Chapter 19
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 19
Chapter Title Backstage Euphoria
The cheers filling the set continued to echo all the way back behind the backstage.
A thrill that made every hair on my body stand on end.
And I wasnt the only one savoring this feeling.
It was so much fun!
I feel so proudwe nailed it!
I was so worried, but this is such a relief. Guys, we did amazing!
The moment we returned to the waiting room, the Red Team members threw their arms around each other and started bouncing around wildly.
I ended up perfectly sandwiched between Heo Yubin and Kang Siyoon, unable to move an inch.
So I just let go with a resigned chuckle.
It took nearly three laps around the waiting room before everyone finally calmed their excitement.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, leader Park Sehan slowly opened his mouth.
We all know how crucial the first stage of a survival show is. Thats why I wanted to show the audience the best version of us. Im so happy to have met such amazing teammates right from the start.
Sehan hyung!
It was a classic line, mindful of the cameras still rolling nonstop in the waiting room, but the trainees, caught up in the moment, looked ready to burst into tears.
I hope we can team up again next time and make another great stage! Everyone, great job!
Wouldnt it be awesome if we took first place in the overall votes this round!
Honestly, weve been the best so far. Right, Karis?
Hm?
Kang Siyoon suddenly directed the question at me.
With half the other teams performances still left, I wasnt sure if it was wise to count our chickens.
I glanced at my teammates, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.
A little bragging wont hurt once in a while.
And honestly, I shared the exact same thought as Kang Siyoon.
Siyoon, its unlike you to ask something so obvious. Naturally, our team showed the most perfect synergy so far. Didnt you hear the fans cheering for us? Has there ever been a roar that loud before?
No!
Never, hyung!
Right. That should be answer enough.
I flashed a final smile, and Hashimoto Ken and Heo Yubin nodded vigorously.
Being around these two always made me feel like Id regressed to my crown prince days in Grand Quest Saga.
Thinking of my ingame past brought back the view from the stage Id just glanced at.
Id felt something similar just minutes ago.
The audience cheering for us after we finished our moves and struck our final pose.
It resembled the scenes Id seen in Grand Quest Saga.
In the kingdoms plaza, announcing a victory.
Delivering a speech about how we could defeat the demon army.
Swearing to protect the kingdom forever.
In every one of those moments, cheers just like today had welcomed me.
To feel this in reality.
It was utterly surreal.
Id thought Id never experience such adulation in the real world again.
Especially not on stage.
Yeah, from now on, every time they see me, theyll keep sending this kind of frenzy my way.
As I relived that burning passion, a surge of confident thoughts flooded my mind unbidden.
Once the euphoria of a successful performance began to fade, the tension released, and my teammates flopped onto the sofas.
Seeing them all limp and drained, it seemed the fatigue from the past few days was hitting them all at once.
I took the chair closest to the TV in the waiting room.
And checked the quest notification that had popped up right after the stage ended.
Hidden Linked Quest Enter the Top 3 Teams in Round 1 has been generated.
Reward 1 Lucky Draw Coin
It seemed like these hidden linked quests spawned whenever Idol Training Simulation progressed.
Staring at the Lucky Draw Coin in the reward, I pursed my lips slightly.
Is it really okay to hand out rewards like this?
From what Id experienced, this Lucky Draw Shop boasted the most overpowered performance in the system.
If the only way to use the shop was by paying coins, then Lucky Draw Coins were the most valuable currency.
Dangling them as rewards for every hidden quest made things way too easy for me.
Especially since I just witnessed the power of that Lucky Draw Coin with my own eyes.
I needed to cement Karis von Waldens presence in Round 1.
From experience, the attention grabbed in the first stage and straight cams determined winners and losers.
So Id used a saved coin for a pull, and hit an Sgrade item.
Sgrade item, Skill Amplifier, usage time has expired.
The item has automatically been destroyed.
I watched the mark vanish next to my Bow Down and Reverence skill.
My skill, temporarily boosted to Bgrade, dropped back to its original Cgrade.
It was a bit of a waste to use it now. But I confirmed some solid facts, so its worth it.
The Skill Amplifier from the Lucky Draw Shop did exactly as named it raised one of my skills by one grade.
Ahead of Round 1, Id quickly decided which skill to apply it to.
To rack up high votes, I had to capture the hearts of the onsite audience.
To capture hearts, I needed to powerfully showcase who Karis von Walden was as a trainee.
The skill that fiercely seized attention and immersion from my audience Bow Down and Reverence.
I already knew its power from performing in front of the judges.
With my SSSgrade Looks stat, it synergized perfectly, and I wanted to test if it worked on general audiences too.
It pierced through every sound on stage.
When I took center.
When I stepped forward.
When I handled my solo part.
Each time, deafening cheers erupted.
Not just cheersscreams.
Just from C to Bgrade, and we got this reaction. Which means.
Once skill proficiency builds up to Agrade or higher without items, the ripple effect would be unimaginable.
I observed the other teams stages broadcasting live on the TV screen.
No matter how overwhelming our onsite reaction was, the later teams were packed with trainees who could flip the board.
Especially those whod placed in the top 7 of the previous survivalthey were still showing toptier skills.
Take Song Hyeongbin, for example.
It was the same during rehearsals and the prestage live stream.
Song Hyeongbins group surprisingly lacked standout features.
Maybe because it was a random cell assignment, the ranks werent flashy.
A group heavy on average Tier 2 midtoupper trainees.
It couldve been a good setup, but their biggest issue was Song Hyeongbin.
His allrounder vibe unintentionally overshadowed the rest, no matter his intent.
In short, on any stage with Song Hyeongbin, the other five were just supporting props to highlight the star.
Thats how top 7 trainees all had standout weapons.
I nodded quietly as one group took the stage right then.
That guys the same.
The trainees in colorful uniforms bowed to the national producers.
Among them, the center boasted unrivaled physique and visuals.
Towering a full head above the others with a small face.
Yet his boyish features left a strong impression.
Hello, we are!
Color Rangers!
we are.
Even with the childish team name, the other trainees shouted energetically.
But the center just extended his palm forward, face unchanging.
Even in the interview asking about his mindset.
Hello, Im Ji Yoonchul.
Anything else youd like to say?
Ill do my best.
Choi Sia looked more flustered at the curt declaration.
Probably only Ji Yoonchul could keep that straight face in front of 300 audience members.
That guy hasnt changed at all, then or now.
The debut spots in the top 7 were dubbed immovable concrete.
Theyd locked in solid fanbases early, so rankings barely shifted until the end.
Ji Yoonchul had the least movement of all.
His somewhat vacant expression, eyes far from lively.
Yet hed captured national producers hearts with genius dance skills and visuals.
When I first joined Idol Training Simulation, Id rarely teamed with debutzone trainees.
Only once, in Round 3, with Ji Yoonchul and Chae Eungyu.
So seeing a guy whose personality Id gauged up close hit the stage stirred faint familiarity.
Even if he was blunt and dimwitted.
That guys seriously tall.
Yeah.
I know who he is.
Everyones eyes turned to Park Sehan.
Even with short training time, any trainee worth their salt knows him. Killer dancer and looks.
Word spreads that fast across agencies?
Were all competitors. Of course it does.
Even Park Sehan from Awake, same agency as Song Hyeongbin, said it.
Everyone got the implication, and Red Team watched the TV with more serious eyes.
Theyd picked a bright, refreshing trackcurious how the stoic Ji Yoonchul would handle it.
Thats gotta be cheating.
Kang Siyoons unconscious mutter spoke for everyone.
The song started, and Ji Yoonchul instantly donned boyish charm.
His center dance lines were overwhelmingly beautiful.
Even Kang Siyoon, with Arange Dance, looked deflated
Ji Yoonchuls Dance is at least Sgrade.
Now that I could check others status windows, I vividly felt how destructive debut trainees stats were.
Chae Eungyu, another to watch, delivered a stellar stage too.
That hyung appearing here feels a bit unfair.
Exactly. Hes already debuted, hasnt he?
As Oh Taeyoung and Ken said, Chae Eungyu was a former debut trainee.
But after his group disbanded over agency issues, he joined Idol Training Simulation for one last shot.
I recalled his halfjoking tone from a decade ago.
This is my last chanceI dont want regrets. Whod take me if I flop here?
Skill doesnt fade.
Sizing up the threats made the next team battle feel even more critical.
All trainees, gather in the hallway!
As the final stage wrapped, staff announced via each waiting room.
Onsite voting results were moments away.
Stretching as I stood, I spotted Kang Siyoon still staring blankly at the TV.
I could guess his thoughts.
Siyoon.
Huh? Oh, Karis. You startled me.
Time to get up.
Ah, yeah. Right.
I placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled.
Youre making an uncharacteristically complicated face.
Do I look complicated right now?
You have since Ji Yoonchuls stage.
Kang Siyoon scratched his head sheepishly.
Guess I did without realizing. Honestly, it was a shock.
Hm, that intense?
My vague tone raised his eyebrow.
You didnt feel it?
As an individual, sure, he was good. But it didnt shock me. After all, this is a team battle. As a team, they had way less presence than us, I thought.
Kang Siyoons eyes widened at my words.
Then he burst into short, hearty laughter.
Hahaha! Man, you always hit with the brutal truth. Thats a talent, seriously.
This is a talent?
Yeah, dude. One Im super jealous of.
Heading out to the hallway, he clapped my back heartily.
Thanks. For snapping me out of it.
I just wanted to say theres no need to space out like that. Everything will show in the results soon enough.