Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Ban Yo-han and the Signal Song Reveal
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“Ban Yo-han got a perfect score on the CSAT two years ago and was the top admit to S University's Business School.”
Perfect CSAT score? S University?
Why the hell did this guy even come here?
I wasn't the only one thinking that. The trainees let out awed "Whoa..."s.
"The world really is unfair."
"Seriously... He's got the looks and the brains."
Those weren't reactions for camera time. They were genuine.
"But your trainee period was only about two months... That's too short to learn much from your agency. You're 21 now—why suddenly decide to become an idol?"
Even to the sharp question, Ban Yo-han responded without missing a beat.
"I don't think there's an age limit when it comes to finding your dreams."
He was so composed, he could've been heading into a university interview where you just had to avoid swearing to pass.
If some average nobody in their late twenties—who's already too old for this—had said that, it would've been cringey as hell...
But coming from Ban Yo-han, with his refined, elegant vibe and tall, handsome frame, it carried real weight.
Dreams are great. With a face like that, who cares if he only started training at 21?
A few mentors looked pleased at the self-help-book line. I could see it from here.
"Alright, let's see your prepared performance.”
On stage, Seo Moon-gyeol stole the show.
He delivered heavy low-toned rap, spitting the lyrics with weight. Even I, who knows nothing about rap, thought it was solid. And he nailed the powerful dance moves too.
If they drop a guy like that, anyone would cry foul on rigging.
Ban Yo-han was impressive for just two months of training, but his basics were shaky enough for me to spot. Looked like he'd end up with Teacher Muk.
A sense of crisis hit me. If I lost in buzz or looks—not to mention skill—I was done for.
No way. This is my solo growth arc.
But sure enough, Ban Yo-han got assigned to Muk Hye-seong's team for lacking basics.
When the assignments dropped, everyone picked for Muk Hye-seong's team flinched. Me included.
Watching the trainees' performances and hearing the mentors' feedback had steadily bumped my Wisdom up to 15. Unfortunately, Intelligence was stuck at 11 with no progress.
At least Wisdom seems to rise from direct or indirect experience with idol activities. But Intelligence? No clue how to raise it. Do I need a brain-boosting pill or something?
"Attention, everyone."
Jena grabbed the mic.
Like the mentors had at the start, they lined up on stage, eyeing the trainees.
The mentor evaluations were finally over. We'd started in the morning; now it was night.
"The mentor evaluations are complete. Great job sticking it out all day."
Here, they clap for anything. Clap clap clap.
"Results: Han Ji-hee team—9 members. Seok Su-young team—19. Lee Chang-yeon team—21. Joo An team—19. And Muk Hye-seong team—32."
The top-tier Han Ji-hee team had the fewest; our lowest-skill Muk Hye-seong team had the most.
Jena grinned mischievously.
"We split you by mentor to focus on your weak points, so make the most of camp—torment our teachers as much as you can."
"Yes!"
The other mentors chuckled good-naturedly, but our Muk Teacher didn't twitch an eyebrow.
He wasn't glaring or frowning like he was displeased—just pure stoic face.
Doesn't that spark personality controversies for celebs? Nah, he's fine, that's why he does it.
...My nose is 11 inches long. Why worry about a thriving game NPC celeb?
"Now, the Pick Your Heart Season 3 signal song. Season 1 had 'We Are,' Season 2 'Your Star'—both huge hits. This season's is 'Heart Attack.'"
The screen upfront played the choreo video by nine dancers. All eyes locked on it.
Your heart is in my sights
Heart a-ttae-ttae-tack!
Overall, it was refreshing yet intense.
The punchy chorus hooked right into your ears. This one's gonna trend.
Problems: The highlight was high-note hell, and the choreo was frustratingly complex.
Feels like my Intelligence is too low to even attempt memorizing. Nah?
I wasn't alone—trainees' faces soured in real-time. Especially Muk Hye-seong team.
After the video ended, the prompt I'd been waiting for popped up.
Like the other trainees, I subtly moved my hand like I was practicing and hit Y naturally. And sure enough...
❌ FAILED
Insufficient Intelligence and Wisdom to learn Choreography: Heart Attack.
Insufficient Intelligence and Wisdom? How hard is this thing?
More importantly, why ask if I lack the stats?
As I inwardly cursed the crap system, another prompt followed.
No penalty and free Luck burn? Pass and you're an idiot sucker!
I slammed Y without a second thought.
❌ Force Learn Failed!
Luck -1
It failed instantly.
Of course it did. I never expected much from this trash game anyway—no real disappointment.
They said no penalty, but still dock Luck...? So normally it docks Luck and adds extra penalty?
I held off, deciding after hearing Jena's explanation.
“You'll perform this on the M-Stage.”
"Whoa!" "Wow!" The trainees gasped convincingly, even if past seasons made it no surprise.
"But trainees without basic skills can't take the stage."
Tension rippled.
"Over the next three days, practice by team, focusing on weak spots. Then additional eval: A, B, C, D, F. Higher grades get more parts. F means no stage—dancers below instead."
F was basically no stage.
Build skills and stir drama. Perfect for a noob like me needing quick gains.
Evaluating on one song—not overall? System blessings make that my advantage.
Grind hard, dodge F easy.
So I hit Y on the held prompt.
One more shot—gonna bug me forever otherwise.
Penalty? Whatever, just EXP loss or something.
“!”
Euphoria zinged from head to toe.
Kuh, this is why you play trash games!
Five hundred trash pulls for that one god-roll thrill!
It even hit the list. Mastery rounded to 0%.
Still, with the full choreo in my head, nonstop practice in spare time could hit 50% by deadline.
While I arm-wrestled the system, trainees grabbed color-coded vests by team.
Han Ji-hee: red. Seok Su-young: blue. Lee Chang-yeon: green. Joo An: black. Hye-seong: yellow.
I threw on a bright yellow one over my tee.
Then practice sessions popped up everywhere in the cramped set.
Trainees freely practiced verse 1 first, then mentors checked by team once basics stuck.
Can't even give a break first?
Standouts clustered aside—name tags with Han Ji-hee's 'H'.
I blended into Hye-seong team: half half-assed flailing, half zoned on the looping screen.
Thanks to the learn, my moves were sloppy but timed perfectly.
Man, it's seriously hard.
My puny Stamina would conk out before finishing.
"Looks like you've memorized the whole dance?"
After a few runs, a slightly winded Ban Yo-han approached.
"All of it?"
Kim Jun-woo nearby gawked in disbelief.
"Yeah. You've been nailing it without missing beats. You got it all, right?"
"Kinda, but it's tough—can't pull it off."
"Whoa, insane. You're a genius, right? How'd you memorize it already?"
Kim Jun-woo hyped. Nah, just your standard Intelligence 11 player. You're NPCs. This is a game.
Innocent Ban Yo-han beamed.
"Class leader pick later—you should run."
"You cool entrusting the team's future to me?"
"Uh, well, ah... Um..."
"Hahaha..."
"Why can't you guys just say it?"
Ban Yo-han trailed off endlessly; Kim Jun-woo fake-screen-watched with hollow laughs.
You punks don't trust hyung? Sure, I look young and scrawny, but I served in real life. Know?
Wait. Military...?
If I can't clear, do I enlist again?
Chills. Game's "Pick Your HEART!"—debut's the clear, or at least key condition. Debut no matter what.
Burn birch trees, huff the smoke—even dangle from a rising phoenix—DEBUUUUT!
"Let's grind!"
"Suddenly?"
"Debut time!"
"Sorry... Didn't know you'd take it that hard..."
"Muk team fighting!!"
"...Yo-han, this guy's eyes are weird."
"Fighting!"
"Fighting!"
"Yo-han, why you too?"
"We can do it!"
"Do it!"
"...Screw it. We can do it!"
Hye-seong team trainees clenched fists.
"Suddenly surging power—I think I can do it!"
"Was clueless before, but now I get Teacher Muk's smile at least!"
Dude, that's still clueless.