“Finals. Only one last step until the ultimate victor.”
Yoon Kyung-deok the announcer stood on the podium, gazing at the audience in the seats.
Unlike other auditions, the finals wouldn’t be held on this stage.
This was merely MC Yoon Kyung-deok.
And the actors who had participated in [Hyper Action Star] until now.
Lastly, only the audience who had purchased tickets existed.
The finals of the two would be broadcast live on the screen behind this stage.
“I will explain the rules.”
The finals of [Hyper Action Star].
The final rule is.
“It’s a comprehensive evaluation of everything done thus far.”
From gunfights to the ensuing capture battles.
All sorts of stunts can be utilized.
As long as it’s within the script.
“Script?”
One audience member mumbled unconsciously.
Until now, it had been called ‘acting’, but there hadn’t particularly been a script.
It was all ad-libbed acting.
Naturally, there weren’t many who could act properly; it was more of a contest of skills among action actors than a true acting audition.
That’s what they thought it was.
“Apparently, the script was given about two hours ago. Of course, this script is like a preview of the later released [Mine]’s screenplay. Some parts are similar, but various aspects will differ during actual filming.”
What was written in the script given to the two was simply the framework for the movie [Mine].
The theme of the movie [Mine].
And even the plot for the scene they would be using this time.
“The two superpowered individuals fight their final battle in the research lab they participated in experiments.”
Research lab.
Just like that word, the set looked similar to a research lab.
Various setups.
Equipment was scattered everywhere.
“As a result of the two, the lab is already on the verge of being shut down. The one who brought destruction to the lab that created them.”
A face appeared on the screen.
Joo Seo-yeon.
“And the character name is…”
Yeohwa.
As the two-character name appeared on the screen, the audience mulled over those two letters while announcer Yoon Kyung-deok continued speaking.
“And the last remaining superpowered individual in the lab. Her name is.”
Narumi Sora.
The character name is Shin Ah-rin.
Her superpower is physical enhancement.
That was the ability Sora had been using during the audition.
It wasn’t particularly unique, but she made it to the finals with regeneration and physical enhancement that could be used without CGI.
So, for the audience, expectations couldn’t help but cool down.
They knew that superpower action was a stretch, but undoubtedly, it could be dull.
“The storyline is simple. The person who destroyed the research lab, Yeohwa, and to defeat her, the last experiment of the lab, Shin Ah-rin, fights her.”
Yoon Kyung-deok said this while checking the time.
Now, it was time.
The sign that the two actors were ready had come back.
“Then, let us officially begin the finals of [Hyper Action Star]!!”
The huge screen behind him changed rapidly.
In the set, smoke billowed from all sides.
At the sight of the lab, the audience was momentarily mesmerized.
‘How much money did it take?’
It already seemed like the movie was completed and being screened.
Realistic rising smoke and the wreckage of the destroyed lab set.
Everyone could guess that this set would be the filming location for [Mine].
A trailer.
This final was akin to a preview of the movie [Mine]’s concept.
Even if the content changed, they would still get a sense of the film’s vibe.
‘Of course, on the premise that the actors can perform properly.’
Director Han Ye-geon crossed his arms and quietly watched the screen.
Watching the two actors in frame.
As they faced each other in the lab.
Han Ye-geon narrowed his eyes.
The winner was practically predetermined.
Would it end in a hollow conclusion?
Or…
*
Narumi Sora.
A nineteen-year-old aspiring actress from Japan.
She had two younger siblings, and her parents were ordinary office workers.
Aside from her pretty looks, her profile was quite ordinary.
She had never participated in a proper movie or drama.
The only experience she had was standing as a supporting role in a small children’s play at an amusement park.
However, she didn’t stop there and came to Korea to study Korean.
“Why did you appear in [Hyper Action Star]?”
An interview recorded before the finals began.
This content would probably be inserted during the broadcast.
“When I was young, my parents showed me old movies.”
Movies without special CG, where people performed action acting with just their bodies.
Hong Kong films that can’t be seen anymore.
“That was so cool. So I decided I would try action acting one day.”
“But isn’t [Hyper Action Star] different from that and dealing with superpowers?”
“I don’t have to use them.”
“Oh, so that’s why you chose the ‘physical enhancement’ ability?”
“Yes. I’m confident in everything using my body.”
Her acting may still be lacking.
But at least, when it came to simple ‘action’, she was absolutely confident.
Yes, she was confident.
Until recently.
“……”
Taking a deep breath, Sora looked straight ahead.
The lab was filled with smoke.
The set was so well arranged that it didn’t even look like a set.
Just that alone made her think she made the right choice in coming to Korea.
A place where she could perform action acting properly.
In Japan, the action she wanted to do was not allowed.
There were those who dismissed it as unworthy acting.
And many said it was too excessive.
Well, maybe Korea was similar, but.
At least for now, this was enough.
‘Joo Seo-yeon.’
Calmly, she saw Seo-yeon walking here.
No, once the scene began, she’d have to call her ‘Yeohwa’.
Seo-yeon was dressed in an all-black dress.
Not the school uniform she always wore.
For some reason, donning a black dress with black stockings.
She was dressed entirely in black.
But it was so oddly fitting that it was strange.
Long black hair, and a calmly staring red-eyed gazes.
Her hands were empty.
Unlikely to have brought anything with her.
‘Is she looking down on me?’
She wasn’t sure.
But she thought it could be possible.
The performances Seo-yeon had shown until now had far surpassed the ordinary not just in acting but in ‘action’ as well.
She was confident in physical moves.
But seeing Seo-yeon, her confidence inevitably waned.
‘Still.’
She couldn’t lose.
There were ways to counter her.
Seo-yeon was an actress, so she tended to stick to the ‘script’.
In other words, because Seo-yeon had regeneration abilities, there must be gaps.
Regeneration meant she had to get hit to function.
Inevitably, Seo-yeon had to allow Sora’s attacks.
What those attacks would be, she didn’t know.
‘With action, I will win.’
In the still silence.
The sound of cameras moving was heard from all around.
And then.
Beeeeeee!!
The sound announcing the start of acting echoed.
At that moment, this place that was merely a set transformed into a closed research lab.
“Why did you do it?”
The first to strike was Narumi Sora.
No, she was the only survivor of the lab and a first-class physical enhancement user, Shin Ah-rin.
“I didn’t need to kill everyone!”
Upon hearing that, Seo-yeon narrowed her eyes.
The script didn’t specify ‘lines’.
It was more like settings that described the situation.
The character ‘Yeohwa’ was a first-class regeneration ability user who underwent terrible experiments in the lab.
She barely escaped, grew stronger, and hunted each superpowered individual down for revenge.
This research lab was her final destination.
‘In contrast, Shin Ah-rin’s case is the opposite.’
She had undergone experiments in the lab, but she escaped thanks to a kind researcher.
She had lived a normal life and came here to rescue the researcher who helped her.
So, who is good and who is evil?
It was a very ambiguous situation.
From Yeohwa’s perspective, revenge was justified.
She had endured terrible experiments, using her regeneration ability countless times.
The many superpowered individuals existing today were all thanks to the suffering Yeohwa went through.
On the other hand, Shin Ah-rin had escaped that nightmare because of a good person who cared for her.
Without a doubt, she must have some terrible memories, but in outcome, she had met someone good and lived happily.
Conversely, from her perspective, Yeohwa was merely a murderer who killed the researcher who saved her.
‘Got it.’
Feeling Seo-yeon’s pause, Sora’s smile turned triumphant.
This was a line she had prepared and practiced countless times in advance.
Since Korean was still unfamiliar to her, there could be a chance her pronunciation might be awkward.
‘It was worth devising it carefully.’
There were no specified lines in the script, but the context and narrative were provided.
Henceforth, all upcoming lines would stem from that.
‘However.’
The audience wouldn’t know the detailed backgrounds and narratives.
Even if explained, they would only understand that it was a situation where two superpowered individuals clashed.
Detailed explanations would become spoilers.
So, Sora made her move first.
With that line, she defined ‘Yeohwa’ as a villain.
There is something known as the imprint effect.
It means that learning that occurs at a specific time will influence one for a lifetime.
Just as animals perceive the first creature they see as their parent.
This is somewhat similar.
Ultimately, people can only think based on the first thing they hear.
Preconceptions.
First impressions.
It takes a lot of effort to change that.
In reality, ‘Shin Ah-rin’s’ words were all reasonable.
There was no need to kill everyone in the lab.
All she had to do was save the good ones.
“Dr. Park saved me! He helped the kids who participated in the experiments and took care of us!! Why did you kill such a good person, why?!!”
Her sharp cry pierced through the sealed lab.
Only the sound of sparks flying could be heard in the silence.
“I don’t know.”
Seo-yeon’s ‘Yeohwa’ replied in a low voice.
“In the end, wasn’t it all just playing with lives? Why should I discriminate?”
Slowly.
Yeohwa stepped forward.
One step.
Then another.
“If you save some and kill others, isn’t that unfair? How many of the dead would feel wronged? That guy also played with lives in the same lab.”
As she approached Yeohwa, ‘Sora’ realized.
‘You’re just going to maintain the image of the villain?’
Yet, it strangely suited her terrifyingly well.
The image of a villain.
Carrying that image of evil upon her back, Yeohwa spoke to Shin Ah-rin.
“If you want revenge, why not do it yourself?”
At that moment.
Bang bang!!! The sound of footsteps reverberated.
Before she could fathom what was happening.
“I can’t do it!!”
Shin Ah-rin sharply shouted and moved her hands.
Originally, she was supposed to perform close combat action from here, but close combat required a lot of practice.
They needed to harmonize to exchange attacks cleanly.
Before filming began, they were given two hours to synchronize.
During those two hours, when Sora tried to approach to practice synchronizing, Seo-yeon had said this.
“It’s okay.”
“Huh? No, what?”
“I will match the flow.”
In an instant, Sora didn’t quite understand what Seo-yeon meant.
‘No way.’
Saying she would adjust to her moves on the spot?
That was absurd. But at the same time, it seemed not impossible.
Sora had often done action acting on stage.
Of course, mistakes were inevitable in live performances.
Especially when they didn’t use proper actors.
Sora had been sharp enough to react every time.
‘Is it an extension of that?’
Seeing Seo-yeon’s composed response, Sora slowly nodded.
Sure, if she wanted to match it herself, then let her be.
Whether it became acting or just an awkward farce was uncertain.
After all, it’d be up to the viewers to decide.
“Yeohwa!!”
Sora, now AKA Shin Ah-rin, chose to draw first—a gun.
Essentially, the finals incorporated all rules from the previously conducted missions.
Just like in the preliminaries, firing at each other for fatal injury could end it.
Yeohwa had her hands down, and she hadn’t even drawn her pistol strapped to her thigh.
So if she fired first, it would be over.
Click.
As the gun was aimed, the moment her finger was about to pull the trigger.
Yeohwa’s right hand struck down Shin Ah-rin’s hand.
The gun dropped effortlessly.
The moment her gaze shifted.
“It looks empty, want to use a gun?”
Before she could throw a line.
Simultaneously, Seo-yeon felt her motion halt there.
Her red eyes locked onto Shin Ah-rin.
Instinctively, Shin Ah-rin raised her legs.
And then.
Pang!!
Yeohwa inserted her right arm in between to lightly block her knee.
Then, as Yeohwa’s left hand moved, this time Shin Ah-rin deflected it.
‘Right in my line of sight.’
It was surprising.
Clearly, just a moment ago, the series of movements didn’t seem to require much strength.
Since it was acting, she couldn’t hit with full force.
But it was blocked too easily.
Conversely, her moves had been blatantly obvious.
‘You said you’d adjust your moves yourself.’
It was something she had never imagined could come to reality.
“Whatever it is.”
Yeohwa’s voice reached her.
With narrowed eyes and a sly grin.
“Looks like you have the leisure to think of other things?”
At that moment, she realized that her hand had made contact with her chest.
‘Huh?’
And in an instant, the scenery around her shifted.
The props adorning the set were primarily soft sponges.
Or made of materials like styrofoam that were soft and cushy.
However, even so, if it were suddenly blasted back several meters, it would be a completely different story.
To the audience, it must have looked like she was flying off because of superpowers.
‘Does she have superpowers?’
Honestly, from the standpoint of getting hit, that was all she could feel.
Moreover, the opponent just stood there staring at her, not chasing.
It felt like being in front of the final boss.
She had seen [The Chaser], but this situation felt different from facing Cha Seo-ah.
While Cha Seo-ah appeared to be a terrifying murderer.
This felt like encountering a monster.
The feeling of facing a predator.
Even though she knew it was acting, Sora suddenly felt her spine chill.
‘Right.’
Sora took a deep breath and steadied her mind.
Now she didn’t know.
‘She said she would adjust her moves herself.’
From her waist, she pulled out the item she had prepared.
An item confirmed with the staff beforehand.
Made of slightly firmer sponge, it was a very unfamiliar weapon.
“Um, that….”
“Why that of all things?”
The audience watching from beyond the screen buzzed loudly.
Not just them.
Jo Seo-hee, who was watching the finals, furrowed her brow slightly.
‘Is that nunchaku?’
The clash of chains rang through the speakers.
And she remembered Sora had said she liked Hong Kong movies.
Perhaps she had brought that item to reflect that concept?
‘If it’s clumsy, it will only cost points.’
That thought crossed her mind, yet recalling their early engagement, she wondered if it might work out.
In the first confrontation.
It was true that Seo-yeon had adjusted to the moves, but Sora’s reaction speed was also incredibly fast.
That claim of her being confident in physical actions really struck home.
Simultaneously, it gave credence to the fact that she had knocked Han So-yu out in the round of 16.
While the audience was in a flurry over the sudden appearance of the nunchaku.
“……”
Seo-yeon, wearing a calm face, stared at Sora.
Of course, internally, she was utterly flustered.
Unlike others, she wasn’t surprised thinking, ‘Could there really be nunchaku here?’
‘As a Japanese person, why not use a katana?’
If she was Japanese, wouldn’t she naturally have to storm in with a katana?
She had wanted to try a blade catching technique.
Seo-yeon felt somewhat disappointed.
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