Tuesday morning.

Jinhyuk had already booked the two-way ticket.

Manila, Philippines. Departure in two days.

I hadn't even packed, but the countdown had begun.

Minjae sent out the email invites to the board and production heads—subject line:"Special Announcement: Emergency Briefing with Park Min Yee."

10:15 AM. DreamNest Conference Room.

I stood at the front of the room, staring at the eyes of people whose patience was hanging by threads. Mr. Choi sat at the center, arms crossed.

I cleared my throat.

"I know we still don't have the ending," I began.

"But I believe we will—soon. I'm leaving for the Philippines."

A few heads tilted. Whispers began to ripple.

"I plan to visit psychiatric institutions in Manila," I continued.

"I want to gather firsthand stories—accounts from patients who've lived through fragmented realities. Cases that reflect what Clarisse went through."

Murmurs filled the room.

"That's actually a solid approach," someone whispered.

"Mental health recovery is more hopeful in the Philippines."

"It might be a good emotional anchor for the finale."

"Better than our usual tragic route here in Seoul."

Then Mr. Choi spoke, voice tight but steady:"DreamNest will cover the expenses.

Charge what you need—we'll reimburse it."

He leaned forward, gaze burning through me."But find us the goddamn ending to this story."

"We are out of time."

"Yes, sir," I said.

"You have ten days."

I blinked.

"Ten days?"

"That's right," he snapped.

"Production is already taping Chapter 10.
The A-list actors are demanding the script for the finale."

"We can't afford another delay. If we stall any further, the streaming giants might pull out."

He turned to Jinhyuk and Minjae.

"While Min Yee is away, you two will act as consultants to the production team. Understood?"

They exchanged nervous glances, then bowed in sync.

"Yes, sir."

The buzz resumed. Someone muttered:"We're walking on a tightrope."

"But it's the only way through this."

Then Mr. Choi slammed his palm on the table.

"We proceed. No more excuses.If we crumble now, we lose everything we've built."

Silence fell.

He turned to me.

"Min Yee... we're counting on you.
Don't come back unless you bring the ending."

The room turned their eyes toward me.

I felt my whole background fade into an imaginary shadow.

Like a bad cartoon. Like a man about to be hung by his own pen.

I inhaled.

Straightened my collar.

Then put on my best actor face.

"After this journey—ten days or less—I will return.With the ending. Or nothing at all."

They applauded.

Even if they didn't believe me.

That night. 8:00 PM.

The three of us sat in a quiet bar tucked inside a narrow street in Hongdae.

The kind of place you drink in when no one's supposed to see you cry.

I raised my glass.

"To my apprentices," I said.

Minjae was swirling his drink, his eyes glassy.

Jinhyuk looked like he hadn't slept in days.

"Sir..." Minjae started.

"We're sorry for... you know."

"Don't apologize," I said.

"You tried. You both did."

They were silent.

"This is my mess.I dragged you into it.
So if I have to fly across oceans to fix it, so be it."

Jinhyuk finally spoke.

"Will you really try to find the original authors?"

I stared into my glass.

I already told them the whole story. They understood my circumstances. But I did not tell them that the previous series were also plagiarized.

"Yes."

"And if they refuse to help?"

"Then I'll beg," I said flatly.

"Cry if I have to. Offer money. Lie. Confess.
Whatever it takes."

Minjae's voice cracked.

"We'll try to hold the line here, sir.
But... don't get caught. Not there."

I smiled.

"That's the plan."

We drank in silence after that.

Three men pretending not to be scared.

Walking home.

The streets of Incheon were quiet. But my head was louder than ever.

What if I don't find them?

What if they hate me?

What if they've moved on... and they're better than me?

What if I fail?

But I can't afford to think like that.

Now in my apartment.

I threw open the luggage and began packing.

Backpack for personal essentials.

Sling bag for the itinerary and ticket.

Phone charger, pen, notebook, cash.

Breathe.

Silence.

"This is it," I whispered.

The day after tomorrow, I'd be on a flight to Manila.

"I don't know if I'll find them."

"They might refuse to help."

"But I have to try."

Then my phone buzzed.

Mr. Choi.

"Yes, sir?"

"Min Yee, press conference. Grand Hyatt. Tomorrow."

"All the major streaming platforms will be there. Netflix, HBO, Viu—everyone."

"They're demanding a preview of how this will end."

My blood ran cold.

"I... I'll be there, sir."

"Be honest, but not stupid. And don't collapse on stage."

"Understood."

Wednesday. Grand Hyatt Seoul.

The lights. The podium. The streaming executives seated like gods of Olympus.

I stepped forward, mic in front of me.

The questions came fast.

"Is Ethan a dream or a spirit?"

"Will Clarisse choose the real world, or the dream one?"

"Will William Kim come back?"

"Will there be a death?"

I smiled and dodged like a pro.

"We are crafting something that speaks to both logic and longing."

"The answers are forming—but like any memory... they're delicate."

"We promise the ending will not be loud... but unforgettable."

Then came the final question.

A woman from the Korean Culture Syndicate stepped forward.

"Mr. Park... was this story inspired by anyone?
A real person, perhaps?
Someone who brought you here?"

Silence.

Every mic leaned forward.

Every eye locked on me.

I swallowed.

Then leaned closer to the mic.

"Yes," I said.

"Su Yeon, I hope you're watching."

The room stilled.

"After you dumped me... threw the story I wrote at my feet—the story inspired by you—I made a promise to myself."

"That I would continue writing."

"That one day... you'd regret walking away."

"And now, the world is watching me."

"They care about the stories I write... about how they end."

Buzz. Whispers. Pens scribbling.

"Maybe now, a part of you wishes you had stayed."

I looked around.

Then said it—clearly.

"I will journey to the Philippines."

The buzz became a wave.

"To find more inspiration.
To finish what DreamNest has started.
To give you an ending that doesn't scream...
but bleeds. And lingers."

"When I return... I will bring the beginning of the end."

They clapped.

Loud. Reluctant. But real.

As I stepped off the stage, Mr. Choi took the mic and fielded the remaining questions.

My thoughts:

There's no turning back now.

This is it.

It's all or nothing.

To be continued.