Debut or Die - Chapter 314

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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 314
Civil Service Exam, Grade 7.
The very test I failed at the final round of interviews during my third attempt when I was living as Ryu Gun-woo. The grueling years of exam preparation that consume entire lifespans flash through my mind.
But why in the world would such an abnormal status appear now, of all times?
‘Have I lost my mind?’
And it didn’t even appear for me.
[Receiving Reward]
That notification still appears for me. So that bizarre abnormal status… judging by the fact it only shows when Park Moon-dae’s resonance calls out, it seems to belong to him.
‘If you’re going to give him stats, why aren’t the stats showing up? What’s this nonsense?’
I swallowed the double curse threatening to escape my lips and asked.
“…When did it appear?”
[I remembered hyung calling up the status window the day he bought lottery tickets… so I tried calling it up the next day too…]
“…”
Damn it.
‘Did he see that?’
Either he couldn’t bring himself to speak up before, or he’s only asking now.
[Now that I think about it… that ‘Receiving Reward’ thing… did hyung do something like that too??]
Yeah, something similar.
But without waiting for an answer, Resonance pours out words he’s been holding back, speaking without pause.
[I did buy an Officetel, but was that the right choice…? Would renting have been better? And something really strange happened too…]
Beyond the abnormal status that appears if he fails the civil service exam, quite a lot of shocking things must have happened to Park Moon-dae during these past months while I was living in his body.
And the final boss is this.
-Idol Stock Company Relisting│Moon-dae of MoonDaengDaeng’s Moment☆
[That! That’s me, right??]
“…”
Some bastard participating in an idol survival show in my original body.
‘So it was the same timeline after all…’
It seems this is indeed the past of the same world where I lived in Park Moon-dae’s body. I silently endured watching the Park Moon-dae highlights on screen.
[I tried to contact you somehow, but there was nowhere to reach you…]
Yeah, that makes sense. You’d already canceled your smartphone back then.
As I watch the chicken feet mukbang, complicated feelings stir within me.
‘Back then… I was living like that.’
I opened my mouth with difficulty.
“That’s me.”
[…?? Hyung, I think I’m misunderstanding something…]
“No, you’re understanding it correctly.”
I held back a sigh.
“I lived in your body.”
[Wh… wh-what??]
It’s unfortunate to shock someone already terrified by the status window appearing, but this explanation needed to come first anyway.
I sat on the living room sofa and began to recount what had happened to me, slowly and deliberately.
It wasn’t difficult. The summary came easily.
Moments later, Gong-myeong cried out.
[S-so… you’re saying you became an idol with your own body!? Because you’d die if you didn’t debut as an idol!?]
Yeah, that’s it.
Gong-myeong wept like a madman.
[I-I-I don’t know why, but it was so cool coming from you!]
“….”
Is he being sincere?
He knows how to soften his words. I’m aware of my broadcast image at this point. Even if I come across as a lunatic, that’s fine.
[S-so you’re saying you suddenly woke up here right when you were about to aim for the grand prize!??]
“Yeah. But that’s not what matters right now.”
[Y-yes…?]
I spoke grimly.
“Look at my case. You could actually die if you don’t pass the civil service exam.”
[…!]
I couldn’t tell if Gong-myeong swallowed, but it felt roughly the same.
[Y-yes, you’re right.]
Surprisingly composed.
[Actually… just in case, I bought some practice problems and tried studying, but I… don’t really understand it….]
Or maybe he’d given up.
‘I need to design a plan for this first, at least temporarily….’
I thought for a moment before speaking.
“Listen carefully. First, look at that text that appeared on the hologram again.”
The name of the abnormal status that appeared was ‘Death if You Don’t Pass’, but if you read the description carefully, you can see an escape route.
-If you fail to receive a score sheet without failing any subject on the first written exam of the ‘Grade 7 Open Competitive Civil Service Exam’, death occurs.
Right there.
“It’s not about passing—it’s about avoiding a failing grade.”
[…oh!]
“You just need to score over 40 points per subject on the score sheet.”
And the fact that they specifically added ‘(1)’ after the abnormal status suggests this isn’t the end of it. The first-round passing condition will probably appear as the next abnormal status.
For now, the logic of ‘just avoid failing grades’ adds credibility… but long-term, it’s a marathon of death.
“What month is it now?”
“It’s… April, sir….”
The first exam was in July. Exactly three months left.
‘Why the hell is this….’
Who holds such a grudge over failing a civil service exam that they’d pull this nonsense? I ground my teeth.
‘If I could take it, it’d be so much easier.’
With just a month or two of rehabilitation, I could probably push the Grade 7 PSAT score up to the passing line.
The problem is that I seem to have cleared it in a few months, but if this interval continues, the exam might as well be impossible.
And if this abnormal condition is definitely attributed to Park Moon-dae, then Park Moon-dae….
“….”
This won’t do. I made my decision.
“Going to a Dormitory Academy would be better.”
[What??]
Depending on the facilities and instructors, there are high-end Dormitory Academies that, if you throw in about 200 a month, will let you focus solely on studying without worrying about anything else.
What if I invest all the remaining money into stock futures options I know about and just study?
“Anyway, if the next abnormal condition appears as a passing requirement… the Dormitory Academy is the most efficient choice.”
A Dormitory Academy is better than dying, isn’t it?
[T, there’s another one too??]
“Probably.”
[Ugh….]
It depends on what the standard is.
If that Park Moon-dae’s memories are the center… based on what was said, it seems like we’ve gone back about six years, so there would be about seven of them.
‘It’s hell.’
Even after passing, it wouldn’t be strange if promotions or performance evaluations appeared next.
But if I twist it slightly… and I put ‘a conversation with Park Moon-dae’ as the reward, and the one who disappeared retroactively applied as having entered my body and lived there?
‘Then… the time when I acquired the target becomes the standard.’
Still, that’s about five of them. I held back a sigh.
Of course, I can’t be certain how it will apply, but the important thing is that it’s a nightmare.
Seven abnormal conditions or five.
‘Damn it….’
I held back a sigh and sat down in front of the PC. Then I opened a page and started searching for civil service exam lectures.
[202X Year Civil Service D-100 Fastest Completion All-in-One Package OPEN!]
“First, let me subscribe to the online lectures….”
Wait, hold on.
Looking at the advertisement banner that appeared before my eyes, something flashes.
That’s right.
‘I definitely must have solved the past exam questions from this year too…!’
It was the latest past exam from the period when I was most focused on civil service exams. I definitely have memories of organizing them while watching lectures.
“….”
I grabbed the mouse again.
And Gong-myeong started humming like he was making a confession.
[Hyung, I… haven’t really studied much since finishing high school….]
“No, it’s fine.”
[Huh??]
I pulled up the PDF file of the problem set he had saved from the desktop.
And after skimming through it once, I laughed.
The memories came back.
“I’ll tell you what’s going to come up, so just study accordingly.”
[…!!]
The Dormitory Academy can wait until next year. I’ll cover all the question types this year, so you won’t fail.
…Of course, that’s assuming this guy has basic reading comprehension.
‘If he doesn’t, it’s over.’
By the way, a surprising result was waiting.

* * *
[So, number 3, right…?]
“….”
I nodded.
“Correct.”
[Yes!!]
After running through a full cycle, this guy’s head wasn’t bad at all.
No, more than just not bad… his fundamental comprehension was solid. If he’d kept going to High School, I’d bet he would’ve done fine on the College Entrance Exam.
‘His memory seems a bit weak, but PSAT isn’t a memorization test anyway, so it doesn’t matter.’
Combined with the past exam questions in my memory, he’d easily clear the first round cutoff.
I tapped the problem book I’d finished checking. I’d found and marked all similar question types.
“If you do this for three months, you’ll be fine.”
[Really, hyung?]
“Yeah.”
If you push hard enough, you’ll avoid failing.
[….]
Gongmyung seemed hesitant, but soon let out a trembling low hum, more intense than before.
[Actually, this is kind of a shortcut, isn’t it? I’m receiving what you studied….]
It was surprising he had the mental capacity for ethical considerations when he looked like he’d die if he didn’t pass, but I kept my mouth shut.
Because I sensed something oddly moved in his tone.
[But I’m so happy I think I can do it. Thank you….]
“…We’re just helping each other out.”
I became an idol using your body too, after all.
When I said that, Gongmyung bounced slightly, almost excited.
[Right! Then should we watch that? You on Ajusa!]
“….”
Do we really have to?
But since we’ve been studying almost ten hours straight, giving him something to enjoy wouldn’t be bad.
‘He finds it fun because he was on TV.’
Without complaint, I switched the PC screen and accessed YouTube….
-Park Moon-dae’s past causing chaos right now, the sanitary pad controversy?
“…!”
For a moment I almost tore the sofa apart, but quickly calmed down.
What I saw was the latest video recommendation. That incident when I’d tried to voluntarily withdraw from Ajusa.
‘So it was today.’
Now that I thought about it, the timing lined up perfectly. I swallowed hard.
By dawn, the person involved would step forward and resolve everything anyway. There was no reason for me to suddenly feel differently about it now.
The real problem was this guy.
[I… I… that…]
“I know it’s not your fault. Everything’s being taken care of, so don’t worry.”
Park Moon-dae was in a genuinely shocking situation.
Having your personal life suddenly exposed to the public would be infuriating.
…It could even be terrifying.
“…I’m sorry. I went into the survival show without your permission, and this is how it turned out.”
I’d tried to avoid sudden death, but the person involved might not care about that.
But Gong-myeong panicked.
[No, no! I’m… I’m inside your body and receiving this much help…]
Gong-myeong trembled anxiously.
[But… what if I’m the reason you can’t debut…]
“I said I will.”
I’d already done it. What was he talking about?
But he fell silent for a while, as if lost in thought.
Then, just as I was starting to prepare dinner, he suddenly began humming again.
[I… I think I might be able to contact them!]
Contact who?
[I don’t remember the number, but… I have that friend’s email address!]
“…!”
[We exchanged emails a few times for a class reunion… it should definitely still be there.]
I see.
They seemed to have gotten along well enough, so traces like that would likely remain.
But was there any need for that?
By dawn today, they’d notice and post an explanation anyway. It was better not to do anything suspicious…
‘Wait.’
…Could it be?
I hastily recalled the past.
-I didn’t do anything, so why did the situation suddenly improve like this?
That had been strange too. I’d thought there was no way everything would resolve this magically and quickly.
And if now was on the same timeline as then…
“…”
I finally nodded.
“Where’s the email? Write it.”
[…! It’s… it’s in my bookmarks…!]
Following his directions, I left a lengthy email for that friend.
It was a heartfelt request filled with concern, well-wishes, apologies, and regret.
I could have edited it more effectively, but I deliberately didn’t touch it. I simply verified that there were no inappropriate statements.
Reading through the content again, I instinctively realized that this friend had written the clarification post after reading this email.
‘The vocabulary overlaps.’
It was obvious that word choice had been influenced.
In the end, the clarification post went up thanks to this email.
[I’d like to send it this way….]
“…Okay.”
I pressed send on the email, engulfed in a peculiar feeling.
My thoughts back then were correct. Situations don’t suddenly improve.
Someone simply did the work concretely.
So kindness was indeed kindness.
That night, lying in an unfamiliar bed, I acknowledged it.
“Thanks for sending the email.”
[No, it’s only natural….]
After receiving my thanks, Gong-myeong’s voice rang out melancholy instead.
[I’m sorry for getting you caught up in something strange….]
“…You’re the one who has to take the Level 7 exam in three months. Why would I be the only one worried?”
[Ugh….]
Right. You worry about yourself. I let out a bitter laugh and tossed my smartphone aside.
[Um, hyung. If you fall asleep, maybe….]
“That’s why I’m trying not to sleep either.”
[Ah… Yes!]
Gong-myeong lightened up. He was clearly afraid I’d be unconscious for several more months.
“Looking at the pattern, I’m pretty sure it’ll happen again, so even if I disappear, don’t worry and just focus on preparing for your exam.”
[…Yes.]
I watched the clock while exchanging meaningless small talk with him.
The clock ticked steadily forward.
—11:55 PM.
And the moment the minute hand pointed to 12….
I naturally fell asleep.

* * *
“…!”
When I opened my eyes again, it was morning once more.
‘Does my body just force me to sleep whenever a day passes?’
Staying awake won’t work as a strategy. I clicked my tongue inwardly.
Then I heard a scream similar to the one from this morning.
[Ahhh! Hyung! You’re here??]
“Yeah.”
Judging by the sleeveless shirt, quite a bit of time must have passed again. I stifled a sigh and pushed myself up.
And then Gong-myeong immediately poured out words.
[I took the test! I didn’t pass, but… I didn’t fail either!]
Given that we could communicate without me saying anything, I figured as much.
“Good. You did well.”
[…! Yes!]
Gong-myeong seemed delighted, but quickly composed himself.
[But then another abnormal status appeared… Oh, before that, um, there was a schedule today…]
“A schedule?”
[It’s marked in the smartphone alarm…]
His voice grew quieter somehow. He didn’t even want to mention it directly.
‘Did he think I’d scold him for still not registering at the Dormitory Academy and just playing around?’
That shouldn’t be more urgent than the abnormal status anyway.
I chuckled and got up, reaching for my smartphone. I immediately checked the alarm name.
-Testa Festival Appearance 2:30 PM
“…?”
[Um… is it okay if I don’t go there?]
I wanted to hear from the beginning what had happened.

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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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