Chapter 159

Our Hotel Is Open for Business as Usual

Past the short yet long hiatus, the filming location deep in the Gapyeong mountains had finally resumed.

"Mr. Cha."

"Oh, our Director."

"Wanted to have a chat before we start shooting."

Seon-hae called out to the national treasure actor, 'Cha Do-hyeon.'

Fifty this year--the age of knowing heaven's will. Yet time, rather than stealing his youth, had layered onto him an unapproachable authority and a dangerous charm. Plenty of stages still wanted him.

Chungmuro, Yeouido, and Daehangno alike.

"This scene is, well... you know? A bit violent."

"You know me~ I love violent scenes. Gets it out of the system."

"When you say things like that, the other actors get scared."

"That's how I kept the entertainment reporters busy back in the day."

A signature raw edge seeped through. The anecdote of how entertainment reporters, spotting his delinquent aura at debut, had combed through his school years with a fine-tooth comb was still famous.

'And that's how that freakishly perfect academic record made it into the world.'

Seon-hae shrugged.

"We'd rather you not pull that on our set~"

"Ahaha, oh please!"

Do-hyeon laughed broadly. Cheerful, light, and a touch feral.

"Of course, don't worry. I've filled one egg carton and I'm heading into the second--where would that kind of fire come from at my age?"

"Oh please, you're the one being modest. I heard you tore it up on Daehangno during the break. That passion of yours, really, credit where it's due?"

"Oh, come on. Everything was coordinated in advance."

"I'm saying it because I'm worried. The play you just did and today's material are worlds apart."

Seon-hae smiled back.

"Not saying I don't trust you, obviously."

She meant it.

"But, you know? I am a director, after all, and I should at least check on my actors' condition. Especially for a scene this drenched in blood and gore."

"You're worried about me? I'm touched~ Seon-hae."

"Take care of your body, take care of your heart."

She waved a breezy hand.

"I'm counting on you, Mr. Cha. Give me something vivid."

"That's my specialty."

The man left with a grin, and Hong Gyeong-yeon approached.

"Mr. Cha always has that vibe."

"He's got power, no doubt~"

"It's just... the staff too."

Gyeong-yeon watched Do-hyeon's cluster with a peculiar look.

"Boss, you're here."

"Hey, there you are."

"Want me to loosen up your shoulders before we go?"

"Nah, save it. This kind of thing's more fun with a stiff body."

"Boss, I brought your coffee."

"Let it cool. I'll have it after."

Gyeong-yeon's expression grew even more peculiar.

"There's always this feeling... like his industry isn't this industry...."

It was a bizarre scene vaguely reminiscent of a private cartel. Seon-hae laughed.

"You think he's the only one in this business with a strong persona?"

"Can that really be brushed off as just 'a strong persona'?"

"He's got the clout to pull it off."

Arrogant, stubborn, a narcissist to the bone--yet the fifty-year-old national treasure who reproduced scripts more perfectly than anyone. That was the portrait of the man called Cha Do-hyeon as seen by the public and the industry.

'And if anything, it's to be expected....'

Siiip,

She thought while sipping her coffee.

'So that's the kind of person who becomes an Artist.'

A few days ago, Baek Mu-jin had said 'use it well and it'll help with what you want to do,' then handed over a list. Total System Artist. Watching Do-hyeon read the script, she couldn't help thinking exactly that.

'The world sure turns in interesting ways.'

Now this was a real Tru○an Show.

***

"Come to think of it,"

Do-heon spoke, watching his uncle's back.

"You've been saying 'Detection System' and 'Artist' for a while."

"Hmm?"

"From what I can gather, Artist seems to mean, like, someone with superpowers."

Walking through the corridor, Do-heon idly waggled the revolver's muzzle forward and asked.

"Is that right? Like Sup○rman, flying around? Or reading the past? Uh... like Ha○ry Potter, waving a wooden wand and firing killing curses?"

"Curses need mystical power, so unless your talent's shaman-adjacent, it's a bit different~"

At the amnesiac nephew's innocent yet sharp-edged question, Seung-jae let out a deflating laugh from up ahead. The first time he'd explained this, the kid had just listened in silence.

"Our nephew's imagination sure is rich."

"It's not like I know that many superpowered people."

"Oops, that came out wrong. I really meant it as a healthy imagination."

"Why does it feel like an insult?"

"Since the search is stalling anyway, want me to explain a bit?"

Seung-jae clicked the revolver's cylinder open with a satisfying snap.

'For some reason, that owl isn't giving directions this time either.'

He looked at the motionless owl on Do-heon's shoulder. Eyes shut tight. Lost in thought, or powered down. Probably orders from 'above.'

'Something feels like it's deliberately buying time.'

Hyeon Si-gyeong seemed to have noticed too, but with his abilities currently restricted, he only showed ambiguous reactions and took no separate action. Having confirmed that much, Seung-jae continued.

"Magic users aside, Artists are different. You, me, the cop here--we're the kind of people who physically manifest imagination and concepts, twist the laws of the world, and create our own rules."

"Magic users?"

Do-heon asked with a hint of skepticism but a trace of excitement.

"Do... do those really exist? Like, with wands...."

"Those who exist, exist. Whether they look the way you're picturing, who knows."

"Anyway, that felt like a very grandiose explanation."

"Just listen and memorize. And preferably don't go blabbing about it outside."

He hadn't expected to be teaching this again.

"Artists are broadly divided into six fundamental systems based on how they perceive and interact with the world."

"From a combat perspective, they can be roughly categorized into three types."

Hyeon Si-gyeong opened his mouth, apparently bored of staying silent. Unfazed by Do-heon's bewildered expression, he blinked his Sanpaku eyes slowly and began his commentary.

"The first is the direct-assault and destruction type. Creating weapons or massive creatures from nothing and steamrolling the battlefield with overwhelming firepower--the 'Manifestation System.' The most intuitive and threatening combatants."

"And there's the 'Phase System,' which warps the physical laws of reality or spatial structures themselves."

Seung-jae propped his chin on the gun barrel and looked back at Do-heon.

"That one's also usually a direct-combat type, but far more irregular."

"The terms are already hard. Can I just not listen?"

"They distort distance so my blade can't reach, or fold the space you're standing in clean in half for an instant kill."

"Okay, that might actually be kind of cool...."

"Right?"

Seung-jae grinned.

"Think of it as the horrifying result of modern art's abstract concepts applied to reality's physics engine."

"Nothing about that is easy, you make everything sound so complicated."

"You little--you went to high school and you can't parse this much?"

Hyeon Si-gyeong suddenly stared at Seung-jae.

"......"

"Want to say it out loud, Inspector?"

"Your manner certainly changes when dealing with family."

"You're teasing me?"

"It seems so."

"Lord, there's nobody in this world you can trust."

At the two's banter, Do-heon scratched the corner of his mouth and asked.

"But can they really fold space?"

"Technically that was an example, but yes, some people can."

"Can they fold people?"

"People get torn~"

"Isn't that a balance issue?"

"The world's a mess. Who's going to balance it?"

"What the hell happened to me in that one year?"

Seung-jae snickered at his nephew's genuine reactions and raised another finger.

"Second is indirect combat--the suppression and neutralization type. The 'Resonance System,' which uses song or music to put an entire enemy force to sleep or make them fight each other. And the 'Alchemy System,' which freely redefines the properties and forms of existing matter."

"Alchemists??"

Recognizing a word he knew, life returned to Do-heon's reaction.

"So there are magic users and alchemists? That's real?"

"Magic users are probably quite different from what you're imagining...."

Hyeon Si-gyeong, who'd been watching the two, spoke up.

"Both types can destroy minds through waves or symbolism without physical wounds, or control the surrounding terrain, making them exceptionally difficult to defend against."

"This feels really Pok○mon-like."

Just then, the owl sitting with eyes closed on Do-heon's shoulder let out a short cry.

"Hooo."

"I keep saying, that was definitely a sigh."

"Oh, why are you picking a fight with a perfectly still owl?"

"Am I seriously the only one hearing it that way??"

Seung-jae looked at the people's baton. Hyeon Si-gyeong exercised his right to silence. Ignoring the theatrically wounded Seung-jae, he continued.

"Do you have romantic notions about alchemy?"

"Uh, no... I wouldn't call it romantic...."

"I see."

Hyeon Si-gyeong nodded.

"The Alchemy System can turn an incoming enemy bullet into mud, or transform the armor an enemy's wearing into a restraint device to suffocate them."

"That's insane."

"Rooted in the power to touch and transform the essence of materials, it tends toward an environment-dominant combat style."

He added.

"And typically, you need to be good at studying."

"...Why?"

"Because calculation is critical to the system."

"So... I can't do that kind of thing?"

"You could learn alchemy, but it requires just as much study as the Alchemy System proper, only marginally less. If you lack natural talent, it becomes even harder."

"How narrow-minded."

Seung-jae cut in at his nephew's remark.

"What, you thought it came free? Artists aren't something you choose to be. You're born into it."

"Fuck."

"Well then, what a fuss."

"If it's superpowers, why does it need studying?"

"What, you think other Artists don't study?"

Seung-jae shrugged.

"And, I've been calling you two 'Detection System' all along. Remember?"

"Ah, right. So that's my system or whatever?"

Do-heon dry-washed his face with a haggard expression.

"What is that? To be honest, it sounds pretty useless for actual fighting. Isn't it basically just a mine detector or a search dog?"

At that question, Seung-jae smiled warmly and lightly smacked the back of Do-heon's head.

"The third and final type is the tactical support category, like you and the cop here."

"Sounds really weak."

"The type that wins by securing information superiority or cutting off variables. 'Detection System' like you, nephew, and the 'Archive System,' which locks down and preserves specific moments or events."

"I can't really picture it."

"Direct destructive power is low, but they're indispensable for creating a board where you absolutely cannot lose."

To the nephew whose brow had narrowed with effort, Seung-jae continued.

"Detection System perceives invisible structures and sees through objects' weaknesses or truths. Remember the time attack we did early on? It's not x-ray vision. It's the power to see the core."

"......"

Only then did Do-heon look sheepish.

"...So what about the Archive System? I really can't grasp that one. What does it do?"

"The Archive System can freeze an enemy's attack in midair, or revert a fatal wound on themselves to a past state."

"???"

Do-heon's face contorted.

"Wh... what does that even mean?"

"Because it manipulates time, the enemy faces an unending nightmare where no matter how many killing blows they land, the opponent either heals or the attack simply stops."

"That's insane."

"Think of it as the authority to capture time the way a photograph or classical painting does."

"Isn't that the most broken one??"

At Do-heon's alarm, Seung-jae smirked.

"No, no. There are matchups. At the same tier, Archive gets stomped by Detection."

"Huh? By me?"

"By you, nephew."

He draped an arm over Do-heon's empty shoulder--the side opposite the owl--and said.

"Even if they seal time, even within repeating records, Detection instinctively recognizes the gaps and starting points. It can find the core and break through."

"There are matchups too?"

"Of course. It's a structure where Artists devour each other in a fierce chain."

"When you put it that way, it sounds really savage."

"This world is a bit like that."

Primal, and primitive.

"And lastly."

"Wait, there's more?"

***

"...More, on top of that?"

Hong Gyeong-yeon, who'd been dragged along by her industry senior, frowned.

"You said there were six systems."

"This is a special classification."

Cha Do-hyeon, speckled with makeup blood, swirled his chilled coffee and said.

"There are mutants who fuse two or more of the six fundamental systems. They're called 'Total System.'"

"Total System, you said...."

"This is why it's easier to talk with smart people."

Sip--he drew on his coffee and continued.

"Right. But it's not simply having two abilities. They generate synergy between systems, unleashing an entirely new dimension of power. The so-called 'maestros,' counted on one hand even in The Gaps."

"Must be rare. Irregular and devastating."

"There is that tendency."

Do-hyeon grinned, eyes curving.

"Like me."

***

"......"

"Hello?"

"Hard to say."

The General Manager, who'd opened his eyes, spoke.

"This is an unforeseen variable."

[Sixth Sense]
'A lost bond has become entangled.'

"I need to think about how to handle this."

"Kill?"

"Not that."

The General Manager smiled, as he always did.

"Still not acting his age, even at that age."

That man called Cha Do-hyeon.