Debut or Die - Chapter 316

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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 316
I couldn’t fathom what had transpired over the past year to land a handwritten autographed bromide from a competitor in the same industry on my shelf.
And of all people, it had to be Chung-ryeo.
‘Isn’t this around the time that bastard was stabbing me in the back?’
What wind had blown to make me acquire an autograph from this Reset Syndrome bastard?
He didn’t seem like the type to drop money on a fan signing event just because he won the lottery.
As expected, there was another reason.
[Ah! I won it from buying clothes!]
Having lived with nothing but a reset body from the start, even someone indifferent to fashion had apparently gone on a bulk-buying spree once he had breathing room—all for survival’s sake.
Winter clothes especially—without a coat, you’d freeze to death—so he’d apparently bought coats and padded jackets all at once during a sale period.
[I don’t know much about clothes… so I just bought what the store clerk recommended…]
As it happened, that store was an outdoor brand that VTIC advertised.
And for fun, he’d entered the raffle with his receipt, and won tickets to the advertising model’s fan signing event.
“….”
I’d rather it had been Testa’s advertisement… no, that would’ve gotten tangled up in a weird way.
‘Why would he even enter a male idol fan signing raffle in the first place…’
[The concert we went to see last time was so cool… and since you said they were idols, I got interested. There was also that person who appeared on variety shows with you, hyung…]
“….”
It was my fault. I understood perfectly.
I turned my gaze away from the bromide with an uneasy expression. At least he seemed to be studying properly, so it wasn’t a major concern.
“When did you go?”
[Yesterday!]
It seemed he’d gone as a celebration for finishing the first exam, just like last time.
Since another year’s grace period had been granted anyway, I’d told him not to worry too much about the second exam and just focus on the first, so it made sense.
And truthfully, it seemed like he’d end up with a similar result to the first exam—just barely avoiding a failing grade.
[!Status Abnormality: Pass or Die! (3)
If you fail to receive a passing score without a failing grade on the second written exam of the ‘7th Grade Open Competitive Civil Service Exam’, you die.
Yeah, I knew this would happen.
So next year, if he passes the first exam and just avoids failing the second, that’s all that matters. And since I won’t be here until next year’s actual exam, there shouldn’t be any major issues.
I was about to explain that, but he said something unexpected.
[Actually… I’ve already taken the second exam, and based on my self-grading… I think I might not have a failing grade!]
“…!”
[The questions I guessed on happened to be incredibly lucky! I probably won’t pass, but…]
Still, it was an impossible achievement.
“That’s enough. You did well.”
[…! Yes!! Thank you!]
Then I could clear this new status abnormality for free within a month. I nodded and calculated.
“Still, don’t clear it right away—make sure to drag it out until just before next year’s second exam results come out. Secure some buffer time.”
[Yes!]
So roughly… I’d be coming back in September next year too.
I checked the current date on my smartphone. It was September. I’d filled out a full year and returned to this body once more.
[You told me to wait this time too, so I held on as long as I could…!]
“You did well with that too.”
Gong-myeong’s voice bounced around excitedly. He seemed to be laughing.
‘So there’s nothing special to do today, then.’
I could spend time probing whether any unusual incidents had occurred over the past year besides that bastard’s death.
I logged into the stock app and selected stocks to liquidate while continuing to talk with Park Moon-dae.
“How’s the dormitory academy?”
[It’s great! The people are kind… and the teachers really explain things well, so I’ve been doing really well. The food is delicious too…!]
I see. After repeating several stock sales and purchases, I closed the app.
‘With this much, there shouldn’t be any money problems even if I just study without thinking about anything else.’
As I walked into the living room while listening to Gong-myeong continue rattling on about his activities over the past year, I witnessed something quite striking.
“….”
A flower-headed doll.
The hologram character I created when I appeared on “I Made a Singer”—a “May’s Groom” figurine—was sitting right in the center of the sofa.
‘What is this.’
He seemed to have watched my body’s activities quite impressively.
“You bought this too?”
[Your singing was really good, so… I thought it would be nice to have one as a memento…]
I’m the one who set aside a monthly stress relief budget. So if he likes it, there’s nothing I can do about it.
With a somewhat bitter feeling, I pushed the figurine aside and sat on the sofa.
And Gong-myeong carefully brought up what he seemed to have been waiting to say.
[Um, after the second semester grades come out… would it be okay if I went to see you at the Testa year-end concert? I couldn’t go earlier this year because I was studying…]
It definitely seemed like something he’d prepared since yesterday.
I let out a small laugh.
“Why are you asking for permission? If you think it’s okay to go, then just go.”
[…! Yes! Thank you!]
There’s nothing to thank me for. Of course, going to a male idol concert in my body would be somewhat noticeable… wait.
“That was a fan signing event.”
[…??]
“…You said you went yesterday.”
[Yes!]
I examined the VTIC autographed bromide again.
It’s true that fan signing events for advertising models—not album signings—do attract quite a few non-fans… but it still seemed noticeable.
[They were really kind.]
That’s even more ominous.
Just in case, I logged into YouTube and entered a search query.
Combining today’s date, the activity name, and the clothing brand name… sure enough, a fan signing event direct cam video appeared.
Scrolling through the comments, I found what I’d been worried about.
Chung-ryeo responding to a male fan at 22:34, so funny lolololol
“….”
I clicked on the timestamp, and half-caught the shadowed back of Ryu Gun-woo receiving the autograph.
Gong-myeong lets out a cry like a scream.
[Ugh! I-I had no idea it would show up like this….]
I captured it and adjusted the color correction.
[Brother?]
Wearing a hat, and it looked like he probably had glasses on too….
Isn’t this exactly the same as the description I gave him about Ryu Gun-woo’s appearance?
‘Damn it.’
Just to be sure, I checked the bromide that this bastard received the autograph on once more.
The recipient’s name.
‘Could it really be Ryu Gun-woo….’
-To. Big Moon
“….”
Big Moon?
[W-well, it’s a nickname I used before… I felt sorry about receiving it under your name for some reason.]
Excellent judgment.
‘Hah.’
I quickly closed out Chung-ryeo smiling and signing on the screen.
“Avoid this guy from now on.”
[A-avoid Chung-ryeo?]
“Yeah. He’s insane.”
[Ugh.]
I did give him hints to help find Ryu Gun-woo’s whereabouts, but now I don’t care about finding his location, his number, or his address.
There’s no need to introduce him to this unpredictable, dangerous bastard and create more variables.
‘Come to think of it, was his whereabouts so mysterious because I stuck him in the Dormitory Academy?’
Now it makes sense. I rubbed my chin.
‘So when I finish this and go back, I’ll contact him….’
No. I think I’m confusing something right now.
‘…How would I even know if it goes that way.’
I don’t know what will happen when his condition abnormality is completely resolved.
In the absolute worst case, he could disappear once he says the compensation has been received.
And even if he remains in this body… wouldn’t he want to return to his own body?
Look at how he received the autograph under his previous nickname.
“….”
[I thought you were close with Chung-ryeo, but he’s a strange person… uh, brother?]
“We’re not close. It’s just for the broadcast.”
[Ah….]
This is something I need to think about.
I’m glad I had time today. I can really put my brain to work.
I laid out several hypotheses and contingency plans while beginning to prepare dinner.
After that, there was nothing particularly urgent or pressing to handle.
[Brother, you’re quite skilled at cooking….]
“Oh, thanks.”
Since I was sharing senses with him, it was convenient that I only had to prepare one portion.
During the evening prime time slot, a variety show I’d appeared on with Sun Ah-hyun was airing on television—the one where we were dropped into the Joseon era and had to solve problems.
‘Was that around the time I uncovered the industrial spy within the company?’
I certainly had lived diligently. I watched my self-satisfied expression on screen without much emotion.
[Variety shows are nice, but you seem even more impressive on stage. ‘Procession’ was really cool…! I hope you make a comeback soon….]
I did openly raise my stats, but does he really have to praise his own face that much…?
Still, praise is praise, and it doesn’t feel bad. I answered lightly.
“The comeback is next month on the 14th.”
[Gasp…!]
“Don’t go spreading that around.”
[Yes! I don’t have anyone to tell anyway!! Nobody talks about idols at the academy!]
He’s stating the obvious.
Gong-myeong trembled excitedly with an indecipherable resonance, but soon seemed to calm down and began humming softly.
His tone was somewhat cautious.
[Um, brother. I keep receiving help from you… Is there anything I can help with? Like, the way you called the Police Station last time. If there’s anything you need done, I’ll take care of it!]
Something I need done?
Well, now that I think about it, Chung-ryeo will try to kill me the month after next.
I pondered for a moment, then shook my head.
I’ve always handled such things well enough on my own. I can’t ask him to do anything when he’s dealing with his own abnormal condition and the person I need to watch out for.
“There’s nothing else. Just focus on your studies.”
[Yes….]
He sounds deflated. Really, me.
And as midnight approached, that mood intensified. Gong-myeong sounded almost anxious.
‘He probably had a hard time spending a whole year alone without being able to talk about it.’
It made sense—he had no one to confide in about the situation. Maybe he needed something to think about or do besides studying.
So as I was about to head to bed, I brought up a new topic.
“Is there anything you want to tell me?”
[Me?]
Yeah.
Gong-myeong seemed to hesitate, but soon let out a small sound again.
[Then brother, by any chance… what did you think when you saw my nickname?]
“Your nickname?”
Big Moon. I understand it comes from my real name, “Moon-dae,” but it’s not a particularly unique word. Actually, it feels familiar somehow….
[That… you know that account you used to run before? I used to leave comments there frequently.]
Ah.
“So that was you.”
[…! Do you remember?]
“Yeah. You left comments every single time.”
[Y-yes!!]
Now that I think about it, that was the nickname I saw during the first ‘truth verification’.
I didn’t really check comments much myself, but I remember seeing it pop up almost immediately after each post.
So the connection was made.
‘So you were interested in idol performances from back then.’
It was strange to realize a connection formed through text like this. I shrugged my shoulders.
“If you’re interested in that field, you should buy a camera and try filming it yourself.”
[…R-really?]
“Of course, after this test is all over.”
[Of course! Still… wow.]
Gong-myeong’s voice sounded more at ease, as if his mood had improved a bit.
And the time had run out right on schedule.
“Yeah. Then think about it. See you next year.”
[Okay….]
Sleep crept in slowly. It was quite peaceful.

* * *
[Hyung? …Hyung?]
I opened my eyes.
The same morning as last time. The temperature felt similar too, so it was probably September of the following year….
[Gun-woo Hyung, right?? Hyung!!]
“Yeah.”
This guy seemed to be in a panic. Did something happen?
I immediately tried to get up. But Gong-myeong’s voice kept ringing out without pause.
…It sounded like he was sobbing.
[Hyung, you had a car accident….]
Ah.
‘Damn it.’
I immediately opened my smartphone.
-June 22nd
Four days after the debut anniversary.
That was when I fell into a coma because of that insane Former Manager bastard.

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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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