I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 209

Director Ahn Ga-bok slightly furrowed his brow, the wrinkles on his face deepening. Joseph Felton’s words on the phone were unexpected.

‘……He wants to see my filming set?’

He walked past the shoe rack and settled into the head seat of the five-seater sofa in the living room, his mind racing. He had been puzzled when the film company representative first mentioned Joseph Felton’s contact request. But now, Director Ahn Ga-bok was even more perplexed.

As he removed his gray jacket, he spoke into the phone, in English, of course.

“You want to see my filming set. Do you know what movie I’m preparing?”

Joseph’s reply was immediate.

“Of course, Director Ahn. I know the title is ‘Leech,’ am I mistaken?”

“No. Haha, your information network is indeed impressive. Knowing the title of the movie I’m preparing all the way in LA.”

“Your name is well-known even in Hollywood. I also know that this is your 100th film and that you’re aiming for Cannes.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Many directors in Hollywood and officials at Cannes are already deeply interested in your film. Your 100th film is an achievement that is not easily accomplished.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok stroked his chin at the excessive flattery.

“What’s the reason you want to see my filming set?”

Again, Joseph Felton’s answer was prompt.

“It’s because there’s a Korean actor I’m interested in.”

“A Korean actor?”

“Yes.”

“You’re saying you’ll come to Korea yourself to see that actor?”

“You can only truly gauge acting when you see it with your own eyes. Things like the actor’s tension and energy. The final product, the video, goes through many hands, so it’s uncertain. I want to see it directly and be sure.”

Certainty. Certainty, huh. A faint smile touched the wrinkled lips of the shrewd Director Ahn Ga-bok.

“Certainty about what?”

“Potential. For now, ‘potential’ would be the appropriate answer.”

“Hmm-”

The old master’s mind began to work quickly. It was old, but it didn’t falter.

‘Joseph Felton is a well-known producer in Hollywood. Why is such a person suddenly interested in a Korean actor?’

Is he preparing a project? Or does he just want to add them to his list of actors?

To increase one’s value as a producer in Hollywood, preparedness was essential. No, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it was the most important thing. In any project, at any moment, when key decision-makers like film companies, distributors, and directors wanted something, the producer had to be ready to deliver.

Actors were just one of many resources.

The biggest reason Joseph Felton was considered capable in Hollywood was that he was always prepared. Director Ahn Ga-bok knew this well.

‘He’s made a name for himself as a producer in that vast Hollywood… But who is the actor he’s talking about? Shim Han-ho? Kang Woo-jin?’

What Joseph, who is in Hollywood, investigated was probably the current situation of ‘Leech,’ and the only confirmed lead actors were two. The veteran actor Shim Han-ho and Kang Woo-jin. In other words, the actor Joseph Felton wants to see is one of the two.

Asking directly wouldn’t get a clear answer.

Hollywood was enormous on a global scale, but it was also a place with many secrets. However, it wasn’t difficult for the veteran Director Ahn Ga-bok to guess.

‘It’s probably… that guy Shim Han-ho? No, it’s almost certain.’

A simple calculation made the answer easy. Kang Woo-jin had not yet been introduced to Hollywood through any work, but Shim Han-ho had countless credits. He had also filmed Hollywood movies.

Hollywood’s actor verification process was quite strict.

Even what Director Ahn Ga-bok knew was immense. Moreover, for a Korean actor to film a Hollywood movie, they would have to go through numerous auditions and tests. Considering those conditions, it was probably Shim Han-ho. At least, that was Director Ahn Ga-bok’s calculation.

‘But Shim Han-ho’s verification is already done, isn’t it? Is he perhaps trying to check his recent form, considering his hiatus?’

At that moment, Joseph’s voice continued from the phone.

“I plan to go to Korea soon.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I have some things to sort out with the distributor there regarding the release of a project.”

“Hmm. So, you’re trying to match that time with seeing my filming set?”

“That seems to fit the schedule. Of course, that’s assuming you allow it, Director.”

“It would be good since there’s a distance, but the start of filming for my movie is not yet certain.”

“……”

After a moment of silence, Joseph’s voice was heard again a few seconds later.

“You’re aiming for Cannes this time, right, Director? Cannes opens around the end of September this year. That means you need to start filming by at least February, or March at the latest, for that to work, right?”

That was right. His answer matched Director Ahn Ga-bok’s calculations. Filming had to start by February and wrap up before the end of June. The rest would be spent on editing until September. Then, submission.

Director Ahn Ga-bok chuckled at this.

‘He really knows everything.’

Joseph on the phone spoke again.

“Of course, your permission is the top priority, Director Ahn. And I promise that I will absolutely not cause any disruption to the filming set.”

A famous producer who influences the Hollywood scene is coming to the set. Director Ahn Ga-bok slowly nodded.

‘It’s almost certain to be Shim Han-ho. But whatever, isn’t it a good thing? Joseph might also see Woo-jin in the process. If things work out well, it could be an opportunity for both of them.’

He smiled deeply and replied to Joseph.

“You’re welcome, just let me know in advance.”

A few days later, late morning.

2020 ended, and 2021 began. It was Monday, the 4th, after the weekend from the 1st.

At this time, Kang Woo-jin was in a bizarre village.

A bulletproof helmet with dark stains, a worn or torn military uniform top, military pants with dirt and bloodstains, and scratched military boots.

“Hoo- Haa-”

The muzzle of the gun on his shoulder trembled slightly. Woo-jin’s body also had a slight tremor. That signal was transmitted through the gun’s buttstock.

-Saa.

The sound of waves, carefree, could be heard from afar. Then, a gentle breeze brushed against Woo-jin’s cheek. It was just a caress, but for some reason, he felt a chill. His heartbeat echoed in his ears.

The village was as quiet as a mouse.

There wasn’t even a hint of human presence. But Kang Woo-jin was.

“……”

He was guarding the front with a trembling gun. His inhales and exhales through his nose were irregular. He struggled to continue breathing, but his breaths were filled with anxiety and tension.

His heart tightened. He was afraid. He was scared. He wanted to run away.

Yes, the current Kang Woo-jin was ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol.’

Looking at his wandering, frightened pupils, it seemed to be the timid side of his two selves. Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol was on the ‘Island of the Missing’ and was currently standing in a village where there wasn’t even the sound of an ant.

But why? Why was no one there?

Around Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol, whose face was filled with bewilderment and fear, were about a dozen soldiers. The blood and stains on their uniforms were all different. They were looking in different directions. But they all had their guns pointed forward, were on high alert, and were all gaunt, as if they were consuming calories with every breath.

They were sensitive and tense.

The soldiers’ energy as they scanned the village was filled with panic. Like a rubber band pulled to its limit. It felt like they would fire their guns at the slightest sound. Then, one of the soldiers muttered quietly.

“Damn it—this goddamn island.”

A clattering sound was heard behind him. To be precise, it was the noise of someone’s dog tag colliding in their pocket. Ryu Jeong-min, with a serious face, moved next to the soldier who had just muttered. No, it was ‘Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae,’ the leader of this troop.

Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae looked at the village with its houses and various buildings and opened his mouth.

“It’s too… quiet.”

It had been three days since they had come down to the village to avoid the strange creature. It certainly felt safer than that hellish mountain, but it was strange. Why was it so quiet?

“It’s like the calm before the storm.”

A gaze that felt like someone was watching them enveloped Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae and the soldiers. But it was uncertain. Nevertheless, as a leader, Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae had to make a decision.

Whether to stay here or go back to the mountain.

“Damn it.”

Either way, there was only one answer. Going back to the mountain to meet that strange creature again was insane. They had already lost several soldiers. Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae had many dog tags in his uniform pocket.

He couldn’t lose any more soldiers.

At that moment, Kim Yi-won, or rather, Sergeant Jo Bong-seok, with his gun pointed forward and bloodshot eyes, asked the commander quietly.

“Lieutenant, what do we do?”

Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae continued to scan the houses and replied.

“We’ll find a base here.”

“Understood. Do we stop the search?”

“……”

Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae didn’t answer immediately. He pushed up his slightly lowered helmet. He was in a dilemma. What should he do? This village, which seemed quite large, had no signs of life. Moreover, they hadn’t met a single villager from the mountain until now.

But.

“What is this… sense of life?”

The scent of people was all over the village. Of course, there were abandoned houses that were not maintained in places, but more than half of the houses and buildings had clearly been touched by human hands. Any building will decay if not maintained by people. But this village was clearly alive.

Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae, who was breathing shallowly, was certain.

There are others besides us. They just aren’t visible.

He couldn’t rule out the possibility that they were hiding. His soldiers had been firing their guns in the mountains.

“But… are the things here even human?”

“Excuse me? What did you say, Lieutenant?”

Sergeant Jo Bong-seok, whose face was full of anxiety, asked again, and Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae shook his head.

“No, it’s nothing. The search… ends here.”

“Is that okay? We haven’t even searched half of the village yet.”

“It’s not okay. But I can’t push the troops any harder. Their fatigue is at its limit, and it’s not good to take any more risks. We’re also running out of bullets.”

“I underst…and.”

After hearing the answer, Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae pushed up his helmet again and turned his body. He pointed with his index finger at a building that looked like a school, which he had noticed when they first entered the village.

“We should probably make that our base.”

Jeon Woo-chang, who was the biggest, or rather, Corporal Nam Tae-oh, cautiously interjected.

“When we first checked, it seemed like a school. There’s no playground, but there are classrooms. There’s also a fence. When we went around the whole thing, there was no one there.”

“There might be now. We’ll move together and check again.”

“Yes, sir.”

Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae ordered the soldiers, who were guarding the surroundings with their guns ready.

“Slowly, retreat towards that school. Keep guarding. Don’t answer, just move if you understand.”

-Swoosh.

The soldiers swallowed hard and slowly backed away from their positions. Kang Woo-jin, whose legs were visibly trembling, was the same. Seeing him, the muscular Corporal Nam Tae-oh let out a long sigh.

“Hey, Jin Seon-cheol. You come next to me. I can’t just leave you alone, you’re too unstable.”

Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol turned his head back and trembled his lips. His stuttering was severe.

“I-I-I’m fine.”

“Stop talking nonsense. Get closer.”

“Y-Yes, sir.”

Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol moved clumsily next to Corporal Nam Tae-oh. Excessive anxiety and relief were simultaneously present in his eyes. The twitching muscles in his face also relaxed slightly. He was strangely more flexible than before.

Around this time, another guy inside Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol muttered.

‘Goddamn it, this is so boring.’

The rough guy’s line. But it didn’t come out of Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol’s mouth. It was just a brief change in his expression. He expressed it with emotion alone. It was strange. He was expressing his momentary annoyance to everyone.

This too had improved from before.

It must be because of Kang Woo-jin’s sign language and singing that had pulled up Jin Seon-cheol. Everything he had learned was being used as acting. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae’s mind was filled only with ‘survival.’

“Water—what about water?”

The answer came from Sergeant Jeong Hye-jin, who had cut her hair short. It was Ha Yu-ra.

“There’s no way the tap water will work. If we want water, we have to go back into the mountains. I saw a stream flowing in the mountains.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“……So, we have to go back to the mountains after all. The same goes for food. We’ve seen wild boars a few times, right?”

Sergeant Jeong Hye-jin nodded. Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae let out a long sigh. His worries were deep.

“This is not some extreme survival show.”

And so, the troops barely got closer to the school’s fence.

It was at this moment.

“Hey, Jin Seon-cheol. Stop trembling, you idiot. We’re here.”

“Y-Yes, sir.”

-Whoosh!

A strange wind sound spread. A wind sound? To be precise, it was like something was cutting through the air.

Then.

-Thwack!!!

A loud noise echoed as something struck intensely, and Corporal Nam Tae-oh, who was standing to the right of Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol, suddenly groaned.

“Keuh! Ugh!”

Because something long had pierced his lower abdomen. Followed by intense pain.

“Keuh!”

It was an arrow.

An arrow, rare in modern times, was stuck in Corporal Nam Tae-oh’s stomach, not just slightly, but almost halfway through. Corporal Nam Tae-oh, who was the biggest, collapsed as soon as he realized the arrow in his abdomen.

“Uwaaaaaaah!!!”

He threw away his gun and everything else and collapsed to the ground, screaming. Soon, Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol, startled, clung to him.

“C-Corporal!! W-What is this??? Lieutenant! An a-a-arrow!”

At this moment, the quiet front line changed rapidly. The safety pins of the officers and soldiers were pulled out.

“An arrow??! Is that an arrow??!!!”

“Damn it!!! What is it?!! Where did it come from!!!”

“Where are they!! You bastards, where are you!!”

“Hey! Don’t turn your guns!! Don’t shoot!! You’ll hit our comrades!!”

“Who is it!!! Come out!! Show your face!!”

An arrow? Where on earth? Who? Why? Clearly, someone shot it, but there was no way to know who the opponent was. Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae, whose eyes had widened, stood in front of Corporal Nam Tae-oh and shouted.

“Get a grip!!! Everyone, don’t act rashly and run inside the fence!! Jin Seon-cheol!! Guard while dragging Corporal Nam inside the fence!!”

Something flashed through his mind as he shouted the order. A target. Yes, Corporal Nam Tae-oh would have been the easiest to hit. Because he was big. In other words, he had become a target.

“Jin Seon-cheol!! What are you doing, you idiot!!! Don’t just stand there, move Corporal Nam!!!”

“Hee-ik! Y-Yes, sir!”

At this moment.

“Cut.”

A familiar voice was heard in the ears of the excited soldiers.

“Okay.”

It was the gentle sign of Director Kwon Ki-taek. Soon, dozens of staff members rushed to the actors. It had been long. It was a long take. The staff members who approached the actors fixed their makeup or handed them water.

Meanwhile, in front of the monitor slightly away from the filming zone, Director Kwon Ki-taek, wearing a short padded jacket, was.

“This cut is the best.”

He was slowly nodding. It was already the third re-action. What was unusual was that the number of staff members around him was higher than usual. Especially the number of people in suits.

The reason was simple.

The officials of ‘Island of the Missing,’ which was in the mid-to-late stages of filming, had attended. Investors, distribution company employees, film company executives, etc. It was a visit that had been decided since the first planning meeting, but their intentions included other reasons.

The declaration Kang Woo-jin had made at the film festival.

It was to verify the validity of that. Of course, everyone knew that Kang Woo-jin’s acting here was not inferior. But Kang Woo-jin had openly declared war in front of many top actors.

For the officials of ‘Island of the Missing,’ it was not an issue they could simply ignore.

And Kang Woo-jin’s filming would end in mid-January.

The officials had to see Kang Woo-jin’s performance in ‘Island of the Missing’ accurately before that.

Around this time.

“It’s ready, Director!!”

The assistant director shouted loudly among the gathered actors. It meant that the preparation for the next scene was complete. The composition was similar to the long take scene. Half-crazed soldiers, Jeon Woo-chang lying down with an arrow in his abdomen, Kang Woo-jin supporting him from the side, and Ryu Jeong-min blocking their path.

Soon, the actors’ images were displayed on the monitor that Director Kwon Ki-taek was watching.

-Swoosh.

Director Kwon Ki-taek raised the megaphone.

“Hi—Action.”

Filming immediately resumed.

It started with the soldiers’ screams mixed with fear. Then, Jeon Woo-chang, whose brain had broken down, took over. He was still making strange groans while looking at the arrow that was half-stuck in his stomach.

“Heuh-heok. Eek-”

The camera zoomed in on him. Jeon Woo-chang was dying. He was still alive, but it was no different from being dead. There was no way there would be medical staff on this ‘Island of the Missing.’

Blood was soaking into the uniform around Jeon Woo-chang’s abdomen. It was as if death was slowly spreading through his uniform.

“Sh-Shit. What is this. Keuh, what is it?”

Tears streamed down Jeon Woo-chang’s eyes as he trembled with both hands. Saliva was endlessly coming out of his mouth. So was snot. Including blood, the moisture in his body was continuously being consumed.

The fear of death that had arrived before his eyes.

Jeon Woo-chang, feeling his body getting cold. Save me, please save me. Why is this ridiculous arrow stuck in my stomach? He sobbed and desperately grabbed the uniform on the arm of Jin Seon-cheol, or rather, Kang Woo-jin, who was supporting him.

“Heop! Hey- Heuh, shit, what is this? Seon-cheol. Please. Heuh- Please save me. Keheok!”

Jeon Woo-chang, who was spitting blood from his mouth, rolled his eyes upwards. Similarly, the camera angle was also captured from below to above. Jeon Woo-chang looked at Kang Woo-jin’s face, who was looking down at him.

“……?”

In an instant, Jeon Woo-chang’s pupils widened. He swallowed the blood that was flowing back up in his mouth. A chill ran up his spine in the middle of his body cooling down.

Kang Woo-jin was looking down and smiling faintly.

The timidity that had filled his pupils was nowhere to be seen, and his pupils were filled with joy. It was that kind of face. Why were the corners of his mouth curved like a bow? It was as if the arrow stuck in his stomach had been shot from Woo-jin’s mouth, Jeon Woo-chang felt.

He was a devil.

A devil was slowly enjoying the cessation of a human’s breath.

That was the side profile of Jin Seon-cheol. A devil.

‘He’s smiling?’

Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae also noticed.

End