Chapter 86

< Acceleration (2) >

As Park Panso stared intently at Kang Ujin, she let go of his hand and replied.

"I really enjoyed your last performance."

At this moment, Director Kim Dohui and the assistant director approached. It was Director Kim Dohui who spoke first.

"Once the introductions are done, Ujin, you can go straight to makeup and costume preparation."

"Yes, Director."

"Mr. Panso, are you really okay?"

"I told you, I'm fine."

Kang Ujin looked at Park Panso, who had a tiger-like aura.

'Are you hurt somewhere?'

Noticing his gaze, Park Panso waved the script as if to say not to worry.

"It's fine, Ujin. Just focus on your acting. Director Kim is just overreacting."

"Ah, I understand."

Only then did Director Kim Dohui let out a small sigh and give instructions to the assistant director.

"Okay, let's hurry. Ujin, start with makeup and costume. Ujin! As you know from the script, today's makeup will be quite intense."

"I know."

Soon, Kang Ujin moved to where the makeup team was gathered. Park Panso, who had been watching Ujin's back, whispered to Director Kim Dohui.

"Make sure he doesn't stop in the middle of his performance because he's worried about me."

"......Yes, sir."

Although she answered appropriately, Director Kim Dohui was slightly surprised by Park Panso's behavior.

'Usually so composed, but now he's so agitated?'

She focused her gaze on Kang Ujin, just like Park Panso.

'Is it because of Ujin? Indeed, it's strange. It's not just Jaejun. There's something about Ujin that awakens the actors. I'm not bad myself, but...'

Director Kim Dohui felt a bit sorry for the actors working with Kang Ujin and recalled what Nam Jaejun had said the day before.

'When I act in front of him, I feel stripped bare, not as an actor but as a character.'

This was something Director Kim Dohui could never experience. As she moved to the spot where three monitors were set up, she noticed something.

"Hmm?"

Choi Sunggeun, with his ponytail, stood out among the spectators controlled by the staff. And,

'They were supposed to come today?'

He was accompanied by two guests. Choi Sunggeun and Director Kim Dohui exchanged a nod from a distance. However, Director Kim Dohui tilted her head in curiosity.

'Who are they? Two of them? They must be famous, given how they're covering their faces.'

Choi Sunggeun's two guests were wearing masks. Although she had already heard about them, her curiosity grew. Since they had come to see Kang Ujin, they were definitely from the same industry, but it would be awkward to go and ask.

Scratching her chin, Director Kim Dohui called the assistant director.

"Over there, see? Choi Sunggeun and two others."

"Ah, they're wearing masks. Who are they?"

"I don't know. Just tell the teams not to bother them."

"Ah, I understand."

"Are there any spare chairs?"

"Yes, a few."

"Bring them over. Let them sit."

The assistant director immediately ran to get the stacked plastic chairs, and Choi Sunggeun bowed to Director Kim Dohui in gratitude. He then unfolded the chairs and gestured to his guests.

"Please sit."

Simple Japanese. Naturally, his guests were Director Kyotaro and Writer Akari. Soon, Director Kyotaro and Writer Akari, who had greeted Choi Sunggeun, said,

"Thank you."

"Thank you."

Writer Akari sat on the plastic chair. The staff around them glanced at the two, but Director Kyotaro and Writer Akari paid little attention. Writer Akari, in particular, adjusted her nose glasses.

"Hmm-"

She was busy watching Kang Ujin, who was being made up among the staff.

'He looks good physically.'

Her first impression was not bad. She then glanced at Director Kyotaro beside her. Director Kyotaro was having a simple conversation with Choi Sunggeun in Japanese.

'He said he was smitten, but to what extent?'

Writer Akari shifted her gaze back to Ujin.

'He will definitely be a good actor. But I heard he's not that old. An actor's experience cannot be ignored.'

Although not an acting expert, Writer Akari had created countless characters in her novels. The vitality of a character ultimately stems from experience. At least, that's what she believed.

'The depth of acting comes from seeing, feeling, and realizing a lot. In that aspect, this young man might be a bit lacking.'

With these thoughts, Writer Akari began to observe Kang Ujin closely.

'But there must be something to make up for his shortcomings.'

About 40 minutes later.

Kang Ujin's makeup and costume preparation were complete. Of course, the shooting preparations were also done. Various cameras were set up in front of the warehouse, along with a makeshift table. Lighting and audio equipment were also in place. The staff surrounding the shooting area closed in, and the spectators moved further back. Park Panso was at the makeshift table, and Kang Ujin was standing outside the camera range.

The simple rehearsal was already over.

Therefore, all the staff were in their positions, watching the shooting area like mice. Director Kim Dohui discussed the camera movements with the shooting director.

"Initially, when Yi Sangman enters, it should feel like he's coming from outside the frame. Got it?"

"Sure. Okay, okay."

According to the script, this scene takes place after the drug king Choi Junho is killed by Jung Sung-hoon and some time has passed. Jung Sung-hoon, who has established a deal with Yi Sangman, is selling drugs in Japan and is on a high. He makes a lot of money and expands his influence in Japan.

However, Jung Sung-hoon is a police officer.

This posed a crisis for the undercover operation. The police officers who initiated this project and Jung Sung-hoon have conflicts, but Jung Sung-hoon, who has tasted the sweet life, ignores them. As a result, his business in Japan temporarily slows down.

The senior officers were working behind the scenes.

Jung Sung-hoon, with his business in Japan on hold, targets the domestic market in Korea. Here, Yi Sangman reappears. Whether in Japan or Korea, Jung Sung-hoon's pace of operations is too slow. This is due to the conflicts with the senior officers, but Yi Sangman is unaware of this.

However, he can't just eliminate Jung Sung-hoon.

Jung Sung-hoon's organization has grown significantly, and eliminating him would disrupt the drug manufacturing and distribution. He can't even receive free drugs. Therefore, Yi Sangman secretly calls Kim Hyunsoo, known as "Professor Kim," to recruit him.

To poach Professor Kim.

Then,

"Alright, let's go!"

After finishing the conversation with the shooting director, Director Kim Dohui called out to everyone and took her seat. A male staff member held up the slate in front of the camera.

"Hi-"

The signal quickly spread through the loudspeaker.

"Action!!"

The camera angle shows the makeshift table in front of the warehouse. Various dishes and soju are set on the table. Park Panso, or rather, Professor Kim, is sitting there. Wearing a well-ventilated brown linen shirt, Professor Kim moved his hand.

-Swoosh.

He poured soju into a glass. His expression was stern. He was tense, but not overly so. Gulping, Professor Kim downed the soju in one shot and picked up a wooden chopstick.

"Ah, do you like sashimi?"

A rough, tired male voice came from somewhere. Kang Ujin, dressed in a suit, walked over. No, it was Yi Sangman. It didn't matter which; both were the same. Behind him were dozens of subordinates.

"Ah, it's hot."

Yi Sangman, who stopped in front of the table, took off his suit jacket. He then rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing clear tattoos on both arms. Soon, Yi Sangman sat down opposite Professor Kim.

"Why is it so hard to meet you, Professor Kim?"

Yi Sangman filled Professor Kim's soju glass. His demeanor was very different from before. Although his eyes still had a fierce gleam, he was not as composed. He seemed weak. It was not a deliberate act of carelessness.

Yi Sangman's current state had lost much of his former violence.

However, he exuded a strange odor. He acted like a snake, but when you crush a lizard's body, a slimy, thin, and disgusting yet fatal substance oozes out. It wriggles and is thin but deadly.

-Crack.

Yi Sangman, who had a cigarette in his mouth, offered the pack to Professor Kim.

"Want one?"

"I quit."

"Why quit such a good thing?"

"I'm getting old."

"Shut up, don't ruin the mood. Just because I call you Professor, do you think I'm a real professor?"

Yi Sangman, who suddenly clenched his teeth, suddenly grinned. A confusing change in expression. The camera captured it up close.

"Ah, sorry, sorry. I'm sorry, Professor Kim."

Professor Kim, who had been staring at Yi Sangman, asked.

"Are you okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"Looking at your face, you look like you're dying."

"Old man, be careful with your words before I shove a bottle down your throat."

Weak but sharp. Yi Sangman's tone, as he scratched his arm, carried a strange sense of malice. It was a warning that he was trying to suppress. However, Professor Kim just looked at Yi Sangman with pity.

It was understandable.

Sunken eyes, deep dark circles, a face covered in dark spots, hair as messy as a dog's, and a scruffy beard.

The man sitting in front of him was no longer Yi Sangman. Just a drug addict.

"So, why did you want to see me?"

"The main point? The main point is good. Well, stop sucking the cock and start licking my ass."

"Abandon Jung Sung-hoon?"

"No? It's a waste to just abandon him."

-Swoosh.

Yi Sangman, laughing like a madman, leaned closer to Professor Kim.

"I'm going to take out all his guts and sell them."

"Unfortunately, I don't deal with drug addicts."

"......What?"

"Selling drugs is one thing, but using them is another. I'll pretend I didn't hear this today."

"Are you in cahoots with Jung Sung-hoon?"

"......"

"Let me handle it. I'll stick it up your ass, you fucking bastard."

The clear change, or rather, the deterioration, from the initial Yi Sangman to the current one. The flexible, weighty presence he once had was gone. He was now a madman addicted to drugs.

In reality, he was going mad.

This change was vividly expressed in Yi Sangman's tone, eyes, and actions.

Regardless, Professor Kim, who lightly downed the soju, stood up. As he took a step, Yi Sangman, who had a new cigarette in his mouth, laughed absurdly. However, the quality of his laughter was different from before. It felt like the last bit of control was gone.

"Making these punks wear gold, and now you treat me like a beggar."

But Professor Kim ignored Yi Sangman. However, a dozen subordinates blocked his way. Yi Sangman, who had been following, slowly stood up.

"Professor Kim, if you have something urgent, go quickly. Give the drug addict some drugs."

"Talk to Jung Sung-hoon."

Professor Kim, who had stopped, slowly approached. However, the restraint in his eyes was gone. Yi Sangman leaned his face on Professor Kim's right shoulder from behind. The camera captured the two in a two-shot from the front.

Then, Yi Sangman whispered in Professor Kim's ear. His voice was eerie.

"Keep saying Jung Sung-hoon, Jung Sung-hoon. Does that kid know the manufacturing method?"

"......I don't know."

"Seems like he does?"

"Move out of the way."

At this moment, Professor Kim, or rather, Park Panso, wiped the sweat from his hands onto his pants. It wasn't acting; he realized it because of Yi Sangman's voice in his ear.

That he was about to die.

But Yi Sangman's words didn't stop.

"Rough."

He removed his face from Professor Kim's shoulder, but his eerie voice continued from behind.

"Jung Sung-hoon, that punk, has cut ties with his underlings and is moving on the domestic market, but he's not making any progress. Rough. What can I do?"

"Yi Sangman."

"I need to reduce the number of mouths to feed."

Professor Kim, who let out a small sigh, pushed the subordinates blocking his way. But it wasn't easy. Soon, the rationality in Yi Sangman's eyes, who was watching Professor Kim's back, disappeared. Only instinct remained.

"Look-"

Yi Sangman, looking around, noticed the bricks stacked in front of the warehouse.

"Ah, perfect."

He picked up a brick. His breathing was slow and his movements were weak, as if he was tired and wanted to go home. He called out to Professor Kim, who was struggling with a subordinate.

"Professor Kim."

Professor Kim, who had stopped, turned around. At that moment, Yi Sangman hit Professor Kim's face with the brick.

-Smack!

His face showed no expression. It was as if it didn't matter.

"Are you old, so you're selling your guts? Will they sell?"

A subordinate shivered.

"It seems difficult."

"Really? What about the eyes?"

"......"

"Fuck, I don't know."

Yi Sangman, looking at Professor Kim, who was groaning on the ground.

"Ugh... Ah... Cough... Cough..."

Climbed on top of him. Then, he continued his work. He hit Professor Kim's head with the brick twice.

-Smack! Smack!

There was no hesitation. There was no need for it. Soon, blood gushed from Professor Kim's head and soaked the brick.

-Swoosh.

Yi Sangman, who smelled the blood on the brick with his nose, smiled bitterly.

"Maybe because you're old, it smells like a soldier, like a soldier."

"......Ugh-"

"Struggling to live. Look, just look."

-Smack, smack, smack, smack!

The repetitive dull sound. The sound of the brick smashing Professor Kim's head. But it soon became mushy. Each time Yi Sangman hit Professor Kim's head, the bones shattered, and Professor Kim was reduced to a mere lump of flesh.

But Yi Sangman didn't stop.

-Smack, smack, smack!

It was as if he was trying to bury the lump of flesh in the ground. He swung, hit, and pounded. Soon, blood was not only on the brick but also on Yi Sangman's face.

Dark spots and blood mixed harmoniously.

After convulsing for a few dozen seconds, Yi Sangman.

"Huff-"

Threw the brick he was holding to the subordinates in front of him and sat down at the makeshift table without wiping the blood from his face. He then drank a glass of soju and ate a piece of sashimi.

While chewing the sashimi, Yi Sangman picked up the lump of flesh with his chopsticks from the ground.

"Call Jung