Chapter 39: Those Who Reach for the Sun (5)
39. Those Who Reach for the Sun (5)
"Yes, we'll take a short break now. Contestants may freely use the restroom or get water. No smoking! Recording will resume shortly!"
With the PD's announcement of break time, the trainees who had been sitting stiffly with tense postures all slumped over with half-dead groans.
'And this is with Seo Tae-il not calling any NGs. It'd be pure torture with first-timers.'
Even in college lectures, your eyes start drooping after just ten minutes of sitting, and games start calling your name—no matter how much your future depends on this survival show recording, sitting still and listening to the MC ramble on is harder than you'd think.
With thoughts like "mountains are mountains, water is water, and everything you're saying is bullshit," you could zone out and let time slip by. But when every single reaction of yours is being recorded, even that's not easy.
'If my expression stiffens even slightly or my posture slips, that becomes its own problem.'
When I was behind the camera, I'd grab the back of my neck in frustration at these blank-faced bastards just here to make money without doing their jobs properly. But now that I'm in their position, it's not so easy either. Learning a lot of lessons today.
[System Alert: (Fixed) Regressor gains life enlightenment.]
[System Alert: Bonus 777 Cash deposited! (Reason: Admirable Behavior)]
Seriously?
'Are you my mom?'
The system window popping up with virtual fanfare made me feel something beyond admiration—more like filial pride. Since it somehow annoyed me, I skipped it. As I stretched with a stiff face, I saw Kim Won-ho shuffling back, looking half-dead—probably from a bathroom trip.
"Hyung Hajin... what do I do?"
"About what?"
"How do I beat Yu-geon..."
Ah, the battle.
"Oh right, that was a thing."
When I casually brought up the topic he'd almost forgotten, Kim Won-ho's eyes widened like he couldn't believe me. Buddy, try being twenty-nine with four regressions under your belt. You'd forget stuff too.
[System Alert: System expresses anger at twenty-nine-year-old spouting nonsense.]
[System Alert: 666 Cash deducted as penalty. (Reason: Audacity)]
'Great, now you're playing give-and-take.'
Leaving the system that was happily spamming notifications after its long absence, I patted the back of a worried-looking Kim Won-ho sitting beside me.
"Why worry? You picked him."
"Are you backing out now? After pushing me into this?"
"It's not like there were other options besides him."
I glanced at Yu-geon sitting across from us, silently listening to music with his earbuds in. I'd already scanned his stats when we had to choose opponents earlier.
[Yu-geon (Affiliation: Miro)]
—Debuff: All attributes reduced by 20% from base achievement rate
Position: Dance
Vocals: 37% (-20)
Dance: 33% (-20)
Expressiveness: 45% (-20)
Special: Copy & Paste (64%) (-20%)
Appeal Points:
'There are still twelve ships left'
—Responsibility, Tenacity, Strong Immersion
'Not bad, I guess.'
For someone touted as the special class's center specialist, his stats were average. Though if those percentages rose higher, it might be different.
'Honestly, improving that much in a short time isn't easy.'
While Lee Do-ha's stats skyrocketed during the three-week Boost Camp, survival shows don't give you that long to prepare for the first mission. Seeing my calm expression, Kim Won-ho seemed to relax too (simple guy) as he leaned back in his chair with a thoughtful look.
As Kim Won-ho quieted down, I spotted an assistant director wandering around with a slate in the distance. Recording would start soon. I adjusted my clothes (checking if the tape covering brand logos had peeled) when another shadow fell over me.
"...What, is my seat a hotspot now? A tollgate? Why do you keep coming one by one."
"......"
Blocking my way were Joo Eun-chan and Seo Tae-hyun, staring at me with blank expressions. What's their deal now?
'Teenagers are seriously tough, I swear.'
"Hyung."
"What. Where'd you ditch Dan Ha-ru?"
"He's changing his mic batteries. Anyway, hyung."
Seo Tae-hyun and Joo Eun-chan's eyes burned before they shouted simultaneously:
"Beat Han Seong-woo no matter what."
"Don't get involved with Han Seong-woo hyung."
Exactly opposite opinions.
"...? Can you come back after unifying your opinions?"
"Alright, we're resuming recording soon, everyone return to your seats!"
Right on cue, the assistant director called for standby with the slate. Seo Tae-hyun and Joo Eun-chan both looked at me with much left unsaid, but at the staff's urging, they reluctantly returned to their seats with frustrated steps.
"...Ah!"
Wondering what their deal was, I watched the two walk away when someone kicked my leg as they passed. Thinking I must have bad luck today, I reflexively turned—
"Ah, sorry. Didn't see you there."
"...You should wear glasses, hyung. Your nearsightedness is severe."
The problematic man himself, Han Seong-woo, walked briskly past me with an obvious scowl. Too bad the cameras missed this.
"Slate mark!"
With a clap, recording resumed. Setting aside our individual discomforts, we all equipped pretty smiles and focused on filming with applause.
"Those who reach for the sun, soar high. The journey to become Miro's Icarus! We now reveal Miro Maze's first mission."
At Seo Tae-il's signal, the LED screen played another video, showing elegant ink spreading across aged, luxurious stationery as letters formed.
〜〚Daylight 日光〛〜
Soon, a lyrical acoustic guitar filled the studio. Simultaneously, the LED displayed a choreography video of nine dancers forming formations and dancing to the song. Though no one—not even Seo Tae-il—explained what this song was, everyone present immediately knew.
It was the program's title track.
'What kind of quality is this?'
Starting with guitar melodies, soft pads gradually layered in, building intensity. Timpani rolls signaled the orchestra's entrance, exploding into refreshing sounds. The dancers showcased formations and pair choreography that maximized the appeal of a nine-member group.
Then all sound cut out, leaving one person center stage while the other eight froze in different poses.
Hello, it's me.
"Whoa~."
"Damn, insane."
The first verse began with a voice so smooth it gave chills. It practically spoon-fed you the killing part. I looked at Seo Tae-il, who'd most likely composed this.
'Why do they all look so proud of this guide...?'
He was watching like a parent at their kid's talent show. Then I realized—the guide vocal was Uphia's main vocalist's voice. The guy who calls her his muse and adores her to death.
'This sunbae's a real fanboy too.'
Another sun rises, shining on you and me
Let's hold hands so we don't lose our way
I'll go with you, so night never falls
Never fallin' down (down down)
At the end of this maze-like world, only
Never going back (back back)
Our story will remain
The chorus burst forth, testing a main vocalist's capabilities. A melody perfect for a breezy May day. Everything about this song screamed that its composer poured love and money into it.
The song returned to its initial guitar melody. As the dancers paused mid-step following their path—
Hello, it's me.
Finally meeting you, so glad
"......"
The video ended with that final line. A brief silence followed.
Seo Tae-il smiled knowingly at our reactions before—
"Waaah!"
Exclamations and applause erupted. Even I couldn't hold back my admiration, clapping with genuine respect. This was undoubtedly a masterpiece. And to think the guy who wrote this only has 60% composition stats.
'Guess you can't beat genius.'
I felt a twinge of envy toward someone whose talent I'd never match, no matter how hard I tried. Then I glanced at another genius sitting expressionless beside me.
"Hey."
"...?"
"You could write a song like that too."
"...What?"
At my sudden comment, Lee Do-ha seemed to ponder before nodding.
"I'll work hard."
At least he didn't say he couldn't. A very Lee Do-ha answer.
"As you've guessed, the song you just heard is the lovely title track I composed myself. How was it? Did you like it?"
"Yeees—!"
"Haha, glad to hear it. Now, let me introduce your first mission."
The central display showed all eighteen trainees' names. Simultaneously, blank slots labeled Team A and Team B appeared on the side panels.
"As you saw, you'll split into two teams of nine to practice the title track."
"......"
"You'll have just three days to master it."
Gasps erupted throughout the room. Unfazed, Seo Tae-il continued.
"In three days, you'll perform this title track before me and the other mentors. Evaluations will consider both team and individual scores."
"......"
"All members of the winning team receive benefit points. Additionally, the top three scorers within the winning team and the overall top scorer automatically secure Wings status. So you'll want to win, right?"
"Yes!"
"But losing the team battle isn't the end. The losing team's top three scorers receive 'nomination battle rights'—the outcome determines final Wings status for the next mission."
'No way I'm topping the charts among these geniuses.'
Basically, you needed to rank top three in your team, win or lose.
'Team luck matters too.'
"Kim Won-ho and Kang Hajin, who've already confirmed their nomination battle, will compete based on individual scores this mission. The winner receives benefit points regardless of team outcome."
So even if my team lost and I missed top three, beating Han Seong-woo's score would grant automatic benefits? Sweet. My eyes met Han Seong-woo's mid-air—he was still glaring like he'd bitten something sour.
"Please prepare your best for this mission."
I smiled back at him with all the warmth I could muster.
'Hello, my bonus mob! So glad we get to fight!' I hoped the message came across clearly.