The Wooden Sword Shatters
Kim Donghu—is he really that good?
"Geomgeom Baek Dongsu got rescheduled for extra shooting. The final episode part."
At his manager's words, Ha Seunghun—the actor playing the adult Jaun—made a baffled face. "What? They were actually doing that?"
"Yeah. I said it didn't matter, but I didn't think they'd actually schedule it."
"What the hell changed to make this happen?"
"They're probably trying to boost ratings. Kim Donghu's coming out, right?"
The manager clamped his mouth shut as if realizing his mistake mid-sentence. Anyone could tell his tone implied the ratings hadn't budged without Kim Donghu.
But the man himself showed no change in expression. "Hyung, if you mess up your words, apologize first. You always just cover your mouth? Bad habit."
"S-sorry."
Leaving the frantically apologizing manager behind, Ha Seunghun stared blankly at the ceiling with a sour look.
"Kim Donghu—is he really that good?"
"Huh?"
"It's ridiculous. How does everything he touches turn into a massive hit?"
Ha Seunghun recalled what his colleagues had said about Kim Donghu.
—You've seen his acting in person, right? It's unreal. The character's alive, moving.
Like Han Taekon, already a total fan.
—Can't find a single project worthy of working with Kim Donghu. Damn.
Or Jang Geonho, determined to collaborate no matter what.
Actors who prided themselves on solid skills were singing nonstop praises for Kim Donghu. It was only natural to get curious.
Of course, Ha Seunghun hadn't watched a single one of Kim Donghu's works. He'd been too busy.
So he just couldn't get it. Why was everyone going crazy over him?
"Hyung, you seen Kim Donghu's stuff?"
"Nah, been too busy following you around. I just know he's insanely handsome and a great actor."
"Exactly! Knowing just that much makes me so damn curious."
He at least knew the face. Impossible not to. He'd read those trashy articles about how the child actor had "glowed up" overnight.
I've only ever heard 'handsome' my whole life wherever I go.
He'd scooped up every perk that came with good looks.
But hearing he'd leveled up even from there? Curiosity had gotten the better of him—he'd checked it out.
That's straight-up cheating.
Frankly, with a face like that, he could've coasted on looks alone, even with mediocre acting. Hell, just standing there as a face model would've overflowed the role.
But the actors praised his acting, not his looks.
Guess I'll see for myself later and find out.
Ha Seunghun slowly stood, grabbing a toy sword leaning against the wall in the corner.
"Hyung, get in position."
"Huh?"
"Gotta practice. First time shooting with the kids. Even with stunts, the senior's gotta look cool, right?"
No matter how amazing the junior was, no rule said he couldn't play the badass senior.
Ha Seunghun meant it sincerely.
+++++
"...Donghu, you're really taking a break next year, right?"
"Huh? Of course. Who jokes about resting? I wanna chill hard too."
I shrugged at Seokho hyung's out-of-nowhere question.
"Golden Bell was just the kids begging me to go on, no choice."
"What about the youth amateur boxing tournament?"
"Well... Coach kept pushing me...?"
"The persistent requests for the Star and Moon Story script?"
"Uh... Felt like I'd seen that title somewhere, just curiosity to track it down...?"
Seokho hyung eyed me with a "can't be helped" look after hearing each excuse.
"Donghu, you're only 15. Turning 16 in a few months, sure, but still young."
"I know."
"No need to bend over backward for everyone's expectations. Rest means real rest."
"I'm doing all this 'cause I got time to spare. Really fine, hyung."
"If the schedule gets tough, tell me right away! I'll eat the penalty fees to pull you out!"
"Got it. Aigoo, you know how much those are...? Seriously fine, hand over the script already."
"...Okay."
How much bickering over one script?
The extra shooting script for Geomgeom Baek Dongsu had come in, and as I reached for it—now five minutes into Seokho hyung's lecture on rest.
I appreciated the worry, but my stamina wasn't normal human level. MMA training was nearing eight years—recovery was on another plane.
Flip.
One glance at the script, and I spotted the changes.
Originally just a light flashback. Now it's a full rematch duel.
Action lived or died by direction more than acting or stunts. Angles, framing, speed control—it decided everything.
Not my worry, though.
Time to focus purely on acting.
Immersion.
Whoosh!
The world shifted in an instant.
+++++
Golden reeds swayed in the wind.
Facing me there—my longtime friend, now foe.
"Time to end our long bond, Dongsu."
No questions on where it went wrong. Pointless to ask.
"Why? Why are you doing this?!"
His rage-filled shout drew only a light scoff from me.
Why? Did he really not know? Or was this denial, thrashing against reality?
"Because I'm Geomrim's assassin. And you're the king's dog."
No more debate needed.
They're all dead.
Geomrim was gone except for me. Kill the core—the assassins—and it ended.
So I killed them all.
No regrets on life. But ridiculously, I didn't want to die. Trembling at death's door despite the slaughter.
"If you can't kill me here, I'll slaughter them all again."
Baek Dongsu's sword moved.
We'd played with wooden swords for practice once. Now, blades swung to kill.
"Can't we start over?"
"Foolish talk. That's why you watched your loved ones die."
Clang!
Swords clashed, sparks flying. Each strike sheared away lingering regrets.
Maybe enough. Should I stop exploiting this hesitant idiot?
—Hey, let's bet who becomes Joseon's greatest swordsman.
—Now?
—Nah, you're winning now! When we're grown!
A childhood chat surfaced.
What'd I say then? Watching your dumb grin, probably...
'Not interested.'
Assassin dreaming of top swordsman? Absurd from the start.
Maybe I sensed it then. This bond doomed to end in death.
Clang!
Blades grazed, pulled back. Mine moved with ruthless efficiency—pure killing path, mirroring my master's fatal style, weak from human bonds.
His? Pathetic. A "life-saving" sword? Laughable, childish Hwalin Sword.
Today, I die to that blade.
In the tangle of steel.
My sword struck first—anomaly at his side, just above lethal.
Then power surged into Baek Dongsu's blade.
I dropped mine without hesitation.
Stab!
Ridiculous—cold steel burned hotter than fire.
Heat blurred my mind.
"...Thanks."
Short farewell, and I snapped out of the script.
...Why'd I immerse as the adult Jaun?
Question hit right after. Answer followed instantly.
Infuse the child's scene with these emotions.
Born under the Star of Slaughter, killer by fate, walking opposite his friend. Replay youth with this weight.
Wonder if I can immerse in other roles like this later.
Failed before, but now? Possible.
Think later.
Focus on Geomgeom Baek Dongsu—shooting soon.
+++++
Time flew to the extra shoot day.
Even rushed, prep was thorough. Ratings at 30% demanded it.
Tension hung thick, like thin ice.
"Kids do wooden sword fight first, then adult Baek Dongsu and Jaun duel. Later, intercut for direction."
Oh Jaedeok PD's calm briefing continued.
"Especially kids—capture that 'close but can't be close' vibe in your eyes."
"Yes!"
"Got it."
Park Jinhyeok, playing child Baek Dongsu, glanced at me as he replied.
"Not using stunts again, right?"
"No, sunbaenim."
"Tch, don't call me sunbae. Makes you the senior."
"Okay, hyung. Me neither."
"So I'm skipping 'em too. Practiced like crazy just in case."
Getting my kendo black belt soon—impressive, huh?
"Gonna warm up."
"Ah, sunbae—hyung."
"Yeah?"
"If it feels dangerous, drop the sword immediately. Safer that way."
"I know that much. Getting my dan soon, jeez."
Park Jinhyeok strutted proudly to the camera, wooden sword in hand.
Gotta show I can do it too.
Kids shooting first—needed to loosen up quick.
"Oh, and kids—Kim Donghu, as Jaun, wins. Child rival he couldn't beat, adult Baek Dongsu overcomes. Show Jaun's genius back then."
Everyone but me sprouted question marks. Vague genius display? Too fuzzy.
Only I nodded, stretching lightly, facing Park Jinhyeok.
Reveal genius, huh.
Nothing easier.
With that mindset, I slipped into Jaun.
Child Jaun—born killer under the Star of Slaughter, parents slain, fated assassin.
...What the hell is that?
He appeared before Park Jinhyeok.
Killing intent rippled, pricking sharply.
Wooden sword, yet mine alone gleamed real.
Pre-shoot. Already perfect child Jaun.
"Wait, did I misread this?"
Adult Jaun actor Ha Seunghun muttered in disbelief.
"He's what grows into me?"
Camera inches away, yet Donghu's eyes unflinching. Steady hands trembled hesitation to blade tip.
"Action!"
"Haaap!"
Park Jinhyeok attacked fiercely—practice no lie. Curious on my genius show, no stamina hold-back, full overhead swing.
Those eyes...
Met my killing glare—froze like frog before snake.
I didn't miss it.
Found the old wooden sword's weak spot.
Swoosh!
Struck hard.
And like magic—
Crack!
Wood splintered.
"?!"
At the absurd sight of wooden sword shattering wooden sword...
"...Insane."
Oh Jaedeok PD muttered, dazed.