episode_0061

“1st place is contestant Ha Ye-rin-!!”

Pow-!!

Although I was not the final winner and only took first place in the first ranking announcement ceremony, when my name was called, a small firework set up behind the stage went off at the same time.

Is that why?

Even though I got the first place I wanted… .

“… … .”

… I was so dazed that I couldn’t say anything.

“Contestant Ha Ye-rin, who took first place, please move up to the first place right now.”

“… … Yes.”

At Han Si-woo’s words, I slowly climbed the stairs.

Jeopuk-, Jeopuk.

Every time I took a step, I could feel the participants’ eyes on me.

Envy, jealousy, and envy.

But the biggest feeling is… .

Awe.

Jerk.

To put it in a vulgar way, it’s a joke.

1st among trainees who haven’t even debuted yet.

Nevertheless, when I took first place, the other contestants opened their mouths and looked up to me.

“… … .”

I looked down at them once… .

width.

… I sat down in my first seat.

“Ha… .”

As soon as I sat down, I automatically let out a sigh of exhaustion.

“… … .”

At that time, I felt like I was possessed by something.

It feels like I’m dreaming… , It seemed as if it was floating in the air.

“… Miss Yerin.”

The reason I escaped this fantasy was because of Han Si-woo’s comment progression.

He also looked at me as if he was possessed by something and spoke into the microphone he held with trembling hands.

“… How do you feel about taking first place in the number of votes at the first ranking announcement ceremony?”

Tuk.

As I listened to him, I noticed the microphone hanging on the armrest of the first place seat.

I heard it as soon as Han Si-woo finished speaking.

but… .

“… … .”

I couldn’t think of what to say.

‘Am I nothing without my fans?’

‘Do you think this position is too much for me?’

If you want to gain a more favorable image, you should say something humble.

however… .

“… … .”

“… … .”

The moment I was about to speak, I stopped when I saw the participants’ eyes looking at me again.

And at that moment… .

I knew what I was getting into.

Past life and present life.

Me, who lived only the lowest life… , looking at me with those eyes… .

Doesn’t it seem as if it is a star illuminating the world in a dark sky?

… … .

It’s thrilling.

At first, I thought that being an idol would not be a job for me.

I thought it was something I had no choice but to do because of debt.

I was thinking of quitting right away if a problem arose.

but… .

‘… You’ll never quit.’

I knew intuitively that I would never be able to quit being an idol.

Right now at this moment… , this momentary feeling… .

Because I will never forget it from now on.

“… Thanks to our fans, we have come this far. I have never been number one in my life… , I feel really happy to be ranked first in votes thanks to the fans. therefore… .”

I felt so good at that time.

So I said something I wouldn’t normally say.

“I will continue to be first in the future.”

“… … !”

Murmur.

When I said that, everyone on set was excited.

People here know that I am not as arrogant as I appear.

I was surprised that I, who was usually quiet and unemotional, spoke so confidently.

And soon their gaze… .

Sigh-.

I turned to Yu Seol, who had not yet ascended to the podium.

Before the first team competition, she was actually the top performer, but at the ranking announcement ceremony, she lost her pride and came in second place.

What would be her reaction when she heard me say that she would continue to be first in the future?

Everyone seemed curious.

This was the same for me too.

‘… Hehe, what did I say… .’

For a moment, I pursed my emotional lips and looked down at Yu Seol.

me too… , I wondered what she was thinking about right now.

“Now, the JJ Entertainment Yoo Seol contestant who took second place in the number of votes, please also go up to your seat and tell us your thoughts!”

Jeopuk-, Jeopuk.

At Han Si-woo’s words, Yoo Seol took the second place with a small, meaningless smile.

And then he took one look at me… .

“… … .”

I looked at the camera in front of the podium again and picked up the microphone.

On her face… .

Sarrr-.

“Thank you so much to all the fans!”

Smiles were blooming brighter than ever.

‘… … and.’

No matter how good your acting skills are, in a situation like this, you would probably show at least a little bit of disappointment, but there was nothing like that on Yoo Seol’s expression right now.

Not only I but everyone on the set was amazed to see her.

but… .

“Of course, it was all thanks to the fans that we rose to the undeserved position of 2nd place despite our lack of skills. and… .”

Sigh-.

“… … !”

“I would also like to say congratulations to Yerin who took first place. I think I learned a lot from watching Yerin and the other contestants’ performances.”

When Yoo Seol said that and bowed her head to me, I couldn’t help but feel something strange.

Sigh-.

When Yoo Seol bowed his head to me, I also bowed my head right away, not to be outdone.

On the outside, it was a scene with a warm atmosphere, but in reality, a detailed search was going on to uncover Yu Seol’s inner thoughts.

Why does Yoo Seol suddenly lower his head?

‘Are you trying to put me down by showing a contrast to my slightly arrogant comment earlier?’

Of course, there is a possibility that it could be like this, but it is a crude installation and too sloppy.

It has already been proven that the largest number of my fans are formed in Naaah, and there are almost no anti-fans towards me, except for those who are polarizing fans.

It wasn’t for me to have my image damaged to this extent.

‘So you’re just trying to do something?’

That may be so.

No matter how far-fetched the theory may be, if you come in second in a program where you are expected to finish first, your composure may be broken.

As a result, I thought that Yoo Seol had a mental breakdown and did something he didn’t need to do… .

“… … .”

When I looked up again, I made eye contact with her and put that thought aside.

‘… ‘Your eyes are so calm.’

Right now, Yu Seol had not lost his composure. Because her eyes as she looked at me were eerily calm.

‘then… , ah… .’

Then I realized something I had forgotten… .

‘Yuseol status window.’

I opened Yu Seol’s status window.

Normally, I don’t often open my status window with others.

The status window… Because, unless something goes wrong, nothing has changed from before.

But the theory is… , Wasn’t there something strange in the status window at that time?

And when I checked her status window, I could see that her locked characteristics were unlocked.

[Yu Seol]

[Age: 21]

[Characteristics: Protagonist, Darkening]

[Body Detailed Stats]

[Intelligence Detailed Stats]

[Art Detailed Stats]

[Characteristics: Protagonist – You are the main character of this story. Of course, your life is not smooth. But no matter what hardships you face, keep moving forward toward your dreams. If you don’t stop… , the final winner will definitely be you.]

[Characteristic effect: The main character does not fall – Activates only in times of adversity and hardship (currently active) Tenacity, patience, mental strength, and physical strength stats increase significantly! All other stats increase slightly!]

[Characteristic: Blackening (temporarily unlocks locked traits) – The world is cruel. You tried to tell the story somehow with hope, but the world wouldn’t let you go. Your heart becomes increasingly dark as you continue to face hardships that seem to deny your success. Light and darkness coexist. You choose to embrace darkness for your life.]

[Characteristic effect: I will live for myself – All humanity stats are drastically reduced! All intelligence details will increase significantly! All other stats increase slightly!]

“… … .”

… Something huge kicked us and rushed out.

‘Especially during attribute effects, all humanity values are greatly reduced… ? Isn’t that a bit dangerous…? ?’

Grinning.

“… … !”

As soon as I confirmed the characteristics, I couldn’t help but be shocked to see Yu Seol smiling at me.

Because now I roughly understand the meaning of that smile.

Now she is smiling and sharpening a sharper knife than anyone else.

And the tip of that sword… . It will definitely be directed at me.

Yu Seol, not anyone else, is targeting me.

Oh soso.

Just thinking about it gave me goosebumps.

Thanks to this, the excitement and pleasure of coming in first place at the ranking announcement ceremony disappeared.

‘Let’s not get involved with Yu Seol as much as possible this week… .’

Thinking like that, I closed my eyes on the side of Yu.

**

“… The next person eliminated is Thai Hi Entertainment trainee Yoon Se-ah. The final number of votes was 6273 and the final ranking was 89th.”

“Ah… !”

After the announcement of the first and second place rankings, the announcement of the eliminated candidates followed.

Most of the contestants on the candidate list suffered the bitter suffering of being eliminated… .

“Huh… .”

Among the eliminated candidates who could not bear the sadness, there were some who burst into tears.

It couldn’t have been a truly sad sight… .

I didn’t pay much attention because all my attention was focused on Yu Seol.

In fact, most of the participants were at a level where it would be better to look into other jobs… , there was no particular inspiration.

However, I couldn’t help but cringe at the scene where the eliminated candidates finally pack their bags and leave.

It was because it seemed so bitter to see them longing for a dream that could not be achieved.

“Now, a total of 38 people were eliminated in the first team contest.”

After the sudden announcement of the eliminated candidates… .

“But the remaining contestants must perform a second team competition to survive this week.”

Han Si-woo picked up the microphone in a heavy atmosphere.

When I heard that it was the second team contest, I adjusted my posture and focused on what he was going to say.

“Naaa 3rd week. So, the theme of this second team contest is… , ‘I hope we become friends’!”

“… Do you want to become friends?”

… Participants were buzzing about the unusual concept of the second team contest.

Han Si-woo looked at the participants and smiled and continued.

“You probably became friends with many of the participants while hosting this event… , in fact, there are probably more participants who do not. Right?”

right.

In fact, in my case, the only participants I can say I am close with are Lee Hye-jung and Park Yoo-jung.

The rest barely said hello, and there were many participants who couldn’t even say their full name.

“This contest has been prepared to promote friendship among you. In this week, you will be on a team with contestants you have been estranged from for a while.”

… In the end, doesn’t that mean you’re teaming up with awkward people? … Nope.

To form a team with people who are more estranged from each other… , How will the team be selected this time?

These questions were resolved in Han Si-woo’s next comment.

“So, are you curious about how teams are selected?”

“Yes-!!”

“Don’t worry! Your team has already been decided!”

“… Yes?!”

What does it mean that the team has already been decided… .

I checked to see if there was a sandwich selection system this week like last week… , there was nothing that stood out.

“The Naaa production team has already formed a team with members who would be good to get to know each other through big data.”

“… … !”

This time, they just formed their own team.

This made me nervous.

Big data, whatever, but it was difficult to think that the production team of Naaah would have selected the team in a fair way.

‘They must have put together a combination of teams that will get good viewership ratings.’

I prayed that the production crew didn’t put together the worst team.

and… .

“Now, please look at the screen! The list on the screen now is the team you will be working with this week!”

“… … Wow.”

I couldn’t help but be shocked when I saw my team on the screen.