Chapter 184
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 184
[A New Nutcase Appears: The Dawn’s Variety Universe]
[Dominating OTT Services and Trending Videos... The ‘Reversal’ of the MZ Generation Idols]
[The Dawn Proves Their Variety Legend Status; Love Calls Pouring in from the Industry]
Since it was produced with tvK’s backing, the budget was substantial, and perhaps because it was so meticulously planned, the initial response was explosive.
The Dawn’s variety clips lined the trending video charts one after another. It was only possible because their sense of humor had captured the taste of the general public.
Furthermore, the image of Seo Ho-yun as a "pitiful and unfortunate idol" had completely vanished, at least for those who had watched this show.
Even though they knew these expressions were hyperbolic rather than literal, the Noeuls scrolling through comments and Twitter wore warm smiles, seeing character interpretations that finally hit the mark.
Meanwhile, The Dawn was spending every day in a whirlwind.
With their increased recognition, they were finally in a position to be a bit more selective with their work, but the reality of having to "row while the tide is in" remained unchanged.
They hadn't even properly started preparing for their comeback, and with the concert right around the corner, they were busy just reviewing the flood of advertisement offers in their spare moments.
In the midst of this, articles were published at lightning speed, barely hours after deals were finalized.
“Good work today...”
The concert was in two weeks. Their very first one.
Driven by the desire to present a perfect stage without a single flaw, the members squeezed time out of an already packed schedule, practicing as if they were possessed.
Thanks to that, they were only able to return to the dorm at dawn today as well.
“What... what time do we wake up tomorrow?”
“Six o’clock...”
“Right...”
Seeing as they hadn't complained once yet, I suppose they found it bearable.
“Ho-yun, are you going straight to sleep?”
“Obviously.”
It felt almost the same as when I was a PD.
Thinking that I really couldn't keep up with the younger kids, I flopped onto the bed as soon as I washed up. Then, a small, minimized system window flickered in the corner of my vision.
“Hm?”
Seong Ji-won, who was drying his hair and getting ready for bed next to me, looked over.
“Ho-yun, what’s wrong?”
“Ah, I’m just thirsty.”
Answering like that, I pretended to head for the kitchen but steered my steps toward the balcony instead. Just in case, I even locked the sliding door.
Sitting on a chair in the silence after everyone had gone to bed, I cautiously expanded the system window.
[Processing—...]
[——Error resolution complete.]
It seemed this piece of junk was finally going to start working again.
[……System updating…….]
[System update 35%…….]
[System update 47%…….]
[System update 63%…….]
But before I could do anything, it displayed the update status and went silent again.
You bastard, you’re taking your sweet time.
.
.
.
[System update 85%…….]
[System update 93%…….]
[System update 99%…….]
[Checking system…….]
[…—System restarted.]
With the mindset of seeing how far it would go, I waited for a long time while browsing internet reactions on my phone. Finally, the window announcing the completion of the update popped up.
[Reward Settlement]
[Experience Event: Time is Gold.]
[When practicing with those around you, proficiency increases slightly faster, limited to designated stats.]
[※ There is no limit on the target individuals.]
[※ Stats will increase for only one designated individual, excluding the player.]
[※ Charm is excluded from the designated stats.]
[※ The duration is 168 hours from the moment the start date is set.]
[※ The reward is granted compulsorily.]
“……?”
The stiff, informal tone—unlike previous quests or settlement windows—was puzzling, but I stroked my chin as I read the contents. It wasn't a bad reward. There were plenty of talented guys around me, after all.
Since it had made such a fuss about an error occurring because I leaked some secrets, I thought it would cough up a garbage reward, but—
[※ Proficiency increases by 5%.]
My face crumpled the moment I read the last line.
“Are you kidding me??”
Where am I supposed to use a measly amount like that?
For a moment, heat rushed to the top of my head. I swallowed it with a sigh and pressed my temples firmly.
“Hey, come out already.”
Since it said it had restarted, the system window must have returned.
It remained quiet for a long while after my words, then finally revealed itself through a haze of static.
[……Hehe.]
It was acting uncharacteristically cute.
[Seo Ho-yun, have you been well?]
I suddenly felt that I should have pushed this bastard harder when I first dropped into this place. But I didn't want to waste time bringing up things that couldn't be undone.
So, instead of the many things I wanted to say, I uttered just one sentence.
“I was doing fine, but things got hard because of you.”
[Haha…….]
“Anyway, why is the reward so trashy? What? 5%?”
[Ugh, first, let me explain the reward.]
The window wavered as if hesitating for a moment, then slowly continued the text.
[It’s hard to go into detail, but… things got very tangled after you leaked some of the confidential information, Seo Ho-yun.]
It was true that I had leaked it.
I figured it would be better to know the consequences of my actions before that damn penalty hit, so I chose the one that would have the least impact even if it leaked to the public. I thought it would be a good way to conduct an experiment and overcome the problem at hand.
Regardless, I had no way of knowing which secret would spread, and I had completed the quest.
[Because of that, the penalty overlapped with the reward…. No, never mind. Anyway, I secured the best conditions I could.]
“Ha, ridiculous. Are you serious?”
When I spoke with as much sarcasm as the anger I had built up, the system window, which had initially looked apologetic and wary, eventually flared up.
[I know you can’t help being angry and annoyed! But I have a lot to say too! Who told you to spread that?!]
“Hey, then you tell me. What other way was there?”
The penalty was a leak of confidential information; was I just supposed to let everything go to ruin? What other choice did I have in that situation?
[The penalty was su□￥?□ to be □ㄹ□□? Ah….]
The characters in the system window began to dismantle and break as it tried to explain something.
Watching the flickering thing stop displaying text, I realized something.
I had always felt it was contradictory—how it claimed to be for my sake yet gave me such atrocious penalties. I had suspected it was deceiving me or hiding something, but it occurred to me that it might simply lack the power.
[□nyway… I didn’t □ant this ￥ituation? either.]
As I also kept my mouth shut, the system window reappeared. The text was still slightly broken, but it wasn't unreadable like before.
[Not that you’d particularly care about these excuses anyway, Seo Ho-yun….]
“Well, obviously.”
Once I said that, fatigue washed over me. I didn't want to talk anymore and waved my hand dismissively, but a new window appeared before my eyes.
[…Are you okay?]
Why were there so many things asking me if I was "okay" lately?
I looked at it with an incredulous gaze at the sudden behavior.
“Why? If I’m struggling, what, are you going to give me a warm hug or something?”
[I’d hate that, and I can’t do it in the first place.]
“I’d hate it too, you brat.”
I let out a small chuckle, but I couldn't help but freeze when I saw the next system window.
[I can erase your memories instead.]
“……What?”
Thinking I had misread it, I narrowed my eyes and read the text several times. But the content didn't change.
I had known all along—experiencing realistically impossible items falling into my hands and being used, and feeling actual effects on my body—but hearing directly that it could even change what was inside my head made me suddenly realize once again that this was a foreign place.
[I can’t do everyone’s memories, but I can erase your memory of the car accident, Seo Ho-yun.]
As if it knew how I felt and was waiting for me to accept it, it continued after a short pause.
“What do you mean?”
[You have trauma. Psychology plays the biggest part. I’ll make it so you know the accident happened, but I’ll erase the specific details of what happened and how you felt at the time.]
I had stabilized quite a bit recently. My contact with Seo Ho-jin had increased, too.
Even so, it often came to mind when night fell. Like an uninvited guest arriving without warning.
“…Wait, then you’ve been back for a while and just didn't say anything?”
Knowing my condition meant it had been watching me the whole time.
[I could only watch. I couldn't intervene.]
I ignored the thing as it continued to chatter and pondered for a moment.
This seemed more like a reward than the 5% proficiency boost. Certainly, if the memory of the accident were erased, I wouldn't need the help of counseling, and my insomnia or pain might be alleviated. My current state was, after all, derived from my memories.
“Should I try it?”
The system window, perhaps not expecting me to answer like this, stuttered for a moment before glowing brighter than usual.
[Yes!!!! Great, good thinking! Then I’ll erase the memory of the accident!!]
“No. Not that, you punk.”
[Pardon?]
“Leave the accident alone—.”
Bringing up the matter made my ears feel slightly hot for some reason.
“—Erase the memory of me saying that 'baby bunny' crap in front of Kim Hee-yeong.”
[……Seriously?]
“Yeah.”
[…….]
[…….]
[…….]
[…….]
[…….]
[Whatever.]
I had said it with a fair amount of sincerity, but the thing disappeared, leaving only that one word behind.
“Hey, are you sulking? Hey! Hey!”
No matter how many times I called, only the dark sky filled my vision.
Clicking my tongue softly, I leaned my back deep into the chair.
Erase memories? What for?
It was all my burden to bear. And if my body was exhausted enough, stray thoughts wouldn't even have the chance to surface. I was already busy enough with various schedules and concert preparations; if I worked myself to the bone, sleep would come on its own.
“There’s a long way to go, a long way.”
It might seem fast to some, but for me, this was only the first concert.
Realistically, I didn't expect to become like Black Call, nor did I intend to try and compete with them, but...
“…Should I increase the practice time tomorrow?”
The only thing I could do right now, as someone who wanted The Dawn to grow even more, was just that.
Ruffling my hair with my hand, I stood up from the chair and headed to the room. Meanwhile, my mind was recalculating how best to use the reward.
There were plenty of talented people around me...
And my new roommate, whom I made eye contact with as soon as I opened the door, fit the bill perfectly.
“Ah, you’re back?”
“Yeah.”
There were barely three hours left until 6:00 AM, but Seong Ji-won was awake, reading a book.
Let’s just sleep for now.
I felt like I’d have a nosebleed even without taking out a point loan, so I set the alarm on my phone. Then, I glanced over and asked Seong Ji-won.
“Why aren't you sleeping yet? You have to wake up early tomorrow too. Are you nervous already?”
I recalled our first showcase, which felt like an eternity ago. Seong Ji-won had been extremely anxious back then.
He replied with his usual calm face.
“Of course I’m nervous. It’s our first concert.”
Then, he closed his book and smiled.
“But is it really okay if we don't include Parachute? The fans seem to be expecting it.”
“…Let’s save that for later.”
Kang Yi-chae really was a master of wasting talent.
And just like that, two weeks flew by, and the first day of the concert arrived.