Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 5

005. Penalty

2021.11.05.

[What’s the deal with that old man looking for you?] “So, what’s with that old man looking for you?”
[Patient? Why would a patient need you?] “Well, he mentioned something about a patient.”
[Patient? Why would a patient need you?] “I’m not sure. From what I gathered, it’s a patient who can’t wake up for some reason. They’ve been to countless hospitals, but nothing has worked, so they’re even resorting to a Gut ceremony [Korean shamanic ritual], grasping at straws.”
[Ah~.] Dongja-ryeong nodded as if he understood at the word Gut ceremony. [So that’s why he called you. Well, once you’ve tasted Yeon-woo, those other charlatans wouldn’t even make a dent. Of course. But how did you agree to such a request? You used to reject those kinds of things like clockwork, didn’t you?] “Ah, I see. So that’s why he called you. Well, after experiencing Yeon-woo’s abilities, those other charlatans wouldn’t even make a dent. Of course. But why did you agree to this? You used to reject these kinds of requests without fail, didn’t you?”
“I stopped doing that kind of thing after I was a kid… but the situation is a bit different now, so I can’t help it. And if what that old man said is true, it seems like I might be able to gain some lifespan from it too.”
“I stopped doing that kind of thing after I was a kid… but the situation is a bit different now, so I can’t help it. Plus, if what he said is true, I might be able to gain some lifespan from it.”
It is necessary to be careful about what constitutes a ‘wrong path.’ But you can’t just give up entirely because you’re being cautious. Yeon-woo decided to grant the request of Han Su-han, the only client who didn’t give him a penalty out of the two requests.
It’s important to be careful about what constitutes a ‘wrong path,’ but you can’t give up entirely because you’re being cautious. Yeon-woo decided to grant Han Su-han’s request, the only client who didn’t penalize him out of the two requests.
A luxurious sedan smoothly drove down the road and soon arrived at its destination.
A luxurious sedan smoothly drove down the road and soon arrived at its destination.
“A hospital?” It was a familiar hospital he had been in just a few days ago. He followed the bodyguard and arrived in front of the VVIP ward.
“A hospital?” It was a familiar hospital he had visited just a few days ago. He followed the bodyguard to the VVIP ward.
“Yeon-woo! You’ve come! I’ve been waiting!” The door opened, and Han Su-han greeted Yeon-woo with a bright face.
“Yeon-woo! You’re here! I’ve been waiting!” The door opened, and Han Su-han greeted Yeon-woo with a bright face.
“Come on in. I’ve been bragging about how I’m bringing a precious guest with great difficulty. After hearing about it, this guy was so excited. I stopped him from running out. It would be a problem if his face was unnecessarily exposed. Now, now. Come on in!”
“Come in, come in! I’ve been bragging about how I managed to bring a precious guest. After hearing about you, this guy was so excited, I had to stop him from running out. It would be a problem if his face was unnecessarily exposed. Now, come on in!”
Yeon-woo became uneasy. ‘Who is this old man trying to ask a favor for, that he’s going this far?’ Following Han Su-han’s fuss, Yeon-woo was just about to enter the ward.
Yeon-woo felt uneasy. ‘Who is this old man trying to get help for, that he’s going this far?’ Following Han Su-han’s fuss, Yeon-woo was about to enter the ward.
The burden he had felt so far was nothing compared to the immense pressure that enveloped Yeon-woo.
The burden he had felt so far was nothing compared to the immense pressure that now enveloped him.
“…You’re saying that person is who needs me?”
“…You’re saying that’s the person who needs my help?”
A somewhat familiar face. A famous man that any Korean citizen would know. Even if you didn’t know his name, you couldn’t help but recognize his face.
A somewhat familiar face. A famous man that any Korean citizen would recognize. Even if you didn’t know his name, you’d recognize his face.
‘Why is Kwon Seong-hyun here?!’
‘Why is Kwon Seong-hyun here?!’
One of the most famous celebrities in Korea. Kwon Seong-hyun was lying on the bed with a pale face.
One of the most famous celebrities in Korea, Kwon Seong-hyun was lying on the bed with a pale face.
***

[Yeon-woo.]
[Yeon-woo.]
“What.”
“What?”
[Is this real life?]
[Is this real life?]
“Hoo…”
“Hoo…”
[Wow, damn! Crazy! It’s Kwon Seong-hyun! It’s the real Kwon Seong-hyun! I’m seeing Kwon Seong-hyun with my own two eyes! Oh my god!]
[Wow, damn! Crazy! It’s Kwon Seong-hyun! The real Kwon Seong-hyun! I’m seeing him with my own two eyes! Oh my god!]
“I think you’re forgetting, but you’re not a living person, you’re a ghost.”
“I think you’re forgetting, but you’re not even alive. You’re a ghost.”
[So what! If you were a cultured citizen, you would have reacted like me?! How can you be even more clueless than me?]
[So what! Any cultured person would react like me! How can you be even more clueless than I am?]
“……”
“……”
The moment he saw the person lying in bed. Dongja-ryeong frantically ran around the ward, making a fuss.
The moment he saw the person lying in bed, Dongja-ryeong frantically ran around the ward, making a fuss.
He never imagined that ‘the’ Kwon Seong-hyun would be here.
He never imagined that *the* Kwon Seong-hyun would be here.
That was the same for Yeon-woo.
Yeon-woo felt the same.
‘No, if I had known, I would have refused in advance.’
‘No, if I had known, I would have refused immediately.’
Is it because he’s a top actor? Even lying on the sickbed with a pale complexion, his face seems to shine brightly.
Is it because he’s a top actor? Even lying on the sickbed with a pale complexion, his face seems to shine.
It even feels like there’s an aura.
It even feels like he has an aura.
‘Is this what they call a celebrity’s presence?’
‘Is this what they call a celebrity’s presence?’
What am I supposed to do with this person who is so awe-inspiring just to look at……?
What am I supposed to do with someone so awe-inspiring just to look at…?
There was more to be surprised about.
There was more to be surprised about.
[Huh? It’s Kwon Hee-ra? Oh my god. Why is that famous actress here……? Could it be……?]
[Huh? It’s Kwon Hee-ra? Oh my god. Why is *that* famous actress here…? Could it be…?]
As Dongja-ryeong muttered in shock, a middle-aged woman spoke.
As Dongja-ryeong muttered in shock, a middle-aged woman spoke.
“Honey, is that the person? Chairman Han. Is that him?”
“Honey, is that him? Chairman Han, is that the person?”
The moment the possibility became reality.
The moment the possibility became reality.
“Yeon-woo. You might misunderstand, but don’t… There’s not that much of an age difference between the two. Ahem. To put it simply, this friend is an old acquaintance of mine. It’s been well over 30 years since I’ve known her. She also manages a small company. M Group……”
“Yeon-woo, you might misunderstand, but… there’s not that much of an age difference between them. Ahem. To put it simply, this friend is an old acquaintance. I’ve known her for well over 30 years. She also manages a small company, M Group…”
M Group. It’s not a famous conglomerate like S Group, L Group, or H Group, which are well-known in Korea, but it’s a fairly well-known large company. I know that it has a wide range of businesses from food to distribution and logistics, and even a TV channel.
M Group isn’t a famous conglomerate like S Group, L Group, or H Group, which are well-known in Korea, but it’s a fairly well-known large company with businesses ranging from food to distribution, logistics, and even a TV channel.
“Huh? You don’t seem very surprised?”
“Huh? You don’t seem very surprised?”
“Yes, well……”
“Yes, well…”
‘Well, there were plenty of famous people among those who frequented my mother’s shrine.’
‘Well, there were plenty of famous people who frequented my mother’s shrine.’
More surprising than the chaebol was the existence of Kwon Hee-ra.
More surprising than the chaebol [family-owned conglomerate] was the presence of Kwon Hee-ra.
But as if that was nothing, Han Su-han dropped a bombshell.
But as if that wasn’t enough, Han Su-han dropped a bombshell.
“And this old man here is also the father of that child lying there.”
“And this old man is also the father of the child lying there.”

***

“So… you’re saying that Kwon Seong-hyun is the child of those two? Kwon Seong-hyun is, like, a second-generation chaebol?”
“So… you’re saying Kwon Seong-hyun is their child? He’s a second-generation chaebol?”
“That child is that old man’s late child. They don’t look alike, do they? That child looks just like his mother.”
“He’s the old man’s youngest child. They don’t look alike, do they? He takes after his mother.”
Yeon-woo was purely impressed.
Yeon-woo was genuinely impressed.
‘He has it all, he has it all.’
‘He has it all.’
Yeon-woo wasn’t the only one impressed.
Yeon-woo wasn’t the only one impressed.
[Wow, amazing. There was a reason why Kwon Seong-hyun maintained his mysterious image! A secret of birth! And from a chaebol family! I knew the atmosphere I felt was unusual……! There was a reason why he thoroughly hid his private life. I knew it.]
[Wow, amazing! There’s a reason why Kwon Seong-hyun maintained his mysterious image! A secret birth! And from a chaebol family! I knew there was something unusual about him! That’s why he thoroughly hid his private life. I knew it!]
What’s surprising is surprising, but the question of why he was called here still remains.
While all this is surprising, the question of why he was called here still remains.
“I’m sorry, but why do you need me……?”
“I’m sorry, but why do you need my help…?”
He wouldn’t have called him to brag about his secret of birth.
They wouldn’t have called him just to brag about his secret birth.
“Seong-hyun can’t wake up.”
“Seong-hyun can’t wake up.”
It’s already been several months.
It’s already been several months.
“Everything is normal, they say. All sorts of hospitals, tests, famous doctors. There’s nothing they haven’t looked into. They say there’s nothing wrong with him. It’s not like any of his organs are sick, or he has a serious illness. He’s just… unable to regain consciousness.”
“Everything is normal, they say. They’ve been to all sorts of hospitals, had tests done, consulted famous doctors. They’ve looked into everything. They say there’s nothing wrong with him. None of his organs are sick, and he doesn’t have a serious illness. He’s just… unable to regain consciousness.”
A quiet voice filled with sadness continued.
A quiet, sad voice continued.
“They say he’s only unconscious. But does that make sense? How can he not regain consciousness when there’s nothing wrong with him? The fact that he can’t wake up is already abnormal.”
“They say he’s just unconscious. But does that make sense? How can he not regain consciousness when there’s nothing wrong with him? The fact that he can’t wake up is already abnormal.”
How devastated must the parents be to have a child who can’t wake up for no reason?
How devastated the parents must be to have a child who can’t wake up for no reason.
“So then I went to a shaman. It may seem foolish, but I wanted to grasp at straws. I called people, performed Gut ceremonies, offered devotions… I went to temples to offer prayers and even brought in priests.”
“So, I went to a shaman. It may seem foolish, but I wanted to grasp at straws. I called people, performed Gut ceremonies, offered devotions… I went to temples to offer prayers and even brought in priests.”
But the result was bleak. Kwon Seong-hyun still couldn’t wake up.
But the result was bleak. Kwon Seong-hyun still couldn’t wake up.
“Chairman Han, who knows our situation, recommended you. Please, I beg you to help my child. Please understand the heart of a mother who can’t let him go like this.”
“Chairman Han, who knows our situation, recommended you. Please, I beg you to help my child. Please understand a mother’s heart; I can’t let him go like this.”
Kwon Hee-ra bowed her head. Her desperate heart was so clear it felt like he could grasp it.
Kwon Hee-ra bowed her head, her desperate heart clear and palpable.
‘Family……’
‘Family…’
You can think of it as a weakness. I can’t help it. Moreover, Yeon-woo was strangely weak to people of his mother’s age.
You can think of it as a weakness. I can’t help it. Besides, Yeon-woo was strangely sympathetic to people of his mother’s age.
From the moment Kwon Hee-ra stepped in, the scales had already tipped.
From the moment Kwon Hee-ra spoke, the scales had already tipped.
The eyes of the three people in the ward looked at Yeon-woo with earnestness.
The eyes of the three people in the ward looked at Yeon-woo earnestly.
After a long time. Yeon-woo, who had been pondering, slowly opened his mouth.
After a long pause, Yeon-woo, who had been pondering, slowly opened his mouth.
“Hoo… I can’t help it. I understand.”
“Hoo… I can’t refuse. I understand.”
Finally, Yeon-woo’s permission was granted.
Finally, Yeon-woo agreed.
***

‘I hope this isn’t a wrong path again.’
‘I hope this isn’t another wrong path.’
The only good thing is that it’s not a request that risks lifespan, right?
The only good thing is that this request doesn’t risk my lifespan, right?
Yeon-woo’s expression slightly frowned as he closed his eyes and examined Kwon Seong-hyun’s body.
Yeon-woo frowned slightly as he closed his eyes and examined Kwon Seong-hyun’s body.
“Hmm… strange.”
“Hmm… strange.”
Because the Honbaek [soul] that should naturally be visible in a normal person was not visible.
Because the Honbaek, which should be visible in a normal person, was not.
People who are in a deep sleep can be roughly divided into two categories.
People in a deep sleep can be roughly divided into two categories.
The first is people who are preparing to face death.
The first is people preparing to face death.
“Are you sure there’s really nothing wrong with his body?”
“Are you sure there’s nothing wrong with his body?”
“Of course! We even called specialists from overseas and made a big fuss. Everyone diagnosed him as normal and went back. According to modern medicine, he’s perfectly normal.”
“Of course! We even called specialists from overseas and made a big fuss. Everyone diagnosed him as normal and left. According to modern medicine, he’s perfectly normal.”
“Hmm.”
“Hmm.”
The second is when the Honbaek and the body are separated for some reason.
The second is when the Honbaek and the body are separated for some reason.
When a big accident happens, or the soul thinks it has died on its own, or it is bounced out and wanders without finding a place to return.
This can happen after a major accident, if the soul believes it has died, or if it’s been forced out and is wandering without a place to return.
‘So Kwon Seong-hyun is the second one… but why can’t I see it?’
‘So Kwon Seong-hyun’s situation is the second one… but why can’t I see it?’
If Kwon Seong-hyun’s soul is in a living spirit state, there must be a string connecting the body and the Honbaek.
If Kwon Seong-hyun’s soul is in a living spirit state, there should be a string connecting his body and Honbaek.
Besides, this familiarity that I’ve been subtly feeling since earlier…….
Besides, I’ve been subtly feeling a sense of familiarity since earlier…
“Mother. Has Kwon Seong-hyun ever said or done anything strange?”
“Mother, has Kwon Seong-hyun ever said or done anything strange?”
“Strange words or actions? Hmm… Seong-hyun has been a bit special since he was young, including his surroundings… He was a bit more mature than his peers. That would be different from others.”
“Strange words or actions? Hmm… Seong-hyun has been a bit special since he was young, including his surroundings… He was a bit more mature than his peers. He was different from others.”
“Besides that, has he ever talked to himself while looking at the air, or anything like that?”
“Besides that, has he ever talked to himself while looking at the air, or anything like that?”
“Like the noble person did?”
“Like the noble person did?”
“…Well, yes.”
“…Well, yes.”
“Our Seong-hyun is ordinary. He never did that… Ah. If I had to pick one unusual thing, it’s that Seong-hyun is unusually lucky. All the works he’s done so far, Seong-hyun picked them all himself, and they all became hits.”
“Our Seong-hyun is ordinary. He never did that… Ah, but if I had to pick one unusual thing, it’s that Seong-hyun is unusually lucky. All the projects he’s done so far, Seong-hyun picked them himself, and they all became hits.”
On a small scale, he would win one more in the chocolate stick ice cream 뽑기 [random 뽑기 game].
On a small scale, he’d win an extra stick in the chocolate stick ice cream 뽑기 game.
Or he happened to oversleep one day, but that day, the teacher guarding the school gate was absent.
Or he happened to oversleep one day, but the teacher guarding the school gate was absent that day.
From such small luck to big career moves.
From small luck like that to big career moves.
Even if everyone said no to that scenario, if Kwon Seong-hyun liked it and accepted the casting, that movie would be a hit.
Even if everyone rejected a scenario, if Kwon Seong-hyun liked it and accepted the role, that movie would be a hit.
Conversely, a movie by a famous director that everyone said would definitely be a hit was ruined by the director’s privacy scandal before it was even released.
Conversely, a movie by a famous director that everyone predicted would be a hit was ruined by the director’s privacy scandal before it was even released.
Far from being a hit, it couldn’t even break even and was taken down from all theaters as if being chased.
Far from being a hit, it couldn’t even break even and was pulled from all theaters.
“If Seong-hyun dislikes it, something bad always happens, and if he welcomes it, something great or good always happens. Looking at the accident, it doesn’t seem like he’s completely lucky, but… Is this story helpful?”
“If Seong-hyun dislikes something, something bad always happens, and if he welcomes it, something great or good always happens. Looking at the accident, it doesn’t seem like he’s completely lucky, but… Is this helpful?”
“Yes. It was very helpful.”
“Yes, it was very helpful.”
I was half-doubtful, but Yeon-woo was convinced by the answer just now.
I was half-doubtful, but Yeon-woo was now convinced.
‘Kwon Seong-hyun. You were also a person with divine power?’
‘Kwon Seong-hyun, you also have divine power?’
***

That’s probably because of Kwon Seong-hyun’s intuition.
That’s probably because of Kwon Seong-hyun’s intuition.
‘It’s not for nothing that Madam Kang recommended shamans or artists.’
‘It’s not for nothing that Madam Kang recommended shamans or artists.’
It is already widely known that the fates of the two professions are similar.
It’s widely known that the fates of those two professions are similar.
[First, I need to find the string.]
[First, I need to find the string.]
“Agreed.”
“Agreed.”
He found the reason why the string connecting the body and the Honbaek was not visible.
He found the reason why the string connecting the body and the Honbaek wasn’t visible.
If you find the reason, then there is only one thing to do next.
Now that he knew the reason, there was only one thing to do.
Solve that reason.
Solve it.
When he used the talisman, things that were not visible slowly began to emerge.
When he used the talisman, things that were previously invisible slowly began to emerge.
‘It was there.’
‘There it is.’
A smile hung on Yeon-woo’s lips.
A smile appeared on Yeon-woo’s lips.
A thin, faintly shining line was sparkling at the end of his gaze.
A thin, faintly shining line sparkled at the end of his gaze.
***

“Dongja.”
“Dongja.”
It’s already been half a day since he started looking for Kwon Seong-hyun without rest.
It’s been half a day since he started looking for Kwon Seong-hyun without rest.
Yeon-woo’s voice sank.
Yeon-woo’s voice sank.
“Didn’t you say Kwon Seong-hyun was a recluse?”
“Didn’t you say Kwon Seong-hyun was a recluse?”
[No, our actor is not a recluse?! He just doesn’t like going out of the house?!]
[No, our actor isn’t a recluse! He just doesn’t like leaving the house!]
“Anyway, you said that, right?”
“Anyway, you said that, right?”
[Did I……?]
[Did I…?]
“Then what do you think of this situation now?”
“Then what do you think of this situation now?”
[He’s full of adventure……?]
[He’s full of adventure…?]
I don’t know how many hours he’s been circling around Seoul following the traces.
I don’t know how many hours he’s been circling Seoul, following the traces.
As Yeon-woo’s already fierce gaze became even fiercer, Dongja-ryeong desperately pointed to one place.
As Yeon-woo’s already fierce gaze intensified, Dongja-ryeong desperately pointed to one place.
[Yeon, Yeon-woo! Look there! Doesn’t the string seem to be getting thicker?]
[Yeon-woo! Look there! Doesn’t the string seem to be getting thicker?]
It was definitely thicker than before.
It was definitely thicker than before.
It was certain that Kwon Seong-hyun was nearby.
Kwon Seong-hyun was definitely nearby.
‘……I have to go there?’
‘…I have to go there?’
Yeon-woo looked up at the building that soared high as if piercing the sky.
Yeon-woo looked up at the building that soared high into the sky.
Kwon Seong-hyun’s string was connected to the inside of the building.
Kwon Seong-hyun’s string was connected to the inside of the building.
***

The observation deck located on the top floor of the building.
The observation deck on the top floor of the building.
Perhaps because it was a weekday afternoon, it was almost empty and quiet.
Perhaps because it was a weekday afternoon, it was almost empty and quiet.
The place was made entirely of glass, so you could see the surroundings clearly, but Yeon-woo walked straight ahead, staring at only one place without looking around.
The place was made entirely of glass, offering a clear view of the surroundings, but Yeon-woo walked straight ahead, staring at only one place.
‘I finally found him. This fugitive.’
‘I finally found him. This runaway.’
A man with clear eyes, putting his hand on the glass window and enjoying the view.
A man with clear eyes, his hand on the glass window, enjoying the view.
Only his profile is visible, but the aura that is already felt is not ordinary.
Only his profile is visible, but the aura he exudes is extraordinary.
If it were normal, the surroundings of such a man would be surrounded by countless people and it would be incredibly noisy, but fortunately, that was not the case.
Normally, such a man would be surrounded by countless people, and it would be incredibly noisy, but fortunately, that wasn’t the case.
That’s because no one could recognize the man now.
That’s because no one could recognize him now.
Even the sight of him blankly looking outside is like a scene from a CF [commercial film].
Even the sight of him blankly looking outside is like a scene from a commercial.
But Yeon-woo had no feelings.
But Yeon-woo felt nothing.
It was natural.
It was natural.
‘The뺑뺑이 [endless loop] is over now!’
‘The chase is over!’
How could the person who made him 돌린 [go around] here and there for more than half a day look pretty?
How could the person who made him run around for more than half a day look appealing?
It doesn’t matter if he’s Korea’s representative actor or a sculpture created by God.
It doesn’t matter if he’s Korea’s representative actor or a masterpiece of art.
He just needs to drag that human back.
He just needs to drag that man back.
Yeon-woo strode towards Kwon Seong-hyun.
Yeon-woo strode towards Kwon Seong-hyun.
Kwon Seong-hyun was still unaware and was just blankly looking outside.
Kwon Seong-hyun was still unaware, blankly looking outside.
First, I need to secure a safe distance.
First, I need to secure a safe distance.
If he runs away again, I’ll have to catch him right away.
If he runs away again, I’ll have to catch him immediately.
The moment Yeon-woo’s feet were about to stop at a suitable distance.
The moment Yeon-woo was about to stop at a suitable distance.
“……!”
“……!”
His clear eyes met his eyes.
Their eyes met.
Kwon Seong-hyun, who had been looking outside, had turned his head and was looking at Yeon-woo.
Kwon Seong-hyun, who had been looking outside, turned his head and looked at Yeon-woo.
Before he could react, Kwon Seong-hyun’s smooth lips, which still boasted a red light even though he was a living spirit, slowly moved first.
Before he could react, Kwon Seong-hyun’s smooth lips, still boasting a red hue even in his spirit form, slowly moved.
A shocking sound popped out of those well-shaped lips.
A shocking sound came from those well-shaped lips.
[Angel?]
[Angel?]