Chapter 73

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 73

Chapter Title: #bridge Intern Maeng Soyul

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Monday morning.

My reflection in the mirror still looked haggard.

I looked completely drained, and it seemed like it'd take a few days to recover.

"Yawn."

Even after washing up, the puffiness around my swollen eyes hadn't gone down.

I stretched out a big yawn while reading the review for the seventh scenario.

"Damn... I used two points, and it's still just Average."

Not only points, but I'd invested a whole week of time, yet it was still Average. The fact hit me hard.

If I hadn't used points, it would've been close to a Flop.

"Almost fucked up big time."

A Flop would've debuffed the next work and messed everything up.

I clicked my tongue and scratched my temple when new text caught ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my eye.

It was U Dayoung's filmography.

I rubbed my chin and racked my brain.

"...Above Good Work, there's Masterpiece, Classic, Great Work... three tiers."

The ability's explanations were unfriendly, but I realized it unlocked features as more works piled up.

I had to figure it out myself.

"Still, it's kinda funny."

I never expected to see U Dayoung's filmography.

She'd done five works, so that must've unlocked it.

U Dahee's didn't show up, after all.

"...?"

A smirk crossed my face at the ridiculous ability when a new section appeared below U Dayoung's filmography.

Scratch scratch.

I heard a scratching sound like someone writing with a pencil.

One of these was flashing, like I had to pick.

"What the hell, handing out passives like this. This isn't a game."

I picked up the Scenario Book and examined it from every angle, but it was still just a vintage notebook full of character.

A plain notebook with powers like this was still mind-blowing no matter how I looked at it.

"Alright, let's see..."

I could adjust Immersion and Discomfort through scenarios.

Naturally, my eyes landed on Influence.

"I know it affects works even after scenarios end..."

If I made her a fuckbuddy, she'd keep the influence post-scenario.

The choice was obvious.

All the scenarios we'd done together were laid out clearly.

Dragging one over seemed to mean ongoing effects outside scenarios.

"Flop's obviously out..."

I skipped the Lovers one—no content, no emotion.

Swipe.

I grabbed the pen nearby and tapped #7.

Dragging it up engraved it, completing a new profile.

But Influence was still 0.

Points: 3

And it even cost points.

"What the fuck, give proper instructions at least."

I got pissed at the unfriendly ability. Calming down, I tapped the 0.

Influence: 281

The current Influence popped up next to the 0.

I dragged 281 over the same way.

#7 Scenario Sisters Under One Roof (Average)[28]

The moment I saw the number, I slammed the pen down on the table like throwing it.

Thud!

"Argh, 28? So... a tenth? Are you insane?"

Remaining Influence: 0

I'd built that up over a month and a half, and it got shaved off in an instant.

"Hoo."

I steadied myself and read on.

It felt like a game mistake where I forgot to save.

And I still had no clue what Name Value meant.

Then a thought hit me.

"This thing... did they stop making it midway?"

I even suspected the Scenario Book was unfinished.

"Argh, shit."

I let out a dad-like sigh and closed the notebook.

In my memory, Influence 28 was just a faint speck in the deep recesses—barely anything.

No use complaining; the mistake was done.

At least U Dayoung's filmography was new.

§

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Pouring rain announced autumn.

The morning screw-up was unavoidable; I'd just build new Influence.

"Siu, you done?"

"Yeah, just tomorrow and editing's wrapped."

The promo video was nearly finished—just final checks.

Kim Woohyun leaned on the partition with a satisfied look.

"Can I see it?"

"Sure. One sec."

We played the basically complete video and reviewed it together.

"Hm, looks good. Oh, yeah. Let's have a quick meeting—you, me, and Yuchan."

"...?"

He stood there eyeing me and Won Yuchan.

"Intern starts tomorrow. Who's teaching?"

"Wasn't it settled ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I'd do it?"

I thought it was decided, but bringing it up again meant something else.

"What's up? Problem?"

Kim Woohyun gave an awkward smile and shook his head.

"Not a problem, but I'm splitting teams going forward."

"Teams?"

"Yeah. One for editing outsourced stuff, one for Neulsom Studio's own content."

I furrowed my brow.

"We barely have people—why split now?"

Just four of us; five with the intern tomorrow. Tiny company.

"Time to grow. You know I don't wanna stay a subcontractor forever."

He said the cringey line without hesitation.

I had no plans to quit salaryman life, so I shrugged.

"How you splitting, then?"

Kim Woohyun grinned like a kid despite his age and pointed at Won Yuchan.

"Yuchan's editing speed blows yours away."

Won Yuchan had rolled in a year at a company that forced overtime nonstop, so he was fast and up on trends.

"So, all streamer/YouTuber outsources to him."

"And?"

"You'll ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠handle promo videos like this. Plan's all set."

"..."

Business minds were on another level.

"You Team 1, Yuchan Team 2. Who takes the first intern?"

Kim Woohyun's words made Won Yuchan and me glance at each other.

"Him."

"Hyungnim."

Neither of us, non-majors, wanted a newbie slowing us.

Won Yuchan felt the same.

"Hyungnim, you know speed matters... No time teaching a newbie..."

"..."

I knew, so I scratched my forehead.

Seeing that, Kim Woohyun smiled.

"Then Siu, it's you."

"Fine."

"Sorry~ Mad?"

His tone matching U Dayoung's pissed me more.

"Not mad—just headache thinking about training the newbie."

Kim Woohyun massaged my shoulders.

"Gonna grow the company. Expanding the studio big time too."

He pointed at the studio we'd busted ass on last weekend.

One thing clear: more work ahead.

§

Next day.

Chilly morning air from yesterday's drizzle; I got to work early.

Click.

Reassembled the partition for new space, set up the computer Kim Woohyun sourced.

For the newbie next to me.

Checked it worked, installed programs from CDs, then headed down for a smoke.

[AM 08:35]

Plenty of time till official start.

Flick.

I lit up, gazing at the sky, when I sensed someone.

Sharp vibe; I looked down with just my eyes.

There stood the newbie.

Different outfit from the interview, but suited up anyway.

Her face was fist-sized, weirdly compact with all features fitting.

"Fire..."

"Here."

Before she finished, I pulled the lighter from my pocket.

Flick.

She took it, lit her slim cig, nodded thanks briefly, and handed it back.

"Newbie, right?"

"...?"

She flinched, turning from smoking back-to-back.

Her face said she didn't remember me from the interview.

"Intern at Neulsom Studio?"

"...Yeah."

"Nice to meet you. Nam Siu."

Her tiny face matched a super slim build.

Like her stick-thin legs might snap from a low kick.

"...Hi."

Still, she nodded to me as the senior.

"Yeah, you too."

I exhaled smoke and returned the greeting nonchalantly.

Tap tap.

I tapped off the finished butt into the bucket and headed up.

Empty office, no one in yet.

Five seats felt small in the big space.

Newbie entered through the open door.

"Over here."

Suit with black shoulder bag, she approached.

"You'll work here. Boss'll explain more soon."

"Ah..."

Hearing it was her spot, she scanned the desk.

Not her usual cynical look—more awkward unfamiliarity.

Tap.

I leaned on the partition casually and asked.

"I'm Team 1 Leader Nam Siu. Just call me sunbae. Easier that way."

"...Okay..."

Her eyes still roamed her desk.

Zero interest in me.

I scratched the back of my head hard, glaring annoyed at her self-absorbed vibe.

"You always ignore people like this?"

"...No, not like that."

The shitty feeling wouldn't fade easy.

"Hoo."

I sighed, glanced at the ceiling, then asked her.

"I said my name. What's yours?"

Finally, at my irritated tone, she looked at me.

"Maeng Soyul."