Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Translator: Penny
Chapter 45
"Come to think of it, the main writer just mentioned character development too," Seo Yehyeon nodded.
As I debated whether to tell him the truth—seeing his face so convinced he was fulfilling his role as the reliable eldest member—Ryu Jaehee beat me to it.
"I know everyone except Eden Hyung has concepts they want to try. But I think we should all put those aside for now."
The youngest member, usually all smiles and the group's mood-maker, wore an uncharacteristically serious expression.
Did I not notice because he's always smiling?
With all the laughter gone, I could finally see a hint of the man he would become after his growth spurt.
"One of the things fans value most is the group's dynamics. But to be honest, our group's dynamics are a mess right now."
Ryu Jaehee, after apologizing for being so blunt, closed his eyes briefly before opening them again.
"Let's start with reality. Dobin Hyung acts like a pushover around all the hyungs, but he especially shrinks around Eden Hyung. And Eden Hyung and Yehyeon Hyung? They can't even look at each other without sniping or arguing."
"Hey, we haven't been fighting much lately!"
"You were just bickering five minutes ago! It's barely been five minutes!"
Since our Original Intent Score hadn't dropped due to "fostering discord," it wasn't a fight—just a friendly chat.
Looking wronged, I unconsciously glanced at Seo Yehyeon.
Seo Yehyeon, wearing the same expression, turned his head toward me as well.
Our eyes met briefly before he quickly looked away.
"Hajun Hyung's the same. Eden Hyung's still the only person he feels comfortable with in the group, right?"
The target shifted from me and Seo Yehyeon to Gyeon Hajun.
I thought Gyeon Hajun was beyond reproach, but Ryu Jaehee clearly saw things differently.
"Still, Hyung treats me and Dobin Hyung like younger brothers he needs to take care of, so that's fine. But it's obvious that Yehyeon Hyung and Hajun Hyung still feel awkward around each other. We're supposed to be a team, after all."
"Well, I've known Eden for so long..." Gyeon Hajun offered awkwardly with a forced smile.
Ryu Jaehee, arms crossed, cut him off sharply.
"Even when Yehyeon Hyung and Eden Hyung fight, it's obvious you subtly take Eden Hyung's side. I can see it with my own eyes."
As one of the people involved in this conversation, I couldn't agree at all.
Then what were all those countless lectures Gyeon Hajun had given me until now?
"Even when Eden Hyung is in the wrong, you apologize to Yehyeon Hyung on his behalf instead of letting Eden Hyung do it himself. That's why their relationship stays like this, and you and Yehyeon Hyung keep growing more awkward."
Why am I always getting dragged into these messed-up relationship dynamics?
I thought I'd been keeping my temper in check and living a decent life this time around. So why am I being blamed as the main culprit for the group's relationship falling apart?
"If this airs as is, rumors of discord will spread."
"That's why we packaged it up nicely for the broadcast."
"Yeah, we did try to smooth things over," Seo Yehyeon replied, and I chimed in to support him.
Ryu Jaehee snorted. "If that were true, I wouldn't be setting this mood, would I? Sorry to break it to you, but the way we're perceived by the fans—our roles and relationships—aren't exactly flattering, Hyungs."
Jaehee's first target was Seo Yehyeon, whose idealized image clashed most sharply with reality.
"First off, Yehyeon Hyung has become the 'useless eldest member' who nervously glances at the Leader every time he messes up a dance move. And since we barely have any variety show appearances or behind-the-scenes content, Eden Hyung is getting all kinds of speculation and hate for supposedly 'bullying' Yehyeon Hyung."
"Useless? Why? Wait a minute... but it's true I've been getting scolded. If you take out the 'useless' part, you're spot-on."
"Should I really give you a proper scolding?"
"Ah, look! Again! Again! It hasn't even been five minutes since the hyungs said we haven't been fighting much lately!"
"Youngest member, as I've said countless times, this isn't fighting. By my and Yehyeon Hyung's standards, this is actually a very affectionate conversation."
"No, even I don't think this is an affectionate conversation."
If my Original Intent Score doesn't drop, I'll say this is an affectionate conversation two hundred times.
Ryu Jaehee sighed heavily and turned to me, rubbing his temples.
"The Eden Hyung our fans see is a demanding perfectionist and control freak, but also a producer genuinely passionate about music. It's a double-edged sword. If we're not careful, he'll be branded as autocratic and a disciplinarian. And he's already getting flak because of Yehyeon Hyung."
Why do I have to get cursed out because of someone else's mistakes?
I liked Role, the producer who was genuinely passionate about music, but knowing how much the two images behind him were getting flak, I wanted to avoid them.
Besides, with a concept like that, it didn't seem like we'd be able to complete the quest.
"I'll pass on Hajun Hyung. There's nothing to criticize about his broadcast persona. Just keep doing what you're doing on air."
Gyeon Hajun nodded with a relieved expression.
Ryu Jaehee turned his gaze to the long-awaited Kim Dobin, who was looking at him with sparkling eyes and an expression full of anticipation. Jaehee let out a heavy sigh.
"Dobin Hyung... you need to tone down your comedy obsession. Fans find it boring. Trying too hard to be funny when you're not just makes you look desperate and earns you nothing but criticism. You're already mentally fragile—how much more can you take?"
"M-me? Boring?"
Kim Dobin's jaw dropped in shock as he repeated the question several times, his face a mask of disbelief.
Wait, has this guy actually been living under the delusion that his jokes are funny all this time?
"Hyung, you don't need to try so hard to be funny. Your very existence is hilarious enough. Just be yourself."
Ryu Jaehee offered the perfunctory consolation before continuing.
"As for relationships... for now, the Maknae Line—you and me—seems close enough. We actually are friends, after all."
"Huh? We're friends?"
"Ah, Hyung, please stop doing that! We're having a serious conversation here. Do you really want to ruin the mood? It's so unfunny."
Kim Dobin's shoulders slumped at Ryu Jaehee's disgusted reaction. I awkwardly patted Dobin's back.
"Yeah, Dobin-ah, you should really think before you interrupt."
Detected: Statement promoting discord among members.
Original Intent Score -1
Great, just what I needed. Please, just stop showing these notifications! If you get offended by something this mild, how are you going to survive in the world as a comedy character?
Ryu Jaehee continued speaking, completely ignoring Kim Dobin, who had been shut down, and me, who had lost Original Intent Score for trying to comfort him.
"But the real problem is you guys. When the three of you are together, Yehyeon Hyung feels left out. I can't force you to be friends, but you can't let this show on camera, okay?"
Gyeon Hajun and I had been together since our previous agency, so our bond was deep-rooted. It was only natural that Seo Yehyeon couldn't wedge himself into that dynamic.
But this was our private matter. In front of the fans, we knew we had to laugh and joke around, even if we felt like enemies.
We understood this in theory, but putting it into practice was the real challenge.
"So what do we do?"
"Since Yehyeon Hyung has already been branded as clumsy and unreliable, Eden Hyung needs to change his image. He should act more relaxed and accommodating around Yehyeon Hyung, letting him win at things other than music or practice. If they keep bickering and refusing to yield like they do off-camera, rumors of discord will spread immediately."
When Jesian frowned, clearly displeased, Ryu Jaehee explained the reasoning.
"Hajun Hyung already stole the ideal leader image—the one who coordinates the members' opinions and takes perfect care of them. So, Eden Hyung, you should focus on cultivating a 'gap moe' image: strict about music but relaxed and willing to yield to the members in other areas. No matter how I think about it, that's the best approach."
When Ryu Jaehee had suggested something similar before, I'd dismissed it as him trying to undermine me. But hearing his detailed reasoning now, I found myself nodding in agreement, strangely convinced.
Since I've already received a concept suggestion, why not roughly base the hidden quest on this? If it's the answer, great. If not, I can always try again.
[▷ Let's define the concept ✓
▶ Concept desired by fans completed.
▶ Yoon Eden's Concept: Meticulous about music and stage presence, but laid-back in other aspects!
▶ Reward: Original Intent Score 10 and a Random Ticket.
Is this really the answer...?
As the quest completion window popped up before my eyes, Ryu Jaehee continued to solidify the other members' images, oblivious to my stunned reaction.
"Yehyeon Hyung, since your image is already established, just give up on being the reliable eldest member and embrace the 'clumsy eldest brother' or 'eldest brother teasing' roles. Eden Hyung, just follow my instructions. Hajun Hyung, keep doing what you're doing. Dobin Hyung, tone down the jokes a bit. Instead, act a bit more... like a dog. No, like a puppy."
Even if Ryu Jaehee was lying, the quest completion window never lied. I nodded in agreement.
"But when I searched, nothing came up. How did you find this stuff?"
"You have to use the Search Evasion Name. Hyung, you've just been searching honestly with the real name, like always. I'll handle the underground reactions, so don't go staring into the Abyss."
What kind of Abyss does this kid usually stare into...?
"What's my Search Evasion Name?" I asked, suddenly curious.
Ryu Jaehee refused several times, warning me not to regret it.
Finally, my patience ran out. "I won't regret it," I snapped, "just tell me already!"
Reluctantly, he revealed one of my Search Evasion Names.
I braced myself for the worst and searched, but surprisingly, the results were just ordinary fan comments.
ReveYou @IREVEYOU
Ugh, Eden's hairstyle should be preserved forever! Silver hair with a sleeked-back undercut? It's like they're trying to kill all the fans!
(Allrightornight_gif.)
**REVE_official** @LnL_reve
Replying to @IREVEYOU
Why do you write "Eden" instead of "Eden"?
I posted the question out of curiosity, but when I refreshed the page, the account had vanished. As I stared blankly at the now-nonexistent profile, Kim Dobin, standing beside me, blinked and muttered, "Hyung, you look like a raccoon that's been washed in cotton candy water. Raccoon... I want raccoon ramen. Not that I'd actually eat it, of course! Don't misunderstand, Yehyeon Hyung!"
"What kind of stream of consciousness is that?"
Mmannn @mmannn
What's going on? Why did ReveYou delete their account?
(Locked) ByoYuje @hamzziiiiuj
Replying to @mmannn
Someone publicly replied to 2E on their official account, asking why they were using a Search Evasion Name instead of their real name.
Mmannn @mmannn
Replying to @hamzziiiiuj
2E... is "2든" really Eden's new Search Evasion Name? ㅋㅋ
But Eden Hyung always seemed like the type to just search for names directly, never bothering with Search Evasion Names. How did they get found out?
(Locked) ByoYuje @hamzziiiiuj
Replying to @mmannn
I'm guessing NeoJae might have leaked it.
NeoJae is a true master of Search Evasion Names. They've probably changed theirs like five times already.
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny