Chapter 134: ‘Genius’

Immediately upon arriving at the Mystic Entertainment headquarters.

“…!”

Kim Yi-seo’s eyes widened as soon as she spotted Yeon-ju.

“Yeon-ju, are you crazy!”

Without warning, she smacked Yeon-ju on the back.

Unfortunately, Seo Yeon-ju, who happened to be wearing a backless outfit, took the full force of the blow.

“CEO, what’s wrong?”

“How could you just let Sua go out like that? Phew, I’ve been on edge all morning. I was thinking it would have been a huge problem if she’d been a victim of a crime.”

“…On what grounds do you think I can control Sua? If anything, it’s the other way around.”

Come to think of it, that was true too.

Kim Yi-seo belatedly cleared her throat and approached Sua.

“Ahem, Sua.”

“Yes, CEO.”

“I know Sua is very capable. You handled the situation at the convenience store wonderfully. But from now on, don’t go out alone. It’s dangerous. I’ll assign you a bodyguard.”

“Understood.”

Sua nodded without any complaint.

She had realized it herself.

It was nice at first, but later she had been at a loss as to how to get away.

She resolved to be careful even when just going to a convenience store from now on.

However….

‘I’m not used to this at all. Me, hearing these kinds of things?’

The fact that people recognized her, and even approached her with goodwill.

It was incredibly pleasant, yet unfamiliar.

Around then, Yeon-ju burst into laughter.

“CEO. It’s because Sua hasn’t fully experienced success yet. Don’t just warn her, tell her! How much the world has changed!”

“That’s why I called you. Team Leader Park!”

At Yi-seo’s call, an employee with neatly combed hair rushed over.

It was evident he hadn’t slept all night.

“Please hand over the monitoring data to Sua.”

“Understood!”

“As much as possible. Unfiltered.”

“Of course!”

They didn’t even have time to say goodbye.

“CEO! I think you need to come over right away!”

“I’m coming!”

Perhaps the saying about being buried in work and unable to breathe wasn’t false; Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Yi-seo quickly disappeared with hurried steps.

Sua remained with Team Leader Park, examining the tablet.

“First, the final viewership ratings have been tallied!”

『‘Special Task Force 808’ Episode 8 viewership rating 41.4%, a miracle created by the combined power of two major twists.』

『‘Special Task Force 808’, nationwide living rooms ‘buzzing’ over the twist. Can it maintain its viewership ratings?』

『Wednesday-Thursday dramas finally break free from the glory of the 90s. A new golden age created by ‘Special Task Force 808’.』

The tablet screen was flooded with articles.

Sua was busy examining each one, but Team Leader Park didn’t stop talking.

As if this was just the tip of the iceberg compared to what he was about to reveal.

Swipe─!

The screen changed with a few of his adept touches.

[ Sua Zoo ]
[ Subscribers: 200,000 ]
[ Manager: Susoonging ]

“…200,000?”

“That’s right. Considering that Yang Ha-rin, who was mentioned as a candidate for the Best New Actor award alongside you, has 80,000 fan cafe members, a rookie growing like Ms. Sua is unprecedented.”

“….”

Sua felt her mind stutter.

‘200,000? 200,000? Just how many is that?’

‘Enough to fill the Seoul World Cup Stadium three times? Crazy!’

“Ms. Sua, do you absolutely have to keep your SNS account closed?”

“Pardon?”

Only then did she remember.

‘That’s right. I locked my account.’

‘…I even closed it because I was sulking. Sua-sulking.’

“There isn’t really a big reason for it.”

“Then it would be better to reopen it.”

“Why?”

“Because the number of followers will be enormous. SNS is considered a communication channel between actors and fans, but at the same time, it’s a massive business item. I’m asking you, please.”

Sua quietly nodded.

‘It was about time to open it anyway.’

Around then, Team Leader Park noticed he had brought something besides the tablet.

It was a rather large gift box.

“What’s this?”

“Ah, Writer Hong sent this.”

“Writer Hong? Ahh.”

It came to her.

He must be talking about Hong Ye-ji.

Sua opened the gift box.

It was luxurious.

It was filled to the brim with chocolates that looked expensive at first glance, but Sua’s attention wasn’t drawn to them.

It was because a handwritten letter was included.

[ To Ms. Sua. ]
[ Do you know the feelings of a well that has trapped a dragon? ]

For a moment, she thought, ‘What kind of bullsh*t is this.’

However.

[ Through the world of Special Task Force 808, and also through the wish-granting jewel that is Kim Yuhan, Ms. Sua, you have clearly proven your dragon lineage. It is not right for a dragon to participate in my well, which is fit only for frogs. (Omitted) I implore you to discard my humble work and pursue your grand ambitions. ]

“….”

Sua read it exactly three times.

And she was certain.

‘…I absolutely have to do this person’s work.’

Hong Ye-ji.

She was no ordinary, cool woman.

Black Bear swallowed dryly immediately after returning to the unit.

“…?”

Any soldier, not just Black Bear, would have done the same.

The company commander and other officers had appeared in the living quarters.

That alone was enough reason to tremble, but the problem was that their gazes kept turning towards Black Bear.

Black Bear gestured to the corporal with his eyes.

‘Corporal Lee, did something happen?’

No answer came back.

The unit members who shared the living quarters were also gathered with uneasy expressions, occasionally looking at Black Bear.

That was it.

He racked his brain, but nothing came to mind.

‘I didn’t cause any trouble in society, I didn’t go to places I wasn’t supposed to, and I returned on time? Why?’

Then, at some point.

The company commander strode over.

“…!”

He placed a hand on Black Bear’s shoulder.

“You, you know Lee Sua?”

It was a fleeting moment, but Black Bear had a hunch.

His remaining military life depended on this answer.

“Haha! It’s more than just knowing her. I am─.”

The following week.

Time flew by like an arrow.

It was like that even though Sua wasn’t doing anything particularly special.

Just by looking at the attention pouring in on the internet, day and night would switch in a flash.

It was truly a sea of information.

Sua meticulously examined them.

[ Special Task Force 808 Gallery ]

[ Title: Current Status of Top Tier VTuber ]
( I’m going to marry Kim Yuhan, ahhh! )
( Kim Yuhan! Kim Yuhan! Kim Yu…. Huh…? )
( Kya, kyaaaak! Kkiyaaaaaaak! )

• -Who plucked out her fur? hahaha
• -Why is she suddenly getting electrocuted? hahaha
• -My older sister was like that too hahaha

[ Title: Mig of Legends Current Status ]
Player 4: Shall I play support?
Player 3: ?? What is Player 1 doing?
Player 2: Ah, got another weirdo
Player 2: What the hell is wrong with you.
Player 1: Shhh, it’s a secret.

• -If you play games now, there are tons of Kim Yuhans
• -The weirdos are adopting Kim Yuhan’s speech style
• -Kim Yuhan might be a genius, but that guy is;

[ Title: This Article is Hilarious ]
( Lee Sua ♡ Lee Sua Dating Rumors )

• -ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
• -No wonder there wasn’t a single common sighting
• -They do sleep together, though
• -I still can’t believe it

[ Title: StarCatch, What is This? hahaha ]
( ‘Special Task Force 808’ Kim Yuhan─Lee Kang-cheol End with a Dramatic Reconciliation, a Strong Bromanceㅗㅗㅁ?? Sh*t?)

• -The title is edited now hahaha
• -How hastily did they upload it? hahaha
• -They probably wrote it in advance and got flustered;;

[ Title: Scene Surprisingly Without CG ]
( Sua’s body drenched in rain )

• -Wow hahahaha
• -Ah, I zoomed in 10x but I can’t see it
  • ㄴ Why are you like this….
• -Crazy hahahaha
• -Looking at it again, it’s still amazing;

[ Title: Lee Kang-cheol, Freaking GOAT ]
( Cropped image highlighting Sua’s chest )
[ You can’t recognize this? It would jiggle even if she just breathed. No, in the first place, she probably can’t even wear a seatbelt;; ]

• -Ugh, so vulgar
• -She probably wore bandages
  • ㄴWould bandages even work for that?
• -Just assume so. It was good anyway!

[ Title: ‘God’ of Romance ]
( Cropped image of Lee Geum-sook’s chin up, eyes closed )

• -They even have a Lee Geum-sook meme hahaha
• -What is this? hahaha
• -Hey hey hey hahaha

[ Title: Lee Seo-jung, What Does This Mean? ]
[ Posted a picture of Lee Sua on SNS. ]

• -It just means it was impressive. A shoutout.
• -Isn’t drawing a heart on the picture a bit much?
• -She’s a peculiar person to begin with.

The chaos didn’t stop at online communities.

Watching Mutube was even more enjoyable.

[ Lee Sua, 20 Facts You Didn’t Know ]

Sua was very surprised.

‘…1.2 million views? This high?’

But she soon understood why the views were so high.

Sua herself had clicked on the video as if possessed.

‘What information did they write? It can’t be anything embarrassing!’

However.

[ Lee Sua, who rose to prominence through Kim Yuhan in Special Task Force 808, is, as everyone knows, from overseas. ]

“…?”

The very first piece of information was false.

No, all 20 of them were false.

“….”

Sua felt cold sweat bead on her forehead.

‘What, a whopping 1.2 million people watched a video like this?’

‘…Is this okay?’

‘No, more importantly, do people believe this?’

Sua realized that the misconceptions surrounding her were growing uncontrollably.

She briefly wondered if she should correct them….

‘No, is this proof that my image management was good?’

‘Besides, there’s no way to correct it now, is there?’

The train had already left the station.

What could she do!

Mutube had many other interesting things besides this.

[ Chilling Foreshadowing You’ll Notice if You Watch Teukpal Now ]

[ Collection of Kim Yuhan’s Feminine Moments ]

[ (Shorts) Kim Yuhan Challenge ]

[ ♬ ─ Ombrenu Kim Yuhan Remix ]

From simply sharing their fun to dancing to an addictive song mixed with Kim Yuhan’s lines.

It was a dizzying yet welcoming world.

“I can’t put down my phone─!”

Sua shouted.

[ World Tree Wiki ]

[ Lee Sua ]
→Kim Yuhan, Lee Sua redirect here.

MYSTIC
‘ Genius ’

Miraculously, Sua was registered on World Tree Wiki under the name ‘Genius’.

A fact that would make the deceased geniuses of the century weep.

This was, of course, a worldly meme and an exaggeration, and Sua knew it but still liked it.

‘The atmosphere of people adoring me! Exciting!’

Overview

Acting Style
(See detailed document for more information)

Filmography

Evaluation.

The documents surrounding Sua were still being filled out like crazy.

The only problem was that it was all content Sua didn’t know.

It was practically a virtual VTuber setting collection.

‘…Isn’t it really close to a character setting collection?’

‘Besides the filmography, nothing is correct?’

• -Genius? The Hanja is strange. Unless it’s 天災 (calamity).
• -I know, right. It’s not like it’s a cult leader’s document.

Sua firmly pressed down on the Sua Association’s head.

Meanwhile, ‘Studio Snack’ was in the middle of a meeting.

PD Kang Hyun-sung.

Today, as usual, he wore his cap backward, commanding the staff.

He looked like a mischievous kid, but not right now.

Why? Because they were in the thick of editing.

“I have one piece of good news and one piece of bad news. Which do you want to hear first?”

“The good news first.”

At that, PD Kang Hyun-sung grinned.

“You guys are getting bonuses.”

“R-Really!”

“And the bad news. More work.”

“…?”

The staff members who had shot up from their seats instantly started swaggering like ruffians.

The sense of betrayal on their faces was considerable.

“Why is that a bonus? It’s just payment.”

“Because I’m going to give you a bit more than just payment.”

PD Kang Hyun-sung continued.

“First, the most important thing. We need to increase Ms. Sua’s screen time.”

“Ms. Sua’s screen time?”

“Why are you feigning ignorance? You saw Kim Yuhan turn Korea upside down, right? Right now, everyone is talking about Special Task Force 808. People curious about Ms. Sua will be flocking in.”

“I know that. What I mean is, Ms. Sua already has enough screen time. There’s nothing more to add to this video.”

“Then let’s upload a separate video for Ms. Sua.”

This was the advantage of a Mutube entertainment channel over a broadcast station variety show.

They could freely decide the length and number of videos.

Thanks to that, they could focus only on what people wanted.

And what people wanted right now was….

‘…Ms. Sua. Definitely.’

PD Kang Hyun-sung was certain.

“Bonuses will also be given out according to viewership. Focus!”

“…You absolutely have to keep that promise.”

“Right. And. One more important thing!”

When PD Kang Hyun-sung tapped the whiteboard, the staff members, who had been spacing out from editing, turned their chairs to look at him.

“Let’s cast Ms. Sua as the Korean representative for the Star Summit.”

The World Tree Wiki and Mutube information that had made Sua exclaim, ‘They believe this stuff?’.

PD Kang Hyun-sung was one of the big fish 제대로 caught by it.

“So, it’s decided to be Ms. Sua after all?”

“Yes. Foreign languages aside….”

PD Kang Hyun-sung emphasized his words.

“…They say Ms. Sua is a genius.”

The next day, Mystic Entertainment headquarters.

Sua looked at the new phone she had received.

‘…It’s not just one?’

Did it mean she had to choose one of the two?

There were two phones placed in front of Sua.

‘Was one a spare in case one broke?’

Soon, Kim Yi-seo gave the answer.

“One is Sua’s business phone, which the agency will manage, so Sua will rarely look at it directly. This is the one Sua will use privately. The latest model.”

“Oh….”

Sua marveled at the majesty of the new phone.

She had also changed her number on Kim Yi-seo’s advice.

Indeed, it was getting to the point where she couldn’t handle the calls from her acquaintances.

Sua only gave her number to the Sua Task Force.

“The phone is settled, now for the house.”

Kim Yi-seo opened a map application.

“Sua is currently staying at Yeon-ju’s house, right?”

“Yes.”

It had started with Kim Yi-seo’s suggestion, and the reason was valid.

The repercussions were so large that it was dangerous to live defenselessly in her old house.

Fortunately, Seo Yeon-ju also seemed to welcome living with Sua, which made it possible.

But they couldn’t live together forever.

Image management would be difficult, and above all, she couldn’t play games!

She couldn’t even munch on snacks with a can of beer while patting her belly!

So, now was the time.

She would find a house.

‘Am I buying it with Sua’s money? The company is getting it for me!’

‘Sua-loyalty!’

“First, somewhere close to the headquarters is fine, right?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then the house is settled too.”

Kim Yi-seo began to tidy her desk.

“Sua, by the way, have you checked the world’s reaction a bit?”

“Yes.”

‘It was incredible.’

Sua swallowed the rest of her words.

“The scene where you got soaked in the rain in episode 8, the reaction is 역시 enormous. I thought the agency might collapse from the flood of inquiries. Of course, there were also some with incredible conditions.”

“Incredible conditions? What are they?”

Instead of answering, Kim Yi-seo suddenly raised her hand to her forehead, creating a visor.

As if to shield herself from the sun.

“It’s getting hotter lately, isn’t it?”

Kim Yi-seo’s tidy desk.

The only thing remaining was a photo shoot.

“It’s a photo shoot. Swimsuit.”