Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Weak but Strong
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"A live-action drama... you mean?"
"Yes, that's right."
Now thoroughly familiar, Venaris's Manager Han Jeong-hwa.
At her words, I made a slightly troubled expression.
The proposal from Manager Han Jeong-hwa, who could be called my line into Japan.
It was an invitation to participate in a live-action adaptation project of an anime that Asaha Broadcasting Station was preparing.
Generally speaking, there was a formula that live-action adaptations of manga or anime always flopped, but in truth, when you actually opened the lid, it wasn't always the case.
They just fell short of the expected level, yet thanks to the original work's fanbase, they steadily pulled in a certain level of profit.
And this was based on my past life; the live-action work in question here was the same.
It wasn't a massive hit, but it achieved decent results and even led to a side-story movie filmed in Korea afterward—a fairly solid performance.
The work itself had been out for over 20 years, but it had recently been adapted into an anime again, bringing renewed light to this classic masterpiece.
An SF fantasy centered around incidents caused by extraterrestrial lifeforms that devoured humans and mimicked their bodies.
Its title was...
"Predator..."
"Do you know it?"
"Yes. I happened to watch it as a kid. I remember reading all the volumes since there weren't that many."
"Perfect. Then we can skip the explanations."
In reality, I'd seen it twice: once in my past life and once in this one. Anyway, at my words that I'd seen the original, Manager Han Jeong-hwa showed a slight sense of relief and continued.
"Asaha Broadcasting Station plans to turn this 'Predator' into a drama. They've already secured much of the cast."
"I see."
For reference, in my past life, I'd watched the anime but not the live-action drama.
For some reason, Japan's live-action sensibilities just didn't click with me, so there was no reason to seek it out.
I only knew that a few scenes and characters were cut, but the overall plot and setting remained largely unchanged.
"So, what role would you like me to take?"
"Yes, the Japanese side hopes Actress Chae Soo-jeong will play Takami Yuka from the original work."
"Takami... Yuka..."
To be honest, from the moment I heard 'Predator', I'd somewhat expected this role.
Takami Yuka.
The final boss of the work and a female Predator.
Her overall vibe shared quite a few similarities with Kaguya from before.
Cold, strong, intelligent, and honest about her desires.
A role that perfectly fit the term "strong villain." For me now, wanting to avoid solidifying that image, refusing would be the right answer, but...
"...Alright. I'll do it."
"Pardon? Really?"
In that moment, I chose the role without hesitation.
The reason I'd rewatched a merely entertaining work from my past life even in this one was solely because of her... the character Takami Yuka.
The one trait she possessed.
That was... ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Elizabeth Stormwalker. Having just finished makeup in her sharp military uniform, she slowly slipped on her sunglasses.
"It's show time~"
The U.S. Army officer Helen Walker that she was playing. Though an ally to Chae Mi-ri, she was actually the real black and final boss, pressuring her from behind to finish the job.
Elizabeth took on any role, villain or hero, but after gaining fame with her Athena role, she was mostly getting offers for righteous, good-guy images. So this role sparked considerable interest.
Of course, over 80% of that emotion came from the woman standing before her now, Chae Soo-jeong.
'Hehe... I wonder how delicious her acting will be?'
This scene was from the mid-part of the work, where Hospital Director Chae Mi-ri and Major Helen discussed Dr. Song Na-rae and Detective Seo In-hyeok's movements. It was a fairly challenging scene requiring Helen to pressure the situation while Chae Mi-ri showed hesitation and inner turmoil.
The first scene of conflict between the two who had been allies up to now—or in other words, the first real clash of acting skills.
From Elizabeth's perspective, it was a chance to feast on her opponent's delectable performance.
With a greedy lick of her lips, Elizabeth watched Chae Soo-jeong calmly gather her emotions before them. As soon as they took their positions, filming began.
A spacious, luxurious hospital director's office. The woman standing silently by the window, Hospital Director Chae Mi-ri, spoke quietly to Major Helen beside her.
"Dr. Song, you say?"
"Yes. She says she visited the site herself the day before yesterday."
"And the evidence... you handled it properly?"
"Of course. Clean as a whistle, not a speck of dust left."
"But..."
"...Good."
The two continued their quiet conversation.
But the heavy atmosphere filling the room, combined with the content, hinted at something ominous.
Then.
"But no matter how much we cover up, if that person wakes up, it all means nothing."
"..."
Helen's cold voice. Like aiming a dagger, her words made Hospital Director Chae Mi-ri's eyes twitch slightly.
"You know that, right? If by any chance that person wakes now, everything goes up in smoke. Then both you, Dr. Chae, and I would lose our heads."
"..."
"Make your decision. Even if they live, it'll just be a walking corpse. Instead of dragging out a painful existence, why not let us give them a clean mercy kill?"
Chilling lines. The set's atmosphere turned icy, like freezing icicles.
Even in midsummer, a spine-chilling sensation.
Elizabeth—no, Major Helen's utterly ruthless voice held no warmth.
In an instant, she erased Chae Soo-jeong's presence completely. The quiet yet undeniable power in her delivery left everyone on set inwardly amazed.
'As expected... Hollywood actors are on another level.'
'So different from Athena, yet perfect...'
'Her acting range is insane. A true world-class actress...'
Thus, Elizabeth seized the attention and dominated the mood.
But despite the admiring gazes from all around, in this moment, all her focus was on one person: Chae Soo-jeong beside her.
'Come on... show me. Your acting!'
Elizabeth anticipated her opponent's first move with thrilled anticipation. Then.
"...I can't do that."
"!"
With a short line, Chae Soo-jeong slowly turned her head. But there was none of the strong, untouchable persona from other works.
Anxiety. Trembling. Unease.
Chae Soo-jeong—no, Hospital Director Chae Mi-ri—appeared strong on the outside but fragile within. Unable to even look straight at her, Helen spoke coldly.
"Dr. Chae?"
"...I... can't. That... that matter..."
"Hesitating now? We're one step away. Just one more step, and you say something so weak..."
"That one step... I don't want to take. Not that... never..."
Chae Mi-ri responded with a trembling voice to Elizabeth's blade-sharp words.
The sight of her was anything but strong.
Her eyes quivered faintly, her voice full of hesitation.
A frail figure like a candle about to flicker out.
However.
This seemingly weak appearance paradoxically evoked one emotion: courage. The resolve to choose her path amid clear fear. And that emotion slowly pushed back Major Helen's freezing aura.
"I... know. This could be very dangerous right now... But... even so, as a doctor, I can't extinguish the life of a surviving patient... fighting to live."
'...Gulp.'
Hospital Director Chae Mi-ri, sweating profusely yet voicing her stance.
Watching her, Helen—no, Elizabeth—unwittingly swallowed dryly.
She still looked weak and unstable.
But seeing such a frail person muster every ounce of courage hit harder, touching the heart more deeply.
A presence felt more vividly precisely because of its weakness.
For a moment, feeling her own aura overwhelmed by this woman sent a thrill coursing through Elizabeth, nearly breaking her expression.
'Ahh... delicious... Different from what I expected, but this kind of...'
A sharp shiver rising from her toes. Her brain soaked in thick fluid, a tingling in her lower abdomen.
If not for filming, she'd have ridden that sensation to climax, but unable to, Elizabeth felt regret while barely maintaining her expression, drinking in the sight of the woman before her... Chae Soo-jeong, with her eyes.
Then.
"Cut!"
"!"
The call to end filming rang in her ears. Immediately, Elizabeth suppressed her twitching body and hurried off.
"Elizabeth?"
"S-sorry... Nature calls for a moment..."