Chapter 51:

Chapter 51:

I don't plan on dying before thirty.

The error was only partially corrected? Han Yooil murmured with a vacant expression, to which Brion responded calmly.

Yes.

The correction is as follows: If the 5-phase goal is not 100% achieved within 3 years, the emergency self-destruct mechanism will be activated.

As blood slowly started flowing in his frozen mind, warmth gradually returned to his chilled body. Han Yooil swallowed; his mouth had gone completely dry.

Why was the self-destruct mechanism activated all of a sudden? And whats this alternate code?

Due to central system control, the Brion V.15 program was set as error. Consequently, the TTE code and the alternate TTEE code were executed.

TTE code? What's TTEE?

I'm sorry, Mr. Yooil. Currently, I cannot provide detailed explanations about the TTE and TTEE codes.



Yooil clenched his fist tightly, dissatisfied with Brion's evasive answer.

Cant even punch it.

Stay calm.

Central system control, TTE code

These unfamiliar terms wandered through his mind.

If Brion truly was an AI program from the future, then it shouldnt be possible to control the central system from the present.

What exactly is happening?

One thing was certain: he had just barely skirted death.

Vietnam could have been his first and last trip abroad.

I am sorry, Mr. Yooil.

He nearly blurted out an angry retort, but Yooil managed to regain his composure.

After all, Brion was just an AI without a self.

If it was about central system control, then someones intervention was evident.

You said the code was modified.

That is correct.

So, instead of exploding <right now>, it will explode if I don't achieve the 5-phase goal <within 3 years>?

Correct. Mr. Yooil, you need to achieve the 5-phase goal within 3 years.

After swallowing his dry spit, Yooil finally organized his thoughts.

What are these phase-by-phase goals? Can I know the completion rate before entering the project?

The completion rate for each phase involves very detailed and various factors. To summarize, it includes acting skills, reputation as an actor, box office success and artistic value of the participated projects, and the number of participated projects. As the rate may vary depending on the situation even within the same project, it's impossible to disclose a quantitative figure before the project ends.

Damn it.

In other words, there was no clear answer.

Are you saying I should just act in whatever comes my way?nove(l)bi(n.)com

I can tell you about the themes for each phase. The theme for the 3rd phase is Reinterpretation,' the 4th phase is Making It Your Own,' and the 5th phase is Emptiness.

For your reference, the 1st phase theme was Beginning,' and the 2nd phase theme was Confidence.'

It was like being given a multiple-choice question but with the answers concealed.

I will do my best to assist you, Mr. Yooil.

Thats the least convincing thing youve said so far.

Since the activation of your Brion V.15 True Calling Route,' 1 year and 6 months have passed, and during that period, you have achieved 100% of the 2nd phase goal.

Brion spoke quickly, as if in protest.

With me, Mr. Yooil, you can achieve your goals at the highest speed.

The urge to grab and tie up whoever was responsible for this situation, be they a developer or a mysterious figure from the future, surged within him. Yet

Theres no way to do that.

Yooil pondered with an expressionless face.

1.5 years to achieve the 2nd phase.

It meant, roughly, that he had achieved one phase goal every 9 months so far.

So, I have to achieve 3 phases in the next 3 years.

Correct, Mr. Yooil.

This, when thought about it.

Seems doable.

If things continued at a similar pace, that is.

But how can I trust you?

Brion V.15 always prioritizes the users successful route and safety.

Just then, a delightful scream pierced his ears.

Indeed, the script was modified to better match the images of the actors.

Im looking forward to the reading session, actor!

And today was the day of that reading session.

As soon as Yooil got into the car, Min Woojin greeted him with his usual bright smile.

Yooil, did you sleep well yesterday?

Ah Yes.

Thanks to Brion, who had forced him to sleep early for the script reading.

Thats good~ You look much better today. Youve been looking pale these last few days; I was wondering what was up.

Yooil offered a vague smile and then turned his gaze back to the script.

Were meeting new actors today, right?

Yes, thats right.

Min Woojin lowered his voice in the car with just the two of them and continued.

So I did some checking, and they say Kim Sunas agency is not ordinary. Theyre notoriously meddlesome during shooting. Apparently, the director is quite determined about it.

The agency interferes on set?

Yeah! Thats why there are rumors.

And Park Younghyun is from our agency but hes pretty new. Joined about three months before you did.

Oh, is that so?

That person's previous agency was a bit

Seeing Yooil's puzzled expression, Min Woojin shook his head and added,

The rumors aren't good. There are even talks about connections with the mafia Anyway, from what I've heard, it seems like theyve been through a lot. Of course, I don't know them well.

Ah.

And, they say both are really ambitious about their acting. So, I heard acting alongside them wouldnt be too bad.

Yooil's face brightened with a faint smile as he watched Min Woojin casually discuss the actors' backgrounds.

What, whats that smile for?

You seem quite different from when we first met.

You dont mean that in a bad way, do you?

I meant you seem like a professional manager.

At that, Min Woojin's chubby cheeks flushed slightly. With his cheeks rounded and high, he exclaimed,

Ah, not quite there yet but Ill work on it! Haha.

Im serious, hyung.

Min Woojin drove on, a bit unsure how to react, fixing his gaze straight ahead.

Yooil realized anew why people often teased him.

* * *

Soon, Yooil arrived at the reading venue, which was the familiar workshop of Yoo Jaeho.

Ah, Yooil youre early

Yoo Jaeho looked somewhat disappointed, and behind him, Ki Juhyun strutted out confidently, arms crossed.

See? I told you Actor Yooil would be the first to arrive.

Damn.

Yoo Jaeho took out a ten-thousand-won bill from his pocket and handed it to Ki Juhyun.

You bet that Suna would be the first to arrive.

You make bets on such things?

It's fun, isnt it?

Ki Juhyun shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

As Yooil sat down and hydrated himself with water, the door opened again.

As soon as the door opened, what caught the eye was long, soft hair cascading down almost to the waist.

Bright hazel eyes set in a small, pale face scanned the interior of the workshop.

It was Kim Suna.

Despite her youthful, round face, there was something about her calm, almost cold gaze that made her seem not so easily approachable.

Following her, Park Younghyun knocked on the door of the workshop. He was an actor with sharp, single-lidded eyes, a slightly angled jaw, and healthy skin.

You all must have had a hard time coming here~ I debated whether to rent a whole room or not, but decided it would be better to keep it private, so here we all are.

Yoo Jaeho continued with a chuckle,

The reading might take quite a long time, so I specifically asked the agencies to clear the schedule for today. You all know that, right? Youre okay with staying up all night if needed, right?

Despite Yoo Jaehos playful tone, everyone was serious. Seeing the actors nodding readily, Director Yoo Jaeho coughed awkwardly.

Cough Alright. Lets start the reading then.

And the actors turned the first page of their scripts.

Ki Juhyun watched the scene with moist eyes. Her work, buried and gathering dust for years, was finally being brought into the bright light.