* * *

The monitor replayed the scene where Na Kang-in grabbed the second actor, moved opposite the camera’s direction, lifted him, and slammed him to the ground.

Son Tae-min was slightly startled by the footage.

“Huh? This looks like…”

“Doesn’t it seem like it’s been edited by cutting parts from multiple cameras placed in a semicircle?”

“Exactly. And yet, all the action is perfectly captured?”

“When the actors moved in the opposite direction of the camera, lifted each other, and slammed to the ground, the angles varied slightly each time. That’s why.”

One of the staff gave a thumbs-up to the Cameraman.

“As expected, director. Getting such a video with just one camera is amazing.”

The Cameraman shook his head.

“Hey, do you think it’s because I shot well? No, it’s because the actor calculated the camera positions and moved accordingly.”

“What?”

“The camera just followed. Check the third fight scene too.”

The third video appeared on the monitor.

The Cameraman asked Son Tae-min, who was watching the video, “You get it now?”

Son Tae-min, still fixated on the monitor, marveled, “Seeing it three times makes it clear. They acted knowing exactly how to avoid punches so the movements would be perfectly captured on camera.”

“That’s right. You might think it’s a coincidence by looking at just one scene, but they did it the same way twice before. It’s intentional.”

“Rewind a bit. The expression of fear on the other actor’s face is captured well too.”

The Cameraman said, “Indeed. Wait, this face would be better captured on camera 2.”

“Really? Let’s check camera 2!”

The footage from camera 2 showed the other actor’s terrified expression clearly.

The actor boasted while watching the video.

“This is the extent of my acting skills. Hahaha.”

Son Tae-min quipped, “Weren’t you just scared?”

“I transformed even my fear into acting, right? Haha.”

After checking the footage from camera 3, which was focused on the background, the Cameraman placed his thumb and forefinger on his chin and said, “This means they calculated the positions of all three cameras and acted accordingly from the start to the end…”

The assistant director asked, bewildered, “Uh… Is that even possible?”

“It is, but I’ve never seen anyone calculate in such detail three times in a row.”

Lead actor Kim Yoo-chan admired another aspect, “Wow, the impact is insane. It looks more real than actually hitting someone.”

The assistant director quickly agreed, “Exactly. That’s why I rushed over, thinking they were really hitting each other. There are many others here who misunderstood, right?”

Director Son Tae-min laughed brightly, “Without even a rehearsal or pre-arranged movements, to get such a perfect shot in one take. Haha.”

The Cameraman, watching the video, said, “How did they calculate and move through all this, dragging the other actor along? Yoo-chan, do you know?”

Lead actor Kim Yoo-chan answered, “I have no idea.”

Shin Eun-ha and Na Kang-in stood inside the set. Moving from their positions would make the footage awkward during editing.

Shin Eun-ha glanced at Na Kang-in and asked, “Did that scene really turn out so well?”

“Let’s check it out later ourselves.”

“True. Since we didn’t see the monitor, how would we know? I’ll ask to see it later. Let’s watch together.”

Na Kang-in had already seen the expected footage through his AR lens.

The AI Zijin spoke to Na Kang-in. “Exiting training manual filming mode.”

Na Kang-in asked Director Son Tae-min, who was outside the set, “Director, is my part finished?”

Son Tae-min, patting his chest in relief, answered, “Of course. If we shoot this twice, my heart can’t take it. I’m too scared of an accident. Also…”

Son Tae-min gave Na Kang-in a thumbs-up. “I was genuinely impressed. Wow. Our movie is a romance film, but this fight scene is on par with any action movie.”

“I’m glad it turned out well.”

The scene where Na Kang-in rescued Shin Eun-ha was far better than Son Tae-min had expected. Finishing the shoot in one take saved a lot of time.

However, this didn’t mean that there was any leeway in the schedule. Because they had lost a lot of time during the earlier accident, the filming schedule was still tight.

Sohn Taemin shouted, “We don’t have time, so let’s move on to the next scene immediately. Mr. Kim Yoo-chan!”

“Ready!”

The lead actor, Kim Yoo-chan, walked towards Shin Eun-ha and Na Kang-In. Now, Na Kang-In would step out, and Kim Yoo-chan would take his place, lowering his mask slightly and delivering the line, ‘I’ve come to rescue you.’ They decided to start shooting from that point again.

As Kim Yoo-chan approached Na Kang-In, he spoke to him. “I was truly moved by your performance in front of the camera just now. Which agency are you with?”

The AI system responded.

[Earth Union Strategic Special Forces.]

Na Kang-In added, “A food truck.”

“What?”

Na Kang-In was about to mention the PC bang when his expression stiffened. He suddenly had a chilling feeling.

“Huh?”

The AI system quickly warned him.

[Abnormal noise detected in the structure!]

Na Kang-In heard the noise too. It was coming from above. He looked up.

[Switching to combat mode.]

Information about the situation appeared on his AR lens, faster than the voice could convey. Translucent text and various colors indicated the details.

A red warning sign appeared on a part of the structure above the set. It was a damage risk warning.

A line predicted the trajectory of the debris if the structure broke. One of the red lines was aimed directly at Kim Yoo-chan.

Na Kang-In immediately grabbed Kim Yoo-chan by the collar.

“Ugh?”

Kim Yoo-chan, choked and confused, looked at him as if asking why. There was no time to explain. Na Kang-In threw him aside forcefully.

As Kim Yoo-chan flew towards the shock-absorbing sponge mat, he shouted, “Why are you throwing me?!”

Na Kang-In kicked a steel pipe lying on the floor. It was a prop meant to be used in the scene.

The steel pipe flew into the air. He strode towards Shin Eun-ha, stretching out his arm to catch the pipe.

Shin Eun-ha was startled, seeing Na Kang-In throw Kim Yoo-chan and approach her with the steel pipe. She screamed almost in terror.

“You said you’d save me!”

Na Kang-In swung the steel pipe widely in front of Shin Eun-ha.

She was not the target.

A steel light fixture was falling towards her.

Na Kang-In’s pipe struck the falling steel light fixture precisely. The metal case of the light crushed with a clanging sound and flew sideways.

The light bulb and glass inside shattered completely from the impact.

The fragments scattered, sparkling like fireworks at a festival.

Shin Eun-ha, wide-eyed with shock, asked, “Was that about to fall on me…?”

Na Kang-In slid beside her.

There was more than one falling object aiming at her.

The second light fixture was also falling towards Shin Eun-ha. Na Kang-In struck it with the steel pipe as well. The metal plate crumpled, and fragments from inside scattered again with light.

Another steel light fixture fell. This one wasn’t directly aimed at Shin Eun-ha, but it was close enough to cause injury.

Na Kang-In moved in front of her again and struck this light fixture away with the pipe.

Shin Eun-ha, seeing the brilliant sparks three times in a row, snapped back to her senses in surprise.

Falling steel light fixtures weren’t the only things. Parts of the upper structure of the set were breaking and falling.

Some of the falling debris landed where lead actor Kim Yoo-chan had been standing a moment ago.

After a dozen or so pieces of debris fell, the collapse ceased. The set fell silent.

Shin Eun-ha was so shocked that her legs wobbled a bit.

“We’re alive, right? We didn’t die?”

“For now.”

Despite stumbling, she managed to bow to Na Kang-In.

“Thank you….”

The AI system quickly warned again.

[There is a risk of further collapse! Civilians must evacuate!]

The AI showed the most dangerous areas through the AR lens. The area they were standing in was colored red.

Na Kang-In grabbed Shin Eun-ha’s waist with his left arm.

“Ah!”

He held her, with her weak legs, and walked out of the set. His pace was brisk.

Shin Eun-ha, half-dragged, said, “I think we’re safe now, there’s no need to…”

Suddenly, steel beams and light fixtures fell where they had just been standing. This time, a much larger amount of debris than before covered the spot Shin Eun-ha had been in.

Shin Eun-ha realized the situation was still extremely dangerous. Fear struck her. She quickly hugged Na Kang-In’s waist with both arms, clinging tightly. She moved her legs busily.

Na Kang-In walked out of the set with Shin Eun-ha. The upper structure of the set continued to fall behind them. Just as they exited, it collapsed completely.

Dust rose behind them like a billowing cloud.

* * *