Before the creation of the Rise of the SS-Rank Hunter novel, Baek Seungho and Shiro sat down to discuss the book.
The power system was not complex, and tons of stories with the same tone and plot were the trend. It was the perfect time to ride the wave and publish a story of their own version.
"Ugh…"
Shiro tapped the desk with his pen and grumbled.
Baek Seungho was organizing the papers in Shiro's computer desk when he noticed.
"What's wrong?"
"Hey, hyung*… I have a question."
The young author rested his head on top of the desk.
"What?"
"Is it okay to write a typical protagonist?"
Shiro squinted his eyes as he saw the written notes on the paper.
His question made Baek Seungho smile.
"Do you plan to write a typical protagonist?"
"Well, yeah… It's embarrassing to admit, though."
"What's embarrassing about it? There's only so much you can do with the scenario you're thinking of."
Shiro's lips pouted. He was struggling about making his protagonist different from others, so he asked his editor, only to hear an underwhelming response.
He raised his head and frowned.
"Hold on, shouldn't you be convincing me to write something more unique? What kind of editor are you?"
"Pfft."
"What?"
Baek Seungho dragged a chair and sat down across Shiro. He laid his arms down on the desk and smiled.
"Shouldn't the author himself decide how to write his own protagonist? Why are you asking your editor when you haven't even written anything yet, you idiot?"
He tapped Shiro's forehead lightly and continued,
"What kind of protagonist do you want to write?"
Shiro put his feet to his chair and hugged his knees.
"That's… uh, of course, I want my main character to be strong. By that, I mean, the strongest! The one who could beat up anyone he encountered and I want him to be someone who could stand on his own."
"Well, yeah. If he's the strongest, then he definitely could stand on his own."
Shiro shook his head,
"No, what I mean is, I want him to be a lone wolf! Someone who thinks they don't need anyone in their life at all. And along the way, he meets friends that could make him slowly open up."
"Ah, I understand. A found family plot, right?"
"Yeah, that's it. I want to write him as someone cold but is actually really kind inside. Ha ha, isn't that so cliché? Should I change it?"
Shiro laughed at his own idea.
"Who knows? Clichés are cliché because they're good."
Baek Seungho shrugged with a smirk on his face.
The two of them looked at each other before chuckling. Shiro licked his lips as he started writing on his notes.
"Then, I'll make him just like that! As for his name, hmm, let's see… I want him to be someone gentle yet have an unyielding strength… ah, I know!"
Shiro pondered for a moment before going back to writing.
「Ryu Jinmu」
A lone wolf who doesn't need anyone, huh?
A brief memory suddenly came to his mind when he saw the product of Shiro's imagination. The image of the strongest man who prefers to be alone than mingle with people, even to his allies.
Should I befriend him? It's true that he hates me now, but these past few days, he's actually quite cordial. If I continue to act nicely, then wouldn't he start thinking of me as a friend?
I mean, he is the strongest character in the novel, after all. Isn't it better to be on his side and ride on his coattails? It won't be easy, but it's worth a try.
Haemin couldn't help but sigh out loud.
The man who was cleaning his weapon just a while ago stopped, and glanced in the direction where the sigh came from. He narrowed his eyes and sheathed his sword.
Ryu Jinmu walked to the camp and spoke,
"You should all rest now. We will fight the boss monster tomorrow."
Park Hanwoo also stood up.
"Ah, right. Then, should we decide who's going to stay up?"
"No, I'll stand guard tonight. Fighting a phoenix isn't easy. You'll need all the rest you can have."
Ryu Jinmu shook his head.
"Is it alright, guildmaster? Even though you're only here to observe us…"
Lee Soomin asked worriedly.
"It's fine. I won't help in the fight, so you should save your energy for that."
Jinmu insisted.
"Yes, guildmaster."
As per the order of their guildmaster, team 2's hunters started cleaning up and each went to their resting spot.
Someone who takes on things alone, even if he doesn't have to…
Watching this, Baek Haemin couldn't resist clicking his tongue.
It was far louder than he wanted though. The guildmaster of Blue Dragon Guild narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
Haemin was planning to go to his tent, but froze when he heard Jinmu's voice. He looked sideways but saw no one around him.
Were you talking to me?
He pointed at himself as he asked Jinmu with his expression.
The other man folded his arms together and scoffed.
"It looks like you have something you want to say."
"O, oh, no, no! No way, ha ha. What would I say about it? There's nothing, it was nothing."
He tried to wave it off, hoping that Jinmu would just let it go. Haemin really didn't mean for anyone to hear it.
But Ryu Jinmu started walking towards him. The sound of his steps felt so heavy, as if the god of death was coming closer to him.
What, what, what? Why? Ah, that was rude of me, right? I'm sorry, please don't kill me. Seriously, that wasn't on purpose!
He glanced behind him as his feet took a few steps back. Without notice, Ryu Jinmu is now standing in front of him. His gaze, still as cold as ever.
He opened his mouth.
"Tomorrow…"
Tomorrow…?
"I could count on you to heal them after they defeat the boss monster, right?"
Of course, you could… huh?
Baek Haemin lifted his head. The main character's eyes met his as if waiting for his response. His thumb itched to crack his knuckles before he answered.
"Yeah… that's already a given."
Ryu Jinmu's eyes closed for a second.
"That's good. You're making it worth it for me, then."
"Worth it?"
Jinmu nodded at him.
"Yeah, if you continue to heal my members until they finish this dungeon, then it's worth putting up with you."
"Wha…"
His eyes widened.
Ryu Jinmu turned around and walked away before he could finish speaking. He thought it was unusual that the protagonist would initiate a conversation with him, but it turned out it was only to say that to his face.
"Ha!"
Haemin couldn't help but laugh.
Befriend him? What befriending? That man thinks being in the same space as me is a pain! Enough. Should I kill him now before he gets any stronger? That fucking main character!