Debuting by Riding the Returnee’s Bus Chapter 119

Chapter 119

 

‘Right. Honestly, it is pretty impressive.’

 

The doubts and questions I’d held regarding <The World> vanished in an instant. Of course, it was still a total mystery how they intended to cover—or if they even could cover—the astronomical production costs of this music video, but…

 

But the fact that they’d actually managed to pull off this insane concept and turn it into a finished product was an incredible achievement on its own. Just watching the music videos play on a continuous loop made the corners of my mouth lift. Setting aside all practical concerns like settlements and pay, my heart couldn’t help but soften upon seeing a video of this caliber.

 

Even now, various online communities and SNS platforms were busy ridiculing <Fantasia>’s lore. Whether it would ultimately help or hurt the group, it had already shown every sign of becoming a meme. Naturally, if a music video of this quality were to be released…

 

‘The public opinion’s going to flip overnight.’

 

And it wouldn’t just be public opinion. I could already see various positive factors following in its wake. Active discussions would surely break out regarding the lore that had been treated like a nuisance—no, like actual garbage. Even to me, who still didn’t fully grasp our concept, there was a mountain of clues to be found in this MV.

 

It wasn’t just limited to <Dark Mage> Lee Unha. The other members all seemed to have their own hints and mysteries scattered throughout as well. The more I rewatched it, the more eye-catching details I noticed. This was the ultimate feast for fans to pick apart, analyze, and enjoy.

 

“…….”

 

“…….”

 

‘When… when was this supposed to be released?’

 

I was curious. Not because I was starving for attention—I just couldn’t wait to see the interpretations and theories the fans would come up with. Even the song, which had felt a bit alien at first, was becoming familiar to my ears. I already knew the track was decent, but combined with the high-quality MV, it felt like it was creating a powerful synergy.

 

‘I see now why Director Gu approved this.’

 

These days, everyone was chasing double title tracks and trying to promote as many title songs as possible… but now I could understand why they chose to focus everything on a single song instead…. All the things I hadn’t understood before were clicking into place. Honestly, it felt like any further explanation or excuse was meaningless.

 

Team Leader Park, standing before us, seemed to be thinking along the same lines, as she prepared to wrap things up. 

 

“And… ah, yes! That’s all for today’s presentation… are there any questions? There may be some things I won’t be able to answer right away, of course, but… I’ll do my best to answer whatever I can.”

 

The moment she finished speaking, Baek Suhyeon shot his hand into the air.

 

“Is Unha the hidden villain?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Watching the MV, the thought just struck me. Even in the intro, all the members except Unha are looking to the left. At the end, it shows the far-off place Jegal hyung is looking at, and then it cuts directly to where Unha is.”

 

“…….”

 

“Besides that, there are many scenes where the Hidden World appears only when Unha is on screen, or how Unha is the only one affected by the Hidden World during the group choreography.”

 

“Ahhh.”

 

“And there are many other clues. At 2 minutes and 4 seconds, you can see my spirits. My spirits aren’t going anywhere near Unha. They haven’t avoided the other members within my line of sight, but it feels like they’re specifically shunning Unha. It might just be his class trait as a Dark Mage… but there are many other unsettling parts. For instance, it looks like Wooyoung hyung’s and Taehee’s holy powers don’t work on him….”

 

“…….”

 

“Also, who exactly is Taeyeol hyung fighting on that battlefield? And… at the far right of Haejun hyung’s entrance in the intro, there’s a black tower in the distance. I suspect that’s the <Dark Mage>’s residence….”

 

‘How… how does he know all this? Seriously? No, more importantly…’

 

His observational skills were impressive. Everyone else seemed too busy focusing on their own parts… When on earth did he check all that? He was blathering on about incredibly minute details. 

 

The other members all looked surprised, but Team Leader Park looked the most shocked of all. She clearly hadn’t expected any of the members to pick up on this much detail.

 

“Here too. This is the only part where Unha is looking in a different direction.”

 

“…….”

 

“The shadow swallowing the screen at the end is so blatant I don’t think I need to mention it. Oh, and about the <Elementalist>, I have a personal question—”

 

“Mmm… you, you really examined it closely.”

 

“Ah. Thank you.”

 

“However….”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Um… I’m so sorry, but… I don’t think I can answer those.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, members of <Fantasia>… but I want to prevent any potential accidents. You know, spoilers. You might accidentally let something slip unconsciously!”

 

“Ah…!”

 

“Let me emphasize this again, it’s absolutely not because I doubt your professionalism! It’s just that secrets are better when fewer people know them… It might not seem like a big deal… b-but this is actually very important.”

 

“Ah….”

 

Regardless of the look of disappointment on Baek Suhyeon’s face….

 

‘That might actually be the right call.’

 

Considering that the <Fantasia> members would eventually be interacting directly with the public, I couldn’t deny that it was a wise decision. I couldn’t even trust myself right now. I certainly couldn’t trust the members who were talkative or absent-minded. Even if they were bracing themselves now, someone might drop a bomb of a slip-up at any time or place. As Team Leader Park said, the fewer people who know a secret, the better.

 

A brief silence hung in the practice room. Team Leader Park Sangah, after pondering how to wrap up, let out an awkward laugh and spoke again.

 

“Ah, well… if there are no more questions, let’s take a short break and then have a time for open discussion.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Got it.”

 

“I-I really can’t handle this by myself, so I’ll have to bring a few other people in too. We finished much earlier than expected… Well then, I’ll be going!”

 

“…….”

 

“…….”

 

She turned around with a face that looked as if she were finally escaping a place where it was hard to breathe.

 

Naturally….

 

“I’m going to the bathroom.”

 

I had no choice but to follow her quickly. There was something I wanted to ask her privately. Fearing I might lose her, I hurried outside, but she was already quite a distance away, so I quickened my pace.

 

And then.

 

“Excuse me, Team Leader Park Sangah!”

 

“Kyaaaaaaaah!”

 

She nearly jumped out of her skin.

 

“Ah! I-I’m sorry, Trainee Lee Unha. I was lost in thought while walking… Ah! W-what is it?”

 

“No, I’m the one who should apologize for startling you… I just had something else I wanted to ask.”

 

“I-I see. Oh! But, before I answer your questions, may I… ask one too?”

 

“Pardon? Ah… yes. Of course.”

 

“Um… Trainee Lee Unha.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Was I helpful?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Ah, I heard that everyone in <Fantasia> has been having a difficult time lately… and Director Gu specifically asked me a favor. He wanted me to do some kind of activity to boost your motivation… so I was wondering if I helped at all.”

 

“Yes, of course. Your explanation was clear and easy to understand… and more than anything, I think seeing the MV gave everyone a boost. No, I’m certain it did. What we feared was the helplessness that comes from a lack of communication….”

 

“I see. That’s a relief… then….”

 

“Ah… is it time for my question?”

 

Team Leader Park nodded.

 

‘How should I put this….’

 

I pondered the thought for a moment, but realized the best way was to ask directly. That would be better than beating around the bush.

 

“Um… Team Leader.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Have you ever… heard unfamiliar voices somewhere, or seen strange writing appear in front of your eyes?”

 

“…….”

 

It was a potentially dangerous question. When she suddenly blurted out an exclamation of ‘Ah!!!’, I thought I might be right, but….

 

“Have you?”

 

“I’ve been like that since I was very young.”

 

It seemed she wasn’t being influenced by Joo Wooyoung after all.

 

“I hear them from time to time. Strange pictures and writing appear before my eyes too, and I like writing them down exactly as I see them… Ah, what am I even saying…? Please don’t think I’m some weird person. It’s just… inspiration! Yes, it’s my own way of receiving inspiration. Actually, I had that sort of feeling while working on this project too. Could it be that you also…?”

 

“No. I’m not like that….”

 

It just sounded like she was talking about creative inspiration.

 

“…….”

 

“…….”

 

‘So it’s not Team Leader Park Sangah?’

 

“…….”

 

“…….”

 

There was still room to dig a little deeper, but this wasn’t the place to pursue the matter. I was also mindful of Road Manager Hong Dukwang, who had followed me out after I said I was going to the bathroom. He seemed wary of me building a connection with the Planning Headquarters or sharing unnecessary talk.

 

I considered the possibility that Manager Hong Dukwang was also being influenced by Joo Wooyoung, but I immediately shook my head. There was no way Joo Wooyoung would want to be controlled.

 

Could I be sure that Lee Unha was the only one being affected by Joo Wooyoung?

 

‘There might be others besides Team Leader Park. Should I dig a bit more into the Planning Headquarters?’

 

The thought lingered in my mind. However, it wasn’t something I could act on immediately. I couldn’t exactly go upstairs right now, grab people one by one, and throw sensitive questions at them.

 

‘Is this enough for now?’

 

I still had the upcoming schedule. It felt like the number of questions had only increased while very few had actually been answered, but it wasn’t as though I’d come away empty-handed. If I solved things one by one while preparing for the showcase, they would eventually get sorted out. As long as no other problems exploded.

 

Thus, a period of time that was productive in its own way passed.

 

And then, the next day.

 

I saw Hong Dukwang looking anxious from early morning. Specifically, I saw him when I stepped out of the practice room to go to the bathroom. Manager Hong Dukwang, who was always posturing and scowling, was now tapping on his phone with a frantic face.

 

‘Wait. Did something happen?’

 

I couldn’t help but think that, given his expression.

 

‘The atmosphere is a bit different from usual, isn’t it?’

 

“…….”

 

‘Did negotiations between the Head of Planning and the Head of Management break down… and now they’re fighting?’

 

“…….”

 

‘Or is it because of me? Am I finally getting disciplined?’

 

I had no idea what had happened, but it was obvious something serious had gone wrong at the company. When my curiosity and a slight sense of anxiety reached their peak…. I cautiously spoke to Hong Dukwang after he hung up the phone.

 

“W-What’s going on, hyung?”

 

The guy, who usually brushed me off, saying it was company business and I didn’t need to know, opened his mouth as if possessed.

 

“CEO Kang Hyuk of <Crown>….”

 

“Yes?”

 

“He’s suddenly launching a new boy group….”

 

“What?!”

 

“The showcase date… is one week before our showcase….”

 

“What? What? What?”

 

It was, quite literally, preposterous news.