The Climbing Audition
The second audition truly began with climbing. The sight of countless audition applicants waiting in front of the climbing set was already a spectacle, and the reporters were busily clicking their shutters. Perhaps the reason we were even allowed this impromptu audition format was because someone wanted to leverage the media for extra buzz. After all, something as major as a Shining new product launch wouldn't be left entirely to the whims of a young direct descendant.
Most of the applicants looked flustered when they were suddenly told to climb. They hadn't expected anything like this. We, on the other hand, were merely intrigued. No one in our company was unaware that we'd been practicing climbing as part of our training.
"You've been doing climbing at the company lately, haven't you?"
"Yes, as part of our physical conditioning. It's good for building core strength."
"Lucky for you."
"It certainly is."
The manager accompanying us today was Kim Ji-yoo's, Park Dae-woong. Oh Seoa had long since distanced herself from things like auditions, so her manager wasn't particularly accustomed to these situations. Actors, however, had plenty of audition experience whether public or private, which was why Park Dae-woong had joined us—to handle any unexpected developments.
And now that the climbing they'd been practicing at the company had appeared here, Park Dae-woong looked thoroughly pleased, remarking on our good fortune. Of course, if anyone thought we'd started climbing because we knew about this in advance, that would be far stranger.
"Oh... Still, quite a few applicants are managing to climb somehow."
"Indeed. They must be idol trainees."
"That makes sense. Plenty of trainees did participate."
Even without enjoying climbing as a hobby, trainees could clear the set. After all, trainees were superhumans who trained their bodies extensively. Most of those who clambered up despite awkward form turned out to be idol trainees. In that sense, this audition heavily favored superhumans. But what could be done? The one paying the bills had decided to select this way. Debating fairness over something like this was pointless.
Amid the applicants struggling up the wall, one stood out. If my memory served me right, it was the actress who had been the protagonist of this audition. Whether her hobby truly was climbing or not, she scaled the set with such ease that the onlookers let out gasps of admiration. Her level didn't seem particularly high, but she was clearly a superhuman—something like this makeshift set would have been trivial for her.
There was also someone conspicuous in a rather odd way: the second flying human. The moment he was told to climb, he simply floated up into the air and landed gracefully at the top of the set. Was this guy actually brainless? Every other trainee had scrambled up without using their powers, yet this one... I couldn't begin to guess what went on in his head. Needless to say, he was eliminated. Even the reporters couldn't help but burst into incredulous laughter. If he'd intended to be the team's comic relief, he'd certainly delivered from the very start.
"Oh, it's Jiyeong's turn."
Time passed, and eventually Seong Jiyeong's turn arrived. She was different from the others right from the beginning. While everyone else—even the actress—had started by pressing against the wall and gripping the holds, she simply took a running start and launched herself onto the wall, sticking to it perfectly. Then, as if her goal wasn't merely to reach the top, she bounced upward with elegant steps and reached the summit in just a few moves. Standing at the top, Seong Jiyeong struck a pose while looking down with a haughty expression. As expected, the practice had paid off.
"Wow... Jiyeong really is gifted. To have that much composure in this situation..."
Even our company's manager, who knew her well, was exclaiming in admiration. The reactions of those who didn't know her at all needed no further explanation. The reporters were capturing her with an intensity they hadn't shown anyone else.
While everyone focused on Seong Jiyeong, I kept my eyes fixed on the judges—particularly the young man among them. The outcome of this audition would depend on what he was thinking.
When the actress had completed her climb earlier, he'd smiled broadly, gums and all. Yet when other applicants with decent climbing skills had succeeded, he'd shown no reaction. It seemed our and Seong Jiyeong's suspicion that something was hidden behind this audition wasn't unfounded.
"But... why is he suddenly acting like that?"
After the actress's turn, the man had watched the remaining applicants with a bored expression. The moment Seong Jiyeong stepped up to the starting line, however, he began growing visibly agitated. And when she finished her test to thunderous cheers from the staff, he clutched his head as if he didn't know what to do. Anyone watching might have thought Seong Jiyeong had threatened to kill him.
"So that's how it is."
At first I'd been puzzled, but upon reflection, I could guess. He had recognized Seong Jiyeong. People from the same world naturally knew one another. Even though she was Seong Jiyeong now, back when she had been Nam Jiyeong, she would have been acquainted with the other chaebol families. Cheonji and Dream might be rivals who clashed constantly, but that was precisely why they knew each other so well. A third-generation member of Dream who wasn't much older than Seong Jiyeong couldn't possibly fail to recognize her.
And yet a direct descendant of Cheonji—who had supposedly been disowned—was applying to appear in a Dream commercial? Of course his mind would be in turmoil. If he understood our intentions exactly, or even if he was simply a seasoned player accustomed to political maneuvering, he might realize that casting Seong Jiyeong alone would be enough to spite Cheonji. But he was still a young chaebol heir. He lacked the experience to see that far ahead. So all he could do was tear at his hair trying to figure out the other party's true motives.
If he didn't want to overthink it, he could simply eliminate Seong Jiyeong. Even though she'd recorded the best score in the climbing test, her identity as a Cheonji direct descendant was reason enough to disqualify her. But that was only possible in a normal audition. This one had some rather shady undertones. If the eliminated Seong Jiyeong went to Chairman Nam Cheon-sik and laid out every suspicious detail, and if the chairman then dug up a few things and secured evidence before declaring that "Dream's people have been handling things rather sloppily lately," the young heir directly involved could find himself in a very awkward position.
A company the size of Dream would certainly know if something was going on between their third-generation heir and the rookie actress. As long as it didn't become a problem, fine—but if Cheonji exposed it and they ended up "losing face," they wouldn't just sit back and watch. Yet they also couldn't simply cast Seong Jiyeong, who came from Cheonji. So the moment he recognized her, casting the actress had become the least of his concerns.
Seong Jiyeong had probably anticipated this development the instant she confirmed who he was. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to approach the audition so confidently even after learning there was a pre-selected candidate. Then again, even if she'd been disowned, Cheonji was still Cheonji—she could have predicted this much.
"So this is how it turns out."
The young heir, who had been lost in thought, disappeared before the climbing test even ended. The situation had been too ambiguous for him to act, so he'd chosen to flee and avoid responsibility. Perhaps that was the smartest move after all. Regardless, the articles about this audition—which had even installed a climbing set—were bound to become a hot topic. The primary goal of generating buzz had been achieved one way or another.
After the problematic heir vanished, the twenty "warriors" who had perfectly cleared the climbing test were waiting for their in-depth interviews. At this point, there wasn't much the manager or I could do. We simply waited at the staff area for Seong Jiyeong to finish her interview and return.
Then, unexpectedly, Seong Jiyeong emerged from the interview room and walked toward us.
"Na Yeri. Come with me for a moment."
"...Me? Why me?"
She even took my hand and led me into the interview room.
"Uh... Jiyeong-ssi!"
Manager Park Dae-woong called out in surprise, but she didn't even acknowledge him. Ignoring the manager too? It seemed Seong Jiyeong was a new breed of lunatic I had never encountered before.
Dragged into the audition interview room without warning, I found myself facing five judges who were staring at me with bright, curious eyes.
"So you're saying you'll show us something even more perfect if you do it with this person?"
"Yes. The difference between having a partner and not having one is clear."
"Very well. Then please show us. The perfect action that Seong Jiyeong-ssi is so confident about."
What was this girl... So she'd brought me here as her opponent to demonstrate her action acting?
"Na Yeri. Just do what you usually do."
"Hmm... Sure, why not."
It was a bit sudden, but it didn't really matter. If it helped Seong Jiyeong make a stronger impression on the judges, this much was worth doing. The fact that they'd even accepted such an abrupt request from an applicant was already a positive sign. If we weren't candidates they were seriously considering, they would have rejected it immediately.
"Hah!"
I approached Seong Jiyeong with flashy footwork and launched a high kick without hesitation. She leaned back like she'd been waiting for it, dodging lightly. Then, still arched like a bow, she extended her leg toward my chin—a tricky counterattack she occasionally used thanks to her extraordinary flexibility.
After a moment's thought, I decided to show them something interesting. I lightly jumped, used the tip of her foot as a stepping stone, and launched myself upward again, performing an aerial acrobatic. There was a small trick involved—I'd used repulsion to make my body lighter without anyone noticing.
Seong Jiyeong, who had read my movement, launched herself toward my landing point and crossed with me in midair. From then on, a dazzling exchange of attacks and defenses unfolded, turning the scene into something straight out of a wuxia film.
"Whoa..."
The judges couldn't close their mouths, repeatedly exclaiming in admiration. Why? Had they never seen an action scene directed by the Phantoms with full intent before? If they were this surprised by something so basic, these judges clearly lacked experience.