The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Translator: Marctempest
Editor: Rynfinity

Chapter: 45

“Where have you been all this time?”

Although my voice was nasally, I couldn’t suppress my question.

It seemed that the Mist had been shocked by my constant tears for a while, as he was just now calming down.

“Um, I don’t know. I was unconscious. The moment I touched the black stone, I suddenly felt a creepy sensation, and my body disintegrated! Ugh, I still get chills just thinking about it!”

The Mist, who was trembling, appeared as a four-year-old child.

Although he was much smaller than me, his glittering eyes shone brightly.

Seeing him for the first time in a long while, my eyes also moved busily.

“I didn’t know it was that dangerous. I should have anticipated it from the moment you said you didn’t want to do it. I’m really sorry.”

“No! I didn’t know it would be like this either! But I’m glad to be back! Did I disappear for a long time?”

When I told the smiling Mist that it had been about three days, he asked if I missed him so much that I cried.

Although he didn’t mean to tease me, the content made me feel completely teased.

But as a guilty person, there was nothing I could do.

When I kept apologizing, the Mist, who initially laughed, eventually looked flustered.

“Yeon-jae! I’m really fine! I wasn’t hurt or anything!”

“Still, I’m sorry. I knew you didn’t like it, but because of me, this happened.”

“Why is this because of you, Yeon-jae! I didn’t know it would be like this either?”

The Mist blinked his big eyes and pursed his lips.

Seeing his slightly uncomfortable expression, I stopped apologizing.

Although I still thought it was my fault, my apologies were merely for my own comfort.

“So, you were completely unconscious during that time?”

“Yes! It was strange. I felt like I became a ‘part’ of something… It was comfortable without any resistance!”

A feeling of becoming a part of something, huh.

Considering the Mist’s role as a sort of manager, the black stone must have had considerable power to affect him to such an extent.

When I asked if his body had disintegrated the moment he touched the black stone, he shook his head.

“I didn’t even properly grab it! Just when my hand touched it, my body disintegrated. Ugh, it felt like it was alive and moving! Like it was warning me to stay away!”

The Mist, slightly furrowing his brows, mumbled while tapping his feet.

Watching his short legs disappear above and below the chair, I organized his words.

So, in the end…

‘There’s nothing we can do.’

The black stone was initially beyond our reach, and I almost lost Mist trying to cross that line.

If the message was to stay away, we had no choice but to comply.

Once everything was sorted out, I looked at the Mist.

“Let’s stop here.”

“Huh?”

“It would be great if we could understand the principles, but I think it’s better to be satisfied with this before it gets more dangerous.”

Though it was frustrating, not everything in the world could be understood.

While I wanted to understand the principles of the misfortune factor to prepare for meeting more people, it could be more troublesome if I couldn’t meet the Mist anymore.

If the Mist appeared in my dreams tomorrow, that would be enough. Experiencing it firsthand made it more real.

“Um… Okay! I’ll do whatever you say, Yeon-jae!”

“Don’t do that. From now on, don’t do things you don’t want to. Don’t hold back.”

“Okay! I got it!”

I spoke softly, worried that he might think I was scolding him if I spoke too sternly, and he simply smiled brightly.

Seeing him not understanding my words at all, I involuntarily spoke up.

“Should I pat your head?”

“…? Yes! I’d like that!”

Even though he looked puzzled, the Mist cheerfully agreed.

I gently stroked the Mist’s head as he lay on my lap.

Just in case. There’s no guarantee he’ll appear tomorrow.

‘Will I really be able to meet him tomorrow?’

Knowing that he could disappear anytime was different from actually feeling it.

Today, the few hours felt especially short as I patted the Mist’s head.

After looking at the smiling Mist, who promised to meet tomorrow, I also responded. See you tomorrow, Mist.

“Yeon-jae!”

And the next day. As usual, the Mist ran towards me, smiling.

Only after seeing that did I finally feel relieved.

* * *

―Are you feeling better now? I was really worried.

“I’m sorry. I should have contacted you first.”

―No. Jin-bae was more worried than I was. Anyway… It’s a relief to hear you’re okay now.

After thanking the gentle voice over the phone, I hung up.

I found out that Jung-hyun hyung and Manager An Jin-bae had been in contact over the past few days.

I called without thinking, feeling it had been a while since I last contacted him, and was momentarily unsure of what to say when he carefully asked if I was okay.

Concerned about Manager An Jin-bae’s worries, I immediately came out to the living room after ending the call.

“Hyung. Is now a good time?”

“Yes. Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing’s wrong…”

I apologized for worrying him this past week, saying I had some personal matters and felt I might have caused trouble.

The stiff expression softened as I spoke, and by the time our conversation ended, it was completely relaxed.

“It’s nothing. Are you feeling okay now?”

“Yes. I’m really fine now.”

“Then that’s a relief. If you ever want to talk about anything, feel free to let me know.”

The words I’d heard countless times before returned.

I responded with the usual ‘I understand’ and ended the conversation.

After returning to my room, I texted Noh Bi-hyuk and Park Ha-eun.

Both replied immediately, saying not to worry and that they’d see me on Monday, implying they had their phones with them.

As I placed my phone on the desk, I felt a strange sensation. Why…

“Why aren’t they asking?”

The question that filled my mind eventually slipped out.

Even if they weren’t that interested, they should be curious enough to ask why I acted so strangely for the past few days.

I had even prepared excuses since I couldn’t talk about the Mist, but no one asked, leaving me a bit bewildered. If it were me…

Hmm, no. I wouldn’t have asked either.

Even if I were curious, I’d likely end it by saying I was glad since I’d wonder if I could even ask.

Wondering if they didn’t ask for the same reason or simply weren’t curious, I shook my head.

Thinking about it wouldn’t make it a meaningful question. If they don’t ask, it’s easier for me.

“I’m tired…”

Regardless, I was glad the situation was over.

I wanted to understand the clear principles to better respond to misfortune.

I realized that simply adapting to the situation and staying still was the best method.

After all, I had lived like that so far, so why had I suddenly thought differently?

People should live as they have been.

Now, without thinking about the black stone or the misfortune factor, I should focus on acting practice.

‘After all, I started because of the misfortune factor.’

I shouldn’t be mistaken. While feeling enjoyment is a separate issue, acting is essential to remove the misfortune factor.

Moreover, since I’ve already signed a contract with the agency, fulfilling my role as an actor is the right thing to do in this situation.

As I lay down on the bed, my body relaxed, and I naturally felt sleepy.

It’s still daytime… Should I sleep for an hour? Come to think of it, I haven’t taken a nap since meeting the Mist. Will the Mist appear if I nap during the day?

Thinking of his round eyes, I was about to test it when I heard a cautious knock.

“Are you awake?”

“No. Do you need something?”

“Oh, there’s a training schedule for next week. Could you make it…?”

“Training?”

What training? Do they mean acting lessons? They said to let them know if I needed them.

Seeing my puzzled face, Manager An Jin-bae’s eyes flashed with determination.

* * *

“Remember just three things! Smile even while sleeping! Write down every question! And sometimes, silence is better!”

“Yes.”

“What are you doing? Repeat after me!”

“…Smile even while sleeping. Write down every question—.”

The instructor told me to repeat it more energetically, saying I sounded too weak.

Despite the simple instructions, looking into the instructor’s seemingly out-of-it eyes naturally sapped my energy. It was scary.

“There have been countless cases where using a wrong word caused controversy. So, what’s the best approach?”

“It’s best to avoid using such words altogether.”

“That’s right! There are several words you should completely erase from your mind. If you turn to the next page, you’ll see a list. First, words with gender stereotypes—.”

The training was about precautions to take before facing the public in earnest.

It covered interview techniques, basic etiquette, and behaviors that could cause controversy.

Since Manager An Jin-bae had looked so determined when asking if I wanted the training, I thought there might be something special, but there wasn’t.

The instructor’s passionate and sweaty session finally ended after a few hours.

As soon as I got into the car, I asked why he had looked so determined.

“Hyung. Why did you look so serious when you asked? I thought there might be something special, but it was just a regular training.”

“…Did I really look that serious?”

“Yes. A lot.”

“Actually, I thought it’d be better for you to rest rather than attend the training. I asked with the intention of postponing it if you wanted to rest, which probably made me look that way.”

The production presentation for ‘The Burning Butterfly under the Zelkova Tree’ was less than a week away.

The first episode would air six days after that.

While the agency naturally wanted me to receive basic training before that, Manager An Jin-bae believed rest was more important for me.

He had even prepared what to say to the agency, but he was slightly taken aback when I readily agreed.

“Since I’ve signed the contract, it’s only natural to do what needs to be done.”

“Still, nothing is more important than your health! It’s not like missing one training session would cause any problems.”

He countered, as if not wanting to concede, when I nonchalantly responded.

I sighed, seeing his determined face.

Hmm, I’m really fine now. I’ve said it a few times, but he still seems worried.

Well, considering how strange I acted last week, it’s understandable that Manager An Jin-bae would be concerned.

But a contract is no joke… I need to fulfill my obligations since I’m getting paid.

“I understand why you’re worried, but work is separate. When it’s about work, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“…”

I expected either a rebuttal or agreement, but there was none.

An extended silence followed.

Only after parking the car in front of my house did Manager An Jin-bae speak, with quite a firm voice.

“I have something I want to say to you.”