Chapter 328
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 328
Chapter Title: The Vortex of Despair
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The assistant director of *Survivors* glanced at his watch, then surveyed the set.
All the actors had stepped down from the set, which was now being restored by the art team staff. They were working quickly, but it still looked like it would take some time before they could shoot again.
‘…We probably don’t have enough time for another take.’
After a moment of calculation, the assistant director approached Director Jeffrey.
“Director Jeffrey.”
“Yes?”
The assistant director whispered something to him, and Jeffrey nodded with a look of disappointment.
It was better to wrap up early and prepare for tomorrow's shoot than to awkwardly extend the day. Thankfully, they had scheduled a generous filming period, knowing that scenes on this particular set would take longer than usual.
“That’s a wrap for today.”
At Jeffrey's words, the crew began to move. The art team continued their restoration work, while the other staff members started packing up the equipment.
Kim Jongho, who had been asking Seojun which pronunciation was better and trying out different versions of "Go!" while waiting for the set to be rebuilt, blinked at Jeffrey's announcement. He suddenly realized something and looked around.
“Huh…”
It seemed this sudden end to the workday wasn't unusual, as Kim Jongho appeared to be the only one surprised.
The crew packing up, the extras, and the other actors all seemed accustomed to clocking out right on time and were already heading off to remove their makeup.
An Daho, the manager of a Hollywood star, was also packing up with a familiar ease, as if he had expected it. Kim Jongho’s manager, Kim Sangwoo, stood with his mouth agape at the situation. Were they really leaving just like that?
“Great work today.”
“See you tomorrow!”
The Korean-American actors also said their goodbyes to Seojun and Kim Jongho before heading to the dressing rooms. Kim Jongho, looking bewildered, returned their farewells and let out a chuckle.
“They said they’re strict about shooting hours, but… Seojun, didn’t it feel like we should have kept going?”
After the director's positive feedback, a Korean set would have pushed for at least one more take, with calls of ‘The vibe is great,’ or ‘Let’s keep the momentum going.’ Kim Jongho himself had often ridden that wave of atmosphere, leading to longer shooting days.
Seojun thought for a moment before speaking.
“If we shoot late today, it could disrupt tomorrow's schedule. The actors' conditions might suffer, and there are a lot of child actors here, too. They’re much stricter about that sort of thing here.”
“Ah. That’s true.”
Kim Jongho turned his head. Among the extras leaving the set, he saw a few children waving goodbye to Seojun. Seojun smiled and waved back.
“Besides, it's just the first shoot, so we have plenty of time and a flexible schedule. As long as we stick to the plan, it’s actually more comfortable this way. We rest when it’s time to rest and work hard when it’s time to shoot.”
At Seojun’s words, Kim Jongho took a deep breath and calmed his mind.
He was right. His acting skills wouldn't disappear overnight if they filmed today's scene tomorrow. It seemed he had gotten worked up for no reason.
“You’re right. It’s good to have more time to practice.”
“Then let’s go, too, Jongho Samchon.”
Kim Jongho nodded at Seojun’s suggestion.
* * *
The next day.
After thoroughly practicing the pronunciation of "Go!" with Seojun at their lodgings and even getting it checked by the Kings Agency staff and bodyguards, Kim Jongho's line echoed across the set.
“/Go--!!/”
With Kim Jongho's rough yet heart-wrenching cry, a staff member operated the final machine.
Like a massive barrier descending, the debris from the explosion obscured the view for Seojun, Kim Jongho, and Jae Eunju.
Dust, prepared by the art team, billowed up in clouds on the wind.
Through the hazy cloud of dust, the sight of Seojun Lee, frozen stiff, was painfully striking.
His mere posture was enough to convey the immense shock ‘Lee Hyunwoo’ must have felt, and everyone held their breath.
“…Cut! Okay!”
Director Jeffrey’s “okay” sign was given.
The quiet set instantly erupted into a clamor, even more so than the previous shoot. Some staff members tilted their heads, looking confused.
“…Was it just me, or did I hear ‘go’ at the end?”
“No, I heard it too. I couldn’t understand any of the other Korean words, but…”
‘GO--!!’
The father's desperate cry had stuck in their minds.
Though it was a Korean line they couldn't understand, Kim Jongho's shout resonated deeply with the staff and extras.
“They said Kim is a huge actor in Korea. I guess it’s true.”
“You didn’t know? He was the detective in *Escape*.”
Overhearing snippets of the crew's conversation, Kim Jongho and Seojun, who had just come down from the set, exchanged smiles.
“Would you like to take a look?”
“Yes!”
“Let’s.”
While Seojun and Kim Jongho reviewed the monitor, the art team magically restored the set. This time, they were scheduled to film close-up shots to clearly capture the actors' expressions. Rails were installed in front of Seojun, Kim Jongho, and Jae Eunju, and the cameras were set up.
“We’ll begin filming!”
Even with the camera lens right in front of their eyes, Seojun and Kim Jongho’s acting didn't falter in the slightest. Jae Eunju also quickly immersed herself in the scene.
Watching the actors’ gazes on the monitor, Director Jeffrey swallowed hard and shouted loudly.
“Ready, action!”
* * *
“Travel safely, Jongho Samchon.”
“Looking at the schedule my company sent over, I really don’t want to go…”
Seojun burst out laughing at Kim Jongho’s words as he shook his head.
He recalled how Kim Jongho had grown weary of the packed schedule that manager Kim Sangwoo relayed to him with each passing day in Hollywood.
“I have to visit all the broadcast stations, and there are a ton of magazine and newspaper interviews.”
“Haha. Take it easy.”
As of yesterday, all of Kim Jongho’s scenes were finished.
He had waited months to come to Hollywood, but the filming was over all too quickly. Perhaps this was what people meant when they said preparing for a trip is more exciting and enjoyable than the trip itself.
After placing his suitcase in the trunk, Kim Jongho spoke with a bittersweet expression.
“I expected it since it’s a small role, but I’m still a little disappointed.”
“If a good project comes up next time, let’s do it together, Samchon.”
Kim Jongho nodded at Seojun’s words.
True, this wasn't the only movie he would ever make. He might return here for another Hollywood film. Kim Jongho took a long look around the lodging he was leaving before he could get used to it and smiled.
“Yeah, let’s do that. You do well in your remaining shoots, Seojun. See you in Korea.”
“Okay. Travel safely, Sangwoo Samchon, Jongho Samchon.”
Seojun bid farewell to Kim Sangwoo and Kim Jongho with a tight hug.
It was Seojun's first time filming in Hollywood with a close Korean actor, so he was also very disappointed that the shoot was so short. He hugged Kim Jongho tightly to convey that feeling.
And a short while later.
[Actor Kim Jongho Returns to Korea!]
[Actor Kim Jongho Wraps Filming for *Survivors*!]
Kim Jongho’s return sent waves through Korea.
* * *
On the new set, even the machines attached to the walls had been moved to new locations.
If the set had six sections, the first collapse had destroyed two, leaving four. Now, the machines were installed around two of the remaining four sections.
Noticing this, Seojun remarked to An Daho.
“Daho Hyung, it looks like those two sections are going to collapse today.”
“Looks like it. They’ve moved them.”
How would it collapse today?
As Seojun was excitedly observing the set, someone called out to him.
“Jun, you’re here?”
“Hello, Milan!”
It was Milan Chelan, with whom he would be filming today.
He was the first of the four main actors Seojun would be shooting with. He must have arrived early to prepare, as the script in Milan Chelan’s hand was noticeable.
Seojun looked at Milan Chelan’s hand, then at his own, and grinned. In his hands was a box of cookies.
“Would you like one? I brought them for everyone.”
“I’d love one, thank you.”
Milan Chelan smiled and nodded as Seojun offered him the cookie box.
The Kings Agency staff were preparing the cookies for the rest of the crew and extras.
Seojun and Milan Chelan sat side-by-side on chairs, eating cookies and lightly running through their lines. When a staff member announced the start of filming, they rose from their seats.
“Jun, let’s have a great shoot today.”
“You too! I’m looking forward to it!”
Seojun and Milan Chelan shared a warm smile, excited for the shoot they had been anticipating since the Academy Awards.
* * *
“Ready, action!”
Director Jeffrey shouted loudly.
As the barrier, which blocked even the smallest glimmer of light, came down, dust rose. Amidst the dusty wind, a grime-covered Lee Hyunwoo stood frozen, holding his breath.
The explosions seemed to have momentarily ceased, as screams could be heard from behind him. Crying, too.
But why.
Why couldn’t he hear a single sound from in front of him?
Lee Hyunwoo’s face turned deathly pale, as if all the blood had drained from his body.
[(Evil) Srai’s Vortex - Mid-rank is activated.]
[(Evil) Srai’s Vortex - Mid-rank]
The Srai, a race that creates vortexes of despair.
It absorbs the despair of living beings to expand the vortex's size.
Absorbs surrounding sounds.
[Warning] Touching the vortex will plunge you into deep despair.
The Srai, a race that creates vortexes of despair.
When one despairs while drowning in the sea, the Srai appear and create a vortex. The vortex absorbs all surrounding sounds, making it impossible to call for help. From this, more despair is born, and the vortex grows larger, only disappearing when nearby life forms die and can no longer despair.
[The rank of [(Evil) Srai’s Vortex - Mid-rank] is temporarily lowered.]
[(Evil) Srai’s Vortex (Low-rank) is activated.]
An invisible black vortex materialized around Seojun.
The downgraded low-rank vortex created a thick despair, devouring every sound in the vicinity.
Lee Hyunwoo’s face turned deathly pale, as if all the blood had drained from his body.
“M-Mom… D-Dad!”
Lee Hyunwoo’s hands trembled as he walked forward. He placed a hand on the rough pile of rubble.
Mom, Dad…
As if he had forgotten all other words, Lee Hyunwoo cried out only for his parents and began to dig through the debris.
He dug, oblivious to his fingernails breaking against the sharp fragments of stone. Like the despair in his heart, bright red bloodstains marked the white wall.
No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No…!
Everyone held their breath at the almost frantic movements of Seojun Lee.
Although [Srai’s Vortex (Low-rank)] only absorbed the sound immediately around Seojun, a heavy silence fell over the entire set. It wasn't the ability, but Seojun’s acting that had stolen the people’s gazes and voices.
Not just the crew, but the actors too, watched Seojun Lee on the set.
It felt as if every nerve in their bodies was on edge, utterly captivated by Seojun Lee’s despair. Weighed down by Lee Hyunwoo’s heavy despair, no one breathed, and no one blinked.
It felt like they were being forcibly dragged into Lee Hyunwoo's despair.
Just as that eternal despair seemed set to continue,
[(Good) Mid-rank Angel’s Fan is activated.]
A warm breeze blew, returning the sounds that had been devoured by the vortex.
“…Cut. NG!”
Director Jeffrey, the first to snap out of it, yelled.
Milan Chelan, who had been watching in a daze, came to his senses with a start at the call of "NG." One by one, the others also regained their composure.
As Seojun came down from the set for the retake, Milan Chelan spoke up.
“I’m sorry, Jun. You gave such an amazing performance, and I missed my timing.”
Milan Chelan's face darkened with worry, wondering if it would be difficult to deliver such a performance twice.
“It’s okay. Hmm. Should I tone it down a bit?”
Seojun asked with a shrug.
It wasn't uncommon for an NG to be called because of his acting.
“No!”
“No!”
Milan Chelan and Director Jeffrey, who had been listening from a short distance away, shouted in unison.
“No, this was my fault. Jun, you can do it just the same. I won’t get lost in it this time; I’ll come in on cue. So please, give me that same performance again.”
Seojun, who had blinked in surprise at Milan Chelan's rapid-fire explanation, soon smiled and nodded.
“Okay. I will.”
* * *
“Ready, action!”
The second take began with Director Jeffrey’s call.
As if he had forgotten all other words, Lee Hyunwoo cried out only for his parents and began to dig through the debris.
No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No…!
Consumed by despair, Lee Hyunwoo was unaware of the blood streaming from his hands.
He felt no pain as he clawed at the large, immovable stones, his fingernails breaking in the process. Bright red fingerprints stood out starkly against the white paint.
Everyone watched, holding their breath.
They thought they would be used to it after seeing it once, but Seojun Lee delivered another mesmerizing performance. Milan Chelan bit the inside of his cheek to keep from being swept away by Seojun Lee's despair.
Just then, a warm breeze returned sound to the set.
Milan Chelan didn't miss his cue and rushed onto the set.
“Hey! Snap out of it!!”
A hand grabbed the blood-soaked Lee Hyunwoo’s shoulder.
At the rough, warm touch, Lee Hyunwoo gasped. Recalling the hand that had patted his shoulder just moments before, he slowly raised his head.
His heart pounded rapidly, so very rapidly, with a thin thread of hope.
“Da—”
“We have to get out of here!”
It wasn't his father.
At the sight of a strange black man's face, Lee Hyunwoo's heart lurched to a stop.
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