Chapter 2 – Beggar, A Lucky Day
“Hey, this is my livelihood you’re talking about.”
“…What?”
“Assistant director, do you think beggars are beggars just because they don’t know how to wash up?”
The assistant director was momentarily speechless at such brazen confidence.
“What are you even—”
“People already think I’m too young to look like a proper beggar, so my earnings aren’t great. If I were clean on top of that, how would I ever manage to beg properly?”
Strangely enough, it sounded convincing.
The AD was at a loss for words.
“Th-that’s…”
And yet, this guy stood there confidently, defending his logic.
That very confidence left the AD dumbfounded, staring blankly for a while.
Wow, even I have to admit—I talk a good game.
The guy who was about to ruin my livelihood actually looked persuaded.
…Or maybe not.
He looked more like someone utterly dumbfounded.
“What are you doing! Hurry up already!”
“Ah, yes!”
“But no, this won’t do. You have to wash up, at least for the next scene.”
With that one sentence from the director, my carefully stacked tower came crumbling down.
Damn it, this really won’t do.
While I was about to cry, the AD tossed me a deal.
“I’ll make sure you get a part in some walking-scene role next time. That’s better than begging anyway, isn’t it?”
“…Oh?”
Now that I think about it, that doesn’t sound so bad.
Sure, my life had been ruined by ghosts, but these days I just kill time watching them for entertainment.
I’d gotten used to it after seeing so much.
The only reason I was still stuck like this was because I never had the right opportunity afterward.
Well, except for the occasional insane ghost scaring the hell out of me.
Like right now—see those women over there? A bunch of female ghosts had gathered and were pulling their own eyeballs out to play jacks.
And then… they started yanking each other’s hair and fighting.
One ghost accidentally stepped on one of the eyeballs they’d been tossing around.
It spread out on the floor like a fried egg—looked like it would take a while to regenerate.
Whoa! That savage bitch!
Just because her hair got pulled, she stomped out the rest of her opponent’s eyeballs, snatched her own, and ran!
Chills.
That’s some decisive action.
“Hey! Mister!”
The AD was glaring at me.
That’s the problem.
Since nobody else can see ghosts, I just look like I’m zoning out or spacing off.
“Uh? Ah, yes. I’ll go get changed, then. But you better keep your promise!”
“Eh? I—well… fine, just hurry up already!”
Wait a sec. That stammer… he’s bluffing, isn’t he?
Damn it, if he’s lying, I’ll stalk him and beg right alongside him.
I do hold grudges.
And if he hits me for it? Well… that’s just side work.
The staff member who dragged me into the bathhouse looked like he’d just swallowed bird crap mid-yawn while scrubbing the floor.
“Ugh, damn it!”
He swore.
“S-sorry…”
Okay, I did feel a little bad. I hadn’t realized I was this filthy.
One shower and black sludge spread out under my feet like spilled ink.
No wonder the old man who owned the place asked if I’d painted myself with black dye.
And then came the grime—thick, dense layers of it piling up on the floor.
Of course it clogged the drain.
The poor staff guy who’d escorted me here was stuck scrubbing it out.
At least I hadn’t gone into the tub.
If I had, that bathwater would’ve turned into sewage.
Still, watching all those traces of my life scrubbed away left me strangely sentimental.
Goodbye, my comrade, my bread and butter, my way of life.
I was even about to shave when—
“Gasp!”
“What, what’s wrong?!”
I nearly gave myself a heart attack.
The staff guy jumped too, running over.
With a pale face, I stared into the mirror and blurted out in shock:
“M-my face! I haven’t seen it in ages!”
“…Oh for fu—”
“Just saying.”
He looked like he was about to curse but held back. Understandable—he was scrubbing away under the bathhouse owner’s watch, after all.
Then suddenly, he froze mid-turn, staring at me through the mirror.
What’s this now?
Feels like if I bend over to pick up the soap here, something terrible will happen.
I edged back and asked,
“What?”
“N-no, nothing. You… you look good.”
Ugh. Goosebumps. Did he just say I look good?
Alright, from now on, he’s downgraded from staff guy to creep.
This guy seems desperate enough to go for anyone, even a beggar.
Better be careful.
I might live like a beggar, but I’m straight. That’s my identity.
When I stepped out and dried off, I spotted the clothes laid out for me.
“Ohhh, so this is a dress shirt!”
“Mister, don’t touch that!”
Another staffer waiting outside came rushing over to stop me.
Guess the guy who told me to put it on earlier was out of his mind.
“…Didn’t you say to wear this?”
“Huh?”
Well, can’t blame him. Even I barely recognized my own face—this guy was meeting me for the first time.
“You’re… a beggar?”
“Yes. I’m a beggar.”
The answer slipped out before I realized it. Made me feel dirtier.
“Ah! I-I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else.”
“No worries. I didn’t know this was my face either.”
I shrugged it off and put on the shirt.
“You’re thinner than I expected. Looks good on you.”
“Ha… ha…”
Damn right it looks good!
While others were dieting like emperors, I had the forced-diet plan.
One of my bucket list items before I die is to grow a proper beer belly.
Not this hollow kind—one from eating well, shiny with oil.
Still, I had to admit—it wasn’t bad.
Thin, but no flab. Which made sense—I couldn’t afford to have any.
I wasn’t jacked, but I wasn’t frail either.
Sometimes I did manual labor here and there—when the foreman skimmed wages and made us do grunt work.
That gave me a decent base.
Call it labor muscle.
Anyway, time to head out.
Oh, right—I should grab my work clothes.
I picked up the bag holding my work uniform-slash-beggar uniform-slash-everyday wear.
“Ugh!”
Nearly puked.
Humans really are fickle creatures.
Sorry, old comrade.
Director Gu scowled toward the bathhouse.
“Hey, AD! Is he out yet?!”
“Just a moment! I’ll bring him!”
The schedule was tight, and Gu hated wasting time. But at the AD’s reply, he let it slide.
That is, until the AD started looking around outside the bathhouse in confusion.
“Where is he?!”
“He, uh… he said he already came out…”
“Huh?”
Gu turned, scanning the area.
But the beggar was nowhere in sight.
His temper flared.
“Where the hell is he?!”
“T-that is…”
The AD raised his voice at the men’s bath entrance.
“You said a guy came out after washing! Where’d he go?!”
“…Um, right here?”
“…What?”
“Are you looking for me, by chance?”
The AD, still hovering nearby, turned and froze when he saw me.
He pointed and stammered,
“T-the beggar… is that you?”
“Yep. That beggar is me.”
“…”
What’s this? Did he fall for me? Speechless in awe?
I told you—I’m straight!
“Director!”
“What is it now?! Why aren’t you moving?!”
Gu barked at the AD.
“He was already out here.”
“Where?”
“Right here.”
The AD pointed toward me.
“…Where?”
“That guy, over there.”
“…Huh?”
Gu stared blankly, not understanding.
The AD clarified with a dazed expression:
“It’s him. That beggar from before.”
“What?”
But there was no beggar—only a man.
What’s with these stares?
“Wow… just washing up makes him look like a different person.”
“Doesn’t even look like a beggar anymore. Though he is one.”
Stop with the “beggar this, beggar that.” Hearing it makes me feel like crap.
Still, I couldn’t help but smile.
This kind of reaction—it’s addictive. Enough to make me think I could start a variety show.
“Undercover Beggar.”
“Pfft. A beggar’s still just a beggar.”
Ugh.
I glanced over—sure enough, it was that punk Kwon Soo-hyun glaring at me.
Should I deck him? …No.
Violence is best saved for places with no witnesses or CCTV.
Tch. Just don’t make eye contact.
Shit is best avoided, after all.
“All right, let’s start again!”
This time the lines were simple.
The beggar, who’d just transformed, would hand Kwon Soo-hyun a pill that granted him superpowers.
My line was this:
“Here—live a better life, will you?”
“Yes, I think I can work with that.”
The AD nodded approvingly.
Hah. Guess I’ve got a knack for acting—nailed it in one take.
“Now, hand this to him.”
“Huh? This thing?”
It gleamed golden.
Could it be that legendary herbal pill—Wu-hwang Cheongsimwon?
“Mister! Don’t scrape off the gold foil!”
“Sorry, my hand just moved on its own…”
Damn. A speck of gold is still gold. What a waste.
Especially on that arrogant brat.
Well then… plan B.
Spit!
“Mister!”
…Did anyone see that?
“Rolling!”
“Y-yes!”
Whew. Didn’t get caught.
I spread my saliva over the pill, polishing it until it gleamed even more.
Ah, glistening. Moist. Perfect.
“And… action!”
The cameras rolled.
“Here—live a better life, will you?”
“Huh? What’s this?”
“Cut! Hey! You’re supposed to give him the pill, not clutch it like a miser!”
The director’s face twisted in frustration.
Damn it. It’s not like I meant to hold back.
But just looking at that brat’s face made me want to puke.
If he eats this, it’s basically an indirect kiss with me, isn’t it?!
“Do it properly.”
“Yes, sir.”
Clueless about what really mattered, the brat just frowned, whining.
Fine. I grant you my indirect kiss, punk.
We reshot the scene, and this time it went smoothly.
Kwon Soo-hyun chewed diligently on the golden pill I’d carefully coated in spit.
He sure munched away happily.
Gross as it was, I couldn’t help but feel a weird sense of satisfaction.
Chew well, brat.
“Good work, everyone!”
Shouts rang out all around, announcing the shoot was over.
And suddenly, I didn’t want to put my old clothes back on.
A moment ago, they’d seemed fine. Now, I couldn’t stand them.
Meanwhile, this suit… I wanted to keep it.
“Mister, please change back.”
“…Yes.”
Damn it. Fine, I’ll strip myself.
But then, the AD handed me something.
Huh? A gift?
“It’s just an extra staff uniform we had lying around. You can wear this.”
“T-thank you so much!”
“Ah, geez! Take it normally, will you?”
“Oof!”
Before I knew it, I’d bowed deeply, hands neatly folded behind my head.
“Hehe, force of habit.”
“The pants are a bit worn. They were my work clothes.”
“You’re a saint!”
So this AD guy—what was his name again, Jo? Jo Assistant Director?
He actually seemed capable. Even cool.
Not that I was saying this just because he gave me clothes.
Better put them on before he changes his mind.
Wow—new clothes!
“Hey! Don’t take off your underwear!”
“But these are new too.”
“Keep them. Just… keep them.”
“Thanks!”
For the record, the underwear had been bought for me earlier by another staffer at the bathhouse.
I’d really struck gold today.
After changing, they even gave me an envelope of money.
Wait… felt thin.
“Whoa! S-seventy thousand won!”
“I added an extra twenty thousand, as promised.”
“Thank you!”
The AD turned to leave.
Hold it, buddy. You think you can just walk off after throwing out a line like that?
I lightly tugged at his sleeve.
“What now?”
“You said you’d get me more work.”
“Ah, right, right.”
Yeah, time to change careers.
Fifty thousand won jobs don’t come every day.
“Here, take my card.”
“Thank you!”
I pocketed the card carefully.
For the first time in forever, I felt like my beggar’s life might finally change.
Ha, I felt amazing.
My life, ruined by ghosts… maybe it was about time it got easier.
[So the filthy beggar became a clean beggar, huh.]
“Ugh.”
[What are you glaring at? Watch your eyes!]
Damn it. That old beggar ghost ruined my good mood again.
Still, I had money now. Time to go get a proper meal.
As I walked off, grinning, that punk glared at me again—Kwon Soo-hyun, or whatever his name was.
Well, now that filming was over, I had nothing to fear.
So I hit him with my fiercest weapon: a dazzling smile.
“That damn beggar bastard!”
Kwon Soo-hyun fumed.
Already pissed off, he nearly exploded when that beggar smiled at him like that.
“Just ignore him, let’s go,” his road manager suggested cautiously.
But it only made Kwon angrier.
“Didn’t you see that smug grin?”
“I-it looked like just a smile…”
“What, do you think I’m blind?! Can’t tell a smirk from a smile?”
“S-sorry, sir.”
The road manager sighed, bowing his head.
Truth was, Kwon Soo-hyun was infamous in the industry for his nasty temper.
Before becoming an actor, he’d been notorious as a thug.
Of course, the agency had repackaged that history into a sob story about overcoming a rough upbringing.
“Next location! Let’s move!”
At that shout from a staffer, Kwon spat out a few more curses and climbed into his car.
The road manager quietly followed, relieved it hadn’t escalated further.
