Debut or Die-Chapter 396
Suppressing the VTIC guy who wanted to quit took quite some time.
Pressed too hard, he almost forced the producers to come running with cameras, having misunderstood our pressure for a refusal. Luckily, we calmed him down first.
“I almost fucked everything up.”
And the ones it took to subdue him were Cha Yujin, Ryu Cheong-woo—and Cheongryeo.
Right. No matter how awkward, in a crisis you call in the people who can handle it.
“......”
“......”
Five adults squeezed into the tiny vocal studio, and a deadly silence reigned.
“Fuck...”
Even Ryu Cheong-woo—who should have been devising vote-catching strategies—stood with a wary smile.
“If mid-quest rewards keep coming as random packages, I’ll ignore them.”
This goddamn generic mobile-game system.
Pressing my brow, I spoke.
“So... Senior, we’re all in the same boat, you know.”
I regarded Ju-dan—eyes blank, face disoriented—and continued calmly, cutting to the chase.
We’ve been dragged into a weird parallel world and are trying to escape.
Who could possibly believe that without context? But better that than start with “I’m not actually Park Moon-dae....” That would make me sound crazier.
‘Explain step by step as objections come.’
No other choice.
As Cheongryeo watched with that coy smile, I went on solo—until Ju-dan raised his hand.
“Wait.”
“Please.”
“I have one question.”
“Yes?”
“What’s thirty-two times six?”
“...One hundred ninety-two.”
“Correct.”
Then he went around the room, quizzing us with simple multiplication. Everyone thought a bit, then answered.
‘What the hell is he doing?’
After Cheongryeo answered, he nodded.
“So it’s not a dream. Hmm.”
“......”
“I have a rough idea of what’s happening.”
“...??”
“For those familiar with subculture, the grammar is easy to pick up. Never thought I’d experience it firsthand.”
He muttered expressionlessly, rubbing his chin.
“But in case it’s still a dream... I’ll go wash up. I should check if cold water feels cold.”
He rose and strode to the restroom.
Sliding—thud.
The door opened and closed.
All this ten seconds after he started talking.
“......”
[What... what did he realize?]
I answered with difficulty. Now I had an inkling.
‘...Numbers.’
[???]
‘In dreams, logic falters so quick, accurate calculation is hard.’
[Ah...]
Usually he’d test himself differently. Does he normally do this?
“Even back then, you were big on unique concepts. Still adapting to any situation.”
Cheongryeo, eyeing the corner where cameras were likely hidden, whispered low.
“Like you’re talking about someone else’s group.”
“Guess I’m rusty.”
He grinned and leaned closer.
“Seems obedient but quietly uncooperative... Handling you always needed extra calculation.”
Choice words.
“But since you’re manageable, you won’t be a major variable.”
“......”
He concluded like it was nothing—which made it stranger.
‘Does this not faze him at all?’
One would expect some reaction—anger or gratitude—but he was all strategy.
Tapping his chin, he raised his voice.
“I’ll fine-tune with Ju-dan, but before that, those two should ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) be sent back.”
“...!”
Cheongryeo smiled, nodding toward Cha Yujin and Ryu Cheong-woo. They got it; Yujin didn’t even twitch.
“I’m staying where I want.”
“Then we’ll leave. Let’s head to the next studio.”
“Wait.”
They always did this in conversation. But before I could interject, Cheong-woo gave an awkward grin.
“Yujin. Let us go first. You’re in the same group, so you can talk privately.”
Yujin shrugged acceptance.
“OK. You two talk.”
But then:
“Moon Dae-hyung, come with us!”
That was... unexpected.
“Better someone who’s explained can accompany you.”
“Moon Dae, are you a VTIC fan?”
Is that why?
“You’ll get an explanation fee.”
“Oh!”
Fine. Let them go. I let Cheong-woo lead Yujin out. But Cheong-woo turned back once.
“Hey, Moon Dae.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t worry about my votes. If I’m eliminated, that means I wasn’t helping the team.” 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
“...!”
“And I don’t plan to be judged that way.”
He said smoothly and firmly.
“I’ll secure my own votes.”
“......”
He even called me Park Moon-dae—leader to leader. Then he let them leave.
Sliding—thud.
“......”
“You’re charging an explanation fee?”
“Do you think I won’t?”
“Haha.”
I suppressed the urge to slap my own face.
Thankfully, Ju-dan returned before I dashed out—water dripping from his hair.
“This feels real.”
“......”
He murmured.
“I thought it might be madness, a dream, or some spooky phenomenon—but reality was closest to the truth.”
Hold on.
“Is that why you tried to withdraw?”
“Yes. One must assume the worst-case scenario.”
“...Right.”
He’d accepted reality, so the next words would be easier.
“We’re striving to return to reality. We’d appreciate your cooperation.”
Here came the challenge.
If he saw this as another opportunity, that’d be painful.
“Of course.”
“...?”
He answered immediately.
“I dreamed of experiencing such fantasy as a kid. But I grew up a hopeless adult. I want to return quickly.”
He continued expressionlessly.
“I can’t give up ten years of fame, bank accounts, and a Daesang-winning idol life.”
“......”
I struggled to speak.
“You have to serve in the military, you know.”
“They do that here, too.”
True.
“But starting from debut again, with no money or status, is unbearable by comparison.”
He nodded.
“Adults always lie about wanting to go back. Once you have a foundation, no one wants to endure that grind again. It’s just convenient fiction.”
I almost glanced at Cheongryeo.
“Anyway, this is a game format, and you—the key player—are central.”
“That seems to be the case.”
“Right. Thank you for your effort.”
He nodded without expression.
“So I’ll be a supporting role—little screentime later on, but useful.”
What the hell is he saying?
“Good thing you’re not the antagonist... Excuse me, I’ve been bored so I’ve read a lot of novels and watched videos.”
Sounded like an excuse.
But given the situation, I played along.
“A hobby idols can enjoy without pressure.”
“Yes.”
He nodded, somewhat pleased. Then hesitated before reverting to business.
“So now I should call you Cheong-woo hyung. Anyway, if you secure votes, I have no further duties.”
Just as I was about to reply, another voice cut in—smooth, cold.
“That’s not entirely true.”
“...!”
Startled, Ju-dan sounded more formal.
“Hyung.”
“Your skill isn’t what it once was, right?”
The VTIC guy glanced at Cheongryeo, then nodded quietly.
“Yes.”
“In that case, you must recover your skills first. No plan works if the stage quality is lacking.”
With a faint smile, he addressed Ju-dan.
“Even if your memories return, without matching performance, you can’t claim them.”
“...!”
“Show a form that won’t disappoint those who gave you wealth and fame. Understood?”
“...Yes.”
The guy who’d voiced the wildest nonsense now snapped to attention. He couldn’t even muster defiance.
‘He’s been handled so much it stuck.’
Total control—tight, but eased enough to keep breathing.
“Yes. But having you here is reassuring. You know that?”
“...Yes, thank you.”
Only after receiving a training schedule—disguised as vocal practice tips—from Cheongryeo could Ju-dan exit.
“......”
‘He really is something.’
Expert at handling people.
Same as Cheongryeo.
I folded my arms and watched Cheongryeo grin.
“I tried efficiency first. Not bad.”
“Perhaps more coaxing would’ve been better for his mental state.”
“I’m fine. He moves only under pressure. Let him loose and he slacks off.”
Cheongryeo answered nonchalantly.
“With the right prod, he sometimes brings good album ideas. He’ll be an asset.”
“...Okay.”
He’d known him longer. I didn’t argue.
He tapped his chin.
“I need to revise our debut plan. No dull moments.”
Wait.
“What about voting him out?”
That was priority. He tilted his head.
“I already finished that. He’s out at the final.”
What?
“Did you forget, or trusting yourself too much?”
“I’ll handle it.”
“Haha.”
He didn’t push it. I unclasped my arms, ready to speak. I’d planned to ask about Ju-dan’s memory return.
“...This was an emergency.”
“Yes.”
What?
“But if finding comrades by fame continues as you get more popular, maybe we can restore other VTIC members’ memories, too.”
“Hmm.”
Cheongryeo narrowed his eyes.
“Let’s see. More options doesn’t guarantee a better hand.”
“Right.”
Satisfied, I asked no more.
Then:
“This is a first for me, though.”
“...!”
He lowered his gaze, murmuring flatly.
“So this is what it’s like.”
“......”
I asked,
“Does it feel bad?”
“Not especially... but it’s been a while since I imagined this. It’s alien.”
His expression blank, as if recalling distant imaginings of “this situation.”
‘...I see.’
He wasn’t entirely unmoved. I sat on the floor, not prying further.
Only when the staff called “Action!” did I rise and leave the studio.
He never brought it up again. As for game packages—I’d pondered not clicking the next one. I postponed that decision.
Time passed. Ju-dan’s stunt left the set charged with tension. Cameras were rolling.
‘I’ll wait.’
After filming wrapped, I lingered until past midnight—when the batteries died and silence reigned.
Amid trainees practicing hard before the finale, I spotted someone hesitating to go to bed.
“Senior.”
Ju-dan rose from the floor and muttered quietly.
“Avoid actions that raise suspicion. Let’s go as casually as before.”
If that’s what he wanted.
I leaned in.
“Ju-dan, who are you close to among the contestants?”
“...No one in particular. My usual fellow trainees didn’t make it here.”
Understood.
Then I reframed.
“You know who’s friends or rivals, right?”
“To the extent others know, yes.”
That was enough. I needed intel the original trainees had.
So I asked naturally:
“Can you help me a bit?”
He thought briefly, then sprang the admission.
“I’m not good at persuading others.”
He must’ve thought I meant campaign with Ryu Cheong-woo.
I chuckled and sat comfortably.
“That’s not what I’m asking.”
“Then?”
“Just talk with me in front of the others.”
Cheong-woo’s votes were limited. In a survival poll between a friend and a powerful new face, viewers choose the friend.
They’d need a lot of tempting reason to pick Cheong-woo.
So what to do?
‘Scatter the votes.’
We need to touch on who they’ll vote for besides Cheong-woo.
“It’s not an insult—I’ll praise someone.”
I’d respect letting him secure his own votes, but I wasn’t trying to push for Cheong-woo—I just wanted them to withhold votes from someone else.
