Chapter 94

Back on his bed at the accommodation after quite some time, Jae-yeon pondered for a while about one thing: How to make money?

He had earned quite a bit from publishing web novels, but it was becoming increasingly difficult as quality material became scarce.

Of course, I could find more if I searched through places like the Ming or Holy Empires, but…it’s too dangerous. The risk might not even be worth it.

Most of Ardenia’s key cities were concentrated around the starting point, which led to the catastrophic events that unfolded there. Still, it wasn’t as if he didn’t have any income whatsoever.

Hello, dear author!^^ This is Green Dragon Publishing.

Please check the attached e-book settlement statement.

Stay safe during these hot summer days,

‘Looking forward to your future writings!’

The royalties had arrived.

‘That’s right. I originally wrote web novels for these royalties.’

[Author Killian July Settlement Statement]

There were various contents but the important thing was the settlement amount at the bottom.

Settlement Amount: 4,182,000 won

Four million won. Compared to the poor initial results, this was remarkable progress. Of course, Ardenia’s works with their medieval sentiment weren’t popular among modern readers who were exposed to all types of media. However, thanks to a small group of hardcore fans consuming vast amounts of content, the revenue generated allowed me to live comfortably through writing alone.

”…”

Yet, a smile didn’t form on my face. I closed both eyes.

‘It’s not enough,’

However, it wasn’t enough to play Revenge with just ‘sustainable income’. It was even more so for me, who led tens or hundreds of thousands of citizens. To put it extreme, isn’t 4 million won equivalent to obtaining 400 class cards? In the past, I would’ve been satisfied but now it wasn’t possible. After acquiring the Myth castle and declaring an Empire, this amount of money couldn’t even properly construct a defensive building.

“Ah, my sense of money has completely broken due to those suspiciously wealthy sponsors.”

However, it was already too late; I couldn’t reduce my spending habits anymore. Somehow, I needed to generate revenue matching these expenses.

“There are two ways.”

The first option was aiming for another situation like the encyclopedia project—

In essence, I needed to strike it rich. The unidentified sponsors preferred works with significant historical value or those requiring great effort to create. Therefore, despite the risks involved, I would either have to personally venture out or send others to acquire such items.

For example, there’s the ‘Book of Light’ from the Holy Empire, the ‘Mago Codex’ from the Golden Mage Tower, the ‘World Tree Book’ from the Crystal Alliance, or even the ‘Steel Flame Technical Manual,’ among others. These artifacts may be challenging to obtain, but if successful, they could potentially yield billions in sponsorship, similar to the encyclopedia project. It might even surpass that amount.

Although their identities remain unknown, my guess is that these sponsors are Transcendents with seemingly limitless budgets. If they find a work appealing, they wouldn’t hesitate to spend vast sums of money.

However… this approach relies too much on luck.

The standards of the sponsors were just my speculation. If I endured great hardships to obtain and transcribe the Steel Flame Technique only to receive minimal sponsorship or none at all, there was no one I could hold accountable. After all, nobody had made any promises to me.

‘There are other ways.’

The second method involved writing something that would sell well even in modern times. Of course, I wouldn’t be doing the writing myself; instead, I’d focus on nurturing talented authors.

With dungeons providing abundant food, clothing, luxuries, and weapons, the entire populace was gradually transforming into a warrior race. However, not everyone is suited for combat. There must be individuals with less fighting spirit, possessing literary talents rather than battle instincts. What if I sponsored these people, taught them contemporary writing techniques, and encouraged them to create works?

This wasn’t just wishful thinking; I was confident it would yield good results.

The problem is that it would take too long.

If only there were a time machine to bring Shakespeare back from the past and have him read around ten thousand web novels, he could undoubtedly write something appealing to modern readers. But how feasible was this? The worldview of contemporary web novels differed greatly from works of the past.

“Ah! This hurts my head, seriously!” I got up, went to the private shower room, washed myself, and applied lotion. Despite my headache, I needed to keep moving because there was still a third option.

“Hello!”

“Good morning!”

I nodded absently at the staff greeting me as someone suddenly smacked me on the back.

“Hey, you bastard!”

Bam!

The sharp pain made me involuntarily grimace. Realizing that I almost retaliated, I controlled my emotions and turned around.

”…What?”

Despite trying to restrain myself while asking, Sungjae’s eyebrows twitched as he scolded me.

“What? What?! Hey, how can you greet the staff like this? How many shoots have you done to already develop actoritis?”

”…”

His words brought me back to reality, and I looked around. The staff members who had cheerfully greeted me now wore uncertain expressions.

‘Oops…’

It was my mistake—a side effect of spending too much time in Ardenia. Living in a world where people would bow deeply upon making eye contact or express gratitude for merely nodding at them had eroded my normal social etiquette towards regular individuals.

I quickly apologized, “Ah, I’m sorry. I was thinking about something else.”

“Uh, yes…” It was still a cold response. Well, it was natural since they weren’t ignored but brushed aside with a nod.

“Oh! This happens to all newcomers! Sorry, sorry! I will educate him well!” Sungjae smiled brightly, causing the staff members’ faces to turn red.

“No, don’t worry too much. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed. It isn’t like any abuse occurred.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay.”

Sungjae salvaged the awkward atmosphere with his smile, then led me towards the dining room.

“Good morning everyone!”

“Oh, Nayeon noona. Your blouse is pretty.”

“Heinz hyung! Did the footage come out well?”

“Sakura-ssi! The giants were terrifying yesterday. I almost screamed!”

Maybe it was due to being scolded once before, but Sungjae always showed the same behavior now. Despite being a top-class actor, he acted friendly and approachable towards everyone. Surprisingly, he seemed close with most people on set.

Of course, there was a problem of him spreading rumors by being too friendly with others. However, his social skills meant that not many people disliked him despite this issue.

Clack.

Sungjae placed a plate filled with food onto the table and started talking.

“What is wrong?”

“Wrong?”

“No, nothing happened but your attitude changed overnight? Be careful, you bastard. You are now a celebrity. Just as you are about to spread your wings, a controversy over your personality could brand you for life in the entertainment industry. Your eyes already look fierce, so it is dangerous! Even if you have a serious expression, people will think you are angry!”

His unusually strict voice reflected his experience as a top star. Despite being relatively young, he was a veteran who started acting at age five. His level of expertise and experience couldn’t be compared with mine.

“I’m sorry.”

Knowing this, I immediately apologized. I knew that I wasn’t an emperor on Earth, yet I still acted like one—it was my mistake.

“No, you don’t need to be sorry.”

“Thank you. I almost made a big mistake.”

In fact, my ambition for acting wasn’t great. It was just that it seemed more fun and interesting than expected. However, being an actor was a very good choice when I needed to make money. Unlike the previous two methods, this third method didn’t require me to go to Ardenia. Naturally, I didn’t want any problems or setbacks with this option.

”…I understand now. Still, you have potential.” Sungjae shrugged his shoulders before starting to eat.

I also ate heartily. The food on set wasn’t as good as a 6-star hotel but was still delicious.

“By the way, is there something worrying you?”

“It’s money worries.”

Sungjae laughed at my words.

“This is common for all modern people. Do you want to borrow some from me?”

For a moment, I almost smiled but barely managed to restrain myself. It was paradoxically because I needed too much money that this situation occurred.

‘I don’t even know how much I need.’

It wasn’t a situation where I needed a specific amount right now. If I wanted to use it, I would require unlimited amounts of money. This wasn’t about investing or starting a business; it literally meant pouring endless amounts of money into a bottomless pit. Borrowing under such circumstances was too risky.

“It isn’t a problem that can be solved with money. Just…I’m wondering what job I should do to improve my earnings.”

I picked up my plate and got more fried chicken.

Crunch…

‘Ah… delicious.’

It was the taste of modern cuisine that I had forgotten for some time. The chefs employed by the Royal Family were quite skilled but couldn’t produce satisfactory results due to limited ingredients and seasonings.

As I briefly enjoyed this happiness, Sungjae spoke with disbelief, “Well, there is no reason for money problems?”

At these unexpected words, I put down the fried chicken. Money talk was as sacred as chicken.

”…Why?”

“You signed a contract with a running guarantee. Based on your experience as an actor for nearly 40 years…” Sungjae laughed while drinking udon from a small bowl. “This movie. It will definitely be successful.”

”…”

Finally, I looked around me. The costume team and makeup artists were dressing up actors while stuntmen were rehearsing their moves. Mages created monsters using fragments of dreams, shaping them with their magic. The grip team ran around with over ten types of cameras, searching for better angles to film from.

There were so many people here—each one possessing at least mid-level abilities, some even higher. Moreover, this set wasn’t on Earth but in another dimension, filled with top-notch equipment.

Thinking about it…how much money does it take to pull off something like this?

I had never considered the entire filming process before. After all, I was merely a cogwheel, not someone managing everything here.

Despite spending such massive amounts of money, could they make even more back from it?

“Jae-yeon-ssi! You came? Finally, this is your last filming.”

Director Alan greeted me. His eyes were sunken and his complexion was pale, indicating how little sleep he had gotten. Despite this, his eyes shone brightly, enough to overwhelm most people upon meeting him.

“Yes, it’s finally the last scene.”

“Oh! Time is severely lacking. It’s so tight. The Dreamworld system is great but the time limit is really frustrating!” He yelled before throwing the script at me.

‘What kind of movie has a last-minute script?’

I smiled wryly as I examined the script. In the final scene, my character Sword rescues slaves from his home planet, where he once was the Crown Prince.

Sword, who had gained the opportunity to become the fleet commander of Basara, a force more powerful than most Empires, finds his life taking an unexpected turn due to unforeseen circumstances. He is talented enough to be admitted to the highest academic institution within the macrocosm. However, he becomes entangled with Hyeon, Byungmu, and her maid, who possess hidden powers despite their appearances. Swept up in a massive storm, Sword inadvertently faces numerous challenges.

It’s a chaotic battleground involving gods, demons, cosmic monsters, and Unnamed beings. As the movie reaches its climax, Sword confronts a pivotal moment of choice.

If he closes his eyes, just once, for that brief instant, he could seize the coveted opportunity to become a fleet commander, which he has longed for fervently.

However, for this to happen, hundreds of slaves must be abandoned amidst cosmic monsters and left to escape alone.

“Who are you?! I don’t know anything so get out right now!” A man dressed shabbily aimed his laser rifle threateningly at me.

“I am…” I started reciting the prepared line before stopping abruptly.

‘Is this right?’

It was true that Sword felt indebted to the Empire and its people. There were some clues in several scenes I had acted out earlier. However, as Sword, I hadn’t lived my life as an emperor. Although he began as a Crown Prince, most of his existence was spent as a ruthless space pirate. Despite adhering to certain principles, having lived among savage humans for decades, it seemed too unnatural for me to suddenly deliver a moving speech captivating others.

“W-What? What are you looking at?” The supporting actor improvised with a confused expression on his face. Maybe he was internally cursing like crazy. This scene couldn’t be interrupted midway due to mistakes.

Dudu dudu!

Dudu dududu!

“Kieee!”

Space monsters emerged from various places in the mountains. These creatures were infected by Untouchable, giving them combat power comparable to Completed Beings. Despite their eerie screams, I didn’t run away but looked at hundreds of people instead. They included myself and my subjects who nobody else acknowledged.

“Follow me.”

“What are you talking about? Who are you to tell me to follow you!” He shouted fearfully, and I felt sorry for him. It would’ve been better if I had informed him beforehand and obtained permission. However, it was already too late.

I felt sorry for him, screaming out of fear. It would’ve been better if I had told him beforehand and received his permission. However, it was already too late.

“I will break through the front, so follow me.”

“No, who the hell are you?”

“We shouldn’t stop but keep running.”

“Who are you?” He repeated himself. In this chaotic situation, he could only stick to his prepared lines regardless of context. Moreover, the people around us were buzzing with confusion, unsure how to handle the unexpected turn of events.

Taking a deep breath amidst the chaos, I exclaimed:

“Listen up!”

My voice, transcending human limits, echoed loudly throughout the area. The murmuring crowd froze, their attention solely on me.

Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!

“Aaargh!”

The sounds of monsters running towards me filled the surroundings after receiving orders from the mage. I shouted again, “Look at me! I am not your king or leader! I won’t embrace or protect you!”

“W-What… What is this?”

I turned away from the completely overwhelmed people and drew my sword. Then I muttered softly while covering my mouth with the blade, “Cold air. Wise door. Open.”

Zzzzzerk!

An intense coldness rose up. Just like using elements in Ardenia, there was no need to form a contract when utilizing elemental power through the flower shop’s strength.

“I am!” I pressed them urgently, displaying the ferocity of a man who was born as an emperor but couldn’t grow up as one. “I am the flag!”

Crack!

My body was covered with ice. The random ice instantly took on the shape of smooth armor. The people behind me stared blankly at it.

“Just!”

Swords wouldn’t persuade them. A prince from a destroyed empire didn’t live like this.

“Come along just this once!” After saying so, I started running. Ahead of me, monsters were gathering en masse!

“Ah, never mind! Run!”

“Run!”

“Waaaaahhh!”

The bewildered people began to follow me. I swept away all the monsters ahead of us faster than anyone else. There were shouts and screams, flesh and blood.

‘This is the end.’

I swung my sword. Finally, the long filming was coming to an end.

”…”

Director Alan watched with no expression as the scenario unfolded completely ignoring his script. When would Sword reveal himself as a member of the imperial family? This was what Alan had been continuously concerned about. Indeed, when should it be revealed? At what point would it be the most dramatic? He wrote and rewrote the script while pondering these questions. The perfect timing for revealing that he was the emperor, the moment when the yearning citizens followed him…

However, at this moment, he realized it. The most perfect way to reveal Sword’s identity as a member of the imperial family was by not disclosing it himself.

“This is truly…this really…”

Alan, experienced in the film industry, had encountered such situations many times before. Veteran actors, confident in their abilities or dissatisfied with the plot or dialogue, often made similar deviations from the script.

Jae-yeon’s attempt was just one of many common occurrences. It wasn’t as if she delivered complex or perfect lines, right? In fact, her dialogue fell short compared to what he had written originally.

However…

”…That’s amazing.”

Her lines weren’t extraordinary or exceptional. They were raw and unpolished. The issue lay with Jae-yeon herself while delivering those lines.

Her aura, her charisma…it elicited his spontaneous admiration. There was something about her presence that couldn’t be replicated simply by good acting alone.

“Yesterday, it wasn’t like this at all… What happened overnight?”

Alan stared at the screen, almost mesmerized. The emperor, Giga, stood before him.