Chapter 181. Our Children have Changed (2)
Translator: Seven PR: LightBrin
"What are you talking about? My kids are pure, cute, hardworking, sincere… After all, they were born from all the good things in the world. What does a blind guy like you know about us?"
-Right. You're boasting so proudly. You must have been a goblin in one of your past lives.
Bae Hu-ryeong clicked his tongue.
At that moment, a voice sounded in my head.
[The 34th Floor's quest has been given.]
Did the Tower judge that I had a rough idea of the stage so it gave out the quest? Words appeared in front of my eyes
[The Warring Theaters Period: The Crisis of Classics]
The name of the quest was strange.
Still kneeling in frustration, I looked at the quest window.
[The Warring Plays Period: The Crisis of Classics]
Difficulty: B
Objective: You have succeeded in bestowing mythology to the Goblin Race. The Goblin people were born listening to your actions, seeing your deeds, and learning your beliefs. But the excitement was short lived. Having heard the same stories over and over for hundreds of years, the new generation of the Goblin Race have grown tired of the mundane 'classics'!
For some time now, recreations of the classics have been gaining popularity in the Goblin Race. This trend has passed the stage of sensational popularity and has developed into a violent gale which threatens to displace the original myths!
'Ugor. I like the evil Kekerkker better than the good Kekerkker.'
'It is tradition that the Lady of Golden Silk and the Lady of the Silver lily be connected.'
'The Constellation Killer and the Sword Emperor is good too.'
'You don't know what you're talking about. It's only a classic when the Sword Emperor and the Heavenly Demon are together.'
This is serious!
The Goblin Race has begun to quarrel amongst themselves over which myth is real. If this is allowed to continue, the Goblin Race might lose their original myths. If the original myths disappear, the Goblin Race will be unable to use their aura training method!
Noble White Lion. Create a play for the Goblin Race that will be performed in the theaters and receive applause as the true story. You are the one who decides the true myths and the true history! Unify the myths and establish the aura training method!
※However, if you fail to deliver, your race will lose the 'Demonic Cult' trait.
"……"
I read the quest window several times.
"Huh… so to put it simply, my stories have become so twisted that they are no longer sure what is real or fake? If I leave it as is, the aura training method that I worked so hard to plan out, will disappear."
-I guess so?
"Hmm."
I stroked my chin.
How should I go about this?
Several thoughts flitted across my mind for a moment. But my first thought was…
"Do I really need to fix this?"
I thought that it might be fine to just leave it as is.
"I would get tired of hearing the same thing every day too. The kids are only trying this and that because they're hungry for new plays. There's no need for me to spray cold water on them."
-Huh? Then what about the aura training method that you so ambitiously prepared?
"That was just my greed. It started because Uburka agreed that it would be interesting. If the kids of this era don't want to do it because they don't think it would be fun then it's up to them. I don't want to interfere with their fun too much."
-Hoh.
Bae Hu-ryeong clapped his hands.
-For the first time, you actually look like a real parent.
"I've always been a real parent."
-That's a load of bullshit. If there was a competition in the world for the most childish parent, you would win a landslide victory. Zombie.
"Oh. That play sounds interesting."
I pointed to the theater across the street.
There were many theaters in this city. If the circular theaters on the three way intersection were the large companies, then the one I was pointing to was a small theater company that had barely managed to carve out a space for itself in an alley. Nevertheless, the poster for the play was quite pretty, probably because they had to hone their advertising abilities.
-The Epic of Kekerkker! Watch the Fire Play of Kekerkker [The Rampant Fire Sword]!
The elf ticket clerk shouted.
-[Demon King Estelle, [The Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon, and [Raviel and Kekerkker] too, all of these stories start here and end here! The two people who are always together on a mythical journey! The story of him and him!
The picture of a tattooed hobgoblin stood out on the poster, although he seemed to be a bit soft for some reason. And behind him, was another hobgoblin with a lean, muscular body.
The two were staring straight ahead with their backs to each other.
"From the looks of it, that one is about us. Isn't it?"
-Yeah. I think it's a story about the two of us.
Bae Hu-ryeong also looked interested.
Filled with anticipation, we entered the small theater. A few logs that had been scraped clean were placed on the ground, and the guests sat on them in their designated spots. All of the seats were full. Even the standing area was filled to the brim.
"Ohh."
After seeing the proper facilities, our expectations rose even more.
"It's small but clean. It feels like an elite minority."
-But among the things you told Uburka, were there any stories about you and me?
Huh?
Apart from [Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon, there shouldn't be any.
"Well, I guess this is a secondary creation. Ah. Looks like it's starting. Watch quietly… you don't need to."
-Even if we talk amongst ourselves, no one else can hear us, so it's pretty sweet.
"Don't they sell popcorn at these theaters? Watermelon beer? Fried watermelon skin? What's this? Why do these guys like watermelon so much?"
We chatted while watching [The Rampant Fire Sword]. For a moment, my heart pounded because of my high expectations. But as the play progressed, the faces of Bae Hu-ryeong and I quickly became sour in real time.
"What is this"
-What the fuck?
The two of us ran out of the play before it was even halfway through.
-Did those bastards lose their minds?
"Crazy."
-That wasn't me on the poster but the Flame Emperor!?
"Crazy."
-Why is there a random scene of the Heavenly Demon and the Flame Emperor arguing!?
"Crazy."
The word crazy just kept coming out of my mouth. Three 'crazy's. That was a strikeout.
"Now that I think about it, I think we need to distinguish the real myths. The kids' fun? Of course it's important. However, not the Flame Emperor. Anyone but the Flame Emperor. Crazy. They really crossed the line."
-You're right! You need to fix it!
With one mind, Bae Hu-ryeong and I vowed to complete the quest.
"Let's see how we can solve this situation first."
I wandered around the city until nightfall.
As a result, I found that there were unexpectedly some serious problems in the current era.
It was also related to the new trait the goblin race had acquired.
[Demonic Cult]
Category: Religion, Military, Politics.
Origin: [Bad Friend Doctrine]
Description: Finally, the White Lion Faith has begun to distinguish itself as a religion through the [Guru Doctrine] and the [Bad Friend Doctrine]!
Gorke, the First Prophet, recognized the White Lion as a close friend and Father of the Goblin Race. And the Goblin Race learned the myths of the White Lion from the Second Prophet, Uburka.
Nevertheless, the Demonic Cult is currently experiencing an unprecedented identity crisis! There are all kinds of denominations and opinions over the proper interpretations of the White Lion's myths. The various denominations accuse each other of heresy and claim that they are the true inheritors of the White Lion's will!
The Goblins, who believe in different myths, have different images. The appearance and efficacy of their aura varies depending on what image it is based on! Solve the problem of the doctrinal interpretations!
※However, this trait can change depending on how history progresses.
※Caution! There are 16 denominations in dispute about the doctrines! If conflict intensifies, it may lead to religious strife and perhaps even racial division!
"Aigo."
I had a rough understanding of how the history of the past 300 years went.
"This. This problem probably began after Uburka's death. If that child was still alive, he would probably have beaten up all the opposition and suppressed them with force…."
-Indeed. The kids who were forced to sit quietly without being able to make a sound are now raising their voices.
"That seems to be the case."
Uburka was strong. Too strong. When such absolute powerhouse disappeared, the disagreements that appeared among the goblin race could not be dealt with as simply as before.
Conflict was natural.
Just like everyone experiencing puberty, the goblin race was now experiencing the pains of growing up.
-Welcome, welcome, ladies and gentlemen! This is 'If I can't have it, I'd rather destroy everything'! Take a look at Estelle's unique charm!
-This is a classic Fire Play! It's much better than the other pseudo-plays!
-Who are you calling pseudo!? You heretic!
-The Flame Emperor was actually a good person?! The story of a man who fell prey to Kekerkker's viciousness……
…Although that pain was developing in a strange direction.
From the beginning, art and religion had been inseparable in the goblin race. The ones who demonstrated the Fire Paintings were priests and the theaters where plays were held were temples. Which play you went to watch showed what denomination you believed in.
'Depending on the image they have, their aura could change drastically.'
Art. Religion. Military.
These important fields were grouped together.
But I could never, ever, allow the worship of the Flame Emperor.
It was something that I was determined to get rid of.
-Ack! There should be laws for this!
I was in a remote part of the city.
In a place where the poor goblins lived together in pits, a cry rang out. When I turned my head to look, there was an argument occurring in front of a shabby theater.
-I definitely won first place in the evaluation! My acting skills were by far the best!
The main character of the argument was an elf. In front of the small elf, who was shouting, stood a large hobgoblin with his arms folded.
-So why did someone else get the role instead of me?! Was it a bribe? Personal connections? You should go on stage because of your own skill, not something like this!
-We don't take bribes. Ugo. And no one can use personal connections either. Although we're poor, we're still a theater company with 130 years of tradition. Don't look down on us.
-Then why didn't I even get selected for the main role or even a supporting role?! Is it because I'm an elf?! Don't be ridiculous! That's racial discrimination! I will make a formal complaint to the Fire River Council!
-It's not that you weren't selected because you are an elf. We pursue equality under Kekerkker's advice. However.
The hobgoblin company owner spoke in a solemn voice.
-You… are too weak.
-Wh-, what?
-Look at your body.
The owner's eyes scanned the elf's body.
-Your bank is hunched. Your shoulders are thin. Your muscles are nonexistent. Your limbs are as thin as spider legs and look as though they will crack when touched. And your thighs… are those even thighs? I'm not even sure how you can still support your body on those legs.
The hobgoblin shook his head.
-No matter how good your acting skills are, what's the point? These days, the audience's focus is on a lot of muscles. Even snot nosed kids wouldn't admire a body like yours. You're not qualified.
-A-, an actor only needs to be good at acting!
The elf was furious. However, he covered himself with both arms as though he was self conscious.
The theater owner shook his head before revealing his thick muscles.
-No. Actors are priests who share Kekerkker's teachings to the public, warriors who take the lead in the event of a war, and fighters who duel when the council is convened.
Did these guys still decide on the council's agenda by dueling? They were such cute idiots.
-That's why the audiences clap their hands so happily at the actors. They acknowledge the fantasies as truth. Who would be enchanted by a warrior who only knew how to talk on stage?
-Uhh. uhhh…
-Your muscles are weak. Increase your chest muscles by four times first. Then I'll listen to what you have to say.
-A-, according to mythology, Kekerkker had internal muscles! My muscles are internal too! I'm stronger than I look!
-Ugor.
The theater owner smirked.
-Then be Kekerkker instead of an actor. Transform into a lion and help our race. At the very least, our theater company doesn't believe in internal muscles.
-W-, wait a minute. Theater owner, sir! Just once!
In the end, the elf knelt down and grabbed the edge of the hobgoblin's clothes.
-Please judge me one more time! I am confident that I can act much better than last time. Umm. After seeing my acting, the other muscleheads won't even catch your eyes! I am an acting genius! If you pick me as the main character, no, if you give me the role as one of the Four Demon Lords in [Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon, there will be a revolution in the Guru theater world!
-An actor should never kneel.
The theater owner dismissed him.
-Exercise. Build up your muscles. That's all I have to say to you.
-Ah! Sir! Elves are different from you goblins! It's impossible for us to have big muscles! You ignorant pigs! Are there muscles in your brain!
-I have nothing more to say to you.
The hobgoblin easily shook the elf off, and with a scream, the elf rolled over.
-Aigo, I'm dead! Aigo! This mold is racist! It's sad that I was born an elf! If I was born a goblin, I would have already debuted on the stage by now! Why was I born with long ears? Why am I being treated like this? Do you think Kekerkker would accept what you're doing?!
-How pathetic… go make some money instead.
-I like acting more than making money!
The theater owner closed his door with a click.
The aspiring elf actor cried out.
-Great Cat! Kekerkker! Please give me the talent of an actor! It's fine as long as you let me go on stage one time! You can have my soul! No, even the devil is fine. Take my soul! Take my soul so that I may debut! Please!
Hmm.
I stroked my chin.
"I think I have a good idea."
-Huh? What is it?
"Let's create a top star actor."
I'll show the true play to the goblins who had started believing false stories.
Chapter 182. Our Children have Changed (3)
Translator: Seven PR: LightBrin
3.
-Bad guys… Ignorant fools who only know about muscles…
The aspiring elf actor stayed on the ground for a while before finally returning home. On the way, he grumbled and complained about how unfair his life was.
-Where did you run off to this time?
He was abused at home as well.
-You didn't go to a theater again, did you?
-This child has grown so much and he still hasn't come to his senses. Son. Those Fire Plays were all made to brainwash goblins. In the end, it's a way for them to worship Kekerkker. Why are you so hellbent on it?
Unlike the goblins, the elves lived in large, luxurious mansions. The aspiring elf actor's family also seemed to be very wealthy. For the elves, who were born merchants and lived as merchants, the aspiring elf actor might as well have been a different race.
-It's not…
The aspiring elf actor muttered under his breath as he ate dinner.
-The Fire Plays don't worship Kekerkker… Instead, the Fire Players are about things Kekerkker worships…
-What is he talking about?
-I don't know. He was speaking so softly that I didn't hear a word he said.
-You're an adult now. I've calculated everything we've given you so far and compiled them into a ledger. I'll allow you to pay us back without interest, so make sure to do it quickly. If you don't pay us back, you can get out of the house.
-Why does our family only care about money?
The aspiring elf actor was furious.
-No, why is our race only focused on making money?
-Because making money is fun.
-I don't think it's fun! What's so fun about taking advantage of the goblins?!
-Taking advantage of pushovers has always been the most enjoyable pass time. In any case, will you pay us back for our support or not?
-This race is crazy.
The aspiring elf actor stood up.
-It is a tradition and obligation to pay back your parents all the money they spent on you until adulthood. I can't believe even something like that is taken for granted…!
-It's natural, after all that money was spent on you.
-You wrote down all the money you spent on me from the day I was born! From the cost of a midwife to take care of me, to everything I ever ate or wore! Are you sick? Does our race have some kind of special disease that kills you if you don't keep a ledger? I'm done. I'm sick and tired of staying in this house! I'll just run away from home.
The aspiring elf actor then walked out of the house. The moment he tried to step out of the gate, his family called out to him.
-Son! Ssonia!
-What?
-Even if you leave, you have to take your debt documents with you! Here!
A family member dragged a cart over to him.
There was a pile of scrolls on the cart.
They were all debt documents.
-If you run away, you won't be a member of the family anymore, so we'll have to calculate interest into the prices. Don't worry. We'll only give you the cheapest interest rates. If you get any top level job and work for about 12 years, you'll be able to pay us back. Work hard to make money.
-Fuck, this is bullshit….
-From now on, I'll increase the interest rate by 1% every time you swear.
-……
-Ah. I also added the price for the cart. For some reason, I had a feeling that you would be running away from home today so I prepared it in advance. You should be grateful since I chose a sturdy and cheap one. What are you doing, Ssonia? Hurry up and leave the house.
With a tearful expression, the aspiring elf actor pulled the cart away.
Rattle, rattle.
The wheels rolled noisily.
Bae Hu-ryeong and I were the only audience to the sad scene of the young elf.
"There aren't any normal races in this world, are there…?"
–You're right. I always knew that your tower was full of psychos, but now, I'm starting to get a little worried…
The elf didn't have any money, so he couldn't even stay in a shabby inn. He could only squat beside the theater and use the cart to block the cold air as he slept. Sniff. A mournful cry echoed across the moonlit street.
[Purchased 'Dream Appearance'.]
[100 points have been deducted!]
[You currently have 8702 race points.]
And that was my cue to appear.
"Ssonia."
I entered the aspiring elf actor's dream in order to talk to him.
Unlike Gorke and Uburka, the scenery of the elf's dream was… how should I say it? Pretty vulgar. It was a luxurious party. And hobgoblin servants, all with large muscles, were serving the aspiring elf actor.
-We're sorry, great actor Ssonia. We were too blind to see who the true genius actor was….
-Ahahaha! Ignorant fools who only have muscles, acting is all about spirit! Hurry up and serve the drinks!
-Ugor. It's an honor to fill the cup of great actor Ssonia….
It was incredible.
Who would have thought that the Count would have corrupted the elves to this extent. Instead of being fairies, they'd become strange spirits.
"Ssonia. Ssonia. Come to your senses."
-Huh? Why is there an ugly human here?
"I'm the one who guides the goblin race. You all call me Kekerkker. Since the elves joined under the flag of the goblins, you all became part of my domain."
-Hah?
"Weren't you the one who cried out today that it didn't matter if it was Kekerkker, the Great Cat, or the Devil, as long as they helped you debut? Rejoice. After hearing your miserable cry, I came to you."
-What kind of bullshit…
This was the point where I strengthened our relationship with my fists.
-I'm sorry that I didn't recognize you! Great Kekerkker!
"I forgive you. Gorke suspected that I was the Devil at first. Eventually, he realized my sincerity. In this harsh world, you shouldn't be so quick to doubt someone."
-Yes! Thank you for your forgiveness! Great Kekerkker!
"From now on, refer to me as [The Kind and Merciful Kekerkker]."
-Huh?
Ssonia looked up at me from a kneeling position. His bruised eyes seemed to be saying 'what the hell was this guy talking about?'. I smiled and cracked my knuckles.
"What's wrong? Do you have any complaints?"
-N-, not at all Kind and Merciful Kekerkker!
"Now you're ready to talk."
I sat on the chair covered in silk cushions and took a sip of watermelon beer. What was this? It tasted like crushed cucumbers with a slightly sweet aftertaste… Why were my kids so obsessed over this lackluster drink?
"Ssonia. There's no need to be afraid of me. I just want to grant your wish."
-Y-, ye-, yes…
"Right. You want to be an actor, don't you? I'll make you an actor."
-R-, really!?
"Yes. Really. Kekerkker would never lie. But before I lend you my strength, I have to give you a brief test."
Ssonia blinked.
-A test…?
"Recently, there have been many false stories that have deceived the children. It breaks Kekerkker's heart. The test I give you will determine if you are worthy of being my third apostle. Tell me."
I spoke in a serious voice.
"What do you think of the Flame Emperor?"
-Uh….
Ssonia tilted his head to the side.
-He… was a bastard, wasn't he? At least according to the classic plays… Kekerkker encountered a terrible man one day while living his life normally, and he was called the Flame Emperor. But these days, there have been many people who have been saying that the Flame Emperor is actually good. The so-called [He was actually a good guy] trope, but I don't agree. There are many bastards in the world. And even if they might try to hide it, they can't change that fact…
"Ssonia."
Tuk.
I put my hand on the aspiring actor's shoulder.
"You really have a promising future!"
-H-, huh?
I gave him a broad smile.
"It is true that you can recognize a tree from the seedling. Uhuh. You will not just be a large tree, you have the talent to become the world tree!"
-Ah… Yes…
"How could a talented child like you live among those fools who only know how to make money? A lotus blooms in mud, and a black pearl forms in a clam. You are definitely fated to become beautiful!"
-I-, is that so? Hehe. You're flattering me so much that I don't know what to say…
Ssonia scratched his head awkwardly. A warm friendship that transcended race had formed between us.
-But you didn't say exactly how you'd help me…
"That's simple. I will borrow your body for a while."
There was an item that I'd seen in the Civilization store before.
[Person Possession]
Rank: A-
Effect: Possess the person of your choosing. The original owner of the possessed body will become a mental body that stays with you. When the person dies, or when you declare the end of your possession, the mental body will return to its original body!
Price: 2,000 race points
※However, the item can only be used if the person agrees to the possession.
It was an item that was more compatible than animal possession.
-Y-, you want to take over my body… Huk. Really?
"Hey. I don't know what kind of bad idea you're thinking. But the only one I want is Raviel."
-Ah… That's true. Right.
"It simply means that my mind will take control of your body. I won't stay too long either. I'll only stay until I make you a top notch actor. More importantly, if you want me to leave before that, I'll leave."
Ssonia thought for a moment.
-Do I have to give you my soul in return…?
"Aigoo. Where are you going to take your soul and put it? Even after I've possessed you, your mind will still be in your body."
-……
"You don't have to do it if you don't want to. I'm sure there are many goblins who would want me to possess them."
-N-, no. No!
Ssonia spoke in a hurried tone.
-Please possess me! Kind and Merciful Kekerkker! I'll do anything to debut!
"Right. That's the spirit! If a person wants to achieve something, they should be willing to go to the ends of the universe in order to get it."
I purchased the item right away.
[Purchased 'Person Possession'.]
[2000 points have been deducted!]
[You currently have 6702 race points.]
"No regrets?"
-No!
"No complaints?"
-None!
"Good. Then I'll take that as consent to possess your body!"
-G-, go ahead!
Swoosh!
A sound similar to a toilet flushing rang in my ears, and my vision became blurry for a moment. I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, the scenery of the city in the early morning came into view.
"Heh."
I clenched and unclenched my fists repeatedly.
Pretty hands.
It felt like my palms were saying 'I've never held a sword in my entire life'.
"It's a bit awkward… but I guess it's better than when I possessed the lion. I should get used to it soon."
-Oh my God. Oh Great Cat.(TL: I'll italicize Ssonia's speech to separate it from the others in this world)
A Startled voice sounded in my head. It was Ssonia's voice.
-You really possessed me…?
"Didn't I tell you before? I'd never lie to you."
-I-, I'm sorry. To be honest, I was half worried it was some kind of devil scam… I've heard many rumors about strange looking monsters devouring people….
I turned my attention to my aura. Perhaps it was because elves were innately attuned to aura, or perhaps it was because Ssonia was actually quite talented. But after fiddling with my aura a few times, I was able to create a flame-like projection on my palm.
-M-, my god.
Seeing how surprised he was, I guess he wasn't that talented.
-I don't believe it! The fire of the soul was so easily…
-Who is hanging around here so early in the morning?
With a creak, the door to the theater opened, and the theater owner, who'd coldly driven Ssonia away the day before, appeared in the doorway. He had a sleepy look on his face as if he'd just woken up.
-Ugo? Why is it you again?
When our eyes met, the theater owner made a tired expression.
-The screening process has already ended. The roles for the next Fire Play have already been decided. I have no roles to give you, so please stop messing around. Since you're an elf, you will live and eat well even if you're not allowed to act.
"Theater owner, sir."
I politely fell to my knees.
"I… ran away from home."
-What?
"Look at the cart here. This is the debt that my family has charged for feeding and clothing me. I said that I wanted to be an actor even if I died. So they gave me all my debt documents and kicked me out. They even added interest for me to pay them back."
-…….
"I really have nowhere to go back to!"
I shouted emphatically.
"I'm even willing to play the role of a henchman. It doesn't matter if it's a minor role. Please just allow me to go on stage! Please look at my acting instead of my muscles! In the name of Kekerkker, Gorke, and Uburka, I will definitely repay the trust you put in me!"
-Ugo, where did this strange elf come from…….
The hobgoblin theater owner put his head in his hands.
-……Fine. I'll give you one last chance. However, I can't give you a role just because you ask for it. Prove that you can captivate an audience even with your poor muscles.
"How can I prove it?"
-Try acting on the spot.
The theater owner sat on the ground and folded his arms.
-This is not an opportunity you would usually be given. So consider it a privilege.
Okay.
"What kind of acting should I do?"
-There is a role that every actor considers to be the gateway to their career. How well they can act this role usually determines how far the actor can go. Although it is an old role, it is very difficult, so it's good at screening the actor's qualities.
"A very difficult role…"
The theater owner continued in a solemn tone.
-I want you to break down the scene in [Raviel and Kekerkker] where Kekerkker reveals his heart as he confesses his love to Raviel.
Huh.
-Don't blame me for giving you something too hard. As I said before, you are receiving a great privilege. There are some theater owners that would only allow qualified goblin actors to attempt this role
I tilted my head to the side.
"Uh…. Why would that be?"
-You really are nothing but a rookie.
The theater owner snorted.
-The scene where Kekerkker confesses to Raviel is difficult even for mature actors to digest. For Kekerkker, Raviel is a Goddess, and he used every word he could think of to praise her beauty. -And it was done sincerely. As if he would die if he didn't love her. With the sorrow that he truly might die without her love! It's not something easy to act!
"Umm…."
-Incompetent actors try to fill this scene with tears and crying. Gah! It's not like that! Kekerkker was neither pleading for love nor clinging to love. He just wanted to add to the glory of Raviel by purely expressing his love for the Goddess. To completely surrender one's existence to the other. This is not something that can be done by those without experience.
Okay…?
I was confident that I could praise my lover without pause for 360 hours.
For me, it was the easiest thing in the world.
"So you want me to act out the scene where I confess to Raviel?"
-That's right. Of course, I don't expect a stingy elf like you to understand love.
"Understood."
I took a deep breath.
Then I imagined Raviel sitting right in front of me.
Hair that resembled a silver fox that was about to hibernate, thin, red eyes that seemed to need a bit more sleep. 'I'm sleepy', she whispers softly, 'Help me wake up, Gong-ja.'
Because of you, I can love the world a little more
"Raviel. My soul. My eternal red. I didn't know the color red until I met you. I thought that I knew, but I was wrong. Your eyes, those eyes. When I look into your eyes—."
I opened my mouth.
Exactly 2 minutes later, the expression of the theater owner changed.
-Impossible!
He jumped up in shock.
-Th-, this wordplay… This ridiculous confession of love… It's… like a centipede desperately trying to act cute… I-, it's perfect! Doesn't this feel like Kekerkker himself!?
That's right. Baby.
Daddy's here.
(TL: Although it's a bit cold hearted, I kind of like the idea of kids repaying the debt to their parents. Kind of like motivation to do their very best.)
Chapter 183. Rookie Actor (1)
Translator: Seven PR: LightBrin
[Mud and Dust] was a theater company with many years of history.
But now, that was all it had left. They used to be quite popular, but that was a thing of the past. After the previous owner disappeared after leaving a suicide note due to financial difficulties, the term 'historic theater company' became an insult instead of a compliment.
-Come in.
"I, did I pass?"
-Of course you passed. Ugor. Even if you are just an elf rookie, I wouldn't deserve to be a theater owner if I didn't accept you after witnessing such a passionate performance.
Still overflowing with praise, the hobgoblin theater owner led me into the theater. When the door opened, the 130 year old theater entered my sight. The wear on the building showed that it had truly been around for 130 years.
"Wow."
It was dark inside. There was some light from torches that had been hung on the walls, but it was almost as bad as not having any. Soot covered the walls and ceiling. Goblins liked damp places, so there was liquid accumulated on the floor, but I wasn't sure if it was stagnant water or something else.
In other words, it was visual and olfactory terrorism.
"This is a bit……"
That wasn't all.
Spiders, centipedes, and various other insects crawled all over the place.
All the bugs gathered to show their love for dark, wet places. Thanks to this, this small theater overflowed with love, overflowed with life, and above all, overflowed with spider webs.
"Why on earth…."
-You must be moved. I understand. I had a similar reaction when I first saw the theater when I was young.
The hobgoblin looked proud.
It seems he misunderstood my reaction.
-My heart pounded in my chest. It felt like I was falling in love for the first time. Looking back now, that heart pounding feeling that I had at that time is probably what led my life to this point.
My heart was pounding too. The left atrium and right ventricle were pulsating as I witnessed the majesty of the spider webs that seemed to spread out like the Great Wall of China.
"Owner. How long has it been since you cleaned this place?"
-Cleaned?
"……"
I gave up all hope when I saw the hobgoblin make an expression that said 'what's that?'.
Right. In the first place, these kids were fond of muddy water from birth. Even if I nagged at them till my throat was sore, they would probably never clean up.
-I, I can't believe you managed to pass the screening without muscles! It's unbelievable! As expected of Kekerkker!
The original owner of this body, the aspiring actor Ssonia, had become a mental body that hovered around me. Like Bae Hu-ryeong, he floated in the air like a ghost.
However, it was impossible for him to communicate with Bae Hu-ryeong. I was the only person that could hear their voices. Suddenly, I'd become someone who was followed by two ghosts.
'It's like two mosquitoes buzzing in my ear during summer time…'
-Huh?
'No. It's nothing. More than that, Ssonia. Why did you risk your life for such a backwater theater company? Since you decided to be an actor, you should've picked a good place.'
-I also wanted to join a famous company like the [Flames] or [Blazes]…
Ssonia muttered bitterly.
-But those large theater companies don't even have interviews. It doesn't matter if I'm from a rich elf family… This is the only place I had a chance in.
'Huh.'
Ssonia could be considered a victim of ethnic discrimination, or at the very least, muscle discrimination. How on earth did my kids become a group that only cared about muscles…
-Follow me. I'll introduce you to our family here at the theater company.
I followed the theater owner deeper into the building until we arrived at a dressing room. There, we found a pile of worn props, in the center of which were two sleeping hobgoblins.
-Wake up! You good for nothings!
The theater owner hit the hobgoblins in the head with his hand that was as large as a pot lid.
-Look at what time it is already!
-Ugo… Ugoo…
The hobgoblins struggled to open their eyes. One of them had one arm while the other only had one eye. The hobgoblins rubbed their green faces with their hands before they finally spotted me.
-Woah. Why is an elf here, boss?
-Did you hire a new ticket clerk?
-You good for nothings. This isn't a ticket clerk, he is our new rookie actor! I told you about him before. The elf that keeps following me around and asking me to accept him as an actor.
-Ah, so it was that annoying elf…?
Only then did the hobgoblin actors come to their senses.
-Wait, did you really take him on as a rookie actor?
-Why not? He passed the final test.
-Are you crazy? Boss. How can he go on stage with such a trashy body?
He didn't have to say it like that.
-Don't worry. I know why I chose him. Even though his body is lacking, this guy's acting skills…
"My name is Ssonia. Theater Owner."
-Right, Ssonia. Ssonia's acting is more sincere than any other actor that I've ever seen. These days, the audience only cares about muscles, but they might change their mind when they see Ssonia's acting.
The theater owner affirmed.
The hobgoblin actors started to get interested.
-Hoh.
-For the boss to say so much…
-In any case, a junior has arrived after a long time. So the seniors should set an example. How long are you going to stay in the dressing room? Hurry up and wash up, then gather on the stage.
-Understood, understood.
The actors got up.
Urrr!
The props collapsed like a tower of legos. Surprisingly, there weren't just two hobgoblins sleeping in the dressing room, there were three. The last one had been buried in the pile of props. This hobgoblin, who had only one ear, had been sleeping comfortably while hugging a prop lion.
-I said wake up!
-Ack? Aack!
The theater owner grabbed the hobgoblin by his remaining ear and pulled him up. Despite being dragged around, the actor did not let go of the lion till the end. It was cute.
-As you know, the Fire Play we will be performing next week is [The Rampant Fire Sword].
After a while the actors were all gathered.
The theater owner paced back and forth in front of the stage.
-One day, Kekerkker, who was living his life normally, met the Flame Emperor, who he always remembered. The two people met and one person's life ended while the other began to live an entirely new life. Recently, there have been many cases of it being reinterpreted as 'Actually, the Flame Emperor wasn't a bad person.', but… we will go with the classic interpretation.
-Boss.
The one armed actor raised his hand.
-No matter how you look at it, that is old fashioned. Shouldn't we keep up with the latest trends?
-Right.The audience wants something new.
The one eyed actor added.
-Even if it's a bit childish, sometimes it's necessary to pretend that you agree with something even if you don't. Sometimes it's necessary to pander to the audience.
-Ha, that's ridiculous! True fire doesn't have to choose firewood!
The theater owner's eyes went wide.
-If you start following something simply because it's the trend, then it will never end. The foundations would disappear. The theme for [The Rampant Fire Sword] where a person can look up to another person and how being disappointed by that person can affect their entire life. Other than that, everything else is blasphemy and heresy!
Mm.
The actors grumbled.
-That old fashioned personality of yours won't change no matter what.
-Won't we just fail at this rate…
-So noisy! Didn't I add a few extra lines because you guys were complaining so much? I won't make any more concessions. Warm up your bodies and throats for 20 minutes. Then we'll start practicing!
-That's not good enough… In any case, we'll do as you say, boss…
As the junior, I sat calmly in the audience and observed the practice of the seniors.
30 minutes passed.
'Wow.'
I came to a conclusion.
'Isn't this total mess?'
In a word, it was terrible.
Fire plays were [plays that used aura]. When acting out a scene, the actor not only had to recite the lines, but also had to create a flame-like aura with their body. To express passion.
If one was proficient at using aura, then they would naturally be good at acting, and if they were good at acting, they would naturally become proficient at using aura. For this reason, the actors of the fire plays became great warriors and excellent aura users.
Or that should be the case…
"Why are they so stiff?"
I muttered subconsciously. They were words that came out unintentionally. Maybe my words reached the ears of the theater owner, because he turned to look at me while instructing the actors.
-What are you talking about?
"Uh. No. I just feel like they're using their aura in a specific way…"
The scene where Kekerkker recognised the Flame Emperor's true personality.
The actors in front of me were too focused on [anger]. No, it wasn't focused at all. If they were really expressing [anger] with their aura, it would be like a forest fire. And if they expressed [sadness, it would dim and droop.
Instead, it was as if they were following a guide for using their aura.
'But it's flashy.'
The aura of the people in front of me went on and off repeatedly. It was incredibly flashy.
But that was all.
'There's no point to it. Really.'
I opened my mouth.
"Fire Painting is an aura art. And the pattern and power of the aura depends on a specific emotion, will, or image. Emotion comes first. If you focus more on arm movements and lines then your aura will lose its vitality. How should I say this? It, it's not pulsating. Ah, that's right. It has no energy. It's limp."
The theater owner frowned slightly. From his expression he looked like he used to be a gangster.
-What in the Kekerkker are you barking about?
"Is that some kind of goblin saying?… No. Anyways."
I went up to a corner of the stage.
The actors had stopped practicing and were looking at me.
"Now then. You have a set motion for anger, and a set motion for sadness. But you can't do that. Do people always cry when they're sad? They don't. It depends on the situation. Being able to react immediately even in completely different situations is one of the advantages of aura."
The seniors smirked as if they found it interesting.
-The boss said that he brought in a junior, but it's more like he brought in a teacher.
-Teacher! Show us an example!
"Umm."
I wondered what I could do to make the actors understand.
I looked around.
"First of all, having all of these torches is not good. Let's put them out first."
I bent over and grabbed a handful of dirt from the stage floor. Then, I poured my aura into the dirt before throwing it out. The torches on the walls went out one after the other as small arrows of dirt hit them.
The hobgoblins were surprised.
-What?
-What in the……
The surroundings suddenly became dark.
"Okay."
All the Fire Painting theaters resembled snail cities. The great caverns. A cave surrounded by walls on all sides, but with a hole in the ceiling. The goblins had long since forgotten their days of slavery, but the traces of it could still be seen in their architecture.
"Please be quiet for a moment, everyone."
With the torches snuffed, the only source of light was the hole in the ceiling. The light of dawn. The stage was shrouded in bluish shadows.
"You don't need to do unique actions."
The quiet carpet of dawn.
"You don't even need lines. Aura isn't magic, but… I'll just show you. Let's say, for example, you want to express anger."
I started doing pushups on the stage.
"The more familiar an action, the better the effect. This is an action that anyone could recognize. You don't even need facial expressions. Hup!"
I slowly lowered my chest and waist. Then raised them. Before lowering them again. Like this, I went up and down in a specific rhythm.
"Now, normally, this is the speed when you do pushups. This is normal, but this.…"
I raised my aura.
It was almost as though red flames had engulfed my body. In the middle of those flames, I began to do pushups faster than before, to the point where it seemed strange.
Quickly.
Mechanically.
Expressionlessly.
"……"
It became extremely quiet.
I continued to look straight ahead. Without the sound of heavy breathing, I continued to do pushups at a high speed. My entire body moved. And around me, blood red aura burned fiercely.
"…Huu."
30 seconds later, I stood up and brushed the dirt off my hands.
"See? Those were just pushups. It's a familiar movement. However, how did it feel? It's the same movement, but if you change the speed, the feeling changes completely."
-……
"What if I was doing pushups at an unstable speed while sweating profusely? The feeling would change again. If the first was refined anger, then the second is furious rage. That's what I meant. You don't need unique movements or special lines in order to express emotion."
The hobgoblins seemed to have an idea about what I was talking about, but they couldn't completely understand. It was only then that I realized that I was talking to [kids who might not be very talented at aura] for the first time.
"There, senior."
I pointed to the one eyed actor.
He was the one who played the role of Flame Emperor in the play.
-A-, are you talking to me?
"Yes. The Flame Emperor was an incredibly narcissistic man. If it were senior, how would you express the Flame Emperor's narcissism?"
-Uh…
"What kind of aura would you use to express narcissism?"
The one eyed actor seemed to be confused, but he thought about what I said. Then he took out a mirror from the nearby pile of props.
-Probably something like this…
The one eyed actor looked at himself in the mirror. A faint aura slowly rose up from the actor's body, wriggling like a snake.
Indeed.
"It's not bad. But it's weird. It's not right."
-It's weird…?
"Look. The Flame Emperor called himself a real man. Would such a person stare at himself in the mirror? Do you think the Flame Emperor carried around a small mirror? Why would he do that?"
-Uh…
"Senior is too focused on the thought that [narcissistic people often look into mirrors]. On top of that, your idea of narcissism is too shallow, that's why your aura was so faint and weak. Don't do that. You're just copying something. Can't you have an example from your own feelings, senior?"
-Th-, then how would you do it?
"The same way."
I took a deep breath and controlled my aura.
I controlled my aura like Uburka had in the past. Virtual muscles. My entire body was covered by my aura, as if my body was filled with bulging muscles.
"Hup…… huu, hup……"
Then I started doing pushups again. Only this time, I was doing them very slowly, as if to appreciate my muscles. I also intentionally added the sound of my breathing.
This wasn't [an act to make my body better, but [an act to show off how good my body was].
"Get it? It's simple, right?"
-……no… I wanted to point it out early, but the way you're using aura…….
"What if I wanted to use this to emphasize the narcissism? It would be good to add small props here. For example if we spread several chairs around. But the Flame Emperor, that crazy bastard would never sit even if there were chairs. Instead, he would keep doing pushups. Without rest."
-……
"Then, people would recognize you even if you didn't say any lines. Ah, that bastard is crazy. He's a crazy bastard who's only obsessed with himself and doesn't care about anything around him. Can you feel it a bit better now? I suppose I should show you since I mentioned it."
I easily picked up a few log chairs and brought them to the stage before placing them randomly.
Then, in the middle of all the chairs, I once again started doing pushups slowly while also breathing as heavily as before. Huff, huff, huff. Of course, I used my aura to give the illusion of burning muscles.
"How is it? Isn't this easy?"
-……
After a moment of silence, the one eyed hobgoblin opened his mouth.
-Who are you?
"Aren't I a rookie actor?"
The hobgoblins all looked at me as if I was crazy.
No. Why?
Chapter 184. Rookie Actor (2)
Translator: Seven ED: Sasha
2.
The goblin race had a very good culture.
The strongest were on top.
If you had any complaints, then you spoke with your fists, not your tongue.
"Let's clean up first. Seniors."
And here, I was the strongest.
"Look at the theater. What is this? Are you using spider webs as interior decor? Are you using mold as wallpaper? Aigo. Look at how bad it smells in here. It's like a trash can. If a customer came in here, they would probably think it was a food disposal."
-No… But….
"Are you stronger than me? Can you act better than me? Can you use aura better than I can?"
-No….
"Then move that rag, senior. We are not amateurs. A Fire Play is not just about the acting, but also the environment. A person's surroundings are like a window to their heart. If they think that seniors' hearts are garbage, then won't they think the theater is garbage? No, I told you to move the rag. Are you not listening to me? Do you want to get hit?"
I wasn't the type of person to just use empty words.
A gentleman does not threaten. They just hit directly.
I picked a particularly lazy hobgoblin and provided him with a nice fist massage.
"Do you want to get hit again?"
The actors held their rags while making sad expressions.
Their faces seemed to be saying 'I thought this elf came to be a junior, but he turned out to be a tiger'.
"It's fine if it's wet. That's a trait of the goblin race. But who would like rotten water and a rotten smell? You're just lazy. If you try to cover it up by saying [goblins like humid and damp places] and [real actors don't need to care about the surroundings] then the environment will become a mess. Are you dogs, seniors?"
-J-, junior. I think you're being too harsh….
"Huh. I'm asking if you're dogs because it seems that you still haven't reflected on yourselves. Now I can only think of seniors as sons of dogs. From now on, if I say something, you answer with 'bark'. Got it?"
-B-, bark….
"Sounds like a weak son of a dog."
-Bark!
"Good. Now hold those rags in your hand. While cleaning, think of it as cleaning the theater and your minds at the same time. Wipe it hard until you stop being sons of dogs. Got it?"
-Bark!
They cleaned that day, the day after, the next day, and two more days after that.
"Senior. When you draw the bucket from the well, don't do it without thinking. Instead, raise it while imagining yourself as the servant of a noble. Immerse yourself in the acting. Think of how valuable an opportunity it is. Even as you clean and get rid of the son of a dog in your heart, imagine that you're playing the role of a servant. Then you can hit three birds with one stone."
-B-, bark….
The one armed actor removed the rotten water on the floor of the theater, and also dug up the rotten mud.
"Shoveling is not just shoveling. It's the height of absurdity. Congratulations. You are experiencing the three thousand absurdities for free."(1)
"Imagine. You are now a warrior on the battlefield. You lost your arm in the war. Okay? The war was so fierce that you lost an arm, but the commander still won't let you rest. Instead, he told you to dig a moat and build a wooden barrier. One after the other. It's a warrior's duty to not retreat from the battlefield, but is it still a warrior's duty for a one armed warrior to shovel dirt? No. It's just dirty."
-Bark… It's dirty….
"Duty is a beautiful thing. But when you are forced into certain extreme situations, it doesn't look beautiful anymore. There are times when duty becomes dirty and your virtues become dirty too. In those cases, the more faithful you are to your duties, the stranger it becomes. It's dirty. It's strange. It's weird. Dig the ground, Senior. Scoop the water. Do it while doubting if you're really a warrior or not. Dig hard."
-Ahhh… Dig….
The one armed actor followed my instructions perfectly.
"Did you take out the trash?"
-Bark. Senior.
"From now on, you'll cut down trees to make new chairs. Is that fine?"
-Bark
"They are the chairs that the customers will sit on. Let's say that the Fire Play will last an hour. The audience might not look at you for an hour, but their butts will be stuck to those chairs for an hour. The only thing in this theater that serves the audience from beginning to end are those chairs. If the chairs are uncomfortable, then the theater also becomes uncomfortable."
-Bark. I understand the importance of this mission, junior.
"Let's make new chairs together today. Since we're doing it, we should create special seats together with the normal seats.
-Bark bark. Loyalty(2).
And.
The theater owner was caught up in the web as well.
-No…. Ssonia, I've never seen a theater company do things like this….
His curses were very harsh.
-Now that I think about it, it's wrong for good-for-nothings to just roam around! Hurry up and clean!
[The members of the theater company, 'Mud and Dust', have submitted to your authority.]
[The 'Mud and Dust' theater company recognizes you as the shot caller!]
Even after the clean up, they didn't stop moving.
After hearing the Tower's voice, I recalled something else that needed to be fixed.
-Hey, Ssonia….
"Yeah?"
-Even if I ask what you're doing with that ladder… No, is it okay for me to ask?
I climbed up the ladder at the entrance of the theater. With aura exuding from both hands. In front of my face was a sign with the words [Mud and Dust] written on it.
"As you can see, I'm going to change the signboard."
The theater owner was flustered.
-Ch-, change the signboard?
"Yes. 130 years of tradition is good, but to be honest, our theater company has hit rock bottom. Rather than pretending to be cool with a name like [Mud and Dust, we need a name that appeals to the audience."
I turned the signboard over.
Luckily, the back didn't have anything on it.
Injecting aura into my fingernail, I carved letters into the wooden board.
"Okay. That's dope."
I was happy with the new signboard.
[Dog Sound Theater Company].
-…….
The hobgoblin looked back and forth between me and the signboard.
-I… Ssonia?
"Say it."
-We don't need to use dog sounds, do we? We still have 130 years of tradition….
"I heard from the seniors, theater owner. They said that you owe a lot of money to quite a few elves?"
The theater owner flinched.
"I heard that at least once every fortnight, a different elf comes to collect debts."
-Th-, those guys. Why would they tell something like that to the junior….
"Tradition isn't cool. You have to take responsibility for your people first. Attract customers and gain popularity. Actors shouldn't sleep like shrimp in a dressing room, but should instead have a proper dormitory. Don't you agree?"
-…….
"I'm still an elf. So I know how to do business better than goblins. Now is the time to have more than just one occasional customer. If you keep going like this, the theater company will not last much longer."
I took the flyers that were made for the play and headed out to the street.
"[Dog Sound Theater Company]! The [Dog Sound Theater Company] will be performing next saturday evening!"
-Ugor.
The hobgoblins passing on the street snickered as they walked past.
The elf ticket clerks that came out to promote their own theaters also laughed.
-What was that? Dog Sound?
-Where is that?
Good. There was a reaction. At least it was better than complete indifference.
Now that their attention had been obtained, it was up to the ticket clerk to keep it and guide it in the right direction.
"Bark! Bark! There will be a feast of dog sounds that you can't hear or experience anywhere else in the city! For those who are tired of hearing that Flame! For those who think bad guys should stay bad! You are welcome! There is no other place in the world to find sons of dogs like this! We are the true sons of dogs."
-Ugor.
-This fairy is really interesting.
-He's quite cute.
The hobgoblins on the street giggled.
-…….
The theater owner was staring at me blankly.
When I thought that I'd gathered enough passersby, I revealed my trump card.
"Now then! Brave Warriors! This isn't a normal Fire Play that you could see every day!"
I snapped my fingers.
Ding-!
A cheerful note sounded in the air.
The passersby were stunned by the sound that was similar to a piano key being played.
-Ugo?
-What was that?
The source of the sound was simple. I sent out two threads of aura at the same time and made them collide with each other.
As the aura trembled and the air vibrated, it created a sound similar to that of a piano key.
It was a fairly difficult thing to do with aura, but it was easy for me.
"Behold!"
I made threads of aura strike each other one after the other.
It was a song that even I, who was not familiar with music, could replicate. The Chopstick March.
"Look closely! Even a ticket clerk like me can use aura so superbly! The Dog Sound Theater Company! You can imagine just how amazing our Fire Play will be!"
On a sunlit street beneath the bright sky.
I played music by moving nothing but my fingers.
And it worked.
-Music from striking the air?
-How strange. My goodness.
-Is it really possible to make those sounds with aura…?
The passersby were finally beginning to stop and focus their attention on me. It wasn't just the passersby, even the ticket clerks of the large theater companies stared at me with wide eyes.
"The Fire Play of the Dog Sound Theater Company will not have a single line! Flame Emperor! Kekerkker! No one will say any lines! Fire Painting doesn't need words. It's just flames! Witness the first Fire Play without lines in history!"
-It's like a stage performance….
The hobgoblins watched my hands move in a flashy manner with wide eyes.
-Could there really be a Fire Play with no lines?
-Well, I don't think it's possible to say no words….
Those who were shocked by my aura performance. And those who were suspicious of my advertisement for the Fire Play.
The words [how is that possible?] and [that's impossible] floated back and forth as their surprise and suspicion increased. The two best emotions for promotion were mixed in the atmosphere at the three way intersection.
"If the actors say even a single line, we will give you a full refund! A full refund for one line! We'll repay double your entry fee for two lines! We'll give you our entire fortune for three!"
I smiled as I handed out flyers to the crowd.
"It's not a Fire Play that you could see every day! If you walk with a flyer, you will be able to bring one guest free of charge! One companion per person for free! It's not a performance intended to make money, but a performance to give you money! Thank you! Yes, yes, thank you!"
The passersby already couldn't help but accept the flyers I gave to them.
They were slightly captivated, and they accepted the flyers without fully understanding what was happening.
Before long, I ran out of flyers.
"Thank you! Until the day of the Fire Play, I will be performing here everyday! Of course, these performances are free! Ah, this is a very big deal. Our boss owes a lot of people money, and we're going bankrupt! We're desperate!"
I grabbed the theater owner's hand.
The theater owner was surprised, but still accepted my hand. When the passersby turned to look at them, he even smiled awkwardly.
Good.
"There is no one who can act better than actors who are about to go bankrupt! No one has a home! All we have is the stage! It's widely believed by the academia that acting skills and wallet situations are inversely proportional. The Dog Sound Theater Company. I will also make an appearance. Next saturday evening! The show is next saturday evening! Thank you! Dog Sound! Next saturday evening!"
I bowed to the crowd.
The theater owner, whose hand was still in my grasp, naturally followed me.
No one clapped or cheered, but the atmosphere wasn't bad. It was very nice. I quickly left the street, giving a professional smile that I learned from the Black Dragon Master to everyone that looked at me.
-Wow.
Bae Hu-ryeong muttered.
-Aren't you ashamed?
'I'm doing what I have to do. Why should I be ashamed?'
-You really are the Young Master of the Demonic Cult.
'Compared to the things I did in the Demonic Cult, what's so bad about handing out flyers in the street? This is also work.'
-Seriously… even if you were dropped in the middle of a jungle or desert, you would still manage to somehow survive on your own. That Flame Emperor guy is really amazing. He managed to send someone like you into the world.
-Lord Kekerkker….
Ssonia, who had become a mental body, had a strange expression on his face, as if he couldn't come to terms with what he'd just seen.
His expression was a mixture of respect and doubt.
–It's amazing, but somehow, it feels different from the way Kekerkker normally is… No… Is this what Kekerkker is really like?
Right.
This was me.
Meanwhile, after we finally left the street completely, the theater owner opened his mouth.
-Did you mean that?
"Huh? What do you mean?"
-About the first silent Fire Play in history. How can you do a Fire Play without lines?
"Of course I meant it. I can't lie to prospective customers, can I?"
-But…….
"Don't worry. I will do my best to help the others put on a performance worth paying for. If it doesn't work out, I'll go on stage by myself. You don't have to worry about lying to the customers."
-…….
"But we have more work to do. By now, the new chairs must have been completed. The VIP seats as well… Please make new tickets for the 12 seats separately. The price should be twelve times more than the normal seats."
-T-, twelve times?
The theater owner was shocked.
-If that's the case….
"Our flyers have already been shared out. And 9 out of 10 of the customers will definitely bring their flyers. This means that there will be a lot of free customers. That's why we need to special seats to ensure that we make a profit."
-B-, but isn't that too expensive?
"It is expensive. Only the customers who don't think it's expensive will buy it."
Ding.
I lightly tapped my aura, causing it to ring out.
"You saw the way I used my aura earlier. If there were any warriors with a sense of victory, they would want to watch my performance as closely as possible. They would want to watch and learn."
-…….
"It might be too expensive for a [guest who just came to watch the show] but it's cheap for [a warrior who came to learn aura]. We'll attract the former with giveaways and charge the latter. Theater owner. Trust me, this price is a steal."
The next day.
Around noon, three or four hobgoblins wandered around the entrance to the theater.
-Is this the Dog Sound Theater?
-I heard that there is a performance next saturday. I want to reserve a front row seat in advance.
-I heard that an elf will also be performing on stage… Is that true? I'm only looking for a ticket because of that elf.
Even after hearing the price, the hobgoblin warriors simply bought the tickets without hesitation.
After selling four VIP seats in quick succession, the theater owner turned to look at me with an expression of disbelief.
"How is it?"
I smiled softly.
"Wasn't I right?"
Two days later.
The VIP tickets sold out.
(Note:
1.For those curious, like me, you can google Albert Camus, he was a French Absurdist Philosopher.
2.This is something that Korean soldiers say to higher ranked personnel, usually while saluting.
3.This could be taken as barking or dog sounds. Which do you guys prefer? It should also be noted that 'dog sound'(개소리) is a way to say 'bullshit' in korean, so I suppose that is also an option.)
Chapter 185. Rookie Actor (3)
Translator: Seven
3.
-All of the special seats have already been sold out!
-That… Has that ever happened since we joined this theater company?
The actors were excited.
-It hasn't. We were lucky if even half of the seats were filled….
-If this continues, won't we be able to experience the same things great actors do?
-Our junior is a gem! Ugor!
Even if they were just a third class theater in an alley, no, especially because that was the case, they couldn't help but rejoice at the fact that the VIP tickets had been sold out.
However, as soon as they heard the plans for their next performance, their expressions changed.
-A performance without a single line of dialogue?
The seniors were shocked.
They couldn't even imagine such a thing.
-How the hell….
"Think of it in the opposite way."
I slowly explained.
"I don't know if you know this, but the original Fire Paintings didn't have any lines. There was no script. Only controlling your aura to move fire, that is the origin of Fire Plays."
-I-, Is that so?
-Umm.
The seniors tilted their heads slightly.
'Well, I suppose…'
Their reaction was natural.
I knew it because I'd seen it, but these children had not.
'I'm talking about 900 years ago.'
It was a tale that was around 900 years, but it could be rounded up to 1000. It was impossible for the current goblins to know what the original appearance of Fire Painting was.0
In this era, I was the only one who could speak with certainty.
"Seniors. Did you know that the goblin race has the ability to feel emotions just by looking at flames? You have extremely amazing sensitivity. I believe you can reawaken that sensitivity."
-…….
"Instead, lines are a hindrance. The reason why seniors' acting is so bad isn't because seniors are bad. It's because you think of the Fire Play as [someone else's story]!"
I looked at each hobgoblin.
One eye.
One arm.
One ear.
There were all actors who had lost something important.
"You all have shining gems in your hearts. But they are buried. And as long as they remain buried in sand, then it doesn't matter if they are gems or ordinary stones. I will help seniors dig up the sand. And I will help you truly love acting."
-Y-, you always say such embarrassing things.
I nodded.
"I mean it."
-…….
"For seven days."
I covered my hand with aura.
And engraved [7] on the wall of the theater.
"Instead of sleeping, I will teach you how to do it."
That night, the tutoring class began.
4.
"Sit in a comfortable position. As comfortable as possible. It's fine if you stretch your feet out."
The actors sat comfortably on the stage.
"Good. Does anyone have sore shoulders? Tell me if you're uncomfortable. I'll give you a massage to help you relax. No one? Okay. Let's get started."
I stood in front of the seniors and opened my mouth.
"Now then. Usually, aura is determined by more than just your thoughts. It is an [expression of your will] rather than the [awareness of your thoughts]. There might be some words you don't understand. Seniors. Raise your auras and show me the expression of your will."
-Uh….
Caught off guard, the actors raised their auras.
They fluttered slightly like mirages.
I could not see the shape nor catch the scent.
Compared to Uburka, who was the strongest goblin to ever exist, it could even be said that they [had no talent].
"That isn't your best, is it?"
The actors were embarrassed.
-U-, um. There are times when it is better …
"Right. There are days when it [comes easily]. When you're in a good condition, and your emotions are moving vigorously, your aura seems to come out easily. However, that is not enough."
-Not enough…?
"From now on, you will need to be able to call upon your aura whenever you want."
-Ugor.
The seniors smiled nervously.
They probably didn't think they would be able to summon it at will.
Their smiles were those that could only be seen on people who had already given up.
I smiled too.
"I have a suggestion. Let's not use the word [will] anymore. It's true that [aura] moves according to your will. However, [triggering aura] is not caused by your will."
-Huh?
"Aura is triggered by [memories] not [will]."
That was the conclusion I'd made.
This was something I came to realise in the Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon, master's world.
"Seniors need to learn how to [recall memories well]. [Developing strong will] is not a story about catching clouds."
-Recalling memories well….
"Yes. As clearly as possible."
I looked the goblins in the eyes as I spoke in a serious tone.
"Seniors. Think about the [sea]."
The actors closed their eyes.
-Mm.
"Are you thinking about it?"
-We're thinking.
"Okay. I'll try to guess. You're thinking about a horizon that stretches out on both sides, right? It's just like a picture drawn on paper? A pretty shade of blue. Right?"
The seniors nodded.
I smiled.
"That is the lowest form of memory. It's also the memory association you should avoid the most when using aura."
-Ugo?
"Seniors didn't think about the sea just now. Instead, you just thought about the word [sea]. With such a low level memory, your aura would never bloom fully. Now then!!"
I clapped my hands.
"Stand up!"
The actors hurriedly got to their feet.
"This time. I want you to imagine walking on a sandy beach. Imagine the water covering your ankles, your toes sinking into the wet sand. Whoosh. The seawater flows between your toes. It swirls around your ankles for a moment before receding."
-…….
"What color is the water? Is it blue?"
-No. It's clear.
"What about the seawater flowing through your toes? Is it warm?"
-It's cool.
"So it's cool. Is the seawater clean?"
-No… the grains of sand make it murky.
"As the waves hit, the soil is swept away. Good. Now imagine the sand getting stuck between your toes. Small grains stick to your ankles as well."
-Mm.
"I hate the feeling. The grains are rough, aren't they? And they became sticky because of the water."
-That's right.
"You went into the seawater and even your calves got soaked. But the salt doesn't feel good on your skin. What should you do then? What will you do?"
Each actor responded differently.
-I'll go to the well and wash my feet first.
-SInce I came all the way to the beach and even got wet, I'll swim as well….
-Are there no clams?
Okay.
"This is what you call a [strong memory]."
I spoke.
"Seniors. When you think of something in the future, never start with the word, like [sea]. Instead, try to remember specific sensations, like [the feeling of the soles of your feet moving in the wet sand]. Then you will be be able to use the memory."
I looked at the one eyed hobgoblin.
"How did it feel when you first thought about the sea? It was just blue, right? Like a simple drawing on paper."
-Ugor.
"But how would it feel to dip your feet in it? It's not clear."
-Right.
"Not only is it not clear, it also reminds you of an unpleasant feeling. Seniors were even able to think about what you were doing and what you would do after. That's it"
Properly recalling memories.
Recalling specific sensations, like the feeling of sand stuck to their toes.
If they could do that easily then their skill in using aura would naturally increase.
"—If seniors had a memory of [being burned to death]."
Fwoosh.
Flames came to life on my hand.
"It would be possible for seniors to express that hell with aura. A death crisis is usually the most effective at forcefully imprinting a memory into a person."
-…….
"Perhaps you see me as someone who was born with the talent to be an actor. As someone who could express vivid emotions and actions as if I was truly in the scene. I'm sure seniors are jealous of this. I would be jealous too. Seniors. Do you want to know how I got my talent? Do you want me to tell you the secret?"
As I spoke, the flame on my hand burned brighter.
"Because I have the memories."
Trauma.
"How would someone act if they fell in the middle of such a hell? For me, it's simple. This is because I experienced that hell already. And that will always stay with me. No matter what you do, it is impossible to escape the shadow of your memories ."
-…….
Uburka was another example.
It was the same for that child, who later became the strongest in the history of the goblin race.
That child suffered from extreme albinism.
For others, sunlight was a blessing, but for Uburka, it was like the blade of an enemy. Just walking around outside during the day was like a battle that he had to overcome. That child, who had the sun as his enemy, naturally decided to cover his entire body in aura.
"The [Rampant Fire Sword] that we will perform next week is about Kekerkker being disappointed and angry at the Flame Emperor. You're not Kekerkker. Nor are you the Flame Emperor. But does that matter? Have you never been disappointed in someone?"
I looked at the actors one after the other.
One eye, one arm, one ear.
I looked at these broken kids one by one.
"Have you never let someone down?"
-…….
"There is no way you haven't."
I let the fire fade.
"We have all experienced bastards, and we have all been bastards to someone. Any of you seniors can be Kekerkker. The Flame Emperor… ah… that guy is a bit more difficult. His bastard-like existence is hard to replicate. I'll play the role of the Flame Emperor in the next performance."
No matter how amazing my tutoring was, time was still limited.
In this group, I was the only one who could properly play Yoo Soo-ha.
The three actors all looked at me with complex gazes.
-Then…
-Kekerkker's role.
-Who will be the one to take it?
"One of you will."
I answered.
"I will give the leading role to the person that has achieved the most in this week."
I said it in a different way.
"The person who can show the most disappointment will have the leading role."
The seniors went silent
5.
-My father is a gambler.
The one eyed actor's name was 'Arika'.
-It had been like that since I was little. When he was young, he went to the blacksmith to learn to do ironwork, but he got into gambling after being introduced by his colleagues. However, he was a little talented. Or at least that's how it seemed.
There were some instances where those who were talented led more miserable lives than those without talent.
Talented gamblers were one of them.
-Sometimes he'd obtain a mountain of gold coins in a day. In that case, he'd buy a villa for us to stay in. He'd also pay for expensive tutors and housekeepers. I could also eat whatever I wanted.
"How long did that last?"
-The longest was 2 years. The shortest was 3 days. Usually, it was around 2 months….
The one eyes Arika muttered.
-Whenever he won money from gambling, he would do business with it. He would start companies with other gamblers or loan money to them. There were times when things went well. However, if the business didn't go well….
Doing business always had ups and downs.
It was a skill to ride the flow when it was going well, but it was also a skill to endure when it wasn't.
-He always tried to make a fortune by gambling.
Unfortunately, Arika's father lacked the ability to endure.
-It was like this. He usually made about 3 gold coins a day. It was good if there was profit, but if there wasn't, he would gamble and try to win it. In my father's words, that was also a part of business, and it couldn't be helped.
The one eyes Arika sighed.
-I didn't have a home. It was either villas or inns. I never stayed in a place long enough to call it home. We lived in the biggest cities, but if his gamble failed, we would move to a worse one, and a worse one after that….
Arika covered his head.
-One day, a woman came to the inn we were staying at. My lifestyle was a mess and I had slept in the room until after noon. I wondered who was knocking on the door, so when I opened it, I was scowling.
「Are you Mr. Arika?」
-It looked like something was wrong. I thought my father had gotten in trouble again. Sometimes people who lent my father money came to him. Or maybe she was someone who worked at the inn.
「Is your father here?」
「No.」
-I had just woken up from my sleep so I wasn't thinking very clearly. And my expression was sour. So I held the knob of the door to show that I wanted to close it as quickly as possible.
「Who are you?」
「…….」
The woman didn't respond.
She just left after hesitating for a while.
Although he thought it was a bit strange, Arika simply closed the door without trying to stop her. When his father returned that evening, he told him about the woman.
-That woman was my mother.
"……."
-She'd left when I was only three years old. So I didn't recognize her
Arika's eyebrows were furrowed, his eyes dazed.
-Everything was fine. However, I kept thinking about my expression at that time. I was annoyed. I looked at her as if she was annoying me. I held the door knob the entire time. Like I disliked her presence. But I didn't know.
He looked down at the ground with his one eye.
-But why did my mother call me [Mr. Arika]? Why the [Mr]? I couldn't understand. I'd heard that my father and mother had decided on my name together. So why was it [Mr. Arika]? I don't know.
A soft murmur escaped his lips a moment after.
-Shibal.
Next.
The one eyed actor left and the one armed actor came in after him.
He had a white tattoo covering his entire body that ended at his right shoulder.
-I was a drug dealer.
The one armed actor's name was 'Yumar'.
:)
