Chapter 35: I have no confidence.

The filming site was silent.

It wasn’t that everyone was at a loss for words but more that the atmosphere prevented anyone from speaking. Time seemed to have stopped.

Winter seemed to have arrived prematurely.

The presence of a woman with a frosty, intense aura set the tone. Her appearance, accentuated by the fusion of traditional and martial arts-inspired costumes, made her look like a ghost or a wandering swordsman.

She was like a shard of ice given human form—somber and chilling, yet oddly fitting. It seemed as though this was simply another way of expressing beauty.

Extras standing nearby whispered among themselves.

“Did a ghost really come out of the forest?”

“…Wait, is this actually a horror genre?”

Sharp. Precise and cutting. Intimidating.

Lee Sua finally spoke, albeit briefly, after a long pause.

“Let’s do well today.”

The extras turned pale. To their ears, it sounded less like encouragement and more like a foreboding warning: “You must do well today.”

Lee Sua.

Her cold expression carried an air of unrelenting determination. If this shoot went awry, it felt as though she might transform into a vengeful spirit, eternally haunting those responsible.

Terrified, the extras quickly lowered their heads.

“Y-yes, we’ll do our best!”

“Of course, we’ll give it our all!”

“We’ll try as hard as we can!”

The extras, who initially had no intention of putting much effort into the shoot, were now compelled by Sua’s mere presence.

Director Park Jun, observing from a distance, tilted his head in curiosity.

“…Strange. The atmosphere feels completely different from this morning. It’s better now.”

Sua nodded quietly.

“Everyone seems kind. They’re very passionate too.”

“No, it wasn’t like this earlier at all…”

“It’s probably because the main shoot is approaching.”

Sua brushed it off as if it was nothing.

Such confidence and composure!

Sua had come to understand herself better through the mock shoot experience.

She had gained some objectivity about how her actions appeared to others.

Her thought process was clear: When I clear my mind, I probably come across as intimidating. That’s right, I am Lee Sua, the predator. You cute little rabbits should cower, worship, and cheer for me…

This brought her to her pièce de résistance, her fourth trick: Lee Sua’s Angry Act.

In a room full of strangers, Sua discovered that pretending to be angry was never a disadvantage.

On top of that, it was the easiest of all her tricks to pull off. All she had to do was imagine someone mishandling her beloved rabbit plushie.

“I never thought I’d grow fond of my sharp features.”

She was thrilled simply not to be underestimated.

As she began to appreciate her commanding presence, the extras operated with renewed vigor, looking more like fresh recruits on their first day of boot camp.

Meanwhile, Park Jun, the director of the short film The Sword, was deep in thought.

“This morning, the atmosphere was utterly hopeless. This sudden change must mean…”

It didn’t take long for him to realize who had transformed the mood. The answer was glaringly obvious.

It was because of Lee Sua.

Director Park Jun had been racking his brain, trying to figure out how to revive the drooping atmosphere, but Sua had resolved it immediately.

Why else would Park Jun have entered the scene earlier with such an exaggerated voice?

Although the situation was far from ideal, he hoped to lift the spirits of the supporting actors, even if just a little.

He figured that if the director showed high energy, perhaps it might spread, even slightly.

But all his attempts had failed. Sua, however, was different.

She achieved it with nothing more than her presence.

Her exceptional affection for The Sword, and the unshakable confidence she carried in herself—all of it was evident in her expression. She even went so far as to encourage those around her.

From Park Jun’s perspective, he felt like bowing down to her in gratitude.

At least, that’s what Park Jun thought.

“Alright. As the director, I need to work even harder!”

With renewed energy, he began directing the crew with a much more lively attitude.

“Make sure to double-check the movement paths! The actors can’t get hurt in the forest!”

“Yes! Everything has been thoroughly checked!”

“Makeup team! Put extra effort into making everything seamless!”

“Actors, let’s make some quick adjustments to your costumes over here!”

The actors’ paths through the forest were carefully prepared, and the filming equipment was arranged with precision.

Although it might have seemed like a modest setup compared to other short films, all the essential elements were present.

Upon reflection, this was also thanks to the financial support Mystic Entertainment provided through Sua.

Fueled by boundless determination, Park Jun shouted with enthusiasm.

“We’ll begin the main shoot in one hour! The weather today is perfect! Let’s finish up quickly and head back to the hotel!”

At that moment—

Step, step—

Someone emerged from the temporary tent set up by the makeup team, wearing traditional robes.

An extra, who had casually turned to look, froze in place.

It was a reaction that only comes from genuine surprise.

“W-wait! What? What the—?”

Before he could process his thoughts, a single name slipped from his lips.

“Seo… Seo Yeon-ju? Isn’t that Seo Yeon-ju?”

Seo Yeon-ju, whose neatly styled hair with a headband had become an iconic image.

Today, her hairstyle was different, adorned with numerous accessories fitting for a fusion historical drama.

Still, there was no mistaking her identity. Her face was her calling card—a face that could only inspire admiration.

Other extras quickly gathered around.

“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!”

“It’s Seo Yeon-ju… Seo Yeon-ju…”

“Wait, not just Seo Yeon-ju! Look, over there!”

Not long after, Kim Sun-il appeared in full costume.

Everyone froze, mouths agape, while Director Park Jun, more pleased than anyone else, spoke up.

“There’s been a lot of bad press and challenges surrounding this project, but these two actors decided to join without hesitation.

I’m truly grateful!”

Both actors offered light greetings. Kim Sun-il gave a simple bow, while Seo Yeon-ju smiled brightly and waved.

For the extras, it was a shock like being hit on the back of the head.

Seo Yeon-ju alone would have been enough, but with Kim Sun-il too?

Suddenly, this short film seemed worth it. There was no way they could just phone it in now.

Fueled by burning determination, there was no stopping the momentum.

Meanwhile, someone was busy typing on their phone.

[To CT Entertainment CEO]
Kim Sun-il and Seo Yeon-ju participating.
7 points each.

It was none other than CT Entertainment’s spy, Son Ji-a. She continued meticulously reporting every detail of the filming site. For context, a 7-point score in Son Ji-a’s personal evaluation system was exceptionally high.

Seo Yeon-ju silently observed Lee Sua.

“Today, she seems unusually resolute. Is it a sense of responsibility? Not only did she take the lead role, but she also secured the production budget on her own. That determination to see this through to the end…”

Kim Sun-il was having similar thoughts.

“Lee Sua. You really are the real deal.”

Eventually, Seo Yeon-ju casually flicked the back of her hair with her hand and spoke.

“Well, I’m only here because of Sua.”

It was meant to test the waters, but Sua’s response was straightforward.

“I admit it.”

Sua’s Technique #2: Admitting it.

And that was it. Just that.

Of course, the supporting actors had no way of understanding Sua’s perspective. They were utterly floored.

The mere fact that Seo Yeon-ju had joined this challenging project because of some rookie was already shocking enough, but the rookie’s nonchalant response?

“What is this? Why is she acting like it’s no big deal?”

“Not even a word of thanks? Seriously? For real?”

“Does she think it’s natural for Seo Yeon-ju to join because of her?”

“Is she really a rookie with no experience? Where does that confidence come from?”

Confusion swirled chaotically among them.

“Sua,” Seo Yeon-ju spoke again.

“Do you remember what I said before? If you don’t want to get devoured by me, you’d better be ready. So? Are you prepared?”

Sua thought to herself, How could I possibly beat her?

She’s beautiful, kind, and a great actress. No matter how Sua looked at it, the only thing she might be better at than Seo Yeon-ju was… sitting for long periods.

Still, she couldn’t afford to sound scared or rude. It was necessary to make a good impression on Seo Yeon-ju.

Thus, Sua deployed her 0th Technique: Sua’s Humility.

“Well, I don’t have any confidence at all,” she replied with a brief smile.

There was a moment of silence.

Then, Seo Yeon-ju, who had been slightly pursing her lips, laughed.

“…No confidence to lose, huh? Interesting.”

Lightning seemed to strike over the heads of the supporting actors.

“No confidence to lose? Against Seo Yeon-ju?”

“What kind of tone is that? Is she planning to cut Seo Yeon-ju’s head off today?”

“Does she have five livers and hearts each or something…?”

To them, Lee Sua no longer looked like a rookie.

***

In the CEO’s office, where antique furniture was tastefully arranged, the CEO sat with staff lined up in front of him.

Yang Ha-rin was there as well, lounging on a sofa in one corner of the room. The sofa was so plush that it seemed to envelop her completely, as though hugging her from behind.

“So, this project of Ha-rin’s—it’s confirmed, right?”