WETRIED TRANSLATIONS

[ Translation - Aren ]

I'm a Reporter, Please let me get off the Stage

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Chapter 9

Atstar News Entertainment Department’s Chief Reporter Kim Heetae, was just returning to the office after a late lunch.

Today's schedule for the entertainment department involved one movie preview screening, one KOO variety show production announcement, and a media showcase of the girl group Shyroan’s second album.

The movie preview and the variety show were getting covered by the respective reporters in charge of movies and broadcasting.

And as for the media showcase of Shyroan……

“Park Doyoon, that bastard……”

They couldn't cover it.

The reporter assigned to them went AWOL.

The guy had been ignoring his calls and messages for 10 days now.

He had thought that he would be back after a day or two.

Still, seeing that he had worked incredibly hard for the past 2 months, he thought that he would last a year at least.

“Damn annoying……”

Kim Heetae muttered as he waited for the elevator to come.

“Excuse me.”

“……You mean me?”

What a surprise.

Kim Heetae let out a startled sound because a man had suddenly approached him without making even a single sound.

He was suspicious, wearing both a black hat and mask.

As the bewildered Kim Heetae pointed a finger to himself, the suspicious man lifted his head and removed his mask.

“Can we talk for a moment?”

“……Huh?”

Kim Heetae's eyes widened in surprise.

* * *

“So……”

In a residential area quite far from the company building.

Kim Heetae was constantly looking around himself for some reason.

He was also fiddling with his fourth cup of americano.

“……Yuyoung-ssi. How did you know about that?”

“Isn't that what you should be answering first.”

Kim Heetae observed Ahn Yuyoung.

Ahn Yuyoung seemed slightly tired, but his clear eyes were completely fixed on him.

This was the first time that Kim Heetae met up with someone like this in private.

Ahn Yuyoung of WEEKANIZ.

This situation was incredibly bizarre even for Kim Heetae, who had spent 10 years in this industry. He had no idea what his intentions were for seeking him out. 

Even if he was courageous, wasn't that a bit too much?

Of all places, to come to the lobby of Atstar News known for covering major celebrity scandals such as dating rumors, gambling, and drug incidents.

And this celebrity even came all on his own.

Moreover, he said that he knew about their plans to report on his suicide attempt as soon as they met.

That was something even his mother didn't know about.

Was he here to beg him not to publish it?

That was what Kim Heetae had thought at first.

However, as he looked into Ahn Yuyoung's eyes, he didn't feel the typical anxiety or distress of someone who had been screwed over, from him.

Instead his eyes were filled with firmness, as if he was holding onto some trust.

“How did you know……?”

Well, anyway.

If he came all the way to Atstar News to find him, there must be something he strongly desired.

That was what Kim Heetae thought.

“Yuyoung-ssi, it seems like you don't know much about the world of reporters, but…… You should be aware of some, right?”

“I don't know that much.”

“So, why did you come look for me, despite knowing what's going on?”

Kim Heetae saw Ahn Yuyoung's pupils shake for a moment.

How easy.

“If you're going to ask me not to publish the article, that would be a bit difficult.”

Ahn Yuyoung was now slightly bowing his head, his expression unreadable.

“……You the only one who is aware that I jumped into the Han River that day, right?”

“Not sure? Reporters don't really share their exclusive information with each other.”

“Then find out and block it from leaking.”

“……Why should I?”

Kim Heetae genuinely was puzzled by this.

Ahn Yuyoung, who had been carefully caressing his mug of warm grapefruit tea, let out a small sigh behind his mask.

“Reporter.”

“Yes.”

“Aren't you being quite cold?”

“Cold? I'm just letting you know that I have nothing to gain from that deal, Yuyoung-ssi.”

“As someone who had made a very extreme choice not too long ago, I'm ‘requesting’ you to refrain from publishing any articles related to this.”

“……”

“This news network, I'm well aware that it doesn't abide by journalistic ethics…… but are you really going to ignore the request of someone who is directly involved in this and proceed with the article?”

“Journalistic ethics? Do you know about journalistic ethics, Yuyoung-ssi?”

Kim Heetae unconsciously let out a snort when he said that.

However, Ahn Yuyoung's face remained unchanged.

“How could I know more about it than you, Mr. Journalist? That's why I'm telling you this. I don't need to spell everything out for you, do I? You just have to act according to what you know.”

‘What's with him?’

It seemed that the confident gaze he had seen in his eyes wasn't just Kim Heetae's misconception.

Certainly, when the person directly concerned explicitly expressed their disapproval, the publication should be postponed and reviewed internally.

But what if the article was published? That was it. Regardless of whether they were sued or criticized, they would definitely still get views. 

That was why reporters would never share exclusive information even with their mothers……

However, Ahn Yuyoung seemed as If he knew everything about this ‘exclusive article’ he was about to publish.

No, to be exact.

He seemed to have known in advance that Kim Heetae would be the first to report on his suicide attempt.

He had even told the police to keep wraps about him knowing……

The information about Ahn Yuyoung's plunge came from a close friend of his who usually tipped off Kim Heetae about police investigations involving celebrities.

Thanks to him, he had gotten a few exclusives on some drug and drunk driving incidents.

Some people might find it naive for him to think that this person only provided him with information, however Kim Heetae still places his trust in him.

The reason why he was so sure that his informant wouldn't spill any information to someone else so easily was because he had made a ‘contract’ with that police officer.

According to the contract he would get a certain percentage of the incentive based on the amount of views that would be given to Kim Heetae.

Although it was an implicit agreement, made verbally, it was still effective.

If that police officer were caught leaking information to someone else, he could just reveal the findings that the police officer was involved in illegal gambling.

Kim Heetae laughed leisurely after pondering for a while.

“How impressive, Yuyoung-ssi. It seems like you managed to figure everything out with just a few words.”

“Just how on earth did you find out about this?”

“Just as reporters have their sources…… I have mine.”

“I had no idea. Who might that remarkable informant be?”

“I can't disclose that. I'm not really curious about your source either.”

Kim Heetae smiled faintly at that, contrasting to his earlier demeanor.

“I see. But you know what?”

“I've never once said that I would publish an exclusive article about you here.”

The tips of Ahn Yuyoung's fingers, gripping around the mug, turned white with tension. Seeing that, Kim Heetae smirked.

“It's true that I came across some information, but there’s still a need to cross-check it. I'm not the kind of reporter who just publishes everything he hears from some random passerby, you know? It might not seem like it though.”

“But now it seems like you confirmed that information for me yourself, Yu. Young. Ssi. What do you think about that?”

“Yes. It's correct. The information you heard is true.”

Ahn Yuyoung answered quietly.

Heh, how could a little idol try to surpass a veteran chief reporter who had been in the field for over 10 years.

Kim Heetae chuckled inwardly.

“So, here's the thing, Yuyoung-ssi. You suggested that I should abide by journalistic ethics, but what if I decide to assert my reporting rights? How would you deal with that?”

“If what I want to write a report about is false, it would only be right if I didn’t publish it. However, you just personally confirmed the truth of the matter, didn't you?”

“Moreover, I apologize for saying this, but…… aren't you in a pretty vulnerable position right now, Yuyoung-ssi? Oh, of course, I greatly sympathize with you on a human level.”

‘Ah, did he come here to threaten me into not publishing the article?’

Kim Heetae came to a realization.

If Ahn Yuyoung decided to retaliate by publishing damning articles about his company, they might have to shut down. Of course, that would be rather foolish, but madmen are prone to take crazy actions.

Maybe he should have assessed Ahn Yuyoung's mental condition a bit more.

However, the Ahn Yuyoung that sat before him didn't seem that affected by Kim Heetae's harsh words.

“Mr. Reporter, I didn't come here today just to make an appeal.”

“Oh, really?”

“I've come to propose a deal.”

Oho.

A smile crept back on Kim Heetae's face, seeing Ahn Yuyong cross his arms before him about to say something.

“……Go on?”

Kim Heetae, a seasoned reporter with more than ten years of experience.

This was the first time he ever got that kind information directly from an idol.

That too, as bait thrown out to encourage him to ‘report’ directly.

“Hah…… Shit.”

This was going to be tough.

Atstar News.

Just going there gave me the jitters, maybe because this was my former workplace.

I headed straight to Atstar News, fully armed and prepared.

Kim Heetae usually ate lunch around 2pm, before leisurely strolling back into the office with an Americano in hand around 3:30pm.

If I timed it right, I could quickly use the item and play a game of truth with him.

However, just standing around the lobby all on my own might arouse the suspicion from the security guard.

I kept going in and out like a grade schooler switching between the hot and cold bath inside a bathhouse.

After about an hour of waiting, Kim Heetae appeared with his iced americano in hand as expected.

It seemed like he was really reluctant to enter the office, dragging his feet as if he was dying.

I knew that feeling well.

[<Table debates sometimes have their use> : Can obtain one piece of information you want from a person of your choosing! – 30 points]

[Item purchase complete]

[Item used]

[Enter your question.]

I then muttered to myself.

‘Where did you get the information about Ahn Yuyong's suicide attempt?’

I didn’t even bother asking ‘Are you going to publish an article about it?’ because if it was Kim Heetae he would definitely write an article about it, no matter how insignificant it might seem.

While I was using the item, the elevator had reached the second floor already.

Ah, it would be a bit awkward if I followed after him.

While I was feeling quite anxious…

[Result : Approached Kim Hyunyon, officer of the Seochon Police Station and Water Rescue Team following the XXX incident.]

“Ah, that guy……”

My former supervisor sure was resourceful. I immediately strode forward.

“You've done it again, Chief.”

“Yeah, well……”

<[Exclusive] Actor C’s DUI accident revealed…… 'License Cancelation’ level>

This was the card Ahn Yuyong played as part of their ‘deal’.

But how did Ahn Yuyong know about the DUI incident of a celebrity completely unrelated to him?

Did that failed idol have some kind of amazing source?

Even Kim Heetae himself hadn't managed to get ahold of that information.

“It's suspicious……”

His eyes had seemed firm, but also brimming with emotion at the same time.

He seemed strangely familiar.

Even though he seemed willing to do everything he was told, he actually wasn't obedient at all……

It strongly reminded him of someone else.

Kim Heetae stared at the rapidly rising page views as if he was obsessed with them, pondering over Ahn Yuyong's eyes which seemed to have shone with a strange kind of intensity.

After having settled everything with Kim Heetae, I found myself leaning heavily against the backrest of the sofa inside of the dorm for a while, unable to get up.

Kim Heetae had known the whole story behind the incident.

He truly was a scary person.

I had to act before he could even think about betraying me.

[Network Level +2

Reward : Karma Points +100

Current Network Level : 8]

It was a good decision to also flip through other articles in advance using Bookmark.

Even though they were completely unrelated to me, it was good to have such resources at my disposal.

Now that I had gotten enough ammunition, it was time to gather up all the other members.

Just as I was thinking of that, I got a call from Chae Ire.

―Hyung, are you at the dorm?

―Did you happen to come across Gyeom-hyung?

“Gyeom? Why?”

―Ah, I think I heard him mention that he would come by to pack his stuff today.

“Huh?”

―Why are you so surprised?

“Why is he packing?”

―Gyeom-hyung said that he's going back to his hometown.

“……Wait, he's coming here today?”

―Probably?

Just as Chae Ire spoke, I could hear a sound coming from the entrance.

It was the sound of a door lock clicking open.

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