Chapter 5

Jaejun felt a bit dazed.

He was surprised that someone would go to such lengths for him, considering his level of recognition.

He was also grateful that a writer had even considered him for the lead role in a 16-episode series.

Of course, the writer seemed just as clueless as he was.

"More like... just an aspiring writer."

A stack of A4 papers, looking like they were printed from a PC room or home.

The process of being cast as an extra in a web drama was never like this.

The excitement he felt for a moment was now embarrassing.

"Jaejun, take care of the payment for table 5."

"Ah, yes, Father."

Being the son of a meat shop owner, he had a decent enough position to make a living.

Sometimes, customers would give him tips for being handsome.

"Put it in. Student."

"Really, there's no need..."

"I'm giving it to you like a son."

"Thank you."

* * *

Jaejun bowed politely and brought the drink.

"It's on the house."

"You're a student with a bright future."

A female customer gave him a sticky look, but he ignored it.

Actually, this kind of thing was common enough that it didn't hurt his pride.

A little later,

Jaejun finished his day's work and tidied up the shop.

"Go on ahead. I'll finish up."

"Okay, Father."

Seeing his father's slightly bent back, a warm feeling welled up inside him.

"What acting? Without me, the shop would have to close."

Suddenly, the script he received today came to mind.

A two-part script tucked away in a corner of the shop.

"If I were to do it... it would be my first lead role."

Honestly, it didn't seem like it would be produced, but the writer's passion was extraordinary.

It wasn't easy to repeatedly persuade an actor who usually played minor roles.

"Feeling guilty for not reading it."

* * *

At first, he only intended to skim through a few scenes.

However, he was unexpectedly captivated by the first scene of the script.

Just reading the printed words, he could visualize the Jeju Island setting and the image of driving a sports car.

The script flowed smoothly, even when read without much thought.

The first meeting with the female lead and the series of coincidental encounters were vividly depicted.

"Just the right words."

The carefully chosen words made it easy to follow.

"Interesting..."

A hidden desire in Jaejun's heart began to peek out.

Even if a famous writer offered him a lead role, he wouldn't have been moved so quickly.

"To think that writing for me meant this."

The role of a tycoon in "Lover in London," which he had practiced and dreamed about countless times.

How did the writer know what he had never shown in any work?

The first person who came to mind after reading the two scripts was Semy.

The exact image of Semy he had in mind.

He understood why the writer specifically mentioned her.

The writer's name and phone number written at the top of the script.

Jaejun picked up his smartphone and searched for the saved contact.

Then, without hesitation, he called someone he had worked with in the past.

* * *

The editor of the web drama in which Semy starred as the lead.

Someone who had taken care of him, even though he was just an extra, and gave him his number.

- Hello?

"Mr. Dongcheol, how are you?"

- Oh, how are you? What's up?

"Actually..."

Park Dongcheol, a 670,000 subscriber YouTuber and web drama editor.

A person with the remarkable talent of casting Semy, even when Purple Girls were already a top-tier girl group.

* * *

I spent the night looking for contests and production companies.

Major broadcasting station contests that receive hundreds of works every year.

And famous drama production companies where I could submit a synopsis.

"Wow, this one needs four episodes."

I thought most would only require two episodes, except for the smaller contests that weren't worth my attention.

"Can I just throw this at a drama production company?"

Submitting to contests is one of the common routes for aspiring writers to debut.

But seeing posts in writer communities about works being stolen and production companies being criticized made me a bit scared.

Can contests be considered completely safe?

"Everyone has different tastes."

If the judge's taste is completely opposite, it might be a complete failure regardless of the quality.

Even the most interesting story can be trash to someone.

"Or, I have six years of experience. Maybe I could become an assistant to a major writer..."

I shook my head and put that idea on hold.

First, I might have ruined my reputation by cursing at Im Joo.

Most importantly, the desire to produce this work dominated my mind.

I wanted to confirm if the ridiculous ability given to me was real or fake.

* * *

Click, click—

The list of small-scale contests I had already checked dozens of times.

I looked through it again to see if I had missed anything.

Especially, I had already checked all the contests that required only two episodes.

Of course, there was no sudden appearance of a suitable contest.

"Since I don't know when the ability will activate, I'll try to write the third and fourth episodes on my own..."

Then, it happened.

Ding—

The now somewhat familiar notification sound.

I couldn't wipe the smile from my face.

【Content: Heir of the Tycoon, Part 3】

【Genre: Romance, Tycoon】

【Location: 1st Floor Cafe, Tempest Entertainment】

【Time Limit: 18 hours】

【※ Bronze Upgrade: 110-110101-1011 (Virtual Account, W Bank)】

【※ Deposit Amount: 0 won / 10,000,000 won】

"Tempest Entertainment...?"

The company where the woman I met at the cafe works.

But the biggest problem was something else.

"No, only employees can enter. The system is really messed up. Seriously."

* * *

The next morning.

【Writer, it's Jaejun. I really want to do this work.】

Seeing the actor's message, my gloomy mood lightened a bit.

It was past 10, so I thought he would be awake and called him.

"Jaejun, you've made a good decision."

-I'll do my best.

He seemed like a model student, so I didn't expect any trouble.

-Oh, writer.

"Yes, Jaejun."

-Please speak informally.

"Ah... um, is that okay?"

-Yes, you're much older.

"Alright, then."

His meticulous personality and lack of sharp edges made me think he wouldn't have any issues like school bullying in the future.

Jaejun's words felt like a precious gift.

-I'm trying to find Semy from Purple Girls and contact her.

"Really!?"

-Yes, we only exchanged greetings when we worked on a web drama.

"Do you have her number?"

-No, but I can try to contact her through someone.

"Alright, don't push yourself too much."

Please, push yourself a lot. Please.

-Okay, I'll contact you again, writer.

"Sure. Even if you break a leg, don't break your mouth."

-Huh?

"Actors can't use stand-ins for their lines. Your mouth is your life."

-Ah, got it! I'll keep that in mind.

Click.

"Your mouth needs to be in good shape to convince Semy."

Finding Jaejun first was a stroke of genius.

We worked on a web drama together, but I didn't expect much since he was just an extra.

But he seemed to have a gentle and friendly personality, so he probably kept in touch.

Our actor is working so hard for my work.

"Being a writer means writing."

I recalled the work and checked the remaining time.

I'm getting used to using the system.

"About 10 hours left, so there's plenty of time."

I need to go to the Tempest Entertainment building and see what I can do.

* * *

The ancient sage, Pythagoras, once said:

"There is no answer."

The intimidating gaze of the security guard at the entrance of the building was a barrier in itself.

What can I say to a person who is three times my size?

Can I just say I'm an outsider but want to visit the 1st floor cafe?

"Damn, our eyes met."

I pretended to wait for a friend and wandered around the building.

I glanced at the security guard again, and he was stretching.

It looked like he could snap someone's neck with one hand.

"Wait, Semy should come first. I got the order wrong."

I need to find the main female lead after getting the main male lead. What am I doing here?

I still have 9 hours left, so I can visit other entertainment companies and come back.

"If that guard is replaced by then, it'll be easy."

A man's confidence comes from his size.

In that sense, that guard is not a talent to stay in Korea.

"Why do they have a yakuza-like person at the entrance of this company?"

"Yakuza is too much."

I flinched at the voice from beside me.

A young actor with a playful expression.

A rising star being promoted by Tempest Entertainment.

"Who are you...?"

"Don't you know? He's really popular lately."

"I know. Jisung-ho."

He's a rising star, but can he just wander around like this?

"But why have you been loitering around our company?"

"Since when?"

"I saw you through the window. You've been here for 30 minutes."

Jisung-ho pointed up with his finger.

Looking up, I saw a window with a clear view of the area.

"I want to visit the company's cafe, but I'm not sure how to get in."

This is a rare opportunity, so I just told the truth.

"Why?"

"Because I'm a writer. I need to do some research."

"Ah, a writer?"

Now, every time I open my mouth, lies come out automatically.

"I worked at Im Joo's studio for six years."

"Wow, so the hit work recently...?"

"Give me more lines, too."

"You're the real deal."

I tried to draw his attention by revealing my painful past.

The official website of Im Joo, where my name hasn't been removed yet.

Showing my ID there made me feel a bit down.

"Jisung-ho, if it's not too much trouble...?"

"No, sir."

"Let's not be so formal in this industry."

"Hmm..."

He made all the friendly gestures but rejected me sharply.

I felt a sense of betrayal.

Like when a grandmother is very polite only when she's giving you a discount at a restaurant.

"Actually, I don't have much to do today..."

"Oh, then...!"

"Can I watch you work? I've always wanted to."

"I usually work alone and quietly."

"Ah, then never mind..."

"Hey, let's finish this in Korean!"

"Call?"

"Call!"

A little later,

Thanks to Jisung-ho's help, I obtained a temporary entry pass.

I entered the building, passing the security guard's intense gaze.

"I heard all the menu items at the 1st floor cafe are free. Is that true?"

"Yes, it's only for employees."

He seemed like a very kind and friendly person.

Though it's hard to believe, he would be perfect for the supporting role in my work.

'But casting Semy in the first place is already a stretch.'

There was no reason for someone like Semy, with limited acting experience, to appear in an unknown writer's work.

Let alone a rising star like Jisung-ho.

Especially since Tempest Entertainment is known to prioritize the company's opinion over the actors'.

But their ability to choose works is so impressive that actors don't complain.

"Probably won't be interesting. I just write alone..."

"Huh? But you said you needed to research the building."

"I'll look for what I need while I work."

Thanks to his unnecessary curiosity, I managed to enter the cafe.

But I felt a bit embarrassed about writing in front of Jisung-ho.

Then, Jisung-ho's smartphone beeped.

Ding—

"I have to go. My manager is looking for me."

"Manager?"

"Yes, a very strict person."

I somehow know who it is without hearing the name.

Jisung-ho moved his feet as if he had no choice.

"I was really cool today. Compliment me."

I don't really know what was so cool.

The actor disappeared, indulging in some strange self-satisfaction.

"He's not normal either."

Artists are different, I guess.

Then, I entered the cafe as required by the system.

I looked for a spot where a bright white light appeared.

"Why does it have to be a table near the entrance?"

I hoped it would be further inside since it's only for employees.

I don't know if this is the system's choice or a random draw.

"Please, just for five hours..."

I hoped no one would see me and took my seat.