Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Even as a Villain, I Want to Debut
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I watched with an uneasy heart.
How would he react? Would he snap again and speak bluntly like last time?
They'd delivered a high-quality performance, yet received the lowest scores in every position and incurred three penalties.
Any ordinary trainee would quit after something like this, but given Han I-jae's personality, he might openly call out the voters for not doing it properly.
'I get it if he gets angry, but if only he could hold back just this once...'
As I watched anxiously, that's when it happened.
"I'm fine."
Against all my worries, an unexpected response came from Han I-jae.
'Fine? It's obviously not fine, but is he pretending again?'
I checked him closely out of concern, but there were no signs of hyperventilation like in the bathroom. He even looked somewhat at ease, which made it all the more unsettling.
'Han I-jae. What on earth is he thinking?'
With everyone watching, Han I-jae continued his thoughts.
"Truth be told, it's not great, and of course I've taken a hit... but I don't think this damage will last long."
The trainees kept their eyes glued to Han I-jae as he spoke. It was less envy or jealousy now and more like awe.
'Yeah, no normal person could handle this.'
He was already under a barrage of hate comments, and now bottom scores across the board plus multiple penalties?
Anyone else would've either crumbled mentally or burst into tears.
'It's impossible not to feel like everyone hates you.'
So for him to stand there calmly sharing his thoughts like this—it wasn't easy.
"Maybe to others, it looks like I breeze through everything. But what I want to say is that nothing I've done so far has been easy."
Instead of exploding in anger as I'd expected, Han I-jae spoke more steadily than anticipated.
"I know it well. Even if I put in 100% effort, the results aren't always 100. Sometimes 100% effort yields only 50, or even zero. I know that better than anyone."
In that moment, everyone simply listened in silence.
"On the flip side, sometimes 50% effort produces 100% results..."
Han I-jae trailed off.
But the trainees wore expressions of understanding.
They'd all had plenty of experiences where equal effort led to debut for some and elimination for others.
"But you can't just cut your effort to 50 because the results suck. And expecting 100 from 50% effort is pathetic."
It was a harsh reality, but Han I-jae's voice remained even.
"So even if I get the same scores next time, I'll pour everything into it like today. I'm not ashamed of coming last. I'm just proud of the effort I gave."
With that, Han I-jae calmly lowered the mic.
The production crew seemed caught off guard. Forcing three last-place comments was clearly meant to provoke a reaction—they probably expected tears or rage.
'Who knew he'd counter it like this.'
That's when our eyes met. I smiled as if to say he'd done well, and Han I-jae quickly looked away.
'He's got a shy side, huh.'
Anyway, he'd handled it perfectly.
Han I-jae's misfortune arc was over, the rankings announced without issue. Three penalties sucked, but it wasn't a problem.
In fact, once it aired, this narrative would skyrocket his popularity.
'If it airs right, that is.'
After the long shoot, we dragged our exhausted bodies back to the dorms.
Kang In-hyeok had been grinning nonstop since benefiting from the twist. It was the first time I'd seen him this happy.
"Congrats."
"Thanks."
On the way to the dorms, Kang In-hyeok asked in a worried tone.
"But... is I-jae hyung okay?"
"Who knows."
He looked fine on the surface, but you can't judge a book by its cover. Should I go ask him directly?
As I pondered that, someone suddenly yanked my shoulder from behind.
"Ack."
I turned in surprise to find Han I-jae resting his chin on my shoulder, peering at me.
"You scared me..."
"Sorry, did I startle you?"
Han I-jae stepped back with a laugh.
"Seemed like you were talking about me."
Speak of the devil.
"Yeah, we were worried."
"Who? Me?"
Han I-jae chuckled.
"Thanks for caring."
"...You sure you're okay?"
"Hmm, saying I'm okay might be a stretch. I'm just enduring it."
Han I-jae added with a smile.
"Like I said earlier, the damage is there, but it won't linger."
Kang In-hyeok watched him with concern but also relief.
I felt the same. The difference now was that he wasn't forcing a strong front like before.
"I-jae hyung."
"Yeah?"
"I don't think you deserved those scores. I really think you did great."
Han I-jae smiled at my words.
"I know."
Good. That's more like him.
"You did well too."
"Huh?"
The sudden praise left me unsure how to react.
It was unexpected. I'd rarely seen Han I-jae compliment anyone, let alone me for the first time?
"Tha—"
Before I could finish, Han I-jae quickly walked past us.
"I'm heading out."
As I watched his retreating back, a system window blocked my view.
It was the notification that I'd become Han I-jae's friend.
'Has he finally opened up to me?'
A grin kept creeping onto my face.
Kang In-hyeok slung an arm around me with an exasperated look.
"Happy 'cause I-jae hyung praised you?"
"No, it's not that..."
"Whatever. Let's get back and rest."
Still, it felt like a weight off my shoulders.
Plenty of twists and turns, but we'd cleared another hurdle.
I hoped we could keep sailing smoothly to debut without any more incidents.
That was all I could wish for.
The next day after the mission.
The trainees boarded buses to some undisclosed location for a special game.
We were split into two teams of half the group, heading separate ways.
The production crew hadn't told us what the game was, just loaded us into curtain-sealed buses and shipped us off to mystery spots.
"What game do you think it'll be?"
"Something fun, probably..."
'Unless variables pop up, it'll be the horror survival like in the original.'
But the trainees chattered away obliviously.
They had no clue what awaited, looking as carefree as if headed on a field trip. The bus vibe screamed school excursion.
"Alright, everyone off."
The bus stopped, and we followed staff guidance out.
Then the predictable scene unfolded. The first trainees off screamed at the sight, while the rest sensed their doom.
"Whoa."
Before us loomed an abandoned school.
Just like in the novel.
The crew had apparently rented the whole place for the game.
"Feels like ghosts might pop out..."
"No way, a guts test?"
As the trainees buzzed,
"From now on, you'll be playing a horror survival game in this abandoned school."
Right on script.
"Huh?"
"Here?!"
The once-excited group froze en masse.
Who could blame them? The school's exterior oozed a chilling vibe that made your skin crawl.
"Now, let me explain the rules."
The production crew's briefing followed, matching the novel exactly.
First, all trainees form one team to find the hidden talismans scattered in the school. Collect them all to perform the exorcism ritual that banishes the ghosts.
Daytime allows safe searching, but at night, ghosts appear—getting caught means elimination.
'Rules are identical to the original.'
We entered the school under staff guidance. An eerie chill hung in the air immediately.
At least it was clean—no dust or trash, probably prepped before we arrived.
Makes sense. Can't have trainees inhaling dust and messing up their throats before performing.
"Place collected talismans in Classroom 4-4 on the fourth-grade floor."
Of all places, 4-4. Unlucky numbers from the start.
Game on.
"Whoa, where to first?"
"Library!"
"Me too, library!"
The trainees scattered to hunt for talismans.
'...Where should I go.'
I'm not the type to freak out at ghosts, so not sure if I'll get good screen time.
Maybe fake some scares, but hope it doesn't look forced.
Whatever—first, find tools.
"Won-woo hyung!"
As I stood to move, a familiar voice called from behind.
"Wanna search together?"
It was Na Jae-hyun.
"...Your shirt."
"Haha, whaddya think? Killer, right?"
True to form, he wore another eye-searing tee.
A cartoon horse firing a gun, with "My Words Are Spot On" printed above.
'Where does he even get these? So Na Jae-hyun.'
As I thought that, Na Jae-hyun suddenly hooked his arm in mine.
"Let's go find tools together."
"...With you?"
"Why? Don't like me?"
Na Jae-hyun pulled a mock-hurt expression.
"Not that, but with you, we'll probably get caught."
He's so chatty and does weird stuff.
"You'd probably greet a ghost instead of running."
"Hyung, you think I'm an idiot? That I'd say hi to a ghost?"
I stared silently, and he scratched his head before replying.
"Might say hi. Then run."
Same difference?
"No helping it. Let's go."
"Knew you wouldn't ditch me, Won-woo hyung."
We left the classroom and walked the hall side by side.
"Where first?"
"Hae-won took the library already. Faculty office?"
"Dunno. The darkest spot might be right under our noses."
Na Jae-hyun stopped.
"Where?"
"The classroom we just left. Could be hidden there."