The Gates Opened on the First Day of Debut - Chapter 97

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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 (97)
I recalled the final ranking announcement ceremony rankings.
14th Place Seo Ijae, 12th Place Kang Hae-soo, 10th Place Jung Yoo-yeol, 7th Place Han Theo, 6th Place Okada….
‘And I was 2nd Place while Yoo Sung was 1st Place.’
Excluding Yoo Sung and myself, everyone else had precarious rankings, but there was no way to know what would happen until the MC announced it.
The ten percent live voting had proven to have a far greater impact on the results than expected.
“I will now announce the 6th Place trainee.”
Tense background music heightened the atmosphere, and the audience members who had been murmuring moments before fell silent.
“This trainee demonstrated unwavering dance skills.”
Unwavering dance skills… Could it be Okada?
I speculated about who the 6th Place trainee was as I listened to the MC’s introduction.
“With a model-like tall stature and well-proportioned physique that captured the hearts of our general audience members, the 6th Place trainee is….”
Listening to the MC’s continued introduction, I figured out who the 6th Place trainee was.
“…Congratulations, trainee Kang Hae-soo!”
“Wooooow!”
Cheers erupted from the Audience Seating.
Kang Hae-soo, who had been standing in the back, staggered forward and made his way through the other trainees.
“Congratulations, Hae-soo!”
“You did it!”
“This is amazing, truly amazing!”
The trainees suppressed their bitterness and anxiety, offering their congratulations to Kang Hae-soo.
Kang Hae-soo strode confidently toward the Central Stage.
“Trainee Kang Hae-soo, would you mind sharing your thoughts with all the fans who have supported you?”
Kang Hae-soo nodded and accepted the microphone.
“I… only a few years ago, I was pursuing a different dream, not the Idol Industry.”
I was somewhat surprised.
I hadn’t expected Kang Hae-soo to openly reveal his past like this.
“Everyone praised me for having talent, but I chose to pursue my dream of becoming an Idol.”
Kang Hae-soo’s sincere voice resonated throughout the Set Stage.
“There were times when I wondered if I was even allowed to become an Idol. I was someone who had already abandoned a dream once.”
Kang Hae-soo gripped the microphone tightly as he continued.
“But things are different now. I… want to become an Idol. I want to repay all the fans who have always supported me through dance and song. Thank you so much. That’s all.”
Kang Hae-soo no longer hesitated.
His eyes sparkled with passion and conviction toward his dream.
“Yes, excellent. We’ve just heard the thoughts of trainee Kang Hae-soo, who will be debuting as 6th Place!
Kang Hae-soo took his seat in the 6th Place position on the Central Stage.
“Next, I will announce the 5th Place trainee.”
The MC resumed the proceedings.
“This trainee achieved a powerful comeback through stable live performances at the Guerrilla Stage.”
I immediately figured out who the 5th Place trainee was from what the MC said.
“With outstanding vocal prowess, the 5th Place Trainee who captured the hearts of our audience is….”
Stable live performance, exceptional vocal ability. At this point, it’s practically a direct mention.
“…Congratulations, Jung Yoo-yeol Trainee!”
Jung Yoo-yeol weaved through the other trainees and walked toward the Central Stage.
Unlike Kang Hae-soo, he appeared quite composed.
“Jung Yoo-yeol Trainee, please share your feelings with the fans who supported you!”
Unlike the other desperate trainees, Jung Yoo-yeol seemed rather indifferent about debuting.
He was genuinely more interested in enjoying the process than achieving the goal—a typical casual player.
The fact that he’d even said he participated in the EX-Grade K-POP Idol program not to debut but because it seemed fun said it all.
“To the fans who voted and supported me.”
After receiving the microphone, Jung Yoo-yeol paused for a moment.
“I’m truly grateful. Thanks to you all, I was able to enjoy this to the very end. I never thought I’d actually debut like this….”
Jung Yoo-yeol broke into a wide smile.
It was an innocent, childlike smile—one you wanted to hate but couldn’t.
“I’ll think of this as a new opportunity you’ve given me, and I’ll always strive to enjoy my activities. Thank you!”
“Wooooow!”
Jung Yoo-yeol bowed at a ninety-degree angle toward the Audience Seating.
His debut remarks were ordinary, but right now Jung Yoo-yeol was genuinely delighted.
“We’ve heard the remarks from Jung Yoo-yeol Trainee, who debuted in 5th place! Next, we’ll announce the 4th Place Trainee.”
As Jung Yoo-yeol took his seat in the 5th place position on the Central Stage, the MC resumed the announcement.
“A trainee who came from a distant foreign land, carrying only the dream of becoming an Idol.”
Among the trainees who came from distant foreign lands, there were only those capable of debuting in 4th place or higher….
‘It has to be either Okada or Han Theo.’
Sure enough, all eyes turned to the two trainees.
“The 4th Place Trainee who captured hearts with explosive growth is….”
Ah.
Upon hearing the MC’s next description, I couldn’t help but gasp.
“…Congratulations, Okada Hiro Trainee!”
Okada, standing beside me, suddenly collapsed to the floor.
“Hey, get up, get up!”
“Hurry! The fans are waiting!”
“Congratulations, Okada!”
“Th-thank you….”
Okada seemed overwhelmed by the flood of congratulations.
I helped support her so she could regain her footing.
“Congratulations on your debut.”
“Hyung….”
Okada looked at me with a complicated expression.
I smiled broadly and gave her back a light push.
“I’ll be right there. Wait for me.”
“Yes…!”
Okada’s eyes widened as she walked toward the Central Stage.
“Trainee Okada, would you please share your thoughts with the fans who have supported you?”
“Ah, hello. I’m Okada.”
Okada fumbled as she received the microphone, then bowed deeply toward the audience.
“I’m truly, truly grateful. I was never very good at Korean. Even now… I’m still not very good at it.”
Okada was clearly nervous, her words stumbling over themselves.
Yet every word she spoke carried genuine sincerity.
“I thought I wouldn’t be able to debut because I couldn’t speak Korean well. If Kim Chowol hadn’t helped me, I wouldn’t have debuted.”
The camera captured my face. My startled expression suddenly appeared on the massive display board above.
I hadn’t expected her to mention me in her remarks.
“Thank you to all the fans who supported me, to my mom and dad, and to Kim Chowol… I’m grateful to you all.”
Okada bowed once more before taking her seat in the 4th place position.
“We’ve just heard the remarks from 4th place debutant Trainee Okada Hiro! Next, we’ll announce the 3rd place trainee.”
I examined the faces of the remaining trainees.
Except for Yoo Sung and Han Theo, the other trainees wore expressions of resignation, as if they’d already accepted their fate.
‘Lee Jae…’
Seo Ijae stared blankly into empty space.
As if he’d known this would happen all along.
I couldn’t bring myself to look at Seo Ijae any longer.
Because I understood his heart better than anyone else.
“A versatile trainee who excels at everything—whether it’s dancing or singing.”
Who could it be?
The description fit me, Yoo Sung, Han Theo, or any of us equally well.
“This trainee has demonstrated exceptional talent not only in the Main Quest but also in the Sub Quests.”
Could it be… me?
My heart began to race.
“The 3rd place trainee who boldly proved their abilities despite all the controversy is… congratulations, Trainee Han Theo!”
Though Han Theo had fallen from 1st to 7th place, he ultimately debuted in 3rd.
Han Theo walked toward the Central Stage, feigning composure.
“Trainee Han Theo, would you please share your thoughts with the fans who have supported you?”
Han Theo, having received the microphone from the MC, fell silent for a long moment.
“Thank you for letting me debut. I did… prepare some remarks.”
His words kept tangling, overwhelmed by excitement and nervousness.
And because he had to speak relatively unpolished Korean rather than English.
“I really… thought I might not be able to debut… I’m, I’m sorry.”
Han Theo, who had been rambling, lowered his head.
The audience began murmuring in slight surprise.
Han Theo had always been perfect, so this clumsy display must have felt quite unfamiliar to them.
“I, I just want to say thank you. I’ll work even harder from now on.”
Han Theo bowed his head and took his seat in third place.
“Now only two positions remain.”
The MC continued with a meaningful smile.
“I will now reveal the 1st and 2nd place winners.”
Two trainees’ faces appeared on the split Display Board.
It was me and Yoo Sung.
“Wooooow!”
The audience erupted in cheers as the 1st and 2nd place trainees were revealed.
“Both trainees, please come up to the Stage!”
Yoo Sung and I weaved through the other trainees patting our backs and made our way to the Central Stage.
Upon reaching the Central Stage, I gazed intently at the spectacle unfolding before my eyes.
It was a galaxy created by countless light sticks.
As I scanned the slogans the audience held, I spotted a familiar phrase.
[The Absolute Genius All-Rounder Idol Kim Chowol Who Must Debut]
The moment I saw that phrase, a soft smile spread across my face unbidden.
“Thank you for your patience.”
The MC, who had been building suspense, finally spoke.
“I will now announce the 1st place winner of the EX-Grade K-POP Idol program!”
A familiar scene, a familiar phrase, a familiar announcement….
A massive, perfectly circular black void shimmered like a black hole.
Calm down, Kim Chowol. This is a hallucination. The Gate won’t burst open.
‘Kyaaaaaaah!’
But following the hallucination came auditory hallucinations as well.
Before I knew it, my hands and forehead were damp with cold sweat.
‘What if I don’t debut as 1st place… Does the Gate burst open again?’
As the reality I had been avoiding drew near, I couldn’t calm myself no matter how hard I tried.
Monsters falling onto the Set Stage, spotlights and ceiling shattering in an instant, people collapsing while bleeding….
Would such horrific events happen again?
―Thump-thump-thump
The flashing spotlight dimmed and a suspenseful sound effect filled the air.
“Whether it’s vocals or dance, the long-awaited 1st place who captured the hearts of viewers as an all-rounder idol is…!”
After the vague introduction that could apply to anyone.
―Snap!
The spotlight illuminated the 1st Place Trainee.

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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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