Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: The Golden Priest
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Acting felt just like getting completely plastered on booze.
You forget who you are, where you are, even what you're doing.
Only one thing fills your head.
The color of the character that engulfs you.
Thanks to that, it was only after unleashing a torrent of performance that Seonwoo finally grasped the situation.
Ah, right.
I was acting in front of these people.
He'd even forgotten that it was his first time performing in front of so many.
Hakjun's color had literally swallowed him whole.
Maybe he was unexpectedly a natural stage performer.
Once the acting ended, worries came rushing in late.
Was his performance okay, after all?
'Looks like it wasn't bad.'
But seeing Seo Jinwook's face gave him the answer.
Those lips sealed in a straight line, the Adam's apple bobbing nonstop with swallowed saliva...
His acting must have left more of an impression than expected.
"Good work."
"......"
He'd offered a greeting, but no reply came.
The way he stared at Seonwoo with a twisted face made it clear something had seriously rubbed him the wrong way.
But Seonwoo withdrew his interest from Seo Jinwook.
No need to worry about that guy's feelings, right?
"......What the hell was that acting? You're really telling me it's your first time? That's not a lie?"
"He's good. Really good. Not backing down an inch from Senior Jinwook."
"Guess the Troupe Leader didn't bring him here for nothing."
Members murmured here and there.
It was captivating acting.
Hard to believe it came from someone just starting out.
Jiwan smiled in satisfaction and spoke up.
"Alright, is everyone satisfied now? Anyone still got complaints about why I brought this guy in?"
Of course, no one raised a hand.
Jiwan glanced at Seo Jinwook and smirked.
"What about you, Jinwook?"
"......Well, seems decent enough."
Seo Jinwook forced a smile as he replied.
Watching him, Seonwoo chuckled inwardly. His displeasure with the situation was plain as day. Hard to hide intentions that petty.
Well, anyway, he'd cleared the first hurdle.
This should be enough to shake off that parachute label, at least.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Parachute? Nah, he's a genius.
That was the rumor spreading through Cheongsong after Seonwoo's initiation.
The Troupe Leader brought in a secret weapon, they said.
The situation hadn't just cleared his bad name—it went beyond.
Better than hearing "nepo baby" whispers, but the genius and secret weapon tags felt burdensome to Seonwoo.
He hadn't aimed for this level of hype.
'Fair enough, though.'
The power of those color orbs was impressive.
Like overlaying a character's soul directly onto you. Even Seonwoo felt like someone else while acting.
The others must have sensed it too.
So that's why.
"Why didn't you start acting sooner?"
"Busy with studies... and I never imagined I'd dream of being an actor."
"Ugh, what a waste. If you'd started just a bit earlier, hyung... you'd be huge by now."
This kid was saying exactly that.
Seonwoo looked down at the chatty boy chattering away like a squirrel.
The boy's name was Yechun. Youngest in age and join date in Cheongsong.
He was a grateful presence for Seonwoo in many ways.
With no friends and feeling awkward, Yechun had approached first and volunteered as his guide.
Yechun taught him a lot.
From troupe routines to...
"That hyung over there is the best actor in our troupe."
"Name... Cha Doyoung, right?"
"Yep. Super handsome, huh? He even has a fan club already!"
...who the real power players were.
Cha Doyoung.
Seonwoo looked up at him.
Cheongsong's top actor. Twenty-nine, three years older than Seonwoo. Same age as Seonjun.
He'd caught the eye from the start.
Lots of good-looking people in a theater troupe, but Doyoung stood out even among them... like his art style was on another level.
The kind of visuals that evoked famous handsome actors known for their looks.
And his acting was the best too.
"Total cheat character."
"Right? Heh heh."
Yechun puffed out his chest proudly at the offhand mutter.
Why are you so pleased?
As Seonwoo smirked, Yechun spoke again.
"That's why some people are secretly jealous. Senior Jinwook, for one."
"Senior Jinwook... the one I acted with first?"
"Yeah. Kinda rude to say right away, but... you should watch out for that senior."
Yechun whispered.
"He's a real tiring type."
"......Got it."
First impressions weren't great anyway.
No desire to get chummy.
That initial glare demanding submission was still fresh.
Sure, even if he was seen as a parachute... there are lines you don't cross.
That was when.
"Um, sorry, hyung."
"For what?"
"Truth is, I kinda thought you were a parachute at first too."
"......Can't blame you. Technically, I am."
"Nah, what parachute acts this well? No one in Cheongsong thinks that now."
Yechun shook his head firmly, as if it were impossible.
His chubby cheeks jiggled cutely with each shake, and Seonwoo held back a laugh.
"Good to know."
"But hyung... you wanna be a movie star someday?"
"If the chance comes, sure, I'd take it."
"Yeah, most here would. But... best not to bring up wanting to do movies casually."
"......Touchy subject?"
"Yeah."
Yechun nodded.
"People hate it when theater feels like a movie actor training ground."
"Fair."
"Especially careful around Doyoung hyung. He turns down movie director offers to stay here. Crazy pride in theater."
"......He rejected movie roles?"
"Yep. Impressive, right?"
"Seriously impressive..."
Seonwoo clicked his tongue.
He'd thought every actor's dream was movies or dramas. An exception like this was surprising.
And it sparked curiosity.
No audition, directors scouting him directly... how good was his acting?
As he watched Doyoung, Yechun spoke worriedly.
"By the way, you came at a tricky time, hyung. No auditions till next quarter."
"......Guess I'll wait."
Seonwoo scratched his head sheepishly.
Great entrance as the hyped-up genius, but now? Nothing to do.
Regular recruits jump into play auditions right away. Not his case.
So now, just odd jobs.
Cleaning the theater, moving gear, ushering during shows.
And occasionally, when free, watching plays.
Like now.
Seonwoo gazed at the stage.
The current show was Cheongsong's oldest flagship: Confession.
An omnibus where people visit the protagonist, the Priest, one by one to confess sins.
The Priest metes out fitting punishments. That's the structure.
And its biggest draw was...
"Confess."
The Priest himself.
That transcendent, beautiful aura was Confession's unique charm.
Who plays the Priest matters hugely...
But Cheongsong had no worries there.
"What sin have you committed?"
For a moment, the brilliance stung his eyes, making Seonwoo squint.
Not the stage lights.
The golden wave emanating from the Priest onstage, Doyoung... too dazzling to look at straight.
Nothing but "radiant" to describe it.
Gold.
A color like sunlit wheat fields, spreading from Doyoung's Priest.
Dyeing the whole stage, flooding the audience.
The crowd must feel it too.
Even if they don't see the color, the acting's impact reaches them fully.
Overwhelming.
Not just his striking looks.
The depth of his performance captivated everyone instantly.
Acting so cheat-like, no other word for it. Subtle glances, voice alone ensnaring charisma.
You could tell just watching.
Why he's Cheongsong's mascot. Why everyone's calling him top-star material.
Look at the audience. All entranced.
Suddenly, Kim Seonjun's words came to mind.
More hidden monsters in theater than you'd think.
Yeah. This qualifies as a real monster.
'...What does it feel like to act like that?'
Seonwoo felt a thirst.
Curious. He might never become that, but he wanted to share a stage.
Too soon, though.
Seonwoo calmed himself.
No rush. Steady practice, prep... someday he'll get there.
Just hope it comes soon.
...But that moment arrived far quicker than expected.
A few days after watching the show, one evening.
A sudden notice hit the Cheongsong group chat.
📢 EMERGENCY AUDITION NOTICE 📢 Cheongsong Troupe Leader Park Jiwan here. Due to special circumstances, the Seungdo role has an opening. Selecting a new actor for Seungdo in Confession starting next week. Time: Tomorrow, 7 PM Prep: 30-second designated scene (part TBA) Slots: 1 person A chance.