The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 53

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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 53
“Next up is the trainee who ranked 15th.”
Seo Ha-yul, sitting beside me, flinched noticeably.
‘True to form for a gray cat—he keeps reacting like this.’
Seo Ha-yul, who had placed 19th at the last ranking announcement, had been in this state ever since they started announcing the 20th position.
‘That guy’s ranking jumped quite a bit this time.’
“It’s none other than… Park Soo-gyeok!”
Park Soo-gyeok, sitting in the back seating area, let out a cheer and bounded onto the stage.
‘That guy’s surprisingly persistent about surviving.’
By the way, ever since I caught Park Soo-gyeok trying to escape, his attitude had become considerably more subdued.
‘Or maybe it’s more accurate to say he runs away whenever he sees me, so he doesn’t stand out much?’
Park Soo-gyeok, now in bot mode, was congratulating the trainees who had made it into the rankings.
Finally, the rankings had reached single digits.
“The 9th-ranked trainee is someone who demonstrated not only outstanding rap skills but also a surprising vocal reversal.”
Seo Ha-yul, sitting beside me, flinched even more noticeably than before.
‘That bastard.’
“It’s Seo Ha-yul, whose ranking jumped up by 10 places all at once!”
Seo Ha-yul shot up from his seat, a smile spreading naturally across his face.
“Congratulations!”
“…Si-woo!”
His eyes sparkled with such joy that his facial muscles relaxed, and happiness radiated from his expression.
Intoxicated by dopamine, Seo Ha-yul stretched his arm to the side and threw himself forward, attempting an embrace.
“…Oof!”
When a full-grown guy comes flying at you like that, the impact is heavier than you’d expect.
“I’m really 9th…! This isn’t a dream, right?”
“It’s not a dream. You did really well. Congratulations, Ha-yul.”
I ruffled his silver hair mercilessly, and Seo Ha-yul broke into a beaming smile.
“By the way, trainees ranked 9th and above are able to share their thoughts. Seo Ha-yul, please come up to the stage and say a few words.”
At Yu Hae-in’s urging, Seo Ha-yul quickly made his way toward the stage.
Standing on the stage, Seo Ha-yul wore a radiant smile as if he possessed the entire world.
‘So he can smile like that.’
Seo Ha-yul took the microphone from the staff member and scanned the remaining trainees.
“I was able to reach this point because of the National Directors who believed in me and cheered me on.”
Unable to contain the emotions surging through him, his face was filled with overwhelming joy.
“In truth, there were difficult times while participating in ‘Star picking5’.”
Seo Ha-yul’s voice, flowing through the speakers, trembled slightly.
By the way, Jin Young-hoon had been exposed as the one spreading false posts and was receiving intense criticism.
A lawsuit was also proceeding according to Seo Ha-yul’s wishes.
“I was so terrified and afraid that I wanted to cowardly give up on everything. But because someone helped me during that time, I was able to overcome the hardship safely.”
Our eyes met directly—his clear and upright gaze locked with mine.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Si-woo.”
‘That clever bastard.’
In response, I raised both hands high and delivered a hearty round of applause.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
The warmest applause yet echoed through the Filming Location.
Seo Ha-yul flashed a brilliant smile, his white teeth gleaming.
“Thank you!”
So this is why people say a well-raised gray cat is worth more than a child.
“We appreciated those heartfelt remarks. Seo Ha-yul, please take the seat marked number 9. Next, we’ll announce the trainee in 8th place.”
The Screen displayed my face on one half and another trainee’s on the other.
‘Can I actually survive this Quest?’
This was a high-difficulty Quest where only the top 7 could survive.
If my name was called for 8th place, death was certain.
Sporadic drum beats filled the Evaluation Space, gradually accelerating in rhythm.
‘I didn’t make any obvious mistakes. Please, let me be in the top 7.’
My heart tightened as tension mounted.
Strings trembled delicately, and a synthesizer layered with dissonance heightened the suspense unbearably.
“The 8th place trainee is… Cha…”
“…!”
‘Could it be…?’
“Cha Hun-gyeok.”
“Wow…!”
A sigh of relief escaped involuntarily.
Ding.
[Congratulations. You have successfully completed Sub-Quest (8): ‘Place in the top 7 at the second ranking announcement ceremony.’]
‘Yes!’
[Would you like to receive your reward?]
‘Of course!’
[Your reward is +1 Stat Point. You can enhance the stat of your choice.]
Since I also received a stat from Sub-Quest (7), I now had a total of +2 stat points to allocate.
‘The rewards are quite useful.’
I’ll need to use them wisely for the next mission.
“Next is the trainee who placed 7th. A trainee who captured the hearts of the National Directors with their unexpected charm!”
At the sound of Yu Hae-in’s voice, I snapped back to attention and looked up.
The split Screen displayed my face and Kang Chan’s.
‘Honestly, this one’s his.’
In a match between a dancer with 2 million subscribers and a rookie trainee, the winner was obvious without seeing the results.
‘But the fact that I survived is enough.’
I was adjusting my clothes and preparing to leave when it happened.
“7th place goes to Kang Chan!”
“…!”
‘What did he say?’
The camera began zooming in on Kang Chan.
With an expressionless face, Kang Chan strode confidently onto the Stage amid the murmuring trainees.
‘Is he disappointed?’
Kang Chan, who had ranked 5th in the first ranking announcement ceremony, had been eliminated in the 1v1 team battle and now dropped two ranks in the second ranking.
“Trainee Kang Chan, who earned the eliminated contestant revival right, has dropped two ranks from before. Could you share your thoughts?”
Yu Hae-in delivered the subtly probing comment.
“First, I want to express my gratitude to all the National Directors who helped me receive the eliminated contestant revival right through voting.”
Still expressionless, Kang Chan lowered the microphone to the ground.
“…?”
Just as everyone focused in confusion, Kang Chan suddenly performed a grand bow.
“Wow!”
“That’s cool!”
Genuine exclamations of admiration erupted from the trainees scattered throughout the space.
His body held rigidly upright between his neatly clasped hands conveyed the weight of the bow and the sincerity of his heart to all who witnessed it.
“I’ve never actually seen someone perform a grand bow like that!”
As Yu Hae-in began clapping, the other trainees quickly joined in applause.
‘Was that actually a real move?’
Seeing the solemn bow in person, which I’d only witnessed as a meme, stirred something within me.
‘Kang Chan is genuinely devoted to becoming an idol.’
Being an idol truly wasn’t easy.
Kang Chan maintained his posture for several seconds before rising flawlessly and picking up the microphone again.
“I already feel undeserving of the 7th rank I’ve achieved despite nearly being eliminated. I promise to show you my absolute best effort, even if it breaks my body, so that the National Directors supporting me won’t be disappointed. Thank you.”
An unwavering, steely flame burned in Kang Chan’s eyes as he spoke.
‘His eyes look a bit intense.’
It seemed this elimination had properly ignited his competitive spirit.
“That was an impressive statement. Trainee Kang Chan, please take the seat with the number 7.”
As Kang Chan walked confidently toward his seat, trainees from various spots offered him congratulations.
“Next, we have the announcement of the trainee ranked 6th. This trainee captured the National Directors’ hearts with exceptional singing ability!”
This time, my face appeared on the Screen divided into three sections.
‘If it’s about singing, it should be my turn now.’
Honestly, this ranking was much higher than I’d anticipated.
‘There are so many trainees better than me, yet so many people are supporting me. I really need to do my best.’
“It’s… Trainee Rua, who rose five ranks!”
‘Not me again!?’
As if delivering a final confirmation, the Screen zoomed in on Rua’s bright, radiant smile.
“Hey, Si-woo. Aren’t you going to hug me this time?”
Rua flashed a playful smile and spread his arms to the sides.
‘That time I hugged you without thinking because I’d survived, you bastard.’
I couldn’t reveal my true feelings in front of the camera, so I simply offered a professional smile and gave Rua a light embrace.
“Ha! Si-woo’s younger sibling is really a fun person, isn’t he?”
“…Ha ha.”
As I quickly released Rua, he bounded onto the stage with light, energetic steps.
“Rua, who climbed five ranks in a single evaluation—you look absolutely thrilled! Would you share your thoughts with us?”
“I’m so happy! So many people love my music and support me, and I’m really glad I decided to participate in Star picking5! I’ll continue to show you fun and amazing performances! Please look forward to it!”
”
“That’s such an uplifting sentiment! Rua, please move to seat number 6.”
“Yes~”
“Now we’re down to the final announcements for our top-ranked trainees. We’ll continue with the 5th place announcement.”
Five screens flickered to life simultaneously, displaying the five remaining trainees.
“Wow!”
“What an incredible combination of faces~”
I recognized several of the faces on the screen.
‘As expected, Yoo Ho-seung and Kim Sun-yu are naturally positioned at the top.’
“We have quite the popular trainees remaining. The 5th place winner is someone who demonstrated both outstanding leadership and vocal prowess.”
Electronic tones swelled like waves, building an almost unbearable sense of anticipation.
“And that is….”
The music suddenly cut off.
The silence before the announcement made the moment even more dramatic.
“Cha Si-woo!”
“Waaaah!”
The camera that had been persistently focused on me slowly zoomed in.
“Si-woo! Congratulations.”
I turned to see Kim Sun-yu’s hand on my shoulder, his face radiant with genuine joy.
“Thank you.”
“Cha Si-woo, please come up to the stage right now and share your thoughts with us.”
‘This guy really doesn’t waste time.’
As I hurried toward the stage, Yu Hae-in smiled warmly and handed me the microphone.
“I’ve been able to reach 5th place entirely thanks to the National Directors who have consistently supported me.”
I directed a fan-pleasing smile toward the camera in front of me.
“Honestly, receiving such overwhelming love from all of you right now feels like a dream. I’m still lacking in many ways, but I’m doing my best to repay your support. I hope for your continued interest and affection. Thank you so much!”
Clap. Clap. Clap.
As the trainees’ enthusiastic applause erupted, Yu Hae-in lifted the microphone with a satisfied smile.
“I heard your heartfelt words, Cha Si-woo. Listening to you reminds me of myself when I first debuted.”
“I’m honored you’d say that.”
“And I recall you mentioned you’d do your best for the National Directors, correct?”
“Yes!”
“Then how about showing our fans some aegyo?”
‘…What?’
Before I could even prepare myself, a playful, bouncy aegyo song poured through the speakers.

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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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