Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 018
Chapter Title: Life is Real Combat (1)
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"Ah, so that's how you know so much. As expected from an expert's eye. Wow, then the realism will be spot on. I hadn't thought about medical dramas since they require specialized costumes, but maybe I should look into that too..."
Min Writer veered off into left field mid-conversation.
"Would it be okay if I took a quick look at you?"
Her eyes widened again at Yeonwoo's words.
"You can do that too? Right, you're an expert. I'd love that. My head's been pounding lately, my shoulders ache, my legs hurt—everything hurts."
"Then just hold still for a moment while I touch you."
"Do I need to do anything?"
"Turn around and relax."
The moment Min Writer turned her back, Yeonwoo lightly nicked his fingertip to draw a bit of blood.
'Of all days, I left my memo pad at home.'
He didn't have the promotional memo pad he always carried.
'Well, blood works even better than a memo pad anyway.'
Talismans were a medium through which Yeonwoo's power flowed—a kind of circuit. They directed how the power would be used.
In that sense, blood was a perfect medium that could hold even more power than a talisman. It was only natural, since Yeonwoo's power was already infused in his blood.
'Let's see... Min Writer has four clumps of obsessive thoughts attached to her. Two of them carry lifespan: 14 days and 8 days each. Nice.'
Yeonwoo drew an invisible line in the air with his bloodied fingertip.
He could feel the power condensing along the line.
A quick glance downward.
[......]
The child who had been struggling to peel off the obsessive thoughts sparkled with excitement as he looked at Yeonwoo.
'Hang in there just a bit longer. I'll get rid of them all.'
With a smile still on his lips, Yeonwoo snapped his fingers.
The power took solid form in his hand.
Tap!
His palm lightly brushed Min Writer's shoulder.
Tap!
Tap!
It skimmed past her shoulder, grazed the back of her head lightly, then moved downward.
The touches were so fleeting and gentle, barely there.
To anyone watching, it would look like he was just dusting her off.
But...
-Ding!
[Successfully harvested lifespan.]
[Harvested lifespan: 14 days]
To Yeonwoo, it looked entirely different.
-Ding!
Not just the cheerful alert sound.
[Kreurgh!]
[Kyaaak!]
[Grwooo...]
The grotesque noises from the clumps formed by the bunched-up obsessive thoughts.
Perhaps because he used blood, they vanished without a trace, leaving only dying screams behind.
'Hmm. Did I overdo it?'
There was no need to use blood on trash like this...
The spiritual power still lingering in his hand showed no signs of fading.
"Huh?"
Min Writer tilted her head almost immediately after the obsessive thoughts disappeared.
"My shoulders suddenly feel so refreshed. And the stiffness in my neck is gone...?"
"You can turn around now."
"What did you even do? My head feels so clear!"
Min Writer patted herself down in disbelief.
"Do you have the healing hands of God or something...?"
"Excuse me?"
What was that cringe-worthy phrase he just heard?
"How can just a few light touches make my whole body feel so light all of a sudden?"
"Feeling better?"
"Completely!"
Her reaction was intense, but understandable.
'Living with obsessive thoughts is like carrying sandbags on your arms and legs.'
Of course she'd feel light now that the invisible pressure weighing down her body was gone.
And there was another being reacting similarly.
[Whoaaa...]
The little child who had been clinging to the hem of Min Writer's skirt, desperately fighting for its life, now gazed at Yeonwoo with sparkling eyes.
Just like in a cartoon, looking at a hero with awe.
"How did you do that? Even acupuncture and physical therapy couldn't fix the stiffness. How is it all gone?"
"That's my trade secret, so I can't share."
"Oh, industry secret. Sorry for asking."
She accepted it quickly.
"Why apologize?"
A voice chimed in abruptly.
"Oh? Seonghyeon-ssi. It was nothing; I just asked something a bit personal."
"Ah... So that's why you've been busy, Yeonwoo-ssi. Looks like you've gotten close to the writer."
"Not really. I've just been buttering her up hard."
"That could be a problem, Writer. Yeonwoo-ssi is my manager."
"You're my manager now, but who knows about the future?"
"Exactly. The future's uncertain. He might stick by my side forever."
Both wore clear smiles.
Their tones were soft and gentle, yet...
'Why does it feel so chilling?'
[It's a clash of tigers...]
The child spirit muttered from Yeonwoo's chest.
"It'd be a shame if he got tied down when he could soar higher."
"I agree. But I'm handling the preparations, so no need to worry, Writer."
"Oh? Really...?"
The atmosphere shifted again.
"If that's the case... Should I cheer you on too? Better to have more people than go it alone, right?"
"That's fine. I take care of my own."
"Ah... Right, you said Seonghyeon-ssi is shy with strangers."
Their conversation felt like some cryptic code.
Kwon Seonghyeon turned to Yeonwoo with a grin after their coded exchange.
"Yeonwoo-ssi, you have to watch my acting in the next scene. Got it?"
"What good would my watching do?"
[Right. Yeonwoo doesn't get acting. Let me watch instead, Actor!]
"Having Dongja-ssi watch too would be even better."
[Yeah! Trust me! I'll watch with Yeonwoo for sure!]
"That's reassuring."
I wonder if I'm the one with a stalker attached to me?
Yeonwoo began pondering seriously.
***
"I've never seen Kwon Seonghyeon ask someone to critique his acting before."
"...He was probably just saying it."
"I don't think so...?"
Afterward, Min Writer kept asking Yeonwoo all sorts of questions.
What he did in his free time, his favorite genres, if he'd ever try getting makeup done since his skin looked so good.
'Why is she asking about that stuff?'
It made no sense to him, but she asked with sparkling eyes.
'No wonder it feels like she's got a kid attached to her...'
His eyes met the child's peeking out from behind Min Writer's skirt again.
Grateful after Yeonwoo helped her twice, the child no longer hid. Remarkable progress.
'Ah, I need to go harvest some lifespan.'
His palm still held the leftover spiritual power from removing Min Writer's obsessive thoughts.
If he'd used a talisman, the power would have canceled out upon destroying them. But with blood, it amplified several times over and remained.
He planned to tap away diligently with this and harvest more. His stomach was already full just thinking about it, no meal needed.
But the interruptions didn't end with Min Writer.
"Was it awkward?"
Kwon Seonghyeon strode over after every scene to ask.
"It was fine."
"You were looking elsewhere."
"No, I wasn't."
"Do you remember my line?"
"...'What is this ridiculous thing?' I think."
"So you were watching."
"Kwon Seonghyeon-ssi, please stop coming over after every take."
"Am I bothering you?"
"Yes."
Because of you, my feet keep getting stuck here?
He was already conspicuous, and now with this guy constantly approaching, all eyes were on them.
Yeonwoo tried to cut it off firmly.
But...
-Ding!
[Harvestable lifespan: +3 days]
"I'd like you to watch, Yeonwoo-ssi. It helps me focus better..."
"..."
Was this worth dangling lifespan to beg?
Free lifespan, though—best to take it.
If it was just occasional glances...
"Fine. But please don't come over after every single take. It breaks my concentration."
Not your concentration—mine.
"If I want to focus on your acting, it'll be better that way. So please do."
"Oh, is that it? Sure, I'll do that."
Kwon Seonghyeon nodded with a bright smile.
Interferers 1 and 2 were gone.
Time to harvest lifespan in earnest.
But...
"Ugh, seriously. What kind of mangy mutt is running around the set?"
Yeonwoo wasn't the only one waiting for this moment.
***
At first, Yeonwoo had no thoughts.
Because he had none at all.
Especially not for someone muttering like they were caught in the rain.
"Fucking hell. Are your ears clogged? You barge in here and treat people like dogs? Think you're some celebrity just 'cause you're famous?"
"......"
"Look at that shamelessness. Won't even pretend to hear? Damn, just damn. Unbelievable. Now even lowly managers get ignored?"
"......"
"Thinks he's hot shit 'cause the director and writer like him. There's a truckload of those types, and here's another one."
"......"
"Got in through Kwon Seonghyeon's connections, huh? Wow, what a clown. Hey. Hey!"
Muttering nonstop.
Not even openly—just talking to himself like staring at the wall.
No reason to pay attention.
'What a weirdo...'
Lee Deokchun, whose name was amusing at first glance.
Whatever set him off, his face was red as he fumed alone.
[Yeonwoo, that lizard over there seems to be calling you? Looks like he's picking a fight.]
Oh, was that it?
'I thought he was just some weirdo rambling to himself.'
Lee Deokchun would've fumed even more if he knew Yeonwoo's thoughts.
[On TV, he acted all nice and innocent, putting on every facade. Who knew he was this guy? Picking a fight with our Yeonwoo?!]
The tiny creature smaller than Yeonwoo's palm in his chest pocket got all riled up, ready to pop out.
Yeonwoo smoothly pressed it down and turned his head.
"Were you talking to me just now?"
"Oho. Finally responding. What a high-and-mighty act. Still, you're just Kwon Seonghyeon's lackey with a stick up your ass. Yeah, you punk. That was for you."
"Punk?"
"Yeah, punk. Got a problem? Gonna run to Kwon Seonghyeon and tattle?"
Lee Deokchun leaned in cockily and poked Yeonwoo.
"Act like a manager and stay out of the way. Don't wander the set making a nuisance. Be smart about it. You're annoying—go hole up in a corner."
"Ha..."
Look at this guy.
Yeonwoo was dumbfounded.
Power trips in the industry. He'd heard they existed.
Power abuses were everywhere in the world—why not entertainment?
'If it were Kwon Seonghyeon doing it, maybe. But this doormat playing tyrant?'
An incredulous sigh escaped Yeonwoo's lips.
"Look at this punk? You laughing? Think my words are funny?"
Lee Deokchun's face twisted in anger.
"You're acting all bold 'cause you think Kwon Seonghyeon will protect you? Some staff lackey like you? Wanna get blacklisted in this industry? You know how much the director hates pests like you? Should I just tell him? You clueless about SNS? One post from me, and you're done—buried. What'll a freeloading manager like you do then? Huh?"
His threats were so practiced, clearly not his first rodeo.
'Is this an idol or a thug?'
One of the most loathsome human types: those who bully the powerless.
Because of high social status, wealth, or strength.
Strutting around like they own the place.
Sure, enjoying more perks than others could be intoxicating.
Surrounded by people from childhood under spotlights, they might delude themselves into thinking they're special.
'But that shouldn't lead to abusing others.'