Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Script Reading Terror
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Run to my room. Right now. (Illustration removed)
The initial shock, then.
Was admiration for a rookie actor who, in a script reading room filled with veteran performers all gathered together, immersed himself in his role at an astonishing speed and delivered his lines flawlessly.
However, as the script reading progressed and the conflicts between characters intensified...
The faces of those watching Woo-jin were overcome with unmistakable 'shock.'
The detective 'Byung-chan,' played by Lee Jae-hoon, had footage of himself caught on CCTV near the crime scene, and he suspected 'Hee-chan,' who had been passing by the area during the investigation, but he couldn't find a single shred of evidence against him.
As a detective who had encountered all sorts of people, this type was a first.
An astonishingly 'perfect human.'
'Hee-chan' had the face of a sculpted statue, handsome beyond words, and at work, he was treated like an ace who got things done.
"...Is that so?"
"Of course. No one would complain if Hee-chan stepped out. In fact, it's fair to say he's the one holding our clients tight and driving our sales. Come to think of it, we have a client there, so he must've gone for business."
Even when they visited the client company in question...
"Ah, Hee-chan? Yes, we had a quick meeting that day."
An alibi that fit together with astonishing precision.
Just looking at him was enough to disarm anyone completely; his likable face and willing cooperation with the investigation, despite being a suspect, led 'Byung-chan' to gradually let go of his suspicions toward 'Hee-chan.'
And when 'Byung-chan' fully dropped his suspicions of 'Hee-chan' and shifted the direction of the investigation...
'Hee-chan' boldly committed a new crime against his predetermined target: a ordinary college girl named 'Eun-mi.'
In a dark alley on her way home, 'Eun-mi' was ambushed by a mysterious man.
And when 'Eun-mi' regained consciousness amid a pounding headache that felt like her skull might shatter...
She came face-to-face with someone she should never have met.
As 'Eun-mi,' bound tightly to a chair, watched 'Hee-chan' slowly approach wearing white cotton gloves...
He appeared at first glance like a gentle, handsome guy with a soft smile, but the madness seeping from his eyes and the trembling corners of his mouth made 'Eun-mi' shrink back in terror.
"Uh, uh... Uh...?!"
"Sorry. Am I a bit late?"
What on earth was that? To a complete stranger he'd never met before, whom he'd tied up, he spoke as tenderly as if she were his girlfriend...
The bizarre disconnect filled 'Eun-mi' with even greater fear.
"Truth is, coming to see you now is a pretty big risk for me. But... yeah, I just couldn't hold back anymore."
Madness and excitement dripped from every word.
"Have you eaten?"
"......!!"
Jung Eun-ji, playing 'Eun-mi,' felt her heart ache. At this point, it wasn't so much acting as it was just reacting.
'What... what are those eyes...?'
When she first entered the script reading room and saw him, she'd only thought, Wow, he's really handsome. But now, it felt like she was staring down a real killer—her heart was pounding like mad.
She didn't need to act trembling. As she met Woo-jin's gaze, Jung Eun-ji felt her body shiver on its own. Those eyes, gleaming with genuine madness... they were truly terrifying.
Meanwhile.
Jung Woo-jin, watching the cute, hamster-like Jung Eun-ji...
[Jung Eun-ji]
Currently Covetable Talent:Flexible Body Movements (C+)
⤷ Stage 1 Condition: Enter the gym where 'Jung Eun-ji' works out.
⤷ Stage 2 Condition: Fulfill Stage 1 first.
Felt like a predator spotting its prey.
The script reading ended with the assistant director's call.
"Great work, everyone! Head to the restaurant we mentioned earlier for the dinner! Those who want to rest can grab the keys from your managers and head to the dorms!"
Though it was just a 'script reading,' the actors were quite drained from hours of syncing with their counterparts and performing.
Yet they couldn't easily leave the room.
It wasn't just the actors. The agency reps, production staff, and reporters gathered in the massive hall all hesitated to move, their eyes fixed on one person.
'Jung Woo-jin.'
A figure who had appeared out of nowhere, like he'd dropped from the sky.
Whispers surrounded him from all sides.
"Jung Woo-jin? Never heard of him. Is he from theater?"
"Nah, I'd know if he was. Doesn't ring a bell there either."
"How does a rookie out-act Lee Jae-hoon like that?"
"Shh. Dude, quiet down."
Even knowing it was just acting, no one dared approach Woo-jin easily after his spine-chilling performance as the killer.
Except for one person.
Slap-.
Lee Jae-hoon, the male lead of Fixer from Hell playing detective 'Byung-chan,' approached and extended his hand.
"Whoa, you scared me there. For a second, I thought you were a real psychopath. You immerse into roles crazy fast, huh? Not just anyone can do that. Like Sia."
"Thank you, sunbae."
Woo-jin shook his hand and gave a slight bow.
Jae-hoon grabbed Woo-jin's shoulder and led him toward the group of leads and supporting actors.
"Sia! Woo-jin here's from your agency, right?"
"Uh, yeah..."
"You all saw that, right? Woo-jin's acting. I half-believed the stories about Hong Writer being impressed, but wow, seeing it live? Totally get it now."
"Right? I got chills earlier!"
"Haha, great performance, Woo-jin."
As everyone laughed and chatted about the reading, only Son Sia couldn't join in freely.
"......"
It was all incomprehensible.
Jung Woo-jin, who she'd heard was a terrible actor, suddenly nailed the role of 'Hee-chan' overnight like a different person—not to mention treating her like an object now that he had some leverage...
And then.
The moment she saw Woo-jin in the script reading room, her heart had raced and her panties soaked through.
She couldn't make sense of it.
His performance just now was the same. She believed script readings were the best way to gauge true acting skill.
Performing at a desk with limited movement, relying only on subtle gestures, expressions, and lines—it was harder than it seemed.
Not just mindlessly reading like a textbook, but real acting...
In that regard, Jung Woo-jin's acting was... nearly on par with hers. Undeniably perfect.
"Fuck..."
Son Sia ground her teeth, watching Woo-jin surrounded by the actors.
Reviewing the script reading in her room, Son Sia stood and walked to the window.
Gazing at the darkening outside, Woo-jin's face suddenly flashed in her mind. She muttered a curse and slumped onto the bed.
"Fuck... seriously. Am I losing it?"
She'd thought she'd forgotten about him since the manager change meant no run-ins, but one glance and her body heated up relentlessly.
Unthinkingly, Son Sia loosened her bathrobe and slid one hand downward.
A slick sensation met her fingertips. She slipped a finger into her folds.
Squelch-.
"Hngh..."
Her reason numbing, just as she was about to masturbate in earnest...
Beep-!
Her smartphone alarm blared, startling Son Sia into pulling her hand away.
"W-what?! Who's messaging this late...?"
A quick glance at the screen showed:
[Beast Cub: Hey, come to room 1212 without panties. Right now.]
It was a message from Jung Woo-jin.
"Ah, fuck...! I hoped it wasn't, but that crazy bastard's here too...?"
No matter how she thought about it, she had no reason to obey him.
Squirm-.
Yet her folds were already leaking in anticipation.
Son Sia jumped up, shedding her bathrobe.
Her flawlessly pale nude body emerged, and she began dressing over it, layer by layer.
Skipping the underwear.
A late hour, but outside, people still gathered in small groups chatting here and there.
The event hall where the script reading took place still had lights on.
"Their energy's still high. Jeez..."
Ding-.
The elevator arrived at the 12th floor of the dorm wing. Son Sia pulled her gaze from outside and stood before the slowly opening doors.
As the doors parted, she spotted a familiar face.
"Oh? Writer Hong?"
"Ah... H-hello."
"Your room's on the 12th?"
"N-no, not that. I... I still have work, so I'm heading down first..."
Hong Ye-won, face flushed, hurriedly boarded. Son Sia watched her descend with puzzled eyes.
"What...? And why's her hair so messed up?"
A nagging unease, but Son Sia shook it off and headed to her destination.
[1212]
Son Sia stood before the door, head bowed, letting out a deep sigh.
Then.
Knock knock knock-.
Nervously tugging at her short skirt, she rapped on the door.