The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 36

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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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Chapter 36
The opening music blared through the speakers.
The synthesizer erupted in a soaring crescendo, and the EDM rhythm exploded in sync with the massive display screens.
“Welcome, trainees. We’re finally beginning the first ranking announcement for Star picking5!”
In stark contrast to Yu Hae-in’s cheerful voice, tension etched itself across every trainee’s face.
The stage was arranged with chairs of varying designs stacked in a pyramid formation.
Large numbers were affixed directly above each chair.
“As you can see, each chair displays a number. When your ranking is announced, simply take a seat at the corresponding position.”
The chair at the very top, marked with the number 1, resembled a throne.
Black velvet draped the seat, embroidered with golden thread, and a dragon’s silhouette was carved sharply into the backrest.
At first glance, it embodied luxury itself.
As the chairs descended, their quality deteriorated progressively.
At the 36-50 ranking section sat a garish red plastic chair.
It was the familiar kind you’d see scattered around convenience stores.
Honestly, dividing the chairs by ranking—a concept befitting a survival show—was painfully juvenile.
“And for trainees who fail to place within the top 50, there are no more seats. You’ve been eliminated, so please exit the filming studio.”
“Ah….”
“That’s too harsh….”
Sighs mixed with exclamations erupted from various corners.
The trainees, their expressions growing darker, couldn’t hide their mixture of anxiety and anticipation as they stared at Yu Hae-in.
“We’ll now begin the first ranking announcement, combining the Judge Panel scores from the last competition, on-site votes, and internet votes.”
Thump… thump… thump…
Percussion drums echoed like a heartbeat.
“The first successful candidate is trainee ranked 49th.”
The accelerating rhythm tightened around my ears like a vice.
The trainees bit their lips or clasped their hands tightly, remaining perfectly still.
In the silence so profound I could almost hear my own heartbeat, Yu Hae-in’s voice rang out.
“It is… Hong Ryu-han!”
The first successful trainee’s name had finally been called.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
All the trainees applauded vigorously as they watched Hong Ryu-han.
Relief washing over him, Hong Ryu-han sat down in the red convenience store chair marked 49 with a complicated expression.
“Next is 48th place.”
The music suddenly surged forward, and trainees began being called out one by one in rapid succession.
When will my name be called?
A heavy stone seemed to settle in my chest.
My mind tangled with complicated thoughts.
My heart began racing at the reality that I’d be finished if I didn’t place in the top 10.
Deep within, anxiety slowly spread through me.
Please, let me make it into the top 10.
I had received high scores from the judges, but the variable of internet votes made my heart churn like turbulent waves within my chest.
“Next is the trainee ranked 19th. This is a charismatic trainee who captured the hearts of the National Directors with their outstanding rap skills.”
The guy sitting diagonally from me flinched noticeably.
“Congratulations. It’s Seo Ha-yul!”
Seo Ha-yul lifted his head that had been bowed.
His eyes were reddened.
When I placed my hand on Seo Ha-yul’s shoulder as he stood motionless, he snapped to attention and opened his eyes wide.
I exchanged a firm high-five with his outstretched palm and then ruffled his hair.
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks, Si-woo hyung. I’ll head over there now.”
Answering congratulations from all around, Seo Ha-yul sat down on the hard wooden chair beneath the number 19.
‘I was so worried, but thankfully it worked out.’
Although Seo Ha-yul had received an E-grade during the theme song evaluation, fortunately he secured a solid ranking in the first announcement.
The problem was me.
“Next is the trainee ranked 18th. This trainee sang well and received praise from the judges.”
‘Could it be…me?’
My heart suddenly sank.
“It’s Kim Ji-woo!”
‘Phew.’
A sigh of relief escaped me.
The trainee sitting next to me cheered with both hands clasped together.
He was one of the Vocal Team 2 members.
“Yes!”
“Congratulations, Ji-woo.”
“As expected! That’s impressive.”
As words of encouragement poured in from Vocal Team 2, I offered my own.
“You worked hard. Congratulations.”
“Thank you so much!”
Kim Ji-woo sat down in the chair marked 18 with a beaming smile.
After that, Vocal Team 2 trainees began to be called one after another.
It was likely because the top score from the judge evaluation was being heavily weighted in the rankings.
“16th place is Park Soo-gyeok!”
Park Soo-gyeok opened his eyes wide and glanced sideways at me.
When our eyes met, Park Soo-gyeok bowed his head very slightly.
“…Thank you.”
He clearly knew about the effort I put in carrying him through that performance.
‘If that bastard had deserted us then, he wouldn’t have gotten this ranking.’
I nodded as I looked at the camera with its red light on.
“Congratulations.”
“Yes. Thank you so much, truly.”
Yu Hae-in picked up the cue card after confirming Park Soo-gyeok had taken his seat.
“Trainees ranked 15th and above receive different treatment.”
The chairs numbered 6 through 15 were equipped with plush cushions.
It was quite pleasant to realize these were chairs that would keep one’s backside comfortable even after sitting for extended periods.
“You’ll receive not only better seating, but also time to briefly share your thoughts.”
“…!”
The trainees’ expressions visibly brightened at the prospect of appearing on camera once more.
“Now I’ll announce the 15th-ranked trainee. A trainee who demonstrated outstanding rap skills and leadership abilities…”
Suspenseful music swelled as the cameras converged on a single point.
“It’s trainee Jin Young-hoon!”
Jin Young-hoon, the leader of Seo Ha-yul’s team, stood frozen on stage with tension etched across his face.
“Congratulations, trainee Jin Young-hoon. Would you share your thoughts?”
“Thank you to all the National Directors who voted for me! To be honest, as the team representative, the training process wasn’t easy, but I’m so grateful to achieve such a good result. I promise to continue showing you my dedication!”
‘The training process wasn’t easy?’
Several trainees from Seo Ha-yul’s team were clapping with forced smiles on their faces.
‘Hmm. Was I really not paying attention to other teams?’
I’d have to check the broadcast later.
As the rankings continued to be announced, Yu Hae-in’s gaze turned toward Vocal Team 2.
“11th place goes to a trainee with a fantastic tone and outstanding vocal ability—a member of the team that received the highest score from the judges. That is…”
Vocal Team 2, which had ranked first in the judges’ scores, had every trainee except me and Rua already safely within the top 50.
‘Really… not me?’
This Quest required me to place in the top 10 to succeed.
If I received 11th place, death was certain.
‘No way… that can’t be it.’
The camera turned toward me, slowly drawing closer.
‘I absolutely have to place in the top 10 this time.’
“It is….”
As the suspenseful music intensified, my heart began racing faster.
“Trainee Rua!”
“Woooow!”
Overwhelmed with joy, I pulled Rua into an embrace.
“Younger Sibling Si-woo! I’m so happy you’re celebrating for me too!”
‘I’m happy because I’m alive, you know?’
With all my teammates surviving, barring any major variables, our ranking was now guaranteed to be within the top 10.
I let Rua celebrate in my arms without restraint.
As the relief of survival enveloped my entire body, cheers welled up from within and poured out naturally.
Yu Hae-in, who had been watching us warmly, finally picked up the microphone.
“You trainees really have great chemistry with each other. Trainee Rua, would you come up on stage now?”
Yu Hae-in’s voice snapped me back to attention.
I quickly released Rua, and he grinned widely as he climbed onto the stage.
“Thank you so much. I’m delighted that we created a wonderful stage together as a team and received excellent results! I’ll make sure to show you an enjoyable and skillful performance on the next stage as well.”
Rua, beaming with a radiant smile, plopped down onto the chair with the number 11 cushion.
“We heard your thoughts well, Rua. Next is the trainee ranked 10th.”
I straightened my clothes and quickly composed my expression.
‘Now it’s my turn to be called.’
I was wearing a professional smile while thinking of a modest comment that wasn’t over the top.
Yu Hae-in, whose eyes had met mine, looked away.
“Park Hun-hyuk, trainee!”
“…?”
‘That’s not me?’
The 10th-ranked trainee’s brief comments followed, and the 9th and 8th-ranked trainees were called up as well.
My nerves were starting to fray.
‘Shouldn’t it be my turn soon?’
I was wiping the sweat from my palms onto my pants when it happened.
“The 7th-ranked trainee is one who demonstrated outstanding vocal skills and leadership.”
A narration rang out over the dramatic breathing sound.
“The trainee who will take this position is….”
A deep, heavy drum sound gradually layered underneath.
“Cha Si-woo, trainee!”
“Waaaaaah!”
Whether conscious of the camera or not, congratulations poured out from all around at once.
“Wow~”
“That’s impressive!”
“Congratulations, Si-woo hyung.”
Among them were Kim Sun-yu with a gentle smile and Yoo Ho-seung whose expression was visibly tense.
“Thank you!”
I bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle and quickly made my way to the stage.
The confirmed fact that I had completed the Quest and saved my life made the corners of my mouth naturally rise.
“First, I sincerely thank all the National Directors who voted for me.”
I gave a sharp ninety-degree bow toward the camera.
“Since I received an undeserved ranking from the start, I’ll take it as a sign to work harder. I’ll continue to prepare diligently, improve, and show you good performances. I ask for your continued support. Thank you.”
This time, a genuine smile from deep within broke through—not the professional smile I wore in social situations.
As I climbed toward the chair with the number 7, congratulations poured in from all directions.
“Si-woo hyung, I sincerely congratulate you!”
“Yeah, thanks.”
I responded to Seo Ha-yul’s greeting and as I climbed the remaining steps, Rua suddenly stood up and pulled me into an embrace.
“…Oof!”
“Si-woo, younger sibling. Congratulations!”
“…Thank you.”
Finally managing to separate from Rua, I sat down in the chair marked with the number 7.
Ding.
[C…Congratulations. Sub-Quest (6): ‘Rank in the top 10 at the first ranking announcement ceremony.’ Quest c…completed.]
Instead of the opaque blue window, a crimson one flickered.
‘Hey! It’s been a while! Where have you been?’
[W…Would you like to receive your reward?]
‘Of course I should. But why haven’t you responded all this time? Did something happen?’
[Your reward is a S…System Communication R…Restoration Right.]
‘…What?’
Restoration? What does that mean?
Now that I thought about it, the System window looked quite different from usual.
[W…Will you use it now?]
‘Yeah. I’ll use it right away.’
[Using System Communication R…Restoration Right.]
In that instant, a dazzling white light swept across the space.

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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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