The Idol Who Returned from Hell Chapter 53

〈Idol Stove League Season 2〉 is a thorough ‘survival’ program.

A cold world where you must maximize your individual vote count to stay within the gradually decreasing number of survivors to avoid elimination.

In such a program, the ‘elimination immunity’ is truly an indescribable benefit.

Many participants’ eyes were turning toward the wording ‘elimination immunity’ itself, but the other items were also sufficiently tempting.

Benefits of 50,000 votes, 30,000 votes, 10,000 votes.

The right to designate one team member usable during the 3rd team battle.

A personal promotional banner that can be registered on the 〈ISL 2〉 main homepage for one day.

Even thumbnail rights for clip videos to be uploaded on NeoTube.

Each one was special and had high-impact benefits lined up.

Of course, if only these kinds of options were all there, they wouldn’t have called it ‘Lucky Benefit Roulette’ for nothing.

“This is really vicious. Do you see the duds mixed in between?”

“R-really!”

I could hear Chae Ha-ru and Yu Ha-woon whispering quietly behind me.

Skull bomb icons positioned here and there on the roulette.

In other words, even if you worked hard to take 1st place in your group and spun the roulette, you might end up getting no benefits at all.

Now it was 60 trainees pulling at their hair here and there without even being conscious of the cameras.

Probably only the production team watching this scene would be grinning.

Since a bunch of clips to use for commercial breaks or previews had come out.

“The roulette items are incredible. I was particularly drawn to this elimination immunity. I think everyone must be curious about this. What if a participant who was originally supposed to be eliminated took 1st place in their group. And drew the elimination immunity from this roulette. What would happen then?”

It’s a really slim probability game, but it’s not an entirely impossible scenario.

At the thought that this could be their story, the trainees raised their heads stiffly like rabbits.

“If a trainee who was originally supposed to be eliminated is exempted and survives, the 35th place trainee who was at the very bottom will be eliminated instead. It’s sad, but it’s an unavoidable rule.”

“Cruel……”

“Please, please……”

The cruel announcement that you could suddenly be eliminated just when you thought you had survived.

But thinking in reverse, if a participant was capable of taking 1st place in their group, they would have a relatively high probability of already being settled within the top 35.

‘They might be deliberately stirring things up more to create tension.’

“Then first, I’ll announce the glorious team that gets to take home 3,000 benefit votes per individual.”

MC Go Hyeon-ju, who slightly drew out the time while flipping through cue cards, showed a faint smile and spoke.

“Congratulations, Teams 1 and 5. All participants belonging to the teams will have 3,000 benefit votes counted together!”

This was a result that had been revealed to us in advance.

The victory of Teams 1 and 5 was already known, but thanks to the benefits revealed at this moment, our joy seemed to double.

As soon as the results were announced, cameras approached us uncomfortably from all directions.

Normally everyone would have been busy being embarrassed and reading the mood.

But at this moment, we ignored camera lenses and made a ruckus, putting our arms around each other’s shoulders.

“Brother, we did it!”

“As expected, our team was the best! Ah, really really really what a relief!”

“Haha, still it’s good that good results came out.”

“Really such a relief…… Sniff……”

Finally, one person from our team even shed tears of emotion.

While comforting the Team 5 guys who had gathered around me, I glanced toward Team 1.

Chae Ha-ru, who had been staring blankly at the screen, was being shaken frantically by team members surging like waves on both sides.

Since it was the result of exerting good influence as center without familiar people around.

Valuable experience points would have accumulated for Chae Ha-ru too.

“Teams 1 and 5, a total of 12 participants, will receive final rankings with 3,000 votes added at the upcoming 2nd ranking announcement ceremony. Now, since the group battle results are out, only the individual voting results remain.”

In line with MC Go Hyeon-ju’s words, exactly 8 name slots were created on the screen.

I could hear people breathing in sharply around me.

Even I felt a slight tension lingering.

Since I had no sense of who from our team had taken 1st place in individual voting.

“Then I’ll announce starting with Team 1. The participant who took the most votes from Team 1 is…… a participant who excellently held the center of 〈UP―TEMPO〉. It’s Chae Ha-ru!”

“Huh.”

Chae Ha-ru, who had already been shaking like an aspen tree, was shaken even more violently by his team members.

Participants from other teams sent envious gazes endlessly while giving formal applause.

“It feels good that things worked out well. Well, even looking at just the stage itself, aside from Chae Ha-ru who was the center, there was no one who caught the eye. I think it’s a natural result.”

Seeing even Seong-hwi say this, it was clear that Chae Ha-ru, who shone outstandingly from his center position, had firmly captured the hearts of the national managers.

Following that, the names of other 1st place trainees were revealed one by one.

As expected, among the names I knew, Kang Seon-woo proudly appeared on the scoreboard.

‘That place was honestly a one-man team with just him too.’

I continued sending applause while thinking various thoughts in my head.

Now it was soon time for the fifth name to come out.

Who from our team took 1st place in individual voting was still unknown.

Naturally, from personal greed I hoped the three characters Ryu Si-hwan would come out, but there weren’t just one or two formidable competitors.

Seong-hwi, who had a bigger fandom than me, of course, and Ma Si-hyeok had also shown off his incredible frame and dance skills, drawing good cheers.

Looking at how the individual fancam view counts were explosively high for just us three, you could easily confirm the scale of that popularity.

‘……Honestly, I want to sit in 1st place.’

When I first returned from hell to the real world, it seemed like I would be satisfied if I could just ‘become an idol again.’

However, as I collided with many people.

Created new stages each time.

And saw the cheers and comments from fans who were enthusiastic about me, that feeling gradually changed.

If I could debut again, I wanted to do it from the highest place this time.

I wanted to go out into the world sitting in 1st place, which was like proof that I had been recognized by everyone.

This greed that had started from a small spark was now blazing fiercely in earnest.

“Now it’s Team 5’s turn. I heard in advance that this team’s individual voting ranking was really fierce. I’m also curious about which trainee will claim the glorious 1st place.”

As if she was genuinely curious too, MC Go Hyeon-ju checked the name written on the back of the cue card with a grinning smile.

“I’ll reveal this first. The vote difference that decided Team 5’s 1st place was only 14 votes. It was that close a margin, and it’s proof that the national managers who came to the scene agonized tremendously. The owner of this even more valuable 1st place is…”

I closed my eyes tightly and figured the time would be drawn out for at least 10 more seconds.

But MC Go Hyeon-ju’s mouth immediately announced one participant’s name, shattering everyone’s expectations.

“Congratulations. It’s participant Ryu Si-hwan!”

For a moment, a bewildered emotion rushed over me and my reaction speed was slightly delayed.

The first thing that flew toward me was Seong-hwi’s palm.

“Congratulations, Brother.”

“……Thanks.”

“Brother Si-hwan, you really worked hard! Congratulations!”

“Si-hyeok, thanks to you too.”

When I went up on stage, Chae Ha-ru and Kang Seon-woo welcomed me by giving thumbs up.

Even I, who had been managing my expressions as much as possible in front of cameras throughout 〈ISL 2〉 filming, smiled brightly and exchanged light high-fives at this moment.

Following me, Yu Ha-woon also came up here, enjoying the honor of 1st place.

“Now only spinning the roulette one by one remains. Trainee Chae Ha-ru, who came up here first. What benefit do you want most?”

“I’d be truly grateful for any benefit that comes out, but I think the thing that would put my mind most at ease would be the elimination immunity.”

“Then let’s see if you can draw the elimination immunity as you wish. Roulette, please spin it!”

As a result of spinning the lucky roulette in order, not a single person received the elimination immunity.

I also spun the roulette vigorously with the wish of ‘just avoid the dud,’ and won 10,000 benefit votes.

A moderately okay taste that wasn’t particularly great or bad.

Meanwhile, Kang Seon-woo, who was the only one among us to draw a dud, kept grabbing my shoulder and whining.

“I really think I’m going to throw up just seeing the silhouette of a roulette now. Ah, really, this all started because of Ryu Si-hwan, you know? I still vividly remember that nightmare of dodgeball—”

“Right, right.”

“At least pretend to listen to what I’m saying!”

After all preliminary procedures were completed, the full-scale ranking announcement began.

“This 2nd ranking announcement ceremony is the first announcement ceremony proceeding after ‘Support Shop Renewal’ came in. Then you must be curious whether any of those items that transcend imagination were really sponsored.”

It was benefit 500,000 votes and all team members selection rights, wasn’t it.

It was a renewal shop lined with major items that could easily change the entire landscape.

‘No way……?’

“Unfortunately, no renewal items that could directly influence this ranking announcement ceremony were sponsored. Is the wall of 10 million money really that high?”

“You’d need to use cheats to collect 10 million money, wouldn’t you?”

“Right, I had some expectations though—”

“Haha, for it to come to Brother?”

“I thought you had possibilities too.”

“Eh, honestly we should wait until the 3rd ranking announcement ceremony.”

While having light conversation with Seong-hwi, I watched the scene where they announced starting from the 33rd place participant.

Probably the kids who belonged to our team would survive at higher rankings than before.

With the basic 3,000 vote benefit and naturally much more buzz compared to others.

“The 31st place trainee is Kang Tae-hun. Congratulations.”

Really precariously at the cutline, one person from Team 5 survived.

“28th place goes to trainee Song Byeong-ho.”

“20th place goes to trainee Ha Sang-hun. Congratulations!”

The other 2 people also took lower rankings than I expected and survived the 2nd ranking announcement ceremony.

Still, just not being eliminated and being able to go to the next round would be called success.

‘I thought everyone would climb higher.’

The answer to my question was resolved before long.

“It’s time to announce 10th place. Ah, this participant has drawn a steady upward curve from when 〈Idol Stove League Season 2〉 started until now. And by also enjoying the benefits of this group benefit, he climbed to a high position. The trainee who recorded a total of 2,004,050 votes and settled in 10th place is… Congratulations, trainee Ma Si-hyeok!”

“R-really? Is it real?”

When his name was called, Ma Si-hyeok made an expression that didn’t match his build and stood up from his seat.

He reached the stage barely on trembling legs and grabbed the microphone MC Go Hyeon-ju handed him, speaking his thoughts in a small voice.

“First…… I sincerely thank the national managers who gave me a high ranking I never even thought of. I…… both when this program first started and now, I always feel that I’m someone who’s lacking. But rather than my shortcomings, all of you always speak only of my strengths and wrap me in precious support, so I want to say thank you once again to everyone. The brothers, friends, and juniors who suffered together, and the trainers who worked hard in places we couldn’t see. I’m truly grateful to everyone. I’ll approach everything with a humble mindset without losing my initial intentions.”

“I remember you properly providing freshness with a brilliant idea during the 2nd team battle. Do you have anything new you’d like to try in the next round?”

“……I was just thinking about creating the best stage in the given situation. Since I’m always confident in dancing, if I get the chance next time, I want to properly show my skills to the national managers.”

Had he prepared acceptance speech remarks in advance somewhere?

Ma Si-hyeok, who had been trembling and couldn’t speak properly at first, excellently delivered a long acceptance speech like flowing water and took his seat in the 10th place chair.

As expected, Yu Ha-woon, who fully enjoyed the benefits of 2nd round editing, sent enthusiastic applause from the 15th place seat.

‘I guess Ma Si-hyeok practically monopolized all the mid-tier vote counts.’

Excluding me and Seong-hwi who rose to the top tier, the mid-tier votes that had been drawn to the 〈Back in the Time〉 stage all went to Ma Si-hyeok.

Due to this group battle benefit, Chae Ha-ru’s ranking also rose several steps from his existing 12th place to 9th place.

“Participant Chae Ha-ru is also continuing to update high rankings. What do you think is the secret?”

“Perhaps styling my bangs differently was effective?”

“Certainly when I look at the comments supporting participant Chae Ha-ru, they’re all praising this changed hair. Did you deliberately aim for this kind of image transformation?”

“That’s absolutely not the case, but I’d like to express gratitude to Brother Si-hwan who recommended that I cut my troublesome hair.”

Like that, the TOP 9 participants also gradually found their places.

“3rd place is…… a trainee who always receives love and support from national managers with a consistent performance. The protagonist who took a whopping 2.55 million votes is… Congratulations, trainee Kang Seon-woo!”

“Thank you, thank you!”

Once again, the 3rd place went to super insider Kang Seon-woo, who bowed diligently as he went up on stage.

That means only one thing.

“Now only two seats remain in the TOP 9. Only 1st and 2nd place. Who will be the participant to sit on the glorious 1st place throne at this 2nd ranking announcement ceremony?”

Even without MC Go Hyeon-ju calling out, the eyes in the venue already began focusing on this direction all at once.

“Trainees Seong-hwi and Ryu Si-hwan. Please come up on stage!”

Our two faces appeared on the big screen, and at the familiar confrontation structure, the 65 trainees whispered to each other busily.

At the front of the stairs leading to the stage, Seong-hwi whispered to me quietly.

“We meet like this again.”

“Yeah.”

I looked at Seong-hwi’s grinning face and let out a light sigh.

Really such a persistent connection.