PAYBACK BOOK 1.

Chapter 2.

After the uncle said he would think about it and ran out, a not-so-awkward silence filled the room. I glanced down at the Polaroid photograph lying there on the table for a moment. The emotionless face staring into the camera reflected my own image of someone who hadn't even looked in a mirror for five years. It was incredibly awkward. I don't know if standing in front of a camera, starting from that photograph, could even be considered my work, but I didn't feel any realism at all.

 

"Did you know Yoohan before?"

 

When I looked up, I saw a young man giving me a serious look. He was probably around twenty or twenty-one. His face was more endearing than most men's. Generally, when I stared at him intently without responding, he would look slightly puzzled.

 

"May I ask a question?"

 

"No, you can ask as many questions as you like. But whether I answer or not is another matter, because I don't trust you yet."

 

"You can trust me." He added, promising.

 

"I won't tell anyone, really, because I don't like Yoo-han either. President Choi was so nice to me..." He lowered his eyes as if reminiscing.

 

"Before, Yoo-han Hyung was considered one of the most successful actors in our agency. Even though we only had a few actors, none of them was hugely famous, and everyone felt like family, except for him. When we were in the same agency, he had a very self-centred personality, so we weren't very close. Even so, I never thought I'd be betrayed like that when his contract ended. Honestly, there's no one like President Choi in this industry. He respects his actors' aspirations, supports their goals, and waits for them to succeed without ever giving up. But Yoo-han  Hyung finally achieved success because of President Choi..."

 

The young man mumbled dejectedly before glancing up again.

 

"He said he would renew the contract, but asked for a deposit in advance. The president then had to struggle to raise the money to give him that sum, but he said he'd already signed with someone else. Thinking back to that time..."

 

"Why didn't he give the money back?"

 

When I asked him, he let out a big sigh.

 

"Of course, they wanted the money back. That's why the chairman filed a lawsuit. But Yoo-han's side countered that it was compensation, since they had never received any money while working for our company. So it went through a lengthy legal process. It doesn't make sense at all. They said they wanted the money and that the chairman always kept their payment and pocketed some of it. The media chased our chairman like a demon, sensationalising the story as if Yoo-han's side were the victims. Even though we responded, they used online backlash to attack us, making everyone believe it was true. What's even more infuriating is that the initial court ruling took a whole year! Their lawyers relentlessly pursued us, dragging on the proceedings. In the end, the verdict awarded us only one-fifth of the money. And that wasn't even enough to cover the legal fees paid during the case! But because they appealed, we ultimately didn't get any money back."

 

He spoke with extreme anger before a look of despair spread through his eyes once again.

 

"That severely impacted the company. A large sum of money disappeared, and then there were legal fees to pay. The investors were trying to get compensation."

 

"The money was never refunded because once the famous actors left the agency, there was no money left, so the lawsuit was dropped. At that time, the company was in turmoil, and the remaining staff had all left. It had taken so long for the company to grow, but it collapsed in just a short time."

 

"You haven't left the company yet, have you?"

 

When I greeted him, he said, "Uh...that's it," and scratched his head awkwardly.

 

"The chairman has been very kind to me. He's seen me popping in and out since high school, trying to perform in plays. Other places wouldn't hire me either. You see...I have a phobia of cameras, you know? Haha. Isn't that funny?"

 

"yes"

 

"..."

 

"."

 

"Ahem, our president is a very kind person. He brought me into this company because it was the only one that accepted me. And look at how he worked as Yoo-han's manager."

 

"Yes, even though the chairman said it was okay, seeing it for the first time made me tear up. I once tried to persuade him to get revenge, but the chairman said no, no, that if we did that, we'd become tainted and disgraced. Actually, I want the chairman to resign. Because even though he said there's nowhere else to hire besides here, it's still very tiring. I came here expecting to earn a decent income based on the actors I'm responsible for, but now I hardly have any work at all..."

 

I didn't tell the young man that Song Yoo-han's income would be cut soon, because he'd probably find out about the manager change tomorrow anyway, so I didn't need to. I should mention this first: I looked at the still-closed door and asked about something that was bothering me.

 

"Does Song Yoo-han have any sponsors?"

 

Not getting an answer, I turned around to look, only to see the young man's lips tightly pressed together and his face showing deep thought. I observed his troubled expression before asking...

 

"Is the sponsor a man?"

 

"Ah! H-How did you know that?"

 

"I don't know much about this industry, but do they not have many sponsors?"

 

"No, there are plenty of them."

 

So, the reason Song Yoo-han is famous is that his sponsors have some power, huh? I guessed before hearing a faint voice, as if about to tell a secret story.

 

"Here, having only acting skills is often difficult to succeed, especially in television, because popularity increases with frequency of appearances. In our media scene, everyone tries incredibly hard to get on TV just once. If you don't have money, you can't last long. Appearing on TV once or twice is manageable, but how much impact does it really have? Ultimately, you need financial support to increase your chances of being seen regularly... To do that, you need to be financially well-off or have sponsors, right? That's the point."

 

He hesitated before opening his mouth to speak, then looked directly at me.

 

"If you want sponsors to help you climb the corporate ladder quickly, you'd be better off finding another manager. Chairman Choi usually doesn't like finding sponsors, or at least doesn't think about it."

 

"The bribe was stuffed into the list. He never had any intention of doing that from the start..."

 

"I didn't expect that kind of ability."

 

"Isn't that necessary?"

 

That's probably necessary... I nodded, confirming the vague plan that had formed in my head.

 

"I'll handle that myself."

 

What are you going to do? His expression clearly showed he wanted to ask me that, but I ignored him and asked another question.

 

"If we disregard that aspect, then how good is Chairman Choi's ability to groom actors?"

 

"That's excellent!" He answered firmly and then smiled.

 

"Even you, who always makes a sad face and speaks a bit harshly, at first I didn't think much of it. But do you know that the more you talk to me, the more incredibly attractive you are?"

 

Then he muttered, "Chairman Choi’s eye for people is superb," ​​before his smile faded. "I've told you everything. You trust me, so can't you tell me something too? Have you met Brother Yoo-han  before?"

 

I nodded.

 

"Since when?"

 

"A long time ago"

 

He gave me a look that suggested he wanted more clarification on his ambiguous answer before quickly moving on to the next question.

 

"When you say you want revenge, you mean Yoo-han, right? What did he do wrong? Or did you also get your money stolen?" 

 

Money, huh? Come to think of it, I got my money stolen, too. I just smirked, because I hadn't thought about that at all. It seems I just smirked unconsciously, and the other person's eyes widened in surprise.

 

"Wow, when you smile, your face..."

 

"Something like that."

 

"Huh? Ah, your money was stolen. You said you were going to get revenge, so that means you must have lost a lot, right?"

 

"Not really."

 

"..."

 

"Um...if you haven't lost that much already, why are you so insistent on getting revenge...?"

 

I heard the other person muttering something like, "Our chairman got swindled out of hundreds of millions..." 

 

That's right, I only lost a few tens of millions of won. He didn't actually kill my brother, but I'm still the one to blame, just like Myungshin said. I don't know... I don't know if I'm alive or dead. It's all that thug's fault. Yes, it's all my fault. Myungshin's only fault is that he wanted to live. Therefore, I'm the only one who should get revenge.

 

I'm alone because I'm a filthy person myself. I learned while living on this earth that the law of karma isn't something you wait for to return automatically; you have to step out and do something for it to work. Just waiting for karma to take its course is no different from waiting for the other person to be punished by heaven.

 

I pushed my chair back, stood up, and asked him to contact me when Uncle returned with the drinks. I then explained my reasons for seeking revenge before turning and walking away.

 

"I've had more free time since yesterday."

 

The rooftop of the building had been decorated as a garden with tall trees and scattered benches, perhaps because it was already past one-and-a-half in the morning, making it a place for relaxation. This recreational area is completely deserted. It's a time when people should be fast asleep, but I, who should be sleeping, am still wide awake.

 

I leaned against the chest-high wall, gazing down at the scattered mess below, a reddish crimson husk. Though I'd already decided on revenge, the thought still lingered. One of my most ironic worries is what would happen if I became so consumed by revenge that I forgot about my own wrongdoings. In the past, having to find money to pay off debt felt like a sign that I was now paying for my sins. But then what had been a clear indicator disappeared, and I tried to blame it on someone else's sin. Unnecessary anxiety built up. I couldn't forget that I had made a mistake and that I needed to atone for it for a long time, even longer than that.

 

Suddenly, it struck me to wonder if I used to be like this. I swallowed the bitter laugh that threatened to erupt from within. It's tough. While deciding to seek revenge and realising that my past self has resurfaced, it seems the past five years have had a significant impact on me. Then I realised the indicators for self-punishment were already in my head. That's a memory... Just a vivid memory from that day five years ago is enough. 

 

No matter how much time has passed, it remains as clear as a story, as if it just happened yesterday, and the feeling of walking into the empty house flooded back. Thinking about the room where the owner left, preserved with traces of life, I suddenly felt like smoking. I hadn't smoked a single cigarette in five years, but it's as if the craving has returned, just like the person I was five years ago when I was resurrected. Or perhaps it was the faint scent of cigarette smoke wafting in, as if I wasn't alone on the rooftop because the smell of cigarette smoke was carried on the wind.

 

I walked inside and saw someone smoking in front of a large tree in the centre. Although it was too dark to see his face clearly, I couldn't resist the sudden urge to smoke and walked closer to him.

 

"May I have a cigarette, please?"

 

When I greeted him, he glanced at me and then turned away as if nothing had happened. Seeing his indifferent attitude, I thought to myself, This guy's a jerk. I wanted to give up and turn back, but the smell of cigarette smoke wafted over me once again.

 

"I'm not asking for it for free, just one cigarette will do..."

 

Dub

The half-smoked cigarette fell at my feet, clearly showing the other person's intention, like telling me to smoke and then shut up. I looked down at the tip...The cigarette was still burning red-hot before I heard footsteps turning away. I bent down to pick it up and put it in my mouth. Although I was annoyed that the filter was damp from someone else's previous cigarette, I didn't mind. The moment I took a puff, the smoke flowed down my throat and into my body. Perhaps because I hadn't smoked in a while, I felt a little dizzy, but that didn't hinder me from doing what I wanted to do.

 

"Wait a moment."

 

I called out to the other person who was walking away. Luckily, he turned around, giving me a glimpse of his expressionless face, still beneath the lamplight. I watched him as I reached into my pocket for coins.

 

Dub dub gluk gluk

I added, watching the 200-won coins roll away slightly before coming to a stop.

 

"Keep the change."

 

As I was about to turn around, I saw him slowly lift his lips into a smile as he looked at the coin, even noticing the small dimples on his cheeks and his eyes. He even bowed gently as he smiled. Suddenly, I froze, feeling a sense of familiarity, as if I'd seen him somewhere before. Then, a soft voice, tinged with a smile, interrupted my thoughts.

 

"You've charged me wrong."

 

His soft, low voice was pleasant to the ear, but I wasn't bothered by it. I straightened my half-twisted foot back to its original standing position. Judging solely by the beaming smile and gentle voice, the person in front of me was indeed a good person. He had a good image, but his words conveyed the exact opposite. I immediately realised the stark contrast between the familiar insults and that smiling face. I stared intently, unconsciously tensing up. What's wrong with him? Is he crazy?

 

"Are you pulling your ears?"

 

This time, the voice, still urging for an answer, was gentle. I stared at his face and met his indifferent gaze. I don't know if it was because of the quarrels and fights I had in the past...Was it just my nature to be in the wrong? Those experiences automatically taught me that he was stronger than I was. He was the type of person you'd tire yourself out with unless you surrendered from the start. But the problem wasn't with him; it was with me, because I would never kneel and surrender.

 

"Yes, I miscalculated the bill. That's why I told you to keep the change." his eyes narrowed even more, but I didn't smile back. He held out his hand, showing two hundred won, and added kindly, "Change? Ah, here it is."

 

Ah, so if I gave him two hundred won, this is all the change I'd get. Two hundred won per unsmoked cigarette? Is this guy trying to change his luck with a discarded cigarette?

 

"Stop talking nonsense."

 

He responded in a slow, emotionless tone to my cold words.

 

"Shall I tell you something about myself? I'm not the type to joke around."

 

He spoke softly, as if joking, with a hint of emotion in his words and a coldness in his eyes.

 

"The seller sets the price. If you want a cigarette from me, you should be prepared for that price," I stared at him, frowning slightly.

 

"Who are you?"

 

His smile faded unexpectedly at the question, but soon his lips returned to their usual curve.

 

"How boring. You must have heard something somewhere that made you approach me like everyone else, huh? But I've met people like you many, many times before." 

 

I stared at him, trying to understand his words. Approach me similarly? People who are like me? I was about to tell him to stop talking nonsense. Ugh, but then I remembered the first time I came here, seeing those high school girls waiting for someone with such expectant eyes outside... Ah, right, this is an entertainment company. Or maybe he has mistaken me for a fan like those high school girls? Then I stared at him, feeling uneasy. The longer I stared, the more familiar he seemed. But I couldn't stop staring, because he was definitely someone I didn't know.

 

"It seems you've misunderstood something. I don't know how famous you are, but from my perspective, 200 won for cigarettes is excessive."

 

"...Are you an actor?"

"Or are you a singer?"

 

"..."

 

It was as if I had just heard the abrupt question.

 

"Aren't you affiliated with this place?"

 

He stopped smiling and stared at me intently with a strangely weary look. What's wrong? Was he a comedian or something? I was getting increasingly confused by the situation.

 

"No...not yet."

 

He smiled slyly.

 

“Then I'll give you a one per cent discount."

 

He murmured, "Not yet?" and took another step towards me. I instinctively tensed my hands as I watched him move closer, and then he stopped.

 

"Sure, you can do it... You're quite interesting. How about I give you a discount on cigarettes? But first, you have to pass an interview and increase your value."

 

What kind of interview is that? And the part about having to pay him sounds even more ridiculous.

 

"Don't joke around."

 

"I told you I don't like joking. I'd be really sad if you forgot."

 

His mouth spoke of regret, yet there was a hint of amusement in his voice, but his eyes remained expressionless, as always. No matter how perfect his image might be in the world, inwardly, in my eyes, he still didn't seem like the most human being in the world, so I stared him straight in the eye and spoke.

 

"Are you upset? You don't like to joke, but you're good at lying."

 

It was as if the gaze that was fixed on me instantly turned icy, and a sudden chill in the cold air made my hair stand on end.

 

"Yes, absolutely excellent. By a landslide," he smiled shamelessly, then continued in a slow voice.

 

"You now know two of my secrets."

 

I don't know why I have this feeling he's about to strangle me. He said I know some nonsense of his that's not even a secret—unless it's a password. Passwords shouldn't even be called a secret. I stared back at him defiantly.

 

"It's just a trivial matter, so how can it be a secret?"

 

"Because it's such a trivial matter, others don't consider it a secret. But you..."

 

He took a slow step forward. I watched his movements closely, then glared again because of what I heard next.

 

"Did you actually notice that?"

 

The words were so soft it was hard to believe they were insults. I didn't want to face this lunatic any longer, so I tossed the burnt-out cigarette in my hand at him.

 

"Then I will return the item and get my money back."

 

However, he dropped the coin into his pants pocket and took another step closer to me.

 

"If you want it back, then come and take it."

 

The voice continued slowly, a stark contrast to the smug smile on his face. Even though they may not seem very skilled, he was clearly trying to provoke me. Before I knew it, I had my fist raised, but one thing the drinks vendor uncle had warned me about flashed through my mind.

 

"For actors, the face is their life. If you want to be an actor, from now on, you absolutely cannot let your face have any scars."

 

"Ugh," I clicked my tongue inwardly and took a step back. The other person's eyes showed disappointment at my actions.

 

"You don't seem like a coward... Oh, or maybe you're afraid of getting a scar on your face?"

 

His pointed remark slightly took me aback, and I didn't respond. Then, with his quick eyes, he chuckled and lunged forward rapidly, with a fist. It was he who rushed in first.

 

*Thud!*

Because I was busy protecting my face, I got punched hard in the stomach, which was completely exposed. Suddenly, I couldn't breathe properly, and the shock and pain spread from my abdomen to my internal organs. I staggered backwards before gritting my teeth and steadying myself on my legs to block another flying punch.

 

A fist and an arm whizzed past with a gust of wind in my ear as I dodged. I quickly swatted the arm away and extended my other hand, but the jerk kept aiming for my face and continued throwing punches. Finally, my lip was split open. Though it was just a light graze, it still drew blood and stung. While I was scrambling to cover my face, I almost lost my temper because of the smell of blood. If it were before, I would have jumped in without thinking.

 

It's my back now, but it seems I've changed a bit. I still haven't stopped protecting my face even after getting punched and battered. Because of that, my body is covered in cuts, and now I'm tumbling to the ground from his kick.

 

Thud! My body slammed against the hard cement floor with a loud bang that echoed across the silent rooftop. Luckily, I'd used my hands to shield my face from injury while rolling like that, but seeing my overall state made me irritated. Damn it, what kind of actor is this good at fighting? I tried to get up, still dazed, but unfortunately, I couldn't.

 

I tilted my head back, letting out a short cry. The other person, who had appeared out of nowhere, was now straddling me, one hand pressing down on my neck before his lips parted in a relaxed expression.

 

"That's impressive skill."

 

His compliment shattered my ego even more. Would it have been better if I had chosen to jump in seriously? While I pondered this with frustration, I felt something heavy on my lips. I was so startled that I glanced at the other person's indifferent face. He used his free hand to stroke my swollen lips. I turned my face away in displeasure...A smile flickered at the corner of his mouth before he pressed his finger hard against my swollen, bleeding lips.

 

"Ah!"

 

I unconsciously let out a sound while staring at him. What the heck? Are there really people like this?

 

"I'm starting to like that look on your face."

 

He looked down at me coldly, a stark contrast to the listless tone of his voice.

 

"Who is your talent scout?"

 

"..."

 

"What's your name?"

 

When I didn't reply, a gentle smile appeared on his face, but even that didn't make it look like a smile to me. He was smiling. He tightened his grip on my neck even more. I couldn't breathe and tried to pry his hands off, but he wouldn't budge at all. He held on tightly, as if punishing me for resisting. I thrashed around as if I were having a seizure because I couldn't breathe. That damn bastard, he looked at my condition as if he were enjoying it. His eyes were arrogant, as if to say...Let's find out who is stronger.

 

"So what is your purpose in approaching me?"

 

I couldn't help but answer this question in return.

 

"It's cigarettes, damn it... How was I supposed to know who you were?"

 

I spoke through an awkward throat, feeling his eyes narrow for a moment, but then quickly returned to their usual cheerful expression.

 

"You really don't know me, do you?"

 

"I don't watch TV."

 

His eyes curved like crescent moons before his hand moved towards my lips again, but the previous experience of having a wound pressed against it made me flinch. Unconsciously, his thumb had already rested on my lips, but this time it was just a temporary touch, slowly tracing along the edges of my mouth—another unsettling sight.

 

"Let go of my hand," I muttered angrily, but he ignored me and changed the subject.

 

"You're not the type of person who could become a star, because no aspiring star watches TV. But you'd risk your life to protect your face just to become a star?"

 

The fingers that were moving on his lips froze. The smiling face faded before he looked down at me with an emotionless expression.

 

"Is there another reason?"

 

The reason I couldn't breathe wasn't that he was pressing on my neck, but because I suddenly felt a shiver down my spine at the sight of his eyes looking down at me. It felt like he was staring at me more thoroughly, but I will never avoid a glare, and I will not tolerate mockery or taunting.

 

"It's not because of you, so mind your own business."

 

A smile slowly curved the corners of his mouth, followed by small dimples appearing beside them. I felt a strange familiarity with this sight. Like I'd seen it somewhere before...

 

Dood dood

A sudden, loud noise interrupted the conversation, making the atmosphere tense. Before I realised it was my phone, someone quickly snatched it away. He pulled the phone from my pants pocket and held it up high enough for me to reach before pressing the answer button, because I usually need to use my phone. During deliveries, the volume is always set to maximum. However, the sound that used to feel quiet while running through narrow streets carrying packages now roars like a rooftop loudspeaker in the middle of the night.

 

"Where are you? President Choi... no, the manager has arrived. It seems he's decided to work with you. Actually, he doesn't like that he's a manager. How much revenge did he show? But..."

 

Thump, creed.

I nudged him, distracted by the voice on the other end of the line, until my phone rolled onto the floor. Luckily, the call had probably been cut off by the impact. Since there was no signal, I quickly got up and picked it up, cursing inwardly. I didn't want to face this guy again. Even if he was rambling about 200 won, I just ignored him. I glared at him, wanting to charge forward without worrying about my face anymore, just in case he tried to block me again. But not only did he not block my way, he stepped aside to let me pass and even encouraged me.

 

"Try to pass the interview with flying colours, and you'll get a discount from me."

 

He lit a new cigarette, and the Chippo lighter clicked open, releasing a burst of red flame. The light lingered on his face for a moment. I felt the tone of his voice, though seemingly friendly and considerate, was jarring to my ears. He probably realised he was being watched, so he opened his mouth to speak while still holding a cigarette.

 

"Or perhaps I could offer some assistance instead of a discount. How can I help you?"

 

"It's revenge. I want to become a star because of that."

 

I told him that what I heard on the phone had nothing to do with me and turned away, but his next words left me speechless.

 

"I might be able to sponsor you."

 

I looked at him with a questioning expression. He's offering to sponsor me, a guy, without any hesitation? It's like he already knows my preferences. But he'd never know that I could sleep with men, too. I stared at him silently before refusing.

 

"I don't need you."

 

"You didn't say no, so that means it can be a man, right?"

 

"And about you saying you don't need 'me'... do you want someone else as a sponsor? Who is it?" I had no reason to reply, so I just walked out, but I could hear a weary voice following me.

 

"If you tell me, I'll cut the price of your cigarettes in half." Then, the words that followed held me back again, but this time the tone was cold and devoid of a smile.

 

"Or I'll have to work like an ox or a buffalo my whole life to pay it all back."

 

He said his secret was that he doesn't like to joke around, right? And that rough tone didn't sound like he was joking at all. So I was speechless. Who would have thought I'd be threatened for money I didn't need to return? I even got beaten up by this guy. But the shock outweighed the anger.

 

"Why do you want to know about that?"

 

"nothing"

 

"..."

 

"Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret."

 

He made the promise coldly, his face expressionless. Even though he was a lunatic trying to change his fortune with cigarettes, it seemed he was a man of his word. It might sound a little ridiculous, but I feel like I can actually believe this. Even so, it wasn't a reason for me to tell him. But if I didn't give him an answer, he probably wouldn't let me go and would keep harassing me. I was tired of it all, so I decided to be direct about who I was interested in.

 

"That's Director Yoon of this company."

 

I felt that in that split second, his gaze changed strangely, peculiarly. But then, remembering the drinks vendor who was probably waiting downstairs, I hurried out. It would be better if we never met again.

 

The drinks vendor started shouting as soon as he saw my face.

 

"Hey! Why do you look like that?!"

 

"...because of one lunatic."

 

The uncle still managed to hear what I murmured before his eyes widened even more.

 

"Are you crazy? In the middle of the night at this company?"

 

The young boy's eyes widened, and he looked just as shocked as the uncle. I felt like I was about to be bombarded with questions, so I quickly changed the subject because of the look in his eyes—the pressure of both of them.

 

"So you've decided to sign a contract with me?"

 

"Hmm, uh...we haven't signed a formal contract yet. Consider it a verbal agreement, because the company will make the final decision on the contract. So, you have to pass an interview first... No, actually, if you're really serious about doing it, listen to what I have to say first, then make your decision."

 

Then he started threatening me and scaring me.

 

"In this industry, if you're not tough and resilient, you have no chance of survival. If you want to succeed in the fastest way possible, as you intend, you have to be prepared to face exceptionally harsh challenges and a whole host of other things. Only the strongest survive in this field. Even small roles are fiercely fought over. Furthermore...They also do dirty things you wouldn't even imagine. Even if you struggle and try every possible way to get a role by sheer luck, script changes are common before filming even begins. If you're weak against failure or disappointment, it's better not to start at all."

 

"I understand."

 

"It's not just that. More than half are betrayed by people they once trusted. As for the truly dirty and sordid stuff... if you're looking for sponsors, you have to be prepared to not overthink it. Are you going to suck on the penis of a seventy-year-old man? Knowing this, are you really going to do it?"

 

"manager"

 

When I called out to him, his eyes, filled with worry, looked at me.

 

"I'm not that innocent or good a person."

 

"Because you don't know anything about this industry yet."

 

"Just help me as you normally would. I'll handle the rest of the cruelty or dirtiness myself."

 

He looked at me silently for a moment before asking softly.

 

"What exactly did Myungshin do to you?"

 

I hesitated for a moment. He must be genuinely worried about me, wondering if he should stand up and stop me. He's a good person, so he knows he shouldn't let me be treated like this. Overwhelmed by vengeance, but this was a rare opportunity for me, I pushed aside the sliver of guilt building up inside and spoke.

 

"It's similar to what happened to the manager."

 

I spoke in a tone as if it weren't a big deal.

 

"I'm just going to make him pay for what he did."

 

I stood up and pointed to the clock hanging on the wall.

 

"I want to go back and rest a bit because I have to go to work."

 

Both of them quickly rose from their seats when they heard what I said. They apologised for keeping me out so late and said that they didn't usually stay out this late, and that they wouldn't have stayed if they had known it would be like this. They must have ordered some late-night snacks. Speaking of late-night snacks, boiled pork belly is number one. No, actually, McDonald's takes the crown these days. Blah blah... 

 

I'm physically and mentally exhausted from their lengthy conversation that started with apologies. I heard the manager's phone ring. Once the silence was broken, I hurried out to wait for the elevator. Just the manager's voice on the other end sounded strange.

 

"Chief Park called in the middle of the night! There's something... Working at this time? Wow, no matter how much work there is, at this time... This is... a joke."

 

"Working from home all night, huh? No, even if it's from home, how much work can there be?... Ah, Director Yoon ordered it. Yes, yes. You didn't know there would be this much work, so you took a nap during the day, didn't you?... Crying? Hey, no! That's clearly crying! Haha...Ahem. No, I'm not laughing. Anyway, what's the matter?... Yes, that's right. Oh! Tomorrow? But...Yes, Director Yoon might be coming too? Ah, I understand."

 

He nodded, then looked at me with a puzzled expression before answering the person on the other end of the line.

 

"I'll take you tomorrow."

 

The elevator rang 'ding' just as he hung up the phone, but I couldn't get in because my manager was holding my arm tightly.

 

"Uh, what should I do? They have an interview tomorrow!" But what exactly is this interview...?

 

I felt like it was a long day. Even though I woke up at six in the morning and went to work as usual with nothing changing, a lot had happened today.

 

It was extraordinary, as if all the events of the past five years had converged on a single day. Now, more than two days had passed, and the street in front of the building was empty. The black cement pavement with white lines indicated that it was a road used by cars, and that road was hypnotising me, urging me to cross. Sometimes, while standing there waiting past 9, the darkness of the night created the illusion that everything was still, and the feeling of being frozen was as chilling as the night air.

 

"You must be very tired."

 

That voice snapped me back to reality. I was standing in front of the building with a young man, waiting for the manager to get the car. In response, I said, "No."

 

"Slowly..." I realised that I wasn't really tired, and I wasn't even sleepy.

 

"You mentioned you work as a delivery person, right?"

 

I nodded.

 

"Wow, but you don't look like a delivery person at all. You have such a tough, unassuming personality. My manager and I even wondered if you were a gangster who'd returned. So you've reformed, huh? Haha...Hmm, were you a gangster before?"

 

"No."

 

"I knew it wouldn't be..."

 

"But I've done similar work before."

 

".."

"Just kidding."

 

I was afraid the young man, who was stiff as a plaster statue, would run away, so I lied, and his face immediately brightened up.

 

"I'm really surprised, haha... You can joke around too? It feels like we've suddenly become close friends." 

 

Should I say I wasn't joking...? While I was thinking about it, he asked again.

 

"By the way, how old are you? You seem older than me."

 

"Twenty-five"

 

"I see. I'm twenty years old, a second-year student in the Film and Theatre Department. Oh... by the way, what's your name?" He rattled off the words, realising he hadn't even asked the most important thing, but a sudden, booming voice drowned out his speech.

 

Brrrnnn!

I felt like I could hear the engine of a huge truck, loud enough to shake the earth's core, nearby, and then a sports car drove out of the parking lot. We got to the building. That car definitely wasn't the manager's car we were waiting for, because besides being an expensive imported vehicle, it sped past us, and in the distance, as the sound of the car, which left a long, faint trail like white smoke, faded, I heard a soft murmur from beside me.

 

"That's Yoo-han 's car."

 

I watched the car disappear in the direction it had gone before turning back and finding the young man looking at me and shrugging.

 

"Hyung Yoo-han is secretly obsessed with cars. As you can see, he thinks collecting better cars than the celebrities he looks up to is something to brag about. That foreign-made car he just bought when he switched agencies here. The funny thing is, the price of that car is the same amount he cheated his manager out of! Ugh...the more I think about it, the angrier I get."

 

The young man stared at the empty road where the car had disappeared. I rolled my eyes and followed his gaze, then asked...

 

"Who is it?"

 

"Yes?"

 

"Who is the celebrity he looks up to as a role model?"

 

He tilted his head when he heard my question before mentioning a few actors' names. Most of them were names even I was familiar with; they were probably quite famous. The point was, and explanations supporting my idea followed immediately.

 

"Those top stars who monopolise the leading roles, and they're all under Dreamweaver. Yoo-han's technique is that he spots someone as a potential candidate."

 

It's about creating an image that's exactly like that person. What's interesting isn't just in terms of acting, but when they appear on regular TV shows, they wrap themselves up with the same facial expressions and voice they've trained to be exactly like that person. I absolutely couldn't do something that exhausting, having to act like that all the time.

 

"Okay."

 

He looked ahead for a moment before asking me, as if he had just suddenly thought of it.

 

"Oh, my name! I should tell you my name too. My name is Lee Han-soo."

 

"Uh, my name is...Lee Yoohan"

 

"Ah, Yoohan ...hmm, uh, so...the name is the same as brother, Song Yoo-han ?" He looked puzzled as he pointed to the road where the car had disappeared.

 

"You have the same name, huh? No, wait, because that Yoo-han guy uses a stage name... Oh, but didn't you say you knew each other before?" I was too lazy to explain. Luckily, an old car that seemed to be the manager's pulled up next to us just in time. The manager waved to us from inside a parked car, the sound of its old engine still audible.

 

"Okay, everyone, get in quickly."

 

"Manager!"

 

Han-Soo ran to the front of the open car door, looked at me, and asked with a bewildered expression.

 

"Do you already know his name?... He said his name is Lee Yoohan ."

 

"Ah, really? That's a... nice name."

 

The manager, with a stern expression that resembled Han-Soo's, stared at me for a moment before clearing his throat.

 

"Okay, we can just use a pseudonym in the industry later... Hmm, by the way, you're older than Han-Soo, right? Then Han-Soo should call you 'hyung' (older brother)," he tried to speak in a cheerful tone, as if intending to change the atmosphere, and Han-Soo quickly agreed.

 

"Sure, may I call you 'older brother'?"

 

"No."

 

"Yes?"

 

"No, please don't call me 'brother'."

 

I refused abruptly, then walked to my car and opened the back door. Although I could feel their eyes on me, I deliberately avoided eye contact. I got in the car immediately. Soon after, the car started moving silently, as if it had given up on talking to me. I fell asleep like that, and drowsiness overwhelmed me, as if wanting to bring an end to a long day.

 

"Anyway, this is a huge company, so a lot of people flock here to apply to become actors. The acting academy sends in student profiles every month. There are so many that we can't meet everyone individually. The managers sometimes go out for street casting, like me, but the judges don't have time to meet every applicant or person who comes to the casting call. So we divide it into two or three rounds per month and then interview them all at once. The interviews are limited to those who have been pre-selected based on their profile pictures. That's enough to pass the first stage. Of course, even if the documents are approved, many people get eliminated because the pre-interview process is quite meticulous. But, Yoohan  ...ahem, the fact that you got a solo interview that wasn't in the plan at all is amazing! I still don't know how it happened. Ah... actually, I told the higher-ups that people came to the casting call, but I didn't expect them to contact me separately like this. This is really strange. But maybe they trusted my judgment and scheduled an interview. But it's also possible it's a test for me..."

 

The manager, after a lengthy outpouring of concerns, concluded by pleading that I must train beforehand. Because of that, I had to meet with the manager again.

It was midnight after work, and I easily endured it. I only slept three hours tonight before going to work, but I didn't feel sleepy or tired until I finished delivering everything. This means I don't need to worry about the interview tomorrow. The only thing is, the conversation with the office manager is still fresh in my mind. The brain, surprisingly.

 

"He said he's going to resign."

 

When I replied "Yes," he immediately expressed his concerns.

 

"Agh! You usually handle the work for two people anyway. So that means I have to find two more people, doesn't it? No, what's worse is just thinking about having to bring a new kid to train me..."

 

He's more worried about the people who will come in the future than about keeping me. Normally, you're supposed to be told not to quit prematurely, aren't you? While I was thinking this to myself, he stopped messing around with his hair and let out a deep sigh.

 

"Anyway, you have to stay until the new person comes in, okay, Him?"

 

I nodded and asked without thinking.

 

"Why didn't you try to keep me?"

 

Then he paused and gave an answer I never expected.

 

"You're like someone who could leave anytime."

 

"..."

"Yoohan, it's true you've never mentioned it before, but how should I put it? You've worked incredibly hard. In the three years you've been here, you haven't taken a single day off."

 

"Once, even on his day off, he'd decline the job, yet he'd still deliver twice as much as everyone else from the start. While he sometimes seems like he's desperate for money, he's a little different."

 

"How is it different?"

 

When I asked him, he scratched his head and mumbled, "Well, what should I say...?"

 

"Because you're like someone whose only goal is to just work day by day, and then at some point, you suddenly quit as if nothing happened."

"You look a little worried. If you don't resign, I might fire you myself."

He laughed as if he were joking before asking further questions.

 

"Ah, do you have something else to do?"

 

"yes"

 

"If there's something you want to do, that's great. You'll do it well."

 

He laughed and complimented me before scratching his back and telling me to hurry up, get to work, and see the manager after midnight. That's when I understood the reason behind his words. The boss remained unsure. The words he used were so awkward that I felt uneasy. What I wanted to do?... I didn't have time for anything like that, and I couldn't have it anyway.

 

The manager greeted me with a smile, saying, "We'll see each other all night," and then took me to the basement of the building, to rooms that looked like dance rehearsal rooms. Stretching down the hallway, he led me to one of the rooms. Like the others, it seemed like people were rehearsing in the building as well, since the lights were on and soft music was coming from inside. Once inside the rehearsal room, which had one wall entirely made of glass, the manager pulled me to stand in front of the mirror.

 

"There's an interview tomorrow. It's too much to expect to perform after only a few hours of practice. But at least you should try not to sound nervous." I wanted more explanation about the interview, so I stared at him intently. He noticed and added more information.

 

"I've seen it happen many times. First, they'll throw a bunch of questions at the candidates. If they answer incorrectly or if anyone points out even the slightest flaw, they'll be asked to leave. You can leave immediately if you pass the Q&A round smoothly. Next, they'll look at the special talents the applicants have prepared. Some people prepare for an interview for months to showcase their special skills, but they might still fail because of a few questions. Well... as the interviewers said, you can get a rough idea from just a few words, so there's not much more to say."

 

He stopped speaking and lowered his voice, his eyes expressionless.

 

"Many people want to be actors. Everyone prepares for a long time and works hard. So you can't dismiss the idea that becoming an actor is easy."

 

Go ahead. No matter how lucky and talented you are, you should never become too complacent, because talent without effort will eventually dwindle.

 

"I know. I'll finish it before my luck or my abilities dwindle."

 

"Is that it?... Do you mean you'll resign after you've gotten your revenge?"

 

"yes"

 

"Manager, let me be clear again, I intend to get revenge. That's my goal. So if you're not okay with this now, just turn around and walk away. I thought he understood what I was trying to say, and I saw him looking at his hands with a mixture of fear and anger."

 

"I have needs too. As you said, I need money for my kids' tutoring. Actually, I got fired from my manager's job today." 

 

Even though I already knew this, I didn't say anything. He probably thought I'd be awkward about the topic, so he told me not to worry and smiled at me. He gently stroked my arm.

 

"That's why I can fully take care of you personally. Okay, let's give it a try. Who knows, if we keep working hard, our goal might have turned into an act."

 

He grinned widely before suddenly asking me with a very serious expression. "Would you like to do something other than being an actor?"

 

"I don't have a specific goal in mind, but my aim is to become an actor."

 

"Really? Because Yoohan...Myungshin is an actor?"

 

I nodded and asked about the new drama Myungshin seemed interested in. As soon as the topic came up, the manager answered immediately.

 

"It's a huge project because the original book is already a massive bestseller, and the movie that came out last year was a huge hit. If the TV series is released, it's like having a guarantee of popularity. But what's so special about the drama?"

 

"It seems like Myungshin is eyeing the lead actor role."

 

His expression darkened slightly when he heard what I said.

 

"He doesn't have the potential to take on that role yet. Myungshin mostly gets roles in minor, less popular dramas, and his image doesn't really suit those roles. To be fair..."

 

"I've been there before, and I think I heard him say he wanted a change of scenery. Is that why?"

 

He tilted his head before asking me.

 

"By the way, how did you find out about this?"

 

I changed the topic instead of answering the question.

 

"I heard they're considering Director Yoon as a sponsor because of this drama. What does that have to do with anything?"

 

"P-P-P-Director Yoon?!"

 

He widened his eyes in astonishment like a cartoon hero, but he must have been genuinely shocked to stare at me, holding his breath for a moment, before asking again.

 

"Myungshin is eyeing Director Yoon of our company, huh?"

 

I nodded in response and said, "Yes."

 

"Damn it. Even if they say you can rise to this level of acting quickly with sponsorship, they still have to choose the right people. Director Yoon, huh...?" He shook his head, speaking with a worried expression.

 

"Director Yoon is the kind of person who can bring down anyone, no matter how top-tier they are. He's completely fearless." Even though he was fired from his job as a manager because of Myungshin, he's still worried that Myungshin might make the wrong decision. 

 

I looked at him silently, wondering if there was still some friendship left. What else is there to worry about? He then lifted his lowered gaze, which had been resting on his shoulders, as he sighed.

 

"There are probably several reasons why they wanted Director Yoon to be a sponsor. One of them is likely because Director Yoon is a director of Cream Entertainment. And then he gets all the support from the chairman, practically like someone with absolute power. If it's just in Director Yoon's hands, don't you think he'd get overwhelming support from the company? This is one of the few companies that can pressure TV stations, and there are even rumours that they're involved in scheduling drama airtime. That's why aspiring newcomers target Director Yoon first. But that young man..."

 

The manager shook his head.

 

"He's not an easy person to deal with at all. I heard his abilities are impressive. When he managed his own film investment company in America, he made a huge profit. It seems his aptitude for the entertainment business is exceptional. After moving here, there was a major reshuffling of the cast. The first few months were incredibly tough. Actors who weren't used to the pressure of sponsors were in big trouble because if the company didn't push them, they were out of the picture. But then again...that's why Myungshin is eyeing him. Maybe he wants to gain support from the agency because of the licensing issues."

 

"Is it about copyright?"

 

"Our company owns the copyright to that drama. Dream Entertainment got the lead roles, including all the important parts. It's already been decided. Right now it's still in the planning stages, and filming might start this year at the earliest. But about that question you ask. If you're aiming for the same role as Myungshin to get revenge, I'll just smile and listen. But if you're going to use Director Yoon as a sponsor, then I strongly object."

 

"I don't plan on having sponsors, even though it might be necessary."

 

He frowned, his face showing a look of confusion, but he didn't say anything further. I don't have a concrete plan for what to do.

 

"So what do I have to do now?"

 

When the topic changed, he had me look in the mirror with an expression as if he had just had an idea, before telling me to look at my reflection carefully.

 

"We're going to practice a little for the interview. While I'm asking questions, you should answer and pay close attention to how your facial expression changes in the mirror."

 

“Shouldn't you be aware of what kind of expression you're making?"

 

I stared at myself in the mirror as he instructed. The image of myself I hadn't seen clearly in years showed a slightly thin, expressionless face, my lips swollen and scabbed, as if I were peering at someone unfamiliar.

 

"If you have a little more time, it would be good to practice your special skills for the interview. But since we're having the interview today anyway, let's set a goal."

 

"Just don't panic at the question and try reciting a few simple passages first."

 

"Does that chapter refer to the performance?" Looking at him with a questioning expression, he shrugged.

 

"Of course, you're probably worried because you've never performed before, but it's okay. If you can't remember your lines, just act like your usual self. Anyway...It's better to be prepared, isn't it? Even saying simple sentences right now feels too much..."

 

"I used to rehearse lines."

 

"Where?"

 

I corrected what I said, which surprised him, and he was unsure what I had said.

 

"I've read a script."

 

I never thought that the time I spent with Myungshin in the past would be useful. Why never thought that? Because he was the one who wanted to be an actor, and I was just helping him read his lines with a bored expression. At first, we were just reciting them as if we were memorising a poem, but once he became livelier and spoke more eloquently, much like during acting rehearsals, he started showing displeasure with my responses.

 

"Hey, read it more realistically. When I'm acting, you have to listen and get into the role like the person in it."

 

"What? Embarrassed? Haha, it's really funny to hear you, who's known for having no shame, say that. You have things you can't do, do you?" I was annoyed by his teasing words, so I deliberately read the script in a more comical way. And the more exaggeratedly I read, the more excited Myungshin got and the more he continued with his part. It all came out on its own. What started as boring and annoying things with him eventually became a daily evening routine. We'd giggle while drinking together, and in the end, it became like a fairytale. It happened a long time ago, and now it's just a hazy memory, but it helps to read a few lines from a play that I arranged for him, at least I didn't feel nervous. 

 

After that, I left him, who still looked flustered, and went to an internet cafe without going home. When I got there, I opened the information I got from the manager and put on my headphones. He said he had recordings of all the performances of the actors he managed, so I asked him to show me some. That's how I saw one person's performance in the video.

 

On the screen, a man whispered sweet words with a gentle smile. I chose a scene that was about a minute long and watched it repeatedly without stopping until dawn. I watched it so many times that when I left the internet cafe, I felt like I was Myungshin from the drama.

 

Today I woke up at my usual time, even though I didn't have to go to work. I came home late to Cream Entertainment, a place that has delivered packages a few times, but I'm already familiar with it. The person waiting for me wasn't just my manager. Looking at Han-soo standing beside him, he extended his hand towards me, his face as serious as my manager's.

 

"Have a drink. I thought you might want one, so I stopped going to school to buy it for you."

 

I looked at the item he was deliberately handing me, my voice serious. I couldn't understand why he was giving me anxiety medication, and the manager had gone even further than that. 

 

"I don't know what religion you practice, so I just picked everything for now."

 

Meanwhile, he handed me a cross necklace, a Catholic rosary, and a Buddhist beaded bracelet. I looked at the gifts they both offered, alternating between them.

Before he opens his mouth to speak.

 

"I don't need props."

 

I should have told them in advance. Seeing Han-Soo skip school like this makes me feel a little guilty. I grabbed some necessary props and put them in my back pocket just in case, but both of them froze at what I said.

 

"knife?"

 

After a while, the manager made a strange noise before Han-Soo added something.

 

"Or are you a psychopath?!"

 

What does that mean? I asked silently, not understanding the question, before the manager, having regained his composure, scolded Han-Soo.

 

"What kind of thing would you say? Haha, this kid's probably joking because you don't seem stressed at all." ...That was an insult, wasn't it? I glared at Han-Soo, and when our eyes met, he jumped in surprise, his shoulders shaking.

 

"I...I'm sorry."

 

While I squinted, wondering if it was an American swear word, the manager exclaimed "Ah!" and pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket.

 

"I've been thinking of a stage name."

 

The paper he unfolded had over a hundred names written on it. He showed me the lists with expectant eyes, then pointed to each name in turn, starting at the beginning. With a gesture as if he were about to read it all.

 

"Feel free to name whatever you like. First up, Lee Taemin..."

 

"Yes, that's it."

 

"Hmm?"

 

"I will use the name 'Lee Taemin'."

 

At that moment, an indescribable feeling of despair spread across the manager's stunned face. To be frank, a stage name didn't really matter much anymore. I mentioned the month to bring him back to his senses.

 

"You have to go now, don't you?"

 

Fortunately, those words had an effect. He quickly changed his expression before placing one hand on his chest and taking a sip of his anxiety medication.

 

"Okay, let's go!"

 

I followed the manager inside as the door creaked softly before closing, leaving Han-Soo standing there offering me support and clutching a set of three lucky charms. The manager's desk was outside, and I saw two men whom the manager greeted first. The two men sitting behind the long table were in their mid-forties and early thirties. A man in his mid-to-late thirties was wearing casual clothes, while a man in his early thirties was wearing a suit. The man in his forties smiled and greeted the manager as if he knew him well, but the other man...A muscular thirty-year-old with a sharp jawline casually shook the hand the manager offered, his face trying to appear stern. "This room is bigger than I thought," he said, "but there seems to be another room behind it, as there's a door with a large mirror."

 

It looks just like the windows in those police interrogation rooms I've seen on TV so often. Surely no one's actually behind them, I thought, as I glanced around. Around the room, the manager, presumably, finished greeting everyone and stepped back. Then, a man in his forties pointed to a spot and instructed me to stand there. As I stepped forward, the man in his forties turned on a camera mounted on the table.

 

"Look at the camera and start by introducing yourself."

 

"Lee Taemin is twenty-five years old."

 

"Is that all?"

 

He took his eyes off the camera and asked a question. When I nodded, he responded with a "Hmm" and turned to the person next to him, a man in his thirties who looked unusually tired and was staring intently at me. Before glancing at the window behind him, he asked in a firm voice.

 

"Mr Lee Taemin, what happened to your face?"

 

Before I could understand that he was pointing to a cracked lip, a sharp voice followed.

 

"You are a product to us, but if the product we're going to buy is defective, who's going to buy it?" The manager, startled by the statement, stepped forward.

 

"Ah, Chief Park... uh, that wound..."

 

"Chief Park? Ah...the one who cried because of the boss. While recalling this, I heard him giving orders in a commanding tone."

 

"Manager Choi, please step back. Mr Lee Taemin, do you have anything to say? If it were you, would you buy fruit that's been eaten by worms?"

 

"No."

 

He glanced back at my reply and waved.

 

"Understood. Please leave."

 

"...."

 

"Can't you understand what I'm saying? The interview is over, you can leave now."

 

Instead of moving, I turned to look at the manager, whose face was pale and who was about to step forward again, so I used my hand to block him. I didn't expect to have to use the props I had prepared. It's actually happening. I took a step forward as I recalled something my manager once said.

 

"If you can't remember your lines, just act like your usual self."

 

"no"

 

"What did you say?"

 

I glanced at Chief Park, who looked up in surprise at my words, and awkwardly took out the item I had prepared from my back pocket.

 

"Are you deaf? I said no!"

 

Whoosh! Swoosh!

A short gust of wind sounded near my fingertips. It wasn't loud, but the sudden silence drew everyone's attention to me.

 

Peep

The folded silver blade sprang out in just a few seconds, but I knew exactly what I saw: the image of the knife snapping out with a sharp metallic clang for a fleeting moment. How cool does that look? This is a balisong, also known as a butterfly knife. There's nothing better than brandishing it to intimidate someone, and it's always been that way. Before, the top students in their school uniforms would tremble at the sight of me wielding this knife and quickly hand over their wallets. Even though the interviewer is now in a suit, the way he looks at this knife is no different from how high school students I used to face did.

 

"Oh no, you brought the dark here...?"

 

He leaned back, speaking in a tense voice. As I approached, his voice trailed off, and his eyes widened.

 

"Uh...this is Mr Lee Taemin..."

 

"That's so frustrating, isn't it?"

 

Whoosh, snap!

I waited to make sure that Chief Park's eyes froze briefly at the metallic sound before speaking.

 

"Actually, I didn't really want to do this, but that person kept pestering me to come for the interview, so I came because I was annoyed. And since they've gone to the trouble of taking the time for this, I just want to ask..."

 

"Just the name alone is enough to get them fired?"

 

"No, it's…..it..."

The moment the knife tip plunged into the table, it shook with a loud clang, and at the same time, a short, mournful wail escaped the leader's mouth.

 

"rope!"

 

"How can I not get annoyed?"

 

I murmured as I leaned my face closer. When he cornered him to a distance of just a few centimetres, the stunned man pushed his chair back. He spoke up nervously.

 

"So...are you threatening me? Even so, you're just going to let me pass the interview without any consequences...?"

 

"Go ahead and interview me. I told you I'm annoyed."

 

I grabbed the other person's collar, preventing them from backing away. They coughed and gasped as if unable to breathe, but I deliberately held on tight, as if strangling them. He's even worse than before.

 

"And then they threatened him, saying things like that."

 

I heard my manager call me and rush in from behind. I could feel the camera next to me moving, but I remained focused on my boss. She fanned him and whispered something so only he could hear.

 

"Is your wife beautiful?"

 

I raised my other hand and slowly traced the tip of my fingernail across his cheek, then murmured emotionlessly as I gazed at his eyes, which could never widen any further.

 

"Then tell your wife not to open the door."

 

"?"

 

"When a package is delivered to your house."

 

The chief's body stiffened instantly when he heard a low chuckle after my words.

 

"W-what do you mean...?"

 

The moment he mumbled something through his burst of breath, I pulled away from him and lifted my lips slightly.

 

"Didn't you know I'm the delivery person?"

 

"!"

 

Someone grabbed my arm abruptly, and a table was slammed shut with a loud crash.

 

"Ta-Taemin-ah!!!! What are you doing?!"

 

The manager, rushing in in a panic, separated me from Chief Park. Because of that, as soon as he let go, Chief Park slumped limply back in his chair. He lowered his gaze, staring blankly at the table. Then, as if suddenly snapping back to reality, he noticed the knife stuck in the table and looked up at me with a startled expression.

 

"Hey...sir, I don't know what you intend to do, but if you've come here and intend to take my wife..."

 

"Excuse me."

 

I lowered my head and deliberately kept my eyes downcast. Suddenly, the surroundings fell silent at the blurted-out word. Both Chief Park and the manager were deliberately trying to catch me. Both of them, holding me back, turned to look at me in disbelief. I tried to avoid eye contact and deliberately spoke slowly, as if my heart was breaking. The words of Shin, which I had watched over and over and murmured to myself all night, came out of my mouth as I replayed the scene of pleading for forgiveness in my head.

 

"I'm sorry... really. Sometimes I'm not aware of myself. Ah... that's why sometimes I get so angry that I yell and don't seem like myself. After I regain my composure after yelling loudly, the people I know standing in front of me look at me with frightened eyes. I... I want to say that I didn't mean to. Everyone misunderstands that the angry, shouting persona is my true self... but... that's not really me. When I got angry at you, I was just not myself for a moment... so it wasn't me at all."

 

My soft voice echoed throughout the room. Of course, my refusal to look up wasn't an act; I was afraid that if our eyes met, we'd be caught red-handed. The lines were only spoken aloud. Luckily, they were startled by the sudden change in atmosphere and only then realised I was putting on a show. If they had looked at me with a look that said, "Let's see what your skills are like from the start," my clumsy performance would have ended in a hilarious way.

 

"I didn't mean to scare you, so... please don't look at me like that." After finishing the last line, he slowly looked up, seeing the forty-year-old man still staring blankly and the stiff, tense-faced Chief Park. That's when I realised I could hear the manager sitting next to me muttering.

 

"The Wednesday and Thursday dramas that aired last week… Song Yoo-han’s lines."

 

I turned and met the manager's gaze, who was silently watching me. He gave me a strange, complex look, grabbed my arm, pulled me back a step, and turned towards Chief Park.

 

"Didn't you know?"

 

Chief Park nodded, muttering softly, "Ah, about that..." His body still seemed tense, but after understanding the situation, he cleared his throat.

 

"Ahem, um... so... uh... it was all part of a performance, wasn't it?"

 

I took a step forward instead of answering the question, and the broad shoulders of Chief Park heaved, but I ignored it and remained silent, the knife still stuck in the table.

 

"I apologise if I startled you."

 

When I spoke politely, Chief Park averted his gaze and let out an awkward laugh.

 

"Haha, well, I wasn't that surprised," he said, tears welling up in his eyes But you should have told us in advance before performing..."

 

He spoke in a high-pitched voice, as if he had just mastered the art of singing, and a slight irritation arose. Then, suddenly, the phone rang. The phone's owner was Chief Park. When he picked it up and looked at the name on the screen, he was momentarily startled, then glanced behind him and cautiously answered the call.

 

"...Yes...Yes...Yes?"

 

He spoke respectfully, as if the other person held a higher position, and during the phone call, his voice tinged with nervousness, he turned to look at me.

 

"Well, I thought the same thing, but..."

 

He stared at me intently, making me wonder if he was talking about me, before nodding slightly.

 

"So, we'll do that and then wait and see, right?"

 

After hanging up the phone, he stared at the table thoughtfully for a moment before calling for the manager.

 

"Manager Choi"

 

The manager stepped forward with a nervous expression.

 

"yes"

 

"Let's try it for a month."

 

I don't know what that "one month" meant, but I saw shock spread across the manager's face. At least it didn't seem like bad news. Then the words… Chief Park's subsequent explanation exceeded my expectations.

 

"Manager Swe will explain the details to you later, but we'll sign a one-month contract. Well... although we made our decision based on the demeanour we saw in you that day. That's impressive, but if there's no improvement after a month, we definitely won't be renewing the contract."

 

I should have said something in response, but I was still a little confused whether what I did had actually worked. Chief Park, however, looked at the camera monitor. He stood beside me and continued speaking quickly, ignoring my suspicions.

 

"Your face looks older on screen than in real life. Hmm, if you did some editing and enhancements, you'd look pretty good," he muttered before looking up at my manager, who were still standing there.

 

"You can leave now, so..."

 

He looked at the knife in my hand with a still slightly apprehensive gaze, then cleared his throat.

 

"Please put that away for now."

 

I was struck by that statement, so I tucked the knife, which I'd never held since my teenage years, into my back pocket. Before, when I had nothing, I used to carry my clothes. Just a few outfits went into that tiny rented room, and then I found that knife in one of the clothes. I wielded the fancy-looking knife with the innocent feeling of a child and used it to extort money from kids my age. When I started working at a loan company. I switched to a heavier knife, so I didn't even know where this one was. However, it turned out to be in the inside pocket of the winter coat I'd brought with me. I didn't throw it away when I found it because I was lazy and busy. I never thought I'd need it again, so I just tossed it into my shoulder bag. But then I remembered before the interview. It was the only piece of evidence left of my past, and I never imagined I'd actually need it.

 

"If the apology was just a performance, then where did you copy the knife stunt from earlier?" Chief Park asked, sounding puzzled. "Did you really practice wielding the dark weapon?"

 

I was about to say no, but the manager next to him grabbed my arm and stepped forward.

 

"That's right! You've been practising hard, haven't you, Taemin-ah?"

 

"..."

 

"Haha... That's what he said."

 

The manager responded as if he had misheard, even though I hadn't said anything. A smile, as if to say, 'That's right,' spread across the manager's face.

 

"Isn't that right? And he's incredibly skilled at wielding knives, too. Oh, if it were all acting, then that statement must be a lie, right?" When my manager and I looked at him with questioning eyes, Chief Park brought up something he'd just said.

 

"That story about him being a delivery man, that's not true, is it?"

 

"That's true."

 

"I work as a delivery driver."

 

Suddenly, Chief Park's face turned as pale as plaster. I felt he still didn't believe it, so I was about to explain it again, but the manager grabbed my arm and pulled me away. I stepped out the door. Before it closed, I saw Chief Park frantically pressing buttons on his phone with trembling hands, followed by a shaky voice.

 

"Yayi! Don't accept the package!"

 

The one-month contract waiting for me to sign lay before me, but I felt no excitement whatsoever. The annoyance of deciphering the illegible text outweighed the excitement. Moreover, the content was entirely about things I shouldn't have done. While I might have done well considering I'd swept through the interview without any preparation for becoming an actor, the lack of excitement stemmed from my knowledge of the industry, even though my manager and An-soo seemed thrilled.

 

"Wow, it's tough for even highly skilled students from acting academies to pass the interview, but you actually got a contract? That's amazing!"

 

"Haha, I was shocked too. Y-y-yes, I'm still feeling nervous. When Chief Park first told us to leave, I thought it was over, but I never expected it."

 

"Taemin... I didn't think you'd prepare something like that?!"

 

"Oh dear, I should have been included! How's the manager doing?"

 

"Ah, ah, that was a big hit on the first round. Suddenly, Taemin pulled out a knife..."

 

Seeing the manager suddenly stand up and about to repeat the demonstration and ramble on for a long time, I got up from my seat. The manager, who was about to explain, stopped talking before turning and looking at me.

 

"Where are you going?"

 

I replied, "The restroom," and was about to turn and walk away when he suddenly complimented me.

 

"You did very well today."

 

I was about to turn around and reply that it was nothing, but I quickly shut my mouth. Even though it was a compliment, there was a hidden complexity in his eyes. It was a gaze… It was the same way when they found out I was performing in front of Chief Park.

 

"When you held the knife and talked at the same time, you did a really good job. I was impressed." I guess the problem is with the apology afterwards, but then other compliments came out of his mouth as well.

 

"You did well."

 

"..."

 

"That level of skill in imitation is considered excellent."

 

"Imitating, huh?" I stared at the manager silently. He continued in a slightly calm tone.

 

"Because it was my first time, that's why I did it that way. But performing isn't about exactly imitating others."

 

"..."

 

"If you were thinking of doing that, even I couldn't take care of you."

 

"…"

 

I was thinking of speaking to him indirectly as well.

 

"I don't intend to follow Myungshin's example. I'll study hard."

 

I looked into his stubborn eyes before speaking after a moment. Yeah, beating around the bush doesn't work with this guy, does it? Well, I don't either. When I replied like that, a smile returned to the manager's eyes. 

 

"That's it, that's the way to say it! Wah! Wah! Wah! Let's celebrate! How about we have a celebratory meal?" The two of them quickly changed the subject to celebration and began searching for every kind of restaurant they could think of, as if they were going to devour all the food in the world.

 

After spending another ten minutes just searching for a good restaurant, I quietly left my room and went into an empty room next door. On the third floor, there was a long row of small rooms that looked like meeting rooms, which might be used by the actors and their managers for meetings at any time. I leaned against the open door, staring blankly at the empty room without thinking about anything in particular, just waiting for those two to finish searching for a good restaurant and come back. If the manager or Han-Soo came out of the next room, I would know immediately through the half-open door. But instead of the two people I'm waiting for, I hear the voices of other people.

 

"What's going on? Why are you two here?"

 

Myungshin's voice sounded surprised, then Han-Soo's voice came from outside the room.

 

"We're staying here because we should. What does that have to do with you?" I peered out the door and saw Myungshin standing with his back to me, speaking coldly to Han-Soo, who was across from him.

 

"You haven't been fired yet? That guy who can't even stand in front of a camera because of his camera-fear, you've been clinging on for far too long!" The manager, who stepped in to stop Han-Soo, frowned angrily at the remark.

 

"Yoo-han, why did you have to say something like that? Han-Soo..."

"You're the same! Now that I'm gone, there are no more stars to manage. I don't know why you're still clinging to this company. It's awful!" Myungshin said angrily, and Han-Soo's face turned red.

 

"We're the ones who helped! Why are you like this?! Oh...darn it! And do you think that without you, the manager wouldn't have any stars to take care of? Today, the manager met someone new, and even passed the interview and signed the contract all at once!

 

"Are you talking about me?" I listened calmly, but I couldn't bear to listen to Han-Soo's next words calmly.

 

"He acted so well! I even heard that Chief Park, who was interviewing him, cried! He's a god of acting! A total acting god!" 

 

So they're talking about me, huh?

 

"If the company pushed me hard now, I'd probably become a top-tier actor, even better than him. Let's stop worrying about us, okay?"

 

Han-Soo tilted his chin up after speaking, then quickly grabbed the startled manager and pulled him into the room. All that remained was the sound of a door slamming shut. "Bang!" No, that was all that was left. There was one more thing: Myungshin standing there, staring intently at the door. I could only see half of his face, so I couldn't clearly see his expression, but I knew he was irritated. Seeing that, I couldn't help but smile. Nothing had changed. Myungshin used to be like this. If others could ignore something, he'd worry about it alone, creating problems for himself. Even though his appearance had changed, becoming more masculine and a famous actor driving a cool sports car, the old Myungshin was still there. Like now, encountering the president and fellow actors from the agency he'd caused to fall. He could have ignored them, but he chose not to.

 

After staring at the door for a while longer, he hurried off somewhere with his phone in hand. I left the room and followed silently, watching him get into the elevator.

There was space before the elevator stopped at the top floor. Once I was sure, I took the elevator to the top floor and walked towards the rooftop without hesitation. From what I'd heard, there were also the board of directors' offices on the top floor, but you needed a pass to get in. I didn't think Myungshin would go into the boardroom. If that's the case, then the only option left is the rooftop. 

 

I walked up the stairs I'd been up once before that night. Peeking through the open doorway, he followed the path where he could hear Myungshin's voice quietly, then hid behind a tree to listen intently to what Myungshin was saying. He was furious and yelling at the person he was talking to.

"...Ah, it's so frustrating! How am I supposed to know if these people deliberately came to where I am, and then secretly curse me behind my back, wondering how well I'll do? Those bastards are clinging on like leeches...it's so frustrating...I know, but go investigate. I heard they passed the interview today...Yeah, that's it. Just snatch the job offer, and I'll handle the rest. What? Haha, how? We'll crush them while they're still small saplings. Let them know that working with President Choi is like. 

 

I already knew that the person the other party was talking about with such ill intent was me, but instead of feeling worried, I was actually amused that he was interested in me before I even existed. What kind of reaction did he make? Of course, he didn't know who I was, but because of that, things weren't so simple and fun. 

 

"Who's that?!"

 

A sharp voice echoed across the rooftop. I unconsciously crouched down, leaning my upper body almost to the ground beside him, pushing the stick and listening intently. I didn't want to reveal myself to him, and I also wanted to hold back on revealing my identity for now. I still have a lot to prepare, as I'm just a newcomer to the industry. No matter how strong the urge for revenge is, the truth is I'm just a pathetic, penniless delivery guy. If I show up In front of Myungshin, who was driving a luxury car worth hundreds of millions of won, he was just a nobody. So he crouched down comically and remained completely silent to avoid being caught.

 

Building, building

I heard footsteps approaching, so I quickly checked for somewhere else to hide, but there was nowhere behind me, and the exit door was gone.

 

"Ask who?"

 

The sound, growing louder, was drawing closer.

 

"You were hiding over there, weren't you?" What should I do if I have to face this?

"Who's hiding?"

 

His body, already tense and stiff, became even more rigid when he suddenly heard another voice. Was there someone else there? Looking up to see the source of the sound, he saw that Youngshin was not far from the trees where I was hiding, and that a tall man was walking from the opposite side towards Youngshin. I couldn't see his face, but I could clearly see Myungshin's face as he looked at him. At least, he seemed even more surprised than I; it was practically obvious. Myungshin took a deep breath, but even more surprising than his startled expression were the words that came out of Myungshin's mouth.

 

"Gasp! I...I'm sorry."

 

Myungshin immediately apologised upon seeing the other person, then walked towards the person slowly approaching, their face showing distress as if they had made a huge mistake.

 

"I just heard the sound and thought someone was eavesdropping on my phone call. I'm sorry, I didn't realise the other person was..."

 

"Where am I?"

 

Myungshin's polite tone, subtly altering his words, was a gentle voice I was so familiar with that I even forgot I was hiding. Then I peeked out again.

 

"This isn't your private space."

 

"No, it's not that..."

 

"Besides, the topic of conversation wasn't interesting enough to eavesdrop on anyway." In short, he's implying he was eavesdropping, isn't he? He said shamelessly, before adding… "Isn't it just ridiculous that you're going to step on a new kid?"

 

He spoke in a sweet, admiring tone, a stark contrast to the subtle tone. Myungshin, the listener, froze. I smiled slightly before looking at the person who had caused this. Myungshin was speechless, seeing it with his own eyes. The person who looked gentler when he smiled during the day was the crazy guy he'd met two nights ago. He smiled through his eyes as he pulled out a cigarette.

 

"I want to smoke alone."

 

Myungshin, who had been standing still after those words, opened his mouth as if he had just regained his senses.

 

"Uh, you must have misunderstood what I was just talking about. I was just playing a prank on an acquaintance," a smile appeared on Myungshin's face, as if he had never been so tense before.

 

"Don't tell me you really didn't hear me just now."

 

"cigarette"

 

"Huh? Ah, so you want to smoke alone, huh?"

 

Myungshin took a step back, his expression showing helplessness, and a smirk played on his lips.

 

"Next time, let me smoke with you."

 

When Myungshin spoke, blinking his eyes playfully, the other person responded with a smile that curved into a circle.

 

"No. You're incredibly clueless. Aren't you going to leave yet?"

 

Is he one of those people who can't stand to see other people smile? He snatched the last glimmer of a smile from Myungshin's face and pointed the cigarette in his hand towards the door. Myungshin looked as if he had lost something, but still left a final farewell before disappearing out the door. The sound of Myungshin's footsteps descending the stairs faded away, yet I couldn't immediately lift my body, which had slumped to the floor, to my feet. Even though Myungshin was gone, there were still people I wanted to avoid getting caught even more, people even I, a ruthless person, didn't want to associate with a second time. But that wish was not fulfilled.

 

"Hey, you two-hundred-won guy, what are you doing? Why aren't you coming out?"

 

"Damn it," I cursed involuntarily before slowly getting up. As soon as I stepped out of hiding, I saw him standing there with a cigarette in his mouth. Looking closer in the light, the smile on his face seemed even more unsettling. He really could use that expression to annoy people, couldn't he? But what was surprising was Myungshin's attitude towards him. Did Myungshin's submissiveness mean that he was the one with more power? Seeing him a second time, he seemed familiar.

 

"Song Yoo-han , huh? The one you're going to get revenge on?"

 

Although it might sound unfortunate, what I found familiar even on my second encounter wasn't just his face, but also his straightforward way of speaking. It feels more familiar now.

 

"I asked if it was Song Yoo-han, you two-hundred-won guy!"

 

The nickname "Two Hundred Won" irritated me more than the fact that he knew Myungshin was my sworn enemy. And to top it all off, there was that sweet, gentle smile on his lips. A swear word starting with the letter 'H' was about to come out automatically, but it was too commonplace and not satisfying enough. I wanted something stronger. Suddenly, I remembered the American swear word Hanshu had used earlier.

 

"You don't need to know, you psychopath."

 

"Psycho" is an insult, and "Path" following it must be an emphasis, no doubt. It's on the same level as "scum, dog-faced scum." Then there was a reaction from the other person; his eyes narrowed slightly, even if only for a split second. Although they returned to normal, he seemed shocked by my insult. But then I became even more irritated by the next words.

 

"I've heard that before." He said it outright, with such a straight face, that he'd actually heard some bad things. I frowned, thinking this guy was probably not someone you'd want to be friends with. He thought for a moment, then asked the same question again.

 

"Song Yoo-han?"

 

"So that's why you followed him all the way here, right?"

 

"How did you know that?"

 

"Well, I'm the one who helped you."

 

He brazenly lit a Pimpapha cigarette and tilted his head to the side.

 

"I heard you passed the interview? They're spreading rumours throughout the company that you held a knife to your boss, Park, until he cried." 

 

He, with his slightly curved eyebrows, glanced at my back pocket where the knife was tucked away. I don't know how he knew.

 

"I saw you acting like a hooligan again, just like you used to, startling others, and performing worse than a four-year-old. Even though you managed to turn the situation around, unless you're the cowardly Park, someone like you has no chance."

 

His soft voice attacked me like a dark shadow. A smile still adorned his face, but his gaze was as cold as ice. I looked at him, silently glancing back.

 

"That's right, I have no hope."

 

It was as if the smile had faded from his face for a moment, but soon his lips curved into a familiar smile.

 

"Your looks aren't outstanding, and you lack acting talent, yet you're still seeking revenge?"

 

"It's none of your business."

 

I spoke angrily, but the other person simply smiled, looking me in the eyes, ignoring my words. Moreover, their tone held a hint of amusement, as if they were having fun.

 

"If you were to reach Song Yoo-han's current position with just those skills, as long as you don't have big sponsors pushing you, you'll probably struggle in the industry. This hasn't been around for decades... Ah, but you said you were eyeing Director Yoon, right?"

 

He swept his gaze over me from bottom to top as he said those words.

 

"Someone like you?"

 

I felt strangely angry, perhaps because of his harsh way of speaking, which seemed to imply he was only speaking the truth.

 

"I know my own situation well enough."

 

As soon as I responded with a calm voice, he immediately retorted.

 

"Hmm, well, that's it."

 

He took a deep drag on the red-hot cigarette before exhaling a cloud of white smoke.

 

"You seem like someone who knows that not everything is possible. In my eyes, you're the type who doesn't get easily excited and is very realistic, but wouldn't it be fun to start off as a struggling actor on a quest for revenge?"

 

No, it wasn't fun at all. The reason I felt he was someone I shouldn't associate with wasn't because of his hurtful words, but perhaps my intuition told me otherwise.

The terrifying thing about this person was the chilling contrast between a smiling face and cold words—spoken without hesitation, exposing my innermost thoughts, and with that same smile on his lips.

 

"Actually, you..."

 

"Actually, what?" I asked, glaring at him, and he stared back at me.

 

"Isn't it true that you're using revenge as a stepping stone to your real, hidden goal?" I was speechless for a moment. His face revealed nothing, but looking into those smiling eyes that held a hint of ferocity, I knew he'd noticed.

 

"My turmoil," he murmured, his gaze harassing me.

 

"Ah, you're really interesting."