Chapter 128 - #Bridge Sick Visit
[#11 Scenario: Suu Mi Yang Ga]
Grade:Average
Influence: 225
Fame: 255
Fresh world view
Too short, which is a shame
Attractive world view, but too limited location
Lacking compared to the director's reputation
Points: 6
Next scenario: Immersion +0%
Next scenario: Dissonance -0%
Cooldown: 01d 02h 25m
It was a shame I couldn't even hit Average or better.
"Guess it's because the time was too short…."
Every time I'd gotten an Average so far, the scenarios had been short.
The reviews confirmed my suspicions.
"Do the reviews give little hints like this…?"
It had already been three months since I got the Scenario Book, but there was still so much I didn't know.
"…Still, I've done a ton of experiments."
One new discovery per scenario.
I jotted down what I'd learned in my notebook and stretched languidly.
"Yawn. I'm beat."
It was fun, but tiring all the same.
I had to pour every ounce of energy into the scenarios, just like if I were the actor myself.
I could probably push a lead actor and still produce a work without starring myself, but that wasn't what I wanted.
"If it's not for sex, why bother with this thing."
No one was watching anyway, so there was no need to bust my ass for a Masterpiece.
I just wanted higher grades for better sex.
Plus, it added some game-like fun to my boring daily life.
That was all—just a mix of a few simple motives, nothing complicated.
You can set an actor's trait.
Once set, it is permanently maintained, so choose carefully.
Flipping to the next page of the Scenario Book to see what was new, [Trait] popped up.
"…?"
Wondering what it was, I remembered when Woo Da-young had completed five scenarios last time.
"Ah…."
Realizing what it meant, I read on.
Please select an ability.
Immersion increase rate: +5%
Dissonance reduction rate: +5%
Influence: 0
I remembered Woo Da-young having the exact same trait.
"Looks like this one's fixed."
Propping my chin on my hand, I tapped my pen on the desk.
Honestly, I still didn't fully grasp the power of Influence.
"If Influence is high, the effects linger even after the scenario ends…."
Without knowing how much to invest, it was basically gambling.
I grimaced, then clicked on Immersion in the end.
Swoosh.
[Woo Da-hee]
Immersion increase rate: 5%
Great Work: 0
Masterpiece: 0
Good: 1
Average: 1
Flop: 3
Disaster: 0
Name Value: 8%
Still an unfriendly explanation.
"What the hell do you even use Name Value for."
I pondered it, but no answers came.
"Aigoo, guess I need a break for a while."
Three straight months without rest had worn me out a bit.
§
The company.
Mornings and nights were so cold now it felt like full winter.
Even wearing a puffer jacket during the day, the chill wind stung my face.
"At least it's not cold enough to dig out the long puffer yet…."
The sky was blanketed in dark clouds, dyed gray like snow could fall any second.
"Yawwwn."
I yawned lazily as I arrived at the office.
If it wasn't a scenario, it was just regular work.
We were still filming 'Good Friends', slowly but steadily gaining subscribers.
Likewise, Neulsom Studio's skills were getting recognized, landing us steady editing and correction gigs.
"Soyul's getting pretty good now, huh?"
It had been over a month since her internship started, and she was settling in nicely.
Her notebook, visible over the partition, was filled with dense study notes—must've been hitting the books even off-hours.
"Thank you."
Her tone was still flat. Outside work, she often came off a bit cynical.
Given her rough life, maybe it was natural.
"Siu-yaa~."
Turning at the call, Woo Da-young was waving papers fresh from the fax.
"Whassup."
Grabbing my mug from the desk, I approached, and she handed them over.
"There's a symposium in Daejeon—wanna go?"
"Outta nowhere? Who's sending?"
"This prof."
The paper mentioned the professor from the last seminar.
"This guy's the same as ever. Probably sent it to a bunch of others too, not just us?"
"Probably? Ugh~, if we go, we'll be dragged around by the prof again."
"…You only dump the annoying stuff on me?"
I glared at her annoyed face.
"Hee~, but it'd be great if you went. You're close with the prof."
"…."
"You can make face-time, and he'll probably hook us up with more work after."
"Then you go."
I said that, but scratched my forehead and read it carefully.
"Daejeon?"
"Yup, you in?"
"Sigh, fine. Just as participants, right? Not presenters."
"Yup. Observer status."
My head was already throbbing. I fluttered the paper, sipped my coffee, and my eyes caught her chest.
Even buttoned up in a beige knit cardigan, her breasts stood out prominently.
Just a few months ago, I wouldn't have noticed, but after mixing bodies a few times, my gaze kept drifting there.
"What're you staring at?"
Woo Da-young tilted her head, glancing at her clothes.
"Nah, thought something was on it, but nope."
She had no memory of the sex, so I played dumb.
"Anyway, am I going alone?"
"Nah, like three people?"
I scanned the office—limited options for who could go.
"Then I'll take Woo-hyun and Soyul. Yu-chan's busy."
Woo Da-young grinned and patted my shoulder.
"Thanks~! As expected of my buddy~!"
"Your boyfriend's coming too."
She got all awkward and fidgety at reviews, but was pure sunshine here.
"Right, got it."
We gathered for a quick meeting to set the schedule.
"Meet at Seoul Station by 9 AM?"
Not much for us to do anyway—just for experience, following the prof for intros.
§
A few days later.
Seoul Station.
"Can't wait any longer."
The clock showed 9:15 already.
Kim Woo-hyun kept trying her phone, but no connection.
"Soyul wouldn't be late…."
She always arrived early to prep, so he worried something happened.
"The reserved train left already. Let's go—miss another, and we're late."
"Ugh…."
"I'll text her."
In the end, just me and Kim Woo-hyun departed.
We grabbed a cab straight to the venue in Daejeon. Made it just in time, barely—no smoke break.
"Professor! Long time~."
"Yes, Siu student~. Doing well~?"
"Yep! You too? Came with Woo-hyun."
Greetings done, we sat through the dull conference.
Whispering to Kim Woo-hyun beside me.
"…So boring…."
"…."
He smirked awkwardly, same thoughts.
After the tedium, the professor called us over.
"These are seniors from the class of '05. Introduce yourselves~."
"Hello, seniors. Nam Siu~."
"Hello, Kim Woo-hyun here!"
Small crowd, so we mingled easily.
Faces we'd forget in days, but good to memorize for future help.
"You started a company? Here's my card."
Even non-alums swapped cards casually.
Most chatted deeper with Kim Woo-hyun, as expected of the boss. I stepped back.
"Let's grab food."
Awkward meal between prof and seniors, then back to Seoul.
Office by just past 4 PM.
Bzzz.
Sat to unpack, phone buzzed.
"…?"
Thought spam, but it was Maeng Soyul.
Her usual businesslike tone. Knowing her, no faking it.
Sent the reply, went to work, but she nagged at me.
"Woo-hyun."
Got up, called him. He'd seen the message too, staring at his phone.
"Sounds like the flu?"
"…Doubt it's fake."
"Nah."
"Right? Not Soyul's style. Hey, got her address?"
I subtly packed my bag.
"Sick visit, then straight home."
Kim Woo-hyun chuckled, pulled her address from the computer.
"And this."
Shoved 30,000 won in my hand.
"Lives with grandma and little sibs, right? Grab some drinks."
"I can buy my own. It's fine."
"Still, I'm the boss."
Forcing it into my hand, I thought—how is this guy so perfect, no rough edges?
Scenario or not, he'd probably forgive me stealing Woo Da-young.
Of course, actually doing it would shatter that delusion quick.
"Alright, sick visit then straight home."