Chapter 93
Chapter 93
Cheong-ryeo began by trailing off.
“Hmm, I’m not sure where to start…”
“I’m all ears.”
I deliberately knelt on the floor. For the broadcast, I had to come across as a rookie idol seeking advice from a senior who was like a god in the industry.
Cheong-ryeo gave a soulless smile and offered a few empty platitudes, telling me to sit comfortably. Once he realized that changing the subject wasn't an option, he finally began to answer.
“Well, we met as a team through our agency, and everyone had such great personalities that we became close quickly.”
He followed up with a textbook answer about how everyone worked hard during their debut. It was cliché, but it was exactly the kind of virtue people expected from idols.
Hmm, I can’t let him dodge it like this.
“I’ve grown very fond of the TeSTAR members lately. It seems you also clicked with your teammates right from the start, Cheong-ryeo sunbae-nim.”
I downed the rest of my coffee in one go. Since it was the dregs at the bottom, the flavor was intense enough to snap me wide awake.
“Total strangers meeting as a team and getting along so well without fighting… It’s truly fascinating and wonderful.”
“…”
“I’m sure they’re all great people, but I suspect it’s because you demonstrated incredible leadership. I truly admire that.”
It was the kind of appropriate flattery a rookie would say. It didn't cross the line into putting down the other members, but the underlying message would have reached Cheong-ryeo.
‘You used some kind of trick to hand-pick the guys who fit your taste to build this team. I know.’
Sure enough, Cheong-ryeo was staring straight at me.
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“I’m flattered. It wasn't that big of a deal.”
“Not at all. You’re amazing.”
“I see. Thank you.”
Alright, he should have grasped the situation by now.
“This is my first time talking about things like this in a setting like this, so I’m not sure how it went.”
“It was a huge help. Thank you.”
“…Don’t mention it.”
By now, he should realize who has the upper hand. I wrapped up the conversation there.
“Now then, shall we just relax for a bit?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
After that, the typical mountain cabin survival skit continued. There were constant landslides, a destroyed back room, and even an eerie news report coming from a radio found in the storage room.
Hmm, I think we did a good job immersing ourselves for the shoot. I’ll have to make sure to catch the live broadcast later.
Without any further incidents, the filming wrapped up the next morning.
*
As soon as the shoot ended, rain began to pour. It was the monsoon rain.
“Great job, everyone~!”
I bowed to those around me and, following the production crew’s suggestion, took out my smartphone. I placed a video call.
Ring, ring—click!
Before long, a familiar face appeared on the screen. It was Keun Se-jin.
‘I called Ryu Cheong-woo, so why are you the one picking up?’
[Whoa, Park Moon-dae!]
[Is that Moon-dae hyung?]
After some clattering noises, the screen was suddenly filled with the TeSTAR idiots.
‘I guess it was worth telling them to all show up regardless of who I called.’
The production crew had already arranged for TeSTAR to make a brief appearance. Originally, they planned to include it in the main shoot, but the timing didn't work out, so it would likely be added to the end as a bonus clip, like a post-credits scene.
[I-Is the filming over?]
“Yeah, I’m about to head back.”
[Get back safely.]
[T-That’s right. Be, be careful…]
[Bring some snacks on your way back~!]
“…”
It’s raining, and I’m hearing such a shameless request. I considered ignoring him, but remembering the camera, I replied to Keun Se-jin as gently as possible.
“You should be the one buying them. I want something to eat when I get back.”
[Oh~ Moon-dae, nice comeback! Sure!]
He probably noticed the camera too, as he laughed it off. After a bit more idle chatter, I ended the video call.
I had received a text from the manager saying that his arrival would be slightly delayed due to the sudden downpour. Oh, by the way, this was the new manager who finally started a few days ago. He was actually younger than my real age.
“Moon-dae-ssi, aren't you going inside?”
“Ah, sunbae-nim.”
I bowed my head to Cheong-ryeo as he approached. I could feel several staff members watching us out of the corners of their eyes.
“My manager said he’d be late, so I’m waiting for him.”
“It must be because of the rain. Your lunch will be delayed too, then. Why don't we grab a bite before heading back?”
“That’s a good idea, Moon-dae-ssi. Go eat. We should have had a group dinner, but we can’t because of the rain and the cleanup.”
A writer passing by chimed in. She had been praising me for the good footage, so it seemed I’d made a pretty good impression. I was grateful she was making things easier for me.
“Then I’ll gladly accept.”
“Alright.”
Cheong-ryeo had brought his own car. I explained the situation to my manager and received his ready approval. I didn't have any afternoon schedules anyway.
‘I’m going to go straight home and sleep after this.’
While I was indulging in that pleasant thought, Cheong-ryeo drove up.
‘I guess after seven years in the industry, you can afford your own car.’
“Get in.”
“Thank you.”
I immediately hopped into the passenger seat. As soon as I pulled the door shut and buckled my seatbelt, the car took off. Cheong-ryeo didn't wait any longer.
“I don't like wasting time. Let’s skip the pointless posturing and get straight to the point.”
“…”
“What year are you from?”
“You first, sunbae-nim.”
“Haha.”
Cheong-ryeo laughed, then stopped abruptly.
…Is he a psychopath?
‘He suddenly drops the honorifics and then starts laughing like that?’
I had to keep checking to make sure he wasn't forgetting to watch the road. I began to focus on both the conversation and my surroundings. Regardless, he had basically admitted it himself.
“My starting point has already passed, so it’s not very useful. Hmm, I was hoping to hear some stories about the future.”
“I don't have much to tell you either.”
“What?”
“I was a civil service exam student.”
“…”
Cheong-ryeo fell silent as if at a loss for words, then let out a deflated sigh. His voice sounded a bit more relaxed, as if he had lowered his guard slightly.
“That’s ridiculous. A civil service student becoming an idol…”
“I’d die if I didn't.”
“Ah, you already know that much.”
‘…?’
Something felt slightly off.
“When did you find out, sunbae-nim?”
“When I tried to get rid of one guy and failed, I died and came back.”
“…Get rid of someone?”
“Back to his home country. He was the type who’d set up his own studio and bolt as soon as his three years were up anyway.”
Cheong-ryeo laughed and lightly tapped the steering wheel.
‘I’d rather be the one driving.’
The problem was that Park Moon-dae didn't have a license. It was a frustrating situation. Anyway, I realized something for certain from that brief exchange.
‘This guy can’t see the Status Window.’
Seeing as he only realized the ‘Death’ status effect after dying and returning, he didn't have a guide like the Status Window.
‘That’s why he couldn't fill his three traits.’
He was essentially banging his head against a wall. Though, being an idol to begin with and returning to his own body gave him an advantage over me.
“At what point did you die? I’m guessing you died after failing to debut in an audition.”
Lying here would only lead to complications. If he caught on and started mixing in lies of his own, I’d be in trouble. I decided to tell the truth.
“I haven't died yet.”
“…Really? Then how did you know?”
“I just knew. That I’d die if I didn't achieve the goals within the time limit.”
“…”
Cheong-ryeo stared ahead in silence before muttering softly.
“I’m jealous.”
“…”
I caught a glimpse of Cheong-ryeo’s eyes in the rearview mirror as he flicked his gaze toward me. Honestly, it was incredibly eerie.
“Right now must be the best time for you. You probably feel like the protagonist of a story.”
“…Even though I might die every time a deadline approaches?”
“……Ah, right. There would be that difference in perspective… Hmm.”
Cheong-ryeo suddenly continued in a much lighter tone.
“I think of it as a kind of penalty.”
“Pardon?”
“Dying if you fail at something you feel like you have to do. Honestly, isn't it worth enduring? Since you got to come back to the past.”
“…”
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Is this guy a total lunatic? Has he gone crazy trying to rationalize his situation as a defense mechanism?
But Cheong-ryeo gave a surprisingly logical reason. It was a startling one.
“By my calculations… it seemed to be given as a base of one, plus the number of years you traveled back.”
“…!”
That meant there was an end to the status effects.
‘Is that why his was in a deactivated state?’
Let’s calculate based on the assumption that he’s right. Since I traveled back three years…
‘Four times. And I’ve already finished two of them.’
A spark of hope flickered. Of course, how much I could trust this guy was another matter. Still, satisfied that I’d found someone I could extract information from, I asked the next thing on my mind.
“By the way, how did you know I had come back to the past?”
“…Ah, I just knew?”
“…”
He was deliberately mimicking my words. It was a sign that I should speak up first. I clicked my tongue inwardly.
‘Still, I can’t talk about the Status Window yet.’
He seemed normal usually, but he definitely seemed a bit unhinged when it came to this supernatural situation. Let’s not push him any further today.
“Anyway, it was interesting to meet a junior like you in many ways. It was a fruitful experience.”
“Yes, sunbae-nim. Thank you.”
“Contact me if you have any questions.”
“Thank you.”
After that, we had a quiet meal at a decent Korean restaurant, and I returned to the dorm.
‘…Finally.’
I was exhausted after staying up all night playing mind games. When I opened the front door, the guys who didn't have afternoon schedules popped out from everywhere, waving as they passed by.
“Moon-dae’s here~”
“How was it? Was the variety show okay?”
“Y-You worked hard!”
“…Yeah, it was fine. Thanks.”
Wow, it’s good to see these guys.
They say you grow fond of people you see often; I guess I’d become comfortable with them since we were together every day. I caught Keun Se-jin while he was brushing his teeth and asked.
“What about the snacks?”
“Uh-huh, did you actually believe that, Moon-dae?”
Of course not. But I just felt like asking because of the mood. The result was as expected. However, surprisingly, Keun Se-jin pointed toward the fridge.
“Check it out and pick two things you want to eat~ I bought them from the convenience store.”
“…”
My prediction… was wrong. I shrugged.
“Thanks.”
“Don't mention it. Oh, by the way, it was originally three per person, but since you got a solo variety gig, I deducted one.”
“…”
“Hahaha! Just kidding~ kidding! It was originally two.”
Is this guy crossing the line lately?
At that moment, my phone vibrated.
Buzz.
[VTIC Cheong-ryeo Sunbae-nim: Contact me if you feel like you’re going to die ^^]
“…”
Suddenly, Keun Se-jin’s behavior didn't seem to matter at all.
‘He’s much better than that guy, at least.’
[Yes, I understand. Thank you.]
After sending a brief reply, I ignored the snacks and went straight to bed as soon as I washed up.
“You’re back.”
“Yes. Anything happen?”
“Nothing. …Going to sleep?”
“Yeah. I pulled an all-nighter. Can I close the curtains?”
“Sure.”
After a short exchange with Lee Se-jin, I closed the blackout curtains with his consent and began my nap. I had to monitor the show in the evening.
[TeSTAR’s Living Together TEST! Episode 6]
The reality travel episode was airing today.