Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Even as a Villain, I Want to Debut
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After finishing the mid-evaluation, we returned to the practice room for a quick team meeting.
Not a word from anyone, but it was clear the shock from earlier still lingered—everyone's faces looked utterly drained.
"Uh, well..."
In the heavy silence, Kwon Hak-jin finally spoke up.
"Everyone must've been shocked by what happened. Won-jun suddenly announcing he's quitting."
The whole team nodded.
And who could blame them? People don't usually drop a bombshell like that when they bow out.
No one could've imagined someone bursting out the door mid-evaluation—in front of all the masters—yelling they were going home.
"But we managed to talk him out of it for now, and since he needs some time to calm down, I heard he's resting alone at the dorm."
Compared to the next team over, cracking jokes and laughing, our group felt like a funeral home.
It was an indescribable feeling. What I'd said to Lee Won-jun yesterday wasn't lip service—it was genuine.
So of course, I wanted him to pull himself together and join us on stage.
But we talked him out of quitting... can he really pull off the main performance?
That's what worries me most.
This was our first team mission.
It felt insanely tough.
It's not like acing it solo gets the job done—the whole team has to shine.
Studying was easy; just nail it yourself. This team stuff is a whole different beast...
Another stretch of suffocating silence.
In the oppressive atmosphere, Kwon Hak-jin looked around at us.
"Guys. It's a rough spot, but let's make this work together. We'll support each other and create an even better stage. Right? That's what teams are for—we cover each other's weaknesses."
He might not be the strict leader type, but as the original story praised him for his wisdom, no one was better at mending a fractured team vibe than Kwon Hak-jin.
"Yeah, exactly. What's there to worry about? We'll smash it like always. Our team's strongest in a crisis, aren't we?"
Na Jae-hyun chimed in, backing him up. Sure enough, the gloom started lifting thanks to those two.
Everyone but one, that is.
Hyeon Si-woo's face looks seriously off.
It was no wonder.
He had the most pressure riding on nailing this mission.
In a survival show like this, you're always proving yourself, but for Hyeon Si-woo, that weight hit harder than for most trainees.
With a teammate acting up like that, anyone would lose it.
For now, I'll keep an eye on Si-woo hyung.
With only one day until the main stage, we decided to run through the choreography one last time.
The thumping steps echoed off the floor as we danced and sang live.
Somehow, we're pulling it off.
In the mirror, I saw the team executing it flawlessly.
Even Lee Won-jun, who'd been sobbing about quitting, was giving it his all.
With my Master of Persuasion title, I'd whispered in his ear nonstop that he could do it—how could it not work?
Like a rickety cart somehow rolling along, things were coming together...
Thud.
Mid-movement, I collided with the guy next to me.
Startled by the sudden bump, I glanced over to see Hyeon Si-woo clutching his shoulder.
"Ah, sorry."
It wasn't even my fault, but the apology slipped out anyway.
I was fine, but he looked pained, gripping his shoulder.
"What happened? Who messed up?"
Kwon Hak-jin halted the choreo and turned.
"Looks like Si-woo hyung slipped."
"Ah, Si-woo's mistake?"
As the other trainees exchanged wary glances, Kwon Hak-jin approached him.
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
"Got mixed up?"
"Yeah, just... ugh, why'd I do that."
Hyeon Si-woo turned away, chugging water in frustration at himself.
Si-woo hyung must be struggling too.
It made sense.
We'd reworked the positioning so much to hide Lee Won-jun's weaknesses.
His body was still wired for the old patterns from earlier practices.
Hyeon Si-woo had busted his ass for this stage—staying late for solo drills even after we left the room.
"Sorry."
"Nah, it's fine."
"My head's all jumbled up."
Embarrassed, he ran a hand through his hair with a strained smile.
For a split second, I caught the anxiety and nerves flickering in that grin.
"Good work, everyone."
Practice wrapped, and we packed up to head back to the dorms.
With the main stage tomorrow, we needed rest, so we cut it short for once.
As we headed out, I spotted Hyeon Si-woo in the corner, staring at his tablet.
"Si-woo hyung, not going?"
"I'll head back later."
"Alright, we'll go on ahead then."
The team filed out, but for some reason, my feet wouldn't move.
Pretending to hit the bathroom, I wandered the hall before sneaking back to the practice room.
Peeking through the door crack, I saw Hyeon Si-woo with his face buried in his knees, tablet beside him.
He's crying, alright.
The sniffles confirmed it.
I'd half-expected this—the novel had him breaking down right around now.
What to do?
Normally, I'd ghost. No need to butt into someone's private tears.
But not this time. He was our main vocal for the mission—too crucial.
So I slipped in to console him.
But what do I even say...?
Face-to-face, words failed me. I'd never comforted a crying person in my life.
"What's up?"
I sat beside him, fumbling awkwardly.
"Just..."
After ages with his face hidden, he finally spoke.
"Just scared. What if all this effort flops? I want to debut so bad, and if not here, no chances left... This is my last shot."
The guy who'd toughed out master critiques and low ranks without a tear was sobbing so hard he could barely breathe.
Acting fine, but the pressure's crushing him inside.
His "no chances after this" hit home now.
He was twenty—young, but edging old for idols.
Fail here, and debut doors slam shut tighter.
"I don't know what to do."
"Huh?"
"Don't know what to do anymore."
...Join the club.
I'm no smooth talker; no clue how to console him.
But this could tank our main stage. His mental game's priority one.
"Hyung."
Words stuck; I kept hesitating.
"Uh, um..."
Finally, I blurted it out.
"You know what they say?"
"What...?"
"If you cry alone in a practice room, a ghost shows up."
His sobs cut off like a switch.
He didn't seem superstitious, but my title must've sold it—he bought it hook, line, sinker.
"For real?"
As if.
Probably the only one using Master of Persuasion for ghost stories...
I sighed, shaking my head.
"Kidding. Just... don't stress so much. You're doing great."
He wiped his red eyes with his sleeve, looking at me.
"Seriously. Not empty words—no one else sticks around practicing like this but you. I grind hard too, but you're on another level."
Hyeon Si-woo stared intently.
"That slip? Your body's just too dialed in from overpracticing—not some failure. It's proof you're killing it."
I met his gaze steadily.
"No clue what happens next, but someone will notice your hustle. I already do."
His ragged breaths evened out—my words were sinking in.
Thank god. If he'd spiraled longer, tomorrow could've been disastrous.
"Let's nail this."
"Yeah."
"You're our main vocal. Can't have the star moping."
Figured I'd toss some generic pep talk and bounce to the dorm.
But Hyeon Si-woo looked genuinely touched, wearing an expression I'd never seen before.
"Thanks."
We talked late, then headed to our rooms.
On the way, his face seemed a bit lighter.
Main stage day.
The audience hall filled with fans trickling in.
They waved placards with their favorites' names.
One girl clutching a Do Won-woo sign stood in the standing section center, buzzing with anticipation.
She'd become a fan from his profile and teaser on the show's official accounts. Still lots unknown, but that mystery added thrill.
Wonder what he looks like live? Same as pics and vids?
How long had she waited with that excitement? Finally, lights flared, and the host strode out.
Cheers erupted from the standing area.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Baek Do-ha, your MC for Dream Stage Season 2. Today’s the keyword group battle you’ve all been waiting for."
As cheers died, he continued.
"First up, let's reveal the keyword and see our teams in action."
The youth keyword group opened.
True to "youth," both teams rocked school uniforms—but vibes differed.
One went rebellious: shirts untucked, red ties loose.
The other screamed crisp and fresh.
Post-greetings, the performances rolled. Same theme, wildly different flavors.
When's Won-woo up?
Keywords cycled by. Do Won-woo's group was last—no sign yet.
Finally, the moment arrived.
There he is!
Seeing Do Won-woo onstage, she was surprised.
Hanbok.
Suits him perfectly... Curious about the performance. Hope he crushes it.
She shoved thoughts aside, waving her placard wildly with a cheer.
Do Won-woo onstage turned, spotted her, smiled, and gave a little backhand wave.
Was that for me?
Grinning ear-to-ear, she hid behind her sign.
"Hello! Let's start with greetings from the Blood Love team, shall we?"
Blood Love members introduced themselves one by one. Do Won-woo, at the end, went last.
"Hello. I'm Do Won-woo, your center here to steal your hearts."
Won-woo's the center, huh.
Figured as much.
Visuals-wise, he fit best.
"Trainee Do Won-woo, care to share your aspirations before the stage?"
"Haha, sure. Aspirations... hmm."
He paused thoughtfully, then smiled.
"They say horror movies pop into your head right before bed. Like that, we'll deliver a stage so truly terrifying, it'll haunt your dreams tonight."
A bold pledge, but his handsome face turned screams into cheers anyway.
"Great, we heard it loud and clear. Now, onto the Blood Love team's performance!"
And with that, the stage ignited.