Chapter 46
The issue of school violence is a relatively common problem in the idol industry.
No matter how much they declare that they are conducting a character test, it is impossible to completely uncover the past.
However, there are also many cases where school violence revelations are false.
Insufficient evidence based on vague memories also occurs frequently.
So what's important is how much solid evidence these revelations have.
[
[The never-ending problem of idols' personality... This time it's
[
It didn't take long for the expose to be posted, reach the production team's ears, and be relayed to Park Se-han.
The decision to step down was made just an hour after the news was delivered.
'Hmm.'
After the commotion on set had died down a bit, I went into my cell and turned on my phone for a moment.
I knew that he had left the show due to controversy, but I couldn't remember the details of the process.
After looking at the articles about Park Se-han's school violence, I realized why he decided to step down without any rebuttal.
'In the student records, in the teachers' testimonies, in the hospital reports, There's a long line of things that can't be manipulated.'
It was a similar situation last time.
No one could have imagined that Park Se-han, who was at the top of the rankings, would have such a past.
Even this time, he took on the roles of center and leader at the same time.
"Hey, what do you guys do? "
"I'm screwed. I'm so devastated right now, I don't even know where to start or what to do."
"Are you redoing the route and part distribution? "
"Ha... How can I finish this? "
A trainee's lament was heard outside Cell 12.
The midterm evaluations are over, and there are only a few days left until the actual competition.
The group that Park Se-han belonged to was in a state of utter despair.
'I knew something like this would happen, so it was definitely effective to break up with Park Se-han.'
It's a shame for the other trainees, but for me, everything went according to plan.
I was able to make a name for myself by receiving benefits in the first competition.
Special benefits can also be used in reverse to ensure that teams like Park Se-han are not guaranteed a spot in the second round.
With this, we are one step closer to a problem-free debut.
While I was browsing the internet for a moment, I suddenly remembered a special rule that would appear starting from the second round.
'The notice should have been posted by now.'
When I searched for the keyword 'fever time', articles came up one after another.
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[
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As of now, a new referendum is scheduled to be held the day after the second round of competition recording ends.
Both the media and viewers were showing interest in
Park Se-han's revelation of school violence unintentionally became noise marketing.
'The most urgent task is to successfully complete the second round.'
Even if other groups are confused, we just need to focus on our own path.
The moment I tried to get out of bed, stretching.
[Hidden link quest, 'Get 1st place overall in the 2nd competition' has been created.]
[Reward: 20 Skill Points]
A new quest appears with a golden effect.
I closed my eyes slightly as I looked at the text: '2nd round overall, 1st place.'
'Have I raised the expectations of the system too high?'
In the first round, we didn't just place in the top 3; we took first place overall.
Perhaps due to that influence, the difficulty of this hidden, linked quest seems to have increased.
I thought about it for a moment and then clicked on the 'Lucky Draw Shop' at the bottom of the status screen.
[Lucky Draw Coins Held: 2]
As a result of diligently completing hidden quests, I still have 2 coins left.
I had been saving the store to only use it in truly emergency situations.
'The reward for this quest is skill points, not lucky draw coins... it may take some time to get the coins again.'
Even so, I can't just overlook skill points.
Because it's obvious that the points needed to raise stats will increase significantly as I progress.
After much deliberation, I made a decision.
[Would you like to participate in the lucky draw? ]
The moment I pressed the Yes button, the gacha machine's sound effects were loud.
I looked at the dazzling light and prayed earnestly in my heart.
'I don't even expect an S-rank like last time, so please give me at least a usable item.'
A yellow capsule came out of the gacha machine exit.
[Check out the results! ]
As I pressed the capsule with a nervous heart, a bright golden effect poured out.
[Congratulations! You have obtained the A-grade item, 'Random Stat Booster'.]
It has a name almost similar to the S-rank item 'Skill Amplifier' obtained in the first competition.
Looking at the name, it seems like it would be an item that increases stats instead of skills. The problem was the word 'random' in front.
'This time I can't use the amplifier where I want.'
'Skill Amplifier' could be freely applied to any skill you wanted.
So, by applying the 'Worship and Revere' passive, I was able to draw an enormous response from the stage.
I looked at the yellow turntable and took a deep breath.
'The best-case scenario is... that the song or dance is chosen.'
It's best if it will be one of the abilities required for the center.
After swallowing dry saliva, I turned the turntable.
The turntable that had been spinning round and round slowly stopped.
I stared at the end of the arrow without blinking even once.
[You have won! Your 'Appearance' stat will increase by one level.]
[System Error: 'Appearance' stat is already at maximum.]
[The 'Appearance' stat SSS remains the same.]
"... F**k."
Before I knew it, a curse came out of my mouth.
This is the worst outcome. It couldn't be worse.
Out of all those stats, why did it have to be appearance, which is already maxed out?
These are ridiculous odds.
'The item effect also disappeared... It turned out that I only lost one lucky draw coin.'
My head is spinning.
I closed my eyes tightly for a moment, resting my hand on my forehead.
'In the end, this second round of competition must proceed as is.'
I have to do it on my own somehow, without any help from the system.
No matter how much I complain, nothing will change.
I should have practiced a little more during that time.
I stood up, shaking my head quickly.
'I don't know why, but I have a bad feeling.'
I checked the time and saw that there were only a few minutes left until the scheduled practice session.
Normally, when I go down to the practice room, I only think about the route and choreography.
"Karis, are you okay? You look a little tired."
"Oh, it's okay. I was really nervous about the midterm exam, but I feel like I passed it without any problems, so I feel less nervous. That's why I think I'm a little tired."
Song Hyeong-bin, who was warming up hard before the actual practice, looked at me with a worried look.
"We've made progress much faster than the other groups, so we can take it easy, right? If you have any trouble, just tell me. Okay? "
"All right."
"You guys too! If you're having a hard time, be sure to take a break."
"Yes!"
Song Hyeong-bin, whose abnormal state of 'indecisiveness' was gone, conducted the practice with a much more relaxed expression on his face.
And strangely enough, he continued to care about me.
"Karis, this part will be a little difficult. The choreography in the center is a little different, right? Then, change the feeling a little bit like this······."
I laughed internally while receiving one-on-one tutoring from Song Hyeong-bin.
Somehow, I feel like I am being taken care of even more after the early morning consultation.
'Is Song Hyeong-bin continuing to express his gratitude in his own way?'
There is no way I would turn down the help of a special all-rounder.
Thanks to Song Hyeong-bin, I was able to escape from distracting thoughts and focus on practicing.
"Okay, should we change the route here again? "
"How about doing it this way, differently from verse 1?"
As the practice went smoothly, it seemed like other team members were naturally coming up with ideas.
As we worked up a sweat together and moved our bodies until late at night, the ominous feeling from before somewhat went away.
'Just do what I've been doing.'
The day of the second competition arrived quickly.
* * *
The area in front of the filming set where the second round of
There were also many people who came from far away to attend.
There were already quite a few people who brought their own placards and slogans.
Of course, Homma was one of them.
'Hmm. As expected, my good-making skills are not dead!'
This was the conclusion she came to after comparing her own charismatic slogan with the slogans of other trainees around her.
She was very satisfied with the quality of the product, considering it had been made for a long time.
'I'm really curious to see what kind of legend will emerge this time.'
After a long wait, she was able to enter the filming set.
Homma, who was standing quite close to the stage, checked the filming equipment and listened to MC Choi Sia's announcement.
"Welcome, national managers, to the second round of
This time, individual voting is also included.
That means this benefit will likely be much stronger than the 5,000-vote benefit from the first round.
"First in line. From the 2020 team...."
And so the real competition began.
Homma waited only for Karis von Walden to appear.
She didn't care at all who was in the other group.
"Hello, we are!"
"
In 2020, attention was inevitably focused on the hit song.
Because there were 4 trainees who boasted single-digit rankings.
'Chae Eun-gyu, Baek Si-hwa, and Yoo Min-ha are in the same group. That place must be incredibly powerful.'
In fact, as Homma had thought, there was a huge response.
They were also trainees who already had a considerable number of personal fans.
The stage itself was completed really refreshingly and energetically.
'That's target number one. They did a great job.'
Thinking about the trainees who had yet to appear, Homma earnestly hoped that Karis would meet good teammates.
At that time, when the heat was at its peak,.
"Next group. They're going to decorate the stage with the song that was a huge hit in 2010.
The golden hair was captured by Homma's sharp gaze.
And then, immediately, a man of extraordinary appearance walked slowly up onto the stage.
"Karis―!"
A loud noise burst out without her knowing it.
The new hairstyle that she had only seen on TV suited him so well.
Even the costumes stirred her heart.
'Un, uniform with half-bangs? Are you crazy?'
A black uniform with luxurious decorations.
The well-built Karis von Walden looked as if he had been born in uniform, showing off his perfect visuals.
Homma opened her mouth and looked up, unconsciously pressing the shutter.
'You're on the same team as Song Hyeong-bin? This is really crazy.'
The one waving next to Karis was Song Hyeong-bin, who had won first place at the last ranking announcement ceremony.
They are both tall, making for a really charming two-shot.
'With this level of combination, it's worth a try.'
As Homma was burning with the will to fight inside, the stage went dark.
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