Chapter: 07
How about this, you damn fairy?
<It’s possible. But as a cost, for the next week, you’ll develop a milk hypersensitivity—consuming it will immediately cause skin rashes and a burning sensation.>
The fact that the cost was drastically reduced was very welcome. I could survive without milk for a week.
“Grant my wish.”
<Understood.>
I still had my upper body bare, moving the muscles of my face. The wish was fulfilled very precisely. My barely movable cheeks lifted smoothly about one centimeter.
Let’s see.
‘Then this should work, right?’
I smiled brightly in front of the mirror. For a moment, the whole world seemed to sparkle. Maybe it was like when light hits a dark abyss.
Reflected in the mirror, I was smiling like pure honey.
For a moment, I choked up.
‘I’m back.’
The luxurious honey smile, which had been like an army of ten thousand troops for me, had returned.
‘You might not notice a full seat, but you never forget an empty one. I didn’t realize how precious you were. I’m glad you’re back, my cash cow.’
How many roles and ads had I snatched with this smile?
I looked at the mirror and smiled again. The dazzling glow of O Chanran in the reflection wasn’t just the lighting. This sparkle was entirely because of my smile.
I can guarantee there are very few people on Earth who can do this.
‘I really am a superstar.’
The blood and cells flowing through my body whispered: The superstar is Kim Chanran, and Kim Chanran is a superstar.
‘So this O Chanran can also become a superstar.’
Everything I’d lost would gradually return. This was the first step.
‘I debut. With First Love.’
I’ll climb back up like a dog. Let’s go back to my original place, O Chanran.
‘Following the old path like this, I might even find the guy who killed me.’
I took a deep breath and looked at the mirror again, testing my facial muscles once more.
My cheeks followed the direction I moved them. But I was an actor. I couldn’t be satisfied with this level. I had to manipulate them more freely.
‘No choice.’
Shall I use the method I used before? It’s a bit extreme, though.
I picked up the scissors on the desk and checked the blade. Shining a light on it, it looked quite dull.
‘Still, it should cut.’
I looked around. And found what I was looking for.
Scritch—
The scissor handles moved.
I chuckled.
‘Experience is unexpectedly valuable.’
Returning to a path I had already walked felt surprisingly sweet.
The cutting was soon finished.
I put the scissors back and looked in the mirror. What I saw was ridiculous.
But all of this was a one-step-back move for a hundred steps forward.
I shook my head and contacted Han Jeongsik.
Since I was the only active actor in the company, he picked up immediately.
O Chanran officially joined Han Jeongsik’s company, ‘Masterpiece,’ yesterday.
The contract was very straightforward. Secretary Kim brought a lawyer immediately after receiving it and carefully reviewed every detail.
Han Jeongsik had been the one flustered on the spot, but the contract passed smoothly nonetheless.
I would sign the contract at home; this was my first visit to the agency’s office.
Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations. I knew roughly what a semi-basement borrowed from a familiar hyung would look like.
Still…
‘Impressive.’
First, it was spacious and empty. And since Han Jeongsik had cleaned thoroughly, there was no dust.
‘Pretty amazing.’
Although it was a basement, the lighting and ventilation were decent. But still…
‘Eerie.’
Was it because I was wearing a mask and struggling to breathe?
‘No. I was fine outside.’
So it had to be the space itself.
Even just breathing felt like frost would form in my nostrils. It was so creepy I wouldn’t be startled if a ghost appeared.
‘Cheap things come with a cost, indeed.’
While thinking about how it might be nice in summer despite its eeriness, the damn fairy spoke an astonished line.
<Wow, this is incredible! Chanran, listen well. This place is full of yin energy.>
I adjusted my mask and nodded. It felt like experiencing a haunted house I’d never seen in any life.
<Many people died here. That’s why this place exists. Hundreds of corpses are buried around this building.>
Huh?
‘Hundreds? Not dozens? Is that even possible?’
Was there a battle here? As I rubbed the back of my neck at the chill, Han Jeongsik came in.
“Oh, you’re here early. Want some bread?”
He was holding a big bag of bread. I took one and looked at the label: Ciabatta.
‘It shouldn’t have milk in it, right?’
I hadn’t eaten anything yet, so I was hungry. Just as I was about to bite it, Han Jeongsik spoke.
“The building owner gave it. Oh, only the packaging says ciabatta. Inside is cream bread. The bakery made a mistake.”
I immediately put it back. Trap avoided.
‘I almost ate it.’
With my temporary milk allergy, any white liquid in paper was off-limits for now.
‘I could have been in real trouble.’
I handed the bread back.
“I’ll eat it later.”
“You don’t like cream bread?”
“Not for now. But Jeongsik hyung, how much is this office?”
“This place? Hahaha. My Sweet Office~ amazing, right? But the price? Even crazier.”
He whispered carefully into my ear.
“Only you know. No deposit, just 100,000 won per month.”
The price was impressive, but did he need to tell me secretly?
“Basically free, then.”
“Yeah. Please, just pay the maintenance fee.”
Han Jeongsik glanced around and continued whispering.
“The previous guy was about to go insane. This place is really weird. Weird people did weird things in a weird way here. Since you’re underage, I’ll only tell you this much. Phew. Crazy people.”
Hmm, what weird things had they done? I didn’t ask further.
“Anyway, that’s why we use it as our office. A bit eerie, right? But I clean it day and night, so it’s tidy. You could lick the floor if you wanted.”
He demonstrated with a somersault on the bare floor. There was clearly no dust.
‘Eerie, like a heavy zombie panda.’
Why was it like this?
The answer came quickly.
“This used to be a public cemetery. Kind of a cursed spot.”
Ah, that explained it. Cemeteries are bound to be full of yin energy.
‘Not my problem.’
People simply died and were buried here.
Considering Seoul’s strategic importance over 5,000 years, is there any land where no one ever died?
I ignored it and surveyed the office.
<Don’t underestimate it. You can feel the grievances of the wronged spirits. Places like this always attract special things. But yin calls for yang. This place is excellent for growth.>
Huh.
‘Fairy, what does that mean?’
<If yin is abundant, it attracts yang in response. If you act here with willpower, your results can multiply. Of course, you must overcome this eeriness through effort.>
Ah.
I grinned widely. So if I practice vocal exercises while enduring this chill, the effects will multiply.
‘How did Jeongsik hyung find a place like this? Amazing.’
What practice will get noticed later? I gauged the office size.
“Jeongsik hyung, can we put a pull-up machine here?”
“Huh? Why not at home? Your place is great.”
“I’ll put both. And let’s add a bookshelf here for scripts and scenarios.”
I immediately searched for a pull-up machine on my phone. Han Jeongsik blinked and scratched his head.
“You can bring whatever you want, hahaha! Sorry. Actually, this office only has a desk I found, a chair from home, and a laptop someone gave for free.”
“Why are you sorry?”
As long as it exists, it’s fine.
“Not much to see? Don’t worry about the bookshelf. I’ll find one. In an apartment complex, it’s easy.”
Picking up discarded items, huh? Still the same as before.
“Then, while we’re at it, bring an electric mat. It’s a bit cold here.”
Eeriness. In the past, maybe the chill caused illness, but now it’s modern. A heater solves it.
“Okay. I’ll bring it. But Chanran, why did you want to meet today?”
Instead of answering, I smiled.
“Look at this first.”
“What?”
I quietly removed my mask.
“Ahhh! What are you doing!”
Doing what? To act better.
“Why did you pull your lips so high and tape them? Doesn’t it hurt?”
It hurt a little, but the important thing was different.
“Hyung, this isn’t bandage tape. It’s medical tape.”
“It doesn’t matter what you stuck on!”
Han Jeongsik didn’t know what to do. I removed the tape and explained.
“Now that I can move them, my awareness is still low. I used this to learn muscle usage. I have to be careful not to drool, but it’s effective.”
Talking normally with tape on, I could gauge some muscle movement.
‘Of course, too long and it bruises.’
Having tested all taping results, I smiled at Jeongsik hyung.
“What? Why are you smiling?”
“How’s it?”
“Good. It felt like light was shining in the abyss. Don’t smile like that outside. Someone might snatch you.”
I laughed sincerely. No matter how handsome, I was still a boy.
“You wouldn’t even be a target, but if someone tried to kidnap you, they should be prepared.”
“What? Prepared for what?”
“Prepared to die. There are many places on the human body where a strike knocks you out. If you only lose consciousness, handling is easy.”
His pupils trembled.
‘Hmm, too honest?’
I whispered with a bright smile.
“Just kidding.”
But half-serious.
Jeongsik blinked and scratched his head.
“Yeah, jokes aside. But life’s harsh. If you were kidnapped, it would be serious. The perpetrator’s in danger!”
Hmm, he’s in danger? Wouldn’t a kidnapper be supposed to be dangerous?
Just as I was about to speak, Jeongsik grabbed my hand.
“I’ll do well! I’ll protect you!”
“Thank you?”
“I can’t make you a killer!”
I had no intention of killing anyone anyway.
‘Well, that works out.’
I smiled and said.
“Jeongsik hyung, perfect timing. Right now, I need someone to protect me.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll be going around collecting business cards today. Please guard me.”
I casually brushed my collar. For business cards, I’d dressed particularly well.
‘Effortlessly stylish, like a universal superstar.’
Han Jeongsik blinked.
“I’ll be in crowded places.”
“Where? Should I bring the car?”
Hmm. With no company funds, fuel would be tight anyway. Not necessary.
I shook my head and offered the card from my wallet. My youth transit card sparkled in the semi-basement sunlight.
“Public transport is enough.”
“Take the bus? You?”
Hmm. Strange reaction.
“Can’t I take the bus? How do you see me?”
