Should Zeno have saved the White Aura potion at a more crucial time?
Sure.
Unlike his other items, it was a one-time use only, and it would have been a game changer on the bigger stage.
However, he felt that if he didn’t use it now, there might not be a better opportunity for him to use it at all. It was now or never for him.
Zeno also didn’t consume it at the beginning of his scene because he knew the others were underestimating him. The moment he captured all of their attention, he finally used the potion, and let’s just say that Zeno had made the right decision.
“Is he… glowing?” Risa muttered.
Daeshim, too, stood straighter as he looked at Zeno. There was a sadness in him that felt he had truly embodied the character. Along with that, a white light seemed to shine behind him, so he couldn’t look at anybody else. And of course, the cherry on top was his actual sickness, which made him look ten times more pitiful.
Daniel, who was right beside him, squinted his eyes. He felt blinded for a second. But how was that possible when all of the curtains were closed and only the light above them illuminated the room?
There weren’t any tears in his eyes, yet somehow, that made it even sadder.
A son who had lost so much that even tears didn’t come to him.
Zeno finally broke eye contact, and it was only at that moment that Shin felt he was truly able to breathe.
“I was born with your face,” he continued, “but not your name. I bear your blood but never your embrace. And so I learned early that there are many things a man may live without, but the absence of a father’s warmth… it leaves a cold that never quite fades.”
Shin’s breath got caught when Zeno’s eyes met him again. He felt like he was being deprived of oxygen at this point, and for some reason, he had the urge to cry and ask for his forgiveness.
“You are not a good father, Wang Suk.”
There were audible gasps that were heard inside the room. From the actors, to the staff, and Daeshim PD himself.
It felt that he was talking to them, about how all of them had a fault, and how all of them owed him an apology.
“But,” Zeno continued, “you are a good leader. And if there is one thing this nation deserves, it is to be led by one who does not falter. One who, even when he doesn’t love rightly, still carries the will to lead justly.”
“I saved you,” he continued, “because the people still need you. And because I could not let the last chance for dignity die with you in the fire.”
With that, Zeno finally ended the scene with a curt bow.
The moment he said his last line, nobody dared to move or even speak. In fact, some of them couldn’t breathe properly at all.
Risa felt a tear fall from her eye, but she quickly wiped it away, not wanting to look like such a big fan.
However, as she looked at Zeno and saw how he had just channeled those emotions from within his handsome self, she realized that she had admired the right person.
This man, having less than half a year of experience, had done the unspeakable.
Daeshim cleared his throat of the lump that had formed after watching Zeno’s performance.
If it was based on acting alone, he truly had surpassed all of his expectations. However, as he turned to the side and looked at the other actors, who were equally as stunned as he was, he began to doubt himself once again.
Could Zeno, the young man without a strong background, become the main lead of a prime-time show on the SK channel?
“Thank you,” Daeshim finally said, not giving anything away. However, the whispers from the staff who were on the side could be heard.
“That was amazing. I nearly cried.”
“He didn’t even look at his script. Not once at all.”
“Did he memorize it all in the span of minutes?”
Annie couldn’t believe it, too. He had shown the emotions that Annie was truly looking for in that scene. It seemed he knew a lot about Hajin.
Perhaps, did he read the novel?
Annie shook her head. That didn’t seem like the case. However, she could only dream. In her mind, there was no other choice.
She wanted Zeno Han to play the part.
Meanwhile, the rest of the actors realized they had made a grave mistake by letting Zeno go first.
“Fuck,” Daniel cursed under his breath. How is it that he had improved so much in the time that they hadn’t seen each other?
Yuan, on the other hand, pursed his lips to hide his smile. If he didn’t get this role, then he would still be thankful. He had to see such great acting in real life. He, too, was considered a genius in acting when he first started off—especially since was originally an idol.
However, he realized that he still had a long way to go. This guy had put things into perspective for him.
Oska bit his lip in nervousness this time. He glanced at Daeshim PD, and as much as he tried to keep his expression neutral, Oska could see the underlying satisfaction in his eyes.
He… wasn’t going to choose him, was he?
After all, Assistant Byun had texted him that the second audition was merely for formalities. He had the part. He had to! His cousin had talked to Daeshim PD about sponsoring the drama!
Meanwhile, Zeno could feel it—their admiration. Once more, he felt that acting could elicit such cool emotions from people.
[+1 Public Perception. Deemed as a good actor by workers in the industry]
[Fame Meter: 11%]
“Now,” Daeshim PD said, looking at the other actors.
“Who’s next?”
Zeno had set the tone with his performance. He had raised the stakes so high that they doubted if they could surpass him.
So, of course, they weren’t able to say anything. Nobody wanted to go next.
They knew, in fact, they couldn’t live up to his performance.