Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 41

041. Agency Scramble

2021.12.11.

It was enjoyable. ‘How could it not be enjoyable when my lifespan is increasing on its own?’ I even hit the jackpot by filming a drama. A jackpot of automatic lifespan harvesting. It’s much more efficient than running around doing a few small requests. The lifespan I earned during the few months of filming a drama is more than a year’s worth. Especially the last episode’s airing date was a hit. [Congratulations! You have secured a large amount of lifespan.] [Would you like to harvest the lifespan?] [Congratulations! A large amount of…….] It wasn’t just lifespan, but a ‘large amount’ of lifespan. It exploded for two days after the drama ended; it was quite a sight. Perhaps due to the influence of reruns, a large amount still comes in from time to time, which was very satisfying. I’ve already accumulated more than 2 years of lifespan. When I think back to the first time I repeatedly carried out several-day requests to gather lifespan, I feel a great sense of change. ‘But I can’t just leave it to auto. It seems like I can only get additional special stats through requests.’ I had no intention of quitting requests altogether. The biggest contributor to obtaining automatic harvesting was none other than the special additional stats. Requests are annoying, but I can’t just rely on automatic lifespan harvesting. ‘This is an investment.’ If I sow seeds, crops will grow, and I can harvest them, right?

“You’re not thinking of quitting, are you?”

“Not for now.” Unless there’s a better alternative than this, there’s only one option.

“That’s a relief then. Well, Yeon-woo, now that we’re on the topic, let me make a suggestion.” Kwon Seong-hyun smiled brightly and said, “Why don’t you join my agency?”

***

“Mr. Kwon Seong-hyun’s agency?”

“There are many people looking for Yeon-woo, and if you start filming a few more dramas or movies, it will be difficult to do it alone. Ah, of course, you don’t have to have an agency.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I can check for you, like I’ve been doing.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s okay. I feel like I brought it up for no reason. Either way, it doesn’t matter to Yeon-woo whether you have an agency or not. Right?”

“……I’ll think about the agency.”

“It’s really okay…….” Yeon-woo shook his head sternly, as if he was ready to manage everything himself if necessary. Having a lifespan vending machine next to me is reassuring, but strangely, when I get involved with that guy, tiring things keep happening. As a result, I did hit consecutive jackpots…….

‘Because the process is tiring.’

[Are you going to join Actor’s agency?] The Donggaryeong in my chest peeked out.

“Did you wake up, Dong-ja? This body is sleeping especially long.”

[I don’t know……. Is it because I’m a cold-blooded animal……. It seems like it keeps going into hibernation because it’s exposed to my spiritual energy……. Haaam…….] The soul with a cool yin energy seemed to be affecting the small lizard’s body.

[It’s not bad for Actor to take care of Yeon-woo, but that would take up Actor’s time, so I don’t think that’s a good idea.]

Well said, Donggaryeong. You’re finally doing your job.

[Isn’t it all okay if you just join Actor’s agency? Just have other people do the work and Actor can just have fun with Yeon-woo.]

……Are you betraying me in 1 minute?

“That’s a good idea too. Well. Managing everything from start to finish is appealing, but I don’t really want to waste time worrying about other things…….”

“…….” I think I just heard something scary.

“Then let’s just go with joining the same agency.” Kwon Seong-hyun clapped his hands as if to conclude.

***

“Why is that the conclusion?” Min Ye-rin asked in a sharp tone, as if she didn’t like it.

“Well, because my agency can give Yeon-woo the best treatment in every way?”

“If that’s the case, my agency isn’t bad either!”

“Are you talking about that agency that was squeezing you in?” Kwon Seong-hyun smiled gently, and Min Ye-rin looked cold. Min Ye-rin, who seemed upset, turned sharply to Yeon-woo.

“If you haven’t decided on an agency yet, at least come and see. The board of directors has been completely replaced, so you can rest assured that all the incompetent people have been fired. You haven’t decided where to go yet, have you?”

“That’s right.”

“Then come and take a look. I’ll guide you.”

“In person?”

“……Why? Do you hate it?” For some reason, it feels like I shouldn’t say yes here. Her expression looks cold, but it feels like that’s all there is to it? If I touch it, the tightly wrapped ice might shatter.

“Everyone, calm down. We gathered to talk about the reward vacation, even though Yeon-woo is attractive?” Min Writer, who had been quietly sipping her drink, saw the atmosphere and stepped in to mediate. In fact, these things are usually coordinated through the agency. However, Yeon-woo didn’t have an agency, and Min Writer happened to want to see Yeon-woo, so the meeting was arranged by chance.

‘I didn’t know Min Ye-rin would be here.’

“You don’t have to make a difficult decision, Writer.”

“Huh? Seong-hyun, what do you mean?”

“You can do whatever you want, Writer. I can cover all the insufficient expenses.”

“……Really?”

“I was going to do that from the beginning. The broadcasting station said they would cover it, but…….” Kwon Seong-hyun trailed off. Everyone in this place knew what he meant without having to continue.

“I managed to get the accommodation upgrade by negotiating because I couldn’t get over 50%, but the drama director is a bit stingy. Since he said something, he’ll give us a 5-star hotel, but he’ll stubbornly save money and find a place that’s not even as good as a 3-star hotel. That guy is strangely good at that. But I feel reassured already because Seong-hyun said that!” Min Ye-rin bit her thick lips tightly at Min Writer’s praise and said, “Writer, I can contribute too.”

“Oh my, even Ye-rin? Oh my. Our staff is so lucky. We’re going to have a proper reward vacation!” S giggling. Min Writer smiled brightly as if she was happy just thinking about it. However, unlike her, another cold wind blew between Kwon Seong-hyun and Min Ye-rin.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Are you unhappy that I’m contributing?”

“Looking like that? I think you’re misunderstanding. I don’t have any complaints, but I’m a little worried.”

“Worried? Why is Kwon Seong-hyun worried?”

“Since your key personnel have been completely replaced, the company’s internal affairs must be chaotic……. It’s not a drama, but I don’t know if you’ll have the leeway to pay so much attention to the reward vacation after the drama.” Very soft tone. It was a tone that he was worried, but for some reason, Kwon Seong-hyun’s eyes seemed cold.

However, Min Ye-rin was not easy either. “But we have know-how. We have know-how with data that has raised and succeeded hundreds of people. I know that Kwon Seong-hyun’s agency is a one-person agency, but I wonder if systematic management will be possible.”

“I think it’s much better to concentrate management than to disperse it. And, isn’t it enough to prove that I already have the know-how?” Then Kwon Seong-hyun smiled, and Min Ye-rin frowned slightly as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have.

“We can give you the best treatment in the industry.”

“That’s the same here.”

“We can provide you with the highest level of contract fee and everything Yeon-woo needs!”

“I can guarantee 10 times whatever Min Ye-rin offers.”

“……Are you really going to do this?!”

“I would have learned that it’s bad to covet other people’s things.” Both of them had no change in expression, but the atmosphere was cold. I don’t know why the couple who were so friendly are throwing such a cold wind.

[Wow……. Yeon-woo. I’m glad you’re so popular.]

“What.”

[Actor and Min Ye-rin are fighting to take you.]

“I don’t know…….” Rather than being popular, I feel like a shrimp caught between whales.

‘The writer also ran away.’ Min Writer, who was smiling and enjoying the upgraded reward vacation quality, had already slipped away. “I have to tell the other staff this good news too. Everyone is talking about it. I’ll be right back. Okay?” She writes great lines, but she showed with her whole body that the ability to write scripts has nothing to do with acting ability, and awkwardly but quickly left the place.

[I think Actor is better!] “You’re just saying that because you like him.”

[Ah. I got caught.] The gecko with round, big eyes as its defining feature flicked its tongue. It was Donggaryeong, who was still maintaining the lizard’s body, saying that it was difficult because the physical body kept going into hibernation due to the spiritual energy.

“I haven’t even said I’m going anywhere yet.” They’re making a fuss among themselves. Is this a case of counting chickens before they hatch [being overly optimistic before something has even happened], when the person who’s supposed to give the rice cake isn’t even thinking about it? Well, I understand Kwon Seong-hyun a hundred times because he saved me, but why is Min Ye-rin like that? ‘Could it be because I saved her from drowning?’ The reality is that I saved a person, but two burdens came along. I can’t understand their silent battle, but one thought suddenly comes to mind.

“Ah, come to think of it. Hey. Dong-ja.”

[Huh?]

“Didn’t you hear anything from your mom?”

[Eueueung?]

“Why are you so obviously flustered? You go to Ms. Kang from time to time. You went there even before you switched to a lizard.”

[H, h, how did you know that?] How did I know?

“I’ve been living with you for 23 years. Do you think I wouldn’t know that?” It was natural that Yeon-woo knew about Donggaryeong as much as Donggaryeong knew about Yeon-woo.

“If you disappear for several days under the pretext of going to change bodies, how could I not know?”

[Th, that……right……?]

“So.”

[Huh?]

“What did Ms. Kang say?”

[What?]

“Didn’t you hear anything from Ms. Kang?”

[What are you talking about?]

“What are you talking about? Huh? Ms. Kang, who’s a drama fanatic, couldn’t have not watched the drama Kwon Seong-hyun is in, so I must have watched it too. Didn’t she say anything? Didn’t she?”

[Well……?]

The big lizard’s eyes rolled around.

“Are you not going to tell me properly?”

[I really didn’t say anything……?]

“Really?” [Eung!]

That’s strange. If it was Ms. Kang that Yeon-woo knew, she would have contacted me already. ‘Well. I thought it was an implicit permission and moved on because she hasn’t contacted me separately so far.’ But she didn’t say anything even though I appeared in a drama?

“Did something happen to Ms. Kang?” Mother Ms. Kang has never said anything weak. Ms. Kang knew very well that people would underestimate her if she said anything regretful or difficult. There was one exception: right then, when she stepped down from the position of Manshin [a high-ranking shaman] and tried to make Yeon-woo take over. [No. That can’t be.]

“You seem a little suspicious?” He keeps avoiding my gaze, which is very suspicious. Donggaryeong desperately insisted on his innocence.

[If there was a problem with Ms. Yeon-hwa, she would have contacted me already. Isn’t that right?]

“That’s true, but…….”

[If you’re really worried, go see Ms. Yeon-hwa.]

“…….” Yeon-woo’s eyes narrowed. Seeing Donggaryeong coming out so confidently, it seems like there’s no problem.

‘Well. Nothing can happen to Ms. Kang.’ She is a shaman from Manshin. She is a person who has been involved in all kinds of major and minor events of various important people. If something happens to Kang Yeon-hwa, it is natural that the network who knew her will move.

‘But shouldn’t I go at least once?’ Yeon-woo was thinking that.

“……?” Why is the atmosphere so quiet? The debate that was constantly going back and forth like a swan’s paddling in the water was now quiet. When I turned my head, Kwon Seong-hyun and Min Ye-rin were both looking at Yeon-woo.