Translated by: ShawnSuh Edited by: SootyOwl This part here . Pus.h.i.+ng the side dishes taking up s.p.a.ce on the table to the side, Juho placed the ma.n.u.script on the table . Then, Nam Kyung and Sanders scanned through the sentence Juho was pointing to, the descriptive sentence intended to give the fire a frightening image . Its actually quite convincing, Juho said . Despite being in English, the fire was just as frightening according to the description, making it clear just how merciless it was . Where there was fire, humans also existed . And this part, he said, pointing to another place on the ma.n.u.script . It was a description of G.o.d . Where there was fire, there were bound to be people who wors.h.i.+pped it . Deities of fire were commonly seen in both Eastern and Western mythology, including the Greek, Roman and Northern European myths . However, the description in Sublimation had a stronger Eastern influence . Theres a slight liberal translation here, but I dont think its an issue . You used concrete language here, right? I mean, thats what people are used to in the US, so it probably makes it easier to read, if anything, Juho said, quickly flipping through the pages to the end, with what Sanders had wrestled to no avail . It was where the writing style changed, when the characters doubt each other, all the while claiming their own innocence . After losing track of the preexisting boundaries, the characters wandered aimlessly, and in the end, all became one in nothingness . The tool that Juho had used to portray the scene effectively was another writing style . This here, though, leaves me wanting a little more . The stark contrast between the two writing styles was no longer there, united by the translators interpretation . In place of the precarious nature, there was only balance and stability . The suspense, the alienation, all gone . The balance Juho had managed to strike after trial and error was no longer there . It was inevitable, but it wasnt fair to treat Sanders as an incompetent translator . Then, the translator explained in a calm tone of voice . I wrestled with that scene even at the cost of pus.h.i.+ng the deadlines back, but to no avail . Looking at his translation with a serious look on his face, the mustache covering his mouth made him look like he was smiling, Sanders said, And something tells me that youll never tell me how you wrote this, am I right? No, unfortunately . That would take the fun out of it . If Easter Island didnt have its mystery, the Moai, who would bother visiting it? Its a beautiful place, regardless . Id love to go back . Im sorry, but itll have to stay a secret . Well, thats a b.u.mmer, Sanders said, smacking his lips with lingering attachment . Then, he asked shortly after, How can I make people accuse me of having another person translating on my behalf? Juho was well-acquainted with a remark like that, especially since bringing the new writing style to light . Let me tell you as a person with firsthand experience . Its not going to be pleasant . Ill just have to face it then, I suppose . Personally, Im one of those translators who believes that the distance between the original and the translation is actually beneficial to the original . Also, I prefer my interpretations to be part of my translations . But with Sublimation, I made an exception and thought that I had to stay true to the original in its entirety . Although, Im afraid Im coming to the painful realization that its not possible, Sanders said . In the ending of the book, at least, he wanted to keep the spirit of the original intact as much as possible . Being a translator with a career that spanned three decades, his words had weight . Then, after brief contemplation, Juho brought up the thought that came to him by impulse . Well, you can actually have another person translate on your behalf . . Sanders remained silent, but his eyes were still smiling . You know, I did think about that, but you did it all by yourself… Then, Sanders paused for a little while as he immersed himself in thought . Does that mean you will translate? Im sorry, me? As the author of the novel, translating it wasnt the desirable of tasks for him . Im not sure about that . And why is that, Mr . Woo? Then, like someone who had spotted an opportunity, Nam Kyungs eyes widened . When the news gets out that you took part in the translation, itll be ma.s.sive . But there are plenty of other translators who are just as capable… Yes, Im sure, but n.o.bodys going to be able to measure up to you . As Juho looked away from Sanders persuasive argument, he felt the translators piercing gaze, coming at him like an arrow . Then, the translator looked at Juho with a look of surprise on his face . You dont seem too enthusiastic about translating your own novel . Yes, well . You see, Im not fond of reading my own writing . To Juho, writing was a means of letting his emotions out . Anger, sorrow, depression, and cowardice . Taking the very emotions he had vomited out and putting them back into his mouth was undoubtedly repulsive . Looking at the young author frowning, Sanders swept his beard . I see . There are definitely authors out there who feel similarly . However, there also existed those who were heavily invested in the translation of Yun Woos books . Finding himself in a dilemma, Sanders moaned faintly . But if were to make this happen, your vision has to be in line with my translations, at least somewhat . We dont want to mistranslate anything . Right, and its definitely not that simple . Just as Sanders had said, Juho had to take Sanders translation into account as well . If the gap between the authors vision and the translators interpretation was too wide, the overall quality would suffer, yielding undesirable results . On top of that, the change in writing style at the end of Sublimation was not the only matter of concern . The content was also incredibly convoluted since everything that had built up to that point fell apart . In other words, there was a dire need for a translator who understood the novel better than anyone else, as well as how Sanders went about translating it . On top of that, he had to possess the skill to translate accordingly while leaving the content intact . Unfortunately, a translator like that was incredibly difficult to come by . It seems like Mr . Woo fits just that description, Nam Kyung interjected . Man, I shouldve been more careful with my words, Juho thought to himself with regret, and catching on to the young authors hesitation, the editor kept on, Were talking about a very, very small amount of work . Is there no way, Mr . Woo? . Hm . I wont ask you to do anything like this again, from now on . Do you think you can consider it, Mr . Woo? Just this time? While Juho was faced with a dilemma, Sanders opened his mouth and said, Is it because you cant write it again? At that, Juho set his thoughts aside and looked at him . The expression on his face made it clear that he wasnt taunting him . If anything, Santa Claus always had a welcoming look about him . Is that what you think, Mr . Sanders? Well, I dont really know the truth, so Im p.r.o.ne to think in whatever way makes sense . Do you think we can make it seem like it was written by Yun Woo? I dont think theres a single person on this planet who can do that better . Having trouble interpreting what the translator meant, Juho chuckled . (TLs Note: Remember, Yun Woo, is Woo Yun in Korea, meaning coincidence . Sanders is being ambiguous with his use of the word intentionally, and Juho isnt sure if the translator is referring to his alias or coincidence . ) All right, then, he said . After all, it was his idea, and it wasnt remotely as much work as translating an entire book . Although part of him was still reluctant, it occurred to him that he would be as good as dead if he didnt voice his opinion, which made the situation all the more undesirable . What was that? Ill give it a shot . Well then, Ill be looking forward to it, Mr . Woo, Sanders said, his eyes sparkling with antic.i.p.ation . Meanwhile, Nam Kyung took his phone out and sent a text to someone in a hurry . It dawned on Juho that there were quite a few things that he had to be involved in a.s.sociated with Sublimation . It was the nature of the novel, as well as Juhos desire to make it entirely his . Humans who tried to conquer fire, those who reached for the unadulterated truth, they were all expressions of his ident.i.ty, and considering how the novel was full of them, perhaps Juhos desire simply made sense . After all, he was an author and the owner of the book . --- Adam . Ah, h.e.l.lo, Adam, the senior editor of Fernand, greeted the guest visiting his office, a journalist from one of the top magazines in the States . He was responsible for delivering news about Fernand to the rest of the world . Still as organized as ever, the journalist said as he sat down, looking at the bookshelf against the wall, which was filled with books . They were organized by publishers, series, and the names of the authors, and looking at them brought Adam peace . Then, as he skillfully prepared for the interview, his secretary brought out a cup of tea for each of the two . With that, the interview began . First, Id like to start off by asking a questions thats been burning in my mind . You know, Ive always liked your style . Countless authors published their books through Fernand, including former presidents and spies . Most of the rookie authors who had published their books through the company had also been successful . The books chosen and edited by Adam tended to sell at an increasing rate, and he was well aware of which books the journalists would bring up, as well as which authors they wanted to bring up the most . As for the question, it was about an author who had experienced ma.s.sive success recently . Id like to ask about Yun Woo . Id love to answer that question, but I dont know a whole lot about him unfortunately, Adam said, bringing the tea mug up to his mouth . You dont say?! Even you?! Thats right . Yun Woos a mystery even to me . As the journalists eyes sparkled all the more with interest, Adam glanced over at the recording device on the side of the table . I havent started recording, yet . Im aware . Well, nothing? Even for the sake of my curiosity? My curiosity is very much intact still . You know, Im not the only person whos desperate for information on the youngest Nebula winner . All right, why dont we back up a little? As you said, hes the youngest winner . Hes still a kid . But his writing seems to say otherwise . Its simply astonis.h.i.+ng . Taking a sip of his tea, Adam placed his cup back down silently . Have you heard of his novel Sublimation? Sure, it hasnt been published in the States yet, but youre working on it, as far as Im aware . Yes, you see, the translation was officially completed just yesterday . Then, Adam reached over and picked up the recording device . The cold, lifeless machine whirred in his hand . Hows the novel being received where Yun Woos from? the editor asked Its quite controversial, from what I heard, but a lot of people seem to think that its the best ending in literary history . At the same time, I also heard a rumor circulating that said he hired a ghostwriter . Oh, he took part in designing the book cover, apparently . The Black Book . Yes, and Yun Woo also took part in translating the novel . . Translation, huh . His language skills need no explanation . I mean, hes the Nebula winner . My understanding is that translation takes more than fluency in the languages . Right . Which is exactly where Im getting at . . Wait, what does that mean for Taylor Sanders, then? Adam had no intention of explaining every little detail to the journalist . The questions would be answered at once upon the release of the book . After all, Sanders would be able to offer some explanation in the About the Translator section . I read the translation of Sublimation last night, Adam said, revisiting the question the journalist had asked earlier, and as the words stirred the journalist, the editor hit the record b.u.t.ton on the device . Sublimation is Yun Woos first book since his Nebula Award, and I chose that book personally . The young, anonymous author . I mean, it doesnt get any more charming than that . The adults who looked at him with doubt are moved to tears upon reading his book, and truth be told, I wouldnt care even if the whole thing turned out to be a ma.s.sive sham . It doesnt matter who Yun Woo is . Whether hes an old man on his deathbed or an alcoholic beyond recovery, nothing will change . His writing is, simply put, beautiful . Just as the t.i.tle suggested, the phenomenon was nothing short of a sublimation . The novel had elevated the young author to a higher state, and Adam had never seen anything like it . He had never come across writing like that in his entire career as senior editor of Fernand . The heat and the sense of loss brought about fear, and upon reading it, the editor was made certain of its success in the States . Yun Woo wasnt about to come cras.h.i.+ng down any time soon . I can just see it . Sublimation will be sensational and take Yun Woo to an even further place, and h.e.l.l be even more mysterious, then . Because the journalist was yet to have read the book, he wasnt able to sympathize with the editors words to their full potential . So, its pure literature by Yun Woo . At that, a smile closer to a sneer appeared on the senior editors face . What Yun Woo was about to show was much more intense . The readers would feel their ident.i.ties disappear before their eyes . Yun Woo was anything but pure . Youll see .