for him, she picked up a cup from the table to quench her thirst.
She set up a plan to meet with Nam Kyung at an Italian restaurant, where she arrived about twenty minutes earlier than the time they had agreed on. She checked the time. 'Any minute now.'
”Seventeen years old, huh.”
She had never worked with an author that age.
'He's probably not used to such a professional environment, so I should be able to use that to my advantage,' she thought. She wanted to be Yun Woo's agent.
It was his first time at the restaurant. The neat interior gave off a clean impression. As he went into the reserved room with Nam Kyung, Juho asked, ”Nabi Baek, right?”
”Yeah, do you have any questions?”
”Oh, no. Just wondering.”
Nabi Baek was a familiar name. It was also a name he hadn't heard in a while. She had been the agent behind exporting 'The Trace of a Bird' to seven different countries. Other than that, she was good at what she did, but he didn't remember much of her. They had communicated almost entirely through email. Even that didn't last very long as Juho's career didn't survive past his debut t.i.tle. It had been a bitter past. It was painful to think about the relations.h.i.+ps that had been lost because of his limitations.
'I hope this lasts this time,' he thought as he kept himself from sighing.
”What's she like?”
Nam Kyung answered after a brief moment thinking, ”She's good at what she does. She's also working with famous international authors. She's the type who likes to see things to the end once she sets her mind on something.”
'Greedy.' When Juho heard Nam Kyung's description of her, he was able to think of her image immediately. If that greed worked to his advantage, then there was nothing to worry about. For an author to have someone eyeing for his work was something to be grateful for. He concentrated on thinking about what she looked like. When they had reached the door to the room, Nam Kyung said, ”Well, see her for yourself.”
He answered as he raised his head, ”I'm looking forward to this.”
'He really doesn't act his age,' Nam Kyung thought to himself.
The door opened. There was a table, some patterned wallpaper, and a beautiful woman inside. She was Nabi Baek. Dressed in professional attire, she gave off an intelligent impression. The fog was lifting. As if a black and white screen changed to color, her figure became vivid. 'It's been a while.'
”h.e.l.lo. Nabi Baek, from Imperst Agency.”
Imperst was one of the four major copyright agencies in the nation. It was a large-scale company, and it usually worked with big-name authors. Nabi's eyes sparkled as she saw an author, and Juho definitely felt that she was observing him. Maybe she was simply fascinated by him. Now, her attention was on his face. He then remembered that she didn't judge an author by his looks.
”Juho Woo. I'd like to be called by my real name.”
”Sure thing, Mr. Woo.”
He didn't stop her from addressing him with formality. In an occasion like that, he was aware that his age could work to his disadvantage. After a brief exchange of greetings, they ordered their meal. They each ordered pasta. The food looked incredibly delicate and appetizing, and it really felt like they were in a cla.s.sy restaurant.
”You're quite handsome.”
Juho looked at his food subconsciously because of her sudden compliment.
She continued as she emphasized, ”It'd be a waste to keep yourself hidden.”
”I guess you're not entirely wrong,” Juho answered with a touch of humor. Nabi seemed entertained.
”I've been curious this entire time. I was deeply moved by your work.”
”Thank you,” he answered briefly. He felt her observing his responses.
”As I expected, you really are a genius.”
If it were in the past, those words would've lifted up his spirit, but he couldn't keep himself from laughing. She misinterpreted his reaction and took the initiative to share her experience with his book, and he listened carefully.
”I appreciated how pure the story was. You did an incredible job describing fear in such a clear way.”
That wasn't all.
”The subject of death has always been a popular choice among authors. Everyone wants to know more about death after all. Many writers have been inspired by it, but sadly, it's no longer fresh. Frankly, I've been tired of it for a while,” she added.
Death, terror, anger. As deep and dark as these emotions were, they tended to leave a strong impression. When a drop of black ink got onto a white sheet of paper, all eyes would focus on it. In there, there was power and charm. However, without care and purpose, that dot was quickly reduced to a mere stain. The slightest movement would spread the ink throughout the paper and ruin it. It disrupted the white and became an obstruction to the eyes. Nabi looked at that boy in front of her and felt Yun Woo had drawn a perfect circle. It had been pure and controlled. She didn't spare any compliments. A child tended to be easily moved by an adult's compliments. However, Nabi's compliments were not merely empty words. She was meeting Yun Woo because she genuinely felt that his work was outstanding.