Before long, all attention was now fixated on the ‘Sword’.
The ‘Sword’ too, was vigorously racing toward its peak.
─Swoosh
The wind blowing through the forest was colder than ever, and Master Wi Ji-hye and her disciple Ha-ryeong faced each other, sword hilts in hand. Especially Ha-ryeong, who was completely soaked in blood.
〈Huff… Huff…〉
The disciple despised her master for not teaching her.
At this moment, the audience could somewhat empathize. Wi Ji-hye seemed unusually cold toward Ha-ryeong alone. Why wouldn’t she pass on her martial arts?
Ultimately, Ha-ryeong stole the secret manual under the cover of night.
Though she knew it was something only Wi Ji-hye could handle, she didn’t care. There was nothing she could do. Since her master hadn’t kept her promise, there was no other way but for her to learn on her own, wasn’t there?
Even if it meant breaking the rules.
That secret manual was a shadow.
─Kill… Seize…
A small yet intense shadow that kept whispering to Ha-ryeong.
And so, we arrive at the present.
Seo Yeon-joo and Sua slowly raised the swords they had gripped and focused on each other. The two accomplished swordsmen. In this moment, both sides realized simultaneously.
That the next move would decide the fight.
Ha-ryeong poured everything she had into it.
And then, the next moment.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The venue was completely silent.
No one could bring themselves to speak, and among them was an influencer brushing their forearm. It was due to the lingering impression left by the climax of ‘Sword’.
“I knew it, but I never thought it would come to this….”
“Ah, it gives me goosebumps.”
They finally voiced their impressions after some time.
“Wi Ji-hye must have cared for Ha-ryeong the most in the end?”
“That’s right. That was the only way she knew how to teach.”
Wi Ji-hye met her death with Ha-ryeong’s final strike.
However, what moved the audience afterward was the conversation shared as the teacher and student embraced, their bodies pierced by the sword. The moment the truth was revealed was so exhilarating.
“Wow, Seo Yeon-joo was crying while admitting her mistake, it’s so real…”
“Man, Wi Ji-hye’s lines gave me chills.”
“〈Behold.〉”
“〈Your heart has finally balanced.〉”
Ha-ryeong, the bumbling novice among novices.
There was no way to elevate her through orthodox methods, yet her desire was earnest. Therefore, Wi Ji-hye resolved.
To become a thorn in her disciple’s side.
She would give up her body to help her disciple advance.
Hatred as the catalyst, that was the dark side.
The guilt of killing her master, that was the light side.
The yin-yang.
Ha-ryeong’s heart became the yin-yang, the natural order, the harmony.
A flower grown from the blood of her master.
“…”
Everyone was completely captivated by Wi Ji-hye.
In the last scene, when Wi Ji-hye’s face was shown, there was no more dreamy scene from the audience’s perspective. It was an emotional line that could never have been found in any other short film.
Thus, the admiration for ‘Sword’ translated.
Into admiration for Sua.
“Never seen this face before, where has she been hiding all this time?”
“That’s what I’m saying. The expression she made at the end, how did she pull it off? It was both pleasant and nostalgic but different from maternal love. She was so detailed in depicting the pure emotion of a teacher…”
“The actress’s name is Sua. I’ve never heard of her until now.”
This admiration for Sua sparked curiosity.
Of course, it was bound to happen. In this jungle-like industry, a wolf had suddenly appeared.
However, at that moment,
“You’re seeing her for the first time, so don’t strain to place her memories. Sua is simply a powerhouse coming in from overseas.”
Director Ko Tae-min said calmly.
“Not only is her acting great, but she speaks fluent English, and she even has deep musical appreciation. Well, if she’s from overseas, maybe saying she’s equipped with Korean is more accurate?”
“Returning overseas talent.”
These three words alone stirred the surrounding interest.
“Did Director Ko Taemin discover her already?”
“Is she not even a South Korean citizen?”
“Do you know her personally?”
An avalanche of questions came pouring in, more than anyone could handle at once, and Director Ko Tae-min slowly shook his head and replied.
“Only the individual herself would know for sure. I can only speak from what I’ve personally seen and heard.”
Of course, this was a misconception that would make Sua jump in surprise if she heard it, but alas, the speaker was none other than veteran Ko Tae-min. Naturally, the misconception spread towards Sua from those around her.
The screening of ‘Sword’ concluded as such.
◎◎◎◎◎
A week later.
The unprecedentedly large investment in the ‘Busan International Short Film Festival’ had come to an end. Now only one thing remained. It was time for the awards to be presented.
Namely, today was the ceremony.
Busan.
Fortunately the weather was better than any other time, so instead of renting a building, a large set was built to host the event, with the feel of the sea breeze.
In this place, those who had arrived early were busy.
Such is this industry where even exchanging hellos is a challenge.
“Hey, Seo Jung! Aren’t you busy with filming?”
“I’d say it’s work, what about you? You look like you’ve lost weight; has work been tough lately?”
“Don’t even get me started. I’ve only gotten about three hours of sleep each day. If you were to work with our side on your next project, I’d have no regrets. Of course, I’m joking.”
Among the invited actors, industry personnel, and the lavishly set outdoor venue slowly filling up with guests, writer Lee Geum-sook of Special Mobile Unit 808 also appeared.
“Who’s this? Writer Lee!”
“Oh my, it’s been a while.”
“I thought you were dead! I heard you were producing something you’ve been working on?”
“The production’s already done.”
“Really? Can I look forward to it?”
“Certainly. We have a trump card.”
However, this was only what was happening inside the splendidly arranged area.
To reach here, one had to pass through a long, straight path lined on both sides with reporters holding cameras, waiting like hyenas.
The predictable happened.
Every time someone passed, flashes went off.
Flash!
After passing the straight path, the individuals would stop at a space marked with the jigsaw-like name of ‘Busan International Short Film Festival’, where they quickly posed for photos.
And finally,
Rumble!
The vehicle carrying Mystic arrived.
Strictly speaking, it was the production team of ‘Sword’, but it had the unmistakable appearance of Mystic with Director Park Jun involved, including Sua, Seo Yeon-joo, Kim Sun-il, and Kim I-seo.
All five were dressed to the nines.
What Sua wore today was a pitch-black dress, not the type that flutters extravagantly, but a very sleek business dress.
This made her appear even colder than usual, though she herself didn’t notice. She was too busy thinking about how uncomfortable her hips felt.
“Ah, if I walk too big a step, the hip part might rip.”
It was what Sua thought as she beadily watched with sweat forming on her forehead.
Is it normal for a dress to be this tight around the hips? On the other hand, she was somewhat worried—would it look odd from behind?
Of course, her worry about her hips soon dissipated.
“…What the?”
And it was because there were just too many people!
The straight path ahead was not an issue.
But seeing the reporters on both sides armed with cameras, her breath was caught in her throat. Is this right?
“How am I supposed to pass this? Can I do it?”
This was a different kind of threat from the cameras in the filming studio, implying that no step could show any flaw.
And on the other hand, she was also exhilarated.
“Now that I think about it, this is the moment I’ve dreamed of. Me dressed to the nines, and reporters waiting just for me—walking past with my chin raised high…”
That’s when,
“Sua.”
Seo Yeon-joo jokingly placed her hand on Sua’s shoulder.
“I get it.”
“Hm?”
Huh, was it noticeable that I was nervous?
“Isn’t this too small for a star of your caliber?”
“Eh?”
The size was small compared to big film festivals or year-end awards, but what could she do? Sua was still a rookie anyway. Think of it as one of the steps to climb. Loosen up your expression.”
“…”
Huh? This was the moment she believed she could achieve her dreams unreservedly in life. Too small?
Sua thought, unaware whether her small chest held a heart that was abnormally large. It was also unaware that if Seo Yeon-joo heard, she would have smacked her ten times on the head in thought.
“Then, let’s go.”
Kim Sun-il and Seo Yeon-joo started walking first, and Sua followed, chest puffed out, boldly. Sua’s strut!
It was something she had to do, but it wasn’t easy.
Sua shrank back.
Pabarabang─!
The incessant flashes of cameras were also intimidating.
“─What is all this? It looks like water wizards giving signals. It’s loud and flashy…”
“─You might be right. They’re somewhat similar in that the moment you show a weakness, you have to sacrifice your life as an actor. The group itself might be closer to the HAO Sect.”
While hearing the casual chat between Yoo Han-soo and Wi Ji-hye who seemed to have warmed up to each other, Sua shuffled along. Of course, she shuffled relatively. She appeared imposing to others.
Fortunately, most attention was on the two in front.
“Miss Seo Yeon-joo! What was your reason for participating in a short film?”
“Mr. Kim Sun-il! Please look this way!”
“Are you both satisfied with this project’s outcome?”
The biggest questions were two:
What was the reason for Mystic’s involvement in this short film, and were Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il content with starring in such a short film?
And at one point, as they passed the halfway mark,
Kim Sun-il and Seo Yeon-joo spoke without a sound.
They briefly stopped in their tracks, then placed Sua between them, as if to make a statement.
As if Sua herself represented their answer, the reason for their involvement and satisfaction.
Afterward,
“Let’s go, Sua. You steer the center.”
As if by prior agreement, the three of them walked side by side.
“….”
At the sight of Seo Yeon-joo’s and Kim Sun-il’s smiling faces, Sua finally managed to relax her shoulders.
Yes, it was okay to be a little nervous. Because Sua wasn’t alone anymore.
“…!”
Sua’s strut! Sua’s confidence!
─
We’ve all thanked you for loving Sua.
.
.
.
.
.
.
It was that heartwarming.
Sua thought that moment was the end of her journey.
Until everything crumbled.
Oh no. It’s over. I want to die.
Sua has perished.
“What happened?”
She was now at the photo zone at the end of the path.
Sua thought again.
“Ah, how did it come to this?”
Though not visible, Sua’s body was drenched in sweat, pouring like rain.
What happened, you ask?
It’s simple! The hip part of the business dress ripped!
“I’m going insane. I got too excited at the end…”
What was the problem?
Was it the overly tight hip part of the business dress? No, Sua was already aware of that. Then the fact that it tore means the problem was with her.
Getting too excited at the end was the issue.
There was no helping it. With Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il matching her steps, how could she not be excited? And so this happened.
She had to accept it.
Sua’s dress had ripped at the hips.
“—Never seen an actor whose business dress hip tore like this.”
“—I agree. Martial artists would rather die than endure the shame of having their robe’s rear part torn.”
“—Sometimes I wonder, how could someone be so utterly careless?”
“—That’s probably because all the nutrients went to the brain…”
Sua crushed the two thoughts in her mind.
And revved up her brain.
‘What should I do?’
The only fortunate thing is that it tore after she reached the photo zone and turned around.
In other words, it hasn’t been exposed yet.
So, she just needed to figure out a way to disappear.
By strolling sideway? Or by running quickly? No, any method would be weird! What to do?
Right at that moment,
Pabarabang─!
A flash went off from the front, then someone started walking towards her.
It wasn’t unusual. Naturally, someone had to enter after Sua.
But the identity of that someone was the problem.
“….”
Sua swallowed her dry mouth.
“….”
It just had to be Yang Ha-rin.
Yang Ha-rin soon spotted Sua.
With a flick of her chin, Yang Ha-rin said,
“Move.”
“….”
“Move, I said.”
