Chapter 88
A break period after the 3rd ranking announcement ceremony.
The trainees, who had been going through a tough schedule for over two months, worked hard to build up their stamina in order to burn the last flame.
Everyone spent peaceful times laughing with each other and exchanging silly jokes, but the air inside the dormitory was always filled with a slight sense of tension.
It felt like the calm before a storm.
'Now there is only one final threshold left.'
Even I, who was lying alone in an empty cell, could not relax.
Since we've entered the final stage, we need to prepare as much as we can.
First, I brought up the status window and checked my current stats and proficiency.
Name: Karis von Walden (Han Ji-hyeok)
Age: 20 (28)
Singing ability: B+ (16/30)
Dance: B+ (1/30)
Stamina: A- (55/60)
Appearance: SSS (cannot be changed)
Talent: B (27/30)
Trait: Crown Prince of the Kingdom, One Who Subdued the Demon King
Abnormal Status: Otherworldly Being (Possessed)
As I prepared for the 3rd competition stage, my skills improved considerably.
Thanks to this, the dance stat, which was B, was upgraded to B+, and the talent stat may soon reach B+.
I can't invest too much right now because I've almost used up all the points I was saving up to restore my singing stat that dropped due to the penalty, but if this trend continues, my stamina and talent stats will go up by one level after my debut.
'There are many achievements that can be achieved after debuting, so there is no need to be impatient about my stats.'
I looked at my achievements, which were marked with black padlocks, and categorized the ones I could accomplish soon.
The skill points that could be obtained through repeated practice were already becoming a mine.
The goal of appearing on a live broadcast has also increased to 10 times, which is something that cannot be achieved as a trainee.
In that case, the only things left are 'meeting a certain number of viewers' and the final quest given by the system, 'debut within 365 days'.
'If you look at the game system, the reward for clearing the final quest will not end with just skill points or lucky draw coins.'
I'm happy with the sweet rewards that await me after my debut, but first, I wonder if there's something I can use right away during the final round.
My gaze returned to the Lucky Draw Shop at the bottom of the system window.
Lucky Draw Shop, a random gacha style store.
The first time I used it, I got tremendous results; the second time I used it, I got worse results than if I had not used it at all.
I clenched my teeth as I thought about the physical pain and stat drops that followed after failing the hidden quest.
'Now I need to be bold rather than cautious. Especially if a penalty is imposed during a live broadcast, it would be a huge disaster.'
During that time, it was natural to save as much as possible since it was difficult to obtain lucky-draw coins.
However, since this is the final round, it would be better to invest boldly rather than experience failure like last time.
Depending on the situation, I may need to be prepared to use both of my Lucky Draw coins in this final round.
I closed my eyes and thought about the final round mission.
Although the production staff creates a battle of wits among the trainees in each round, the final boasts the highest level of difficulty.
If you're not careful, you could end up mentally broken before you even go on a live broadcast.
Based on the final round format, my current position is not bad.
However, it will be an ambiguous position that cannot be completely reassuring.
'... There may come a time when I have to take a gamble.'
* * *
"Something feels strange."
"Do you feel strange? "
"Yeah."
As always, we gathered in the auditorium, but the scenery that unfolded before our eyes was very different from usual.
Perhaps the strange feeling that Kang Si-yoon talks about originated here.
"It's definitely strange to see a set with full LED lights like that after always seeing wooden floors."
"Uh, um.... After hearing what Hyung said and looking at it again, it seems a little like that."
Heo Yu-bin looked down at his chest while pulling down his clothes.
"And don't you think the rankings are written larger today? Is this just my imagination? "
"I don't think it's just your imagination, Yubin."
"That's right, Hyung-nim! The letters have definitely gotten bigger! "
I nodded quietly to Heo Yu-bin.
It was the production team that always attached our current ranking to our training suits.
However, the results of the third ranking announcement ceremony posted today were much bigger than the previous ones.
"Did you all have a good rest?"
Choi Sia walked out to the front of the LED set and smiled brightly.
"It's already the last time I'll be giving missions to the trainees. I guess that means time has passed quickly. It's already the finale. How do you feel about meeting the national managers live?"
"I'm so nervous! "
"I hope I don't make any mistakes! "
"I'm nervous! "
"I think everyone is going to feel the same way. They're going to be nervous, anxious, and even scared. But."
Choi Sia paused for a moment and glanced at us.
"... You must not forget that you are the last trainees left standing among the 96. You have come this far by proving your abilities. So, be confident and show us that you will do your best until the very end."
Her words were full of sincerity.
A gentle applause naturally broke out among the trainees.
"Now, I will now reveal the final round mission of
"Yes!"
"I can't see a single one! "
The set was so large and tall that it had stairs on both sides.
"The final round mission is the 'Debut Showcase'. There are 14 trainees who survived, and 7 trainees who will achieve their dream of debuting. You have to come up here and choose one of the two songs created by the best composers in the country. However, unlike before, you don't just come up and choose a song."
"Oh, no way."
Kang Si-yoon, who heard Choi Sia's words, took a sharp breath.
He pointed to his chest and pursed his lips.
"Isn't this something that's done by ranking?"
"So, by rank? "
"If we're not just choosing the song, it seems like we're dividing it up into parts."
As expected, Kang Si-yoon is quick-witted.
"As soon as the trainees choose a song, they will stand for the part they want to do. Above them are the main positions, such as center, main vocalist, main dancer, and main rapper. The order of choosing the song and position starts with the trainee with the lowest ranking based on the 3rd ranking announcement. And there is a special rule for this round."
"Oh, please."
"It's so ominous―."
"That's right, it's a push."
Probably many trainees noticed.
The fact that they chose songs and positions from lower-ranking trainees hints at something specific.
In a survival game where the law of the jungle is the rule, there is no way that a lower-ranked person would gain an advantage, so naturally a situation will arise where they are pushed out by higher-ranked trainees.
"A trainee who chooses a position can push out a trainee who chose a position first. At this time, the trainee who pushes out can choose which position to send the pushed-out trainee to. However, there is a condition here. When pushing out, you can only send them to an empty position."
"Wow...."
"If it keeps going like this, we might end up going to a different song."
"The person to choose first may be pushed out again and again...."
The intensity increased significantly as the final round began.
"Before we make a full-fledged selection, let's take a look at what songs are prepared. Please play the video."
We looked at the projector screen displayed at the front of the auditorium.
[1. Urban Pop - Addicted]
The first song is in the urban pop genre.
This song is full of a sexy and dreamy feeling and is very impressive with its addictive chorus and groovy bass.
The key point is the leisurely yet intense choreography that takes place over the melody.
"Wow, the choreography is intense."
"The song is sophisticated and stylish."
"I definitely want to go with this. It's totally my style."
"It's good, but... I wonder if I can handle it well."
It is definitely a fresh and addictive concept. The performance is also strong, making it an attractive song that will leave an impression.
However, at first glance, the choreography was quite difficult, so the trainees had a lot of concerns.
The second song was then released.
[2. Future House - COSMOS]
In the future house genre.
If the previous one had a sophisticated and unique feel, this one has a truly classic feel.
A bright and cheerful atmosphere and a melody that hooks well.
It is an easy-listening song that you can comfortably listen to and sing along to, meaning it has strong popularity.
"The song is clean."
"This is good too?"
"I think this is better than the previous one. It has a more popular feel."
"Wow, but the choreography here is also coming out at a really fast pace."
In terms of choreography difficulty, the two songs are similar.
But there is a difference in the atmosphere.
The song follows the urban pop melody and has a sexy feel, so it must bring out each individual's lines well.
In particular, there are many parts of the choreography that involve wave movements or body movements following the rhythm.
On the contrary, it is mainly composed of sword dances that unfold over a brisk accompaniment.
Clean lines and balanced choreography must be performed with precise timing to create an energetic atmosphere.
"For the next 30 minutes, please choose the song you want based on the two video clips."
As soon as Choi Sia finished speaking, we quickly turned on the tablet provided by the production team.
Everyone gathered together and listened to the mission songs diligently.
A flood of questions poured in from both sides of me.
"Karis, which do you think is better? The two songs feel so different."
"Hyung-nim, I think I was wrong! The choreography is too difficult! "
"Karis hyung-nim! Karis hyung-nim! How about a sexy feeling? I think you might be able to show off a slightly new charm―!"
"It's really hard. I actually like both songs."
"You too, Hyung? "
"But actually, I think pushing out is more of a problem than the song."
Kang Si-yoon, Heo Yu-bin, Yoo Min-ha, Song Hyung-bin, and Chae Eun-gyu were all putting their heads together to discuss which song to go with and how to attack the push-out system.
I was also deeply thinking while simulating various situations.
Just then, an unwelcome red letter blinks.
[Status Abnormality: Otherworldly Being (Possessed Person) - Activation]
[※An emergency mission is created. An emergency mission is created.※]
[Emergent Mission: Nothing is more important than gaining an advantageous position in war. Either song is fine. Just take the center and make your presence known. (No time limit)]
'... This damn thing.'
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