Chapter 200
Chapter 200
A translucent hologram floated up next to Cha Yu-jin.
[Name: Cha Yu-jin]
Vocals: B- (B+)
(Rap: B+)
Dance: S- (S+)
Appearance: A (S)
Star Quality: S (EX)
Trait: Black Hole (S)
I almost cursed out loud.
Fuck, is this kid even human?
His dancing had improved again in the meantime, giving him two S-ranks. His vocals had also finally entered the B-rank after his vocal parts increased recently.
And the crowning jewel… was his trait.
[Black Hole (S): A gravitational pull that sucks everything in, a captivating impulse]
- Stage Immersion +180%
As the rank jumped from A to S, the 150% bonus had become 180%. I didn't know traits could evolve too.
Is that why his Star Quality went up even more?
A cold sweat broke out on my back.
I feel like I’m going to get fucked no matter what I do with him.
For the first time in a long while, the sensation I felt during the Idol Incarnation survival days was returning… My survival instinct.
Did I push for this too hastily just because the fans liked the idea?
No, stay calm.
It’s not like I’ll have to leave the group because my form breaks during a single unit stage. I’ll just end up a bit embarrassed.
It’s not like I was trying to suppress Cha Yu-jin like Keun Se-jin does.
I could already see it clearly: fans struggling to push the narrative that "both did great," while Cha Yu-jin’s solo stans mocked me, saying things like, "LOL, look at Gommer trying so hard."
And eventually, the damage it would do to Park Moon-dae’s image as a top-tier performer…
I can’t let that happen.
This won't do. I need to re-examine everything to ensure such a disaster doesn't occur.
"Yu-jin."
"Yes!!"
"Tell me every stage effect you wanted to use for the unit performance."
Cha Yu-jin, who had been looking at his smartphone, sprang up. His eyes were sparkling.
[Water! Fireworks! Lights and dancers! And a giant moving structure!]
Basically, he wanted to use everything possible.
"You know it’s impossible to use all of that because of the budget, right?"
"I know! But use a lot! I like it!"
"Right."
It was true.
The choreography drafts and stage equipment had already been confirmed. And quite a few of the elements Cha Yu-jin mentioned were actually being used.
In the "behind-the-scenes" footage, it would look like I was graciously accepting Yu-jin’s suggestions, but it was actually a calculated move on my part.
I wanted the focus to be spread across the entire stage thanks to the flashy surrounding effects.
But after checking Cha Yu-jin’s stats, I realized it. That was a shallow move.
The focus won't be dispersed.
People will undoubtedly focus on Cha Yu-jin. If anything, the stage effects will only help him stand out more.
I need a way to forcibly steal that attention back.
The easiest way is… to touch my own stats.
"Status Window."
Let’s check my status window this time.
[Name: Park Moon-dae (Ryu Gun-woo)]
Level: 18
Title: None
Vocals: S-
Dance: B+
Appearance: A-
Star Quality: A-
Traits: Infinite Potential, That Sounds Right (A), Bacchus 500 (B), Catchy Ear (A)
!Status Effect: Death if Not an Audience
Remaining Points: 2
I thought my stats were quite decent now, but looking at them after seeing Cha Yu-jin’s made them seem a bit lackluster.
First off, nothing unusual.
The only things worth noting were… my level going up by one, and my dance stat increasing naturally.
I suppose it went up a rank naturally because I was constantly learning and performing impromptu choreography during the tour schedule.
Normally, my course of action would be obvious.
Raising Dance from B+ to A-.
It’s easy to think of it as an efficient way to change ranks and a way to keep up with Cha Yu-jin’s specialty, dancing.
But… it’s ambiguous.
Even if I raise it, I’m still in a different league than Cha Yu-jin.
Yu-jin’s dance is S-. Since it’s a unit stage, even if I try to hold my own with an A-, it might just end up looking like I’m barely managing to match his level.
Even if I invested both points to reach A, it would be the same. I’m already losing in Star Quality and traits.
And this applies no matter where I invest.
…Should I just make my Vocals S+?
A method to make their ears focus on Park Moon-dae even if their eyes are on Cha Yu-jin. It feels a bit desperate.
I’ll put that on hold for now and look at the remaining variables.
"Hmm."
I pulled up the pop-ups that had accumulated from the concert and reality show recognition.
[Successful Performance!]
You have impressed the vast majority!
There were several pop-ups like this, including fame update notifications.
Most of them gave me a random trait draw, so I had accumulated a total of five draws.
And since it had been proven every time that something useful for the near future would come out of these, it was almost embarrassing to doubt it anymore.
I was almost certain now.
Let’s blow them all.
Spit out something useful.
I’ll start with the low-rank ones first.
I rolled all the draws labeled "Treasure" and "Hero." These were the ones where C to B ranks were the standard.
The lever pulled, and the slot machine flashed.
Pop, pop, pop!
[Acquired 'Soft and Cute (B)'!]
[Acquired 'Angel-like (C)'!]
[Acquired 'Crocodile Tears (A)'!]
[Acquired 'Immovable Heart (B)'!]
Useless, don't need it, doesn't fit the situation.
Not a single one related to the stage.
Only traits related to external activities were pouring out.
Is it telling me to handle the stage on my own?
Or is it an implication that failing this unit stage won't cause much damage?
I scanned the pop-up window with a cold, analytical mind. Then, a rather unpleasant realization struck me.
Or maybe it’s because… the time is coming soon.
It goes without saying, but the status effect is almost over.
['Death if Not an Audience']
: If you do not meet more than 200,000 audience members within the set period, you will die.
Achieved: 199,997 / 200,000
Only 3 people left.
Once the encore concert was over—no, even if it was canceled due to some natural disaster, it didn't matter. Any single stage with just three audience members would end this status effect.
And… I feel like that damn 'Truth Verification' is going to pop up again.
Given past instances, it wouldn't be surprising if it showed me someone dying again.
…It meant the system could try to shake me.
So, it was giving me traits related to external activities to help defend against potential "attitude controversies."
That’s a plausible enough theory to make me feel even worse.
It’s not like it’s giving me the disease and the cure; just don't show me that useless shit in the first place, fuck.
I clicked my tongue but decided to act rationally for now.
Meaning, I swapped my traits.
[Trait: 'That Sounds Right (A)' has been deleted!]
In its place, I slotted the somewhat useful 'Immovable Heart.' Even though the rank was lower, it was a versatile trait.
…For the record, 'Crocodile Tears,' which briefly tempted me because it was A-rank, was just a higher-tier version of that 'faucet' trait—allowing one to cry pitifully to evoke sympathy.
In other words, it was garbage.
Done.
I cracked my neck.
Alright, let’s clear my head.
Only one left.
The draw with the unusual name.
[Legendary Trait Draw ☜ Click!]
The final draw I received after finishing the tour.
Whether it’s a mass-produced piece of shit game or a masterpiece, it’s a universal rule that anything with "Legendary" attached is good.
The same should apply to this vague game system.
I’m expecting at least an A.
Please, let me add a stage-buffing trait!
The lever of the holographic slot machine was pulled, and the slots filled with platinum light began to spin rapidly.
Rattle, rattle, rattle—
Countless impressive-sounding trait names flashed by.
Click.
The slot slowly… came to a stop.
It was a slot glowing with five-colored lights, something I had never seen before.
Flash! Bang!!
[Acquired Trait: 'Time of Indulgence (S)'!]
Holy shit.
An S-rank!
I unconsciously punched the bed. Fortunately, Cha Yu-jin, who was back to being absorbed in his phone, didn't notice.
This is insane.
Even if I try not to be obsessed with these draws, getting such a high rank sent a thrill straight to my spine.
Wait, let’s calm down.
I need to check what kind of trait it is first.
Based on the name, it sounds like a stage trait.
I pulled up the trait details.
[Trait: Time of Indulgence (S)]
- I feel myself alive upon this stage.
: Stage Immersion (Self) +180%
This is crazy.
It’s just 'Black Hole' with a different name.
"Whew."
I let out a long breath and sat on the edge of the bed.
Stage Immersion +180%…
With this, if I just distribute my points efficiently and coordinate our practice, I could actually compete with Cha Yu-jin…
No, wait.
Looking at it again, there’s something attached at the end.
Stage Immersion (Self)
Self?
So, it’s not the immersion of the entire audience… it means the performer themselves gets immersed in their own stage.
"……."
This son of a bitch, seriously.
Is it telling me to get lost in my own narcissism on stage?
If this status window were a real game, this is the kind of atrocity that would make me demand a refund and leave a one-star review.
Where the fuck did your business ethics go?
I gritted my teeth while staring at the status window for a moment, but I soon cooled my head.
…Let’s compare it to 'Immovable Heart'.
I calmly weighed the pros and cons.
First, the effect of this S-rank trait would definitely be potent.
It would truly allow me to immerse myself in the stage.
Then, how am I usually?
Do I lack immersion?
The stage is… fun, I guess.
It’s rewarding, and I think I do a good job of matching the atmosphere of any concept without showing any signs of embarrassment.
In other words, I’m doing fine.
Then, what’s the benefit of being even more immersed than I am now?
I’ll look more natural.
If the performer is deeply immersed, it’s reasonable to expect that it will also make the audience more immersed to some extent.
And in case various distractions occur, I’ll be able to lead the performance more smoothly without breaking the flow.
And… it might be more fun.
…That’s not a consideration, so let’s skip it.
"Hmm."
Anyway, after summarizing it, while it might not be as broken as 'Black Hole,' it seemed like it would be quite helpful.
Especially given this group’s tendency for strong concepts, being able to perform while feeling less of a sense of dissonance was a plus. It seemed likely to affect my concept execution.
It would probably reduce comments like "I feel embarrassed just watching him."
It’s a bit different from being 'good,' but it means I can perform with ultimate shamelessness.
The moment I thought that far.
"……!"
Suddenly, an extreme idea occurred to me.
But… if I use it well, it could work.
It’s all or nothing anyway.
I’ve already revealed all the variables I have, and there are no other options.
Shall I give it a try?
I immediately manipulated the pop-ups.
[Trait: 'Immovable Heart (B)' has been deleted!]
In the empty slot where 'Immovable Heart' had briefly stayed, I slotted the new trait, 'Time of Indulgence.'
Then, I poured all my remaining points into Star Quality.
Star Quality: A+
Good. Let’s go with this.
"Cha Yu-jin."
"Yes??"
"Want to make the unit stage even more fun?"
Cha Yu-jin answered immediately without even asking for clarification.
"Yes!"
Right. I knew he would.
And so, with less than fifteen days left until the encore concert, Cha Yu-jin and I slightly modified the composition of our unit stage.
And we were both satisfied with the new direction.
"Are you sure about this?"
"I love it!!"
"Well, if you guys say so…."
Ryu Cheong-woo asked a few more times, but Cha Yu-jin only gave him a thumbs up.
It made sense.
We were each going to do what we were best at.