Gasp
A novel I made almost two years ago.
It wasn't anything sensational, but fairly popular and my best hit in 5 years of writing. It was my pride and lifeline, until it wasn't. I fell into an awful slump after a year and went hiatus.
Now it had been 3 months?
The reason was simple. The words just won't come out.
It is something I agonize over a long time.
I used to pour my heart into every chapter, world building, and characters, but now? I can't even bring myself to see the comment section, let alone facing my parents at the dinner table. I spent my day wasting away 3 months passed just like that.
But then I received an email to remake my paid serialization novel.
What's surprising was this isn't even the first time.
Around the first month where I went hiatus, a guy claiming to be my fan ask if he could remake my novel.
Obviously, I didn't accept it. In fact, I didn't even bother to answer him.
The audacity of the question itself filled me with embarrassment and shame.
But when the second email came, a new feeling also came up to me.
I feel flattered.
Despite not receiving any response and no actual update for 3 consecutive months, there's a fan who still reach out to me for the second time.
How much must he adore the novel I wrote?
I end up agreeing base on that overwhelming sense of gratefulness and embarrassment for failing my fans. Now thinking back to it, I shouldn't have had agree.
It is ridiculous in the first place.
What kind of professional writer asks a fan to remake a paid-serialization novel just because he can't finish it himself?
What would the world said about that author? And what does it makes me?
Who am I? I'm Kim Hanjin, that failed author. Or now...
"..Kim Chundong?"
A student ID card reflect back my bewildered face.
This isn't even the problem of what people said or what copyright law it infringes on anymore.
That's right. Not long after receiving a mysterious email from a fan claiming that he wanted to make a remake of my novel, I somehow woke up inside it.
Even worse, as a character I don't even remember writing.
And now…
Ding-dong—
Tatatatatata~
My smartphone alarm began to ring with the caption 'time to go to school.'
Why do I have to go to school?
And if that isn't worse enough…
"…"
I stare at the mirror in the tiny apartment bathroom. My reflection stares back—or rather, doesn't. Where my face should be is a floating question mark.
I'm not even joking.
My face look like a placeholder.
As if someone clicked generate character but never hit confirm.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
I splash cold water on my face.
The water feels real. My skin, my hair—real. Everything except my face.
At first, it creeped me out. But after living with the same condition for two weeks, I somehow got used to it.
Could this be a dream?
A long, vivid, nerve-wracking dream.
At first, that's what I thought. Maybe it was one of those 'lucid dreams'.
But if it's going on day fifteen, even I know to stop hoping.
So here I am…
Cube Academy – East Sea Campus
I get off the bus as my phone's screen flickers.
[8:45 AM]
Cube.
An artificial island located in a huge island located in the East Sea with the size that doubles that of Yeouido. Known as the world's greatest training institute boasting state-of-the-art magic, science, and engineering.
It's also the Hero Academy where the main character and his crew learn to become a combat cadets. Here students are train to fight monsters and Djinns. Similarly, Hero's main job is to fight monsters and Djinns.
I really didn't want to come here. But I had no other choice since I if I don't attend the first day I would be expelled.
Being a hero student itself is something that garners a lot of envy in this world.
In my novel, being a 'Hero' was a dream job.
Although I still have mixed feelings since my arrival as a side character in my own novel, my current position isn't a bad one.
In the first place, ever since coming here, living is like a luxury. I could laze around a big apartment without having to tip toe around two nagging parents, eat anything I want, sleep anytime I decide. However, that life of bliss stopped when I came across the monthly bill. In the past two weeks of barely not doing anything, I came to a conclusion that I eventually need to make a living for myself.
And what occupation is better than the dream job that everyone in this world wants?
Being a Hero was naturally one of the most sought-after professions in the world—but becoming one was no easy feat. Not only did you need to start training from a very young age, but to earn certification and secure a job easily, you also needed either strong backing or a diploma from a prestigious Hero Academy. It was a profession that demanded talent, relentless hard work, and no small amount of luck.
And Chundong was one of those lucky ones.
I take a deep breath as I approach the main hall. A few other cadets walk past, their uniforms pressed, their movements confident. They look like they belong here.
Unlike me.
With this question mark floating over my face, I'm surprised no one's said anything yet. I expected stares, at least. Or a whisper.
In fact, since arriving at Cube, no one even as much as spare glance in my direction.
I guess no one else can see this besides me.
Well, maybe there's another reason why no one spared a glance at me, a future hero candidate.
This place is a highly important hubbub where the attention of investors gathered. Only members of the elites or something equally important could step foot on this island.
Given that my novel's setting was faithfully followed, Korea must be the world power rivaling the United States. I may have listed several reasons for it, but the more obvious reason was that I was Korean.
Staring at the door to the classroom, I sighed.
[Novice – Veritas]
Novice referred to first-year cadets, while Veritas was the name of the class. Simply put, I was in year 1 class 1.
I knew what this class was.
This is the class where all the important characters gathered. Many unfortunate incidents would repeatedly happen to this class with many cliché scenarios. Along with the main character, the supporting characters would then overcome the scenarios together and bring them closer.
And in the center of it all are Shin Jonghak and Kim Suho. As cliques formed around them, many schemes, mostly started by Shin Jonghak and his followers, would make the class rowdy. As a member of the class, I would most likely be swept in regardless of my will.
"Huu."
After collecting my breath, I slowly and carefully opened the door.
The interior was sleek; white with no sign of dust and three long desks cascading up.
Where should I sit?
I looked around the classroom and found Shin Jonghak sitting in the middle part of the third row. With his eyes closed and his hands in his pockets, he seemed imposing. Next to him was his childhood friend, Yoo Yeonha, chattering.
The two of them didn't even bat an eye when I climbed the stairs before their seats.
Whatever. Let's just sit at the farthest seats in the middle.
"You know the latest trend…"
"Oh, do you mean the one from that brand..."
Thump
My step froze.
What did they just say?
This is Cube, the place where the most important elites from every corner of the world gather, a place full of investors. A place where investors pick up talented young hero students from all over the world.
So why… in this place where brilliant young men and women from every corner in Korea gathered, they speak with English?
What the hell is going on?
Even the professor teaches in Korea. Rachel, one of the major characters, a British royalty even learned Korean only to participate in class.
What? Just what?
"What're you staring at?"
The voice cut through the air like a blade—low, cold, and close.
I blinked. The young man sitting before me was now glaring at me, eyes sharp and jaw clenched.
Oh crap. Did he really just space out—staring—at Yoo Yeonha and Shin Jonghak while thinking about what just happened? That Shin Jonghak?
"Are you deaf?"
Shin Jonghak repeat his question—threat the second time. Next to him, Yoo Yeonha stopped talking completely and instead looking at me with cold eyes from above her seats, probably pissed that her time with Shin Jonghak was interrupted.
Fuck. Oh I'm so fucked.
"Ah.. Um, are you two dating? You two look really good together. Ah, how lucky you guys are~"
The words slipped out before I could stop them—half panic, half instinct.
To my surprise, Yoo Yeonha's expression softened almost instantly.
At my words, Yoo Yeonha's face literally melts into warmth. Her cold gaze replaced by a warm, approving smile—clearly pleased by this unexpected matchmaking attempt. I guess it works on Yoo Yeonha...
Then Shin Jonghak..?
"Tch. Didn't your parents teach you that staring is rude? Whatever, don't do it again."
Shin Jonghak clicked his tongue and looked away, finally breaking the murderous glare he'd been drilling into my face. His expression—oddly unsettled.
Wait what? Is it that easy?
Never mind, what's important is that I've successfully escaped from a tiger's jaw. God knows what will happen if I manage to become the target not only to the ferocious bully Shin Jonghak but also the fox-like Yoo Yeonha.
Scurrying away to my designated seat, I sat down on the edge seat of the middle row. Like a proper extra, I looked straight ahead at the projection screen in a daze. But unlike my outward appearance, the inside of my mind was bustling.
What was that.
Why did they speak in English in Cube? Thankfully, I'm good at English since middle school, so I could answer Shin Jonghak just fine, but it shouldn't be a concern in the first place.
I shouldn't have any need to use English in Cube.
Just what happened?
That damn fan of mine.
In the first place, it all started after I accepted that mysterious email. Is he the one sending me inside my own novel?
No. This couldn't even be called my own novel anymore. Not only I transmigrate into the body of some extra I don't know, but that damn co-author also changes the setting of the story!
That shameless bastard! I knew it.
In the first place, only a shameless bastard would want to remake the novel that was in paid serialization. Not only that he turn me into some extra with question mark as a face, he also changed the setting of my story however he like!
That fucking bastard! If I ever met him I'll choke him to death!
There I was, stuck in the corner of the classroom, deep in my own spiral of frustration and misery. My brain was busy tying itself into knots when suddenly, I felt a little cough creeping up. Not from any actual illness, but from sheer embarrassment—my mind doing a perfect imitation of me choking on my own despair.
Then, without warning, a loud, booming shout sliced through the air, shattering my pathetic little bubble of misery.
I flinched, snapping back to reality.
Before I realized it, the classroom was already full, even the seats next to me were filled. The instructor was standing at the podium, oblivious to my existence, as though I were nothing more than an extra in a scene. Great. Just great.
"Today's the first day, so there won't be any special training, but I hope you all did your morning training. Training is never wrong, especially in the morning when mana density is high."
Morning training?
…Oh, right. There was something like that.
A training ground that opened up from 5 A.M. to 8 A.M. I had hurriedly stuffed it into the story to give the leading characters an opportunity to meet.
So at least that one wasn't changed.
"Now, let's start with self-introductions. I'm Kim Soohyuk, the instructor in charge of you all for the year. My ranking point is 3850. World rank 9737. By the Association's classification, I would be high-intermediate rank grade 5. I think that's enough for my introduction."
Kim Soohyuk seemed to have liked the students' awed reactions.
There's almost 2 million heroes in the world, so rank 9737 isn't that bad, but it definitely wasn't that great either. For reference, most of the other prominent characters should have the rank in triple digits with the lowest was 2000.
However, Kim Soohyuk is oblivious to my thoughts as the corners of his mouth curled up to a grin.
What a show-off.
Was he supposed to be someone like this again?
"The first day will feel special. You might not have slept due to excitement-."
I barely listened to his words since most of what he said merely repeated information I already knew. It felt like a generic first-day military orientation, and I quickly lost interest. Though he continued explaining the grading system, the gist of his talk focused on helping students adapt to Cube's environment—not that his description of life in Cube was particularly accurate.
"I repeat. At Cube, you will need to confirm the things you've learned until now and hone your skills to be used in battle. There will be no kind training here. Remember that."
With that, Kim Soohyuk announced.
"Now get ready. What's scheduled for today won't take long. The first task is 'main weapon selection.'"
***
"Any weapon you can think of should be here."
A main weapon was exactly what it sounded like. High ranking Heroes called their weapons 'treasured weapons,' while weapons above [Unique] grade were given the title 'armament.'
But I didn't know what my main weapon was. I knew nothing about Chundong's past.
"Stand in front of the weapon you want. We'll supply you with the training weapons. But don't look down on them just because they're training weapons. Their market price is 5 million won."
There were all sorts of weapons, more so than I could have ever imagined. However, there's only one weapon I have in mind.
"Choose carefully. Once you pick your main weapon, you won't be able to change it for at least 6 months."
Sword and spear were obviously the most popular choice. Kim Suho and Shin Jonghak should stood in front of a sword and a spear respectively. 70 out of 100 chose the sword, spear, or saber, the so-called Holy Trinity of weapons. On the other hand, Yoo Yeonha chose the whip while Chae Nayun chose the bow….
Wait, what?
Where's Chae Nayun?
"You are... Cadet Kim Chundong? What weapon are you searching for?"
I freeze at Kim Soohyuk's unexpected query.
No, why are you coming here? Now everyone is looking in my direction.
Kim Soohyuk, either oblivious to or simply unconcerned with the attention he's drawing, strides toward me clutching a roster in his right hand. Yet this unwanted spotlight offers an unexpected advantage. With all these curious faces turned my way, I can finally scan the crowd properly, meeting their gazes directly.
Crap.
And among them.
There's no Chae Nayun.
Not only that...
Where's Rachel?!
To worsen the situation, I couldn't spot Kim Suho's perfectly symmetrical, gentle face—the one prominently displayed at the Agent Military Academy graduation ceremony.
Don't tell me... the co-author changed this too?
Looking closer, I realize the student standing opposite Shin Jonghak in the sword section is merely some random cadet with similar build and a completely forgettable face. How could I have missed something so obvious?
That insane, delusional, fanfiction-writing co-author! The audacity to rewrite—!
How DARE he—
"Kim Chundong, are you alright? Your face is flushed. If you're feeling unwell, report to medical after selecting your weapon."
"…"
The instructor's voice reverberated through the room, and other students' gazes fell on me. Shin Jonghak and Yoo Yeonha were among them.
The sudden realization that everyone is looking at me cools my anger in an instant.
As a writer who's always worked from behind a screen, I've never liked being the center of attention. In fact, I avoid it like a plague.
I feel embarrassment creeping up my neck and flooding my cheeks as I slightly bow my head, using the motion to shield my face from further scrutiny. Right, I should probably say something to diffuse this awkward situation.
"Sorry, sir. I'll make my selection right away."
I stared nervously at the one weapon no one gave a glance, trying to ignore the prying eyes of the other cadets.
Unlike others here, I don't have any experience in real battle. And using Chundong's original weapon is also out of the picture. Even if Chundong was talented, I didn't want to participate in close ranged combat where blood splattered everywhere. Not that I even know what this extra's original weapon was.
So this was the only choice I had.
The weapon was a handgun.
"… Kim Chundong."
Here it comes. I knew some of the cadets who's back on minding their own business are going to stare at me once again.
"You're a gun user?"
"..yes, sir."
"Well then, if that's what you said... Can you hold out a bit longer? After this, I'll assign your room then I can you to the medic room."
"I can...? Please don't worry about me, sir."
"Well said, cadet."
What, that's all? The reaction is more subdued than I expected. Some cadets begin whispering about me, but they constitute only a small fraction of the group. I'd braced myself for something worse—suspicion, scorn, another wave of sharp stares—but the response is almost underwhelming.
Is this also because of the influence of that bastard co-author?
"You can easily change the main weapon you chose today. And regardless of what you chose, you will go through the same training and tests. That means the weaknesses of a weapon will be yours to handle," Kim Soohyuk announced while looking my way.
Or maybe not..?
"Now, we'll assign you your rooms and your personal belongings will be sent there. Afterward, you're free. Classes will start four days later, that's next Monday."
"Hey, look at this gunner, are you for real?"
"I just don't understand. Are you just one of those attention seekers? This is the first time I've heard of someone choosing a gun at Cube."
On the way to the dorm, a group of guys struck up a conversation.
One of them even deliberately bumped into me.
What an annoying extras. In the real world, they're nothing but a bunch of background characters I don't even bother giving names. But now look at them talking down to their own creator.
These kinds of losers, it's better to just ignore them.
But they don't seem to be so keen to ignore back.
"Yo, are you mute or something? Right, the instructor said you're sick earlier too, right? Fuck man, what kind of cripple are they letting to Cube these days."
Maybe a cripple I'm gonna make you once I got out of this world.
Huu…
It seems that there's nothing I could do for now. I'm just an ordinary person without any need to learn how to fight, while these cadets are essentially child soldiers who've been conditioning themselves to hunt monsters since before puberty. It's not that I'm running away, engaging with them would give me no benefit, that's all.
I was about to walk away when two guys blocked my way.
"C'mon guys, are you bullying that sick kid from earlier?"
Who're you calling 'sick kid'?
"Joseph? What're you doing?"
"Can't you see? What is this, a blind calling someone mute?"
"Pfft—"
A laugh escaped from my mouth. Although the nosy bully now glared at me, it was worth it. His glare was like a chihuahua's compared to Shin Jonghak's anyway.
"Are you seriously defending that gunner?"
"Oh, so you're also cognitively impaired? Great, a double disability. What kind of losers does Cube accept these days?"
Hey, this guy's good.
"You bastard-!"
"Oi, just left him alone. Let's just go," his companion intervened.
Looks like this little argument's drawn more attention than they're ready for.
"Che, don't get cocky just because you're a little bit good at bow. Just you wait, Joseph!"
Like a true extra, the bully stormed off with his clichéd 'You'll regret this!' threat. What a ridiculous guy. Even though my fictional world has somehow become reality, I guess some people are destined to remain goofy extras.
"Heh, what a perfect pair of background characters. Are you okay?"
Look at that, even this other character noticed it. Who's this guy again?
"I'm Kim H— Chundong. Kim Chundong. Thanks for earlier… Anyway, nice to meet you, what's your name?"
"I'm Joseph. Joseph Rheydt. Anyway, I'll be going now, take care of yourself, pal."
"Joseph, what are you doing? Why would you go that far to defend that guy?"
The cadet that's been standing next to Joseph began to whisper once they walked away.
It was supposed to be in a distance that other person couldn't hear, but unfortunately this Chundong's Gift is to hear and see from far distance.
"What, you want me to just watch another student get bullied?"
"It's not that I'm telling you to let someone get bullied, it's just, he's a cadet here too! He should be able to handle himself!"
No wonder he only watched from the sideline when Joseph was defending me against two people. Now I understand—he was actually against helping me from the start.
"Against two guys? That student's clearly unwell, didn't you hear?"
"I know! It's just- Ugh, don't you know who they are? They're Shin Jonghak's-"
I lost their voices once they were about 20 meters away.
Chundong's Gift was lackluster in crowded place like this.
So those guys were Shin Jonghak's lackeys.
I remember putting something about his lackey that would help him bully people and overall just a trash human being that whole purpose was to complicate Kim Suho's otherwise perfect life.
I never thought that it's going to haunt me back like this.
To think that someone defended me, a complete stranger, against someone who's part of Shin Jonghak's group of 'friends'. What a nice guy.
Joseph, huh?
That name sounds familiar.
I think I remember putting that name somewhere.
So he's at least one of the characters I made.
Although I don't recall writing a character like him. Someone genuinely altruistic and willing to help a stranger without a second thought other than Kim Suho, of course.
I never really bothered writing a secondary characters to shine like this.
Well, this is a hero academy after all, so it shouldn't be surprising to find cadets with those kinds of… heroic personality.
I guess it's my fault for giving too much focus to the main cast, leaving the background character almost non-existent.
Come to think of it, it does seem odd to cluster all the promising and talented students in one class. Is that why that bastard co-author changed them?
But that's still a moronic decision.
If they have different classes, how are they going to interact with each other?
The readers are not going to like sacrificing character interaction for logistics.
What an amateur.
Six extravagant skyscrapers stood in front of me.
Finally, we arrive at the dormitory, their glass gleaming in the afternoon light. Each building stretches impossibly high, making everyone here seems small by comparison.
As I approach the imposing structures, unease settles in my chest.
If he's willing to alter major plot points for practical reasons, what other amateur decisions might he make using the same flawed reasoning?
Even thinking about it makes my head hurts.
"Here are the dorms for the first years. Guys are to the right, girls are to the left. The key to your rooms will be stored in the smartwatches you'll get now."
The cadets are called one by one, starting with Shin Jonghak.
If I had to guess the students are called according to ranks.
Since Kim Suho was moved to another class to balance the overall grade, I wonder if other characters that're supposed to be in another class are also moved here.
Well, that's for later anyway.
Because the next one right after this is going to be Yoo Yeonha.
Huh, Yoo Yeonha after Shin Jonghak? Well, isn't that something.
"Kaine Polczak."
….I guess the co-author changed this too. Then I suppose after this?
"Joseph Rheydt."
Okay. That's the guy from earlier. His rank must be higher than I expected—no wonder he had the confidence to risk being in Shin Jonghak's badside.
"Simon Delick."
Maybe after this?
"Yi Kyungrak."
The fifth best then. That's quite low…
"Jin Hanjun."
…co-author?
"Rose."
"Xie Chen."
That bastard..!
"Jin Hajung."
"Selen Miura"
"Kim Hyuksoo."
"Tatsuki Fujimoto."
…
"Yoo Yeonha."
48?
48?!
The 48 best in this class?!
How?
I couldn't wrap my head around it. I didn't agree with the way he changed things, but I could at least admit some of the alterations weren't completely without reason… even if they were weak ones.
My gaze followed Yoo Yeonha as she walked off, her usual poise never faltering. A male cadet approached her—one of the early cadets that got called. Next to him stood Shin Jonghak, as stiff and prideful as ever.
"It looked like you ranked around the 40s. Not bad, Yeonha."
"Do you really think so?" She tilts her head slightly, voice honeyed. "What do you think, Jonghak?"
"Forty-eight is slightly above average. Not bad for a first-timer."
"Right. Above average is quite an achievement for someone who transferred to Hero Academy so late in their academic career."
"Hmm~ I suppose so. I've been working hard with my private coach. Thank you Jonghak, and Hanjun."
"A-Ah, it's nothing, really,"
Hanjun stammers, a flush creeping up his neck.
"But… my score still doesn't come close to yours." She looked at Jonghak, eyes gleaming with innocent admiration. "Could you help me train? I want to be top of the class too."
"Sure, I'll help you."
"Aww~ Thanks!"
"I'll help you too, Yeonha!" Hanjun interjects eagerly.
"Thank you, Hanjun."
Hanjun's face turns crimson at Yeonha's acknowledgment.
What a hopeless guy.
As I watch the social theater unfold among Yeonha, Jonghak, and the hopelessly enamored, a sharp voice cuts through my observations.
"Kim Chundong."
I blink, pulled from my analysis back to my immediate reality. Kim Soohyuk stands before me, concern etched across his otherwise professional demeanor.
"H-huh?"
A confused noise slipped from my lips.
I can hear the other students are laughing behind me.
You dare laugh at your creator?
Heat flashes through me, but I force myself to stay calm. Magnanimously, I choose to forgive their ignorance.
Not that I have much choice in the matter—there's no realistic way to retaliate without making things worse for myself.
Wait. Since when was it even get to my turn? Has the other cadets got their smartwatches?
Honestly, nothing makes much sense anymore. Why am I here stuck here, dealing with the ridiculous decision of that bastard co-author?
"Kim Chudong, are you okay? Let's go to the medical room."
"..no, I'm okay. I think I already feel better, please don't worry about me, sir."
"..Kim Chundong, you don't have to feel bad. Let's go, I'll lead the way."
"No, it's really okay, sir.."
"Are you sure?"
What's wrong with him…
"Yes.."
"Alright. Don't push yourself too hard, okay? You could ask the staff using the smartwatch, just ask if you ever need it."
"Yes, sir.."
He finally gave a small nod after leaving a smartwatch in my hands and tapping my shoulder before leaving.
Is he really supposed to be someone like this, again?
***
I got into my dorm room feeling exhausted at all the surprises today.
Not only were some of the characters placed in a different class, some settings of the transportation were added, a minor character became more prominent, a major character's backstory was changed, and worst of all, the whole language used was also changed.
But these discovered discrepancies are likely just the surface. A cold dread settles in my stomach at the thought of what else might have changed beyond my current awareness.
The sheer volume of differences on just this first day makes it statistically impossible that the alterations end here.
That fake fan...
Just how much of my creation have you corrupted?!
Feeling defeated, I leaned back against the doorframe, my body slumping a little to the left as I let the weight of everything sink in. My plan was to just slide slowly to the floor and maybe contemplate my life from a sitting position. I braced myself with one hand to soften the landing—but as my fingers brushed against my vest pocket, I froze.
There's something inside.
Putting it out, I found a folded paper.
!!?
My breath stopped completely.
My mind rambling to make sense of what in front of me.
It can't be.
My heart thumped wildly at the possibility.
My assumption that nothing could go worse quickly fell down the drain.
What's happening in front of me has done the impossible and made me feel more afraid than anything that happened today.
For in the single piece of paper was written.
'I know who you are'