In the next two days, Agwa went to Juson Entertainment to terminate the contract. The process went smoothly without any incidents. Of course, before she signed her name, she first obtained the itinerary contract for "Singer-songwriter". KBS Station offered 500,000KRW (390USD) and she was not qualified to bargain at the moment.
The two days of waiting were not wasted. Agwa accumulated a fair amount of star coins.
- 6 times of eating spicy food
- 2 farting (Blame the system)
- 5 drinking alcohol. (Gotta try that Soju, it's a bomb)
- 1 hangover
For some reason, this body is a really good drinker and she did not even vomit.
Once she has enough star coins, she can get 1 blind box, and currently Agwa has 265 star coins. Agwa excitedly called the system with her hands clasped together, praying for luck.
"System please use the star coins"
'Ding'
[ 200 star coins were used and 1 blind box was deposited into the inventory]
"Go open the blind box directly" Agwa said impatiently.
Another set of transparent panels appeared on Agwa's vision. It consists of 6 total prizes.
[ Mastering Ballet Dance ]
[ Charming electric eye ]
[ Miracle pill: Stomach medicine (consumable) ]
[ 'I will show you' - Ailee ]
[ Snow white package ]
[ Special Prize: Anne- Sophie Mutter's Violin Talent ]
Agwa checked the prize list excitedly and was amazed by a few, especially the special prize.
'A Violin Talent! How cool is that' Agwa thought dreamingly. She doesn't know who Anne-sophie Mutter is, but she must be amazing to be listed as a special prize by the system. Agwa continues to check out other prizes. She's unfamiliar with the charming electric eye and miracle pill, but the song ' I will show you', Snow White and Ballet dance, she knows.
"Mr. System can you give description to each prizes?" Agwa asked with a little hope.
[ Description will be provided once host draws the prize ]
"WOW!! How stingy can you be?" Agwa annoyingly replied.
"Alright, Lets go draw the prize then." Agwa said resignedly. She clasped her hand together again, hoping for luck to win the special prize. In front of her was the transparent box with rotating lights. After a few seconds it stopped and another mechanical sound was heard.
'DING'
[ Congratulations to the host for obtaining the music score, lyrics, arrangement and creation materials for the song 'I will show you' - Ailee]
[ Congratulations to the host for obtaining the whole package of snow white]
[ Songs and the others have been automatically registered for copyright in 'Korean Music Copyright Association', 'KIPO' and 'Asian Song Copyright Protection Industry'. ]
"Oh Well, it is what it is. It's also very good since I will participate in the recording in two days. I don't have to racked up my brain, there's already a ready made song" Agwa was not too disappointed since a song is what she needed the most right now for the recording of the singer-songwriter.
"Too bad, I still don't know the mechanics of the show. Well, I just have to familiarize with this song first" Agwa said while checking the song that was directly input to her memory. She tried a few tunes and realize how naive she was.
The song 'I will show you' is one of the hit songs of Ailee, a popular and successful soloist in Korea. She has a heaven like voice that could really hit high notes easily. And that's where the problem is. Agwa's current vocals are so average that she's already struggling to sing relatively high notes, let alone continuously do it throughout the song. This song is a transition from a really slow beginning, then keeps building up to a really catchy and upbeat chorus. It earned Ailee her first award and showcased her powerful vocals.
"Oh my god system! What should I do? I can't give justice to this song and I'll be disqualified even before I set foot on the stage." Agwa said panicking. Unfortunately, the system is unresponsive.
'Calm down Agwa and think.'
Agwa quickly gathered her thoughts and began to contemplate a plan. What she has right now is her looks, which are above excellent. Her perfect singing non-lyrics and a song. These were excellent capital to start off with, but it wasn't enough. She had to stay on the singer-songwriter show long enough to continuously get opportunities for more exposure and eventually restore the original owners name.
She set her eyes on her backer again.
'Lets try if it'll work.'
"Mr. System can you be a little bit friendly and help me?" Agwa started a tough battle with this system, who won't give an inch.
"With the current me, I wont even make it pass the rehearsal, how could I sing a song I could barely sung on a big stage?" Agwa continues to say.
" I know I'm pretty but beauty wont really help me win the stage. Besides, with all due respect your not really helping me by making me do those risky tasks. It only makes me ugly, sick and unhealthy." Agwa then started to fake a cough. Her occupational disease from past lives kicked in.
Rule number 1. If you wanna get something, you have to make the other feel bad, point out everything that is wrong and make it seem like it affects you a whole lot. Learned that from one of the Karen's in the customer service industry.
"How come you don't have system mall? What am i supposed to do with the excess coins? and with all these drinking, I'll have liver disease in no time. Clearly you dont want me dead a second time right." She continued to question.
She knows she sounds bitchy and ungrateful right now, especially with the advantages already given by the system. However, it's not what's needed the most at the moment. She's just an ordinary person before she crossed over. Working hard, she can do, but getting results in a short time; she CAN'T. How is she supposed to get a good stable voice in two days? Let alone compete with those monsters. Instead of a comeback, the stage might be another failure for her and further sink her to doom.
[The system mall will be open after an upgrade]
'Finally got a response' Agwa thought happily.
[And please ask the host not to worry as there is a corresponding item in the prize list that will nullify the effect of a certain task. Example is the miracle pill like the stomach medicine, it can make the host eat beyond human limits without hurting your organs, effective 24 hrs.]
'It's working!! Finally, I knows what that was for. Tsk! that's a lot of exploring from me.' Agwa thought triumphantly. This also makes her wonder why the system can't hear her thoughts, since literally they're talking through thoughts.
'Weird, but oh well there's more pressing matter than that. On to the next step' Agwa shrugged that off and continued with her trickery.
" Reasonable enough, How thoughtful of you Mr. System. We do make a great pair." Agwa praised.
Rule number 2, make sure you make them feel appreciated and praise them for a job well done. In that way they'll work harder or in other situations give you freebies. Learned that from my bitchy boss.
"But that does not make it fair for me since I'll have to always rely on luck. What if I've not draw those prizes then it'll be hard for me to achieve our goal. I believe we have mutual goals and if i dont meet expectations then what's the use of you bringing me here." She continues to reason.
"To make it easier for both of us, lets take a step back. I won't asked for you to open the mall ahead of time. I won't even ask you for something permanent. Just give me something I can use to pass my first stage on 'The singer-songwriter, after that you wont hear me complain about the task anymore." Agwa said, looking as if she reluctantly conceded.
Then comes the last rule. Make it seem like you're giving up a whole cake for one slice. Pre-emptively solve their pain points, that way you'll finally get what you expect them to give.
There was a short moment of silence while Agwa was waiting for the systems response. She's betting it all on her feelings that both of them need to achieve what she's here for. And I think she bets right after hearing the following replies.
[ The system found the host reasonable, and upon checking the set of guidelines and policies, it does not deviate from common goals. The system then gives the host one-time perfect singing for a duration of three days in exchange for the current 65 star coins. Please confirm to continue.]
'you seriously dont want to be at disadvantage, you wont even let go of the 65 coins.' Agwa inwardly grumbled.
"Yes, Mr. System I accept" she still said happily; at least she got what she wanted. All she needs to do now is familiarize herself with the song and win all the way. She still had one question, though.
"Mr. system, dont you have access to my thoughts?" She's been wondering about this for some time now, coz obviously if the system can hear her thoughts then everything is bullshit. She won't be able to trick this intelligent being.
[The system was able to the first 3 days after that we were denied access. This is for personal space and healthy coexistence.]
Agwa was happy because of that, she's able to get what she needs and doesn't have to worry about her system knowing all her thoughts. Those three rules were really effective. Used that all the time to fool my clients.
*****
One day passed, Agwa was currently at the study looking through the bookshelves about professional music books. She didn't read them much, but just got something to help her with the arrangement. Throughout the day she's also been practicing her vocals. She hasn't used perfect singing yet since it's only effective for a short time. While she was writing down notes, the phone rang. It was from an unfamiliar number. After the call was connected, she heard a female voice at the other end.
" Hello Ms. Agwa this is Kim Jihyun, producer of KBS Station's 'The Singer-songwriter' program. This is to let you know that you'll be the third surprise guest for the 3rd episode"
"Our program will be recorded this 16th. Please go to the studio located on the 3rd floor of the KBS building at exactly 8am. The invitation code to enter the program center building will be sent to you later, so please pay attention" Right after that, the other side disconnected. Very smooth speech, no mood swings.
Agwa was shocked, she was not even given a chance to reply, and the other party had already hung up. The entertainment industry is very realistic. If you are popular, you will be respected, but if you're not, why bother.
"Don't be angry, dont be angry, you are not qualified to be angry now". Agwa recited a few words. She extinguished the small flame of dissatisfaction that rose in her hearth. Just wait till you have strength. That's the time you'll show them your back.
Agwa walked to the Karaoke room to practice the song 'I will show you'. She had a lot to do and a lot to learn. Problems are popping up everywhere, but she feels that she's getting the hang of it. She even stops doing some of the tasks that'll damage her vocals, not until she draws items that will cancel out the effect. She's determined to show off a shocking stage.
"This missy will show you beauty beyond human imagination." Agwa arrogantly said.
[Reminding the host you're joining a singing contest, not a beauty pageant].