Chapter 306
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 306
“I knew something was off from the start.”
[What do you mean by that?]
I whistled as I watched the system window immediately feign ignorance.
“Suddenly making me an actor? Don’t you think that’s ridiculous?”
This game world had already established a track record of turning an ordinary PD into an idol under the pretext of 'saving' me. It wouldn't be surprising if it used any excuse to turn an idol into an actor now.
As I pondered the situation, my theories split into two possibilities.
First, just as I had to enter the world of the unconscious when a major crisis struck, I had been transferred to Unknown Actor Tycoon.
‘But I can rule that out.’
There hadn't been any warning signs for that. My days had been quite peaceful lately.
Second, it was a hidden event in the game.
‘This one seems plausible.’
I suspected it was a secret event triggered by completing a specific quest or interacting with a certain person.
“Jeong Cheong-yeon—you restored her memories for a moment, didn't you?”
My face had been plastered everywhere during my idol activities, yet she hadn't recognized me until now, only to suddenly realize who I was.
If I assumed her memories had been briefly restored, her bewildered reaction to seeing my younger self at the end made sense.
In other words, I had been dropped here on purpose.
The easy quests pouring in like Christmas presents and the excessive point rewards only strengthened my suspicion.
Even though Unknown Idol Tycoon had begun because Jeong Cheong-yeon’s curse acted as the final Notoriety Points, this place was strangely filled with goodwill toward me.
If meeting her—someone who held negative emotions toward me—and her recognizing me acted as a trigger, then it made sense that a glitch occurred and I was kicked into a beta server.
[Wait!]
“I was a bit flustered, but now that I’ve grasped the circumstances, the answer seems clear.”
Presumably, once I returned, Jeong Cheong-yeon’s memories would vanish again so as not to interfere with my idol activities.
[No, no, wait a second!]
[Do you really think I sent you here?]
In the end, I had no proof; it was just my own theory.
I smirked at the system window, which was flickering as if in shock.
“Hey, I’m not scolding you, so stop lying through your teeth.”
Ultimately, the purpose of an event was for the player's benefit.
If so, it aligned with this thing’s constant claims of acting in my best interest.
In short...
‘This place is a gold mine for points.’
I had been overcomplicating things by looking for some grand cause.
I didn't know if my accumulated experience stats would carry over, but my acting skills had improved, and I’d raked in a decent amount of points.
“Honestly, it wasn't bad.”
The system window remained silent, its blue light merely flickering.
It seemed to be waiting for my next words.
“But it’s time to go back now. I have to see the kids.”
Months had already passed here.
Since I had collapsed inside the company, someone must have handled the fallout, but various schedules were undoubtedly being delayed.
“Let’s wrap this up. I’ll let it slide that you put me through all this trouble.”
[…Really?]
“Why? You want me to hold a grudge?”
[No, no, no!! That’s not it….]
The system window, which had been blank for a moment, suddenly set off digital fireworks.
[My goodness… For Seo Ho-yun to let it go so easily, you’ve really gone soft. And to think you consider Unknown Idol Tycoon a place to return to… and that you want to see the members……?!]
That was a bit of a leap.
When did I say I wanted to see them? I said I had to see how they were doing.
In reality, I’d rested plenty while working as an actor, and I was starting to get bored with acting.
Besides, I could only return to my original life by completing Unknown Idol Tycoon. I was also aware that it would be dangerous if my knees got any rustier.
However, I didn't feel like correcting the misunderstanding of the system, which was making a fuss as if it were moved to tears.
[I’m so, so, so touched that I want to do exactly as you wish, but…….]
“But?”
[It really is an error.]
So you’re going to stick to that story until the end?
My eyes narrowed instinctively.
“Then I guess I’ll have to go back to Min Ji-heon.”
[Huh??]
“Since you’re incompetent, I’ll have to ask Min Ji-heon for help. That cultist bastard might be able to do something, right?”
[Whaaat???]
As I started heading back up the stairs, new windows popped up one after another.
[That would be a disaster, seriously!]
“So what? Things are already a mess.”
[Do you really think Min Ji-heon would listen to that request?]
[I saw you earlier! You stormed out like you were never going to see him again! Do you think he’d grant a favor for you, Seo Ho-yun?]
“I’ll just lure him with food or something; it’ll work out.”
While the system flickered as if speechless, my feet busily climbed the stairs.
Just as I reached the cafe and was about to grab the doorknob—
[Wait a minute!!!]
I knew it.
A window popped up urgently, blocking my path.
[It’s an err—]
[Erro—]
[Ugh.]
[It is definitely an error, but.]
“Tsk.”
[No, listen to me, sir. It’s an error, but I never said I wouldn’t do anything about it.]
[I will try to see if I can transfer you to Unknown Idol Tycoon right now.]
I turned around, leaned against the wall, crossed my arms, and cocked an eyebrow. It was a silent command to hurry up.
[Would you like to return to Idol Tycoon?
Yes / No]
“Right now.”
I nodded without hesitation.
[Synchronizing Awareness….]
Look at this.
The fact that it was proceeding so smoothly made it clear this bastard was the culprit.
[Synchronizing Points….]
Would there be another event like this?
If there were, would I go to another beta server, just as this one was for 'actors'?
Would it be another profession where I could gain Awareness?
Just as my thoughts reached that point—
Ding!
[E R R O R]
An error message appeared.
[E R R O R]
[E R R O R]
[E R R O R]
[E R R O R]
[E R R O R]
[E R R O R]
Then, the system windows vanished all at once.
Simultaneously, my vision flickered, and my body was slammed onto the floor.
“……You son of a……”
By the time a curse managed to squeeze through my teeth, the system window had been restored.
[…Huh?]
[Eh?? This isn't right… it should work…….]
Soon, my vision was filled with code. New values were being entered in a stream, but nothing changed.
After a moment of silence, the system window delivered its conclusion.
[It’s true. This really was an error….]
Bullshit, of course.
“Stop selling me lies, you punk.”
[……No, I didn't know it would be like this either… That’s why I told you not to meet Min Ji-heon.]
It grumbled at me reproachfully.
It seemed the current ERROR was the aftermath of using Min Ji-heon’s ability.
“If you had just come clean with me from the start, this wouldn't have happened.”
I swiped away the whining system window and sat down on the stairs.
I needed a moment to organize my thoughts.
Looking at its behavior, it didn't seem to be lying now.
[…Are you okay?]
“No, I’m not.”
Should I pressure it more, or look for another solution?
Even if I met Min Ji-heon again, as the system said, there was no way that guy would talk straight.
That bastard was only specialized in getting under people's skin, talking about black lumps in the surroundings, fragments of existence, and whatever else…….
“…Fragments.”
A memory flashed in my mind.
“Right! Fragments!”
Min Ji-heon had said it before.
That the character ‘Lee Jeong-hun’ appeared in the world because fragments of existence had flowed in.
If Unknown Actor Tycoon was the same—.
“Hey! You just focus on fixing the problem!”
[Pardon??]
I hurried down the stairs.
Just then, the van was pulling into the underground parking lot.
“Manager!”
“Oh? Wh-what’s this? Why such a warm welcome?”
I hopped into the car immediately and spoke without missing a beat.
“You said you received a bunch of scripts before, right? Where are they?”
“Right, of course you weren't actually happy to see me….”
The slightly dejected manager soon broke into a grin and opened the glove box in the front seat, handing me a stack of scripts.
“Here they are! You wouldn't even look at them before, but are you finally interested?!”
These days, it was common to prepare for the next project while filming one, so quite a few had already come in. Perhaps because Kim Woo-ho’s impact had been so immense, there were even several lead roles.
I filtered out the manager’s chatter and skimmed through them quickly. Most were drama proposals with only the first and second episodes included.
The first one I checked was an espionage action piece about a protagonist in the National Intelligence Service.
“Oh! That action one! It’s very refreshing, no frustrating plot points!”
I read through it just in case, but it wasn't what I was looking for.
I tossed it into the back seat and moved to the next.
A story about the chaotic hospital life of a genius intern who just graduated from medical school. It seemed to have some minor romance mixed in….
“That one’s good too! Actually, for a rookie actor, the best genre to get noticed by the public is romance… Right, you’re not interested.”
The manager seemed to have read every script, as he knew them all by heart. After searching for a while, one title caught my eye.
“…An entertainment industry drama?”
“Ah, ah~! That one’s not bad either~.”
I opened the proposal while listening to him.
“It’s a drama co-produced by WH Entertainment and Studio Olio. It’s a coming-of-age drama about a PD who plans a survival competition program, solves incidents while learning about the contestants' pasts, and leads the broadcast to success. The protagonist PD has a unique personality, so it’ll be great for catching the viewers' attention! The title is… uh…….”
I slowly read the words written on the cover of the script.
“Shining Star.”
“Right, that’s the one!”
I knew it.
Since there had been cases like Please Take Care of the Camera and Dead after Hope, I figured there had to be more works influenced by the fragments.
From the title to the plot.
Even from a hundred meters away, it was obvious this was another fragment that had flowed in.
If I couldn't return to Unknown Idol Tycoon right away, I might as well exploit this situation to the fullest.
Through the two drama shoots I’d done so far, I had gained information I hadn't even known myself. Perhaps this drama held some hidden truths as well.
The synopsis even said the protagonist PD learns about the contestants' pasts in Shining Star.
“……Interesting.”
Maybe even information on Kang Yi-chae’s scenario, which was the last one remaining….
I quickly ran the numbers in my head.
I had already wasted a lot of time here, so I couldn't just wait for Shining Star to air.
“When does filming for this start?”
The manager looked at me through the rearview mirror with sparkling eyes.
“Why? Do you like that one?”
“Yes. This PD role seems like it would suit me perfectly.”
“Huh?”
This drama probably copied my life anyway; who else would play the lead but me?
“…The PD? The lead?”
However, the manager, who had been happy, suddenly looked flustered and averted his gaze, hesitating.
“…Well…….”
“Casting isn't finished yet, right?”
“Look, Ho-yun… everything else is fine……. And I know the protagonist’s personality would fit you like a glove.”
“Is there a pre-selected candidate? It’s fine. I’ll go meet the director myself. I can persuade them in no time.”
“…Even so, you won't be able to do it.”
The manager cut me off, his tone cautious and hesitant.
“…Why?”
Even though I asked back with a slight frown, the manager’s hands only fidgeted anxiously on the steering wheel.
“Who exactly is the pre-selected candidate? Some third-generation chaebol?”
“…It’s not like that—.”
After hesitating to answer, the manager finally spoke up only after receiving my icy glare.
“The protagonist... is a woman.”
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”