Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut - Chapter 356

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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356. Coming Soon! (4)
Thud—.
A sharp pain echoed from the hand striking the wall. A faint gasp escaped from somewhere, but the one extending his arm maintained his composure with unwavering resolve.
-Listen carefully.
Accompanied by cherry blossom CG overflowing with youthful charm, the protagonist of the wall-punch scene lifted his head. With an air of cool detachment, his gaze—brimming with delinquent allure—fixed sharply on his counterpart.
-I, the world’s number one ranked, now declare this.
-From this moment on…. World rank zero belongs to Han Sty, you.
Then, strange whispers erupted from somewhere like sound effects.
-But wait, this isn’t even a possession fic, and Han Sty’s character feels so half-baked.
-I asked the Main PD earlier, and apparently he felt conceptually that the female lead should have the surname Han.
-Isn’t Kim, Lee, and Park the standard naming convention?
-Wow, that’s profound. In typical stories, Kim, Lee, and Park are just the male lead’s friend, female lead’s friend, teacher, uncle, and the initial antagonist who picks fights with the female lead. Is this some kind of surname discrimination commentary?
-…I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about.
-Don’t even try to understand. You won’t be able to anyway.
【Tae-hyun: Aaaah! Can’t everyone just be quiet!? Or get out!!!】
Unable to endure the provincial broadcast’s assault any longer, Tae-hyun’s expression crumbled as he vented his frustration. At that, the four people crouched against the wall watching Seo Tae-hyun’s worldview verification mission simultaneously feigned innocence.
Somehow, in age order—Jeong Si-u, Lee Do-ha, Kang Ha-jin, and Lee Yu-gun—they sat like unemployed layabouts, chattering away in a manner that was utterly infuriating.
【Tae-hyun: Hey, aren’t you going out to look for hints? Why are you all still here?】
Then these unhelpful nuisances (from Tae-hyun’s perspective) seized the moment and began pouring out their true feelings as if they’d been waiting for this.
【Ha-jin: What are you saying, Tae-hyun? Are hints important right now? Our Cherry is finally taking on his first acting challenge. As the leader, I should gladly evaluate your acting skills.】
【↑↑Elder brother thrilled at the prospect of teasing his younger sibling↑↑】
【Si-woo: Honestly, this spot is clearly the most fun place on the entire set right now, no question.】
【↑↑Elder brother making no effort to hide his delight at teasing his younger sibling↑↑】
【Do-ha: I’ll leave the moment I see the worldview verification hint.】
【↑↑Elder brother whose eyes are only for the hint, younger sibling be damned↑↑】
【Yu-gun: Hey, hey. Time’s ticking. Director, can’t I just handle the camera? Watching Seo Tae-hyun act is pure instinctive gold, this is.】
【↑↑Friend who finds his companion’s misfortune simply delightful↑↑】
【Tae-hyun: These guys are seriously….】
【Cherry-flavored lip balm exasperated by his immature members】
【(skull emoji)】
Tae-hyun pressed his temples firmly, his inner thoughts laid bare—”I can’t believe these are my hyungs.” He grumbled about how consistently unhelpful they were, but knowing that time was truly running short now, Tae-hyun steadied his breathing and regained his composure.
And once more, his arm came down against the wall where the camera was mounted—thud—!
This time too, lacking technique, it looked quite painful, but Tae-hyun gritted his teeth and continued with his lines.
-I, the world’s number one ranked, now declare this.
-From this moment on…. World rank zero belongs to Han Sty, you.
-Because the woman who conquered me, the world’s number one ranked…. exists nowhere else in this entire world but you alone….
Though Tae-hyun barely maintained the male lead’s signature expression despite the precariousness, his face began to subtly crumple precisely at the word “conquered,” and eventually he let out a strangled sound before collapsing to the floor.
【Tae-hyun: Aaaah! I can’t do it! I can’t do this!!! I’m not doing it!!!!!】
As Tae-hyun, consumed by self-loathing, tried to crawl his way out of the mission room, the spectators lounging against the wall slowly sauntered over and escorted the reluctant Tae-hyun back to his position in front of the mission zone.
【Ha-jin: No, Tae-hyun. You can do this. There’s nothing a genius idol like Seo Tae-hyun can’t do. Aren’t you going to challenge acting? You’re supposed to gradually showcase your acting skills in situations like this to appeal to the directors.】
【Tae-hyun: Why should I even try acting!? No! I won’t do it! Let go of me!】
【Do-ha: I believe in you, Tae-hyun.】
【Tae-hyun: Are you trying to sell me out to get hints!? No way! I can’t! I won’t!!! If anyone’s doing this, you guys should go first!!!!!!】
As Tae-hyun thrashed about, a clapper board CG appeared with a sharp clack sound effect.
Once the clapper board CG faded, Ha-jin and Yu Gun were now positioned in front of the mission camera, locked in an embrace. More precisely, Yu Gun was supporting Ha-jin, who was practically collapsing into his arms.
【Worldview Verification Mission – Ha-jin & Yu Gun Duo, First Attempt】
【Verified Worldview: ‘Pure White Hospital Ceiling’】
【Setting: A terminally ill female lead breathes her last in the male lead’s embrace】
After the rambling subtitle explanation, a melancholic Eastern-style BGM began to play. The video was cropped to a 4:3 aspect ratio like old dramas, with sepia-toned color grading applied, creating an unmistakable nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of classic melodramas from decades past.
As the heartbreaking sound of the gayageum resonated, Ha-jin, who had been practically unconscious in Yu Gun’s arms, slowly lifted his hand.
【Ha-jin: (gazing at Yu Gun with tender eyes, placing his hand on Yu Gun’s cheek)】
【Yu Gun: (meeting Ha-jin’s gaze with sorrowful eyes)】
Of course, that affectionate eye contact lasted less than three seconds.
-…Ugh, seriously?>
-No, this isn’t working. It’s not working. We can’t do this, we can’t.
【Quick to give up when things don’t go right】
-These guys are really…!>
-Tae-hyun, hold on! This is our broadcast!>
With Ha-jin and Yu Gun unable to even open their mouths before surrendering, and Tae-hyun fuming in the distance, the scene cut once more.
Next to step in front of the camera was Do-ha.
-….
-….
-….
-….
After a long silence before the camera, Lee Do-ha suddenly turned around and spoke.
【Do-ha: By the way, what was my line again?】
【Ha-jin: …Just hurry and come here, De-on.】
In the end, the last hope rested solely on Jeong Si-u, Kairos’s officially recognized ‘stone-faced male god.’>
-Please, please, please, hyung, I’m begging you. We’re almost done with the first round. Just you, hyung!>
【Everyone’s hopes were pinned on Red Magnolia’s success!】
【Could they possibly succeed in their first worldview verification?】
With all eyes on him, Jeong Si-u leisurely selected a dialogue card. He slowly scanned through the compartmentalized boxes, each capsule separated, and drew one from the box in the center.
【’The Four Heavenly Kings of Terror’】
It was quite an unexpected choice, though it seemed like a strategy to eliminate options that were most distant from his image first. Si-woo read through the dialogue card meticulously without revealing it to others, then set it down with a peculiar expression.
-What is it? What’s on there? Hyung, show us too.
-Ah, just be quiet for a second. I’m trying to get into character.
-No, that’s not how emotions work, I’m telling you. The moment my face shows up on the monitor, I get hit with reality shock.
Ignoring the chatter from the crowd as usual, Jeong Si-u positioned himself near the door, slightly away from the camera—unlike his younger members before him.
Despite merely standing and posing in front of the door, his unrealistically beautiful face made the composition so convincing that Ha-jin couldn’t help but openly admire it, and the moment was captured on film.
-I’m starting now.
The moment the mission start signal was given, Si-woo’s eyes transformed. Fully committed as if filming a music video, he shifted into character with practiced expression work, sweeping his bangs aside as he slowly approached the camera.
-Is it you?
【Everyone focuses】
-…The bastard who made my wife cry.
The moment those words left his lips—that insouciant line from another era—the audience’s reaction exploded in real time.
-Ahhhhhhh!!!! Aaahhh!!!!!!!! Uwahhhhh!!!!!!!
-Ugh, I feel sick. I can’t stay here anymore.
-Is this really okay? Is this actually right? Do Destiny fans really like this stuff? Are you sure?
-…Si-woo really is a good actor. Yeah. Really, really good….
Faced with the audience’s dynamic reaction, even Si-woo seemed to be overcome with embarrassment, briefly turning away from the camera’s lens to compose himself. His silhouette in the corner, gripping the wall, looked considerably worn and exhausted.
♩♪♩♬♫♪♩―
And at that moment, the bell signaling the end of the first round rang out across the entire broadcast.
【Ha-jin: Huh? Oh, it’s over then.】
【Do-ha: Looks like this round ended without much to show for it.】
【Tae-hyun: Still, I did find a few hint notes. Want me to show you, Do-ha?】
【Do-ha: !! (brightens)】
While the three chatted, Si-woo—having just overcome his embarrassment—waited for his worldview verification results. Yoo Gun, who had been sitting alongside them, quietly rose and approached Si-woo. Despite appearing disinterested, he seemed quite curious about Si-woo’s results after all.
Soon, Si-woo’s worldview verification result sheet slipped down through the gap beneath the camera.
【So, what are Red Magnolia’s worldview verification results?】
The shocked faces of Yoo Gun and Si-woo, studying the result sheet with serious expressions, were captured in close-up. Even Si-woo, who rarely showed surprise, seemed quite shaken, blinking as he flipped the sheet back and forth.
【Ha-jin: What? Why?】
Noticing the two’s reactions, Ha-jin asked belatedly. Si-woo turned around with a bewildered expression and nodded.
【Si-woo: …It says my dialogue sync rate is over 80%?】
【Ha-jin: Eh↗?】
【Tae-hyun: What did you say?】
【Do-ha: Wait, so….】
Everyone’s gaze turned toward Si-woo upon confirming the results. Even Si-woo himself blinked with a bewildered expression.
After staring at the result sheet for a while, Yoo Gun asked Si-woo with the innocent eyes of a pure Muggle.
【Yoo Gun: So you’re one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Terror?】
【Si-woo: ….】
【Yoo Gun: What’s your rank?】
【Si-woo: This isn’t easy either….】
Si-woo, who had suddenly found himself facing off against the world’s champions, splashed cold water on his face with a complicated expression despite having obtained hints.
* * *
Shortly after, the second round of partner matching began.
【Ha-jin: Wait, but we were guaranteed a capsule opportunity each round anyway, right? So I should’ve just grabbed anyone and tried the remaining two rounds. Damn.】
After finishing the first round, everyone seemed to have developed their own strategies.
Without revealing what hints and additional information each had obtained, the moment the matching start signal rang, everyone scattered across the set.
【Yoo Gun: …Hyung.】
In the midst of this, Yoo Gun—who had barely gotten any screen time except for stopping Tae-hyun throughout the first round—was captured grabbing someone. The member whose arm was seized turned around.
【Si-woo: Huh? Why?】
Jeong Si-u, who had been approached first by Yu Gun, showed no particular reaction despite his curiosity, simply asking what the matter was. Then Yu Gun pointed to the capsule at the center of the set.
【Yu Gun: Would you like to try riding it with me?】
【Si-woo: …With you?】
【Yu Gun: Yes.】
【Si-woo: Who are you?】
At Si-woo’s question, Yu Gun hesitated for a moment before pulling something from his pocket.
A hint card with the exact same design as the one Ha-jin and he had received, and a piece of paper he’d never seen before.
【Ju Eun-chan’s role is ‘Second in Hierarchy’】
The card contained a hint about Ju Eun-chan’s role, and on the other paper―.
【★Virtual Casting Board★】
【’Not This Carol’ MV Yu Gun screenshot.jpg】
【Ju Eun-chan (Lee Yu-gun) – A man who was ready to throw everything away for his first love, yet ultimately could not remain by her side】
【Yu Gun: …I’m second in hierarchy.】
【Si-woo: !!】
It contained powerful information that would reshape the entire game board.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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