Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: This is Pure Love
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This is pure love.
Expressions can sometimes have a greater impact than a hundred words.
And right now, in the expression of 'Chae Mi-ri' before his eyes, one emotion was subtly peeking through.
The emotion that seemed to reveal itself clearly was anger.
However, within that anger, like a thick fog of drizzle...
There was a quiet but certain emotion that seemed to soak one's clothes.
The emotion known as 'sadness' was emanating from her.
A moist sadness that looked like it could burst into tears at any moment.
Why was that?
In a situation like this, why on earth was she feeling sad?
Director Go Seok-hoon could easily figure out the answer to that.
At a simple glance, the role of Chae Mi-ri was just a pure villain.
She could be called the mastermind who joined hands with high-ranking officials for personal gain and orchestrated this incident.
However, even if she had made the wrong choice, Chae Mi-ri herself had her reasons for it.
Suddenly thrust into the position of hospital director due to her father's death.
For some, this might be a goal, but for Chae Mi-ri, it was an overwhelming burden.
In her early thirties.
An age where she hadn't fully matured as a professional in society.
At such a time, being forced into a position responsible for so many people felt like wearing an ill-fitting, heavy garment.
Moreover, it wasn't just mental strain; the hospital's performance was actually declining, and the gazes from those around her were growing increasingly negative.
In such a desperate situation for her,
the proposal from the government and the U.S. military side—if she quietly buried this incident, they would give her great compensation—
could only be an irresistibly sweet temptation.
But in such a situation, what were Chae Mi-ri's true feelings?
Until recently, she had reached this position with the conviction of saving lives as a doctor.
For such a woman, this current situation,
the moment where a doctor who should save lives had to kill one,
could only be immense agony in itself.
At the same time, before such a Chae Mi-ri,
Song Na-rae's resolute actions for the patient, unlike herself,
would have made her feel an even deeper sense of self-loathing.
Though a villain, she hadn't chosen it willingly.
A being struggling to hold herself together under the crushing pressure from conscience and reality.
That was the woman Chae Mi-ri that Chae Soo-jeong was expressing in this moment,
and at the same time, the true image of this role that Director Go Seok-hoon had truly desired.
'Personally, I thought a Kaguya Queen-like vibe wouldn't be bad either... but as expected, a genius is a genius. She captured my intent perfectly from the start and acted it out...'
In reality, it was Chae Soo-jeong herself who had added her own interpretation for image management, but in the end, the results aligned well.
Thus, from the script reading stage onward, filled with admiration, a thick smile spread across Director Go Seok-hoon's lips.
"Hah... hah... hah..."
A massive spaceship floating in space.
At its center, a man whose body was battered to pieces.
Masked Hero Black Moon, holding a sword dripping with blood, had collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath.
Approaching him slowly was her.
One arm torn to shreds, yet still exuding immense power, Queen Kaguya spoke in a cold voice.
"Enough... let's stop this, Makado-kun."
Not the usual dignified Queen Kaguya, but speaking in Asakura's voice.
Her appearance, showing her childhood friend side and pleading earnestly, even made it feel like she truly worried for Makado.
Of course, considering how she had just beaten him like a dog on a hot day, this sight gave an eerie chill.
In that state where he practically had no strength left to resist, as Kaguya extended her hand once more,
Black Moon hesitated for a moment.
And...
"...Alright..."
"!"
"I'll... stop now... Asakura, just as you want..."
"Makado-kun!"
Finally, his appearance as if surrendering.
As Makado dropped his sword and grabbed the hand she offered, a flush of joy momentarily lit up Kaguya's face.
At that moment.
-KABOOM!!!
"! Wha... what?!"
-"Your Majesty! Big trouble! Th... those humans... the human bastards planted bombs on the ship!"
The ship shaking violently from the explosion caused by the other Masked Heroes' efforts.
Watching the bewildered Kaguya, Makado said in a heavy voice.
"Sorry... Asakura..."
"Ma... Makado... kun? What are you...!"
Makado, using even Black Moon's power, hugged Kaguya with all his might.
"I won't let you go ever again! Asakura... you're coming with me!"
Makado, resolved to death, choosing mutual destruction.
Queen Kaguya showed a startled expression at his action, but
soon, her face returned to its usual emotion...
An arrogant yet profoundly calm smile began to spread.
"...Really... you haven't changed a bit, you."
"!..."
More composed than expected...
No, her reaction felt unexpectedly familiar.
Watching Makado's momentarily surprised expression,
Kaguya said with a deeply thick smile on her lips.
"Yes, let's go together! Even in the afterlife, we'll be together forever!"
"!"
In an instant, intense ecstasy bloomed in her eyes.
Along with an expression like the madness-close obsession she had shown Makado exploding forth, she instead hugged him back with all her strength.
And.
-KABOOM!!
The Black Star ship exploding in orbit, turning to dust.
Thus... with Masked Hero Black Moon's noble sacrifice, Earth was safely protected...
Immediately after, wails over Kaguya's death echoed among the viewers.
There had been attractive villains before, but Queen Kaguya, with her captivating looks and overwhelming presence, had touched many viewers' hearts.
Moreover, in her final moments, without losing her unique aura, she met her end showing unprecedented madness, leaving a deep impression on the audience.
As a result, on the viewer bulletin board, reactions cursing the protagonist's party and mourning the final boss's death—which were rare in the series—dominated.
Of course, among them, quite a few viewers expressed envy toward the protagonist due to the intense finale in various ways.
Though a villain, that obsessive attachment from such an attractive childhood friend was an instinctive heart-flutterer for many men.
Thus, Masked Hero - Black Moon ended with record-breaking viewership ratings for the series.
Though it ended on a bittersweet note with the protagonist's death,
protagonists dying wasn't uncommon in the Masked Hero series, and above all, though he exploded, he ultimately ended up(?) with Kaguya, so most reactions were positive.
"It's over!"
"Great work, everyone."
"Congratulations, Director Oda. You've successfully wrapped up this series too."
"Haha, it's all thanks to your hard work. Good job."
The Masked Hero production staff rising, exchanging cheers and congratulations.
With the several-month-long journey ended, in the warm atmosphere, their faces showed liberation, joy, and a touch of bittersweet reluctance.
Especially since, despite the poor timing in many ways, this season had unusually high ratings, their pride and regret felt even greater.
"How about it? It's been a while, so shall we have a drink after?"
"It would be our honor."
"Thank you, Director!"
Thus, discussing after-party drinks while handling wrap-up work.
Meanwhile, among them, one person equally caught up in the excitement.
She, who had scouted actress Chae Soo-jeong for the role of Kaguya, making this moment possible—the top contributor.
Sakamoto Yukari savored a deeper thrill than others while packing her things.
Feeling a strong anticipation to wet her throat with alcohol after a long time.
At that moment.
-Ring ring.
"Yes? What's up?"
A sudden incoming call.
Sakamoto answered without much thought, and...
"...! Yes? The... station chief?"
A bewildered exclamation slipped out unconsciously.
Instantly, the gazes of those present turned to her, but
Sakamoto had no time to mind, rushing out of the room.
"Yes, yes! I'll head there right now!"
Thus, Sakamoto hurriedly boarded the elevator without even asking why.
Inside, feeling faster than usual today, her mind began to whirl in real time.
'Ah... no, why is the station chief suddenly calling for me...'
Timing-wise, something seemed up, but she couldn't pinpoint it.
Feeling anxious, she cautiously entered the place where that person, whom she rarely even saw, was.
And.
"Actress Chae Soo-jeong... you mean?"
"That's right. Regarding the new program we're starting this time, I have a special favor to ask."
