translation by mourningmoor
It was quite an interesting audition program.
Unlike the traditional survival format, it had a team-based battle structure that created a sense of competition.
The fourteen team members were divided into groups of five, five, and four, forming teams that would choose mission songs and perform on stage.
For each round, 300 judges would be invited, and each judge could cast one vote per performance. The total votes would determine the rankings.
The first-place team could keep all their members. The second-place team had to eliminate one member, the third-place team two members, the fourth-place team three members, and the fifth-place team four members.
If a team dropped to five members or fewer, they would be completely eliminated.
I was looking forward to seeing which agency’s team would be eliminated first.
“You’re not… targeting Jung Yoobin, are you?”
On the way back to the company after filming, Kim Chanyeong asked.
Targeting Jung Yoobin, huh.
“You think I’d waste my time on a weasel like Jung Yoobin?”
This was just the beginning.
Now that the Japan concert was wrapped up, my mana circle was at 8.5.
After next week’s Hong Kong concert, I was curious to see how much higher it would go. It’d be great if I could surpass the 9th circle.
Once I did, I planned to make my move.
For that, I needed bait in multiple ways.
Jung Yoobin was just one of them.
I wasn’t going through all this trouble just for a single bait.
Of course, it wasn’t like I had no personal reasons at all.
For my grand ambition, he was just a tool, but on a personal level, he was an arrogant pest who dared to provoke me. It was only fair to stomp him down properly.
“I’ll achieve my goal and, while I’m at it, give him a proper lesson.”
“While you’re at it, a proper lesson.”
Kim Chanyeong mimicked my tone and nodded.
“He’s not even worth it, but I’m sure you have your reasons.”
Yeah, normally, he wouldn’t even be worth dealing with.
His personality was pathetic, he had no talent, and the only thing he knew how to do was tear others down out of his inferiority complex.
I could’ve ignored him completely, but that bastard got his hands on a magic circle.
In exchange for becoming a sacrifice for mana, he was granted abilities and used them for all the wrong things.
Why would the master of the magic circle choose someone like him as a ‘mana transmitter’?
At the very least, Lim Jingyu, the CEO of H-NET, wasn’t a scumbag like Jung Yoobin.
The answer would come naturally as I started cutting off the transmitter’s limbs.
“For now, it doesn’t matter. I’ll use this show as a sacrifice to strike HS. That’s why Wooyoung’s role is important.”
That was why I decided to participate in this show.
Once this show is over, HS would begin its downfall.
The ‘Big 4’ agencies? HS's name will be erased from that list.
That spot will likely be taken by Blade Entertainment.
“You think things will go your way?”
Kim Chanyeong, who had roughly understood my intentions, asked with concern.
As someone who had been part of HS, he knew better than anyone how solid and formidable it was.
“It might be harder than you expect.”
“I know.”
“It might not even be a fair fight. You heard the news, didn’t you? About who’s backing HS now.”
Just earlier, Chanyeong’s informant inside HS had reported some new intel.
HS had secured investment from SS Group.
I wasn’t surprised—it wasn’t something I hadn’t anticipated.
It was just a bit more troublesome now.
With this, the entertainment agencies backed by SS Group were now HS and Maon.
“No matter how flashy their backing is, if they can’t match us in skill, it won’t mean anything.”
This industry ultimately comes down to skill.
That’s why I carefully chose my team members today.
Even though it drained my mana, I kept my senses open from start to finish, listening closely to their thoughts. I wasn’t looking for stars who would shine briefly and disappear—I was picking members who would leave a lasting impact on the judges and the audience.
“We have to win no matter what.”
There was no place for Jung Yoobin.
“Starting tomorrow, I’ll be coming to the company for practice. Keep an eye on Wooyoung for me—he listens to the director well, after all.”
Kim Wooyoung was the blade I would use to bring down HS.
Starting now, I was going to sharpen that blade carefully.
* * *
I invited Kim Wooyoung to our dorm, saying we should eat dakbokkeumtang (spicy braised chicken), but he flat-out refused.
He said he still felt uncomfortable around the other members or whatever.
So I took him to a restaurant near the company instead.
“Dakbokkeumtang is fine, right?”
“You said you’d make it, but now you’re just buying it instead?”
“You’re the one who refused to come to our dorm. Do you want to go now? If we go, I’ll make it for you.”
Kim Wooyoung hesitated for a moment before shaking his head.
“No, forget it. Let’s just eat here.”
Even though we were both dressed in casual clothes with hats pulled down low, it seemed like we couldn’t hide our identities.
The moment we stepped into the restaurant, all eyes were on us.
I briefly scanned the room using my mind’s presence and saw that people were freaking out.
《No way, it’s Kang Ichan. Kang Ichan. I come to this neighborhood, and I run into Kang Ichan? Then is the guy across from him Hanjoon? He’s got the same build as Hanjoon.》
《I don’t think he’s a LIT member. Who is he?》
《Isn’t that Wooyoung? MuteSeven’s Wooyoung. Were he and Ichan close? I thought they didn’t get along.》
《No, Ichan said they were close. Remember? They even went grocery shopping together before. Now they’re giving us this two-shot.》
This was actually perfect.
Since the news of Kim Wooyoung’s appearance hadn’t been revealed yet, it wouldn’t hurt to drop a little bait like this. The broadcast starts in two weeks, so once it airs, today’s meeting will spread far and wide.
This setup is shaping up quite nicely.
“Eat up. Starting tomorrow, it’s going to be hell training.”
I placed the spoon and cup in front of him and poured him some water.
At least he wasn’t slow on the uptake. He caught on to my intentions quickly and played along.
“You haven’t changed, Kang Ichan.”
“You either.”
We threw what could barely be called compliments at each other as we ate.
When the dakbokkeumtang was about halfway gone, Kim Wooyoung spoke up.
“What are you planning to do with me?”
“Hmm? What should I do?”
You’ve got a brain. Think about it, and you’ll figure it out.
“I’m guessing it’s what I think it is, right?”
Screwing over HS.
I mouthed the words silently, and a sly smirk tugged at the corner of Kim Wooyoung’s lips.
“For once, I like what I’m hearing, Kang Ichan.”
“For once? Don’t lie. You liked me from the start.”
This was exactly why I stuck with Kim Wooyoung till the end. He never actually hated Kang Ichan. He liked me.
After getting unintentionally caught up as an accomplice in the laptop theft incident, he deliberately treated Kang Ichan harshly. Even then, he couldn’t completely hide the moments when his real feelings slipped through.
“That’s why I never let go of your hand.”
“Wh-why are you saying stuff like that? You’re ruining my appetite.”
Kim Wooyoung’s ears turned bright red in embarrassment.
“Why are you acting like this? At this point? You’re happy too, aren’t you? Having an ally like me.”
Seriously, tsunderes are exhausting.
If you’re happy, just say you’re happy. Why act all reluctant?
“So don’t hold back and do well. If you’re going to do this, do it properly.”
Kim Wooyoung blinked his big, deer-like eyes.
“I can’t just sit back and watch my side lose. You know that, right?”
He nodded.
Good. That’s all that matters. That determination not to lose. That’s all you need.
I’ll take care of the rest.
* * *
Late February.
There were only four days left before departure to Hong Kong.
Among the songs we had been preparing since the end of last year, we had chosen one and completed recording for the digital single album.
The release date was set for March 3rd, matching the first day of the Hong Kong concert.
And right now, we were in the middle of choreography practice.
For the practice session from 8 AM to 12 PM, we had cast a time dilation spell. It was only four hours, but we could use it like it was eight.
Because of this, our afternoon schedule could be flexible—photo shoots, songwriting, or whatever else was on the agenda for the day.
Ji Youngjun-seonsaengnim and Director Gong Seokho were pleased.
They praised us, saying that even though we were only third-year idols, the quality of our performances remained high despite the reduced practice hours.
Even PD Pyo was excited, carefully planning to kill two birds with one stone.
Only Kim Chanyeong couldn’t shake off his doubts as he continued observing us.
9 PM.
The contestants arrived at our practice room with the broadcasting station’s VJs.
From 9 PM to 11 PM, we had to assess their condition.
“Have you been practicing?”
The kids all smiled brightly and responded with a loud, “Yes!”
Of course, except for one.
“But still, Hanul-hyung did a great job with the arrangement. The choreography is pretty decent too.”
As long as Seo Hanul was in this team, there was no need to worry about the arrangement.
On top of that, they had a strong dancer in the group, making the choreography easier to manage.
After spending a few days with Roa, the overall choreography quality had improved noticeably.
“There’s something I always tell my team.”
Looking at the fourteen team members, I repeated the same words I always told my members.
“To not feel anxious on stage, the answer is practice.”
The L.I.T members nodded so hard their heads might’ve fallen off.
“And since you’re doing it anyway, do it while enjoying it.”
I advised them that you can’t beat someone who enjoys it, then played the music.
As the music flowed, the performance began.
Roa, who had adjusted most of the choreography, watched them with sharp eyes.
They were clumsy. Clumsy.
Seo Hanul hadn’t been training as an idol for long, so he still lacked swag. The rest of them were just as shaky.
Even Kim Wooyoung seemed awkward, probably because it had been a while since he last danced in a group.
“Let’s stop here.”
I turned off the music, deciding there was no need to watch any further.
Maybe thinking the same thing, Hanjoon, who was standing next to me, whispered quietly.
“At this rate, they’re hopeless.”
Their teamwork was completely off.
They definitely had individual skills, but some of them were too burdened, and others lacked confidence, so they weren’t able to fully showcase their abilities.
It was just like how our team had been in the beginning.
This wouldn’t do.
Since I had drawn my sword, I needed to at least cut down some rotten radishes.
“So frustrating.”
It was just a mutter to myself, but Hanjoon, who caught it, gulped nervously.
His inner voice rang loudly in my ears.
《Ah, we’re doomed. That bastard Kang Ichan just snapped. Those kids are dead. For real.》
It was the desperate cry of someone speaking from experience.