Novelist Running Through Time
Chapter 49

TL: KSD

It’s a gray sky today.

It’s just that the clouds are overcast, but on days when the sky is gray, it’s hard to kill people.

Killing people requires courage. Pulling the finger on the trigger is easy, but mustering the courage to actually pull it is difficult.

This courage seems to come from the sky. Humans have revered the sky since ancient times. The sky is high, vast, and unchanging.

Before Westerners came across the sea, this world was called “all under heaven,” and the one who ruled it was called “Son of Heaven.”

It was because one could not rule over others with mere human authority, so they borrowed the authority of the sky. There’s no need to look far for examples, did not the leaders of Japan, playing the role of Shōwa, also play the role of the Emperor?

In such a situation, the sky, mixed with white and black into a murky gray, seemed to grant me a transcendent wisdom beyond human judgment.

That the sky of Joseon you will reclaim would look like this, mixed with white and black to be eternally gray. And that the world has always been so.

However, if I had planned to simply follow the decree of the sky, I wouldn’t have crossed over to Shanghai in the first place.

Bang, the trigger was pulled along with the sound. Or perhaps the sound came at the moment the trigger was pulled.

A commie, kneeling and trembling in front of me, became a corpse.

I moved the gun barrel towards his daughter next to him.

She looked young. A young girl. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ N0vᴇlFirᴇ.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Indeed, killing a person requires great courage.

As I calmed my mind for a moment, the daughter asked me.

“Why am I to die?”

“……”

All sorts of answers flashed through my mind.

Because your father embezzled the money received from the Comintern and did not share it with his comrades, choosing instead to divert it to the Communist Party. Because he was frantic to hand over the poor land of Joseon, ruled by the Japanese, to Russia this time. Because your father killed Cheol-deuk. Because your father is a communist.

And because the father’s sin is the daughter’s sin.

But lacking the courage to say so, what came out of my mouth was a bland excuse.

“……It’s divine punishment.”

“Who administers this divine punishment?”

“I do.”

“By what right?”

“By the unified will of the suffering Korean compatriots.”

“Who exactly has gathered this will? Do the thirty million residents living on the land of Joseon even know of your existence? Whether it’s the Provisional Government or the National Representatives Conference, in the end, isn’t it just a few hundred of your gang who decided everything on your own whim?”

“This is for a greater cause.”

“……Murderer.”

The communist’s daughter said.

“You are a murderer……”

“I know.”

Bang. The gunshot rang out along with a flash.

The traitor’s daughter, crouched silently next to her, left a small hole in the ground beside her.

“Live as if you were dead from now on.”

I said so and left the traitor’s house. Looking up at the sky, it was still gray. Indeed, it’s hard to kill people on a day when the sky is gray.

But the world was also gray.

The Yellow Sea beneath the sky, contrary to its name, was gray, the bustling docks were gray, even the work clothes of the port workers were stained gray, and the cityscape of Shanghai built with gray concrete was entirely gray.

I lit a cigarette and quietly slipped into the gray world. There were still many communist left to hunt.

EP 4 – Red Hunter

The line “murderer” seemed to be the most important.

It succinctly reveals the perspective of a victim of history. Especially considering that this scene is the introduction to the movie.

“The traitor’s daughter,” an unnamed character with a small role, acts as a scene-stealer who briefly introduces the theme the movie will explore and then exits……

“Hmm……”

Kim Byul thought so as she read the script.

Whether this interpretation is correct or not, she does not know. She’s not the original author, after all. But she could ask the original author.

I contemplated sending a text to the charmless junior for a moment but soon shook my head vigorously, abandoning the thought.

How could I calmly talk to that guy after what happened on the emergency staircase!

“Ugh…….”

Even now, thinking about that time makes me want to kick the blankets with my feet.

Embarrassing as it was for me to have reacted so emotionally, that charmless blanket-roller, despite being two years younger, spoke like an adult.

It’s an incident that won’t easily fade from memory……

But Kim Byul erased the memory of that day from her mind and focused back on the script.

It’s unthinkable to entertain any thoughts other than the script right before an audition.

At least, that’s what Kim Byul’s professional conscience told her.

“Oh, hello, sunbae!”

But someone else’s professional conscience seemed to be of a different kind.

Turning her head slightly, she saw a smiling junior.

This ‘junior’ is 4 years older than Kim Byul.

Though just freshly an adult, Kim Byul could not stand idly by and accept formal speech from an ‘adult’ in a place with so many prying eyes.

Even slightly taking the ‘junior’s’ greeting lightly could quickly spread rumors of being a morally bankrupt person.

This junior already had a history of spreading rumors that “Kim Byul didn’t properly return my greeting.”

“Haha, sunbae? Drop the formal speech, unnie.”

“No, but I’m still new to acting……”

This junior is a newcomer as an actor. Originally, she is an idol. In other words, an ‘acting idol’. One could say an invasive species that steals the jobs of poor and struggling actors. Like the American bullfrog.

A cute imagination momentarily crossed Kim Byul’s mind. An SD-characterized bullfrog getting punched by a native frog and sprawling out with a “Kwek.”

But reality is different from imagination. The native frog cannot beat the bullfrog. The difference in size is evident.

“You topped the charts with your comeback album, didn’t you? Congratulations, unnie~”

“Thank you!”

People tend to look down on idols acting. Calling it bad acting.

However, a work featuring even one idol versus a work with unknown actors, the former wins.

Though they might pretend to be noble with their words, their hearts are honest. People want to see pretty, cute, slim, and S-line bodied women on the screen.

And an actress from a girl group has already guaranteed that ‘quality.’

Therefore, the idol career of an ‘acting idol’ becomes a terrifying weapon in auditions like these. Because they can bring in their fandom as the audience.

Even considering the support from their agency, it’s tough for a regular actor to compete with an idol actor.

And contrary to prejudice,

‘Acting idols’ aren’t that bad at acting……

“Oh? Are you preparing for the ‘daughter’ role too, sunbae?”

“Haha, yes……”

I wanted to retort ‘you know, so why ask?’ and keep reading my script, but the bullfrog junior bombarded Kim Byul with words. The ongoing conversation, while everyone in the waiting room watched, greatly drained Kim Byul’s energy.

“It doesn’t match the original work’s age, right…… Ha ha! Just kidding.”

“Ha. Ha.”

“Have you read the original work?”

“Yes.”

“Ah~ That’s right. You’re close with Author Moon.”

“……”

“I’m jealous~ Introduce me sometime.”

“Sure. If there’s a chance, it’s not impossible.”

The bullfrog executed a ‘Why are you preparing for a role that doesn’t match your age? Are you that desperate for a job? Have you read the original work? Ah! You’re friends with the author, huh? Came to the audition relying on that connection, right? Everyone, look at her! She’s friends with the author!’ combo, devastating Kim Byul’s mental state in a short and impactful manner and then cleanly making her escape. It was a textbook hit and run.

Amidst the peculiar glares of competition from the other contenders in the waiting room, Kim Byul felt the impulse to quit acting then and there, as she picked up her script.

But after what had just happened, there was no way the script could catch her eye. She had fallen right into the bullfrog’s trap.

“……Ah.”

I want to quit acting.

* * *

Director So Tae-woong is a veteran. He’s been in this field for decades. He commands an elite staff team that rallies at his call, and he even has a thorough understanding of the relationships among investors.

That’s why he doesn’t hesitate to cast a minor supporting role with an idol, followed by a marketing strategy that says so-and-so famous idol is participating.

Of course, in the movie industry, casting an idol might be seen as Director So Tae-woong having lost his touch, but that doesn’t affect his pride.

What truly shatters his pride is when a movie flops, endangering the careers of the staff and actors who trusted and followed him, and he has to ask them to join him for the next movie. Only then can he say his pride is truly hurt.

Therefore, Director So had already internally decided on casting a famous idol actress for the role of ‘the traitor’s daughter.’ Of course, nothing was confirmed officially; if her acting was truly subpar, he wouldn’t hesitate to cut her out.

“That’s all! Thank you!”

“Hmm.”

Fortunately, this idol actress made the cut. Her name carries significant weight. To a level that it would meaningfully aid in marketing.

Then the outcome is obvious.

“We’ve seen your acting. We’ll contact you later.”

“Th-thank you! Director!”

So Tae-woong left a hint of passing and sent the idol actress on her way.

His long-time loyal assistant director whispered to So Tae-woong.

“Are we going with her?”

So Tae-woong shook his head.

“Let’s see one more.”

“Who?”

“There is someone.”

“Ah, who is it?”

“Kim Byul. Friend of Author Moon.”

“Oh my, oh my, that young one is already asking for a favor for her friend?”

“Don’t be like that. She’s a gentle kid. Just mentioned it meaningfully while getting an autograph because her friend asked. And Kim Byul herself was decently cast as the lead in a ‘Cause of Death’ short film based on Author Moon’s novel.”

“Cause of Death?”

“Yeah. It’s a short film based on one of Author Moon’s novels.”

“I haven’t seen that, but the name Kim Byul sounds familiar…”

“10 years ago. Remember that catchphrase? Mom is a fool! A fool who only knows Dad!”

“Ah! That kid! The one with pigtails dancing, that, little girl! That one?”

“Yeah. That’s her.”

“Wow, she’s grown up this much already? How old is she now? 9th grade? Wow, time really…”

Just before Kim Byul’s turn began, her golden days were reminisced about unknowingly by the judges, giving her a small advantage.

But reality is harsh.

Kim Byul’s popularity is a thing of the past, and the idol actress’s popularity is current. If Kim Byul can’t show acting skills to overturn this, she cannot be cast.

Under such an unspoken standard of judgment, Kim Byul entered the audition room, trying to hide her nervousness, and greeted them.

As soon as she saw Director So Tae-woong’s face, her heart fluttered for a moment, but she wrapped herself in as gloomy and haggard an atmosphere as possible and calmly greeted.

Because that’s the atmosphere that suits this role.

“……Hello, I am actress Kim Byul.”

Director So Tae-woong fired the starting shot.

“Let’s see your acting.”

Kim Byul’s race began.

The spurt started with her not holding back and flopping onto the floor.

Kim Byul wriggled on the floor ‘pretending’ her eyes were covered and her hands and feet tied behind her back.

At first glance, it might seem humorous.

However, Kim Byul had the technique to turn that ‘humor’ into ‘desperation’.

A face trembling with pain and fear, and beyond the wriggling, her body slowly started to convulse.

And even though her mouth was gagged, making her unable to speak, the frustrated voice that seemed to desperately want to say something.

As Kim Byul unabashedly showcased from the start that she indeed had acting skills, the judges, recognizing her substantial inner strength, quietly smiled and were drawn into her performance.

Kim Byul’s techniques flowed smoothly like water.

When her father was shot, gagged, she let out a bizarre scream, twisting her body to express shock and fear.

And banging her head on the ground, she expressed sorrow and anger, and finally, when an imaginary someone removed the gag from her mouth, she gasped for air, drooling in a pitiful state.

The most surprising aspect was that there was no mention of a ‘gag’ in the original script.

The judges murmured quietly among themselves.

“This is a reinterpretation…?”

“Bold…”

“Has that little kid from 10 years ago grown up like this?”

“To mime to this extent without props…!”

Though a positive atmosphere seemed to swirl among the judges, Kim Byul felt none of it.

She was already deeply immersed in her performance.

‘The Traitor’s Daughter’.

A character who, labeled a communist, kills fellow independence activists and is killed by them, uttered her first line.

“Why am I to die?”

Anger over her father’s death, fear of her impending death, and the bewildering disbelief of this reality.

Three emotions mixed in just the right proportions created a voice filled with tension. And the imbalance between her delicate, youthful tone and her stiff manner of speaking.

‘Diction passes.’

Thus, without even realizing, Kim Byul passed Director So Tae-woong’s first round of auditions.

Her performance intensified.

“Who decrees this divine punishment?”

– I do.

“By what right?”

– By the unified will of the suffering Korean compatriots.

“Who exactly did that? Do Koreans even know of your existence? Whether it’s the Provisional Government or whatever, in the end, wasn’t it just your gang deciding everything on your own whim!”

– This is for a greater cause.

Here comes the crucial line of the character.

The shadow of history that this movie highlights.

The tragedy of ordinary citizens sacrificed for a cause.

A single line that denies the sanctity that founded this nation.

Murderer.

A line that brands an independence activist as a murderer.

To shock the audience at the beginning of the movie.

That is the essence of ‘The Traitor’s Daughter’.

This character was created solely for that purpose.

Other participants were not unaware of this.

Thus, there were numerous interpretations of this ‘murderer’ dialogue.

Someone shouted it as if condemning the person pointing a gun at them.

Someone screamed it out of the fear of death a girl felt.

Someone cried it out, teary-eyed, with pitiable gestures and sobbing.

But Kim Byul knows.

She knows Author Moon.

That cynical, expressionless, charmless boy harbored warmth in his heart.

What expression would that boy have had when that warmth, that tender heart, was shattered in the most terrible way?

When he found out that his parents, who were supposed to love him, had abandoned him.

How would Moon have reacted?

Would he have been angry? Screamed? Sobbed?

No.

The boy would have… probably despaired.

Chewing over the soul-destroying agony, he would have stared into the void with empty eyes.

So, Kim Byul did just that.

“……Murderer.”

The Traitor’s Daughter quietly recited it as such.

As if everything she had ever believed in had crumbled in an instant.

Like someone driven mad upon realizing that the sanctity of their parents’ love was nothing but a lie.

An empty soul squeezed out a hollow voice.

“You are a murderer……”

“Okay! You pass!”

“Huh?!”

* * *

– You passed.

– …….Thank you.

– (An emoji of a white rabbit with its arms crossed, huffily turning its head away with a “Hmph!”)

Even as a series of welcome messages poured in, I couldn’t muster a smile.

I didn’t have the energy to congratulate Kim Byul.

All my mental energy was consumed elsewhere.

Lim Yang-wook cautiously asked me, noticing my distraction.

“What’s the matter?”

“It’s nothing. Just got a text.”

I pocketed my phone and focused on my conversation with Lim Yang-wook.

In the underground parking lot of Baekhak Entertainment. In the front seat of Lim Yang-wook’s car.

Lim Yang-wook, who had summoned me to this most secretive place, brought news that couldn’t be ignored.

Trying to suppress my shock, I asked him.

“…Which of the two is it?”

Lim Yang-wook calmly replied.

“Both of them.”

“…….”

“Both of your parents, they’ve contacted the company wanting to meet you.”

*****

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