Chapter 113
For a moment, a mixture of emotions crossed my mind.
First, the joy of having my debut confirmed came.
Announcing the first place candidate means that one person is first and another person is second.
In fact, the news is that Song Hyung-bin and I have been confirmed as the debut members.
I completely seized the second chance that I had worked so hard to win after ten years of hard work.
I somehow managed to make a dream that I had long wished for but had once given up on a reality again.
Secondly, at some point I realized that the throne of number one, which had been catching my eye for so long, was now within arm's reach.
The content of the Grand Quest was simply 'Succeed in your debut'.
But as I went back to the most intense time in my life and burned with passion for idols, I became more and more greedy.
I don't know if it's because the Crown Prince's ego is mixed with mine.
A desire welled up in me that I should be the last one to sit on that shining throne.
If only I could beat Song Hyung-bin here in terms of votes.
I am going to be the one to sit proudly on that throne.
When my mind is filled with all sorts of emotions.
"Let's go, Karis."
Song Hyung-bin lightly tapped my arm, bringing me back to reality.
"...Yes."
As I slowly stepped down from the platform, I heard my remaining friends cheering behind me.
"They're both cool!"
"Congratulations!"
"Karis, use the last great reversal once!"
"Since it has come to this, you have to stay in first place until the end, Song Hyung-bin!"
"Karis hyung-nim!"
"You're so cool, Karis nim!"
In particular, the voices of Yoo Min-ha and Ken Hashimoto were particularly audible.
I turned my head back and looked at the two trainees, who were applauding enthusiastically.
'... Those guys are consistent from beginning to end.'
I was so grateful that they sincerely congratulated me, even though it wasn't their job.
I smiled back at them both and wished them good luck.
I walked towards the stage where Choi Sia was, together with Song Hyung-bin.
I walked down the fairly long runway and slowly looked around.
"Guys, congratulations!"
"Karis is so handsome!"
"1st place! This time, we'll definitely get 1st place!"
Because of the bright music resonating throughout the gym, I couldn't hear everything the national managers said clearly, but the sentences that included my name here and there clearly reached my eardrums.
The energy of the audience that I couldn't feel when I was giving it my all on stage.
The sincerity of fans who shout my name at the top of their lungs.
An indescribable feeling took hold in my heart as I was overwhelmed by this feast of emotions that poured out on me.
'It's as if I've lived to see this moment with my own two eyes.'
Countless eyes are looking up at me.
People who are crazy about my every move.
I often saw these scenes when I was living as a crown prince in
But at that time, there was no communication; I just said what needed to be said and turned around.
I have never been able to enjoy the joy of making eye contact and breathing together with my precious fans like I do now.
At that moment, I slowly turned my head and met the eyes of the national managers standing just below the stage.
I saw a slogan phrase that particularly caught my eye.
[Republic of Korea! Change of system to constitutional monarchy by Karis]
After constantly reading the internet reactions, I knew very well that my fans called me 'Suja nim'.
Every time I saw that guestbook, it felt really strange because it seemed like they knew where I was and what I had been doing.
When I saw those words in person, I felt like the fans really worshipped me like a prince.
There was another phrase that caught my eye.
[This is the time Karis has been dreaming of]
It seemed to accurately represent my feelings of wanting to stand in this place so badly.
The moment of my debut that I always dreamed of.
I have tasted the bitter cup of failure in this exact same place in the past.
It was also the place where I decided to give up my dream of becoming an idol, which I had somehow managed to cherish while overcoming my trials on my own.
But when I cleared the Grand Quest Saga and God asked me for a wish, I felt it more clearly than ever.
It's not that I gave up on my dream, it's that I gave up on my pathetic self.
Now that I'm given another chance, I'm determined to catch the dream I always wanted.
Finally, we arrived at the bottom of the stairs, where the trainees who had been confirmed to debut were sitting.
Song Hyung-bin stood on the left side of the stage, I stood on the right side of the stage, and we each received a microphone.
The first question went back to Song Hyung-bin.
"Trainee Song Hyung-bin has maintained his 1st place until the 3rd ranking announcement ceremony and has firmly defended his throne. Do you think you will be able to hold on to your 1st place until the end of today?"
"To be honest, at first, it didn't really feel real. But as the number '1' continued to appear next to my name, I started to gain greed that I didn't have before. So.... Now that I'm standing here again today, I definitely want to finish in first place."
"Then, on the contrary, trainee Karis."
As soon as my name was called, a huge cheer erupted from the audience.
When Song Hyung-bin's face appeared on the big screen, the national managers also cheered similarly.
When it was my turn, the sound became louder.
"You've risen from 8th place in the first ranking announcement ceremony to now stand side by side with trainee Song Hyung-bin. Can you briefly describe how you feel right now?"
"How I feel right now."
I grabbed the mic and gave a short silence.
After gathering my thoughts about what to say, I opened my mouth and spoke slowly.
"I've always thought about sitting on that throne someday. I can't believe I have the chance to make that dream a reality, and I'm so happy. And.... Since this is a moment that will never happen again in my life, I want to be the main character."
I've never said anything like this directly before.
Song Hyung-bin, who heard my ambition right next to me, smiled the brightest smile I had seen today.
Choi Sia, who was conducting the interview, also smiled meaningfully and asked me a question.
"Your opponent is trainee Song Hyung-bin, who has never fallen. I wonder if there is anything else you want to say to each other."
What I wanted to say.
I locked eyes with Song Hyung-bin for a moment.
When I participated in
But this life was different.
In the second team match, Song Hyung-bin showed his trust in me and tried his best to create a better stage.
To somehow develop the qualities of a leader that he felt he lacked.
Song Hyung-bin could have become arrogant and drunk on the first place ranking, but he maintained a completely different attitude and ultimately led the team to success.
At first, after seeing Song Hyung-bin's overwhelming stats at the level test site, I had doubts about whether I could stand with that trainee.
Now we are confidently fighting for the 1st place throne.
"Just standing here with you, hyung-nim, is a great honor for me. Thank you for all your hard work."
"While I was doing the survival show, there were many times when I thought it would have been really hard without Karis. I'm really glad you were by my side, and let's continue to work hard together."
As the two of us exchanged warm words, the national managers sent us loud cheers.
Choi Sia waited for a moment for the shouting to die down, then finally announced the arrival of Hell.
"Which of these two trainees will be the one to debut in first place in the final round?"
The BGM has changed again.
Music that was much faster and more exciting than the grand melody from before echoed through the gymnasium.
Song Hyung-bin closed his eyes again and pursed his lips.
I straightened my body and looked ahead with unblinking eyes.
"The protagonist of that destiny is none other than!"
As expected, it was Choi Sia who was wasting time.
Song Hyung-bin and I remained in the same posture and did not move, but the national managers, who were waiting for the results without fail, clenched their fists and waited for the results to come out.
That moment when the tension in the gym seems to be at its peak.
"Congratulations! This is Karis von Walden!"
My name was called, and the right to the throne was decided.
And the fans who had been holding their breath let out the loudest cheer they've ever given to someone today.
"Congratulations, Karis!"
As soon as the announcement was made, Song Hyung-bin ran over to me and hugged me tightly.
Now that all the tension had been released, he smiled brightly and repeatedly slapped my back.
"Good job, really good job! You really worked so hard!"
"You too, hyung-nim, have truly worked hard."
"I don't know about anyone else, but I think I would happily give up the throne to Karis."
"That's nonsense―"
"Sincerely."
There was a lot of force at the end of Song Hyung-bin's words.
"You've worked harder than anyone else."
"Everyone works equally hard."
"And like I said before, I really couldn't have gotten here without your help."
The condition he has is 'indecisive.'
Thanks to eliminating that symptom, Song Hyung-bin was able to create scenes where he displayed leadership in appropriate places throughout
And Song Hyung-bin is giving all the credit to me.
I smiled faintly and patted Song Hyung-bin on the back.
"I look forward to working with you in the future."
"I also look forward to working with you."
As we returned to where we were originally standing, Choi Sia congratulated me and asked me how I felt.
"Congratulations, trainee Karis. You were selected as the final ranking member and joined Seleste, so I can't help but ask about your feelings."
"...Yes."
I gripped the mic tighter than I ever had before.
Otherwise, I felt like my hands would shake a little.
"The first thing I have to say right now is simple. I am truly grateful to all the national managers around the world who have always believed in me and supported me."
As I bowed and greeted them, the gym was once again filled with loud cheers.
This time, I watched my feet naturally fall back, and I laughed inwardly.
Even to the end, this crown prince's habits do not change.
"There is something I said at the first ranking announcement ceremony and the subsequent ranking announcement ceremony. In order for the love that the national managers have sent to me not to be in vain, the only way to prove it is through the stage. I have been able to stand here because I have not lost that original intention and have continued to work hard, and I have been able to repay the trust of the national managers."
Keeping my word until the end.
It is a duty that must always be maintained by a crown prince.
"I had a dream to reach the highest point. And that dream came true today. I was able to achieve it because you believed in me, Karis, until the end, and because you gave me unwavering love until the end."
There was a time when I was determined not only to debut but also to achieve first place and sit on the throne.
I once thought that after all that hard work, wouldn't it be nice to climb up onto that throne? I thought that the most suitable place for the crown prince to be was on that throne.
And now, that glorious wind has become a reality.
"I could never have gotten here on my own. It was thanks to the hard work, sweat, and passion of all the trainees that I was able to get here. This beautiful memory that all 96 of us created together will always remain deep in my heart. I would like to once again express my gratitude to the judges, stage directors, and production staff who helped me finish this journey well, and to my friends and national managers who were always with me."
After every word I uttered, the fans cheered me on without ceasing.
This feeling that everyone is in awe of me.
With my eyes filled with the beautiful sight, I concluded my speech by expressing my gratitude in both Estonian and English.
At that time, Song Hyung-bin expressed his feelings with a voice filled with emotion.
A golden message window appears.
[Congratulations, Possessor-nim! You have cleared the Grand Quest, 'Debut within 365 Days.']
[In addition, you have debuted as the final 1st place winner of
[Compensation will be paid.]
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