"Finals. Only one step remains until we find the ultimate winner."

Yoon Kyung-deok, the announcer, stood at the podium, gazing at the audience. Unlike other auditions, however, this final round wouldn't take place on stage.

Here, only Yoon Kyung-deok, as the MC, and the actors who had participated in Hyper Action Star so far were present, along with the audience who had purchased tickets.

The final showdown would be broadcast in real-time on the large screen behind the stage.

"Now, I will explain the rules."

The finals of Hyper Action Star had one last set of rules.

"It will be a comprehensive challenge, encompassing everything they've done so far."

Gunfights, capture battles, and various stunts—everything could be utilized, but with one caveat: it had to follow the script.

“A script?”

One of the audience members muttered absentmindedly. Up until now, while the show was said to involve acting, there hadn't really been a proper script.

It was mostly improvisation, with few people being able to act properly. More than an acting audition, the show was seen as a contest of action skills among the actors—a kind of variety show.

"The script was provided about two hours ago. Of course, it’s said to be a preview of the screenplay for the upcoming film Mine. While some parts may resemble the actual movie, there will likely be many changes during filming."

The script given to the two finalists was framed around Mine, an upcoming movie. It included the theme of the film and the plot of the scene to be used in the finals.

"The two superhumans will have their final battle at the research lab where they were once experimented on."

The set, as described, resembled a research facility.

Various equipment and devices were scattered throughout the space.

"Due to their actions, the lab is on the verge of destruction. The one responsible for bringing the lab to ruin…"

A face appeared on the screen.

Ju Seoyeon.

"And her character’s name is…"

Yeohwa. Two syllables appeared on the screen, and as the audience whispered the name, Yoon Kyung-deok continued speaking.

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

Narumi Sora.

Her character’s name was Shin Arin, and her superpower was physical enhancement. It was the same ability she had demonstrated throughout the competition.

Although her ability wasn't flashy, she had made it to the finals by effectively using regeneration and physical enhancement without relying on CGI. The audience, however, seemed underwhelmed. Even though they knew superpower-based action scenes were difficult, it still felt a bit dull.

"The plot is simple. Yeohwa, who destroyed the lab, will face Shin Arin, the final experiment subject left in the lab, in a battle."

Yoon Kyung-deok checked the time. It was time to begin. The signal had come through that both actors were ready.

"Now, let's begin the finals of Hyper Action Star!"

The screen behind him rapidly changed.

Smoke rose from all sides of the set.

The lab set, which was eerily lifelike, left the audience speechless.

‘How much money did they spend on this?’

It looked like a fully produced movie scene. The rising smoke and the wreckage of the ruined lab were so realistic that everyone could predict this set would later be used for Mine.

It was practically a teaser for the film. Even if the final content differed, the concept of the movie could already be inferred.

‘Of course, that’s assuming the actors can pull it off.’

Director Han Ye-geon crossed his arms and quietly watched the screen. The two actors stood facing each other in the lab. Han Ye-geon narrowed his eyes.

The winner was already almost certain, but would it end anticlimactically?

Or perhaps...

Narumi Sora.

A Japanese aspiring actress, nineteen years old.

She had two younger siblings, and her parents were regular office workers. Aside from her pretty appearance, her profile was nothing special.

She had never participated in a proper film or drama. Her only acting experience consisted of small children’s plays at amusement parks and minor roles on small stages.

But she hadn't stopped there. She studied Korean and flew to South Korea.

“Why did you decide to participate in Hyper Action Star?”

This interview, filmed before the finals began, would likely air during the broadcast.

“When I was young, my parents showed me old movies.”

Movies without special effects, where people performed real stunts. It was Hong Kong action cinema, a genre that could no longer be seen.

“I thought it was really cool. So, I made up my mind that one day, I’d perform action scenes like that.”

"But isn’t Hyper Action Star different, since it deals with superpowers?"

“I just won’t use them.”

"Ah, so that’s why you chose ‘physical enhancement’ as your superpower?"

"Yes. I’m confident in anything that involves using my body."

Her acting might still be lacking, but she was certain she wouldn’t lose when it came to action.

Yes, she was confident.

At least, she had been until recently.

"......"

Sora exhaled deeply as she looked ahead.

The lab, covered in rising smoke, appeared before her eyes. The set was so well-prepared that it hardly seemed like a set at all.

Just that alone made her feel like coming to Korea had been the right decision.

A place where she could perform real action scenes. In Japan, Sora hadn’t been allowed to perform the kind of action scenes she had always dreamed of.

Some ridiculed her, saying it wasn’t acting.

Others said it was too excessive.

After all, the kind of action she wanted to do was outdated.

Korea might be similar, but at least for now, this was enough.

‘Ju Seoyeon.’

She saw Seoyeon quietly walking toward her. No, once the scene started, she should call her "Yeohwa."

Her outfit was a jet-black dress. It wasn’t the school uniform she usually wore.

For some reason, she had donned a black dress and black stockings, dressed entirely in black.

And strangely, though it seemed out of place, it suited her perfectly.

Long, black hair, and calm, red-tinged eyes. Her hands were bare.

Unlike Sora, she hadn’t brought any props.

‘Is she underestimating me?’

Sora didn’t know, but she thought it was possible.

Seoyeon’s performances so far had far surpassed the ordinary, not just in terms of acting but also in action.

Sora was confident in her physical skills, but every time she looked at Seoyeon, her confidence waned.

‘Still.’

She couldn’t lose.

And there was a strategy she could use. Seoyeon, as an actress, strictly adhered to the script.

In other words, since she had the ability to regenerate, there had to be a weakness.

Regeneration meant she had to take hits to use it.

So, inevitably, Seoyeon would have to allow Sora to land some attacks.

She didn’t know how, but she would use her action skills to win.

An eerie silence filled the air. All around them, the sound of cameras moving could be heard.

And then—

BEEEEEP!!

The sound signaling the start of the scene rang out.

This simple set suddenly transformed into a sealed-off lab.

“Why did you do it?”

Narumi Sora, or rather, Shin Arin, the last surviving experiment subject of the lab, was the first to speak.

“You didn’t have to kill them all!”

At her words, Seoyeon narrowed her eyes. The script didn’t provide exact lines.

It was more of a scenario that described the situation and the characters’ general circumstances.

Yeohwa, a first-class regeneration ability user, had undergone horrific experiments in the lab in the past.

After barely escaping, she grew stronger and tracked down and killed the superhumans involved, one by one, in revenge.

The final destination of her revenge was this lab.

Shin Arin’s story, however, was the opposite.

She had been experimented on as well, but with the help of a kind researcher, she had escaped.

She lived a normal life until she heard the news and returned to the lab to save the researcher who had helped her.

So, who was the hero and who was the villain?

It was a morally ambiguous situation.

From Yeohwa’s perspective, revenge was justified. She had endured endless torture because of her regeneration ability.

The reason so many superhumans existed was because Yeohwa had survived those horrific experiments.

On the other hand, Shin Arin had been spared from that nightmare thanks to the kind researcher who had treated her well.

While she likely had traumatic memories, she ultimately met good people and lived a happy life.

From her perspective, Yeohwa was nothing more than a murderer who had killed the person who saved her.

‘Perfect.’

Feeling Seoyeon hesitate for a moment, Sora grinned.

She had practiced that line countless times, knowing her unfamiliarity with the Korean language might cause her pronunciation to slip.

‘It was worth the effort.’

There were no scripted lines, but the scenario and backstory were provided.

Everything from this point on would be based on that.

‘However.’

The audience didn’t know all these intricate details and backstories.

Even if they were explained, all they would know was that two superhumans were about to fight.

Explaining too much would be a spoiler.

So, Sora struck first with her line.

With that single line, the character of "Yeohwa" was branded as the villain.

This was the power of suggestion.

It’s similar to the concept of imprinting, where initial information heavily influences a person’s perception, just as a newborn animal identifies the first thing it sees as its parent.

People naturally based their thoughts on the first thing they heard.

It’s called a preconception.

A first impression.

Changing that impression required significant effort.

And Shin Arin’s words were undeniably reasonable.

There was no need to kill everyone in the lab.

She could have spared the good ones.

“Dr. Park saved me. He helped and protected the children who were experimented on! Why, why did you kill such a good person!?”

Her sharp cry echoed through the sealed lab, accompanied by the sound of sparks crackling in the silence.

“Because I didn’t know.”

Seoyeon—no, Yeohwa—spoke in a low voice.

“In the end, they all toyed with life. Why should I make exceptions?”

Slowly, Yeohwa took a step forward.

One step.

And another.

“Why spare some and kill others? Wouldn’t that be unfair? How could those who died rest in peace if they were left behind? After all, Dr. Park was from the same lab, and they all toyed with life in the same way.”

As Yeohwa approached, Sora realized something.

‘She’s going to fully embrace the villain role?’

But it suited her unnervingly well.

The image of the villain, the embodiment of evil, clung to Yeohwa as she spoke to Shin Arin.

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

At that moment—

Boom, boom!!! Heavy footsteps echoed.

Before she could even think, "What the—"

“If you can.”

Yeohwa’s crimson eyes were right in front of Shin Arin’s face.

She had been several meters away—plenty of time to react.

“I won’t let you!!”

Shin Arin shouted sharply, raising her hand.

Under normal circumstances, they would have immediately engaged in close combat, but close-action scenes required extensive practice.

For the actors to exchange blows smoothly and safely, they had to rehearse together.

Before filming began, the two of them had only two hours to prepare.

During that time, when Sora had approached Seoyeon to rehearse, Seoyeon had said:

“It’s fine.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I’ll adjust to you.”

At that moment, Sora hadn’t fully understood what Seoyeon meant.

‘Could she mean…?’

Was Seoyeon implying she could adjust to Sora’s moves on the spot?

It sounded impossible, but then again, maybe not.

Sora had performed live-action stunts on stage before.

Of course, mistakes were bound to happen during live performances.

And when non-professional actors were involved, even more so.

Every time, Sora had responded with quick reflexes.

‘Is that what she’s referring to?’

Watching Seoyeon’s calm demeanor, Sora slowly nodded.

Fine. If Seoyeon said she’d adjust, then she would go along with it.

Whether it turned out to be a convincing performance or a clumsy farce, it was up to the viewers to decide.

“Yeohwa!!”

Sora—no, Shin Arin—chose to go for her gun first.

The finals incorporated all the rules from the previous rounds.

Just like in the preliminaries, the goal was to land a critical shot and incapacitate the opponent.

Yeohwa, with both hands down, hadn’t even drawn the gun strapped to her thigh.

So, if she shot first, it would be over.

Click.

As the gun barrel aimed and Sora’s finger pulled the trigger—

Yeohwa’s right hand struck Shin Arin’s, disarming her effortlessly.

Sora’s eyes darted as the gun clattered to the ground.

“What? Are you going to rely on a gun?”

Before she could even respond.

At the same moment, Seoyeon had already stopped moving.

Her crimson eyes locked onto Sora’s.

Instinctively, Shin Arin raised her leg.

But—

Wham!!

Yeohwa blocked her knee with her right arm effortlessly.

Then, as Yeohwa’s left hand moved, Shin Arin swatted it away.

‘She’s deliberately making it easy for me to see her moves.’

It was disconcerting.

Despite the simplicity of the moves, they were clearly performed without much force. Since this was acting, neither could strike with full power.

But the ease with which Seoyeon countered left Sora unsettled.

Conversely, Sora was only able to block because her opponent made her movements obvious.

‘I’ll adjust to you.’

What had seemed impossible now felt surprisingly feasible.

“Not sure what you’re thinking, but…”

Yeohwa’s voice reached her ears.

Her eyes narrowed mischievously, and a sly smile crossed her face.

“Seems like you’ve got the time to think about other things?”

At that moment, Sora realized that Yeohwa’s hand was pressed against her chest.

‘What?’

In an instant, the scenery around her changed.

The props decorating the set were mostly soft, made of foam or something similarly spongy.

Still, being thrown several meters at once made it feel different.

To the audience, it probably looked like she was hurled through the air by a superpower.

‘Does she actually have powers?’

From Sora’s perspective, that’s exactly how it felt.

Despite being the one attacked, Yeohwa hadn’t even pursued her.

It was like facing off against a final boss.

Sora had seen The Chaser, but this felt completely different from the atmosphere Cha Seo-ah had given off.

If Cha Seo-ah had been a terrifying serial killer, this was like confronting a monster.

It felt like standing before a predator.

Even though Sora knew this was just acting, a chill ran down her spine.

‘Fine.’

Sora exhaled sharply, regaining her focus.

At this point, it didn’t matter anymore.

‘Seoyeon said she’d adjust to me.’

She reached into the sling bag at her waist and pulled out a prop she had prepared.

It had been checked by the staff beforehand.

Made from a dense sponge, the weapon was quite unconventional.

“What the…?”

“Why that?”

The audience, watching from the screen, was abuzz.

Not just them—Jo Seohui, watching the finals, also narrowed her eyes.

‘Nunchucks?’

The sound of chains clinking echoed through the speakers.

Now that she thought about it, Sora had mentioned she liked Hong Kong cinema.

Had she chosen this weapon to reflect that concept?

‘If it’s sloppy, it’ll only cost her points.’

Though Jo Seohui thought that, remembering the earlier exchange between the two, she wasn’t sure what to expect.

Their first encounter.

It was true that Seoyeon had adjusted to Sora’s moves, but Sora’s reaction speed had been impressive.

Her claim to be confident in physical skills wasn’t unfounded.

At the same time, Seohui began to understand how Sora had managed to defeat Han Soyu in the round of 16.

As the audience murmured about the sudden appearance of nunchucks—

"......"

Seoyeon stood silently, watching Sora.

Her face remained calm, but internally, Seoyeon was quite surprised.

Unlike the others’ reactions of “Nunchucks, seriously?” hers was different.

‘Why isn’t she using a katana?’

If she’s Japanese, shouldn’t she be wielding a katana?

I wanted to try catching a blade.

Seoyeon felt a bit disappointed.