Chapter 204: 30-minute trailer.

Phew—

Kyler let out a sigh and placed the pen he was holding down on the table with a tap.

This is the first time I've encountered a case this difficult...

Kyler had dreamed of becoming a film director since high school.

He had met countless actors and created works suited specifically to them.

At first, many people could not understand his approach.

"You don't have a screenplay yet? That's a little..."

"You want to cast me? Thank you, Director! What? The screenplay... you have to start working on it now?"

To him, each person had their own unique color, their own wavelength of energy that he could sense clearly.

Like making a custom-tailored suit for a single person, he would sensitively perceive an actor and shape a work that matched them.

A story that could only belong to that actor, a story where no one else could ever replace them.

He wanted to make films like that.

But bringing that vision into reality had taken quite some time.

He made many independent films and submitted proposals to production companies based on them, but even companies that showed interest after watching his films became hesitant when they heard there was no screenplay, causing investments to fall through multiple times.

After wandering for years, the first commercial film he finally made became a massive success.

"Every actor who works with Kyler Earnshaw considers the role he created for them their 'career defining role.'"

Little by little, his style of filmmaking began to be recognized.

Having lived that way, Kyler had never once doubted his own judgment.

But...

"I'm Shin Yu Myeong."

The moment he first saw him in person, Kyler felt a slight shiver.

He's clearly one person. So why do I feel two different colors from him...?

At first, he simply couldn't believe it.

But even after seeing him two or three times, that feeling did not disappear.

Instead, he began sensing more and more details.

One presence was warm and faint.

The other was cold and fierce.

Yet the faint force gently guided the fierce one, and the fierce one willingly followed that guidance.

As a result, his intense aura spread outward with overwhelming strength and brilliance.

It was dazzling.

Can I handle this...?

For the first time, he had such a thought.

The energy of a person overflowing with life to a breathtaking degree.

Could he really write a screenplay capable of properly capturing that actor, whose light and darkness were mixed together in such a delicate balance?

As Predator / Hetty Lamb.

He wrote two names on white paper with black ink.

Then, over the words "As Predator," he repeatedly wrote the same letters.

The name grew darker and darker. ℯ

The overlapping marks expanded in volume until they eventually swallowed even the name Hetty Lamb.

What kind of ending should I create...?

He fell into thought once more.

 The meeting room inside Workbrothers headquarters had been reserved for the first production meeting.

When Yu Myeong arrived, only Erhi was inside.

Her faded brown hair.

Her light brown eyes, as if carefully matched to her hair.

A calm and quiet atmosphere.

Her features were the very definition of ordinary.

And an incredibly fragile presence.

But Yu Myeong believed there had to be a clear reason Kyler had been drawn to her.

"Hello. I'm Erhi Dever."

She greeted him first.

For a brief moment, a flicker of wonder crossed her face at meeting someone she had only seen on television.

But soon her expression settled.

Compared to the people who screamed or cheered every time they saw him these days, her reaction was refreshingly composed.

Composed?

No...

Was she being cautious?

"Nice to meet you. I'm Shin Yu Myeong. I look forward to working with you."

"I should be the one saying that."

"We're both in positions where we need each other, haha. It looks like our roles will take up a significant portion of the film, so let's work well together."

Erhi seemed slightly flustered by Yu Myeong's kindness.

She pressed her lips together for a moment before carefully speaking again.

"I... know you probably won't welcome me..."

"...?"

"I watched all of Casting Vote. You're truly an amazing actor... And this film is your prize for winning, so I thought it was only natural that you would be upset about an unknown actress like me suddenly being cast as the female lead."

Her tightly clasped hands trembled slightly.

Yu Myeong's heart stung, as if brushed by a tiny thorn.

That's right... it was like that.

Knowing that everyone thought of him as an ordinary actor.

Worrying that someone like him being included among them would only cause trouble...

There had once been a Yu Myeong who bowed his head first, asking people to please look kindly upon him.

"But... I was desperate too. I wanted it so badly that I couldn't refuse the director's offer. I will work incredibly hard so I don't become a burden. And thank you for greeting me with a smile instead of showing how you really felt."

She bowed deeply.

Americans usually greeted people while looking directly into their eyes.

Bowing was an expression of respect reserved for someone extremely important.

Did that mean Yu Myeong was that important to her?

Or had she researched Eastern customs beforehand?

Either way, it was more than enough proof of her desperation.

And Yu Myeong decided to tell her the words he himself had desperately wanted to hear when he had once bowed his head like this.

Looking directly into her eyes, he spoke calmly.

"I'm not upset at all. I'm very happy you're joining us, and I sincerely want us to become great partners and make the best film possible together."

"......"

"Thank you for being part of this project. I'll do my best as well."

Erhi's eyes widened in surprise and trembled slightly.

 Kyler arrived with an unexpected person.

Seeing that person surprised Yu Myeong.

Derek, however, looked completely dumbfounded.

"Why are you here?"

"I was cast as a supporting actress."

"What? How did I even get this role, and you got it that easily?"

"Because Derek is a 99 point actor, and I'm a 100 point actor?"

Natalie casually stabbed Derek right in the chest with her joke before sitting down.

Derek glared at her from across the table with a deeply furrowed brow, but she remained completely unfazed.

"What happened?"

"Ah, Natalie contacted me. She asked how I could possibly leave her out of a film starring Shin Yu Myeong and you. And coincidentally, the female supporting role I was planning happened to match Natalie's image. Besides, Natalie is a 100 point actor."

Kyler added fuel to Natalie's assault with a smile.

Seeing Derek's expression become even more twisted, Yu Myeong chuckled.

Seriously... what an interesting food chain.

Natalie was a serious and impressive person.

Kyler was clear and calm.

But when it came to Derek, both of them became incredibly mischievous.

It was amusing.

Though perhaps that simply meant Derek's personality was that overwhelming.

"Now, the three of you already know each other well, so I'll skip introductions. Instead, let me introduce our new face. Miss Erhi. She is our female lead."

"Hello. I'm Erhi Dever. I will work hard!"

"What? Female lead? I heard that correctly... right?"

There was a small backlash regarding Erhi's casting.

Both Derek and Natalie seemed surprised that an unknown actress had been given the female lead in a film where they had volunteered to take supporting roles.

"Erhi is a good actress. I believe all of you will realize that once you see her."

"That's it? Just wait and you'll understand? If you don't, your judgment is lacking? That's a pretty weak explanation."

Derek seemed completely unable to win against Kyler when it came to casual matters.

But when it came to work, he challenged things without hesitation.

As the sharp tension filled the room, Kyler smiled gently and eased the atmosphere.

"And you'll understand once you read the script."

"...?"

"This script suits Erhi Dever better than any other actor."

Kyler took out a stack of papers from the documents he had brought in.

It was clearly the screenplay.

Scene 1 (High School Hallway)

Amid the noisy voices of students, the camera moves forward.

The lens shows the perspective of the person walking.

Every person they encounter speaks to him.

"As, want to play a game of basketball later?"

"Sure!"

"Hey, As. It's my birthday party this weekend. Can you come?"

"I'll try to make time."

A female student hides her reddened face.

Her friend repeatedly hits her shoulder.

The camera turns forward again as if it never noticed.

Every person he passes has their gaze drawn toward him like a magnet, wanting to approach and greet him.

One shot alone makes it clear that he is the most popular student in school.

The door slides open.

The frame settles on the back seat by the window, where someone sits as if sinking into the chair.

The student in front turns around.

Student 1: As. This is a disaster. I didn't study at all for the chemistry test during second period.

As: Haha, you're always like this. Are you completely hopeless? Want me to give you some hints?

Student 1: Please! Ah, I knew it. As, you're my lifeline...

Hearing their conversation, students begin gathering from all directions.

Student 2: As, me too!

As: Sure. Everyone gather around. Push the desks together and sit down.

Cut to several students gathered together.

Everyone looks at As with bright, eager eyes.

As: The chemistry teacher's patterns are always similar. He puts a trap in the first sentence, but the real hint is always in the second. And he always uses basic formulas. The basic formula that is likely to appear from this test range is...

As (Narration): People's patterns are always similar. They panic only right before exams, but the basic formula for gaining their favor is to help them with the exam. The method is not to be too easygoing, but to tease them slightly while helping, creating the impression of charm.

As: Got it? Geez, start preparing ahead of time, you idiots.

Student 1: As, you're seriously the best. My friend in another class keeps saying how unfortunate it is that they weren't in the same class as you.

As (Narration): As you can see, gaining people's approval and affection is extremely easy for me.

ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ

The opening of the screenplay emphasizes that As Predator is an extremely emotionless human being.

Yet, through exceptional information gathering and analytical ability, he faithfully mimics the results of his analysis of human behavior, causing everyone around him to perceive him as the most superior and attractive person.

"And then, he meets Hetty Lamb."

The role Erhi Dever will play.

Hetty Lamb.

She has the weakest presence of anyone and is an utterly ordinary person.

Yet, to As, she stands out more than anyone else.

Because everything about her, from the way she plays the piano to her various behaviors, repeatedly contradicts the "patterns of humans" he has analyzed.

Unanalyzable.

The irrationality As Predator feels whenever he sees Hetty Lamb is what keeps their relationship going.

"Hetty, who no one would notice, and As, who is more charming than anyone else. Put the two of them together, and the difference in presence will be obvious. Isn't Erhi the perfect choice? She even studied piano at a level close to professional before."

"Let's be accurate. It's not that Erhi is perfect for the role of Hetty. The character of Hetty was created to fit Erhi."

"Does that make it less interesting?"

Interesting or not.

The conclusion always returned there.

Derek groaned and answered.

"I am curious about what happens next. So what exactly is As Predator?"

The screenplay currently available only covered the opening thirty minutes.

"Is he a psychopath? Does he kill Hetty Lamb? Like a predator hunting a lamb?"

"No."

Kyler smiled meaningfully.

"He's an alien."

 "A science fiction film?"

"If you want to categorize it... yes. But the actual events will mostly happen on Earth. There might be a scene inside a spaceship at the end."

"Hmm... An alien species with the habit of 'mimicry'... Does he know that about himself?"

"No. Like you said, he only suspects that he might be a psychopath. I plan to make the audience suspect the same thing until around the middle."

"But looking here... the narration keeps appearing. Why did you handle it this way?"

Kyler brought up what he had told Yu Myeong.

"I plan to handle the first thirty minutes entirely from the protagonist's perspective."

"What?"

"I want the audience to become immersed in As's mental state and experience it from his viewpoint... but the head of planning is strongly against it."

"......"

"I keep insisting that filming is the director's authority, but it isn't working. He keeps saying that if the main actor doesn't appear for thirty minutes, audiences might walk out of the theater. He keeps pressuring me to mix the perspectives because it's too risky...

And he's not exactly wrong."

Kyler smiled bitterly.

Derek reacted as if he couldn't believe it.

"Of course not. I'd say the same thing. We're not making an independent film. And if it's science fiction, the production costs will be enormous. No. With this cast alone, the budget is probably already at a record level. Why would you deliberately take such a risk?"

"Hmm... There is a reason I want to use the protagonist's perspective."

"What is it?"

Kyler gave the actors a hint about what would happen later in the story.

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

"...That's a groundbreaking development. If that's the case, I understand why you insist on the protagonist's perspective. Have you told the production company that?"

"I have. But they still think it's too much of a gamble. They say it's too difficult to draw audiences in during the beginning."

Yu Myeong, who had been listening quietly, thought of something and carefully joined the conversation.

"Director. I also think that perspective is the most appropriate for this film."

"Thank you. I plan to continue persuading them."

"Rather than doing that, wouldn't it be better to film both versions and prove which one works?"

"Both versions? Simply filming twice just to persuade the production company seems like it would waste too much time and resources..."

"What if we film both and use one version as bait?"

"Bait...?"

Yu Myeong explained the strategy he had in mind.

And everyone's jaws dropped.

This was truly absurd...

"...It would become a thirty minute trailer."

Kyler thought deeply for a moment, then slowly nodded.

His face, usually calm and composed, was slightly flushed with excitement.