Chapter 76: Sua the Wreck, Sua the Worm

After lunch.

Vroooom!

Mystic Entertainment’s van was speeding along the road. The destination was Director Go Tae-min’s studio. The purpose? To share impressions of the newly received script for Crescendo Begins Tomorrow.

Thump, thump, thump…

Sua’s heart was beating nervously.

It was only natural to feel anxious—she had just heard an incredible piece of news.

“I’m really going to the finals? Seriously?”

Sua had some familiarity with film festivals.

When the elegant red carpet is laid out, dazzling celebrities step out of sleek black cars. They enter under a shower of camera flashes, offering one stylish smile to the crowd.

Of course, what Sua was about to attend was the Busan International Short Film Festival. It might not hold the same prestige as year-end award shows or Cannes, but so what? For Sua, this was a monumental achievement!

“To think my life could change like this…”

Just a few months ago, she was nothing more than an unemployed nobody.

“Anyway, I guess it’s time to tell the CEO.”

Sua turned her head toward Kim Yi-seo, who was sitting beside her.

“CEO.”

“Yes, Sua?”

“Did you get a call from Director Park Jun by any chance?”

“A call? What kind of call?”

Just then, Kim Yi-seo’s phone rang.

“Speak of the devil—it’s Director Park. Hold on a moment.”

Kim Yi-seo raised the phone to her ear. To Sua, it always seemed like Yi-seo’s hands were small. So much so that the phone looked larger than her hand.

“Yes, this is Kim Yi-seo from Mystic.”

A very excited voice responded.

“Ah, CEO! I’m calling with some fantastic news!”

“Fantastic news, you say?”

“It means the production funding Mystic provided has paid off!”

Director Park Jun’s voice was so loud that even Sua could hear it through the phone.

“‘The Sword’ has made it to the finals! Only thirty films are given the opportunity, and ‘The Sword’ is one of them!”

“…Really?”

“Yes! Absolutely! I couldn’t believe it myself, so I double- and triple-checked. Oh, and I’ve already contacted Sua about it. My hands are still trembling even now.”

Kim Yi-seo was momentarily stunned but quickly became overjoyed.

The Sword was a project that resonated with Sua, though it wasn’t particularly appealing to Yi-seo. She had only taken a gamble on it because Sua seemed so determined.

And the result? It passed the finals.

It was a moment that proved Sua was right. At the same time, it validated Yi-seo’s decision to trust her. It was a deeply emotional moment.

Kim Yi-seo spoke again.

“From the articles pouring in lately, it seems there’s been an extraordinary level of interest in this year’s Busan International Short Film Festival. The sheer number of submitted works must have been staggering.”

“Exactly. With so much money being poured into it, interest has naturally grown. There’s been extensive promotion, and with more awards added, the number of entries has reached an all-time high.”

“Figures. And to think you broke through all that competition…”

Kim Yi-seo clicked her tongue in amazement.

“But now that I think about it, isn’t it odd how fast the results came out? Even last year, when interest was lukewarm, it still took a while for the finalists to be announced. Why was it so quick for The Sword?”

“It only means one thing,” Park Jun replied.

“The moment they saw The Sword, they must have decided it was a sure winner. As a director, it’s the most gratifying experience imaginable.”

“Of course. Congratulations. As an investor, I’m proud too.”

“Thank you! Thank you so much! Oh, and this is confidential, as you know, right? The results have only been notified to those directly involved in The Sword.”

“Of course, I understand. It’s an unspoken rule in the industry.”

The two continued their conversation for quite some time, and eventually, Kim Yi-seo nodded in satisfaction. The long call had finally come to an end.

“It’s time to wrap this up. Have a great day, Director.”

“Thank you! Take care!”

Even after hanging up, Kim Yi-seo couldn’t put her phone down. Instead, she frantically scrolled through her contacts—there were plenty of calls to make now.

The first call was to Sua’s styling team.

You know, the team that painted Sua’s skin flawlessly and shot her profile pictures.

“What? That rookie made it to the finals?”

As expected, the team leader couldn’t hide their shock upon hearing the news. This reaction only deepened Yi-seo’s satisfaction.

“Of course.”

“I had a feeling she was something special during the profile shoot, but she really pulled it off, didn’t she? She doesn’t even have a filmography yet, and now she’s experiencing a film festival?”

“Well…”

Yi-seo paused for a moment, considering her words.

“In Korea, yes.”

She glanced at Sua sitting beside her, responding cautiously.

In Yi-seo’s eyes, Sua was an international talent, so she couldn’t be certain this was her first film festival. More than anything, her expression—Sua seemed far too calm for someone new to this experience.

Just then, the team leader spoke again.

“We’d better start preparing. She’ll need impeccable styling for the festival. I heard some big names are attending this time.”

“Exactly. Actors, directors, journalists, industry professionals, fans of the medium—everyone will be there. Please, make sure Sua shines brightest in that crowd.”

Meanwhile, Sua’s heart was still racing.

Thump, thump, thump…

She could hear every word of Yi-seo’s phone conversation. The realization that she would be among such distinguished people made anxiety creep over her. She couldn’t help but worry about making the best impression possible.

Of course, this anxiety was only internal. On the outside, her face remained composed and dignified, prompting yet another round of admiration from Yi-seo.

“An empty filmography, yet she’s stepping onto the finals stage? It’s extraordinary. It’s like success follows Sua wherever she goes. Even those so-called rising stars haven’t accomplished this.”

By now, Yi-seo was used to Sua’s exceptional acting skills.

What continued to amaze her was the sheer scale of opportunities drawn to Sua. Finals selections, offers from renowned directors, compliments from countless professionals—each event only reinforced the same conclusion.

To Yi-seo, the message was clear.

Sua wasn’t just a skilled actor; she had charisma that captivated everyone around her.

“An actor’s talent and their ability to attract people are separate things. Take Sun-il, for example. He’s a great actor, but his prickly attitude keeps offers from pouring in…”

And that wasn’t all. If she listed Sua’s strengths, the list would go on forever.

“…And she’s fluent in foreign languages, too. Who is she, really?”

Looking back, Yi-seo felt no regret about the three cars she had provided under the contract. If anything, she thought she had gotten a bargain securing Sua.

Lost in these happy thoughts, time passed quickly.

Shortly after, Yi-seo turned to Sua and asked,

“Oh, by the way, Sua, did you have a chance to review the script?”

“Have you made a decision about the role of Kim So-hee?”

Sua nodded.

“Yes, I want to play Kim So-hee.”

Yi-seo shook her head lightly in disbelief, as if trying to shake off the feeling that this was all just a dream.

“Sua, what did you just say?”

“I want to participate in Crescendo Begins Tomorrow.”

At that, Kim Yi-seo clasped Sua’s hands tightly instead of replying with words.

“Sua.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you so much.”

“…What?”

“At last, you didn’t refuse.”

Well, it just happened that way.

The ratings for the previous works were so strange that she couldn’t take them on. But Crescendo Begins Tomorrow had a rating of 1.9. There was no reason to say no.

Thanks to this, Sua’s plan became clear in her mind.

She would graduate from the “Musician” trait through Crescendo Begins Tomorrow and then slowly cultivate other traits. If she kept at it, wouldn’t she eventually become a perfect human being?

Yes, that’s right—let’s call it “Perfect Sua”!

[Future goal: Perfect Sua.]

[Sua, focus on the current task.]

[Current status: Suboptimal intelligence.]

Sua pretended not to see the pop-up window. Blocking it out completely, she turned to Kim Yi-seo and said,

“This script makes my heart race.”

“That’s a relief. I was worried there might never be a script that could truly motivate you. Oh, but are you okay with this? To play Kim So-hee, you’ll need to learn the piano.”

Sua almost blurted, I already know how to play the piano~, but she caught herself.

Instead, she shut her lips tightly.

A better thought came to her, so she said,

“CEO, I’m an actor. I’m ready to endure any hardship to portray a role. Piano is no exception. Even if my fingers feel like they’re breaking, I’ll practice.”

[What a blatant lie.]

[Such cunning behavior.]

[And yet, you avoided those torturous scripts…]

Shut up. Can’t you be quiet for once?

[Cunning Sua (whisper whisper).]

…What?

Sua wondered if this system was going crazy.

As she silently resolved to deal with the system and its hierarchy soon, an expression of overwhelming emotion spread across Kim Yi-seo’s face.

“Thank you, Sua. Director Go Tae-min will surely be thrilled. By the way, should I stop looking for scripts for now? Or do you want me to keep sending them your way?”

“Hmm, keep sending them. They’re a source of inspiration.”

Specifically, she could see their ratings, so yes.

Oh, right. Sua hurriedly added,

“Please make sure they’re scripts in the production phase.”

“Huh? Why? For studying, completed and aired works would be more suitable.”

“Well…”

Sua offered a faint smile.

“I can look up those kinds of scripts myself. I don’t want to bother you with extra work.”

[Lying Sua.]

[Cunning Sua.]

[Sua the Wreck, Sua the Worm.]

Pop!

Sua abruptly shut the system window. Transparency: 100%.

“Alright. Then just tell me the genre.”

Moved by the moment, Kim Yi-seo nodded.

“Romance, or perhaps crime and action noir? Or, you can describe the kind of character you want. Like a wealthy matriarch waving stacks of cash like a fan…”

But Sua didn’t pick one.

“Yes.”

With a single word and a nod, she made her meaning clear—she wanted them all.

They soon arrived at Director Go Tae-min’s studio.

“…Huh?”

Sua froze in place.

“…?”

She was completely still, unable to process the shocking sight before her.