Debut or Die - Chapter 11

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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A Fatal Illness if I Don’t Debut – Episode 11
Light suddenly burst from the slot, and the movement halted on a silver section that hadn’t existed before.
“Hmm.”
At least seeing the words “great success” gave me a good feeling about this.
Would a more effective trait emerge this time? Ideally something that would help on stage….
[Trait Acquired: ‘Now That You Mention It, That Makes Sense (C)’]
Evokes emotional turbulence in the listener.
Activation probability 35%, default active state
How was I supposed to accept a trait that seemed more suited for a rabble-rouser?
Was this telling me to manipulate Internet public opinion?
No, the fact that it specified “listener” means that’s not it either.
Let me think about this for a moment….
“….”
As my mind settled, I realized this was actually quite a good trait.
Survival show participants often have opportunities to speak directly to viewers—during self-introductions, ranking announcements, and similar moments—due to the program’s nature.
In those moments, it would certainly be advantageous for viewers to feel something rather than pass over it indifferently, making this a decent trait.
Moreover, the phrase “listener” suggested that singing might be included in the delivery method.
In that case, it would definitely be beneficial. It would make immersion on stage come naturally.
Good. It’s far better than nothing.
I quickly organized my thoughts and checked my status window.
[Name: Park Moon-dae (Ryu Gun-woo)]
Level: 8
Title: None
Vocal: A-
Dance: C
Appearance: C+
Charisma: C
Trait: Infinite Potential, Now That You Mention It, That Makes Sense (C)
!Status Abnormality: Death if I Don’t Debut
Remaining Points: 1
Thanks to completing the 【First Experience】 Achievement when my first stage aired, I earned one point.
And I was only three more singing practice sessions away from completing the 500 Song Practice Achievement.
I planned to level up by today to gain one more spare point, and I would immediately allocate the current point.
The highest priority was….
“I’ll invest in appearance.”
It was time to cross the threshold into B-rank.
I manipulated the status window without hesitation.
‘I hope the next content gets more mentions.’
I thought absently and prepared for bed early.
Filming would resume starting tomorrow, beginning early in the morning, so I should manage my stamina from now on.
Considering the order, it seemed like tomorrow would be either the first team competition or self-introduction videos.

* * *
“Idol Corporation resumes! Participants, did you all rest well?”
“Yes!!”
My prediction proved accurate. I surveyed the Filming Studio from among the participants answering the MC’s question with vigor.
The Grand Hall, where the theme song had first been unveiled, now had various placards positioned throughout.
For viewers of the previous season, the setup made it obvious to anyone that the first team competition would proceed.
Several other participants besides me seemed already aware of this, exchanging knowing glances with one another.
Whether we could actually work together remained uncertain, but it didn’t seem like a bad thing.
Maybe I should try recruiting someone too.
“….”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t grown close enough to any participant for that. I should just focus on what the MC is saying.
“The stage you’ll all prepare today is, drumroll~ a team competition!”
“Ooh!”
Everyone reacted with expressions of “as expected.”
“Since this is the first team competition, you must all have participants you’d like to work with, right?”
The way he set this up, the next sentence would definitely start with “but.”
“But! Idols must be able to demonstrate teamwork with anyone they meet. In this evaluation, you cannot form teams arbitrarily among yourselves!”
The first season’s program had let them form their own teams, then edited it to look like ostracism, sending about five people home—it was well-spoken nonsense.
“So how will we form teams? First, everyone, please draw a ball from this box!”
“That’s scary.”
Lee Sae-jin, standing behind me with a Gold rating, whispered.
It seemed like the Production Team had deliberately positioned me here where I was the only one nearby who could respond, just to create reaction cuts.
With the camera rolling, I couldn’t ignore it.
I gave a casual nod, then followed the person ahead of me and drew a ball from the box.
‘Number 12’
It looked like we’d either form teams by number order, or choose teams in this numerical sequence.
“Participant number one, who are you? Please raise your hand! Ah, it’s Lee Hong-soo!”
A Silver-rated participant awkwardly raised his hand.
The MC raised his hand and pointed to a placard positioned in the hall.
“Participants can choose each placard in order!”
It was the latter. The MC smiled and swept his arm across.
“Then please reveal the placard contents!”
Beep—
The placard lit up and text appeared. It was cutting-edge in its own way, but what mattered more was the content.
Each placard displayed the name of a famous Entertainment Agency.
“Here are the names of Entertainment Agencies leading K-pop worldwide! You simply need to choose one of these agencies. However, the capacity is fourteen people!”
The MC spread his hands wide.
“But if capacity is exceeded, higher-rated individuals can push out lower-rated ones and take their place!”
“Wow, the rules are pretty harsh.”
Lee Sae-jin, who held a Gold rating, struck up another conversation and made a fuss about it.
“What if I pick the same Entertainment Agency as you? I’m pretty good, right?”
“…You’re Gold.”
I couldn’t understand why someone with such a high rating would assume I’d push for him.
“A Platinum could still get pushed out by another Platinum!”
“…I won’t push you.”
“Ooh~ that’s a decisive answer.”
“….”
I shouldn’t get drawn into this.
By the way, there were only 5 Entertainment Agency signs. With seven participants unable to stand at the signs, they’d inevitably be forced into the corners.
I could already picture the interview clips that would be inserted.
[It was really scary.]
[Now this is truly a survival show.]
“Then we’ll have participant number 1, Lee Hong-soo, start moving!”
The first participant went and stood in front of the Entertainment Agency famous as the Famous Male Idol Agency.
My number was 12, so I was relatively early. I probably wouldn’t need to push anyone out.
But the inability to confirm my teammates in advance was quite troublesome.
Depending on who my teammates were in this first team stage, the quality of the performance and the editing direction would change, and the entire landscape afterward would shift.
Moreover, among the first 11 participants called, I didn’t recognize a single one. That meant none of them had debut experience.
I needed to think carefully.
“Next participant, please move!”
After deliberation, I made my decision.
I headed toward the sign that the highest-rated participants had chosen most frequently.
Anyway, all the Entertainment Agencies had hit songs, and if I just chose well among them, song selection wouldn’t be a major issue.
So teammates mattered more than the Entertainment Agency.
Since having skilled people would make the performance decent, I’d calculate based on the 11 people ahead of me, limited as that sample was.
‘First, I’ll go where the higher ratings are concentrated.’
As I stepped toward one of the signs, holding my number, two Gold-rated participants awkwardly welcomed me.
It seemed like they’d probably discussed joining the same sign beforehand.
I’d only exchanged greetings with both of them, but their eagerness to appear welcoming was unmistakable.
You two have it rough too.
“Ooh~ main vocalist!”
I decided to accept such reactions graciously.
Fortunately, both were participants with strong dancing abilities.
The problem came after this.
“Next is~ ah, participant Lee Sae-jin!”
The child actor Lee Sae-jin had also chosen this sign.
Lee Sae-jin, holding number 15, approached with a stern expression and stood behind the sign.
The two Gold-rated participants seemed to try welcoming him again, but their attempt fell awkwardly flat when Lee Sae-jin abruptly turned and stood at the back.
“Ugh…”
I heard an awkward sound from ahead of me.
Well, since I’m right behind them, I should probably make some gesture too.
I turned my head and bowed to child actor Lee Sae-jin. Lee Sae-jin gave a slight nod in return. It was a rather stiff response.
The vibe really isn’t good. I wish someone would push this guy out.
But then, as Bronze-tier participants—lower than Silver—kept arriving, the possibility became increasingly slim.
‘Damn it.’
And after some time passed, we reached the 30s.
Sun Ah-hyun, holding number 33, approached with a nervous expression, moving quickly.
“…”
Well, it’s good to have more Gold-tier members. He’s cooperative too. I gave a subtle wave, and Sun Ah-hyun’s face brightened as he waved his hands enthusiastically back.
It was a bit embarrassing.
The next notable addition was Platinum-tier Ryu Chung-woo.
A former national archery representative, he was one of the debut members I knew about.
“I look forward to working with you!”
Ryu Chung-woo, grinning widely, took the 13th position in line.
One spot remained.
Unfortunately, the top two debut members I knew had gone to a different sign. It was the one that Participant #1 from the Famous Male Idol Agency had chosen.
That agency was so popular that their group filled up first.
Including Cha Yu-jin, who ranked first, many people who had become hot topics for debut rights or first performances were included there.
Even Silver-tier participants were pushed out there.
“I’m sorry.”
The Silver-tier participant who got pushed out nodded reluctantly, then approached our sign. He looked utterly pathetic.
“…”
By the way, this guy is Choi Won-gil.
He’d been picking fights enthusiastically, but apparently his mental state really broke—he bombed the grade evaluation and dropped to Silver.
It might just be my imagination, but it seems like he’s avoiding making eye contact with me.
“Wow, now we’d have to push someone out to fit anyone else. All 14 spots are filled.”
“Oh dear.”
The two Gold-tier members who lined up first clicked their tongues.
…I was starting to worry about this team’s composition.
And the one who pushed in from the 60s was this guy.
“The person I’m designating for elimination is… Bronze-tier participant Jung Hyung-joong. I’m truly sorry!”
Gold-tier Lee Sae-jin had chosen this sign.
Lee Sae-jin, bowing repeatedly, was the first to push someone out and join our sign.
Because he apologized so much and acted so good-naturedly, everyone just went along with it.
“Oh Moon-dae~ Are you the main vocalist?”
“Whoever fits the role will do it.”
“Wow, that’s cool~ ‘Whoever fits the role will do it~'”
“…”
If there hadn’t been cameras, my fist would have flown.
I stared at Lee Sae-jin without responding, and he grinned mischievously before slapping my back and moving to get in line.
It was infuriating….
“Everyone, have you all chosen your desired placard?”
Only after assigning new placards to the remaining participants who had been pushed aside did the shuffling finally end.
At the placard where I stood, nothing had changed since Lee Sae-jin joined the Gold tier except for one Silver pushing out a Bronze.
In summary, here’s how the participant tiers broke down.
-Platinum 2, Gold 5, Silver 5, Bronze 2.
Overall, it was the best distribution aside from the first-place team. The members seemed subtly satisfied, having realized this themselves.
Of course, this wouldn’t be the end.
“Now you’ll want to choose a fantastic song!”
“Yes!!”
With 14 people, there was no way they’d cram us all into one team. We’d be split into groups of seven.
I knew exactly who to avoid, and who I wanted to work with….
I turned my head. By coincidence, my eyes met Ryu Chung-woo’s.
Ryu Chung-woo nodded slightly. It seemed he was also planning to build a team focused on higher tiers. Fine. Then I’d try to make it look as fair as possible….
“Now, before that… could the person who chose the first placard please raise their hand!”
A participant standing right behind one of the placards quickly raised their hand.
The MC smiled and spoke.
“The participant who raised their hand—please press the button on top of your placard!”
“Pardon?”
“The placard?”
“The button, ah, there’s a square on top, uh, that one.”
The participants murmured among themselves, then each instinctively found and pressed the button at the top of their placard.
The placard’s display flickered, then changed.
“Huh, what?”
“Lottery numbers?”
Seven numbers appeared on two lines on the placard screen.
The Entertainment Agency’s placard where I stood showed the same thing.
[4, 7, 12, 15, 33, 37, 62.]
[17, 24, 27, 38, 41, 59, 72.]
“Can you see the numbers on your placard?”
“Yes!”
“We can see them!”
“If you buy lottery tickets with those numbers! …haha, just kidding. You’ll form one team according to those numbers! …everyone, do you remember the ball numbers you drew in the starting order?”
“…!!”
“You will now form teams with the people whose numbers match those on your placard! And you’ll have one-on-one matches against the other team!”
The Filming Studio suddenly erupted into noise.
“Wait, hey, what number are you…. I was 5, right? Seriously.”
“Wow, what is this….”
“Did we get split up?”
The sign on this side wasn’t much different either.
First, the Gold-tier participant who pressed the button first let out a cheer and embraced another Gold-tier standing right behind him. So they really had come together after all.
And immediately he turned to look at me and shouted.
“Hyung! Number 12~ we’re on the same team!”
“Wow, jackpot! We got the main vocalist!”
And soon after, someone from behind grabbed my neck and joined where the Gold-tier was embracing.
“Our team’s looking good?!”
It was Gold-tier Lee Sae-jin. Right, so 62 was that guy.
Among the three people making a deliberately bigger fuss, I tried to piece together the order of my teammates.
What remained were 15, 33, and 37.
First, number 33 is Sun Ah-hyun.
Perfect timing. I turned around and spoke to Sun Ah-hyun, slipping away from the gap between the three people.
It was uncomfortable—I almost got annoyed.
“Looking forward to working with you.”
Sun Ah-hyun nodded eagerly. Good, so who’s the remaining teammate?
I’d hope it was Platinum-tier and debuted member Ryu Chung-woo, but was that guy number 37…
“….”
No. Number 37 was Choi Won-gil. He was standing awkwardly on this side holding the order ball—that much was certain.
Ryu Chung-woo seemed to already be gathering people over there and starting the briefing.
‘Damn it.’
And number 15 was…
Hell, it was child actor Lee Hong-soo.
With eyes equally refusing to communicate, he was looking over at the cluster of three Gold-tier people.
We’re screwed. This is going to be a disaster in editing.
Regardless of my expectations, the visible tier composition was overwhelmingly good.
Perhaps because of that, Sun Ah-hyun added something in a rare moment of joy.
“O-our teammates seem really good.”
“….”
Yeah, you keep thinking positively about it.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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