Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut!

Chapter 38. The One Who Reaches for the Sun (4)

– **”Kang Hajin, aren’t you going to run?”**

– **”Yes, I’m going now.”**

At the memory that automatically resurfaced, my hunched back straightened on its own. Seeing the infamous “resignation duo” (a nickname they had in the past life, short for “PD Kwon and Writer Go spend all four seasons at the office”) made this ridiculous first shoot start to make sense.

‘They were always ones who liked strange things, weren’t they?’

As I tried to grasp what was going on, I remembered adding them to the production company recommendation list at the very last moment. I probably did it while drowning in late-night sentimentality, reminiscing about the past that I had romanticized.

But I never imagined those guys would actually show up!

**”We’ll explain the specific survival rules during the opening recording. For now, we’re planning eight episodes with the first broadcast in May. The show will air simultaneously on Witube and the Ntv channel.”**

Ntv is a cable channel that primarily broadcasts idol reality shows or music survival programs. Miro has had a good relationship with them for several years, so it wasn’t a bad slot at all.

‘No, for a first survival show, this is like hitting the jackpot.’

I nodded, acknowledging the scale that seemed like they had spent some serious money, and subtly hid behind the large frame of Lee Doha.

**”Do you really think you can hide that bulk of yours?”**

**”Shut up, man.”**

Kim Wonho, who had noticed like a ghost, teased me with a face that asked how someone my size could even think of hiding, but I skipped over it. Even though they probably wouldn’t remember me, I didn’t particularly want to stand out either.

**”Alright, let’s take a short break and then we’ll start recording. See you all later~.”**

**”Yes!”**

The announcement must have ended, as the resignation duo smiled and greeted us. At the mention of the broadcast PDs, all the trainees straightened up and greeted them with military-like discipline, and I naturally joined in.

**”……?”**

But why did our eyes meet?

**”Ah, the wall-climbing trio.”**

**”…….”**

**”I saw it. You climbed over well, didn’t you?”**

**”…Haha. Thank you.”**

At PD Kwon’s words, delivered with a thumbs-up, I awkwardly straightened the body I had been trying to shrink.

I’ve already been noticed. Haha.

* * *

After a brief rest, we were once again led to the top floor. The maze that had tired us out earlier had completely disappeared, and in its place was a single green-lit door with the neon letters **”MIRO MAZE”**.

**”If I knew it was a shoot, I would’ve worn something else.”**

**”Man, I was wearing glasses earlier. Good thing I brought my contacts.”**

While waiting, I heard some of the guys grumbling. Well, I too thought it was just another workday and had dressed comfortably.

‘It wouldn’t have been strange if they’d told us to pay attention to our hair and makeup for the first shoot.’

Among us, the only ones who had dressed somewhat appropriately were Lee Doha, who looked like a physical education major, and Jung Siwoo, who was always neatly dressed.

‘And… just those three who look like they’ve been styled specifically for broadcast.’

I scanned Seo Taehyun, Joo Eunchan, and Dan Haru, who were silently observing the surroundings beside me. They were guys who usually had good taste in casual wear, but considering they’d just returned from a three-day break, they were dressed far too well.

‘Especially Joo Eunchan, who’s wearing contacts instead of glasses.’

**”…Why, hyung?”**

**”No, it’s nothing.”**

I shook my head and patted the shoulder of Joo Eunchan (who looked annoyingly handsome today) as he turned to look at me. He must have gotten a hint from Seo Taehyun, who was quick on the uptake. Anyway, I was glad that this handsome face wasn’t wasted and was put to good use on the first day of shooting.

**”Alright, everyone, we’ll start entering in the order of the groups that escaped the maze earlier!”**

With the assistant director’s guidance, the ‘real’ first shoot finally began.

**”Everyone remembers, right? The setup is that you’ve escaped the maze and are now entering here. Make your reactions natural~.”**

‘Natural, huh.’

With kids who haven’t even debuted yet? Not likely.

In any case, the first to escape, Joo Eunchan, Dan Haru, and Seo Taehyun, walked through the gate with absolutely no tension. There were some sounds, as if they were capturing reactions inside, and soon after, my name, along with Lee Doha and Kim Wonho, was called.

**”We’re second?”**

**”After all that wall-climbing, being last would’ve hurt my pride.”**

Guiding the surprised-looking Kim Wonho through the gate, we were greeted by a set that was unrecognizable from the maze we had seen earlier. It was a fantastical space, as if straight out of a scene from *Alice in Wonderland*.

**”…Wow, what is this?”**

**”I’m getting nervous all of a sudden.”**

**”You get nervous too?”**

**”…What do you mean?”**

**”You just don’t seem like the type.”**

Was that a compliment? I couldn’t tell what Lee Doha meant by that, but with those words, we each took our seats, labeled with our names. Soon, the remaining trainees arrived, each letting out different exclamations, and took their seats as well.

Then, shortly after, from the tree paintings in front, Seo Taeil, dressed like the Cheshire Cat, appeared.

**”Those who seek to reach the sun, soar high.”**

**”…….”**

**”You who have gathered here to become the Icarus of the maze, welcome. I am Seo Taeil of Utopia, your mentor, and the host of Miro Maze.”**

With a fluent introduction, everyone clapped and cheered, as if hypnotized. Once the reaction had died down, Seo Taeil continued with a brief introduction of the program and the main proceedings.

**”From now on, you will engage in fierce competition to debut as Miro’s next male idol group. Out of the 18 trainees gathered here, only 7 will seize that opportunity.”**

**”…….”**

**”As this is a survival show that will determine your future, I hope you all give it your best and show us your very best.”**

**”Yes!”**

Only 7. Only 7 out of us will debut.

And I, not only must I be among those 7, but I must also ensure that I debut ‘successfully’ so that this cursed regression doesn’t happen again.

‘Man, there’s so much to worry about.’

For a moment, I felt a bit bad for cursing out the Chosen Regressor for having a fragile mental state.

**”Now then, before revealing your first mission, I’ll introduce some of the basic rules of Miro Maze.”**

As soon as Seo Taeil finished speaking, letters floated onto the LED screen standing beside him.

**〜〚WELCOME TO MIRO MAZE〛〜**

**1. All trainees will be divided into Wings and Feather ranks.**

**2. Wings-ranked trainees will have priority in all survival situations.**

**3. Depending on the mission’s results, the top 3 Wings-ranked trainees will receive ‘Nomination Defense Rights,’ and the top 3 Feather-ranked trainees will receive ‘Nomination Battle Rights.’**

**3-1. A trainee with Nomination Battle Rights can challenge a higher-ranked trainee to a battle. If they win, they can earn benefit points.**

**3-2. If a Wings-ranked trainee successfully defends themselves, they will receive mission benefits.**

It was exactly like PD Kwon and Writer Go to not make anything convenient in a survival show. Back when I was an assistant director, I used to respect that, but now that I was a participant, it wasn’t all that enjoyable.

Besides.

‘Why are there only 7 Wings badges?’

In front of Seo Taeil, there were only 7 wing-shaped brooches. Wasn’t it originally supposed to be up to the top 10? Just as an uneasy feeling crept down my spine.

**”As you may remember, we announced that the top 10 from the previous monthly evaluation would be selected for the Wings rank.”**

**”…….”**

**”However, due to a decrease in the number of trainees participating in the survival show, there has been a slight change in this aspect as well.”**

Come to think of it, there were a few faces I hadn’t seen since earlier. I thought something had come up, but it seemed there had been some restructuring during those 3 days of rest that we hadn’t known about.

‘…Yoon Taehee’s not here either.’

I didn’t know if Miro had cut them or if they’d quit on their own, but seeing the familiar faces missing after just a few days left a bitter taste in my mouth.

But before I could even process that properly, Seo Taeil continued with his next announcement.

**”So, the original top 10, who would have been Wings-ranked, will now have a slight adjustment.”**

**”…….”**

**”The trainees ranked 8th, Yuki; 9th, Kim Wonho

; and 10th, Kang Hajin, will automatically be granted the first ‘Nomination Battle Rights’ of Miro Maze.”**

**”…What?”**

**”The top 3 from the monthly evaluation will still be given Nomination Defense Rights, but if you win the battle, there will be additional benefits, so it’s up to the trainees whether to use the defense rights.”**

**”…….”**

**”Now, the three trainees should select a Wings-ranked trainee to challenge for the rank battle.”**

Holy moly.

Before I could even properly react, the LED screen started to flash, and the profiles of familiar trainees appeared sequentially.

**〜〚WINGS OF MIRO MAZE〛〜**

Jung Siwoo Han Sungwoo Lee Doha

Seo Taehyun Lee Yugeon Joo Eunchan Dan Haru

**”By the way, the order of names doesn’t indicate their rankings.”**

**”Do we choose now? Right this moment?”**

**”So, we’re battling right away?”**

**”Wow, this is crazy.”**

I could practically see the PDs grinning from ear to ear as the trainees’ reactions spilled out in real-time. In the midst of all these swirling emotions, I quietly raised my hand and looked at Seo Taeil.

**”Yes, trainee Kang Hajin.”**

**”If we nominate a trainee, does the first mission decide the winner?”**

**”…That’s correct. It would be more entertaining to see the battle right here, but the result of this battle will be determined by the outcome of the first mission.”**

**”Can we hear the mission first before making a nomination?”**

**”No. You have to nominate your opponent first. Once all nominations are made, the first mission will be announced.”**

**”…….”**

**”I’ll give you a moment to think about your opponent.”**

They’re telling us not to think too much about the mission and just pick someone we can beat. They’ll probably use this as a 10-second teaser for the first episode.

‘There aren’t many people to choose from.’

I gave up on thinking any deeper and slowly scanned the 7 trainees on the LED screen.

‘Seo Taehyun, who I need to debut with, is off-limits. Lee Doha, a potential ally, is also off-limits.’

After weighing various reasons and considerations for a while, I called out to Kim Wonho, who was sitting beside me with a face as troubled as mine.

**”Have you decided?”**

**”…Hyung, I’ve never been ranked 9th before. Who am I supposed to knock down….”**

**”If you can’t decide, just listen to me.”**

**”……?”**

**”Alright, everyone. It’s time to make your choices.”**

Just as I whispered the name of a trainee that Kim Wonho could realistically beat, Seo Taeil clapped his hands and announced the time-out.

**”Trainee Yuki, who’s ranked 8th, please choose the trainee you’ll be battling.”**

**”I… choose trainee Seo Taehyun….”**

**”Trainee Seo Taehyun was in the top 3 of the monthly evaluation, so he has Nomination Defense Rights. Trainee Seo Taehyun, do you accept the battle?”**

**”No, I’ll use the defense rights.”**

‘Man, you shouldn’t have gone for him.’

I let out a small sigh of regret as Yuki’s battle rights vanished into thin air. Even if they had battled, Seo Taehyun would probably have won anyway.

**”Next, trainee Kim Wonho, who’s ranked 9th.”**

Called by his name, Kim Wonho hesitated as he stood up. With a still uncertain expression, he glanced at me. I nodded, signaling him to do what he felt comfortable with, and soon, he grabbed the microphone with trembling hands and spoke.

**”The trainee I… nominate is….”**

**”…….”**

**”Trainee Lee Yugeon.”**

Whoa, that’s wild.

Is he crazy?

No, maybe it’s doable.

As soon as Kim Wonho spoke, gasps of surprise could be heard all around. On the other side, Lee Yugeon, who had been nominated, looked at Kim Wonho with a mix of surprise and bewilderment.

**”The first battle between trainee Lee Yugeon and trainee Kim Wonho has been established.”**

**”…….”**

**”Now, trainee Kang Hajin, it’s your turn.”**

Finally, it was my turn.

**”Please nominate the trainee you’ll be battling.”**

I could feel all the eyes and cameras turning toward me. Without needing to think any further, I stared directly at my chosen opponent, who had been clear to me from the start.

**”The trainee I nominate is.”**

**”…….”**

**”Trainee Han Sungwoo.”**

The class president, and the one I disliked the most among them, Han Sungwoo.