Creeping Shadow (1)

【HSN's New Variety Show "From F-rank to S-rank" – Making-of Video】

It was a brief video, suddenly uploaded to HSN's official YouTube channel.

The content of the first video was nothing more than a short introduction of several well-known figures and the cast's boarding of America's largest train, the Minerva.

"In these times, they're doing a travel show in America? No sense at all."

"Hey, that's Park Jung-woo. He's been on TV way too often lately. Does he think he's a celebrity or something?"

"There's Yeon-ji! Yeon-ji is so cute. Please show more of her!"

"Looks like Yeon Kyung-ho joined for movie promotion? So, what's the concept of the show?"

"Why is the title 'From F-rank to S-rank'?"

The comments under the video weren't particularly favorable.

That was because people thought it was just an ordinary variety show about traveling in America.

Sure, the member composition was unique, but that was it.

No one seemed to have any special expectations.

But on the very next day—

With the upload of just one new video, people's reactions changed.

What appeared in the video was a blonde woman no one recognized.

Alencia Walker.

A person only known to a few in Korea made a sudden, unannounced appearance and became the center of the variety show.

"Is Park Jung-woo insane? He's stabbing her with a stun gun out of nowhere, lol."

"Seriously, that's gotta be staged—charging magic power with electricity? Seriously?"

"Why would they blatantly upload a manipulated video?"

"Since Park Jung-woo is pushing her this much, maybe she's also...?"

The video wasn't long.

At most, about five minutes.

But the reactions to that short video were astonishing.

"Did you hear about the new HSN variety show recently?"

"Of course. I never would have imagined a stun gun would make an appearance."

The topic was so hot it even got a mention on variety programs dealing with current issues.

Especially Park Jung-woo's bold actions could have easily sparked controversy, but they were completely overshadowed by Alencia's abilities.

"If manager Park Jung-woo is interested, doesn't that mean Alencia's potential is real?"

"Is he some god or something? Does everything he touches turn into an S-rank?"

"But charging magic power with electricity is extraordinary, isn't it? Isn't that enough already?"

"Well... that's true."

Management firms and guilds related to awakeners watched the video over and over, checking for signs of manipulation.

Some claimed it was fake, but most thought otherwise.

No one would be dumb enough to fake something like that.

"The reaction's even better than expected."

PD Jung Jun-su grinned widely, gauging the response to the making-of video.

The buzz was as much as for making-of clips featuring top idols.

Word was quietly spreading in online communities that Alencia was 'James Walker's daughter', and reactions in Korea were remarkably more positive than in the US.

"I thought we might get some backlash for her being James Walker's daughter, but I'm glad that's not the case."

"Well, her looks are a competitive edge, too."

Seeing PD Jung Jun-su breathe a sigh of relief, I glanced at Alencia and spoke.

The positive response in Korea must have been because she was a relatively unknown figure here and her beautiful appearance left a strong impression.

"... So, how long do I have to keep doing this?"

Of course, I didn't go into details, lest Alencia feel pressured.

Right now, she was fully focused on developing her abilities.

"Let's see, how long has it been since you started charging?"

"Maybe two hours?"

Currently, Alencia was sitting with a chopstick in each hand, stuck into the holes of an electrical outlet.

She had been in this position for two hours, so it was no surprise she was exhausted.

'She was terrified at first.'

When I first told her to grip the metal chopsticks and stick them into the outlet, she flat-out refused. But now, she seemed to regard even that as just another tiresome task.

'At least her fear of her abilities has diminished considerably.'

So, it was about time to move on to the next stage.

"Then starting tomorrow, let's try actually putting your abilities to use."

"On the train?"

"There are occasional stops along the route; you can do it there."

It took about a month for the Minerva to reach Los Angeles.

Considering Minerva's top speed was 600 km/h, and its usual speed was 400 km/h, the journey was surprisingly long. That was because the train had to stop for maintenance at certain intervals.

Since most non-urban areas of the US were swarming with monsters, there were currently no other trains covering such great distances as Minerva.

As a result, most cargo that needed to be transported by train was carried by Minerva, and because they also had to prepare for monster attacks, the travel time—including stops for maintenance—was quite long.

"You're not going to make me do something weird again with my ability, are you...?"

"That almost makes it sound like I've made you do weird things before."

"..."

Alencia looked at me as if at a loss for words.

What? I'm only doing all this for your benefit.

'With this much positive reaction, isn't it all for the best?'

I decided to get a bit shameless.

Sure, I'd crossed a line here and there, but in the end, everything worked out fine.

All I'd done was zap her with a stun gun and tell her to poke an outlet with metal chopsticks.

The chopstick bit uploaded today was especially well received.

"At this rate, reaching S-rank is only a matter of time."

"... Really?"

"Of course."

No matter how many times I said it confidently, Alencia still looked unconvinced.

It was no wonder—so far, all she'd really done with her ability was charge up.

"Ah, it's already this late."

I checked the time on my wristwatch and spoke to Alencia.

"Well, my part's over for now... Who's up next?"

"That weird reporter guy."

"Oh, you mean Reporter Pyo Ji-yeol."

Basically, I was in charge of Alencia's 'growth as an awakener', but others needed their share of screen time, so they each interacted with her in their own ways.

After all, since it was a variety show, there needed to be some recreational elements like simple games.

"That part's important too, so make sure it goes smoothly."

"I know. Besides, there's a lot I can learn for the show."

After saying that, Alencia looked at me, her eyes half shut.

"Honestly, right now, I think that part's helping more than this one."

"Abilities aren't something you develop overnight."

Hearing my confident reply, Alencia nodded doubtfully and moved on to film the next segment.

'Still, her adjustment is going pretty well... Hmm?'

As I watched Alencia's back, I suddenly felt a strange gaze from somewhere.

Following it, I noticed Kim Seung-hyun staring intensely at Alencia's back.

'What's with him now?'

I had sometimes sensed him giving strange looks to Yeon-ji before, but lately, he'd also started reacting oddly to Alencia.

If I tried to ask, he would just approach me in a friendly, awkward way, which was a bit unsettling.

"Are you done?"

As I was thinking about Kim Seung-hyun, Yeon-ji quietly approached me.

She looked as though she hadn't fully adjusted to the long trip in America and was obviously fatigued.

"Being in cramped quarters all the time is making me feel unwell..."

"That's understandable. I think I feel the same."

Since coming to the Minerva, I hadn't been physically active, so I felt like I'd put on weight.

"... You too?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I guess."

Hearing my nonchalant answer, Yeon-ji suddenly looked tense.

She pursed her lips several times, debating whether to say something.

"What's up?"

"It's just... I was wondering how unwell you really feel."

"Ah, it's just that my body feels a bit heavier than usual."

It was only natural, having gained some weight.

At my answer, Yeon-ji's expression turned even more serious.

She must have been worried herself.

"You're not going to have a repeat of last time, right?"

"Last time?"

I looked at her quizzically, and Yeon-ji flinched.

"No, never mind. I shouldn't even have brought it up. Take care of your health. I don't want to get blamed for nothing."

I was curious as to who would blame her, but seeing her so uncomfortable, I didn't press.

"Um, more than that, there's something about Alencia that's been bothering me."

"Something about Alencia?"

Yeon-ji awkwardly changed the subject.

Apparently, she didn't want to discuss the previous topic any further.

"Her mother was said to be a reincarnator, right? That's bothering me."

"Do you think that's a lie?"

"I did, a little... but knowing you, I doubt it."

"Then?"

When I asked what she meant, Yeon-ji narrowed her eyes and spoke.

"She may be a reincarnator, but how did she keep her memories?"

"If she didn't, she wouldn't have known she was a reincarnator in the first place."

"That's true, but it still bothers me."

Yeon-ji's words made me reconsider the whole 'reincarnator' thing.

Because I was a returnee, I hadn't thought much of it, but "returning" and "reincarnating" were completely different matters.

'I came back, sure, but how did Alencia's mother reincarnate with her memories intact?'

Simple coincidence?

Or maybe there was another reason.

"Maybe there's something Alencia hasn't told us."

"... That could be true."

For now, that was all we could conclude.

Unless, of course, we were just overthinking it, and she really was simply reincarnated with her memories intact.

"Let's keep watching for now. Still, aside from charging magic power, she doesn't seem particularly talented... Since you're keeping a close eye, is that Saintess thing really that great?"

"It is, actually."

"I don't really get it, but how great exactly?"

Yeon-ji asked, looking very curious.

She must have learned about the "Saintess" through Shin Ah-yeon, but didn't know the details.

"If she actually learns to use her abilities properly, becoming S-rank would be easy."

"Hmm."

I exaggerated a bit, but Yeon-ji nodded as if it wasn't a big deal.

"... You don't seem that interested?"

"Huh? Well, I kind of guessed. Since you're taking such an interest in her."

She really didn't seem to care.

Considering how she used to be in the past, her easygoing attitude was surprising.

'Ever since she realized she could also become S-rank, she's been a lot softer about these things.'

I'd known this for a while, but now Yeon-ji no longer felt inferiority or any fierce emotions when seeing others' talent.

That was a good thing, of course...

"... But it's not ideal."

"Huh? What isn't?"

"No, it's nothing."

"Sheesh, making me worry for nothing."

She grumbled, but I didn't say anything more.

There wasn't much point in saying it now, anyway.

'Maybe I should give her a bit of a push soon.'

Well, Shin Ah-yeon's effect had probably worn off by now.

Of course, even if I left things as they were, Yeon-ji would still become S-rank.

But if she just became an 'ordinary' S-rank after obtaining such special talent, wouldn't that be a waste?

'Ji Yeon-hwa can't disappear completely.'

Naturally, I had no intention of letting Yeon-ji remain like this.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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