The Great Storyteller

Translated by: ShawnSuh

Edited by: SootyOwl

“Damn it,” Coin murmured, looking as though he was about to rip the newspaper in front of him in half at any given minute.

“You were so happy that you beat me,” Juho said with a smile. At that moment, Coin raised his hand, catching Juho off guard. However, instead of landing a blow on the young author’s face, he reached for the newspaper and snatched it from Juho.

“Easy!”

“Whatever.”

Juho clasped his hands together. Meanwhile, Coin ripped the part of the newspaper that had the article on it and tossed the rest on the table. It looked like a corpse with all the important organs missing.

“So, they pulled a fast one on us, huh?”

“It appears so.”

“I knew it,” Coin said, retracing his memory. Then, looking at Juho, he asked, “How’d you know?”

“Know what?” Juho asked, playing coy.

“You’re not telling me it was a coincidence, are you?”

“Why, of course, it was!”

Then, the air sank into suffocating silence.

“Spill it before I put on your videos on TV all day long.”

Susan was also staring intently at the young author, which reminded Juho that Coin really was related to her.

“I just… felt like something was wrong,” Juho said, putting both of his hands up.

“What does that mean?”

“You see, I tend to be rather sensitive when it comes to language…”

“Cut the crap and get to the point.”

“I just got the feeling that there was no right answer.”

“And what’s that supposed to be like?”

“It’s hard to put into words.”

“What? Would you rather write me a paper on it?”

“Actually, I’ve already done that. In ‘Language of God,'” Juho said, unintimidated. Looking disgusted, Coin asked, “What are you? A linguist?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Then, what the hell is this about?” Coin asked, scanning Juho with piercing eyes, as if looking at a freak of nature. Shrugging, Juho replied, “Well, they figured out the trick, so it couldn’t have been anything too elaborate. Which could also mean that I wasn’t the only one who felt like something was wrong.”

Looking intently at Juho, Susan said, “Well, who would’ve thought?! I’m intrigued.”

The lack of inflection in her tone made it difficult to make out whether she was being genuine or not.

“Intriguing, indeed.”

At that moment, Juho’s phone lit up. It was a text from Korea. More specifically, from Mideum, who was scrutinizing the young author if he really had been part of the research team that interpreted the ancient text. Upon seeing it, Juho couldn’t help but laugh. Although the detective writer was correct to assume that Juho already knew the answer, there were simply too many flaws in her allegation. With that, Juho wrote her a reply: ‘Glad you’re an author and not a detective.’ At that moment, the screen changed as a call came in from Jenkins. When Juho looked at Susan, she made a signal for him to answer the phone.

Upon bringing the phone up to his ear, the director’s flippant voice came from the receiver, “How’d you know!?”

“Know what?”

“That there was no answer!” Jenkins asked. Then, he added before Juho even had time to answer, “You already knew that language, didn’t you? You said you’d seen it before. Maybe you interpreted it before the linguists?”

“That’s just silly,” Juho said in a delayed response.

“Then, what is it?! Don’t you give me an excuse by saying that it was because you’re Yun Woo.”

“But I am.”

“Lies! Tell me! Before I come over and shake it out of you!”

Looking at Coin, who was also looking in Juho’s direction, Juho replied, “You’re starting to sound like Coin, there. You gotta trust me.”

“What did you say?”

“What did you say, punk?” Coin asked.

“I gotta go. I’m going out for a walk.”

“You stop right there!” Coin shouted as Juho sprung up from his seat in a hurry. Following Juho with his eyes and a furrowed brow, Coin redirected his attention to the newspaper as Juho went upstairs. At the same time, Susan’s eyes darted back and forth between her son and the newspaper before she went into her room. Then, as Juho came back downstairs and was about to leave, Coin said to the young author, “I felt something my ass! It was just some nobody who decided to drop the bomb because they didn’t get their paycheck!”

After all, money had been at the center of that scandal. By the time Coin tried to grab Juho, Juho was already outside. Clicking his tongue irritably, Coin crumpled the newspaper up.

“You just wait,” Coin said, determined to get to the bottom of the young author’s mysterious ability, which Coin himself didn’t possess.

—

‘The Essay Proven to Be Fake? How’s Yun Woo Associated?’

‘Did Yun Woo Already Know? A Head-Scratching Episode.’

‘Yun Woo’s True Language Skill? ‘Language of God’ Rising to Popularity All Over Again. The Process of Creating a Whole New Language?’

‘”It’s a Draw.” The Showdown Between Coin and Yun Woo Ends in a Draw. Video Included.’

—

‘The Nebula Award Ceremony is Right Around the Corner! Will the Two Leading Nominees Turn Up at the Ceremony?’

‘This Year’s Ceremony Said to Take Place in Chicago, Illinois.’

‘Yun Woo’s Second Go at the Award with ‘Language of God.”

‘Yun Woo’s First Appearance at the Ceremony? Will the Young Author Turn Up?’

‘Yun Woo Reported to Be in Korea? “He’s Not Attending the Ceremony.” Rumors Flare Up.’

‘Yun Woo Appearing at the Ceremony Alongside Coin. Who Will Be the Winner? Both Authors Said to be Nominated for the Full-Length Category. Kings, the Legend of the American Literary Industry Said to Present the Awards This Year.’

‘A Chinese Author Said to Be at This Year’s Ceremony. A New Asian Invasion?’

‘Who Will Get That Trophy? Find Out on April Sixteenth!’

‘The Possibility of Yun Woo Winning the Nebula According to Reporters.’

‘Who’s the Author Competing with Yun Woo? Possibility of Yun Woo Winning the Award?’

‘The Significance of the Literary Award. A Closer Look at Its Half-Century History. Who Are the Judges? The Origin Story? What Makes Yun Woo so Impressive?’

‘The Black and White of the Literary Award. What Were Some of the Scandals That Broke Out in the Past? How Is It Still Prominent? Yun Woo’s Presence Raises Fan’s Awareness of the Award.’

‘Why We Shouldn’t be Quick to Criticize Yun Woo Even If He Doesn’t Win. The Ratio of the Past Winners.’

—

“Who’ll win? Coin Or Yun Woo?”

“Yun Woo, for sure. Even Coin can’t stand up to the sequel.”

“Coin’s book is doing really well, though. I thought it was actually really good. It reminded me of why he’s at the top.”

“Who has the advantage? I’m rooting for Yun Woo, personally.”

“I’m sure Coin has the upper hand since the ceremony is taking place in his home country. All the judges are English speakers too.”

“I don’t think you know Coin as well as you think, my friend. There’s a rumor circulating that he’s gotten on the bad side of some important people in the literary world.”

“In terms of skills, though, I think this is gonna be a close match.”

“If we’re speaking experience, Coin. All the way.”

“But look at Yun Woo’s achievements, though. They surpass Coin by a margin.”

“Coin has fans all across the globe. In terms of cumulative figures, Yun Woo still has a lot of catching up to do.”

“Really? You’re bringing numbers into this?”

“Just look at the difference in their experiences. Numbers don’t come up for no reason. I think it’s fairer to judge between all other nominated books.”

“Yun Woo, for sure. Nobody can possibly think otherwise after reading the new ‘Language of God.'”

“Somebody hasn’t read Coin’s new book.”

“I read both, but I’m still on Team Yun Woo.”

“Comparing the two is tons of fun. Their personalities are polar opposites, and so are their writing styles. I just can’t tell who’s better, though. I think they both have something that’s unique to their own.”

“What will the judges think?”

“Who knows? I think people are split over who’s going to win. Even in American websites.”

“With the kinds of books they wrote, they both deserve to get that trophy!”

“They both qualify, for sure.”

“Well, somebody’s gotta win, though.”

“That’s just how awards work. They’re both leading nominees for a reason.”

“People are debating over this all over the internet.”

“My friends and I are placing bets, too. Who’ll win?”

“Whoever does, I hope they announce it soon. Are they gonna go on TV again anytime soon?”

“I was so intrigued by Yun Woo! I thought he was joking when he kept saying that there was no right answer. And two months later… Bam!”

“I’m still in awe about that! I don’t know if it has to do with his language skills, but I have a feeling that his brain’s developed to an unusual capacity.”

“That’s the kind of author that wrote ‘Language of God.’ If Yun Woo doesn’t get it, then who would?”

“Coin is definitely a formidable opponent, though.”

“I find it hilarious that Yun Woo’s staying over at Coin’s place. I wonder if they talk to each other and stuff.”

“Who’ll come out on top?”

—

“Uh… That’s mine.”

“We share this refrigerator. What’s the point in distinguishing who drinks what?”

“You already had yours,” Juho said, smacking his lips as Coin robbed him of his drink right before his eyes and just before leaving for Chicago.

“I bought you a new suit.”

“You do know that you’ve been using that as an excuse for a week now, right? It’s not like I only buy those drinks for myself, and you can’t even leave one for me?”

“It’s for the suit.”

“I should’ve known better,” Juho said, sighing and drinking regular water instead. Coin had bought him a new suit to wear to the ceremony, calling it a “gift.” However, it turned out that it came with all sorts of unspoken conditions, which reminded the young author that nothing was free in life.

“Are you guys leaving now?” Susan asked as she came out of her room. Although it was the day of the ceremony, neither Coin nor Juho seemed nervous.

“Yep.”

“All right. Have fun, you two.”

After greeting Susan in turn, the two authors went out the door and got in the car. Upon getting in, Juho glanced toward the back seat. Of course, the blood-red cover was nowhere to be seen. Then, as Coin got into the driver’s seat and put the seatbelt on, Juho asked, “Do you think it’s possible to share an award?”

“It’s not impossible. As far as I’m aware, it happened once sometime in the sixties.”

“Sixties, huh,” Juho said, chuckling.

“Which means, I’ll probably end up winning,” Coin added calmly.

Whenever Coin spoke, Juho got a whiff of the drink Coin had taken away from him. Feeling slightly bothered, Juho rolled down the window, and the car started moving forward gently. Neither of them said anything. Then, by the time the cornfield appeared in front of their eyes, a phone started ringing.

“Your phone’s ringing,” Juho said, looking at Coin’s phone.

“Who is it?”

“Kings?” Juho said, reading the name on the screen out loud and turning to Coin, wondering if it was the same Kings he was thinking about. Clicking his tongue irritably, Coin signaled for Juho to answer the phone. At which point, Juho put the phone on speaker.

“What is it?” Coin asked, sounding annoyed for no apparent reason.

“I’m just calling to check in.”

Juho recognized the voice coming from the receiver of the phone, which made him realize that it really was the same person he had had in mind.

“You’re calling to check in? You’ll see me at the hotel whether you want to or not.”

“Well, knowing your tendencies, I had to be sure,” Kings said, and Juho nodded. As Coin grumbled annoyedly, Kings chuckled.

“Is Yun Woo with you?”

“Who wants to know?”

“Yes, I’m here,” Juho replied. After glancing over at him, Coin clenched his lips.

“Well, pleasure to talk to you! I was sad that we couldn’t meet last time.”

“Likewise. It just kind of happened.”

“I’m sure we’ll meet this time.”

“I’m looking forward to it, Mr. Kings.”

“Take care of Coin, will ya?”

“I’ll do my best.”

At that moment, the phone grew silent. As Juho stared dazedly at the device, Kings said all of a sudden, “Enjoy it while it lasts.”

“I’m sorry?” Juho asked as the formless voice lingered in the car like a ghost.

“Seems like something big is about to happen this year.”

Juho looked toward Coin, assuming that he would know what Kings was referring to. However, Coin was also furrowing his brow, looking just as confused.

“What’s that supposed to mean? What did you hear?”

“I hear all sorts of things on a daily basis. Though, I’m sure you two will be fine. Well, I’ll see you two in Chicago. Seems like you’re on the road, so I’ll let you go,” Kings said, hanging up the phone.

“Hello? Ugh! I swear. The old man hangs up on me every time,’ Coin murmured. He remained himself even when talking to a legendary writer. Meanwhile, Juho looked out the window. The car was moving faster than before, and Juho was anxious to reunite with the people he was supposed to see in Chicago.