Chapter 379
Chapter 379
“The team I wish to join is Participant Shin Jae-hyun’s team.”
I chose Cheong-ryeo’s team.
Even the trainer’s eyes widened. Their expression suggested they were certain I would choose Jin Chae-yul’s team.
[Uh, uh, uh? Hyung?]
Even this guy, who had been quiet, claiming he ‘wouldn’t interfere with the filming,’ popped out.
‘What.’
[Uh, well, I mean, Chae-yul was your rival just a moment ago, but the atmosphere was so good… I thought you’d work together this time as a team and hit the jackpot…….]
Right, so you were drawing up your own little scenario, were you?
I let out a silent smirk.
‘I can’t.’
[Gasp! Why?]
‘It’s a decent idea, but it’s full of traps.’
It was because my positioning would become ambiguous.
First of all, if I paired up with Chae-yul, my opinion would inevitably carry more weight than his. Between my track record, being older, and having superior skills, there was no helping it.
If I tried to play it safe and stay quiet because ‘I lost,’ the picture would look weird. Conversely, if there was no one better than me on his team, I’d have to take the lead again.
‘No thanks.’
Then problems would arise starting from the song selection. If we went with a light and refreshing concept like last time, it would cause issues during the CEO’s evaluation.
‘He’d say I’m stuck in a rut and just repeating myself.’
Or people would think we were having a power struggle.
But what if I suddenly pivoted to a dark, gloomy concept to match the CEO’s evaluation? This is exactly what would happen:
Once Episode 3 aired, there would surely be a fair amount of public opinion defending me and rebelling against the CEO’s harsh criticism. By changing course, I’d be disappointing those people while pretending I wasn’t.
No matter what I chose, I’d lose out on the strengths I appealed with in the previous team match.
Whether it was my considerateness or my pure tenacity.
[I-I never imagined an answer like this…….]
Well, there’s no need to be disappointed.
‘I just thought that for this round, the best scenario was to have a firm leader other than myself.’
And as luck would have it, hasn’t a veteran leader with decades—or rather, hundreds of years—of proven experience arrived?
I carefully composed my facial muscles into an expression of gratitude.
“…Thank you.”
“I’m the one who’s grateful. Hyung, I look forward to working with you.”
That was Cheong-ryeo.
‘For this round, I’m positioning myself as Hardworking Member 1.’
That was the best move.
I shook hands with Cheong-ryeo. He was wearing a faint smile.
‘So, you knew I’d do this.’
Does that mean he came here having finished the same calculations?
I clicked my tongue inwardly, but outwardly, I continued to send him looks of gratitude.
Of course, cleaning up the loose ends was essential.
“Still, Gun-woo, don’t you have anything to say to the other teams that came looking for you?”
Right. I expected the trainer to try and stir the pot around this point.
Before the trainer even finished speaking, I immediately approached Jin Chae-yul. He was nodding as if he understood.
“Thank you so much for coming for me.”
“No….”
Here, I shifted the focus of why I rejected Chae-yul.
“But you don’t need to feel any guilt or responsibility just because I lost. Really.”
“…!”
Jin Chae-yul lifted his head.
“You made it because you were good. I’ll do well this time and move up, too. Let’s work together again on the next stage.”
It was a considerate gesture, suggesting he might have made a reckless choice out of guilt.
‘Actually, it’s quite likely.’
Since this guy was from the supplementary class, he probably didn’t know many people on his team, so he must have had a hard time persuading them to let him bring me in.
‘In reality, if I joined, there’s a high probability people would talk about the parts distribution again.’
It would be easier for him in many ways to go his separate way. He had decent stats, after all.
“We had fun, didn’t we?”
“! Yes!”
The kid sniffled, but he soon smiled and nodded. I gave him a light pat on the back, creating a good atmosphere.
…Actually, I was quite grateful, and even if he was a bit simple-minded, he didn't have any ill intent.
‘Seeing as that bastard isn't saying anything, it means this guy will pass easily enough.’
It seemed I didn't need to do anything else.
The other participant who had been up against Kim Rae-bin was soon picked up by another team, and thus, the distribution of the odd-man-out extras was finished.
However, the cameras were still following us.
Well, it’s probably better to ask one question.
As we walked down the hallway, I asked Cheong-ryeo.
“Why did you pick me?”
“Our chemistry was the best when we practiced. I wanted to show that off.”
Lying through his teeth without even blinking… Wow, this guy is really gritting his teeth to set the stage.
“And because you’re so good, Hyung….”
As expected of a veteran, he certainly knew how to talk. I threw the words back at him like a vow.
“I’ll have to do even better then. I won’t be a burden to the team.”
“I don’t doubt that. Ah, and there’s one more reason.”
“…?”
Cheong-ryeo smirked.
“I thought you’d like our team, Hyung.”
“……Hmm. I suppose so.”
I suddenly had a bad feeling, but for now, I just smiled.
And a moment later, I saw the faces of the team members Cheong-ryeo had gathered.
Click.
“Ta-da, Gun-woo Hyung is here.”
“Thank you. I look forward to working with you.”
I expected as much, but the first person I saw when the door opened was… Kim Rae-bin.
“It is an honor to be on a team with you like this! I also look forward to your kind cooperation!”
Producer, rapper, polite. I figured Cheong-ryeo had handpicked him because he was useful and didn't overlap with himself in any way.
‘This much is fine.’
I was thinking I should look after him this round anyway.
As I turned my head while listening to the explanation that the team members were met through a mini-game… Right, there was one VTIC member, too.
“Hello.”
“Yes, hello.”
Hmm, it was Ju-dan. I think his real name was something else, but I’ll skip that and just give a polite nod.
The surprising thing was that the last guy, who came running out from the back like a bullet, was also someone I knew.
“Hyung! Welcome~ Have a seat!”
…To think he even brought Cha Yu-jin.
“Our team is totally great! We’re good!”
“Uh-huh, right.”
I didn’t expect this. I thought he’d discard him since their positions overlapped, but it was a fairly bold choice.
I sat down and checked the final lineup.
Two main dancers, a main rapper, a lead vocal….
‘And it’s completed with me as the main vocal.’
Half VTIC, half TeSTAR.
In truth, from skills to positioning, there was nothing to criticize. If there were no problems, we’d win this round smoothly without any major obstacles.
As long as we didn’t fight… and since I had no intention of leading, I could just act as the mediator.
‘Good.’
The roles were neatly organized. I nodded.
“First, I’ll give you a brief explanation of the rules for how we’ll be organizing the performance, Hyung.”
This round had a simple structure where two teams that picked the same concept keyword would face off. And the conclusion of 'Elite' or 'Lower' would be decided on a team basis.
Except for me.
I was told I would receive a separate evaluation of ‘Elimination or Survival.’
And the keyword we received was….
“Um… it’s Sexy.”
“…….”
He really picked something avant-garde.
Cheong-ryeo smiled apologetically.
“It’s a bit awkward, isn’t it? Sorry. I’m not very good at games.”
As if.
“Not at all! You did well enough, the environment just wasn't great at the end. The concept is… interesting!”
“That’s right. It’s fine.”
“Really? Thanks for saying that.”
Setting aside this loathsome performance for the cameras, the concept itself wasn't bad.
It was intense in its own right and didn't overlap with the images of previous stages.
‘Fine.’
During the arrangement discussion, I naturally supported the opinions of Cheong-ryeo, who took the lead, and didn't try to lead public opinion.
At most, I occasionally smoothed Cha Yu-jin or Kim Rae-bin’s opinions into the flow.
Thanks to that, the direction of the arrangement quickly took shape according to the outline Cheong-ryeo had envisioned. Because of that, he spat out this line faster than expected.
“Then, let’s talk about parts from now on.”
This was the main point.
“Is there anyone who wants this high-note part in the bridge?”
I immediately raised my hand.
“I’d like to do it.”
“Ah.”
After that, I volunteered for every difficult high-note part.
Since I was the only one in the main vocal position, there was no negative effect even if I was greedy.
‘The right answer is to show a somewhat combative side.’
The trick here was to only actively challenge the parts that were so difficult others would avoid them. It would be troublesome if I looked like I was joining late and hogging all the screen time.
I would only cultivate the image of wanting to show everything I could to my limit.
“Gun-woo Hyung, won’t it be too hard?”
“I’ll make it work.”
And I wouldn't deny it. Cheong-ryeo stepped in at the perfect moments to help me maintain that image.
“Then, shall we finish the part distribution like this?”
“Yes!”
He even prepared a fairly decent part for Cha Yu-jin, even at the cost of giving up quite a bit of his own screen time.
‘Hmm.’
Around the time the production crew was checking the filming equipment, I asked Cheong-ryeo quietly without a microphone.
“That’s unexpected.”
To think he’d put Cha Yu-jin on the team and give him such a significant piece of the pie.
Without even asking what was unexpected, the guy answered immediately.
“It looks good, doesn't it? Two people who showed a great stage as rivals are now becoming a team. Don’t you think?”
“…….”
The votes that would pour in for Cha Yu-jin once their deathmatch aired.
His intention was to block those viewers from developing a sense of repulsion toward him before it could even start.
‘Calculated bastard.’
It was an excellent choice.
“I guess it looked like a decent choice to you too, Junior. Hmm, should we share these kinds of details even now?”
“Forget it.”
I suppressed a sigh.
Naturally, I had heard the briefing from him about how this survival would proceed.
However, we hadn't established any detailed joint plans beyond that. I recalled our conversation from back then.
The guy caught on immediately and smirked as he continued.
It was a given. You’d think your own ideas were more effective too, you bastard.
It was a bit annoying how much he thought everything was in the palm of his hand.
‘Fine.’
This works out well. Then you should get a taste of this natural disaster, too.
After parting ways with him, I called the next target out into the hallway.
“Cha Yu-jin.”
“Umm?”
“A moment.”
I took him aside and had a short conversation through notes.
It was a small operation that started like that.
Cha Yu-jin stared at the notebook for a moment, then soon shrugged his shoulders.
And he wrote back as a reply.
Team.
‘He probably means TeSTAR.’
I let out a smirk.
I get it, you punk.
“Good. Then write exactly this here.”
“Why?”
Why else? It was to forge evidence to submit when the production crew saw the hallway cam later and asked questions.
And two days later, the day of the mid-term evaluation arrived.
Preparations were already finished. My original plan was to make a proper impression from here on out and create editing points and a story.
‘That was… the plan.’
But an unexpected situation occurred.
Active idols came as special judges for the mid-term check.
“We have invited the K-POP stars of this era who are currently active.”
“Heh.”
A lineup good enough to make the trainees make a fuss.
Among them… he was there.
“Hello, I’m Lee Se-jin of Zairop!”
“…!”
A familiar face.
To be precise, a guy whose face was familiar but whose styling was foreign was sitting in a judge's seat.
Big Se-jin.
“…….”
Right. I already knew he had debuted from my prior internet searches. And I expected to meet him eventually if I did broadcast activities.
However, I didn't expect to see his face already….
Cha Yu-jin lightly poked my side.
‘Careful.’
“…….”
Right. We were filming.
I focused on the performance. I had been earning my living with this for too long for an unexpected situation to affect me.
“Phew.”
“That’s all!”
The performance of the first verse ended well.
And Lee Se-jin of Zairop left this comment.
“Wow, I think you’re even better than me~! It was impressive.”
“Thank you!”
“But Gun-woo-ssi.”
What.
“You can afford to be a little less nervous~ You seem a bit tense before and after the stage. I don’t think there’s any need for that at all!”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
Damn it.
I immediately went out into the hallway during the break.
It was something I couldn't do where people were watching.
[Are you okay??]
Of course I’m okay. So….
‘Colleague, Recruit Colleague.’
Let’s use some of that damn Fame Exp, 50,000 points of which had come in after Episodes 1 and 2 aired.
[Recruit Colleague]
[1 time / 10 times]
I recklessly pressed the 10-times button.
Lights burst and the list scrolled past without much sincerity.
One star, two stars, one star, two stars, two stars...
No familiar names appeared. This situation where only unfamiliar names filled the window as 'colleagues' was….
‘Fuck.’
I gritted my teeth and rolled again.
[★]
[★]
[★★★]
[★★]
Stars poured down endlessly, but the one I was looking for wasn't there. This time too, they disappeared, leaving only useless Gold behind.
“…….”
I bit my tongue.
Let’s use some common sense. Even if I pulled that guy as a colleague now, it’s not like I could do anything.
‘He’s already debuted in another team.’
He was the guy with the least possibility of joining.
‘…Is that why I feel more repulsed?’
Lee Se-jin debuted in a completely different group? There was no clearer certification mark that this wasn't reality.
“Phew.”
I let out a sigh. As my head cooled down, I could see the logic behind my actions.
“Ha.”
A hollow laugh escaped me.
Right.
Efficiency be damned, it would be nice to have more guys who knew reality.
‘…Though it doesn't seem like they'll show up.’
Still, I let out a smirk and raised my hand, pressing the 10-times button again. It was almost absurdly funny.
It was then.
[~♪♬♪~]
“…!”
An aurora light burst from the image in the night-sky-like pop-up window, and soon it swirled and surged as if it were about to leap out of the pop-up...
‘This is.’
It was a visual effect I had seen before.
…When I pulled 5-star Cha Yu-jin.
“Ah.”
However, four stars twinkled on the screen.
[★★★★]
But only for a moment.
Soon, another star of a different color flew in and attached itself. Five in total.
And finally… an image and description appeared.
[Aah!]
[★★★★☆ Lee Se-jin / Sub Vocal]
“…….”
[※ Colleagues with stars of different colors possess special abilities!]
Special abilities.
In the game, it referred to skills for exploration or production rather than combat. In other words, abilities in fields other than the game’s main stats.
If so, here….
I moved my hand.
A small pop-up appeared as I hovered over the name ‘Lee Se-jin.’
[Special Ability: Actor]
This was… Bae Se-jin before his name change.