Debut or Die - Chapter 479

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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 479
Seoul Water Bomb.
“Waaaaaah!!”
“Ah! Hey!”
Streams of water, laughter, screams, and music erupted from all directions.
The frenzied summer festival—trading comfort for excitement—was in full swing from the afternoon.
Typically, events like this attracted mostly people focused on having fun themselves, but today’s Water Bomb had a notable contingent of a different sort.
“This is their last one, right?”
“Yeah, probably?”
Testa fans.
Of course, Testa itself enjoyed considerable public recognition, and since this event wasn’t their solo concert, not everyone fell into that category.
But it was true that people who wouldn’t normally attend a ten-hour water gun party of running and screaming—even if exhausted—had made the effort to come.
And regardless of whether they were fans, most people at today’s Water Bomb were anticipating the thrill of watching Testa perform as a “famous artist” and having fun.
“Man, it’s freezing.”
“Yeah, but the more famous ones come out in the evening. Testa won’t be on until after 9, right??”
“Okay. Let’s hold out. …Wait, Moody’s coming up!”
“No way!”
However, unlike casual attendees simply focused on the festival itself, some of Testa’s fans were plagued by a different anxiety.
Naturally, it was because of Cha Yu-jin’s absence.
-It’s too bad Eugene doesn’t appear.
-He would’ve been flying around, but I bet he’s the most disappointed about it…
-When someone who’s usually healthy gets sick, they suffer a lot… Don’t worry about the reviewer, just rest well and come back healthy, our Eugene (photo)
The announcement that Cha Yu-jin had halted his schedule for health reasons had already been released days ago, and most people naturally predicted he wouldn’t appear at today’s Water Bomb either.
Posts wishing for Cha Yu-jin’s recovery and expressing concern for his health were easily found on social media.
But there was one problem that prevented it from ending there.
Cha Yu-jin’s star power was simply too exceptional.
-?? They didn’t even announce what illness it is and suddenly he’s resting??
Lol, Eugene really hasn’t posted anything on the car’s public account in forever, that’s so funny
-Did Cha’s camera get broken again
“Is he taking a stress-relief break in the car? lol Why does this look so fake? It doesn’t suit him at all”
Had Cha Yu-jin ever been sick since debut?
Sick enough to suddenly suspend his schedule indefinitely?
Moreover, no specific details about what was wrong had been disclosed.
It only stated that he’d been advised to take temporary rest due to “physical and mental strain.”
So naturally, subtly or overtly, such thoughts began to surface.
‘I’m curious.’
What exactly is he sick with?
While the story hadn’t surfaced publicly yet, speculation of all kinds was circulating beneath the surface of the fanbase.
Moreover, several provocateurs began appearing out of nowhere starting early morning.
-Cha Yu-jin Isn’t he sick or is he not coming out because he’s meeting his girlfriend haha^^ Yesterday he stayed out without permission and the company was in trouble, you idiots.
-An account searching for Eugene Ignacio Cha’s original intentions after running away from home (★★★Actually did flee the dormitory★★★)
Anonymous accounts.
Accounts using similar speech patterns appeared out of nowhere and spewed inflammatory rhetoric to their heart’s content.
Claims about him having a girlfriend, fighting with members at the dormitory before leaving, even rumors of discord since the contract renewal—every kind of nonsense surfaced.
And on top of that, there were whispers that Testa might not even be able to perform at today’s Water Bomb!
“Let’s see if Testa shows up or not, seriously lolol. I’m only letting you go because I feel bad for you.”
-Please don’t resort to mental gymnastics even if a sudden cancellation notice drops
And by that point, gullible fans inevitably emerged with the mindset of “where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
-Something’s definitely going on
-I know we shouldn’t consume private life gossip, but honestly it’s unsettling. That guy’s always had a different emotional vibe since debut
Please, oh bear, Big Bird, you guys search for something, do anything—it’s so quiet that it feels even more real.
By midday, things had quieted down somewhat, but fans who’d seen it all were left with an uneasy feeling.
‘Ugh, this is annoying….’
Kim Rae-bin’s fan, who’d come to Water Bomb with friends despite it being out of character, felt the same way.
‘Why did Cha Yu-jin have to get sick right now of all times.’
One of the members most suited for Water Bomb was missing, so the thought crossed her mind that she might need to request a partial refund on her ticket.
Of course, that wouldn’t happen because of Kim Rae-bin.
‘Kim Rae-bin wouldn’t bail… yeah, he won’t.’
Even as she muttered that she wasn’t expecting anything, Kim Rae-bin’s fan gradually edged forward and sideways as close as possible to the protruding stage fence.
Standing outdoors for hours while soaked didn’t stop her movements, despite the growing discomfort and chill.
“Huh? Can I get a better view from up front?”
“Yeah.”
Her friends followed along without thinking twice.
Looking around, she could see many people engaged in subtle positioning battles, filling the gaps left behind—clearly everyone was mentally running through the schedule.
Right.
Uneasy feelings are one thing, but seeing Testa in person is another.
‘Testa’s definitely coming out.’
In the end, no cancellation notice appeared.
Now for the final stage.
‘They’re coming!!’
[Hello Seoul~]
Papapapapang!!
Amid water cannons, thunderous sound, explosive flame effects like fireworks, and bursting LEDs, six radiant figures took the stage on the massive outdoor stage under the dimming summer evening sky.
[Make some noise!]
It was Testa!
“Kyaaaaaaah!!!”
Even as she screamed reflexively, the fan noticed it.
Cha Yu-jin was indeed missing.
But that was just a moment. At the same time, her eyes were drawn to Testa’s outfits.
They wore simple white t-shirts and jeans—a light look with only two or three members sporting denim jackets.
But in a place like this, simplicity was always best.
Water became the focal point that elevated everything else.
Aaaaaahhhhh!!!
Against the backdrop of screams that felt like they’d burst eardrums, the familiar intro began to flow.
An upbeat, rapid tempo.
It was “Promise,” rearranged with a bit more rhythm to match the festival atmosphere.
[Take your STAR
On the day stars pour down
Kicking through the waves, running
To the sky, Run and Fly!]
It had that fresh, idol-like charm while being a commercially successful track.
For a water festival, it felt remarkably wholesome, but it still had that college festival fun of everyone singing along to a familiar song.
Plus, the “water” keyword created a perfect synergy with the performance aspect.
“Wow!!”
“Damn, they’re killing it!”
Testa’s performance—barefoot members wearing only specially-made non-slip pads, splashing water as they danced—drew raw, enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
Moreover, Testa’s members held nothing back physically.
[Today is good as it is,
Let’s go!]
In the second verse, they deliberately added an ad-lib interlude section, then began freely running across the protruding stage.
“Ah-hyun!”
For instance, Sun Ah-hyun burst forward to the edge of the protruding stage, taking the spray of water while executing an elegant, sharp spin.
“Waaah!!”
Sun Ah-hyun waved his hand, a slightly bashful, almost embarrassed expression crossing his face, as another torrent of water cascaded down on him.
And looking to the side,
“Ryu Chung-woo! Ryu Chung-woo!”
“Please, over here!”
‘Wow….’
You could practically see desire swirling in the air. Even people who didn’t seem to be Testa fans were doing it.
Ryu Chung-woo, without any apparent reluctance, took the water pouring over his neck and back while providing fan service.
‘Those insane abs….’
Restraining the natural urge to turn away, Kim Rae-bin’s fan turned their head to find their favorite—
[Yes, fly so far like this]
Right there in front of them!
Kim Rae-bin’s pale face, adorned with particularly flashy piercings, was right before their eyes.
‘Oh my god, Kim Rae-bin,’
Kim Rae-bin’s fan nearly lost consciousness for a moment….
But they had to snap back to reality quickly.
One of the jacket-wearing members was right beside them, facing the enthusiastic requests of mischievous couples head-on.
“Take it off! Take it off!”
Let’s just go all out and take off our jackets and have fun.
‘As if Kim Rae-bin would actually do that!’
But then….
The guy who’d been peeking around actually took off his jacket!
“…?!”
And tossed it to the audience.
“Kyaaaaaaaa?!”
“Mom!”
‘You crazy bastard!’
The screams from the person who caught it and those around them turned the area into absolute pandemonium.
Kim Rae-bin seemed unable to understand why water guns were spraying down instead of gratitude, but he appeared to interpret it as a sign of appreciation.
With his head bowed respectfully, Kim Rae-bin bounded back across the stage, his white shirt completely soaked and clinging to his body.
‘Damn… damn it.’
Thank you.
I wanted to slap my own mouth for cursing earlier about why we were doing such a risky event like Seoul Water Bomb.
This high-octane rush was insane.
‘You, you had such a great physique too…!’
Kim Rae-bin’s fan marveled once more at their decision not to pick up their smartphone.
Other people can film it. For me, seeing it with my own eyes is what matters!
[Today’s going to shine-!]
After circling the protruding stage once, Testa finished the first song only after delivering another exciting dance break.
The outdoor concert hall shook with roars that seemed ready to lift off.
[Hello~! Nice to meet you!]
It was the same when Testa attempted a casual greeting and some banter.
[Oh my, for that song, if you could just spare our faces, we’d be even more grateful… oh dear.]
Even as he spoke, water streams sprayed relentlessly across his face.
But Lee Sae-jin just laughed, wiped his cheek with his shirt, and burst into laughter.
[Understood! But having fun is what’s most important~?]
Then roars of excitement and affirmation echoed through the concert hall.
Yet even in that hot and thrilling atmosphere, Kim Rae-bin’s fan briefly furrowed their brow.
‘Ah, so that’s why I had reservations about Seoul Water Bomb.’
It could be dangerous because of thoughtless people spraying directly at eyes, or crazy bastards mixing alcohol with the water.
Especially with such a famous male idol, there were often strange fandoms or obsessive types attached.
But then.
Park Moon-dae, already soaked like a drowned puppy, made a serious bomb of a statement.
[Then just… spray freely.]
“…??”
[We’ll handle the defense ourselves.]
Then Testa all started pulling something out of their pockets.
Waterproof goggles.
“Hahahaha!”
He hadn’t worn protective gear when he first came out, but now he was finally putting on a pair of goggles!
While those caught in the time-delayed water attack were laughing, Testa also grinned foolishly and deftly adjusted the goggles over his eyes.
They were quite stylishly designed fashion goggles.
And without a moment to catch their breath, they rushed onto the Protruding Stage one by one in the order they finished getting dressed!
[Next song, coming right up!]
“Kyaaaaaaah!!”
“Ahhh!!”
We picked such a perfect spot!! This is insane!!
While Kim Rae-bin’s fan was screaming and grabbing her friend’s arm, a torrent of water guns rained down on Bae Sae-jin standing directly in front of them.
His jacket and everything else—the white shirt underneath was completely drenched.
‘Poor guy!’
Yet even as she thought this, she didn’t stop her friend from enthusiastically spraying water at Bae Sae-jin’s stomach….
In an atmosphere charged with excitement and hormonal frenzy, the intro began to play.
[Doong…!]
“Oh, the latest song!”
It was ‘Roll the Dice’.
It seemed the beat was slightly faster, as if it had been rearranged with more intensity.
Just as people were about to start screaming and responding.
[Ah, and… we have a guest.]
“Huh?”
Ryu Chung-woo suddenly said this with a smile.
But without any explanation of what he meant, and before the crowd could even murmur in curiosity….
[Touching your hands
My tape wraps around again!]
The song began with Park Moon-dae’s high note.
“Kyaaaah!”
Wearing his goggles, Park Moon-dae now moved with hearty abandon, as if he didn’t care where the water guns were aimed. The crowd cheered and followed his movements.
[In the moment my heart races
All my senses Slow]
Testa executed their signature and striking choreography with precision, but handled the larger formations and gestures with relative freedom as they bounded across the Protruding Stage.
Light flashed from the crowd’s cameras.
The song surged, the beat pulsed, and the summer evening air felt ready to burst with heat and moisture—a moment of pure performance.
The final part before the pre-chorus!
[Finding the one true answer-]
And then.
The music suddenly stopped.
“…?”
Right when everything should have peaked and exploded!
For a moment, I thought it was a sound system failure.
Ding!
Behind the Protruding Stage, brilliant LED lights ignited across the Main Stage’s massive display screen.
And there… someone stood.
Blonde hair. Jeans and a well-fitted white t-shirt.
Goggles adorning the seventh member, In-young.
Cha Yu-jin.
[….]
Holding the microphone, he tested it with a brief hum, producing a sound.
[Ah, ah.]
That instant.
“Kyaaaaaaah!!”
“Eugene!!”
“What?? Who is that?”
The fans erupted in delighted shock at his sudden appearance, while those unfamiliar with him were swept up in the fervor, their screams piercing the air.
The band’s accompaniment surged back with a roaring intensity.
[!!]
And Cha Yu-jin burst forth onto the Protruding Stage.
“Insane, insane!”
With his hair swept back, Cha Yu-jin charged forward across the wet stage without hesitation, driving straight ahead with unstoppable force.
Even as he moved, his breathing remained perfectly controlled, his verses flowing seamlessly as he thrust them through the microphone with relentless precision.
[The choice is singular
Yes, take it all, one more
Even if I release this grip]
And at the very front.
The moment his foot landed in the center of Testa’s massive stage.
[Let’s Start, let’s begin the chaos]
The track dropped.
A dazzling dance break absent from the original.
[side side side]
Cha Yu-jin’s body snapped forward.
“…!!”
Insane.
Absolutely insane!
The water cannons in front of the Protruding Stage momentarily ceased their spray.
The three-dimensional depth was staggering, the presence violently commanding, and the explosive power electrifying.
‘What the—?’
[Just roll the dice]
Cha Yu-jin executed the dance break in an almost solo form.
His feet hammered the ground, his body rebounding as he swept across the floor in a fluid motion, each snap of his frame appearing effortlessly sharp, yet the physical toll was visibly immense.
‘Wait, what—?’
But there was no time to collect myself.
Cha Yu-jin’s next move was to casually strip off his shirt right in front of the bewildered crowd.
Instantly, his well-trained upper body was revealed.
“…?!”
“Kyaaaaa!!”
And so it continued.
He kept creating something that made it impossible to look away.
When the music slowed, Cha Yu-jin deliberately sat down to take the water spray directly in the face.
So they could hit his face directly.
‘He’s… insane.’
Then, without closing his eyes, he stared down each person spraying water guns one by one before ripping off his goggles and rising to his feet.
Very naturally.
But at the perfect timing as the interlude ended, he rejoined the main formation.
And the final chorus performance of the relentless title track.
[Seize and pull]
Fireworks erupted.
Yet even that loud and dazzling finale became mere backdrop as he burned through every boundary without restraint.
And at that very moment.
-Cha Yu-jin at Seoul Water Bomb is insane
-Kyaaaa Cha Yu-jin
SNS was exploding.
And there was one reason why all of this was possible.
STier’s Cha Yu-jin didn’t possess absolutely superior stats compared to Testa’s Cha Yu-jin.
The absence of proper management and training had taken its toll.
But experience.
Everything I’d endured because our group had so many incidents and crises.
An environment where sudden changes occurred so frequently depending on circumstances that my adaptability and improvisation during choreography had no choice but to develop to an extreme degree.
Because without growth, survival was impossible.
-I got it all down.
-Gasp.
So I had completely mastered Testa’s latest title remix choreography and two other songs for different events in just four hours.
And….
To somehow deliver an impressive performance, I adapted and desperately persisted even in uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations.
To seize the opportunity, I had pushed one stat to its absolute limit through sheer will.
[Charisma : EX (EX)]
Whenever opportunity came.
I was someone who would never miss the moment.

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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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