Chapter 150
The view from the stage always gives me a new feeling.
In the final of
At the debut show, I was proud to finally be able to show my fans my first stage under the name Seleste.
And on this first music show, the only thought that filled my mind was wanting to enjoy the stage.
Seleves who came to the Music K Showdown early in the morning also created the best environment for us to enjoy.
Even though it's only been a few days since the cheering method was released, they've already perfectly memorized all the cheering parts thanks to excellent memorization skills.
Because of the stage sound and the earphones, I couldn't hear the sounds from below the stage clearly, but during the dance break, when they were calling out the members' names, my name clearly penetrated the earphones and reached my ears.
At that time, I really thought that the Crown Prince's ego was awakened by the extreme secretion of endorphins, but fortunately, no such unfortunate event occurred.
"It was so much fun!"
"I naturally took out my in-ears and heard all the cheers."
"Oh, I should have taken out my earplugs too."
The members who came down to the waiting room after finishing the pre-recording were in a state of excitement.
'Now it felt like we've finally made our official debut.'
It also felt the same way.
[You have cleared the linked quest, 'Complete the Official Debut'.]
[Conditions: Complete the debut show (O), Appear on a music show (O)]
[Reward: 1 Lucky Draw Coin, 2 Medium Passive Skill Experience Tickets, 4% System Damage Recovery]
As soon as our pre-recording was finished, a notification popped up saying that the quest was completed.
I received the reward with a smile on my face.
'I can finally level up my passive skills.'
'Worship and Revere (C)' with the experience point slot half-filled.
It's an outrageous skill that makes people's eyes focus on me when I perform on stage.
I've always wondered how much of an impact this C-ranked skill would have if it were upgraded to a higher level.
Now I can see it.
When I invested both of my experience points, the experience points for 'Worship and Revere' reached MAX.
And with a sparkling golden effect, the alphabet changed.
[Passive skill, 'Worship and Revere' has been upgraded.]
[The first promotion perk will raise your rank by two points!]
['Worship and Revere (B-)']
Even though the system was damaged, it still had a conscience and even offered a special promotion to heresy.
I clenched my fist as I checked my skill level, which had suddenly become B-.
'With this skill, even if my stats are still lower than other idols, I can more than make up for it.'
I haven't checked it yet, but it's likely that members of so-called top-tier idol groups have much higher stats than me.
Friends who are naturally talented like Ji Yoon-chul are probably born with high stats.
Not only that, I have already confirmed that stats will naturally increase if I practice a lot.
That means that some of the major idols who have been active in the idol scene for a long time will have fraudulent stats.
'It's not like everyone is like that, but there are bound to be some exceptional talents within the group.'
My long-term plan going forward will be to improve my skills to the point where I can compete with them.
When I look at the missions the system gives me, they are all related to idol life.
Now, as I gain experience, I can naturally be given quests to obtain various rewards, or I can be given instructions to gain an advantage over strong groups.
In order to prevent the system from disappearing, I have no choice but to desperately complete the quests.
'Does it feel like we're just at the starting line?'
I sighed slightly as I pushed the system window aside.
It seems like so many crazy things have happened so far, but this is only the beginning.
Even if I add up the system damage recovery points gained from this quest reward, it still only fills up to 6%.
I can't even imagine how long it would take to fill this up to 100%...
"I'm finally feeling a little more relaxed, man."
"Were you nervous?"
"Haha, I tried my best not to show it."
Chae Eun-gyu, who was sitting next to me and drinking water, burst into a hearty laugh.
His eyes were sparkling with bright light.
"It really felt different from our debut show. Back then, it was a bit more comfortable because it was just us, but this time, other groups were able to see our pre-recording."
"Yes."
Groups that pre-record in the same time zone can monitor each other's stages.
I didn't even think about watching another stage today.
"So I think I felt like I needed to put more strength into my body and do better."
"I had a similar thought. Since there are fans of other groups here too."
"... Not this time."
Chae Eun-gyu's bright voice lowered slightly.
"Next time, we might compete with a group like Connex. That's why I think I need to make up my mind from now on."
So it was.
For Chae Eun-gyu, dealing with Connex would have a huge meaning.
I answered jokingly, trying to lighten his immediately serious expression.
"We should try to avoid overlapping as much as possible. If we do, our chances of winning first place will naturally decrease."
"Hahaha! Now that I think about it, that's right. Can we get first place this time?"
"Just looking at the initial record, it seems like the fans are really working hard, so I cautiously predict that it's okay to look forward to it."
"1st place.... 1st place."
Chae Eun-gyu repeated the word "first place" as if it didn't feel real.
"I'm really curious to know what it would feel like to receive a trophy."
"You will be able to check it soon."
"I hope so. I definitely want to get first place at least once before our promotions end."
I nodded in agreement with his hopeful words.
Since our album sales records are so outstanding, these words are not just empty talk.
I also thought that it would be nice if we could be in first place like Chae Eun-gyu before our activities ended.
* * *
"This week's #1 with all the scores added up is! Congratulations, Seleste!"
'Huh?'
I froze for a moment as I watched the pollen bursting out from all directions.
It was the same for other members.
An expression that doesn't even seem to recognize what the situation is.
Song Hyung-bin bowed and received the trophy that the MCs were handing him.
His two eyes quickly scanned the members' faces.
As if asking for help.
"Firs, first of all, to all Seleves who came to cheer us on! Thank you so much, and I love you!"
Instead of Song Hyung-bin, whose hands were full, Chae Eun-gyu began to speak.
Chae Eun-gyu also still had a look that said he couldn't tell if this was a dream or reality, but he still managed to mechanically bring out the words that came to his mind.
"I promised myself that I would always make music with an unchanging attitude, and I am very happy that we can repay Seleve in this way."
"And most of all, I sincerely thank and love our parents who gave birth to us seven members and raised us so beautifully!"
Song Hyung-bin, who handed over the trophy to Yoo Min-ha, quickly took over.
"Thank you to the Sigma Entertainment family for giving us the opportunity to debut on stage with such a great song...."
Still, Song Hyung-bin was thinking about what to say, as he quickly recovered from the initial shock and smoothly conveyed his thoughts.
"...Hyung."
"Hmm?"
"... This isn't a hidden camera, right?"
Ji Yoon-chul, who was momentarily startled when the pollen burst out, spoke to me in his usual voice.
I smiled, holding his hand tightly.
"I guess it really is reality."
"... That's ridiculous."
I think so too.
I never dreamed that I would get the first-place trophy right after our debut.
Even if the album sells well, the activity score is still low, and it hasn't even reached the top of many music charts.
"... I will continue to be Selest, who sings hard without losing my original intention. Thank you!"
"Thank you!"
"Seleve, thank you so much!"
"I love you!"
We greeted the Seleves, who cheered enthusiastically from below the stage.
Some people were holding slogans with the members' names on them.
Some of them must have been at our debut show since they were holding the light sticks they gave them back then.
As I saw that sight, another thought came to my mind.
'Come to think of it, our cheering stick should come out soon too.'
There has been no news regarding the cheering stick yet.
We are scheduled to tour music shows for the next three weeks, but I don't know how long Sigma Entertainment is going to keep Seleves' hands empty.
Just don't get cursed at again then.
We briefly exchanged thanks with the other idol teams who came up on stage for the ending and sang live and faithfully until the encore.
Although the high notes were a bit shaky because Heo Yu-bin started to cry in the middle, it was fortunate that it didn't lead to a loss of pitch.
After a long time of expressing our gratitude and love to Seleves, our first appearance on Music K Showdown has come to an end.
It wasn't until I got backstage and entered the hallway that it finally started to feel real.
The fact that we are currently holding the first place trophy that I spoke about with Chae Eun-gyu earlier.
"...Is this real?"
"I don't know if I can accept this right now...."
Even the always noisy peers looked at the trophy Song Hyung-bin was holding in a daze.
Then, Song Hyung-bin smiled brightly and handed the trophies to his younger brothers.
"Wouldn't it be more realistic if you touched it directly? "
Starting with Yoo Min-ha and Heo Yu-bin, we all raised our hands to the first place trophy.
The moment my hand touched the cold metal surface of the trophy, it felt like a thrilling electric current was running through it.
And right then.
[You have completed the linked quest, 'Get 1st place on a music show.']
[Achievement,
[Rewards will be paid!]
[Reward: 2 Lucky Draw Coins, Passive Skill Experience Points (Medium) x4, System Damage Recovery 4%]
I tried hard to suppress a laugh as I read the system instructions.
As expected, the system was thinking of giving me the quest to 'win first place on a music show'.
However, we won first place right after our first appearance, which broke the hidden achievement.
'I saw earlier that passive skills that were upgraded to B- required at least twice as much experience to be promoted.'
I have to invest a whopping 8 experience point coupons (medium) to go from B- to B.
At this point, I was slightly worried about whether it would be a better choice to increase another passive.
'First of all, there is no time to think about that here.'
All of the idols who had briefly welcomed each other on stage were out and greeting each other in the hallway leading to the waiting rooms.
"Is this the greeting time that Manager Hyung was talking about?"
"I think so."
"Ther, there are so many seniors."
Heo Yu-bin whispered in my ear in a small voice.
Our manager told us in advance that after all the music show filming was over, there would be time for everyone to say hello.
As the youngest members, we greeted the cast members earnestly.
As the members welcomed each other with great energy, some people felt embarrassed.
There were also senior groups that congratulated us on winning first place.
About half of the cast had finished greeting each other and left the filming set.
"Thank you for your hard work!"
"Seleste, you've worked hard too~."
I looked at a senior who was warmly holding Song Hyung-bin's hand.
Shane, the leader of Haillight, patted us on the shoulder and laughed.
"Congratulations on first place!"
"Thank you, senior!"
"Thank you!"
"You don't have to go that far to say hello, haha."
I also smiled brightly to match his cheerful attitude.
I instinctively felt that the atmosphere of Ji Yoon-chul, who was bowing his head next to me, had changed slightly.
'What's going on?'
Ji Yoon-chul's eyes remained fixed on the floor.
Of course, he's usually a quiet and timid guy, but he never had his eyes downcast like this.
"Congratulations on first place."
After a while, a member of Haillight spoke to us.
At that moment, Ji Yoon-chul's shoulders moved.
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