Chapter 224
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 224
Chapter Title: The Temple Set
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“Wires! Wires!”
“Where do you want the green screen?!”
“Are all the stuntmen here?”
From early morning, the set of *Shadowman 3* was in a commotion. Staff bustled in and out of the set, preparing for the shoot. Others with walkie-talkies gestured here and there. Amidst the flurry, the staff spotted two figures.
“Oh, Jun! Welcome!”
“Hello.”
“Have a great shoot today!”
“Yes, thank you.”
Staff members who had grown quite familiar with him greeted Seojun as he headed to the set. Seojun beamed, not hiding his cheerful mood.
Since filming hadn't started yet, the studio doors were wide open. Passing through them, Seojun and An Daho’s eyes widened.
The place they stepped into was an ancient temple.
Straight columns stood in rows, and the ceiling and floor were adorned with magnificent patterns. Unlike the white marble of Greek temples, these columns were the color of sand, but it suited the atmosphere even better. A path led straight through them to a massive door at the far end.
Though modern artifacts like exposed wires, unlit lamps, and cranes were visible here and there, the sight of the ancient temple filling the studio completely captivated Seojun and An Daho.
Staff members passing by chuckled at their dazed expressions. When they had first seen the completed set, they too had stared in awe.
Their mouths agape at the enormous scale of the set, Seojun and An Daho finally managed to voice their admiration.
“Wow. This is amazing, isn't it?”
“It really is.”
It seemed that every time they saw a Hollywood set, it set a new standard. As they stood aside, away from the busy staff, to admire the set for a moment, Jonathan appeared to welcome them, just as he always did.
“Welcome, Jun. You’re here early.”
“I was eager to get here. Jonathan, the set is incredible.”
At Seojun’s words, Jonathan shrugged.
He couldn't even begin to describe the effort that went into it, from concept art to construction. They even had to make several revisions along the way because Director Ryan was being even more meticulous than usual.
“Right? We worked hard on this.”
“I think I’ve heard that somewhere before.”
Jonathan smirked at Seojun’s remark. He remembered saying something similar while filming *Shadowman 2*.
“Well, it’s definitely more impressive than the memorial hall.”
“Isn’t it?”
Seojun turned his head to look at the set again.
The structure somehow reminded him of the Library of Life, and he was tempted to look around more, but the staff were busy covering the magnificent set with a vibrant green cloth. A green screen was being installed, a jarring blemish on the mystical ancient temple.
Seeing Seojun’s regretful expression, Jonathan said with a smile.
“The green screen was supposed to be set up before you arrived, but we’re not quite done. The wiring got tangled up with the wire rigs for a bit.”
No wonder everyone seemed so busy.
“That’s lucky for me, then. I almost missed seeing this amazing set.”
“Haha. I’m glad. I’ll be sure to pass that on to the green screen and wire teams.”
When Seojun tilted his head in confusion, Jonathan continued.
“The green screen and wire teams are feeling pretty bad about it. Everyone prepared so hard, and now things are delayed because of them. Well, no matter how perfectly you prepare, one or two accidents are bound to happen in this line of work, so they don't need to feel so sorry. If I tell them you got to see the cool set because of it, they’ll feel a little better.”
Even as he spoke, Jonathan was keeping an eye on the green screen and wire teams. Seojun blinked, watching Jonathan’s quick-moving eyes.
The last time they filmed together, Jonathan was still running errands and helping the staff here and there, but now he was different. The way he considered the feelings of the staff who had made a mistake made him seem like a real director. It looked like Jack Smith wasn't the only one growing up so fast.
-Assistant Director.
A voice called for Jonathan from the walkie-talkie.
“Yes. Just a moment. It won’t take much longer, though. We can finish by the time Jun is ready to come out. You can get ready over there. I’ll be on my way, then.”
“Okay.”
Waving goodbye, Jonathan seemed more mature than usual. Seojun found this unfamiliar side of him both strange and gratifying, and a small smile touched his lips.
“Let’s get ready, too.”
“Okay, Daho-hyung.”
* * *
By the time Seojun emerged, having changed into Jin Natra’s costume and finished with makeup, the green screen installation was complete, just as Assistant Director Jonathan had promised.
The ancient temple, now completely shrouded in green, looked so different from before that even Seojun and An Daho, who hadn't given it much thought, stopped in their tracks.
“Good thing we saw it earlier, right, Seojun?”
“I know. I didn't expect it to change this much.”
The atmosphere was so utterly different that Seojun and An Daho almost felt grateful to the green screen and wire teams for their mistake.
On the set, now perfectly prepared for filming, stuntmen in wire vests were in the middle of a rehearsal.
“One, two, three!”
On cue, a stuntman suspended by a wire was yanked backward, disappearing into the green screen. Weren't the walls behind it hard? A closer look revealed that it was installed over soft, cushiony mats.
“Knight 2!”
“Yes, sir!”
The stuntman whose name was called rolled across the floor. Following him, some were pulled by wires into the green screens covering the walls and door, while others tumbled to the ground.
The stunt director and Director Ryan checked the sequence, direction, and the stuntmen's movements as they conferred.
Meanwhile, the stunt team leader went around to each person, offering advice.
“Everyone, make sure you stretch properly!”
They took a short break for final checks before the next rehearsal.
Director Ryan, rubbing his tired eyes as he surveyed the set, caught sight of Seojun, who was now ready.
Seojun’s eyes met Director Ryan’s, and he broke into a wide smile.
“Hello, Director.”
“Jun. It suits you well.”
“Right? It’s not uncomfortable at all, so it’s easy to move in.”
Director Ryan nodded as he watched Seojun, dressed in the perfectly fitting clothes of Jin Natra, stretching this way and that.
“This is the final rehearsal!”
This time, Seojun joined the rehearsal. In response to his lines, gestures, and the stunt director’s signals, the stuntmen were sent flying in every direction.
“Good.”
Director Ryan commented as he watched the rehearsal.
“Let’s start filming.”
Assistant Director Jonathan Will shouted loudly.
“We’re rolling!”
* * *
“Ready, action!”
On the planet Natra, there was one thing of paramount importance.
The source of life most precious to the Natrans who walked its surface: the Time Stone. This pure white stone was kept in the underground temple of the Natra Royal Palace.
Someone had just set foot in this underground temple, a place that even Tul Natra, the king of the planet, could not enter except on designated days.
[(Evil) Knight's Code of the Death Knight - Intermediate is activated.]
[The grade of [(Evil) Knight's Code of the Death Knight - Intermediate] is temporarily lowered.]
[(Evil) Knight's Code of the Death Knight (Low-grade) is activated.]
Who would dare intrude upon this sacred underground temple? In all of its long history, such a thing had never happened. The temple guards, who had been on relaxed duty, all turned their heads at once.
A tremendous power emanated from the direction of the stairs leading to the royal castle. The guards sensed something was wrong and straightened their postures.
The stuntmen in knight costumes tensed up. A moment ago, they had turned their heads without even realizing it.
The crew standing off-set felt it too. At the sight of an actor who could command everyone’s attention simply by appearing, Director Ryan’s eyes gleamed.
The intruder’s figure came into view. The temple guards, recognizing the familiar face, felt a sense of relief, yet they couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had put their nerves on edge. They had a bad feeling.
Jin Natra, dressed in the black formal uniform worn only for official ceremonies, was walking down the path lined with pillars. His black cape swayed gently with each step he took.
The large camera lens focused on Jin Natra and his shadow, which flickered in the light of the wall-mounted torches. With every step Jin Natra took, the crew members felt their hearts pound, and they swallowed hard.
“Lord Jin.”
What were the guards at the castle entrance doing? Cursing them inwardly, one of the knights stepped forward to block Jin Natra’s path.
“You are not permitted to enter here.”
This was a place that not even the king of Natra could enter except on appointed days. Jin Natra, who was not yet the successor but merely a candidate, had no right to be in the temple.
Though they hadn't drawn their weapons, the knights’ expressions were all the same.
*A candidate for the throne who isn't even a Natran…*
The knight blocking Jin Natra’s way shot him a noticeably disdainful look. And then,
*Thud!*
He was slammed into the wall.
“!”
The knight had no time to react. Jin Natra’s shadow had shot out like a predator snatching its prey, grabbing the knight by the ankle and swinging him around. The knight, now embedded in the wall, didn't move, seemingly unconscious.
A member of the wire team’s hands trembled. He had told himself not to mess up, but he had almost missed his cue while watching Seojun’s performance.
*But…*
The wire team staffer looked down at Seojun’s feet. He looked again at the thing that had snapped him back to his senses.
*Didn't the shadow just move?*
Faced with clear hostile intent, the knights instantly formed spears and swords from their shadows. Sharp, black blades were aimed at Jin Natra. Even with the blades pressed against his neck, Jin Natra’s expression remained unchanged. A heavy tension descended upon the ancient temple.
“Move.”
Jin Natra’s shadow surged forward, crashing over the knights like a wave.
The staff off-set held their breath.
There was nothing there.
There was nothing there, yet the stuntmen, performing their choreographed actions, looked as if they were genuinely being attacked. They knew it was just wires pulling them into the green-screened doors, walls, and floor, but they couldn't shake the thought.
A stuntman was seen crashing into the green screen mat with a soft *thump*. The plush green screen cushioned the stuntman's fall safely, but for some reason, the crew seemed to hear a loud *thud!* in their ears.
Several of the crew members rubbed their eyes.
“…Why does it feel like I can see shadows?”
It was as if the shadow of Lee Seojun—no, Jin Natra—was swelling in size and attacking the knights.
Having defeated all the temple guards using his enemy's shadow, Jin Natra opened the massive door before him.
“Cut, OK!”
Director Ryan’s voice boomed. With the call of "OK," a warm breeze seemed to blow through the set.
The stuntmen, who had been awkwardly rolling on the floor after being taken down by Jin Natra, slowly picked themselves up. Those who had been pulled into the walls by wires were gently lowered back to the ground.
As their feet touched the floor, the stuntmen did some light stretching, feeling the lingering effects of the wirework, just as they had expected.
The stuntman who had been the first to be thrown into the soft green wall rotated his ankle a couple of times.
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“Ah, n-...”
“What?! You’re hurt?”
The stunt team leader, who was checking various things for the next shot, reacted to the sound. Everyone shook their heads at their sharp-eared leader. The stuntman waved his hands dismissively.
“I’m not hurt. I’m fine!”
“Be careful. You can't get injured, no matter what.”
“Yes, sir!”
The team leader pointed to his own two eyes with his index and middle fingers, then pointed at the stuntman. The gesture for *I’m watching you* made the stuntmen laugh awkwardly.
“Then what was it?”
“Well, for a second, I thought someone actually grabbed my ankle. But I guess not.”
He had felt something lightly grip his ankle, but it must have been his imagination. Overhearing the stuntmen's conversation, Seojun scratched his cheek.
[(Evil) Mashed’s Shadowmancy - Intermediate-Low]
The shadowmancy of the parasitic demon, Mashed.
Allows for the free manipulation of shadows.
[Warning] Prolonged use will corrupt you with demonic energy.
[The grade of [(Evil) Mashed’s Shadowmancy - Intermediate-Low] is temporarily lowered.]
[(Evil) Mashed’s Shadowmancy - Low-grade]
The shadowmancy of the parasitic demon, Mashed.
Allows for the free manipulation of shadows.
Mashed, a demon race that lives as a parasite in the shadows of living beings.
The longer they reside in a shadow, the slower they consume the being, starting from the toes. Eventually, they devour them completely, up to the very last hair.
*Hmm. It seems like a few people might have seen it.*
Seojun glanced at Director Ryan, who was monitoring the footage. If Director Ryan, whose concentration was heightened by the [(Good) Orc Shaman's Prayer], had seen the shadow, he imagined the CG might turn out even more spectacular than the ‘specter.’