Chapter 100

Tempest Entertainment's studio.

I picked up my smartphone, pretending to be crazy, with the intention of leveling up.

"So this is why gacha games are called the devil's games."

When I order takeout, I even compare the delivery fees of 500 won and 1,000 won.

But when I play gacha games, I can recklessly spend 110,000 won at a time, possessed by the god of spending.

"But the tax management is handled by the company, right?"

I vaguely remember seeing this in the contract when I signed the exclusive contract.

If someone asks where I spent 3 billion won, what should I say?

"Hmm... I don't really know."

It's my money, so what can I do?

I still have enough left to pay the income tax.

"... I really need to hold back on the next level-up."

Immediately, I opened the transfer app and recklessly sent the money to the system.

【※ Platinum Level-Up: 110-110101-1011 (Virtual Account, W Bank)】

【※ Deposit Amount: 3 billion won / 3 billion won】

"My 3 billion..."

I don't know where it went, but I loved it. Damn it.

Ding Dong─

【You have leveled up to Platinum.】

【The range of actors the system can apply to has increased.】

【The probability of writing three or more consecutive episodes has increased.】

【You have obtained additional benefits.】

【You have gained 1 point of benefit enhancement.】

It seems the range of actors I can register has increased significantly.

But what I'm most curious about is...

"This benefit...!"

【Actor Evaluation (Lv 1): You can check the detailed potential of the currently registered actors. (Cooldown: 1 month)】

".... Detailed potential?"

What's the point of knowing that?

Is this a gacha failure?

【The user can use Actor Evaluation (Lv 1) according to their will.】

【Checking the role of actor 'Yeo Min-seo'.】

The role of Min-yeon in 'Kim Na-yeon' and the role of magical girl Mimi.

Without any hesitation, I chose the second role.

【Yeo Min-seo】

- Breathing (78/86)

- Diction (91/94)

- Expression (98/98)

- Gestures (75/90)

- Expressiveness (70/102)

- Improvisation (46/74)

- Suitability (96/100)

After seeing the absurdly detailed evaluation, I sat there in a daze for a while.

"Is this real?"

To express someone's abilities so nakedly in numbers like this.

At this point, it's safe to say there's no limit to the system's capabilities.

'Evaluation of individual items...'

【Breathing (78/86): When performing deep emotional scenes, it's necessary to control the pace. Especially when expressing embarrassing emotions as a magical girl, breathing is often insufficient...】

This level of versatility is different from the abilities I've seen so far.

It's almost like a superpower.

'The system... is scary.'

The thought of someone evaluating me this way makes me shudder.

But not using the abilities I have would be foolish.

'I'll just use it to help with my work.'

It's a job, after all.

Strictly for professional purposes.

An ability like this would be more useful to a director than a writer.

Creak─

At that moment, Hyo-ju and Ming-ppum entered the studio.

They greeted me with enthusiasm, having not seen me for two months.

"Bro!!!"

"Hey, Hyo-ju."

"Did you watch my drama!?"

"Huh?"

"The romance was too much...!"

"Oh, that one?"

"... You didn't watch it?"

"..."

"Too much."

It seems Hyo-ju's one-act play was broadcast in the meantime.

From the look of it, the ratings were good.

"I was planning to watch it later. The ratings were good, right?"

I guessed correctly, and her mood instantly lifted as she started jumping around.

"Yay!! It was 1%!"

"Wow, that's a hit!"

For a TVM one-act play, 1% is a real success.

Now she'll only walk the path of success.

"Good job."

"Thank you!"

While talking to Hyo-ju, I glanced at Ming-ppum.

She was typing away at something.

"Ming-ppum... Eun-bin, what are you doing?"

"I'm rewriting a script, sir."

"Huh?"

"It's a trend on the writer community these days."

"What?"

Reading a script I wrote once and then rewriting it as practice.

It's similar to how aspiring novelists read good literature and try to write it themselves.

'But this is exactly like...'

Practicing by rewriting a drama I saw through the system.

"That's quite something."

"It's because your work is famous, sir."

"Let me know when you're done. I'll take a look."

"Really?"

"Sure."

Where else would I find such a valuable assistant?

I should treat her to a meal sometime.

In about ten years.

When I have time.

* * *

TVM Broadcasting Station, "Like a Warm First Snow" filming site.

This drama was particularly meaningful to writer Lee Min-ju, just as it was to actor Kim Hee-jeong.

It was her first time working on a cable TV drama since becoming a star writer.

'If I fail this time...'

I might have to give up the title of star writer.

Not by choice, but because the broadcasting stations would decide so.

Once you fall from grace, it's almost impossible to rise again.

Just like how it's hard for a lead actor to get a leading role again after being demoted to a supporting role.

But since the script was already completed up to 16 episodes, it went smoothly.

Although it's a bit uncomfortable to work on a script that was heavily revised by assistant writers.

'I've almost completely revised the lines Kim Jin-woo wrote.'

I don't know if Jin-woo feels the same, but Lee Min-ju genuinely thought so.

That's why she was even more annoyed by Hee-jeong's arrogance.

Especially since she saw Hee-jeong acting right after arriving.

'That's really...!'

Once again, Hee-jeong delivered the lines Kim Jin-woo wrote, altering them to her liking.

I don't know how she knew the lines I revised, but she did.

Giving a leading role to a rookie was a mistake.

"Kim Hee-..."

I was about to stop her, but director Han Gi-sung beat me to it.

"Cut! Hee-jeong, you got the lines wrong."

"Oops, sorry!"

Director Han Gi-sung didn't even listen to Hee-jeong's apology and immediately checked the NG scene again.

'I don't need to step in.'

If it weren't for Director Han, I might have stepped in and scolded her in front of everyone.

I would have made sure she never altered the lines again.

However,

"No, Hee-jeong, your ad-lib was good. Let's try it again."

"Really? Ah, okay!"

Thud─

My heart sank.

It doesn't matter that the lines Hee-jeong delivered were ad-libs.

But the fact that they were lines Kim Jin-woo wrote is something I can't tolerate.

'Why, of all times...!'

Lee Min-ju was boiling with anger but held back.

I can't fight with the director in front of the staff.

'Kim Hee-jeong, how dare you...!'

I'll scold her until she cries once this scene is over.

Just because I let her call me "sister" doesn't mean she can treat me like a neighborhood aunt.

As soon as the scene ended, I was about to approach Hee-jeong.

But a man approached her before I could.

"Huh? Oh, it's Kang Jun!"

"Wow!!"

"No wonder someone sent a coffee truck today."

"You two are really close, huh?"

The female staff members clasped their hands and looked at him with admiration.

'Kang Jun...?'

A top actor with superstar popularity in Japan.

Kang Jun walked over and acted friendly with Hee-jeong.

He was one of the actors in the Kim Jin-woo line.

'Kim Hee-jeong is also with Tempest Entertainment...'

I thought it wouldn't matter since she wasn't in a project with Kim Jin-woo.

But maybe all the actors at Tempest Entertainment are now inseparable from Kim Jin-woo.

'Hmm... I'll hold off on scolding her.'

Let's think about it simply.

I'm not really treating her like a real sister.

Being the lead in her first drama is a big deal for any actor.

It shouldn't be hard to get along a bit.

"Oh, Kang Jun!"

"Ah, hello. Writer Lee Min-ju."

"I heard you two are close."

"Ah... He's my friend. Please take care of him!"

They exchanged awkward greetings.

It was natural, given their difficult relationship.

"Hee-jeong, does your sister want to buy you something to eat?"

"Huh?"

"I want to buy you something."

"Ah... I was thinking of eating with Jun."

"Then, can we eat together?"

Lee Min-ju tried to please Hee-jeong with superhuman patience.

"Wow, Kang Jun, you're such a pig. Let's eat something expensive."

"If I'm a pig, then you're a wild boar."

Lee Min-ju watched their childish conversation with a bitter smile.

'Why... do I feel ignored?'

It's impossible for a star writer to be ignored by a rookie actor.

I tried to brush it off as just a feeling.

* * *

Manager Jung Sae-rom reviewed the investors she had contacted over the past two months.

"Team Leader Byeon, is Jo Sang Media confirmed?"

"Yes! I got the response today."

"That's good."

Recently, except for 'Magical Girl,' she had secured investments for all the projects.

"President Jo Sang-chul seems to have completely shifted his focus to investments."

"Right. He must know about the exclusive contract."

Despite not being able to produce any more of writer Kim Jin-woo's works, he still made the investment.

"Film production seems to be on track now."

"Yes. With thorough preparation, we can shorten the production period."

"That's fortunate."

While blockbuster films might seem to have long shooting periods, the opposite is true.

Actor fees.

Various expensive props.

Expensive explosion scenes.

To minimize production costs, we had to work hard on pre-production.

"Let's aim for a release by the end of the year."

"Yes. Disney has also agreed to this."

"..."

The speed was largely due to the script.

The detailed instructions, descriptions, and perfect scenario.

Ding─

At that moment, Jung Sae-rom checked a message from writer Kim Jin-woo.

"He can't be a gentleman."

"Huh?"

"Never mind. Good job."

"Yes, Manager!"

[Manager, I haven't been here for two months.]

[Are you really letting this slide?]

Instantly, I recalled Jin-woo's hesitant appearance when he came back after two months.

His stammering and gestures, fearing he might be scolded.

In fact, I had thought about what to say, but I forgot everything.

Ding-dong─

Manager Jung Sae-rom smiled slightly and called Jin-woo.

-Hello, Sae-rom...?

"Writer, are you still at the company?"

-Yes?

"I said I'd buy you a meal. We haven't had the chance."

-Ah, right. But I'm about to leave...

"Then there's nothing we can do."

-... But I just have to go back to the company for something!

"Just see you next time."

-Yes.

About two months ago, for some reason, we agreed to treat him to a meal.

Or maybe we agreed to look at a car.

"Writer, are you free tomorrow?"

-Of course... Hmm, let me see. Can I make some time?

".... Sure. Make some time."

-Then I'll contact you at the company tomorrow.

"Yes, Writer."

I'll have to reschedule my plans for tomorrow.

* * *

Ding Dong─

【Content: Imjin Year, The Blade of Counterattack, Episode 13】

【Genre: Fusion Historical Drama, Alternate History, Modern Possession, War】

【Location: Tempest Entertainment 1st Floor Cafe】

【Time Limit: 2 days】

【※ Diamond Level-Up: 110-110101-1011 (Virtual Account, W Bank)】

【※ Deposit Amount: 0 won / 15 billion won】

The system activated while I was looking at my smartphone at home.

I was smiling, thinking about my date with Manager Jung tomorrow.

"15 billion, what is this?"

This is ridiculous, really.

If you don't like it, just say so.

Considering the value of the benefit I gained today, it might be worth the money.

【The user can use Actor Evaluation (Lv 1) according to their will.】

【It can be used again after 29 days, 14 hours, 49 minutes, and 30 seconds.】

"A one-month cooldown..."

I shouldn't use this skill casually.

It might be better to enhance it when I need it.

Creak─

At that moment, Hee-jeong woke up and came out of her room, rubbing her eyes.

"I'm hungry..."

"Didn't you eat?"

"I did. Someone bought me really expensive food."

".... Then why are you eating ramen?"

"It was an uncomfortable situation, so I ate it bit by bit."

"Why did you go to such a place?"

"It's too early to distance ourselves."

"Hmm... Aren't you already filming?"

"Yep."

Two months is a long time.

In that short period, my little sister became a lead actress.

I asked her as she rummaged through the cupboard with a determined look.

"What's the name of the drama again?"

"Huh?"

"You said it was a Lee Min-ju writer's work."

".... Like a Warm First Snow."

"What?"

I walked over to her as she boiled the ramen.

It's not exactly my work.

The script I prepared with Lee Min-ju, pouring my heart and soul into it.

'At least it's a relief that Hee-jeong is the lead.'

Since I had to let it go, it's better that my sister is the lead.

"Bro, are you okay...?"

"Hee-jeong."

"Yes?"

"Can I have a bite of your ramen?"

"Huh?"

"Just one bite."

".... Okay."

For some reason, she handed me the pot without hesitation.

".... Just one bite, okay?"

"Okay."

"Really just one bite."

"I know."

Hee-jeong, holding the chopsticks, tried to keep them from being taken away.

Whip─

I quickly snatched the chopsticks using a wrist snap.

'One bite means half of it.'

I smiled at Hee-jeong, who looked at me with anxious eyes.

"Huff, huff...."

I had to blow to cool the large bite I took.

"Seriously, are you going to eat all of that?"

"Why? Is one bite too much?"

"No, it's not that... It's the last ramen."

"That's a shame. Then I shouldn't eat it, right...?"

"No, no! We can buy more. Hehe."

"Right?"

Sizzle─

The knife skills revealed by Kim Jun-hyuk in 'Delicious Guys.'

The ultimate skill of a mukbang streamer who eats without stopping.

"Aaah...."

"Gulp─!"

"Phew."

"Delicious."

I walked to my room, leaving Hee-jeong with a pained expression.

"Still, ramen is best when cooked by my little sister."

Next time, I'll try the one-bite cut.

Then, I opened my laptop to search for what to wear when I meet Manager Jung tomorrow.

"Huh?"

An unexpected news article caught my attention.

[Disney Play 'Kim Jin-woo' vs. Netflix's 'Emiko' in a Major Asian Showdown! Emilia is a Japanese playwright...]

"Emiko?"

A playwright who appeared like a comet three years ago and dominated Japan.

It's a new feeling to be mentioned alongside such a person.

I heard she's releasing a new work on Netflix Originals by the end of the year.

'Around the same time as Magical Girl.'

「Momotaro Adventure (Subtitle: The Return of the Lion King)」

A reimagined Japanese folktale about a journey with a dog, pheasant, and monkey.

'The title alone is cringeworthy...'

No, on second thought, it seems better than Magical Girl.

After a quick self-reflection, I looked for other news.

[A Mysterious Donor Donates 3 Billion Won to UNICEF! This morning...]

"Huh? 3 billion, of all things?"

The time of the donation is almost