Chapter 89
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 89
Chapter Title Seizing the Center
I had expected that the status abnormality triggered by the Crown Princes ego would eventually return someday.
But I had only kept it in mind, since I couldnt know for sure when, where, or what would set it off.
I never imagined it would activate in a crucial moment like this.
The effects are kicking in right away.
My body began to heat up.
I could feel the blood racing through my veins.
The Crown Princes suppressed arrogance stretched its limbs.
Yet my mind grew even more rational, delivering cold, clear judgments.
Still, its a relief theyve laid out some pretty solid conditions. Whichever song it is, I need to claim the center to secure the advantage.
In other words, even without the status abnormality, I would have pushed hard to snag the center position.
My goal wasnt just a simple debutit was to carve my name onto the number one throne.
Karis, you heard the whole track? Decided where youre going?
Kang Siyoon spoke up again from beside me.
My response, which would normally be a bit softer, came out laced with thick confidence.
No one reveals their strategy and hand outright in a moment like this. Not even you, Siyoon.
Oh, youre on fire today, huh?
My condition is good?
Yeah. Youre radiating confidence way more than usual.
Having spent plenty of time with me, Kang Siyoon quickly picked up on the shift in my tone.
Then Ill possess Karis too and do the same. Truth is, I wasnt planning to tell you where Im going from the start, you fool.
If youre imitating my speech, put in a little more effort. Your skills are laughable.
Hey now, thats outrageous!
Outrageous? Noinsolent. Siyoon.
Meanwhile, Chae Eungyu, who had been staring seriously at the lyrics and video, muttered quietly.
The tracks one thing, but until we get up there, we wont know whos taken what. Someone mightve already claimed the position I wanted from the start, and it could be someone I dont want to push out...
Listening to you, hyung, youre right. The later ones have no clue what the earlier kids picked.
Song Hyeongbin nodded too.
It was a valid point.
In short, everything outside your own choice was uncertain.
Even if I got my desired position, the team lineup might not sit right.
And if I had to push someone out no matter what, swallowing the guilt would be tough.
But I couldnt end up at that crossroads after coming this far.
But isnt that level of resolve already in place for everyone?
Huh?
When I tossed out the dry response, Chae Eungyu snapped his head up.
During the sports day before, since I had to keep moving, the status abnormalitys influence had surged hot and fierce.
Thats why Id spoken casually to Chae Eungyu, a nearstranger and older guy.
But now, with my brain in overdrive plotting strategy, calm, precise formal speech flowed out naturally.
Regrettable as it is, this is a place of survival of the fittest, the strong devouring the weak. Weve already pushed out however many to reach this spot. If you dont push, youll be pushed.
......
......Yeah, thats true.
Song Hyeongbin answered before Chae Eungyu.
His eyes gleamed with an unusual light.
The wordings harsh, but Karis is right. Its an unavoidable competition...
Okay, okay! Even if I get pushed out, I wont complain, so just toss me to a good position, please.
Just dont send me to a different track.
Everyone, play it smart!
The other trainees cracked jokes in as bright a tone as they could muster.
Everyone was steeling themselves for the possibility of onesided elimination.
And so the promised 30 minutes passed.
Well now begin the final round song and position selection. From 14th place to 1st, in reverse order.
At Choi Sias cue, the 14thplace trainee headed to the stairs beside the set.
No one could predict what view would unfold once they climbed those stairs.
Until my turn came, I kept churning through countless thoughts.
The goal is simple. Just take the center. So if someone else has it when my turn comes, I just send them elsewhere.
The reward for reaching 3rd in the third ranking announcement.
A near100 chance to claim any position I wanted.
But near, not guaranteed.
The variables for me are 2nd and 1st. The trainees ranked higher.
Even if I took the center, those with higher priority than 3rd could push me out and steal it.
Worse, 2nd and 1st were Ji Yuncheol and Song Hyeongbinboth the types whod go for center.
Simple math both would obviously want center.
The meaning of claiming center on the final stage was crystal clear.
So they could split the two centers amicably, no blood spilled.
From that angle, as 3rd place, Id get pushed from center to whatever scraps remained.
......In the end, I have no choice but to read their plays and gamble.
Theres a strategy essential in war.
Predict the enemys moves before moving your own forces.
If you can anticipate their path, ambush success skyrockets and your losses plummet exponentially.
Read the enemy commanders mind, and victory is effortless.
The same principle applied here.
I just need to read Ji Yuncheol and Song Hyeongbins thoughts. And I have intel.
Earlier, while the trainees discussed pushing others out, Id watched Song Hyeongbins face closely.
Song Hyeongbin has the status abnormality Indecisive.
If hed shown hesitation on pushing, or fear at hurting someone close, it would have triggered without fail.
But Song Hyeongbins Status Window had no flashing red text.
In other words, his resolve was rocksolid to stick to his decision no matter what.
Song Hyeongbin yielded center to Ji Yuncheol in the third performance too. Hed have seen his fans voicing regrets. With only the final left now, hell definitely move to claim center this time.
As number one and final authority, Song Hyeongbin had no choice but to go for center.
Factoring that in and eyeing the two mission tracks...
I smirked.
Whenever this status abnormality triggered, Id always felt a massive physical stat boost.
But applying it in a brainheavy situation like now made my mind feel awakened instead.
Next up 8th place, trainee Heo Yubin.
IIll head up first, hyungs!
Choose well!
We wish you luck in your selection.
Heo Yubin left first for song selection, and soon Kang Siyoon rose from beside me.
Say it again even if you push me out, send me somewhere good. Got it?
That depends entirely on your choice and the other trainees positions. If youre that worried about getting pushed, just pick something that doesnt overlap with me.
Youre extra cold today.
Im just offering the most effective solution.
And so, the trainees left on the auditorium floor dwindled.
Finally, only three remained.
I glanced at Song Hyeongbin.
......Have you decided?
I finished it ages ago. Last round, so I gotta go with what I do best.
Sound logic.
Another hint pick what you do best.
3rd place, trainee Karis von Walden. Please proceed.
My name was called.
I turned and gave Ji Yuncheol and Song Hyeongbin a silent bow.
Then, see you up top. Heres hoping we avoid spilling blood.
Haha, same here. Be right up!
......See you shortly.
Even amid the other trainees chatter, Ji Yuncheol kept his silence.
His face stayed expressionless, but his alive eyes betrayed his thoughts plainly.
I exhaled slowly and climbed the stairs step by step.
The song Id chosen was Song A.
For the final stage, pick what you can nail best right now.
With the Crown Princes visuals, a moody, sexy concept would have insane impact.
And above all, Song Hyeongbin and Ji Yuncheol would both head to Song B.
They did last round too, and their styles fit Song B from the start, not Song A.
For two dancers with clean, powerful moves, Song B was clearly the better fit.
Especially since Song Hyeongbin said hed pick what he does best, with this being the last round.
The odds of both flocking to Song B were even higher.
Resolve set to push Song As center, I stepped onto the set.
The scene awaiting me was a picture no one could have predicted.
......This is way off script.
I had no idea what went down on the set.
Who picked what first, who pushed whototal blank.
But the empty centers on both sides told a simple truth.
No one had chosen center as their first pick.
As I stood silently at the sets edge, the waiting trainees started tossing comments.
Karis, grab center quick!
Ah, tense. Wheres Karis going?
Hope its this way.
I quickly scanned Song As lineup.
Main dancer Chae Eungyu.
Main rapper Yu Minha.
Main vocal Heo Yubin.
Sub vocal 1 Kang Donghwi.
And sub vocal 3 Baek Sihwa.
Solid lineup.
Lots of members from the Song A team had picked it again.
Especially Baek SihwaI hadnt expected to team up again.
Baek Sihwa, who already looked mentally frayed, flinched at the sight of me and bowed his head.
He must be feeling some fear of me.
Without a moments hesitation, I strode to Song As center, and massive applause erupted.
Back where it belongs!
Karis, welcome!
Same team again!
Karis hyung!
Told you hed go there.
Disappointing......
Still, good for us. He didnt push anyone out.
Chae Eungyu, Yu Minha, and Heo Yubin were especially thrilled.
With the center not yet locked in, my status abnormality remained active.
So instinctively, I raised a hand slightly and nodded.
An arrogantly perfect pose.
The next turn came right after.
As the tall Ji Yuncheol ascended the set, tension thickened.
Yuncheols taking center, right?
Has to. No doubt.
He gonna push Karis?
Ji Yuncheol and I locked eyes briefly.
For a split second, I thought he might eye Song A center, but like me, he moved without pause to the empty Song B center.
So it came to this.
Only Hyeongbin hyung left, and both centers are taken.
Man, chills.
This means someones getting pushed 100.
Only sub vocal 2 left, and no way Hyeongbin hyung takes that......
Tension rippled harder among the trainees.
But I waited calmly, chin held high.
Finally, the last trainee, Song Hyeongbin, appeared.
Ahaha....... Ah, so it really ended up like this.
He flashed an awkward smile and stood between the two platforms.
He closed his eyes gently and let silence fall for a moment.
Please, please, please. Just dont push me out.
Hyeongbin hyungs gotta take center, right?
Could be not....... He told me once he wanted to try main vocal.
Whoa, wait. Then Yubin and Daehyun get pushed?
Or he skips center for main dancer. Main dancer stands out way more anyway.
Everyone whispered furiously, awaiting Song Hyeongbins choice.
As tension peaked.
Ill...... go here.
Song Hyeongbin spoke calmly and lightly placed a hand on Ji Yuncheols shoulder.