The Final Mission
The final mission was one where the trainees were divided into two teams to perform a new song.
The final song mission. As expected, it was a mission that didn't deviate from predictions.
Right after the MC's line ended, the screen lit up and the first song title appeared.
“First, we'll play the first song, .”
Soon after, a video of the song and its choreography was broadcast on the screen.
The first song had a deeply lyrical atmosphere. Since it was the final, the lyrics carried a strong sense of finality.
A song that started with a heartbeat sound growing slower and slower until it ended with the choreography of collapsing on stage.
“Wow, it's so sad.”
“I already feel like I'm going to cry.”
Small conversations from the trainees beside him reached his ears.
Overall, it's touching yet sad, leaving a strong aftertaste.
“Then, we'll play the second song, .”
The screen switched to the next song.
This time, the intro was intense and the sound itself had an explosive atmosphere.
A concept of heading to claim victory right before the end of war. A song with a concept that contrasted sharply with the previous one.
“Wow, it's grand.”
“Indeed. It would be cool.”
Particularly, trainees specialized in such concepts were seen sparkling with excitement.
“Trainees, how do you feel? Have you chosen the song you want in your heart?”
Soon after, the MC's words followed.
To be honest, he still hadn't decided what to choose.
Before entering the survival show, he had identified all the mission songs, but he hadn't firmly decided on any. He had left room to change his choice depending on the situation.
In this situation, which song would give me even a slight advantage…
Since it was the final, some might say it no longer mattered. But for him right now, a small stage was a desperate situation.
If he could move even one person's heart and gain even one vote, he was prepared to do anything.
Which song should I choose to gain an advantage.
Approaching strategically, was a good song.
It had a narrative, a clear storyline, and emotional direction. That's why it was often mentioned in the original novel as a mission song for audition programs that was talked about over and over.
But because it was first in order, when viewed in real time on site or in a live broadcast, there was no feeling of being buried by the next song.
“Wonwoo, what are you choosing?”
At the moment he was agonizing over it, Lee Hae-won appeared smiling innocently beside him.
“...Yeah.”
After answering with a smile, he turned his head back to the front.
Perhaps, right now, no one else was thinking this hard.
Honestly, even if you perform well in the final, the number of voters is limited, and most people will already have made their choice.
Performance and votes might not matter now.
So compared to previous missions, in this final mission, there wouldn't be many trainees thinking this deeply. Especially not for trainees in the stable ranking range.
But I'm different.
If he could change even one person's heart by seeing the last stage. Even if the possibility was slight, he had to work desperately hard.
Must get 1st place.
It was difficult.
In his past life, 1st place was created solely by his ability. It was a result that could be obtained as long as his ability was outstanding.
But this time it was different. It wasn't something he could obtain just because he was good at it.
Moreover, the skill gap between him and Han I-jae right now was, to be honest, a level that made calling him a rival feel insufficient.
...Han I-jae will definitely choose .
Due to his personality, he liked tough songs, and he had originally chosen this song.
Then he would have to do the mission as teammates with Han I-jae...
Parts are assigned by rank.
According to the rules, trainees came out in rank order to choose parts.
If the desired part was already taken, the higher-ranked trainee could steal the lower-ranked trainee's part.
Currently he was 2nd. He might be pushed by Han I-jae if he wanted a certain part.
Normally I would have made a safe choice. Since we were on the same team, comparison was inevitable anyway.
But he wanted to break through directly. He didn't want to make a regrettable choice at the end.
He had decided to do everything possible.
***
Ji-an chose .
He had expected him to choose that song. It suited Ji-an's voice well, and especially from Ji-an's perspective, the emotions in the lyrics would be different.
But there was a hint of regret. Since it was the last, he wanted to be on the same stage as him. But now that he had that thought, he knew it was meaningless.
It's fine.
“Do Won-woo, you're on the same team as me.”
Seated according to the team, Han I-jae approached and spoke.
As expected. Han I-jae had chosen this song. He had predicted it.
“Um, I thought you'd choose the first song.”
Han I-jae seemed to have roughly figured him out. As he had said earlier, he would have normally chosen the first song.
“Since it's the last, you wanted to show fans a cool side?”
Han I-jae made an expression as if he found it surprising and poked his elbow into his side.
“...Yeah, something like that.”
He mumbled vaguely and smiled. Even while smiling, his mental state was tattered.
“Then, from now on, we'll decide the parts.”
With that, the teams were divided and the actual part selection began.
Starting from the lower-ranked trainees, they stood in front of the signs with each part written on them. And as higher-ranked trainees pushed them, more and more trainees appeared.
Since I'm 2nd, as long as I don't get pushed by Han I-jae, it's fine...
If Han I-jae stole his part, he would have to take the remaining part.
He slyly checked Han I-jae's eyes. Which part Han I-jae chose mattered.
“Which part will you choose?”
Han I-jae shrugged his shoulders at his question.
“If I tell you, it won't be fun?”
Han I-jae seemed like he was joking, but seeing his serious expression, he quickly retracted the joke.
“I'm taking the main dancer part.”
“...Not the main vocal?”
Han I-jae nodded.
“The song is good, but I chose it because I like the intense choreography.”
So he decided to choose the main vocal part that Han I-jae wouldn't take.
The part with high notes rushing in the latter half would be tough to handle with his stats, but it wasn't to the point of not being able to sing.
Since the vocal stat has risen a lot since the final.
It started at F, but through insane effort, he had successfully raised it to B+. To be honest, it wasn't to the level of overwhelmingly performing.
At least it needs to be around A level to safely sing high notes.
But he decided to push through.
It was different from the beginning. Until now, he had always made safe choices and stayed within his limits, but for the first time, he was trying the path of breaking through limits instead of the safe one.
“Then, 2nd place trainee Do Won-woo, come out and choose your part.”
The MC's line was heard, and he slowly walked forward.
There was no regret in the choice. Every decision came with responsibility, and he had to accept his share, but it didn't matter.
Even if he screamed and struggled, it could release that guilt. He couldn't just end safely alone.
“Hey, where are you going?”
“Seriously?”
The trainees' reactions boiled as he walked in that direction.
“You're going there? Really?”
He stood in front of Lee Hyo-seop.
Currently, the trainee who had first claimed the main vocal part was Lee Hyo-seop. Then he had no choice but to make an unavoidable choice.
“Wait, what?”
Lee Hyo-seop, looking at him, smiled. But the expression wasn't one of smiling.
At the final, with him being 2nd and stable enough, was he taking the part from him?
But he shook his head.
“Sorry, hyung.”
Sorry, but there's a situation where I can't yield this side either.
When he pushed Lee Hyo-seop, everyone looked surprised.
“Wonwoo is doing the main vocal?”
“Wow, main vocal?”
“First time seeing Wonwoo this greedy.”
It was a very risky choice. As a higher-ranked trainee, he was taking the part from the lower-ranked Lee Hyo-seop, and if he didn't perform better than him, backlash would naturally follow.
Since it was the final, there was no need to be greedy.
“Brave.”
“Indeed, you have to do well.”
Ignoring the worried voices, the last 1st place Han I-jae came out.
But Han I-jae walked silently toward him without a word.
“?”
He hadn't said he was choosing the main dancer part. Why was he coming to him?
The other trainees were only moving their eyes in surprise.
“Come out.”
“...Huh?”
The air in the set froze for a moment.
“Come out.”
Was it serious?
Not knowing what expression to make, he stood there blankly, and Han I-jae burst out laughing.
“Gotcha.”
Relief suddenly flooded in all at once, and he let out a “Hah” breath.
“You surprised me.”
“I'm going that way. Take care.”
He inhaled the relief breath.
Especially Han I-jae, an all-rounder who could do both dance and vocal, and a personality that didn't joke, he was even more tense.
“Thus, all the parts have been decided.”
The trainees looked around their respective spots. It was a scene where the picture of the final last stage was roughly forming.
But there was still something undecided. The center to represent the team.
“Then, now it's time to decide the center of each team.”
The MC continued with the next line.
“The final center is decided through the trainees' self-vote.”
As he had expected.
After all, it was a survival program, competition to the end.
While all eyes were on them, their eyes met with Han I-jae. A subtle tension was felt flowing.
***
In the practice room.
For the vote to decide the center, they changed formations and filmed videos.
And after watching the videos, they decided to vote on who was suitable as center.
Doing well.
No matter who looked, Han I-jae was doing well. There was no other choice.
“Even Wonwoo is putting his all...”
The trainees' conversation reached his ears, making him awkwardly proud.
He had worked hard. It was the last, but he had to stand out somehow. In this situation, even a shred of hope was desperate.
If I put my heart into it, at least some people can vote for me a little more.
With that, the trainees' self-vote ended and it was finally time for the results to be announced.
“The center of the team is...”
Soon, the name of the trainee who would be the center was announced.