Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 18

018. Life is a Battlefield (1)

2021.11.18.

“Ah, so you know it well. As expected, an expert’s eye sees right through it. Wow, then the realism will be perfectly captured. I haven’t considered medical dramas yet because they’re very specialized, but I should look into that too…” Min Writer was on a roll before veering off course. “I can help you with that if you’d like?” At Yeonwoo’s words, Min Writer blinked again. “You can do that too? Oh, right, you said you’re an expert? I’d love that. I’ve been having headaches, shoulder pain, leg pain, everything’s been hurting.” “Then let me touch you for a moment.” “Is there anything I should do?” “Just turn around and relax.” As soon as Min Writer turned around, Yeonwoo lightly pricked his fingertip to draw blood. ‘Of all days to forget my memo pad.’ The business card memo pad he always carried was missing. ‘Well, blood is more effective than a memo pad anyway.’ A talisman [a charm or object believed to have magical powers], a medium through which Yeonwoo’s power flowed. Think of it as drawing a kind of circuit. The talisman directs how the power will be used. In that sense, blood is a perfect medium that can contain even greater power than a talisman. Naturally, since Yeonwoo’s power is contained within the blood itself. ‘Let’s see… there are four clumps of lingering thoughts attached to Min Writer. Two of them have lifespans. 14 days and 8 days each. Nice!’ With the fingertip that had blood on it, Yeonwoo drew invisible lines in the air. He could feel the power condensing along the lines. Glancing down!
The child, who had been struggling to shake off the lingering thoughts, was looking up at Yeonwoo with sparkling eyes. ‘Just wait a little longer. I’ll get rid of them all for you.’ With the smile still on his face, Yeonwoo flicked his fingers. The materialized power settled on Yeonwoo’s hand. Tap! His palm lightly touched Min Writer’s shoulder. Tap! Tap! It passed over his shoulder, lightly brushed his head, and then moved down again. It was a very brief and light contact, almost as if he were just dusting him off. But.

-Ding!

[You have successfully harvested lifespan.]

[Harvested lifespan: 14 days]

It looked different to Yeonwoo.

-Ding! The cheerful notification sound, of course, and.

[Kkereurelek!]

[Kyaaaaak!]

[Geuwoooo…]

The grotesque sounds made by the clumps of lingering thoughts as they gathered and merged. Was it because he used blood? The lingering thoughts disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only sounds of anguish. ‘Hmm, did I use too much?’ I didn’t really need to use blood on these guys… The spiritual power still lingering in his hand showed no signs of disappearing. “Uh?” No sooner had the lingering thoughts disappeared than Min Writer tilted his head. “Suddenly, my shoulders feel so refreshed? And the stiffness in my neck is gone…?” “You can turn around now.” “What did you do? Seriously. My head feels so clear?” Min Writer groped his body in disbelief. “Do you have the hand of God or something…?” “Excuse me?” What is that cringeworthy phrase? “How can my whole body suddenly feel so light just from a few touches?” “Do you feel better now?” “Completely!” Min Writer’s reaction was intense. And for good reason. ‘Carrying lingering thoughts is like wearing sandbags on your arms and legs.’ The intangible pressure that had been weighing him down had disappeared, so it was only natural that he would feel lighter. And another being was showing a similar reaction.

[Wowwww…]

The little child, clinging to Min Writer’s skirt and fighting for its life, was looking at Yeonwoo with sparkling eyes. It was looking at a hero from a cartoon with an admiring expression. “Seriously, what did you do? Seriously. How could the stiffness that wouldn’t go away even with acupuncture and physical therapy just disappear like that?” “That’s my know-how, so I can’t really tell you.” “Ah, it’s a trade secret. Sorry for asking.” Min Writer quickly understood. “What are you sorry about?” A voice suddenly cut in. “Oh? Sung-hyun. It’s nothing much, I just asked about something a bit sensitive.” “Ah… so that’s why Yeonwoo was busy. You must have become close to the writer?” “Not really, I’m just trying hard to get close.” “That’s troublesome, Writer. Yeonwoo is my manager.” Kwon Sung-hyun, who was absent because it was a scene with another actor, was there. “He’s Sung-hyun’s manager now, but you never know what might happen in the future, right?” “That’s right. You never know what might happen in the future. He might stay by my side forever.” Both of them had clear smiles on their faces. Their tone was soft and gentle, but somehow… ‘I feel a chill?’

[It’s a battle of the dragons and tigers…]

The child spirit muttered from his chest. “It would be a shame to be tied down when he could fly in a bigger place, wouldn’t it?” “I agree. But I’m taking care of the preparations, so you don’t have to worry, Writer.” “Oh? Is that so…?” Suddenly, the atmosphere changed again. “If that’s the case… can I just cheer him on? It’s better to have several people doing it than just one, right?” “That’s okay. I’m the type to take care of my own people.” “Ah… that’s right. Sung-hyun said he’s not very sociable.” I have no idea what kind of coded language they’re speaking. Kwon Sung-hyun, who had been having some kind of coded conversation, turned to Yeonwoo and smiled. “Yeonwoo, you have to watch my acting in the next scene. Okay?” “What would I know even if I watched?”

[That’s right. Yeonwoo doesn’t know anything about acting. I’ll watch it for you, Actor!]

“It would be even better if Child Spirit watched with you.”

[Yeah! Trust me! I’ll definitely watch it with Yeonwoo!]

“That’s reassuring.”

Am I harboring a mole? Yeonwoo began to seriously consider it.

***

“It’s the first time I’ve seen Kwon Sung-hyun ask for acting guidance.” “……He was just saying it.” “I don’t think so…?” “…….” After that, Min Writer continued to ask Yeonwoo about various things. What he usually does, what genres he likes, whether he’d like to get his makeup done sometime because his skin looks good. ‘Seriously, why are you asking me that?’ Yeonwoo couldn’t understand at all, but she asked with sparkling eyes. ‘You’d think she wasn’t a mother carrying that child around with her…’ Yeonwoo’s eyes met the child’s, who was peeking out from behind Min Writer’s skirt again. Perhaps grateful that he had helped her twice, she no longer hid. It was a great development. ‘Ah, I need to go harvest lifespan.’ The spiritual power from dealing with the lingering thoughts attached to Min Writer still lingered in his palm. The effect that would have been extinguished and offset by using a talisman was amplified several times over by using blood. Just thinking about harvesting by tapping people with it made him feel full even though he hadn’t eaten yet. But the interruptions didn’t end with Min Writer. “Was it awkward?” It was because of Kwon Sung-hyun, who came up to him after each scene and asked. “It was fine.” “You were looking somewhere else.” “No, I wasn’t.” “Do you remember what lines I said?” “……I think you said, ‘What is this bizarre thing?’” “So you were watching, since you remember.” “Kwon Sung-hyun, please don’t come here after every scene.” “Am I bothering you?” “Yes.” Yeonwoo’s answer was sharp as a knife. Because of you, my feet keep getting tied up. You’re already a conspicuous person, and when you keep coming over and asking, people’s attention is drawn to you. He tried to cut it off decisively, but.

-Ding!

[Harvestable lifespan: +3 days]

“I’d like it if Yeonwoo watched. I feel like I can concentrate better…” “…….” Is this something you’d ask while putting your lifespan on the line? But it’s only natural to take free lifespan. If it’s just watching occasionally, well… “I understand. But please refrain from coming after each and every scene. It breaks my concentration.” Not your concentration, but mine. “I think it would be better if I could concentrate on watching Kwon Sung-hyun’s acting, so please do that.” “Ah, is that it? Then I will.” Kwon Sung-hyun smiled brightly and nodded. Interrupters 1 and 2 disappeared. The time had finally come to harvest lifespan in earnest. But.

“Ah, seriously. What kind of trash is running around on set?” Yeonwoo wasn’t the only one who had been waiting for this moment.

***

At first, Yeonwoo had no thoughts. Because he really had no thoughts. Especially when someone was muttering like a drowned rat. “X-bar [likely a censored expletive]. Are my ears blocked? You heard me, but you’re ignoring me like a dog? Just because you’re a celebrity’s lackey, you think you’re a celebrity?” “…….” “Wow, look at how shameless he is? He’s not even pretending to hear me? Ha, seriously, I’m speechless. Now even a manager is ignoring me?” “…….” “Just because you got on the good side of the director and writer, you think you’re something special? There’s a truckload of guys who mistake themselves for celebrities, and here’s another one?” “…….” “You came here riding Kwon Sung-hyun’s connections, right? Wow. Seriously, what a messed up guy? Hey. Hey!” Muttering and muttering. There’s no reason to pay attention to someone who’s talking to himself as if he’s looking at a wall. ‘What a strange person…’ Just looking at him, his name was funny, Lee Deok-chun. He was red-faced and huffing and puffing, all worked up about something.

[Yeonwoo, I think that squid over there is calling you? I think he’s picking a fight with you.] Ah, is that what it was? ‘I thought he was just some weirdo talking to himself.’ If Lee Deok-chun had known what Yeonwoo was thinking, he would have huffed and puffed even more. [When I saw that guy on TV, he pretended to be nice and gentle, putting on all sorts of acts, but he’s that kind of guy? Unbelievable. Picking a fight with our Yeonwoo?!] The creature smaller than the palm of his hand in his chest was getting excited and ready to jump out. Yeonwoo skillfully suppressed it and moved his head. “Are you talking to me right now?” “Oh-ho. You finally answer. You’re acting so damn precious. But you’re just Kwon Sung-hyun’s lackey, and your neck is as straight and stiff as a bamboo stalk. Yeah. You little punk. I’m talking to you.” “Punk?” “Yeah. Punk. Got a problem with that? Why? Are you upset? Are you going to run to Kwon Sung-hyun and tattle on me?” Lee Deok-chun stood crookedly and poked Yeonwoo. “If you’re a manager, act like a manager and stay out of the way. Don’t be a nuisance and wander around the set. Be considerate, be considerate. You’re annoying, so go hide in a corner.” “Ha…….” Look at this punk? Yeonwoo was dumbfounded. Celebrity power abuse. He had heard that it existed. Power abuse is rampant everywhere, so there’s no way it wouldn’t exist in the entertainment industry. ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Kwon Sung-hyun was the one abusing his power. But what’s with this bootlicker acting like he’s in charge?’ A ridiculous sigh escaped Yeonwoo’s lips. “Look at this punk? Are you laughing right now? Do you think I’m funny?” Lee Deok-chun immediately contorted his face and frowned. “You’re acting up because you trust Kwon Sung-hyun, but do you think that punk will protect you? You’re just a staff lackey. Do you want to be buried in this industry? Do you even know how much the director here hates punks like you? I might as well tell him. You don’t even know how scary SNS [Social Networking Services] is, do you? If I write just one post, you’re buried, buried. What are you going to do if you get fired from being a manager and have to beg for a living? Huh?” The way he was threatening him was very familiar, as if he had done it more than once. ‘Is this an idol or a gangster?’ One of the most repulsive types of people is exactly these kinds of guys. People who do all sorts of terrible things to the powerless and weak. People who swagger around as if they’re something special because they have a high social position, a lot of wealth, or power. Well, they’re enjoying more than others, so they might feel high. Surrounded by many people and receiving the spotlight since they were young, they might have the illusion that they’ve become something great. ‘But that shouldn’t lead to power abuse against other people.’