The Gates Opened on the First Day of Debut - Chapter 26

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

The Gate Burst Open on My Debut Day (26)
The morning after using the item.
I was startled when I logged into Eun Ha-su’s SNS account.
“What… what is this?”
I brought my trembling phone closer to my face.
‘Could I be seeing this wrong…?’
But no matter how many times I blinked or turned the screen off and on, the numbers before my eyes remained unchanged.
[RT3,428 ♥5,731]
I was shocked by the retweet count, far exceeding the two thousand I had anticipated.
Considering that Han Theo’s post had achieved three thousand retweets in a single day, my response was comparable or even greater.
“The item’s effect is impressive…”
I smiled with satisfaction and turned off my phone screen.
―Ding!
A translucent window appeared before my eyes along with the familiar notification sound.
[You have cleared a Hidden Quest.]
[Hidden Quest: Leave a strong impression on people.
Reward: Item Draw Ticket (B) x1]
Reward: 1x Item Draw Ticket (B)
[You have left a strong impression on approximately 10,000 people!
You have been awarded Item Draw Ticket (B) x1.
You can check it in your item window.]
We will provide you with 1 Item Draw Ticket (B) as compensation.
You can check it in the item window.]
After checking my status window, I slowly tilted my head to the side.
“It’s the same as the first Hidden Quest?”
It was the first Hidden Quest I had cleared after awakening my status window.
Though the number of people had decreased from 2.5 million to 10,000, and it was an Item Draw Ticket (B) rather than just a regular Item Draw Ticket…
“Use Item Draw Ticket.”
Since an item I might need could appear immediately, I used the draw ticket right away.
A wheel appeared before my eyes, slightly different from any I had seen before.
“There’s no rainbow or gold section?”
Even after searching with fresh eyes, there were no rainbow or gold sections—only silver, bronze, and black sections.
Since the S-Grade Stat Growth Ticket was gold, silver must be A-Grade.
In other words, even if the best item appeared, it would only be A-Grade.
―Whirrrr.
The wheel began spinning before I could even feel disappointed.
And it stopped on a bronze section.
Bronze meant B-Grade.
Having secretly hoped for silver, I felt slightly disappointed.
‘At least it wasn’t the black section.’
Black was probably C-Grade.
I was just grateful to have avoided the worst.
Quickly changing my mindset, I smacked my lips and checked the item I had drawn.
But upon checking the item, I couldn’t help but exhale a deep sigh.
[Charm Potion
Grade: B+
Description: Elevates your Charm stat to EX-Grade for approximately 12 hours.
*Provided in potion form and can be used on others.]
Why is this showing up here again?
The Charm Potion was definitely one of the three items I could have chosen from the item selection options.
Due to the 12-hour time limit, it was a somewhat difficult item to use given the nature of Survival Competition programs, where I needed to demonstrate further growth at the next stage.
“I wish something more immediately useful had appeared.”
I methodically organized the remaining schedule for EX-Grade K-POP Idol in my mind.
The Press Conference Venue was coming up in a few days, and after that, everyone would gather at the Dormitory Hall to watch Episode 1.
After that, there would be PR video shoots and….
“Wait.”
As I was organizing my upcoming schedule, a brilliantly clever idea flashed through my mind.
“There’s no rule saying I have to use the Charm Potion before a stage, right?”
* * *
Five days after Eun Ha-su uploaded Kim Chowol’s preview to SNS.
Eun Ha-su kept turning her phone screen on and off with trembling hands.
But the numbers visible to Eun Ha-su’s eyes didn’t change.
[RT 12.5K ♥ 22.3K]
The retweets for Kim Chowol’s preview posted five days ago had surpassed 12,000.
“What, what is this?”
In truth, Eun Ha-su hadn’t anticipated that Kim Chowol’s preview she posted would receive such an explosive response.
Of course, the photo had turned out so well that even Eun Ha-su was startled, but that was a separate matter.
“My most recent post only got 130 retweets….”
Eun Ha-su was famous enough that anyone who had been a K-POP fan for a long time would know her.
But there was a difference between being known and being sought after.
It had been 15 years since Kim Junwoo debuted with Nexus.
Nexus’s fanbase had scattered to the winds.
Some had moved on to support other idols, while others had shifted their interests to webtoons and web novels instead of the Idol Industry.
Many were too busy with company work, marriage, and childcare.
Among Kim Junwoo’s Mother’s consistent supporters, only Eun Ha-su remained, so there was nothing more to say.
And well, though I’m sorry to Kim Chowol… he lacked the buzz factor compared to other eye-catching trainees.
If the 12,000 retweets had been Han Theo’s preview instead of Kim Chowol’s, I wouldn’t have been this surprised.
Of course, I was surprised, but my joy exceeded my surprise.
Of course it did.
The trainee I support was becoming famous.
“This is a good start.”
I hope everything continues to go smoothly and he debuts.
Eun Ha-su smiled and put her phone in her pocket.
I deliberately ignored that Kim Chowol’s preview retweet alongside Kim Junwoo’s preview had only two digits.
“Who did you come to photograph?”
Someone standing next to Eun Ha-su spoke to me while I was checking if the camera was functioning properly.
A woman holding a massive telephoto lens camera looked at Eun Ha-su with curious eyes.
Eun Ha-su rolled her eyes around, surveying the surroundings.
Somewhere along the way, people wielding telephoto lens cameras had gathered in clusters.
The place where Eun Ha-su stood was the Press Conference Venue for EX-Grade K-POP Idol.
Everyone had gathered to photograph the trainees appearing on the trending program EX-Grade K-POP Idol.
Eun Ha-su discreetly scanned the woman who had spoken to her.
‘She doesn’t seem to be a data seller.’
Data seller—a shortened term referring to people who sell celebrity photos they’ve taken directly to others for money.
They have an uncanny ability to sniff out money and appear like ghosts whenever there’s an event that might be profitable.
But judging by the fact that she asked first who I came to photograph, she probably wasn’t one.
Usually data sellers just quietly take photos and leave.
“I came for Kim Chowol.”
Eun Ha-su answered with a slight smile.
Though I had been cautious at first, the thought that this woman might be a kindred spirit made my heart race.
‘Maybe this woman is also someone whose life has been mortgaged by sudden love, just like me.’
Unfortunately, Eun Ha-su’s speculation was completely off the mark.
“Kim, who?”
The woman tilted her head and spoke.
Someone lacking in perception might think she genuinely didn’t hear and was asking again.
But Eun Ha-su was a veteran who had survived fifteen years in K-POP, where competition, factionalism, and intrigue ran rampant.
She could immediately discern the hidden meaning in the woman’s reaction.
‘She’s looking down on me for liking a trainee with no recognition.’
A hollow laugh nearly escaped.
But Eun Ha-su held it back.
Getting angry here would be the height of foolishness.
Eun Ha-su lifted one corner of her trembling mouth and spoke.
“Kim Chowol. Kim Chowol.”
“Kim Chowol…. Is there a trainee like that? Oh, I’m sorry. I came to photograph Han Theo….”
The woman, who had scanned Eun Ha-su from head to toe, let out a snort and spoke.
The woman before me was deeply mistaken.
The popularity of the trainee you support doesn’t become your own status.
“Well, that’s possible.”
Eun Ha-su shrugged and spoke.
“You must have become a fan recently. Han Theo’s first competition opponent was the Kim Chowol Guild.”
“Huh, yes?”
“Ah, you might not know. The first episode hasn’t aired yet. I attended the recording.”
“Ugh….”
The audition viewing application for the first round of the EX-Grade K-POP Idol competition was only accepted for a very short window before filming began.
Most mothers who came to like the trainees late didn’t even get a chance to apply.
“Still, if you’d looked around the Community Site a bit, you could’ve found out that Han Theo’s competition opponent was the Kim Chowol Guild. You really came just to film Han Theo, right?”
The female fan pressed her lips together, having nothing to say.
She was probably Han Theo’s fan, after all.
‘And Kim Chowol would’ve known too.’
The problem was pretending not to know while knowing about Kim Chowol.
The reason was easy enough to guess.
People were still arguing on the Community Site and SNS about the results of the guild war between Han Theo and the Kim Chowol Guild.
“I’m really sorry for the trouble. Please get lots of shots of Kim Chowol. I’m too busy filming our Theo.”
The female fan abruptly ended the conversation, whipping her head around to start fiddling with her camera.
‘Still wet behind the ears….’
Eun Ha-su let out a scoff and began checking her camera again.
The Press Conference Venue would proceed in order: trainee photo time, program introduction, MC introduction and greeting, introduction of production staff and judges, and finally a Q&A session.
There was a lot to do, but the most important thing at the Press Conference Venue was the photographs.
“When are the kids arriving?”
“No idea, but it should be soon since we’re starting.”
“Ugh, I’m so nervous. I wonder how handsome Han Theo looks in person.”
“Hey, honestly Yoo Sung is better than Han Theo.”
Two fans who weren’t mothers, just here to see the trainees, were giggling and chattering away.
Since the first episode hadn’t aired yet, most were fans of the trainees who stood out.
It was only natural—the only content available was the Music Day stage video and the first round audition preview.
‘Our Chowol is handsome too.’
Eun Ha-su thought, pouting her lips slightly.
Of course, he couldn’t quite match the flashy good looks of Han Theo and Yoo Sung, but Kim Chowol was certainly handsome enough.
Eun Ha-su decided she should create a dedicated Kim Chowol account and diligently upload his photos.
‘I’ll make my idol debut myself!’
She’d even managed to make Nexus, who was nearly a flop idol, successful—debuting a single trainee was nothing.
It wouldn’t be easy, but she could do it.
“Huh? Aren’t those the trainee kids over there?”
“Gasp, yeah they are. Hey, turn on the camera quick!”
“Theo, where’s Theo?”
People began murmuring and stirring.
Eun Ha-su picked up her camera and moved her head side to side, searching for Kim Chowol.
“Huh? Who’s that? Was there a trainee who looked like that?”
“Who? Wow, he’s really handsome.”
Who were they talking about?
Eun Ha-su was curious about which trainee they found so handsome, but she quickly lost interest.
Finding Kim Chowol took priority over knowing who the handsome trainee was.
“Who is that…?”
Han Theo’s mother, who had been clawing at Eun Ha-su’s insides, murmured in disbelief, her voice barely a whisper.
The mother stared at one of the trainees, her expression etched with shock.
“Could it be… Kim Chowol?”
At the woman’s words, Eun Ha-su’s head snapped around in surprise.
The trainee Han Theo’s mother was looking at was none other than Kim Chowol.

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