Debuting by Riding the Returnee’s Bus Chapter 29

‘Actually, over there, there wasn’t much difference between being a slave and being a poor commoner.’

 

In fact, there were even stories that a high-grade slave lived better than a commoner.

 

‘The overwhelming majority were tenant farmers… and even the ones who were decent with a sword usually ended up scraping by as mercenaries…’

 

Like most medieval fantasy worlds, the lives of commoners and slaves were equally miserable. At least in the other world, since monsters and demons were a constant threat, some talented mercenaries or adventurers could accumulate great fame and wealth. However, unless you were one of those special cases, most lived lives of exploitation.

 

The saying that high-class slaves lived better than commoners was by no means an exaggeration. High-class slaves sold to respectable noble houses or renowned adventurers fetched astronomical prices, so their owners couldn’t afford to neglect their upkeep, and by the same token, those slaves often enjoyed all sorts of luxuries.

 

I myself almost got sold to a noble family once. One of the guests visiting that mad dark mage  was a fairly well-known noble who declared he wanted to give me to his daughter as a toy. I pulled out every charm in the book to look my best, but the result was a failure. I remember spending weeks in agony afterward because that mad dark mage used the incident to find fault with me.

 

‘Thinking back, that corrupt noble bastard might have just been teasing me…’

 

Anyway, the point I was trying to make was that life as a commoner might not be any easier. In fact, more people were eliminated from the Commoner class than the Slave class, meaning that in some ways, it was a more dangerous position than being a Slave.

 

While moving dorms with the teammates, various thoughts drifted in and out of my mind: the somewhat unsettling judges’ evaluation, the goodbye that wasn’t really a goodbye with Joo Wooyoung, the temporary teammates who had run wild with excitement, and now, the move itself.

 

As I was blankly packing my things, No. 98 suddenly spoke up.

 

“What? Is that all the luggage you have?”

 

“Yes. I didn’t bring many clothes. Besides, there are practice uniforms provided here, and we have stage outfits. You don’t wear your other clothes either, hyung. Aren’t you always wearing the same outfit?”

 

“I mean, still, you’ve got to be more prepared. We’re idols now.”

 

“We haven’t even debuted… If I start worrying about fashion already, it’ll just give me a headache. I can barely sing or dance properly as it is. People would probably criticize me for caring more about looking cool than improving.”

 

“Is… is that how it works?”

 

“No. It was just my personal thought.”

 

“A-Anyway, put your bags on mine. I’ll carry them for you.”

 

“Why? I can carry them myself.”

 

“Just let me carry it. Your blanket’s heavy too. You were injured recently, and technically I survived thanks to you, so the least I can do is this.”

 

I wondered why he was overacting all of a sudden… but it seemed he had another motive.

 

‘When did the cameras start following us?’

 

It was clear he wanted to build an image of ‘Trainee No. 98 helping Trainee Lee Unha’. Come to think of it, No. 45 had been acting cute with a nasally voice for a while now, and No. 78 was deliberately acting cool and composed.

 

The camera that had suddenly started following us caught me off guard at first, but it didn’t take long to figure out what the bastards producers were after. They probably wanted to capture the heartwarming scene of everyone moving to the Commoner dorms together.

 

I even ran into No. 123 on the way.

 

“Oh! Unha!”

 

“Oh… uh, hey…”

 

“Congrats.”

 

“Yeah, you too…”

 

“We both moved up to the <Commons> class together. Right?”

 

“Yeah. We did. That’s a relief.”

 

“I saw it. That dark mage stage.”

 

“Oh, really?”

 

“Yeah. It was seriously no joke. I couldn’t see it in person, so I watched from the waiting room… I’m telling you, my breath literally stopped. You shined the brightest. I was so happy the judges seemed to recognize what you were really capable of.”

 

“Ah… thanks…”

 

It was a bit burdensome, but I couldn’t tell him to get lost. I had to act even friendlier in front of the cameras.

 

“I could say the same about you, though. You’ve completely gotten over your nerves now, haven’t you? You didn’t crack once… I was honestly shocked during your high notes.”

 

“Ah… r-really? You… heard that?”

 

“Yeah. I knew you were good, but… I didn’t expect you to hit notes that high. I thought you were a dolphin.”

 

“Pffft. A dolphin.”

 

“……”

 

‘What? Is dolphin that funny?’

 

As long as No. 123 was in a good mood, that was fine. The station followed us because they wanted to film a rare warm and fuzzy scene instead of the usual provocative soap opera stuff. Looking at the flow of the broadcast so far, they probably felt they needed a scene like this.

 

They didn’t know how the next episode would go, but they must have felt they had captured only overly intense scenes lately. While provocative scenes are effective to the point of overflowing, eating the same flavor over and over gets tiring. They must have judged that it was time for some pacing.

 

‘Right, they have to include these small, heartwarming moments too.’

 

They’d make great filler footage, and they were perfect for image-building. Unaware of (or perhaps fully aware of) this fact, No. 123 gave a friendlier smile and kept talking.

 

“I’m a bit nervous. I heard the <Commons> class is actually tougher than the Slave class.”

 

“Ah. Really?”

 

“Yeah. I asked a hyung I used to go to the same academy with while we were eating the other day, and he said it’s a total warzone.”

 

“I see…”

 

“They only picked 7 people for the <Nobility> class, right? All the trainees who have the skills for Nobility but couldn’t get in because of the seat limit are in <Commons>.”

 

“Ah. So that’s how it works?”

 

“Yeah. You know that trainee who got a ton of attention for being from a major agency before the show started? He’s in <Commons> too. Can you imagine what it’s going to be like?”

 

‘Ah. No. 12?’

 

A trainee who already had a bit of a fandom. Being from a major agency with professional training, his skills were beyond reproach, but I remembered him coming across as a little arrogant. He looked pretty annoyed when he was confirmed for the Commoner class. He seemed like the type to get swept up in an attitude controversy sooner or later.

 

While I was lost in thought, the thug Trainee No. 98 chimed in.

 

“Then isn’t it just better to stay in the Slave class?”

 

‘That’s definitely not it.’

 

The model answer would be that the point was to show the fans and viewers that you were growing, but personally, what appealed to me most was the improved treatment. In the Slave class, you had to do almost everything yourself. In every respect. No dance teacher, no vocal coach—there was nothing to learn from. You just had to survive in the given environment.

 

Of course, for the dark mage stage, we received support for costumes and makeup because we were beneficiaries of Joo Wooyoung from the <Nobility> class, but other than that, it was every man for himself. From what I’d heard, the Commons class actually provided some support, making it a much better environment for improving yourself.

 

Plus… the <Commons> class got two-person rooms. Exactly two to a room. Apparently, No. 123 also knew exactly what the biggest selling point was, because he hurriedly chimed in.

 

“But still, we get to use two-person rooms in <Commons>.”

 

“Ah! Really?!”

 

“Yes. I heard the rooms are way better than the ones we used as Slaves. The mattresses are super soft, too.”

 

“Oh. I’m looking forward to that. The rooms must be bigger, too.”

 

“Yeah. Bigger beds and better amenities. You’re excited too, right, Unha?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“So, about that… Unha.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Do you want to be roommates?”

 

‘Seriously, what’s with this guy?’

 

No. 123’s surprise attack came completely out of nowhere.

 

“Are we allowed to decide that ourselves?”

 

‘Man, this is getting annoying.’

 

He was a nice guy, but he talked far too much. I was exhausted and just wanted some peace and quiet so the thought of him rambling non-stop was not exactly appealing. I wanted to say I’d think about it, but the camera was filming me point-blank.

 

“Let’s room together. Okay?”

 

“Uh…”

 

To make matters worse, No. 98 also chimed in with his mouth wide open.

 

“No, room with me, Lee Unha.”

 

‘Now what’s gotten into him?’

 

No. 78 and 45 looked like they wanted to ask the same thing, but apparently decided that all four of them asking would be overkill, so they simply watched my reaction.

 

Meanwhile, the camera was zooming in on my face. It was exactly the sort of moment where the broadcast would slap on a caption saying: [What will be Trainee Lee Unha’s choice?].

 

I wanted to run away, but I couldn’t. I was pushed into a position where I had to choose someone. After a very brief hesitation, I bowed my head to one of them.

 

“I… I’m sorry, hyung.”

 

Joy and sorrow crossed on two faces. No. 123 was grinning, while No. 98’s face turned a bit stiff.

 

“Ah!”

 

“Ah…”

 

“It’s not that I don’t like you, hyung, but I think it’s right to room with the person who asked first…”

 

“Ah! No, it’s fine. I just asked just in case… I—I actually prefer being alone anyway.”

 

“I’m really sorry. Truly…”

 

“No, I told you not to be sorry! It’s no big deal.”

 

“Give me back my bags.”

 

“No, since I’m already carrying them, I’ll take them to your room.”

 

“You really don’t have to…”

 

“No, I’m serious, it’s fine!”

 

Feeling awkward and a bit guilty, I entered the 2-in-1 room. After mentally preparing myself to give the appropriate reaction, of course. For me, who had experienced (though not really) <Nobility> Joo Wooyoung’s room, there wouldn’t really be a genuine reaction, but I couldn’t help it. The broadcast bastards wanted this, so I must provide the reaction they desire.

 

“Tada!”

 

Leaving No. 123 and his unnecessarily dramatic reaction behind, I stepped inside the room…

 

“Waaah!!”

 

“Uwoooh!!!”

 

The room was definitely different from the Slave class. Unlike the prison-like slave rooms, this one actually looked like a proper room. Of course, the interior was lacking compared to the Nobility class, but as No. 123 said, the mattress was exceptionally soft.

 

No. 98, who followed us in, also kept marvelling at the upgraded treatment.

 

“Wow, f*ck, this is insane. Seriously. There’s even a private shower!”

 

“Unha, which bed do you want?”

 

“Eh? I guess the right one?”

 

“Should we just push the beds together?”

 

“Ah… hahaha…”

 

“The TV is way bigger than the old room. Whoa! There are new clothes in the closet!”

 

“Whoa!!”

 

“Nice! Wow! Are we allowed to just use all of these?!”

 

“Yeah! Aaaagh!!!!”

 

The Hopeless Trio and No. 123 pulled me into their embrace and started doing a circle dance. I didn’t really want to celebrate with them, but the atmosphere forced me to play along. At least while the cameras were rolling.

 

I kept exaggerating my reactions, trying on clothes, putting on shoes, and doing all sorts of things, but unfortunately, the camera showed no signs of leaving. It was becoming difficult to keep the high tension going. Naturally, I realized the broadcast bastards wanted something more.

 

Just as not only me but the Hopeless Trio were starting to feel awkward about how much longer we had to keep this up…

 

Sure enough, the silent TV flickered on, and large letters appeared on the screen.

 

[THUMP!]

 

[We will now introduce the next mission for the <Commons> class.]

 

[<Commons> Class Mission – Follower]

 

[Members of the <Commons> class, please create a personal SNS account. Please acquire as many followers as possible within the set time limit.]