Chapter 19:

Chapter 19:

The ringtone of a peppy girl idol group played, and soon the call connected.

The man spoke,

"Its me."

Boss, dont you know I'm off work?

A sharp voice came through the receiver.

Do you see the time right now? Its ten oclock. Ten! And my quitting time is six!

"I know."

Ah, you know~ Just making sure. But you do realize I'm watching my favorite drama right now, right? Please respect my work-life balance. If you disturb my sweet rest one more time, Im seriously quitting. Got it?

The man, unfazed by the sharp response, continued,

"Jang Jaeyi. I'm calling you not as a boss but as your Oppa right now."

Ugh, thats creepy.

Despite the even colder response, the man started laying out what he had to say,

"I think Ive discovered a gem."

Geez, youre talking as a boss, arent you? Are you insane? I'm really going to report you to the labor board!

"Prepare a contract for a new actor."

Youre really too much

"Set up a meeting as soon as possible."

"Respond."

Ahh! Stop that! Its really creepy!New novel chapters are published on

After a barrage of complaints, the person on the other end of the line asked with a reluctant voice,

But is he really that good?

"Yes. That good."

Who is he?

Curiosity began to swirl in the womans voice,

You always have such high standards, only the good-looking ones wont cut it for you. If hes an unsigned rookie actor Is it for a web drama? Or theater?

The woman began to ask questions, her irritation replaced by curiosity.

The man smirked before answering,

"I'll tell you tomorrow. Its not working hours now, as you said."

What?! You steal my precious time and wont tell me? Are you out of your mind, you

Click.

The man hung up the call cheerfully and leaned back, feeling good. Soon, Chopins Nocturne (Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op.9, No.2) filled the interior of the car.

"Nice."

The man who had just watched "From the Ground" was Jang Jaehyun, the CEO of JJ Entertainment.

* * *

After the performance, Yooil and Jung Suho patted each other on the shoulders as they headed to the dressing room.

"Good job."

"You too, hyung."

A week had passed since Jin Hayoung watched the play.

That meant there was only one performance left.

The staff, organizing Yooil's Henry costume, said with regretful faces,

"Ah its such a shame. We wont be able to see Yul-Henry anymore."

"I can't believe tomorrow is the last show"

"Me neither."

Yooil, who had hastily wiped off his stage makeup, left the dressing room. Ignoring the incessant chatter of Brion, he stopped when a shadow blocked his path.

"Hello, Actor Han Yooil."

Startled by the unfamiliar voice, Yooil looked up. The first things he noticed were the woman's high ponytail, tall stature, and deep double eyelids.

"Just, it feels strange because it's the last performance."

"Uh, right! It feels strange to me too."

The staff finished the makeup with a laugh. At a similar timing, Jung Suho, who had also finished his makeup, came over with a grin.

They bantered casually but soon began to prepare as the staff's voices indicated that the play was about to start.

Jung Suho nudged Han Yooil and whispered,

"Ready?"

"Yes."

Han Yooil smiled back at him and then took a deep breath.

Announcements were flowing through the theater, indicating the imminent start of the performance.

And the moment he opened his eyes on stage, he transformed once again into a being not of this world.

A vampire who, living an endless life, had grown weary, never knowing loneliness.

* * *

"This kind of ending doesnt seem too bad."

A voice, rough yet tender, one that seemed impossible to belong to a vampire, resonated across the stage.

And then, the familiar darkness enveloped the theater.

""

Silently, Han Yooil stood up and headed backstage.

His steps were light. No, his entire body felt light. Conversely, his heart was pounding as if it would burst.

He felt like his body would melt away under the conflicting sensations of intense heat and cold.

Despite having experienced many finales, the excitement was always the same.

The last one.'

It was really the last.

He reminisced about the moment he first received a call from So Yijin, the rehearsals for the play, and the moment he first stood on stage.

"Actor!"

Someone grabbed Han Yooil.

"You need to go out now!"

A stage staff whispered, lightly holding Yooil's arm. Han Yooil took steps towards the stage.

Applause echoed through the theater.

Standing on the stage, Han Yooil looked towards the audience. He could see the multitude of faces seated in the auditorium.

Yooil tried to meet the eyes of each one of them. Although obscured by darkness, he could still recognize the warm smiles.

That was when it happened.

Some audience members stood up and began to clap.

Like a wave, one by one, they started to rise from their seats.

"!"

Someone whistled, and someone else shouted.

Han Yooil gazed blankly at the audience.

Everyone in the theater was standing.

With sparkling eyes and flushed faces, they clapped passionately until their hands turned red.

"Thank you"

Han Yooil's vision blurred. Blinking didn't help.

"Thank you"

Yooil bowed to Jung Suho, who was standing with him on stage, to the staff behind the scenes, and lastly, to the audience who had devotedly followed the story on stage for over an hour and a half.

Tears streamed down his face, unabated.

"Thank you."

The final curtain call ended.

At that moment, Han Yooil was unaware.

Unaware of the persistent gaze that had been following him from beyond the stage.