小火星

Ah, this is a bit embarrassing. No, I couldn’t help it because a dead animal suddenly appeared. Kang Woojin, whose poker face momentarily broke, sneakily glanced at Jang Su-hwan, who had rushed over.

Does he suspect anything? Nevertheless, it can’t be helped.

‘Let’s just say I was startled. Yes, I’m human after all.’

However, with widened eyes, Jang Su-hwan suddenly gave Woojin a thumbs-up.

“That scream just now… no way, could it be, Hyung~nim! Were you practicing for the role you just took on??! Amazing! That scream was so original, it didn’t seem like you at all!”

“···Uh. Yes, well.”

Woojin felt a bit offended at the word ‘frivolous,’ but he thought, what does it matter? Then, checking the time, he muttered.

“Let’s go. It’s about time.”

“Yes!”

On their way back to the set, instead of enjoying the scenery, Woojin scanned the surroundings, comparing them with the script’s backdrop. Although peaceful now, this area would soon be swarming with bizarre creatures, rampant killing, and murder.

Of course, most of it would be through special effects.

For reference, today’s script reading had over 150 staff members present, an extra-large group even by regular film crew standards. Notably, a significant portion consisted of the VFX (special effects) and art teams.

That means a lot of effort is being put into special effects.

Undoubtedly, the production costs would be astronomical. Woojin, who had joined this massive project as the lead role, felt it surreal.

‘It feels a bit like I’m the black sheep.’

Regardless, Woojin returned to the edge of the forest where he had entered. Soon, a vast sea spread before his eyes. Well, it was actually a lake, but in the script, it was the sea. Anyway, Kang Woojin paused there for a moment.

“······”

He silently gazed at the lake. His expression became serious.

At this point, Director Kwon Ki-taek, who was busy giving instructions to staff at the entrance of the set, noticed Kang Woojin.

“Hmm?”

While briefly glancing around the dense forest, Woojin continued to stare at the lake for quite some time. The atmosphere around him was deeply serious and solemn.

At this, Director Kwon Ki-taek chuckled.

“Is he already immersing himself into the setting and emotions?”

The assistant director standing next to him asked.

“Yes??”

“Over there- I mean Woojin.”

“Oh.”

“Look at his expression, he’s no longer seeing this as a set. He’s looking at it as ‘Island of the Missing.\'”

Director Kwon Ki-taek was convinced that Woojin was in the process of perceiving this place as the world of ‘Island of the Missing.’ That face, those expressions, and that aura. He had seen them even on the set of ‘Hanryang.’

‘With a genius like this putting in so much effort, he’s bound to become a monster.’

But that wasn’t the case. Kang Woojin was simply staring blankly at the lake, hoping for one wish.

‘I haven’t seen the sea or a lake in ages. Ah, I really want to play in the water.’

He longed to jump into the water and frolic around right then and there. When was the last time he had played in the water? It had been so long that he barely remembered.

‘A banana boat¹… the ramen you eat after playing in the water. Ah, damn.’

It was the height of summer. Now would be the perfect time for water activities. Just then.

“Woojin.”

A familiar male voice called from behind. Turning around, he saw Choi Sung-gun, with a smile on his face.

“Let’s get going, the script reading room setting up is almost done.”

“···Understood.”

Kang Woojin reluctantly stepped forward, and Choi Sung-gun murmured softly.

“And so it begins.”

What? What are you talking about? Woojin didn’t understand right away but decided to play along.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Didn’t I tell you? The best way to cover up an issue is with another issue. You saw the article the paparazzi released?”

He was talking about the article with the headline about split personalities. There were a few more besides that one that had popped up. As expected, just as Choi Sung-gun had informed him in the car, several reporters had sensationalized Woojin’s past as entertainment news. Only now did Woojin understand what was happening and slowly nodded.

“Yes, I saw it. There were quite a few comments, too.”

“Yes. It might get annoying if we leave it as is, but it’s fine. We just shouldn’t give them time to delve deeper.”

“······”

In response to Kang Woojin’s silence, Choi Sung-gun showed him his smartphone. On the screen was an article that seemed to have just been published.

『[IssuePick] Japan’s renowned master director Kyotaro Tanoguchi’s new work ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger,’ but casting a Korean actor? Rapidly spreading in Japan』

Huh? Why was this announced? Woojin was internally raising a question mark when Choi Sung-gun, who had taken back the phone, spoke in a lowered voice.

“I’ll tell you more after the script reading. Anyway, Japan is in uproar over this, and because of the ‘Korean actor’ keyword, it’s also become an issue domestically.”

“Ah- yes.”

As Woojin responded curtly, the smile on Choi Sung-gun’s face, who was handing over the ‘Island of the Missing’ script, deepened.

“Hold on tight, it’s going to be full throttle from next week.”

Choi Sung-gun whispered, patting Woojin’s shoulder.

“After the script reading, the news will have spread even more domestically, as I’ll giving it a push.”

At that moment, Kang Woojin’s view suddenly…

– Shhk!

Changed into a pitch-dark void. The reason was simple. Woojin had suddenly entered the void space, to calm his somewhat chaotic mind.

“Ah, my heart is starting to race.”

The reading, filled with top actors, was about to start. Kang Woojin let out a long breath and moved towards the white squares listed in front of him. Naturally, he chose ‘Island of the Missing.’

-[3/ You have selected the scenario (Title: Island of the Missing).]

-[Listing characters available for reading (experience).]

-[A: First Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae, B: Staff Sergeant Jo Bong-seok, C: Lance Corporal Nam Tae-oh, D: Corporal Jin Sun-cheol…]

With more clarity and definitiveness. ‘Island of the Missing’ starts with tension as ‘Private Kim’ and then shows the ordinary lives of the main characters.

Just like the character introductions.

Among them, Woojin had read (experienced) ‘Corporal Jin Sun-cheol’ several times, but now it wasn’t strange to be ambitious. After all, the reading room ahead of him was overflowing with apex predators. One could never be too careful, but today, especially, he had to be more vigilant.

“Hu-”

Then, Kang Woojin.

– Swish.

Firmly selected the villain he would play.

[“Preparing ‘D: Corporal Jin Sun-cheol’ for reading……”]

[“… Preparation complete. This is a highly completed script or scenario. 100% reading is possible. Starting the reading.”]

Soon, Woojin was sucked into the world of ‘Island of the Missing.’

It was chilly.

The first sensation Kang Woojin felt as the grey world slowly cleared. The temperature was somewhere between chilly and cool.

What he saw was mostly lacking in color.

Silver, white, and black.

Standing there, that was in his view. Kang Woojin slowly moved his eyes. Square-shaped silvers were arranged in sequence. Soon, Woojin realized.

A morgue. This place is a morgue.

From here, everything about ‘Corporal Jin Sun-cheol’ started to be hammered into Kang Woojin. Something surged into his chest, feeling like it filled his entire chest. Emotions and senses. ‘Corporal Jin Sun-cheol’ and Kang Woojin were now one. This was the life of ‘Jin Sun-cheol.

What he first felt was.

“Ah- uh.”‘

It was a mix of embarrassment and shyness. Along with timidity and there was also a fear of strangers. Confidence and self-esteem were low; eyes were open but the focus was always below the middle. It seemed necessary and had become a habit. Everything was lacking. Thin and powerless, lacking something primal, and unable to say out what he wanted to say.

Because he was worried. Afraid.

So, he pays attention. He’s indecisive. Slow and hesitant, more lacking than decisive. Woojin secretly surveyed the morgue and then checked his own body.

He was wearing a military uniform.

His rank is corporal. But somehow, the military uniform he wore seemed quite shabby. There are many wrinkles. As if the uniform he was wearing reflected the personality of its wearer.

At that moment.

“Would you like to… confirm?”

He heard a strange man’s voice. Thanks to that, Woojin’s face, which was rolling his gaze as if emotionally unstable, became fixed. Towards the man in front of him. The man, with his hands together, pointed to the silver table placed between him and Woojin.

No, it wasn’t just a silver table.

Underneath the white cloth, the silhouette of a person lying down was visible. A corpse, yes, a corpse. It made sense since this was a morgue. But Woojin reacted awkwardly. He couldn’t readily answer.

A faint voice of self echoed inside him.

‘Should I… respond? No, I can’t. What if it’s really Mom lying here? But I need to confirm it, right? What should I do?’

Woojin was hesitating, overwhelmed by emotion. He was anxious and hurried, yet he couldn’t easily open his mouth. Then, the morgue attendant spoke again.

“What would you like to do? If it’s too hard for you……”

Finally.

“I’ll… I’ll look.”

Woojin, exhaling a small breath, said with his lips trembling slightly.

“Please show me.”

“Okay.”

-Rustle.

The attendant slightly pulled back the white cloth covering the head side. Soon, he saw his mother’s face. Uncertain whether it was white or blue. It was ashen. So cold that it seemed touching her would freeze his hands. Then, a voice inside Woojin echoed. Mom, why are you here? Why? Why is your face like this? Mom, please answer me, mom.

Kang Woojin felt a surge of emotion rising from deep within, rushing to his head.

“…Mom. Mom.”

Why did you have to leave when I was in the military? Why, mom? Soon, Kang Woojin’s knees started shaking, and he collapsed. His world, his reason, everything was crumbling. Tears streamed down as he lifted his shaking hand.

“Can I… Can I touch my mom?”

“……”

There was no answer from the attendant. Kang Woojin, with overwhelming grief, touched his mother’s icy cheek. Is this even skin? It’s too stiff. No, mom, please don’t be like this. Though he couldn’t scream out of timidity, Woojin gripped his pale mother’s shoulder and let out a restrained sob.

“Mom… sob, I’m sorry, mom. I wanted to do better, I should have done better. What do I do if you leave this soon? I’m sorry, mom.”

Somewhere, he seemed to hear his mother’s voice.

‘It’s okay, my son. Mom is sorry. Thank you for growing up so well, my strong boy.’

His mom’s voice faded into the distance. Tears became more intense, as Woojin desperately wanted to hold onto his mother. He needed to. But he didn’t know where she was, where she had gone. This thought exploded his tears.

“Mom, is this really the end? Huh? Mom. Can’t you stay just a little longer? Mom… I’m not ready yet. Just for a day, no, even just for a few hours.”

Woojin, burying his face in his mother’s shoulder, cried profusely. Seeing him, the funeral home attendant also felt a sting at the heart.

It was then.

Hey, snap out of it, you fucking idiot.

In the midst of Kang Woojin’s turbulent emotions, a voice in his self-awareness, same but with a different tone, was heard.

‘Enough of this, get lost. Are you going to cry like a fucking idiot all night?’

Clearly, a different tone and manner of speaking. And it was rough. It even felt like it was trying to take over his entire body. Invading him. Woojin, who had been sobbing, resisted vehemently.

‘Stop, don’t. My mom… she’s dead. It’s not your place to come out.’

‘Fuck you. You son of a bitch, deep down you’re glad she’s dead, right? If this bitch hadn’t died, I would’ve killed her myself.’

‘Don’t… don’t do this. Stop it. Don’t come out. Just leave me alone!’

‘What are you on about, you lunatic?’

The rough harsh voice laughed.

‘You are me, and I am you.’

At this moment, all the indecision washed away as if it were a lie. Like a wave washing over. Soon, a cold, rational, and indifferent feeling spread throughout his body. There was determination, with nothing to shy away from.

Fuck, everything is displeasing. There’s dissatisfaction with everything.

When a completely different emotion took over, Woojin’s eyes abruptly snapped open. His expression changed. The anxiety and nervousness were gone, replaced by ferocity. He could hear the timid voice of his altered ego.

‘Ge-, get out of the way. I need to send mom away… Please. Can’t you give me a little more time?’

Kang Woojin snorted.

“Shut up. It’s my time now.”

Stunned, the morgue attendant, blinking in confusion, stammered.

“Excuse me? What did you just say?”

Woojin, who had been lying down, smoothly got up. He then dusted off his military uniform as if something dirty had touched it. Then, he glared at the attendant in front of him.

“Cover it.”

“······?”

Frustrated by the attendent’s lack of understanding, Kang Woojin roughly pulled the white cloth over. Seemingly unwilling to stay any longer in this sickening place, he swiftly turned around and left the morgue without any further hesitation.

Watching his retreating figure, the attendant wore a baffled expression.

“What, what just happened so suddenly……?”

In the meantime, Kang Woojin, having left the morgue, headed briskly toward the restroom. There was no trace of his earlier indecision. He immediately went into a toilet and took out his cell phone from his uniform pocket.

The timid voice in his self-awareness was heard again.

‘What… what are you doing?’

“Shut up. Fuck, let’s see-”

After a few minutes of tapping on his phone, a glint of madness appeared in Woojin’s eyes, and a cruel smile spread across his face.

“Heh, bitch. How much is the insurance money.”

Corporal ‘Jin Sun-cheol’ was not just one person.

.

.

.

.

.

In the reading room, filled with prominent figures and top-tier actors, along with over a hundred staff members, emotions ran high. The air was thick with tension, concentrated focus, excessive breathing, difficult lines, and distinct acting levels.

Piercing through the center of such an intense reading room was ‘Corporal Jin Sun-cheol.’

No, it was Kang Woojin’s acting.

“Heh, bitch. How much is the insurance money.”

The first appearance of ‘Corporal Jin Sun-cheol,’ portrayed by an actor who had debuted just six months ago, brought a sense of pressure to the reading room, silencing everyone.

Everyone’s face was etched with shock.

“······”

“······”

“······”

They were all looking at the only rookie actor in the reading room. They adjusted their postures. Rookie actor Kang Woojin had changed the attitude of figures from all sectors.

And for good reason.

Director Kwong Ki-taek at the head of the table.

‘He’s already… not just one person.’

All the actors, including Ryu Jung-min and Ha Yu-ra, and the hundreds of other individuals, saw that Kang Woojin was clearly one person. But the ‘Corporal Jin Sun-cheol’ who now sat here.

-[Role of Corporal Jin Sun-cheol/ Mr. Kang Woojin]

Was unmistakably two people.

<End of Multi (7)>

Note:

1) An inflatable boat in the shape of a banana.