Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Guerrilla Event at the Theater
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After the first broadcast, we began seriously figuring out how to proceed with internet streaming.
The driving force was, naturally, Unnie Tae-hwa.
Her old dream of becoming an internet broadcaster had swelled up massively after the successful debut stream.
She was beaming nonstop, saying it was something she never could have imagined before.
Internet broadcasting really just needs that one spark, and it seemed like we'd prepared it perfectly.
...Well, to be precise, after appearing on that variety show, we'd basically become half-celebrities, so it wasn't all that strange that people were flocking to see us.
Lately, she'd been talking about trying all sorts of things and was diligently planning content.
It was a win-win since it also helped make the Management Bureau seem more approachable.
Recently, she'd often asked me to join in on the content, and since I found it pretty fun, I gladly agreed.
I had plenty of free time these days anyway.
In the meantime, *Blood and Blade* had its official release.
Last time was just the premiere screening; this was the real theatrical run.
The trailer and premiere reactions had already made it clear to the public just how well-made the movie was, so now it was just a matter of watching how big a box office hit it would be.
No matter how famous it gets, if it doesn't match public tastes, it won't sell.
And sometimes, that fame backfires, leading to overly harsh criticism.
Fame breeds expectations, after all.
So, what was I doing right now...?
Heading to the theater with Tae-hoon.
"Feeling nervous?"
"W-Who said I'm n-nervous...?"
"That's why I said, why suggest something like this out of nowhere."
"You have to do stuff like this when people are talking about you, right?"
"Yeah, sure. It's good you're working hard, but why drag me into it?"
"You're free anyway, aren't you? So help me out... I helped with your streams when you were free too."
No, but that was your sudden impulse.
When I pointed that out, he said,
"Did it help or not?"
"It did."
"Then help quietly. And if the movie does well, won't that be good for you too?"
"What's in it for me? The Bureau's favorability goes up, but nothing falls into my lap."
"There is one thing."
"What?"
"Putting your friend on the road to success. Isn't that the ultimate pastime achievement?"
"You little..."
"Hey, if you said you were busy, I wouldn't have called. When the reactions are good, it feels weirdly satisfying, right?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"And the movie just opened—having the actor show up in person for photos and stuff? The buzz will be insane."
"Fan service is important."
Tae-hoon nodded at my words.
He was pretending not to care, but he'd been quietly obsessed with the movie's performance.
"Pretending not to care, but you've been paying attention, huh?"
"Of course I have. It's just... kinda crazy. I wanted to be a stuntman, and somehow I ended up an actor."
"You got lucky."
"You're right. At first, when my sudden rush just vanished, it hit me hard... but now I'm adjusting, and being a mutant makes my body different from a normal person's, so it's more comfortable."
I could relate to a lot of what he said.
Basically, when your gender changes, you expect the physiological stuff to follow, but mutants don't have that.
As long as you don't get some weird trait from the mutation... life isn't actually worse.
It's just that your sense of self gets shaken, and the mental blow is huge.
If you adapt successfully, you can live a completely different life.
...Well, there are so many exceptions that we're exceptionally lucky in this case.
Take Han-gyeol—even her inner faith got amplified way too much.
Seeing her take on unnecessary burdens because of it, Tae-hoon and I might be the most successful mutation cases.
Anyway, the reason we were heading to the theater was...
"We're here."
"We're properly under perception inhibition magic, right?"
"Don't worry. No one will recognize us unless I drop it. Still, keep your disguise on just in case."
"Got it, got it."
"But... is this really the right call...?"
"It is, so shut up. You've been giving out so many autographs that your signed stuff is dirt cheap on secondhand sites now."
"You maniac? Then the autograph you asked for before..."
This guy, asking for my signature before mutating...
"Next-level rice money."
I smacked my forehead at that. Ah, right, this is who you always were.
Yeah. Stay that way forever.
"...You're impressive in all the wrong ways. Hey, can I say this on stream? 'Friend sold my autograph'—instant content gold."
"Now you see me as stream fodder?"
"You're the one who sold a friend's autograph for rice money."
"..."
"Let's just call it friendly banter."
"Yeah, let's."
Arguing more would just be mutually assured destruction, so we quietly entered the theater.
It was busier than expected.
Wondering if there was a big release among the other movies, I skimmed the listings when voices started popping up everywhere.
From what I heard, they were people here for *Blood and Blade*.
More crowded than I thought.
The premiere buzz must be drawing this crowd.
Listening to them, I felt Tae-hoon let out a sigh of relief.
Come to think of it, he was bouncing around all day when the premiere reactions were good.
But... public reception is unpredictable. It seems likely to do well, but hype doesn't always equal box office.
So, when should we reveal ourselves?
Now seemed perfect.
My schedule was packed today; couldn't waste time here.
I said to Tae-hoon,
"Hey."
"What."
"Drop the perception inhibition? You said we're hitting multiple theaters today. Can't dawdle."
"...How long until the movie starts?"
"About 20 minutes."
"Then now."
At his word, I released the perception inhibition magic, and he ditched his disguise too.
Fan service was the goal, so autographs, performances—whatever.
No one ordered it, but if he wants to...
Lunchtime, the lead actress Soo-hyun would drop by briefly for the movie's sake... we could join then.
About 10 seconds after dropping the spells...
"...Huh?"
Someone gasped. Here we go.
"Huh?!"
Eyes turned to the shouter, but when they pointed at us... chaos erupted.
"H-Han Tae-hwa?!"
"Isn't that the Director too?"
People swarmed us in seconds.
I elbowed Tae-hoon's side.
"Hey, Tae-hwa? Say something?"
"A-Ah, wait, just a sec!"
Too many people, and she froze up.
She handles most situations fine... but unscripted chaos still trips her up.
"I'm a fan! Saw you at the premiere and wanted to see you again..."
"Oh, really? Thank you!"
And just like that, an impromptu guerrilla autograph session.
I excused myself briefly and checked my smartphone.
...Yup.
[Director and Han Tae-hwa doing theater tours?]
Hitting all the big theaters in Seoul
Go see Blood and Blade today if you have time lol
Got my autograph and photo too lmao
-Is this real?
-Opening day, probably hyping it up lol
-But why the Director?
-Honestly, her cameo has supporting role weight...
[Reason Director's doing guerrilla event is hilarious lol]
Said she half-blackmailed Director using Han Tae-hwa's internet stream appearance
Han Tae-hwa next to her yelling "When?!" for real lololol
These two are pure comedy every time
Never thought they'd be like this, zero filter fun
-Asked if she'll do game streams later, said she'll do it on Management Bureau channel lol
-O lololol
-But doesn't Unnie Yeon-hwa do that a lot lately?
-Yeah;; She's worried lol, scared she'll get real mad
-Han Tae-hwa needs a mouthpiece gag irl
[Han Tae-hwa sold Director's autograph for rice money]
Fucking hell, I doubted my ears
Sold it on friend autograph secondhand site lololol
Is she insane?
-Is this real?
-Insane lololol
-She sold a friend's autograph?
-Yeah, for Field of Glory prestige skin
-lololololololol
-Meister time~ One shot~
Our casual chat was already immortalized on the community boards in real time.
Especially the part about him selling my autograph for rice money—it had spread everywhere.
...Who told you to sell my autograph? You ungrateful jerk.
You're done for.