Chapter 70: Lily of the Valley and Black Rose
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 70: Lily of the Valley and Black Rose
The Silver-haired Inquisitor made a tragic exit as soon as her face was shown in the first episode.
Viewers who knew Lee Yu-jin and those who didn't were united in their fury.
Throughout Season 1, they clung to hope, waiting for the Inquisitor to return.
The sight of the young protagonist, Ignifer, braving all sorts of hardships and desperately struggling to reunite with his beloved master gave the viewers hope.
It was a cruel hope.
By the final episode of Season 1, there was no sign of the Inquisitor’s revival, and the viewers' resignation turned into pure venom.
[Title: Chris Hertiland, did that guy really provoke people by saying his car is bulletproof?]
└ Ha, let’s see if he’s still that confident in front of a Stinger.
└ Wait, wait, why the hell do you have a portable infantry missile?
└ I don’t. But you can get one for ten thousand dollars on the black market. Let’s see how tough that 1.5-million-dollar bulletproof car really is.
Just as the collective rage of America and Korea was converging on Chris.
During the end credits of the Season 1 finale.
“Te ex illo carcere educam, etiamsi omnia mea offerenda sint.”
[I will get you out of that prison. Even if I have to sacrifice everything I have.]
In place of the vanished Silver-haired Inquisitor.
A pair of cold, aloof, black-haired twin Saintess sisters appeared, soothing the viewers' rage like a requiem.
The silver-haired priestess had died wearing her vestments after shedding her armor.
But the black-haired Saintess shed her habit and took up armor and a greatsword.
└ What? There was a twin?
└ Holy sh*t! Give me back my silver-haired elf! This isn't what I wanted! ...But I actually dig the black-haired elf too.
The viewers instantly forgot their anger and hatred toward the wicked producer who had played with their emotions.
With one heart and mind, they sent desperate prayers to the sword-wielding Saintess teased for Season 2.
[Title: Saintess Unnie! Please save your silver-haired younger sister trapped in the holy relic!]
└ Wow, so if the Saintess succeeds in her mission, we get to see both the silver-haired and black-haired elves?
└ That’s a total win.
└ To think the direction saw this far ahead. Chris, please punish me for my foolishness in doubting you.
└ Chris has had an incredible eye for projects since his acting days and always prioritized the narrative. Why the hell did everyone throw a fit instead of trusting him?
*
During the early stages of filming Game of Scenes, Curator Han Ji-woo had come to the set to see me.
“Yu-jin, if Season 2 is produced, would you be interested in participating?”
“Huh? Wasn't that supposed to be discussed after the results for Season 1 came out?”
Season 1 hadn't even finished filming yet. Wasn't it too early to discuss Season 2?
“The production company wants to discuss major roles in advance. At the very least, they need to make sure schedules don't clash. We can negotiate the appearance fee and conditions later, but there are some roles that absolutely cannot be left out, right?”
I knew better now than to ask a foolish question like, 'Am I really that important when I only appear briefly in the first episode?'
If I did, Curator Han Ji-woo would just start showering me with cringeworthy praise with sparkling eyes, as if she had been waiting for the chance.
I’ve gained enough experience points now to not fall for such obvious traps.
“If the most beautiful gem in the world disappears after lighting up the first episode, the viewers will riot. For the sake of their own longevity, the producers have to cast you in Season 2, don't they?”
“...”
I suppose I should just accept that I have no right to defend my sense of shame in this life.
“I’m a full-time actress, so I have no reason to refuse as long as the conditions are right.”
“Appearance fee, filming environment, the nature of the role, the actor's human rights, and above all, filming exclusively in Korea. Is there anything else?”
“You’ve already covered everything.”
“Great. Then I’ll negotiate well with Chairman Beto Wiles. Oh, and keep this a secret from Chris.”
“Pardon?”
I wondered what she meant by that.
Han Ji-woo was wearing a particularly mischievous smile today.
“Chris thinks that Yu-jin’s character is ‘completed’ by her tragic death in the first episode. He believes that makes for a very dramatic narrative.”
“...”
“On the other hand, Beto Wiles prioritizes the life and safety of the production crew, as well as the show's success and profit.”
“Even though they’re co-producers, their personalities are completely different.”
“Since Chris comes from an acting background, he focuses more on the perfection of the work itself. Beto Wiles, however, cares more about consumer reaction and performance.”
“Ah, so does that mean Chris would oppose me appearing in Season 2?”
“How could he? This is just a minor game of friendship.”
“Pardon?”
“Beto Wiles just really wants to get one over on Chris. Desperately.”
“Ah...”
“That’s why he asked to keep it a secret from Chris. Do you understand?”
“They seem like real best friends, even though they’re always bickering.”
“I heard they even bought twin bulletproof cars with the exact same options. To the point where it’s hard to tell whose car is whose, except for the license plates.”
And so, while my appearance in Season 2 wasn't officially confirmed yet, I decided to film a teaser in advance just in case.
Behind Chris’s back, Uncle Guk-shin’s camera team took charge of the shoot under Beto Wiles’s direction.
“Yu-jin, don't worry. If the contract for Season 2 isn't finalized, this will just be scrapped. You’re the one holding the handle of the sword.”
“I’m not worried. I’m sure Curator Han Ji-woo took care of everything.”
“It’s so reassuring for me to know my niece has such a reliable supporter.”
They said it would be a waste of everything to rush a teaser after the Season 2 negotiations were settled, so they were filming it while the environment was already set up.
Anyway, that happened.
And Game of Scenes became a hit, just as everyone expected.
At the same time, it became a massive, explosive hit that completely defied all expectations.
*
“Yu-jin, Yu-jin! Why didn't you tell me you filmed a Season 2 teaser?”
“Noona, I was really shocked. You should have told me, your manager.”
“I told you I filmed a Season 2 teaser, but if Season 1 had flopped, how was I supposed to show my face to you guys out of embarrassment...?”
Ugh, it didn't happen, but just imagining it makes me feel ashamed. That’s why I hid it from them.
“Why wouldn't you be able to show that pretty face? You can't do that.”
“Ji-hye Noona is right. Noona, hiding your face is a crime against the world.”
I couldn't take it anymore.
I gave my brother a satisfying smack on the back that made him scream, then sat on top of him.
“Anyway, we filmed the teaser first, and it was decided that if the Season 2 contract was finalized, it would be included in the Season 1 finale.”
“Yu-jin, Yu-jin, so the fact that the teaser came out means your Season 2 appearance is confirmed, right?”
“Yeah. I signed. There’s no going back now.”
It feels a bit strange to say this.
But Chris getting shot, and the Netscreen CEO getting aggressive and grabbing a Texas rancher by the collar while shouting, ‘Why didn't you respect me!’—it all ended up helping me.
Because even people who didn't watch dramas flocked to it, the already high viewership ratings skyrocketed.
And Curator Han Ji-woo was able to settle the Season 2 negotiations with very favorable terms.
“Yu-jin, what are the terms for Season 2?”
“Noona, if it’s even better than the 13 billion won you got for just one episode, how much is it exactly?”
Jang Ji-hye leaned in close, her eyes shining with an overwhelming intensity.
My brother, who was pinned under me, tapped out and pleaded with gestures to be let go. When I stepped off, he scrambled up and sat down.
‘Kid, you should be grateful I’ve trained your body to be so sturdy.’
Throughout history, training a younger brother’s physical health has always been an older sibling’s solemn duty.
“You both know it’s confidential.”
“I know, I know. You know I don't even tell Mom and Dad, right?”
“Noona, don't trust me. Trust my fate of starving to death if I lose your golden coattails.”
It wasn't that I didn't trust them; I was just stalling for time to prepare myself because it was embarrassing.
“First, the base appearance fee for Season 2 is 15 billion won, and I’ll receive a percentage of the total box office profit as an incentive.”
“What percentage?”
“Oh, I forgot that. I’ll have to ask Curator Han Ji-woo later. No, wait, it’s written in the contract.”
“Yu-jin, you’re really something else.”
“I know. I’m bad with numbers.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Ahem, I found myself clearing my throat.
“Anyway, and because Season 1 did so well, they decided to give me an additional 10 billion won. They weren't obligated to, but they said they’d just give me more.”
“Wow, incredible.”
“Noona... I told you a long time ago to be an actress, an idol, an influencer, or a pro gamer...”
Jang Ji-hye clapped in admiration, and my brother covered his mouth as if stifling a sob. The sight was so annoying that I briefly considered sitting on him again.
“It’s all because the Curator negotiated so well. I just sat back and took what was given.”
“What do you mean, ‘just took what was given’? Your face did everything.”
“Ji-hye Noona is right. If it weren't for you, Noona, this drama would never have exploded like this.”
Feeling embarrassed, I tried to subtly shift the topic.
“Maybe the culprit who fired the assault rifle at the bulletproof car caused a butterfly effect?”
“Lee Yu-jin. Who induced that culprit to pick up an assault rifle and fall into the path of terrorism?”
“Are you saying that was me?”
“Not you, personally. But it could have been your face.”
“...”
“It’s definitely not my opinion, but some people think that way. Really.”
“Why are you putting so much emphasis on ‘definitely’?”
“When did I? I didn't.”
*
It turns out the Inquisitor had a twin Saintess sister!
The Saintess sister sheds her habit and takes up a sword to save her sister!
Chris, deeply shocked by the Season 2 teaser he knew nothing about, went to find his co-producer and friend, Beto Wiles.
“Beto, why did you keep something this important a secret from me?”
Beto Wiles reacted calmly, raising his wine glass with an air of leisure.
“Care for a drink?”
“I’m not in the mood.”
“So, you didn't like the teaser?”
“...”
“Or, did you not like that I unilaterally signed the Season 2 contract?”
“...”
“If it’s neither of those, there’s only one reason you’re this angry. It’s...”
“Black.”
“Black.”
The two friends uttered the same word at the same time.
But their reactions were different.
Beto Wiles smirked and swallowed his wine, while Chris clutched his head in frustration.
“Why! Why did it have to be black hair! She’s a twin sister, so she could have stayed silver-haired!”
“My, my. So you were also planning for Actress Lee’s appearance in the next season, weren't you?”
“I wanted to bring her back as the silver-haired elf! Do you know how beautiful her silver hair is?!”
“Haha, Chris. You’re too selfish. You’re greedy, just like the viewers. You want to have everything without giving up a single thing. The characters, the narrative, the tragedy, the success, and even the hearts of the viewers.”
Beto Wiles laughed.
“You have to learn to let go of one thing, my friend.”
“So you took the silver hair away from us?”
‘Us,’ not ‘me.’
In this moment, Chris was one with the viewers, including the one who had shot at his car.
“Think of it as a black rose I’m offering to the viewers who long for the lily of the valley they might never see again.”
Suddenly, Chris snapped to his senses.
“Lily of the valley... purity, silence, happiness that cannot return.”
“The language of the black rose is blood, revenge, and survival. Don't you think it’s a fitting color for a dark Saintess?”
“...”
“It seems you still don't like me.”
“I think I know what part of you I don't like.”
“I know. You don't like that I thought of this dynamic first, do you?”
“Damn it, I like you even less than usual today.”
With a look of indignation, Chris sat down roughly, snatched the wine bottle, and poured himself a glass.
Beto Wiles watched him, chuckling.
“Beto, just when did you start plotting this wicked plan?”
“I clearly told you that Actress Lee’s visuals were too good to use for just one episode and then discard. I said we should have her appear throughout the entire series.”
“...”
“But you didn't listen to me.”
“Just because of that...?”
“What can I do? I had no choice but to use my authority as a producer. I am the Chairman.”
The light from the chandelier hanging from the ceiling shone particularly brightly today, making the two friends' bald heads glisten.