Chapter 84
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 84
Chapter Title Shocking Ranking Revelations
Honestly, I hadnt expected Kang Donghwi to still be hanging around in the debut zone.
In the Idol Training Simulation I had participated in as Han Jihyuk, Kwon Daehyun ended up taking 7th place overall, while Kang Donghwi dropped out right at the final threshold alongside me.
I had anticipated their rankings might swap, but unexpectedly, Kang Donghwi was surging ahead.
That said, I had a hunch his momentum might falter a bit this time.
The three trainees, please come forward.
We showered Kang Siyoon, Kang Donghwi, and Heo Yubin with enthusiastic applause.
As they walked out to the front of the set, Kang Siyoon and Heo Yubin, whose paths briefly overlapped, flashed each other wide smiles.
I never could have imagined seeing a sight like this back in the first round.
Kang Siyoon hadnt made it into the debut zone in the previous round.
Heo Yubin had been receiving such low rankings from the start that I hadnt even learned his name until this time around.
The fact that an Underground alum kept shattering records to reach the final stage would draw massive attention.
This was nothing short of a human victory.
But on the flip side, another thought crossed my mind.
If I hadnt ended up in the Crown Princes body and had participated in my original body instead, would things have played out the same?
Just looking at Heo Yubins rankings, the influence of Karis von Walden was immense.
Without meeting me, Heo Yubin would have stayed trapped in the Abnormal Status Hikikomori, lacking confidence.
He likely would have been eliminated before he could even showcase his talent as a main vocalist.
On top of that, Baek Sihwa and Yu Minha, who hadnt participated in the previous Idol Training Simulation, had appeared this time.
And these two had already started impacting the trainees who had joined this survival show from the prior round.
Shifts in rankings.
Relationships among the trainees.
The overall progress of the survival show.
With Yu Minha entering the debut zone, some of the established debut contenders got pushed out, and Baek Sihwas misdeeds caused the trainees around Yu Minha to band together even more.
Even I had formed a close bond with Yu Minha thanks to being in the Crown Princes body, and I was still reaping the benefits.
If Id been in my original body, who knows how our relationship would have turned out.
We probably wouldnt have gotten close without our shared comic nerd trait.
And above all else.
Finally, I can say this with a clear conscienceI was a bit puzzled when you landed in the top third during the first ranking announcement.
Huh?
Personally, I thought you couldve jumped straight into the top 5 without issue. I mean it.
I tilted my head slightly and asked.
Brother, did you really think that from the start?
Of course! Handsome face, great physique, solid character. If I could live just one day with your looks, Id have no regrets.
Youre plenty handsome yourself, Brother.
And youre killing it in the social game too. Youre really Estonianborn, right?
Want to see my passport?
Chae Eungyu burst into hearty laughter at my last remark.
But now your rankings shot way up, so Im looking forward to it.
...Chae Eungyu really had been rooting for me sincerely.
From the moment we met in the practice room, hed kept saying he wanted to team up with me, and even during the Episode 10 preview controversy, hed worried about me.
He was a rival, but I felt grateful.
What do you think, Karis? Can Yubin make it into the top 7?
Coldly speaking, it might be tough.
Theres that saying about your arm bending inward, but I tried to view it as objectively as possible.
Chae Eungyus eyes widened in surprise at my unexpected response.
Heo Yubin trainee. Starting from Underground rank in the level test and now confirmed for the final roundmind sharing how youre feeling right now?
Choi Sia seemed to sense Heo Yubin would be a huge talking point in this ranking announcement.
Shed only asked brief reactions from the other trainees after their rankings, but shed already started grilling Heo Yubin beforehand.
Uh, um, well... If I had to sum up my feelings, its just unbelievable. I keep wondering if Im really standing here. It feels so unreal... like Ill wake up from this dream any second.
Underground rank in the first level test. Rose to Tier 2 in the final evaluation. Started at 20th in the first ranking announcement, climbed to 13th, and now the Top 7 is within reach. National Producers everywhere are calling you one of the miracles of Idol Training Simulationwhat do you think enabled this massive turnaround?
Ah... Um.
Heo Yubin gripped the mic tight and squeezed his eyes shut.
I watched him closely, worried the Abnormal Status might trigger.
Fortunately, no red light flashed.
HHonestly, I dont think I couldve made it here alone. Its all thanks to the countless friends and brothers by my side, and the Judges who helped me out.
As soon as Heo Yubin finished, voices rang out from spots around the studio.
Yubin, Ill teach you more songs later, promise!
Yubin, youre awesome!
His two sameage friends, Hashimoto Ken and Yu Minha, were pumping him up.
Thanks to the cheers, Heo Yubins shoulders, hunched from tension, straightened a bit.
Now, well announce from 8th place.
The familiar BGM kicked in, and Choi Sia slowly built suspense before revealing the 8th place trainees info.
This trainee received benefits in all three competitions. And... didnt get Fever Time in the second ranking announcement.
Pretty solid hints, but they applied to all three of them.
I could feel the production team pulling out all the stops to drag out the time again.
Meanwhile, the trainees standing in front of the tiered set were dying inside.
After dragging it out for about two more minutes.
8th place. What an incredible record. Up a whopping 5 spotsHeo Yubin trainee!
The moment his name was called, Heo Yubins legs gave out.
Kang Siyoon and Kang Donghwi steadied him as he nearly toppled forward and offered congratulations.
Heo Yubin shared his thoughts through a flood of tears, then wobbled up to the 8th place seat.
And one interesting fact came to light.
Heo Yubin trainee received Fever Time, earning a total of 2,840,981 votes. Thanks to the Fever Time effect, he unleashed massive firepower on the final day to skyrocket his ranking. Congratulations once again.
When I heard seven people had triggered Fever Time, I assumed it was the debut zone seven.
But in reality, Heo Yubin, who had been stuck at 13th, had detonated it as a clutch play to climb five spots.
And the vote count was shocking too.
In the previous ranking announcement, I got 2.7 million votes, and now 8th place Heo Yubin has hit around that. Meaning the votes for those announced next will be even higher.
I knew attendance rewards for National Producers had increased, and more viewers were tuning into Idol Training Simulation.
But I hadnt expected vote counts to spike this dramatically.
Purely by the numbers, this was piling up over 400,000 more votes than in the Idol Training Simulation Id done as Han Jihyuk.
The results kept exceeding expectations.
The changes I caused, plus the new contestants shaking up the dynamic, have drawn way more people in.
Next, Kang Donghwi snagged 7th.
Kang Siyoon recorded 3.31 million votes and climbed into debut territory at 6th for the first time.
Congrats, Siyoon!
Congratulations, hyung!
Proud of you!
True to his affable personality, Kang Siyoon settled into the spacious 6th seat amid cheers from tons of trainees.
Our eyes met briefly.
I gave him a big hand gesture urging him to hurry up and join.
Next, 5th place.
The trainees in the studio started focusing their attention on a specific area.
Especially me, sitting with Chae Eungyu and Yu MinhaI could feel the piercing stares all too well.
Song Hyeongbin and Ji Yooncheol were probably getting the same.
Brothers, Im heading up first! Take your time coming up!
I heard Yu Minha whisper from behind me.
Chae Eungyu started to respond, but Choi Sias quick announcement cut him off.
Congratulations, Yu Minha trainee!
Yu Minha held steady at the same rank.
Id thought he might climb higher with his personal benefit this time.
Whoa, the vote gap between Siyoon and Minha is insane?
Huge difference.
They both got Fever Time, and its still like this?
Even all six of us combined couldnt touch that.
Yu Minhas total votes came to a whopping 4.02 million.
The nearcertain dropouts joked that even if their six pooled votes, they couldnt beat it.
The vote counts ballooned insanely toward the top.
With higher base votes needed for Fever Time, everyones totals shot up across the board.
Id say thats the biggest factor.
Todays 1st could hit 5 million.
Chae Eungyu spoke in his usual calm tone.
In contrast, Yu Minha, answering Choi Sias question, was unleashing his momentum for the first time in a while.
At first, I was really scared. Id always just done what my agency told me, so jumping into a survival show felt so newwould I adapt? Would it be too tough? I worried a ton. But seeing the amazing people I met through Idol Training Simulation and the unbelievable support from the National Producers always kept me grounded! Sticking to my motto of never giving up let me chase my goals, and along the way, I grew into a better person...
How does he rattle off that much at such speed without stumbling? Truly amazing.
Choi Sia, whod been nodding attentively at first, soon gently halted Yu Minhas torrent.
Our everbright and cheerful Yu Minha traineecongratulations again. Youll keep dazzling the National Producers with even cooler stages next time, right?
Yes, absolutely! I promise, National Producers!
As Yu Minha returned to his seat, Choi Sia, whod been smiling, lowered her lips slightly.
Idol Training Simulation third ranking announcement. Now for 4th place.
Choi Sia glanced at the envelope with the results and tilted her head meaningfully, making the trainees buzz.
Her expression looks serious.
Whats up?
No way the untouchable Top 3 got broken?
Nah, thats sacred ground.
Chae Eungyu beside me shifted slightly, as if sensing something.
Im holding an unbelievable result right now. Truly, Idol Training Simulation is all about twists upon twists. This trainee... received a group benefit and wowed on a music show with a great performance.
All obvious so far.
None of me, Song Hyeongbin, Ji Yooncheol, or Chae Eungyu didnt fit that.
But then the massive bomb dropped.
And... this trainees ranking dropped from last time.