Chapter 660

Galdaeguk and Ma Eungyo smiled with satisfaction. People who had already discovered what second male lead syndrome was were practically bedridden.

[Daily Media?Han Yohan VS Jo Eunnara: A Love Triangle Surrounding Han Yeoreum... Will Soar After Breaking 15% Ratings in Just Three Episodes?]

A new chapter in the history of action romance dramas is being written. KBC's , which does not offer reruns through OTT streaming services, has been generating remarkable ratings through word of mouth, relying solely on its original broadcasts and television reruns.

Immediately after Episode 3 aired, the stark contrast between the two men vying for the affection of genius Interpol agent Im Lia (Han Yeoreum), the central figure of the series, and their precarious romantic entanglement became explosive topics of conversation, completely dominating online communities and real-time search rankings on portal sites. The action sequence set in Russia, featured in Episode 3, has been singled out as the episode's greatest highlight.

The charms of the two men standing at opposite extremes have also struck a chord with viewers. Valkyrie's (Jo Eunnara) straightforward leadership, as he commands his unit from the front lines while radiating both cheerfulness and rugged masculinity, and the devoted love of Taeo (Han Yohan), a solitary killer who pulls the trigger on an empty rooftop with nothing but a radio connection to rely on, are producing legions of viewers hopelessly invested in the romance. Netizens have been commenting, 'I don't know which one to choose,' and 'They both look so good with her'... (Omitted)

The drama's power, having broken through 15% ratings in just three episodes, was formidable. It held the undisputed number one spot not only in ratings but also in online buzz.

The thrill of the action was one thing, but the romance was attracting just as much passionate attention.

What made a third-rate production?

It was failing to give the public what they wanted because you didn't know what they wanted in the first place. That was the kind of directing that couldn't figure out when to deliver a satisfying payoff or when to bring a romance to fruition.

A second-rate production knew what the public wanted and gave it to them. It rewarded viewers at appropriate intervals and kept them satisfied.

And a first-rate production?

[Drama & Film Actors TALK/ Seriously, Code Time Seven PLEASE give us a kiss scene in Episode 4]

[Drama & Film Actors TALK/ Those perverted bastards, Ja Sokhwan's kids, how fucking amazing are they gonna make the kiss scene]

[Drama & Film Actors TALK/ I'm already shaking so bad.. Code Time Seven kiss scene?????]

"I'm not really sure myself, but apparently my works have a way of making people so desperate they practically go insane? Or so I've heard."

[AS IF WE'D GIVE IT TO YOU ALREADY!!!]

They knew what the public wanted, but refused to give it to them.

They held the scenes and story developments everyone wanted to see hostage, dragging things out.

If you wanted to see them, you'd have to adjust to the production's pace.

And in this particular field, Galdaeguk and Ma Eungyo possessed a level of stubborn determination that was practically unmatched.

"A kiss scene needs much more buildup, you know. I'm not really sure myself, but apparently Ma Eungyo is the best at bringing out that precarious, subtle tension between a man and a woman? That's what everyone says, anyway."

[WE'LL MAKE EVERYONE FALL INTO INNER DEMONS!!!]

As the two recalled that particular scene in Episode 4, their anticipation reached its peak at the thought of demonstrating what true first-rate craftsmanship looked like.

Besides, the scene they were filming today was perfect for adding even more fuel to the fire in viewers' hearts.

"This is the perfect opportunity to have Nara watch it on set, too. Once he sees Ma Eungyo's emotional climax scene, his portrayal of the second male lead will gain a whole new depth."

Beside Ma Eungyo, Galdaeguk wrote out each character with deliberate emphasis.

[How fortunate.]

[Yohan's acting will reach its climax at just the right moment.]

"Yohan? Isn't it still too early for him to have his big breakthrough?"

Galdaeguk slowly closed his eyes and shook his head.

[You have no idea how much we've worn away at that boy's chivalrous spirit...]

Valkyrie wasn't the only one Ja Sokhwan's kids intended to set ablaze today.

[He should be approaching his limit by now!!!]

The same went for Taeo.

* * *

Jo Eunnara felt awkward sitting on set when it wasn't even time for his scene yet.

"Ooooh! Our Nara is here?"

"Ah, yes...."

For one thing, an ordinary production crew wouldn't be nearly this delighted to have him around.

It was also rather strange that everyone called him "our Nara" in a patriotic sort of way instead of "Mr. Nara" or "Actor Jo."

It made them sound as though they were genuinely close.

Crash!

Clatter!

Just then, a staff member moving a lighting fixture stumbled and fell, while the handle broke off a basket the props team was carrying.

Normally, whenever something like this happened, everyone would turn to look at Jo Eunnara.

"Hahahaha! It didn't break!"

"Hahahaha! It's perfectly fine!"

Instead, the lighting and props teams sprang to their feet, checked the equipment, and shouted,

"We really are lucky!"

Then they exchanged high fives and went on their way.

Surrounded by people who seemed to have a screw loose... no, several screws loose, Jo Eunnara found himself facing the director, who seemed to have the most screws loose of all.

[Welcome!!!]

"Hello."

[Take a seat over there and watch to your heart's content!!!]

"Watch what...?"

"Wouldn't it be a good idea to use the acting in this scene as a reference and do even better in your next one?"

Writer Ma Eungyo, who seemed as though she'd never had any screws installed in the first place, approached Jo Eunnara as well.

"That bookshelf scene last time was a little disappointing."

"In what way, exactly?"

Jo Eunnara had rarely, if ever, been criticized for his acting.

He had even thought that the bookshelf scene had turned out better than he'd expected, so being criticized for it brought a sudden surge of defiance.

But Ma Eungyo spoke sharply.

"You didn't seem like someone who'd been in love with someone for a long time, did you? You were a little awkward, almost like someone who'd only recently fallen for her."

"...Me?"

"Well, that's not necessarily bad. If we edit it to make it seem like you've fallen for her all over again and your heart is fluttering, it'll bring out a fresher, more innocent charm. But apparently Ma Eungyo and Galdaeguk are the gods of traditional romance? Or so other people tell me. The emotions need to run deeper. Not that clumsy, fluttery excitement."

For some reason, Jo Eunnara felt a little flustered.

Ma Eungyo stared at him for a moment before finally looking away.

"Now, then. Try immersing yourself in the atmosphere on set a little more."

At the end of Writer Ma's gaze stood Han Yeoreum and Han Yohan.

The two were watching a blocking rehearsal, just as they had during the previous bookshelf scene, and everything seemed the same as always.

Han Yeoreum was laughing and teasing him about something, while Han Yohan smiled with his usual composed expression.

There was just one difference from their usual interactions.

"Like this, here... Does this hurt?"

"No. It's fine."

Jo Eunnara had only stood behind Han Yeoreum, creating the appearance of holding her in his arms.

Han Yohan, on the other hand, was actually embracing her.

* * *

The underground shooting range at ICC headquarters.

Taeo drags Lia down into it.

"Let go of me!"

Taeo's footsteps remain steady even as he drags her along by her slender wrist. Lia struggles to wrench her wrist free, but he doesn't budge an inch.

Even now, he is the only one who hasn't lost his composure.

It isn't until they reach the deepest part of the dimly lit shooting range that Taeo releases Lia's wrist.

Then he asks,

"You've never undergone regular firearms training, have you?"

"...."

Strictly speaking, it isn't a question.

His tone suggests that he already knows the answer and is merely going through the motions of confirming it once more.

Lia rubs her wrist and glares at him.

"I'm an intelligence agent. All I needed was basic firearms training! It's not like I'm going out into the field!"

"Right."

Taeo draws a line with Lia, who is so terrified she doesn't even know what she's saying.

Her voice echoes through the space occupied by only the two of them.

"Then someone who's only completed basic firearms training should know just how dangerous this is."

"...."

"So stay out of this project."

At some point, his speech has become blunt.

"You can't even protect yourself, so why the hell are you getting involved?"

"...."

Lia stubbornly glares at Taeo with her lips pressed shut, but her eyes begin to redden.

Tears cling to her lashes, threatening to fall.

The tension is so taut that even the people standing nearby hold their breath.

An atmosphere that seems ready to spiral into catastrophe at any moment envelops the two of them.

"Who do you think you are?"

"...."

"Who the hell are you to tell me what to do!"

Lia screams.

The two are no longer observing even the bare minimum of courtesy toward each other.

They are exchanging their emotions in their rawest form.

A mixture of resentment and hurt shows on her face.

"What do you mean, I can't even protect myself? At least I know how to shoot...."

"Then shoot."

Taeo forcibly places a small handgun in Lia's hand.

Compared to the M200 sniper rifle he usually uses, the weapon is ridiculously tiny, but not to Lia.

The sensation is unfamiliar and frightening.

She can't even manage to hold the cold, hard gun properly.

Lia simply presses her lips together and glares at Taeo.

"The operation was successful in the end! Just like you told me to, I risked my life and did my part—"

"Then I said shoot."

Taeo clicks a button on the wall without the slightest emotion.

A moment later, the sound of the rail mechanism turning fills the air, and a white mannequin arrives in the distance.

"Get into position."

"...."

The man standing before Lia is not the man who wrapped a scarf around her neck.

Nor is he the man who once fixed his quiet gaze on her.

He gives orders with an unfamiliar face and an unfamiliar voice.

In front of him, Lia is at a complete loss.

All she can manage is to keep from dropping the gun in her hand.

Taeo has no patience.

He doesn't wait for her. Instead, he pulls Lia toward him.

Her light, delicate body is dragged along before she can even resist.

Her position changes in an instant.

"What are you doing right now...!"

Click.

Taeo embraces Lia from behind and places his hand over hers.

The Walther PPK is so absurdly small that rather than gripping the gun, it would be more accurate to say that he is covering Lia's hand with his own.

Lia's pale, soft hand is completely enclosed within Taeo's large, firm one, without the slightest gap.

Even when she twists her body in an attempt to escape, she remains trapped in his embrace.

Taeo holds her body firmly in place with his powerful arms.

With her upper body restrained, he doesn't even allow her to struggle with her legs.

He presses forward with his thigh, pinning her completely between the black metal bars and his own body.

The heel of her small shoe steps on the toe of his black dress shoe as she struggles to retreat.

But he pays it no mind and adjusts their position.

"No...!"

Then, without a word, he disengages the safety and pulls the trigger as he pleases.

Bang—!

He hears Lia gasp.

He can feel it through his chest, pressed against the small body in his arms.

Because her heartbeat is transmitted to him in its entirety through her delicate back.

Cold sweat is running down her neck.

She's trembling with fear.

So why won't she just say she understands?

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Taeo pulls the trigger several more times.

The shooting is almost a way of venting his anger.

Taeo, who always puts his bullets precisely between his target's eyes, is shooting terribly now.

The forehead, the chest, the stomach.

He drives bullets into the mannequin at random, almost as though firing indiscriminately.

Even as he hears Lia's sobs growing louder, Taeo refuses to release her from his arms.

Every time he pulls the trigger, the corresponding recoil follows.

And each time, he feels a little more weight against his chest.

It's almost as though the woman in front of him is being drawn deeper into his embrace.

Han Yohan knows.

He remembers the directions he went over countless times before filming.

Love stands out most when you struggle not to love.

Don't worry about the romance. Focus only on the action.

An agent who can't even control his emotions isn't an elite agent.

He needs to be rational.

This is supposed to be nothing more than warning shots.

But perhaps it's because Lia is already trembling and crying.

Or perhaps it's because his acting still isn't good enough.

Perhaps it's because this scene is almost certainly going to be an NG.

He can't bring himself to release her from his arms.

Even though she's terrified.

Even though she's so frightened she's lost all her memories.

She still insists on getting involved in something this dangerous, right to the very end.

Lia stubbornly refuses to say a single word of acknowledgment.

Holding a woman like that in his arms makes Taeo feel as though he's losing his mind.

His chest feels so tight that he wants to act however he pleases.

You're trembling because you feel like you can't take it anymore.

You're sweating so much it's practically pouring off you.

"You can't do it, can you?"

He takes a deep breath and exhales.

Heat seems to spread through the bodies and hands pressed tightly together.

"You can't do it...."

His voice cracks at the end.

It's because of the breath he has been suppressing deep in his lungs.

His lower abdomen feels tight, as though something is pulling at it.

Perhaps this is lingering attachment to the past.

Memories he alone possesses.

Memories he will continue to possess alone.

In those memories, Lia wasn't like this.

She believed everything he told her.

Whenever things were difficult or frightening, she relied on Taeo.

So all she has to do is do the same this time.

If only she would return to the Lia she used to be, even for a single moment.

Even if you don't remember, I wish you'd lean on me the way you did back then, in those days I've carried with me my entire life.

He speaks while desperately suppressing something inside himself.

His words are neither an attempt to coax her nor a demand.

It's almost as though what he really wants to say is, Don't do this to me.

"Just say you can't do it. Just once."

Han Yohan finds himself unconsciously burying his face in Lia's hair.

At this rate, it looks less like he's trapped her in his arms to fire warning shots and more like he's simply holding her.

"...."

Neither an OK nor an NG is called.

After maintaining that position for a while, Taeo slowly relaxes his grip on their overlapping hands.

Because he no longer wants to force the Walther PPK into the hands of Lia, who is afraid of guns.

He takes that cold, hard, frightening object away from her small hand.

As he lowers his arm, he sees Lia's shoulders trembling.

He mutters unconsciously.

"Please, just listen to me...."

Come to think of it, that line wasn't in the script.

He wasn't being rational.

He hadn't managed to suppress his emotions properly, either.

Lia slowly turns around.

Their bodies are still pressed close together.

Glaring at Taeo, Lia raises her hand.

Its destination is Taeo's cheek.

Taeo accepts the slap without resistance and says nothing.

The sound of Lia crying and hiccuping is unbearably sorrowful.

She shoves Taeo away and leaves the shooting range.

Unlike earlier, when he had pushed her around so forcefully, Taeo allows himself to be pushed back without resistance.

He remains in the shooting range, still holding the Walther PPK.

Alone in the dark, silent space.

Because those are the only things he has been allowed to have for a very long time.