The following morning. Mystic Headquarters.
Kim I-seo blinked her wide eyes in confusion.
“Pardon? What did you just say?”
Her voice carried a sense of bewilderment, but the person who had spoken remained calm. Currently, opposite Kim I-seo, Seo Yeon-joo sat sipping tea.
“Did you say we can file all the lawsuits?”
“That’s right.”
Seo Yeon-joo nodded her head.
“Didn’t our CEO always nag about taking legal action? What’s with this reaction?”
“I just can’t believe it. What wind of change blew through?”
Kim I-seo asked again.
“…Yeon-joo, are you serious? Are you really going to file a lawsuit against every single vile person who left you hurtful comments?”
“Yes.”
“I’m truly amazed. What is going on?”
Seo Yeon-joo merely curved her lips upward slightly.
“Is there anything strange? I just felt like I’ve endured enough.”
Seo Yeon-joo had a bit more conversation with Kim I-seo afterward. Most of their talk revolved around how they would punish the trolls. Time to let them get a taste of consequences.
Later, she also delivered a straightforward message to her parents.
“I’ve done all I can for you. Don’t expect any more help.”
Of course, this was also directed at her so-called friends.
“I wasn’t really that active in the group anyway. I ended up being the one doing all the calculations like a fool. I’m leaving now.”
Strangely, it felt refreshing, like a breeze had cleared her mind, washing away the heavy burdens within one by one.
Now there was just one concern left.
What should she do from here?
After pondering this for a while, she made a call.
“Yeah. Sua, do you have time? It’s been a while since we last did our nails, hasn’t it? How about we do some new ones this time?”
Of course, she should express her gratitude to the people who matter most first.
◈◈◈◈◈
A large meeting room located in Japan.
Although the main person had yet to arrive, the personnel sat at their desks, ready to start typing on their laptops. Notes would be abundant in this crucial meeting today.
However, because of the tardiness, some people began making small talk to pass the time.
“Why isn’t he here yet?”
“Could we have made a mistake with the timing?”
“Wasn’t there any word about him being late?”
As they say, even a tiger comes when called. A sudden sound and the entrance to the conference room opened. In came Director Yusaku.
Everyone immediately stood up to greet him.
“Ah, Director Yusaku, you’ve arrived!”
Director Yusaku meticulously exchanged greetings with each person. Everyone appeared easily impressed by these minor courtesies.
However, shortly after, someone asked.
“Excuse me, Director, but where is Ms. Sawako?”
“Ah, Ms. Sawako is still in Korea.”
“In Korea…?”
It was evident that everyone was quite surprised.
“You mean she hasn’t returned yet?”
“That’s correct.”
Everyone then stared blankly at Director Yusaku. They seemed to expect some explanation.
“Ms. Sawako is still young, not to mention her leg issues, which limit her experience. But isn’t it true that writers improve as they gain more experience?”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“That’s why she’s in Korea. She’s co-living with a prodigious new writer and exchanging inspiration.”
“Ah…”
At that, everyone seemed to understand.
Being on the same team as Director Yusaku, they had no reason to oppose him. If Sawako comes back improved, that’ll be great for the script.
But.
The production manager still had lingering questions.
“Director…”
“Yes?”
“Living together isn’t always good, right? If it doesn’t align, they might just end up more stressed. I’m asking out of concern. Who, exactly, is this writer?”
At this, Director Yusaku broke into a laugh. It was clear that he found this question neither unpleasant nor unsettling.
“Hong Ye-ji, the main writer for Netflix’s latest blockbuster. Moreover, Ms. Sawako keeps telling us how happy she is with her current life. So please rest assured.”
“Ah, that’s a relief!”
It wasn’t until then that the production manager fully relaxed.
The meeting thereafter took place in a solemn atmosphere.
Once the main points had been quickly settled, only one item remained.
Director Yusaku spoke.
“…So with this settled, we just need to scout the shooting locations while managing the actors, right?”
“Yes, actually, we’re very curious about the lead actor.”
The lead actor.
The production team’s greatest point of interest. After all, wasn’t it the reason why Director Yusaku had chosen to come here, obsessed with one particular actor? They were very curious to know what had given Director Yusaku such immense confidence.
“She’s amazing, trust me. She’s like a supernatural being.”
“We’d love to see her act. The short films you recommended like ‘Sword’ and ‘Special Mobile Unit 808,’ we’ve watched them countless times already. Is there anything else?”
“To my knowledge, she’s currently shooting various projects in Korea. But why don’t we go witness them with our own eyes?”
“With our own eyes…?”
Amidst the production team’s surprise at such bold decision-making, Director Yusaku took out his phone.
Soon, he handed over the screen showing a message received from Sawako. The content itself was simple, expressing her desire to meet Su-a, the star of this work.
Director Yusaku chuckled.
“As a matter of fact, Sawako is also dying to see them.”
.
.
.
.
.
.
A ryokan somewhere in Japan.
Tap tap tap…
The fingers typing away on the keyboard stopped suddenly.
“…”
The woman soon shut the laptop with a disgruntled look on her face. The now-black screen reflected her image, adorned with various extravagant accessories.
Minami Akiko, renowned Japanese writer and mother to Sawako, could not focus on her writing.
“…I can’t understand this at all.”
In her opinion, after thoroughly reading her daughter’s manuscript multiple times, it was clear how inferior it was.
But.
“Director Yusaku.”
Director Yusaku was moving with conviction based on the influence of a single actor. At first, Akiko had thought he was targeting her daughter, but that wasn’t it.
It was surely the face of someone who had found their confidence.
Akiko checked the content of the message on her phone.
[Daughter – Minami Sawako]
▶ Is the life in Korea fitting you alright?
▶ Don’t become lazy using studying abroad as an excuse. Remember, there are plenty of unemployed people who call themselves writers. Be cautious.
“…”
After pondering briefly,
“…I hope it’s nothing serious.”
Muttering these words, she opened the flight reservation app. Was it obsessiveness or a mother’s love? Whatever it was, she couldn’t focus on her writing due to the unsettling feeling of not knowing what her daughter was up to.
.
.
.
.
That night, in Korea.
“Yes. Writer Lee.”
Hong Ye-ji was on a call with Lee Geum-sook.
“The script is completed. I’ll send over the completed file right away. Have a good night.”
“I got it, Ye-ji! I’ll definitely read it carefully!”
After ending the call, she gathered a few banknotes and coins.
Even as Sawako was busily writing, Hong Ye-ji didn’t halt her own efforts. She was throwing herself into her work like crazy.
What was she working on?
“Come on, I want to play a game. Hurry…”
It was obviously gaming. She had reached the point where the rhythm games on her phone no longer satisfied her. She needed to hit up an arcade and pound the machines to feel the thrill.
“Hehe.”
Hong Ye-ji had one bad habit—walking while looking at her phone. She was watching top players on MyTube.
“They’re not doing anything special? I can probably do just as well.”
That was when—
An article caught Hong Ye-ji’s attention, though she had initially thought of just skipping past it. But she couldn’t. The content was too shocking.
[Director Yusaku Selects Promising Writer Minami Sawako, Daughter of Renowned Writer Minami Akiko]
[Is Minami Sawako Currently in Korea? ‘Living together with a prodigy to exchange inspiration.’]
“Huh?”
[Mother Minami Akiko × Daughter Minami Sawako – Has the Writer’s Gene Been Successfully Passed Down? Topic in Japan.]
[Japan Asks: ‘So, Who the Heck Is Hong Ye-ji?’]
“…?”
There was no need to visit the arcade. Right now, Hong Ye-ji’s hands were trembling like a Level 10 rhythm game. No one could beat this.
◈◈◈◈◈
Meanwhile, the community was in chaos.
[Crackling Gallery]
[Title: It’s Out!!!!]
[It was announced under the name ‘Seaworld,’ the game being Minecraft. This time, it includes VTubers too, and there’s even showcasing of unique talents.]
– Should we have VTubers’ official initiation ceremony?
– I’m dying to see the talent show!
– The number of viewers will be insane.
It was all due to the upcoming big event featuring streamers and VTubers, “Shikarin” Go Eun-bi’s life-and-death gamble.
Sua skimmed further community articles:
[Title: Why Include VTubers?]
[This is a space for streamers, right? Why are VTubers invited? Are those who broadcast with their faces shown the same as those who use avatars? So dumb.]
– What a pointless beef.
– Can’t we just get along?
– What did they harm you to react this way?
[Title: About Shikarin – So Aggravating.]
[Special Mobile Unit 808 was said to have featured a collab with I-Sua, but it ended up being vague, and now it’s Seaworld, lol. Such a disgusting woman, lol.]
– Seriously, why the lies?
– She should’ve refused outright from the start.
– I didn’t expect her to fail to clarify, so I was quite disappointed.
Sua scratched her head.
“Hmm, Goeun-bi’s public perception isn’t too good right now.”
She slightly felt bad since Goeun-bi was one of her few friends. Moreover, it was true that Sua had previously agreed to a collab livestream.
“Of course, I’m planning to attend this event. That alone should restore Goeun-bi’s public image, but the thing that’s currently troubling me is… the highly head-scratching one…”
Of course, it’s about the talent show! Should I participate or not?
Puff!
“Ahhh!”
It sounded like something exploded in Sua’s mind.
The Sua Association immediately jumped at the concern.
– Oh no, be gentle with your head. Haven’t you been overworking it recently? Nevertheless, there is some romance in it. As of today, I officially recognize you as human.
“Recognize as human? What did you think I was before?”
Wi Ji-hye didn’t respond to that—excuse me?
Instead, Kim Yu-han spoke up.
– Treat your mind gently. You’ve been pushing too hard recently. Let me handle negotiations for now.
Sua thought. Huh? That sounds good.
…Upon reflection, the situation felt odd. Wasn’t I getting smarter the dumber I pretended to be? While my raw IQ remains the same, it seems like I’m becoming smarter with all the various roles coming together?
– Senior is practically a human computer. These roles function as different optimal components of a machine.
“So what about me? What part am I in this computer?”
– The case? Maybe even a transparent case?
Sua realized the discussion wasn’t beneficial for her. Back to the original concern.
Sua—run!
Of course, this worry was handled by Kim Yu-han. Sua was under cerebral overload! Sua yoyo!
– Let’s look for a script involving singing. If we acquire a special ability, we’ll participate in the talent show; if not, we should decline. This is optimal.
“That makes sense.”
Sua quickly sprang into action. Surprisingly, locating special-ability-enhancing material wasn’t hard since Hong Ye-ji’s script included a singing scene. And it is settled.
[Uncategorized – Unspecified]
▶ Sufficient implementation elements present
▶ 1.3 Class
“Huh?”
Sua couldn’t help but question.
“Sufficient implementation elements? It’s either sufficient or insufficient, right? Isn’t this a first?”
However, upon closer inspection, clarification was available. It wasn’t the inability to experience.
[※ Sufficient Implementation Elements]
[The experience content is partially restricted, and the same applies to the acquisition of unique abilities. Based on the user’s current situation, certain abilities may not be acquired.]
“Experience itself is possible! Great! Please bestow me incredible singing abilities!”
With this thought, Sua chose the role involving singing. Simultaneously, the special-ability window appeared.
[Special Ability: Singing]
[…Checking Characteristic…]
“Please! Please! Please!”
Sua frantically rubbed her palms together in mid-air.
What? Why are you concerned for deer?
Not that, I just really want to sing well! If you sing well, people perceive you as prettier, cooler, it’s a great thing, right!
Then,
[No conflict with ‘Musician’]
[Acquisition allowed. Initiating experience.]
“Yes! Yes! Yes!”
Sua cried out jubilantly and leapt around. Sua—kyahho!
Ssssssssssss—!
“Genius singers, join me!”
The Sua Association felt apologetic toward all the geniuses involved.
