"Wow, our maknae is brave. What would you do if one of the Noeulis made it into Illusionary Realm's second generation?" "Wouldn't it be amazing if soone from Noeulis got in? That would be quite impressive, wouldn't it?"
Diah's voice had no hint of nervousness at all. She confidently added that if any Noeulis made it through the competitive Illusionary Realm audition, she would gladly give them the "free-use pass."
Of course, this statent had been made without thinking about the consequences. However, Diah's bold remark went unchecked because, from Ji Hye-min and LUX's perspective, there was no downside to it.
‘A legal rebellion... This could be fun?’
From Ji Hye-min's perspective, Diah’s free-use pass pledge was a form of motivation for the Illusionary Realm second generation auditions. It was also an opportunity for the new faces of Illusionary Realm to receive help from Diah.
The "free-use pass" item from Diah would be a huge help for the second generation mbers, who were newcors to broadcasting, and it would help them establish themselves in the industry. The content where the younger mbers could interact freely with Diah, a senior, would undoubtedly create a buzz.
As one of the most experienced broadcasters in Illusionary Realm, Diah would surely have great chemistry with her juniors, and a future show labeled "With Diah" would likely be a great help in attracting new viewers to Illusionary Realm's second generation.
Not long after, Ha-eun watched in real-ti as the official announcent for Illusionary Realm’s second generation auditions was edited.
Tap tap.
──────────
Title > Illusionary Realm 2nd Generation Recruitnt Notice
Illusionary Realm (M) | 16:30
Hello, this is Illusionary Realm.
We are looking for new mbers to join Illusionary Realm, and auditions will be held starting from mid-February.
Please check the application form for detailed instructions.
(Application Link)
We appreciate your interest and participation!
Illusionary Realm mbers from the Spirit Kingdom will receive a free-use pass from Diah (new!)
──────────
"Now it’s official, Diah. Better brace yourself~."
With Diah’s free-use pass now firmly written in the official announcent, the speed of the chat skyrocketed. As Ha-eun faced the ssages filled with enthusiasm to "educate" Diah, she couldn’t help but feel a hint of anxiety.
"Starting tomorrow, I’m signing up for a vocal academy."
"Aww, Diah is in for so punishnt, lol."
"A lot of black history for Diah coming up."
"If you pass the audition, Diah cos along? This is a huge deal."
"24-hour MMORPG King, let's go!"
"We have to do a maid cafe broadcast, everyone is clueless."
‘...Hmm.’
What had started as a light joke now seed like it had gotten out of hand. There was no way to deal with it if the second-generation mbers insisted that they were Diah’s fans.
Well, still… The second-generation mbers were mostly kind, so Ha-eun hoped that the playful Na-el wouldn’t take it too far.
And so, in the end, Ha-eun pretended to be nonchalant and said, "If you’re confident, go ahead and apply~." After all, Diah’s free-use pass was ant to be a content-based thing.
Using Diah's free-use pass as a way to get closer to the second generation of Illusionary Realm wouldn't be a bad thing either, Ha-eun thought. Of course, she would have to ensure that the second-generation mbers kept their mouths shut.
It wasn’t long before the topic shifted away from the second-generation mbers to sothing else.
"I’m working on a fairly big project, but should I say sothing about it or not~."
At the mysterious tone of Ji Hye-min’s voice, the chat suddenly exploded with excitent. It was revealed shortly after that Illusionary Realm's first-year anniversary would feature a 3D avatar project.
"We’re going to debut the 3D avatars right on the first anniversary of our mbers’ debuts."
"What?"
"3D?"
"Is this for real???"
"If this is a lie, I’ll cut off my hand, Ramji."
"So all the 3D avatars of the Great Mage, Sli King, and Gryphon will move around?"
"Yes, it’s the 3D you’re thinking of. But if it’s just about revealing 3D avatars, that’s not enough."
"What else?"
"Great Ramji."
"That’s so epic, lol."
"Are we getting sothing big? Sothing big?"
"How much are they spending on this, damn."
Then, the next secret project was revealed. While the exact title hadn’t been decided yet, it was announced that Illusionary Realm’s first-generation mbers would release their first group song.
"Of course, we’ll perform on stage with our 3D avatars! So, everyone, look forward to it!"
"This is crazy."
"I’m already full."
"What’s going on with Illusionary Realm’s style?"
"Great Ramji King, now just marry already (ssage deleted)."
Soon after, Ha-eun and the other mbers chid in with their excited responses. Technically, they had only learned about the project a few days ago, but in any case, it wasn’t a bad thing.
Ha-eun was particularly happy to hear that she would get to use her dancing skills, which she had practiced for a long ti. A full-tracking broadcast that she had only imagined before would soon beco a reality.
"This company really takes good care of us."
Shortly after, Ji Hye-min murmured about the budget for the project. She joked that if the 3D avatar project failed, they might all end up on the streets.
"We’re all in this together, guys. So, we need to practice dancing hard?"
"Yes~."
"President, you’re the best! You’re amazing, Daramji!"
After the mbers of Illusionary Realm expressed their gratitude and praise for Ji Hye-min, the final segnt of the Year-End Party broadcast, the "Rolling Paper," began.
The first ssage was from Illusionary Realm’s overall leader, Daramji.
"Thanks to the president, I can eat rice and soup. Thank you so much~. …Yuna, don’t use that northern dialect again─" "No, no nicknas allowed!"
"I couldn’t even eat rice or soup in the North, lol."
"Wait, was the King that King?"
"Oh, no, not in that way, don’t turn red."
"So that’s why the King concept fits so well, huh?"
After reading the other mbers’ ssages, the next one was from the eldest mber of Illusionary Realm, Mile. Then, it was Yuna, Cream, and Ria’s turn to read their Rolling Papers in age order.
That ant Diah’s Rolling Paper, as the youngest mber of Illusionary Realm, was read last.
"‘Really, really amazing person~. What can our maknae not do?’ Even so, I can’t catch up to Ria unnie’s drawings."
"How did you know it was ?"
"Just by looking, it’s obvious~."
And so, Ha-eun read Diah’s Rolling Paper ssages, reading through them one by one. She could tell which mber had written each ssage just by their handwriting, and the ssages directed at Diah felt especially touching.
Perhaps that’s why...
"‘I’ll call you more often in the future! Always LV.U’. Ah... thank you..."
When she read the last part of the ssage from Cream, Ha-eun’s breath and voice shook for a mont.
Sure enough, the chat exploded with comnts.
"What’s that sniffle?"
"Aww, is she crying?"
"Haha, she’s crying ㅋㅋㅋ"
"Hmm, where did that co from?"
"I don’t know who it is, but can they call too?"
After reading Diah’s Rolling Paper again from the start, Ha-eun only took a few monts since this ti she read it silently. But reading the ssages from the Illusionary Realm mbers and Ji Hye-min made her feel a lot of emotions, sothing she hadn’t expected.
Then, Ji Hye-min’s calm voice could be heard.
"Now, we’ve had the Illusionary Realm Year-End Party with everyone here. It seems like everyone had fun."
"No, don’t end the broadcast yet!"
"President, stay!"
"What about Part 2? Part 2? Part 2?"
"The chicken hasn’t arrived yet, wait!!!"
"Is it already over?"
"Anyway, it’s been a year full of many things. But we still have a long way to go~."
Click.
"I’m going to take a break now! Please take care of next year~."
And so, the Illusionary Realm Year-End Party broadcast finally ended. Ji Hye-min’s gaze shifted to the food left on the table.
"No one can leave until all this is eaten. So, let’s eat first, Ha-eun."
"Yes."
She then handed Ha-eun a soft Castella. After that, they all stayed seated until the food was finished.
The conversation continued, but it was just casual chatter. It was an ordinary al, but the fact that Ha-eun was sharing it with people she never thought she’d be with made it feel special.
‘…I hope we have a Year-End Party next year.’
Ha-eun had a feeling that this mont would stay in her mory forever. The scene in front of her, the voices she heard, everything felt special.
***
Ti passed after the Illusionary Realm Year-End Party broadcast, and finally, December 31st arrived.
The winter vacation for Narae High School had already begun, so there was no need to go to school early in the morning.
The only scheduled activity for the day was the filming of The Sunshine.
Normally, this would an a sowhat leisurely morning, but...
“Mom, I’m going out for a bit.”
“Okay~.”
A phone call early in the morning required a brief outing.
[Do you have a bit of ti today? I want to tell you sothing I couldn’t say last ti.]
Click.
[It’s fine until lunchti, right? Then let’s et at the cafe near the station, around 11.]
Click, click.
[Oh, and could you wear sothing like a suit? Or a school uniform is fine too.]
Click.
Squeak—.
[I thought about it, and it might be better to wear sothing with charisma, rather than comfortable clothes. I’ll tell you the reason when we et.]
“…I’m here.”
“Oh, Ha-eun! Welco.”
There was Yoo Sung-jae’s familiar face, and right next to him, a stranger’s face.
‘Who is this...? A manager?’
With a slightly puzzled expression, Ha-eun sat across from Yoo Sung-jae. The stranger, who had been carefully observing Ha-eun, spoke to him.
“You really look different in a school uniform.”
“It’s the sa, right, Director?”
Not long after, an unexpected self-introduction followed. But perhaps it was because the na that was ntioned was so familiar to Ha-eun.
“Nice to et you. I’m Kim Hong-seong, the director of Veterans.”
Ha-eun, montarily stunned and blinking her eyes, eventually extended her hand. After the brief handshake, Yoo Sung-jae got to the real reason for their eting.
“We were hoping Ha-eun could play the antagonist in Veterans. Would you be interested?”
A sense of certainty followed, as if Yoo Sung-jae was sure Ha-eun could perform well as the villain. An explanation of the antagonist’s character in Veterans was provided as well.
However, Ha-eun already knew about the movie.
She was familiar with the character.
“It’s a third-generation chaebol, with a bit of a psychopath streak? The character is soone whose way of thinking and emotions are completely different from an average person.”
The thin script for Veterans was handed over to Ha-eun as the conversation continued.
Ha-eun’s gaze lingered for a mont on the character’s trait of being a ‘third-generation chaebol.’
‘...A psychopath, huh.’
In a way, that seed accurate.
Ha-eun whispered sothing in her mind that she couldn’t say aloud to others. She then turned the script page again.
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