## Chapter 242 – (16)
It was the fourth day.
The third day had passed quickly.
I willingly succumbed to Jessica’s seduction and voted as I had the previous day.
The difference was that I confidently declared my vote for Ella in front of Jessica.
Jessica looked at Ella and me with a benevolent expression, telling me to do so.
Seeing Jessica’s relaxed attitude, Ella looked displeased.
Ella had reason to feel that way.
Even to me, Jessica seemed different then.
It was as if she had the余裕 of a victor.
She was definitely different from before.
‘Anyway.’
I thought I knew the reason why.
After voting, everyone quickly went to sleep.
The other participants were exhausted from swimming, while Jessica and I were exhausted from intense sex.
Our bodies were weary.
It was definitely a bit tiring to do it after so long, especially with Jessica, since there was a bit of a size difference, so my posture was a bit awkward…
Anyway, there were difficulties.
The morning of the fourth day began with another shocking twist in the variety show.
We all gathered in the dining hall for brunch.
“It feels a bit… simple today.”
Someone said, and everyone cautiously agreed inwardly.
Toasted bread, fried eggs, and soup.
It wasn’t bad.
It definitely wasn’t bad, but—
It wasn’t the kind of breakfast you’d expect at a luxurious resort, not even as a formality.
Considering the quality and variety of food we’d had until now, it was disappointing.
Then, with the now-familiar crackling sound, the broadcast began.
[Is everyone enjoying their meal?]
“Ah, well…”
“It’s good, but…”
“A little…”
Because the camera was filming, they couldn’t openly express their disappointment, but their expressions said it all.
The expressions of slight disappointment and the sight of people poking the yolk of their fried eggs with their toast were close to a protest.
I was also a bit disappointed.
‘I need more protein.’
There were fried eggs, but there was no meat.
[You’d better eat moderately.]
[We have a special lunch prepared for you today.]
[This time, we’re going to Hong Kong’s bustling downtown.]
“Really? Downtown?!”
“The resort is nice, but we came all the way to Hong Kong…”
“That sounds fun!”
“We’re having lunch downtown?”
I figured we wouldn’t spend all our time at the resort since we came all the way to Hong Kong.
And as expected.
[We’ve received permission to film at a famous dim sum and tofu pudding restaurant, and we’ve also received permission to film briefly at a famous shopping mall that’s usually closed on holidays.]
Cheers erupted from all over the table.
Some people were excited about going out for the first time in a while.
Strictly speaking, we were still on vacation, but—
In just four days, this place felt like home.
I understood how they felt.
[But!]
Suddenly, the PD on the broadcast shouted loudly.
I felt a sense of tension.
Was there a condition?
[You will be performing your special talents in front of the citizens of Hong Kong.]
[The sum of the basic 500 Hong Kong dollars and the donations from the citizens who watch your performance will be the amount you can use today.]
“A performance?”
“Wow, really?”
“Oh, no~ How am I supposed to do that~”
“500 Hong Kong dollars is… about 90,000 won.”
“90,000 won should be enough, right?”
It was a shocking announcement, but most of the reactions were lighthearted.
Looking around, I thought I knew why.
Everyone was overflowing with talent, second to none.
Singers, dancers, models, actors, and more.
They had professions that gave them enough confidence even in a sudden performance.
‘I should have expected this.’
It wouldn’t make sense to bring in people like this and not have them sing or dance at least once.
If I were the PD, I would have made them do it for some reason.
[Will you do it?]
Normally, they wouldn’t perform for just dim sum and pudding, but—
“I want to sing after a long time.”
“Shall we do it?”
“Yes! I want to perform in Hong Kong!”
Hunger and the lure of Hong Kong’s downtown were too powerful.
I had to scratch the back of my head.
‘What should I do?’
Strictly speaking, I had a lot to show.
However, what could I show in front of the camera?
“What are you going to do?”
Jessica asked, naturally clinging to my arm.
“I don’t know…”
“Show them your aura!”
Aura, like the sword energy that often appears in fantasy stories.
I could do something similar, but—
Of course, I wouldn’t.
More than that, why did Jessica assume I could do it?
I should tell her now.
“I’m not the Grand Duke of the North.”
“…Really?”
Jessica asked with a slightly tearful expression.
After saying it, I felt a little guilty, so I added.
“Maybe I am…”
Jessica’s expression brightened again.
…It wasn’t entirely wrong.
I didn’t know.
Depending on which world I entered, I could be the Grand Duke of the North, a master of the magic tower, or a barbarian warrior.
‘Oh, geez.’
Was it the power of physical affection? I, who used to barely acknowledge greetings, was now declaring that I might be the Grand Duke of the North after seeing Jessica’s tearful expression.
Anyway, what should I really show?
[Please board the vehicles.]
[Come down from the dining hall and board with your partner.]
Many things flashed through my mind, but I couldn’t think of anything suitable, so I ended up boarding the bus.
“Wow, it’s outside!”
“This is so amazing!”
“The outside of the resort…”
Anyone would think they were hearing lines from someone who had been released from prison after 10 years.
The slowly moving vehicle headed deeper into downtown Hong Kong.
The number of people increased, and shops lined up on both sides.
“Is it a night market?”
Hearing that, I nodded.
It was still daytime, so it didn’t have the splendor of a night market.
However, the ornate signs overhead were mostly neon signs that were turned off.
If it were night, the neon signs would light up simultaneously and create a beautiful atmosphere.
The bus stopped in front of what looked like a large movie theater.
The reason I said it looked like a movie theater was because it felt quite different from the movie theaters we know.
Luxurious marble pillars and posters of old movies were hung up.
Although it was a bit worn, there was a red carpet of sorts at the entrance.
The word “theater” was more fitting than “movie theater.”
Reading the Chinese on the sign, it was a theater that handled a variety of things, including movies, plays, and musicals.
In front of the theater were the staff and PD.
Everyone was moving busily, and there were already locals from Hong Kong lining up.
“Huh? What, are they lining up?”
“Really…”
“Do they know us?”
“Surely, Kang Ryul’s drama…”
“Was it successful in Hong Kong too?”
Everyone seemed a bit puzzled that the locals were lining up.
“Okay, participants, please follow the staff inside!”
Getting off the bus, I read the paper attached to the theater’s outer wall.
It seemed that the locals were lining up after reading this.
‘Currently, the hottest stars in Korea have arrived, 10 people who will be at the center of the next Korean wave!’
‘Free admission! If there is a Korean star you really like, you can donate!’
‘Up to 100 Hong Kong dollars only!’
‘Korean stars? Who?’
In addition, there were ridiculously flashy words.
Certainly, some of the participants were celebrities who fit those words, but—
Wasn’t this a bit of an exaggeration?
The locals seemed to be lining up after reading this exaggerated article.
I began to worry that they would be scammed and receive abuse from the Hong Kong locals instead of donations.
Heading to the waiting room, I looked at the movie posters decorating the theater walls.
Martial arts movies, wuxia movies, noir, and melodrama were the main genres.
‘Martial arts and wuxia.’
If combined well—
It might not be bad.
I would have to control it well and show it.
“This way.”
We were guided to the waiting room and entered the room with admiration.
The waiting room felt like it was straight out of the 80s.
There were old-fashioned dressing tables and lighting, and props that could be used in plays or musicals were on the walls.
Among them was a large, crude broadsword that I often saw during my time in the wuxia world.
I picked it up, wondering if it was a model sword, but it had the weight of a real weapon, except for the lack of an edge.
Since it had no edge, it felt more like a blunt weapon than a sword.
“Wow, hyung! It suits you well! You look like a bandit!”
Was that a compliment?
No, I think he’s really teasing me this time.
As I playfully raised the sword, Taesung, who had been praising me, quickly ran to the end of the wall.
Should I show the people of Hong Kong some martial arts?
Just showing it wouldn’t be enough.
I would have to show them something like cutting or breaking something…
As I smiled bitterly and pondered, the theater was filling with people.
The atmosphere in the waiting room gradually calmed down, and the participants, who were usually a bit relaxed and boisterous, became quieter.
Were they different in their professions?
I approached a staff member and quietly asked.
“Can I use the props here?”
“Ah, yes! They said you could use them in advance.”
“Then can I cut something?”
“Excuse me?”
The staff member smiled awkwardly, saying that they hadn’t received permission for that, and I smiled back.
