Chapter 551
Chapter 551
Bae Se-jin stared straight ahead, his body trembling.
A strange pixelated screen was still floating there.
[Park Moon-dae (ㅁ_ㅁ+) : Deducing your identity!]
“…….”
“I-It’s done!”
What exactly was "done"?
Bae Se-jin stared blankly at Keun-dal. Keun-dal, dressed in a suit, wore a bright expression.
Bae Se-jin’s body moved instinctively.
“What… what should I do…….”
“Wait, wait! Keep the contact exactly as it is, and pull away slowly! I’m still in the middle of connecting!”
Ugh.
Bae Se-jin kept his hand on Keun-dal’s shoulder.
The others, who had been haphazardly grabbing Keun-dal’s limbs, slowly let go one by one, following the order.
However, everyone’s eyes remained fixed on the bizarre window floating in front of Bae Se-jin.
This was…….
“It’s like… that game where you raise a daughter? That kind of vibe?”
“No, but why is Park Moon-dae in there?!”
“Hyung-nim, is there anyone here who isn’t wondering that?”
After a sudden, intense bout of deduction, they reached the conclusion that Park Moon-dae had fallen into some strange virtual world, just like last time.
“At least… that’s a relief.”
“…….”
…But why did it have to be a Tamagotchi?
“I tried my best….”
Keun-dal recalled the situation when he had finally caught up beyond the passage.
‘Suddenly, information values labeled “Learning” started flowing in.’
In that situation, he had tried to exert influence over Park Moon-dae as comfortably as possible, and this format was the result.
[Anyway, I’m glad we found him. Phew….]
Beside the video call screen where Kwon Hee-seung was sighing in relief, Cha Yu-jin pointed a finger.
“Moon-dae Hyung’s face changed!”
“…….”
Keun-dal observed the screen. Then, with a dazed expression, he pointed at himself.
“…You’re right. It’s this face??”
“Exactly!”
Though the vibes were worlds apart.
Unlike Keun-dal, who looked like a good-natured and handsome young man to anyone, the low-resolution Park Moon-dae on the screen… looked like he had a nasty temper.
No, he looked exhausted.
Weariness seeped through the pixels.
“…Wait a minute. Why does the kid look so scruffy?!”
“Is there anything else we can check?”
“J-Just a moment.”
Keun-dal did his best, and eventually, they were able to see a status summary of Moon-dae, structured like a dot-art game.
Standing at the very front, Bae Se-jin quickly skimmed through the information.
‘Park Moon-dae….’
He had no money, his body was aching, and while his mental stat was rock solid….
“His stamina is total garbage.”
“…….”
“It’s not a relief at all.”
At Cha Yu-jin’s blunt observation, Keun-dal pressed his eyes with both hands.
Still, indirectly confirming that Park Moon-dae was alive somewhere significantly eased the atmosphere among the group.
“Now we just need to figure out how to bring him back, right?”
“First… let’s let him know that we’re here and trying to get him out.”
However, complex communication was nearly impossible.
Furthermore, Keun-dal judged that it was dangerous to try and communicate by feeding any more information to Park Moon-dae right now.
“For now… this seems to be the limit! It looks like Hyung is very exhausted and struggling….”
“…….”
Even this "connection" had to be done one by one, rotating through those with specific traits.
And for some reason, Bae Se-jin, who had been chosen as the first runner, continued to stare at the screen with a reluctant expression.
Seon A-hyun slightly raised his hand.
“Th-Then first, is there… no way to help Moon-dae get healthy?”
“I agree! His recovery should be the priority.”
Keun-dal nodded vigorously.
“Yes! I think we can try something more once he recovers! Hmm….”
Listening intently to those words, Bae Se-jin watched the speech bubble in front of him change again.
He couldn't believe his eyes.
[Park Moon-dae (ㅁ_ㅁ) : Challenging acting.]
“……Acting?”
Why are you doing that…?
“…L-Looking at his job status and things like that, it seems Hyung has become something like an aspiring actor.”
“…….”
“…….”
They couldn't help but wonder what on earth had happened.
Cheong-ryeo, who had been watching the situation in silence, placed a hand on his chin.
‘The flow of time is different.’
Just as time in a game differs from reality.
The Park Moon-dae visible in the pop-up had already finished perusing a stack of papers that looked like a script in just a few dozen seconds.
‘Is it about one day for every minute or two?’
Cheong-ryeo quickly finished his calculation.
In the meantime, the Park Moon-dae on the screen had changed to a sour expression.
[Park Moon-dae (ㅁ=ㅁ) : Agonizing over acting…….]
Ryu Cheong-woo muttered.
“Moon-dae… is probably not very good at acting.”
“…….”
Park Moon-dae was surprisingly good at shamelessly imitating someone.
However, if he was asked to immerse himself in a character to explode with emotion or express a complex, conflicted heart… the results were disastrous.
“Mmm.”
And reflexively, everyone’s attention turned to the person here who was the best at acting.
“Hmm.”
Bae Se-jin furrowed his brows and poked the Tamagotchi-version of Park Moon-dae.
“Is there… nothing I can do for him?”
It was at that moment.
[A talent linked to a trait!]
[Would you like to bestow a Blessing?]
“…!?”
*
I stared blankly at the hologram, which looked like a pop-up from the chat window I’d been using with Keun-dal.
It was the first message I’d seen since coming here.
A signal from someone.
[The Focusing Genius Actor feels sorry for you.]
‘…Actor?’
Keywords like "Focusing" and "Genius" were attached as descriptors.
Moreover, considering that the person standing right in front of me was the Bae Se-jin from several years ago….
Could this be… the real Bae Se-jin?
‘…Sejin Hyung?’
But there was no response. It seemed it wasn't a form of direct conversation.
I waited for a new sentence to appear in the pop-up, but for several seconds after that, nothing appeared.
“Excuse me.”
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
I shifted my focus for now and looked at the Bae Se-jin of "this side."
The Bae Se-jin who seemed to have come here for rehabilitation at the end of his hiatus, before participating in Idol Inc.
He wasn't here to perform himself; he seemed to have been invited literally for coaching.
‘That guy’s company and the subsidiary are different, so how… Ah, it looks like the director is an acquaintance.’
I spoke up.
“If you try it once… I’ll check and let you know.”
“…Hmm.”
I opened the music video script I’d received from the staff.
Actually, I didn't even have any lines.
I just had to walk along the beach looking lonely and melancholic, then throw a bouquet.
And there were a few lines of instructions to lightly kick the seawater.
Except… for the very end.
[C : (Turns back with eyes that want to tell many stories)
Backlit, the high-contrast sea sparkles.]
“…….”
What on earth does "eyes that want to tell many stories" even mean?
It was dizzying in many ways.
But since I wasn't in a position to refuse, I held back a sigh and focused my brain.
‘Let’s recall my experience filming music videos.’
I walked as naturally as possible and then looked back.
“…….”
“…….”
It’s awkward, so say something.
Bae Se-jin, whose dark circles had deepened, lowered his eyes.
“…You’ve never learned acting, have you?”
“No.”
“Then that’s fine.”
What?
“Just do exactly what you did just now during the shoot.”
And Bae Se-jin—the guy who would be Lee Se-jin right now—lowered his gaze to the script he was reading.
“…….”
Hmm.
*
[You don't have any acting experience?]
Inside VTIC’s van while on the move.
Cheong-ryeo closed and opened his eyes at the Help Menu that popped up out of nowhere.
As it had declared, this Help Menu, which appeared "as it pleased," no longer tried to prove its usefulness at every turn.
However, it did want to hear about Cheong-ryeo’s daily life.
—Nothing pissing you off?
On days when the conversation grew long, it would toss out words of comfort or advice.
And sometimes, it would ask questions like this.
Now, instead of saying, "Why are you asking that?" Cheong-ryeo answered readily.
“Because it doesn't affect the group’s success.”
I tried it, but I cut it off. Park Moon-dae interpreted it instantly.
[…Right. Usually, one or two members in an idol group end up acting. Somehow, VTIC didn't have any.]
Cheong-ryeo almost laughed for a moment.
“Typically… there are positions that are assigned to specific members from the moment the group is formed.”
He continued smoothly.
“We were no exception.”
It meant that VTIC did have members who had received acting lessons.
[Who was it?]
“Shin-o.”
[!!]
Is this something to be surprised about?
Cheong-ryeo shifted his gaze slightly, conscious of Shin-o, who would be sitting diagonally behind him.
A pop-up appeared that felt somewhat stunned.
[He doesn't look like an acting major.]
“Well. Appearance is a more important criterion than current acting ability.”
This is because when idol agencies select members for acting, they prefer to choose the right look and develop the ability through training.
It wasn't just about being handsome.
Whether the impression is neat. Whether the bone structure is good. Whether the atmosphere is captured well on camera.
Those were the usual selection criteria.
The peculiar thing was that, unlike idol evaluations, a plain look was often rated better than an excessively intense type.
“The standards are different from the stage.”
The Help Menu’s pop-up disappeared for a moment as if it were lost in thought.
[Right. Because you have to look more natural and everyday than when you're performing. It’s normal for the standards to be different.]
Cheong-ryeo watched the Help Menu with quite a bit of interest as it repeated those words as if summarizing.
What kind of ideas was it forming?
But instead of continuing, the Help Menu changed the subject as if to refresh the air.
[Still, isn't acting ability just as important as appearance? You could get cursed at for bad acting.]
“That won't happen.”
[…?]
Cheong-ryeo rested his arm on the window sill.
“Because there won't be any acting schedules until the contract renewal anyway.”
[…….]
Because it would disperse the public's focus.
[If you're human, be nice to him.]
Cheong-ryeo smiled faintly.
Exchanging these kinds of remarks didn't feel too bad.
‘Hmm.’
Since the conversations weren't regular anymore, Cheong-ryeo was able to maintain a strange sense of distance from the Help Menu.
If he didn't want to delete it immediately, this method was actually better.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Okay~!”
The car stopped, and the VTIC members began to get up from their seats.
The Help Menu asked a question.
[Going to a recording?]
“Yes.”
But there was no "have a good trip" greeting.
Cheong-ryeo was conscious of that, but he walked straight ahead without hesitation.
*
"Naturally," huh.
After finishing my part-time job, I sat in my old studio apartment and checked the script once more.
At the same time, I checked the pop-up every now and then.
[The Focusing Genius Actor is concerned about your health.]
However, there were no other significant changes.
Occasionally, the words would change to something like [The Focusing Genius Actor is agonizing], but there was still no feeling of special real-time communication.
‘As I thought, my thoughts or words aren't being transmitted.’
…My mouth felt a bit bitter.
Still, the surprising thing was that even when I accessed the system, that pop-up remained, albeit faintly. I was glad I’d tried it with a bit of an adventurous spirit.
So…… to summarize.
Maybe.
‘Isn't there a fairly high probability that this is a message from reality?’
And if so, I would be able to find a way to communicate somehow.
…Just that thought alone made me feel quite good.
“Hmm.”
I got up from my seat and walked around the narrow room.
‘Actually, I don't need to be that good at acting.’
Since this is just something I’m doing to collect information about reality, if I’m actually as good as a real actor, I might be dragged back to Korea immediately.
…However, it was also a problem if what I did wasn't even up to a decent standard.
In that case, too, I could be dragged back to Korea. What if they told me to return home quickly and take acting lessons?
‘No way.’
Furthermore.
‘……The pop-up appeared because I started acting.’
It might be because I met Bae Se-jin, but as long as I didn't know the cause, I had to keep a hold on the acting thread.
‘So the conclusion is practice.’
And I thought I’d properly found the route for what direction to practice in.
—Natural and everyday movements, but you must look atmospheric.
In short, move naturally enough to be everyday, but at the same time, move coolly.
‘It’s like a designer’s request to make it simple yet flashy.’
But hard work doesn't betray you. If I focus on my body movements and practice repeatedly, I’ll eventually be able to do something similar.
The obstacle is….
That my physical condition is garbage.
‘Ah, damn it.’
I sighed as I walked.
Being natural and focused at the same time for a long period was physically nearly impossible with this body.
Especially without the adrenaline of the stage.
‘I could grit my teeth and endure for about three minutes.’
Unlike the stage, the tempo was long, and instead of high-density impacts exploding, it was more of a slow burn, which was more agonizing.
‘It’s hard to focus.’
Should I bite my tongue?
“Phew.”
I kicked the non-existent sea.
A few days passed in a flash, and finally, the filming day arrived.
And I met the Bae Se-jin of this place again.
“Hello.”
“…Yes. Hello.”
His expression is still bad.
I asked him point-blank.
“I’ve practiced, but there’s something on my mind. You told me before to ‘do exactly as I did.’”
“…….”
“Did you say that because there was no hope even if I practiced more?”
“…What? That’s not what I meant.”
Bae Se-jin frowned.
“You said you’ve never learned acting.”
“Yes.”
“Then it’s better to just do it like you did then, without being conscious of it. It’s not like there are lines.”
“…….”
“So, just do it exactly as you did.”
It was a similar type of advice to what he’d given Keun Se-jin when they were making the game for the album.
I realized his intention.
‘He was trying to give accurate advice.’
Though, true to Bae Se-jin, it sounded like he was picking a fight, contrary to his intention.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“……. No. I’m being paid for this.”
He’s really consistent.
Instead of being annoyed, I felt a bit of nostalgia, shrugged my shoulders, and moved my feet.
Well, fine. Then let’s just do it moderately.
“Over there, we’re starting now~!”
“Yes.”
I stepped onto the sandy beach.
‘I need to get an "OK" quickly.’
Distrusting my own stamina.
But then.
[The Focusing Genius Actor bestows a blessing upon you!]
[Trait: Concentration]
“…??”
At that moment.
Suddenly, my entire body began to feel light.
*
Walking along the beach.
Without being conscious of anything, my body moved naturally.
A bouquet was held in my hand.
Since a bouquet is a somewhat non-everyday object, it’s more natural not to be too conscious of it. Just let it sway in my hand.
“Hoo.”
Beyond the breath of my sigh, I saw the sea.
Shhhhhhh—
The sun was setting.
“…….”
I stopped walking.
I don't know what story this person has that brought them to the beach.
‘It doesn't matter.’
So, I just had to act clearly, exactly as the instructions said.
Naturally.
I lightly threw the bouquet into the seawater.
Plop.
Just as I’d focused, the bouquet fell into the sea, drawing a beautiful parabola.
I smoothly steadied my body.
And after a pause, again.
Splash….
I lightly kicked the waves with my foot.
There was no instruction saying I was angry.
So, as if touching it. A bit cautiously.
“…….”
And after withdrawing my foot, conscious of the fact that I was standing facing the sun, I turned my body.
Toward the camera position I’d memorized, without wavering.
Swish.
Just once.
Only during the moment my eyes met the camera. Giving it life.
Just as I had done on stage.
“…….”
I realized that I had performed the entire process perfectly, without a hitch, exactly as planned.
I wasn't throwing everything out there, but I was focused in every fiber.
‘So this is what it was like.’
Without blinking, I quietly stared at the camera.
A world of conscious concentration.
I felt like I understood, even if only superficially, what part of acting Bae Se-jin had fallen for.
And.
“Cut! We’re going with this.”
The world outside the camera began to move again.
The cut ended amidst a noisy bustle.
“Thank you.”
After bowing, I stepped away from the camera.
“That was pretty good, wasn't it?”
“The takes were faster than expected….”
Beyond the chatter of the staff, Coach Bae Se-jin was looking this way with his eyes slightly wide.
And probably, the other Bae Se-jin as well.
[The Focusing Genius Actor declares that this was good enough!]
[The Focusing Genius Actor has sponsored you! : Energy +]
Strength filled my body, and my headache gradually subsided.
‘Ah.’
No matter how I thought about it, the ones sending these messages were definitely the guys in reality.
Coach Bae Se-jin opened his mouth.
“…How.”
I smiled faintly.
“Because you coached me well.”
It was the truth, without a single lie.
*
Meanwhile, at JSA.
“Woooooah!”
“Let’s keep going like this!”
“W-Who should go next…?”
A formal plan was quickly established while celebrating the successful result.
‘We have to recover him quickly and bring him back!’
Operation: Raising Park Moon-dae.