Mountain Formations and Legendary Broadcast

Suhyeon drove all the way near the civilian control line in Gangwon Province, shouldered a bag filled with medicinal herbs, and climbed a mountain brimming with qi that he'd scouted the previous day during his cameo shoot.

'Getting closer to the DMZ would make it even more effective, but the military checkpoints are strict on the way, and locals get suspicious easily. This will have to do for now.'

On a mountainside where no one passed by, Suhyeon gathered an armful of branches and carefully began setting up the Illusion Maze Formation. It was an array that disoriented anyone who entered, tricking their sense of direction and forcing them to circle around a specific area.

"Even if someone does wander by, I need basic precautions so they won't spot it."

Once the formation was complete, Suhyeon tested it to confirm it worked properly and nodded in satisfaction.

"Perfect. Finally getting to put my past life's knowledge to use."

He dismantled the Illusion Maze Formation, then used the herbs to meticulously lay out the Water Qi Gathering Formation inside it. In the center, he placed a half-full bottle of mineral water and stepped back.

After carefully completing the outer Illusion Maze Formation around the Water Qi Gathering Formation, Suhyeon wiped the sweat streaming down his forehead from the tension and let out a sigh.

"In about three days, the qi from the herbs should condense and gather in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the water bottle. Drinking it then should give me the full effect."

Feeling upbeat at the thought that the herb-rich qi would soon let him complete the Meridian Washing stage and achieve Microcosmic Orbit, Suhyeon descended the mountain with a bright expression and returned home.

The next morning, Suhyeon ran into Marvin at the practice room.

"Suhyeon. I've got something to ask you..."

"Go ahead. What's on your mind?"

"Sigh. Do you really think I'm from that family, like you said?"

"Without the DNA results, I can't say for sure. I'm just inferring from the circumstances."

"I'm still in shock. What if it turns out not to be ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠true later?"

"Then nothing changes—great, right? No one's targeting you anymore, back to normal life. What's to worry about? And..."

"And?"

"It's a family motto passed down in my line: [One Mistake, Two Coincidences, Three Suspicions, Four Preparations]."

"What does that mean?"

"When analyzing info on something, one piece could be wrong, two might just coincide by chance, but three means you should suspect it's real, and four means believe it and prepare thoroughly. Even if it turns out you're not from that family later, everything that's happened around you so far means we should assume it is now and get ready."

"Sigh. Suhyeon, you make things so complicated sometimes."

"Do I? Then let's just say prepare for the unexpected."

"Prepare for the unexpected... So what should I do now?"

Suhyeon flashed a bright smile at Marvin's worried question.

"Practice acting with me."

"Huh? Acting practice?"

"Yeah. I've written the full script. On Handle the Refrigerator, we don't have much to do—just follow the writer's lines. But we need to prep beforehand."

Suhyeon explained the script in detail to Marvin, had him practice his lines, and started rehearsing his own parts accordingly.

Amid his packed schedule—action school, acting practice, new song prep, audition training, fist technique training, studying recording gear manuals—Suhyeon kept a close eye on Marvin for any signs of danger or incidents. Thankfully, Marvin was being cautious himself, rarely leaving the company or home, so nothing happened.

Two days passed.

On Sunday evening, Suhyeon grabbed a can of beer from the fridge to monitor his Problematic Human episode and settled on the living room sofa. After a few sips, the show started.

Unlike the usual opening with cast members strolling into the studio against a normal backdrop, a black screen appeared with the clacking of typewriter keys as characters materialized one by one.

Watching casually while sipping his beer, Suhyeon thought, 'Did the Broadcasting Review Board give them a warning? Looks like a disclaimer.'

Suhyeon read the subtitle, spat out his beer, and choked.

"Is that guy insane?! How am I supposed to deal with backlash from crap like that?!"

He snatched his phone, found Hwang PD—the Problematic Human producer's number—and called, but no answer. After several tries, he gave up and decided to watch the episode.

First came his miserable student-era report card and tales of delinquency, aired almost unedited.

"That's as planned."

Then the problem-solving segments began. For the first, the dying message, and second, the musical puzzle, Suhyeon shouted answers and raised his hand before the host finished reading—clips played back-to-back. Cut-ins showed baffled panelists and a slightly stunned Hwang PD.

"I was quick, but... shouldn't be a big deal."

Next, the third Sudoku puzzle: Suhyeon solved it in 10 seconds. Shocked panelist faces intercut for emphasis, with groan effects from staff everywhere.

Suhyeon ran a hand through his hair and sighed deeply at the monitor.

"Sigh. Hwang PD went all-in on editing like this."

The fourth, hidden picture find, proceeded normally as they took turns.

"No issues there..."

The fifth: a notorious tough puzzle from the WPC (World Puzzle Championship).

"This should be fine. I stopped near the end to avoid solo-carrying. So three out of five solved... that level should air okay."

Recalling it fondly, Suhyeon sipped his beer reassured.

After the puzzle explanation, a timer appeared top-screen and countdown began. Faces of Suhyeon and panels split-screened in seven-way view with their monitors.

Suhyeon's monitor enlarged center, others surrounding. He solved fluidly one-stroke style, then paused at 15 seconds.

Back to monitors: his filled with numbers/symbols, others blank.

A huge, friendly subtitle scrolled:

Suhyeon's prediction shattered in Hwang PD's flashy edit. He shook his head, crushed the beer can.

"Damn... Does Hwang PD care about me or screw me over? This blows up way beyond what I expected."

Knowing Problematic Human had low ratings but loyal diehards, Suhyeon grabbed his phone to check reactions on the homepage. KakaoTalks flooded in, calls ringing nonstop.

The next morning, Suhyeon met with Manager Park.

"Suhyeon, watched it. Impressive as always. A true genius."

"Sigh. I'm dying from it. No idea what got into Hwang PD to edit like that. Won't even pick up now."

"We talked. He said he edited straight facts—no adds, no cuts. And he's swamped with calls since last night."

"Haa..."

"Promo team's getting interview and appearance requests pouring in. Heard?"

"Came straight to your office—haven't checked."

"Don't stress. If it was faked, it'd backfire eventually. But that was pure you. Why worry? And..."

"And?"

"Handle the Refrigerator PD called early. The one dragging feet ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠on your and Marvin's slot despite my pushes? Wants to negotiate now. You're hot from last night—they want you quick. Going to plan, right? All thanks to Problematic Human."

"Sigh. Yeah. Guess I should think positive."

Meanwhile, as Suhyeon and Manager Park talked...

In a Yongsan mansion living room, a middle-aged lady was on the phone.

Hanging up, the lady gazed ahead, tension easing.

"Phew. Thank goodness. Hanho Group belongs to my boys..."

At that moment, in Oseong Hospital's top VIP room in Gangnam, Hanho Group Chairman Lee Young-ho was on the phone.

Hanging up, Chairman Lee stared at the TV. An idol boy band performed energetically onstage.

"Name's Marvin..."

That evening, Suhyeon drove to Gangwon, dismantled the mountain formation, retrieved the water bottle, and returned home. Sitting in lotus position in the living room, he lifted the bottle and intoned firmly, enunciating each character.

"Now it begins."