Chapter 64
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 64
“…Are you still not done with me?”
“No, well… I was just about to leave, but I got a little curious.”
About what?
Despite his words, Min Ji-heon let out a massive yawn and rubbed his eyes as if he weren't actually interested at all.
I was about to ask what he was curious about when a chilling intuition washed over me.
‘Don’t!’
Better not ask.
I quickly turned my head, intending to walk away. If he was someone who didn't even trigger a dialogue window, he was undoubtedly a person of no help to the scenario's progression.
“Right. Well, I’ll be going then.”
“Aren’t you going to act, Seo Ho-yun?”
“……?”
But as I tried to pass him by without incident, Min Ji-heon threw the question at me.
“The CEO must have asked you. Whether you wanted to act or not.”
“How do you know that?”
“Ah, that’s because I was the one who suggested it. I asked him why he didn't try putting you in an acting role.”
“…You did, Senior Min Ji-heon?”
I hadn't expected this development.
As I stood there with a dubious expression, Min Ji-heon scanned me from head to toe.
“Actually, the sequel to ‘Please Give Me Cider,’ which we filmed recently, is coming out. It’s called ‘Please Take Care of the Camera’… The writer must have seen ‘Shining Star’ because she took a real liking to you. She said you’d fit the image of the next character perfectly…”
Suddenly, the back of my head felt numb. I wondered why the CEO was suddenly being so persistent—it was you!
You were the one whispering in the CEO’s ear?!
“Yoo Ji-ah also said she thought you’d be good.”
Whether he noticed my displeasure or not, Min Ji-heon continued nonchalantly.
“So, what did you say?”
“I said I wouldn't do it.”
“Really? That’s such a waste.”
‘A waste?’
At this point, things were getting weird, so I asked skeptically.
“…Do I have some incredible talent? Enough for you to suddenly come and ask me about it?”
“Huh?”
Otherwise, why would he even bother approaching me?
I was actually being sarcastic, telling him to get lost, but Min Ji-heon seemed to take it at face value and beamed.
“Ahaha, I wouldn't know!”
“……?”
What is with this guy…?
Ignoring my bewilderment, Min Ji-heon began to chatter and hum to himself.
“I can’t really tell just by looking at a face. I heard some other industry people can tell instantly, though… I guess that’s what you’d call real divine intuition, right?”
Seriously, what is wrong with this bastard…?
“Anyway, I’ll let the writer know you can’t do it.”
For someone who had stirred the pot with the CEO, Min Ji-heon accepted the rejection quite calmly. He then received a call from his manager and trailed off with a vacant “Yeees,” his voice sounding dazed.
He hung up shortly after and waved at me.
“Goodbye~! Stay healthy in the meantime!”
“……??”
The atmosphere suddenly felt like a holiday send-off.
He acted as if he were giving a final farewell to someone he’d never see again. Just as I opened my mouth in sheer absurdity, Min Ji-heon turned around and walked away with slow, sluggish steps.
‘What is up with that guy?’
I summoned the system window.
“Hey, show me Min Ji-heon’s stats…”
But there was no answer.
“…Hey?”
Only long after Min Ji-heon had disappeared into the distance did the system window finally pop up.
[Yes?]
“I called you earlier.”
[I didn’t hear you~.]
The system window played dumb and then vanished. I arched an eyebrow at its behavior.
‘This is new.’
The system window… was now telling blatant lies right to my face.
* * *
“Hyung, come here!”
After finishing all our music show schedules, I thought I’d finally get some relatively peaceful downtime, but Kang Yi-chae was suddenly fired up.
“What is it?”
“We’re going on ‘Victory is Mine.’ They said to write down the events we want to participate in quickly because we need to start practicing.”
Ah, right.
That program, held every year at the end of May, was always popular. Seeing how it continued every year despite idols getting injured and causing all sorts of chaos, its popularity was clearly palpable.
“What are the events?”
“Track, archery, wrestling, rhythmic gymnastics, and eSports!”
“eSports?”
The others were familiar, but I’d never heard of eSports being included. Kang Yi-chae shook his gaming console excitedly.
“There are different categories within eSports too! I have to get first place in this, for the sake of my pride.”
“What do you get for first place?”
“…Honor? Glory?”
“They give you Hanwoo!”
Jeong Da-jun seemed to be fired up by the prize.
“Are you working this hard just to eat beef?”
“What are you talking about? This is our ‘pride.’”
“Don’t stake your pride on just anything.”
“A man’s pride is cheap to begin with.”
Kang Yi-chae spouted more nonsense, insisting he absolutely had to take first place.
“We can form teams with other groups, but first, I need to check you guys’ skills. Jeong Da-jun… well, I basically know his level.”
“Aw, Hyung! I told you I’m good!”
“What’s going on?”
Seong Ji-won approached while drying himself with a towel, showing interest, and Kim Seong-hyeon, who had nothing to do for once, also slunk over to join the conversation.
“eSports?”
“Do you guys even play games?”
I was the only one indifferent among them. I sprawled out on the sofa and replied without much enthusiasm.
“I’m not doing eSports. I’ll do something else.”
“Ah, Hyung~! Just try it once, just once. There are five of us, so we have the perfect number for a team! I’ll let you pick whatever role you want!!”
I told you, whether I pick or not… I really don’t play games.
“I have a gut feeling. This coldness! This judgment! This mental strength! I just know Ho-yun hyung will be good at games!”
“…….”
Kang Yi-chae’s eyes burned with the same intensity as the practice-bug Seong Ji-won when he screamed about practicing. It was surprising to see a guy who was usually indifferent to everything get this worked up, but…
‘It’s a hassle…….’
“It’s such a hassle….”
“Are you not even trying to hide your thoughts anymore?”
Kang Yi-chae looked at me poutily with dissatisfied eyes, then shook his head and tried to coax me.
“Hyung, Hyung, Hyung, just once!”
I tried to ignore Kang Yi-chae’s whining by putting on my earphones, but suddenly, the system window popped up after a long absence.
Ding!
[‘Victory is Mine’ is truly the pinnacle for a multi-entertainer!
Take 1st place in three categories of ‘Victory is Mine.’
(First place achieved by other group members also counts.)
Success: 3,000 Points
Failure: You will be forced to do even more humiliating antics.]
“What could possibly be more humiliating than what I’ve already done…?”
[LOL]
What? Why are you laughing all of a sudden? As I looked at it with a suspicious gaze, the system window expanded.
[There are plenty of dialogue windows.]
‘What?’
[Rookie idol’s bold behavior in front of the camera… Anyone can see this is a “True Legendary Dark History”… (See more)]
“…….”
I grit my teeth as I looked at the list of dialogue windows the system was rattling off, then stood up abruptly.
“Fine, let’s go to the PC Bang.”
“Whoa! Really?”
Kang Yi-chae rejoiced, unaware of the hidden motive behind my change of heart.
I had to stop it because I didn't want to show them those things… I wonder if these kids will ever understand this feeling….
“Da-jun, sometimes Hyung’s life is just hard….”
“What are you talking about?”
I habitually patted Jeong Da-jun’s head. He looked at me like I was absurd, but he didn't pull away.
* * *
One hour after entering the PC Bang.
“Am I dead?”
“…Yeah.”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“……No, Hyung, uh… I guess this role just doesn't suit you. Should we try you as a Support?”
At first, Kang Yi-chae was gentle.
“Hyung, why did you use Flash there?”
“Was I not supposed to?”
Two hours in, he was gritting his teeth here and there.
“Why is your Mana full right now?!”
“Can’t I save it?”
“How do you even come up with such creative thoughts?”
Three hours after entering the PC Bang.
“……Ho-yun hyung.”
After watching me die to an enemy tower, Kang Yi-chae quietly set down his headphones.
“Hyung. I learned an important lesson today.”
“What is it?”
“Never have stereotypes about people….”
“Are you insulting me?”
“At least your understanding is quick.”
So he was disappointed because he thought I’d be good at games, but I wasn't….
I glared at Kang Yi-chae and sighed. I understood what he was saying, but my hands just wouldn't follow. There were countless moments where I’d do something and then go, ‘Ah.’ Of course, every time that happened, Kang Yi-chae beside me would lose more and more of his words.
“Hyung, just go sit next to Seong-hyeon hyung and eat some ramen.”
“…….”
In the end, Kang Yi-chae completely lost interest in me. Being treated like a nuisance was such a rare experience that I felt a prickle of pettiness.
“Hey, how good are you anyway….”
Kang Yi-chae quietly placed his hand on the monitor.
“Hyung, do you want to see this before you speak?”
“……What is this?”
“The moment you ask what this is, you’re hopeless. Go.”
I stood up from my chair, feeling disgruntled. No, fine. It’s actually better if Kang Yi-chae is good.
‘If these guys take first place, well, it’s good for me.’
Giving up easily, I began to wander around and watch the others. Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been eliminated ages ago, must have received some harsh criticism earlier as well; he clicked his tongue and asked me.
“Seo Ho-yun. Want to order some ramen?”
“Don’t order any for Kang Yi-chae.”
“Why state the obvious?”
Kim Seong-hyeon and I badmouthed Kang Yi-chae, but it didn't affect him at all. I started observing in earnest while slurping ramen behind them.
“What about Jeong Da-jun?”
Next was Jeong Da-jun.
“Da-jun is decent.”
“Ye-ap!”
Jeong Da-jun pumped his fist with a shout of “Nice!”
“Ji-won hyung.”
The only one left was Seong Ji-won. He’d probably be at a similar skill level to me anyway. Thinking he’d be eliminated without even looking, I waved at him.
“Seong Ji-won, come eat some ramen before it gets soggy.”
“No, wait, Hyungs. Don’t distract Ji-won hyung for a second.”
“Eh?”
But Kang Yi-chae couldn't take his eyes off Seong Ji-won’s monitor.
“Hyung, how long did you say it’s been since you started this game?”
“Um……. Not that long.”
“Whoa, what is this…?”
Jeong Da-jun and Kang Yi-chae stirred beside him. When Seong Ji-won dove under the enemy tower, landed a three-hit skill combo like a ghost, and even neatly applied Ignite to kill the opponent, a chat message flew in.
[Fcking piece of sht]
Somehow, Seong Ji-won recognized it was an insult and said brightly.
“Wow, they’re swearing at me.”
“Mute them.”
“What’s a mute?”
While Seong Ji-won was smiling brightly and trying to type the mute command as Kang Yi-chae instructed, he suddenly frowned slightly and quickly moved his hand on the mouse. In that instant, he dodged a grab flying out from the brush and killed the enemy.
[‘Let’sPracticeGuys’ is on a killing spree!]
[‘Let’sPracticeGuys’ Double Kill!]
“What!”
“No way….”
[Oh;;;]
[Damn, no wonder he told us to practice]
Even his teammates started showering him with praise. A rare breed who actually heard good things while gaming in Korea was right here.
Kang Yi-chae glanced at Seong Ji-won.
“Hyung, about the swearing earlier….”
“Huh?”
“…You don’t mind?”
“Ahaha, I get sworn at every day anyway.”
The life of an idol!
“Sense and mental strength too…?”
Kang Yi-chae, who was always serious about gaming, looked at the hidden gem with a moved expression. Following that, Seong Ji-won successfully finished a team fight.
[‘Let’sPracticeGuys’ Double Kill!]
[‘Let’sPracticeGuys’ Triple Kill!]
[‘Let’sPracticeGuys’ is legendary!]
[ VICTORY ]
As the tower crumbled and the screen returned to the main menu, medals showered down. It was the MVP award voted by the people he played with.
“Wow! I guess I was okay.”
“…….”
“…….”
“…Was I not?”
Kang Yi-chae and Jeong Da-jun remained silent. Then, they nodded simultaneously. Jeong Da-jun grabbed Seong Ji-won’s right shoulder, and Kang Yi-chae grabbed his left.
“Hyung, what role do you want to play?”
“Huh?”
“Pick any lane. I’ll push everything for you. I can go Support and you can be the ADC.”
Kang Yi-chae was as serious as an athlete preparing for the Olympics. While Seong Ji-won was still bewildered, not quite grasping the situation, Jeong Da-jun and Kang Yi-chae whispered to each other.
“I saw Seong-hyeon hyung, we have to give up on him.”
“Yeah. Same here. Ho-yun hyung is even worse than Seong-hyeon hyung. He’s just hopeless.”
“Why am I hopeless?”
I tried to plead my case, but it didn't reach them, as if they were wearing armor that deflected my words.
“Let’s do this. We’ll take Ji-won hyung, one guy from Nightmare, and one more from Refined. Then five people should be good.”
“How were the people we’re bringing in?”
“Not bad. We can win with that. We just need to train hard with Ji-won hyung for the remaining time.”
Kang Yi-chae clenched his fist, full of motivation.
“We’re winning this match.”
With Seong Ji-won in the middle, Kang Yi-chae and Jeong Da-jun began to passionately sing, “I even thought of winning with you~.” For a stake as small as "cheap pride," the atmosphere was as if they were putting their lives on the line.
While they were busy creating a whole narrative, I was peacefully mixing rice into my ramen broth with Kim Seong-hyeon.
“What should we do?”
“Let’s try archery or something.”
“Then I guess I’ll do track.”
If those guys took first place, I just had to reap the benefits.
It was perfectly peaceful.