Chapter 127
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: The Actors
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There are moments when a person suddenly has an epiphany.
Ah, this isn't right?
Have I ended up in some weird place?
That was exactly how Seo Ah-rin felt right now.
Thump-thump—
Led by the hand of her fellow actress, she'd arrived at a dimly lit club, a far cry from the bright daylight outside.
The pounding bass vibrated through the building, but not a single soul was dancing.
“Where the hell are we going? Why a club?”
“Shut up and follow me. I'll introduce you to some good people.”
The vibe felt off, but Seo Ah-rin had no choice but to trail after Hong Sun-ah.
It might just be her imagination, and if things went south, she could always bail.
‘I've got the strength for that.’
It was the confidence of a level 37 summoner.
“Right here.”
Hong Sun-ah led her to a VVIP private room.
Opening the door unleashed a thick haze of smoke that made her wrinkle her nose.
“Hey, guys, I brought her.”
“Huh? Who's this? Isn't that the famous Seo Ah-rin?”
“Oh, you actually brought her?”
“Wow, she's even prettier in person than on screen!”
Empty bottles strewn about, a filthy table.
People lounging and smoking, others passed out on the floor like drunks.
They say panic leaves you speechless?
That was Seo Ah-rin right now.
‘I followed Sun-ah on a whim, but...’
She hadn't expected this chaotic mess.
But what threw her even more was...
‘These are all faces I recognize?’
All six people in the room were celebrities in their own right.
Whoosh—
“Who's here?”
Just then, a male actor emerged from the bathroom, locking eyes with Seo Ah-rin.
“G-Gu Yeon-seung sunbae?”
That made seven.
One more had joined.
“Ah-rin? I heard you were coming, but you actually showed up?”
“I told you I'd bring her, Gu sunbae.”
Behind her, Hong Sun-ah flashed a meaningful smile.
“Bok-chul's gonna love this.”
“Where's Bok-chul?”
“He went to the bathroom saying he needed to take a shit.”
Standing there like a wooden post, Seo Ah-rin wondered what the hell was going on.
“Sit down. You're here, so let's have a drink at least.”
“No, I'm good.”
The place was dark, but outside it was broad daylight—drinking?
More than that, the bad vibes made her draw a line.
“Sun-ah, have fun. Sorry, but I'm heading out first.”
“Hey, where do you think you're going?”
“Yeah, Ah-rin-ssi. You've come this far—have a drink. Or want to smoke some weed?”
“Huh?”
Stunned, Seo Ah-rin quickly regained her composure.
“No, I don't smoke.”
“This isn't cigarettes. Or maybe some booze...”
“I don't drink either.”
“What a bitch. Crazy slut. When Gu sunbae offers like this, at least pretend to drink, you know?”
For a split second, Seo Ah-rin doubted her own ears.
‘What did she call me?’
Hong Sun-ah had a sharp tongue, but she'd never sworn at her before.
Yet now, Hong Sun-ah was different.
As if her previous facade had been a lie, she smirked at Seo Ah-rin.
No, smirk wasn't the right word.
It was blatant mockery.
“This fucking bitch thought she was hot shit just 'cause I played nice with a smile?”
Instead of replying, Seo Ah-rin instinctively glanced back.
The players who'd been crawling on the floor had sobered up and now blocked the exit.
“What are you doing? Right now?”
“Can't you see? We're blocking you from leaving.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Why? Haha, everyone who comes here says the same damn thing. They don't even know why they've fallen into a trap. Oh, maybe my acting's just that good?”
She'd had her suspicions moments ago, but Hong Sun-ah's attitude confirmed it.
She'd walked right into a trap.
Seo Ah-rin subtly scanned the actors around her.
Their expressions and eyes reeked of sleaze.
‘They're all in on it.’
Her gaze naturally shifted to Gu Yeon-seung.
As the eldest and most senior, he was likely the ringleader.
Sure enough.
“Heh, Ah-rin-ssi. No use glaring like that. You get it, right? We're all in cahoots.”
As if mistaking her look for a distress signal, he confessed outright.
In that instant, a way out flashed through Seo Ah-rin's mind.
‘Ah, maybe...’
It might work; she had to try.
Her face instantly morphed into that of a frightened puppy.
“W-Why are you doing this to me?”
Gu Yeon-seung chuckled, finding her adorable.
“No personal grudge. Just a survival strategy I naturally picked up to stay alive?”
“What does that mean?”
“Players die off by half each round? Maybe more. Never thought about that?”
Gu Yeon-seung grinned.
“Wasted items from erased players.”
“...”
“Don't you think? I do. All that gold and gear they've earned—just poof, gone. Shit turns into fertilizer, but their items? Vaporized without a trace. Why not let other players use them like fertilizer?”
Seo Ah-rin belatedly realized their goal.
“So... you're robbing items from players who'll get erased anyway? Is that it?”
“Ooh, pumped some INT stats? You get it already. Other actors didn't catch on even after I explained.”
“Other actors? You've done this to other actors besides me?”
“Of course. Sorry, Ah-rin-ssi—you're just the 33rd sacrifice. Thirty-two fellow celebs before you handed over their items.”
She hadn't known.
Seo Ah-rin slumped onto the sofa, feigning a shocked slap on the back of the head.
“Y-You mean you killed fellow actors...?”
“Yep. All of them. Don't worry— you'll join them soon enough.”
“Ahh...”
Covering her face in feigned horror, Seo Ah-rin hunched over.
Under the table, she secretly summoned two fairies.
The actors, oblivious, snickered.
“Hand over your items nicely, and we'll make it painless. But if you're uncooperative, we'll have to get rough.”
“W-Why are you doing this? Killing fellow actors...”
“Why? Plenty of reasons. One, celebs in the same field are easy to backstab. Two, good gear boosts survival odds next round. Three, like I said—wasted items suck. Four, realized survival means no holding back. Five, surprisingly fun.”
“...”
“When else could we intimidate and kill? Always under fans' watch, right? No chance for this thrill.”
“B-But they're colleagues... fellow actors, juniors, seniors...”
“Ah, Ah-rin-ssi never started from the bottom, huh? You don't get it.”
Gu Yeon-seung's smile vanished.
“You don't know the grind of a penniless theater actor. Staring at an uncertain 'maybe I'll make it someday' while scraping by in the gutter. I do. Lived it, clawed my way up.”
“...”
“But what if that hard-won dream shatters in an instant? World going to hell—no more dramas or movies. Reduced to clowning on variety shows or ads. Next round's a crapshoot? Despair city, right?”
“...”
“Everyone here's like that. Lost the jobs we barely got. Betrayed by our passion despite the hustle. What can we do? Claw to survive. Step on others—that's the only play left for survivors.”
“...”
“And boom—perfect stage to stomp. Even got 'Erase Traces' to clean up. How could we not kill? Fewer actors means rarer celebs, higher value. Real-world pay bumps, otherworld gear haul. Best of both worlds, eh? Heh.”
“...”
So many retorts, but Seo Ah-rin stayed silent, focusing on her act.
Trembling like she was terrified.
Pouring her all into the performance, as if born for this moment.
“So... you're taking my items and killing me?”
“Obviously.”
Seo Ah-rin let out a resigned laugh.
“Th-This is a hidden cam, right? New variety show? Or YouTube? Someone say it's a joke!”
“Giggle, this bitch still doesn't get it?”
Hong Sun-ah sneered, approaching Seo Ah-rin.
Slap!
A sharp smack drew blood, snapping her head aside.
The force in that palm was no joke.
“Hey, you fucking bitch. Think we're playing? Chop off a finger to make it sink in?”
“Nah, forget fingers. Got a better way.”
As the men grinned lewdly, Hong Sun-ah recoiled.
“Men—see a pretty face and that's all you think? It's all plastic surgery anyway.”
“Not anyone gets surgery. Gotta have the base goods.”
“And so what if it's fake? Heh, tastes good, who cares.”
Amid the cackling mockery, Seo Ah-rin huddled, enduring.
Feigning humiliated fury mixed with fear, biding her time.
Gu Yeon-seung tsked, quieting the room.
“You guys. Why scare her already? Ah-rin-ssi? Relax. Hand over items, and I'll make it quick and painless. I'll keep these idiots off you.”
“...”
“What? That look says no? Better than getting gangbanged like a whore before dying, no?”
“...I-If I give the items, you really let me go easy?”
“Yeah. Oh, forgot to mention.”
“What...”
“You know Jang Bok-chul? He's obsessed with you. Told press you're his type. Freaked when he heard you were coming.”
“...”
“So do what he wants, just once. Small price before death, right?”
“What do you...”
“Poor guy's a has-been who blew up as a player, not actor. He picks you as ideal type—least you can do? You're dying anyway; grant one wish. Win-win.”
“...”
“No answer means yes. Not like you have options.”
“...”
“Don't even think of fighting. See how many we are? Nine with Bok-chul. All 35+. You're 37, Sun-ah said. Not enough for us.”
“P-Please spare me. I-I'm sorry.”
Tears welling, Seo Ah-rin clasped her hands.
Finally facing reality.
The actors' lips curled in oily smirks.
“Always ends like this. 'Spare me, won't do it again, my bad.' Begging for life? Items first, no?”
“I'll give them. I'll give them.”
Pretending to pull from inventory, Seo Ah-rin stole a glance.
Time was right.
They're off-guard now.
‘Equip!’
With the command, gear enveloped her body.
Sizzle—
Before their shock wore off, the waiting fairies emerged from under the table.
The cute things fired light beams straight at Gu Yeon-seung.
Zzzzap!
“Gaaahhh!”
Flesh searing, he screamed.
He'd blocked with his arm—any later, and it'd be his eyes.
“You fucking bitch! Grab her!”
Before Gu Yeon-seung yelled, the actors were already equipping.
Seo Ah-rin was impressed inwardly.
‘Quick reactions.’
They'd anticipated resistance.
She hastily summoned a golem, shoving the actor by the door.
Boom!
“Urk!”
The 1.5m golem's body-slam plastered him against the wall.
No hesitation—Seo Ah-rin yanked the door open.
Never planned a frontal fight.
Just wait for an opening and bolt.
‘Good, now if I just run...!’
But before crossing the threshold.
Clank—
Black chains wrapped her body.
“You fucking bitch, where you going?”
The chains' master: Gu Yeon-seung.
No celeb had escaped his warlock grasp yet.
“Think I haven't dealt with bitches like you before? All you players plot resistance. Thought you were different, but damn, fell for those crocodile tears?”
“Eek!”
She tried commanding the fairies, but the message said impossible—too late, she realized.
Erased by Gu Yeon-seung's black arrows.
Crash—
The golem shattered under players' assault, crumbling to rubble.
‘Oh no, what now? All summons dead.’
Resummoning needed 10-minute cooldown.
No time in this dire tick-tock.
“What? Try resummoning. Oh, cooldown? Can't?”
“...”
“Now we can play all we want?”
“Hyung-nim, we said Bok-chul dibs.”
“Changed my mind. Can't wait—not sure when she'll resummon.”
Gu Yeon-seung eyed his crew murderously.
“Men, gear up. Show this bitch what humiliation means.”
“Heh, sounds good.”
“Been waiting.”
Male actors advanced with sleazy grins; Hong Sun-ah smirked and stepped back.
As they grabbed her limbs, despair engulfed Seo Ah-rin.
‘Ah, like this...’
Her escape plan had failed miserably.
No way out—vision darkened.
Then.
Step-step—
Someone entered through the open door.
All eyes converged.
A familiar face: Jang Bok-chul.
“Huh? Bok-chul! Your fave Seo Ah-rin is...”
Actors lit up, then froze.
Behind him loomed a white-masked figure.
“Who...”
Before the question, Jang Bok-chul's head lolled unnaturally.
A corpse.
The masked intruder carried Jang Bok-chul's body.
“This Jang Bok-chul punk—your buddy, right?”
Thud—
Let go, the body flopped limply.
“Y-You who?!”
“Guess so.”
The masked figure waved; the corpse vanished clean.
Erase Traces.
“Wondered where the trash stench was. All gathered here.”
“Who the hell are y—!”
Gu Yeon-seung cut off.
Other actors too.
Silence like time froze.
No need to ask.
The masked intruder's hand now gripped a massive scythe.