Chapter 69: System Update (4)
69. System Update (4)
Meanwhile, at an outsourced production company growing increasingly swamped as the first broadcast approached.
"Jinhee, did you send over the first teaser's final edit?"
"Yes! They said they'll receive it by dawn!"
"Anyone available to make just one highlight reel? It's urgent."
"I'll do it, sunbaenim!"
While the cast enjoyed a brief respite from filming preparations, for the production company, the real work was just beginning.
PDs who hadn't properly washed or slept in days were scattered throughout the office like zombies—or perhaps predators—hammering away at keyboards to prepare for <Miro Maze>'s premiere.
"PD Chaehyun, do you know where Team Leader Myeongeun went?"
"Ah, writer. Myeongeun sunbaenim went out briefly with the CEO earlier. Did you need something?"
"I wanted to discuss next mission's structure... Seems they'll be late. Alright, thanks."
The veteran writer, who'd come down from the writing room to find PD Kwon, took in the chaotic office scene with practiced indifference.
After nearly twenty years in the industry, such sights were nothing new.
Then something on someone's monitor caught his eye.
"What's this?"
"The first teaser uploading next week."
The junior PD, military-like in discipline, tilted his screen toward the writer. "Would you like to see?"
"It's still missing final edits—CG, captions, and mixing."
"That's fine. I'll keep that in mind."
A click of the spacebar unleashed a majestic score as the teaser unfolded.
Brief highlights showcased Miro Entertainment artists U.PIA and Endway's journey.
ㅡI'm curious.
ㅡJust how much more can these kids grow?
ㅡHow much more can they show us?
ㅡI truly believe they have tremendous potential.
ㅡI'm confident. I'll stake my name on that.
Voiceover from Seo Taeil, <Miro Maze>'s flagship host, played over slow-motion black-and-white footage of trainees practicing.
ㅡYou can look forward to it.
As Taeil's final words faded, rapid cuts from episodes 1-2 flashed by—trainees marveling at the massive maze set, shocked reactions to the blurred first mission title, two figures facing off with faces cleverly obscured...
The pounding rhythm cut abruptly to silence.
ㅡWe have to rise.
ㅡReach for the sun.
A different voice—not Taeil's.
The screen showed someone's back silhouette leaping over a high wall in slow motion, backlit lighting making them resemble Icarus challenging the sun.
ㅡMIRO MAZE: In Search of Icarus' Wings
"Ah, the title graphics haven't come in yet..."
Though the PD's temporary caption was placeholder, the imagery worked surprisingly well.
The veteran writer crossed his arms with an approving smile. "Nice. Upload it to the group chat when it's ready."
"Yes, sir."
"But PD Kwon's taking forever. We have so many meetings..."
Sighing at Kwon's prolonged absence, the writer thought of the show's biggest obstacle—Yoon CP.
'We need to discuss Yoon CP too...'
Shaking his head, he muttered, "If I ever work with NTV on another survival show, shoot me," before trudging back upstairs to the writing room.
The mountain of work awaited regardless.
"Honestly, teach."
Same time, back in Hajin's room.
Unaware he'd become the closing shot of <Miro Maze>'s first teaser, Kang Hajin was currently...
"Are we running some kind of scam here?"
[System Notification: ......;;;]
"Keep this up and I'm really in trouble."
[System Notification: ;;;;;;;;;; ( ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )]
Legs crossed arrogantly in his chair, forehead propped on hand, calmly threatening the Timekeeper.
[System Notification: This situation arose because humans receiving Timekeeper privileges is extremely rare... With virtually no precedents to reference...]
"First the Cat's Gratitude quest, now the sofa incident. Sipsam, do you hate me or something?"
[System Notification: ...A little?]
"And how do you think my fragile heart feels hearing that? Who'll take responsibility for my shattered eardrums? I'm a trainee, damn it! Rolling, running, flipping all day—my cartilage lifespan decreases by the minute, you know?"
Under the bullet-like barrage of complaints, the system—no, Administrator No.13 from the Time Management Department quickly...
[System Notification: ☆★Ta-da!☆★ Your wish is my command!]
[System Notification: ♥♡Special Comfort Time for our Beloved Fixed Regressor in Need♥♡]
...shifted tactics.
Clearly Hajin wanted something, hence the nitpicking.
As neon apology effects exploded across the system window, Hajin sighed while crossing his arms.
"Trying hard, aren't we."
[System Notification: Whose fault is that!!? (ʘ言ʘ╬) (Your joy is my joy♥)]
"This place really wears its heart on its sleeve."
Hajin's refreshing smile was absurdly bright. His crossed-arm posture didn't stop his long fingers from habitually tapping. Without much deliberation, he spoke.
"Actually, there is one thing I desperately need your help with."
[System Notification: ......?]
"Remember last time, when I borrowed something from Seo Taehyun's past timeline?"
[System Notification: The Memory Access?]
"Yeah, that. Let me use it one more time."
Hajin's request was simple—another chance to access someone's memories and borrow items from them.
Relieved Hajin wasn't asking to break spacetime rules to punch someone, 13 responded immediately.
[System Notification: Calculating...]
[System Notification: Calculating...]
[System Notification: Calculation complete.]
[System Notification: As special compensation, Memory Access Ticket can be issued.]
[System Notification: Whose memories would you like to access?]
At the question, Hajin's expression sharpened. His cool eyes glinted darkly.
"NTV Variety Department PD Yoon Giseok. I need his memories. Bonus if I can bring items back too."
[System Notification: Ah. B-but... Memory access is restricted if your relationship with the owner isn't positive...]
"If we were on good terms, would I be extorting you like this?"
[System Notification: ...It's possible! Difficult but possible!]
"Attaboy, our Sipsam."
Whistling triumphantly after successfully extorting the Memory Access, Hajin mentally organized his next steps.
'Foundation's laid.'
After roughly planning his moves, he texted Ji Sooho:
I know you're busy but need to discuss something.
Please contact me when convenient.
Thank you.>
"...Too formal?"
But he wanted to avoid any misunderstandings.
As he shrugged and went to lock his phone, the time display made him gasp.
<05:58 PM>
"Ah. The performance video."
He'd almost forgotten.
"Man, ever since regressing, I've been living life way too productively."
Not that I was ever this efficient before.
Just as he voiced this meaningless complaint, his mother called from outside.
"Hajin, dinner's ready. Eating now?"
"Ah, yeah. Just a sec."
Stepping out into the savory aroma of sesame oil, Hajin's mouth watered despite himself.
"Just vegetable porridge? Smells amazing."
"Like you'd eat plain veggie porridge. Added some tuna, so eat slowly. We'll have chicken tomorrow depending on how Ha-won's doing."
"Oho, tuna-veggie porridge changes everything. I'll eat in my room."
"Leave the dishes if washing's troublesome. I'll do them."
At her concerned tone, Hajin playfully nudged her shoulder. "Underestimating your eldest son's stamina? My homemaking skills?"
"All talk as usual. Eat before it gets cold, and don't overdo it."
"Yessir! Thanks for the meal!"
Carrying the entire pot of creamy porridge back, Hajin set up at his desk, booted his computer, and quickly accessed YouTube.
"Miro's official account posted it, right..."
Familiar yet unfamiliar thumbnails greeted him on Miro's official channel.
Soon these thumbnails would be replaced by new ones featuring Hajin and his fellow trainees—a strangely poignant thought.
'59 minutes...6 o'clock!'
Click—the refresh button spun.
"It's up, it's up. Oh god, it's up."
After loading, two starkly different videos replaced the dark, charismatic thumbnails.
"Shit, I'm nervous."
Suddenly tense, Hajin squeezed his eyes shut and bowed his head.
His diverted gaze landed on eternally-youthful Seo Taeil wiping blood from his mouth in some vampire concept—probably his recent solo MV.
"......"
That only worsened his mood, so he slowly scrolled to the two newest uploads.
First examining Team A's thumbnail, Hajin was stunned.
"Damn, who's the genius behind this?"
Performance video thumbnails usually featured either the most impressive moment or an eye-catching visual.
But <Miro Maze> was a trainee survival show.
Rather than unknown kids' unclear performance shots, better to plaster visuals that'd make random scrollers pause—'Wait, who's this?'—and click.
"Still...Jung Siwoo, Seo Taehyun, Joo Eunchan? Damn. Really wanted to show off those faces huh."
Joo Eunchan—black denim jacket buttoned to the neck, hair swept back, smoky-eyed gaze lowered.
Jung Siwoo—pale flawless skin, straight black hair, eyes closed in prayer-like pose revealing sculpted profile.
Seo Taehyun—pink hair under a tilted white beret, white cropped denim jacket, arms outstretched dreamily.
Like personified beauty standards from ancient Korean kingdoms united in one frame, their visuals held their own even among senior artists' thumbnails.
While praising the designer's eye, Hajin facepalmed in despair.
"How the hell do we compete with this?"
Have some mercy, you heavenly bastards. Stop massacring us commoners.