Chapter 67: Between the End and the Beginning
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 67: Between the End and the Beginning
Priest Montanus, dressed in a simple black cassock whose only adornment was a touch of purple, strode toward Lee Yu-jin.
As if by unspoken agreement, the staff fell silent, hushed by the solemn and sacred atmosphere.
In this scene, Lee Yu-jin was to pour out a torrent of emotions—anger, frustration, and hope—before an archangel who had descended to earth. Originally, she was supposed to perform alone, with the counterpart’s performance and the angel’s appearance to be added later via CG. However, Priest Montanus had stepped in to play the role of the descended angel to help her get into character.
Naturally, he would be edited out later.
“Num haec tam late patens culpa vere voluntas Dei est? Num recte est dolorem miserarum ovium pro probatione ornare? Responde mihi—obsecro!”
(Is this widespread sin truly the will of God? Is it truly right to dress the suffering of the poor sheep as a trial? Answer me—I beg of you!)
Perhaps because she had a real person standing before her, Yu-jin found it easy to tap into her emotions. Clad in a blood-stained habit and clutching a heavy mace, she poured out her desperation as if screaming from the depths of her soul.
Watching the split screens on the monitor, Lee Guk-shin was genuinely impressed.
How can she act like this? She’s never even been to an acting academy. Where on earth did she learn to tap into such emotions?
He hadn't realized his niece possessed such depth alongside her beauty. He finally understood how she had managed to become a global star with just two projects.
Was it PD Jang Hyun-soo? How did he manage to see this talent in my niece? He’s truly a remarkable man.
In the past, he might have felt a bit bitter, envious of such brilliant talent as a director himself. But now, Lee Guk-shin could admire her with a pure heart.
“Quaeso, hoc asperum examen finias….”
(Please, let this harsh trial come to an end….)
Yu-jin recalled the sorrowful monologue of the Heretic Inquisitor she had served in her past life. Thinking of Priest Montanus as that very person caused her emotions to explode with strange intensity.
I can’t cry. That wasn’t in the script.
Yu-jin fought back the tears that threatened to spill over. The resulting tremor in her pupils only deepened Chris’s smile.
As Yu-jin finished her lines and dropped her head, Chris was just about to call "Cut."
But then, Priest Montanus opened his mouth.
“Scisne? Ipsa tua existentia me ipsum in perpetuam probationem conicit.”
(Do you know? Your very existence casts me into a perpetual trial.)
Everyone held their breath at the unexpected turn of events.
It wasn't an NG. The scene was technically over, and the cut was imminent anyway. Sensing something extraordinary in the air, Chris held his breath and quietly signaled the staff to keep the cameras rolling.
Of course, that signal didn't reach Priest Montanus.
Yu-jin raised her head, her eyes bloodshot, still partially submerged in the emotions of the Doctrine Inquisitor.
“Quid dicis?”
(What do you mean?)
“Immo ego ipse in probatione nunc haereo.”
(Rather, I am the one currently floundering within a trial.)
“…”
“Rogo igitur: cur me in hanc probationem impulisti? Utne patriam certiorem faciam, an ut tacitus tantum observem?”
(I ask you then: why have you thrust me into this trial? Is it so that I may inform my homeland, or so that I may merely observe in silence?)
“Quid hoc sibi vult?”
(What are you talking about?)
Priest Montanus stumbled to his knees. Clasping his hands as if in prayer, he looked up at Yu-jin with a desperate gaze.
“Obsecro—viam mihi ostende.”
(I beg of you—show me the way.)
Priest Montanus dropped his head.
A heavy, solemn silence lingered for a long time before Chris finally snapped out of it and called the cut.
Chris ran over frantically, grabbing the hands of the cold-sweating Priest Montanus, and shouted in English.
“Father! Father! That was an incredible ad-lib! Please! May I include that scene in the drama?”
“I do not mind,” Priest Montanus replied in a raspy voice. “In fact, it would be an honored experience….”
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
Yu-jin, still shaking off her character's emotions, hesitated with an awkward expression before giving Priest Montanus a polite bow.
“Gratias ago. Auxilio tuo facilius animum composui.”
(Thank you. Thanks to you, I was able to find the right emotions easily.)
Priest Montanus gave a faint smile.
“Immo vero, mihi quoque honor fuit.”
(No, the honor was truly mine.)
*
I’m tired, I’m hungry, I’m sleepy, I’m exhausted, I’m tired… Ugh, I want to play LoL. I miss Hermès. I want to go home….
A thousand thoughts swirled through my head, vanishing and reappearing in a chaotic blur over the past few days.
My Rolls-Royce Cullinan was currently driving back and forth all the way down in Busan, drawing all the attention. My mom’s Carnival was trailing behind it like it was escorting me. Fortunately, Mom wasn't the one driving the Carnival. I would have felt too guilty if she were.
“Is this really necessary? It’s like some kind of spy operation.”
“If we didn't go this far, everyone would have found out you're filming Game of Sins. Look at this.”
I felt a chill run down my spine as I looked at the fan cafe posts Jang Ji-hye showed me. There were countless photos of my Cullinan and my mom’s Carnival from the moment they left the Hannam-dong villa. My entire itinerary was being tracked and posted minute by minute, day by day.
└ What’s Baby Elf doing in Busan? Filming?
└ Maybe she went down for the film festival? It’s only a few days away.
└ Definitely the film festival.
└ Pant pant Does this mean we finally get to see Baby Elf in an evening dress?
└ Watch your step, guys. She’s still a minor. But I do want to see her in an evening dress too.
└ She’s still a kid, they’ll probably bundle her up. Don’t get your hopes up or we’ll just be disappointed.
Ugh, an evening dress?
Why would I wear something like that? I’m not doing it. Even if I get invited to the year-end awards, I’m not going.
“See?”
“…Yeah, it’s a little scary.”
“There are so many die-hard fans who have dropped everything just to follow your route. I’ve identified at least a dozen.”
“Don’t these people have jobs? How do they make a living?”
“Just selling photos like these probably earns them more than an average office worker’s salary.”
“…For photos of a Cullinan? Not even photos of me?”
“Or maybe they’re just rich. You need money to be a truly dedicated fan, after all.”
This was terrifying. I wouldn't be able to step outside without my 'foreigner' disguise.
“Yu-jin, didn't you get an invitation to the film festival?”
“I did. But I’m not going.”
“Why?”
“There’s an important LoL match that day.”
“Ah, I understand.”
After so many reincarnations, I finally reached a life where I could do whatever I wanted. I had no intention of suppressing my desires just to please others.
“And besides, Ji-hye, you said it yourself. An actress only needs to focus on her work.”
“Well, that’s true. That is an actress’s privilege. So, are you going to stick with the 'mysterious' concept?”
“It’s not really a concept. I just want to skip things that are annoying or boring.”
“If it’s you, Yu-jin, you can get away with that.”
At any rate, security was being maintained perfectly. Even PD Jang Hyun-soo and Writer Jung Yoon-ah had no idea I was appearing in Game of Sins.
“Yu-jin, Yu-jin! I’m already so excited and nervous.”
“About the moment I die?”
“Yes! I wonder how heartbroken and shocked the viewers will be. Yu-jin, I’m so thrilled right now. I’ll be even more excited when the time comes, right?”
“…”
They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. She really is PD Jang Hyun-soo’s daughter.
A staff member called for me, and I stood up. I caught a glimpse of the silver hair coating Dwayne Jo had meticulously applied in the mirror.
It looks much more natural than the wigs I use for my foreigner persona. It’s exactly like my original hair color.
I decided to use the temporary black coating agent Dwayne Jo sent me whenever I worked as an actress. Once my hair grew out a bit more, I could just walk around with my natural hair when I wanted to enjoy my private life. Though I’d have to wear smoky makeup….
“Good luck, Yu-jin. Today’s the last day.”
“I know. It’s been a long journey. Having a set built just for me isn't all it’s cracked up to be.”
“Like Superman said, with great power comes great responsibility.”
“Wasn't that Batman?”
“Oh, I guess it was Batman.”
“Ladies… that was Spider-Man.”
I smacked my younger brother on the back.
“We know! Do you think we’re so ignorant that we wouldn't know that?”
“Exactly. We were just joking around.”
Then, Dwayne Jo, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
“Actually, it was Spider-Man’s uncle who said it.”
“…”
“…”
“…”
Embarrassed, I began to shuffle away.
“I-I’ll be going now. To die….”
“Right, have a good death and come back safe.”
“N-Noona! Wait for me!”
Today, I would finally die. And with the end of this long ordeal, I would finally be free.
*
The Doctrine Inquisitor died. And she was reborn as Lee Yu-jin.
“Hooray! It’s finally over!”
“Great job, everyone.”
“Great work, everyone.”
English and Korean mingled as everyone congratulated each other on their hard work. I approached Priest Montanus, who had suffered alongside me throughout the filming, and thanked him with a smile.
In Latin, of course.
We had communicated in Latin the entire time, which meant we didn't need an interpreter.
“Father, thank you for your hard work.”
“You as well. It was an honored experience.”
“Ahaha, that’s a bit much. An 'honored' experience….”
“I mean it sincerely.”
Today, Priest Montanus’s expression seemed even more solemn, yet tinged with darkness. At the same time, there was a hint of relief. His expressions had certainly become much richer since we first met.
“May I ask you a question?”
“Sure, anything.”
“What is your date and time of birth? If it is too personal, you need not answer….”
“Oh, that? You can find that just by Googling it. It’s practically public knowledge. Though I guess my birth time isn't well-known. It’s December 31st, 6:59 PM.”
I wondered why he was curious, but since it wasn't a big deal, I told him plainly.
“…!”
His reaction was strange. His pupils dilated and trembled violently, and his hands shook as he stared at me.
“Is something wrong?”
“No… it is nothing. Thank you for telling me.”
Priest Montanus stumbled away with a faint smile of farewell. I found it odd, but I soon forgot about it as I said my goodbyes to the rest of the crew.
*
[Sub secreto (Confidential)]
Priest Montanus opened a book that was a reproduction of a forgotten ancient text. It was unknown who had compiled these records, but the reason its very existence had been banned for so long was simple. The author had meticulously recorded every sin committed in the name of religion that they had witnessed. The author was presumed to have held a very high rank and possessed unfathomable knowledge.
Furthermore, the book contained a single, ominous sentence that resembled a prophecy. For a long time, interpreters had regarded it more as the author’s fervent hope, a lament, or even a curse, rather than a true prophecy.
Priest Montanus had felt the same. Until now.
“Qui inter finem et initium natus est, mundum illuminare potest, vel frangere.”
(The one born between the end and the beginning may light up the world, or shatter it.)
He, too, had long failed to grasp its meaning. But throughout his interactions with Lee Yu-jin, his intuition had whispered to him incessantly. It told him that this referred to Lee Yu-jin. It urged him to confirm it.
December 31st… 6:59 PM….
Kiritimati Island. The easternmost time zone in the world. The place where the day begins earliest, and where the New Year opens before anywhere else on Earth.
When it is 6:59 PM on December 31st in Korea, it is 11:59 PM on December 31st on Kiritimati Island.
Lee Yu-jin had been born at that very moment.
The intervallum (interval) between the end and the beginning… the gap where divine providence is at its weakest….
He could think of no other interpretation. His intuition continued to whisper that this was the answer.