Weight of Expectations

Chapter 10:

The cold wind nipped at Minho's cheeks as he stood outside the agency building. It was early, the city still waking up, but his schedule was already packed. Between rehearsals, system tasks, and preparing for Director Han's audition, the days had begun to blur together.

His phone buzzed with a notification.

[Daily Task: Scene Rehearsal – Master the Monologue]

Objective: Deliver a flawless monologue for Jiho's emotional breakdown scene. Reward: +1 Charisma, Enhanced Emotional Range.

"Flawless, huh?" Minho muttered, tightening his grip on the script. "No pressure."

As he entered the building, the system chimed again.

"Reminder: Your actions today will influence public perception. Maintain focus and professionalism."

"Thanks for the pep talk," he said dryly, though he couldn't deny the system's advice was sound.

The Studio Whisper

On set, the crew was already buzzing with activity. The mood was unusually tense; today's scene was one of the most emotionally charged in the drama. Seo Jiho would have a breakdown after years of rejection, confronting his own self-doubt and the people who belittled him.

Minho spent the morning rehearsing alone, running through the monologue repeatedly. His delivery improved with each pass, but it still felt… off. Something was missing.

"You look like you're going to wear a hole in the floor," a voice said.

Minho turned to see Yuna, holding two cups of coffee. She handed one to him.

"Thanks," he said, taking a sip.

"You're overthinking it," she said, sitting on a nearby chair.

"What do you mean?"

"This scene isn't about perfection. It's about letting go. Jiho isn't trying to deliver a speech—he's breaking apart. Show the cracks."

Her words hung in the air, and Minho nodded slowly. "Show the cracks," he repeated.

Yuna smiled. "You've got this. I believe in you."

The Scene Begins

The director's voice rang out. "Places, everyone! We're running the breakdown scene. Let's make it count."

Minho took his position in front of the camera, the weight of Jiho's struggles settling on his shoulders.

"Action!"

The scene opened with Jiho surrounded by critics, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of judgment. Minho's character sat hunched over, his head in his hands, the weight of their words crushing him.

One critic sneered, "You're nothing but a fraud. Stop wasting everyone's time."

Another added, "You'll never be good enough. Just quit already."

Minho looked up, his expression hollow, his eyes brimming with tears. He stumbled to his feet, his voice trembling.

"Good enough?" he repeated, his voice cracking. "You think I don't know what you say about me? You think I don't feel it—every glance, every whisper?"

He staggered forward, pointing at the crowd. "But here's the thing—you're wrong. I might not be perfect, but I'm still here. I'm still fighting. And one day, you'll choke on those words when I prove you all wrong."

His voice rose, raw and unrestrained, before breaking into a whisper. "Because if I stop now… then what was it all for?"

The silence was deafening as Jiho sank to his knees, his body wracked with silent sobs.

"Cut!"

The director's voice broke the spell, but no one moved. The crew seemed frozen, caught in the aftermath of the performance.

Finally, the director spoke. "That… was incredible."

The set erupted into applause, and Minho felt a wave of relief and pride wash over him.

[Task Complete: Scene Rehearsal – Master the Monologue]

Performance Rating: A+

Reward: +1 Charisma, Enhanced Emotional Range Unlocked.

The System's Surprise

After filming wrapped, Minho headed to the dressing room to change. The system chimed unexpectedly.

[Bonus Task Unlocked: Embrace the Spotlight]

Objective: Give an impromptu interview about your recent performance. Reward: Publicity Boost, +1 Media Savvy.

An interview? Minho frowned. "You could've warned me," he muttered.

The system's tone was neutral. "Opportunities arise when you least expect them. Seize this one."

Facing the Media

In the lobby, a small group of reporters had gathered, their cameras flashing as Minho approached. His agency had arranged for a short interview, likely to capitalize on the buzz from his recent performances.

"Hyunjae-ssi, your monologue scene today was praised by the crew. How did you prepare for such an emotional role?"

Minho smiled faintly, keeping his tone humble. "Jiho's struggles feel very real to me. I think everyone has moments where they doubt themselves, where they wonder if they're enough. I just tried to tap into those feelings."

Another reporter asked, "Some have called your rise in the industry 'suspiciously fast.' What do you say to those critics?"

The question was sharp, but Minho didn't flinch. He met the reporter's gaze head-on. "I can't control what people say. All I can do is focus on my work and let that speak for itself."

The reporters nodded, their pens scratching across their notepads.

[Task Complete: Embrace the Spotlight]

Reward: Publicity Boost, +1 Media Savvy Unlocked.

A Quiet Victory

Later that evening, Minho returned home, exhausted but content. He checked his social media and was surprised to see the number of positive comments flooding his latest post.

"Hyunjae's acting was so raw today. He's the real deal."

"I can't believe I doubted him. That monologue gave me chills."

"Seo Jiho's pain felt so real… Hyunjae is going places!"

Minho leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips.

Preparing for the Next Step

The system chimed again, bringing him back to reality.

[New Task Unlocked: Ace Director Han's Audition]

Objective: Begin practicing with Advanced Acting Techniques. Deadline: 10 Days.

Minho stared at the notification, his determination reigniting. The road ahead was long, but for the first time in a long time, he felt like he was truly moving forward.