Chapter 135: Boarding
Chapter 135: Boarding
The world revered Gu Sunwoo like a god.
The media called his acting “the salvation of a new era,” and critics praised him as “the messiah who restored emotion to an age that had lost its words.”
Ryu Sunho—no, Gu Sunwoo—looked straight into the camera and smiled with a sacred calm, as if giving an interview.
[The essence of my acting is empathy. In a world that has lost its words, emotion becomes the only language.]
As he imagined interview subtitles appearing at the bottom of the screen, Gu Sunwoo’s hand sliced through the air. The motion was elegant and fluid.
People were captivated by the gesture.
But they did not know the true source of the empathy he spoke of.
At night, Gu Sunwoo’s special ritual repeated itself.
A dark alley.
A perfect murder.
For Gu Sunwoo, it was the ultimate artistic act that inspired him—and the only true way he communicated with the world.
However, recently tiny cracks had begun appearing in those perfect murders.
The victims were gradually becoming less afraid.
Naturally, because he had begun selecting people who had no connection to him at all.
So the pure screams Gu Sunwoo desired never emerged.
This won’t do.
Gu Sunwoo’s expression twisted ever so slightly.
I need… a more dramatic reaction.
So he began adding theatrical direction.
Using grotesque movements, he psychologically pressured his target and amplified their terror.
He moved closer.
He pretended to stab with an invisible weapon.
He pretended to strangle with an invisible rope.
Then he stepped closer to the opposing actor.
Half a step beyond the originally agreed blocking.
The other actor’s eyes flickered with confusion.
But Gu Sunwoo did not stop.
At that moment, a switch deep inside activated.
【Emotion-Piercing Aura Activated】
Wh… what is this?
An invisible wave spread outward from Ryu Sunho.
It could not be seen, but the atmosphere on set changed.
His gaze pierced straight through the camera lens.
Flinch.
The cinematographer, looking through the viewfinder, involuntarily trembled.
It was only acting on a monitor, yet a chilling cold ran down his spine through the lens.
…His emotions feel deeper than before.
Director Baek Junbong could not take his eyes off the monitor either.
His breath caught.
The moment Ryu Sunho’s hand clenched the air, he felt as if his own heart were being squeezed.
A shiver crawled down his spine.
But that fear lasted only a moment.
Soon another emotion surged within him.
His eyes began trembling with excitement.
Yes… this is it. This is exactly what I wanted.
Not merely a terrifying killer.
A devil who transforms murder into art—beautiful yet revolting.
That contradictory existence was breathing inside the monitor.
Director Baek Junbong clenched his fist.
Every hair on his body stood on end.
A thrilling catharsis flooded his mind.
More. Show me more. Go even crazier!
The uncontrollable excitement made the old man almost shake with energy.
Yet the set remained deathly silent.
The staff were so overwhelmed by Ryu Sunho’s presence that they could not even breathe loudly.
Only Director Baek Junbong’s rough breathing filled the silence.
Then the extra playing the opposing actor screamed in pure terror.
“K–Kyaaaah!”
A death cry.
Not a scream written in the script.
But terror forced out by survival instinct.
“Cut! Okay!”
Director Baek Junbong’s shout echoed across the set.
At that sound, the madness faded from Ryu Sunho’s eyes.
They returned to the ordinary gaze of a young man.
“Wow… damn… I thought my heart was going to explode.”
“Did you see the director’s expression?”
“He looked like he was about to pass out…”
After Ryu Sunho’s cut ended, everyone quickly prepared for the next scene.
The location remained the same.
Only the character changed.
Now the perspective shifted to Detective Moon Ganghyeok, who was tracking the case.
While the lighting on set was being reset, Moon Ganghyeok stood alone in a dark corner.
He had just witnessed Ryu Sunho’s acting directly.
…Overwhelming.
How had his acting improved so much in such a short time?
Was he secretly receiving some special coaching?
Various thoughts tangled together as a sense of intimidation crept in.
But—
Smack. Smack.
Moon Ganghyeok slapped his own cheeks roughly.
The sound was loud enough that a nearby staff member startled and stepped back.
But he did not notice.
All his focus was on himself.
…Focus.
He could not shrink back.
Sunho had already set the stage with such insane intensity.
If he faltered now, the balance of the entire film would collapse.
Burdening someone who trusted and supported him was something he hated more than death.
“Hoo…”
With a deep exhale, he wiped his face and steadied his gaze.
When he raised his head again, the anxiety in Moon Ganghyeok’s eyes was gone.
Only the sharp gaze of Seon Minho, a hunting dog chasing the truth, remained.
“Good. Keep that feeling.”
Watching him, Director Baek Junbong’s lips curled upward again.
“Standby! Action!”
Cracks always leave traces.
As Seon Minho examined the crime scene, his brow furrowed.
Despite the crushing fatigue, a detective’s intuition flickered.
…Something’s wrong.
Seon Minho pointed at the victim’s face.
Then he pulled photographs from his pocket and began comparing them with the faces of other victims.
Their final moments overlapped strangely.
Abnormally dilated pupils.
The bizarre angle of their twisted brows.
And faint traces of contact.
Moon Ganghyeok lifted his head.
With the eyes of a detective who had pierced the truth, he stared straight at the camera.
Then he quickly scribbled something in his notebook and showed it to a fellow detective.
[Someone is inducing the screams.]
In the photograph, Seon Minho saw the shadow of the culprit.
The shadow of an exceptionally cruel—and meticulous—director.
During a short break before the next shoot, I was getting my makeup touched up in the dressing room when Moon Ganghyeok quietly approached.
Our eyes met through the mirror.
He seemed to have something to say, his lips moving hesitantly.
I asked the makeup artist for a moment and turned toward him.
“Sunbae, what’s up?”
He finally spoke cautiously.
“Um… Sunho… right? Your agency… it’s called Flash Entertainment, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“…What’s the atmosphere there like? And acting lessons… how do they handle those?”
The way he spoke—it seemed he had gathered quite a bit of courage.
Looks like he’s struggling with his agency.
Come to think of it, I had heard that Moon Ganghyeok currently ran a one-person agency, working only with a single employee who served as both CEO and manager.
Well, no need to pry into personal circumstances.
So I tried to explain the company’s atmosphere and advantages as kindly and thoroughly as possible.
“The atmosphere overall is…”
Moon Ganghyeok listened carefully, nodding.
Apparently satisfied, a faint smile appeared on his stiff lips.
At that moment, the makeup artist—who had been listening beside us—suddenly laughed and chimed in.
“Oh? You two must have gotten pretty close! Especially you, Kanghyeok. You’re talking so much today! It’s nice to see.”
In that instant, Moon Ganghyeok’s eyes shook violently.
Then he shut his mouth tightly and hurried out of the room.
It happened in an instant.
An awkward silence remained in the dressing room.
The makeup artist trembled slightly and asked me,
“…Did I just make a huge mistake?”
After filming for Mueon:ga finished, I received a call from Han Seungwoo.
“If you’re not busy, let’s go shopping.”
“…Can’t you shop by yourself?”
“Not my shopping. Yours.”
We soon arrived at a bespoke house in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul.
A custom suit shop.
“Why are we here?”
“What do you mean why? You dress terribly.”
A direct hit.
But I could not refute it.
“You’re appearing on The Great Norton Show, right? You can’t show up looking shabby.”
“I have a stylist.”
“Stylists only bring ready-made clothes or collection pieces. Those aren’t the right level. You should wear something perfectly fitted to your body—something one of a kind.”
…He wasn’t wrong.
And I was grateful.
But the tone still rubbed me the wrong way.
“So stop talking and go in. It’s cold.”
Right.
He was doing this for me.
I probably just needed to get used to the way he talked.
“For reference, this place has been making suits for our family since my grandfather became chairman. Their master tailor is from Savile Row in London.”
Even from the moment I stepped in, the atmosphere was different.
It had the prestige of a shop meant only for VVIP clients.
“So don’t act awkward like a country bumpkin. Just stand still. I’ll handle everything.”
“…Yes.”
Even in my previous life, when I made decent money, I had never visited a place like this.
So I could only follow the expert’s lead.
When Han Seungwoo and I entered, the staff lined up neatly and bowed in greeting.
“Welcome.”
Han Seungwoo merely nodded before immediately calling for the master tailor.
“He’s a younger brother I value. He’s going to promote the nation’s prestige. Treat him like a national representative and make the suit carefully.”
The fabric, color, and details were all decided by Han Seungwoo.
He asked my opinion occasionally, but the questions were basically “This is better, right?”
So I just nodded.
Honestly, I knew little about the subject anyway.
After carefully measuring my body, we checked the fitting a week later.
Finally, when the suit was completed, we returned again.
Since I had come straight from filming, my hair and makeup were already done when I tried it on.
The curtain of the fitting room opened.
When I stepped out, every staff member in the store inhaled sharply.
“…Wow…”
One employee instinctively let out an exclamation and quickly covered their mouth.
“S-sorry!”
“No, that sounded pretty genuine. I like it.”
Han Seungwoo pulled out his wallet and handed the employee a check.
“You made me feel good. A tip.”
I looked at myself in the mirror.
Even to my own eyes, the suit was perfect.
A dark navy three-piece suit.
The fit flowed naturally along my body lines, and its subtle sheen radiated luxury.
They say clothes make the man.
It definitely elevated my appearance.
Han Seungwoo crossed his arms and nodded with satisfaction.
“Now you look decent. Wear it well.”
“Aren’t you coming with me, Hyung?”
“Why would I go there? I’m not your background decoration. I’m busy.”
That was true.
Han Seungwoo brushed a bit of dust from my shoulder and spoke casually.
“Think of it as going in my place. Make your face known. While you’re at it, promote the drama and the movie too. Don’t shrink back over there.”
At Incheon International Airport, I was about to board the flight to London in the United Kingdom.
After finishing departure procedures, I sat briefly in the business lounge and checked the status window.
【Beneficial Spoiler (A+)】
【You can preview fatal threats that will occur in your future through prophetic dreams.】
【※Currently on cooldown】
【Remaining Time: 143 days 23 hours】
I hadn’t known there was a cooldown.
A full six months.
Well… thinking about it now, that makes sense.
It felt like an S-rank cheat ability.
I had wondered why it was only A+.
Turns out there was a limitation.
Nothing strange will happen while I’m in the UK… right?
The thought made me uneasy.
But it wasn’t like I would cancel the interview over it.
Better to stop worrying about useless things and focus on what I had to show there.
“Boarding will now begin.”
The announcement echoed through the terminal.
I stood up and walked toward the gate.