Chapter 41: Special Mission! Shine Bright (2)
41. Special Mission! Shine Bright (2)
Having resolved to thrive on his own by rehabilitating his hopeless teammates, Hajin's first decision was to "Rehabilitate Kang Hajin's Appearance."
The reason?
"Because Kwon PD likes it!"
Given the current situation, it was clear their team wouldn't get favorable edits anyway. The first episode would undoubtedly focus on Team A, packed with attention-grabbing personalities. What interesting elements did they have?
'Cherry Boy Seo Tae-hyun, the rivalry between Yu-geon and Kim Won-ho, Han Seong-woo being targeted as a battler...'
To survive and secure some screen time, Hajin had to catch the eye of the Kwon PD duo. He'd already made a strong first impression during the team selection, so all he needed was to show something interesting a few more times.
But first, an appearance upgrade was essential. Back when he was grinding under Kwon PD in a past life, she'd drilled one thing into him until her throat bled:
—The program's authenticity? The script's entertainment value? Innovative editing? Screw all that, Hajin. None of it matters unless people actually watch the show.
—For the first episode, gather everything that could become a hot topic. Pretty boys, crying kids, angry ones, crazy ones, talented ones.
—What do you think is most important in an idol program? Our trainees' kind and sincere hearts? No, it's the GIF-worthy moments that make viewers hit save immediately.
It bordered on madness, but the results spoke for themselves.
"Hand it over. The items."
Hajin spoke firmly to the system, which had melted into a sluggish mess from his relentless pestering. To survive in Miro Entertainment—where the competition was nearly as fierce as Rene's—based on looks alone, he needed a stronger booster than what he currently had.
[System Alert: The System is not a plastic surgery clinic... (Please stop!)]
But this time, even the system couldn't help. Despite Hajin's endless coaxing and threats, it refused to budge. Really nothing? (It had already said no thirty-six times.) Hajin finally relented, leaning back with a frown.
"Ha... Fine, got it. Sorry."
As Hajin's aggressive demeanor softened into an apology, the system twitched as if confused. He sighed shortly, wiping his face with dry hands, his expression bitter. Fatigue and worry—rare since his regression—were etched across his face.
"Alright then. Better spend this time practicing instead."
[System Alert: ......? Why are you like this?]
"...Honestly, I'm feeling a bit desperate. I didn't make it into the Wings tier, my teammates ignore me, and there are too many talented guys. Guess I panicked. Took it out on you."
The system window flickered at his raw, honest apology. Hajin roughly ran a hand through his hair, biting his lip with eyes brimming with frustration, looking like he might cry any second.
"Guess I was just grasping at straws. Forcing it even when you said no... Sorry."
His faint smile was straight out of a shoujo manga—the kind the sickly male lead gives before fading away. His slumped shoulders today carried the weight of life itself, like those of our parents burdened by hardship. As Hajin tried to stand, the system, after several agitated flickers, urgently called him back.
[System Alert: H-Hey!]
The system window rapidly calculated something before displaying text in a 70% opaque black box (as if whispering).
[System Alert: Calculating...]
[System Alert: Calculating...]
[System Alert: Calculating...]
[System Alert: The agonized System responds.]
[System Alert: There is a way!]
[System Alert: Calculating...]
[System Alert: Calculating...]
[System Alert: While the Regressor's current appearance cannot be altered, uncovering and upgrading existing stats is possible!]
[System Alert: Additionally, as long as the Fixed Regressor remembers them, stats from past lives can be borrowed!]
[System Alert: However, since this exceeds the Fixed Regressor's current permissions, it must be implemented through the Skill System. (Penalty cash substitution not allowed.)]
Hajin, who had been about to leave, carefully read the system's proposal, his wistful expression brightening.
With a face full of emotion, he covered his mouth and spoke to the system window.
Wow, this is insane.
So in short—
"You could do it?"
[System Alert: ...Pardon?]
As if his earlier gloom had never existed, Hajin returned to his usual posture and expression, sweeping back his hair and crossing his legs.
"There was a way, and you kept saying no? Even though this golden opportunity was right here?"
[System Alert: ......! (The System is speechless with betrayal!)]
"Who should feel betrayed here? Me. I'm stuck with trash teammates and a devil of a boss, riding the merry-go-round of life while facing a group project. How do you think I feel when my only ally refuses to cooperate? Devastated."
[System Alert: Y-Y-You...! This con artist...! (Furious at this bastard who must've taken acting classes!)]
"So what should you do? Compensate me for this heartbreak, right?"
Kang Hajin's Negotiation Principle #16: Make them pity you = Success.
"Then... shall we start with the skill creation cost and penalty discussion?"
Hajin's smile shone as bright as the sun.
[System Alert: Skill <What's Like Me?> has been successfully created.]
[System Alert: This is not a standard system patch! (Error)]
[System Alert: Penalty incurred due to skill <What's Like Me?> creation.]
[System Alert: Penalty temporarily reduces Mental Care effects.]
[※Additional Conditions:
Activate only when Seo Tae-il is absent.
Use in sparsely populated areas whenever possible.
'A satisfying deal.'
Hajin hummed cheerfully, tapping his toes as he admired the newly appeared windows. Though 2,500 hard-earned cash had been ripped away, it was worth it.
[System Alert: You haggled it down to half price... (╥_╥)]
Despite the system's sniffles of injustice, Hajin breezily ignored them.
"But the best part is this."
Hajin grinned as he reread the additional conditions under the penalty alert.
"Time to stop being the crybaby, huh?"
Always turning into a weepy mess in front of Seo Tae-il had caused enough trouble. Since the penalty was unavoidable, minimizing its damage had been the main goal of this negotiation.
Satisfied, Hajin pulled out his phone and opened the camera app, scrutinizing his face.
"Doesn't look that different..."
Right after creating the skill, he'd removed all facial puffiness, leaving only the bare minimum of baby fat. (This was such a steal!) He could've gotten rid of it entirely, but at his age, it was better to let it fade naturally.
'When I debut, there's a charm to losing that baby fat and transforming.'
Next, he recalled memories from his third regression, absorbing about 40% of the physique and stamina he'd had right after military discharge.
'Back then, I was living so healthily and taking care of my body.'
He hadn't instantly gained muscle (it would apply gradually), but his body definitely felt lighter. Basic back and core muscles had formed, and his shoulders seemed straighter.
"Let's stop here for now."
With filming already underway, drastic facial changes would stand out too much. This level of difference could pass as post-Hermes glow-up or reduced puffiness. Satisfied, Hajin stood to return to the practice room.
[System Alert: ...As a parting gift to this brat, a word of advice.]
[System Alert: Stats from past lives are just "borrowed." Maintaining and improving them depends solely on your will and effort!]
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks."
Hajin replied lightly and turned to leave. It was really time to practice now. But why were there so many notifications? Finally noticing the flood of red alerts, he skimmed through them like flipping pages.
<Miro_Hyung_Seok ‖ Hajin, where are you? Heard the guys were rude. Let's talk.>
Seok's anxious message had been buried under other chats. After quickly scanning the alerts, Hajin locked his phone and shoved it into his pocket without responding.
The trainees' dorm was on the third floor of the same building. Originally a lounge area, it had been temporarily furnished for the survival show.
'Pretty well-decorated for a temporary setup.'
Hajin, who had come down to unpack and change before serious practice began, surveyed his assigned room. All the furniture was from the same brand—probably PPL.
"Where'd they even get this PPL? Wait, this bed has guardrails?"
He made a mental note to meet Ji Soo-ho later to discuss the incident when filming wasn't happening. As he pondered which bed to choose—
"...Huh?"
"What."
"Hyung, what are you doing here?"
"What do you mean? This is my room."
"Hyung, this is your room?"
"Yeah. You too?"
"Yes."
Joo Eun-chan entered with his suitcase, surprised. His expression brightened slightly upon realizing he'd be rooming with Hajin.
"Done practicing?"
"No, we're meeting again after dinner."
"Oh, really?"
Eun-chan glanced around before heading to the innermost bed. As he skillfully folded down the guardrail and laid out comfortable clothes, Hajin watched silently.
"Hey, Eun-chan."
"Yes?"
"You and Han Seong-woo hyung—what's going on?"
"...What?"
Eun-chan turned to him, startled. He hadn't expected such a direct question, though he knew Hajin had picked up on something.
So he blurted out without thinking:
"No, nothing's going on."
"Hmm, reaally?"
But Hajin already knew everything. Arms crossed, he nodded and fired another straight shot.
"Then what's your connection to this insanely expensive furniture company?"
"...Wh-what?"
"Are you secretly a chaebol heir?"
"...I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Of course you don't. Our Eun-chan wouldn't know."
"......"
"Even though you clearly know how to use the guardrails on this brand's ambitious new bed model, and every piece of furniture in your place is from this brand, but it's better if you know nothing."
Hajin nodded sagely.
"But hyung can't resist curiosity, can he?"
"......"
"Will you confess your birth secret, or should I assume it's just trainees trash-talking their annoying sunbae?"
Hajin's smiling face looked utterly devilish. Joo Eun-chan gulped. He missed his mom.