Handsome Kid with Sword Skills Wanted
The Hydream Special Concert wrapped up in grand style. As if to prove its roaring success, the internet was plastered with talk of the Hydream Special Concert.
Thanks to his bold fan meet comments that reeked of flower-scented romance at just 15, Kim Donghu shot straight to the top of real-time search rankings.
Those sweet, flirtatious lines paired with his jaw-dropping good looks? The synergy was beyond imagination.
With the hype building like this, everyone's eyes turned to Kim Donghu's next gig. The catalyst that pushed his debut Hydream to 30.2% ratings—where would that explosive power detonate next?
Amid all the anticipation, two writers were desperately hoping they'd snag his next move.
"Noona, just give me one shot here. Yeo Sujung's just whining early—I'm actually in a bind!"
"Unnie, look at this punk. No manners at all. Technically, I'm the senior debut here—does he have any right to act like that?"
"Senior? What senior? This industry's about results! My debut ratings crushed yours!"
"What?! No way—you're talking like that in front of your sky-high unnie? You're insane!"
Yeo Sujung, prepping her historical drama Ilsik, and Gwon Jaeho, whose child actor injury left Geomgeom Baek Dongsu short a role.
How did it come to this? Lee Minha wondered, flashing back amid the chaos.
Sujung got hooked on Hydream, came begging for Donghu's contact... Then Jaeho showed up worried about injuries in sageuks... They bumped into each other at my place, fought like cats and dogs as usual... Then Jaeho's kid actor actually got hurt for real.
"Calm down first. I've already talked to him, so quit bickering."
"R-Really?! He replied?!"
"Unnie, what about mine?! My reply?!"
"If you two don't chill, I'm zipping it from now on."
Lee Minha's words slammed shut their mouths like padlocks. She smiled at the rare peace.
"Kim Donghu said he'd read the scripts himself and decide. Just wait a bit."
"C-Can't you tell him I'm desperate? My actor's hurt—no one's available! She's just holding auditions!"
"Unnie, don't buy her crap! Not even a confirmed sub!!! You think I don't know Geomgeom Baek Dongsu's crew is scouting everywhere?!"
"So what, grab any rando?! Make sense—you gotta pick the best, idiot!"
"Wh-What?! Idiot?! You just called me an idiot? You know we could recast once he recovers!"
"Ugh, clueless about injuries. Once they get hurt, they shrink up scared."
Gwon Jaeho was about to lose his mind from the sheer frustration.
I really need Kim Donghu!
Filming waited, actor down—naturally, he was hopping mad. Scrambling for a replacement? Easier said than done.
The crew, Gwon Jaeho included, had scoured everywhere, but finding a sageuk child actor was no joke. Especially one versed in martial arts—swordplay, no less. No such unicorn existed, so they'd train fast.
And if we're training anyway, might as well go for the hottest, most popular kid.
If Kim Donghu said yes, they'd ditch all other candidates in a heartbeat.
But how the hell do I teach him swordplay?
Damn it, for real.
Any handsome child actor good at swordplay out there?
Hoo. Gwon Jaeho's deep sigh drew a sly glance from Yeo Sujung. Objectively, his situation was dire.
But that was that.
My Ilsik needs to crush it too, you know?
And this was this. No writer yields their career shot.
Hoo. Another sigh escaped—not wanting to lose Kim Donghu to him.
Watching their agony, Lee Minha thought, Sorry, but you two are perfect for each other. A secret she kept locked tight.
"Nice weather."
The morning after the Hydream Special Concert, my daily life was blissfully normal. Save for the banner still flapping at the school gate.
Days like this—could life get any happier?
Wonder how Yerim ended up debuting as a model. My gaze wandered to those around me.
Staring.
"Wh-What? Why stare like that? It's embarrassing."
Had I zoned out gazing? Yerim blushed faintly, meeting my eyes with a shy smile.
"How's this bedwetter..."
"Hey! I told you not to say that! She was there too—why pin it just on me?!"
Yerim shot up, jabbing Minhyuk's chest with her finger. He hung his head, guilty at the memory.
"I-I was just immature back then."
"I didn't say anything. Yerim did, right Gangshik?"
"Y-Yeah, y-yeah... Right."
"Let's finish the notebook game. Where were we? Me?"
"D-Donghu rolled 1s six times in a row. Your planet's toast."
"...Let me whale out, please."
Notebook game—drives you nuts.
We were laughing through break when...
Two sageuk scripts.
One's gotta be Geomgeom Baek Dongsu. What's the other?
No need to overthink.
Sure, sounds good. I'll check 'em myself.
After school. Seokho hyung's van idled behind the school.
Slide.
Spotting me, he slid the door open instantly. Manager instincts for real?
"Man, your school guard's a stickler for rules. Nearly didn't get in without proving relation to you."
"Really?"
"Yeah, barely parked using your parents' vouch. Explains why no outsiders bugging you."
Ah, that makes sense.
Someone's guarding my routine.
Blocking outsiders ain't easy, even for work.
Gotta send a gift later.
As I thought that, Seokho kept going.
"If he's that helpful, better hook him up with something. Red ginseng set maybe."
Did he read my mind?
Grinning like it was obvious, he started driving.
"Black script under the window's Geomgeom Baek Dongsu, white one's Ilsik."
Geomgeom Baek Dongsu seemed rushed—role issue plus sword training.
I pieced it together from his rundown.
Just like that future text.
Ilsik later—grabbed the urgent Geomgeom Baek Dongsu sub script.
Funny timing: right after kendo from the hero, a swordplay role drops.
Geomgeom Baek Dongsu, B (Grade Adjustment in Progress)
B grade, adjusting up. Like Hydream—nail it, smash 30% again.
Exciting.
My role: young Jaun, rival to Geomgeom Baek Dongsu.
Immersion.
I dove straight in.
Cheonsalseong.
The star of heaven-sent slaughter, fated to kill.
Father, knowing this, tried to end the child.
But slaying a newborn? Not so simple.
Mother fought desperately; the heaven-chosen survived at her sacrifice.
Years later, as the boy hit adolescence...
"Father, did you really kill her?"
"Yes."
The boy learned his father slew his mother.
"...You're the Cheonsalseong. Born to kill."
"You fell for that nonsense myth and did that?"
"Myth? Ha, myth you say?"
Father chuckled faintly.
Eyes on the scene before him, he spoke in disbelief, hollow.
"Look at you, blade to my throat. Is that a myth?"
Jaun, the boy.
His first step to becoming an assassin...
"..."
Was happening now.