Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 066
Chapter Title: Upgrade (2)
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“Is this the movie?”
Even to Yeonwoo, who was clueless about cultural trends, it looked like a film that would never succeed at the box office. And yet, this was supposed to give him wings?
“My eyes don’t lie.”
Kwon Sung-hyun’s voice carried an inexplicable confidence.
“Ah.”
Come to think of it, he remembered now. Kwon Sung-hyun was someone with a special ability, albeit in a different sense. And every project he chose had been a massive hit.
“The others aren’t bad either. But this one suits you the best, Yeonwoo-ssi.”
[But has Yeonwoo ever even been in love? He’s a total lifelong singleton in today’s terms... You know what a mosol is, right, Actor-nim?]
“Hey...?”
The traitor was inside, huh.
Yeonwoo’s voice trailed off hollowly into the air as his past was suddenly exposed by the Child Spirit.
“Oh, that’s not an issue at all. Researching the role is obviously necessary, but it doesn’t have to be based on personal experience.”
[Really? He’s not just a mosol, but kinda cynical too, so he’s never even had a crush... Chirp!]
“You’re awfully chatty today?”
[Ow! Let go! Let me go!]
“Shut it. Be quiet, or I’ll use an Exorcism Talisman.”
[Wow, you sneaky bastard...!]
The Child Spirit writhed in Yeonwoo’s grip but soon settled down obediently.
“You two really get along well.”
[Where?!]
“Where exactly?”
Kwon Sung-hyun let out a short laugh at their simultaneous retorts.
“That’s exactly what makes you look like you get along. Anyway, Yeonwoo-ssi, don’t worry about that. Or... I could help you out.”
“Huh?”
“You’ve never dated, right?”
“...”
It was true, but it felt oddly like a finishing blow.
“If you need help, just say so. I’d welcome it anytime if it’s you, Yeonwoo-ssi.”
“Y-Yeah... Sure... Got it.”
If Kwon Sung-hyun was helping, that changed everything. Having someone who was plastered in S-ranks by his side was like having another cheat code.
‘Romance, huh.’
It was definitely unfamiliar territory. But as Kwon Sung-hyun said, challenging it could broaden his acting range.
‘Longevity in showbiz isn’t my only goal anyway.’
What mattered was recognition and influence. Becoming a master in one genre wasn’t bad, but...
‘Better to keep all possibilities open.’
That’s why he was utilizing the composition and performance skills he’d gained from the masters, right?
‘Sticking to similar roles would just limit his options.’
Even reconsidering it, Kwon Sung-hyun’s choice seemed right.
Kwon Sung-hyun also shared various details about the film and its director.
“It’s his first commercial feature, but he’s a veteran in shorts despite debuting late in features. He has a solid fanbase. He’s famous for characters that carry actors, drawing them so meticulously and vividly. And for assigning roles that fit actors like a glove.”
“His signature thick emotional lines, masterful pacing control—he’s known for that push-pull with audiences. He’s got a rep in other areas too, but that’s not important. Anyway, even as an indie, it pulls commercial-level crowds.”
“He loves drilling deep into one theme, so it’ll be great study for you, Yeonwoo-ssi. He approaches it so delicately. He makes even potentially cliché stuff fresh. The romance won’t feel too clichéd. Oh, if you need help, definitely tell me. Got it?”
There was some weird bit in the middle, but overall, it was helpful info.
“No need to decide right away. Think it over.”
“...Got it.”
With Kwon Sung-hyun’s Midas touch eyes guaranteeing success, it was solid advice.
‘Romance...’
“Oh, right. Doing a low-key variety show wouldn’t hurt either. You’re still on radio, but the late-night slot limits reach... You need periodic face time on screen to stay memorable.”
“I see.”
“Yeah. Variety’s getting good attention these days. It’s better than CFs for showing who Kang Yeonwoo is.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll pick a few good ones. Oh, and I recommend the OST too.”
“The OST?”
It was the proposal on top. A drama OST, if he recalled.
“Yeah. For a drama airing next quarter. They inquired via Nutube.”
“Nutube, meaning...?”
“Exactly. They don’t know who you are.”
Yeonwoo’s Nutube account was managed by the agency. It didn’t show, so it just looked like any regular person’s.
“And they contacted via that? What makes them think...?”
“Your tracks all charted, right? Anyone with ears wouldn’t miss those gems. You know you’re all over Nutube buzz lately?”
“Nope.”
As if. Yeonwoo never bothered checking communities or anything tedious.
The closest he got to feedback was:
-Holy crap, hyungnim. God-tier again. Honored to work on it... This’ll smash a million views easy. Followers exploding geometrically—I’m thrilled...!
Jerry mumbling like a drowned rat every handover.
And:
*Ding!*
[Multi-Lifespan Auto-Harvest completed.]
[Auto-harvested lifespan: 82 days]
*Ding!*
[Multi-Lifespan Auto-Harvest completed.]
[Auto-harvested...]
The occasional system pings for lifespan gains?
“They’re chasing buzz too. OST by the hot skilled Nutuber. Perfect hype material pre-airing. And it’s not just good for the drama.”
[Benefits Yeonwoo too?]
The listening Child Spirit asked, and Kwon Sung-hyun flashed a mischievous smile.
“Of course. If it’s revealed later that you composed it... Massive synergy, I bet?”
A master angler doesn’t cast one line. Secret work, big reveal later.
‘Not bad.’
He had recognition on Nutube, but only there. Even revealing he was the account owner wouldn’t cause huge waves yet.
His Nutuber fame spanned the globe, but actor ‘Kang Yeonwoo’ had zilch internationally. Domestically, his fame was rising fast, but his Nutuber influence wasn’t massive yet.
Reveal now, and only some Korean fans would be shocked.
‘Shock therapy.’
Kwon Sung-hyun was suggesting a spice to amplify the eventual reveal.
‘If that’s it, I’m all in.’
A thick smile crept across Yeonwoo’s lips.
***
When was the last time he’d lived this intensely?
‘...Probably never.’
Made sense. No life-or-death stakes back then!
The survival instinct was truly powerful.
“So you’re doing the movie, OST, and radio all at once?”
The chat started with Jerry noting how busy Yeonwoo seemed lately. Jerry’s eyes widened in shock at the reply.
“Radio’s every two weeks now. No movie contract yet. Just juggling OST work alongside.”
But for something not official, Yeonwoo’s days were packed.
Simple reason. Broadening his acting range was fine in theory, but rash challenges could flop worse than none.
‘Gotta get a feel first before signing anything.’
That led to surprisingly tough love studies.
-[Isn’t that obvious? You’re a mosol! Plus, you hate people!]
-...
The Child Spirit’s merciless fact bombs were brutally effective.
In the end, after agonizing, Yeonwoo asked Kwon Sung-hyun for help.
-I promised to.
Kwon Sung-hyun, vowing to kindly teach the romance-noob Yeonwoo.
‘...Hope he doesn’t use weird methods.’
He was an oddball, so Yeonwoo worried about bizarre approaches.
But.
‘Not like this, though.’
He’d forgotten Kwon Sung-hyun always exceeded expectations.
-Watch... all this?
-Yeah. Won’t take long. About... a week?
-A week?!
-It’ll help. Best way to learn emotions.
“You look exhausted. Like... a zombie from a movie or something...”
“Hoo... Try gorging on nothing but movies, minus eating and bathroom breaks while awake.”
“Movies?”
“Who said cramming education was good... Cramming education can die...”
The crazy part? It worked wonders on Yeonwoo.
No room for complaints either.
*Ding!*
[Conditions met!]
[‘Intent Discernment (B+)’ upgrades!]
Sudden ping. Bewildered by the absurd words momentarily.
Status window check, and Yeonwoo’s jaw dropped.
[Intent Discernment]
[A]
-Ability to better discern opponent’s true intentions.
Infer emotions or thoughts from text or expressions.
Especially for text: grasp writer’s intended meaning, purpose, direction, and emotions at time of writing—maximized.
‘...It actually upgraded?’
Intent Discernment, formerly B+. Now A.
Not just that. Maybe from 12-hour daily media marathons?
‘Infer from expressions...?’
New since B+. Still script-specialized, but added expression reading.
No more ‘ability degradation’ clause. Probably expanded scope from upgrade.
‘Upgrades like this, huh...?’
Never imagined. Suspected from graded stats, but real?
Means all stats can upgrade...
‘Insane.’
Jackpot, near cheat-level. Buffs already huge, now improvable.
Love it or hate it? Brief dilemma, soon over.
System saved his life anyway. Plus jackpot—count blessings for sanity.
Upgrade surprise big, but bigger was:
‘Why smile? Tears are obvious—why not just cry?’
‘Good friend suddenly forgets you? Frustrating, right? Why bittersweet?’
‘Why give money there? Crazy... No, knows it’s a lie—why fall for it?’
Incomprehensible movie scenes started making sense one by one.