Chapter 26 - [THE AVENGER]
[THE AVENGER]
Translator : Elizabeth
Chapter 26. [THE AVENGER]
Seo Hyo-ju.
She stepped into the entertainment industry to achieve one extremely personal goal.
—…Find every single one without missing any….
It was to reach the truth entangled with her older sister's death.
—…I will kill them all.
Entertainment work was extremely consuming both physically and mentally. Especially for a woman, it was never an easy world.
But Seo Hyo-ju had venom (spite). Even if her body broke and she died while working, she never once thought of giving up midway.
Absolutely.
At the end of that tenacity, she rose to the position of head of Artist Division 4 at VN, called one of the top 3 in the industry.
Then it was one day.
‘…Cha Eun-seo fled?’
The center of the girl group Armiya, which she had raised directly since she first became a team leader, suddenly fled.
Center Cha Eun-seo was a talent Seo Hyo-ju discovered and selected herself.
Was it thanks to that? Cha Eun-seo, who had cut off all contact while locked in her house, met only Seo Hyo-ju.
‘It’s all because of Unni…! If you hadn't…! Dragged me into this kind of thing…!’
‘….’
It was to pour out resentment.
‘If you brought me, you should have taken responsibility until the end…! You should have stopped Lee Gi-chan that dirty bastard…!’
‘….’
In that process, Seo Hyo-ju found out.
The fact that Director Lee Gi-chan drove Cha Eun-seo into a sponsorship relationship. The result of finally being unable to endure that pressure was exactly the flight.
The moment of choice came.
Will she fight against it to keep her conviction? Or even if folding her conviction, will she close her eyes to reach the goal?
Being in this industry, she could see dirty and disgusting things that common sense could never understand.
‘Unni….’
Every time that happened, Seo Hyo-ju thought of her sister and wanted to overturn everything, but.
‘Just what did you go through….’
Then she would become unable to reach the truth forever.
So.
‘Lee Gi-chan. You horny vermin bastard.’
‘…Director Seo? …What did you say just now?’
Seo Hyo-ju made a half-hearted choice.
Even while resolving to fight Director Lee Gi-chan, she couldn't publicize his deeds in the end.
It was too cowardly a choice.
As a result, Seo Hyo-ju had to leave VN, but she wasn't completely pushed out of the industry. It was possible up to keeping a foothold.
But that was all. Moving forward further was blocked every time.
Because of VN's, accurately Director Lee Gi-chan's check.
Then one day.
Opportunity came.
Seo Hyo-ju frequently used Tarot Gallery. By nature, she wasn't the type to believe in Tarot.
She just needed to intentionally put a brake on herself running without brakes if there was no standard.
So she saw Tarot. Accurately, kept looking until a conclusion she could accept inwardly came out.
Although ambiguous to call that Tarot.
In a way, it was also quite a clever usage method.
But.
———
DailyTarot: He is a person with quite a high position. It seems you can be a bit more lenient with your subordinates.
L OO: I didn't leave a single clue about company work in the gallery, how did you know.. Can you perhaps read my fortune for a fee?
———
Met the real deal.
And she said.
—In that moment everyone is troubled, a person holding key to solve that situation appears. Value of person holding that key… just how much would it be?
Seo Hyo-ju who hung up the phone fell into very deep worry. Very, very deep worry.
That wasn't because of the false MeToo issue related to TigerLead, nor because of Quarter Note's work.
‘Unni…. Only now barely… the end is showing….’
Is there a need… to go back daringly?
If it’s Yujin's ability seen so far, possibility was high that she would guide her to the truth at once.
But soon Seo Hyo-ju shook her head.
It didn't mean she wouldn't request help. Rather thinking of that moment coming someday, heart beat too fast it hurt.
However.
Had to be cool-headed.
And had to be thorough.
People entangled with sister's death.
Still don't know who they are. But she could roughly guess what position they are in.
Probably.
Even if all truth is revealed, an ending Seo Hyo-ju can be satisfied with will absolutely not come out.
It couldn't be so.
Even one hundred millionth of the pain sister suffered wouldn't be returned.
Shouldn't be like that.
So.
—So.
Seo Hyo-ju resolved.
Opponent ignored law and trampled person physically.
If so.
Me too.
—I will also ignore law and trample you physically.
Hardened heart like that.
This is the resolution Seo Hyo-ju made before stepping into the entertainment world.
Then everything became clear.
Not many things needed.
Appropriate funds. Elaborate plan.
And.
One body to pay the price after finishing all revenge.
Most difficult thing was the plan.
Had to specify opponent accurately, and from the moment starting work in earnest, had to proceed as fast as possible.
All.
Will kill them all.
Therefore couldn't bring up words carelessly to Yujin.
Since recoil of work she will commit will surely be beyond imagination. Had to be wary of even one call history remaining.
And anyway….
Even if hearing truth with Tarot.
Seo Hyo-ju intended to check all evidence directly with her own eyes.
Must do so.
Because that was duty given to Seo Hyo-ju.
So entertainment work had to continue. To reach that evidence.
Conclusion was already out.
Decided to accept Yujin's proposal.
Seo Hyo-ju who called Yujin opened her mouth first.
“I will accept Yujin-nim’s request.”
Judging it wouldn't be direct help in digging into sister's case, until now tried to take care of her subordinate employees first.
But if she can exercise influence over the whole industry with that matter as momentum….
Story becomes different.
Yujin showed reaction that she thought well, and two people started tuning specific conditions immediately.
Yujin's demand was simple.
Since it is a matter started from broadcast content, asking to leave record of her request and progression process of the incident.
Seo Hyo-ju pointed out the part where problem could arise immediately.
“It is a matter where legal dispute is bound to happen. Wouldn't it become a problem then? That record might act disadvantageously in trial. If wrong, it could look like we induced the opponent's crime.”
After brief blank, Yujin's voice was heard.
—Just don't give room to drive it like that.
“Not give room…?”
—Yes. Since method of grasping evidence itself will be coincidence in the first place.
“Coincidence, is it.”
Coincidence.
By dictionary definition, something happened unexpectedly without any causality.
But this person seemed able to select even that coincidence to taste.
Seo Hyo-ju felt chill down her spine yet was convinced at the same time. That if only with this person’s help, her goal will unmistakably be achieved.
Seo Hyo-ju who kept silence for a moment opened her mouth.
“Assuming it goes according to Yujin-nim’s plan, the profit I can obtain would be incomparably large to Yujin-nim’s. Is there anything you want from me separately?”
Seo Hyo-ju was a thorough person. Didn't leave blank in transaction.
—Ah, then….
Yujin thought for a moment, then brought up words saying there is something she wanted just in time.
Seo Hyo-ju who heard all those words asked back as if slightly absurd.
“…So. You want to make an acquaintance younger sister create an agency, but since she is a minor unable to find legal representative, you are asking me to take only legal responsibility instead, right?”
—…Was it too unconscionable?
“Yes.”
It was an immediate answer.
From the words ‘want to make an acquaintance younger sister create an agency’ induced headache, but Seo Hyo-ju didn't show it.
Still.
Opponent was a person worth owing a debt to.
Seo Hyo-ju organizing thoughts spoke calmly.
“To speak honestly, the biggest problem of this demand is that there is ‘possibility’ that responsibility I have to bear grows endlessly large. …You understand this much right?”
—Yes. I know words like ‘will operate well’ or ‘won't make work big’ have no meaning. Since problem is fact itself that possibility exists.
“It is fortunate at least that you know that. So… even excluding what I will demand additionally now, Yujin-nim owes me a debt.”
Brief silence.
And the moment Yujin understood Seo Hyo-ju's meaning accurately, voice became much brighter.
—That words means… you will grant the request right?
“Yes. With condition of one additional demand right now, and leaving a debt.”
—Good. What do you want?
Seo Hyo-ju raised corner of mouth very little satisfactorily. And took out additional demand.
“There is a person called Lee Gi-chan, director of VN. He is-”
What is the method to deal with him. To speak only the point, it was that.
Yujin listened silently to circumstances entangled between two people.
And.
Chwararak.
Sound of shuffling cards flowed over speaker. Soon.
—Timing is good just in time. If utilize false MeToo incident can chase him out of industry completely. However.
“However?”
Seo Hyo-ju caught breath and listened.
—Seo Hyo-ju-ssi must step up to the front.
“Me?”
—Because to opponent too, Seo Hyo-ju-ssi must already be like a thorn stuck in finger. If you step up taking TigerLead’s side, opponent will also move. To give strength to the person who committed that false accusation crime. And-
.
.
.
Click–.
Hanging up phone after long conversation, Seo Hyo-ju buried body deep into office chair.
Outwardly it was languid-looking posture but….
Inside those pupils pitch-black flame was burning roughly.
‘Person who will handle only responsibility without involving in company.’
…Was crazy condition. But person matching that condition actually appeared.
Quarter Note’s Seo Hyo-ju.
However.
Should I say instead. Debt she imposed on me was never light.
[JUSTICE]
Justice—
—Reversed.
Thorough individual justice not caring about world’s recognition at all. Seo Hyo-ju's desperate revenge drama emerging simultaneously.
I decided to stay quiet for now. Since felt it wasn't problem for me to judge carelessly.
Furthermore seemed quite some time remained until that work actually happens.
And if that day comes someday….
‘I will have ability developed much more than now.’
If so judgment and action too are bound to be completely different from now. So not late to think when that time comes.
Organizing thoughts I connected to site called ‘Receive’.
Meaning accepting feedback roughly, it was Japanese drawing community where considerable number of users are active.
Making one account there, searched looking for specific user.
Voyeurism.
Using word meaning voyeurism as ID, he was Kim Seon-yu who saw Tarot in broadcast previous day.
His pictures were all very unique atmosphere without exception.
As if concept called margin doesn't exist, all space of screen was filled with red light objects.
Especially so in point that he reconstructs extremely ordinary daily life using disassembled and hung human body parts as components of world.
Since everything is made of human body organs gaze could easily be dispersed, but he rather caught gaze with that perverted grotesqueness.
Existences taking human form were all made of sexual organs.
Implicitly suggesting gender with curves and attitude of body, simultaneously revealing gender explicitly by composing with genitals of corresponding gender only.
Due to characteristic of site where almost no attention received if not erotic or beautiful girl, posting only such strange pictures he was naturally not receiving interest.
‘Still seems there are small number of fans.’
I put in commission request to his account.
Not long after reply came, and extremely ordinary conversation went back and forth then soon entered main topic.
||———||
(……)
[User-17091508]: Please draw Tarot’s Strength card as real talisman. With yellow paper and red ink sold at Buddhist supply store, changing detailed elements of picture at discretion.
[User-17091508]: Ah, don't put too much effort.
[Voyeurism]: ?
[Voyeurism]: Surely are you person I know?
||———||
It was right after saying work will come in sooner or later in broadcast yesterday.
Since Tarot commission came in such situation, wasn't unreasonable to guess my identity.
||———||
(……)
[User-17091508]: Yes TarotYujin correct.
[Voyeurism]: No, what is this.
[Voyeurism]: Oh my god.
||———||
He was flustered for a moment but soon regained composure. Since he is person who experienced my Tarot directly, seemed to pass this much as it is.
Like that Strength card talisman ten sheets.
Price agreed at total 500,000 won.
Might think 500,000 won for ten pictures is too cheap, but it was amount derived because condition that work time per talisman doesn't exceed 1 minute was placed.
Not roughly drawing ‘is okay’, but ‘must’ draw roughly. To make such difference clear had no choice but to attach condition.
Money problem wasn't particularly there. Since received 500,000 won as advance payment from Professor Lee Seon-woo already.
Work received from him was translation of Latin material of total ten pages amount, calculating only amount it was whopping 1 million won outsourcing.
Although he paid generously than industry unit price, required level was similar to text posted on my blog, and deadline was quite tight too so could be seen as reasonable pricing in its own way.
Since might not have turned on broadcast on Christmas, how much would it be.
Kim Seon-yu's talisman arrived right next day through whopping same-day delivery.
Putting energy into those talismans, could confirm effect is exerted peculiarly.
‘…Picture influences effect of talisman too? Viewers receiving this will like it very much.’
It became Christmas.