Chapter 5

In the movie that Yu Jae-ho is directing, various protagonists of different ages with their own stories appear. Among them, the actor they were most diligently seeking was the one to play the role of a 20-something man who failed to find a job and is filled with inferiority. It might sound simple, but since this character is central to the story, it was difficult to find an actor who would catch the director's eye.

The crew members passed the photos around, muttering to themselves.

"Looks cool... and there's something sad about him. I like this guy."

"But it's a shame he doesn't have any filmography."

"Exactly. Just from the looks of it, he seems perfect!"

"Ugh, acting is more important than looks, acting."

Director Yu stretched and muttered.

"Let's take a proper look next week... Ah, my back."

And he glanced at the only profile left.

'...I wonder if he can even deliver his lines properly at the audition.'

However, it wasn't until the following week that Director Yu realized all his worries were for nothing.

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An unbelievable thing rolled in.

【Heart rate slightly elevated. Body temperature normal. Oxygen saturation normal. Tense but relatively stable. Should I set it to 'Do Not Disturb' mode?】

'Yes.'

Han Yuil sat in the waiting room, feeling a pleasant tension. After about ten minutes, a staff member approached and called his name.

"Is this Han Yuil, the actor who applied? Yes, please follow me this way."

Han Yuil followed the staff member to the audition room. When he turned the doorknob, he saw four people sitting at a long table.

The first person Han Yuil noticed was Kim Mijin. The senior sitting at the far left smiled and mouthed "Good luck." Next to her sat Director Yu Jae-ho, and beside him were the assistant director and the cinematographer.

"Hello, my name is Han Yuil."

"Nice to meet you~"

"Thank you for coming so early in the morning."

While friendly greetings were exchanged, Yu Jae-ho, sitting in the middle, looked at Han Yuil with a rather indifferent expression.

"Yu-il, have you seen the lines we sent you?"

"Yes, I have."

Han Yuil smiled faintly in response to the assistant director's question.

He had stayed up all night because of those lines.

"Great. Let's go through it quickly."

"Tell us when you're ready!"

"Understood."

Han Yuil closed his eyes slightly and took a deep breath.

Meanwhile, the assistant director was somewhat impressed by Han Yuil's appearance. Even with just a mask, jeans, and a white shirt, he looked fashionably cool.

'He's taller than I thought. I thought he had exaggerated his height. 185... it seems to be correct.'

The only issue was that he looked more composed and well-mannered than expected.

'Being clean-cut and good-looking is a plus as an actor... but I'm not sure if he fits our project.'

As the assistant director looked at Han Yuil with a doubtful expression, Han Yuil opened his eyes.

"I'm ready."

"Ahem, let's begin."

The assistant director cleared his throat and read his first line.

"You. Speak properly. Why did you try to kill Sohee?"

The assistant director, who lacked acting talent, read the lines as if reciting from a book. However, Han Yuil's face changed instantly upon hearing the stiff lines.

Not just his face, but his entire body changed.

His shoulders hunched, his legs trembled, and his hands clenched and unclenched repeatedly, as if he didn't know what to do.

In the next moment, Han Yuil narrowed his brows and began to laugh.

"Hey... Uncle! Why would I, why would I try to kill Sohee-ssi, huh?"

Clearly, he was laughing while speaking, but his muscles were tense, and his smile seemed about to turn into a spasm.

'...!'

Suddenly, a despicable and pitiful man stood before them. The atmosphere changed so quickly. The assistant director tried to hide his surprise and continued with his lines.

"You said you needed money. From the beginning, coming here, trying to kill, it was all for the money, wasn't it?"

Han Yuil laughed despicably, his tall frame seeming to shrink.

Despite seeing Han Yuil when he first entered, he now looked like a small person from the start.

"I'm not that bad a person. I'm quite popular among my friends... you know? Please believe me a little."

"How can I believe you? What for?"

Han Yuil's emotions changed subtly as he listened to the lines.

His neatly arched eyebrows shot up and then fell. A small sigh escaped his slightly open mouth.

"...Sigh."

Now, he seemed unable to contain his frustration, pacing around the room. His face, as if deep in thought, suddenly stopped.

At that moment, Han Yuil's expression changed slightly.

'...!'

The assistant director's mouth opened in surprise as he looked at Han Yuil.

Now, Han Yuil's eyes held a hint of confidence... no, arrogance.

He lifted his chin slightly and looked at the people, then stomped his foot strongly.

It seemed he had just realized something, tracing the air with his index finger.

"I get it... I get it now."

Now, Han Yuil was smiling.

The assistant director, who had been lost in thought, realized it was his turn to deliver his lines. He read the lines with a trembling voice.

"...What do you get?"

"What do you mean? I understand why you suspect me, Uncle."

One step, another step. He approached.

His eyes sparkled, but not with vitality or sharpness.

"...Did you do it, Uncle?"

This... was madness.

The assistant director clenched his fists. Sweat was already seeping from his hands.

"Uncle."

He leaned in.

"Why did you try to kill Sohee-ssi?"

And he asked.

As if genuinely curious.

But with a deranged look in his eyes.

"Cut."

...Burp.

A burp escaped the assistant director's mouth, echoing in the room. He quickly drank some water.

"...Eh, are you okay?"

"Y-Yes, I'm... burp! Fine. You... burp! Great job."

After swallowing the water and calming down, the assistant director, who was sitting next to Director Yu, looked at Han Yuil with a stiff face.

"...Y-Yes. We'll contact you soon. Thank you for your effort."

Han Yuil bowed politely in response to the assistant director's words.

"Yes, thank you. I'll be going now."

As the door closed, silence filled the room.

"..."

Kim Mijin, who had just regained her composure, shook her head and muttered something quickly. It sounded like a curse. Next to her, Director Yu sat with a stiff face.

"...He's a literature major?"

Director Yu chuckled.

When he received the profile, he only thought of a good-looking newcomer, someone who had just started acting. He tapped the profile with his pen, realizing how far off his expectations were.

"An unbelievable thing rolled in."

*

After the audition, Han Yuil had to finish his acting practice under Bryun's threat before returning home. As soon as he got home, he heard a familiar voice.

"Are you here now?"

He looked at the woman who was smiling brightly, despite the fatigue on her face.

Jin Hahyeong.

She had worked at a university hospital for a long time and had been teaching at a nearby nursing school for a few years.

"...Are you eating well? You look thinner."

"No, I'm not."

Jin Hahyeong laughed softly and patted Han Yuil's shoulder.

"Is it hard to work part-time and study?"

"It's okay. I can manage."

"You always say that, but I have to believe you."

"Really."

Jin Hahyeong carefully examined Han Yuil.

'...You're really growing up.'

Looking at Han Yuil's face was one of Jin Hahyeong's long-standing habits. Han Yuil was the most precious legacy left by her sister.

Jin Hahyeong soothed her sadness by looking at his eyes and nose, which resembled his aunt, and his long fingers. And it was the same for Han Yuil. They both tried to find traces of Jin Soyoung in each other.

"Are you working too much, Auntie? Your face looks tired."

"What? Are you saying I'm old?"

Jin Hahyeong laughed and lightly hit Han Yuil. However, Han Yuil's expression was serious.

Jin Hahyeong often said she had no intention of getting married and had no one she liked. But Han Yuil knew it was because of him, even when he was very young.

He tried to study quietly and find a stable life as quickly as possible for that reason. He wanted to give his aunt the freedom to move on from him.

'Until a few months ago, I thought that path was becoming a civil servant.'

But for the first time... he thought there might be another way.

"Um... Auntie."

"Yes?"

"I started acting."

"...Acting? Like, the kind actors do?"

"Yes. Well... recently, I put on a play at school and found it quite interesting."

Jin Hahyeong's eyes widened.

Acting? For Jin Hahyeong, who had only seen Han Yuil as a calm and exemplary student, it was a surprising story.

"Oh, why didn't you tell me! I could have come to see it."

"It's not that big of a deal. I just... want to try it before I graduate."

Han Yuil spoke calmly, but Jin Hahyeong soon realized that her nephew was genuinely excited and looking forward to it.

'Wow, I've never seen such an expression before.'

Han Yuil had always talked about finding a stable job and living independently as soon as possible, even before he entered middle school. Thinking about the mature expression he used to have, Jin Hahyeong's heart still ached.

But now, Han Yuil looked his age for the first time. Seeing his face, Jin Hahyeong decided to support whatever Han Yuil wanted to do.

'And our Han Yuil... is quite handsome.'

With his naturally clean skin, deep-set eyes, high nose, and tall stature, his appearance was a harmonious blend of all the good features. Even without being his aunt, Han Yuil was a child who had inherited only the best from his aunt and uncle.

Jin Hahyeong spent the evening imagining Han Yuil's acting career and even saw him as a top star in her dreams that night.

Usually suffering from insomnia, Jin Hahyeong was able to sleep soundly for the first time in a long while.

*

The next morning, Han Yuil immediately answered the phone when he saw the name on the screen.

"Hello, I'm Han Yuil."

– Junior! No, Han Yuil!

She spoke quickly.

– We're working together~ Yu-il!

"Huh?"

– I want you to take the role, Yu-il.

Kim Mijin muttered, "If it hadn't been so late yesterday, I would have called right away."

– Is tomorrow okay? Where... no! Where do you live? We'll come to a nearby place!

"Ah... I can avoid my part-time job tomorrow, so it's fine."

– Oh~ You do part-time work? Where? In front of the school? Great! Let's meet at the Starlight Cafe in front of Wolmyeong University!

After quickly arranging the time with Kim Mijin, Han Yuil stood there for a few seconds, looking at his phone.

'Did... I get it?'

So easily?

It didn't feel real. Acting in a movie? He couldn't have imagined it just a few months ago. With a bewildered expression, Bryun quietly said to Han Yuil standing in front of the door.

【I told you not to worry.】

-Actor Han Yuil, fighting!

Han Yuil put the note his aunt had stuck on the door into his pocket. He felt much lighter than usual.

.

.

.

And the next day.

Han Yuil's second audition was approaching.

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How did you catch it?

【...Han Yuil.】

"..."

【Han Yuil! Please wake up.】

Han Yuil slowly moved his body, which was lying on the desk. He blinked his stiff eyes and regained his composure.

【You can't sleep now. You have two midterms at 10 AM and 1 PM tomorrow, and a theater audition in the evening.】

"...I know."

Han Yuil pressed his temples and muttered. The combination of schoolwork and regular acting practice was taking its toll. He had told his aunt he was fine, but the fatigue was building up.

【...If you're very tired, I can help you achieve a wakefulness effect.】

'...Wakefulness effect?'

Yes. Bryun had mentioned this before.

While he couldn't directly boost physical strength, he could help achieve a state of wakefulness for a certain period.

'What exactly is a wakefulness effect?'

【Bryun Dictionary stimulates brain neurons to increase the secretion of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, causing a short-term wakefulness effect.】

...Should I try it?

The moment Han Yuil thought this casually, Bryun immediately responded.

【Yes, I'll start right away.】

"Wh... What?"

At that moment, it felt as if cold water was running from the top of his head to his toes. Shivering from the sensation, Han Yuil felt as if a light had been turned on in his brain, and all the fatigue disappeared, leaving him feeling refreshed.

"...!"

Han Yuil looked at himself in the mirror with a clear face.

His eyes, which had been half-closed a moment ago, were now shining brightly.

【This wakefulness effect can only be used once a day to avoid overexertion.】

...So this is why people take drugs.

【Bryun Dictionary's wakefulness effect is not a drug. Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter involved in regulating human emotions, moods, and sleep...】

Han Yuil listened to Bryun's voice and looked back at the textbook in front of him.

He thought he might need to use the wakefulness effect occasionally when needed.

*

– This is Hyehwa Station, Hyehwa Station. The doors will open on the left side.

Thanks to the wakefulness effect he had tested the previous day, Han Yuil was able to finish his exams without any issues. Now, he was heading to Daehak-ro for the theater audition.

【Han Yuil, please exit at Exit 1.】

'Got it.'

Han Yuil followed Bryun's directions and exited at Hyehwa Station Exit 1. Thanks to Bryun, who knew the location So Jin had sent, he didn't need to open a map.

So Jin's next work, , was a play supported by the A Cultural Foundation. The building where the rehearsal room was located was quite clean. Upon entering the rehearsal room, Han Yuil immediately spotted So Jin. With her characteristic short hippie perm and round glasses, So Jin greeted Han Yuil warmly.

"Oh, Han Yuil, you're here!"

At her words, someone who had been