WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈
Chapter 142: Downfall (1)
──────
1.
One day.
“Recently, there haven't been many videos.”
My girlfriend mentioned.
"Huh?"
“Kim Yul videos. You usually release one every week at the latest. Are you taking longer because you're being selective about your [artwork]? Quite a few in our group are eagerly waiting for the next episode. The last video, the one where you cut nails, that got a good response.”
My girlfriend's expression was neutral. I frowned slightly upon hearing her words.
‘Videos. Right. I recorded all of Kim Yul’s bullying with the camcorder.’
But why did I do that?
『I will wait. Kim Yul. Director.』
Why did I...
[Your immersion rate is currently 100%.]
.......
Ah. That's right. I remember now.
That was it.
‘I recorded it to give the kids something to watch.’
Shinseo Middle and High School is packed with children of locally influential families. It is a prestigious school. Precisely because of that prestige, children from privileged families are forced to maintain impeccable conduct, which causes them tremendous stress.
Some lead bullying to relieve this stress, but it's risky. Most don't want to take such risks. I provide them with the [Kim Yul videos] for this purpose.
Quite professionally.
[Director, I want a concept where you cut fingernails with scissors!] -J
[Make Kim Yul grow out his hair and wear it tied with yellow rubber bands.] -7
[The kids in the last video do nothing but hit. It isn’t very interesting...] -11
The school has something called the Student Council Suggestion Box. It's used for notes or letters to the council, but I use it differently with the help of my girlfriend.
It's the [Kim Yul Request Box].
Teachers don't touch this box, and no one finds it strange. Even if someone is caught putting a note in the box, it's not a problem. My girlfriend has been active in the student council since her freshman year, so she can periodically manage the [Request Box].
A simple idea, but…
‘I must say, I am quite clever.’
It was a hit.
The young ladies and gentlemen of privileged families became addicted to the appeal of participating in bullying with almost no risk. The Request Box even guaranteed anonymity. They signed their submissions with playing-card handles such as A, K, Q, and J.
[Please make a concept of slapping cheeks for 20 minutes.] -Q
Q is my girlfriend's initial.
[I like shabby clothes, but sometimes I want to see different outfits!] -7
7 is the head of the broadcasting club.
[Director. I enjoyed the last video as well. Making Kim Yul use honorific speech was an excellent idea. In my view, Kim Yul is popular because of that strong pride. Therefore, unlike certain sponsors who favor physical humiliation, I am convinced that a psychological approach is preferable. Director. The body should serve only as a symbol or metaphor for the psychological approach...] -2
This lunatic, who submits a lengthy review to the box every time, is the bastard who plays in a band in middle school. Crazy bastard. He uses 2 because he has middle-school-second-year syndrome.
Of course, even if he's a lunatic with second-year syndrome, it's a different story if he's the son of a prominent company in the region. He's a valuable customer.
The so-called [Playing Card Club] consists entirely of clients like that.
Satisfaction of secret sadism. Vicarious pleasure.
I maintain my current position by providing entertainment to the clients. Since I started filming these works, many ‘friends’ have begun looking out for me in ways both visible and unseen. Yes. That is how I met my girlfriend too.
Without such a thing, how could I date a rich girl?
Unlike Mom and Dad, I do not have a record of winning writing contests since middle school. Nor am I good-looking enough to make it as a singer like my older brother.
To climb up the pyramid, I need tribute for those above.
“Sorry.”
I apologized for the delay in the tribute. I, too, was puzzled why I hadn't filmed any Kim Yul videos recently. There was no reason to stop. But soon, a plausible excuse came to mind. I'm really good at coming up with reasons.
“You're a candidate for student council president. I thought I'd take it easy during the election.”
“Really? You considered me?”
“We need to be careful. You never know if someone will submit something weird….”
“Our director has a cute side after all.”
My girlfriend raised her eyes and stroked my head.
“I like a quick-witted puppy.”
Although she blatantly treated me like a dog, I didn't mind. Instead, I played along.
“Woof, woof! Woooof!”
“Pfft.”
Finally, my girlfriend laughed. I am the only one in this school who can make her laugh. I bent my legs like a dog and jumped around playfully.
“Do you know this? Hwang Eun-Seo, you're really funny.”
A funny guy. That was a statement affirming my value.
Someone fun to be around. Someone who always makes everyone laugh their heads off. The most popular of the popular kids.
As expected, there are limits to dating on looks alone, the way my brother does. Real romance depends on how well you can talk...
『I have been waiting, Gong-ja.』
.......
I furrowed my brows.
What's this?
[Your immersion rate is currently 100%.]
For a moment, my mind went blank again.
Is it just my imagination? Lately, I seem to be losing focus more often.
“Anyway,”
I swallowed.
“For a while, I'll take a break from filming. It won't do to stir up trouble. If any friends are discontent, tell them I'm adjusting the pace because if Kim Yul is bullied more, he might not even come to school…”
That's when it happened.
-This is an announcement from the Broadcasting Club.
A voice came through the school speakers. A familiar voice. It belonged to the head of the broadcasting club, member number 7 of the Playing Card Club. But compared with the usual voice, it seemed drained of energy. The tone was strangely anxious.
-Hwang Eun-Seo, student of class 2-5. Hwang Eun-Seo, student of class 2-5, please come to the broadcasting club room immediately. Once again, Hwang Eun-Seo, student of class 2-5, please come to the broadcasting club room right now… That is all.
And the speaker went silent.
My girlfriend looked at me.
“What's going on?”
I put on a look as though I had no idea either.
“There's no reason for me to be called to the broadcasting room... maybe the staff room.”
“The broadcasting head might have called you for personal reasons. Maybe asking why there's no new work lately.”
They're a bit crazy, she muttered.
“Go see what it is. I’ll go on separately.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
I hesitated slightly before kissing her on the cheek.
I did pretty well today. Even the lie about considering my girlfriend seemed to work. She might allow a kiss on the cheek. Above all, I have a duty to provide her and those around her with the illusion of [the school couple].
Realizing my calculations, my girlfriend snorted.
“Cute.”
Celebrate. The princess has smiled again.
“I’m off. I’ll text you later about what it is.”
So, I am much smarter than other students.
Walking through the corridors, I rated my day. Did I make any mistakes in human relations? Did I say anything strange? Did I make the kids laugh enough, and did I laugh enough myself?
The score for the day.
‘Another perfect day.’
Full marks.
‘As expected of me.’
I have talent. Not just in ostracizing someone, but in turning that ostracism into a game. Those who have tasted this fun, even after entering university, might seek me out. They might invite me to their exclusive league.
‘Even if I'm not invited, it's fine.’
They will remember having played some naughty tricks with me during our school days. My girlfriend might break up with me when she goes to college, but she will still remember me as an old lover who once made her happy. Hwang Eun-Seo remains as a memory of youth, forever to be recalled with a smile. This alone is a great gain.
Unlike those aimless students, I have a roadmap for my life.
‘First, I will become a film director.’
I do not need to become a huge success. I will shoot a few indie films and build a respectable career and network. That will become my calling card. Nobody dislikes a brooding young director.
‘And then?’
I will broker introductions between rookie actors and the upper class. Then I will become a kind of party designer, satisfying the young gentlemen and ladies through inventive methods like these. My brother works in entertainment, so I can get a foothold there too.
‘Good.’
A golden life.
Far different from those who vaguely study and worry about their career path only after entering university.
A different dimension.
“I’m coming.”
Squeak.
I opened the door to the broadcasting room.
As soon as I stepped in, I paused.
“S-stop.”
"......."
There was only one person in the broadcasting room, the head of the club. That wasn’t strange. The room had soundproof walls and thick curtains. That wasn’t strange either.
“H-Hwang Eun-Seo.”
But if the broadcasting head was holding a camcorder, filming me, then something was definitely off.
“Close the door.”
"......."
“Hurry up. Close the door. If you don’t, you’ll be in b-big trouble.”
The broadcasting head was shivering like a cornered mouse. I didn't understand why they were like this, but provoking someone in such a state would do no good. I quietly closed the door.
“Draw the curtains.”
I drew the curtains.
“T-turn around and look at me.”
I turned.
“Hwang Eun-Seo, class 2-5, you, you blackmailed me... to forcibly join in ostracizing Kim Yul. Right? Say it’s t-true.”
“Is this some kind of hidden camera?”
“Shut up and say it’s true!”
The broadcasting head was genuinely trembling. A foreboding feeling crept over me. Usually, I would have joked about how to shut up and talk, but I was too bewildered.
“I can’t understand the situation. You need to explain.”
“Y-you approached me first. I didn’t want to, but... you enticed me, saying there was something fun to see. Right? You did. So it’s all your fault!”
This isn’t normal.
“What are you talking about? You came to me after hearing rumors about the videos in the group. You asked me to get you in, saying you'd even connect me with middle schoolers… why are you changing your story now?”
“No! It’s not true!”
The broadcasting head’s face turned pale.
“It’s your fault, Hwang Eun-Seo. You said no one would find out. You promised anonymity. You said you’d take responsibility. Bu, but why is there a video of me out there!”
“No. So, what are you talking about since earlier?”
“I only appeared once!”
Appeared.
Some clients occasionally want to participate directly in the events. They prefer to enjoy it live on the spot rather than just watching videos. If I remember correctly, the broadcasting head indeed appeared once.
“Wait. Are you acting like this because you think the video might have leaked? Don’t worry. I destroyed all the videos after viewing them…”
“Don’t lie!!”
The broadcasting head’s expression turned fierce.
“You son of a bitch. You crazy delinquent bastard. I never should have trusted a bastard like you. Hurry up and say it. Say you deceived me and dragged me into it! If you don’t, I’ll tell everyone what you people did!”
"......."
“I’m telling you! I have to record and send it!”
They’ve gone mad.
I realized I shouldn’t stay here any longer.
“Sorry. But I can’t admit to something I didn’t do. That would be against my conscience. I definitely showed you because you asked, and though I don’t have the videos anymore, I have all the notes you put in the suggestion box. I don’t know why you’re doing this, but let’s talk when you’ve calmed down.”
I turned my back.
“Oh,” the broadcasting head moaned.
“S-stop! Don’t go. Don’t go, Hwang Eun-Seo! If you leave, it’s over for you! Really over! I’ll tell the other kids and ruin your life! Don’t you understand?! Hey, Hwang Eun-Seo! You bastard! Your life is over! Just wait, I’ll tell my parents and ruin your life…!!”
Squeak.
The door closed, cutting off the broadcasting head’s voice. Absorbed by the soundproof walls and hidden by the curtains, their screaming became nothing more than a muted vibration. There was no one in the second-floor hallway.
“Damn. What’s this?”
I cursed.
“There must be a reason for this freak out.”
Maybe the videos really leaked. There’s no guarantee that a client didn’t make a copy for themselves. They could be using it to blackmail the broadcasting head.
“Damn.”
It's harder to manage customers than to make them. That saying was right. I pulled out my phone and started calling the ‘clients’ one by one.
Beeeeep...
The call rang long. After a while, it ended.
“What?”
Frustrated, I called the next client. I planned to ask if they knew anything about the broadcasting head's commotion.
Beeeeep...
The next client also didn’t answer. It was time to go home from school, so they might not be able to answer. Trying to control my temper, I called the next client.
Beeeeep...
But.
The next client also didn’t answer.
"......."
Neither did the next.
"......."
Excluding my girlfriend, all 12 members.
Not one of the Playing Card Club’s clients answered my calls.
‘What?’
I felt a chill.
It was like an unseen hand was gripping my neck.
‘What’s happening?’
Without any thought, I called a classmate, not a client. They were my secretary. They handled the delivery and retrieval of the videos to and from the clients on my behalf.
Beeeeep...
They didn’t answer my call either.
"........"
That’s when I realized.
Someone is hunting me.
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