Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Even as a Villain, I Want to Debut
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The first ranking announcement ceremony proceeded amid a tense atmosphere.
"We’re down to just three spots left in the top nine debut lineup. Now, let’s reveal the candidates for the glorious 1st place!"
A three-way split appeared on the screen: me, Lee Hae-won, and Won Ji-an.
The unexpectedly high ranking made my head spin. There were no mid-announcement reveals for the first ceremony, so no one could predict their position.
'I’m a 1st place candidate...?'
My stomach churned for some reason.
Glancing sideways, Lee Hae-won and Won Ji-an looked just as rattled as I felt.
"The 1st place candidate trainees, please come up to the stage now."
And so we climbed onto the stage and lined up at the podium.
The MC asked us for our thoughts on becoming 1st place candidates.
Lee Hae-won stammered nervously, while Won Ji-an’s voice cracked with overwhelming emotion as they shared their feelings. I, too, wrapped up my remarks in a suitably moved tone.
"Now, let’s announce the trainee in 3rd place."
Turning to look, I saw the two of them tense with anticipation.
Honestly, at this point, any ranking would’ve been fine. Just making the top three was enough to make me happy.
"The trainee in 3rd place is..."
After a dramatic pause, the MC called out the name loudly.
"Congratulations, trainee Lee Hae-won!"
The moment his name was called, Lee Hae-won squeezed his eyes shut in overwhelming gratitude.
Then our eyes met, and he flashed a bright smile.
"Congrats."
"Thanks, Won-woo."
Watching him head up to the podium, I thought how fitting it was.
'He was always destined for this.'
He’d taken some flak early on for a mistake, but his real talent shone through later, propelling him up the ranks.
I’d expected his high placement, but Lee Hae-won hadn’t dared to hope, judging by his ecstatic expression from earlier.
"Really... thank you so much! To all the Dream Makers who voted for me, I don’t even know how to express my gratitude..."
Having wilted under negative buzz before, Lee Hae-won looked happier than ever—like he’d fully overcome his tragic backstory and proven himself.
"I’ll work even harder from now on! I love you and thank you! I love you all!"
After Lee Hae-won finished his heartfelt speech and took his seat, the screen’s split shifted from three to two.
Me and Won Ji-an. Seeing us side by side like that felt strangely surreal.
"Now only two trainees remain as 1st place candidates."
It really hit me then how much the original story had diverged.
Originally, the 1st place candidates were Lee Hae-won and Han I-jae, while Won Ji-an and I didn’t even make the debut group. And now here we were, waiting for our names to be called.
'A villain and an extra as 1st place candidates?'
If anyone else knew this novel, they’d be laughing.
I glanced over at Won Ji-an standing beside me. He still couldn’t believe it, eyes wide, frozen in place.
'Get it together.'
I gave his shoulder a pat with that silent message, and only then did he meet my eyes, steady his breathing, and straighten up.
"Now, let’s announce the trainee in 1st place."
Won Ji-an, staring straight ahead while catching his breath, suddenly grabbed my hand.
I nearly flinched but kept a straight face.
'Not surprising. In idol survival shows, 1st and 2nd place candidates holding hands during announcements is a total cliché.'
Given Won Ji-an’s usual personality, he probably needed someone to lean on in a moment like this.
Plus, holding hands could provide psychological comfort. If that’s all it took for him to stay calm, he could hold on as long as he wanted.
'But his hand’s shaking like crazy.'
Seeing him tremble beside me, I started to worry a bit.
If he somehow took 1st, he might just faint.
"The trainee in 1st place is!"
A sigh nearly escaped me.
The MC was dragging it out even though he could’ve just said it.
Our awkward hand-holding dragged on because of it.
'When’s the name coming...?'
For the record, I hadn’t held hands with anyone much in my life. Scratch that—never.
I’d barely formed close relationships or made friends, let alone held hands.
'...This feels weird.'
Ironic, really.
This person next to me was both a rival and the only one who knew I was a possessor in this world.
Looking back, I’d always competed fiercely, never trying to understand others or even bothering to try.
The only thing I’d gripped was a pen for studying. I’d never held anyone else’s hand, especially not a rival’s.
'And yet.'
It might be overthinking, but in this insane situation, clinging to each other by holding hands felt utterly mad.
One of us would end up 1st, pushing the other down.
"The 1st place trainee is!"
I squeezed my eyes shut.
It was time for the name, but the announcement dragged on.
Only after the camera swept over the trainees for reaction shots did the host pick up the mic again.
"The trainee claiming the glorious 1st place at Dream Stage Season 2’s first ranking announcement is...!"
I was just thinking enough already when—
"Congratulations, trainee Do Won-woo!"
The moment my name rang out, the grip on my hand went slack.
'Me?'
Applause erupted as the spotlight shone down on me.
'Really me...?'
A whirlwind of thoughts crashed through my mind.
Joy at defying fate. Pride in achieving something. Elation at reclaiming the top spot I’d always held.
But lingering doubts remained: was I really worthy? A tinge of bitterness mixed in too.
Guilt over climbing unfairly with my looks and the system’s help—like a debt I owed.
Yet rebellion surged too: why should I feel guilty? I didn’t choose the system, inherit this unwanted dream, or possess this body.
"Won-woo."
Won Ji-an’s voice pulled me from my daze.
"Time for your speech."
Snapping to, I grabbed the mic.
"...I never expected this. I never thought I’d be given such an undeserved ranking."
I barely remember what I said next or how I said it.
Honestly, I felt like I was losing my mind. But it felt good too.
"Thank you. I’ll keep striving to show you an even better Do Won-woo."
After my perfunctory speech, I turned and climbed the stairs, receiving congratulations from the seated trainees until I reached the top chair.
It felt off somehow. When I first arrived here, I’d been stuck in the 100th place seat at the end.
'Back to 1st.'
It was the familiar number from my report cards, reclaimed once more.
I’d always taken 1st place like it was nothing, but today felt different. My heart pounded strangely.
'Is this okay?'
Confused, I slowly sat in the 1st place seat. Only then did the reality hit like a wave.
I’d taken 1st. Me—the one meant to be a tool to make someone else shine—had successfully changed my fate.
Tamping down the surging emotions, I took in the view before me.
After filming wrapped, I walked the hallway while checking the details of my new title.
[Glorious 1st Place]
▶ Dignity +25
▶ Presence +30
'So equipping this boosts Dignity and Presence, huh.'
I wasn’t sure exactly how, but I was curious. What did more dignity even look like?
I’d save it for when I needed it later.
"Won-woo."
As I closed the system window, a familiar voice called from behind.
"Congrats on 1st."
Turning, I saw Won Ji-an offering his congratulations.
His expression toward me was hard to read—equal parts joy and sorrow, maybe.
'Making that face after hitting 2nd. Feeling bad for the dropouts?'
Not that I could talk. My own mood was far from purely joyful.
Complicated and confused, I couldn’t celebrate freely.
'But if things keep going like this, both Won Ji-an and I can debut. Meaning neither of us has to die.'
Anxiety mingled with relief.
What a strange feeling—unease and comfort coexisting.
But knowing I wouldn’t die twice in this world was comfort enough.
'Of course, 1st in the first announcement doesn’t guarantee a debut spot, but it gets us closer.'
If we keep pushing hard here...
"What’re you thinking so hard about?"
"Huh?"
A title floated above Won Ji-an’s head as he asked: ‘Do Won-woo’s Friend’.
"Why that one specifically..."
My gaze flicked to the title, and he gave a small smile.
"Just. It’s fun."
Fun...?
Equipping a title for fun? That was beyond me.
I always swapped titles for maximum utility to exploit the system.
"Isn’t it hilarious that you and I are friends now?"
But he looked baffled by my reaction.
"When we first met, you never imagined we’d end up like this, right?"
I nodded slowly.
Undeniable fact.
I’d always avoided him as a nuisance, and now we were friends.
Who’d have thought two people who only saw each other at school would reunite on an idol survival set?
"I hope we both make it to the end."
Won Ji-an tilted his head toward me with a grin.
'Make it.'
To most, it’d just mean debuting or dropping out.
But for us, it was literal survival. Making it wasn’t a metaphor—it was life or death.
"Yeah, let’s both survive just like this."
We parted ways after walking the hall side by side.
He’d been super standoffish at first, but now we were close enough that he’d initiate chats.
No more awkward, halting conversations like before.
Made sense, really. We even had the ‘Friend’ title now.
'...Ah, here it is.'
Lost in thought, I arrived at my door before I knew it.
Reassigned to a new room meant new roommates waiting.
The sneaky production crew hadn’t revealed who, so I’d find out going in.
Knock knock.
I rapped softly and opened the door.
What I saw inside was...
"Hey."
Han I-jae, sitting on the bed, exuding a somehow dark aura.