Chapter 8 – Continuous Nightmare (7)

After Choi Nahee left, my mind was in turmoil.

“I don’t even have her number, how am I supposed to contact her?”

I muttered to myself inaudibly.

She did ask me to practice acting with her, but we could practice lines anywhere, why specifically at her house?

Moreover, I was just a novice actor playing the role of a serial killer, while she was a veteran actress playing a profiler with psychometric abilities.

This situation felt somewhat awkward.

A moment later, I heard that preparations for filming were starting again on the set.

As I headed towards the filming area, I tried to shake off the confusion in my head. But Choi Nahee’s proposal kept lingering in my mind.

Was she serious? Or is this the start of another mind game?

The filming preparations began, and I quietly blended in among the staff to observe the scene. Director Cho Makdun was adjusting the cameras and positioning the actors. The set was still bustling with activity, but I couldn’t concentrate.

My conversation with Choi Nahee kept replaying in my head.

Just then, my phone vibrated. I took it out to check. There was a message from an unknown number.

[Junho, have you thought about it? The line practice offer. Save my number, and let me know when you’re free 🙂 – Choi Nahee]

I blinked in surprise. I didn’t know how she got my number, but more importantly, it meant she was really serious about her proposal.

Is this… really just about practicing acting?

After staring at the phone for a while, I found myself typing a message with nervous fingers.

[I’ve thought about it… I think practicing would be good. When would be a good time for you?]

After sending it, regret washed over me. Did I reply too quickly?

Was she sincerely wanting to help me, or was this some kind of psychological test?

My mind was still in chaos.

A moment later, my phone vibrated again.

[How about tonight? If you’re free after dinner, come to my place. I’ll send you the address.]

I sighed. What kind of situation is this?

Going to Choi Nahee’s house under the pretext of practicing lines felt like entering into a psychological battle with a profiler.

And yet, somewhere in my heart, a sense of anticipation was blooming.

Right, it’s just line practice. Nothing will happen.

When the evening came and filming wrapped up, I took a taxi to the address Choi Nahee had sent.

Her house was in a stylish, high-end apartment complex.

I double-checked the address and pressed the doorbell. A moment later, the door opened and Choi Nahee greeted me with a smile.

“Welcome, Junho. You came earlier than I expected.”

“Yes, the filming ended a bit early.”

I smiled awkwardly as I stepped into her house.

The interior of the apartment was spacious and neat, giving off the impression that she managed it herself.

“Please, make yourself comfortable. Would you like something to drink?”

“I’m fine, thank you.”

I sat in the living room, and Choi Nahee naturally sat beside me, placing the script on the table.

Jo Danseok: (in a soft voice) Your ability… it’s quite interesting. ‘Reading’ people. How many people in the world would believe in such a thing? But… no one would believe it. Not until they experience it themselves.

“Well then, shall we start? This is the scene we’re going to practice today.”

Choi Nahee led the acting practice with a serious attitude, and I decided to immerse myself in the flow.

We started exchanging lines while reading the script.

Go Eunchan: (with a calm but wary expression) What are you trying to do by kidnapping me?

As time passed, I found myself getting more and more absorbed in the acting.

Her acting was truly intense, and I was drawn into the flow, unconsciously becoming immersed in the role of the serial killer.

Forgetting even my inner tension, I focused on the lines.

Jo Danseok: (smiling) Isn’t ‘kidnapping’ too harsh a word? I’ve only tied your arms and legs. I haven’t drawn blood, have I? I’ve just called you here because we have something to do together. Don’t you sometimes need help too? For example, to establish true justice?

But in the middle of the practice, Choi Nahee suddenly stared at me intently and said,

“Junho, you’re really amazing.”

Go Eunchan: (sighing) How do you think I can help you? You’re just a criminal who needs to be locked up. You crazy psychopath.

I asked, slightly flustered,

“What do you mean?”

“You said you haven’t been acting for long, but this level is really impressive. I felt it when I saw you on set earlier, but you really seem to be a natural.”

I hesitated for a moment upon hearing those words.

I felt good inside, but outwardly I smiled awkwardly and replied,

“I’m still lacking in many ways. I was just lucky.”

Jo Danseok: (walking slowly) And you’re trying to stop me? (slight laugh) That chance has already passed.

“Don’t say that. I mean it.”

She looked at me seriously.

“Junho, you can go much higher. That’s also why I suggested we practice like this.”

Her words were unexpected.

I thought it was just about practicing lines, but there was a deeper meaning hidden in her words.

Jo Danseok: The important thing now is that we both have a common goal.

At that moment, I felt a strange emotion washing over me.

It felt as if she had some greater expectation of me.

Go Eunchan: (narrowing her eyes) A copycat criminal? Are you saying you want to catch him?

“Junho, it’s really important for actors like us to help each other grow.”

Her words sounded strangely serious, and I was momentarily at a loss for words.

She smiled gently and led me back into the script.

Jo Danseok: (nodding) He’s tarnishing my name. That guy is just imitating my judgments. And he’s even being swayed by internet trash. He’s ruining… everything I’ve built up.

“Well then, shall we start the real line practice? Ah, but this time, don’t be constrained by the script. Immerse yourself in the character. Ad-libs or anything else is fine as long as it fits the character.”

I took a deep breath and focused on the script again.

Choi Nahee was leading me to immerse myself deeper, guiding me to think like a real serial killer in that context.

As we exchanged lines, I increasingly felt that the ‘growth’ she spoke of was going beyond mere acting advice.

All of this felt like a psychological battle, and I was already being drawn into her intentions.

Alright, I need to do this properly.

As my eyelids lifted, blood-red eyes were revealed.

Kang Junho: (in a soft voice) Your ability… it’s quite interesting. ‘Reading’ people. How many people in the world would believe in such a thing? But… no one would believe it. Not until they experience it themselves.

“Your ability… it’s quite interesting. ‘Reading’ people. How many people in the world would believe in such a thing? But… no one would believe it. Not until they experience it themselves.”

Kang Junho’s voice resonated, calm yet chilling.

His eyes literally contained refined madness, and that madness slowly pressed down on Choi Nahee.

Choi Nahee tried to maintain the coolness of the profiler she was playing in the script, but the pressure she felt from his tone and expression was suffocating.

His acting was no longer just acting. His monstrous nature seemed to come alive, rendering Choi Nahee powerless.

Choi Nahee tried to steady her trembling heart and barely managed to speak.

However, Kang Junho’s cold gaze was thoroughly overwhelming her.

“How do you think I can help you? You’re just a criminal who needs to be locked up. You crazy psychopath.”

Choi Nahee barely managed to spit out the words in a cold voice.

But before she finished speaking, a shallow smile crept onto Kang Junho’s lips.

His gaze deepened, and from within it, an aura of madness slowly spread.

“Yes… that’s right. You should lock me up.”

He answered softly, as if mimicking her words.

“But you know… have you thought about how much ‘evil’ you’ll miss with your ability while you’re trying to catch me?”

His voice was utterly calm, but it contained a dangerous whisper.

Each word pressed down on Choi Nahee’s chest, and she felt herself losing in this psychological game.

Choi Nahee bit her lip.

The pressure she felt in her heart grew stronger, but she couldn’t lose like this.

The character she was playing was a profiler who had encountered many vicious criminals.

No matter how mad the man before her eyes, Kang Junho, was as a serial killer, she couldn’t be intimidated.

“It’s my job to use my ability to catch guys like you. You’re underestimating that too much.”

She spoke towards him with a strong voice.

She looked straight at him with eyes filled with determination not to waver.

Junho was silent for a moment, then let out a slow laugh.

She’s stepped out of her role. But it suits Go Eunchan better.

From now on, it’s a battle between two actors who have deviated from the script.

A verbal duel wielding acting skills and immersion instead of swords and spears.

Kang Junho, no, Jo Danseok, accepted her challenge.

“Oh… have you regained your confidence? Good. You need that, now it’s getting interesting.”

As his smile deepened, Choi Nahee felt a dangerous aura from him that she couldn’t read.

But she couldn’t back down.

Don’t underestimate your senior actor!

Choi Nahee shouted inwardly, trying to pull herself together.

In terms of acting experience, she was far ahead of Kang Junho, a veteran.

But at this moment, she felt that she was being overwhelmed by Kang Junho’s intense acting and overwhelming immersion.

She couldn’t lose like this.

She pulled up the cold reason of the profiler in the script once again, staking her pride on not being overshadowed by a junior actor.

“How many monsters like you do you think I’ve seen with my ability?”

She continued speaking, more coldly and firmly.

“Do you know how all of them ended up? They’re being punished in the same place you’re going to. They’re all rotting in jail. Do you think you’ll be any different?”

There was no more wavering in her voice.

The composure and confidence of a veteran were slowly returning.

Choi Nahee tried to regain control by looking straight into Kang Junho’s eyes.

In the blink of an eye, several exchanges went back and forth.

Kang Junho looked at her for a moment, then smiled slightly.

However, there was a hint of surprise mixed in that smile.

Choi Nahee was revealing her intense presence again and returning to her territory.

As expected of a veteran who has secured a leading role?

Kang Junho couldn’t help but acknowledge it inwardly.

Choi Nahee was re-establishing her unshakeable, strong core.

She, who had been swayed by the sudden pressure, was regaining her acting dominance with just a few words.

Her eyes shone coldly, filled with firm resolve.

Kang Junho smiled subtly. It was an interesting confrontation for him.

As expected, there’s a reason she got the lead role. It’s not easy to push me like this.

He continued speaking in a soft voice, as if pleased with Choi Nahee’s determination.

“Yes, that’s befitting of a veteran profiler. But, how far will that confidence protect you?”

His voice was utterly calm, but it contained a dangerous whisper.

Each word pressed down on Choi Nahee’s chest, and she felt herself losing in this psychological game.

The tension between the two heightened, and this psychological battle was turning into a game that neither could easily back down from.

Cold sweat ran down Choi Nahee’s forehead.

She tried to stay calm, but under the overwhelming tension, her focus began to blur unknowingly.

Kang Junho’s chilling tone and madness-filled gaze continued to erode her mind.

I can’t hold on any longer.

Finally, she let out a deep sigh and slowly raised both hands. This was a clear signal of defeat. In this verbal duel, she had been completely overwhelmed by Kang Junho.

“Alright… I admit it. I lost.”

Her voice was low and calm, but it was filled with complete resignation.

Choi Nahee had tried to endure with the cool attitude of a profiler, but she could no longer resist in the face of the monstrous immersion Kang Junho had shown.

Kang Junho looked at her silently for a moment, then offered a polite handshake.

“I learned a lot thanks to you, senior.”

“Hah. I thought I was a genius, but the real genius was right here.”

Though defeated, her expression looked quite satisfied.