Chapter 72

Tempest Entertainment.

I swallowed hard and focused on the next scene of the movie.

Hyozoo, who was sitting next to me, wrapped herself in a blanket, only showing her eyes.

The dazzling light from the projector was projected onto the screen.

Ssssss—

It was the highlight scene just before the ghost appeared.

Amid the rising tension, the main character of the movie slowly turned their head.

-Creak

The ghost, whose neck was twisted 90 degrees, smiled eerily.

“Aaaah—!”

Now, Hyozoo naturally covered her eyes.

If you're going to cover them all, what's the point?

“Try to watch it, okay.”

If you try hard enough, there's nothing you can't do.

You can even overcome fear.

“Gh, Ghost!”

But looking at Hyozoo, it doesn't seem like that's always the case.

No matter how many horror movies she watches, she doesn't seem to grow.

“Actually, I have an allergy to horror movies.”

“Don't lie.”

“Really.”

In the end, after finishing the movie, Hyozoo sat up comfortably.

“...Brother, are you really going to the abandoned hospital?”

“Yeah, I have to.”

“Hmm... It must be really scary.”

“Don't YouTubers go there a lot?”

“Ugh, they go in groups.”

“Are you going with them?”

“...Hello? Team Leader Byeon?”

You're holding your smartphone upside down.

“Ah, Hyukju, do you want to date me? Because I saw you.”

Saying it like that, it's too obvious that you're lying.

Writers can't even do realistic research.

Creak—

I nodded as Hyozoo naturally left the room.

“I need to prepare to go now.”

Preparing to write in a closed psychiatric ward.

Since 80% of fear comes from darkness and sound.

If I prepare in advance, I can be fully prepared.

I immediately left the company and went to 'Daitta' Mart.

The most important item above all is lighting equipment.

A bright light that can illuminate like daytime at midnight is essential.

“Oh, this is good. A flat lamp that you can place on the floor.”

I'll forget the previous humiliation and start anew.

Finally,

I held my smartphone and sent a message to Jung Saerom, the manager.

Ping, ping—

“I won't be afraid as long as I have a companion.”

* * *

A acting school in Gangnam.

Kim Heejeong received a special class in preparation for an upcoming audition.

Since the school taught only a few students, the class could be conducted like private tutoring.

“The key to this role is its sharp charm.”

“Ah, yes!”

“First, act it out in front of me. I'll take your part.”

“Yes!”

Heejeong immediately immersed herself in the role.

“Why are you always so selfish, brother? Don't you think about the family?”

“You know the work is more important right now.”

“What do you know! The hardships I've gone through...”

A small tear formed at the corner of Heejeong's eye.

She controlled her trembling voice perfectly, a top-level skill.

She followed the script but added her own touch.

Clap, clap, clap—

The students and the acting teacher clapped together.

“You did great. Let's add a bit more detail...”

A little later,

After the class ended, Lee Jinho approached and handed her a bottle of water.

They continued their conversation as they left the school together.

“Senior, today was great.”

“Really?”

“Yes! Haha.”

Excluding Kang Joon, who was absent today, Heejeong and Jinho were the closest.

“But Jinho, aren't you in a drama? Can you keep coming to the school?”

“Ah! I'm still lacking, so I'll try to come to the school even during filming. I've also received permission from the company.”

“Really? Good for you. You pass the character test.”

Heejeong nodded and suddenly stopped, standing in front of a poster.

［JTBS New Drama ‘Error-dong Eight Siblings’ Open Audition!］

Since there are eight leading roles, a few of them have less significant parts.

But they are still important supporting roles.

The competition rate will probably be unimaginable.

“Senior.”

“Yeah.”

Jinho hesitated for a moment before speaking carefully.

“Since it's JTBS, Kim Jinwoo's connections might help...”

“But? What does that have to do with me?”

“No, no, don't misunderstand. What I mean is...”

“What, are you worried about that?”

“No, no! Absolutely not!”

“Hmm...”

“R, really not. Please believe me!”

“I believe you. Your father is famous, but you started from the bottom. You joined our theater group.”

Jinho sighed in relief and looked at Heejeong.

“You and your brother are both great.”

In fact, as Heejeong said, Jinho's father wasn't the type to give roles easily.

There was a time when he felt a bit resentful, but not anymore.

That's why Heejeong's confident attitude seemed even more impressive.

“Senior.”

“Yeah.”

“But why are you tearing the poster...?”

“Oops, I almost took it by mistake.”

“???”

“Almost prevented the school friends from seeing the audition.”

“...”

* * *

Manager Jung Saerom visited Bamboo Entertainment.

She came to scout actor So Chae-dam for 'Sobly'.

“Hello, Manager.”

“Hello.”

“Visiting from the top agency Tempest, hahaha.”

A manager-level person from Bamboo Entertainment greeted her warmly.

“It's been a while.”

“Haha, indeed.”

Until just half a year ago, Bamboo Entertainment had a much better roster of actors.

Recently, Tempest has risen to almost the same level.

A little later, Manager Jung sat in the meeting room and brought up the matter.

“So, about actor So Chae-dam?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, um... Actually, she's currently shooting a cosmetics commercial with a bright image.”

“Ah, I see.”

A commercial with a bright image, quite different from a horror drama.

From the company's perspective, it must be a difficult decision.

The manager of Bamboo Entertainment hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“To be honest, we don't want to miss out on Kim Jinwoo's work.”

“Really?”

“Isn't a drama more important than a commercial? Haha.”

“True...”

“We'll check with Chae-dam and get back to you.”

“Great. I hope for a good outcome.”

Manager Jung smiled and stood up.

It probably won't be settled in one meeting.

The more anxious party will inevitably suffer.

We need to confirm the response before proceeding with the contract.

“I wonder if Chae-dam will do it.”

Ding—

At that moment, a message from Kim Jinwoo arrived on Saerom's smartphone.

［Experience the psychiatric ward, want to go together? ㅎㅎ］

“...I might end up with a mental illness.”

I don't know how I ended up making such a promise.

* * *

A two-room apartment that seemed a bit small for a successful actress.

But for her, who loved games and had a delicate taste, it was the perfect size.

Zing—

So Chae-dam confirmed it was her manager and hesitated for a moment before answering the call.

“Hey, bro.”

-Didn't you see the message?

She held the phone to her ear and glanced at the desktop monitor, answering casually.

“What message?”

-Kim Jinwoo's next work.

“Oh, he's a hot writer these days. I even watched his YouTube interview recently. Long interview!”

-Still, it's a horror, so you need to think about it more.

“Horror...? Horror?”

Chae-dam felt her heart racing as she continued.

“I want to do it!”

-No, no. That's not how you decide.

“...”

-You need to consider your commercial image.

“Hmm...”

He's one of the hottest writers these days.

She wanted to read the script right away.

“I want to read the script quickly.”

-Okay. I'll bring it to your morning schedule tomorrow.

“Okay.”

Bam bam bam—

At that moment, a donation spree came through her speakers.

She quickly turned down the volume.

-Are you donating to a live stream again?

“Ah.”

-...Chae-dam.

“I'll just do a little.”

-Huh... Okay. See you tomorrow morning.

“Okay!”

Click.

The definition of "a little" varies from person to person.

“I really need to do just a little.”

It was a light hobby that even her agency didn't know about.

Of course, she enjoyed it within the bounds of anonymity.

She was a fan of thrill and horror.

But she couldn't go out and experience it herself for fear of being recognized.

So she watched and supported the live streams of horror streamers to satisfy her cravings.

“Saying I want to do a horror drama but not letting me sing...”

This might be the last chance.

It's Kim Jinwoo's famous work, so the company probably won't refuse easily.

Chae-dam sat almost lying down in her chair and set a mission.

『‘Self-Luminous’ has donated 300,000 won!』

『I vote for the 3rd place, Boaram Hospital! ㅎㅎ』

The horror streamer immediately bent his waist 120 degrees in reaction.

-Bro! You've donated 300,000 to Boaram!

In this world, one person can cast multiple votes.

The amount of money donated determined the number of votes.

-I prefer the cemetery. ㅡㅡ

-Yeah, donate if you have money. ㅋㅋㅋ

-I've always liked the 3rd place. ㅎㅎ

-I trusted ‘Self-Luminous’.

Three guests with the horror streamer No-Bbaku.

Of course, all four, including the guests, were streamers.

After the location vote,

-Bro! We're going to Boaram Hospital tonight! Next...

No-Bbaku, obsessed with money, set a vote for costumes.

Zombie, Grim Reaper, Mummy, Dracula.

Going there already makes you look like a lunatic, and now with costumes.

『‘Self-Luminous’ has donated 300,000 won!』

『Zombie, go!』

-Okay! Zombie makeup, 300,000 won bid!!!!

* * *

I met Manager Jung at the parking lot of Tempest Entertainment on time.

“Writer.”

“Yes?”

“What's in that bag?”

“???”

“Are you going on a trip or something?”

I packed a large backpack with a laptop and various lighting equipment.

“This is necessary. We're going to Yeopbal Hospital.”

“...”

“What's with that outfit?”

“Oh, this? It's supposed to emit ions. They say ghosts won't stick to you if you wear it.”

“...”

“Don't worry. I prepared one for you too...”

“Let's go.”

Click—

Manager Jung, ignoring my efforts, opened the car door.

She'll probably regret it soon, but it's her choice.

A little later.

The car, driven by Manager Jung, quickly reached Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.

And a short while later, we arrived at the entrance of Boaram Hospital.

In the dark, the headlights of the car were the only light.

“We'll have to walk from here.”

“Wow, the atmosphere is intense.”

Thud, thud—

I followed Manager Jung, who fearlessly led the way.

The abandoned building, covered in ivy, looked eerie.

Broken windows and rusted metal added to the chilling atmosphere.

When we entered the building, I opened my mouth in shock, forgetting what to say.

The walls were covered in red paint, with all kinds of graffiti.

- I'm still alive. Please save me...

- I'll kill the doctor. KILL ME

- Please save our baby. But how old is our baby?

- I want to die. The screaming must stop...

I shone my flashlight down the corridor.

‘There should be light leaking out. There's none on the first floor.’

I wanted to find the system and escape immediately.

I quickly went upstairs and searched the corridors for the system's light.

-Groan

-Squeak

At that moment, a very subtle noise reached my ears.

“What was that?”

It seemed to come from the bottom of the stairs I just climbed.

The sound was so faint, it might have been an illusion.

“Manager, did you hear that?”

“What sound?”

“No, I just heard a strange sound.”

“It's just your imagination.”

-Groan

-Squeak

My heart shrank at the sound again.

“Did you really not hear that?”

“...Stop joking. Where should we go now?”

“...”

Maybe I misheard it.

Still, did they hide the light in some corner?

The way the system works these days, it's not impossible.

“How long will it take to find it in every room.”

“What are you talking about?”

“A good place to write.”

“...Let's look around first.”

Manager Jung led the way, opening doors one by one.

Seeing the system is only possible for me, so it's meaningless.

‘She really isn't afraid.’

Having someone like her around makes me feel like a fool.

But thanks to her, I feel less scared.

Creak—

［Psychological Treatment Room］

I opened a door and shone my flashlight inside.

The walls were covered in dirty marks.

There were a few overturned wheelchairs and a bed painted in red.

“...Is it just paint?”

I searched the room for any hidden light and left.

“There's nothing... Wait, Manager?”

Manager Jung, who was supposed to be looking with me, had suddenly disappeared.

“Manager, I don't like this!”

Only my trembling voice echoed.

“Is this a joke gone too far?”

What the hell, disappearing like that?

“Hey, Jung!”

The absence of the person who was always by my side made me even more scared.

I immediately took out my smartphone to call her.

Thud, thud—

Footsteps came from the lower stairs.

I slowly turned