"Excuse Me? I Passed?"

"Excuse me? I passed?"

Even though he heard the word "passed," Kim Se-hyeong couldn't bring himself to rejoice. If anything, he looked utterly bewildered.

"Why? You don't want to?" Tae-hyun asked.

"N-no, I do. It's great."

"Right. You're happy, aren't you?"

"Yes..."

"If you're so happy, why the long face? Smile. I said, smile."

"H-hahaha?"

"Exactly. That's how you should smile."

"Hahahaha..."

Kim Se-hyeong was still a bit dazed from the beating he had just received. As his senses slowly returned, a wave of joy and anxiety washed over him simultaneously. In any case, he had passed the test, and the prospect of tagging along and learning from Tae-hyun was genuinely exciting. After all, Tae-hyun was the absolute best in Pan-On!

But still... Ah, why is he so terrifying?

If there was one thing he learned today, it was that rumors always had a grain of truth to them! I should have believed Dong-hwan!

Kim Dong-hwan, who held a deep grudge after picking a fight with Tae-hyun and getting thoroughly thrashed, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠would make a scene every time he drank, slurring, "That bastard Kim Tae-hyun! Huh! He's a real piece of work!"

At first, the juniors would politely nod and ask, "Ah, is that so?" But as time went on, their reactions shifted to, How long is this guy going to keep whining? And once Tae-hyun started appearing on broadcasts, public opinion flipped entirely.

Kim Se-hyeong hadn't believed Dong-hwan either, but now, he had no choice. He definitely got beaten to a pulp!

While Kim Se-hyeong trembled in fear and anxiety, Tae-hyun, looking thoroughly refreshed, turned to Jeong Su-hyeok. "That was fun, wasn't it?"

"..."

"By the way, didn't you say you ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had something to tell me? Was it about that thing?"

Jeong Su-hyeok winced slightly at Tae-hyun referring to Kim Se-hyeong as "that thing," but he shook his head. "No, it's about something else..."

"What is it?"

"I received an offer."

Jeong Su-hyeok began to explain briefly. Although he had been eliminated in the preliminaries of the recent tournament, a team had reached out to him because of the "skill" he had displayed.

Listening to him, Tae-hyun tilted his head. "Skill?"

"..."

"Hey, why are you blushing? Luck is a skill too!"

"It's not that...!" Tae-hyun's attempt at encouragement only made Su-hyeok's heart ache more.

"But isn't getting an offer a good thing? How do you feel about it? Do you want to try?"

"...I do want to try!" Jeong Su-hyeok's eyes sparkled as he spoke. He wanted to become a pro gamer, just like Tae-hyun. He wanted to stand on the tournament stage, showcase his skills, and receive the cheers of countless fans. The path Tae-hyun had forged ahead of him had naturally become Su-hyeok's ultimate goal.

"Then why not just do it? What's the problem?"

"They told me to start as a trainee first. They said they'd promote me once I prove my worth."

"Hmm... That makes sense."

"And they said I have to live in a team house to build up my skills..."

"I suppose that's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠also standard."

Unlike older games, virtual reality games allowed players to play together regardless of their physical location as long as they entered a capsule. Tae-hyun wondered if a team house was truly necessary, but he didn't voice his doubts. If the team operated that way, they probably had their reasons!

"Ah, so it really is normal?"

"Nothing too strange so far."

"I see! I thought it was a bit weird because they said I had to pay for the living expenses and training fees myself at first..."

"Now that is definitely not normal," Tae-hyun cut him off, his expression turning cold.

"Huh?"

"Who the hell are they to demand money while calling you a trainee? Are they insane? What kind of scammers... Give me their name." Tae-hyun was absolutely meticulous when it came to money. If nothing else, this setup was almost certainly a scam!

"Team XD? What kind of place is that?" Tae-hyun fell into thought for a moment. Who would know about this the best?

"Yeah, it's me. Do you happen to know a place called Team XD?"

Lee Se-yeon replied, sounding utterly dumbfounded. No one in her social circle treated her the way Tae-hyun did.

"Are you busy right now?"

"Then it's fine for me to ask."

"So, do you know what kind of place it is?"

As she spoke, Lee Se-yeon clapped her hands. There was no way a player of Tae-hyun's caliber wouldn't receive offers.

"It's not for me. Someone I know got it."

"I didn't get one."

"That's not important. So, how is Team XD?"

"Got it. Thanks. I'm hanging up now."

Click. Having obtained his answer, Tae-hyun hung up without a moment's hesitation.

"Hey. She says the rumors are bad. Don't go there." Tae-hyun spoke decisively, as if there was nothing more to consider.

Hearing this, Kim Se-hyeong, who was still sprawled on the floor, stared at Tae-hyun in disbelief. Even so, an opportunity like that didn't come around every day. How could he dismiss it so easily? Shouldn't he explain a bit more, or at least suggest an alternative?

But Jeong Su-hyeok's response was even more resolute. "Understood. I'll do that then." He nodded instantly, without a single shred of doubt!

"..."

Meanwhile, Yang Sung-gyu walked over.

"Mister," Tae-hyun called out.

"How long are you guys planning to stay? The other kids already left."

"We're all done. We're leaving now."

"Good. Hurry up and get out."

As Yang Sung-gyu checked his watch and urged them to leave, Tae-hyun looked puzzled. "What's the rush? Is something happening?"

"The broadcasting station people are coming soon."

"??"

Yang Sung-gyu explained with a weary sigh. Since his gym was highly reputable, it wasn't just professional fighters who trained there. A few celebrities with an interest in fitness also frequented the place. One of them was the actor Kim Chun-sik, and he was stopping by to film a segment for a variety show he was starring in.

"What kind of variety show films at a gym? That sounds incredibly boring." Hearing Tae-hyun's blunt remark, Yang Sung-gyu asked, dumbfounded.

"Are you really one to talk when you're on broadcasts yourself?"

"Well, it's not like anyone's listening..."

"I don't know either. They're just filming his daily routine, and since a regular member of our gym asked, I agreed to let them."

At Yang Sung-gyu's words, Tae-hyun looked around. Ah. So that's what it was.

"One, two! One, two!"

"Hoo, hah! Hoo, hah!"

The gym's fighters had been working out with an unusual self-consciousness for a while now. It was clearly because of the camera crew that was about to arrive.

"Well, I'll be on my way then."

"Sure. Give my regards to your father... Oh, right. Where did you get that makeup done?"

"..."

"!"

The PD, who was about to walk up the gym stairs, spotted a familiar face coming down. Where have I seen him before?

An athletic build, with a sharp, fierce-looking face. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠If those eyes were softened just a bit, he would definitely look like...

"Ah, Kim Tae-hyun!" The PD recognized him instantly.

"Do you know me?"

"Of course I do! I've been thoroughly enjoying the tournament. That chain play last time was incredible! Hahaha! By the way, is Cain here with you?"

"Deok-su isn't here..."

"Cain's real name is Kim Deok-su?!"

The PD immediately showed immense friendliness upon meeting him. Having spent over a decade weathering the storms of the broadcasting industry, befriending a stranger was child's play to him. Besides, the PD genuinely liked Kim Tae-hyun. Between his tournament performance and his broadcasts, there was absolutely no reason to dislike him.

"Anyway, I didn't expect you to keep up with the tournament."

"Why not? Pan-On is incredibly popular. Both I and Kim Chun-sik love Pan-On. The cast members even go party hunting together. Ah, but that's a secret. If word gets out, fans will swarm us."

The PD gave a sly wink. For busy celebrities, Pan-On was an excellent hobby. They could slip into a capsule anytime, anywhere, and enjoy a whole new world.

"Since we ran into each other like this, we should play together sometime! It would be an honor to party up with you, Kim Tae-hyun."

"Well, if the opportunity arises."

"And please, make sure to bring Cain along as well!"

Hearing the PD's heartfelt request, Tae-hyun stared at him with wide eyes. This guy... is a Cain fan!

Unaware that Tae-hyun was looking at him like he was a rare specimen, the PD continued.

"By the way, your last interview was highly entertaining. You really should appear on one of our station's shows. You'll do it someday, right?"

"I'd need to have a reason or something to do on the show to appear."

"Oh, come on. If you set your mind to it, there are countless shows you could appear on. Where there's a will, there's a way. In fact, you could even appear on our show right now!"

He wasn't just making polite small talk; he looked ready to drag Tae-hyun to the studio right then and there! Watching this unfold, Kim Se-hyeong's jaw dropped. How is he so incredibly influential?

Tae-hyun felt more and more like a distant, untouchable figure. It made the beating Se-hyeong had received just moments ago feel like a dream. No, if anything, it felt like an honor!

"Our show features plenty of non-celebrities too. Due to its nature, we have a lot of guests..."

The show the PD directed was SBC's I Live Alone. At first glance, the title sounded like some melancholy documentary, but in reality, it was a cheerful variety show that captured the daily lives of single celebrities. Since it covered their entire daily lives, it was easy for other guests to make appearances, and they didn't necessarily have to be celebrities.

"Do you live alone, Tae-hyun?"

"No, I live with my parents."

"Ah, what a shame. If you ever move out and live on your own, you must contact us!"

"Uh... um... sure..."

Tae-hyun nodded hesitantly. It was surprisingly difficult to refuse when someone much older than him was looking at him with such sparkling, expectant eyes. A broadcasting PD truly was a different breed!

He's young and successful, so he'll probably move out and live on his own soon. Hehe. I can already picture how he'd live! The PD chuckled inwardly with a sly grin. If a young man like Tae-hyun started living by himself, his chaotic struggles would write themselves. And that would translate directly into pure entertainment!

But the PD didn't know just how incredibly wealthy Tae-hyun's family actually was.

"By the way, Kim Tae-hyun, I almost forgot to ask. What brings you here?"

"Ah, I train here too. I just came to beat up a jun—cough, I mean, hang out with a junior..."

"Really?! This must be fate!"

"I highly doubt that."

But the PD had already grabbed Tae-hyun by the arm.

"Who wants to spar with Chun-sik?"

Every single fighter raised their hand. Yang Sung-gyu shook his head at the sight and spoke again.

"It's for a broadcast. Who wants to spar with Chun-sik gently?"

Instantly, every single hand went down.

"You little bastards..."

The actor, Kim Chun-sik, was highly popular at the gym for many reasons. Despite his somewhat old-fashioned name, his face was the definition of a flower boy! On top of that, despite being a highly successful actor, he wasn't arrogant or obnoxious at all, making him practically perfect. The fighters knew this well. Normally, they liked Kim Chun-sik and got along great with him. However...

"Director! If not now, when else will Chun-sik ever get embarrassed? He needs to experience this kind of hardship too!"

"Exactly! That bastard Chun-sik is doing too well, it's annoying! His latest movie was a massive hit too!"

"And he even had dating rumors with an idol!"

It was a twisted kind of affection! They liked him, sure, but they also desperately wanted to see him get knocked down a peg!