Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 163

Unfinished Manuscript (1)

* * *

The requirements for bars frequented by celebrities are simple:

First, security; second, security.

It doesn’t necessarily have to be secluded, but if it’s a public place, crowds are bound to gather.

Therefore, whether it’s for a company dinner, a meeting, or especially private matters, they prefer private bars or lounges that operate by reservation.

However, this time was a bit different.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see when we get there.”

“I should tell Seon-i…”

“He said he’s busy today. It’s not a situation where a manager is needed anyway.”

Bae Ha-ni replied and swerved the steering wheel. Geon texted his younger brother, who had just arrived.

-Kidnapped. Destination unknown.

After navigating an uphill road densely packed with traditional Korean houses [Hanok], Bae Ha-ni’s green Mustang stopped at a tile-roofed house resembling Eun Hee-wook’s residence.

Except it was at least twice as big, more spacious, and grander.

“Get out, we’re here.”

Bae Ha-ni, who got out first, spoke while making a call. When asked if this was a bar, an ambiguous answer came back.

“They might have alcohol. More than most bars.”

“······?”

Was it not a bar but an acquaintance’s house? He was thinking of a dining bar he had gone to a couple of times during company dinners, but it seemed the purpose of the gathering was different.

Soon, the massive door opened, and a man in Hanbok [traditional Korean clothing], who appeared to be an employee, greeted them.

“I will escort you inside.”

Bae Ha-ni walked in as if it were natural, and Geon looked around and followed.

A pavilion in the yard, well-maintained landscaping… Crossing a garden decorated like the front yard of a wealthy family’s house in a drama, a secluded inner quarter appeared.

“You can go up.”

After the employee bowed and stepped back, Geon turned to Bae Ha-ni.

“I’m asking because I don’t know, is today’s schedule Eun Hee-wook’s housewarming party?”

“Eun Hee-wook? Who’s that?”

“······.”

That confirmed that there was no personal connection between the two. Just as Geon was about to say something, the sliding door above the wooden porch opened.

“I know Eun well. I’ve had a few meals with him, and he’s a junior writer who writes good stories.”

The two actors’ gazes turned upwards.

If a modified Hanbok was Eun Hee-wook’s trademark, this man had perfected it, down to the accessories.

A middle-aged man with a scholarly air, whose white hair was starting to outnumber his black hair, was holding a folding fan and smiling.

“Welcome, honored guests.”

*

Yong Ryu-baek, real name Yong-joon.

Occupation: Novelist.

After a dazzling debut with the fantasy novel ‘Blood That Stained the Stream,’ he has maintained his reputation as a first-generation fantasy novelist for a long time.

Even as outstanding writers of the same era retired one by one, he consistently produced good works in all genres, whether it be martial arts or historical dramas.

In particular, he expanded his reach to film, drama, and game scenarios, and was said to have successfully completed numerous projects, both large and small.

“···It’s a bit awkward for me to introduce myself. In front of a world-renowned actor.”

But he himself didn’t seem to care much about those titles.

In the spacious inner quarters where a table was set with drinks, Bae Ha-ni, who hadn’t even touched her drink, interjected.

“Just do what you always do, Uncle. You’re not usually such a humble person.”

“Oh, what are you saying? You’ll be misunderstood.”

Geon asked what he was curious about.

“Excuse me, but what is the relationship between the two of you?”

“Pardon?”

“I didn’t hear anything about it. I just came out thinking it was a drinking session, so I was surprised it was your house, sir.”

As if understanding only then, Yong Ryu-baek’s white head moved up and down.

“I roughly understand. Like someone I know, Ha-ni tends to leave out some words. She only told me to make time because there’s someone she wants to bring.”

“Why do I have to report every little detail when I can just say it when we get there? It’s not a meeting.”

Bae Ha-ni grumbled, but the two nodded at the same time.

“You should.”

“Usually, yes. Uncle always says, Ha-ni, you omit important details too often.”

“···You two are really hitting it off.”

A small laugh passed, and a round of drinks was poured. Yong Ryu-baek, who emptied his glass, said.

“I’m not really a blood-related uncle, but we’ve known each other for a long time. There’s a bit of a connection… I’ve been taking care of her since she was a baby.”

“Why do you have to bring that up······.”

Blocking Bae Ha-ni with one hand, it seemed they were indeed quite close.

“She said you were curious. I have to introduce myself so the guest isn’t embarrassed.”

An unofficial uncle… or godfather, so to speak.

Having understood, Geon looked down at the porcelain cup where golden waves were rippling. It was homemade traditional liquor, and the finish was clean with a unique aroma.

Yong Ryu-baek, looking at the two actors in turn, smiled gently.

“Alright, let’s hear the reason why. Why did you bring such a busy person all the way here?”

Bae Ha-ni answered simply.

“Please pick out a scenario for me.”

“······?”

Even for a veteran writer who had experienced all sorts of things, it was an absurd statement. Before Yong Ryu-baek could ask again, the next request flowed out.

“A hero, a demon, it would be even better if those two were together. A fusion historical drama or fantasy is fine too, but it has to be a movie or drama that I can jump into right away. It doesn’t necessarily have to be made in Korea, but it has to be someone who won’t mess around with the rights.”

The colleague knew his taste in works inside and out. When Geon stared at her, Bae Ha-ni avoided his gaze.

“Why? I heard you were working yourself to the bone because of your work, so I looked into it a bit. I wondered what you wanted to film so badly.”

“I’m not working myself to the bone.”

“You said you were sick? Well, if you’re going to realize your ego through the works you film, I can help.”

“I’m not acting to realize my ego······.”

Yong Ryu-baek cut off the lengthening argument.

“Wait a minute. So you’re saying you need a project? One that hasn’t been adapted into a video yet?”

“Yes. You know most of the scenarios, right? All the ones that have come out in the last few years.”

To Geon, who was blinking, Bae Ha-ni added an explanation.

“Uncle really likes reading. Even if he’s not as much as you, he receives and collects all the scenarios that come out. He also remembers all the stories he’s read once.”

“Yes, I’ve been scolded for being old and having a uselessly good memory.”

“That’s because you keep teasing me about old things… No, why are you still talking about what happened when I was five years old?”

Listening to the story, it seemed Yong Ryu-baek was a well-known ‘story otaku’ [a person with obsessive interests, particularly in anime and manga].

He was a collector and story enthusiast who collected not only the novels he wrote but also novels and scenarios written by other writers.

With a face that had become serious, Yong Ryu-baek put down the folding fan he was holding.

“I understand now. You were choosing your next scenario?”

“Yes. I wasn’t planning to jump in right away, though.”

“If that were the case, Ha-ni wouldn’t have dragged you here like this… Anyway, I understand that I have to find a work that fits Actor Park perfectly.”

The novelist, smiling faintly as if he understood everything, continued to speak.

“It’s a bit late to say this, but I’ve seen all the works you’ve acted in. From the perspective of a screenwriter, I was most shocked by Black Priest. For a moment, I even forgot it was a movie.”

“You flatter me.”

“It’s not an exaggeration. When I saw all the other works, I thought Actor Park’s most terrifying aspect was his ability to devour the narrative and make it his own. Perhaps he instinctively chose only stories where he could become the protagonist.”

The words that he had heard here and there from countless PDs [Production Directors], writers, and actors were shaped and categorized in the mouth of the middle-aged novelist.

Bae Ha-ni was also silently listening to her non-blood-related uncle’s words.

“A lonely human butcher, a priest who doesn’t believe in God, a fighter of an exiled people, a guardian who tried to protect his world by destroying everything… All of them are roles that fit you like your own clothes, so to surpass the tower you’ve built so far, it won’t work with just any work.”

“I think so too. I’ve been lucky so far to have chosen works that fit me well.”

Yong Ryu-baek shook his head.

“That’s also the actor’s ability. Anyway, shall we narrow down the ones that might be tempting?”

*

“Wow, you met Yong Ryu-baek? Just yesterday?”

The next day, a new guest visited Park Geon’s house, where scenarios were piled up.

Yunbal25, who came with a bottle of expensive champagne in each hand, was immediately ecstatic when he heard about Yong Ryu-baek.

“Yes. It just happened that way.”

“Daebak [amazing], the real Yong Ryu-baek! When I was young, I grew up memorizing Yong Ong’s novels, and he was the reason I started writing in the first place… Was Seon-i hyung [older brother/male friend] there too?”

Park Seon-i, who had become a stray duck due to Bae Ha-ni’s rampage without telling him the destination, answered gloomily.

“I couldn’t go. I didn’t know where it was.”

“What does it matter, you can just ask to meet again! If he called Geon hyung, it means he’s a fan. Good writers always stick to successful actors.”

“It’s not that he called me, but Bae Ha-ni said it was a bar and took me there······.”

“Wow, the hardcover edition of Stream Blood! It’s out of print and you can’t even get it used!”

Yunbal25, who had been listening half-heartedly, shouted. He seemed to have discovered the 12-volume series displayed behind the sofa.

‘I don’t have much to give you. It won’t be boring if you read it when you’re bored.’

Before he left with Bae Ha-ni, Yong Ryu-baek handed over a few gifts.

The homemade liquor he drank at the gathering that day, the out-of-print hardcover series of his popular works, and even a list of writers and directors who might be of interest.

The most memorable of them was the last bundle of papers he handed over with a troubled face.

“But, why did you really meet? Yong Ong’s novels are mostly fantasy, so it would be difficult to turn The Scripture of Red Light or The Valley of Baoert into scenarios… Stream Blood once came out as a game and completely failed.”

“Yes, it seems Bae Ha-ni originally called to ask for recommendations for other works.”

Yunbal25 pressed his temples with a serious face.

“Well, it’s about time to prepare for the next project. If the break is long, all sorts of people will start picking fights, saying you’re not working because you’ve become famous.”

“That doesn’t matter, though. There was a scenario that caught my attention while listening to the story.”

“Oh? A movie, or a drama?”

When Yunbal25 showed interest, Park Seon, who was sitting next to him, also looked over with a curious expression. He had heard the general story, but he didn’t know the detailed aftermath.

‘I thought I would only receive a few scenarios······.’

Geon recalled last night. Indeed, Yong Ryu-baek’s eye for works was outstanding.

He received a few scenarios that looked good at first glance, and even took a special hardcover edition by accident, and was about to get up with the alcohol, when Yong Ryu-baek suddenly frowned.

‘Come to think of it, there was that. It’s still unfinished and the scale is absurdly large, but I don’t know what Actor Park would think of it.’

Please wait a moment. The moment Yong Ryu-baek, who had said that and left the seat, brought a bundle of yellowish, faded papers, goosebumps ran down his spine.

Just like during his first audition, when Hapki returned in front of the turning camera.

“It wasn’t either.”

“Oh, if it’s not a movie or a drama, then it’s an original novel······.”

“Maybe it’s both.”

Yunbal25 and Park Seon’s eyes widened.

He briefly pronounced the title of the unfinished work he saw last night.

—The Scripture of the Gods.

* * *