Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: A Second Chance
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“Ugh!”
I shot up in bed.
I shielded my eyes from the blinding sunlight pouring through the window with my palm.
It was my room.
Was yesterday’s memory a dream?
Or did they take me in and treat me?
I reached out and touched my hair and face.
I was fine. No, in fact, my once-coarse hair and skin felt much smoother. I picked up the phone from my bedside table.
“?”
The old model smartphone I used long ago was gleaming as if it were brand new, bought just yesterday. When I turned on the screen, the calendar showed a date from ten years ago.
Is this really a dream?
I got out of bed and leaned out the window.
Cars sped by, full of life.
A mother in a checkered dress hurried past, cradling a sleeping child.
I could clearly perceive details that would be impossible in a dream. I turned on the like-new old laptop and opened my phone again.
I compared the news on the computer and the phone.
It was definitely ten years ago. It was hard to believe, but it was reality.
Then what was that memory from yesterday?
Unable to believe the situation, I retraced the events I'd experienced in reverse. The ten miserable years I had endured flowed seamlessly, one after another.
The detailed events and emotional threads were things I couldn't have experienced in a dream. And the future events in my memory were definitely things I had lived through.
“…Heh… Hahahahat!”
Suddenly, I burst out laughing like a madman.
I didn't want to suppress the cathartic laughter.
I can get revenge.
I have a chance to get revenge on those who made my life miserable.
I'd spent my years only practicing and studying, so I didn't know much about the future, but with my trainer-level vocal and choreography skills, plus my songwriting ability, I was confident I could achieve whatever I wanted.
I remembered the phrase that had appeared at the last moment.
[Would you like to run ‘Starlight’?]
“…Inventory.”
-…….
“Status window?”
-…….
“Stats?”
Flash!
A new field of vision, completely different from that of my two eyes, opened up between my eyebrows.
[You have awakened the unique trait ‘Third Eye (S)’.]
[Initiating the system's first activation after awakening.]
[Setting up…….]
Translucent blue windows appeared before my brow. It was a mysterious experience, like seeing two screens at once, yet it didn't interfere with the vision from my two eyes at all.
With a sense of fear, I approached the mirror.
“……”
A sigh of relief escaped me. My face, which had gone back ten years in time, hadn't grown a third eye between my brows.
[System setup complete.]
[Inheriting abilities.]
[The ‘Starlight’ effect is applied to all stats.]
[Checking stats.]
[Name: Min-jun (Age 21)]
Vocal: 91(71+20)/95
Dance: 93(73+20)/97
Composition: 92(72+20)/99
Lyrics: 74(54+20)/99
*‘Starlight’: All stats +20
⁝
Distributable Stat Points: 0pt
Stats are given for ‘Quest Completion’ or ‘Achievement Unlocked’. Investing in others consumes 1 pt, while investing in yourself consumes 10 pt.
“…It’s a game.”
An enormous amount of information poured in through the ‘Third Eye’. It was hard to believe, but I couldn't deny the vivid information before me. My reason was working too perfectly to call myself crazy.
[Job Aptitude]
Producer: 92/99
Composer: 90/99
Singer-songwriter: 89/95
Manager: 88/93
Chef: 79/95
My potential as an idol had nearly reached its limit, yet it was lower than that of a chef, a field I'd never put any special effort into. I felt a cringe-inducing shame, remembering how I used to think it would be a national waste if I didn't become an idol.
The master bedroom came into view. I opened the door with a nervous heart.
Creeeak.
I was inwardly disappointed by the white cloths covering the bed and vanity.
“…If you were going to do this for me, you could have sent me back a little further.”
I grumbled loudly, as if for someone to hear.
Ting!
It was a thin, clear sound, like a gold ring dropping on a stone floor.
[The endless greed of humans.]
Is this two-way communication?
Did it react to what I said?
[The ‘Desire’ quest begins.]
You possess the qualities of an outstanding producer. Use your talent to produce your own group.
Objective: Within 3 years, have your produced group top the 3 major music charts and secure 50 million Tube subscribers
Reward: ‘Grant a Wish’
Failure: Game Over
“…Grant a Wish? And Game Over means I die?”
I muttered as if speaking to the system, but there was no reply.
“Still, how am I supposed to produce a group in three years! I’m just a trainee right now.”
Before the joy of returning to ten years ago could even fade, I was handed a three-year death sentence.
* * *
I went through the texts and chats saved on my phone, recalling my situation from ten years ago—which was now my present.
I checked my recent chats in order. I found the debut team's group chat and a triumphant smile spread across my face.
-Awesome!
-Project Team 3, fighting!
-It's been 7 years for me T_T
-I got a diamond play button in my dream, it was seriously epic
The final debut team was decided a week ago.
Around today, I'll be notified that I can't debut. Did it send me back to this specific point in time?
Who?
Is this entire world a game?
Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. I've been given a chance to get revenge on the bastards who ruined my life and led me to my death. As I carry out my revenge, my success will naturally follow.
But as a mere trainee, is it possible for me to produce an idol group in just three years? On top of that, can I really dominate the three major music charts and get 50 million Tube subscribers?
It was a tight schedule, but not entirely impossible. I know a bit about the future and have the ability to direct good songs. No, I already have several great songs in my head.
The only problem was whether I could leave my current agency.
I had to get out, no matter what. Even if staying at this agency was a shortcut to success, I didn't want to do anything that would help this garbage dump.
Because more than half of the money I'd earn would go to my enemies.
Grrrrowl.
I was so hungry I couldn't think straight anymore.
I opened the refrigerator. The side dish containers, left untouched for years, were full of mold.
“……”
To be precise, they weren't neglected. Around this time, I was still living with the illusion of my parents. I just couldn't bring myself to clean out the refrigerator that held traces of my family.
I should clean the fridge when I have time. The young, weak me no longer exists.
For me, whose diet consisted mostly of chicken breast and vegetables, there was only one special treat.
Cup ramen.
As I poured in hot water, the appetizing aroma of the cup ramen wafted up.
Slurp.
Spicy and chewy ramen.
An indescribable pleasure.
“…Haaa.”
Steam from the ramen puffed out of my mouth.
Were my senses much more sensitive ten years ago? Or is this an ability I gained from regressing?
This common cup ramen tasted as rich and complex as a gourmet feast.
To be moved by cup ramen.
Once my hunger subsided, my situation came back to mind. I drew a mind map of what I needed to do.
First, I had to escape my agency, SJ Enter.
Let's just face it head-on.
After getting ready to leave, I looked at the family photo hanging in the living room. It was taken when I was in kindergarten. Seeing my parents and me smiling brightly, I felt a lump in my throat.
“…I don't believe in God. But maybe this chance came because you two did so many good deeds? I'll do my best.”
My throat was tight, but I spoke with a smile. For some reason, I felt like my words would reach them.
I took a deep breath and left the house.
* * *
“……”
Where the ten-story SJ Enter headquarters should have been, there stood a shabby two-story building. I had forgotten it was ten years ago.
-This is your transfer stop.
Following my old memories, I took another bus and arrived at SJ Enter's three-story building.
I passed the security team and went up to the practice room.
“Hey, Min-jun!”
It was Director Jang—no, Team Leader Jang, one of the two bastards involved in my death. The guy who'd be called a producer just for being the right-hand man, despite having no talent.
In a word, a thug.
You ask where you'd find an agency run by gangsters these days? This was exactly that kind of place.
“?”
Instead of answering, I gave him a look that said, ‘What do you want?’
“…You little punk. You think you can act all high and mighty just because you made the debut team? What time is it?”
The clock showed nine in the morning.
Normally, I would have had to come to the company before six in the morning to clean the office and practice rooms before starting my training. I had to show that I worked harder than anyone else.
“It’s not even late.”
I said, looking him straight in the eye.
“What? Whaat?”
He looked dumbfounded, as if he couldn't believe my informal tone.
“Wow, what’s with this bastard’s eyes? Have you lost your damn mind?”
“Timjang-nim. Jung CP-nim is asking how you want to proceed today.”
At the words of another employee on the phone, the team leader's expression, which looked like he was about to hit me, softened.
“You little shit, we'll talk later. Ugh.”
A punk who swore every day. I snorted softly and headed to the practice room.
It seemed the choreography teacher was scheduled to come today, as all the trainees were repeating the same moves. Failing to complete the homework would negatively affect their evaluation.
I plan on leaving today, but I don't want to be embarrassed for not doing the assignment.
I followed the other trainees through the moves once before sitting down on the dance floor. I knew all the steps and was familiar with the key points.
“Hey, Jun!”
The guys from the same debut team sat down around me.
They were all handsome, but they weren't the type to rely on their looks alone. They were good people who practiced hard—decent talents.
They would soon achieve great success, but… I considered warning them about the discord to come, but decided to keep my mouth shut.
Who would believe me in this situation?
The guys chattered away happily, while the trainees who didn't make the debut team watched us with envious eyes.
Bzzzt.
My phone vibrated.
-To the planning office.
The time has come.
When I went up to the planning office, CEO Gyeon Sang-jin was sitting there alone. I ground my teeth.
“Son of a bitch.”
The thought slipped out before I knew it.
“What?”
CEO Gyeon Sang-jin blinked, his face a mask of shock.