CH61

When something unknown arises, it's better not to be stubborn and seek advice from an expert.

It was a piece of wisdom for life, and Ian asked seriously,

"Doctor, what do you think?"

"Ahaha, doctor? I'm not a doctor."

Ayla laughed pleasantly as she lightly stroked her slightly swollen belly.

"Is there any need to worry so much? There are cases where vocalization doesn't strain the throat. Just think of it as an extension of that."

"That makes sense. It's like asking someone who gets tired easily to keep talking," Ian agreed.

It made sense that Rai's vocalization came out well because it didn't strain his throat.

'It's probably not just for that reason though.'

The day of the funeral and the voice change coincided. It was the last day he saw visions related to Nick.

Changes always followed the end of these visions, so it was likely the case this time too.

A rough hand landed on Ian's head as he pondered.

"When I first saw you, you were just a little kid, and now you're talking about voice changes? Time has flown, hasn't it?"

"Is it as surprising as someone who acted like a teenage boy becoming a dad?"

"I guess that's surprising for me too."

Ben smiled tenderly looking at Ayla's swollen belly.

It was always amazing to see a new life growing.

"It's not like looking at it will make it come any faster."

"…I know that. Do you need to break the mood?"

Ben grumbled and turned to face Ian.

"So, what about the acting? You flubbed a few takes today."

"What can I do? I just have to be careful."

It wasn't like he could ask his voice change to wait.

Luckily, he understood the reason. He could discuss it with the production team and proceed with the filming.

"Well, you'll handle it. What about the auditions you're supposed to attend after the shoot?"

"It's going to be tough. I don't even know when the voice change will end."

He fiddled with his throat, which felt as tangled as a spider's web.

It could end in as short as three months, but in severe cases, it could drag on for over four years.

'I hope it doesn't take that long, but it doesn't feel like it will be short either.'

The sensation was distinctly similar to when he had worked hard to change his voice before.

As Ian was slowly recalling those memories, Rachel called out to him, "If Rai's voice is fine, just act with it."

"Really?"

"Yes, I'm fine with it. You don't need to worry about me."

Ian smiled faintly as he watched the girl's determined expression. He truly appreciated her encouragement to act freely even if Rai's identity was revealed.

"I never intended to act using Rai's voice anyway." 

His decision wasn't for her. A clear tenor? It had never brought him anything but disdain when paired with his awful face. But the voice he had honed was different.

Ian reminisced about his casting director and close friend, Adelia, with whom he shared short but profound memories.

-Why do I stay with you? I told you, it's because of your acting.

-Besides acting?

-Hmm, maybe your voice? I liked the way you spoke your lines.

He could never forget the day he received his first compliment about his voice.

'I only started to build a proper career after my voice changed.'

If he could act with that voice again, he could wait until the voice change was over, even if it took longer than expected. Having sorted out his thoughts, Ian made his decision.

"I'll take a break from acting until my voice change is over."

Caitlin, who had gone to bed early that day, rolled out of bed when she received the news.

"What, he's stepping down?"

It was a real bolt from the blue.

***

"Invisible Children" was doing well in its second season, recording impressive ratings. As the filming for Season 2 was nearing its end due to the growth spurts of the child actors, the network made a swift decision.

"Prepare for Season 3 quickly."

With the success up to Season 2, there was confidence that it could become a new franchise sustaining the network.

Caitlin, who was preparing the contracts for the next season, urgently called a meeting upon receiving the nightmarish news.

"Ian is stepping down?"

"Yes, his voice change is severe, and he wants to be cautious."

"How about offering medical services as part of his contract?"

"I suggested that, but he seems very determined."

If it had been a condition to significantly increase his salary, it wouldn't have been such a headache. But what could they say when his future as an actor depended on his voice? 

Complaints naturally followed.

Caitlin gathered the attention of the grumbling staff by slamming her desk.

"Let's think about the problems that will arise if Ian steps down."

"Firstly, it will definitely impact the ratings. Noah is a character with a strong fan base."

"And it'll negatively affect the atmosphere on set. You know how much the child actors look up to Ian."

Both points were significant blows.

"…And our motivation to work will disappear."

"No, a set without Ian is unthinkable."

As the staff voiced their complaints, Caitlin shook her head.

"We'll need to modify the script too?"

"The modification itself isn't hard, but how he exits is crucial."

Will they kill off Noah or let him survive?

As Caitlin was calculating each scenario, she checked the time. It was time for Ian to arrive.

"Let's discuss and decide when we talk directly to him."

As the meeting continued discussing how to fill Noah's vacancy, Ian entered with a knock. The staff eagerly welcomed him.

"Don't leave us!"

"Can we carry you to the hospital and back if needed? We'll take good care of you."

Ian responded with an apologetic expression to the overly dramatic reactions.

"I'm sorry."

His voice was slightly hoarse.

The staff sighed as they saw Ian's visibly strained voice. Given how much he loved acting, they understood how serious his decision to step down must have been.

"Is your throat okay?"

"It'll be fine if I'm careful. I'll manage through the remaining shoots."

"Alright." It was clear from his eyes that he had no intention of changing his mind.

If they couldn't stop his departure, they had to opt for the next best thing.

"Could you consider coming back to our drama later?"

"Later?"

"Yes. We're going to keep the seasons going and wait for you."

Discussing such an uncertain future wasn't his preference, but it seemed he had grown attached, given his positive response.

"Sure, if an opportunity arises, please call me."

"Just don't refuse us then."

It might end up being an empty promise, but the hope it sparked made the writer raise her hand.

"If you come back, is there anything specific you'd want? Any changes in Noah's character?"

"Hmm…"

After a moment's thought, Ian smiled broadly and replied,

"It would be interesting to come back as an antagonist."

***

Acting with a capricious throat like a pubescent teenager was no easy feat. A wrong shout could immediately strain his voice, and on days with many lines, he was constantly anxious about when his voice might give out.

Finally, after struggling through the filming schedule, the last shooting day for "Invisible Children" arrived. A horde of zombies encircling Las Vegas like a massive fence came into view.

Benjamin and his group were stunned by the bleak scenery.

"Why do you look so gloomy? It's nothing."

"Nothing?" Benjamin questioned.

Noah shrugged.

"If we set off a spectacular fireworks display, won't they clear out?"

He tapped a pile of fireworks they used to lure zombies.

Setting them all off would definitely attract the zombies' attention, but there was a catch.

"We don't have the skill to set them off at the right time. It's too much of a gamble."

"One of us could stay and do it. I never really wanted to leave this place anyway."

"Noah!"

Ignoring Benjamin's outcry, Noah sat on the railing. The cityscape came into view.

"It's dreadful, but I guess I've grown attached to the city where I was born. Now that I have to leave, my feet just won't move."

With a carefree smile, Noah reached out his hand to Benjamin.

"You go find your paradise. I'll stay and make this place into mine."

Moments later, the fireworks lit up the night sky of Las Vegas, blessing those about to start anew.

As he sat there tired, zombies rushed towards him.

"I'm not surprised. How many times have we shot scenes like this?"

"See? I told you it wouldn't work."

"I thought you'd at least pretend to be shocked, for courtesy's sake."

Miles, emerging among the grumbling zombies, patted his shoulder with a hint of regret.

"Call me sometime, now that you're unemployed."

"Miles would be unemployed. I'm still a student. Aren't you aiming to be a stuntman? Work hard."

"Of course."

The hobo who had been limping with guilt was now dreaming of becoming a stuntman.

As he exchanged farewells, the child actors ran up and chattered noisily.

"Why can't you just keep filming with us?"

"You can come later, right?"

"Will we still be alive by then? I feel like we're going to die at the hands of zombies."

"…Right? That won't work. Let's keep filming with us."

The lingering regret was short-lived.

The child actors had matured enough to accept the inevitable parting.

"It was fun until now. Let's all shoot together again if we get the chance."

Ian greeted everyone with a bright face.

He bid farewell to the drama that had allowed him to take his first steps as a child actor.

***

-Just like the accident that leaked during the last shooting, the story of his departure from the drama will spread.

"I've already heard from the showrunner. All sorts of stories will emerge about the departure."

He was even nominated for an Emmy, so he's arrogant, or there was discord with the production team over appearance fees, and all sorts of strange tales were likely to arise.

-It's better to be honest and disclose than to let such rumors spread. Of course, this too will bring strange tales.

"It seems some people have already noticed something about my throat."

His voice was not good enough for a doctor to consider it a normal voice change, so perhaps it was good for writing fiction?

-Are you okay?

"Yes, I'm fine. I really don't care."

A sore throat? Honestly, he doesn't get stressed at all. Rather, he was looking forward to it.

He had worked hard on his voice for a long time, and it's quickly coming together even without effort. It would be strange not to look forward to it.

-Then we'll prepare an official statement.

"Thank you."

After ending the call, Ben flopped down next to Ian.

"When will the article be published?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I have news to announce through an article as well."

The news of Ayla's pregnancy.

A rest period due to a voice change would be buried under the impact of such a powerful event.

"There's no need to look at it like that. Since we're going to disclose it anyway, we might as well use it to our advantage."

"Thanks anyway."

"If you're grateful, you can repay me later, right?"

Ian nodded.

He realized once again that he was surrounded by good people.

***

Despite only practicing without shooting, time moved on.

-Ayla Olson's pregnancy revealed! The father is Ben Roberts!

-An anonymous source: 'Ben acts like a teenage boy in front of Ayla.'

-Ben and Ayla's wedding will take place after childbirth and will be modest.

Thanks to the groundbreaking news in Hollywood, as expected, Ian drifted away from public attention.

Just when it seemed like time would quietly pass…

-Noah left alone in Las Vegas. Invisible Children fans are disappointed.

-Viewers who belatedly learned of Ian's departure. 'Bring back Noah.'

-Invisible Children producers. The possibility of Noah's return is open. Please wait.

The flood of complaints from fans with the last episode was enough to make the showrunner lament over the phone.

The production team's job was to make sure the next season was well-prepared, so they just laughed it off.

A peaceful daily life seemed to continue in May.

The awaited day arrived.

'Aaaaah!'

With a resounding cry, the child born was named Evan Roberts.

The baby, resembling his parents, was born with blonde hair and blue eyes, attracting tremendous attention.

Paparazzi in helicopters flew over the mansion just to take photos of the baby.

"Really fed up with it. Should I just let them shoot?"

The noise of the propellers was extremely annoying. 

It was no wonder that Ben said such a thing. 

"Why do that? Now that it's come to this, let's sell Evan's photo and donate the money."

"Should we?" 

Operating a helicopter costs money. 

Without the premium of being the first photo, there's no reason to launch a helicopter. 

After consulting with Ayla, Ben acted decisively and managed to raise a whopping four million dollars. 

"Ah, I should have done this earlier. Right?"

Ben said seriously, looking at Evan sleeping soundly. 

"Should we not go promote the movie?"

"Are you crazy?" 

The release of Alien Hunter was just around the corner. 

There were people resting due to neck injuries, yet promotional schedules were still set; where could they possibly run off to?

"I guess not, then."

"Okay. I'll ask Director Gavin directly."

"Will you do that?!" 

What's the harm in asking? It's an obvious no-go. 

-Ian? Good timing. I had something to share with you too. 

"Something to talk about?" 

He wondered if there was something special to talk about. 

-I've thought a lot while preparing for this movie, but I think it's better not to hide anymore. 

"And?"

-I plan to openly admit that I'm Phasmophobic. That I made this movie to hide the fact that I'm Phasmophobic.

Ian turned his head sharply at the resolute words. 

Ben's face, mouth agape, was in view. 

'Since he heard, there's nothing I can do. It's okay since he's going to reveal it anyway.'

But honestly, he was surprised. 

That he made such a courageous decision. 

"Why did you suddenly make such a significant decision?"

Gavin, clearly exhausted, responded. 

-We had a private screening including investors, and they asked if we would make a sequel. Landon, this guy is already pitching monsters for use in the sequel. 

…Is this a courageous decision?

Ian was confused.