Chapter 161

Director Park Mu-ryong’s attitude was cautious.

“If it’s too much, you can honestly refuse.”

He, too, was somewhat reasonable.

Creating a dramatic highlight scene could end the unease of the personnel and improve the quality of the work. However, it wasn’t something that could be rushed.

It’s akin to gambling.

If you win, the situation improves dramatically, but if you lose, you lose everything. As the overall responsible party, he needed to be thoroughly prepared for various risks.

However…

“Alright, let’s do this.”

Sua’s response was firm and brief.

‘It’s certain. The rating of this work hinges on this scene. Which is why Sister Yeon-joo likely had lots to think over.’

Furthermore, there was another signal of approval.

‘Even the experience won’t be problematic. Special abilities are activated.’

[Lies, Lies, Lies.]

□ Implementation factors sufficient

□ Grade 4

The new script Park Mu-ryong handed over also presented no issues in terms of experience. For Sua, this eliminated any hesitation.

’I’ll master it through experience and give it my all.’

Sua resolved herself. Sua Sua Fighting!

Meanwhile, Park Mu-ryong’s eyes widened. Sua thought his eyes looked like they were about to pop out like a giant squid’s.

“Are you sure we can go forward with this?”

“Yes.”

“There’s no need to accept just because you’re swept up in the mood. Please take some time to think about it. If it doesn’t feel right, you can refuse—Sister Yeon-joo agonized over this for nearly four days.”

“No, I’ve made my decision.”

Park Mu-ryong scratched his bald head.

“True, Sua isn’t the kind of person who would carelessly go along with the mood. Understood. Well, thank you. Let’s proceed as planned. How much time do you need?”

“Time?”

“Yes. Since it’s new, you’ll need some time to familiarize yourself with it….”

Sua shook her head immediately.

“No, I think it’s possible right away.”

“…Immediately?”

Director Park Mu-ryong’s expression became dumbfounded.

Well, Sua understood why he was astonished. She changed the most crucial climactic scene and yet stated no practice was necessary, so naturally, he’d be surprised.

Sua, after thinking of a somewhat plausible excuse…

“…It’s now pretty similar to the climax I’ve envisioned in my mind. So, I don’t think it will be difficult.”

“Huh?”

Of course, Director Park was even more shocked because of this.

◈◈◈◈◈

Later, the filming location started bustling with activity.

The staff members moved to their positions, but their faces were filled with confusion. They had heard there would be changes to the climactic scene, but there had been no rest, hence their bewilderment.

“Didn’t they say they were changing the most important scene? Are we going back to the original plan? Why jump straight into filming?”

“They are changing it. However, apparently, Sua doesn’t need time to adapt to the new script.”

“…What? Is that even possible?”

The expressions on the staff members’ faces turned dumbfounded.

Interestingly, the person relaying the news had the same confused look on their face. Even they hesitantly questioned the credibility of the information they reported.

“She apparently had a scene envisioned in her head, and coincidentally, the revised scene is similar. So, apparently, she can do it without practice…?”

An unbelievable story.

Naturally, numerous doubts emerged.

“Is the rumor true that the climax of Special Mobile Unit 808 was an ad-lib, or is that an exaggeration? This seems a bit too much…”

“Is it just arrogance? Or part of image-building?”

“…Or did she just get an early copy of the script? But even if she did, is it possible to start shooting right away? I won’t believe it until I see it for myself.”

While numerous suspicions entangled like vines among everyone, Sua remained calm and collected. She was confident and had no time to worry about their words. Her gaze remained fixed on the special ability screen.

[ Lies, Lies, Lies ]

□ Implementation factors sufficient

□ ■Grade

[ Yeoncheon-kyung Guide ]

[ 1. Kim Sun-il – Yeoncheon-kyung : Reconciled ]

[ 2. ■■■ – ■■■■ ]

The work’s rating was flickering uncontrollably, becoming invisible, and something still unreadable faintly wavered within the Yeoncheon-kyung guide. The implications were clear.

There was a high possibility of change.

No, it will definitely change.

And the outcome rests solely on Sua.

“Hmm.”

Therefore, Sua took a short deep breath. It was right to clear her mind. From now on, she had to give it her all.

◈◈◈◈◈

Eventually, the moon was in the sky.

The world was drenched in darkness, and currently, the cameras were set up around a location designed to look like a food truck. The first scene was scheduled to start with Seo Yeon-joo and Sua sharing drinks.

“Rain! No mercy!”

The moment Director Park Mu-ryong shouted into the megaphone, a heavy downpour began to fall near the food truck.

Just the addition of the torrential rain changed the mood immediately. The food cart, battered by the raindrops, looked precarious, as if something would happen at any moment.

“Background complete! Now let the supporting actors take their positions!”

“Okay!”

The supporting actors quickly appeared.

They were all dressed in suits because they were playing the role of gang members working under Lim Soo-hee (Sua). All of them held black umbrellas and stood motionless at the entrance without a flinch.

Finally, Director Park Mu-ryong called out with his loud voice.

“Okay! All set! Main actors ready and action!”

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A black car stops in front of the food truck.

The man in the driver’s seat steps out first and opens the rear door, revealing Lim Soo-hee (Sua).

Sua doesn’t hold an umbrella, but thanks to the gang members waiting nearby, they form a path with their umbrellas, shielding her from a single raindrop.

Soo-hoo! –

Sua pushes up the entrance curtain of the makeshift food truck and enters. Though her body shows no wounds, her gaze is deep. Her expression alone reveals that her heart is more broken than anyone else’s.

Park Si-yeon (Yeon-joo) abruptly raises her hand.

“Oy, over here! Is Soo-hee here?”

She wears a brighter smile than ever.

“…”

Sua observes Yeon-joo’s appearance closely before sitting down.

Yeon-joo’s current figure radiates brilliance.

There is no trace of the person who survived each day struggling, studying frugally. Her clothes were dazzling at a glance, adorned with all kinds of jewels on her ears and wrists.

Park Si-yeon (Yeon-joo) raises her hand.

“Annyeong! I ordered spicy chicken feet and steamed egg without consulting you, but do you mind? I’m treating you today, so eat without a word. Got it? Not got it?”

Yeon-joo grins playfully.

Meanwhile, Sua fills her soju glass.

She unbuttons a few buttons of her shirt, seemingly uncomfortable, and without filling Yeon-joo’s glass, drinks down her share of soju. It’s clear that she’s holding back something she wants to say.

“Haa.”

A deep sigh emerges with rising alcohol fumes.

Yeon-joo stares at her with round eyes before laughing lightly. She fills her own glass and spontaneously proposes a toast with Sua.

“Hey, this thug doesn’t even know how to drink properly, huh? Are we okay like this? If you’re a woman, you should be drinking gracefully like me. More elegantly.”

Yeon-joo drinks down her soju glass with exaggeratedly modest motions. She threw in a joke to lighten the atmosphere, but Sua didn’t smile.

Afterward, it was mostly Yeon-joo who spoke.

“Hey, Soo-hee, listen up. Guess what? I recently became a VVVIP at a department store, and when I went to buy clothes, I almost died from laughing, seriously suffocated from all the hilarity. Guess what happened?”

Sua avoided looking into Yeon-joo’s eyes.

“…Really? An entertainer came and did a fashion show in front of me. And guess what’s funny? They kept apologizing just because I gave them a stern glare, even as a joke? I swear, I nearly died from laughter. It was just too funny.”

Sua quietly drank another round of soju.

One glass.

Two glasses.

Three glasses.

As she continued on in this way…

Clang.

At some point, Yeon-joo grabbed Sua’s wrist.

“What’s wrong with you, have you lost your mind?”

Sua exerted force with her arm.

“Let go.”

“While drinking is fine, why do you have such a grim look on your face? I know you’re facing tough times, but is Lim Soo-hee the only one struggling? Why act crazy in front of me?”

Yeon-joo continued her speech with a twisted expression.

“Am I your jester? Lim Soo-hui, am I your jester?”

“…”

Sua chewed her lips a few times.

“Yeah, you’re a jester.”

“What?”

“You’re a jester. Park Si-yeon, you are a fool.”

As Yeon-joo’s expression clouded in puzzlement, Sua finally spoke up after suppressing her feelings for so long.

“Park Si-yeon. Did you give yourself to that prosecutor?”

“…”

“Isn’t it satisfying for you to play around with Gang In-hak? All the hard work you did, was it all for this? Are you happy now?”

Sua directly stared into Yeon-joo’s eyes for the first time since entering the food truck.

“You look ugly. Even if you wear expensive clothes and flaunt expensive accessories, you’re nowhere near beautiful. I miss the times when you filled your bag with books and studied. This feels off.”

Splatter!

Yeon-joo splashed water onto Sua’s face.

“Insane woman!”

Yeon-joo abruptly stood up from her seat and grumbled incessantly.

“Are you happy now? Yes. I am happy now. Why?”

“…”

“Hey, b*tch, didn’t you say you’d let me do whatever I desired? Aren’t I doing that? Did you ever become a prosecutor without family connections or being a man? What do you know to criticize me like that!”

“…”

“And what about you? So pure yourself? Beating people up and killing them day in and day out—why are you criticizing me now? Is living your life comfortably a crime? Is it?”

Yeon-joo stormed out of the food truck, and the gangsters waiting nearby tried to retaliate but were stopped by Sua lifting a hand.

“…”

Sua merely held her ground in silence.

Then she drank another glass of soju.

No, it wasn’t enough. She started biting the glass itself. Crunch, crunch—her mouth filled with bl**d, veins popped up on her forehead, but the more she felt pain, the more she bit down further. She was suppressing anger through pain.

“Haa.”

While spitting out shards of glass and bl**d, she thought.

She really did wish for Yeon-joo to live life doing whatever she wanted. But something felt off. Even though Yeon-joo kept looking more glamorous on the surface, she emitted a foul stench.

But Sua couldn’t define those things. It was nearly impossible for her to articulate them point-by-point.

She was only a simple thug after all.

She only knew how to throw punches and k*ll people—there was nothing she could do about it. She couldn’t enlighten Yeon-joo.

The frustration nearly drove her insane.

Even with her bloody mouth, Sua kept drinking soju.

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The filming site was unusually silent.

The acting in the food truck scene had concluded, and the actors looked to the director, but Park Mu-ryong was just sitting there without any reaction. In reality, he was in a state close to being completely unable to do anything.

“What…”

He was too overwhelmed with admiration.

‘If this scene had been acted out by Sung Hwan, it would have never turned out like this. Since Sua is a woman, there’s a subtle emotional nuance. The friendship between women, the advice that only women can give each other…’

It wasn’t just Director Park Mu-ryong.

Everyone from the camera crew and the staff managing lighting or sound equipment had similarly impressed expressions. The same thought ran through all their minds.

‘There was no need to worry after all?’

Even the personnel who gathered around were no longer suspicious. After blinking a few times, their faces exuded only renewed anticipation.

But…

Sua was only looking at Yeon-joo.

“…”

She swallowed her dry throat.

At least to Sua’s eyes, it was unmistakable.

Yeon-joo’s fingertips were trembling faintly, clearly filled with fear. Perhaps she was afraid of the scenes that still needed to be filmed afterward.

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