My current position is rather awkward.
I was a key supporting actor in a drama that recorded record-breaking ratings, but since I didn’t appear on screen with my face, my recognition level is practically the same as a rookie’s.
Most viewers only remember the face of Elder Yoon, not White Siu.
At least the staff recognizes my worth quietly, but even that requires further proof at this point.
Therefore, this project is very important, and I have to carefully deliberate before jumping in.
“It’d be nice if it were a commercially super-successful work. And ideally, the role should have impact. This is tough.”
I’ve regressed five years in time, but I don’t intend to only participate in guaranteed successes.
It seems too dull and boring.
I’m confident that with my acting skills alone, I can achieve a certain degree of success, so this time my life goal is to live and act in ways that truly interest me.
Even while wandering around with Heavenly Demon, I ended up doing all sorts of random acts, but I realized I haven’t really done much of what I actually wanted to do.
If I’m going to do this, I might as well live a life I find enjoyable. Even for someone like me, it’s not wrong to dream of such a thing, right?
However, the situation is a bit different this time.
Even to increase my name value, for this debut project where I’ll appear with my face, I need commercial success.
Without a certain level of recognition, it’s not easy to enter the projects I truly want.
Though the caliber of Heavenly Yuah may be unreachable, if I can reach the level of White Siu, then I would have more options and won’t miss out on what I really want.
“Men just need one big moment.”
Of course, it’s the standard in this industry to frequently appear in decent works and gradually build up recognition before landing a grand production to elevate your status.
But I don’t have enough energy to be involved in so many projects.
With a company willing to invest money + my acting ability + a certain level of future knowledge, it’s not impossible to achieve an instant upgrade without going through such a process, so I plan to make a bold move.
“In that sense, this quarter is out of luck.”
Because of how picky I’ve been due to the situation, there haven’t been any truly satisfying pieces this quarter.
It’s not that there aren’t commercially successful works, but the roles themselves are too bland to leave a real impression.
At best, there’s the male lead, but this work already secured its male lead before beginning.
If it’s Yoon Ju-won, he’s a considerably promising male actor in this industry—”Yoon Seo-eun” Jo Yoo-shin is one level below him—so unless the game completely changes, he won’t be replaced.
There are two key supporting roles available, but as I mentioned earlier, they’re too lackluster. The better you act, the more likely you’ll be remembered negatively, making them a poisoned chalice for an up-and-coming actor whose image is still undefined.
Why rush when I’m not in such a hurry?
“Fortunately, I have some leeway. I should wait a bit more.”
I can afford this leisure because my current situation is decent enough.
The recognition I gained from “Yoon Seo-eun” has long since disappeared, so I need to secure roles through auditions whenever I join, so there’s no need to rush.
I’ve already settled my family’s loans, thanks to the contract fee, so I don’t have to worry about home issues anymore.
Since I live at the company, eating and sleeping there, I have no living expenses to worry about, which allows me to take things slowly.
―So, when will our diligent son appear in a drama?
“Ahh, it might take a while.”
―Alright, don’t rush. Let me know as soon as it’s decided.
“Yes, I will.”
At least the one annoying part is my father telling me not to rush while contacting me daily.
My father, disappointed because I’ve become an actor but have never revealed my face, is still eagerly counting down to my TV drama debut.
―Won’t my debut stage be later than yours? So, am I the elder in the entertainment world?
“You’re joking. I’ve already debuted.”
―Come on, if your face isn’t showing, what’s that even about? Nobody knows who White Siu is.
“Augh, you really are clueless.”
And another issue is my mom and sister, who are unexpectedly making their debut quickly.
Indeed, being part of a major company, they are moving swiftly, and the atmosphere indicates they’re set to release their debut album and hold an elaborate debut showcase within a few months.
Moreover, since revealing her face first would make her the senior, based on a rather shamelessly assertive mindset, it makes me feel a little pressured.
“Still, my mom and sister truly are formidable. It’s tough to keep up with them.”
But for now, I should endure.
With the inner strength gained from tolerating her antics over many years, I’m focusing solely on script searching while enduring as best I can.
“How about Yu-a Seonbae?”
“Ah, projects? I… I think I need a little more rest.”
“There aren’t any decent projects, right?”
“There are some, but nothing compelling.”
It seems Senior Heavenly Yuah is in a similar situation.
Since there isn’t anything she particularly likes, it must be because she too has her own grievances.
Even if scripts pile up like mountains, if you dislike them, you dislike them.
It seems this quarter will likely be a quiet period for both me and Heavenly Yuah.
*
Personally, I take pride in handling sudden situations well.
Of course, I was terrified when I first arrived in the Martial Forest, but that was a catastrophic, apocalyptic event of apocalyptic proportions.
I didn’t panic when I unexpectedly met Martial Forest Alliance patrol members or when a rogue from the Tang family threw a Mountain Conqueror Poison, either.
Also, when outlaws hiding aboard the ship I was on with Heavenly Demon were suddenly surrounded by the Orthodoxy, I remained calm.
“…What is this?”
Even for someone like me, this situation is a little unsettling.
I stumbled upon three men dressed suspiciously, wielding knives as they threatened the convenience store worker, all while I was casually visiting to buy a beer.
So, these are… robbers?
“But, come on, we’re in what era for there to still be robbers?”
The conclusion has long been that robbery yields little compared to the risks.
Since everything is card-based these days, there’s not much profit to gain.
The punishment is severe, with little reward, so even criminals tend to avoid robbery.
The only somewhat meaningful robbery left would be bank heists, but those aren’t your average robberies; they’re large-scale incidents that are in a completely different category.
The number of robbery crimes in our country has long been plummeting.
Robberies have become something you mainly read about in statistics, so encountering such an incident directly before my eyes was strange.
I have no idea what’s going on here.
“Ah, those guys…”
Taking a quick look, they’re shorter than I expected.
Moreover, they appear interested in items rather than money.
The items they are targeting, like cigarettes and alcohol, are a peculiar choice.
Combined with a disregard for the inefficiency of committing robberies, they must be…
“Young lawbreakers from the juvenile system.”
We often hear about violent offenses committed by young lawbreakers from this system.
It might have been a severe crime punishable by having their wrists cut off in the New Religion, but here it was different.
In this context, young lawbreakers are entities even the police tend to avoid.
Not because they’re feared, but due to the stigma associated with them, it seems this world is nearing its end.
“Damn, I’ve stepped into something bad.”
These young lawbreakers are troubling for me too.
“If they retaliate, it will be my own mess to clean up.”
Plus, if things go awry, our proud clickbait journalists will swarm like crows with red wings, ready to frame stories that would haunt me—so fear is inevitable.
“…Too late.”
Even as I considered backing out immediately, it was too late. The robbers had noticed me amid the silence, and the CCTV cameras strategically placed for such situations had already captured my face.
I had come in casually without a hat or anything, so my face was fully exposed.
If this incident becomes public, I’ll instantly be branded as the cowardly actor who abandoned the young female part-timer at a convenience store.
Damn, these young lawbreakers.
Their contempt for CCTV and their reckless audacity fill me with a strange urge to thrash them soundly with a stick.
If the incident is resolved quietly, there would be no problem, but can I really expect such luck?
Especially when I’ve somehow ended up sharing the same company after supposedly cutting ties, despite having destroyed Heavenly Yuah’s business card?
“…White Siu?”
Moreover, the part-timer recognized my name upon spotting me.
Even though I’ve appeared officially on screen only three times, they know my name.
Am I a fan’s discovery or what?
It made leaving even more inconvenient.
“Damn it!”
When the excited young lawbreakers charged at me with knives, I had no choice but to decide.
Whether I fight or flee, I’ll still look foolish. At the least, I’ll choose to be the victorious fool.
And in order to handle the backlash that follows such situations, I decided to be as stylish and impressive a fool as possible.
“Plum Fragrance Miles Away!”
I suddenly spotted a collapsible umbrella on the display.
An umbrella in a convenience store?
Thinking, “What the hell,” I took it and deployed one of the most flamboyant sword techniques I know: the Plum Blossom Twenty-four Hands of Mount Hua, specifically ‘Plum Fragrance Miles Away.’
The space is cramped, but a true master does not discriminate in choosing weapons.
Minor damages to some items can be ignored.
I struck the wrist of the lead knife-wielding youth, hit another over the head as he rushed in, then drove the umbrella point into the side of the last youth.
After subduing them, I subtly continued to beat them until they were unconscious.
I gave them a taste of the world’s bitterness in a manner that left minimal visible marks.
“Wow…”
“Don’t just stand there looking dazed, please call the police.”
“Oh, sorry.”
I urged the stunned part-timer to call the authorities.
While the part-timer made the call, I quickly summoned my manager, Brother Cheolnam.
“Could I take a copy of the CCTV footage?”
“Oh, that would need the manager’s…”
“It’s a bit of a sensitive situation. Is there any way?”
“…Alright. Give me a moment. I’ll try to access it.”
Most importantly, getting hold of the CCTV footage before the police arrive is crucial.
There’s no telling what nonsense they might come up with later. Thankfully, this part-timer proved quite experienced and managed to transfer the data after tinkering around.
“Later, I can testify on your behalf. Trust me.”
That he seemed willing to act in good conscience and offer testimony for me was, at least, reassuring.
“…What is this?”
“To be honest, what is it?”
“…I’ll contact the company.”
By the time my manager arrived before the police, I’d done all that I could.
It’s uncertain which way this situation will go. Things are simply too tough in this world, whether here or there.
—
(Note: The terms like “jammini” refer to young offenders, and “plum fragrance miles away” is a metaphorical reference to a martial technique from Chinese Wuxia lore. Some terms are culturally adapted for clarity.)
