Chapter 228
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 228
Chapter Title: The Villain's Revenge
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Behind Jin Natra, a wormhole shimmering with blue energy materialized.
Through it, a city on the planet Natra was clearly visible, indicating it was fully operational.
Shadowman's heart tightened at the sight of Jin Natra, who had grown so much.
Though only a year and a half had passed for Shadowman on Earth since they met in Central Park, he could clearly feel that much more time had gone by for Jin Natra on his home planet.
And he could imagine just how much Jin Natra must have suffered during that time.
Because of that, the fact that Jin Natra was the one who created the wormhole felt like a betrayal.
“Why? Why did you create the wormhole?”
Shouldn't you be the one who hates them the most?
Jin Natra laughed at Shadowman's words.
“Revenge.”
“...What?”
“Revenge. Didn't Tul Natra go to you?”
Shadowman and Bel Natra flinched.
Jin Natra's smile widened.
Confirming the wormhole was fully open, Jin Natra took his hand off the machine.
A cold sweat broke out, but he continued speaking nonchalantly.
The black branches that covered half of Jin Natra's cheek looked like veins.
“Just as Tul Natra did, I decided to take everything precious to him.”
“...Precious things?”
“There are many.”
Jin Natra strode down, reaching his hand into the shadows.
The shadow, once belonging to Tul Natra, shimmered and transformed into a spear.
“Tul Natra's shadow.”
For a moment, Shadowman didn't understand, but then he recalled the weakened Tul Natra and looked back at Bel Natra in shock.
Forced succession!
He was weakened because of a forced succession!
Meeting Shadowman's gaze, Bel Natra nodded before turning back to Jin Natra.
Her expression, a mix of sorrow and guilt, also held a hint of denial, as if she couldn't believe Jin Natra would do such a thing.
Bel Natra still believed in him.
*Clang!*
Jin Natra struck the floor with the tip of his spear, drawing their attention, and spoke.
“Tul Natra's kingdom, his subjects, his people.”
Shadowman and Bel Natra were overwhelmed by the pitch-black spaceships surrounding Jin Natra.
Recalling that day two years ago, Shadowman grimaced at the familiar feeling of helplessness, while Bel Natra, who had never been in such a situation, unconsciously took a step back.
“Tul Natra's children. Bel Natra and... Muel Natra.”
The sharp tip of the spear pointed toward the siblings.
Jin Natra bared his teeth in a grin.
“And even the Earth that Muel Natra cherishes. Everything.”
“Jin Natra!”
At the word 'Earth,' Shadowman instinctively extended his shadow.
Jin Natra dodged Shadowman's shadow with a single step back.
And then, Jin Natra attacked Shadowman.
Instinctively, William, no, Jin Natra, no... Shadowman bit his lip as he blocked the spear flying toward his side.
‘...I don't know.’
He just didn't know anymore. Was the person before him the William he had to save, or the Jin Natra he had to defeat?
He thought he should attack, but the memory of William, who had lost his parents and suffered on Natra, made him hesitate.
He thought he should save him, but seeing the vengeful fire in Jin Natra's eyes compelled him to attack.
His two minds clashed. Unsure of what to do, Shadowman could only defend against the onslaught of attacks.
*Clang!*
The two spears collided with a loud noise.
Shadowman was thrown back by the powerful impact, while Jin Natra stood his ground firmly.
The two faced each other from a distance.
The scales had tipped. The hero, having decided to save him, opened his mouth.
“William.”
“I believe I told you. My name is Jin Natra.”
A wind blew between them.
The distant spaceships descended closer to the ground.
The ships' hatches opened, and knights emerged, surrounding Shadowman.
Jin Natra placed the spear in his hand back into the shadows and turned around.
“Cut! OK!”
Having finished filming everything from the full shot to the bust shot, the Shadowman team checked the time and began dismantling the sets and packing up their equipment.
The three actors also removed their makeup and changed their clothes.
Meanwhile, An Daho brought over Charlie, who had been peeking from behind the control line.
“This is my friend, Charlie.”
“Hello! I'm Charlie!”
“Hi! I'm Richel Hill.”
“Nice to meet you. I'm Evan Block.”
“I know! I've seen all the Shadowman movies. I saw Escape, too.”
Charlie shook hands with both of them, his face beaming with excitement.
“We're about to go get something to eat. It's a bit early for dinner, but if you're not busy, would you like to join us?”
At Richel Hill's invitation, Charlie looked at Seojun.
When Seojun gave a gentle smile, Charlie quickly nodded.
“Yes!”
A private room in the hotel restaurant.
While Richel Hill and Evan Block had stepped away for a moment, an excited Charlie asked.
“Where's your manager, Jun?”
“Daho-hyung is on the phone with Cocoa Entertainment. I guess there's a lot to do since we're going to Korea in a few days.”
An Daho was coordinating with Cocoa Entertainment, while Director Ryan and Assistant Director Jonathan were reviewing the day's footage to see if any additional shots were needed for tomorrow.
They had monitored it on set, but they might have missed something.
‘Though I'm not sure if it's necessary to bring Jonathan along.’
Assistant Director Jonathan had been lamenting that he was clearly made an AD just to be worked to the bone.
Seojun chuckled lightly and asked Charlie.
“Did you call your dad?”
“Yeah. He said he'll come pick me up later. Dad wants to see Richel Hill and Evan Block, too.”
“Hahaha. What about me?”
“Of course. He said he wants to see you too, Jun.”
Charlie went on about how much the people in their neighborhood wanted to see Seojun.
“Hey. Why are you two having all the fun?”
“Yeah. What's the story?”
Evan Block and Richel Hill came back in.
Seojun and Charlie caught each other's eye and burst out laughing, which made Richel Hill and Evan Block laugh as well.
The food they ordered was served, and the private room filled with laughter.
“So you met at the Halloween festival.”
“Ah. I saw that. The werewolf transformation.”
“It was even cooler in person than in the video. It's become a legend at our Halloween festival.”
“It's not that legendary.”
Seojun waved his hand dismissively, feeling embarrassed, but Charlie quickly disagreed.
“No, it's a real legend. A few people tried to copy it, but even with machines, the smoke was faint and the shadow's shape was vague. It was really clumsy. So everyone was wondering how that video was filmed.”
‘Well, you can't do it with a machine.’
The thick fog and the shadow's form were all thanks to his ability, after all.
Unable to reveal the truth, Seojun quietly chewed on his steak while Richel Hill, Evan Block, and Charlie seriously discussed whether it was due to the weather.
“Yeonghwagaek?”
“He's the N-tuber who first broadcasted the Gray Vainie world tour. He's Korean.”
“Charlie was the one who gave him directions at the Halloween festival back then.”
Oh. Richel Hill and Evan Block's eyes sparkled.
They even took out their phones to see Charlie in Yeonghwagaek's video (though it was only his voice).
Time flew by as they chatted about this and that.
“Jun. It's been a while.”
“It's been a while.”
Charlie's dad, who had come to pick him up, hugged Seojun and shook hands with Evan Block and Richel Hill.
Seeing how genuinely happy his father was, Charlie smiled too.
* * *
[I'm in France and I saw Lee Seojun at the airport! Wanted to see more but I was departing so I couldn't. T_T]
#LeeSeojun #France #Shadowman3 #KoreaFilming
“There it is!”
As one reporter shouted, the sound of mouse clicks echoed from all around.
[Actor Lee Seojun Departs from France!]
[Shadowman 3 Departs from France!]
[Shadowman 3 Departs from France for Korean Filming!]
The pre-written articles were uploaded in an instant.
“Find out the arrival time in Korea for the flight that just left France!”
“Yes, sir!”
While everyone was bustling about, a new post appeared.
[Too bad I'm not on the same flight as Lee Seojun. I guess I'll go to Korea first and wait!]
#Maybe he's on the flight after mine? #LeeSeojun #Shadowman3
At the post that appeared right after, the reporter who had shouted "There it is!" turned pale.
The departure mentioned on social media wasn't Lee Seojun's, but the user's own departure.
“Ah! No, that's not it! It's not Lee Seojun's departure!”
“Hey! You...!”
At the scream-like cry, the reporters quickly deleted their articles.
In the absurd situation, the youngest reporter could only blink his eyes.
The netizens reading the articles were just as dumbfounded.
-...So did he depart or not?
=Doesn't look like it yet?
-These trash reporters. They write their articles so carelessly.
-Feels like I've been seeing departure articles all day lol
-Anyway, have a safe trip, Seojun!
* * *
After a 12-hour flight, Seojun and the Shadowman team arrived in Korea.
Waaaaah!!
As the Shadowman actors appeared, a roar erupted that seemed to shake the airport.
Fans of the three actors, as well as reporters, were present, and camera flashes went off everywhere.
The three actors were captured by the large camera lenses broadcasting live on N-tube.
-They're here!
-They really came!!
-Filming in Korea!
The cheers grew louder when the three actors waved, but the crowd didn't get any more agitated.
[(Good) The Calming Apple Blossom Scent has been activated.]
A sweet apple blossom scent drifted through the airport.
“As expected of Seojun's fans!”
Seo Eunchan and the staff of Team 2, who had been waiting at the airport since before Seojun's flight arrived, were repeatedly impressed.
They had been worried enough to call in the security guards who were on standby at the company due to the larger-than-expected crowd, but Seojun's fans were Seojun's fans.
“Seojun! Good luck with filming!”
“Go, Jin Natra!”
“Hope Shadowman 3 is a huge hit!”
“Evan, Richel! Have a great shoot!”
The Shadowman team's arrival was broadcast in its entirety on a live N-tube stream.
People watching the arrival from their homes or offices also started leaving comments.
-But shouldn't we not be cheering for Jin Natra?
=lol Right. Jin Natra is the villain.
-Wait a minute. If Jin Natra wins, doesn't that mean Shadowman won't end?
=Oh! Ooh! That's right!
=Go Jin Natra!
=Do your best, Jin Natra!!
=Let's get to Shadowman 10!
* * *
“Oof!”
After leaving the airport to thunderous cheers, the three actors got into Seojun's car.
It seemed to have been tidied up, but traces of Seojun's daily life remained.
Sinking deep into the wide, spacious seat, Richel Hill said with a smile.
“Jun's car. It feels so familiar.”
“It does.”
Evan Block also leaned back in his seat with a familiar ease.
Seojun smiled faintly at the sight of the two comfortable-looking actors.
“Daho-ssi. We're staying at a hotel this time, right?”
“Yes. The news is out all over town.”
An Daho, who was driving, answered Evan Block's question.
“Unlike during the secret visit for Escape, it's safer to just stay at a hotel now.”
“I'll be sleeping at the hotel, too.”
While Seojun was filming in France, his mother had come straight to Korea from the US and was staying with his father.
The couple was scheduled to come to the hotel this evening.
“A hotel, huh. Have you ever been, Jun?”
“The chicken salad is delicious. So is the salmon salad.”
The hotel chosen for the Shadowman team was the same one where Director Choi Daeman had been 'canned'.
More than anything else, the food had left a strong impression.
Richel Hill and Evan Block burst out laughing at Seojun's answer.
* * *
>Richel: The salmon salad is delicious!
>Evan: The chicken salad is good too?
>Richel: Really? I'll have to try it later!
The Shadowman team took a full day off to adjust to the time difference.
Seojun also lazed around at the hotel.
It was Tuesday, and not having to go to school was strangely enjoyable.
After exchanging messages with Richel Hill and Evan Block, Seojun sent a BananaTalk to his friends.
>Jookyung: Ugh. I'm so annoyed.
>Jaehan: I'm so jealous of Seojun...
>Jiho: Let's show this to the teacher.
>Joohee: Should we?
>Jiho: lololol
>Jookyung: No filming today?
>Joohee: The articles say you're filming at Gwanghwamun Square tomorrow?
>Jaehan: Evan Block and Richel Hill too?
>Jaehan: I heard people are going to watch.
>Jaehan: T_T T_T T_T
>Jookyung: Everyone's going to be so disappointed T_T
* * *
*Bzzzzzz.*
Camera-equipped drones flew into the sky all at once.
The weather was sunny, and there was no wind.
It was perfect weather for flying drones freely.
The weather was fickle, so they never knew when a strong wind might pick up.
Director Ryan, who had been staring intently at the monitor connected to the camera, spoke up.
“Let's start filming right away.”
“Yes, sir.”
Assistant Director Jonathan shouted loudly.
“We'll begin filming!”
The extras gathered in Gwanghwamun Square looked up at the sky and screamed in terror.
[Shadowman 3 Filming at Gwanghwamun Square Today!]
[Gyeongbok Palace Access Restricted Thursday, Friday Morning!]
-How was the Gwanghwamun Square shoot?
=The actors weren't there T_T
=^ This. Just drone shots and extras running away T_T I want to see you, Seojun T_T
=Seeing the green screens here and there, it looks like it'll be CG T_T I wanted to see Evan and Richel T_T
=From what I could tell, it looked like an aerial battle.
-If you write in detail, you could get sued for spoilers.
=^ Be careful with photos and videos.
=...But it was just them running away... so there's nothing to spoil lol
-I thought I'd get to see Seojun T_T
-What about the Gyeongbok Palace shoot?
=Can't get in during the morning for two days. They put up a notice.
=I bet there'll be a lot of people outside the palace.
=^ Even if they can't get in, people will probably flock there.
-Ugh. It's going to feel so weird seeing Gyeongbok Palace on screen.
=I pass by Gwanghwamun Square on the bus every day lol. Seeing it in a movie... lol
-I don't live in Seoul so I don't know about other places, but I think it'll be really cool to see Gyeongbok Palace and Gwanghwamun Square.
=^ Me too. I've been there when I visited Seoul.
=^^^ I've seen it on TV, too.