episode_0044

It wasn’t a phone call.

Huh? Then it must be a message.

But who would leave me a message?

“Could it be the kids?”

Tilting my head, I checked my smartphone.

Ah, so the group chat for the club was created.

I skimmed through the list of members.

62 people.

A number that could be considered either large or small, depending on perspective.

The rest of the message was just a notice about the club orientation this Saturday.

Hmm, should I go or not?

It’s not like I have any plans for Saturday, anyway.

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, did the kids get in alright?

Xiaolin isn’t much of a concern, but Ume and Rachel are a bit worrying.

Ume’s got a heart of gold, but her face is a weapon that makes your knees weak, and Rachel’s got a sweet face, but her way of speaking is just as much of a cringe-inducing weapon.

Suppressing my worries, I quickly scanned the group chat members.

“Let’s see…”

Xiaolin, with her excellent social skills, got in without a hitch.

Ah, Ume’s name is there too.

Looks like she managed to hold a decent conversation with the interviewers.

“Rachel… Ah, here she is.”

Rachel’s account was instantly recognizable.

Her profile picture was a selfie with one eye covered by her hand and a haughty expression on her face.

‘She must’ve struggled a lot.’

Imagining Rachel twisting her body awkwardly while taking that photo and setting it as her profile made me burst out laughing.

Wiping the smile off my face, I pocketed my phone and finally turned the doorknob.

Let’s just get this over with quickly.

“Ah, Junhyeon. Good morning.”

“Ah, yeah… Good morning.”

“Still as tired as ever today?”

Ume, who had taken the seat next to me at the desk, asked me a question.

“You know I’m always busy, right?”

I’m usually tired, but today, I’m especially exhausted.

The reason? I woke up at dawn to prepare an ultra-premium lunchbox as the Chef persona.

Of course, I didn’t skip my morning training either.

So naturally, my eyes keep drooping.

“Ah, I think I know why.”

Just then, Xiaolin peeked over Ume’s shoulder and spoke up.

“Is it because you’re practicing for a new holographic performance and don’t have time?”

“No. I don’t have anything like that scheduled.”

“Ehehe~ No need to say more. I already know. You signed some kind of NDA and can’t tell us, right?”

No, seriously, there’s nothing.

This girl’s imagination is way too wild—it’s a problem.

Sure, I’ve signed similar contracts, but those are just standard NDAs preventing me from leaking performance narratives or details about fellow actors.

Saying something like, “I’ve been practicing for a performance lately,” is totally fine.

“Sigh, think whatever you want.”

“Gasp! Ume! Oh no! I think I actually got it right!”

“Wow~ That’s really impressive. You could be a detective, you know?”

Ume, as always, maintained her smile as she spoke.

I always think this, but Ume’s compliments somehow sound sarcastic.

But given her personality, it’s unlikely she’s deliberately mocking anyone.

Maybe I’m just too twisted?

Then.

—Buzz!

A phone vibrated.

“Huh? Mine?”

“No. It’s mine.”

Casually answering Xiaolin’s puzzled look, I checked my phone.

There was one text message.

The sender? Sandra Gus.

“?”

What the—

Why now, of all times?

I skimmed the message.

To summarize, she asked how I was doing at Providence, mentioned she was casting for her next project, and asked if I was interested.

She offered double my previous fee, considering my rising fame.

200 million won.

Of course, that’s a huge sum.

After buying necessities and paying rent, my funds had taken a hit, but this could cover all those expenses in one go.

Besides, with the Actor persona’s power, preparing for the performance wouldn’t take much time.

And above all, the performances themselves are pretty fun.

Plus, the role Sandra Gus offered this time was the antagonist—the protagonist’s rival.

Playing a villain opposing the main character? Sounds kinda cool, doesn’t it?

No reason to refuse.

After organizing my thoughts, I sent a positive reply to Sandra Gus.

“Why are you grinning like that? Something good happen?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. Just got a role offer and accepted it.”

“Oh, I see… Wait, no! That is a big deal! Why are you acting so casual about it!?”

Because I wanted to see your reaction.

Xiaolin’s reactions are predictable, but they’re so entertaining that it’s always fun to watch.

“When? When’s the performance? I’m going this time! As long as it’s not during midterms, I’m definitely going! Ume, you’re coming too, right?”

“Wow~ Sounds fun.”

Xiaolin’s eyes sparkled as she bounced around, while Ume, as usual, smiled and spoke.

It’s not like I’d be embarrassed if the kids came to see my performance.

Hell, I’ve already performed in front of my homeroom professor, so what’s the big deal?

“Do whatever you want.”

As I casually responded to the kids’ lively reactions—

—Creak!

The front door opened, and Eirin walked in.

Ume straightened her posture and faced forward, while Xiaolin hurriedly returned to her seat.

“It’s time, so I’ll start attendance.”

Every morning, Eirin calls out the students’ names, and the students respond when called.

Once attendance is done, Eirin leaves the classroom with a word of encouragement for the day.

A routine that’s always been there—and will continue to be.

But today, there was a twist.

“I have an announcement. The details for next week’s practical assessment have been released.”

—Ooooh.

Murmurs of excitement spread through the room.

The practical assessment.

Aside from midterms and finals, it’s practically the only way to climb the rankings.

Of course, I already know about it.

I’ve played the game for a long time.

“The assessment will take place in virtual reality. The setting is a large island, where you’ll survive for four days. Of course, you won’t actually spend four days in the capsule. Four days in VR is only six hours in reality, so don’t worry.”

The practical assessment lasts four days in virtual reality.

“There, you can earn points by defeating monsters or Erosion Entities. Naturally, the more points you have, the higher your assessment score. This year, there’s a special rule: if you eliminate another student, you instantly gain 50% of their points. Additionally, you can check every student’s points in real-time through the system.”

Eliminating another student grants 50% of their points.

That’s the fun part.

Will you earn points diligently by hunting monsters and Erosion Entities? Or will you take the risk and target other students for a windfall?

With two distinct strategies, a battle of wits unfolds among the students.

“The location of the top 1% of point holders will be broadcast to all students at all times. So, it’s best to think carefully. If you recklessly hoard points, you’ll quickly become a target.”

Eirin walked toward the front door as she continued.

“That’s all for today’s announcement. Check the detailed notice on the website this afternoon. Now, do your best today.”

With those words, Eirin left the classroom.

—♩ ♪ ♫ ♬~

“That’s all for today’s lecture. Submit your assignments online by next week.”

““Thank you for your hard work.””

The bell signaling the end of class rang, and the classroom quickly buzzed with noise.

“What’s for lunch today?”

“I brought lunch today! I saw something I wanted to try in a short video yesterday. Hehe, you can look forward to it, okay?”

Puffing up with pride, Xiaolin pulled out a lunchbox from her bag, placed it on our desk, and opened the lid.

Inside was a glossy, delicious-looking fried rice.

“Wow~ You made this well.”

“Right? When I put my mind to it, I can do anything! Ehehe!”

Xiaolin puffed out her chest, brimming with pride.

Good.

Time to crush that arrogance in one go.

“I brought lunch too.”

“Huh? You, Junhyeon? You can’t cook. Too bad. Today of all days, you had to pick me as your rival.”

Ignoring Xiaolin’s self-destructive confidence, I pulled out my lunchbox from my bag.

“…Why is it so big?”

“I ended up making a lot.”

I opened the lid.

An indescribably fragrant aroma immediately filled the air.

“Wha—!? W-Wait! What is this!?”

Glancing at the stunned Xiaolin, I continued my explanation.

“Basil pesto pasta, rosemary potatoes, caprese skewers to cut through the richness, egg slices, and salad.”

“No way… You bought this, didn’t you!? I refuse to believe it!”

“That’s harsh. This tastes way better than store-bought.”

I even infused it with magic as the Chef persona.

I made it myself, but damn, the smell is insane.

“Junhyeon, you’re talented at cooking too? That’s amazing. Even my mom can’t cook at this level.”

“Just something I threw together.”

I played it cool under Ume’s praise.

Xiaolin, meanwhile, looked utterly defeated, her soul halfway gone.

A delightful sight.

“But… do you have some business to attend to?”

Just then, Ume tilted her head and looked at me as she asked.

Business? What’s she talking about?

“What do you mean?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. There’s someone behind you.”

Someone behind me?

Hmm.

I think I know who.

I slowly turned my head.

There—

“……”

Serena was staring blankly at my lunchbox.