Book 18 Chapter 19

Bilyeon and His Associates' Round Table Talk

The Transparent Trio (Lee Jaryong & Cheongmun & Hwangbo Okyeon): *sob sob sob!*

Lee Jaryong: Oh! Finally… Finally… You've appeared!

Hwangbo Okyeon: How many volumes has it been?

Cheongmun: It's been 17 volumes. Did we appear in Volume 1 and then again?

Hwangbo Okyeon: I don't think so. Even then, we only had our names mentioned, and no appearance scenes.

Lee Jaryong: We were no different from the trees standing in the background. No, actually, we had less presence than the trees. We were almost invisible, hidden in the shade.

Hwangbo Okyeon: But… we still didn't have any lines this time. We were mute again.

Cheongmun: That's right. They even gave us a weak nickname, "The Transparent Trio." How could they do this to us? We are also one of the sixteen members of the Jujakdan. Even Jo Cheonwoo got a line when he appeared in Hwasan, but we, who reappeared after 17 volumes, are still mute. Isn't that why our presence is becoming more and more faint? And Miss Hwangbo, please keep your turn. We already have limited pages, so we must keep our order. It was my turn just a moment ago.

Lee Jaryong: No, it was my turn. Don't cut in so shamelessly.

Hwangbo Okyeon: (Slipping in subtly) Now, now, why are you fighting over something like that? People with weak presences should help each other out. Indeed, we should have defeated that stingy guy back then. If we had, our stock price would have gone up instantly, and we could have added a little color to this faint shadow. Hmm, indeed, if only we hadn't held back then…

Lee Jaryong & Cheongmun: Ack! Again!

Bilyeon: (Opening the door and entering) Huh? What are you guys doing here?

The Transparent Trio: Ah, ack! Se-Senior Brother!

Bilyeon: Hmm? Who are you guys? Have we met before?

The Transparent Trio: Huk! That's too much. It's us, us. The ones who were always bullied in the Jujakdan.

Bilyeon: Ah! I remember! It's you guys, the Transparent Trio? You haven't been seen for a while, did you go abroad?

The Transparent Trio: We were right beside you (Lee Jaryong). We ran together when others ran, and we were bullied together when others were bullied (Hwangbo Okyeon). Even extras have a history (Cheongmun).

Bilyeon: What good is history flowing if it's not etched in history and just flows into the past? Who will remember you later? Didn't anyone, including the readers, care even if you didn't appear?

The Transparent Trio: *sob sob sob!* Then how should we make ourselves appealing and become regular characters like Gungsang or Jinryeong?

Bilyeon: You have to make your own place. Should I make it for you? In any industry, only 10% survive, and of those, less than a handful, only 1%, gain attention. It's the same everywhere. Have you ever seen an unpolished gem shine? You have to train yourselves. Do you expect me to take care of all that?

Hyoryong: (Appearing) Still, isn't that a bit too harsh? Those friends must have their own worries, right?

Bilyeon: Ah, who is this? Isn't it the book-reading man, the top-tier, Ryongryong? Do you feel sympathy for fellow sufferers?

Hyoryong: (Roaring!) No, no! What are you saying? I'm still alive and well. My popularity hasn't cooled down. I'm just… just taking a break.

Bilyeon: Hmm, is that so? Above all, words like that don't have much persuasion coming from your own mouth. If you don't work hard too, it will be difficult.

Hyoryong: Hey, was it just me? Didn't Miss So also only appear once by name in Volume 17?

Bilyeon: Hey, why compare those things? Protagonists are meant to appear later.

Hyoryong: What! We both appeared later, so why am I treated as an extra, and Miss So is treated as the protagonist? This is unfair.

Bilyeon: The world is inherently unequal. What can you do if everyone is the same? Nothing will change that way. Change happens because there are differences. Do you know the difference between a protagonist and an extra? Extras are forgotten if they don't appear, but the protagonist's existence becomes more prominent if they don't appear.

Hyoryong: Is, is that so?

Bilyeon: Of course. Now, you three, the pale trio, get out of here quickly. This is the waiting room for lead roles. It's still a hundred years too early for you to enter here.

The Transparent Trio: Even one more line of dialogue…

Bilyeon: Shut up! Get out quickly! Become unbearably light!

(The Transparent Trio, sobbing, disappear like smoke as if they had never appeared.)

Hyoryong: Those three must be truly excellent at stealth. They're like a mirage.

Bilyeon: You're not bad yourself. Be alert. Let's see what happens in the next volume.

Hyoryong: Uh, is it over already?

Bilyeon: (Firmly) It's over!

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Jang Hong: Uh? Me?

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Moyong Hwi: Excuse me, I’m also… here…