Chapter 85

Saerom opened the door to the break room and peered inside.

"He hasn't arrived yet."

The place where she had come to meet Jisungho as agreed.

Was he so scared that he asked for an additional manager?

"Tsk, what's there to be scared of…."

Soon, she took a seat at the table.

"Hmm?"

A script was placed on top of a familiar laptop.

It looked like it was printed by the company, with the Tempest logo on it.

'Writer Kim Jin-woo’s laptop.'

The moment Saerom saw the title written on the script, she was shocked.

No matter how many times she looked at it, it didn't seem like a title that could be thought up in a clear mind.

"What is this…?"

Did he come up with the title after drinking?

「Codename 030: Magical Girl Part 1」

The naming sense was so irresistible that her inner conflict grew like a snowball.

According to the Tempest contract regulations, the CEO of the production company could read the works of an exclusive contract writer.

'If I don't read this today, I won't be able to sleep.'

Swish─

In the end, Saerom's curiosity won over her hesitation.

As she flipped through the pages, exclamations of amazement escaped her lips.

"Huh?"

It was interesting, but she couldn't quite understand why.

'...It's simple.'

In a good way.

A charming magical girl fighting dinosaurs alongside mecha warriors.

It was a unique genre that could stir the hearts of adults worldwide.

'The immersion is quite impressive.'

She didn't know why it was so easy to read, but before she knew it, she was already in the latter half.

Especially, the highlight of the work was the final battle scene.

Ten mecha units operated by the pure magic of the awakened one.

Dinosaur monsters pouring out of the worst dungeon on the Korean Peninsula.

The battle begins with the clash between the S-class Gigan and the mutant T-Rex, leading to a fierce war between the two armies.

The descriptions were so detailed that the battles between the mecha robots and the dinosaurs vividly played out in her mind.

"Ugh…."

This was almost at the level of a well-crafted fantasy novel.

As a CEO, she couldn't help but worry about the production costs.

"Ten billion… worth the investment?"

Gigantic riders wielding swords and guns, facing off against fire-breathing dinosaurs.

Eventually, they start to shut down one by one due to the numerical disadvantage.

But in this kind of work, reinforcements are a must, right?

The magical girl who sealed the worst dungeon on the Korean Peninsula and returned.

Just like when the Rohan cavalry arrives in "The Lord of the Rings."

-Damn, this is intense.

The magical girl, spitting out a curse, looked at the dinosaurs with a skewed gaze and focused her magic on the mechanical arm, 'Codename 030.'

"Hmm, the ending…."

As she read the ending, a strange light appeared in Saerom's eyes.

─────────────

A magical girl with flowing pink hair massacring dinosaurs.

The woman who achieved a great feat by saving Korea said in front of the camera:

"Everyone~ Mimi is always by your side today! Hehe!"

The thirty-year-old magical girl smiled brightly and winked at the camera.

The most popular S-class hunter among the existing awakened ones.

People were thrilled by her effortless hunting of dinosaurs.

"Whoa!!!"

"Mimi! Mimi! Mimi!"

"Mimi! I love youuu!!"

The ending where the dinosaurs pouring out of the worst dungeon on the Korean Peninsula are turned into minced meat.

The credits roll naturally, followed by a cookie scene at the end.

Crack─

The worst dungeon on the Korean Peninsula, sealed by the magical girl.

On one side, a pile of rocks collapses.

A baby T-Rex in a robotic armor, emitting a sinister light from its red eyes, roars.

-Keeeee─!

The movie ends by hinting at a mecha fusion in the next series.

─────────────

A bright and cheerful movie overall.

It's hard to say if it will receive good reviews from critics.

But one thing is certain: it's a more commercial script than any other.

"Writer Kim Jin-woo…."

The unique writing style that couldn't be hidden was evident from the descriptive tone.

'The magical girl, too…'

Whether it's dinosaurs or mecha, it's a common dream for adult men.

"It's embarrassing to admit, but it's really good."

Saerom looked at the work again, slowly, and muttered.

"Hmm, what is this script?"

Knock, knock─

At that moment, the sound of Kim Jin-woo's knock was heard.

"Ah! Writer?"

"Director, why are you here…."

Saerom laughed at the sight of Kim Jin-woo, who was sweating and pretending it wasn't his work.

How lucky is a production company to have a writer who can churn out such works like a machine?

"Writer."

"Yes."

"Let's produce it."

"Really?"

"Let's make this work a success. Definitely."

"…Is it possible?"

"Yes, it's possible."

And so, Writer Kim Jin-woo's first movie entered the production phase.

* * *

That evening.

I was reading a poetry book by Yoo Seol-a in my room, finding peace.

"I said to the leaf that approached me."

Eh? You're breathing.

I'm breathing too.

That's the leaf.

Even if I want to pass by, I can't.

"Shouldn't you just pass by…."

It's embarrassing to be caught before it's even finished.

I can't even lift my face, it's so embarrassing.

I picked up my smartphone and checked the message sent by Director Jeong.

[As you asked, I passed the script to actress Yeo Min-seo.]

[She doesn't know what role it is yet, so don't worry.]

[And I'll go to the meeting with Director Song.]

"Director Jeong… what a pushy person."

It's a huge investment, and if it fails, the career built up through dramas will be ruined.

'I don't doubt the system, but…'

A blockbuster movie isn't just about the script, so I'm still worried.

That's why I put more effort into the script's completion and tried to describe it as precisely as possible.

Creak─

Frustrated, I opened my door and went to the living room.

"Heejeong?"

"Uh-huh."

Sitting on the sofa, eating rice, she looked nothing like an actress.

"Still my little sister."

"Uh-huh."

She couldn't even respond to my provocation.

Why does it feel so sad to see her swallowing the rice without even chewing?

"Is it good?"

"Uh-huh."

Heejeong, who seemed to have lost her language skills.

Does this child even know what it feels like to be full?

Pat, pat─

I patted Heejeong's shoulder and offered some encouragement.

"I heard you're doing well with the filming of the 'Seven Siblings of Oryu-dong.'"

"Uh-huh."

"How about it? Is Director Sung doing a good job?"

Pause─

Heejeong, trembling with fear at the mention of Director Sung.

"…Hang in there."

When I was a pure macho, Director Sung wasn't a scary type at all.

Probably because the system wrote a custom script for the actors.

In comparison, Heejeong is like heading into a field without any preparation.

'Getting the audition was already a good start.'

That's enough by itself.

* * *

The next day.

Director Song Kwansu stroked his chin as he read the script he received from Director Jeong last night.

"Hmm…."

Indeed, a star director is different.

He seemed to read the work from a different perspective than others.

"It's good?"

Honestly, I was startled to see dinosaurs and mecha together, but it's not an independent film.

He needed to look at it from a commercial perspective.

Ultimately, the ones spending the money are adults, not children.

If it can make their hearts race, that's all that matters.

A short while later,

Kim Jin-woo and Jeong Saerom appeared at the agreed location.

After a brief greeting, Director Song got to the point.

"Writer, you're thinking of actress Yeo Min-seo for the lead role, right?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, to properly shoot what's described, we'll need to rent at least six CG studios."

"Um… that's a lot."

"We might need to spend 800 billion won just on CG. You know that, right?"

"…Wow."

You didn't know.

"I have a friend in mind when I read this script. A younger acquaintance."

"Really?"

"His name is Gook Jun-rak, a CG expert. I think you, Writer Kim, might know him."

"Who…?"

"He's in charge of the CG graphics for the Korean horror streamer."

"Oh…"

"I want to entrust the key scenes to him."

I heard this from Director Angela, but it's not the main point.

She said there's no one in Korea who can match his skills.

"To be honest, this is a work that even I'm tempted by."

"…Thank you for your kind words."

"But this isn't a pie that Tempest can monopolize."

Hearing Director Song's words, Saerom spoke up.

"I've already sent the script to Disney Play's Director Angela. She's reviewing it."

"…You're fast."

"That's how it is when you work with someone."

Saerom glanced at Jin-woo as she spoke.

He had produced four works in just one year, busier than anyone else.

"Then, we might be able to start production as early as next year."

"Hehe, we haven't even finished the script yet."

"Really?"

"It's still lacking. I'm weak in art, so I'm studying while writing."

"…Hehe."

Hearing Jin-woo's answer, Director Song laughed heartily.

"I thought this was enough to hand over to a director. You're different, Writer Kim."

"Um… I want to write it exactly as I imagine it."

A movie can't be decided in one meeting.

They decided to end the meeting at this point and part ways.

Before parting with Jin-woo, Director Jeong spoke up.

"Writer, I have somewhere to go alone."

"Really? Then, shall we…."

"No, I'll go alone."

"Ah, okay."

"I'm going to meet the largest investor."

"Largest investor?"

"Hehe. Just know that for now."

Saerom smiled and continued.

"It will be a more important investor than Disney Play."

She got into her car and headed to the main house.

The actual owner of the current Cheon Sung Group, the vice chairman's residence.

She had waited for a week, hoping to meet her busy father.

* * *

An actress's house.

One side of the cabinet was piled with items she received during volunteer work.

Crude robot or dinosaur models given by children from an orphanage.

But they didn't seem to be items she had reluctantly accepted.

Next to them were several expensive figures and Gundam models.

"Isn't this work…."

Yeo Min-seo looked at the script handed to her by her manager with a bewildered expression.

The moment she opened the first page, she thought:

I don't know who will be the main character of this work, but

I'll be carrying a black history on Naver TV for the rest of my life.

"…Are you asking me to do this? Is this a dream?"

It's definitely Writer Kim Jin-woo's style.

Did he write this to mess with me?

Ding-dong─

She immediately called her manager.

"Bro, is this really what Director gave you?"

-Yes.

"Is it a joke?"

-Rather, it's not a joke.

"Huh?"

-There's a rumor that our company is making a 100 billion won movie.

"…What are you talking about, a 100 million won movie?"

-No, a 100 billion won production!

"!!!"

Yeo Min-seo looked at the work again slowly.

If that much money is invested, it won't be a children's play.

Swallow─

She swallowed and imagined herself as a magical girl.

If the magic cast by the protagonist in the movie makes robots and dinosaurs explode,

'If 100 billion won is invested, it's a different story.'

It's not a production budget that can easily be achieved in Korea.

I heard that "Transformers" spent about 1.5 trillion won on the first series.

"Could I be the top lead…?"

-Mmm, maybe.

"Maybe not."

-Yeah.

Should I laugh or cry?

'If I were the main character…'

The top female lead in a 100 billion won production.

If it fails, I'll bear the stigma, but if it succeeds,

'If this succeeds, the next step could be Hollywood…?'

Maybe I could step onto the dream stage.

High risk, high return.

'No, I need to get a grip.'

If I fail a magical girl movie at thirty,

I'll live a shameful life, being mocked by my nieces and nephews.

'I need to clear my mind.'

With a calm mind, the work became just a work.

A magical girl fighting dinosaurs with robots…?

"…Why is this so appealing!"

The various toys in Yeo Min-seo's house seemed to sparkle unusually today.

* * *

No matter how high Tempest Entertainment's reputation had risen,

it didn't mean they could easily find a 100 billion won investor by foot.

Especially for a work by a writer whose script hadn't been verified by a movie.

"I'll invest."

Just meeting during the busy holiday season was an honor.

"Really?"

"Yes. You've worked hard. You've grown a lot."

"…"

It was the first time her father acknowledged her.

'It feels… strange.'

But her father suddenly said something unexpected, leaving Saerom flustered.

"Try to grow a broadcasting station."

"Huh?"

"I mean the broadcasting station that Cheon Sung Group recently acquired."

"Oh… MDN Broadcasting."

"The sound system is too poor."

"…."

A cable broadcasting station far behind public broadcasters, JTBS, and TVM.

But it was a place that occasionally produced dramas and maintained a 1% viewership.

"Try to improve its performance. Can you make it like other cable stations?"

"…Is this a deal?"

"It's a request."

A request? To hear such words from her father.

"What do you mean by making it like other cables…?"

"Try to make a drama succeed properly."

"…I think I can do that."

Hearing Saerom's confident answer, the vice chairman smiled and said,

"20% viewership. Within a year."

"…"

20% viewership on cable.

A challenge that was almost impossible in reality.

'Can I do it?'

Even "Pure Macho," which was a hit on JTBS, didn't break the 20% barrier.

But now, she felt she could do it.

"Why, can't you do it?"

"Phew… I'll try."

It was an extremely difficult challenge, but who knew how much Jin-woo would grow in a year.

'I believe in Writer Kim Jin-woo.'

Just thinking about his work made her feel she could do it.

"The movie investment…"

"I'll tell the secretary."

"Thank you."

* * *

Time passed, and it was December 31st.

The day of the KBC and MBS acting awards.

"Please take care."

"Hehe. Just trust us."

The makeup artist and stylist dispatched from Tempest Entertainment.

With their help, she put on makeup and a stylish suit.

"Bro! You look great today."

"Thanks."

With Hyo-ju's praise, she immediately headed to the car.

'MBS Public Hall.'

A place where star-studded stars gather.

The system will surely recognize talented actors.

'Maybe… the system will bring a new work today.'