Chapter 44 : Where did you find such a monster?

Where did you find such a monster?

With the loud shout of Director Lee Myung-ho, the filming ended.

Jung Han-woo, who played Choi Han, put his guitar in his bag and let out a long sigh.

“Ha…”

He then looked at his still trembling hands.

The vibrations left in his fingertips have yet to disappear.

That’s how much he had been completely immersed in the role of ‘Choi Han’ until just moments ago.

No.

To be more precise.

He couldn’t help but immerse himself like that.

Han-woo naturally turned his head to look at her.

Still without putting her mask back on, Kang Suhyun was talking with the staff.

“You were so good! The way you acted with your eyes…”

“T-thank you…”

Her silver hair, not a strand out of place even under the lights, shined.

Her blue eyes sparkled as she spoke, enhancing her beauty.

Her appearance was unreal to the point of being alien.

It was the kind of face people often describe as “straight out of a fantasy,” but—

What felt even more unfamiliar was her acting.

An impossible level of acting that made you empathize with the emotions she was feeling, just through her eyes.

“…What is that person?”

Han-woo muttered quietly.

In the scene where Baek Ha-neul was supporting Choi Han, when his gaze met Kang Suhyun’s, at that moment, the recognition that “this is acting” completely disappeared from Han-woo’s mind.

It wasn’t just that his emotions were immersed.

It was something deeper, more fundamental.

He couldn’t even recall the script.

He couldn’t even think that the other person was acting.

In that moment, he wasn’t an actor anymore.

He was just a nervous boy.

But—

“Is that possible?”

Han-woo clasped his hands together and pondered again.

Acting is fundamentally about deceiving and persuading others.

You deceive the audience, your fellow actors, yourself, and change perceptions and emotions.

Because of that, traces of acting are always left behind.

In the lines, in the eyes, in the fingertips.

Traces of acting are bound to remain.

The more perfect an actor is, the more they reduce those traces, but completely eliminating them is impossible.

But Kang Suhyun…

It didn’t feel like imitation.

There was nothing that could be called a trace.

The flowing emotions, the sparkling gaze, the smile slightly hidden behind the mask—everything appeared so genuine, so real, like actual reality.

Acting is originally about “appearing real,” but it can never be real.

But she was real.

And not just appearing real,

In that moment, she truly became Baek Ha-neul.

This isn’t acting.

This is…

“A monster.”

Han-woo looked at her again.

She was still talking to the staff.

Even though she had just performed an acting that could be considered monstrous, she appeared completely nonchalant, as if it was nothing.

“Is she not aware of it…?”

How monstrous she is.

How much she broke conventions.

“Ha…”

Han-woo let out a hollow laugh.

He felt a slight chill.

“Where do you find monsters like that? Flying clouds, senior…”

Han-woo looked at Suhyun again, with a slightly stunned expression.

She was a fellow junior from the vocal academy and acting, so he wanted to be kind.

But she was an incredibly frightening genius.

It’s been a while since I acted, but…

“That acting just now… amazing.”

“It really felt like you were casting a spell. Changing emotions instantly…”

“Wow, was that really done in one take?”

Wow, people are staring at us…

Well, I must admit, I did put on some pretty good acting…

“Well, what I use is a bit like a cheat, though…”

Most actors, how should I put it, focus on professionalism and the results of practice, right?

They might analyze emotions deeply or look at expressions from multiple angles…

As for me, I just pull it out and use it.

No need to recall anything or immerse myself in emotions.

I just pick the necessary emotions.

Happiness.

Sadness.

Anger.

Surprise.

For me, these are like virtual faces.

A typical actor would immerse themselves to act out specific emotions, repeating exercises to evoke them.

But I?

I don’t need to.

I just change my expression right away if I want to.

In 0.1 seconds, emotions and expressions change freely.

In a normal case, people would find it absurd, but…

“I’m not exactly a normal person, though.”

But to me, it’s completely natural.

If it’s a situation where I need to smile, I think of ‘Yuki’s Expression 1.’

When I think of that expression.

My eyes soften, the corners of my mouth naturally rise, and my cheeks lift just the right amount.

It looks like a face of someone truly happy.

On the other hand, when I need to be sad, I pull out ‘Yuki’s Expression 3.’

My eyes droop, the corners of my eyes tremble, and my lips drop weakly.

If I blink for a moment, tears start to flow.

No one would think this is just the result of a “choice.”

No matter how closely you watch, this is definitely not acting.

It’s believed to be the face of someone who has truly experienced those emotions.

But for me, it’s just a mechanical task.

I’m just changing my expression based on the input values.

If this isn’t a cheat, then what is it?

I do what others have to work hard for, effortlessly.

This sensation… I hate it.

I want to try hard too…

Acting is fun, but…

I don’t want to do it like this, with cheating…

“Oh. The main player of this scene.”

“…Flying clouds.”

I shot a slight glare at the approaching Flying Cloud.

She seemed to be in a good mood, no longer wearing her usual polite expression, and grinning widely.

“1

“…It doesn’t suit you at all. Stop smiling, it’s giving me chills.”

“Yeah, I guess so. Hehe.”

Thud.

Flying Cloud immediately sat closely next to me.

Her eyes were fixed on my face, full of expectation.

“Why are you like this today?”

It’s scary because you’re different from usual.

I feel like my heart is going to drop!

“I just think I made a really good decision recommending two jobs to Suhyun.”

“Come to think of it…”

Her virtual YouTuber career also started with our first meeting.

The acting career also started with Flying Clouds’ recommendation and active support.

And both of them had talent, and here I am, living comfortably while I used to only draw illustrations.

“…What? Do you want to hear a thank-you?”

“No. I’ve been acting forcefully from the beginning. I’m not thinking of that.”

Chik.

Flying Cloud offered me a wrapped latte.

Oh, they bought it from Cafetree… wrapped it up.

“Thanks.”

Sluurp.

Drinking the warm coffee, I felt a bit less cold from the dawn chill.

So this is why actors say that managers are so important.

“Hey, Flying Cloud.”

Though this was my first time,

It wasn’t really acting; just changing my gaze and expression a little,

But…

“Can you continue helping with my acting career?”

If this person keeps helping,

Wouldn’t I really be able to grow and become a real actor?

Flying Cloud stared at me with widened eyes, probably in surprise.

In the moment of dawn where only our eyes were shared.

Isn’t this a little suspicious to others?

At that time, when such heavy gazes were exchanged.

“Suhyun, that’s three jobs, right? You still need to draw Yui’s new costume…”

Flying Cloud looked at me with a playful glance and chuckled.

“Gek.”

Illustration request?!

Oh no, if that happens, my broadcast and acting activities…

“Flying Cloud! No. That…”

“And you know about the break notice, right? You need to broadcast with a low tension since your throat isn’t doing well.”

“Ah. Right. The broadcast…!”

Ah, three jobs really mean working your ass off.

After that, I realized I was already exhausted and became depressed, and Flying Cloud escorted me home.

Damn.

Rushing home, I turned on the broadcast.

As expected, the public opinion was burning just like when the Nanoka rumor came out.

• Why the hell is the room owner so late?
• I was so cold…
• The chicken’s all cold and spoiled…
• Huh? Is this a mirage…?

No, maybe a bit worse.

“No…! Sorry, I… My throat had some issues…”

“1

At times like this, making them feel guilty quiets them down.

One of the tips shared by various VTubers (especially Misa).

• Ah
• We’re sorry ᅲᅲ
• It’s all our fault, we made the room owner sing by doubting…
• Ugh, trash…

Hmm. It’s easy to handle,

But can this keep going… I’m feeling a little guilty.

“Yeah. So today’s broadcast is…”

• Starts now
• ᄃᄀᄃᄀᄃᄀ
• Doesn’t everyone know by now?
• Lately, it’s been noisy with that.

But I prepared proper content.

Maybe I’m not a bad VTuber…?

“Today, it’s finally, finally, the start of the GTA Streamer RP Server, Deokchun Island!”

• The name is so cheesy
• The streamer who organized it is named Bang Deokchun
• Huh
• What kind of RP will you do?

Nice.

The perfect timing for the question to come in.

I checked the chat and showed a relaxed smile.

Responses like “Doya is cute,” “Modelingᄃᄃ” popped up, making me feel a bit more confident.

“Um. I’ve already decided that.”

• What is it?
• Isn’t it the one you broadcasted last time?
• Ah, that?
• What is that?

“Every man’s romance. A former killer with a mustache, wearing a suit, performing perfect CQC (Close Quarters Combat), holding a pistol… He was trying to live peacefully but resumed his activities after hearing about various criminal organizations gathering!”

Isn’t that such a romantic concept?

This is why, when I wasn’t broadcasting, I practiced pistols and close combat in GTA.

I worked so hard to perfect this concept…!

But the chat didn’t seem to share my excitement.

Actually, it was colder than I expected.

• This
• It’s John Wick…
• Hmm… Is that all?
• The problem is whether you can actually recreate it or not, right?
• With Yuki’s physique, it might be possible…

“Ugh. Shut up. I’m about to enter the server…”

• Gasp
• Too much ᅲᅲ
• Tyranny! It’s tyranny!

Click.

I dressed the Eastern Canadian handsome middle-aged man I had customized earlier in a suit.

As expected, the character I stayed up making all night looked almost identical to the one in the movie.

I’m satisfied with this.

[Please choose a name.]

• Wow, great character customization

-ᄅᄋ Looks like Keanu

• …We also need to choose a name…

“Oh. I already have one.”

I named him after the girl who tried to save the collapsing world.

“Kiana Reeves.”

I’m going to enjoy this thoroughly.