The truly nasty thing about scum like this is how unerringly they sniff out people with no power. They can tell exactly when to bare their fangs and when to tuck them away—a textbook bully who bows to the strong and crushes the weak. Even worse are the ones who ride another person’s status and act like those laurels are their own. Yeonwoo loathed people like that to the marrow.
“Looks like you finally caught on, huh? If you’d understood from the start you wouldn’t have had to listen to all those harsh words—right? Idiots like you always need a beating before they think, Oh, I guess I shouldn’t mouth off right now. Morons are always like this.”
A sneer curled Lee Deokchun’s lips. Mistaking Yeonwoo’s cold disgust for fear, he acted as though he’d seized the upper hand.
“Hey, hey. My throat’s dry from yakking at you—go buy me some coffee. Make it a big order so I can hand it out to the staff. None of that cheap canned stuff; get the Star‑Bean brand. Got it? Mine’s a Java Chip with extra espresso and a mountain of whip, yeah?”
Convinced Yeonwoo had tucked his tail, Deokchun puffed himself up. He even reached for Yeonwoo’s wallet as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
[See that? He’s obviously planning to squeeze the money out of you and then act like he’s the big spender!]
A guy who can shake someone down this smoothly is filthier than he looks. No hesitation—he’s done this to plenty of people. Most folks would get steam‑rolled in seconds.
But—You picked the wrong target. Yeonwoo was no weakling, and that was Deokchun’s fatal mistake.
Deokchun hadn’t liked the manager who came with Kwon oong‑hyun from the very beginning.
Who the hell is that punk?
This drama starred box‑office guarantee Kwon Seonghyun. Deokchun was aging out of idol life and, like the other members, needed a new livelihood—acting was the path he chose.
For an ex‑idol, I act pretty well, right?
Some called him a wooden actor, but Deokchun was proud. So what if he wasn’t perfect? The agency would handle any flare‑ups.
—Do you know how humiliated I am because of you?
He scowled, remembering Min Yerin’s cold rebuke. She’d opposed the agency bundling them into the show together.
—Sis, c’mon. I won’t drag your name through the mud.
—Like I’d trust some mutt off the street.
His attempt to butter her up failed; her voice had stabbed through him.
—Instead of grasping at what you have no talent for, why not stick to what you can do? An innocent actor got kicked because of you.
Not his problem—no one forced that actor to sign with a small agency. Landing in the right company was a skill too. Even if he was riding coattails, Min Yerin’s attitude grated.
—This is your idea of “trying your best”? Being late? Do you even know what mess you’ve made?!
—Sis, who’d dare complain to a top star like you? Stuff happens; people can run late, right?
—Unbelievable. I can’t even deal with you.
What a temper. No wonder there’re rumors she’s a nightmare.
Pretty face, good acting—so what? She couldn’t even act feminine and gentle.
He trailed her into the reading room, thinking filthy thoughts that would’ve earned a slap if she’d heard.
There—Who’s that punk?
Someone his age, decently good‑looking, and when their eyes met the guy didn’t even blink.
Is that the guy who took my spot?
Learning he was only a manager eased him—until he heard whose manager it was. The peak came when he overheard the director and writer after the reading:
—That kid can’t be just a manager.
—What presence. Better than most actors.
Neither had ever praised Deokchun. The director even made a face, wounding his pride.
What’s so great about that two‑bit manager?
Must be Kwon Seonghyun’s pull; they were buttering him up. Rage boiled.
He’d switched to acting years ago, yet that nobody manager got higher marks?
Lucky punk, coasting on connections. Irritating.
He himself had pulled strings too, but that didn’t matter.
So he called the guy out—planned to rough him up a little. Managers were fair game; no real trouble.
Keep your temper down when Yerin’s on set! The company can only cover for you so many times—worry about your image! The team leader’s nagging echoed, but he ignored it.
This drama was supposed to be his springboard. With looks and passable acting “for an idol,” the stage was set. But that slick manager was stealing his spotlight.
Why’s he grabbing attention that should be mine?!
With no interest in legit reasons, Deokchun transformed his growing sense of loss into aggressive fury. He’d always “educated” cocky juniors—some threats, a little intimidation.
As expected, the punk seemed to tuck his tail. Knew it—nothing special. Once scared, he’d stay in his place, and the spotlight would return to Deokchun.
Or so he thought.
“What’re you standing there for? Move! Slow and stupid—you want to get fired? Hurry up and—ugh?!”
Suddenly a hand clamped his throat. His feet left the ground. He tried to scream.
“Gak! Gukuk! Gak!”
“Coffee? You’re barking up the wrong tree. Why should I obey you?”
“Guk! Guh!”
“Funny guy. Bury me? You think you can bury me? Go ahead, try.”
“Gak!”
“But shouldn’t you get buried too, to be fair? Let’s see who sinks deeper. Imagine news breaks that a current idol has a secret child—think that’d hurt?”
“Kuhuk!” Even while choking, Deokchun’s eyes bulged.
“H‑how… Guk! How did—”
“Who knows? Curious?”
Curious indeed—his mind spun. A love child—his most guarded secret. Even the agency CEO and fellow members had no idea.
“I’m just a nobody manager, like you said. You’re the public figure. Whose scandal would explode harder, hm?”
“Kuhuk!”
If that leaked, his career wouldn’t just tank; lawsuits, canceled contracts—his life would be rubble. Worst, he’d lose the attention he craved.
“This punk’s hopeless. How many lives have you wrecked just to keep yours comfy?”
“P‑please!” His legs dangled pitifully.
“Can’t breathe?”
His face purpling, eyes rolling.
“The world would be better without trash like you.”
But before total asphyxiation, Yeonwoo released him.
Thud! Deokchun crashed to the floor.
“Kek—kehek—kek!”
He wheezed violently.
“Quit the drama, will you?”
“M‑murderer… you psycho!”
“Still don’t get it?”
“This is attempted murder!”
“Yeah? So?”
“I’ll expose you!”
“Then I’ll expose your love child.”
“…!” His shoulders jerked.
“H‑how… I told her to get rid of—!”
“Even scummier than I thought.” Yeonwoo clicked his tongue.
“Honestly, I’m too nice. I even wiped your grudges away… If not for that lifespan attached to you…”
He glanced at the crying, snot‑nosed Deokchun—pathetic but faintly satisfying.
I don’t like brute force, but guys like him don’t understand words. A mad dog needs a beating.
No wonder such a mountain of resentment clung to him—and the longest lifespan, too. Tempting, but—
Life’s a real battle, you jerk. If you dish it, be ready to take it.
“Think twice before you threaten someone again—unless you want your life ruined.”
“Y‑you…!”
“Still not clear?” Yeonwoo clicked his tongue. Do I just finish it?
Plenty of grudges still clung to Deokchun—only a few held lifespan, and those he’d already harvested. Blood‑based power was far stronger than a paper charm; if he planted it in the punk’s eyes…
A slow, dark smile spread across Yeonwoo’s lips.
“What, what is that?!” Deokchun shrieked, instinctively afraid.
Just then—
“Um… is something wrong here?”
A staffer with a name badge approached nervously.
“No, there’s no real prob—”
“This guy! He strangled me! Look, marks on my neck!”
Deokchun cut in, desperate for attention. Playing the pitiful victim and ruining the manager—perfect.
“Excuse me? Strangled?”
“He tried to kill me! He’s a psycho murderer!”
His body trembled theatrically. The startled staffer checked his neck.
“There’s… no mark at all.”
“What bullshit! I almost died—how could there be no mark?!”
“So you’re saying I’m lying? How am I supposed to see something that isn’t there?”
Annoyance hardened the staffer’s tone.
“Oh, I see—you’re in on it with him! Plotting to kill a big star like me, A‑Yo!”
“Big star? What nonsense… Mr. A‑Yo, please compose yourself.”
“You slept with him and now you’re killing me! Damn it—I’ll report all of you!”
His eyes rolled; clearly the conspiracy ran deep—at least in his mind.
What an idiot. Yeonwoo sighed again. Did he really think Yeonwoo would leave a visible mark in a crowded set?
Transparent energy had done the choking; no imprint, no witnesses.
“You can fool human eyes but not ghosts,” as the saying goes.
“What’s going on? Why so loud?”
More people gathered.
“Isn’t that A‑Yo? What’s wrong with him?”
“Embarrassing. Yikes.”
Spectators muttered while Deokchun howled.
“That guy’s a murderer! He bribed staff to strangle me! See the mark? He wants to stop me from rising!”
“Murderer?”
“Strangled?”
“No way.”
“Rising where? Isn’t he famous for awful acting?”
The noise halted the shoot.
“What’s the commotion on set?!” the director barked.
“Director, Mr. A‑Yo’s saying strange things…”
“Director! Perfect timing! That bastard—kick him out of the industry!”
“What? Mr. A‑Yo, explain yourself.”
“Look at my neck! He strangled me to block my success—!”
But—
“…Mr. Lee Deokchun. You think this set is your playground?”
Only an icy glare awaited him, not the sympathy he’d expected.
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