Business block, Zithen family complex, State Zhyphrese, Draconian continent Voldage, and the Year 2041, Planet Grimoire.
This building was a hive of activity despite appearing to belong to a vast multi-generational family. Tae-Jun finally came to a halt and stopped walking. When he looked around again, it occurred to him that this was far from where they should've arrived. Not only that, but Cilin was utterly oblivious to what was happening around him.
What confused Tae-Jun the most was that this happened on private property in the first place. This was such an odd society. Where was the photo shoot again? He didn't remember this area at all. "I'm lost. I could've sworn we should've found the studio by now."
A sigh escaped him. He no longer wanted to walk in silence. In his opinion, his sensitive ears were catching all kinds of chatter, and none of it was encouraging. "This place is huge," Tae-Jun muttered. "Is this really a family complex or something else?" He found it incomprehensible that such enormous buildings and residential blocks could be constructed for a single prominent family and several lesser branch or collateral non-bloodline families.
Cilic grunted. "Yes, it is a residential housing complex." He sighed. "Once this day ends, I will explain how this world works." He seemed resigned that Tae-Jun didn't know what was happening in this society.
Tae-Jun folded his arms across his chest. "I suggest that you take a look around us, Cilin."
Cilin frowned at Tae-Jun because he wasn't ready to argue with him. "Just take care not to embarrass yourself, as others have." He advised. "Many of the trainees will get kicked out."
So, what was the big deal about that? "Yes, I know what the consequences can be for showbiz if people don't have the talent." Tae-Jun was curious if he wanted to know the alternatives to living in what he viewed as a luxurious prison in the middle of nowhere.
Cilin stiffened at his answer and shook his head angrily. "Please listen to me," he said, now sounding fed up with Tae-Jun. "This is important information that you couldn't discount just because it came from someone who isn't in the idol business."
Had he sounded that obnoxious? That wasn't what Tae-Jun meant to do. He kept his mouth shut with a sigh. He would get a word edgewise once Cilin finished his train of thought.
Cilin continued speaking as if he wasn't aware of Tae-Jun's lessening patience with his refusal to acknowledge that their surroundings had altered quite a bit. "Their fates are unpleasant." His expression hardened as he spoke tersely. "Many of the stronger and more ruthless ones become rogues."
So, he'd wound up in a world where anything could happen that would flip the balance away with one wrong action or word? Yep, this place was definitely out of his realm of experience. It counted on the old proverb, Survival of the fittest and the strong ate the weak. Tae-Jun held his silence because he wasn't in the mood to anger him by speaking when it was evident that Cilin had strong opinions.
At last, Cilin shook his head wearily when he concluded in frustration. "Half of them will turn to banditry and worse to survive in the jungles and mountains of Zyphrese." He folded his arms and glowered at Tae-Jun. "So now you understand why this is more serious than you seem to believe?"
Tae-Jun finally shrugged, "Yep, but can I ask you something?"
That wasn't what Cilin expected from him. "What?" Cilin's expression changed when Tae-Jun gestured around them.
Tae-Jun was finally able to ask the one thing he wanted. "Where are we?"
Cilin looked around. "Oh, we came to where all the studios are housed." He walked toward a black door with a green light shining solidly. "If you see that all of them have red or orange lights, don't knock on the door. Just wait patiently until they turn green."
Okay, that meant the studios were in use when there was an orange or red light. Tae-Jun nodded calmly. "Thanks for letting me know." He sighed as he took a look around him. "Ermm, how many of these corridors are there that have blocks of studios?" He wanted to remember where he'd come all this way.
There were ten black doors on each side of the big hallway. Most of them had red lights, and three had orange lights on either side of the single green one.
Cilin looked at him oddly. "There are three other floors with studios that we'll be visiting today."
Tae-Jun blanched. "There are more, and we'll be visiting the other ones?" So did that meant he had to endure three more photo shoots.
"Oh no, this one and the third one are for the photo shoots," Cilin clarified. "The second one will be for an interview. As for the fourth one, it depends on how well the other three turn out." He shrugged.
Well, now it was his turn to give a decent performance. Tae-Jun nodded with a sigh. "Thanks for helping me this far along." In all honesty, he wasn't expecting Cilin to remain close by. It wouldn't make sense if he did. "I'll see you later, depending on how things go."
Cilin nodded. "I'll be taking care of other tasks." He held up a small object that resembled a phone. "This is a communicator. You can use it to contact me when you're done here." He frowned. "That also includes alerting me if something goes wrong."
Hmm, well, Tae-Jun hoped that wouldn't be the case. "All right, I will do." He watched as Cilin took his leave. Right then, the last thing Tae-Jun wanted was to go into that studio. He felt very queasy, peering in through the door as he approached. At last, he knocked on the door that stood ajar.
The photographer glanced up from adjusting a lens. "You are Thera?" He studied him with a disinterested stare. "Come on in, we're running behind schedule. Please lock the door so that the light turns red."
Hmm, this wasn't giving Tae-Jun a good feeling at all. He couldn't refuse without causing a fuss, though.