The voluminous, long hair.

The slightly sharp, narrow eyes.

The exquisite appearance.

Finally, the neat school uniform.

‘Now that I think about it, didn’t I shoot a photoshoot recently?’

From every visible part of her, an aura was emanating that was distinctly different from the ordinary.

The clear presence she exuded was naturally felt.

This was the reason Yoo Sung-jae had highly praised Ha-eun as an actress. The weight of her presence was still as strong in this moment.

And that only made Ha-eun more curious.

‘A static antagonist. I think it’d suit her really well...’

What would happen if the charisma that quietly suppressed the surrounding atmosphere were to be wielded in a negative direction?

What would it feel like if Ha-eun’s calmness were to turn into an indifference toward immoral actions?

Perhaps it would be inevitable.

Perhaps no one would be able to deny Ha-eun as the villain.

‘Intense, surely.’

In Yoo Sung-jae’s eyes, Ha-eun’s appearance and acting were perfect for a villain.

The ability to completely steal a scene was one of the key traits for any antagonist.

It was because of this that Yoo Sung-jae recommended Ha-eun for the villain role in Veterans.

He had pushed for Ha-eun and director Kim Hong-seong to meet, reasoning that seeing it was better than hearing about it.

A short while later, Kim Hong-seong, who had been watching Ha-eun, spoke again.

“Veterans is a crime film. The story revolves around the righteous detectives trying to capture a villain named ‘Lee Ye-seo.’”

There are comic elements sprinkled in, but Kim Hong-seong went on to explain the characteristics of Veterans'' villain, Lee Ye-seo.

“Lee Ye-seo is a person without limits. She’s a third-generation chaebol, and there’s no one who can stop her from doing anything.”

In other words, she would engage in actions that should normally be stopped by others.

After briefly raising his gaze to look at Ha-eun, director Kim Hong-seong continued.

“Throughout the film, Lee Ye-seo commits various illegal acts but doesn’t have any self-awareness of her crimes.”

“So, she won’t be excited or disturbed by her crimes, right? It’s just part of her daily life.”

“Yes. Lee Ye-seo believes she’s living a normal life, like anyone else. So, from the outside, there’s nothing particularly odd about her.”

Though her actions were horrific, everything appeared normal on the outside.

For Ha-eun, there was no need to understand these words in depth.

‘...It’s a strange feeling.’

She had already been forced to act normal while hiding her true self for so long.

The only difference between Ha-eun and Lee Ye-seo was whether or not that deceptive acting was voluntary.

The fact that Lee Ye-seo was a third-generation chaebol.

The fact that she appeared to be living a normal life.

The fact that she never showed her emotions—these were all things Ha-eun could relate to.

Most importantly, the reason why someone abnormal could appear normal to others was because of their home environment, just like Ha-eun''s.

“Lee Ye-seo received a third-generation chaebol’s education from a young age. Aside from a few close associates, no one could even guess her real nature because she was so meticulous about managing her image.”@@@@

She hid herself because there was a need to do so.

Legally.

Or, regardless of what was morally right or wrong.

“However, it’s not that she hides her true self because she considers herself a villain. She hides it because if others find out, things will get messy.”

She simply hides it for her personal reasons.

There was no concept of good and evil in her actions.

“For Lee Ye-seo, there’s no such thing as ‘things you shouldn’t do.’ There’s only ‘things that will get noisy if you do them.’”

Even though she committed several illegal acts, it was because she wanted to.

She tormented people because she wanted to, she played with people because she wanted to, and she killed people because she wanted to.

As long as she wasn’t caught, it didn’t matter what she did.

It was simple, really, and Lee Ye-seo’s reasoning was simple and straightforward.

"Ha-eun, are you going to the bell-ringing ceremony with your parents?"

It was just after the filming of The Sunshine had finished. As usual, Ha-eun had gotten into her van, and Ju Jung-yoon asked her about the night ahead.

The response that came back was a negative one.

"I have something else to do. My parents are the only ones going to the bell-ringing ceremony."

"At midnight? What kind of work could you possibly have?"

"I have something important to take care of."

Of course, the real reason wasn’t revealed to Ju Jung-yoon.

And so, with some lingering uncertainty, Ju Jung-yoon dropped Ha-eun off at her house.

"Then, we’ll talk about your appearance in Veterans tomorrow at the company?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, even though you''re working on January 1st..."

"I could just take a taxi by myself."

"No, you can''t. If you take a taxi, I’ll get in trouble."

After saying they’d meet in the morning, Ju Jung-yoon and her van disappeared into the distance.

Ha-eun''s "important task" began about two hours later.

Click.

Spending the last of this year together─☆

Di-ahHow did you know I was feeling lonely?Of course, you should be with your boyfriend on December 31st.Everyone else is taking a break, but of course, it’s only Diah!

The chat was absolutely buzzing with excitement over the surprise stream, which hadn’t been listed on the broadcast schedule.

In exchange for winning Noeulis'' favor, Ha-eun had to make Seong-yoon feel a little left out.

‘They said raising a daughter is pointless, tsk tsk.’

‘She said it was work. Work! Why is he being so narrow-minded?’

‘What kind of company makes you work until midnight?’

Of course, Ha-eun didn’t reveal anything more about her other job.

No matter when it was, Ha-eun had no intention of revealing it with her own mouth.

Anyway, Na-yeon and Seong-yoon had left a few minutes ago to attend the bell-ringing ceremony.

Now, the ones Ha-eun was with were the Noeulis.

"Thanks for all your hard work this year~."

Sg sg~Why is it already over?Where did my time go???

Before long, the usual small talk continued in the broadcast mic while they waited for the New Year countdown to start.

The countdown soon began.

88876666974 (message deleted)555Le55

Ha-eun watched the chat flood in, silently lost in thought for a moment. Then, the clear ringing sound of the bell-ringing ceremony broadcast played, and she spoke up.

Ding~~~~.

"Everyone, Happy New Year."

Almost immediately, click.

She turned off the bell-ringing broadcast and clicked on the familiar icon.

A majestic background music began to play.

The broadcast title had changed as well.

First Supply of the New Year is Mine

"Ten minutes later, at Shabon-di Station. Of course, any Noeulis I run into on the way will be immediately disqualified~."

Baekgwi’s back at it again.Damn, not Battle Island again.This time it’s Asia''s representative, huh? We''re doomed, hahaha.Starting the New Year by piling on more bad karma, huh, Diah?