NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 39
Chapter 39. The One Who Reaches for the Sun (5)
“Okay, let’s take a short break. Contestants, feel free to go to the restroom or grab some water. Smoking is not allowed! We’ll resume recording shortly!”
As the PD announced the break, the trainees who had been sitting upright and tense began to relax, making half-dead groaning noises.
‘This is bearable because Seo Taeil didn’t mess up. It’s pure torture for those doing it for the first time.’
Even in a university lecture, my eyes would start closing after just ten minutes, and I’d feel the urge to play games. So, sitting quietly while the MC rambles on, even though my future is at stake in this survival show, is tougher than I thought.
A mountain is a mountain, water is water, and everything you’re saying is nonsense. If you space out like that, time can fly by. But in a place where every single one of my reactions is being recorded, it’s not that easy.
‘If my expression hardens even slightly or my posture is poor, that’ll be a problem too.’
When I was behind the camera, I used to grumble about those idiots who weren’t doing their job properly and still getting paid. But now that I’m in their shoes, I realize this isn’t easy. I’m learning a lot today.
[System Alert: (Fixed) The Regressor Gains Life Wisdom.]
[System Alert: 777 Cash has been credited as a bonus! (Reason: Adorable)]
Is this really necessary?
‘Are you my mom?’
The system message even popped up with fanfare, giving off a vibe that was more touching than adorable. Feeling annoyed, I skipped it. As I continued stretching with a sullen face, I noticed Kim Wonho, who looked half-dead, dragging his feet towards me, probably after returning from the restroom.
“Kang Ha-hyung… What do I do?”
“What?”
“How do I beat Lee Yugeon…?”
Ah, the battle.
“Now that you mention it, there is that.”
As the topic I had almost forgotten came back to me, Kim Wonho’s eyes widened in disbelief. Kid, try living for a few decades and going through regression four times. You start forgetting things like that.
[System Alert: The system is angry that a guy who’s only twenty-nine is talking nonsense.]
[System Alert: 666 Cash has been deducted as a penalty. (Reason: Insolence)]
‘Yeah, you’re having fun giving and taking, huh?’
Ignoring the system’s giddy notifications, I patted the worried-looking Kim Wonho on the back as he sat next to me.
“What are you worried about? You chose him.”
“Are you trying to back out now? After pushing me into this?”
“There weren’t many other options besides him.”
I glanced at Lee Yugeon, who was sitting across from us, silently listening to music through his earphones. His stats, which I had scanned earlier when we had to pick our opponents, appeared in a small window.
[Lee Yugeon (Affiliation: Miro)]
-Debuff: All attributes are reduced by -20% from their original achievement rate.
Position: Dance
Vocal: 37% (-20)
Dance: 33% (-20)
Expression: 45% (-20)
Special: Copy & Paste (64%) (-20%)
Appeal Point:
‘There are still twelve ships left.’
-Responsibility, perseverance, strong focus.
‘That’s not too bad.’
For someone supposedly specializing in center positions for special classes, these were rather average stats. Of course, if those percentages were to increase, things might be different.
‘Honestly, raising them that much in a short time isn’t easy.’
Even Lee Doha, whose stats had skyrocketed at the Boost Camp last time, had three weeks to work on it. But given the nature of survival shows, they wouldn’t give us that much time to prepare for the first mission. My calm demeanor seemed to slightly ease Kim Wonho’s worries, and he leaned back in his chair, tilting his head in relief. (Simple-minded guy.)
As Kim Wonho fell silent, I noticed an assistant director wandering around with a clapperboard. It looked like filming was about to start again. As I straightened my clothes (checking to make sure the tape covering the brand logo hadn’t fallen off), another shadow suddenly loomed over me.
“…Is my seat a popular spot? Why does someone keep coming over?”
“…….”
It was Joo Eunchan and Seo Taehyun, standing in front of me with sullen expressions. What’s their deal now?
‘Teenagers are really a pain.’
“Hyung.”
“What. Where did you leave Dan Haru?”
“He’s changing the batteries in his mic. Anyway, hyung.”
Seo Taehyun and Joo Eunchan’s eyes blazed as they shouted in unison.
“Make sure you beat Han Sungwoo.”
“Don’t get involved with Han Sungwoo hyung.”
Completely opposing opinions.
“……? Can you guys agree on something and come back?”
“Alright, we’re starting the shoot again, everyone back to your seats!”
Just in time, the assistant director stood by with the clapperboard, getting the contestants ready to start. Seo Taehyun and Joo Eunchan, both filled with things to say, looked at me before reluctantly heading back to their seats at the staff’s urging.
“…Ah!”
As I watched the two return to their seats, wondering what their deal was, someone suddenly smacked my leg as they passed by. Reflexively, I turned around, wondering if my seat was cursed.
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t see you.”
“…You should get glasses, hyung. Your nearsightedness must be pretty bad.”
It was none other than Han Sungwoo, the problem child who’d just been the topic of discussion. He shot me a dirty look as he quickly walked past. If only the camera had caught that.
“Ready for clapper!”
Snap! With a crisp sound, the recording resumed. Silently enduring our various grievances, we all focused on the shoot again, plastering on our best smiles and clapping along.
* * *
“Those who aim to reach the sun, soar high. The journey to become Miro’s Icarus! The first mission of Miro Maze will now be revealed.”
At Seo Taeil’s signal, the LED screen lit up again, with ink-like letters appearing on an old, luxurious-looking parchment.
〜〚Daylight 日光〛〜
Soon, a soft, acoustic guitar melody filled the recording studio. At the same time, the LED screen showed nine dancers forming a formation and performing a choreographed dance to the song. Though Seo Taeil or anyone else didn’t explain what the song was, everyone here instantly recognized it.
It was the title track of this program.
‘What’s with this quality?’
The song, which began with a guitar melody, gradually built up with the addition of a soft pad and then crescendoed as the sound of a timpani signaled the entry of the orchestral sound, bursting with refreshing energy. The dancers on the screen executed various formations and pair choreography, maximizing the charm of having nine members.
And when all the sound disappeared, leaving only one person in the center while the remaining eight froze in different poses.
Hello, it’s me.
“Wow~.”
“Whoa, that’s crazy.”
The first line, sung in a sultry voice, was so stunning that it sent shivers down our spines. It was clearly the killing part, the highlight of the song. I glanced over at Seo Taeil, who likely composed this song, with a high probability.
‘Why is he looking so pleased…?’
He was watching as if he were proud of his child performing in a talent show. I wondered why he was acting that way, and then I realized the guide vocal I was hearing belonged to the main vocalist of Utopia, the fourth member of the group he adored so much he called them his muse.
‘This guy is quite the doting fan.’
Another sun rises to shine on you and me
Let’s hold hands so we don’t get lost
I’ll stay with you so night won’t come
Never fallin’ down(down down)
At the end of this maze-like world, there’ll be only
Never Going back(back back)
Only our story will remain
The chorus, which seemed to test the main vocalist’s capabilities, burst forth. The melody was perfect for the breezy month of May. It felt like the composer had made the song with a lot of love and care, sparing no effort.
The song then returned to the initial guitar melody. As the dancers moved slowly along their paths and then stopped walking.
Hello, it’s me.
It’s nice to finally meet you.
“……”
The video ended with the last line. A brief silence followed.
Seo Taeil, looking like he was used to this reaction, smiled as he glanced around at us. And then―,
“Wow!”
Cheers and applause erupted. I couldn’t help but join in, clapping with genuine admiration. This was undoubtedly a masterpiece. The fact that the composer of such a song had only 60% in composition ability was unbelievable.
‘Some people are just born geniuses.’
I felt a bit envious of someone who had a talent I could never hope to match. Then, I looked at another genius sitting nonchalantly next to me.
“Hey.”
“……?”
“Can you write a song like that?”
“……What?”
Startled by my sudden question, Lee Doha seemed to ponder for a moment before nodding.
“I’ll try.”
He didn’t say he couldn’t. That was a typically Lee Doha answer.
“As you may have guessed, the song you just heard is your first title
track that I personally created. How do you like it? Do you love it?”
“Yes!”
“Haha, I’m glad to hear that. Now, let me introduce your first mission.”
The names of the 18 trainees appeared on the central screen. On the side screens, empty slots labeled A Team and B Team appeared simultaneously.
“As you saw, you will be divided into two teams of nine and practice the title track.”
“……”
“You’ll have only three days to prepare for the title track.”
Gasping sounds echoed throughout the room. But Seo Taeil continued without hesitation.
“Three days later, you’ll perform this title track in front of me and other mentors. The evaluation will be based on both team and individual scores.”
“……”
“The trainees on the winning team will receive benefit points. Additionally, the top three individual scorers on the winning team and the top individual scorer overall will automatically be confirmed for the Wings rank. So you must win, right?”
“Yes!”
“But even if your team loses, it’s not over yet. The top three individual scorers on the losing team will receive the ‘Challenge Battle Right’ that I mentioned earlier. Depending on the outcome of that battle, your final Wings rank for the next mission will be determined.”
‘There’s no way I can be the overall top scorer among these geniuses.’
In other words, whether you win or lose, you must be in the top three of your team.
‘Luck with teammates is going to be crucial.’
“Kim Wonho and Kang Hajin, who have already confirmed their challenge battle, will compete in this mission based on individual scores. The winning trainee will receive benefit points regardless of their team’s victory or loss.”
Even if my team loses and I don’t make the top three, as long as I score higher than Han Sungwoo, I get a bonus—what a sweet deal. I met eyes with Han Sungwoo, who was still glaring at me like he’d bitten into something bitter.
“Please do your best to prepare for the mission.”
And I smiled at Han Sungwoo, doing my best to convey what I meant.
‘Hello, my bonus mob! Nice to face off against you, buddy!’