The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol Chapter 19

Chapter 19

 

Ding.

[Cha Siwoo’s physical condition has reached its limit. His current fatigue level has exceeded 69. If he continues using his body any further, his internal organs will be damaged.]

‘What?’

I need every penny I can earn right now, and this is what it decides to tell me?

[A welfare system is being applied to a participant who has been pushed into an extreme physical condition. System users may access a loan service by paying a “price.” Would you like to use it?]

‘A loan all of a sudden? What, are you going to lend me money or something?’

[We cannot provide material goods.]

‘Then what?’

[For Cha Siwoo, whose fatigue has accumulated, we can lend the energy he currently needs most. However, a powerful “penalty” will be applied as “interest.”]

Thud.

The strength suddenly drained from my legs.

The package boxes that had appeared as four blurry images became even more distorted.

The translucent crimson window continued flashing.

[(Warning) The participant’s fatigue level has reached 70. From this point onward, internal organ damage will begin.]

Cough! Cough

Every time I coughed, it felt as if something inside me was tearing apart.

As my trembling fingertips brushed against my lips, something hot and sticky fell into my palm.

Bright red blood poured from my mouth as though I were vomiting it.

“…What is this…”

The agony that had been boiling up from deep within my throat seemed to spill out together with the blood.

[Would you like to take out a loan? (Warning) A powerful “penalty” will be imposed as “interest.”]

‘Penalty or not, just give me the loan. At this rate, I’m going to die right now.’

My hands clutched my head as a crushing headache surged through me.

‘I’ll take the loan.’

Ding.

[Processing the user’s request and activating the loan system. Energy loan approved under the condition that a “penalty” will be received as “interest.” Repayment period: one month.]

A brilliant white light exploded around me.

‘This damn flashbang again.’

When the white light disappeared, the familiar translucent blue window shimmered before my eyes.

 

— 

[Status Window]

Cha Siwoo (20)

Appearance: A-

Singing: B

Dancing: C

Talent: B+

Stamina: B+

Ability: ???

Status: Paparazzo who regressed five years into the past.

(NEW) Fatigue: 0 (-70)

[Due to the borrowed energy, Cha Siwoo’s fatigue has been removed.]

— 

 

The blurry vision instantly snapped back into focus.

The four package boxes became one again.

My ragged breathing settled into a steady rhythm, and the muscles in my legs tightened once more.

‘Damn, I can live again.’

My body felt significantly lighter, as if the weight pressing down on my shoulders had vanished.

I got back to my feet and resumed moving the mountain of packages that had piled up.

‘Hey.’

[Yes.]

‘Thanks. You saved my life.’

[…]

‘You said the interest is a penalty. What kind of penalty is it?’

[That information is classified.]

Why is everything classified whenever I ask?

‘This is unsettling. Then, when do I get the penalty?’

[It will be applied randomly before the borrowed energy is repaid. (Warning) No matter what happens, you must repay it before the due date.]

The penalty bothered me, but earning money came first.

After finishing the parcel delivery shift, I headed straight to a part-time event staff job I had found on Carrot Market, carrying my now refreshed body with me.

 

☆☆☆

 

The event staff’s job basically involved doing every kind of odd task imaginable.

Since I had accumulated years of part-time work experience, I quietly completed whatever was assigned to me.

As a result, when I received my daily pay, they informed me to return at the same time for the six days the event would continue.

‘Whew, that’s a relief.’

With the pay envelope in hand, I headed toward Minhan General Hospital.

Hospital bills always become a source of pressure once they start piling up.

‘I can’t let Sihyeon suffer because I was even a little late.’

Hospitals inevitably start giving you looks if your payments become overdue too often.

After watching patients get pushed out because they couldn’t afford their bills, I had always scraped together the money no matter what.

The moment I arrived, I ran straight to the billing department and paid the hospital fees first.

It felt like I could finally breathe again.

With a slight weight lifted from my heart, my feet naturally carried me to the ICU.

Cha Sihyeon looked the same as always when I saw her during visiting hours… lying there motionless.

‘Still, just seeing her doing okay puts my mind at ease.’

Thanks to the disappearance of my fatigue, my body felt lighter, and working no longer felt unbearable.

After the visit ended, I headed to a wedding hall where I’d found another short-term part-time job through a temporary employment site.

Buffet hall jobs were notorious for being among the harshest part-time positions, which meant there were always openings available on short notice.

The news constantly talked about declining birth rates, yet wedding halls remained fully booked months in advance with brides and grooms, a strangely ironic reality.

“Hello. My name is Cha Siwoo. I’m here for the one-day part-time position.”

“Nice to meet you. Your work history looks impressive. You’ve done buffet work before, right?”

“Yes, several times.”

“But why the mask…?”

‘Just in case.’

Given the surprisingly strong response to the music show and news articles, I was wearing a mask whenever I went out.

“Since I’ll be handling food, I thought it would be better for hygiene.”

“Hmm, true. Customers would probably like that more.”

“I’ll do my best today.”

“Good.”

I changed into the uniform they casually handed me and put one side of the radio earpiece into my ear.

No matter where you went, short-term workers who disappeared after a day or two rarely received good treatment.

As expected, I was assigned simple chores such as clearing dishes and handling food waste.

‘There are seriously a lot of people.’

I was quickly collecting and processing the stacks of dishes left behind by guests when…

Crash!

A sharp, shattering sound tore through the noisy hall.

White porcelain fragments were scattered in every direction.

One shard slid across the floor before coming to a stop beneath a table leg, its edge cracked.

Silence briefly descended.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the same spot.

A woman stood there frozen, her face flushed red.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

I asked with a professional smile.

The startled woman slowly nodded.

“That’s a relief. It’s dangerous here, so could you stay seated? I’ll clean this up right away.”

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. You must’ve been startled. I’m really glad you weren’t hurt.”

“Thank you.”

The tension on her face eased noticeably.

Using a handkerchief from my pocket, I carefully picked up the broken pieces.

After removing the larger fragments first and wiping away even the tiny shards left on the floor, the area was spotless.

“All cleaned up. Please enjoy your meal without worrying.”

“Um… excuse me.”

“Yes?”

“Um…”

The woman hesitated while clutching the edge of her clothes.

“Do you need anything else?”

“Do you happen to use Dalstagram?”

“No.”

“Then are you perhaps an influencer?”

‘Wouldn’t someone like Yoo Hoseung be an influencer?’

Since I was just a trainee and nothing more, I shook my head.

“I must’ve been mistaken. Sorry for bothering you.”

“Not at all. Enjoy your meal.”

I greeted her with a professional smile and turned away.

Beep.

[Staff member, please clear Table 9.]

Right on cue, an order came through the radio.

Beep.

[Understood.]

Before I knew it, the storm-like buffet shift had come to an end.

Perhaps because they liked how diligently I worked without slacking off, they asked whether I would be willing to come in again when I received my pay.

Naturally, I accepted.

‘Thank goodness. I’ve secured all my part-time jobs until the broadcast starts.’

Even if it was only for a week, I needed to earn as much money as possible.

After doing the rough calculations, I realized I could at least cover the hospital bills until the next payment came due.

 

☆☆☆

 

My daily routine before filming became remarkably consistent.

After finishing the overnight parcel delivery shift, I slept for about three hours.

Then I worked as event staff, visited Cha Sihyeon, and spent the afternoon at the wedding buffet hall.

The cycle repeated over and over.

After diligently working like that, the day before the first broadcast finally arrived.

My body ached more than before, but thanks to the borrowed energy, I was holding up surprisingly well.

‘That interest being called a penalty still bothers me, though.’

I had checked the system window several times afterward, but the translucent blue screen repeated the same answer every time.

‘Just what kind of penalty is so classified?’

It was unfortunate that I hadn’t been able to practice singing and dancing much, but at least I had secured the hospital bills for the time being.

‘Today’s my last part-time shift before returning to the dorms.’

I was diligently clearing dishes at the wedding buffet hall when an unexpected message came through the radio.

Beep.

[Is there any part-timer who can sing right now?]

“…”

A brief silence followed.

Then the radio crackled again.

Beep.

[This is urgent. We have an important wedding at seven o’clock, but the wedding singer canceled. If someone can fill in today, we’ll pay very generously.]

‘Money…!’

I was in no position to be picky.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I pressed the transmit button.

Beep.

[I can do it.]

Beep.

[Come to the Athena Hall on the fifth floor immediately.]

Beep.

[Understood.]

After informing the buffet manager of the situation, I headed for the elevator.

The moment I stepped onto the fifth floor, a staff member hurried over.

“Cha Siwoo! Over here!”

“Yes, sir.”

“I was really worried because this is an important client. Thank you so much.”

“It’s nothing. As long as the pay is good, I’ll do my absolute best.”

“Don’t worry about that. We’ll make sure you’re very satisfied. There’s no time, so let’s move.”

“Understood.”

While walking, he handed me a white dress shirt and a pair of black slacks.

“These were supposed to be worn by the original singer. The size looks close enough, so go change.”

“Got it.”

While changing clothes in the staff dressing room, I faced the most important problem.

‘What song am I supposed to sing?’

The only songs I could perform from memory without looking at the lyrics were Heart Ping and the theme song Cheer Me On.

Since ‘Star Picking 5’ hadn’t aired yet, I couldn’t sing ‘Cheer Me On’ privately because of contractual restrictions.

‘…Then does that leave only Heart Ping?’

“Hmm…”

There was no helping it.

After changing clothes and coming out, the staff member gestured urgently.

“We only have ten minutes until the congratulatory performance. We need to prepare the audio track. What song are you singing?”

“Heart Ping.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Please prepare the Heart Ping instrumental.”

The staff member stared blankly and dropped the phone in his hand.

“Cha Siwoo, are you joking right now?”

“No. I’m serious.”

“…”

A heavy silence followed.

Just then, a loud ringtone broke the tension.

Coming back to his senses, the staff member picked up the fallen phone.

Apparently, it was on speaker mode because a frantic voice immediately blared out.

[Why aren’t you replying to the messages? This is urgent! What audio track should we prepare?!]

“…Heart Ping.”

[Excuse me? What did you say?]

“Prepare the Heart Ping track.”

Under the staff member’s gaze, as though he were looking at a complete lunatic… I made my way toward Athena Hall.