Chapter 94: Boom! (sound of a butt bursting)

Before long, everyone had focused on “The Sword.”

“The Sword” itself was diligently racing toward its climax.

Saaaaaaah!

The wind blowing through the forest was eerier than ever, and the master, Wi Ji-hye, and the disciple, Haryeong, with their swordplay set aside, were facing each other.

Especially, Haryeong looked completely bloodstained.

‘Hoo… hoo…

The disciple loathed the master who would not teach him.

At this moment, the audience too felt a measure of empathy.

After all, Wi Ji-hye appeared unusually cold only toward Haryeong.

Why on earth would he not impart his martial arts skills?

Eventually, Haryeong seized the secret manual under the cover of night.

Although he knew that it was a secret manual that only Wi Ji-hye could handle, he did not care.

He had no choice.

Since his master had broken his promise, he had no option but to learn on his own.

Even if it meant breaking the rules.

That secret manual was like a shadow.

Kill… seize it…………

A small yet intense shadow kept whispering to Haryeong.

And this was the result.

Seo Yeon-ju and Lee Sua gradually raised the sword performance they had set aside and focused on each other.

The two, skilled swordsmen.

At that moment, both sides simultaneously realized it.

That the next move would decide the outcome.

Haryeong poured out everything he had.

And then, in the next moment.

The hall was filled with silence.

No one dared to speak hastily, and among them was an influencer who was wiping his arm.

This was because the lingering impact of the climax of “The Sword” had not yet faded.

“Although I had expected it, I never thought it would come to this…”

“Ah, it’s a bit chilling.”

It took them a while before they expressed their impressions.

“In the end, Wi Ji-hye cared for Haryeong the most, right?”

“That’s right. It was the only way to teach him.”

Wi Ji-hye met his end from Haryeong’s final blow.

However, what moved the audience afterwards was the conversation shared between the two master and disciple, whose bodies—pierced by the sword—were intertwined as if embracing each other.

The moment when the truth was revealed was so exhilarating.

“Wow, Seo Yeon-ju is crying and blaming herself, really…”

“Oh, for me, Wi Ji-hye’s words gave me chills.”

‘Behold.’

‘Your heart is finally in balance.’

Haryeong, the dullest of the dull.

He could not elevate his level through conventional means, and even so, Haryeong’s desire was desperate.

Therefore, Wi Ji-hye made up his mind.

He resolved to become the thorny fish for his disciple.

Even if it meant giving up every ounce of his flesh, he wished for his disciple to advance.

The catalyst of hatred—this is the dark side.

The guilt of having killed a master—this is the light side.

Taegeuk.

Haryeong’s heart embodied the Taegeuk, natural order, and harmony.

It was a flower that had grown nourished by the master’s blood.

“…”

Everyone was completely captivated by Wi Ji-hye.

When Wi Ji-hye’s face was revealed in the final scene, there was no scene more poignant in the eyes of the audience.

It was an emotional nuance that could never be witnessed in any other short film.

Thus, the admiration for “The Sword”

soon turned into admiration for Lee Sua.

“It’s a face I’ve never seen before—where on earth had it been hiding?”

“Exactly. That expression shown at the end—how on earth did you do that? It’s both heartwarming and poignant, yet so different from maternal affection. To detail the bond as a master so thoroughly…”

“The actor’s name is Lee Sua. I’ve never heard of her before.”

And the admiration for Lee Sua turned into curiosity.

It was only natural, for in this industry—which is no different from the animal kingdom—a wolf had suddenly appeared.

But then, at that moment.

“Since you’re meeting her for the first time, don’t strain yourself trying to recall memories. From the start, Ms. Lee Sua is a talent who came from overseas.”

Director Go Tae-min said calmly.

“It’s not just that she’s a good actress. It seems she is equipped with English, and even has a deep musical sensibility. Or rather, since she’s from overseas, perhaps I should say her Korean is also remarkably good?”

Overseas talent.

It was only three letters, but the attention around was undeniable.

“Did Director Go Tae-min already discover her?”

“Is she not even a Korean citizen?”

“Are you acquainted?”

With a flood of questions pouring out all at once—questions that could hardly be handled—Director Go Tae-min slowly shook his head and replied.

“In truth, only she knows. I can only speak of what I have seen with my eyes and heard with my ears.”

Of course, it might seem like a revelation that would startle her if she heard it, but as fate would have it, the speaker was none other than the master, Go Tae-min.

It was only natural for the illusion regarding Lee Sua to gradually spread among those around.

The screening of “The Sword” ended that way, for the time being.

A week later.

The screening schedule of the “Busan International Short Film Festival,” which had seen an unprecedented level of investment, had come to an end.

Now, only one thing remained: the awards were to find their rightful owner.

In other words, today the awards ceremony would take place.

Busan.

Fortunately, the weather was better than ever, and as a result, instead of renting a building, they constructed a large set to hold the event.

It was nice to even feel the sea breeze.

And at that moment, those who had gathered here first had no time to rest.

That’s just how the industry is.

There’s barely enough time even just to exchange greetings.

“Hey? Seo Jung, you’re busy these days with shooting, right?”

“I’m just doing my job. But you, Manager, look like you’ve lost your vigor. It seems work has been really tough for you lately, huh?”

“Don’t mention it, I’ve been getting only three hours of sleep a day and I’m all over the place.

If you could work with us on your next project, I would have no regrets. What do you say? Of course, I’m just kidding.”

The invited actors, industry insiders, and the extravagantly set-up outdoor venue were gradually finding their rightful occupants.

Meanwhile, Lee Geum-sook, the writer from Special Task Force 808, also appeared.

“Who is this! This writer!”

“Oh my, it’s been a long time.”

“I thought this writer had fallen off the grid—as if she were dead! I heard she was finally producing the work she’d been keeping in a draft state.”

“The production is already complete.”

“Really? Can I look forward to it then?”

“Of course. There is a trump card.”

But this was only what was happening inside the lavishly prepared area.

To reach this place, one had to pass along a road laid out in a straight line, and on both sides, reporters with cameras were waiting like hyenas.

What happened next was inevitable.

With every person who passed by, there was a barrage of flashes.

Pa-ang!

Those who had passed along the straight road stopped in a space where the name of the “Busan International Short Film Festival” was emblazoned like a puzzle, and posed for photos in their own styles.

Professionally.

Swiftly.

And finally.

Clatter!

The vehicle carrying Mystic Entertainment arrived.

Strictly speaking, it was the “The Sword” production team that had arrived, but Lee Sua, Seo Yeon-ju, Kim Sun-il, CEO Kim Yi-seo, and Director Park Jun… it seemed that Director Park Jun of Mystic Entertainment was inescapably involved.

All five appeared to have put a lot of effort into their appearance.

The dress that Lee Sua wore today was jet black.

Not one of those wildly flowing dresses, but a very neat, tailored dress.

As a result, she appeared much more cool than usual, though she herself was unaware.

In fact, she was preoccupied with the thought that it felt a bit constricting around her hips.

There was no time to think about it.

“Ah, if I hang this too high, I feel like the part around my hips is going to burst.”

This was what Sua thought as cold sweat formed on her forehead.

“Is it normal for a dress to be this tight around the hips? In one way, I was worried. This is, after all, a well-fitted tailored dress—”

“But wouldn’t it look odd from behind?”

Of course, her worry about her hips soon disappeared.

“…Huh? Crazy?”

Well, understandably, because there were just too many people!

The straight road stretching ahead was fine, at least.

But when she saw reporters waiting on both sides with cameras, her breath was taken away. Is this really happening?

“How am I going to get past them? Can I do this?”

It was a threat different from the cameras on set. It meant that no misstep was allowed while walking.

On the other hand, she felt a thrill.

“Come to think of it, I had dreamed of this moment. Me, dressed fabulously, and reporters waiting just for me, walking by with their chins held high in a stylish—”

“…step, exuding style…”

But then, it was that moment.

“Sua.”

Seo Yeon-ju playfully placed her hand on Sua’s shoulder.

“I know how you feel.”

“Hmm?”

Gasp. Did her nervousness show?

“Surely, this amount isn’t enough, is it?”

“Huh?”

Compared to a major film festival or an end-of-year awards ceremony, it’s really small. But what can you do? Sua is still a newcomer, just one step along the way.

“No? I had thought this was the moment in life when I could achieve enlightenment without any lingering regrets. Is this considered small?”

Sua thought.

Could it be that her tiny chest held a remarkably large heart? Unaware that Seo Yeon-ju would think of giving her a good thrashing if she heard that, she was lost in thought at that moment.

“Then, let’s go.”

Kim Sun-il and Seo Yeon-ju started walking first, and Sua followed suit. With her chest out and with confidence. Sua, standing tall!

She had to do it, but it wasn’t easy.

Timid Sua.

Pabababang—!

The barrage of flashing camera flashes was also terrifying.

What is all that? It seems like the paparazzi are exchanging signals. Noisy, clamorous, and flashing…

─It might be similar to the paparazzi. In that a moment’s lapse could cost you your career as an actor. Though the group itself is close to a pack,—

Before she knew it, while listening to the casual chatter between a now-familiar Sua and Wi Ji-hye’s Sua, Sua walked unsteadily. Of course, it was unsteady by her standards—but to others, it looked threatening.

Fortunately, most of the attention was focused on the two ahead.

“Seo Yeon-ju, what was your reason for participating in the short film?”

“Kim Sun-il, please look this way for a moment!”

“Are both of you satisfied with the outcome this time?”

The biggest questions were twofold.

What made Mystic jump into short films, and are Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Sun-il truly satisfied with merely appearing in a short film?

And then, at some point, when they were halfway through…

Kim Sun-il and Seo Yeon-ju did not utter a word.

They merely paused for a moment and then brought Sua between them, as if that was their answer.

It was as if Sua herself embodied the very reason they had taken on this project and the satisfaction derived from it.

After that.

“Let’s go, Sua. You take the lead.”

As if making a promise, the three of them began walking side by side.

Seeing Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Sun-il with smiles directed at her, Sua was finally able to straighten her shoulders.

Yes, even if she trembled a little, it was fine. After all, Sua was no longer alone.

“…!”

Confident Sua! Dignified Sua!

The End.

Thank you for loving Sua all this time.

It had been so heartwarming that she almost thought so.

Then, Sua suddenly thought.

Just moments ago, she had felt as if the credits of her life were rolling, but in an instant, everything collapsed.

This is a disaster. I’m ruined. I want to die.

Sua is dead.

“How did it come to this?”

At that moment, Sua was standing in front of the photo zone at the end of the street.

Sua thought once more.

“Ah, how did this happen?”

Though it wasn’t apparent on the surface, except for her face, her body was sweating profusely like a downpour.

What was the reason?

Well, it’s because the tailored dress’s hips burst!

“This is crazy. I got too excited at the end…

What could be the problem?”

That the tailored dress was too tight around the hips? No. Sua had already been aware of that. Nevertheless, the fact that it burst means that the cause lies with her.

It was because she got too carried away at the end.

There was no helping it. With Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Sun-il matching their strides beside her, it was inevitable that she’d get excited. Anyway, that was the result.

She had to accept it.

Sua’s dress burst at the hip area.

—I’ve never seen an actress whose dress burst at the hips before.

─I agree. Even martial artists would rather die than endure the disgrace of having their dobok fabric torn at the buttocks.

Sometimes I wonder, can it really be this uncontrollable?

─Perhaps that’s because it acts as nourishment for the brain….

Sua suppressed the two voices in her heart. Squeeze.

Then she steeled her mind once again.

“What should I do?”

The only consolation was that it burst after she had reached the photo zone and turned away.

In other words, she hadn’t been caught yet.

So, she just had to figure out how to make her escape.

Should she creep sideways? Or run off in a hurry? No, anything would seem odd! What should she do?

But then, at that moment.

While Sua’s dilemma was still ongoing…

Pabababang—!

From ahead, the sound of flashing cameras echoed, and someone began walking in her direction.

It wasn’t unusual. Of course, someone was next in line to make their entrance after Sua.

But the question was, who was it?

But Sua swallowed hard, her mouth dry.

Of all people, it was Yang Ha-rin.

Soon, Yang Ha-rin also spotted Sua.

Chuk.

The two of them faced each other.

Yang Ha-rin, who had stopped in her tracks, gestured with her chin and said, “Get out of the way.”

“…”

“I said, move aside.”