Chapter 4
“Seriously, what kind of cheapskate only gives a B+?”
[You’re shameless. And starting from Rank A, stats can’t be raised with stat points.]
‘So the limit for raising stats with points is Rank B.’
“Ah, I see. Then is A+ the highest rank?”
[No. There are ranks above that.]
‘Still a long road ahead.’
“But hey, System. You said you personally raised my stats, right? Doesn’t that mean you’ll be able to raise my stats in the future too?”
[…]
“Hey. Answer me.”
[Yes.]
“Everything else is fine, but don’t you think an idol having E-rank dancing is a bit much?”
[KEKEKEK]
“What’s so funny?”
[I enjoyed watching your flailing around in the audition room.]
The image of the judges laughing flashed through my mind, and heat rose from within.
“Quit laughing and give me a sub-quest so I can raise my stats.”
[Kek, did you leave something with me?]
“Honestly, do you think becoming a world-class idol is possible with these stats?”
[That depends entirely on you, Cha Siwoo.]
I gave the system window my most polished social smile.
“Exactly. So give me some sub-quests so I can improve my singing and dancing. You saw my dancing, didn’t you? If I compete against this, I’ll get eliminated immediately.”
[KEKEKEK]
“Fine. Laugh all you want. Then pay for those laughs with a quest.”
[A quest has been assigned to Cha Siwoo.]
—
[Sub-Quest (2): Practice singing and dancing every single day for two weeks without missing a day.]
- Sing idol songs for 6 hours. (14 times)
- Dance idol choreography for 12 hours. (14 times)
Rewards will be given upon success.
Failure results in death.
Do you wish to accept the quest?
—
Even if I failed the audition and couldn’t become an idol, death was still the outcome.
No matter how difficult it was, I needed to raise my abilities while I still had time and opportunities.
“I accept the quest.”
[Sub-Quest (2) has begun.
Time Limit: 335 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds.]
With a red countdown timer, the second quest began.
☆☆☆
“Urgh… I think I’m gonna throw up.”
My heart pounded as if it were trying to burst through my chest.
My throat felt as dry as cracked earth.
Each ragged breath carried the illusion that stomach acid was rising up.
‘I’m dying.’
For two weeks, I practiced singing and dancing like a madman while watching videos on GyuTube to become an idol.
There was no way I had the money to attend an academy.
And even if I worked part-time and used the money to learn from professionals, there simply wasn’t enough time to do that while completing the quest.
‘I never want to practice eighteen hours a day again.’
It was the first time in my life I’d sung this much.
I worried my voice would give out, but thankfully, my throat was holding up.
The problem was my body.
There was no way someone completely ignorant about dancing could dance for twelve hours straight, so my entire body was wracked with muscle pain.
‘Is it because I’m using muscles I never used before?’
Unable to control my aching body, I practically collapsed onto the bed.
Just as my eyes were about to close, a familiar notification sounded.
Ding.
[Congratulations. You have completed Sub-Quest (2): “Practice singing and dancing every single day for two weeks without missing a day.”]
For the first time, the notification sound felt welcome.
[Would you like to receive your reward?]
“Yeah.”
—
[Quest Reward: Singing Stat +1, Dancing Stat +2.]
[Status Window]
Cha Siwoo (20)
‘ Appearance: A-
‘ Singing: C (UP)
‘ Dancing: D- (UP)
‘ Talent: B+
‘ Stamina: B+
‘ Ability: ???
‘ Status: Paparazzi who returned five years into the past.
—
‘Seeing my singing and dancing stats increase does make me feel a little better.’
[What a stubborn bastard.]
“What now? Why are you picking a fight?”
[I gave you an eighteen-hour practice quest, assuming you’d sleep five to six hours a day. I didn’t expect you to spend your sleeping hours doing other things.]
Using my experience as a paparazzo, I spent every spare moment after practice researching ‘Star Picking’.
Research was essential for achieving any goal.
“Didn’t you know research is basic for a paparazzo?”
A paparazzo’s job was to investigate people obsessively and gather information so they could set things up in advance and get the perfect shot.
I thoroughly analyzed every season of ‘Star Picking’, studied its missions, and organized the memories I still had.
‘I barely slept, but it was worth it.’
[How~ impressive.]
I could almost hear the sarcasm dripping from the blue translucent window.
“If you’re not giving me more stats, shut up.”
[…]
The system window disappeared, revealing the clock on one side of the wall.
“It’s already this late? Guess sleep isn’t happening.”
I forced my body up despite how heavy it felt, like it was made of iron.
‘At this hour, I should have enough time to stop by the hospital before heading there.’
If I left now, I’d arrive at TX Entertainment Broadcasting Station right on time.
Since I didn’t own a suitcase, I grabbed the old crossbody bag lying in the corner.
‘This bag… I think I got it as leftover promotional merchandise when I worked at an outdoor goods store.’
I quickly stuffed my few belongings into it.
A black T-shirt that could survive getting dirty.
A pair of worn jeans I could still pass off as fashion.
After neatly folding and packing them, I opened a drawer.
“I definitely need to bring this.”
Opening a small box hidden at the bottom, I found a black leather wristwatch.
The watch looked luxurious at a glance, making it seem completely out of place in such a shabby room.
‘My parents’ only keepsake.’
There had been times when my brother’s hospital bills became so overwhelming that I’d considered selling it.
But every time I looked at the watch, I remembered my parents and couldn’t bring myself to do it.
“The house will be empty. Someone could break in.”
And whenever I looked at the watch, it comforted me.
‘It feels like Mom and Dad are watching over me.’
I couldn’t quite explain it, but the watch gave me a strange warmth in my chest.
It was the only connection I still had with my parents.
I closed the box and tucked it deep into my crossbody bag.
“Time to go.”
Slipping the old bag over my shoulder, I turned off every light in the studio apartment.
When I opened the front door, instead of the usual musty basement smell, cold air brushed against my nose.
☆☆☆
I arrived at the hospital just as visiting hours for the intensive care unit were about to begin.
The moment I stopped at the ICU entrance on the third floor, the familiar smell of disinfectant filled my nose.
“Visiting hours are beginning for family members.”
Following the nurse’s instructions, visitors had to put on disposable sanitary gear before entering.
The pure white hospital room was swept by cold air while machine sounds echoed rhythmically.
Beep. Beep.
The steady heartbeat monitor pierced sharply through my mind.
At this point, hearing that machine alone was enough to make my heart race uncontrollably.
With trembling hands, I pulled back the white curtain.
My younger sibling looked exactly as they had five years ago.
Life-support lines were attached all over Cha Sihyeon’s body.
The countless needle marks had long since turned into bruises.
Reduced to little more than skin and bones, my sibling lay motionless with an oxygen mask covering their face.
“Sihyeon.”
The moment I spoke the name, my lips trembled.
My nose stung.
Every breath made my throat tighten painfully.
“Your brother’s here.”
“…”
No matter how many times I saw it, I could never get used to the sight of my sibling lying there with eyes open but completely motionless.
Seeing them unable to speak made something rise deep within my chest.
“Sihyeon. Have you been doing okay?”
“…”
“Your brother suddenly ended up auditioning to become an idol.”
“…”
“Pretty random, right?”
There was no answer.
‘But you’re listening, aren’t you?’
“Sihyeon, you’ll cheer for me, right?”
“…”
“I’ll definitely succeed. No matter what it takes, I’ll make sure our Sihyeon can recover.”
“…”
“When you recover, we’ll eat lots of delicious food, and I’ll take you everywhere you wanted to go before. You’ll be able to do everything you’ve ever wanted.”
“…”
“So stay strong. Your brother’s rooting for you. And…”
“…”
“I won’t be able to visit for a while because of filming. So don’t be upset with me, okay?”
‘Since I’d have to live on-site during Star Picking 5 filming, I wouldn’t be able to visit.’
Seeing my sibling’s pale, lifeless face only fueled my determination to become an idol.
‘I’ll complete this quest and bring back that panacea.’
The ICU’s thirty-minute visitation period passed far faster than it felt.
“Visiting hours are over. All guardians, please leave.”
At the nurse’s words, the families slowly began making their way toward the exit.
“Um… Nurse.”
The nurse who had been checking Sihyun’s IV turned toward me.
“Yes?”
“I don’t think I’ll be able to come during visiting hours for a while because of work.”
“Ah…”
“I’ll come as soon as my work is finished, so please take good care of Sihyeon until then.”
I bowed ninety degrees and repeated my request several times.
For my sibling’s sake, bowing my head meant nothing.
“Of course. Don’t worry, and go take care of your work. We’ll call you if anything happens.”
“Thank you!”
Only after hearing her promise was I able to stop at the ICU exit.
Just before the door closed, I turned back for one last look.
The sight of twelve-year-old Cha Sihyeon breathing weakly made my chest ache as though my heart were being squeezed.
‘No matter what I have to do, I’ll succeed in this quest.’
☆☆☆
I arrived at the TX Entertainment Broadcasting Station exactly at the designated gathering time.
‘Good thing I’m not late.’
As I followed the staff member toward the filming site of ‘Star Picking 5’, the surrounding chatter grew louder and louder.
“Mr. Cha Siwoo, we’ve arrived at the filming location.”
“Thank you.”
The massive studio, filled with cameras installed everywhere, buzzed with energy from countless trainees.
‘This is probably the first time since my school days that I’ve been in a place with this many people.’
A staff member handed me a large name tag about the size of an A4 sheet.
The top was green and labeled Independent Trainee, while Cha Siwoo was written in large letters underneath.
“There’s a clip attached. Just fasten it somewhere visible around your waist area.”
“Got it.”
“The area with the green sign is the independent trainee section. The opening will start soon, so please line up there.”
“Thank you for the explanation.”
After bowing ninety degrees, I turned and searched for the green sign.
It was located all the way at the farthest corner.
‘Are independent trainees treated like unwanted leftovers?’
As I walked past the trainees dressed in flashy outfits, eyes began turning toward me.
‘There are definitely a lot of students.’
There were all kinds of people present… from kids who still had baby fat on their cheeks to trainees who already looked like born celebrities.
‘So I have to beat all these guys and debut?’
As I met the sidelong glances one by one, several familiar faces stood out.
‘Wait a second. Aren’t some of these people idols I photographed before?’
That guy became an idol who got caught having an affair with a married woman.
That one got involved in a sponsorship scandal.
‘And that person standing with the major agency trainees dated multiple sasaeng fans.’
This is a complete gold mine, isn’t it?
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