Chapter 54
Chapter 54
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Malice (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
KS Entertainment was a planning agency run by Kim Seul-ong, the eldest son of the Kangseong Group, one of the nation's leading conglomerates.
That didn't mean they'd ever received any help from the Kangseong Group, though.
Just like his ancestors who had risen from rags to riches and earned their place among the giants, Kim Seul-ong had started his entertainment business from a tiny office.
Before long, he'd built it into one of the top three agencies in the country.
KS Entertainment's legal team was practically an extension of Kim Seul-ong's blade.
Whenever he drew his sword, someone was bound to get cut.
It was a rumor that spread far and wide in the industry, proven time and again as they took down those who maliciously harassed KS artists.
If you had no intention of going up against KS, you didn't touch their celebrities.
It was practically an unwritten rule of the industry.
"And yet a stalker shows up—one who's suspected to be from within the industry, no less?"
"...I'm sorry."
"This isn't something for the legal team to apologize for. Unless you're planning on having more to apologize for down the line."
The lawyers from the legal team, summoned to the CEO's office for the first time in a while, were on edge.
Kim Seul-ong made eye contact with each of them one by one.
The youngest lawyer, who had been there for only six months and was still practically a rookie, couldn't even meet that gaze.
"I'll handle catching the bastard myself. You prepare for what comes after."
"CEO, as you're well aware, stalkers are hard to punish severely. Fortunately, the stalker punishment laws have been strengthened recently, and if we gather solid evidence, we could get up to three years in prison or a fine of 30 million won..."
Kim Seul-ong wasn't the type to not know that.
The fact that he was bringing it up meant he wanted more than that.
The legal team leader glanced at Kim Seul-ong's expression.
Sure enough, his brow was furrowing deeper by the second.
CEO Kim hated it when people trailed off.
Gaps between words had to be as short as possible.
"Beyond that, there's nothing more we can do. Even two years ago, when DK caught that stalker targeting Geum Yuna and demanded harsh punishment, they couldn't do much."
"Just because DK couldn't do it doesn't mean we can't, right?"
Kim Seul-ong let out a hollow laugh, as if exasperated.
DK was one of the top three agencies too, but their legal team paled in comparison to KS's.
KS had assembled a powerhouse led by a former deputy chief prosecutor, on par with those of any chaebol family.
And yet, from their mouths came the word "impossible."
"That's not what we mean, but given the circumstances, there's no clear path forward."
"So if you say there's no way, am I supposed to just go, 'Oh, I see, no way possible'? Is that why I'm paying you all top salaries and treating you so well?"
"... "
"You have to work for what you get paid. If you're taking the money but not delivering, why should I keep you around? You're not a deputy chief prosecutor anymore. Back in your prosecutor days, maybe you could slack off and keep your seat, but this isn't some iron rice bowl. You know that better than anyone, Team Leader— you got booted from senior prosecutor and landed here. If you keep half-assing it and the district attorney comes demanding your resignation, you think you can hold on?"
Was it because it had been so long since he'd danced with blades?
Kim Seul-ong's edge had already dulled.
This was absolutely unacceptable.
The legal team was supposed to be maintained in peak condition, ready to strike at any moment.
For them to rust like this already meant rot was setting in from the top down.
'...Time to replace them.'
As if reading his thoughts, the legal team leader—who had been whining about the impossibility—prostrated himself flat.
"We'll do our absolute best."
"Do your best or your worst, I don't care—just bring me results. Results."
"Yes, sir. We'll make sure there's nothing for you to worry about."
"If my words came off a bit harsh today, forgive me. The situation's got me on edge."
"Not at all. You had every right."
"Get back to work."
"Yes, CEO."
The team leader and his crew scurried out of the CEO's office.
With this much pressure, they'd go beyond the stalker— they'd dig into his family, relatives, and acquaintances until there was nothing left.
No one is completely clean when you shake them hard enough.
With the kind of rabid dog reputation he'd had as a prosecutor, this case would wrap up nicely.
'Fed them too well, and now they're getting comfortable.'
A dog that loses its hunting instinct is no longer a hunter.
Hu—
Truth be told, a stalker wasn't that big a deal in the industry.
As the team leader said, slap them with a 3 million won fine, and surviving everyday life would be tough enough.
If they came at her willing to throw their life away, that would actually be welcome.
KS Entertainment wasn't just the legal team, after all.
But the first blade dulling was a grave issue that couldn't be overlooked.
Sighing in his chair, Kim Seul-ong picked up his phone.
"This is Kim Seul-ong. How have you been?"
"Nothing urgent, but I'd like to meet three days from now, evening."
"Yes, we'll talk details in person."
Ending the call, Kim Seul-ong pressed the intercom.
-Yes, CEO.
-Book Seoksujung three days from now, evening. Meeting with the Eastern District Prosecutor.
-Got it.
He pondered how much he'd have to offer to bring in the district prosecutor this time.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Morning had Sameg filming. Afternoon had Nomen.
And...
'Whichever set it is, the stalker's probably waiting for me too...'
I steeled myself and left the house.
I expected Yoo Jun-seung and Kim Gyu-jin to be waiting as usual.
But two more people had joined them.
One female bodyguard, one male.
They looked so solid, even if you handed me a weapon, I wouldn't dream of fighting them.
'What kind of eyes... full of killing intent...'
Were North Korean operatives like this back in the day?
Or special forces like UDT or 707?
Whatever, better avert my eyes first.
"Winter, these two will handle your protection starting today."
""Hello.""
The bodyguards greeted me with crisp salutes.
I knew they were here to protect me, but they scared me more than some unknown stalker.
"...Do we really need two?"
They looked like they could take down five stalkers without breaking a sweat.
"You never know what might happen. I figured we needed someone for close protection too."
The male bodyguard would handle overall security, following the schedule.
The female would stick close to me.
'Ugh. This feels incredibly burdensome.'
Now I'd be a rookie actress trailed by Kim Gyu-jin the executive, Yoo Jun-seung the manager, and two bodyguards.
Pretty eye-catching combo.
But for the time being, as Kim Gyu-jin said, anything could happen.
"Sorry to drag you all into this. Looking forward to working with you."
"No need to apologize. This is what we're here for. Just focus on your work without worry."
"Oh, Winter unnie! Hi... there...?"
A girl group member from the same building stepped out of her dorm and froze at the sight of the bodyguards.
"Ah, off on a personal schedule? Be safe out there."
"...Yup, you too, unnie!"
Idols deal with bodyguards at events and airports all the time, yet she reacted like that.
Me being spooked wasn't because I'm a coward.
These two were definitely a special case.
"...Shall we head out?"
Somehow, we ended up squeezing two more into the back seat, but with the seats reclined, the Cannison High Limousine was spacious enough for everyone to lie back comfortably.
Two extras barely made a difference.
Maybe they assigned a Cannison to rookies anticipating situations like this.
That was bordering on Kim Seul-ong worship. The CEO's just the CEO. No need to turn it into faith.
Arriving in Paju, I headed into the set as usual.
Somehow, all eyes seemed to be on me.
"Hey, Winter. Team's grown while I wasn't looking. Soon you'll have the Winter Squad."
Geum Yuna, ever radiant and fresh, greeted me with a joke.
As expected of a top actress—no surprise at the bodyguards.
"...Yeah, somehow."
As I chatted with Geum Yuna, a beagle came bounding over from afar.
"Noona! Did you see the views on our NewTube? Three million! Three million!"
"Whoa, that much?"
The 'Connect Goes!' video with Kang Ho-su had us tackling absurd common-sense quizzes, ones that sent you to hell if you slipped, and science—medicine? Chemistry?—quizzes boosted by Sameg script knowledge.
It was a NewTube variety show.
Maybe because the quizzes were pretty stimulating.
Or my face on the thumbnail.
Anyway, it smashed the views that even Kang Ho-su and Lee Kang-chan together couldn't hit easily.
"Whoa, personal bodyguards already!"
"Yeah... something like that, so they assigned them."
No need to broadcast the stalker thing.
Didn't suspect Kang Ho-su or Geum Yuna either.
How could people busier than me stalk me around?
I just didn't want to worry them.
"Our drama's ratings hit 17% already. They'll keep climbing, and soon street strolls won't be easy like before. Even back when only two episodes were out, fans mobbed us for a sudden autograph session. Bodyguards are a smart move, especially for rookies."
Today's Geum Yuna looked at me approvingly.
Thankfully, 'actress duties' were off the table today.
"Whoa, when we move around, fans push, grope, hit—it's beyond imagination. Noona, you gotta be careful."
"That's 'cause it's Connect. Mine's not that bad."
"Nope. Winter, you're coming to listen to my lecture."
"... "
I'd dug my own grave.
Geum Yuna, already made up and waiting, followed me anyway.
"Yuna, here to nag again? Sigh, how'd you turn into a mom at your age?"
"...Nag? It's all for your own good, from one to ten."
"Society calls that nagging."
"...Can't help it even if you hate it."
The makeup artist tried to save me, but Geum Yuna ignored her.
It sounded familiar, like something I'd heard before.
Some singer called the nation's little sister sang a song like that in my past life...
While getting made up and listening to Geum Yuna's self-esteem lecture,
I shot episode 12 of Psychometry Her.
This drama's 16 episodes total. I'd finish after two more.
They catch the serial killer, but a bigger black curtain looms behind.
Doctor Helena gets kidnapped by the mastermind around episode 14's end, fate unknown.
In the show, they never clarify if she lives or dies.
A hook for season 2.
Wrapped Sameg,
wrapped Nomen,
and got home.
No missing items today.
No photos in the dorm mailbox.
With bodyguards on, the stalking stopped.
But a wave of unease hit— was this really the end?