Chapter 173: Stranger (3)

Chapter 173: Stranger (3)

It was the first time in Hideki Yoshimura's life that he attended a script reading.

Of course, the purpose was to see Kang Woojin. The Korean actor who had brought back vitality and life to his grandson, and allowed him to dream again. He was grateful. He must have had a tough life as well.

He wanted to see it with his own eyes. That was Hideki Yoshimura's heart.

Kang Woojin, who evoked a sense of camaraderie and made Hideki Yoshimura reflect on his past self. When Hideki Yoshimura first saw Woojin in this hall, his impression was that of a beast hiding its teeth. On the outside, he seemed tough, but one could glimpse a mysterious leisure and charisma. His eyes were full of strength, and his voice was mixed with conviction.

Indeed, Kang Woojin was extraordinary.

Being the head of a conglomerate, Hideki Yoshimura immediately recognized the uncommon energy emitted by Kang Woojin. An aura hard to find in that age group. It signified the greatness of Kang Woojin's character portrayal.

Anyway.

What is that.'

The moment the script reading started and Woojin delved into acting, Hideki Yoshimura, with his arms crossed, couldnt help but twitch his bushy white eyebrows.

Acting? Is that what you call acting?'

Even to Hideki Yoshimura, who had never paid attention to acting and was only interested in business, the change in Kang Woojin was clear.

Everything that was filled is now gone.'

The aura that had enveloped him was nowhere to be found. Kang Woojin, now showing Kiyoshi, was empty. Completely hollow. His eyes, voice, movements, thoughts. How could everything that was so full a moment ago be emptied out so quickly? Hideki Yoshimura gradually focused on Kang Woojin's acting. He couldnt take his eyes off.

Is this what all actors are like?

However, as the reading went on, and Kang Woojin's acting built the narrative.

I dont regret meeting you.

Its time for lunch.

Hideki Yoshimura noticed more clearly. That he was special. Around Woojin, who was acting, were many of Japan's leading actors. But it was hard to see them as being on the same level as Kang Woojin.

The other actors definitely have a hint of imitation. But Kang Woojin shows no gap that needs to be filled.'

Woojin was exceptional. Other actors were acting, but Kang Woojin was showing a different life here. At least, that's how it appeared to Hideki Yoshimura.

He asked himself once more.

Is that acting?

No, it wasn't acting. The person had changed. Hideki Yoshimura had seen flames in Kang Woojin's eyes. But the current Kang Woojin. No, Kiyoshi was water. Colorless, odorless. An existence from which no emotion or sensation can be felt.

Its just flowing.'

Suddenly, Hideki Yoshimuras mind vaguely recalled the past. Not his, but his grandson's. The appearance of his grandson who had lost vitality and life and had only been breathing, with dead eyes. Yes, it was similar to that.

Soon, Hideki Yoshimura.

-Swish.

Moved his gaze, which had been attached to Woojin, elsewhere. Around him, a hundred people, dozens of actors, including Director Kyotaro and Writer Akari. Everyone was looking at Woojin. His presence was outstanding. There was an overwhelming charm that captured attention.

A technique that mesmerizes people and manipulates situations. More than just attraction.

It belongs to a very precious ability.

At that moment.

Now is not the time.

Kang Woojin began a monologue. He makes a list of the Eerie sacrifices' he intends to make as a stranger' after Toka disappears from the world.

I need to be forgotten.

Kang Woojin, Kiyoshi, removed his gaze from Toka at the end. Because she was gone. And his gaze wandered somewhere in the vague emptiness. There was nothing in his expression. But his mouth did not rest. The rhythm of his lines was consistent. He seemed to be quietly floating on a motionless water surface.

Then.

Homework.

The desolate eyes of Kiyoshi move in the void, searching for a destination. They drift momentarily among a few actors in front. 9 people. It was the confirmation of a list of 9 specified people. The actors whose eyes met Kiyoshi's could feel it intensely.

There's no hint of reason or instinct.'

Therefore, it was more terrifying. Vaguely frightening. There was no reason or outcome. Pleasure? Joy? Intent? Hatred? Rage? None of the above. There were no actions mixed with emotion. System. Yes, it was a system. For him, there was only work to be done.

Director Kyotaro, who fixed his gaze on Kang Woojin, recited the stage direction.

Kiyoshi sits in the bustling classroom, looking at the chalkboard in front. Still, his face shows nothing.

According to the scenario, after two students die at school, the world turns upside down, but it doesnt last long. Like living people must go on living, the school strove for normalization. Of course, the minds of the entire student body were not intact.

Only Kiyoshi's time had stopped.

Just as it was the moment when Toka sat on the railing, smiling.

However, there were changes at the school. Some of the 9 people on Kiyoshis list had transferred or dropped out. Some still attended the school.

Kiyoshi didnt care.

What he had to do now was.

Study.

To accumulate knowledge. Because he had to look at the long term. There was basic information on the 9 people. Including the data accumulated over time and student records. From here, Kiyoshi had to fill in what was lacking.

Director Kyotaro passes the time with stage directions.

1 year, 2 years, 3 years. Kang Woojins mindset wasnt much different in that time. He lived a life just like any other.

Just a little more, soon.

He was being forgotten by the world, but the plan was already in motion. After 4 years and then 5 years, from here the scene shifts to more monologues by Woojin than stage directions by Director Kyotaro. The scene shows the opposite, but underneath, Kiyoshis voice overlays.

Excuse me.

A straight-forward female voice intruded. It was in Japanese. Choi Sung-gun, slightly startled, turned his head. Behind him stood a woman in a neat suit with her long hair tied back in a single line. It was Tetsugawa Lili, the chief secretary of Chairman Hideki Yoshimura. Choi Sung-gun recognized her face.

He had seen her standing behind Chairman Hideki Yoshimura a few hours ago.

Then, Choi Sung-gun greeted her with a small nod and spoke awkward Japanese.

Ah- Please, go ahead.

Lili's answer was slow yet clear.

May I have a moment of your time?

Are you referring to me?

Yes. You are Mr. Choi Sung-gun, correct?

That's right.

Communication proceeded awkwardly, and Lili, slightly turning her body, gestured politely. It was a sign to follow her. Choi Sung-gun was a bit puzzled but followed her anyway.

-Swish.

They arrived at an employee-only room at the end of the corridor past the The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger' script reading hall. Leading the way, Lili knocked on the room's door before opening it. The interior of the room, which appeared to be for staff use due to its office-like atmosphere, was immediately visible to Choi Sung-gun.

In the center was a five-seater sofa.

Ah.

Choi Sung-gun's eyes widened slightly, for a simple reason. Seated on the main seat of the five-seater sofa was Hideki Yoshimura, the head of the Kashiwa Group, with white hair even in his eyebrows. Next to him was a man in a suit, and Lili, who had guided Choi Sung-gun, gestured for him to sit on the sofa next to Chairman Yoshimura.

Please, take a seat.

Choi Sung-gun's confusion deepened, understandably so given that he was suddenly sitting in front of a Japanese conglomerate owner. Still, he managed to sit down on the sofa with as relaxed a face as possible. Simultaneously, Chairman Hideki Yoshimura, who had been smiling wryly, began to speak.

I'm impressed.

His rough-toned Japanese was translated into Korean by the man in a suit across Choi Sung-gun. Soon, feeling it was okay to speak in Korean, Choi Sung-gun asked Chairman Yoshimura.

What do you mean?

Actor Kang Woojin. The acting I saw earlier was something I've never encountered in my life.

Ah, thank you.

It was a fresh shock. Ha, if only my grandson could even mimic Kang Woojin.

Excuse me?

Never mind. More importantly- Right. I see potential in Kang Woojin. Not just his acting, but his value is very high.

Chairman Hideki Yoshimura leisurely spoke and then signaled Lili, who handed a transparent file to Choi Sung-gun. The chairman explained.

It's a proposal.

What kind?

We are considering scouting Actor Kang Woojin for our Kashiwa Group, to be the advertising model for several of our subsidiaries.

Choi Sung-gun's eyes widened as he unfolded the transparent file. It was a proposal in Korean. At a glance, he saw words like department store, food, and more. And not just one but several kinds. What? Choi Sung-gun was somewhat puzzled. It wasn't unheard of for Korean celebrities to shoot advertisements in Japan, but it wasn't common either.

Moreover, the offer came from the Kashiwa Group.

The suddenness was extreme.

What is thissuddenly, without any context??'

Was Chairman Hideki Yoshimura proceeding with such a significant matter after seeing Kang Woojin for the first time today? The proposal was so unexpected that Choi Sung-gun momentarily wondered if it was a joke.

At that moment.

I read an article from Korea a few days ago.

As if that wasnt the end, the elderly voice of Chairman Hideki Yoshimura continued.

It said that Kang Woojin's contract period is coming to an end. Is he transferring?

Choi Sung-gun concluded that Chairman Hideki Yoshimura was eyeing Kang Woojin. There must be some linked agency involved. Therefore, Choi Sung-gun responded firmly.

It's true about the contract period. However, there will be no transfer.

So, does that mean Kang Woojin will continue with bw Entertainment?

That's correct.

After hearing the answer, Chairman Hideki Yoshimura stared into Choi Sung-gun's eyes for a moment. His face was full of wrinkles, but his gaze was still that of a heavy hitter. Then, Chairman Hideki Yoshimura suddenly smiled and made a quiet yet significant offer.

Ive heard that bw Entertainment is looking to expand.

I personally would like to invest. What do you think?

*****

As of now, the poll results show that Patreon readers prefer the 2nd option, whereas free readers favor the 1st option. A select few have chosen the hidden 3rd option, which is to hunt me down and force me to do a mass release every day (;`). My goal was to understand your preferences and, based on that, create a better release schedule. Having found a new job and currently having some free time daily, I am able to do daily releases, as you might have seen with this month's releases. However, I am still planning what to do and will think of a way to satisfy both daily readers and mass readers.

So, I'll update you guys again regarding this soon. Until then, enjoy!

*****

For more chapters you can check out my patreon here > /dreamscribe

If you are enjoying this novel, please consider reviewing and rating it at Novelupdates. Thanks!

To receive the latest update notifications or report any mistakes, join our Discord server linked below.

Discord Server: https://discord.gg/woopread