Hello, I'm back. Have not gotten any suggestions or replies about the contest for the best line. Can you guys, please, at least let me know if you are interested or if it is a lame idea. Lauren mentioned that it might be hard to do so without knowing further plot development. So I am giving a few prompts/topics: 1) Mr. Kim 2) Training 3) Jealousy 4) Assassin. I know it is not much, but they are generic enough to have any idea or line. Like I said earlier, I welcome the input.
Having said that, please review and comment on the current chapter. Thanks.
Choi Young and Hee Jun were offered a tour of the company. The general was once again surprised at the modern world. One agency occupied the whole tall structure by itself, spanning across many floors. He marveled at how numerous the rooms in this building were and how many people were supposedly working here, doing nothing, based on his observations. The men and women, dressed sharply sat at the desks, staring at computer screens (he already knew the name of a strange interactive machine) or gathered around long tables, talking; some of them were in a state of constant motion, walking from one place to another, carrying papers, or possibly acting as messengers. There were huge offices just for a single individual, called an executive or director (Hee Jun commented, explaining everything to Choi Young, as if translating to him from a foreign language). So even after 700 hundred years some things never changed – there were still people in power, who distinguished themselves by material possessions, larger accommodations, more staff to serve them, and blown up titles. There were rooms filled with stacks of boxes, tall shelves and cabinets, with more papers and books and large noisy machines spitting paper out of them. There were large dancing halls, where groups of people or individuals practiced in front of mirrored walls, with music blaring. And other rooms, called "recording studios," where behind a glass, singers with large round circles covering their ears, screamed into microphones (he saw those before as well), while others, sitting in front of large panels dotted with buttons, knobs and flickering lights, listened intently. He was shown to a large hall, where on the gently inclined floor, rows of comfortable chairs were placed and a large white screen was hiding under a curtain in the front. "Movie theater," whispered Hee Jun. There was even a dormitory, fully equipped as living quarters, where some of the youngsters lived, while training. There was a place called the gym, with mats and various gear for exercise, making Choi Young checking room curiously, "I would like to come back soon and learn how all of that can be used."
He could not completely comprehend why everything had to be on such a grand scale. But he was impressed with the place, which seemed to have everything necessary for people to do their jobs and be comfortable. This agency, housed in multistory building was a mini kingdom with its own royalty, court, guards, servants and visitors. Fascinating!
Finally they were taken to the cafeteria, which was a form of a dining hall. Choi Young was used to a simple and sparse life style. So at first reluctantly and then with more vigor, he indulged in many choices of food offered under the guidance of Hee Jun, trying new things. Food in Korea had a lot more variety and was a lot tastier then where he came from.
"When are we going to actually start working?" Choi Young was itching for action. He has already spent at least half of the day here, yet to start doing anything productive.
"Just be patient and enjoy it while it lasts. Work is not a wolf, it will not run away into the forest, they say," Hee Jun dispensed his bits of folk wisdom.
Choi Young only frowned and continued sampling from the unending array of dishes placed in front of him. He already tried 5 different soups and about 20 types of banchan. Now he was savoring meats and stews. Everything was delicious and very filling; to his surprise, he could not stop, wondering if they added some kind of potion into the food, making him suppress his natural body signals, telling him that he was satiated, and instead only getting him hungrier as he continued to eat. For the first time in his life, he felt his stomach bulging out over his belt and his trousers tightening around his waist. He wished he had his regular clothes on, so he just could loosen the tie of the belt, but with a suit, he could not do that. He put down his chopsticks, feeling like his stomach expanded up to his throat and felt discomfort quickly developing in his abdomen. In a few minutes, he was hurting and cramping and pulling forcefully at Hee Jun's sleeve, the poor man, jumping off he seat, Choi Young asked hoarsely, "Where is the toilet?"
Hee Jun helped his friend get up, scolding him for eating too much, while Choi Young had to accept it as a punishment for his gluttony. "Last time in my life, I promise," he said partially to himself, and partially to Hee Jun, ashamed of his loss of control.
Choi Young came out of the bathroom very quiet. He did not look at Hee Jun, and when the guy wondered if he were OK, he replied, "I don't think I'm ever using public bathrooms again. Did you know, there is a whole wall where men line up to relieve themselves?"
"Yes? And what?"
"And a mirror behind them, so that if you turn you can see yourself?"
"Aha, and?"
"Don't you recognize the need for privacy?"
"Sure, but this is normal."
"Crazy world," Choi Young shook his head, "Crazy."
He was escorted to the gym, as it was the location where the training would commence, according to Hee Jun. An agency representative explained something to him, quickly having learned that all the business discussions should be conducted through Choi Young's manager (that's what everybody assumed Hee Jun was, and he did not mind being called that at all). "The actor will be arriving shortly, you can inspect the equipment."
Choi Young got busy, with Hee Jun following him closely and explaining what each type of gear was, although he did not know how to use them all. They heard the door open and soft steps approaching. They both turned to see a tall and slender actor walk up. Hee Jun's jaw dropped and his hands started shaking, while his mouth let out a yelp of excitement. The boy, seem used to such reactions, only smiled very friendly and said, "Hello." Hee Jun practically climbed on top of Choi Young clinging to his ear with a loud whisper, "Dude, do you know who that is? This is…" he did not have a chance to finish as Choi Young shook him off in disgust, wiping off his ear and squirming. "Leave!" he commanded, and Hee Jun, like a misbehaved puppy with the tail between his legs, backed out from the gymnasium, and immediately plastered his ear to the closed door, staining to hear what was going on inside.
Choi Young sized up the young man, who bowed very politely, introducing himself and saying, "Please take good care of me. How should I call you, Sunbae-nim?"
"You can call me Daejang."
"Thank you, Daejang, for agreeing to train me. I heard you are the best."
"I am", said Choi Young flatly, still examining the man. "Turn around for me and lift your arms," he ordered, and to his surprise, his command was followed. He chucked, satisfied. He missed this part of his life: New trainees, the young boys, who were eager to learn. "Have you ever held a sword before?" he continued with a stern tone. He needed to establish who was in charge here.
"Yes, I have."
"Let me see what you can do." Choi Young pulled out his sword, taking out of the scabbard, and handed it to the boy. He did not touch it, staring. "Be careful, it's very sharp."
"Is it real?"
"Of course it is real. Why does everybody ask me that?"
"Sorry, I just never held a real one before. Only props."
"Props?"
"Yes, they look real, but are very light."
"Hold it."
The man, grabbed the hilt and lifted the sword, his arms showing the strength hidden underneath a slim exterior.
"Not bad," concluded Choi Young. "You have a lot to learn and do. You already have some potential, but you need to work on the arms, your posture and handling."
"Yes, Daejang," the man bowed slightly.
It panged his heart to hear this word coming out of this man's mouth. He almost forgot who he was. His men, his Woodalchi, who trusted him and followed him unquestionably - he was their leader. He missed them so much. He missed hearing a man's voice addressing him by his title like that, with respectful bow and waiting for the next command. He missed a chance to be around men, all united by the same purpose, and the smell of sweat in the air, as they exercised together shirtless, practicing under his guidance. He wanted to spar with somebody who was a match to him and wake up his body from the slumber of doing nothing and physical atrophy. He wanted to feel the rush of a swordfight and martial arts exhibits, the skills he was so good at and felt confident about his abilities. He missed being himself, he missed his rightful place he earned by blood, sweat and tears, through his own efforts. Today, he will do the best he can for this man, who was willing to learn from him.
He gave instructions and had the actor practice first with a wooden pole, taking his sword lovingly and carefully placing it where it belonged, at his side. The boy tried hard and worked diligently, obviously not used to such rigorous practice, he looked tired, but did not complain, biting his lips and fighting with his body to carry on. Choi Young watched him, starting to like this actor, who seemed to be a man of character. Somehow, he reminded him of self, the younger version. He was the same height and built. He had similar facial features and even his eyes were the same almond shape. He tied his hair in the back similarly and with bandana to keep the sweat from hurting his eyes, he could have passed for a young Woodalchi in training, just the modern clothes gave him away. He liked the determination in the eyes, which he noticed, and the stubbornness with which he repeated the moves over and over again, trying to get them perfect. Choi Young periodically made comments to adjust a certain movement or change something, and the man kept bowing respectfully, saying, "Yes, Daejang."
Choi Young laid down on the soft mat on the floor and got into his favorite sleeping position, forgetting for a while that he was not at the Woodalchi barracks, he closed his eyes, resting, like he usually did, still alert of course. He could sleep like that, anywhere anytime.
He heard the door open and quickly stood, seeing Do Jin and a few other men and women enter the room.
"So how is training going?"
"Although barely beginning, I'm sure the young man has potential. I am saddened actually: if he'd been found earlier in life he would have made a proficient swordsman."
"Where is he?" asked the agent worriedly looking around the large open space of the gym, as so did the rest of the group. And Choi Young turned, pointing down, where a body of a man was prostrated on the floor, his legs and arms spread out.
Everybody hurried to him, mentioning something about how precious his body was, and one of the women, leaning, screamed in worry that he must be unconscious. The actor opened his eyes, smiling weakly, his face and all of his clothes drenched in sweat. "Don't worry, I'm fine. Just tired, I'm taking a short break, Daejang allowed me."
"When he manages to stand up you may take him away. Today's training is over," directed one of the men. "What have you done to him?" Asked Do Jin, not as worried as curious, looking almost with admiration at Choi Young, who managed to do that to a star, without blinking an eye or bothering with consequences.
"He needs to strengthen his arms, I had him exercise a little. Tomorrow he will start learning how to hold the sword properly."
"But tomorrow he'll be busy all day, he has meeting and events," protested the same man, who complained before. Choi Young turned to the manager and walked closer, standing an inch or maybe less from the man's face, eyes dangerously serious, "If you want him to make progress, then he is coming tomorrow."
"Sharp and early, eight o'clock," said the manager, literary becoming shorter and pulling his neck into the shoulders, about to salute the general as if in the military, while Choi Young walked back to the actor and gave the guy an approving nod, making him smile really wide and pull himself up from the mat. He then proceeded to bow to Choi Young, thanking him for the amazing session.
"Make it seven!" Said Choi Young, and turning back to the manager, explained. "He needs to warm up before starting."