The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 365

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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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365

Kang Yeon-hu turned his head away with an awkward expression and let out a nervous cough.

“…Ahem, anyway, let’s just go in and try not to say much, yeah?”

His stiff neck and darting eyes made it clear he was genuinely frightened. For some reason, I suddenly became aware of Kang Yeon-hu’s actual age, and he finally looked like someone my own age.

“Yeon-hu, even if you’re scared, don’t cling to me too much, okay?”
“…That won’t happen, even if I die.”

Kang Yeon-hu immediately straightened his expression, spun around, and headed toward the staff member to have his microphone fitted.

‘What’s there to be scared of when you know it’s fake?’

I didn’t fully understand it, but he was the type to look after his own interests, so I figured he’d manage just fine. He was an adult man, after all, and I expected his reaction would be similar to Kim Sung-hyun’s or Jung Da-jun’s at worst. Both of them had gotten emotional, but not so much that broadcasting would be impossible.
Jung Da-jun, who had shamelessly exploited his status as the maknae to shower Black Call with aegyo and flattery in exchange for snacks, quietly approached me.

“But hyung, will you be okay with the penalty?!”
“Hey, why are you asking him that? Even back at the old dormitory when he said he thought he saw a ghost, Seo Ho-yoon just told him to stop making noise, sprinkle some salt, and go to sleep.”

Kim Sung-hyun suddenly interjected from the side. Now that he’d escaped last place, color had returned to his previously haggard face. I chased away those two bothersome hangers-on and Sung Ji-won, who’d been trailing after me every chance he got, and headed toward the Haunted House with Joo Woo-sung and Min Ji-heon, including the still-pale Kang Yeon-hu.
Walking toward the Haunted House with Joo Woo-sung and Min Ji-heon, including Kang Yeon-hu who still looked pale, I glanced at the swarm of other teams crowded in the monitoring area to watch the penalty being carried out.

Horror Hospital delivers the ultimate terror!

Broadcasting stations had long been infamous for using their time-honored traditions as an excuse to enforce strict hierarchies and territorial customs. Naturally, when newcomers arrived, they had to undergo initiation rites. I was no exception.
And one of those pointless tasks that fell to me was conducting preliminary surveys of “scary locations” suitable for variety show use.
And one of those useless tasks that fell to me was doing advance scouting of “scary places” suitable for entertainment shows.

“I came out after carefully examining whether it was worth using.”

The Horror Hospital was one such place.
Back then, I’d checked how long it took to get through, how many ghosts typically appeared, where props were positioned, and so on. I’d suggested changing a few sections to make it fresher, but got thoroughly criticized for it.
Anyway, we managed to use it well enough in the program. The ratings were decent too.
I was indulging in nostalgia I couldn’t share with anyone, when the staff member who’d fitted the camera helmet on my head suddenly seemed to remember something and spoke up.

“Oh, now that I think about it, this place is really famous. People say there are a lot of actual ghosts mixed in among the visitors. Sightings are pretty frequent, so there’s even a rumor they perform rituals before opening each time….”

Was this some kind of marketing?
Just as I was thinking it was a pretty effective way to grab people’s attention, Joo Woo-sung spoke up with a slightly tired expression.

“No, why do you have to say things like that right before we go in….”
“—Is that really true?!”

No, I was about to say something, but Kang Yeon-hu’s voice drowned me out.
He seemed genuinely frightened.
Joo Woo-sung looked at Kang Yeon-hu for a moment, then sighed and scratched the back of his neck.

“…Yeon-hu, you’ll be in the middle?”
“Y-yes? Ah… no, no, senior. It’s fine. I’ll go at the front.”

Kang Yeon-hu lifted his chin up sharply and, trying his best to appear composed, stepped forward. But his clenched fists were already trembling noticeably.

“…Then Seo Min-gang-ju Team, you’ll enter in the order you’re standing. Kang Yeon-hu, Joo Woo-sung, Min Ji-heon, and Seo Ho-yoon. Please line up along the line on the floor.”

Standing at the very back, I glanced at the guys in front, and for some reason Min Ji-heon was gazing at the Haunted House with an odd, enigmatic look in his eyes.

“…Senior, we should get in formation, right?”

I was about to let it slide, but my internal radar picked up a faint heaviness, so I spoke to him. However, Min Ji-heon didn’t even look my way—he just stared into empty space.

“Senior?”
“…Huh?”
“We should get in formation.”
“Oh, sorry.”

Min Ji-heon, who’d been dazed until that very moment of blinking, smiled faintly and spoke softly.

“Something feels off about this….”
“…Are you laying groundwork?”
“Aha. No, no. There we go.”

As Min Ji-heon straightened my slouching posture, PD Kim Hee-young gave an OK sign with her hand.

“Alright, off you go!”

The actual filming began, and one cameraman along with four celebrities entered the Haunted House.
The sharp scent of disinfectant rushed through my nostrils. After walking a bit further, a small waiting room with a monitor mounted on one wall came into view.

Crackle, crackle….

As if waiting for someone to appear, static noise filled the air, and soon a man in a white coat emerged on the screen.

【…—Reporter, didn’t I tell you not to come? This place is just, crackle, a closed-down crackle—, ward, that’s all….】

“…What? I’m the reporter here?”

Joo Woo-sung muttered while keeping his gaze fixed on the screen.

【…I’ve told you many times, but I eventually fled from that Psychiatric Hospital. Crackle—, and since then, I’ve suffered from sleep paralysis for three years due to the ominous atmosphere. Unlike you, reporter, crackle, I don’t want to know anything more about that place….】
【…Hmph. Looking at your eyes, I can tell you won’t give up no matter what. Crackle—, this is a funny person. Anyway, I warned you. Crackle crackle, but I’ll give you this one warning.】
【Absolutely, absolutely do not venture into the deeper areas.】

“What? My eyes look like that? Do I really seem that driven by a sense of duty?”

I waved my hand at Joo Woo-sung, telling him to pay attention and look ahead as he turned around in bewilderment. That guy was definitely the type to mutter to himself while watching TV at home.

【Then, I hope you return safely….】

With that warning, the entrance connected to one side of the waiting room creaked open.
At the eerie sound, Kang Yeon-hu, who had been tensed up, hesitated for a long moment before carefully stepping forward.

‘Interesting.’

At the same time, the flickering fluorescent light sparked as if a fuse had blown and went dark. Even so, I found it intriguing to observe the differences, thinking it had been quite updated since before,

BANG!!!

“Ahhhhh!!”

The door behind us slammed shut automatically.

“…Wow, that startled me too. Yeon-hu, why are you such a scaredy-cat?”
“Ah, um, I… I’m sorry, senior.”

‘This guy’s been pulling off that composed image all this time, and look at him now…’

Joo Woo-sung, equally startled by Kang Yeon-hu’s scream, clutched his chest. Kang Yeon-hu quickly apologized, but his performance was only just beginning.

“Wahhh!”
“Ahhh!”
“Kyaaaah!”

The moment we made any progress, he’d spot something and shriek, and whenever he discovered anything new, he’d scramble backward without fail.
We’d definitely get solid footage for High Five, I thought, craning my neck to check what lay ahead.

‘Hmm… Is this where Kang Yeon-hu’s stalling section is?’

Honk honk.
I mentally sounded a car horn.
We’d already been stuck in the same spot for five minutes. If this weren’t being filmed, I would’ve teased Kang Yeon-hu mercilessly, but I had to sacrifice that fun for the sake of the broadcast.

“Ugh… ugh…”

The part-time worker, who had been enthusiastically pounding the iron bars while flailing his limbs with loosely wrapped bandages, had apparently run out of energy and now just stared blankly at us.

“Excuse me. Do you usually stay open this late? Or are you working overtime because of us?”
“Ugh… cough, hey, cough, work, cough…”
“So it was overtime. I’m sorry.”
“Seo Ho-yoon, don’t chat in the back.”

Joo Woo-sung turned around to scold me, then straightened his head and spoke to Kang Yeon-hu.

“Hey, you can take your time—.”
“Wah! …Oh, yes, yes.”

Though Joo Woo-sung was trying to lighten the mood by patting his shoulder, Kang Yeon-hu jumped in fright the moment he touched him, covering his head with both hands and crouching down. After observing him for a moment, Joo Woo-sung tilted his helmet slightly and asked the cameraman a question.

“…This won’t do. Excuse me, can’t we give up halfway through?”
“I’m sorry, but since it’s a penalty, you must complete it to the end.”
“Ugh….”
“I’m… fine.”

Having regained some composure, Kang Yeon-hu staggered to his feet and clenched his fists, pretending everything was fine. Joo Woo-sung, apparently deciding that further persuasion would be futile, wrinkled his nose slightly and added one more casual remark.

“If you’re scared, just sing a song or something.”
“…A, a song?”

Kang Yeon-hu hesitated, swallowed hard, and slowly opened his mouth.

“If my wishes come true… Ahhh! We, we’ll be happy together, you and I-iii!”

And then he sang “Us”—the song that every idol under WH Entertainment always performed at the end of their concerts. It was remarkable company spirit.
Just as the cameraman was intensely filming Kang Yeon-hu’s spectacular performance of seven screams to three songs,

“Seo Ho-yoon.”

Min Ji-heon, who had been quiet the whole time, came right up to me and called softly.

“I think we need to move faster.”
“Ah, yes. I’d like that too.”
“No, seriously…. I’m about to feel sick.”

What could I do about it?
I shifted my gaze from Min Ji-heon to Kang Yeon-hu. Currently, Kang Yeon-hu looked practically like a corpse.

“I’m already terrified, so I’d appreciate it if you could refrain from saying creepy things, senior.”

I whispered as if frightened, but there was no way Min Ji-heon didn’t realize it was because of Kang Yeon-hu. However, unlike usual, Min Ji-heon hardened his expression and spoke in a low voice.

“I’m not joking.”
“….”
“Just keep looking ahead.”

Wondering what he was up to, I glared at Min Ji-heon, but his behavior seemed decidedly suspicious. His head wouldn’t stay still for a moment, constantly looking around, and one hand—freed up due to filming—kept fidgeting with his empty wrist.
After a moment of contemplation, I let out a deep sigh.

‘Yes, we should have enough footage.’

Once I’d made my decision, there was no hesitation in my actions.

“Huh? Min Ji-heon is hungry?”
“What? Me?”

I pushed past Joo Woo-sung before Min Ji-heon could say another word and rushed forward.

“Oh no! That won’t do!”

As I surged ahead to take the lead, Kang Yeon-hu was startled by my sudden appearance.

“Whoa!”
“Senior, switching positions. I’m picking up the pace from here.”
“…Yes?”
“Min Ji-heon said he was hungry.”

Kang Yeon-hu, unceremoniously pushed aside, walked toward the back with a bewildered expression.
From that point on, everything moved at lightning speed.
I continued forward, belting out the rest of the song Kang Yeon-hu had started.

“I’ll always be by your side—. Basking in the warm light of love, let’s move forward together.”

After walking for about five more minutes, I spotted the exit sign. I reached out and shoved the door open forcefully.

“…!”

In an instant, brilliant white light flooded in, blurring my vision. Soon, multiple cameras filming, lights, and staff members standing around them came into view.

“Wow—!! Great work!”

Applause and cheers poured toward us.
Realizing we’d successfully completed the penalty, Kang Yeon-hu’s legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed to the ground, leaning his back against the wall.

“—That was seriously amazing when Min Ji-heon set the mood earlier!!”

The cameraman who’d been moving inside with us lowered his equipment as he spoke.

“…Ah, aha, so I’m more of an actor, aren’t I?”
“I was seriously terrified! Why does it feel like the opening of a horror movie?! I might’ve actually cried if it went on any longer.”
“Wow, so should I try making a horror film next?”

What was that all about?
Something felt off, but rather than dig deeper into it—which seemed tedious—I removed the microphone I’d been wearing. Kang Yeon-hu, apparently exhausted, remained in the same posture as before, drinking water repeatedly.
Just then, Joo Woo-sung sidled up and jabbed my ribs with his elbow.

“Hey, that was pretty cool of you.”
“Huh?”
“You wrapped it up quickly because Kang Yeon-hu was so scared, right? You avoided even talking to him throughout the entire shoot… you bastard, you’ve got honor?”

What was he saying?
Joo Woo-sung, who had been rambling on about nonsense like ‘he’s still a lowlife, but he’s still Seo Ho-yoon after all,’ wore a satisfied expression on his face before disappearing on his own.
Just when I thought I could finally rest, Kang Yeon-hu approached hesitantly.

“…Seo Ho-yoon, thank you for your hard work.”
“Yes, you too, senior.”
“…Will they edit this out?”
“Does it look like they’d edit this out? After you screamed like that.”
“….”

Kang Yeon-hu rubbed his blank face vigorously with his hands.
Now that he’d come to his senses, he was finally worried about how he’d appear on screen.

“…Weren’t you scared, Seo Ho-yoon?”
“There’s nothing in this world more frightening than people.”

At my firm answer, Kang Yeon-hu hung his head low and mumbled something incoherently.

“…Thank you.”
“Yes?”
“…Thank you for going first.”

Despite it being merely a word of gratitude, Kang Yeon-hu was embarrassed, his neck and ears flushed crimson.

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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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