Payback

Even if it wasn’t adoration, I left Alice’s Labyrinth in shock after realizing that the madman indeed did tolerate me in some way. Come to think of it, he didn’t get angry at my disrespectful nature. As I returned to the building’s front door, puzzled, I nearly collided with a car that was just about to come to a stop. Fortunately, thanks to my good motor skills, I jumped back and was not hit by the car, but in the end I lost my balance and fell to the floor.

The funny thing was that I rolled on the floor and unconsciously protected my face with my hands so as not to let it get hurt. I guess I was pretty much used to being an actor. I felt bitter as I stood up, and I heard the sound of the car door slamming and I felt someone rushing in front of me. And as soon as the shadow fell in front of me, I heard swearing.

“Fucking bastard, you don’t even know whose car this is, and you dare push your dirty body in front of it?”

When I raised my eyes while trying to stand up, a giant-like figure in a black suit lifted one foot with those words. The movement of the feet was obvious to anyone; he was going to kick me. 

Swish!

As soon as I rolled around quickly to dodge, a terrifying wind blew past me. Fuck. Cursing inside, I hardened my lower body and stood up like a spring. As I stood up straight, a head and body much larger than mine approached me more menacingly. Of course I didn’t care. I stared straight at him and let out a low breath.

“How would I know whose car it is, son of a bitch.”

His lips twisted in an instant at the cold voice.

“Shit, this bastard.”

Swish! Heavy fists flew towards me. After twisting my upper body to avoid the attack, I immediately took a boxing position. I could tell just how strong my opponent was just by the sound of the air being sliced. I would be hurled just by coming into contact with it. Tension ran through my body, and my nerves stood up to the tip of my head.

Swish, swish, swish!

I frantically retreated back to avoid a series of fists. And I stretched out my arm without missing an opportunity from the bent position. 

Puck!

As soon as the attack hit the empty side, I quickly moved to the side. Thanks to the quick steps I was used to in boxing, I was barely able to avoid his fist, which was immediately counterattacking. The hairs all over my body stood still as I stepped back as his fists brushed my temples.

“You rat…”

Roaring, the opponent chased me and took a wide stride. Of course, he was faster than me moving backwards, and just when we were about to run into each other, someone ran and blocked us. Or rather, he got in my way. 

“Whoa, whoa… I’m sorry. There seems to be some misunderstanding.”

I gasped and looked at the manager who was blocking my way with a frown. He looked up at his giant opponent in a calm voice.

“You may have misunderstood. This is our store’s gue…”

“Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding, you tell me. Depending on it, I will deal with you.” 

The giant man spat out and tilted his head crookedly.

“I said, speak.”

I pushed the manager and tried to step forward. It was not my fault, it was that jerk’s one-sided attack. However, the manager gently stretched out his hand and pushed me back. After hesitating for a while as if signaling to me not to go out, the manager opened his mouth.

“It seems he didn’t see the car as he left the building. He didn’t do that on purpose… Ugh!” 

Smack!

A ghastly slap on the cheek ripped the air.

“You call that an excuse? Because of this fucking bastard, the Chairman’s car was suddenly stopped. How are you going to compensate for that?”

I was stunned and lost for words, all I could do was stare. I wanted to teach that giant punk who used ridiculous force a lesson, but the manager stopped me again. Bending over 90 degrees, he spoke loudly. 

“I’m really sorry. If there’s any problem, of course we will compensate for everything.”

“Fuck, the incident has happened, what are you going to compensate? Is it okay if you kill someone and apologize afterwards?”

What nonsense was this guy talking about? I was pissed off and was about to take another step, but the manager who raised his back pushed me back with his hand.

“What can I do to make the Chairman feel better? Until he feels satisfied, we will take responsibility for everything today.” 

Smack! Smack!

Being slapped twice in a row, the manager’s face turned wide. His body staggered at the tremendous power, but the smile on his face didn’t disappear.

“Please come inside.”

The giant let out a short ‘fuck’ and raised his chin. And as he was about to say something, another voice stopped him. 

“Sangtaek, stop it.”

A dull, senile voice, like phlegm. As soon as the giant heard the voice, he turned around and bowed.

“Are you okay, Chairman?”

A short old man in his late 60’s or early 70’s stood next to the luxury car he was approaching. But his gaze passed the approaching giant and turned towards me. The moment our eyes met, goosebumps for an unknown reason spread throughout my body. I had sometimes seen tenacious people who didn’t feel human, but this old man was completely different. 

His eyes were not human.

“You… you are cocky.”

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Who knows when he arrived, the boss cleverly blocked the old man and guided him to the entrance. And after sharing a few more words, he finally moved on, but the old man turned his head before entering the entrance. As if he was going to let me go only for this time, the snake’s eyes flashed and disappeared. After he and the giant man were gone, only then did I realize that I was clenching my fists. The forgotten figure next to me then whispered to me hastily.

“Hurry up and get out of here.” 

I questioned him with my eyes and he added in a low voice.

“Chairman Kim is here, so Song Yoohan will be here soon.”

And while he quickly disappeared inside, I was immobilized on the spot. It was only after a while that I finally realized who Chairman Kim was. Sponsor. Myeongshin’s sponsor.

——— 

Despite the manager’s advice, I went back to Alice’s Labyrinth because I didn’t want to be in debt.

“I heard you were looking for me.”

He quickly walked down the hallway and frowned slightly. He seemed dissatisfied that I hadn’t left yet. So, I got to the point quickly. Or rather, I held out my hand. When I held out the convenience store bag, the manager with a bruise on one cheek asked, ‘What is it?’ Then he looked inside the bag and blinked. What was inside was an assortment of porridge packages.

“Your mouth must have been hurt.” 

After I said what I had to say, as I turned around, he called after me. I questioned him with my eyes and he smiled warmly.

“The boss will contact you separately, I think it would be better not to come here for a while.”

“…”

“Because a celebrity who’s with Chairman Kim is asking us to find someone.” 

It was obvious who this celebrity was. So who they’re looking for is…

“They’re looking for a person named Lee Baekwon. We say we don’t know anyone with that name. So I hope that helps you?”

When I nodded, he smiled and hurriedly turned around and disappeared. As I climbed the stairs, I kept thinking of the manager, who was smiling with a blue bruise, rather than Chairman Kim, who had snake eyes, or Myeongshin, who was looking for Lee Baekwon.

It was a weekend without classes, but as usual, I headed to the company building. It was mentioned that the manager would show us the schedule for the film and discuss acting, but while I was alone, my head was complicated. The strange behavior that the madman showed was also a reason, but it was mostly Myeongshin’s sponsor, whom I had seen for a moment. I had only been able to check his face, but I had an ominous feeling. It was like a nightmare in which Myeongshin whom I was trying to get revenge on was connected like a vine, and another Myeongshin and another was continuously attached to it. And the moment I opened the door to the office I had come to shake off those thoughts, a familiar sight I had not seen in a long time greeted me. 

“Urghh~ Manager, what if I don’t tremble in front of the camera? What do I do if I don’t show the look the director wants because I can’t feel anything?”

Hansoo was voicing the most useless worries on the planet. Of course, there was someone who entertained him, so it was a problem.

“It’s okay!! You’re a fool in front of the camera! If there is a more foolish person in the world than you, tell them to come out!”

The manager put his thumb up and told his artist that he was a fool. Then, as if receiving the best compliment in the world, Hansoo smiled all over his face. 

“Right? I’m the best at trembling in front of the camera, right? Haha~ Yes, I can do it!”

As Hansoo barely clenched his fists, the manager tapped him on the shoulder proudly.

“Of course, there is no other fool who can catch up.”

That’s right. There is no other fool who can catch up to those two. As I came to that decision, suddenly two people came to my mind. Maybe Photographer Lee and Alice Labyrinth’s boss wouldn’t find it difficult to catch up… I was surprised when I realized that I was the fool for even thinking about this so I stopped thinking. And just in case that vivaciousness was contagious, I sat across the table. 

At that moment, perhaps because I had thought of that guy, the manager received a call from one of the two people I had been thinking of. The manager answered the call with a lively voice without checking the caller.

“Yes, I’m Choi Deukpal from Dream Entertainment… Huh! Photographer Lee!”

The manager’s face turned to fear, taking a deep breath. Then he hurriedly lowered his voice and whispered.

“… What’s the matter? Huh? Our Taemin?” 

The manager, who had glanced at me, stood up and whispered.

“Uh huh, I told you before. Taemin is not in Korea… Ah, yes, that’s right. went to the Amazon. Amazon. A place where there are a lot of insects that Photographer Lee hates the most, and the world’s largest snake just walks alongside a crocodile. So don’t… Hm? When are you coming?”

He peeked at me again. The manager walked to the end of the room, banged his head against the edge of the wall and muttered.

“I don’t know. My friend is sick… What? Friend’s name? Uh, was it Wh- Whahoo? Oh, why are you asking that?…What?!!! You think you’re going to the Amazon for a photoshoot?!!! You’re going to find Taemin there and take a nude photo shoot?!” 

The manager, who shouted at the corner, remained silent for a long time, then made a firm decision.

“… Shoot me. I’ll take it off! I’ll show you everything! Don’t be embarrassed, shoot me… Hm? Photographer Lee? Photographer Lee?”

The manager, who had been shouting at Photographer Lee as the other party hung up, barely turned around at the corner. Then he said a word to us who were silent.

“Haha. It’s no big deal.” 

However, his face, returning to his seat, was full of determination to take nude photos. Of course, as I was currently in the Amazon, I had nothing to say. But where was Amazon? I thought I had heard it somewhere, but the manager asked, changing the topic.

“Oh, it must have been hard yesterday, aren’t you tired?”

Before I could reply that it was okay, Hansoo, who was next to me, gave the news abruptly.

“Right, did you hear? The company is going to support our business trip expenses. I don’t think I need to sleep in a tent! Hehe~” 

Travel expenses? Tent? I looked at the manager to see what it meant.

“Oh, that’s… I’m sorry, I should have told you first, but it was decided all of a sudden.”

“So, what is it?”

But the manager, who was suddenly excited, didn’t answer directly. 

“I really never dreamed that we’d get support like this. To be honest, I was shocked to receive a call this morning. Of course, doesn’t this mean that you and Hansoo are being respected by the company? Hahaha~”

“…”

“Hmm, what did you ask?”

Staring at him, only then did the manager give me a proper explanation. 

“Actually, after filming was decided, I talked to Chief Park. It’s a small role, but there aren’t any other schedules and I think it could be an extension of class, so why not go to the movie set? But honestly, I thought it would be about three or four days even if the permit was granted. Of course, I didn’t expect it, but I suddenly got a call this morning. The company will support you, so go ahead and participate in the movie as much as you need!”

I asked him calmly, who was about to get excited again.

“Did you tell them that our scene is only 3-4 minutes long?”

“…” 

Looking at the manager, who kept his mouth shut, I got a rough idea of ​​the situation. He probably exaggerated to get permission. A gross exaggeration at that. However, other reasons than that vaguely came to mind. Who was supporting this work. Was the madman really trying to help me by giving permission? But soon I was puzzled. Even if there are private feelings, I think he would draw a line in public affairs… Even if he said he would pay for anything I wanted. While I was lost in my thoughts for a moment, I heard the manager explain something, a bit downcast.

“It’s just a short scene for now, but if you go to the filming set and help, who knows? If an actor doesn’t come, you can be switched in in a hurry, and the amount of appearances can increase a little more… Unlike dramas, movies tend to change a bit during filming…”

The manager, who was still murmuring, glanced up at me. Next to him was Hansoo with a similarly anxious expression. It was as if they were trying to get my permission, so I couldn’t tell them to properly report back to Chief Park.

“… Let’s go.” 

After saying that word, the two of them clenched their fists and rejoiced like children. I was thinking about whether I should be independent even now, but there was something in the manager’s words that caught me.

“By the way, what do you mean going to the filming set and helping out?”

“Huhh? Uh… ah, that’s…”

As his words began to trail off, I glanced at him sharply again and the manager spoke frankly. 

“I heard from PD Jung, you know? Since the film is almost at the level of an independent film, it seems to need a lot of hands and equipment. Of course, there are people who can help, but they will probably need more hands. Therefore…”

He continued speaking, but I couldn’t hear it because I didn’t understand it well. If you go and help, there may be more appearances. Did that kind of thing happen often? The manager’s words sounded like bluffs to those who were not familiar with the film industry. After all, they would have decided on the casting and filmed it according to the script. I didn’t really believe it, but the manager pushed me hard, so I nodded my head without showing it. It didn’t matter if I had to work a little harder. To get used to this industry, I thought that the experience of carrying equipment on a movie set could be as helpful as an acting class. What was surprising, however, was the timing of the departure.

“Are we leaving now?”

When the manager told us to start leaving, Hansoo asked, surprised. 

“Yes. PD Jung actually shot about 1/3 of this movie, but he stopped because he didn’t have the budget, so he stopped for about a month and then started again. So you should join immediately. Who knows when it will stop?”

For the first time, he revealed managerial calculations, and he added another reason.

“And one of the conditions from Chief Park was that we were to leave immediately.”

“Chief Park?” 

When I asked, the manager tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.

“Mhm. And he was begging me to take you with me.”

Several scenes popped into my mind at the same time. Chairman Kim, whom I saw yesterday, and the manager of Alice Labyrinth advised me not to come for a while. Ah, was it because of this?I felt strange when I realized that Director Yoon, the madman, was trying to help me flee. I guess he was really helping me. And I was reminded of the thorn in my neck all night long.

Chairman Kim. Myeongshin’s sponsor might be a really dangerous person. To the extent that the madman was trying not to reveal me. Then I got more curious. Fortunately, there was someone beside me who seemed to know a little about this person. While Hansoo went home to pack, I talked to the manager alone. 

“Manager.”

After talking on the phone here and there, I called out to him when he was quiet. He raised his happy face, having made a reservation for a motel.

“Hmm?”

“Early on, you said that if I was going to find a sponsor, I need to be prepared to not mind sucking a 70-year-old old man’s penis.” 

The manager’s hand stopped mid-air as he was trying to write the motel information in the notebook.

“… What about that?”

“Was Myeongshin an example of that?”

Tap. He laid down the promotional ballpoint pen that was given out on the street on the table. 

“Why are you asking that?”

“Do you know anything about Myeongshin’s sponsor, Chairman Kim?”

The moment I brought up Chairman Kim, his eyes changed seriously.

“You must never touch that old man.” 

He spoke gravely and I responded lightly.

“You also said that about Director Yoon.”

“No, Director Yoon is different. Director Yoon is like a knife, so he can be cut off by the company, but …”

He shook his head and said hastily. 

“But, for Chairman Kim it’s not like that. That in itself is a problem. That old man…”

He stopped talking, and he bit his lower lip once thoughtfully and then looked straight at me.

“He’s not a person. He is not human.”

I know. Because his eyes didn’t look human. As he grew older, he was left with only selfish greed, and he had turned into a snake. 

“It’s not possible. Taemin. If you’re going to take revenge on Myeongshin, just touch Myeongshin. You just have to work hard to become a good actor and make Myeongshin angry, right? However, not Chairman Kim. At all, don’t even catch the old man’s attention.”

The last words were mixed with fear.

“Something happened to the manager when he caught the attention of Chairman Kim?”

“…” 

There was silence for a long time, but the manager’s mouth did not open. I twisted the corners of my mouth and let out a smile that escaped inevitably.

“Is that right?”

“Taemin-ah…”

“I said. Is. That. Right. 

Watching him not answer until the end, I noticed that there was something more. I slowly brought up what I would have done in the past.

“Did they come find you at home?”

As I looked at his widening eyes, my lips curled further.

“They must have entered the house with shoes on, grabbed your wife and children, and pulled out a knife in front of the manager. Seeing the kids crying and running out of tears in fear and calling only their father, the manager must have said he would do anything.” 

“… Stop it.”

The manager barely spoke a word with a pale face. The image of someone from the past flashed briefly on his face, but he quickly erased it from his mind. Anyway, that method always worked.

“Is it because of that? Even after being treated like that by Myeongshin, you don’t want to take revenge.”

Even if I didn’t listen to the answer, I could tell by the manager’s trembling eyes. And why Myeongshin was able to rampage like that. Just because he was immature, he couldn’t understand the time of ignorance and failure he went through. 

But this was the reason. No matter what messy things they do, they carry an eerie existence on their backs that those who have been subjected to cannot retaliate. Then a natural question arose. How the hell did Myeongshin score Chairman Kim? Of course, that would not have been an ordinary approach. I looked at the manager and asked sharply.

“Myeongshin didn’t just suck the penis of an old man in his 70s.”

“…”

“What did he do? Didn’t he do something that suited Chairman Kim’s taste?” 

I urged the manager, who gulped down with embarrassed eyes.

“Did he even play SM with that old man?”

“Taemin-ah…”

“I have to know how cruel he is in order to avoid him.” 

At my words, the manager frowned as if contemplating for a moment, then opened his mouth with difficulty.

“Chairman Kim… he was not originally a well-known person in the entertainment industry. He’s never had a celebrity as a sponsor before, but Myeongshin found him at a secret meeting.”

“What kind of meeting?”

Hesitating again, he spit out a short English word with a sigh. But it was a word I didn’t know. When I asked what it meant, I heard a word I knew this time. 

“Rape.”

“…”

“Chairman Kim’s taste is… watching. Beaten to death and bleeding, the more he saw them being raped, the more he rejoiced. That’s how… that old man’s thing stands.”

There was something I did not understand in the manager’s difficult explanation. Myeongshin was a celebrity. His body was a property that didn’t allow tattoos, let alone the scars on his face. However, if he was beaten to death and bled, of course, scars remain… Then, In an instant, everything made sense. I also realized that the manager’s words were true in the first place. Myeongshin was really sucking the penis of an old man in his 70s. It was just that he was also responsible for creating the stimulus for that man’s erection. He gets the material to be raped. 

At first glance, yellow haired and the good-looking guy flashed through his mind. I see. I thought it was just elementary school-like greed to make them underlings, but that wasn’t the case. Of course, finding someone to be raped is difficult. But if you pay money to the prostitutes, it won’t be very exciting. Because the acting is bound to be obvious.

But, what if there were people who are willing to give their bodies to men? Moreover, they get a benefit in return. If you give them one role, there would not be any grudges. It must have been a wonderful world that Chairman Kim could not let go of. Myeongshin, who provided him with that pleasure, was an invaluable treasure. A treasure, huh…

Song Myeongshin, you’ve been playing as a dirty pimp after all, haven’t you?