1st Year Max Level Manager

Chapter 6
6. First Day 4

An S-class drama writer has incredible power.

A top Korean star who excites 1 billion Chinese fans, big producers, and even broadcasting station presidents are nothing in front of an S-class drama writer.

Among S-class writers, Lee Jiyeon is the best. If she takes an interest in an actor, it is a huge opportunity.

Lee Jiyeon is famous for giving surprising roles to actors she likes.

“At the filming site, Lee Jiyeon asked many things about Yoo-jin. It seems like she is interested in her.”

But Kim Dogsu didn’t seem to care about what I was saying at all.

“This is ridiculous. How can a first-year manager judge things? Don’t think, don’t judge, just do as you’re told! Do you think every actor she notices gets a role? Just focus on Young-in’s work!”

Kim Dogsu kept scolding me non-stop.

But he seemed to care too much about Joo Young-in.

Could it be that he liked her even back then?

No.

I should stop thinking about it.

The past is already over.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

“First, I will report this to Director Koo and get permission before heading to Namyangju.”

Kim Dogsu was flustered.

“Hey! Why are you bringing up Director Koo?”

I don’t have time to stay on this call.

“Oh? The writer is calling me. I have to hang up. Sorry~.”

“W-wait! Don’t hang up on me—”

Click.

I heard swearing from the other side, but I wasn’t bothered anymore.

I immediately called my department’s director, Koo Seong-cheol, and explained everything.

“Yujin caught Lee Ji-yeon’s attention? Wow~, our youngest did a great job! Ah, and ignore Kim Dogsu’s orders. Who does he think he is, telling my people what to do? From now on, handle the situation first, report later. Got it?”

“Yes, sir! I love you, Director!”

“Oh~. I love you too, our youngest.”

Director Koo, who had a strict but warm personality, accepted my decision easily.

But there was still no change in Miso’s schedule.

The blocked Gangdong road felt just like my frustration.

I decided to try another way.

* * *

“Sir, do you know you can get arrested for prank calling the police? We can track your location right now—”

Click.

“Huff… Huff… Did the law change? Can 112 really track locations now?”

I tried calling the police, reporting a fake break-in at Mi-so’s house.

I said a scared little girl was hiding under the bed.

I hoped the police would protect her, but they quickly realized I didn’t live in Cheonho-dong.

They said they would track my location and arrest me, so I hung up in shock.

Then, my second attempt.

This time, I called 119—the heroes of the people.

Beep, beep, beep.

Click.

“Hello?”

The operator’s kind voice answered. I pinched my nose and spoke in a nasal voice.

“Hello~. I live in Cheonho-dong XX~. I think I smell gas here~. Maybe from the second floor~.”

“Sir, don’t make prank calls. 119 can track your location. Right now, you are at the south end of Gangdong Bridge, moving from Guri direction—”

But I wasn’t giving up.

“It’s real! My cousin just sent me a message saying he smells weird gas! Fine! Even if you fine me later, just go check! Please!”

Even after my desperate plea, the 119 operator calmly replied.

“A fine will be sent to your registered address. If you pay late, additional fees will apply.”

Click.

They hung up.

I didn’t know Korea had become so strict.

Still, I didn’t give up.

This time, I called an errand service.

“Hello, is this Madangbal Errand Service? There is a kid in Cheonho-dong XX, XX. Can you—huh? No, I’m not kidnapping her! I swear! Don’t call the police! I said it’s not like that! Ah, this is crazy!”

They treated me like a criminal.

They threatened to report me to the police, so I quickly hung up.

Why is everyone so law-abiding?!

A child is in danger!

Finally escaping Gangdong Bridge, I parked my car nearby and pulled out my electric scooter from the trunk.

But I didn’t have a helmet.

Doesn’t matter.

Even if I get fined, I’m coming for you, Mi-so!

* * *

I arrived at Miso’s house.

“Huff! Huff!”

The last 500 meters were covered in snow, so I had to run while carrying my scooter. My chest felt like it would explode.

I jumped over the low wall and ran up to the second floor.

The front door was open, so I rushed inside and called out.

“Mi… Miso!”

“Oh? Uncle Yunho!”

Miso looked at me with wide eyes.

She looked so cute, like a child actress.

She was brushing her hair into two braids, standing in the middle of the living room, playing with a Christmas tree.

It was just a small 30cm toy tree from a stationery shop.

But she had decorated it with cotton and glowing stickers, putting in a lot of effort.

“Miso, I told you to stay at the kindergarten. Why are you here?”

I tried to hide my urgency and approached her as gently as possible.

I needed to take her out of here, but I didn’t want to scare her.

“I wanted to surprise my aunt! My aunt loves Christmas! I was going to finish this, then go back to kindergarten to wait for her.”

Miso smiled innocently.

At least she was safe.

“Okay. Then, shall we go see your aunt together?”

“But I need to finish this.”

“Then let’s take the tree with us and finish it outside. I’ll buy you lots of glow stickers. We can decorate it in the car. How about that?”

Just then, I caught a faint smell of gas.

We didn’t have much time.

Miso hesitated for a moment before holding up two fingers.

“Okay. Then buy me two big shiny stickers!”

“Of course! I’ll buy three big ones for you. And we’ll call your aunt and your kindergarten teacher as soon as we leave. Deal?”

“Okay!”

Finally, Miso held my hand.

As we stepped outside, the smell of rotting onions filled the air.

The gas must be coming from the first floor.

If we walked, it would take too long.

I bent down to lift her up.

“Miso, do you want Uncle to fly you like an airplane?”

“Yes!”

Miso answered brightly and wrapped her arms around my neck.

I held Miso tightly in my arms and smiled wide so she wouldn’t be scared.

“Vroom, vroom~.”

“Yes, vroom, vroom~.”

I answered Miso and carefully headed toward the first floor.

As soon as we reached the first floor, the smell of gas became very strong.

“Uncle, it smells weird!”

“Miso, I’m sorry. Uncle farted. Can you cover your nose for a bit?”

“Eww, gross. Stinky!”

Miso covered her nose with both hands.

Yes, just stay like that.

I also covered my nose and walked toward the gate.

Seeing the rusty iron gate, I hesitated to open it.

I was afraid that a spark might cause an explosion.

But I couldn’t just stay here.

I clenched my teeth, held Miso close to my chest, and slowly opened the door.

Creak—

The sound of the iron gate opening was so loud it felt like thunder.

Please don’t explode.

I prayed over and over for Miso to be safe.

And as soon as the door opened—

I got ready to throw myself outside.

But at that moment—

Swoosh— Swoosh—

In front of the door stood a firefighter fully dressed in protective gear, wearing a mask and breathing heavily.

“Are you the one who called?”

“Huff—”

My heart almost jumped out of my chest.

“Are you the one who made the report?”

“Yes! Yes! I called! I don’t mind paying the fine, but inside, right now—”

“Yes. We came just in case, but the gas level is very high. Please evacuate quickly.”

When I turned my head, I saw that the road had already been blocked off, and the evacuation was in progress.

Korea’s firefighters are the best!

On the phone, they sounded cold, but they still came.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

Beep! Beep!

A loud whistle echoed through the alley.

“Everyone, step back. Sir, please move away. It’s dangerous.”

“The gas level is high. Don’t go past this line. Hey! Student! Stay back!”

Eight fire trucks had arrived in the alley, evacuating people.

The narrow alley looked like a crowded marketplace.

As I walked along the evacuation line, I heard the sound of a camera clicking.

Click. Click.

“Look over here! Are you the person who called?”

When I turned my head, the face of the photographer looked familiar.

Wait a second.

That man is Jang Moon-gi, a reporter?

Before my regression, he became the editor-in-chief of Weekly Star, where Goo Minji worked.

Jang Moon-gi would become the editor-in-chief in about five years.

He was infamous for writing exaggerated and false articles.

He must have been covering a girl group nearby and came running when he saw the commotion.

It was annoying.

“Please look this way. Yes~ perfect.”

Click. Click.

He was taking photos for a gossip column.

Miso made a face, feeling uncomfortable with the bright camera flash.

“Ugh~ Uncle, my eyes hurt.”

Hearing Miso complain, I got angry.

“Hey, Reporter. Watch the flash. What are you doing flashing it right in a little kid’s face?”

As I raised my voice, Jang Moon-gi lowered his camera.

“Oh, sorry. Then, how about a short interview? If you do, I’ll give you a gift card.”

Jang Moon-gi smiled and pulled out a paper envelope.

Whether I accepted it or not, the article would be published anyway.

I was already caught on camera at the scene, so I had no choice.

There was no point arguing about privacy with a gossip reporter.

Might as well get more gift cards and buy Miso some stickers.

“Shouldn’t an interview be worth at least two gift cards?”

Jang Moon-gi gave an awkward smile.

“Haha. The company is struggling these days…”

“Oh, then forget it.”

“Wait! Why so impatient? I meant I’ll still give them. Here, two.”

Not even two 100,000-won cards, just two 50,000-won ones, yet he acted like he was being generous.

“Fine. I’ll do a 5-minute interview. But blur my face.”

“Oh, of course! Don’t worry. I, Jang Moon-gi, am very thorough about these things.”

Yeah, right.

His nickname was “Changeling” because he could change his attitude in an instant.

Since he was the type to write nonsense articles without blinking, I kept my answers careful and vague.

* * *

“That’s enough.”

“Wow, have you done interviews before? Your answers fit perfectly. Are you in the media industry?”

When the interview ended, Jang Moon-gi clicked his tongue in admiration.

“No.”

“Then do you work in broadcasting or something…”

I ignored Jang Moon-gi, lifted Miso onto my back, and got ready to leave.

“Miso, hold on tight.”

“Okay, Uncle.”

Snow was falling gently over Cheonho-dong.

I ran toward the van, holding a Christmas tree and my electric scooter.

As I felt Miso’s warm breath against my back, something swelled up in my chest.

Tears welled up in my eyes before I even realized it.

“Huh? Uncle, are you crying? Why?”

“A-ah, no. Snow got in my eyes. It’s just melted snow.”

“Oh, I see.”

Miso stretched out her little hand and wiped away my tears.

Swipe, swipe.

“Hehe. All done.”

As soon as my tears were gone, Miso smiled proudly.

Seeing her like that, I smiled too.

I had changed fate and saved Miso, but I wasn’t afraid.

Even if this changed Miso and Yujin’s future, I knew I could handle it.

I even had my diary, which listed all the future events.

“Alright~ Let’s go, princess! Vroom, vroom~!”

“Hahaha! Uncle Yuno~ Vroom, vroom~ Hahaha!”

Miso’s bright laughter warmed my racing heart.