The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol Chapter 64

Chapter 64

 

“Don’t worry too much.”

I almost reached out to pat his head, but stopped when I saw his carefully styled hair.

‘If I touch that, the hair and makeup staff will definitely kill me.’

If I messed it up, I might actually have to walk on my butt instead of my feet, just like I’d promised.

With nowhere else for my hand to go, I gently placed it on Yoo Hoseung’s shoulder.

“Siwoo hyung, do you think I’ll be able to do well as the center?”

“Of course. You’ve worked incredibly hard all this time. Have some confidence.”

As I praised him, life gradually returned to the anxious look in Hoseung’s eyes.

“Yeah. You’re good enough. Just do exactly what you’ve practiced.”

At the sudden low voice, I turned my head and saw Kang Chan staring at Hoseung with his usual expressionless face.

“…Kang Chan hyung-nim!”

“Ahem. Why do you call me hyung-nim? Just call me comfortably as Siwoo does.”

“Chan-i hyung!”

The deeply moved expression on Hoseung’s face made me laugh.

“Alright. How about we do a fighting cheer before we go on stage?”

At this point, it felt strange not to do one before a performance.

The team naturally gathered around me in a circle.

Sweaty hands.

Trembling hands.

Firmly clasped hands.

Within that warmth, reality somehow felt more tangible.

“Let’s show everything we’ve practiced up there.”

As soon as I spoke, brief words began passing between the tense team members.

“Let’s perform without any regrets!”

“Let’s give it our all.”

Finally, the leader and center, Yoo Hoseung, smiled softly and said:

“Our stage is going to be amazing.”

“Yeah. Let’s show them we’re in a different class.”

At that moment, Hoseung raised his hand high.

“One, two, three!”

Everyone shouted together.

“Fighting!!!”

The moment that cry burst forth, the atmosphere somehow changed.

The trembling spreading through my body gradually disappeared, replaced by something hot and solid rising beneath my heart.

‘The stage always feels strange whenever I step onto it.’

Just as I was immersed in that peculiar feeling, the curtain shifted.

“Royal Team, please go on stage right now!”

“Yes!”

At the staff member’s instruction, the team exchanged determined looks.

‘We can do this.’

We had prepared this stage ourselves.

From here on out, this was entirely our time.

“The final performance will be presented by the trainees of the Royal Concept Team! Royal Team, please come out now!”

At MC Park Chaeyoung’s words, we stepped forward confidently.

The closer we got to center stage, the more dazzling the lights became.

“Wooooaaahhh!”

Along with thunderous cheers, thousands of eyes focused on us all at once.

There was a strange weight in that atmosphere.

“Kyaaa! Hoseung-ah!”

“Chan-ah! Over here!!!”

“Siwoo-ah!!!”

‘Wow… there are really so many people here.’

Among the densely packed audience, the banners bearing my name somehow stood out the most.

For a moment, it felt like electricity coursed through my entire body.

Once Park Chaeyoung confirmed that everyone had taken their positions center stage, she raised her microphone.

“This is the most enthusiastic reaction we’ve seen from any team so far! Royal Team, could you please introduce yourselves?”

Holding the microphone, Yoo Hoseung stepped forward.

Following our prearranged signal, we all bowed simultaneously.

“One, two, three! Hello! We are the Royal Team, performing the Royal Concept stage!”

Every movement was perfectly synchronized, as if drilled through countless practices.

Our voices echoed throughout the venue.

“Kyaaaahhh!”

“So cool!!”

Excited cheers erupted throughout the audience.

Hoseung flinched slightly at the reaction, then broke into a bright smile.

“We’ve worked extremely hard for two weeks to prepare a stage worthy of the Royal concept. We hope our message reaches all of you.”

The venue shook from the audience’s reaction to his confident statement.

“Kyaaaaaaaah!”

“Hoseung-ah!!!”

“I wonder what kind of message it will be! Then please begin your Royal Team performance!”

After all the lights went out, the majestic organ-like intro of “KING” began to play.

As the song’s opening started, white, yellow, and blue spotlights flooded the stage simultaneously.

The golden patterns engraved into the floor ignited at the same time.

‘Those effects cost 300,000 won each time they were used.’

The golden light spread outward like a magic circle before disappearing in an instant.

I had just watched my sales profits burn away in three seconds.

Only those who are worthy may wear the crown.

As the narration echoed through the hall, a holographic throne slowly appeared on the giant screen behind us.

A massive crown hung above it at an angle.

We shall advance toward that crown.

Boom. Boom.

The drumbeats pounded like a heartbeat.

That sound alone made my spine tingle.

It felt as though a switch had been flipped somewhere in my mind.

‘What is this?’

My body moved naturally in time with the rhythm.

The effect of raising my Dance stat by two whole ranks was incredible.

Perhaps because my movements and flow had become so much smoother, I became even more immersed, as if nothing existed in the world except myself and the music.

‘A Dance stat of B- feels completely different.’

Movements that once looked awkward, no matter how much I practiced, now felt effortlessly smooth.

 

—

A path where my heart races as if it will burst

A hand gripping light within the darkness

—

 

The opening section was entrusted to center member Yoo Hoseung to create maximum impact.

The audience reaction to the first group choreography centered around him was so positive that cheers erupted throughout the venue.

 

—

Our war toward the throne

Begins now

A night where swords and flames intertwine

I stand upon the battlefield

Within everyone’s gaze

I will carve my name

—

 

The choreography poured forth, perfectly synchronized with the lighting.

At the center of the storm of movement, I stepped forward.

The tails of my white jacket cut through the air, while the golden embroidery on my chest shimmered subtly with each breath.

 

—

KING, within light and shadow

With passion, I run toward the throne

Breaking through every competition

The final victor will be me

—

 

The main vocal section required extremely high notes.

But that wasn’t a problem at all.

Thanks to my Singing stat being B rank, the soaring notes flowed cleanly from my throat.

‘This feels amazing.’

 

—

KING, set my heart ablaze

As I push through endless war

Surpassing everyone

Only I will claim the throne

—

 

Before entering the second verse came the highlight choreography that had caused us so much trouble.

‘We’ve practiced hard. Let’s give it everything.’

Following Kang Chan’s dazzling dance at the center, I performed the choreography I had trained so intensely for.

“…!”

Perhaps because my Dance stat had increased dramatically, my body moved more naturally than ever before.

‘The moves are actually working!’

Kang Chan, standing beside me, widened his eyes in surprise.

‘Hmm… maybe my dance skills improved a little too much all at once?’

It would probably attract attention, but there was nothing I could do about it.

“Waaaaahhh!”

“Chan-ah!!!”

“Siwoo-ah!!!”

Hearing the enthusiastic cheers pouring from every corner of the audience erased any regrets.

My lips naturally curled upward.

A blazing emotion surged inside me.

An unfamiliar feeling… thrilling and deeply satisfying… wrapped around my entire body.

 

—

I won’t waver, I have no fear

I decide my own fate

Even if the road is harsh, even if it’s long

In the end, I will become king

—

 

“Kyaaaahhh!”

 

—

KING, within light and shadow

With passion, I run toward the throne

Breaking through every competition

The final victor will be me

—

 

As a magnificent throne appeared during the highlight section, the venue’s excitement rose even higher.

 

—

KING, set my heart ablaze

As I push through endless war

Surpassing everyone

—

 

At the final beat, Yoo Hoseung raised his right hand and sat upon the throne.

A golden crown slowly descended toward him.

Boom!

With an explosion loud enough to burst a heart, confetti showered across the entire stage.

 

—

In the end, only I will claim the throne

—

 

“Huff… haa…”

‘My lungs are going to burst.’

The song finally ended amid nothing but heavy breathing.

“That was insane!!!”

“WAAAAAHHH!”

“So cool!!”

The loudest cheers I had ever heard crashed over us like waves.

“Siwoo-ah! Debut!”

“Cha Siwoo, you’re amazing!”

“You’re so cool, Siwoo!!!”

My legs trembled so much I could barely stand.

Yet the fans before me continued calling my name.

Now it wasn’t my lungs… it felt like my heart would burst.

‘I’ve never liked hearing my own name this much before.’

My mind went blank.

A smile appeared on my lips without me realizing it.

‘When they’re this happy to see me… honestly, it feels really good.’

An unbelievable excitement seeped deep into my heart.

It felt like I was standing inside a scene from a movie.

The reward for all the time and effort I’d poured into this was unimaginably sweet.

After finishing even the ending pose, I immediately bowed ninety degrees.

“Thank you!”

Ding.

[Congratulations. You have completed Sub Quest (9): “Place Yoo Hoseung in the center position during the Concept Mission stage.”]

‘Oh yeah!!!’

[Reward: +1 Stat Point]

‘What stat should I raise next time?’

There weren’t many stats left that could still be improved.

While I was lost in thought, a heavy hand settled onto my shoulder.

“…?”

Kang Chan had casually draped an arm over me.

“Good work.”

The words were short, but the moment his hand touched me, I felt strangely at ease.

The weight of his arm wasn’t burdensome.

Instead, it conveyed both warmth and reassurance.

“You too.”

Naturally, I placed my own arm over Kang Chan’s shoulder.

As our shoulders touched, it felt as though an unspoken trust and sense of camaraderie flowed between us.

“Uh…? Hyungs, me too!”

Just as Yoo Hoseung squeezed himself into the moment and we enjoyed the sense of relief…

“If you believe Royal Team performed well, National Directors, please press your buttons now!”

Park Chaeyoung’s voice instantly snapped my dopamine-soaked brain back to reality.

‘Please… let us get first place.’

The reward for first place was five million bonus votes… a massive advantage that would practically guarantee safety.

“5… 4… 3…”

The sharp countdown echoed through the venue, squeezing everyone’s hearts.

Watching the rapidly increasing numbers on the screen, I couldn’t help feeling hopeful.

‘Just a little more and we’ll really take first place.’

“2… 1… Stop!”

“…!”

“Ah!”

“Wow… no way.”

Cheers and groans erupted throughout the audience.

Then Park Chaeyoung shouted:

“Royal Team finishes second overall by a margin of only three votes!”

‘…Seriously?’

“Waaaaahhh!”

“Ah…”

‘Honestly, losing first place by only three votes really hurts.’

“But we still got second place!”

‘It’s disappointing, but second place is still second place.’

In such a brutal survival competition, second place was an excellent result.

“Royal Team, you’ve worked hard. Please leave the stage now.”

“Yes!”

“Thank you!”

After bowing ninety degrees, we followed the staff offstage.

“All performances prepared under the five concepts have now concluded!”

“Waaaaahhh!”

“The Wild Team, which ranked first in the live audience vote, will receive a bonus of five million votes!”

“Kyaaaaaaa~!”

“Nooo!”

The audience’s reaction was clearly split into two over the overwhelming reward.

Watching the increasingly chaotic crowd, Park Chaeyoung raised the corners of her lips slightly.

“Everyone, please don’t be too disappointed if your favorite trainee didn’t receive the bonus.”

“…?”

“Because there’s still another opportunity remaining.”