269: Chapter 249 "The Twelve Constellation Envoys" Filming Location - Wood Attribute Set

Inside the filming base's makeup room, the air was thick with the scent of hairspray, foundation, and a hint of palpable tension. The members of IZ*ONE (excluding Choi Yena) were surrounded by makeup artists and stylists, adjusting their makeup and styling for their "Star Saints" combat forms.

However, no matter how gorgeous the eyeshadow or how sparkly the hair accessories, it seemed impossible to dispel the almost tangible low pressure and shame radiating from some of the members.

Focus one: Jang Wonyoung.

She sat upright in front of the makeup mirror, her posture as straight and elegant as a true little princess. But on top of her head, she was steadily (or rather, meticulously secured) wearing that now-famous prop—the "Crown Aquarius." The crystal-clear bottle, the elegant crown-shaped cap, and the "Ice Mountain Source Crystal Mineral Water" inside, rumored to be worth 400,000 won, refracted a cold and expensive light under the makeup room's lamps.

Jang Wonyoung tightened her little face, her lips pressed into a straight line. The reflection in the mirror held a gaze even colder than the mineral water on her head.

A long-awaited shoot, a long-awaited "bottle challenge." She had thought that after a period of rest and adjustment, she might be able to face this shameful setup with a bit more composure, but facts proved that the shame had not subsided; instead, it had fermented, biting back even more fiercely. Every time she felt that heavy, cold presence on her head, every time she saw this absurd styling in the mirror, she felt countless little people screaming in her mind.

An Yujin, sitting next to her, already done with makeup and working on her wrists, caught a glimpse of Jang Wonyoung's side profile, which looked like it was about to freeze over. Out of teammate love (or perhaps a desire to ease the atmosphere), she leaned over and whispered a comforting attempt:

"Wonyoung-ah, actually... try looking at the bright side?" An Yujin struggled to organize her words. "Look, this mineral water is a high-end brand, right? Being able to land a personal endorsement or deep product placement at this level proves your high commercial value! Plus, dancing or completing missions with a water bottle on your head, although... um, a bit unique, it really made many people remember your 'star spring messenger' image. Your personal recognition and topic spread are maxed out! Isn't that... kind of a gain?"

Jang Wonyoung turned her head slowly and mechanically toward An Yujin. She tugged at the corners of her mouth, revealing an extremely standard "smile" that held not a shred of warmth in her eyes, her voice soft but carrying a chill:

"Yah! An Yujin."

An Yujin: "... Eh?" (Feeling something ominous)

"Promoting my personal image," Jang Wonyoung said, enunciating each word as if squeezing them through her teeth, "is that what you call me wearing this stupid water bottle, trying to keep my balance in front of the camera while squeezing out a sweet smile?"

"Or does that mean me being hoisted three meters high by a wire onto a giant orion pie, having to gnaw on it 'tragically' while shouting 'I love Orion best'?"

She paused, took a deep breath, as if suppressing some impending outburst, her voice dropping lower, but even more gritted:

"Or... does it mean me wearing that ridiculous 'angel' costume with plastic wings glued to the back, sitting on that damn, golden, toilet-shaped 'throne,' and having to pose for the 'flushing spin' effect???"

Each description of a scene was like a small knife, precisely stabbing at the shame of Jang Wonyoung herself (and the other members who accidentally overheard). The slight chatter in the makeup room quieted down significantly; several members silently lowered their heads, pretending to focus on their nails or shoes.

An Yujin was rendered speechless by this barrage of "soul-searching questions," and could only force a laugh before silently shrinking back into her seat. She seemed to have... comforted in the wrong direction, and instead sprinkled salt on her younger sister's wound.

Jang Wonyoung turned her head back, looking at herself in the mirror—water bottle on her head, exquisite makeup, but cold eyes.

(Inner volcano erupting, magma rolling)

[Jiang Zhiyu... I, Jang Wonyoung, will remember this grudge!]

[Humiliating me with a water bottle! Torturing me with a giant pie! 'Defiling' me with a Golden Toilet! (Exaggerated)]

[If I don't take revenge for this, I am no gentleman... no, no lady!]

[I will not share the sky with you!!!]

The little girl made a "grand" vow of revenge in her heart, although she hadn't figured out exactly how to take it yet.

Just then, the makeup room door was pushed open.

A familiar scent, warm with fruity notes, drifted in first. Immediately after, Jiang Zhiyu, wearing a director's vest and holding a thick stack of storyboard scripts, walked in with his signature smile that seemed forever full of sunshine and "good ideas."

His gaze swept over the members who were basically ready in the makeup room, seeing their gorgeous or "distinctive" "Star Saints battle robes," as well as Jang Wonyoung with the water bottle on her head, An Yujin with a giant toy hammer beside her, and Kwon Eunbi (?) with a "roast sausage slingshot" prop hanging from her waist, and he nodded with satisfaction.

"Oh! Long time no see, my dear Saints!" Jiang Zhiyu's voice was loud and his tone enthusiastic, as if he were truly visiting old friends he hadn't seen in a long time. "You all look full of energy! Not bad, not bad!"

Everyone: "..." (Where do we look full of energy?! Can't you see the despair in our eyes and the dark clouds over our heads?!)

Jiang Zhiyu seemed to automatically filter out those resentful gazes. He walked to the middle of the makeup room, raised the script in his hand, and began to explain today's shooting content, his tone as relaxed as if he were introducing an interesting game:

"Today's script flow is like this, everyone remembers, right? After the last 'fierce battle' with the Star Demons Claws in the streets of Myeong-dong, our Pisces Saintess Yena xi was unfortunately captured!" He pointed to Choi Yena, who was sitting on a rest chair in the corner, eating snacks while curiously watching the spectacle.

Choi Yena cooperatively raised the banana in her hand, making a pitiful "save me" expression (but her eyes were full of amusement at the show).

"So!" Jiang Zhiyu raised his volume, "The other Saints, which is all of you, resolutely launched the top-secret 'Rescue Duck X Plan'! In the last shoot, everyone worked together and successfully defeated the 'Metal Kitty Cats King' at the Metal Attribute venue, obtaining the first 'Star Key Fragment'!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and continued: "Today, we will continue to move forward, crossing the next level of the Five Elements venue—the Wood Attribute venue! Searching for more clues and methods, and finally rescuing our cute duck... ah no, rescuing Yena!"

While he was explaining, Choi Yena was swinging her legs leisurely on the side, looking completely like a bystander who had nothing to do with it. Meanwhile, the other members who were about to "go through fire and water" had gazes that became even more vacant.

Five Elements venue... Wood attribute...

Who knew what kind of bizarre guards and shameful challenges were waiting for them.

The Metal attribute venue had Metal Kitty Cats and marbles, what about Wood? Tree people? Flower monsters? Or... walking carrots?

Just thinking about it made the future seem "dim."

Jiang Zhiyu finished his explanation, looking at the group of girls with exquisite makeup but vacant eyes, looking as if their souls had collectively left their bodies. Not only did he not feel anything was wrong, but he clapped his hands hard, a brighter smile appearing on his face, and encouraged them loudly:

"Good! Very energetic!"

Everyone: "???" (Where did you see that?! Our faces are clearly written with 'want to go home,' 'want to sleep,' 'want to disappear'!)

"I hope everyone can maintain this feeling in the upcoming shoot!" Jiang Zhiyu waved his fist, "Fighting!!!"

The makeup room was silent.

Only the subtle chewing sound of Choi Yena eating her banana, and the barrage of complaints flashing frantically in some members' minds:

[Energetic? PD Jiang, do you have some misunderstanding of the word 'energetic'? We are clearly 'life is meaningless'!]

[Feeling? What feeling? The feeling of being numb from shame?]

[Maintain? We really want to throw it away!]

[Fighting? We only want to 'lie flat' now...]

However, no matter how turbulent their hearts were, the arrow was on the string, and they had to fire.

Under Jiang Zhiyu's "expectant" gaze and the staff's "ready" gestures, the girls of IZ*ONE (except for Choi Yena), laden with "glamorous" equipment and full of "solemn" determination, took heavy steps toward that unknown filming area known as the "Wood Attribute Field."

A new shameful challenge was about to begin.

As for Choi Yena, she happily hugged her snacks and found the best viewing spot to sit down, preparing to enjoy her teammates' "brilliant" performance.

(Clapperboard raised: [Rescue Duck X Project — Wood Attribute Field Chapter, Scene One, Action!])

Although shame and fear of the unknown challenge intertwined like a low-pressure cloud in their hearts, once they officially entered filming mode and faced the set-up "Wood Attribute Field" and the numerous camera lenses, the professional instincts of the IZ*ONE members immediately took over.

The reluctance and dullness on their faces were quickly adjusted, replaced by expressions of wariness and determination fitting the "Star Saints" setting. Their movements were no longer sluggish; there was a bit more of the crispness of an "adventurer" in their gait. Even Jang Wonyoung, with the water bottle on her head, tried her best to straighten her back, letting that expensive "Crown Aquarius" refract the (barely) solemn light of a "sacred object" under the studio lights.

They were currently in a meticulously decorated, massive studio. Under their feet was a soft floor covered in faux moss and fallen leaves; all around stood many thick, faux tree trunks and supports draped with vines. The air was sprayed with a fragrance (non-toxic) carrying the scent of grass and soil, and the lights shone through green filters, creating a deep, damp jungle atmosphere. This was the "Wood Attribute Field."

According to the script logic explained by Jiang Zhiyu earlier, and the brief "Adventure Guide" (actually a mission card) in their hands, the group gathered together and began to discuss how to handle this level.

"According to the Theory of Five Elements..." Kwon Eunbi, as the leader, tried hard to recall the forced-fed setting, pointing to the hints on the mission card, "Wood Attribute Field, it should be countered by 'Metal.' If it's Metal attribute..."

Her gaze subconsciously swept across the members, finally settling on two members.

Yabuki Nako — taurus.

Kim Minju — libra.

The mission card vaguely hinted that it required the "calm patience of a taurus" and the "adaptability of a libra."

"Nako, Minju," Kwon Eunbi's voice carried a hint of uncertainty, but more of a resignation that "the script says so, so we have to bite the bullet," "This level might require you two... to be the main breakthrough force?"

As the words fell, the two people named stiffened at the same time.

Nako's big eyes, which were always a bit dazed and cute, widened instantly, and the depths of her pupils clearly reflected an earthquake-like resistance! Let her, a petite member who was better at showing agile charm on stage, take on the role of the "calm and patient" "Metal attribute" main force? And in such a bizarre field? In her mind, she had already uncontrollably visualized herself clumsily trapped in vines or being chased by some strange plant props!

Kim Minju slightly opened her mouth, her usual gentle smile completely frozen, turning into a slightly terrified and bewildered expression. The adaptability of a libra? She was indeed trying very hard to adapt to various situations, but adapting to this fantasy adventure setting that was clearly over the top in terms of shame? She felt she might need to first adapt to the fact that her image was about to "collapse"!

Their facial expression management failed instantly, with "Don't!" "Why us?" and "Unnie/Leader, help!" written all over their faces.

The other members looked at their reactions, and while feeling sympathetic, they also secretly breathed a sigh of relief — fortunately, it wasn't them this time.

An Yujin patted Nako on the shoulder, her tone heavy: "Nako-ya, bring out the spirit of your 'Abundant Artisan' (taurus Star Envoy title)!"

Jang Wonyoung also (bearing the water bottle) cast a "good luck" look at Kim Minju: "Minju Unnie, believe in your power of 'Fair Harmony' (libra title)!"

Honda Hitomi and Hyewon whispered: "Calm and patience... adaptability... sounds like they have to complete some boring and troublesome collection task?"

Just then, a hoarse coughing sound, like old tree bark rubbing together, came from the depths of the field. Everyone looked over vigilantly, only to see an "Old Monkey" (played by a hunched staff member) wearing a ragged tree bark outfit, with wrinkles and leaves painted on his face, and a few withered branches on his head, leaning on a crooked wooden staff, slowly walking out from behind a "big tree."

"Ahem... young Star Saints..." The Old Monkey's voice was deliberately lowered, with a pretentious tone, "Welcome to... the Wood Domain where vitality and decay coexist. The Star Demons Claws have already polluted the source of this forest..."

He pointed his wooden staff at a small pond emitting an eerie green light in the center of the field, as well as a patch of flowers next to the pond that flickered with a faint silver light but were covered by a layer of slimy, pale green translucent object.

Looking closely, those coverings... were actually a large group of slowly wriggling — Green Slimes — that were slightly smaller than Lemm and closer to grass green or yellow-green in color! They didn't have the exquisite gears inside Lemm, looking more primitive and "wild," gathering together, making slight "gurgle gurgle" sounds, firmly guarding the pond and the flowers.

"Star Droplets... Moonlight Flowers..." The Old Monkey continued, "Only these two pure materials can refine the purification potion to disperse the army of 'Rotten Green Slimes.' However, they are strictly guarded by these polluted little things."

His muddy (painted on) eyes looked at Nako and Kim Minju: "I can feel it... the light of taurus's perseverance, and the power of libra's balance... Perhaps, only those who possess these two traits can approach and obtain the materials without alerting them."

The mission was clear.

Nako and Kim Minju looked at each other, and both saw the "as expected" despair and a trace of resignation in the other's eyes. The script was written all over their faces, and with an NPC (Old Monkey) personally naming them, they couldn't hide even if they wanted to.

The Old Monkey handed them two small baskets woven from leaves: "Remember, be calm, be patient, do not be impatient. Adapt to the environment, find the most harmonious way to approach. If you alert the Slime army, they will launch a Slime attack. Although it is not fatal, it will be very troublesome and will waste time."

Slime attack... troublesome... wasting time...

Thinking about potentially being sprayed with slimy "juice" by a bunch of jelly-like creatures, Nako and Kim Minju's faces turned even paler.

"After obtaining the materials, hand them over to the Star Saint who has 'Wood Attribute Affinity' to refine." The Old Monkey added a final sentence, his gaze seeming to scan Miyawaki Sakura, who had the "virgo" (related to plants, harvest?) setting, and Choi Yena, who was currently absent but had the "pisces" (related to water?) setting, but did not specify, leaving a sense of suspense.

Nako and Kim Minju gripped the light yet heavy-as-a-thousand-pounds leaf baskets in their hands. Amidst the gazes of their teammates mixed with sympathy, encouragement, and "good luck," they took a deep breath, and as if rushing to the battlefield, took their first cautious step toward the pond and flower patch covered by Green Slimes.

Calm? Patience?

Adaptability?

In this kind of place? Facing a group of jelly monsters?

The two complained wildly in their hearts, but their footsteps tried to be light, and their eyes tried to become focused, attempting to find the "most harmonious way" mentioned by the Old Monkey.

The real challenge had only just begun. And the two of them, unfortunately, had become the "chosen workers" selected by "fate" (Jiang Zhiyu's script) in this Wood Attribute Field.