Hell's Actor-Chapter 85: Supporting Role

Chae-Won Choi had been playing the role of Neena for more than six years. While it was a role dear to her, recently, she had been feeling burned out because of it.

She had lost her spark, and it showed through her acting. Once a lively woman, Neena now felt dead.

Thankfully, the writers of the show slightly altered the original theme for the season.

They made Neena exactly how Chae-Won was—exhausted and lost. It suited the situation of the character and the direction of the show.

While Chae-Won was tired of playing the same role for years, Neena was tired of living the same life for years.

Both were lost in their own way. They needed a change in their routine. They needed something new.

For the actress, that pang of excitement came with a certain show. A show that had started a craze in the country. A show that made weekends feel like festivals. A show full of bloodshed, thrill, and evil.

Binsfeld’s Seven Princes of Hell had a profound effect on Chae-Won Choi.

It was exciting, unlike her life. And the more she watched, the more she felt invested.

The seven main roles were enthralling and full of character.

The drama only lasted for seven episodes, and maybe that’s why it felt like a breath of fresh air. It was a special show with a special cast.

But out of all of them, there was one character that kept attracting her gaze.

No matter who tried to deny it, Asmodeus Binsfeld was special.

How an actor could bring out such a heavy atmosphere with only his gaze was a marvel to witness.

Watching him, Chae-Won always had one thought.

’He is alive.’

Asmodeus did not feel like a portrayal. He felt like a real person.

Even though actors were supposed to do exactly that, what Averie had managed was something far deeper.

How that was possible, she could not fathom. And that was why she became a fan of Averie Quinn Auclair.

The man lived and breathed as his character.

Now, he was right there—only a little distance away from her.

She had the chance to act with him, and she was determined to make the most of it.

***

"Thank you," the girl’s mom said, bowing repeatedly to Averie.

In her arms was a signed poster with Asmodeus Binsfeld on it.

She told her daughter to be nice to him and ran back to her place, watching over her from a distance.

"She looks happy," Averie remarked.

The girl nodded.

"Thank you for making mommy happy."

Averie’s cold heart nearly melted.

"What’s your name, girl?"

"Olivia Rodrigo."

"Alright, Olivia," — he tapped on the chair beside him — "come, sit."

While the crew scrambled to arrange the set, Averie and little Olivia had a chat.

She was ten years old and played the role of the female lead’s niece.

"Do you like working on this show, Olivia?"

"Yes." She had an expression of sheer delight. "Big sis treats me to pastries twice every month." freewёbnoνel-com

"Who’s this big sis?"

"Chae-Won sister."

"Does your mom allow you to eat pastries every two weeks?"

She waved her tiny feet nervously.

"Don’t tell her okay? We eat it secretly."

Averie was having fun. She was like a tiny version of Hyerin.

"Do you have a favorite actor or actress, Olivia?"

"Yes!" the girl answered enthusiastically. "Sonia Liren and Tomas Bertha."

"You have good tastes."

Sonia Liren was a Chinese actress known for her beauty. But Averie thought it was not her facial features that made her so divinely striking. It was the way she held herself. There was a charm in the purpose behind her actions.

It was something specific to the actor. Just like how Averie was naturally devilishly sexy, she was divinely beautiful.

It was a trait that could only be found in a small group of actors. Of course, it could not singlehandedly make one’s career. One needed to have a little more than that to succeed.

And Sonia Liren had all of that.

She was the perfect role model for young girls.

’Tomas Bertha is a surprise.’

He was a German actor in his late 60s.

He was mostly known for his subtle roles. He was a great actor, but not someone a child would find interesting.

"What do you like about Tomas Bertha?"

"I—" The girl found it hard to answer. "I think he is very good at, um, not being the center of attention."

Averie burst into a fit of laughter.

Actors loved being the center of attention. What the girl said could be interpreted as an insult.

But it was not.

"You are smart."

Averie handed her a cookie he had stolen from Hyerin’s bag earlier.

"Yes, Mr. Bertha is very good at being inconspicuous in scenes. It’s a very useful skill for older actors. They don’t get to do lead roles anymore, you see. But they do get important supporting roles. These roles need to be subtle while also leaving an impression. They need to attract the audience’s gaze without overwhelming the scene and overshadowing the lead actor."

"Really?" Olivia took out a little diary and scribbled something on it. "Is it really that impressive?"

"Yes, it is. Are you taking notes on acting?"

She nodded and turned back to him.

"Can you act like that too? Like Mr. Bertha?"

Averie smirked. "Of course, I can."

In fact, he would soon have to show that exact quality to the gathered crowd.

’A silent and subtle gravity.’

"Just watch me."

After about ten minutes, Averie and Chae-Won were called by the assistant director.

"This is the scene where your characters will be meeting for the first time, so let’s take two or three takes before moving on," the director said. "I would like to get one more scene in before the sun sets."

"Of course."

Chae-Won took her leave and marched towards her place.

They were located at the fringes of a remote hillside town, and some of the townspeople had gathered to watch the filming.

Amidst the whispers and stares, Averie moved towards the wooden gazebo a little distance away from the convenience store.

It was surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful flowering plants.

Underneath the gazebo was a roughly-made, unpolished, round wooden table. A pair of chopping wooden blocks were placed around it to serve as stools.

A crew member had placed a soda can on one of them.

Averie picked it up, wiped off the condensation, and took a seat on the other stool.

Behind him was a small cluster of civilization, and in front of him were terraces enveloped in nature’s beauty.

Averie leaned against the table, opened the soda can, and took a swig.

The carbonized drink filled his lungs with a sweet, burning gas. It burned his nostrils and cooled his throat.

’Sweet carbon dioxide.’

He stirred the can and took another swig. This time, it was more pleasurable.

It was time for him to turn into his character.

Averie closed his eyes.

What was a supporting role? How was it different from a lead role? And did it have to make sacrifices to serve the leads better?

Averie erased those thoughts from his mind. He only needed to portray the role he was given. He needed to do him justice.

He needed to quench the fire from his eyes and soul. He needed to take away the audacity from his body language.

There was no need for determination and strength. There was no need for defiance and challenge.

There were no lofty goals he needed to chase. There was no desire he craved to fulfill.

He needed to be just one of the billions. There was no need to be special or different. He only needed to be tangible.

Outwardly, he needed to be extremely ordinary.

Averie opened his amber eyes.

They had lost their fiery glow. His gaze now seemed dull. It looked like it had lost its gravity as if it never existed.

His expressive face had turned into a tired one. The strength of his figure was nowhere to be seen. Grace and elegance had been taken away from his movements.

He was not Averie Quinn Auclair. He was not Asmodeus Binsfeld. And he certainly was not Gene Conti.

He was just an ordinary man on a Friday evening who had left work only hours ago.

He was relaxing, thinking about how to spend his weekend.

The fire inside him had been doused, and now he seemed like the personification of ordinary existence. He looked so different from his previously brilliant being that it attracted the crew’s attention.

Within seconds, he had become one with his surroundings, his situation, and his character.

It was the furthest thing from a role a young actor would prefer, but still, Averie looked perfectly suited for it.

The director instructed his men to turn on the rain machine.

Soon, heavy rain began pouring on the set, and Averie watched it with no interest.

"Turnover," the AD announced.

After a second, he called, "Sound."

"Speed," replied the sound mixer.

"Scene 686, Anew, Take 1," the second AC read, holding the clapperboard in front of the camera.

"Rolling," replied the first AC.

The second AC clapped the jaws of the slate shut and removed the slate from the frame immediately.

"Action!"

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