The System's Warning
After Hael left, I stood quietly in the bathroom for a long time, just staring at the door.
“Such words from a third-rate villain…”
I had known from the first meeting that something was wrong with him, but every time I dismissed it thinking he was just a bit crazy, I kept encountering levels beyond my expectations. It was the abyss.
“I thought that after getting hit once, he'd snap out of it, but seeing him explode even more…”
He wasn't someone I could talk to.
The system had kindly warned me that its intentions were separate, but I ignored it anyway.
If the one manipulating Hael was the system, it was leading me down the path to the abyss to steal his body.
Hearing this, it was only natural to start doubting the system at some point.
Why did Hael seem so full of malice? We had no contact before, and this was the first time we met.
“I don't know, but…”
One thing was certain: his obsession with appearance was immense.
Seeing him thrash around saying I was trying to end his idol life with one hit, it seemed he was angrier about his appearance being damaged than the hit itself.
I didn't know why his obsession had become so strong, but the pressure towards appearance had gone beyond normal levels.
“With every conversation, it felt like I was getting deeper into the abyss.”
Still, I had tried to understand by trying to see it as being used by the system without realizing.
But I realized it was all meaningless.
“With this, I understand. I don't know the reason, but his mind is completely broken, and it's impossible to persuade him further.”
Then, I had to define him as an enemy to be completely discarded.
It wasn't a pleasant feeling to have an enemy right after debut, but I wasn't going to just take the hits. With this incident, I at least knew what kind of type he was.
If I had been hit without knowing who was trying to harm me, now that I knew exactly who it was, I could respond accordingly.
That meant I had a way to respond on my side as well.
“…If this is the case, can we call it a system versus system?”
Muttering that, before the words finished, Bodi shot out at lightning speed.
“Calling for me?”
Bodi, who seemed like he could be on the same team as me, was styled today like a codi: white t-shirt and ripped jeans.
Looking at such Bodi, I said.
“Hael also has a system. If that's the case, the outcome will depend on whose system has superior abilities.”
Bodi shrugged his shoulders.
“Um, don't underestimate me.”
Seeing Bodi approach with eyes full of distrust in his existence, I said.
“What do you think I see you as. Do you think you'll fall short compared to that psycho villain's system?”
“Um, well. Since you're mocking me, you still have that much faith…”
At that, Bodi reacted violently.
“What? Still don't believe me?”
I don't know.
This guy was also ambiguous whether to believe or not…
“I believe. Why wouldn't I?”
I decided to pretend to believe.
After all, now was the time to make the most use of this guy's abilities.
Pretending to trust a bit while using the abilities appropriately.
“If I didn't believe you, would I have asked you to tell me your name?”
“Huhuhu, indeed?”
Bodi, whose mood seemed to brighten noticeably, said while crossing his arms.
“But I didn't think you'd really hit me. Have you ever hit anyone in your life? It was a bit clumsy.”
“…”
“But it was satisfying, haha.”
It felt like I was being blatantly mocked, making me feel awkward.
“Enough, let's go in.”
After removing the title, I went outside.
In the car heading to the next schedule, I glanced at Won Ji-an in the seat next to me.
Noticing my gaze, Won Ji-an turned his head slightly and met my eyes.
Won Ji-an probably felt it too. That I had used an item. It would be hard not to notice when my body condition suddenly became unrealistically good after reaching the point of fainting.
As expected, a message came from Won Ji-an not long after.
Even though he was right next to me, talking via text felt odd, but since it was something I couldn't tell the other members, I had no choice.
Glancing at Won Ji-an, I asked.
Glancing at Won Ji-an, I asked.
“Me: Are you okay? I didn't know. I didn't know you were in such a difficult state.”
I felt the grueling schedules before and after debut with my skin, but I didn't know that Won Ji-an's health condition had reached the point of almost fainting.
Even though he was right next to me, I didn't know. It was also true that I felt guilty for having been too careless during that time.
Meanwhile, Won Ji-an, who noticed that I felt sorry, sent a reply.
To reassure me, Won Ji-an deliberately made a tough gesture.
'Then it's fortunate…'
I was genuinely troubled whether I should tell him about the incident in the bathroom earlier.
I had asked him last time to tell me everything without hiding, but if my body was this weak, it would be physically tough, and I worried about mental overload.
'…Just don't say anything now.'
It seemed better not to say anything for now, for everyone's sake.
Since I had confirmed Won Ji-an's condition, I decided to change the subject roughly.
“Me: Anyway, it's fortunate. The next variety show requires using the body, right?”
The variety show 'Just Run Full Power' that I was going to go with Won Ji-an this time definitely required using the body a lot.
I didn't know why they sent Won Ji-an with weak physical strength to such a variety show…
'Just sent him because it's fun.'
Variety shows that use inability to use the body or being clumsy as fun elements are common.
But it's sad that just a few minutes ago, Won Ji-an's body was in such a bad condition that he might faint.
If he had really fainted, the probability that the variety show scheduled for this time wouldn't have gone, and it would have been canceled, is high.
Thinking about that made me dizzy.
'Well, now I'm fine.'
I thought there wouldn't be any major problems in the upcoming variety shows.
On the day of the variety show filming. Won Ji-an and I headed to the filming location by van.
The filming location we arrived at was noisy and lively. The conversations of the cast and the busy movements of the staff mixed, creating a busy atmosphere.
“Oh, the Won-woo and Ji-an we're filming with this time! Right?”
The MC greeted us.
A fixed MC of this program, someone who is like the program's face.
I knew he was originally from physical education, but even after a brief handshake, I felt his strength was immense.
“How's everyone's condition today?”
“Good.”
“Then we should be able to film well today, right? See, there are a lot of things prepared today, there, the hurdle isn't visible?”
Following the direction the MC pointed, I moved my head.
A hurdle installed in the middle of the sports field was visible. It looked like it would be hard to jump over easily.
'To jump over that…?'
I had roughly heard the explanation, but I didn't know the height would be that high.
While thinking with my tongue out, MC's voice came again from the side.
“Did you do well in PE in school?”
At that question, my head turned again. The MC with a uniquely friendly face smiling as if he knew nothing was visible.
'Did I do well in PE?'
I briefly reflected on my school days.
'PE…'
I don't have many good memories of the PE subject. I was good at studying, but using the body was just so-so.
Still, I wasn't the worst. Maybe around 3rd from the bottom.
'Compared to my previous life, now it's fine. The body of Do Won-woo doesn't seem to have bad athletic ability.'
Since it was a body that had been a trainee for a long time, the physical condition itself was good. I felt it during survival.
So, I thought I could do this filming smoothly.
“I expect great things from us Won-woo and Ji-an.”
The MC patted my shoulder and made a fighting gesture.
“Okay, let's start filming!”
And the filming began.
Today's game was a team battle, a race format to break through the obstacle course.
The sports field track had sections painted in colors, and obstacles lined up between them.
Sections with hurdles in the middle and courses that required long jumps. And at the end, a battle zone where body contact was required on the mat…
'I wonder if this is the opponent.'
The opposing team was composed only of physical education people, and our team was me, Won Ji-an, and the actor guests who came for drama promotion.
The saving grace was that for balance, the opposing team's sections were made into much more difficult courses.
“Are you nervous? But when you actually do it, it's not a big deal? Just have fun.”
“Yeah, realistically, how can we win against those guys.”
Because of the sunlight, frowning at my face, the surrounding cast members who misunderstood my expression as dark gave encouraging words.
They seemed to be comforting us newbies by treating us cutely.
“Thank you. I'll work hard.”
With the starting signal, the race began.
Thinking 'anything would do', I ran at full speed. And at the moment I arrived in front of the huge hurdle.
'It's okay.'
Believing that with Do Won-woo's body, I could easily jump over this much, I threw my body towards the hurdle.
And at the moment I jumped, I realized that I had overestimated myself too much.
“Ah.”
The hurdle was higher than I thought, and this body had less athletic ability than I thought.
I sat right on top of the hurdle.
“Puha hahaha!”
“Hahaha haha!”
The filming location people were laughing loudly at my failed attempt to jump over the hurdle.
I was only trying hard, but unintentionally gave them laughter.
'Yeah, it's a variety show, so it was okay that it was funny.'
I wanted to quickly get rid of this embarrassing and shameful feeling.
“Won-woo, your face is red…”
But contrary to my intention to maintain a poker face, my face was flushing in real time.