7
Chapter 7
Click.
The sound of the door lock engaging was strangely satisfying.
I stood in the entrance for a moment and took a deep breath.
The air smelled different.
Instead of the stale scent of mold, a faint aroma of phytoncides filled my lungs.
A newly built officetel in Mapo District.
15th floor.
South-facing.
I slipped off my shoes and stepped into the living room.
The only furniture was a bed and a desk, but the floor was spotless.
Walking over to the window, I closed the double-pane glass.
The moment I did—
It felt like putting on noise-canceling headphones.
The sounds of passing cars.
The chatter of pedestrians.
Construction noise from somewhere in the distance.
Everything vanished beyond the glass wall.
Bright sunlight flooded the room.
The amount of natural light was incredible.
'As expected from a south-facing unit.'
A grin spread across my face.
Then I threw myself onto the bed.
Fwoomp.
The hotel-grade mattress wrapped around my body.
There were no squeaking springs beneath my back.
No stomping footsteps from upstairs.
"Ha..."
A sigh escaped naturally.
No matter how nice the car you drive or how expensive the food you eat, if you can't sleep properly, it's all meaningless.
The quality of your rest determines the quality of your work.
Pulling the blanket over my head, I closed my eyes.
Tonight, I had a feeling I'd sleep through the entire night without waking up once.
The investment had definitely been worth it.
#
I woke up because I was thirsty.
When I opened the refrigerator, it was completely empty.
I'd been so busy moving that I'd forgotten to buy water.
I threw on a pair of slippers and headed outside.
My hair was messy, and I was wearing old sweatpants with stretched-out knees.
I didn't care.
The convenience store was right downstairs.
Taking the elevator to the first floor, I entered the store.
Cool air-conditioning washed over me.
I grabbed two bottles of water and headed to the register.
"Do you need a bag?"
The cashier scanned the barcodes without looking up.
"No, just give me—"
Our eyes met.
The cashier's pupils immediately widened.
"Oh? O-Oh?!"
She covered her mouth.
"Hong Jinsu! You're that villain from Pursuit, right?"
Her voice was loud.
Every student eating instant noodles and every customer browsing the shelves turned toward me at once.
"Whoa, no way. It's really him."
"Isn't that the serial killer guy?"
"He looks way nicer in real life."
"He's way more handsome than on TV."
The murmurs spread rapidly.
Several people had already taken out their phones.
I froze for a second.
I hadn't expected to run into this situation looking like this.
It could become annoying.
But then I smiled.
'I'm an actor now.'
This was part of the job.
The moment I stood before the public, I wasn't ordinary Kang Seojun anymore.
I was actor Kang Seojun.
Setting down the water bottles, I gave the cashier a friendly smile.
"Hello. Are you enjoying the drama?"
"Yes! Yes! I'm a huge fan! Wow, this is insane! I never thought I'd meet you here!"
The cashier practically bounced in place.
The students who had been watching from afar slowly approached.
"Um... could I get a picture?"
"Me too!"
"Of course."
I didn't refuse.
One by one, I took their phones and snapped selfies.
Adjusting the angle.
Making V-signs.
Even throwing in lines like, "Have a wonderful day."
The convenience store quickly turned into a miniature fan meeting.
About five minutes later, after fulfilling everyone's requests, I finally escaped.
"Thank you! Please come again!"
The cashier's enthusiastic farewell echoed behind me.
As soon as the elevator doors closed, I dropped the smile I'd been maintaining.
"Fuuu..."
A sigh escaped.
I'd gone out to buy two bottles of water and returned drenched in sweat.
Fame was more exhausting than I expected.
My private life was already being invaded by work.
The days of casually wandering out in slippers to buy a can of beer were over.
I glanced at my reflection in the elevator mirror.
Messy hair.
An oversized T-shirt.
'I need to be more careful.'
I added a cap and a face mask to my shopping list.
Perfect rest at home.
Perfect management outside.
That was the professional way.
#
A few days later.
Drama filming set.
Today was the highlight scene of Episode 7.
The kidnapping and confinement sequence.
The atmosphere on set was heavy.
The staff moved quietly while setting up lights.
Even Director Ryu looked serious as he reviewed the storyboard.
After changing in the wardrobe room, I stepped outside.
The sleeves of my black shirt were rolled up.
Fake blood covered my hands.
The reflection in the mirror was already Hong Jinsu.
"Mr. Seojun."
Someone called out to me.
It was Park Juyeon.
She looked terrible.
Messy hair.
Torn clothing.
Bruises and wounds painted across her face.
The makeup perfectly transformed her into a kidnapping victim.
But her eyes were alive.
No.
More than alive.
They were blazing.
"I'm not going easy on you today."
She spoke with determination.
"Remember what you said at the beef restaurant? About acting efficiently?"
"..."
"That efficiency won't work today."
She stared directly at me.
"Because I'm not going to let it."
A declaration of war.
Yet there was no hostility in it.
Only a pure desire to test her limits as an actress.
And the determination to surpass me.
Not bad.
When your partner comes at you seriously, it makes things easier.
You can only throw the ball hard if the wall is sturdy enough to throw it against.
Unlike those supporting actors who'd been gossiping before.
If the other side couldn't keep up, it made things less enjoyable.
Adjusting my tie with my blood-covered hand, I replied.
"I'll look forward to it."
"Let's go! We're rolling!"
The assistant director shouted.
Together, we entered the set.
A dark basement.
Park Juyeon sat tied to a chair, breathing heavily.
I sat on an old metal desk across from her.
"Ready... Action!"
The air changed.
Park Juyeon slowly lifted her head.
"Y-You crazy bastard..."
Her voice cracked.
A victim trembling in fear, yet refusing to surrender.
She poured far more emotion into the scene than the script required.
"Let me go! Untie me!"
She struggled violently.
The chair rattled noisily.
I looked at her.
And raised the switch in my mind.
[Switch: ON]
No emotions.
Only boredom.
And contempt toward the lifeform before me.
I slowly approached.
"You're loud."
My voice dropped low.
But Park Juyeon didn't back down.
Instead of shrinking beneath my presence, she spat toward me and shouted.
"Someone like you should never have been born! You know that? You're defective!"
An ad-lib.
Not in the script.
The staff visibly flinched.
But the director didn't yell cut.
Because the flow was good.
'Oh?'
I was impressed.
She's holding her ground?
Before, she'd lose her rhythm the moment she met my gaze.
Now she was converting fear into anger and using it to attack me.
Interesting.
Then I should play along.
Slowly, I wiped the spit from my cheek with the back of my hand.
Then smiled.
"Defective, huh."
I grabbed her hair.
It looked rough, but my grip was carefully controlled.
"So what?"
"Ugh..."
"What can you do about it?"
I stared directly into her eyes.
"Shout?"
"Curse at me?"
"Beg for your life?"
My eyes were completely empty.
That emptiness squeezed tighter around her.
Her pupils trembled.
But she refused to look away.
"Kill me... Just kill me already!"
She screamed.
Veins bulged along her neck.
It no longer felt like acting.
It felt like genuine emotional collision.
Fire and ice.
The more fiercely Park Juyeon burned, the colder I appeared.
And the colder I became, the more desperate her cries sounded.
The synergy exploded.
I leaned close to her ear.
"Death is easy."
A whisper.
"But you're still useful."
I released her hair.
Her head dropped.
Then she began sobbing.
A mixture of fear, anger, and helplessness.
Even the crying felt perfect.
I picked up the prop knife resting on the desk.
Then lightly tapped the flat side of the blade against her cheek.
"You should stay quiet."
The cold metal made her shiver.
"Stop barking."
I drove the knife into the floor.
Clang!
The sharp sound echoed throughout the basement.
Silence followed.
Only Park Juyeon's ragged breathing remained.
"Cut! Okay!"
Director Ryu jumped to his feet.
"This is it! You two seriously came prepared today, didn't you?!"
The director erupted with excitement.
The staff released breaths filled with relief and admiration.
[Switch: OFF]
I immediately lowered the switch.
Hong Jinsu's killing intent vanished.
I became Kang Seojun once more.
"Fuuu..."
Fatigue rushed over me.
Having such a capable scene partner definitely consumed more energy.
But the quality of the scene had undoubtedly improved.
I pulled the knife from the floor and handed it to the prop team.
Then I approached Park Juyeon, who was still tied to the chair.
Her head remained lowered.
Her shoulders trembled.
She hadn't fully escaped the emotions yet.
I untied her restraints.
"Good work."
At my voice, Park Juyeon slowly raised her head.
Her eyes were red.
Her face was covered in sweat and tears.
She looked up at me.
"..."
A brief silence passed.
Then she covered her face with trembling hands.
"Wow..."
A laugh escaped her.
"For a second..."
She shook her head.
"I didn't feel like myself anymore."
There was exhilaration in her voice.
"When I looked into your eyes, my mind went blank. The words just came out."
She laughed softly.
"It wasn't forced emotion."
"It felt like it was exploding from somewhere deep inside me."
Rising to her feet, she smiled.
"I think something finally broke through."
A sincere expression of gratitude.
She no longer saw me as a rival.
She saw me as a partner who had helped her grow.
I nodded calmly.
"Our chemistry was good."
"Right?"
She immediately brightened.
"I did pretty well today, didn't I?"
The earlier hostility had completely disappeared.
Park Juyeon pouted slightly, unable to hide her excitement.
I gave a brief nod and turned toward the waiting room.
Behind me, her voice rang out.
"I'm looking forward to the next scene too! I'll do even better next time!"
I responded with a smile.
Park Juyeon immediately turned her head away.
Looking strangely flustered.
'Hm. What's with her?'
Well, whatever.
I simply turned around and continued toward the waiting room.