Chapter 44 A Historic Advertisement Shoot

 

Thursday came quickly.

 

It was the day of the ad shoot.

 

“Here, this is Alice Littlewood’s weapon removal permit. Since it’s academy equipment, make sure to return it quietly.”

 

Alice and I submitted a leave of absence for the day.

 

Additionally, we brought weapons for awakened beings.

 

If an awakened one appears in an ad, it should show something, right?

 

Doing it barehanded would be quite boring.

 

“Thank you… Ah, what about Yu-jin?”

 

“I can just bring it with me. I have an awakened being certificate.”

 

“As expected, Yu-jin! You’re amazing!”

 

“When you graduate….”

 

“Enough chit-chat, look over here for a moment.”

 

The Chairman, with a serious expression, stood before us.

 

With her hands on her waist, she puffed out her modest chest.

 

Her immodesty made me frown.

 

“I hate to be a worrywart… but Seo Yu-jin, what’s with your eyes?”

 

“I was blinded by your radiance.”

 

“Cut the soulless flattery. Anyway, be careful. I have a bad feeling about this.”

 

The Chairman then began to lecture us.

 

Using her simple but all-purpose unique talent that made her the fourth rank S-Class, ‘Sixth Sense.’

 

“It may not be a big deal, but… you guys are weak.”

 

“The Cheonhwa Clan is providing bodyguards, so there won’t be any problems!”

 

“Even so, stay vigilant. Carelessness can lead to mishaps.”

 

She listed potential problems.

 

From minor issues like fan attacks.

 

To patients causing a ruckus wanting treatment or politicians trying to talk and disrupting the atmosphere.

 

In the worst-case scenario…

 

“———A villain might directly target your life.”

 

A villain might try to kill me.

 

It was a sincere warning from the Chairman.

 

Hearing that, I showed the respect deserved by Seol Ha-yeon, the fourth rank S-Class hero of Korea…

 

‘It’s just that an A-Class gate is going to open. I’ll take care of it quickly and return.’

 

Respect? Not at all. That old woman isn’t what she used to be.

 

Time sure flies.

 

I waved my hand, dismissing her excessive worries.

 

“Of course, I’ll be careful… As long as it’s not Winterer, it’ll be fine. There aren’t many countries with weaker villains than Korea.”

 

What kind of country is Korea?

 

In other countries, they fail to identify villains beforehand, causing them to mix with awakened beings like bombs.

 

But thanks to the Chairman, Korea boasts a 0% villain rate among officially registered awakened beings.

 

Well, once they realize they’ve become villains, they flee to the mountains without registering as awakened beings…

 

But growing up without an academy in this peaceful country, what can they become but a national gang?

 

Hence, villains in Korea are weak, barely reaching C-Class at best.

 

Winterer and Haru, as experimental subjects of the ‘Awakened Proliferation Plan,’ are just unique cases.

 

The Chairman smiled awkwardly.

 

“Indeed. If that’s truly the case, Cheonhwa’s bodyguards can handle it. Unless it’s a first-class villain like Winterer.”

 

“Chairman! What are the chances of it being Winterer….”

 

“None. The night before her attack, I was so anxious I couldn’t sleep. If she were targeting you, Yu-jin, this level of anxiety wouldn’t suffice.”

 

Her hesitant smile hinted that she knew she was being overprotective.

 

But her eyes quickly filled with worry again.

 

“Still, be cautious. If anything happens to you cadets, especially you, Seo Yu-jin….”

 

-Mumble.

 

“My perfect retirement plan to leave this damn Chairman’s position and live a peaceful life in the countryside….”

 

Her genuine concern was touching.

 

Whatever she was mumbling, it must have been a prayer.

 

Many people turn to faith in their twilight years.

 

This time, I accepted her concern without retort.

 

When someone prays for you, it’s inhuman to dismiss it.

 

‘If she’s praying to some cult, I’d refuse… but she was a Catholic in the first round.’

 

-Sneak.

 

“Alice and I will return unscathed.”

 

“Yes! We are Pine Needle comrades!”

 

To alleviate her worries, I assured her not to worry.

 

That we would face no harm.

 

No matter what adversity comes our way, my wife and I would return without shedding a drop of blood.

 

* * *

 

“The King of Korea!!!!! Is Seo Yu-jin!!!!!”

 

“With Seo Yu-jin!!!!! Change the regime!!!”

 

“Please make him President!!!!!!”

 

-CRACK.

 

‘…What grudge do you have against me to do this?’

 

Despite my assurances, I ended up bleeding.

 

Civilians swarmed the filming site.

 

The Cheonhwa Clan had kept things well-controlled, so I entered without worry…

 

But what’s with that long-distance sonic attack? It’s piercing through the crowd and resonating.

 

Moreover, the content was mind-blowing.

 

Thanks to that, my mouth filled with the taste of blood.

 

It was the first blood I’ve tasted since Bojji left.

 

‘Father-in-law, this isn’t image making but an election campaign. Or did you hypnotize them!?’

 

Suddenly, I was newly terrified of my father-in-law’s powers.

 

He said he’d make my image, make me a saint, but…

 

Did this happen without hypnosis?

 

That lady turned into a rocker!

 

Fearing I’d burst if I listened any longer, I ran away.

 

I headed towards Alice, who should be fully made up by now, to escape the commotion.

 

“Ah, Yu-jin! I heard someone shouting your name just now, what happened?”

 

“…Too much happened to me. It’s really tough.”

 

I slumped as soon as I entered the dressing room.

 

Alice pressed for details, but I could only shake my head and say it wasn’t dangerous.

 

Laughing might mess up her makeup.

 

“Is Seo Yu-jin’s makeup….”

 

“Why would a man need makeup?”

 

“……Certainly, it’s unnecessary. It might even be better for a sporty look.”

 

I naturally skipped the makeup.

 

Next, I held the script we received yesterday.

 

Sweating while wielding a sword, wiping sweat in the forest shade.

 

All I had to do was take a delicious sip of a drink.

 

Alice’s script seemed a bit more complicated…

 

But she herself is practically a commercial.

 

She’s a person who gets pine needle tea shipped from England, so there shouldn’t be a problem.

 

Anyway, since her makeup wasn’t finished yet.

 

I decided to kill time by greeting the surroundings.

 

Also, to show some flattery to make sure the shoot goes well and to build up good stories.

 

“Please take good care of today’s shoot!”

 

“Se, Seo Yu-jin!?”

 

“I brought vitamin drinks, so please have some!”

 

-Mumble.

 

“Is he planning to become an actor later…?”

 

“Indeed. He would kill it as a movie star.”

 

“An action scene without CGI would be amazing.”

 

Seeing people whispering behind my back, the image-making seemed successful.

 

After handing out all the drink boxes, I returned.

 

Thinking Alice’s makeup must be finished by now.

 

-Screech.

 

“Ah, Yu-jin!! Look at this, look!!”

 

“With makeup like this, I really look like a K-POP idol!! I look like I’m ready to dance in a practice room!!”

 

It was finished.

 

What was Alice’s concept again, an idol trainee from England who admired Korea?

 

She perfectly fit the concept.

 

I couldn’t tell if she had makeup on or not.

 

“How do I look? Don’t I look different with proper makeup?”

 

“Not really? Alice was already the prettiest in the world. Actually, I think you look cuter without it.”

 

“……What!!!!?”

 

Alice’s cheeks reddened at my nonchalant response.

 

Realizing my mistake quickly, I corrected myself.

 

“Of course, you’re incredibly pretty now too! If I saw you on the first day, I’d think you’re a celebrity!! No, you’re prettier than any celebrity!!”

 

“St, stop….”

 

“When this ad airs, you’ll be called a goddess! The cute and beautiful goddess from England!”

 

An indiscriminate barrage of compliments.

 

Every word was heartfelt.

 

I just don’t like heavy makeup, but my wife is undeniably the prettiest in the world.

 

“Okay, I get it… stop… it’s embarrassing…….”

 

-Tremble.

 

Alice’s lips twitched upwards, showing she wasn’t displeased despite the blush.

 

Indeed, it’s always a good idea to compliment a woman.

 

-Whisper.

 

“Can you believe someone like that exists? Flirting without changing his expression.”

 

“He probably doesn’t even realize it.”

 

“Did he hypnotize himself to be oblivious? Did he suffer from love troubles in the past?”

 

“Maybe. That level is unreal.”

 

The stylists whispered behind us, but…

 

No need to pay attention to every bit of gossip.

 

* * *

 

After some time, it was time to shoot.

 

I went first.

 

Surrounded by numerous filming equipment and staff.

 

‘In the first round, I couldn’t adjust and made a fool of myself… but this time is different.’

 

I remained calm in front of numerous cameras.

 

Even flashing a confident smile.

 

It showed my confidence in finishing the shoot quickly.

 

“Are you ready?”

 

“Yes, Director!”

 

“Hehe. Don’t worry about retakes, so don’t overexert yourself.”

 

“Got it!”

 

“Then, ready…….”

 

With the director’s signal,

 

The ad shoot with Alice and me began.

 

———But now,

 

-Whoooo.

 

‘This is… a gate!!!!? Did a gate already open!!? I thought I had an hour, so I planned to slip away during Alice’s shoot!!’

 

Right from the start, a gate began to open.

 

“Hold on!! Everyone, run away!!!”

 

“Huh? Yu-jin, what are you saying….”

 

-Clang!!

 

“No time to explain, just hurry….”

 

I drew my sword

 

immediately.

 

“———We’ve been spotted!! Everyone, let’s go kill that bastard!!!”

 

-Swish!

 

“……!!!!?”

 

‘Villains too!?’

 

Villains came flying from afar.

 

I expected chaos, but not this much.

 

What a mess for an ad shoot.