CH10 - I Need to Study

Aside from the shock, it looked odd no matter how you looked at it.

'Why did he choose such an ending?'

After binge-reading up to episode 25 of "Mother" sent by author Shin, Simon was filled with questions in his mind.

He wanted to sit down at a nearby coffee shop with the manuscript and ponder deeply.

However, since he still had unfinished work to deal with today, he unfortunately couldn't do that.

The newspaper was a continuous series of deadlines.

Simon, the journalist responsible for the culture section page, did not go out for coverage often, but that meant he spent a lot of time at his desk.

After the lunch meeting where he confirmed the current issues and the direction conveyed by the editor-in-chief, he wrote articles based on the topics he had sent out in the morning and checked the manuscripts coming in one by one.

"The Last Out," "The Lamp," and "Golden Quest" had not yet come in, and "The Grip of Death" was the same.

After checking the availability of the manuscripts and forwarding them to the editorial department, Simon immediately called the authors.

First for "Golden Quest,"

"Author! You need to send the manuscript!"

[The author has passed away.]

"There's no stockpile left then!"

Next, "The Grip of Death."

"Author!"

[I'm sorry, sir.]

"Do you have any concerns?"

[I'm not sure… I'm not confident that the ending I've decided on is the best.]

"You've been doing well so far, haven't you? The response has been good too."

"The Grip of Death" was a work depicting the protagonist's fight against the unknown horrors while stranded in a snowy mountain.

Every morning, snow handprints would appear around the tent, and the protagonist, seeing the increasing number of handprints, gradually went mad, but struggled to survive somehow.

It was a decently good work, and as with such horror novels, it was planned to end without revealing the identity of the menace as the protagonist dies.

Simon thought there was nothing more to worry about,

[Maybe there's a better ending.]

While discussing this with the concerned author,

Simon thought,

'Well, the change certainly seems more fitting for a horror novel.'

While discussing "The Grip of Death," he was reminded of the ending of "Mother."

Suzy's desperate escape plan with Kevin ends in futility, and the story concludes amidst despair and horror.

Suzy ultimately kills her mother, who had been tormenting her all along and becomes just like her.

It was a truly sad tragedy.

As a horror novel, this was right.

'It should leave a lingering unease.'

Simon thought of one of his favourite authors, Stephen King.

If there was a work that could be directly compared to 'Mother,' it would have to be his first novel, 'Carrie.' The story was about a girl named Carrie who was bullied at school, awakens to supernatural powers and grapples with a religiously fanatic mother and school friends.

However, there was a clear difference between 'Carrie' and 'Mother.' Stephen King focused on the protagonist's supernatural powers, while Shin focused on the figure of terror, the mother. The difference this created was enormous. 'Carrie' was a narrative that empathized with the object of fear, whereas 'Mother' was the exact opposite.

Simon interpreted the horror of 'Mother' as 'helplessness.'

In a way, this novel could be considered controversial since it involved animal cruelty and child abuse from the beginning. As these continued, it instilled a sense of terror towards the figure of 'the mother.'

Thus, the emotion of horror was, in fact, close to discomfort.

Yet, the reason people seek out horror is that it allows them to return to their daily lives and achieve catharsis afterwards. It might be similar to drinking bitter coffee to better appreciate sweet food.

That's why most genres involving 'horror' tend not to end cleanly.

They might show a killer coming back to life to hint at a sequel.

Or they might show a protagonist who fails to overcome the horror and falls.

The point Simon was most curious about after finishing his reading was just one.

'Could it really have been the intention to write it this way from the start?'

The novel 'Mother,' which he felt had no room for his feedback because both the planning and the manuscript were excellent.

However, if there was one part that made him slightly tilt his head, it was indeed the ending. The ending proposed by author Shin in the previous proposal was definitely attractive and well-justified, but it was quite far from the standard of the horror genre.

But that was exactly why Simon felt a greater shock and horror because it turned out to be the opposite of what he had expected, knowing the contents of the proposal.

Then what would readers who know nothing about it expect?

He felt the need to erase his knowledge of the design of the work called 'Mother' and to seriously consider it.

What would an ordinary reader feel around episode 23 of this work?

'They would expect it.'

They would expect a conclusion where the mere boy and girl, Kevin and Suzy, manage to escape.

But that did not happen.

'Mother' ended by revealing a brutal reality.

'I better finish up work and call.'

After soothing the authors and ending the calls, Simon passed on the pages of the culture section he had produced so far to the editorial department. From a certain moment, only the sound of typewriters echoed in the office, and journalists from each section focused their minds on not missing the deadlines.

And at five in the afternoon.

The journalists who had finished their work stretched.

"Phew."

"Ah, I really thought I was going to die today."

"Good job everyone."

Torrence New Media was a fairly small newspaper, and as such, there was only one or maybe two reporters per department. Simon, the sole journalist in the culture section, leaned back in his chair, his complexion pale. Yet his hand was searching the desk for cigarettes and a phone.

'I need to call soon...…'

That was the moment.

"Simon."

"Ah, Editor-in-Chief."

Editor-in-Chief, Hugo Irving, approached.

"Have you finished your work?"

"Yes, I've passed everything on."

"You've been working hard lately. Is there something good going on?"

"Uh, no. Not really."

"I spoke to the president. He said it was very good."

Hugo spoke brightly, smiling.

In front of him, Simon smiled awkwardly and glanced around.

The other reporters stifled their breaths at the editor-in-chief's arrival.

In Torrance New Media, is next to the president, or rather, in effect more powerful than the president.

He was quite political and had a personality that was good at prodding people, so to speak.

"...Did I overstep?"

"No, no. I was worried about how the culture section would be without Julia. But it seems like it will be fine as it is."

Hugo mentioned the name of a senior reporter who had resigned.

Simon's face turned pale for a moment.

Not missing that, Hugo soon checked the manuscript on Simon's desk.

"Is this it? The 'piece' you said you contracted this time."

"Ah, yes."

"How good is this work that you're so enthusiastic? Let me read it."

"Ah...."

"What are you waiting for, Simon, hand it over."

"Yes, here it is."

"And a cigarette too."

Simon handed Hugo one of his Marlboro cigarettes, and as Hugo lit it, he began reading 'Mother.'

And in front of him, Simon was engulfed in tremendous ambivalence.

It was true that he was curious about how much impact 'Mother' would have from the perspective of someone who doesn't know much about genre novels.

But having such an evaluation from the already tricky editor-in-chief was frightening. What kind of reaction would come?

Hugo slowly reads the novel while smoking.

The other reporters, who had heard that Simon was quite pleased with the newly contracted novel, didn't show much excitement but watched the situation with interest.

Hugo silently continued reading the novel.

Episode 1, Episode 3, Episode 5, and up to Episode 7.

At one point, he looked up.

"Simon."

"Yes, yes!"

"When does the serialization start?"

"Currently, it's expected to start on November 6th."

"Jesus, Simon, are you serious?"

"Yes?"

"It's mid-October now. Are you going to keep such a great novel shelved for more than two weeks? What's the reason?"

Hugo asked as if it were unbelievable.

In front of him, Simon desperately pondered.

The reason for starting the serialization on November 6th. Of course, it was Shin, the author's request. But he didn't want to give that reason. It seemed like he was passing the responsibility to a young boy, even though it was true.

"It's election season, isn't it."

"Just for that reason, you delay the serialization of the novel? It practically seems like neglect?"

Hugo made a very valid point.

In fact, he hadn't properly read 'Mother.' Simon had a good eye for novels, and he didn't want to be swayed by reading it thoroughly.

In other words, there was another reason why he pretended to read 'Mother' in front of the president.

It was an act intended to break Simon's spirit who had been bold in front of the president. The novel was really irrelevant. It was just a tool.

"Connect me with the author."

"Excuse me?"

"What are you waiting for. Hurry up."

"Ah, that, that is…"

"Is there something fishy going on? Are you preparing to hand over the work to another publisher this time?"

At that, Simon could no longer stand up to him.

Feeling like a defeated soldier, he called author Shin.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Author."

After a brief connection tone, the other party picked up the phone.

[The call has been answered.]

"Ah, hello. This is Simon Carver from Torrance New Media."

[Yes, Mr. Simon. What can I do for you?]

"Just a moment, the editor-in-chief is asking if he can speak to you…"

Before he could introduce him properly, the editor snatched the receiver and shouted with a robust voice.

"Hello, Author! This is Hugo Irving, the editor-in-chief of Torrance New Media!"

**

Flowers

Like everyone, I also personally dislike certain types of people.

One of them was people with unnecessarily loud voices.

[Hugo Irving here!]

The moment I heard that voice, I half-pulled the receiver away from my ear.

And I realized the situation.

"It looks like he's in a rough spot."

Having met countless people in my previous life, I had learned that society was much more of a brutal jungle than I had thought. Surprisingly, people rarely formed relationships through concepts like love and friendship as described in books. Especially in companies, it was even more so.

While managing the store and reading novels, I deliberately greeted him with a cheerier voice.

"Hello, Editor-in-Chief. My name is Shin."

[SIN? SHIN? That's an interesting pen name.]

"It's actually my real name."

[Oh, are you Chinese, Author?]

"I'm American. Korean-American."

[Oh, I see! There was some friction within the company about the serialization date, so I decided to call!]

"What seems to be the issue?"

[Simon set the serialization date for November 6th. Don't you think that's a bit late?]

"Well…"

I pondered hard for a moment.

November 6th was definitely my choice. However, the editor-in-chief said Simon decided it. In other words, Simon had covered for me to protect me. It seemed I could trust him a bit more.

Anyway, since I didn't have all the information right away, I couldn't act rashly.

"I thought it was okay."

I purposely gave an answer that left various possibilities open.

[Hehe, you must not know because you're a newcomer. You should start serializing and get paid!]

"Oh dear, I don't know what to do with myself, you're paying too much attention to my humble novel."

[Not at all. It was really interesting, wasn't it?]

"Ah, did you read it? Thank you."

[I quite enjoy novels. The reason why Torrance New Media still has a section for serializing novels is because of me.]

"Thank you for acknowledging that. If it's not too rude to ask, may I know which part you liked the most?"

[The impact from episode 1 was tremendous. It turns out the dead one wasn't the protagonist.]

"Ah, that's not quite right."

[Excuse me?]

"Oh, I sent a revised manuscript, but it seems like you read an old version. Could you perhaps switch back to Mr. Simon for a moment?"

[Hmm? Can't you finish your conversation with me first?]

"I'll be quick."

[Well then, okay.]

[Yes, hello? Mr. Author?]

"Simon."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Didn't you ask me to revise the manuscript?"

[…Ah, yes, yes.]

"I sent the revisions back by fax today, but it seems the editor-in-chief has seen the version before the revision. I'm worried that the rest might be the same; how many episodes has the editor-in-chief read?"

[It seems he has read up to episode 7.]

"Oh, that includes the part you asked to be revised."

I let out a slight groan.

Of course, it was all an act.

Episode 1, the protagonist, dies.

The editor-in-chief expressed a good part of my novel with three ambiguous words. Normally, if it's definitely a good part, one would remember it in detail, and a typical American who likes dogs would naturally say 'The protagonist's dog died' instead of 'died instead.'

From this, I gathered that the editor-in-chief might not have properly read the novel, and I had Simon take the call to dig for more specific information.

The editor-in-chief had not really read my novel and had even called without finishing it.

'Simon doesn't seem to be clueless.'

Trusting him, and trusting the slow information transfer of the '80s, I asked,

"How many episodes did I send you?"

[Uh, how many did you send us?]

"Up to episode 7."

I answered with a smile.

"I'm sorry, the progress is slow so it seems I'll need a bit more time. Is the editor-in-chief also listening right now?"

[Yes, he is listening with us right now.]

"Editor-in-Chief, you said we need at least 10 episodes to start the serialization. But the work is progressing slowly, so it might be difficult to start the serialization as soon as you suggested…"

[Is that so? It's only three more episodes, wouldn't it be okay to start right away?]

As expected, the editor-in-chief was rushing.

While I didn't know the exact cause of how things got to this point, he seemed determined to assert his will right here.

And I delivered my finishing move to break his stubbornness.

"I'm not in a position to consistently write the novel."

[Is there something wrong?]

"I'm a student and need to balance it with my studies."

[Excuse me?]

The editor-in-chief replied with a bewildered voice.

I sensed a K.O. victory.

'What's he going to do if a student says they need to study?'