小火星

Chapter 225: Sacrifice (6)

However, the floor for the ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ team was currently quiet.

Everyone had gone to work in Ine Funaya Village early in the morning to hurry their filming preparations. Thanks to that, there weren’t many people left in the hotel. One of them was Kang Woojin. Currently, Woojin, wearing a hat, was eating breakfast in the dining area, attracting the stares of people around him.

‘Oh- this fried rice with eggs is really delicious, isn’t it?’

Externally maintaining a poker face but internally marveling at the hotel’s breakfast. Of course, he wasn’t alone; about ten members of Woojin’s team, including Choi Sung-gun, were with him.

A few minutes later.

“Woojin.”

Around the time coffee was served at the table, Choi Sung-gun shared a few updates. While Kang Woojin had immersed himself in acting for ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’, Choi Sung-gun had been busy with other matters.

The first thing laid out in front of Kang Woojin was a contract.

“The animation ‘Male Friend’ was finalized yesterday. Check the contract.”

A few days ago, there had been a meeting about the ‘Male Friend’ animation.

‘Oh- this was really fast?’

According to Choi Sung-gun, the contract process had been smooth sailing. After all, ‘A10 Studio’ had already started production, and they had been particularly eager to have Kang Woojin on board. For Woojin, the ‘Male Friend remake’ was a positive move. Because he could showcase his piano skills and gain novel experiences.

Anyway, with this, Kang Woojin’s joining the anime ‘Male Friend Remake’ was confirmed.

Still, news of the ‘Male Friend remake’ production and Kang Woojin’s participation was confidential.

However.

“’A10 Studio’ will announce it as soon as they finalize their position, so it might be released by next week? After that, we’ll follow suit.”

It was only a matter of time.

“As for things like voice dubbing recording, ‘A10 Studio’ isn’t confirmed yet, but if they’re aiming for a July launch, we’ll probably start around April to May. Before that, there will be OST and test recordings. I’ll keep you updated.”

Next, Woojin checked the remuneration section of the contract.

‘Wow- it’s much higher than I thought.’

Naturally, Choi Sung-gun had led the negotiation, but the agreed remuneration was surprisingly high. The OST part was negotiated separately.

Additionally.

“This is the first storyboard for the ‘Kashiwa Group’ advertisement.”

The storyboard for the advertisement Kang Woojin was set to shoot for the ‘Kashiwa Group’ during his activities in Japan had arrived. It involved one construction and two food advertisements.

“The shooting schedule seems to be next week, they are rushing things but that’s fine by us.”

Rushing was indeed preferable. Advertising shoots, even short ones, takes at least half a day, and as Woojin’s schedule for ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ filming grew busier, it was best to handle the advertising shoots early on, considering the return to Korea.

Then suddenly, Choi Sung-gun gave a thumbs up.

“And yesterday’s acting was killer, Woojin. You probably wouldn’t have noticed, but the film distributors who came to the set were all going crazy. They were busy praising you.”

Consequently, Woojin’s entire team was excited.

“Ah- that’s right, oppa was absolutely amazing yesterday!”

“I haven’t read ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ book, but I’m planning to buy it now!!”

“Yesterday, it was all about you, hyung~nim!”

“The Japanese actors and staff were all like- Wow- Huh-”

Trying to hide his embarrassment, Woojin merely responded quietly.

“Really? I didn’t see, I was busy acting.”

Meanwhile, at the ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ filming site.

The morning at Ine Funaya Village felt more lively compared to the eerie night before. The creepy atmosphere had lightened, but the emptiness lingered. Nonetheless, the area around the dock, which had been central to yesterday’s shoot, was bustling with dozens of staff members.

“Standby 10 minutes before!!”

“Camera setting starts now!!”

“Director~nim! Please check the actors’ makeup here!”

About 10 minutes later, they would start the main shoot. Naturally, it was a scene that did not include Kang Woojin, who was still at the accommodations. Typically, filming does not proceed in the order of the script, but while they were in Ine Funaya Village, they had no choice but to shoot in sequence.

Therefore, the current scene was set the day after Ginzo’s death.

Director Kyotaro had just been busy on a phone call, and now he was busy checking various parts of the set. Writer Akari Takikawa was also noticeable around the monitor area. Moreover, the number of actors involved had increased several times compared to the previous night. It was natural since there were over 30 extras dressed as police officers.

“Everyone, please relax! Once the action sign is given, just do as instructed!!”

Gradually, the film set transformed into a crime scene. Crowds of police, onlookers, barriers and ropes keeping the crowd at bay, and buzzing reporters. Soon, Yasutaro, who would play the dead body, and the supporting actor actor portraying ‘Misaki Shutoku’ entered the set.

“Ogimoto ssi has arrived!”

Although Yasutaro was supposed to be naked according to the setting, his overall appearance had already been filmed the night before. Currently, he was only shirtless, wearing pants on the lower half. It didn’t matter since a cover would be placed over him and only half would be shown. The the supporting actor playing ‘Misaki Shutoku’ wore the same makeup and costume as the night before, depicting a cracked skull.

With that, the setting was complete, including the corpses.

Soon, the lead actor who would be the core of the current shoot entered through the dozens of extras. A man who looked like he was in his mid-30s, dressed casually in jeans and a navy lightweight puffer jacket, with short hair and moderately unkempt dry skin.

It was Mana Kosaku, a top actor in Japan.

His role in ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ was ‘Yoshizawa Mochio,’ a somewhat dirty detective. He even took pocket money from yakuzas and thugs. Outwardly, he was synonymous with slothfulness. Ironically, despite his lazy demeanor, he diligently conducted investigations, chasing the character ‘Iyota Kiyoshi’ from the script until the very end.

Mana Kosaku, who took on such a detective role, was the second actor cast after Kang Woojin in ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’.

He had been the leader of a famous band and a beloved singer and actor in Japan for a long time. As soon as Mana Kosaku arrived on set, the staff swarmed around him. Even as the makeup team made adjustments, Kosaku, with his distinctly sharp facial features, slowly surveyed the shooting area.

“······Hmm.”

It was just as he had imagined. Just like the ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ he had read. Perhaps more vividly so after seeing Kang Woojin’s performance the previous night.

Soon, Kosaku reminisced about the past.

Specifically, when Director Kyotaro first approached him. Kosaku had asked something, and Kyotaro had responded simply.

‘Why is that Korean actor cast for the role of Iyota Kiyoshi?’

‘Because it has to be him.’

At that time, he didn’t fully understand the meaning. But last night, Kosaku profoundly grasped Director Kyotaro’s feelings. Why that Korean actor had to play Kiyoshi. Why it had to be him.

Kosaku muttered to himself softly.

“It had to be him, not because no one else could do it, but because no one else could do it quite like him.”

Kosaku was shaken to his core by Woojin’s performance. Yes, just as Yasutaro had said.

Kang Woojin was a monster.

It wasn’t without reason that he caught the eye of the renowned Japanese director Kyotaro in his first year, or that he swept eight awards at the end of the year awards in Korea, sparking a Hallyu wave. Curiosity had led Kosaku to watch both Woojin’s ‘Hanryang’ and ‘Male Friend.’

He thought Woojin acted well.

But yesterday’s Kang Woojin was on a different level.

Kosaku would have to follow Woojin’s trail throughout the filming of ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger.’

‘Both as an actor and as a detective.’

Kosaku pumped up his emotions. He let the detective ‘Yoshizawa Mochio’ seep into his being. Although Kang Woojin was not on set, Kosaku was ready for shadow boxing. Whether Woojin was present or not, he planned to keep up the rivalry.

‘I have to do this; otherwise, I’ll be compared until the end of the shooting.’

He was the only one who would go until the end with Kang Woojin. Kosaku genuinely felt tense. Around that time, Director Kyotaro called him, and after a brief conversation with the director and writer Akari Takikawa, Kosaku stood behind the camera.

Just before the shooting began.

– Clap!!

Soon, with the noise of the slate, Director Kyotaro’s voice boomed from a megaphone in front of the monitor.

“Action!”

Simultaneously, dozens of extras dressed as police officers started moving busily. Some were taking photos, others were controlling the onlookers, and some were thoroughly searching the area around the dock. Here, Mana Kosaku. No, Detective Yoshizawa Mochio makes his entrance.

“Phew- it’s far, so far. It’s been a really long time since I’ve been to Chiba.”

Detective Yoshizawa Mochio grumbled as he appeared. His junior detective pointed towards the dock.

“Let’s start from there.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

The camera followed them from behind.

As Detective Mochio approached, one of the police officers on the wooden boat noticed him. Mochio gestured to remove the cover over the body.

“Let’s see the face.”

“Ah! Yes!”

The police officer quickly pulled back the cloth halfway. The corpse, dead with eyes open, was crouched in a pale naked body. It was Ginzo. Mochio made a gesture of prayer for the deceased’s soul, then nonchalantly squatted at the end of the dock, resting his chin on his hand. He seemed accustomed to seeing dead bodies. Then, he suddenly spoke to the deceased Ginzo.

“Hey- why did you die here?”

The junior detective sighed.

“Senior, he’s not going to answer.”

“I know, just asking.”

The camera captured his profile, and Mochio, having responded, slightly tilted his head while closely examining the corpse.

“Looks like marks from being strangled. A rope, maybe? From behind?”

The investigating police officer nodded.

“Yes, it seems to be this rope, but we’ll know for sure once the results are out.”

The police officer handling evidence lifted a rope used to moor the wooden boat into an evidence bag. Mochio, looking annoyed, pointed at Ginzo’s chest.

“What’s this white stuff?”

“Semen.”

“······Ah- indeed, he was good-looking. Semen, so he was raped and strangled to death here?”

Detective Mochio mumbled as he checked the belongings near the corpse. Clothes, underwear, and a wallet. Mochio exhaled softly and put on gloves before opening the wallet. The money and cards were intact.

“It wasn’t a robbery.”

At any rate, the wallet revealed the identity of the corpse.

“Konakayama Ginzo-”

There was a brief silence. Director Kyotaro gave the cut sign. Everyone returned to their original positions for another take. After about three re-takes, they got an OK.

Then, onto the next scene.

After confirming Ginzo’s identity, Mochio moved to where a second corpse was located. This time, it was a man in his 60s with a cracked skull, clothed. Again, Mochio spoke to the corpse after making a gesture of prayer.

“Are you the culprit?”

The camera pulled back behind Mana Kosaku, and the junior detective joined him, sighing again.

“Ha- senior. As I mentioned earlier.”

“I know. But this man······”

He trailed off, lifting his head to check the tall building in front.

“Did he fall from up there?”

“It appears so.”

Again squatting and resting his chin while looking down at the corpse, Mochio asked the police nearby.

“Any signs of struggle or assault?”

“No, none so far. It’s likely he fell alone.”

“Hmm-”

Mochio, who lets out a hum, looks at the corpse’s personal belongings. Cigarettes, a wallet, and a lighter. He confirmed the name in the wallet.

“Masaki Shutoku. This guy had peculiar tastes.”

The junior detective cocked his head.

“What?”

“He liked men, so he raped Ginzo.”

“Ah-”

“So, to sum it up, is this the case?”

Slowly getting up, Mochio stuffed one hand in his pocket and summed it up.

“Here this Shutoku guy kidnapped Ginzo over there on the boat, brought him here, raped him. After having his fun, he strangled Ginzo with a rope and then threw himself off to end his own life.”

“Based on the circumstances and the evidence that has come out so far, that’s the case. We need to look into it more closely though, like the means of transportation, among other things. Most importantly, if the semen found on the corpse on the boat matches this man’s, then it’s a definite match.”

“······”

It was a sound argument, but Mana Kosaku, no, Mochio, wore a dissatisfied expression. Scratching his chin on top of that.

“Tsk- I don’t know what it is, but doesn’t it feel like they deliberately left breadcrumbs?”

“What do you mean?”

“First of all, that semen. How should I put it, they blatantly sprayed it on the chest as if to say ‘please look at it’.”

“Well, that’s······”

“And then, this Ginzo guy’s body over there is too clean.”

“What?”

“Think about it, if two men were involved. Wouldn’t there have been any resistance?”

“Um-”

“And I’m just curious about something.”

Detective Mochio scanned the entire fishing village as he delivered his line.

“Why here of all places?”

“Just because it’s remote and deserted.”

“I wonder. There are plenty of remote and deserted places without having to come all the way to Chiba, no?”

“That’s true, but.”

“Hmm, something annoying is nagging at me. It smells fishy.”

“Huh?”

Shrugging his shoulders, Mochio walked back towards where Ginzo was lying. The camera stayed by his side. Then, he looked down at the pale Ginzo crouched on the wooden boat and muttered softly.

“I feel like this place is some kind of message. Hey, tell me. Were you really alone with him?”

What followed was.

“······Cut!! OK!!”

Director Kyotaro gave the OK sign.

Later that day, around lunchtime, in Korea.

The location was the large set complex of ‘Island of the Missing’ in Buyeo. Similar to the ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ team, the ‘Island of the Missing’ team was also in the midst of shooting. The location was the backyard of a large building shaped like a school.

A figure stood alone, top half of his military uniform off, gun in hand.

“······Haha.”

It was Ryu Jung-min. He laughed despondently. Right now, he was ‘First Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae’. One camera was aimed in the direction he was looking, and another was zoomed in close on ‘First Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae’s’ face. The current state of First Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae was a mess. He was covered in dust and soot, and had many cuts on his cheeks, forehead, and neck.

What about his eyes?

“Haha- hehe, fuck. Damn it all.”

The liveliness in his eyes from the beginning has changed. It was fair to say he was half mad. A flicker of madness was also evident. Director Kwon Ki-taek was intently watching him on the monitor, surrounded by about a hundred staff members.

At that moment.

-Swish.

First Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae, still chuckling, moved slowly. In front of him stood a rusted, moss-covered sign. First Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae brushed off the top of the sign with his palm.

Soon, faint letters became visible.

-[Boat Usage Times]

He stared blankly at the words for a moment, then covered his face with the hand holding the gun. His laughter grew louder.

“Hehehe, ah- what the hell is this. It was an island that existed in reality?”

About 10 seconds of silence followed. The hundred or so staff members held their breath. They were watching Director Kwon Ki-taek’s serious face in front of the monitor.

Eventually.

“······Phew-”

Director Kwon Ki-taek let out a soft sigh and spoke gently into the megaphone.

“Cut, OK. Good job, Ryu Jung-min ssi.”

Ryu Jung-min slightly restrained his laughter and deeply bowed to the director and the staff.

“Thank you, director. You all really worked hard.”

Soon, applause erupted among the hundred or so staff members.

-Clap clap clap clap clap!

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

Director Kwon Ki-taek also laughed heartily and slowly joined in the applause.

“Great work, everyone.”

At this moment, the lighting director with a crew cut among the hundred or so staff opened the floodgates of joy.

“We’re finally done!”

‘Island of the Missing’ had its crank-up.

That is, all filming had concluded.

*****

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