Free Web Novel“Do you want to try writing this as a two-hour script?”
“What??”
“Let’s stage it for the Oedipus autumn performance under my direction. You can focus on the script, and if you want, I can also give you the assistant director role.”
Unable to contain his astonishment, Yoomyeong listened to Ryu Shin’s one-sided stream of words.
“Well, I’m not really aiming to write plays.”
“That’s impossible. This level of craftsmanship isn’t something you achieve after one or two attempts. Even if it’s your first time, it doesn’t matter—you’re a genuine genius. I guarantee scriptwriting is your talent.”
“You haven’t seen me act yet.”
Frustrated, Ryu Shin barely suppressed his anger and spoke through clenched teeth.
“I don’t need to see it. Even if you’re exceptionally good for a beginner or a student, it won’t compare to your talent for writing scripts.”
Yoomyeong was starting to get irritated.
“Let’s talk after the reading.”
“If my words are proven right during the reading, will you write the script?”
“I told you, I’m aiming to be an actor.”
“If you want to act that badly, then I’ll cast you if you write the script. There are a lot of talented people, so I can’t promise you a major role.”
“But that’s Oedipus. I’m not even in the Theater and Film Department.”
“There are cases where outside talent is recruited when their ability is certain. I’ll recommend you.”
Wow... what a tyrant...
They said Ryu Shin was a born competitor, but this was like a bulldog that wouldn’t release its prey.
“I’ll see you at the reading.” ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
In the end, Yoomyeong snapped his flip phone shut and shook his head in disbelief.
“What the hell. Did you guys just fight?”
“I can’t tell if I’m being recognized or dismissed.”
“If you look back on it in a hundred years and it still pisses you off, then you were dismissed.”
“In a hundred years, I’ll be dead.”
“Tsk, tsk. Such short-lived creatures.”
Miho clicked its tongue sarcastically.
Yoomyeong ruffled Miho’s fur and turned his attention back to the script.
[When I’m with you, I feel the same way as when I’m singing.]
[...you, you’re the love of my life...]
[I... I think I’m gay.]
[I love you, but...]
Yoomyeong let out a deep sigh.
It was difficult. No matter how hard he tried, everything felt like imitation.
As Professor Lee Jae Pil had said, it was not easy for a heterosexual to fully understand and portray a homosexual.
But when had a role ever been easy?
His only solution was repetition.
Yoomyeong played a documentary about homosexuality, which he had borrowed from the library, on his computer.
He tried to absorb the emotions of the people featured in it.
A light was on in one of the small practice rooms in a corner of the second floor.
Though it was still early spring and chilly after the rain, the inside of the rehearsal room was filled with almost suffocating heat.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Stay by my side forever.”
“By the side of a man I can’t even hold? Do you know how cruel that is?”
“I know it’s selfish. I know it’s forced and childish.”
“...What am I to you?”
“...You, you’re the love of my life.”
All six participants wanted to act, so they took turns reading the roles.
And all the Theater and Film Department members felt a genuine sense of crisis regarding Yoomyeong.
‘His pronunciation is clean.’
‘There’s no awkwardness no matter which role he takes.’
‘Is he really a beginner? Is he lying?’
Yoomyeong’s acting fit every role perfectly.
Moreover, he made none of the common beginner mistakes—overusing long pauses for emphasis or delivering lines in a flat tone.
It was enough to make them suspect that a graduate from Oedipus was playing a prank.
But at that moment, Yoomyeong was thinking something else.
‘Phew... This is driving me insane.’
He still couldn’t grasp Freddie’s emotions.
His one and only soulmate, the most precious person in his life.
And yet, the unbearable anxiety when his body betrayed him and desired men. The sense of self-betrayal.
He understood it intellectually. He understood—but...
‘It’s skillful acting, but not outstanding.’
After fifteen years of effort, Yoomyeong knew. When he was truly satisfied, it felt as if he had completely merged with the character.
Right now, his acting was still imitation.
The reading ended.
The others gave him a thumbs-up.
“Is our leader really a beginner?”
“Were you a child actor who had an accident and is hiding your identity?”
“He’s on par with Ryu Shin.”
‘On par’ meant he wasn’t better.
Yoomyeong bit his lip tightly when he heard a faint whisper.
{That one is interesting. His presence is unusual.}
He quickly hid his surprise. It seemed Miho had followed him.
Yoomyeong spoke inwardly.
‘What’s his score?’
{Around the mid-70s.}
‘What... That’s twenty points higher than me!’
{So while your technique is better, people perceive you as equal.}
As if on cue, such opinions emerged.
“If they’re equal, wouldn’t Ryu Shin be better? Beginners are unstable, so mistakes could happen during the performance. I vote for Ryu Shin for stability.”
“I agree. No need to take risks. How about Jim Hutton for the leader’s role? He did well there too.”
Meanwhile, Ryu Shin’s mind was in chaos.
‘What the hell. He’s not just a genius writer? How can he act like that on his first try? That’s like a seasoned professional...’
He swallowed hard.
‘If he’s truly a beginner and already this good, then I’ve lost. A fourth-year Oedipus member tying with a beginner? That’s ridiculous.’
He was ready to concede. He wanted to admit defeat.
And that person could improve even more with practice.
If so, he should play Freddie.
But—
Damn it. He felt greedy.
Craving such a role, even in a non-official performance, was unthinkable.
That desire repeatedly stopped him from speaking.
‘If I accept this, I’ll be an actor with no pride.’
Just as he was about to let go and admit defeat—
“Let’s read it one more time before casting. I think I understand it now.”
Yoomyeong made the first move.
{Do you... really want to play this role? Seriously?}
‘Of course. I want it badly, but I can’t grasp Freddie’s emotions. It doesn’t feel real.’
{Then... do you want to experience it?}
Before the second reading, Yoomyeong stepped into the hallway under the pretense of using the restroom. Inside a stall, Miho sat on his hand as they spoke.
Miho made a strange suggestion.
‘What are you saying? Are you going to let Freddie Mercury possess me?’
{Yes. More precisely, you will experience his emotions.}
“What? Is that even possible?!”
Startled, Yoomyeong spoke aloud.
Miho puffed up proudly.
{Of course. I am a remarkable entity.}
‘You already made me regress... Miho, please help me.’
{There is one condition.}
‘What?’
{When I ask, lend me your body once.}
A chill ran through him.
For a moment, Miho’s eyes seemed to gleam ominously.
‘It must be my imagination...’
Miho had sacrificed so much, even sleeping as a baby fox to give him another chance.
It was a kind being. Yoomyeong reassured himself.
‘I suppose there’s someone you want to meet. Fine. Once is acceptable.’
{Then we have a deal.}
[A contract with the spirit fox has been established.]
[According to the contract, ‘Freddie Mercury’s’ emotions are being invoked into ‘Shin Yoomyeong’s’ body.]
[Brain overload may occur due to excessive information. Only core emotions will be retained.]
After the familiar notification—
Keeeeeeing—
A torrent of emotions flooded into Yoomyeong’s mind.
It felt like violence.
The excitement of first meeting Mary.
The ecstasy of becoming one.
The love he felt—and the pain of his body no longer responding.
The attraction to men he couldn’t deny.
Pleasure and depravity. Despair and longing...
The sublime love for Mary, who saved him from despair.
The affection for Jim Hutton, whom he met after finding himself again.
All of it surged like a tidal wave and receded within a minute.
Unaware, Yoomyeong wept, clutching his chest.
Memory Playback (1/1) has been used.
In the future, you cannot refuse Possession (0/1) when the spirit fox demands it.
The ominous message appeared, but Yoomyeong couldn’t focus on it.
His tears didn’t stop. His body trembled.
— It feels like no one will recognize me. —
It was a familiar kind of fear.
“No. Let’s start.”
Yoomyeong’s face was pale. Ryu Shin found it strange.
‘It can’t be pressure...’
Still, he accepted the suggestion.
In fact, he welcomed it.
He had been refining his weak points nonstop. If the results were similar, he was ready to admit defeat.
‘Let’s do this.’
The reading resumed.
Ryu Shin poured out his emotions intensely.
Compared to before, the emotional range was clearer, more direct.
A living character.
‘As expected of Ryu Shin.’
The others silently agreed.
“I’ll begin.”
But—
When Yoomyeong started, no one spoke.
His acting was calm.
He gazed into empty space, holding his hand as if on a phone.
Everyone followed his gaze.
There was nothing there.
Yet he was clearly seeing someone.
“Go to the window and look outside.”
“Can you see me?”
A whisper.
Restrained—yet full of loneliness.
Emptiness.
In darkness, a man reaching for distant light came to life.
“I must have left my rest with you. I can’t sleep.”
He smiled.
No—he cried.
Tears streamed down his face as he smiled.
Everyone froze.
Ryu Shin broke the silence with applause.
Clap clap clap—
“There’s no need to compare further. I’ve lost.”
With that, Freddie’s role went to Yoomyeong.
As he wiped his tears, the others spoke in amazement.
“Wow... you’re really not gay? That’s a compliment.”
“Incredible. You don’t even need method acting.”
“What did you do just now? The emotional depth was completely different.”
He had used a shortcut.
But he didn’t want to depend on it.
‘I shouldn’t rely on this...’
“I just... understood Freddie’s emotional line.”
“That sounds like something a genius would say.”
“So the roles are decided?”
“No. I want another role.”
Ryu Shin surprised them.
“I want to play Mary.”
“What?”
“The theme is ‘being born different.’ There’s no rule supporting roles can’t reflect that.”
“...I’ll make Mary convincing.”
He smiled.
But # Nоvеlight # inside—
‘I lost.’
Still—
‘I’ll compete on equal ground.’
Ryu Shin clenched his teeth.
