A random writing collaboration between some of Webnovel’s craziest authors. Prepare to get your soul rocked and your butts blasted off!

Give me ideas or criticism you think will help my writing go further, i want to try writing for a job but am obviously new. thanks

Romance is a very popular genre in Webnovels. The first thing that come to mind when we talk about romance are the CEO novels. Even though we don't want to admit it, they are the mainstream romance stories in the Webnovel website. 

So why do people love romance stories? I hope you find the answer while reading this chapter.

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FattyBai: No worries, was just a bit curious. It's always amazing seeing how the Romance genre basically dominates the site.

Parasection: and CEO stories.

FattyBai: So I was sort of curious what the demographics on the reader's sex were. But yeah, it's a fair assumption to say that the ladies rule the site, lol

WWFire: Readers gender stats r ambiguous, it is manipulatable after all.

FattyBai: Unless there's this hidden group of guys who have been starving for CEO romance novels (which would actually be funny).

Parasection: But the sacred texts.

WWFire: All I see are genderless alien. *derp emoticon*

reinesse ♥: kek.

FattyBai: How do we pull in the female readers in if we can't write a romance story? *cry emoticon*

Parasection: No choice but to write yaoi then.

WWFire: We who read these kind of fantasy novels don't live our lives correctly pal.

CailinMatthews: *ghost hug emoticon*

Parasection: Give in to the demons.

WWFire: That's why we escape reality sometimes. 

FattyBai: It's like being offered a big cake and unable to take a slice.

Zehell2218: I think male reader have their own chance and market.

FattyBai: For sure, but it'd be nice to tap into both sides.

Zehell2218: @FattyBai I think I'll make fantasy romance so I can attract both.

FattyBai: I mean, it's not a bad idea, but how do you split it up? 50% romance/50% dragon ball z?


Parasection: The fuq that sounds like an abomination.

FattyBai: It does.

Zehell2218: @FattyBai No it's 80% romance 20% action. *joy emoticon*

Noveljunky: Besides Romance, what else do females like to read?

Parasection: BL, yaoi, drama.

Zehell2218: Still BL is romance.

Anjeeriku: horror lol.

reinesse ♥: @Noveljunky xianxia I think.

Noveljunky: Mmm.

Zenith: Well, need too write romance...kek

Zehell2218: Do female reader like to read apocalypse novel? Quick question since I will make fantasy romance in apocalypse.

[A/N: Sis, did you forget that you're a girl too?]

Totally Not Nano: nah oof.

FattyBai: @Zehell2218 Aww, man. But then you have to develop characters and write meaningful dialogue.

Zenith: I am probably gonna f*ck up my time trying to make a romance story.

FattyBai: We like blowing stuff up and fighting baddies.

Zehell2218: cmon it will be comedy. *laugh emoticon*

Parasection: The best thing in a novel is character development humor and action romance can be on the side.

Anjeeriku: Romance can be a great sub genre.

Parasection: how does one even write romance? I don't know where to begin with that genre.

FattyBai: I'm a simple guy, I see plot and I drown it in martial arts and manly stuff. Of course, I don't know what feelings are. Can you eat them to increase your cultivation base? *think smart emoticon*

Parasection: I've never experienced romance so i'd fail the moment i'd attempt a story like that.

Zehell2218: Actually, I like to write fighting scene but without romance my reader will kill me. So...yeah I tag it as romance! *joy emoticon*

Parasection: Fight scenes are fun to write.

FattyBai: I'm trying to break through into the "Immortal lonely sperg" phase~

Zehell2218: Very sloooooowww romance.

Anjeeriku: Please no abusive ML @Zehell2218 They're disgusting. idk why women like to read them.

Zehell2218: @Anjeeriku I don't know if girls who read xianxia will read apocalypse novel too.

reinesse ♥: I wanna write a novel like it's not easy to be a man after traveling to the future.

Zehell2218: @Anjeeriku No I won't make abusive ML. @reinesse ♥ same *joy emoticon*

Totally Not Nano: @Anjeeriku *cough* TBWWM *cough*

reinesse ♥: And an actual xianxia novel with reasonable characters.

Zehell2218: But without the romance it's bland.

reinesse ♥: Like characters, especially main character who knows how to adjust because extreme pride is not good.

FattyBai: @Zehell2218 Baby Dragon Truer words have not been spoken, and that scares me.

reinesse ♥: Some villains are really brainless. they can scheme, but they don't have a reasonable reason to do so

Zenith: Kek.

Zehell2218: @Zenith gramps I have idea for fantasy romance lemme tell you after I finish writing and see if it's interesting or not.

Zenith: Get the MC u desire! Yeah @Zehell2218 

FattyBai: I fear becoming a more wholesome and fleshed out human being. Please no development.

Zehell2218: @Zenith It's ok. Just want to see if people will find this good or not. *joy emoticon*

Totally Not Nano: I think there's a formula in getting famous as a writer.

[A/N: Oh? Such formula exist? Teach me Senpai!]

Totally Not Nano: Let's debate about it. *thinking emoticon*

Parasection: The formula is write romance and you're set.

Totally Not Nano: Any genre + xxxxxxx = top 1.

[A/N: Today… I lost faith in humanity.]

Noveljunky: If you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back.

Moonbirth: Write a lot. Write everyday. Post a lot everyday... write about what readers want to read about.

Anjeeriku: Write a lot. be a slave. Lol


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Elyon knew that "Romance" is not his strong point. He writes a fantasy story with romance, but he can't tell if the romance will be able to attract female readers. Out of curiosity, he asked some of his fellow authors the question "Why do you read romance stories?"

Here are their answers…

Kyosei: Because I am single. 

Reili: To fill my empty void of a love life.

Minrei: Because romance let you feel what is to be loved, plus it is universal you dont need to learn magic or cultivation in order to read.

Bajj: Due to lack of romance irl.

Murakami: I read because I enjoy the friction and conflict between the FL and ML. The insistence vs resistance is naisu.

Qin: I reads romance only for ideas and info.

VlassisBehrakis: I don't read romance novels.

[A/N: Oof I asked the wrong person.]

Elyon then  ̶a̶m̶b̶u̶s̶h̶e̶d̶ asked some readers about their opinion about romance novels.

Yin: I read romance novels because I want that kind of drama to happen to me in real life. But I know it will never happen haha.

A Certain Irresistible Meowlin: I wonder why? And I do read romance novels. Though the chance of me dropping them is also the highest out of all the genres. Every so often I come across a scene that makes me just want to squeal and fangirl. 

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Elyon decided to dig deeper and asked a few of his senior "romance authors" some questions about their reason for writing romance stories.

The first question is… Why did you choose to write Romance Stories?

Anjeeriku: I'm comfortable writing romance stories compared to other genres. I'm a helpless romantic person and I like novels that can invoke other people's feelings.

Bajj: First of all, I like reading romance story. It was the reason why I read books before and reading other genres comes after. All in all, due to these romance fiction books, I got the opportunity to read more great books with different genre.

MishaK: That's what I read, so write that too.

Zehell2218: Because as reader, I want to read romance novel so when I write, I write romance since my motto is I write what I want to read.

Ikazainudin: The easiest genre. Everyone can relate.

End_of_Era: It wasn't a full on Romance, it was slice of life with romance which I feel was necessary with progression of the characters.

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The second question… When you were making your ML and FL, did you imagine yourself as the lead of your story at any given point in time?

Anjeeriku: I would be a liar if I said no. There were instances that I'd put myself in my FL's shoes. Whenever that happens, my writing feels more passionate and truthful that sometimes it was hard to know where my fl starts and where I end. 

Shen Yi, LMD's ML was based on a person I've lost, The One That Got Away so it was sometimes hard not to self-insert whenever there were scenes that need to invoke feelings from readers. 

Bajj: I believe that every character the author was making and breathing life into it, a part of him/her is added to its character. But me imagining of being the ML/FL, never. I'm too pure for that. Kek

MishaK: Yes I did but sometimes. Otherwise you can't infuse emotions in your characters. It is important to understand your characters.

Zehell2218: Yes, I imagine myself as the lead. Of course, I tweak it a bit, such as in age and appearance. But mostly, the characteristics is similar to me.

Ikazainudin: FL and ML character based on what I want to be irl. Yup. I imagine that will be my love story.

End_of_Era: Yes, my leads had some ocassional self insertion.

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The third question… If you were to choose some other genre aside from romance, what would you pick?

Anjeeriku: Fantasy. I always look up to those authors who can write fantasy stories/novels well. I believe writing a fantasy novel is harder than writing romance. 

[A/N: Ahem! 10 points to Griffindor!]

Bajj: Horror/thriller/Action. Read GGGB godamnit! [Good Girl Gone Bad]

MishaK: I am writing a Fantasy romance aside from regular vanilla romance *smile emoticon*

Zehell2218: Fantasy, magical realism, fan fiction.

Ikazainudin: Psychological/horror and maybe children story.

End_of_Era: The new genre I'm writing is fantasy/violent .

----------------------------------


The fourth and final question… If you were to give a message to your beloved readers, what would it be?

Anjeeriku: I'm sorry for not being inconsistent with updates. Y'all know I love you, but a little consideration and patience as I face this rough patch in my life would be very much appreciated.

Bajj: Vote me please :* mass release comes after, deal?

[A/N: Oof!]

MishaK: Be responsible in reviewing the book you are reading. Authors love to listen from their readers. So talk to them.

Zehell2218: Beloved reader, your author here is working hard to provide your daily dose so pliz pretty pliz, read my chapter using paid SS since I don't get even a penny for free SS. 

Tips: use free SS on translation novel. The translator still get money and use paid SS on original novel so we can get a bit money to continue living *wink*

Ikazainudin: I want readers to know, that love, hope and miracles exist. Be open and value each moment of your life like the MC's did.


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Author's Thoughts

Hello Guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter of WWCG. Personally, I've read a few CEO novels myself. I also read some FL stories like A Slight Smile Is Devastating (Love O2O), Hidden Marriage, Doomed to be Cannon Fodder, Transmigrator meets Reincarnator, A Mistaken Marriage Match: A Generation of Military Counselor, There Is an Angel in That Church (short story), Eight Treasures Trousseau, Grabbing Your Hand, Dragging you Away, A Mistaken Marriage Match: Record of Washed Grievances…

Ai~ there's a few more that I won't add to the list because it will create a wall of text. Well anyways, the reason why I read these stories is to get an idea on "WHY" the ladies love to read them.

Let's just say that it's a unique way to see a world in the eye of a lady (if you are a man of course). When done properly, the execution of the story can capture the hearts of anyone, even male readers. I believe that no matter what gender you are, as long as you find the story interesting then it doesn't matter whether you are a guy or a gal no?

Perhaps, when I'm not too busy to write my stories, I'll once again pick a romance novel to read. Hopefully, I will find another hidden gem that will bring unexpected surprises to anyone who are lucky enough to find them.

P.S I would like to thank my fellow authors, especially my senior romance authors who answered some of my questions regarding romance novels. 

To my senior authors, May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the Power Stones shine warm upon your face, and Spirit Stones fall soft upon your fields. (￣▽￣)ノ

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Meet and greet some of the aspiring authors of Webnovels. Join us on discord!
https://discord.gg/sBHSFVm

Have you ever wondered what your favorite Authors in Web Novels do during their free time? Don't forget that Authors are humans too and they have their own quirks and opinions. 

How can those Domineering CEO's that you love to read even compare to the manliness of our drop dead gorgeous authors who cries like little babies when they are stressed out and can't write anything due to Writer's Block!? Cultivation Chat Group can't even compare! 

Join our fearless Author Elyon as he show you a world filled with Frustrations, Stress, Anxiety, and Procrastination! 

WELCOME to The Webnovel Writer's Chatgroup!
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P.S The Cover Drawing is not mine. I just find it nice so I used it. Full credits go to the owner.

I wonder if previous reviews affect new ones? That is, in order not to waste time, the reviewer looks at the previous review and writes in his own words what he already wrote another? And it turns out that all the reviews as copies or replicants of the original?

If you write a swap review, then you must adhere to the bad manners and write a good review in spite of its real quality or rejection of the content itself, depending on cultural traditions?

Or, nevertheless, write what you think and give a low rating. Then the response will be the same, mirror or generally asymmetric response?

Authors should immediately put a topic in the tags in order to read, then not to spit and with horror to discard some not typical, not traditional stories. What is good about democracy, that everyone can have their own view, but no one imposes it. Do you want to read, but do not want do not read. And this is not a phobia is the right to choose. When there is no choice, then tin comes. But this is offtopic.

If you are honest, objective, you need to wait for your reader to come and appreciate your story. But he will not come ... without the promotion of a short story, the reader will not know about it.

There are many interesting short stories that are not even in the ranking, which occupy 2000 and 1000 places, but they are more intriguing than those that occupy 20-90 places in the ranking.

This suggests that the authors are not skilled enough in promoting their stories.

SWAP is one of the methods of promotion, like voting with stones for your own work, it's not entirely sporty, but honestly!

There is a second option, I personally don't like it and I won't do it, because it's not honest in the first place, and secondly it's not interesting. Nevertheless, this method works, although it is formally prohibited by the rules for using this site. That is, by creating fictitious accounts - 4-5 and voting for their work on behalf of third users. Another way is to write 10 identical reviews to yourself with a rating and now, your work scored 10 minimum reviews, the requirements for entering the rating.

For you to be read, to have good statistics, you need to write, write a lot, at least 500-1000 words a day, 4-5 chapters per week need to be filled.

And to promote, write SWAP, chat on the forum. It's rare when a reviewer comes back ... a formal reply, within the framework of the existing rules - I tell you, you tell me. But if really, the work is hooked, interesting, then the reader-reviewer will come constantly.

If the work is so-so, then counting on constant interest is difficult.

But there will always be several enthusiasts, regular readers, and the authors should be grateful to them for their time and interest.

So far, these are my thoughts.

Thoughts of why and why stories are written.

All the same English, he has not improved in 18 days.

I'll figure something out, try to correct the text.

---------------------------------------------------------
This is a work of art. Any resemblance to real people or real events is purely coincidental.

The end of the 20th century proved a difficult period for Russian literature, with relatively few distinct voices. Although the censorship was lifted and writers could now freely express their thoughts, the political and economic chaos of the 1990s affected the book market and literature heavily. The book printing industry descended into crisis, the number of printed book copies dropped several times in comparison to Soviet era, and it took about a decade to revive.

Among the most discussed authors of this period were Victor Pelevin, who gained popularity with first short stories and then novels, novelist and playwright Vladimir Sorokin, and the poet Dmitry Prigov. A relatively new trend in Russian literature is that female short story writers Tatyana Tolstaya or Lyudmila Petrushevskaya, and novelists Lyudmila Ulitskaya or Dina Rubina have come into prominence. The tradition of the classic Russian novel continues with such authors as Mikhail Shishkin and Vasily Aksyonov.

Detective stories and thrillers have proven a very successful genre of new Russian literature: in the 1990s serial detective novels by Alexandra Marinina, Polina Dashkova and Darya Dontsovawere published in millions of copies. In the next decade Boris Akunin who wrote more sophisticated popular fiction, e.g. a series of novels about the 19th century sleuth Erast Fandorin, was eagerly read across the country.

Science fiction was always well selling, albeit second to fantasy, that was relatively new to Russian readers. These genres boomed in the late 1990s, with authors like Sergey Lukyanenko, Nick Perumov, Maria Semenova, Vera Kamsha, Alexey Pekhov, Anton Vilgotskyand Vadim Panov. A good share of modern Russian science fiction and fantasy is written in Ukraine, especially in Kharkiv,[20] home to H. L. Oldie, Alexander Zorich, Yuri Nikitin and Andrey Valentinov. Many others hail from Kiev, including Marina and Sergey Dyachenkoand Vladimir Arenev. Significant contribution to Russian horror literature has been done by Ukrainians Andrey Dashkov and Alexander Vargo.

Russian poetry of that period produced a number of avant-garde greats. The members of the Lianosovo group of poets, notably Genrikh Sapgir, Igor Kholin and Vsevolod Nekrasov, who previously chose to refrain from publication in Soviet periodicals, became very influential, especially in Moscow, and the same goes for another masterful experimental poet, Gennady Aigi. Also popular were poets following some other poetic trends, e.g. Vladimir Aristov and Ivan Zhdanov from Poetry Club and Konstantin Kedrov and Elena Katsuba from DOOS, who all used complex metaphors which they called meta-metaphors. In St. Petersburg, members of New Leningrad Poetry School that included not only the famous Joseph Brodsky but also Victor Krivulin, Sergey Stratanovsky and Elena Shvarts, were prominent first in the Soviet-times underground - and later in mainstream poetry.

Some other poets, e.g. Sergey Gandlevsky and Dmitry Vodennikov, gained popularity by writing in a retro style, which reflected the sliding of newly-written Russian poetry into being consciously imitative of the patterns and forms developed as early as in the 19th century.

this is made for the purpose of getting the authors badge  at any rate I'll just compile world literature

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After feeding the two divine beast to her Devouring Seijō, Aya felt a surge of pure qi being produce inside her mind space. 

[Chuantong I can enter my mind space now that I've fed it, right?] 

[Yes, Master.] Chuantong answered after appearing next to Aya. 

[Actually Chuantong's greatly recommended cultivating inside your mins space. Since it is yours. Master has the total control inside it. Even the passing of time are within just a mere thought of Master! Hehe... Devouring Seijō can be compared to those top class highest ranking divine weapon! Hehe... You're really lucky Master!] 

[Ahh… it's nice talking this way. It's strengthens our connection Master!] 
When Chuantong said those words she hopping up and down happily and her cheeks were blooming she looks so cute. 

[Okay. Thanks Chuantong.] Aya then patted Chuantong's long shiny silky soft silver hair. 

'Hmm… Chuantong's got a nice her I'll ask her later about this. First things first.' 

Aya then contemplated a bit before she decided to enter inside her Devouring Seijō and use the pure qi and different purified energy to nourish her soul; her 'new body' which is a special soul in a way that her soul can cultivate normally and have all the body parts and organs inside her special soul. 

As she sat herself at the middle of her mind space in a meditating position, she look around her. 
There were bubble-like forms of energy, there were mist-like, cloud-like, flames, and even the three mini-versions of the three divine beasts. 'There were too many different kinds and forms of energy and qi that was purified. Where do I start?' 

And as if sensing her thoughts Chuantong appeared next to her and energetically explains each and every purified energy and qi while pointing and hopping like a cute little bunny from one place to another. 

[Master this bubbles… I mean, bubble form energy are purified water energy while this cloudy here is the condensed purified mixture of water and wind elements.] 

[This green mist are purified air energy while the blue mist are condensed purified air energy. Although both are from the wind element, the blue mist are more condensed. It would be more beneficial for Master to absorb the blue ones and wait for the green mist energy to condensed into blue mist energy.] 

[Oh! And this cuties! Ahem! I mean… cute chibi's are the purified and condensed form of the essence and qi of the three divine beasts. If Master absorbs them now it will take some time but it fortified, nourish and strengthens your soul by a lot! But you can also let your mind space absorbs them and upgrade itself. Both are quite beneficial for Master.] 

[Oh! Speaking of upgrading Master's mind space this flame-like energy are what Master currently needs! Although they're all flame-like, every color has different condensed and purified properties…] 

[The blue ones are a mixture of condensed fire and wind elements. The red ones are pure condensed fire element. The blue greens are from the mixture of condensed fire and water elements.] 

[The golden red ones are from the purified Yang flames, an added gift from the body of the Yang Illuminati Beast. Add the chibi Yang Illuminati Beast and it might result to an ability or skill..The dark blue ones are from the purified Yin flames, likewise an added gift to Master from the of the Frost-Yin Maboroshi and if added with the chibi Frost-Yin Maboroshi energy, it might also result to an added ability or skill.] 

[And this… this dull looking grey flames came from Nine-Headed Spirit Snake. It has no definite properties but Master should never underestimate this flames. It's on par with the black Underworld flames in its dormant peak state and can contend with the legendary Purple Flame of the Ancient Divine Phoenix when in awakened peak state. But… but this little flames… now it's too weak. It currently can't be compared to either state because of the level of the body and soul of the Nine-Headed Spirit Snake, but combined with the chibi Nine-Headed Spirit Snake, it might give Master an ability or a skill!]  
 
 When Chuantong finished her explanations or more like introductions, Aya decided to use the golden red purified Yang flames and the chibi Yang Illuminati Beast essence and qi together to nourish her soul first, while she sets the time inside her mind space to its current maximum speed of ten days per hour and guides all the other elemental energy to merge with her mind space except for the one she will be using for her soul.  

… 

In Aya's meditated position, she was constantly and simultaneously using the purified Yang flames and the chibi Yang Illuminati Beast essence and qi all throughout her soul passing through every part of "new body" or "soul body". Every part of her that the flames, essences an qi pass through brought endless pain to her. It feel likes the flames would continuously burn the re-mold her soul body while the mist that originally surrounding her were being baptized and pummeled by the chibi Yang Illuminati Beast essence and qi. As those mist were being pummeled over and over again, the mist would often change form in a cycle, from mist to liquid, then it would frost over and crystallized before it would slowly evaporate then becoming a mist again. And as it undergoes its cycle it would emit an aura that would seeps through every part of soul body providing her support and would sometimes heal the wounds and burn that was continuously appearing on her soul body. 

… 

Pain… pain… pain… Aya undergoing her unique and painful cultivation for nine and a half days inside her mind space. When she thought she would be numb from pain then even more pain will come. She've lost count how many times she had cursed, screamed and yelled bloody murder and profanities to those authors who wrote cultivation like it was simple but hard to endure the pain because loneliness is the constant companion of a cultivator. 

'Simple MY GRANDMOTHER! Ha! Pain because of loneliness YOUR GRANDFATHER!' 

'This is REAL pain you bunch of lying authors!' 

Now, she have lost her voice but she was still continuously scolding those innocent and unknowing authors in her mind, while her eyes were blood shot from both pain and crying. She didn't want to cry at first but her tears just continuously fall as she endured the torture called cultivation without sleeping nor resting. She looks so messy and horrible that you could probably sits her in a corner with a bunch horror icons like ghost, ugly witches with a broom , and those zombies and she wouldn't be out of place. In fact, they might feel she belongs with them and they can start their own horror movie like The Ring or The Grudge with her as the center of the story. 

…

Reverend Empress - The Legacy Path of The Supreme Ruler  


           There was prophecy in ancient times that a descendant of a God and an Immortal will be born as a mortal with twin-tailed fate in a mortal-ranked world. It was said that he or she will bring either peace or chaos in the God’s and Immortal Realm. Storms of fire and ice. Whirls of water and wind. Stumps of earth with intertwined woods and metal ores spike through space and time. Light and darkness shall converged into his/ her ‘Divine Will’. Who it will be? No one knows. But the one who could tie their fate with him/her is destined rule over all beings along with him or her. 

          When the Gods and Immortals first heard of the prophecy there was a pandemonium of utter chaos because the Chief Oracle died right after she finished her words. Thus, no one knows when or when ‘the one’ prophecies as ‘the supreme ruler’ will appear.  

         Many had waited but many millions of years had passed since then, and the prophecy of ‘the supreme ruler’ was soon forgotten by many. Only those ancient and traditional houses were still keeping an eye out but will they find him/her?

Translated by: ShawnSuh
Edited by: SootyOwl


"And, that's all for the day." 

"Good job, everyone." 

At the end of filming, the set was filled with the sound of the filming crew acknowledging each other for their hard work, and one of them was Ji Hye Goo, who made her way to her van while drying her hair with a towel. Then, as soon as her back hit the soft backrest of the warm, cozy van, the actress let out a deep sigh, filled with a sense of relief and accomplishment.

"Ji Hye, you were amazing til the end," her manager, who had been waiting for her in the car with the heater turned on ahead of time, said while sticking his thumb up. That day was the last day of filming, and next to the actress, was a pile of crumpled up scripts. She had always given it her best in an attempt to get that perfect take and she had always wanted to be the best there was. She wanted to be able to express a wide array of emotions, and as an actress, that desire had become something natural and, in some ways, even obligatory.

"I'm pretty happy with how things turned out today, too," the actress said playfully, and the manager played along with a smile.

"Yun Woo must have been a big help."

"Mr. Woo is seriously an incredible author. He's astounding," Ji Hye said as she picked up a book from under the piles of crumpled up scripts. It was a literary magazine, written by nine authors, on the subject of death. It was a collaboration of some of the top authors in Korea. From San Jung Youn, who was the very first recipient of an international award in Italy, to Joon Soo Bong, who was on the rise as of late, the list of authors included some of the most famous and familiar names in Korean literature such as Seo Joong Ahn or Dong Gil Uhm, the youngblood of detective novels, Mideum Choo, and the leading figure of Korean horror novels, Dae Soo Na. On top of that, the list went on with the most recent winner of the Dong Kyung Literary Award, Geun Woo Yoo, and the name of the person whose thoughts alone made the hearts of many jump, Yun Woo.

'The Beginning and the End' contained Yun Woo's piece by the name of 'River,' which was often credited as the piece that showed up those who looked down at the young author. It had successfully managed to remove most preconceived notions about the young author, leaving numerous critics and fans impressed. People either grew fond of Yun Woo or deepened their preexisting affection for the author, and it was the same way for Ji Hye. Yun Woo's writing had a powerful impact on her acting. During the filming of a scene where she had to portray death, she had always brought a copy of 'River' with her, constantly thinking back on it on set. Ever since reading the short story, her portrayal of death had improved significantly.

Every time she read 'River,' she always felt something welling up from within, making her shake her head violently in order to shake it off. It made her feel as though she knew what death really was, as well as the reason for her birth and the direction she was headed to in life. It allowed her to indulge in her arrogant yet blissful delusion, all without a sense of guilt. 

Yun Woo's writing was comparable to a skilled actor's performance. The audience would receive the emotions expressed by the author with their hearts open. When he breathed, the audience breathed as well, and when he died, the audience shed tears of sorrow. The readers were able to understand and accept his stories, being closer to them than anybody else.

"Sigh," the actress let out, patting her hair with the towel. The cloth absorbed the moisture in her hair. Yun Woo had been of incredible help to her, and thanks to him, she had been able to die better than anyone else and finish filming in one piece.

"You can read that book now, right?"

At the manager's question, the actress smiled brightly. The novel he had published within a year of teaching the actress about death. The very book that shattered the worries of those who had doubted him. The book responsible for placing the author in the middle of all sorts of horror stories. 'Sublimation,' AKA The Black Book. The publishing company had revealed that the author had been part of designing the famous black cover. Although she had bought it the day it was published, she had been putting off reading it in order to focus on filming. After comforting herself repeatedly that she'd read after filming had ended and that that day wasn't far away, she had endured as though going through a miserable diet routine.

Now, the day had finally come. After drying her hair, Ji Hye went out in order to say goodbye to the filming crew once again and finalize her future schedule with them. Then, as the actress enjoyed her long-anticipated book, the van took her home after everything had been put in order. 

The first thing that came to her attention was the insatiable fire, despite it having swallowed everything around it already. In the moving car, Ji Hye turned the pages skillfully. Even without readers having to make an effort to concentrate, Yun Woo's writing tended to guide them naturally. Yet, determined to not miss a single word, the actress read through the novel cautiously and intently while the van repeated the process of stopping and moving. 

"Ji Hye, we're here," the manager called to her upon arriving at the parking lot, which had taken them two and a half hours to do. However, the actress gave no answer.

"Ji Hye?"

"You go on ahead."

"What?" 

As the flustered manager looked back in her direction, he saw that the actress looked extremely bothered, unlike her usual self. The manager had been working with her for a decade, and just like her widely-perceived image of being positive and healthy, Ji Hye Goo, one of the top stars in Korea, was as wise as her name. Well versed in interpersonal interaction, she never gave into anger or annoyance easily, and while she was friendly, she was never excessively so. 

(TL's Note: Ji Hye means wisdom in Korean.)

However, there had been rare occasions when Ji Hye had worn that expression on her face. It had happened when she hadn't been treated fairly or had been disrupted in the middle of a performance. During an informal occasion, Ji Hye had shared that she had lingering displeasure within her of when she couldn't express her emotions to the degree she had in mind, and the manager had interpreted that as her feeling bothered, a feeling that rose up when a straight line got crooked. After a messy coloring job that neglected the perfect outline of a circle or after finding a tiny speckle on a white garment. Something that came from the very first handprint on a new car or from an mismatched pair of chopsticks. They all accompanied a sense of displeasure, and having worked with the actress for the last decade, the manager knew instinctively that that was what she was feeling. She had been bothered beyond belief by the voice coming from elsewhere, pulling her out of her immersion of the scene in the novel. 

"Is everything OK?"

"I'll come out after I'm done reading," she said in a calm tone of voice. However, when the manager studied her appearance, she was quite tense, all while wearing an expression that was the polar opposite of 'Sublimation,' the novel she was reading. She looked like she was never going to put the black book down, and without saying anything, the manager got out of the car with the key still left in the ignition. With the manager gone, she was all alone and she didn't come out of the car until the sun had completely set and risen again the next morning.

"Ha," she let out as she closed the book. 'What's this ending? I don't get it. I don't get what Yun Woo did here.' She realized that she had been influenced by the author without a clue as to how. The book had somehow managed to overwhelm her completely even before she had read it. Then, remembering the last scene she had just filmed the night before, a sense of relief sank into her, followed by the thought of the satisfying portrayal of death, which was still fresh in her mind.

Yun Woo's writing was like a performance from a talented actor. An image of an empty, well-lit stage popped up in her mind. The talented actor had left without even a goodbye. Then, another actor appeared onstage, an actor who was slightly older and carried a weightier presence. However, that actor was nowhere near as calm or graceful as the previous actor. On top of that, he had a nonchalant and shameless attitude about him. Shallow, and indecent. Yet, he was a good actor. A famous actor. The distinction between the two became fuzzier and more difficult. What set them apart from each other? What separated before and after? There was no way to know. Were the two actors inherently different? Were they different actors? What if it was the same actor all along, tricking the audience with his skills, which were beyond comprehension? What if it was a performance that tricked even the actors? Ji Hye's heart began to beat faster, and the fact that she could no longer decipher it came with a sense of pleasure. Then, she covered her face with her hands, feeling like she would cry at any given minute.

"I am me." 

What sounded like an excuse came out of her mouth behind her hands.

---

"I'm serious. All you gotta do is write." 

"No. You, of all people, have no right to tell me things like that. I find it rather arrogant. Kind of like Yun Pil." 

"So, you agree that Yun Pil is arrogant?"

Burying her face in her hands, Mideum groaned in pain, and after having been summoned somewhat against his will, Juho was now dealing with her. He was well acquainted with her drunkard-like words by that point. 

As he stared at her for a brief moment, Dong Gil asked while wearing his usual, cold expression, "So, you wrote this ending, right?"

"Who else? It was published with Yun Woo's name on it."

"I'm just having reasonable doubt."

"I understand," Juho said calmly, and at that, Dong Gil's expression softened up a bit. 

"I know that you don't really have a reason to pull of something like that. I mean, it wouldn't make sense to hire another author when you're near the very end of the novel."

"Right?!"

"So, does that mean you have a split personality?"

"No." 

There was no end to Dong Gil's doubt, and unfortunately, he wasn't the only person who responded that way. In reality, there had been all sort of horror stories, which were far worse than Dong Gil's conjectures, floating around the internet. Yun Woo, sublimated.

"I just changed the writing style at the very end so that it would fit whatever was going on better," Juho told the truth with honesty. However, the more the authors listened, the more bitter their expressions grew.

"If it was that simple, I would have been doing it already!" Mideum shouted, and Dong Gil stopped her emphatically because they were at a restaurant. Even though they were in a room, there was no promise that the walls would keep their voices from getting out if they kept raising them. Then, Juho cut a small piece of chicken and brought it up to his mouth. Contrary to what he had been told about getting a free meal, what had really been waiting for him at the restaurant had been an interrogation.

"Pyung Jin Lee's been drooling all over your novel. He's not going to critique it, apparently," Sang Choi said with his mouth full.

"Why would he drool all over my novel?"

"Hello? Because what you wrote was out of this world! Yun Woo is a mystery to most people, and do you know how many people out there are prone to thinking that you have a split personality? Personally, I think you had some sort of trick up your sleeve, a trick that no one can know unless you tell them. When it comes to legality, I say we set it aside for now." 

At that, Juho quietly locked eyes with the author, and after a snicker, Sang changed the subject, "Anyway, that was a smart move you made, sending society such heartrending message after a piece like 'River.'" 

"Whoever said anything about a heartrending message?"

"Playing coy, huh?" Sang said, cleansing his palate with the glass of red wine. 

"'Live. Live on.' That was the central message of 'River," he said, pointing at Juho with his fork. "And then, 'Resist!' That was the message that followed after the short story. Am I wrong?" 

"Is that how you interpreted it?"

"Identity crisis, an ego gone astray, and the missing subject. Hell awaits those who doubted and argued, despite having wandered around the wilderness," Sang said while narrowing his eyes, emphasizing the word hell. "A hell made of sentences that couldn't have possibly been written by Yun Woo."

Juho mashed a piece of chicken with his knife, making a soft noise as it rubbed against his plate. 

"Do you doubt me as well, Mr. Choi?" he asked light-heartedly, and the romance writer shook his head in denial.

"No, I'm grateful." 

As he answered Juho in a calm tone of voice, all the other authors looked in his direction.

"'An author writes a piece that brings up questions regarding his personality.' You have no clue how shocking that would be to any author. Oh, no. Not you. You'd never understand. I'm sure there are a number of aspiring authors who've given up writing after reading your novel."

It was a rather cruel remark. Yun Woo. Genius. Stellar. Mysterious. Those who were led to doubting their own identity by that mysterious existence soon found themselves in a swamp of despair. 

"'Sublimation' is just the right book for this age. One of the reasons your readers are so obsessed with you is that they are able to relate to a story that is so terrifyingly unrealistic. Why do they relate to it? Because the terror in 'Sublimation' isn't very far off from the terror in reality. People living as cogwheels in this modern society are wearing out their identities, day by day."

The room sank into silence, and Juho slowly raised his hand to scratch his neck.

"That's an interesting way to look at it." 

"You're a cheeky one, you know that? I just pray that there won't be idiots who try to change their writing style because of you." 

At Sang's remark, Mideum lifted her head as if pricked in the heart. Then, looking in Juho's direction with narrowed eyes, she said, "Choi, isn't he just like Yun Pil?"

"I've never read the series, so I wouldn't know."

"You haven't?" 

Ignoring the apparent look of hurt on her face, Sang said, "I'm sure my writing will improve because of yours. After all, I am Sang Choi, the top." 

Listening to Sang's remark, Juho felt like he had gotten a glimpse of how his writing affected his fellow authors. A piece of writing that had left its creator's hand tended to grow in size, much like a lifeform. It felt like a lifeform that had borne out of thin air rather than that his own hands were selling it out to the world. As it caught people's eyes, those lifeforms provoked emotions, and as an author, Juho couldn't do anything to control that. He was powerless. Yet, he couldn't help but smile ever so slightly at that sense of pressure.

"Now, I'd like to hear more about this alternate writing style of yours," Dong Gil said quietly, wearing the look of a reporter staring at his prey right before his eyes. There was doubt and curiosity in those eyes that were yet to be appeased. Then, with an awkward smile, Juho spoke as sparingly as possible.

Yum Woo is the youngest author in history to enter the literature world. His debut work was a massive hit but this success was short lived for the unprepared.

A miraculous second chance comes his way one day.

This is the beginning of that journey.

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