Maverick (Blank)
Chapter 36: NGNL Collaboration Event (10)
[Can you play the villain character?]
Novan fell silent, his mouth shut tight. (This is bad. I can't refuse either.)
"Do I have to?"
"Yes, because we need it now."
Novan moved his index finger downward. "What about the costume, Miss Erna?"
"What a coincidence, the character's outfit suits you perfectly, Novan."
Novan chuckled softly. "Haha, can fit like that, huh." A small smile was etched. (What kind of joke is this?)
"I'll send the script. It's not difficult. Please cooperate, okay?" There was no gap; Novan couldn't dodge it at all. "Alright."
Beep beep.
The rented car had arrived in front of the villa. Everyone walked out toward the vehicle. Before departing, Blank asked Viera, "Are you sure you're better now, Viera?"
Her face was slightly red. "Yes," she said without looking at Blank. Her steps halted, and she looked at the living room, picking something up.
"Hey, where's Kaelan?" Blank closed the villa door. "I'm coming." His walk was still a bit limping.
They all got into the car together, including Novan. At the moment, he was looking at the green grass across the road. (If I take this role, my face could be clearly recognized. This is dangerous. I must not be seen harming anyone.)
Novan scratched the back of his neck. (There are quite a lot of variables.)
In another vehicle, the media team's car became lively with Lirie staring at Blank. "Wow, Kaelan is an artist now!"
Navas held his cheek with his palm. "I'm jealous; you keep winning every day." Blank shook his head. "No, this is just an unexpected thing."
Blank bit his lip. (I still don't understand why I could be cast for a role by the CEO of NGNL.) His eyes looked at his teammates.
"But, I won't be able to help you guys later, okay?" Robert mentioned. "Hey, Kaelan, we're professional cameramen too, you know."
Lirie lifted the camera. "Just relax, Mr. Sudden Artist."
Blank smiled. "You're right."
After a rather long journey, the clock showed 10:15 AM, but fortunately, the sun wasn't scorching hot.
A giant lake could be seen with a village settlement at its edge. Refreshing blue water and the view directly faced tall mountains that seemed close.
The wind blew fresh air. Even though it was a long car ride, it was all worth it upon arriving at Lake Logano.
The current shooting location was at a lakeside village. From here, everyone began continuing their work.
Erna crossed her arms. "Let's all get ready. We'll start at 10:30, so please cooperate."
Viera approached Blank. "Are you memorizing the script?" Blank stepped aside. "Oh, Viera, yes... I'm trying out a scared expression." Viera tilted her head. "Is that so? Let's see how."
Blank curled up, his eyes wide open, his body trembling with an unsteady gaze. Viera watched him. "Haha, Kaelan, that looks more like someone traumatized, not scared."
Blank stood up and patted his head. "Is that so? Sorry..." Viera covered her mouth. "You really look like someone with real trauma, but your acting is good." Blank scratched his temple. (Actually, it's based on personal experience...)
Viera helped Blank practice expressions for several minutes until Blank understood. "Alright, I get it. I just need to look resigned and shake my gaze, right?" Viera nodded. "Correct."
Erna called Viera, "Viera, everything is ready for your shoot with Emma." Viera waved. "Yes, I'm coming."
Blank approached Robert. "Hey, anything I can help with?" Robert gave a thumbs up. "Everything's fine, Kaelan. Just practice your role for later."
Blank nodded. He sat at the edge of the media team and began expressing his face. Some time passed until the first role with Emma and Viera was finished.
Blank and the others applauded, congratulating the two of them. Their acting was excellent, especially Emma, who could quickly change her condition according to the scenario.
Blank, watching Emma, was impressed. One scene he remembered was when Emma was sitting alone, missing her brother.
[Excerpt from the Final Part of Viera - Emma]
The wind brushed Emma's hair as she looked at the lake before her, bright blue with several swans swimming at its edge.
Emma curled up alone against the wall of an old house. She carried a newspaper and a rattan basket for sale. Her eyes began to well up. "Brother, it's been a year since you disappeared." Her hands held her stomach, and her gaze began to blur. "I'm hungry..." Her eyes looked at the large stack of unsold newspapers. "Haven't sold any today."
Sunlight passed through gaps in the leaves. Tears began to flow down her cheeks, her shoulders trembling. "Brother..." Footsteps approached her. A robed figure carried a rattan basket containing fruits, milk, and bread. "Hey, don't cry. Eat this."
Emma was startled and turned her face. Viera smiled upon seeing her. "B-Brother!?" Viera smiled and spread her arms. Emma hugged tightly, making Viera breathless. "Hey, your brother might die if hugged this tight." The little girl kept hugging, and Viera placed her hands on Emma's head and back, exactly like Blank hugging Viera earlier.
That was the last scene Blank saw. His eyes also welled up, and one name crossed his mind. (Even though I'm this big now, maybe I'd still hug Brother Kaeri like Emma did earlier.) He bit his lip.
From afar, Novan, who had finished reading the script for the scene he would perform later, was looking at his watch's ticking. "1 minute left."
Viera approached Blank and waved her hand. "Kaelan, are you ready?" Blank looked. "I'm ready. Thanks for the help earlier."
Viera smiled, but then her hand held her stomach. Quickly, Boyka ran and grabbed her. "Viera, just rest for a bit first." Viera looked down. "Yes, Boyka. Sorry for the trouble." Viera tried to be strong and fight the pain so she wouldn't appear weak again in front of Blank.
Boyka brought Viera until they reached the edge of a building. Erna opened her bag, but after rummaging, she didn't bring the medicine. "Boyka, the medicine was left behind." Blank, hearing this, ran toward the car.
"That's bad. It's too far away." Novan came from behind. "What's wrong, Miss Erna?" Erna turned. "It seems Viera's condition is acting up again." Novan bit his lip. "That's bad. But there's a clinic not far from here. It's a 10-minute drive. Do we need to go there?"
"Really?" Novan nodded. "Yes, it's called HappyHeart Clinic." Erna looked at the map. "You're right. At least we need medicine to neutralize it."
Novan successfully persuaded Erna to go to the clinic. (It should be successful up to here.) Boyka carried Viera, who was beginning to weaken even though her eyes were still slightly open. Novan bit the flesh inside his mouth. (Starting tomorrow, the previous stomachache effect will fade. I must succeed today no matter what.)
Boyka and Erna were behind Novan. Now the car door was open, and Erna began entering the car along with Boyka carrying Viera. Novan, who opened the front door and sat down, suppressed his smile. (This is easy.)
Everyone was seated, only needing to close the door to start heading to the clinic Novan recommended. As the door began to slide, a voice was heard from afar.
"MISS ERNA!" Blank shouted, waving his hand. "I BROUGHT THE MEDICINE!" Erna looked relieved. Novan clenched his left fist until veins were visible. (He's the variable.)
Erna said, "Novan, it seems we don't need to." Novan turned to the right. "You're right, Miss Erna. Let's get out." Boyka brought Viera back to a more comfortable and clean resting place. Blank gave the medicine to Erna.
Erna took it and took one capsule. "Viera, here's the medicine. Take it to relieve the pain." Viera sat and drank it. The entire Viera team breathed a sigh of relief, as did Blank, who smiled. "Miss Erna, Viera will rest for a while, right?" Erna nodded. "At least 20 minutes."
Lauren approached Erna. "Miss Erna, I'll look for the nearest shooting location, okay?" Erna pulled her lips. "Alright, thank you for your help, Miss Lauren." Lauren walked away.
"You all can rest first," Erna ordered the entire team. Everyone now began looking for their seats to take shelter, including Blank, who left Viera. At the same time, Viera's gaze focused on Blank and she smiled. (Thank you, Kaelan.)
Blank also rested, sitting by the lakeside to calm his mind. At the same time, Novan also visited Blank.
"Hello, that was great earlier. You brought the medicine?" Blank turned. Novan smiled at him.
"Oh, Brother Novan, haha, I was lucky to see it earlier." Novan chuckled softly. "You're a very alert person."
Their distance grew closer. Novan then said, "May I sit too?" Blank smiled. "Of course, sit."
Novan sat next to Blank. Both watched birds flying and fish moving in the clear bluish lake water.
"My name is Novan. I'm a tour guide. Nice to meet you." Blank turned. "Oh, yes. My name is Kaelan. Nice to meet you too." They looked at each other. (But why do I feel familiar?) Blank's heart spoke.
"Have you been working here long?" asked Novan. Blank shook his head. "Not long."
"Oh, is that so? I've been here for 3 years."
"That's quite a while. Oh, by the way, aren't you, Brother Novan, also coming to Italea?" Novan rubbed his lips. "Italea is my hometown." Blank tilted his head. "Oh, I see."
Both of them leaned back slightly, placing their hands behind to enjoy the fresh air and calm themselves.
"Hey, Kaelan, you're also joining the shooting later, right?"
Blank smiled. "Yes, it's been a long time since I was in the village." Novan raised his eyebrows. "Oh, really? You lived in a village?"
"Haha, yes, but now I'm in the city." Novan tilted his gaze. "Why?" Blank looked toward the mountains. "I'm looking for my brother."
Novan raised the corners of his lips. "That's cool! What's your brother's name?" Blank looked at a yellow flying bird, exactly like his brother's hair. "Kaeri."
Novan blinked faster. (Wait, who?) Quickly, his memory moved. (That's the second generation of Kuhaku Group.) He regulated his breathing again.
Novan clenched his fist and tried to invite Blank for a fist bump. "Good luck, Kaelan."
Blank looked at the clenched fist. His heart was touched, especially when he saw Novan smiling sincerely at him. Blank also clenched his fist.
"Good luck to you too, Brother Novan."
Fist bump.
At that very moment, Miss Erna came approaching the two of them. "Wow, you guys became close quickly. Let's start. Viera is ready again."
Blank and Novan stood up and followed Erna's steps. The walk only took 3 minutes, and now a village with several narrow alleys was visible for the second shooting location.
Blank and Novan changed clothes. Novan wore an oversized white shirt. (This is funny. I often wear clothes like this.)
Blank wore a black hoodie. (Who would have thought? This is the outfit I wear every time I go out.) When everything was ready, the drama now began.
[Drama Kaelan - Novan - Viera Begins]
Blank ran quickly, jumping over stairs and piles of wood until he ended up at a dead-end. "Damn! I should have gone to the lake."
Footsteps approached. A man in a white shirt was seen. "Devan, why did you ruin my work?" Blank stepped back. "What do you mean! You're criminals!"
The distance grew closer. Novan choked Blank tightly. (This is acting, but his grip is really strong.)
Novan smiled. "Hey, Devan, what are your last words?" Blank's eyes widened. (Crazy, this... feels like a real threat...)
Novan punched Blank hard. "Ughh." Novan observed Blank. (This kid has an athletic body, but not that strong.)
Blank held his stomach. (Ugh... Was I really punched? Novan is too into the role.)
Suddenly, a robed figure came from behind, stepping forward while carrying a knife as a weapon.
"Stop, Garge. Don't blame others for your mistakes." Novan shifted his gaze. "Who are you?"
The woman in the robe drew a sword from her left side and pointed it right at Novan's face. "Leave this place now, or leave this world now."
Novan broke into a cold sweat. He was threatened with a sword in front of his face. Both his hands were raised. But when the woman was off guard, Novan immediately moved toward her. Quickly, a sword slash passed close to Novan.
Novan fell and lost consciousness. One hand broke a small balloon filled with red water, making it look like blood and flow on his body. (The trajectory is amateur, but the movement is fast,) Novan thought inwardly.
Devan stared at the robed woman. "Is it my turn to be killed now?"
Then the robed person removed the hood and mask attached to her head. "How could I possibly kill the person I love the most?"
Devan's eyes widened. Initially, his body trembled violently, but now his heart beat fast.
"Vera!?"
"CUT!"
As usual, that shout came from Erna as the director, meaning the drama was finished. "GREAT JOB, EVERYONE! YOU'RE AWESOME NEW ACTORS!"
Viera clapped her hands. "Kaelan... Your acting is amazing!" Blank rubbed his stomach. "Really?"
"Yes, I saw your expression when you were scared in front of the villain, then pretending to be in pain felt so real." Blank scratched the back of his head. (Viera, that was real, not acting.)
"Haha, thank you." Novan stood up and came from behind. "Kaelan, I'm sorry if I went overboard."
Blank waved his hand from top to bottom. "It's okay. Your acting is really cool." Novan extended his hand to Blank, who was sitting on the ground. "You're also amazing." Blank looked at Novan, who showed his teeth. The corner of Blank's lips moved.
Clasp.
Blank caught Novan's hand and stood up. They all rested until the clock showed 1:00 PM. Novan walked with Erna. "Hello, everyone. We'll have lunch first. Novan will help us get there." Everyone in unison. "Yes, Miss."
Everyone got into the car and departed. The restaurant was located on a mountainside not far from the shooting location. The wide lake could be seen before them, as well as seating using carpets.
Novan handed out the order menu. Viera looked at it and pressed her chin. "The fried rice looks delicious..." she said softly. Novan observed Viera's movements.
But at the same time, Blank chose, "I'll have fried rice." Novan suppressed his emotions. (That kid again.)
Erna tapped her cheek. "I'll also order fried rice." Emma looked at Blank. "Emma also wants the same as Brother Kaelan." Boyka teased Blank. "That's a suitable meal for Kaelan."
Almost everyone chose fried rice. Novan moved his thoughts. (There's still one chance.)
"How about drinks?" Everyone answered in unison. "Just iced tea." Novan nodded. (As I thought, this time it hasn't succeeded.)
"Miss Erna, can I have another paper? I think I wrote it wrong." Erna gave the paper. Novan wrote down the order and went to the ordering counter.
The woman on duty greeted him. "Good afternoon, sir. How can I help you?" Novan handed the paper. "This is our entire order. Can it be prepared?"
"Of course, sir. We'll take care of it. It might take a while, about 15 minutes?"
"That's fine."
Then Novan glanced at someone delivering food. His clothes looked incomplete if he were an employee here. It's impossible to only wear an apron.
"Is he a new employee?" asked Novan.
"Ah, no. He happens to be an intern here for 2 weeks," said the cashier woman.
"He looks quite young. Can he be the one to deliver the food?" said Novan.
"Of course, we'll arrange it." Novan glanced at the young man on the right carrying a wooden tray. "Is he a new employee?"
The waiter nodded. "He's been interning for 2 weeks." Novan turned. "Can he be the one to deliver the fried rice?" The waiter smiled. "Of course, sir." His eyes glanced at the young man and continued, "Ner, can you deliver this order later?"
The young man approached. "Alright." Novan reached into his pocket, took out his wallet, and gave folded money with a capsule and paper. "This is a tip for you." The young man smiled. "Thank you, sir."
His steps moved away. The young man went to the toilet briefly to open Novan's message.
[Neo, there's a change of plan. I want you to sprinkle this on...]
The young man read it. The corners of his lips rose with narrowed eyes. He only made one facial expression.
[Grinning]