Chapter 143

“Final round. There is just one final step remaining to determine the last victor.”

Announcer Yoon Kyung-deok stood on the podium, looking out at the audience.

In truth, unlike other auditions, the final round does not take place here on this stage.

This is merely where MC Yoon Kyung-deok is.

And where all the actors who have participated in *Hyper Action Star* stand, along with the paying audience members.

The final showdown between the two will be broadcast live through the screens located behind the stage.

“I will now explain the rules.”

The finale of *Hyper Action Star*.

The final rule is…

“It’s a culmination of everything you’ve done so far.”

Firefights, subsequent tussles, various stunts.

All of this can be utilized.

But, within the constraints of the script.

“The script?”

One of the spectators muttered this unintentionally. Although acting had been mentioned so far, there had been no mention of a script.

Improvisation was what most of the performance relied on. Few could properly act, and this reality competition was more about showcasing the skills of action actors rather than actors in general.

“The script was handed out roughly two hours ago. Of course, this script is said to be more of a teaser for the upcoming movie *Mine*. While some parts may be similar, the actual filming might vary in many ways.”

The scripts that were given to the duo only outlined the structure of the movie *Mine*. It included the movie’s theme and some information about the scene they would be using now.

“The two superhumans face their final battle in the research facility they participated in experiments in.”

The setup on the stage resembled the inside of a laboratory.

It was equipped with various devices, scattered all over the set.

“Due to the actions of the two, the research facility is on the verge of closure. The entity responsible for the destruction of the lab, creating the superhumans, is…”

A face appeared on the screen.

Joo Seo-yeon.

“And the in-movie name…”

Yeohwa.

The two characters were displayed on the screen. As the audience mulled over the names, Yoon Kyung-deok continued speaking.

“And the last superhuman remaining in the lab. Her name is…”

Narumi Sora.

The character’s name is Shin Ah-rin. Her superpower? Physical enhancement. This was the superpower that Sora had been using throughout the course of the audition.

Though it was a seemingly common power, it reached the finals because of the fact that it could be utilized without CGI – physical enhancement and regeneration capability.

Even so, for the audience, things seemed rather unappealing.

Although superhuman action might seem improbable, the lack of spectacle made it inevitably monotonous.

“The plot is simple. The individual who destroyed the research facility, Yehwa, and Shin Ah-rin, the last experiment from the facility, will fight to stop her.”

With those words, Yoon Kyung-deok checked the time.

It was time. Both actors had signaled that they were ready.

“Let’s now begin the grand finale of *Hyper Action Star!*”

The giant screen behind him rapidly changed its display.

A set shrouded in rising smoke.

The audience was momentarily stunned at the sight of the lab.

“It’s as if a finished movie is playing – so realistic!”

The rising smoke and the wreckage of the research facility set looked incredibly lifelike.

Everyone could predict that this set would serve as the filming location for *Mine*.

Trailer.

This finale is as good as a movie trailer for *Mine* – although the content might change, it would give the audience a feel for the concept of the movie.

“Of course, assuming the actors can pull it off.”

Director Han Yeogeun crossed his arms and quietly watched the screen. The two actors displayed on the screen.

Han Yeogeun watched as the two characters faced each other in the lab setup.

Narrowing his eyes, he realized it.

The almost predetermined winner. Whether the ending will be anti-climactic…

Or…

***

Narumi Sora.

A Japanese aspiring actress.

Nineteen years old. She has two younger siblings and her parents are ordinary office workers.

With the exception of her pretty looks, nothing stood out in her profile.

She has never starred in a full-length movie or drama. Her acting history only consisted of being in small supporting roles in children’s plays at amusement parks.

Still, she wasn’t satisfied with that and even learned Korean, flying all the way to South Korea.

“Why did you decide to appear on *Hyper Action Star?*”

An interview filmed before the start of the *Hyper Action Star* finale. It will likely be inserted into the broadcast during its course.

“When I was a kid, my parents used to show me old movies.”

Action acting that solely relied on the physical prowess of actors without any fancy CG. Old Hong Kong action movies, which can no longer be found today.

“They looked really cool. So, I made up my mind that one day I wanted to try that type of action acting.”

“But isn’t that different from *Hyper Action Star*, which involves superpowers?”

“I can simply not use them.”

“Ah, that’s why you chose ‘physical enhancement’ as your superpower?”

“Yeah, I’m confident in anything that involves physicality.”

Her acting might still be a little lacking, certainly.

But if it’s just ‘action,’ she was sure to never lose.

Yeah, she was sure.

At least, until recently.

“…”

While exhaling, Sora looked forward.

The lab clouded with smoke. The set looked so realistic that it didn’t feel like a regular set at all.

Just from that, Sora thought coming to Korea was the right decision.

A proper place to showcase action acting. In Japan, the kind of action acting Sora wanted to do wasn’t allowed.

Some dismissed it outright as not being the type of acting they wanted or labeled it as being too excessive.

After all, what Sora wanted to do was, in a way, outdated.

Well, it might be the same in Korea, but this should be enough for now.

“Joo Seo-yeon.”

She saw Seo-yeon walking toward this place calmly.

No, she should be called ‘Yehwa’ from the moment the scene begins.

Her outfit was entirely a black dress.

It wasn’t the school uniform she usually wore.

For reasons unknown, she was in a full black dress, paired with black stockings.

Although she stood out, it oddly suited her well.

Her long black hair, coupled with her red-tinged eyes looking serenely at her.

Her hands were empty.

Unlike her, she didn’t seem to have any specially prepared items.

‘Maybe she’s looking down on me.’

Maybe. But that’s plausible.

Seo-yeon’s performances up until now weren’t just impressive from an acting perspective but also transcended normal standards in terms of ‘action.’

She was confident in physical acting, but observing Seo-yeon drained her confidence.

‘Even so…’

She can’t afford to lose. There must be a way to counter her.

As a performer, Seo-yeon strictly adheres to the script. Therefore, if regeneration is involved, there must be a vulnerability.

Regeneration involves taking damage. Consequently, Seo-yeon has no choice but to allow Sora’s attacks, at least theoretically.

The exact nature of that may be unclear.

“I’ll win through action!”

The unsettling silence.

The sound of cameras moving around could be heard.

Then,

Beep!

The sound signaling the start of the performance rang out.

This place, which was once just a simple set, transformed into a closed laboratory.

“Why did you do it?”

Sora struck first.

No, she was Shin Ah-rin, the sole survivor of the laboratory and a first-class physical enhancer.

“There was no need to kill them all!”

At that, Seo-yeon narrowed her eyes. There was no designated dialogue in the script.

Instead, there was a narrative description of the scenario and an approximate setting.

The character ‘Yehwa’ is a first-class regenerator who endured horrific experiments in the past research facility. She escaped somehow and, after strengthening herself, tracked down and killed the other super-humans.

To exact her revenge.

And this laboratory was her final destination.

“On the other hand, Shin Arin’s story is different.”

Although she also endured experiments here, thanks to a kind researcher, she managed to escape. She led a normal life until she heard news and came to rescue the researcher who helped her.

So, who is the good guy? Who is the bad guy?

That was a very vague situation.

From Yehwa’s perspective, revenge is justified because the laboratory repeatedly conducted monstrous experiments using her.

The many super-humans that exist today owe their existence to the experiments Yehwa endured.

On the other hand, Shin Arin was spared from that nightmare because a researcher who cared for her helped her escape.

Certainly, she must have some terrifying memories, but ultimately, she met some good people and led a happy life.

Instead, from her point of view, Yehwa was merely a murderer who killed the researcher who saved her.

“Alright.”

Aware of the brief hesitation in Seo-yeon’s expression, Sora smiled with satisfaction.

It was a line she had prepared and rehearsed carefully, considering her still awkward Korean pronunciation.

“Preparing and practicing was worth it.”

There was no dialogue in the script, but there was a situation and a storyline.

Everything she intended to say would now be built upon this.

“However…”

The audience didn’t know these detailed backgrounds and stories.

Even if it was explained, they would only perceive it as a straightforward situation where two super-humans were fighting.

Such detailed explanations would spoil everything.

Hence, Sora seized the initiative.

With her recent dialogue, ‘Yehwa’ was portrayed as the antagonist.

There is, after all, something called first impression effect.

This term refers to how learning during certain times can influence an individual for life.

Just like animals recognizing their first sighted figure as their parent.

It’s somewhat similar.

Ultimately, people are inclined to base their thoughts on what they hear first.

Prejudices and first impressions.

Changing that requires a great deal of effort.

In reality, everything ‘Shin Arin’ was saying was quite compelling.

There was no real need to kill everyone in the lab. Distinguishing good from bad and sparing lives would have been plausible.

“Dr. Park saved me. He rescued and helped the children who participated in the experiments!! Why, why on earth did you kill such a kind person!!”

The sharp shout sliced through the sealed laboratory. Somewhere, the sound of sparks only broke the silence.

“Because I don’t know.”

Seo-yeon, or ‘Yehwa,’ spoke in a low tone.

“Isn’t playing with life the same in the end? So why distinguish them?”

Slowly.

Yehwa took a step forward.

One step.

And another.

“Isn’t it unfair to everyone who dies if you start choosing who lives and who dies? That guy also played with lives just like them in the same lab, in the end.”

Watching Yehwa approach, Sora realized:

“She’s going straight with the villain image?”

But it suited her eerily well.

The image of a super-villain.

Embracing the image of evil completely, Yehwa said, addressing Shin Arin.

“If you want revenge, why don’t you do it yourself?”

At that moment.

The sound of ‘bang bang’ was heard.

Before she could even think about what it was.

“I can do it if I want to.”

There was the red-pupil glaring right in front of Shin Arin’s nose, from mere meters away.

Certainly, within a range where she could react.

Yet,

“I can’t stand this!!”

Shin Arin sharply yelled and moved her hand. Normally, that would lead to a close combat action scene. But close combat involves a lot of practice.

It was necessary for both actors to perfectly synchronize their moves to cleanly exchange blows.

With only two hours before filming began, there was no time for such rehearsal.

That was when, upon approaching Seo-yeon to try and adjust to her, she replied:

“It’s fine.”

“Huh? No, what?”

“I’ll adjust to you.”

Sora initially failed to understand the implications of Seo-yeon’s words.

‘Could it be…’

Adjusting her timing based solely on observing Sora’s moves during the performance?

Impossible, she thought, but at the same time, realized it might not be entirely out of reach.

Sora had considerable experience with live-action performances on stage and was well aware that mistakes are inevitable in live improvisational acting.

Especially when dealing with inexperienced actors.

In such moments, Sora was quick on her feet.

‘That kind of extension, maybe?’

Accepting Seo-yeon’s calm composure, Sora nodded slowly.

Alright, if she plans to adjust, let her do it.

Whether it would turn into effective acting or just amateurish comedy was uncertain.

Ultimately, the viewer would be the judge.

“Yehwa!”

Sora—no, Shin Arin—chose to start with a gun.

Generally, the final battle incorporates all rules from earlier missions.

Just like during the preliminary rounds, if one could shoot and incapacitate the opponent with a fatal shot, the battle would end.

Yehwa had her hands down, the gun strapped to her thigh still untouched.

Thus, firing first would end it.

Clang.

Even as the gun was aimed, and right as her finger was pulling the trigger,

Yehwa’s hand swept across and knocked Shin Arin’s hand away so easily that the gun clattered to the ground.

In that moment, Shin Arin noticed Yehwa’s gaze shifting.

“Why don’t you have a gun?”

What…before she could even speak.

Simultaneously, Seo-yeon’s actions ceased as if they had come to an abrupt halt. Her crimson eyes locked onto her.

Almost subconsciously, Shin Arin raised her leg, and,

Pang!!

Yehwa slipped her arm between Shin Arin’s legs, easily blocking the kick with her knee. Then Shin Arin swiped her hand at Yehwa’s advancing left hand.

‘The motion was deliberately within my sight.’

It was confusing. Clearly, the chain of movements just now didn’t require much force.

After all, it was an act, so one couldn’t hit with full force.

But she had blocked it all too easily. On the other hand, Shin Arin’s moves were facilitated by her opponent’s predictable movements.

‘I’ll adjust my timing to you.’

It all started to seem plausible now.

“I don’t know what it is but…”

Yehwa’s voice floated into Shin Arin’s ears. Her eyes squinted, her smile sinister.

“You seem to have some time for distraction, don’t you?”

In that moment, she realized Yehwa’s hand had brushed against her chest.

“Eh?”

And in the blink of an eye, the scenery around her changed.

Props on the set were mainly soft sponges or polystyrene—soft materials—but flying back several meters felt different.

To the viewer, it might have looked as if she was flown back by a superpower.

“Isn’t there? A superpower?”

Frankly, from the perspective of the person hit, it felt as if there was.

Moreover, her opponent merely watched her without chasing after.

Anyone watching would perceive it as fitting for a final boss.

Though she had seen *The Chaser* before, the atmosphere was different from Cha Soo-ah’s.

Where Cha Soo-ah was a terrifying murderer, this felt more akin to a monster.

The sensation of facing a predator.

Even aware that it was acting, Sora felt a shiver down her spine.

‘Alright.’

Exhaling deeply, Sora steadied her thoughts.

She didn’t know anymore.

‘If she adjusts her timing, let her.’

She pulled out something from a pouch at her waist. It was already checked with the staff and was made of firm enough sponge.

It was a rather unusual weapon.

“Hey, is that…?”

“Why that one?”

The audience watching via the screen murmured loudly. Not just the audience.

Watching the battle, Jo Seo-hee also slightly furrowed her eyebrows.

‘Double nunchucks?’

The metallic sound of “Ching” echoed through the speakers. Now, recalling her fondness for Hong Kong films, did she bring it to fit the theme?

‘It might only result in penalty points if done poorly.’

That thought flickered through her mind, but reconsidering their earlier clash—while Seo-yeon adjusted her timing, Sora’s reaction speed was incredibly fast.

The phrase “She’s confident with physicality” made sense here.

It also clarified how she eliminated Han So-yeon in the round of 16 through a sudden use of nunchucks.

While the audience buzzed over the surprise of the nunchucks,

“…”

Seo-yeon stared calmly at Sora, though internally she was extremely flustered.

It wasn’t the typical reaction of others who thought, “Why here with nunchucks?”

‘Why didn’t the Japanese use a katana?’

Isn’t it obvious that a Japanese person should go for a katana?

I wanted to see a finger-grabbing technique.

Seo-yeon was a little disappointed.

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