Actors generally don’t visit their agencies very often.
It’s completely different from idol trainees who practically live in the company.
And unlike active idols who return to the company like migrating birds only when preparing an album, actors can rarely be found lingering around the office during their active schedules.
Actors visit the agency when they’re negotiating new roles, reviewing scripts, or confirming other schedules.
Because of this, actor agencies are usually not very large.
But Flame turned two entire floors into office apartments.
And not just any kind—apartments extravagant enough to make someone like me, an average citizen, gawk in disbelief.
It felt like these people were thinking of running some kind of leasing business alongside their entertainment affairs.
“Actually, these accommodations are prepared for any actors struggling financially or those who need a quiet space temporarily. Of course, they’re free.”
“…Isn’t that a bit too extravagant for something that’s supposedly free?”
“These are accommodations for Flame’s actors. Naturally, we want to offer the best.”
So, this is… free?
These office apartments were excessively clean, luxurious, and spacious—so much so that it was hard to estimate how much rent they would cost if leased monthly.
It was absurd enough that they were free, but they’d also take care of services such as tidying up, cleaning, and laundry at the tenant’s request.
Isn’t this practically the level of a high-end hotel service?
“Would you like it?”
“It’s good. Maybe I’ll take advantage of it then?”
“Not at all. This is your rightful privilege as an actor. Let us prepare it for you.”
“Yes, please.”
But if there’s a service available, I see no reason to reject it.
Even if I were to separately rent a place with my deposit, I doubt I would find a better one than this.
Flame is surely Flame, surprising me yet again with an unexpected service.
Deciding to stay at the company for the time being allowed me to use the deposit for something else.
And, of course, that “something else” was clearing our family’s debt.
I settled the loan my father took out to start a chicken business all at once.
You know, there are always people like that, right?
When their children bring home a large sum of money, they insistently refuse it.
“Use it for your future.” Or, “Save it for when you get married.”
Or even say, “I’m not so old that I need your help yet,” which leaves their children rather embarrassed.
Of course, this isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s not the White family’s way.
“Son, you know I’m not the type to reject something like this, right?”
“Yes, I know. I’m offering because I think it’s the right thing. Let’s settle it quickly.”
“Always reliable, my son.”
“What? Where did you get such money…? I was planning to settle that loan myself.”
“Leave that for later. Build a house for them instead.”
“What?! That’s way more expensive!”
“You should’ve earned more earlier if you’re upset about it.”
Our family tradition: never reject the kindness offered by another, and never ask for help unless capable.
Cool people, we are.
Naturally, both parents immediately settled the debts with my deposit, welcoming my independence.
Yes, this is right.
And because of my action clearing the family debt, our next obligation involved my mom and sister, who would have to handle the responsibility of getting a house for the elders, though that’s not my concern.
Though I do question whether they’ll really be able to pull it off.
Or maybe, knowing her, she’ll find a way out?
Valuing family over property, she might introduce a man into the picture instead.
Suddenly appearing with a precious granddaughter in hand! And…
“…If it comes to that, I’ll definitely lose. Grandchildren are unbeatable.”
Well, does it matter?
This too, is a good thing.
Honestly, if some nobleman were to take her off our hands, we’d owe them a massive “thank you.”
Though one man’s life may be ruined, it’s his choice, and he’ll just have to endure.
“So, son, visit often.”
“Yes, father. Take care, mother.”
“If you ever need any side dishes, don’t hesitate to call. I’ll pack it for you.”
“I should be fine, but if I need anything, I’ll visit.”
Thus, by throwing away my deposit, I became the family hero, bid farewell to my parents, and moved into Flame building.
Setting up my new nest.
Since I didn’t have much baggage, moving in was quite smooth.
I, too, became one of the people who nested in Flame.
It had been about two days since I settled into Flame.
I was a bit at a loss at first, but after the second day, I began to understand something.
This company, Flame, was crazier than I imagined.
First, this crazy company was using all eight floors of the building.
What, the entire eight floors for an actor agency?
Are you out of your mind?
The plot twist came hard and fast right from the start.
But the details make it even crazier.
You’d inevitably ask, “How is this even an actor agency?”
Here’s a quick glance.
1st to 2nd floor.
The first two floors are the guards’ quarters. Thirty guards live here, and they’ve set up homes on the floors—they’re on a contract that lasts for years, taking on dispatched missions.
Even though two people share a room, it’s decent enough and since the guards have the right to use the company’s facilities, there seemed to be no complaints.
The reason the guards living here do not get bored is because of the basement, the third floor, and the sixth floor.
The entire first basement floor is a pool, the third floor is a gym, and the sixth floor is a lounge.
Just with these three floors, they have most conveniences covered.
Especially the sixth floor lounge where they even made a fancy gaming area.
This setup would be absurd for an idol agency, let alone an actor agency.
Why exactly they thought this was a good idea, I have no clue.
When we finally make it to the fourth floor, it at least smells like an actor agency.
There are a few small rehearsal rooms, a visual/audio analysis room, and a dining hall.
Even the dining hall is quite something.
Apparently, anyone who’s allowed into the building can eat for free at any meal.
In my case, I’ve eaten all three meals there.
Since there are not many formal employees yet, the atmosphere is geared more toward feeding me and the guards, but I assume this will change once more staff comes on board.
The dining hall, however, is quite something else.
“Mom! Steak instead of chicken wings. I like Korean chicken soup.”
“No pasta! Mom, I want dangmyeon. Dangmyeon!”
“Shut up and eat whatever is served.”
“Uh, mom, no shotgun, please.”
The kitchen is run by an elderly Western woman and three assistants. And this head chef is… problematic.
“Why? Do you want me to stuff the shotgun down your throat?”
“No, I’ll just eat what you serve.”
“Hmm, excellent. Finally, someone normal has arrived. In the dining hall, you eat whatever the chef gives. Got it?”
The chef appears to be around sixty, muscular, and imposing, with scars around her eyes.
Glancing at her forearms, one can see she’s accumulated many big and small scars over the years. She looks like she’s endured battlefields for years.
Combined with her foul-mouthed attitude, she’s a difficult person to deal with.
Her “eat whatever is given” policy strangely reminds one of the Somagak, the teaching institution of the New Religion.
Though I could’ve ignored it at this point, the chef actually had a shotgun hanging on the wall in the kitchen.
That thing, is it really a shotgun?
Judging from the guards joking around saying “mom-mom,” it probably isn’t real, but its appearance is incredibly realistic.
I didn’t bother to ask if it was real because getting a “yes” would’ve been awkward.
Our chef has quite a few issues—actually, she’s only made of issues—but her culinary skills are impressive.
She excels at Western cuisine, has a good grasp of Korean dishes, and according to feedback, can do Chinese cuisine as well.
Of course, this Korean and Chinese cuisine has been somewhat Americanized.
But she’s still competent enough that it suits my Korean palate.
And let’s be honest, no member of the agency, regardless of their relationship, needs to be so picky about side dishes when the dining hall takes care of all three meals.
I have a conscience after all.
Passing the dining hall (4th floor), we finally reach the office floors.
Floor 5.
This is where Flame’s employees work, though most departments are still vacant.
Soon, as the company becomes fully operational, this place will be filled with staff.
Then there’s the recreational lounge we mentioned on the sixth floor.
Coffee, drinks, light alcohol.
There are even snacks and instant noodles stocked.
One corner even featured a gaming room and nap area, making it a versatile space to rest.
Honestly, I was shocked seeing all this.
This gaming system is far beyond anything you’d call a company perk.
“Ultimately, the 5th floor is the only truly necessary part of the space for an actor agency.”
Basement swimming pool, guard quarters on floors 1 & 2, gym on floor 3, rehearsal room + dining hall on floor 4, office on 5, recreation lounge on 6, actor quarters on 7 & 8.
Clearly, only the 5th floor is actually necessary for an actor agency.
The rehearsal rooms and dining hall on the 4th floor? Also unneeded.
Actors rarely come to the agency to rehearse anyway, and meals can easily be taken out.
The more I thought about it, the stranger this company seemed.
After all, having 30 guards always on standby sounds like a joke.
“But… it’s crazy comfortable.”
While it’s true the company’s structure is odd, from my perspective, it was wildly convenient.
Waking up to eat the food served by “Shotgun Mom,” working out at the gym, analyzing performances in the video room.
Then moving to the rehearsal room for a bit of practice.
If I want to rest, I can just go to the lounge and play some games. (They even have all the latest titles.)
And if I’m feeling cramped, I can head down to the pool and unwind.
“Is this heaven?”
No need to step outside, and I can manage almost everything.
“What if something feels off? So what? This is so convenient.”
I’ve barely spent two days, but it’s hard to imagine leaving this lifestyle.
Yes, it’s good. Pure honey. I’ll definitely dedicate myself here at Flame.
…Until that time.
Until the jarring news article floated around online communities.
-The Goddess of Cannes, Heavenly Yuah, Shockingly Transfers to Rising Entertainment, ‘Flame.’
This world’s Heavenly Demon, Heavenly Yuah, joining Flame.
Wait, isn’t she someone who already owns her own agency? What do you mean by “transfer”?
Abandoning her own company?
What’s this absurd and exciting twist?
Something was happening…
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