The Gates Opened on the First Day of Debut - Chapter 77

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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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The Gate Burst Open on My Debut Day (77)
Not all rural folk are simple-minded, and not all people of color are anti-racist.
Han Theo, born and raised in the American Corn Belt, had learned this truth painfully through experience.
Of course, his neighbors and friends were all good people.
But exceptions existed everywhere, and the first target of those exceptions was Han Theo, whose Asian features were unmistakably prominent.
“Just go back to your country!”
When Han Theo first heard those words, he was so stunned that he couldn’t say anything.
Though his appearance carried many Asian characteristics, Han Theo was American—born and raised in America.
“Go back? To where? America? Or to Korea, a place I’ve never even visited?”
Fortunately, Han Theo managed to escape the crisis thanks to friends he’d grown up with like brothers since childhood.
“Don’t listen to that pathetic racist bastard.”
“Yeah, Theo. No matter what anyone says, the fact that you’re our friend never changes.”
Following that incident, the friend who had insulted Han Theo transferred to another district.
The school strengthened its anti-racism education, and his friends looked after Han Theo even more than before.
Han Theo was genuinely grateful to the school and his friends, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of being an outsider.
“No matter how well I live, my appearance and bloodline can always become a weakness.”
That first experience of racism became the catalyst for Han Theo to step beyond the fence of his always-happy and peaceful family, neighbors, and friends, and gaze toward a wider world.
As Han Theo looked around the world beyond that fence, he discovered K-POP Idols and began to dream of becoming one.
Han Theo, who had been secretly practicing to become an Idol, confessed to his family that he wanted to become one.
“Do you really think someone like you, who can’t even speak properly, could survive in that harsh world?”
Han Theo’s older sister said this.
Unlike Han Theo, his sister was capable and intelligent. That’s why Han Theo always obediently followed whatever his sister told him to do.
But there was one thing he couldn’t give up on—becoming an Idol.
“You dare go against your sister? Ugh, fine. I guess you’re serious about this. Alright, I’ll help you.”
His sister forgave her younger brother for defying her for the first time with surprising grace.
His sister, who had been interested in K-POP Idols until middle school, taught Han Theo the ways to survive despite not knowing Korean and having never lived in Korea.
“Never trust anyone else. You know that already, right? The only people you can trust are family. Actually, until you achieve your dream, don’t even trust family. Suspect them to the end.”
Han Theo engraved his sister’s advice deep in his heart.
“Don’t regret after being betrayed. Suspect and be wary from the beginning. That way, at least you won’t get hurt.”
So Han Theo constantly suspected and doubted everyone who approached him first.
The fact that Han Theo couldn’t speak Korean was a weakness that people loved to exploit.
“It’s better not to get close to anyone from the start than to risk exposing my weakness. Like my sister said, everyone is an enemy until I debut.”
Why did he unconditionally agree with others’ opinions and obediently follow along?
It was nothing special.
He naturally disliked conflict, but more than that, he didn’t want to argue with people he couldn’t trust.
And the more Han Theo opened his mouth, the greater the risk of exposing his fatal weakness—his inability to speak Korean.
“Yeah, the center really has to be Theo, right?”
“Um, uh… yeah! Theo, what do you think? Do you want to be the center? Or would you like to be the center?”
But the more Han Theo suspected others, the more distant they became, and he gradually grew exhausted in the solitude he had created himself.
Han Theo fell into deep contemplation.
Is suspicion and vigilance the only answer? How long must I live like this?
Will everything really be solved once I debut? I still can’t speak Korean properly.
“I saw the post your friend uploaded.”
The very day I returned from vacation.
Kim Chowol spoke to me after we’d secretly met, avoiding the eyes of other trainees.
“Did you see the reactions? They weren’t bad. I guess there’s nothing as effective as the person involved stepping forward directly.”
Kim Chowol muttered while checking the responses on SNS and Community Sites on his phone.
The barrage of criticism and curses directed at Han Theo had largely subsided thanks to a single post uploaded by his Childhood Friend living in America.
[It’s all lies. Complete lies.
We’re not the racists. Park is. Park rejected people of color and favored white people.
Park didn’t sit next to us. He always tried to sit next to white people.
Park, tell the truth before you expose our faces and names.
I’m using a translator, so it might sound awkward. But everything I’m saying is the truth.]
The photo of Han Theo posted alongside the message also played a major role in calming public opinion.
Looking at the photo, there was no way Han Theo could appear to be someone who would bully or ostracize others based on race.
“Did you see that school violence exposé post get taken down?”
Just hours after Han Theo’s Childhood Friend uploaded the post, that Park person’s exposé also disappeared.
There was no clarification post, but people assumed the author of the false exposé had gotten scared and fled.
And they were right.
“Still, I’m relieved. Having a friend willing to step up like this. The photo choice was good too….”
The photos posted with the message were ones Han Theo had gathered by thoroughly searching through his own gallery, his family’s, and his friends’.
From photos taken in childhood to those from High School, Kim Chowol and Han Theo had put their heads together, sifting through hundreds of pictures to select just the right ones.
“Kim Chowol….”
Han Theo, who had been silent, finally opened his mouth.
What should I say?
“You….”
There was so much I wanted to say. But my throat felt tight, and my voice wouldn’t come out properly.
Kim Chowol waited for Han Theo patiently.
After hesitating for a long time, Han Theo finally spoke.
“Why do you act like that?”
No, that’s not what I meant to say.
I had never resented my pathetic Korean skills as much as I did right now.
Kim Chowol must surely think I’m frustrating too.
I myself was bursting with frustration.
“Why would you go this far?”
But Kim Chowol immediately grasped my true feelings, which I couldn’t properly express due to my limited Korean.
“Well….”
Kim Chowol rubbed his chin with his finger, lost in thought.
I swallowed hard.
“You’re the center of our Stage. I couldn’t let you get eliminated.”
“Just for that reason?”
“Just? Do you have any idea how much trouble it is when the center drops out mid-performance? We’d have to redistribute parts, rework the choreography and formations….”
Kim Chowol pouted and grumbled.
“But if it’s you, you can do it.”
“Do what?”
“Redistribute parts, rework the choreography and formations….”
Having been on the same team twice, Han Theo had come to understand what kind of person Kim Chowol was.
If Kim Chowol decided something was impossible, he abandoned it without hesitation.
But once he made up his mind to do something, he would see it through no matter what.
“Well… I can do it. I mean, I can….”
Just as expected, Kim Chowol, caught red-handed, awkwardly averted his gaze as he spoke.
“You’re our center.”
Han Theo felt sincerity in Kim Chowol’s brief words.
And that sincerity swept away the frustration that had been weighing on Han Theo’s heart.
‘I’m sorry, Unnie. You told me to doubt people and stay guarded.’
Kim Chowol might betray Han Theo later.
But Han Theo would never regret this choice.
Han Theo extended his right hand toward Kim Chowol.
“Thank you.”
“Uh… yeah.”
A handshake out of nowhere?
Kim Chowol tilted his head in confusion, but he still grasped Han Theo’s hand and shook it lightly.
‘Until debut, everyone is essentially an enemy.’
Han Theo no longer thought that way.
Even in this brutal Survival Competition, there were people who helped others, people who couldn’t turn a blind eye to injustice.
“Let’s work well together from now on.”
Han Theo released Kim Chowol’s hand and spoke.
The handshake originated from medieval knights extending their weapon-free hand to show they were not enemies.
From today on, Kim Chowol was not Han Theo’s enemy.
‘Kim Chowol isn’t an enemy… he’s a colleague working toward the same goal of debut.’
* * *
―Ding!
As I released Han Theo’s hand, a familiar notification sounded.
[Sub Quest Progress has been updated.]
[Check your Sub Quest.]
Oh, finally!
My eyes sparkled as I immediately checked the Sub Quest progress.
[Sub Quest: Recruit Colleagues
Description: Recruit colleagues for a successful debut.
Colleague Recruitment Progress (6/6)
Success Reward: Gate Occurrence Suspended (180 days)]
[1. Okada Hiro (Grade: B+)(Stats Window Available)
2. Yoo Sung (Grade: S-)(Stats Window Available)
3. Seo Ijae (Grade: B)(Stats Window Available)
4. Jung Yoo-yeol (Grade: A)(Stats Window Available)
5. Kang Hae-soo (Grade: A-)(Stats Window Available)
6. Han Theo (Grade: S)(Stats Window Available)]
Upon reaching 100% trust, Han Theo became my ally.
As I confirmed Han Theo’s grade, I narrowed my eyes and pressed my lips firmly together.
‘S-grade….’
Here I was, someone who couldn’t escape D-grade in either vocals or dance, suffering through every conceivable hardship.
No, wait.
What good would it do to envy Han Theo now?
Let me find meaning in clearing the Sub Quest instead.
‘Hold on—if I clear a Sub Quest, can I avoid the Gate even if I fail the Main Quest?’
It was a reasonable assumption, since the success reward was identical: Gate Occurrence Suspended.
―Ding!
But then, a familiar notification chimed again.
[Hidden Quest Cleared.]
[Hidden Quest: Recruit All Allies
Reward: ???]
What is this?
My brief joy at clearing another Hidden Quest vanished in an instant.
The moment I saw those three question marks, I couldn’t hide my bewilderment.
‘Stop being stingy and tell me already. What’s the Hidden Quest reward? And don’t drag out the Sub Quest reward either—hand it over!’
I glared at the translucent status window and threatened it silently.
Whether my threat worked or not, a new status window appeared before my eyes.
[Sub Quest and Hidden Quest clear rewards will be granted together with the Main Quest clear reward.]
What…?
This isn’t some “reveal in 60 seconds” nonsense.
Give me my reward already!

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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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