READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 9
Chapter 9
“Yo-han, you were a perfect scorer on the college entrance exam two years ago and the top freshman in the Business Administration Department at S University.”
A perfect scorer on the entrance exam? S University?
Why on earth did he come here?
I wasn’t the only one who thought that way, as the trainees marveled, “Wow….”
“The world is really unfair.”
“Really…. Not only does he have a pleasant face, but he’s also smart.”
Their reactions weren’t just for show; they were genuinely impressed.
“But the trainee period is only about two months…. That’s too short a time to learn anything from the agency. You’re only 21, so why did you suddenly want to become an idol?”
Despite the pointed question, Ban Yo-han answered without losing his composure.
“I believe there’s no age limit to finding your dream.”
He was so composed that he seemed like someone who came to a university interview, where the only way to fail for him was to curse at the interviewer.
If some mediocre guy in his late twenties, which time period is really late for an idol, had said that, I would have found it ridiculous….
However, Ban Yo-han’s words had enough persuasive power, given his soft, elegant appearance and handsome face.
Dreams are wonderful. With that face, it doesn’t matter if he started training at 21.
Some mentors seemed pleased with his words, which sounded like they had come straight out of a self-help book.
“Then let’s see the performance you’ve prepared.”
On stage, Seomun-gyeol stood out.
Seomun-gyeol delivered a rap in a deep, weighty tone, and even though I didn’t know much about rap, I could tell it wasn’t bad. Meanwhile, he executed his dancing powerfully.
‘Dropping someone like him would obviously be rigging.’
Ban Yo-han did exceptionally well for a two-month trainee, but even I could see that he lacked basic skills, so he was going to likely end up with Muk Hye-sung.
I felt a sense of crisis. If I lose out on skills, buzz, and looks, there’s no hope.
No way. My solo growth narrative.
As expected, Ban Yo-han joined Muk Hye-sung’s class because of his lack of basic skills.
When the announcement came, the kids selected for Muk Hye-sung’s class flinched. Including me.
[You received detailed and professional feedback. Wisdom +1]
As I watched the trainees’ performances and listened to the mentors’ feedback, my wisdom gradually increased, reaching 15. Unfortunately, my intelligence remained stagnant at 11.
Wisdom seemed to increase through direct or indirect experiences related to Idol activities, but I had no idea how to raise intelligence. Should I take some brain-enhancing pills?
“Attention, please.”
Jenna took the microphone.
The mentors lined up on stage, looking at the trainees as they did initially.
Finally, the mentor evaluations were over. We started in the morning, and now it was night.
“The mentor evaluations are over. Thank you all for enduring the long evaluations.”
Here, applause followed any statement. Clap, clap, clap.
“Because of the evaluations, Ji-hee’s class has 9 members, Soo-young’s class 19, Chang-yeon’s class 21, Juan’s class 19, and Hye-sung’s class has 32 members.”
Ji-hee’s class, the elite class, had the fewest members, while Hye-sung’s class, the weakest, had the most.
Jenna mischievously smiled and said,
“The reason for dividing you by mentors is to focus on learning what each mentor specializes in, so during the training camp, make sure to take full advantage of your teachers’ teachings.”
“Yes!”
The other mentors smiled kindly, but our teacher Muk didn’t even twitch an eyebrow.
He didn’t glare at us or frown in displeasure; he just maintained a completely indifferent expression.
If a celebrity acted like that all the time, wouldn’t there be controversies about their personality? He must be fine to act like that, right?
…I’m worried about a well-off celebrity NPC in the game when I should be focusing on my situation.
“Now, we’ll unveil the signal song for ‘Pick Your Heart Season 3.’ Season 1 had ‘We Are,’ and Season 2 had ‘Your Star,’ both of which were hits. The title of the signal song for this Season 3 is ‘Heart Attack.’ ”
A video of nine dancers performing the choreography appeared on the screen, capturing everyone’s attention.
Aiming at your heart
Heart a-ttae-ttae-tack!
Overall, it was refreshing, yet intense.
The catchy chorus seemed like it would definitely trend.
The problem was that the highlight was so high-pitched it felt like you needed to have a strong vocal, and the choreography was incredibly complicated.
I had a feeling my lack of intelligence might prevent me from mastering it. I hope not.
It seemed I wasn’t the only one who thought I was doomed, as the trainees’ expressions worsened in real time. Especially those in Muk Hye-sung’s class.
After watching the entire choreography video, a prompt appeared, as if waiting.
[Choreography: Heart Attack – Do you want to memorize it?]
[Y/N]
Like the other trainees, I subtly moved my hand, pretending to practice dancing, and naturally pressed Y, as expected.
[Your intelligence and wisdom are insufficient to memorize the choreography.]
Not only was my intelligence lacking, but my wisdom was, too. How difficult was this?
More importantly, why ask if I can’t even do it?
While I was cursing the system inwardly, another prompt appeared in quick succession.
[You can use luck to attempt an impossible memorization. The first failure penalty will be waived.]
[Choreography: Heart Attack – Do you want to force memorization?]
[Y/N]
They even waived the penalty; not doing it would make me a fool! I pressed Y without hesitation.
[Choreography memorization failed! Luck -1]
And I failed in an instant.
As expected. I wasn’t too disappointed since I never had high hopes for this crappy game in the first place.
Even though they waived the penalty, they still deducted luck… does that mean they originally intended to reduce luck and impose a penalty separately?
[You have one more chance to force memorize the choreography.]
[Choreography: Heart Attack – Do you want to force memorization?]
[Y/N]
I decided to listen to Jenna’s ongoing explanation before deciding whether to proceed.
“You will perform this song on the M-stage.”
The trainees exclaimed, “Wow,” “Amazing.”
There were previous seasons, so it wasn’t like they didn’t know, but their reactions were quite genuine.
“However, trainees who don’t meet the minimum skill requirement won’t be allowed on stage.”
Tension filled the air.
“Over the next three days, you will receive focused guidance on your weak areas and practice this song in your respective classes. Then, the teachers will grade you with A, B, C, D, or F. Of course, the higher the grade, the more parts you get. Also, those who receive an F grade will be deemed unqualified to perform on stage and will take on a dancer role below the stage.”
Essentially, an F-grade meant you couldn’t be on stage.
They’re aiming to improve skills and draw attention. For a beginner like me who needs to improve quickly, this is good.
Evaluating based on a single song rather than overall skills isn’t disadvantageous for someone like me who has the system’s blessings.
If I practice like crazy, I can avoid an F.
With that in mind, I pressed Y on the postponed choice.
I could only try once more, and it would bother me if I didn’t.
Penalty? Whatever. What’s the worst that could happen? Maybe just lose some experience points.
[Critical!]
“!”
[Choreography forced memorization was successful!]
A thrill spread from head to toe.
Ah, this is why you play these shitty games!
After failing five hundred times, they occasionally act like brilliant games!
[Choreography List]
– Dancing Catallena: 91.65%
– Heart Attack: 0.01%
It was added to my choreography list. The understanding level rounded up to 0%.
But since the entire choreography was in my head, if I practiced non-stop in the remaining time, I could probably reach around 50%.
While I was pushing and pulling with the system, the trainees received and wore vests of various colors for each class.
Ji-hee’s class wore red, Soo-young’s class wore blue, Chang-yeon’s class wore green, Juan’s class wore black, and Hye-sung’s class wore yellow.
I also received a bright yellow vest and layered it over my T-shirt.
Then, practice sessions started all over the narrow set.
Here, the trainees first freely practiced the first verse, and once the choreography was somewhat memorized, the mentors would watch the dance for each class.
‘They could at least give us a break.’
Amidst this, particularly skilled kids gathered in one spot, and I noticed an ‘H’ on their name tags showing they were in ‘Han Ji-hee’s’ class.
I joined Hye-sung’s class, where half were practicing clumsily and a half were absentmindedly watching the choreography video replay on the screen.
Thanks to the initial memorization, even though my movements were awkward, I didn’t miss the timing.
And once again, I thought, this is really hard.
With my meager physical strength, I’d collapse before finishing the entire dance.
“Did you memorize the dance?”
After a few attempts, Ban Yo-han approached me, looking a bit tired, and spoke.
“Memorized it?”
Kim Jun-woo, who was standing next to me, asked incredulously.
“Yes. I noticed you’ve been dancing without missing the beat. Did you memorize it all?”
“Yes, but it’s hard to execute well.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. Aren’t you a genius? How did you memorize it all so quickly?”
Kim Jun-woo made a fuss. I’m not a genius, just an ordinary player with an intelligence of 11. You guys are NPCs, and this is a game world.
Ban Yo-han, unaware of anything, said innocently,
“We’ll elect a class leader later, so you should apply.”
“Do you think it’s okay to entrust the class’s future to me?”
“Um, uh, uh… hmm….”
“Ha ha ha….”
“Why can’t you guys say anything?”
Despite bringing it up, Ban Yo-han trailed off indefinitely, and Kim Jun-woo pretended to watch the screen, laughing emptily.
You guys don’t trust this older brother, do you? I might look shabby and lack muscles, but I’ve completed military service in real life. Got it?
Wait. Military service…?
‘If I can’t leave here, do I have to serve again?’
C-crazy. I got chills.
Given the game’s name is ‘Pick Your HEART!’, debuting here must be the obvious condition or at least one of the simple conditions, so I must debut.
Even if I have to inhale smoke from burning birch or cling to a soaring phoenix, I’ll debut!
[You have harbored a firmer will than anyone here. Will +5]
“Let’s work hard!”
“Suddenly?”
“Let’s debut!”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it hurt you that much….”
“Let’s go, Muk teacher’s class!”
“…Yo-han, this guy’s eyes seem a bit off.”
“Let’s go!”
“Let’s go!”
“Why are you joining in, Yo-han?”
“We can do it!”
“We can!”
“…Fine, whatever. We can do it!”
[Group ‘Hye-sung’s class’ has been created. (Temporary group leader: On Raon)]
[Your will inspired Hye-sung’s class. Random buffs are applied to the group members.]
[For one hour: Stamina +10, Intelligence +10, Will +20 (Target: Hye-sung’s class)]
The trainees in Hye-sung’s class clenched their fists.
“Suddenly, I feel like I can do it!”
“I didn’t understand anything before, but now I at least understand as much as the smile Muk Hye-sung teacher gave us!”
Hey, that just means your understanding is still non-existent.