Chapter 518
Chapter 518
It wasn't that Bae Se-jin had intentionally avoided telling the members what kind of role he was playing.
The timing just… never seemed right.
‘I couldn't exactly bring up my drama while we were all talking about who had their memories and who didn't!’
Besides, he had already finished filming without any issues. In his mind, no matter how much he agonized over it, the topic sat firmly at the bottom of the priority list for conversation.
So, he made a firm resolution.
‘I’ll tell them tonight before we go to sleep.’
But that night...
"Happy birthday, Hyung!"
A surprise birthday party for Ryu Cheong-woo was held!
That’s right.
Of all days, it was October 28th—Ryu Cheong-woo’s birthday.
"……."
Why hadn't he realized?
"Hey, you've been busy, Hyung."
It was because this was a surprise party secretly prepared by the three members of TeSTAR’s middle line, the so-called 'October Same-age Group.'
Deciding that the members who had been struggling with memory and identity issues deserved some pure fun, the three of them had put their heads together, divided up the roles, and smuggled in the party supplies.
"Just enjoy yourself~"
At the comment from the other Lee Se-jin—the one he was now on fairly comfortable speaking terms with—Bae Se-jin screamed internally.
‘I don’t need this kind of consideration…!’
However, he wasn't so socially inept anymore that he would have a pointless outburst in a situation like this.
‘…Still, it really is thoughtful of them.’
The atmosphere was warm and wonderful, after all.
Ryu Cheong-woo seemed so unexpectedly moved that he looked almost dazed beyond mere happiness, and seeing that, the faces of those who had prepared the party brightened as well.
Seon A-hyun stepped forward, his face flushed, holding out a cake. The massive chocolate cake was decorated with cheerful writing that said things like, 'TeSTAR’s eldest brother is so handsome.'
"You… you can blow out the candles now…!"
"…Haha, alright. Should I make a wish too?"
"Ooooh~"
"……."
Naturally, there was no way he could suddenly start talking about a psychopathic role in this atmosphere…
‘He’s already been through so much heartache!’
The least he could do was let the guy enjoy being the protagonist of his own birthday in peace.
And so, Bae Se-jin made a choice he had never made in his life—the choice of a social butterfly: 'Shut your mouth and go with the flow.'
The result was a heartwarming scene where he was the only one suffering.
Ugh.
"Hyung, what did you wish for?"
"Hmm… for our team to stay healthy and promote together for a long time?"
"That’s… that’s a really good wish…!"
"……I agree."
Bae Se-jin chimed in as he accepted a slice of cake that Park Moon-dae had cut with surgical precision.
Phew.
At least the cake was delicious.
And even after a glass of champagne (non-alcoholic, of course), Bae Se-jin tried to subtly bring up the drama again, but…
"I, uh, did not expect an atmosphere like this… but I think we are a very joyful and harmonious team."
"……."
"It makes me want to regain my memories quickly so I can contribute more to this team…."
How had the day become so meaningful?
At the cautious words from Steer’s Kim Rae-bin, Bae Se-jin almost squeezed his eyes shut.
"…Right."
Let’s give up.
Bae Se-jin decided to aim for the next day.
And the very next day was a new filming day for True Competition.
It was the shoot right before a mid-season break—a chance to adjust the tempo by announcing the winner of the current round and filming some lighthearted filler content.
TeSTAR did well, taking 2nd place.
"Thank you!"
Since the results were more or less what they expected, everyone was able to wrap up the shoot in a good mood.
For the record, Iter from Wonder Hall, who had newly joined the show, received a low ranking of 5th place.
As rookies, their stage had been high-energy and filled with flashy effects. Since it was a stage meticulously constructed by experts with excellent planning, 5th place must have been a disappointing rank for them.
However.
Bae Se-jin maintained his poker face through years of experience, but his internal thoughts were blunt.
‘Honestly, I don’t feel bad about it.’
It felt a bit like poetic justice.
Of course, next to him, Park Moon-dae was thinking something like, 'It actually would've been better for us if those guys took 1st and dealt with the inevitable backlash.'
Regardless, while Iter’s seemingly innocent yet ignorant attitude had left TeSTAR with a strange and uncomfortable impression, the filming itself ended well.
"We'll see you in two weeks, Seniors!"
"Yes, get home safely, TeSTAR!"
After saying goodbye to Malang Dalkom, who had taken a tearful 1st place, the members headed to the waiting room to pack their things.
The atmosphere was relaxed. It was the kind of mood where he could bring it up as small talk and they could all have a good laugh.
‘Is it… finally time to tell them?’
"Se-jin."
"O-Oh, yeah?"
But Ryu Cheong-woo spoke first.
"I'm late in saying this, aren't I? …Thank you. I heard you put a lot of effort into helping me snap out of it."
"……It wasn't that big of a deal."
"No, it was."
Ryu Cheong-woo’s eyes were warm.
"My attitude must have been very flustering for you. It must have been even harder to look after someone else when you were in a difficult situation yourself."
"……."
"But you looked after me anyway."
Bae Se-jin hesitated for a moment before blurting out.
"…We’re friends, so of course I did."
For Bae Se-jin, Ryu Cheong-woo was practically his first friend of the same age.
Furthermore, since he had received so much help from Cheong-woo in the past, being thanked like this was actually quite embarrassing.
Ryu Cheong-woo gave a wide smile.
"Still, thank you."
"…Alright."
Sincere words, almost awkward in their earnestness, were exchanged softly before ending on a heartwarming note.
A comfortable silence settled over them.
And Bae Se-jin thought:
"……."
In this atmosphere, suddenly talking about a psychopathic role…
‘As if I could…….’
In the end, Bae Se-jin gave up on speaking, feeling like he wanted to burst into tears.
…And just like that, the day of the broadcast arrived.
Midnight on Halloween, October 31st.
Thanks to the bold choice of not scheduling anything for the following morning, TeSTAR gathered on the sofa in high spirits.
"Hyung! It's starting! Sit down, quickly! Hurry!"
"……."
Bae Se-jin plopped down on the sofa.
To hide his nervousness, he grabbed a handful of Cha Yu-jin’s popcorn and began chewing it aggressively.
"…?? What the…."
"It’s starting."
Cha Yu-jin was momentarily taken aback, but at Park Moon-dae’s voice, he quickly fixed his eyes on the TV.
[A dream.]
[This must be a dream.]
[It had to be.]
The first episode of the new Netplus series, Doll Hunter, which had been released just seconds ago, began to play.
The plot of Doll Hunter was close to a modern mystery-survival thriller.
One day, the protagonist wakes up to the sound of an alarm only to realize that despite it being morning, not a single ray of light is coming through the window.
Upon approaching the window, they discover a chilling fact.
Outside the glass is nothing but damp earth.
As if the entire building had been buried alive.
[Aaaagh!]
The plot of this mystery drama followed the protagonist as they constantly climbed to higher floors to escape the bizarrely twisted, dark building, encountering neighbors who had turned into monsters along the way.
Of course, not every neighbor had turned. The majority of the residents were simply buried along with the building.
As the protagonist climbed, they met various types of people—allies and enemies alike. They even formed a group with those they bonded with.
A firefighter retired due to injury, a student taking the college entrance exam for the third time, a high school baseball player, a colleague from work, and…
[…Hello.]
"Oh, Se-jin Hyung!"
Bae Se-jin’s character, a medical student named 'Jung Yi-sol,' was also a companion who joined the group in the early-to-mid stages.
A man in his mid-twenties with black hair neatly swept back and rimless glasses.
He was intelligent, had good judgment, and even possessed emergency medical skills. If this were a game, he would be the number one recruit for any party.
[Stop.]
[…!!]
In particular, his first appearance—showing up with a fire hose to drive away a monster just as the protagonist’s party was cornered—provided a sense of catharsis, especially when paired with the driving BGM.
Even Ryu Cheong-woo, who usually had little interest in surreal media, was lightly impressed.
"Se-jin, you look really cool."
"…Y-Yeah. Thanks."
A capable supporter who prevented frustrating plot developments while also maintaining the team's morality!
The role, which anyone would covet, shone even brighter thanks to Bae Se-jin’s excellent visuals and acting skills.
[This way.]
[Ah…!]
Even his few words felt charming.
Furthermore, this medical student invited the protagonist’s party to his hideout and even treated the injured.
And where was that hideout?
[A convenience store!]
[Shh.]
It was a convenience store stocked with supplies!
Watching the protagonist’s party ravenously eat greasy, salty canned ham and hot instant rice made the viewers crave them too, even though they knew it was product placement.
"Wow~ Hyung, you’re even handling the PPL? You really have an important role in many ways~"
"Totally cool. You look great!"
"……Yeah."
An important role in many ways… indeed.
Bae Se-jin couldn't bring himself to stop the members as they excitedly binged straight through to Episode 2.
As is often the case with works based on long, solid original source material, the drama moved at a breakneck pace, keeping the members on the edge of their seats and fully immersed in the story.
There wasn't a single dull moment.
They even began analyzing the characters' strategies and offering unsolicited advice.
"Ah, so they'll use that convenience store as their base of operations now."
"Looks like it."
"Hmm~ I think it would be better to go up a bit more. Well, I guess it’s hard to think like that when you’re actually in that situation."
Because the 31-story mixed-use building had been inverted, the luxury officetels where people lived at the top were now on the bottom floors.
And the convenience store, which had been placed there to serve the residents, was around the 28th floor.
The members were divided on whether it was better to leave the officetel floors and go higher to the commercial area.
Seon A-hyun even asked Park Moon-dae.
"U-Um, Moon-dae, what do you think?"
Park Moon-dae answered calmly.
"I don't know… but I think they'll have to leave the convenience store eventually."
"…?"
"It’s too easy to get ambushed there."
The moment he finished speaking.
Right on cue, the convenience store appeared on the screen again.
The exterior was pitch black, the lights having been cut.
"……!!"
[…Huh? Uh…?]
The protagonist had gone down a floor to check on a distress signal sent by middle schoolers trapped in a small officetel room, and the group had split in two.
Those who weren't injured moved.
Those who were injured stayed at the convenience store.
And now, they had returned to the store where only the injured remained… but all the LED lights were off, creating a sinister atmosphere.
"Ooooh,"
"I see. Since it’s obvious there’s food in a convenience store, anyone could target it."
"Mmm~ As I thought, they should have gone to the floor with the shops to spread out the risk…."
Even as they spoke, neither Ryu Cheong-woo nor Lee Se-jin could take their eyes off the screen.
And then, they realized something from their own words.
—A convenience store is easy to ambush.
Then how had the medical student managed to use it as a hideout without being attacked until now…?
The moment that question crossed the minds of a few members.
[…….]
On the screen, the protagonist and a few companions finally stepped inside the store.
The interior was dark, cast in the protagonist’s shadow.
[Hello?]
Fortunately, the shelves and counter reached by the faint light still looked intact.
But no answer came. Only suffocating white noise filled the screen.
‘Did they evacuate in advance?’
Just as that hopeful speculation flickered by, the protagonist’s flashlight beam swung toward the convenience store’s storage room door.
And then.
[…!!]
Through the cracked door, shoes and legs began to come into view.
They weren't standing vertically; they were lying horizontally in an alien, unnatural way.
Thump. Thump.
A sound effect like a beating heart dominated the screen.
The camera, from the protagonist’s point of view, slowly tilted up to capture the only silhouette standing inside the storage room.
[You’re back?]
And everyone realized.
The medical student hadn't avoided being ambushed at the convenience store; he was the one who had done the ambushing.
Behind the medical student, who was nonchalantly wiping blood off his hands with a wet wipe as if it were a daily routine, the wide-eyed corpses were caught in the flickering light of the shaky camera.
And the ones piled on top were shown in a close-up.
They were the protagonist’s companions who had stayed behind due to their injuries.
Specifically, the very first members the protagonist had bonded with in Episode 1.
Among them was the heroine—the woman who was forming a romantic connection with the protagonist.
There was also the office colleague, a supporting character who everyone assumed would make it to the end.
And yet… that was it.
In just two episodes… the starting members were all dead.
By the medical student’s hand.
"……."
"……."
Bae Se-jin began to desperately avoid the members' gazes!