I'm in a novel

Chapter 1: The Missing Pages

"Fight to the Top" is currently one of the most popular harem web novels in Korea, especially among younger readers. The story follows a seemingly ordinary high school student who gradually rises to dominate the underground economy while maintaining the façade of a normal life. Along the way, he gathers a growing circle of people around him; some becoming allies and comrades, others turning into rivals or enemies, and a few developing into romantic interests that form his "harem." The story gets intense when suddenly a new teacher who turned out to be the undercover police transfer into the same school and the protagonist struggles to hide his identity. In the end, after many years the organization made by the protagonist becomes the most powerful in the underworld and he enjoys his own harem while he wipes out all his enemies.

"So, how is it?" Samuel asked, taking a slow sip of his tea. He sat comfortably with one leg crossed under the table, his gaze fixed on the man opposite him who looked thoroughly unimpressed.

The man in question finally set the novel he'd been reading down between them. A long sigh escaped him before he leaned back slightly, meeting Samuel's eyes.

"There are quite a few plot holes I could point out," Daniel said flatly. "And the protagonist's background isn't well explained. At times, the story also feels a little unrealistic. But overall... it's still a good read."

"Exactly." Samuel's smile widened, clearly pleased with the response. "As expected, we think the same." He tilted his head slightly. "Daniel, do you think it would be worth interviewing the author?"

Daniel let out a short snort. "Why are you asking me?" he replied. "Just do the interview if you're interested. It's your magazine, not mine."

Apparently, Samuel owned a big company that produces popular magazines that famous around the older and recently among the youngster too. He had been Daniel's close friend since high school, and as far as Daniel knew, Samuel had always been borderline obsessive when it came to novels and celebrities. He never missed a headline, a scandal, or a rising name in the literary and entertainment world. So it didn't surprise Daniel in the slightest when Samuel eventually chose to build a magazine empire after graduating from college.

"You see... after this novel became famous, no one ever heard from the author again," Samuel murmured, lowering his voice as he leaned across the table.

Then he tapped the bottom of the book lightly.

"The name here isn't even his real one."

Daniel's eyes drifted to the cover page of the novel. He read the name once, then again, as if trying to find something familiar in it.

"Lee Chansung" he repeated under his breath, a faint crease forming between his brows. "You couldn't contact the company?"

"No, I couldn't reach the author," Samuel replied with a click of his tongue. "But I did hear quite a few interesting things from his company."

Daniel looked at him, expression sharpening slightly, clearly waiting for him to continue.

Instead, Samuel only smiled, slow and deliberately mischievous.

"What?" he teased. "Are you interested now? You had a pretty bored expression just a moment ago."

His smile widened as he leaned back in his seat, clearly enjoying the shift in atmosphere.

Daniel rolled his eyes. "If you're not going to continue, I'm leaving."

Yet even as he said it, he didn't move. His fingers tapped lightly against the table; steady, impatient, betraying him more than his words did.

"Does it hurt to just admit you're curious?" Samuel muttered under his breath and Daniel pretended not to hear it.

"So the author actually went missing shortly after the novel was published," Samuel continued. "Apparently, all his belongings were still in his house; his phone, his identification card; everything. There's no way he could've gone far. They filed a police report, but there's still been no news of him. In short, he just disappeared without a trace." He glanced at Daniel, who was still quietly processing everything he had just said.