Life is Easier If You’re Handsome

---

Kim Donghu, playing Lee Tae-seong,

As previously mentioned, he is someone naturally endowed with the talent of a martial artist.

However, with a lazy and vicious nature,

He shows no ambition for a position,

Even at the tender age of twenty, he still lives a debauched life.

To him, who sees only the world unfolding before his eyes,

“Which butcher would attempt conversation with a rebellious livestock?”

The sight of a noble conversing with his subordinates was utterly intolerable.

“The only law to govern livestock is the blade. I trust you understand this, my lord.”

Lee Tae-seong, or rather Kim Donghu, gazes steadily at Jin Yuseong.

It seems as if he has long mastered the script.

With eyes leisurely sweeping the surroundings, everyone is dumbfounded and stares at Kim Donghu.

‘What kind of person is this?’

‘They kept saying how good he is, but I was curious just how good… and he’s only 17?’

‘…I intended to lead him into this kind of performance, but I didn’t expect it to be this good.’

Exceeding the level of method acting,

A perfect reenactment of the role.

In this situation, only Jin Yuseong,

Snapping back to reality, opened his mouth for the next line.

“Oh, you’ve arrived? I was just waiting for you.”

“Haha, you’re going too far with the jokes.”

Jin Yuseong, portraying Jo Seonghak, is a character born of a commoner,

Born in a noble family yet unable to fulfill his true ambitions due to his birthright.

His resentment, humiliation, and discrimination led him to kill all potential heirs, becoming the sole successor of his family.

Is that why Lee Tae-seong, born noble and from an esteemed lineage, felt uncomfortable?

“Joke? How could I possibly jest with something like this?”

“Why would you wait for me, my lord? Is it perhaps because you hesitate to kill those?”

“…I wouldn’t.”

Lee Tae-seong was a beast born from nobility,

While Jo Seonghak was a noble born of lowly origins.

The two shared similarities yet were completely different in nature.

“I was merely considering showing some mercy to the lower classes.”

“Isn’t it because you couldn’t find what you desired?”

“What do you mean?”

“I heard that there’s a surviving child of the Jo family’s late-born son.”

“Perhaps you should watch your words.”

Despite being at a script reading session with no props,

Jin Yuseong directed a blade-like glare at Kim Donghu.

In response to Lee Tae-seong’s overstep,

“My blade loathes ignorance.”

Jo Seonghak’s furious scene sprang forth.

At the tender age, he had triumphed in the martial arts examination,

Revealing his genius from a young age.

His exceptional talent was undeniable,

And had it not been for his origins, he could have aimed for the position of a governor.

His strength, without question, ranked him as the best in Joseon.

Who wouldn’t fear his rage?

“Sometimes, ignorance can result in momentary clarity.”

However, Lee Tae-seong calmly accepted Jo Seonghak’s anger.

Lee Tae-seong was a beast graced with heavenly talent.

Whereas Jo Seonghak climbed to this point through bloody effort to change his fated destiny,

Lee Tae-seong easily matched Jo Seonghak’s level without any effort at all.

With no practice, indulging in drink and gambling every day,

His level stood equal to that of Jo Seonghak.

“But why do you oppose me?”

Lee Tae-seong’s eyes narrowed.

He cast a fleeting glance down as if a blade had pierced his throat,

Then with a calm smile, pointed his finger across the table.

Looking at the five traitors present there, he spoke plainly.

“Are they not the ones who should be killed, my lord?”

“Okay! Okay! Cut!!! That’s a wrap.”

As soon as Lee Tae-seong’s line ended,

Director Yoon Seong-bin, who was waiting for a break, gave the okay signal.

“Great job, everyone! Well done!”

Kim Donghu, as if what had just been acted was all a lie,

Started bowing and smiling pleasantly, as if nothing had happened.

“I should have greeted you first; my apologies. I’m Kim Donghu, playing Lee Tae-seong! I look forward to your support!”

Everyone was left dumbfounded.

‘Where did that fearsome actor go?’

‘Is the emotional switch too fast?’

‘Real monsters must have some screws loose….’

At that moment, it became somewhat understandable why Kim Donghu was called a guaranteed ticket for a blockbuster.

Anyway, after a brief break,

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“You all did really well!”

Once the remaining script reading concluded successfully,

Although there were plans for a short interview,

“…Oh, I have somewhere urgent to go, so we’ll wrap it up here today. I apologize.”

“I have some matters to attend to as well… let’s continue next time. Sorry.”

The actors hurriedly left as if they had an agreement.

Only two actors remained.

Kim Donghu and Jang Geonho stayed behind, chatting lightly.

“Why do you keep warming up the reading sessions like this?”

“Huh?”

“You can’t act like that; it makes everyone want to perform too.”

Jang Geonho laughed as he looked at Kim Donghu.

‘When he acts, everyone realizes it. Ah, did I analyze enough?’

That’s why everyone disappeared in a hurry.

They wanted to study the script and improve their performance.

To put it accurately, it was a struggle!

If this were a shooting set rather than just a script reading,

‘Everyone would have been captivated by Donghu’s performance.’

Lead? Supporting? What does that matter?

The moment Kim Donghu acted, everyone became a supporting character.

Consequently, one could only desperately flail about to survive.

‘Well, I’m lucky since I didn’t have to face Donghu directly this time.’

Those who had to actually contend, like Joo Seonghwan and Jin Yuseong, must have had a different level of determination.

‘He’s already shown it once.’

How can one avoid being overshadowed?

Naturally, one must aim higher.

“So, is that why you didn’t put in much effort during this reading?”

“Huh? Ah… to some extent, yes.”

“Wow, so you’re telling me you’ll do even better during the filming?”

“…Yes.”

It was an embarrassing answer, but Kim Donghu nodded.

“Well then… I should probably go work harder too.”

As soon as Jang Geonho heard that answer, he stood up.

‘If I’m careless, I’ll be engulfed as well.’

Fighting alongside Donghu, the strengths and weaknesses became glaringly clear.

The upside was that box office success was guaranteed,

And the downside, needless to say,

‘To survive as an actor, one must struggle.’

It was incredibly exhausting.

++++++

The schedule after the script reading was remarkably relaxed.

There was about a month until the first shoot,

And during that time, I had little to do.

Engaging deeply with the script to keep the character vibrant,

And consistently training to hone my boxing skills.

Lastly,

> Donghu, everything is great, but I hope you don’t stop playing the piano.

Reading the heartfelt message from Director Edward Park, I occasionally practiced the piano.

Aside from that, life was quite leisurely.

‘Thinking it over, my shooting order is pretty late.’

I wouldn’t appear at all in Act 1,

And my scenes wouldn’t start until Act 2,

Of course, filming doesn’t go in order, but considering the schedule, I didn’t think I’d start filming from the get-go.

Time slipped by swiftly into October.

Before I knew it, I was just about to turn 18.

> Donghu, how have you been?

It had been a long time since I received a message from Kang Sik.

You’re still so cool.

> I contacted you because my game’s demo version is out.

> Want to try it out?

“What?!”

Upon receiving the message, I immediately called Kang Sik.

Ring ring, click.

– H-Hello?

“Hey, you finished the game?! I’m coming over right now! Where should I go?!”

– J-Just come to my house.

“Okay! I’m on my way!”

I couldn’t wait to see what kind of game he had made.

‘He mentioned it was a party game.’

What kind of game could it be? I dashed to Kang Sik’s house,

And since I had been there once before, it was easy to locate.

“Oh, Donghu, you arrived quickly!”

“Hello!”

“Thanks for coming.”

“I should be the one thanking you for inviting me.”

Right after warmly greeting Kang Sik’s mother,

I immediately opened Kang Sik’s door.

And then,

“…Whoa, how many computers are there?”

“You invested in everything; that’s why it looks like this.”

It was bright and cutting-edge scenery of a 21st-century game development studio.

Truly, the title of a genius developer was not misplaced.

He had just received the investment, yet Kang Sik had already transformed his room into a perfect game development workshop.

‘But that’s not what’s important.’

The development period was about two years.

It was a very short time,

But due to the investment, a demo was already ready.

“Um, I drew the graphics; this is for when I look for people later.”

The first thing displayed when I started the game was a cute character.

Perhaps inspired by a chick, it was very charming with its yellow color.

“What’s its name?”

“Oh, Ari.”

“Oh… Ari, is it controlled with the keyboard and mouse?”

“Yeah, just like how you would in an FPS.”

“Okay.”

Shall I give it a try?

‘What kind of game has he made?’

Since it’s a party game, could it be something like a board game?

But can you even play such a game by yourself?

‘Did he incorporate AI into it?’

With such thoughts in mind, I booted up the game.

What greeted me first on the screen was—

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

An utterly enormous giant!

“…?”

This isn’t a board game?

‘What in the world?’

With curiosity swirling in my mind, I controlled Ari,

And before I could even make a move, the giant stomped Ari down.

Then, the message appeared—the dreaded:

『YOU DIE』

“…Kang Sik?”

In response to my demand for explanations,

Kang Sik smiled and replied,

“I made it so… multiplayer… it becomes easier the more players… um, something like that.”

So you’re telling me you’ve created a Dark Souls-type game that becomes easier with multiplayer?

‘And the character is a chick?’

What on earth did you make?