The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 232

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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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232

[Is the PD even human?]

On screen, I swept my gaze over her screaming with indignation, my expression utterly unmoved.

[If the PD had any conscience, you could never have edited it that way!]

Jung Chung-yeon—a trainee who had finished fourth in a competition program featuring trainees who had spent years in preparation but failed to debut as idols, gathered together to compete.
It was something she had requested herself, and it was content agreed upon in advance with her agency.
So the results I had carefully edited and crafted for her were legitimate. The desired objective had been achieved anyway, and if left alone, she would have managed to recover to some degree on her own, and in time it would have been a problem that faded away naturally—I couldn’t understand why she was whining about it so much.
My eyebrows twitched as I watched her tears streaming down her cheeks like rain.

[You placed fourth.]

Where had that girl gone—the one who said she’d do anything just to debut, that she’d even sell her soul if necessary?
Instead, I recalled Song Ji-on, who had reluctantly complied with the agency’s unreasonable demands, forcibly drawing aggro, only to be helpless against the barrage of verbal arrows flying at her—a memory that had irritated me slightly.
Jung Chung-yeon had been given so much screen time that rumors circulated about whether she was Seo Ho-yoon PD’s niece, yet she ultimately succeeded. But Song Ji-on—whenever I tried to help by increasing her exposure even slightly, the criticism intensified proportionally and her ranking dropped.
My calculations had never failed me so completely before.

[So what? Everything that mattered is already gone—….]

Song Ji-on’s image overlapped with Jung Chung-yeon’s.
Song Ji-on had ultimately collapsed and wasn’t even selected as a survivor to take the final stage.
The grievances pouring from Jung Chung-yeon’s mouth were things Song Ji-on would have envied.

[You’ll live a long life. People who get cursed out live long.]

Maybe that’s why I spoke so bluntly without any filter.
I pulled out a cigarette and put it in my mouth. I flicked the lighter—click, click—and it caught fire.

[—If that’s all you have to say, I’m leaving. I’m busy.]

I was a bit sensitive back then too.
Watching her grit her teeth and tremble as she hung her head, I glanced at my phone before turning to leave.
Then, the familiar curse came pouring out again.

[I hope PD collapses completely. The day will come when you regret this. The day when our positions are reversed and you understand me. Even if you beg and cry then, it won’t help.]
[Oh my, how terrifying.]

I chuckled softly.
Quickening my pace, I left her curses behind. I was pressed for time if I wanted to return to the Production Department and continue editing.
But then, my steps suddenly halted.
I scratched my head in contemplation for a moment before pulling out my phone again.

[Me: Song Ji-on]
[Me: Would it be possible to talk later?]

I didn’t believe I could solve everyone’s problems.
But I’d already learned about Song Ji-on’s situation, she aspired to be an idol, and I happened to be a variety show PD.
It felt uncomfortable to just leave things as they were.
After sending the message, I went to the Editing Room and immersed myself in work, when the Assistant Director soon came looking for me. He said Director Kook was urgently calling for me.
I could see myself yawning widely as I slowly boarded the elevator.
On my face as I pressed the button for the top floor, it was clear I was thinking—what trouble is he calling me for this time?

[Hey, PD Seo!]

The moment I opened the door to the Director’s Office on the screen, anger erupted.
It was naturally Director Kook.

[You! There’s a problem and you’re just now showing up after wandering around!]
[…What is it?]
[The trainee from your program caused chaos on the message boards!]

My expression gradually darkened.
It was related to Song Ji-on, whom I’d been worried about.

[Song Ji-on’s star scaffolding is completely removedㄷㄷ]

The reactions from that time scrolled up on the large screen.
These were things I was seeing for the first time too.

[Wow, it’s basically all about wanting to die;; Is your mental state okay? You look depressed]
[Attention seeker, attention seeker, attention seeker, attention seeker, attention seeker]
[Isn’t that just the characteristic of celebrities with mental issues? Being endlessly bright in front of the camera and then endlessly depressed lol]
[It’s a path you chose anyway, so seeing you act like you’re suffering twice as much as others is really pathetic;;]
[Damn, you pushed out other trainees and acted all righteous, but behind the scenes you’re spouting nonsense. Stop trying to provoke people]
[Song Ji-on is pitiful and sad ㅜㅜ..]

I quickly skipped over the useless and garbage comments, singling out only Song Ji-on’s posts to read.
My fingers trembled as I scrolled through the screen.
The pressure from the agency and the verbal abuse she’d heard were written vaguely enough that it was difficult for people to pinpoint who specifically was responsible.
What StarStar had written was far more severe than the things she’d occasionally mentioned to me.

[Wow, another one’s up;;]

Below that was an additional post from Song Ji-on uploaded thirty minutes ago. It contained the phrase “It’s over now.”
In that instant, a single post flooded the entire screen.

[Isn’t that talking about Seo PD?]

Ding!

And suddenly, the System Window materialized above it.

[Infamy Points have been accumulated.]

“…Cough.”

So this was how Infamy Points were being accumulated?
The screen flickered once before instantly becoming flooded with responses condemning and attacking me.

[Right, Song Ji-on got so much sympathy. The agency angered Seo and that’s why Seo did all that stuff lol]
[LOL I feel sorry for Song Ji-on. What is all this? ㅜㅜ]
[I thought Seo PD was at least nice to the people appearing on the show, but that’s not it..??]
[Where would a malicious person go? Those empty-headed bastards covering for him, what’s wrong with them]

Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
.
.
.
Ding!
Ding!
Diiing!

I thought the timing was absolutely uncanny—as if Jung Chung-yeon’s curse had manifested into reality.
Then, the large screen above began to evaporate slowly, transforming into a mass of black clouds, and within them, a human silhouette started to take shape.
It paced back and forth anxiously, gnawing at its fingernails, and soon made a phone call to someone.

[Song Ji-on, pick up.]

It was me.
Me from “that time.”
Still clutching the silent phone, he strode out of the lobby with long, purposeful steps.
A small figure wearing Seo Ho-jin’s face, who had been silently watching, took my hand and began to follow him.
The remaining black masses gradually solidified into malevolent characters that chased after us.

[Swallowed○Δempty○Δwhen○Δmalice○Δwords○Δbrainwash]

“What is this?”
“Ignore it. Follow that ahead of us.”

The figure glanced back, saw the floating characters, and furrowed his brow.
The destination of “that time’s” me was the Broadcasting Station Parking Lot.
Right after my position as PD was confirmed, I had purchased my beloved car there for convenience whenever Seo Ho-jin and I went anywhere.

[Damn it, please just pick up.]

He redialed the disconnected call, got into the car with irritation, and closed the door.
But the car did not start.

Clunk.

As if calling out to me, the driver’s door swung wide open.
Inside, the ‘me’ who had just boarded moments ago was nowhere to be seen.

“…This is maddening.”

A feeling washed over me.
If I got in that car, I would face the memories I needed to find.

Crash, crash, crash, crash!

In that instant, the distant buildings collapsed like dominoes, crumbling to the ground.

“Ugh…!”

The shockwave shattered the ground beneath my feet. Between the cracks, swollen crimson veins pulsed visibly.
My unconscious mind seemed to be declaring that it could hold on no longer.
As I recoiled in shock at the rapidly crumbling edges, a strong force tugged at my sleeve, pulling my gaze downward.

“Snap out of it! This is the last chance. If you get in that car, you’ll understand what happened. It’s the only way out of the Unconscious Mind.”

He dragged me toward the car. Then he looked up at me.

“It’s time we part ways.”

I could guess what would happen if I got in that car. My fingertips began to tremble.
Those scenes I had witnessed when Min Ji-heon’s ability first separated me from the System.
The traffic accident I had mistaken all this time for the one that took my parents’ lives when I was twenty―.

“You’ll be okay!”

A small hand covered mine, gripping it tightly.

“You’ll be okay, Hyung. Everything will be fine. You’re safe, and I’ll make sure of it!!”

When I lifted my gaze from where it had fallen, I saw eyes brimming with nothing but me.

“You’re staying here alone?”
“…Of course.”
“Come here. Hold my hand.”

It was a foolish thing to say, but I couldn’t help myself from speaking it aloud.
He flinched.

“What, what?”
“At least to somewhere safe.”

I dropped to one knee and lowered myself to meet his gaze.
I knew we couldn’t leave together.
But I wanted to at least confirm his safety.
Whatever this creature was, I couldn’t abandon a ten-year-old Seo Ho-jin in a crumbling world alone.

“You, you idiot?”
“Habit.”

No, damn it—System Windows appearing before my eyes, reading people’s stats, strange items running rampant—was it really so strange that I was worried about him?
He couldn’t speak, just opened and closed his mouth uselessly. I forced my lips upward into a slight smile to reassure him.

“Ho-jin, your brother will―.”

The moment I felt the muscles in my face tense.

Screeeeeech!

A section of the building that hadn’t yet collapsed folded inward, crashing toward us.
Thinking it was dangerous, I tried to quickly pull him down, but he extended both arms first. Then the building made a grotesque grinding sound and stopped.

“We have to go. Now!”

Shouting that, he shoved me with his torso, driving me toward where the car was. Before I could resist, letters that had been chasing us pushed me along as well.
The door slammed shut forcefully, and he spoke urgently.

“―Brother, if you truly care for your sibling, don’t forget that you must leave this place. The memories that want to synchronize with you will go wild trying to hold you back, so no matter what, don’t look back.”
“Seo Ho-jin! Hey!”

I pounded the unyielding window with my fists, but it wouldn’t budge an inch.

[Hello, customer. Navigation is starting.]

“If you endure this and escape safely….”

My fist had turned red, the skin scraped raw.
Our eyes met through the window.

“Well then… why don’t you grab a meal with that guy’s younger brother.”
“Hey, hey. Seo Ho-jin!!”

The seatbelt fastened on its own, and the car moved without me even pressing the accelerator.
The car’s interior light flickered on and off repeatedly, and as my vision spun, his face gradually receded into the distance. A cheerful navigation voice chimed in.

[Drive safely today!]

I hurriedly checked the back window, but he was barely visible. His form was progressively obscured by rushing characters chasing after me.
The car’s speed surged in an instant.

[ReallyΔMake■Yoon ReallyΔMake▽■Work Announcement■Tunnel■Can’tHappen■You■○Δ Kid Δ Liar■Okay Branch That Announcement■Tunnel■Can’tHappen■You■○Δ Kid Δ Liar■Okay■Happened]
“…!”

As they crumbled and shattered, the characters desperately chasing me began to pass through the window and cling to my body.

[Kid■■Δ■Δ■■■■■]

With that, the radio turned on, emitting a high mechanical sound.

[Some memories are being unlocked.]

Then, as the car entered the tunnel, colorful lights engulfed it from all sides. Simultaneously, images flickered past as if projected by a beam projector.

[Yes, no, I’m going to talk to them directly. I know. That agency is terrible. But people come first, don’t they? I need to confirm with my own eyes that they’re actually okay.]

In that place, I pulled the phone slightly away from my ear, my brow furrowing.

[I’ll handle it.]

With that single phrase, I ended the call and struck the steering wheel with my fist—bang!—my head bowed low.

[The person might actually die, and yet the Broadcasting Station and the Agency keep pulling this nonsense. Do they think everything they say just disappears?]

With an expression of barely restraining the urge to overturn everything, I started the engine again.
The car parked on the side of the road soon began to move.

[Damn bastards….]

The moment I burst out of the tunnel, my voice echoed from all directions.
And now, melted beyond recognition, the text crumbled and cascaded down, burying the car.

[If you think about it, isn’t it PD Seo’s fault? If you think about it, isn’t it PD Seo’s fault? If you think about it, isn’t it PD Seo’s fault?]
[After the mental breakdown, now he’s actually causing accidents lol I knew this would happen]
[Die die die die die die die die die]

Instead, I could discern the content through the Radio.
The car was steadily hurtling toward its final destination.

[Infamy Points accumulated!]
[Infamy Points accumulated!]
[Infamy Points accumulated!]

Crackle—.

[——PD Seo… It’s Ji-on. You didn’t answer, so I’m leaving a message.]

—Click.

[…I’m really sorry. Please don’t mind the rumors circulating online. It’s about the Agency.]
[Just like you advised me before, the Agency will come forward, so I’ll clarify to the public right away that it wasn’t you, PD. …In the worst case, I’ll challenge again as an independent trainee —yeah—….]

The crackling Radio cut off there.
For a moment, all sound in the world seemed to cease.

“…Ugh.”

Nausea surged through me.
My head spun from the deluge of information assailing me from every direction.
I rolled onto my side and curled my body. My entire frame trembled.

“Seo Ho-yoon.”

Barely composing myself, a familiar voice reached me from the back seat.
It was Kim Sung-hyun’s voice.
I nearly turned around reflexively.

“Where are you going? Why do you look so pale?”

As if deeply concerned about me.
A hollow laugh escaped at the theatrics. Kim Sung-hyun’s dumpling-like face came to mind unbidden.

“Hyung, hyung. Where are we going right now?”

I squeezed my eyes shut and gripped the steering wheel with both hands, holding on, when Jung Da-jun’s voice came next.

“Hyung? What’s wrong?”
“Ho-yoon?”

Kang Yi-chae, Sung Ji-won….
The voices of those I knew passed by like that, all overlapping and blending together.
This much was bearable. I could ignore it.
Just as I thought that,

Screeeech—.

“…Hyung.”

Young Seo Ho-jin’s voice pierced my ears.

“I’m actually scared.”
“….”
“Can’t you stay here with me? Don’t leave me alone in this place.”

My closed eyes snapped open.
The hands gripping the steering wheel were white-knuckled from the force I was exerting.

“Hyung, you can’t abandon me.”

But the thing is.
Seo Ho-jin, the twenty-four-year-old he is now, had grown into a fine adult who could even strike his hopeless older brother with flowers.
I fed him, clothed him, and raised him.
Even the tiny Seo Ho-jin in my unconscious mind was a proper human being who knew how to comfort me first before looking after himself.

‘Get a grip.’

“Your memories that want to align with you will throw a fit trying to hold you back.”

Just as he said, these were merely my own memories trying to keep me here.
To be buried together in this crumbling place.

My brother, my brother—————.

“…Hey.”

I spoke without turning around.

“Go to hell.”

I raised my middle finger to the side of my head, then stomped down on the accelerator that had been moving on its own.

Vroooom!

The car lurched forward with a violent engine roar that made the entire vehicle shake.
The characters that surrounded me and enveloped the car pierced through the windshield, lashing violently across my cheeks and eyes.

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My skin tore and blood beaded on the wounds, but I didn’t slow down.

[Player has safely escaped the tunnel■■———….]

My vision, which had been obscured by characters, cleared, and a brilliant azure sky stretched before me.

[As a reward, memories are being restored.]

Then, sound was the first to warn me of danger.

Screeeeeech!
Craaaaaash!

―By the time the truck came into view, a violent impact had already slammed into my body, and my head struck the ceiling.
Shattered glass tore through my flesh with razor-sharp edges, and the airbag compressed my chest.
The car had already flipped multiple times.
My consciousness was growing hazy.
My body trembled violently as if seized by bitter cold. Scalding liquid poured from every orifice.
It was surely blood.

“Ah, cough, hack….”

Only now did I finally confront the truth I had desperately ignored until this moment.
This was the accident Min Ji-heon had shown me.

[Cough, damn it, this really….]

And I would surely die in this accident.
A sound like scraping metal escaped from my throat.
I felt my heart, which had been pounding fiercely moments before, beginning to slow.

[Memory is being released.]

The thread of thought I had clung to until the end burrowed into my brain.

[Memory is being released.]

[‘Seo Ho-jin is….’]

“Cough… hack.”

[‘What will happen to him now―….’]

My vision grew increasingly blurred.

Drip.

A drop of blood traced down my forehead, past my eyes, and fell from my chin onto the back of my hand. My pupils lost focus, wandering aimlessly ahead.

―….

My heart ceased to beat.

…Ding—…!

[Notoriety Points accumulated.]

…Ding!

[Game start conditions met.]

Ding!

[Player ‘Seo Ho-yoon’ can be revived.]
[Will you proceed?]

Thump.

[Loading….]

My chest heaves.

Thump. Thump.

My heart begins to beat, faintly at first.

[Loading….]

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

[―Loading complete.]
[Will you truly revive the Player?]

The sound of my heartbeat pierces through my eardrums, thundering wildly.
The buildings that were crumbling mercilessly transform into foam and scatter away.
A brilliant radiance engulfs me.

[Reviving the Player.]

As those warm sensations touched my skin, a sharp sting spread across it.
And gradually, the pain subsided.
Simultaneously, I became aware that time was rewinding.
Back before colliding with the truck.
Back before seeing the large screen.
Back before meeting that small one.
Backwards, backwards….

The stuffy air, the musty smell of dust, and the aroma of coffee drifting between artificial air freshener—all pricked at the tip of my nose.
And,

Ding!

[Congratulations, Seo Ho-yoon!]
[You have been selected as the Player for Obscure Idol Tycoon.]

I saw myself—a foolish-looking face with water dripping from my chin.
The day I possessed this parallel world.
Twenty-three-year-old Seo Ho-yoon, staring at the System Window in disbelief.

My consciousness, which had been drifting aimlessly, was sucked into darkness.
And with a familiar notification sound, the System Window appeared.

[Seo Ho-yoon, you have uncovered the hidden truth of the Player. You, who existed in the original world, have met death, and have gained new life in this world.]

A new life.

[Upon successful game completion, you can log out from Obscure Idol Tycoon and live anew in the original world.]
[In the original world, everything except ‘Seo Ho-yoon’ remains unchanged.]

A new life.

[※Frequent failures in Quest/Scenario clearance will result in severe physical penalties leading to death. Please be cautious.]

A new world.
Only I died, and I fell here while everything in the original world remains as it was.

Which means—.

[Clear the game through idol activities to obtain a new life!]

—Seo Ho-jin, my younger brother is left alone there.

“Gasp—!”

My constricted lungs expanded as air rushed deep inside.
As I coughed violently, noise reached my ears.

“Teacher! The patient is regaining consciousness!”
“Let’s check the vitals first!”
“Cough, gasp, wheeze….”

Through my hazy vision, faces appeared and disappeared repeatedly.

“Patient, are you coming to? This is a hospital. Do you understand?”

Behind the person speaking to me, I heard the Members’ voices mixed with sobs.
I forced my heavy eyelids open and gazed at the ceiling.
There, a blue System Window hovered.

[Congratulations, Seo Ho-yoon!]
[You have successfully returned to reality!]

The pain pounding in my skull made the text blur.

‘…Damn, this hurts like hell.’

Then, Jung Da-jun’s voice, thick with tears, came through clearly.

“Hyung, wake up, hyung!”
“Guardian, please don’t shout. You need to step outside!”

I tried to say something in response to his continued cries, but my eyelids were far too heavy.
And then, darkness again.

I sank into complete oblivion.

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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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