Chapter 43
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Director - 6
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Pressing the record button and then stop, over and over.
"Tsk..."
The director clicked his tongue and deleted the recording that only captured stutters.
Her voice trembled as if electrocuted, and her body froze stiff—there was no way a proper shoot could come out of that.
"Camera phobia... or something like that?"
"There have been people reluctant to appear on video before, but I've never seen a case this severe."
Ellie had seen the square object called a 'camera' for the first time in her life and had no idea about its specific functions or principles.
Could one feel fear toward something they knew nothing about?
A somewhat profound question came to mind.
"Usually, receptionists deal with customers often, so they're mostly outgoing types, right?"
"I don't think Ellie's introverted. Right now, it's just... something else."
What kind of person was Ellie?
A responsible person who explained everything to adventurers visiting the request office without skipping a single line.
When they headed to the forest, she offered cheers and cautions, hoping they'd return unharmed.
When they came back, she expressed gratitude for slaying the monsters.
She loved sharing fragrant tea,
and tilting her teacup while chatting away.
She was also honest about her emotions, openly showing jealousy.
The Ellie I knew loved to talk.
At the same time, she loved listening to others.
"I'm sorry. I thought I could do it."
"It's fine. No need to push yourself."
"I-It's not that I didn't want to! I... I said I wanted to do it myself!"
This sullen look was a first.
"As a receptionist, I know how great an opportunity it is to share my story with so many people..."
The fact that adventurers treated her like a doll would hit hardest for Ellie herself.
That's why she'd gladly accepted this chance.
Now, she could spill out all the lines she'd rehearsed without anyone interrupting.
The director would edit out any excess to make it smooth.
"My mind just goes completely blank."
Tiana knew almost nothing about cameras.
She was simply thrilled that teaching swordsmanship meant someone would see and hear it.
"Like you said, it's like talking in front of a huge crowd, so I'm more nervous than I thought."
Sometimes, better understanding could be poisonous.
There was no one in front of Ellie except the two here for the recording, but she understood that countless people beyond the camera would hear her words.
"What do we do? It's getting too late to keep going."
"Let's call it here for today and pick up tomorrow."
"I thought it was a simple request, but this is unexpectedly tough. Two people in a day—no, barely one."
Seo Jiyu muttered softly.
He seemed to be calculating how many days he'd have to stay here to film all the residents on the first floor doable at this pace.
"Did Instructor Tiana do well?"
"Too well adapted—that was the problem. She had so much she wanted to say, no end in sight."
"I can kind of picture it."
"Want to see it yourself?"
"Pardon?"
It was the raw footage without edits, quite long, but it would help her get used to recording.
I pointed at the director's camera and beckoned her over.
"Can you play back what you shot earlier?"
"You want to watch all that? Doesn't seem like I'm the only sleepy one."
"Even just the beginning is fine."
The director played the recording but kept the camera firmly in both hands.
"Isn't that uncomfortable for your wrists?"
"What if I hand it over and you mess with it? This is just an extension of the first request. I'm not letting you watch whatever you want."
Even mentioning other videos, Seo Jiyu was on guard, perhaps thinking we'd snag everything with the second request.
We had to take it one step at a time, so I decided not to embarrass her wariness.
"Oh... So that's what it feels like."
On screen was Tiana introducing herself in a spirited voice.
"Not sure if I should say this as the one who shot it, but this might make a good reference. It's an example of adapting weirdly well."
"You look so natural. And excited too."
"Shot it straight through without a single cut."
Tiana had immersed herself in simply reciting swordsmanship explanations rather than thinking about speaking to an audience, shedding any awkwardness.
From some point, she was blatantly teaching the director swordsmanship.
I didn't watch every part.
I skipped ahead bit by bit, grasping how the video flowed.
"Earthbound Spirit."
If Ellie said she absolutely couldn't appear on video, I'd respect her choice.
There were plenty of diverse residents in the village; we'd capture their lives.
Not everyone needed to participate for the video's purpose.
We just wanted to change perceptions of them—no need for it to feel like a burden.
"If possible, could you save my turn for last?"
"Last?"
Ellie still didn't want to miss the chance.
Though not right now.
"I'm not used to it yet, so after everyone else films. Would that be okay?"
"Of course. Once the others are done, I'll show them as references."
"Thank you."
We wrapped up the first day of shooting, having pushed Ellie's turn to the very end.
Seo Jiyu handed Raymond a week's worth of lodging fees.
"Haha, there's no inn quite like this one, right?"
"......"
"Still the quiet guest. Make yourself at home."
The shoot's length was unknown, so they'd booked roughly a week.
They'd pay extra as needed.
"Is the innkeeper always this jokey for no reason?"
"Sometimes it's funny if you listen."
"Hope those times never come. Wait, do we have to film him too?"
My room was at the end of the hall, next was Sua's, then Seo Jiyu's.
With so few guests, did they need to room us all together?
"I've thought this before, but the facilities are great for the price. Didn't know it was cheap back then."
"If room rates were high from the first floor, where would adventurers sleep?"
This layout meant awkward run-ins were inevitable.
"Ha, how much longer do I have to─."
"Oh..."
Sua and Seo Jiyu bumped into each other right in front of the doors.
"J-Jiyu?"
"Not staying on the first floor to beg you to un-retire, so relax. Though you keep avoiding me."
"Ah, uh-huh..."
Sua hurriedly slipped into her room.
"She was in front of your door, so maybe she had something to say."
Dropping that casual remark, Seo Jiyu entered his own room.
Was this going to keep happening while the director stayed?
The work continued even after a day passed.
We wandered the village looking for the next participant.
First, Harman's case.
"What nonsense is that?"
"So, this is called a camera. If you stand in front of this lens─."
"Forget it. You're the only adventurer who comes to my forge. Why would I need attention?"
Firmly rejected.
Sylvia was full of enthusiasm, but unfortunately lacked material for the video.
"Why film me eating candy? For the video?"
"No, it's cute."
"You're filming for keepsakes too."
Moved on quickly.
⋮
Deina's case.
"Don't know what it is, but it promotes my clothes, right?"
"Well, draws in customers too."
"Of course! No reason not to."
Deina switched to her sales voice and proceeded smoothly.
With clothes filling the screen visually, it satisfied even the camera-holding director.
"For a plain, modest feel, customers usually prefer this line. If you want to show your personality, we have flashy options too."
I knew little about fashion, so I just watched from behind.
Only after recording ended did I get a chance to speak.
"Good work. You didn't tremble at all."
Deina stretched her arms high overhead.
"Nngh, hope this gets adventurers buying more variety. Hate when everyone dresses the same."
"Adventurers don't buy new unless slimes shred their clothes badly."
Beginners these days matched guides for efficiency, not wasting coins.
Village on newbie influx days was packed with identical basic outfits.
"Even new, they just get the same shirt and vest! Why obsess over defense-to-price like it's armor?"
"It'll change a bit after the video. Probably?"
"You start dressing different first."
⋮
The potion shop was excluded by the director's personal call.
"Can't let it get famous."
"Mm, okay."
Few tutorial adventurers sought potions.
Most didn't know the taste.
No good if crowds came.
"What goes in potions to make them this tasty? And they heal the more you drink."
"Can't ignore the sugar. No stamina recovery without injuries anyway."
"Better than caffeine guzzled like water outside."
Next... better film the guards.