The first day of the encore concert ended successfully as planned, without any major issues.
The reactions to the unit stage were positive.
– Please release the audio tracksㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
– The only good thing about “Ajusa” is seeing these two in the same team. Just cancel the rest.
– Park Moondae’s vocals and Cha Yujin’s dance—shouldn’t this combo be inducted into the K-pop Hall of Fame? (Just fangirling, ignore me.)
– Now I see why Cha Goyoung keeps talking about Moondae-hyung’s unit on the fan app. Our kid is a genius.
Occasionally, there were attempts to stir up drama by comparing the unit stages to others, but they didn’t gain much traction.
Though it’s awkward to say it myself… perhaps the fact that the unit consisted of first and second place members helped.
Given the combination, fans of other units didn’t seem eager to start unnecessary conflicts.
‘In any case, it’s tricky to mess with the side that has the larger numbers.’
Moreover, since all the unit stages were generally high in quality, fans were uniting under sentiments like “Testa does well no matter the combination.”
So the fan community was harmonious, with everyone simply enjoying each stage as they liked.
– Today was amazing.
– I was already tearing up when the opening VCR started.
– Let’s go all the way to Testa’s dinner show. Promise! (Concert group photo)
Even among Park Moondae’s and Cha Yujin’s individual fans, the atmosphere was at its peak since their debut—it was practically a festival.
This meant that among all the concerned parties, I was the only one feeling tense.
“Hyung!! Tomorrow, I’m definitely going to shake that chandelier!”
“Alright. Sleep well.”
For about the fifth time, I gave the okay to another ad-lib suggestion and left the bedroom.
“Where are you going?”
“To take a bath.”
I passed through the living room and closed the bathroom door behind me.
There was nowhere else I could spend an hour or two alone without arousing suspicion.
Click.
“Phew.”
I sat down on the edge of the bathtub.
…In fact, I had seen a popup notification the moment the concert ended.
I had delayed checking it until bedtime to avoid interfering with backstage interviews or simple late-night schedules.
‘Of course, there’s no need to act immediately just because I check the popup now.’
There’s still time left, so there’s plenty of room to observe a bit more.
Still, the thought that this might be the last time made it difficult to keep putting it off.
Let’s see.
“Status window, notifications.”
As I muttered, the popup I had briefly glimpsed earlier reappeared.
[Successful Meeting!]
You have successfully met with 200,000 spectators!
!Time Limit: Fulfilled (Success)
!Status Effect: ‘Death if Not a Spectator’ has been removed!
: Check ‘Options’ ☜ Click!
First… success is certain.
“Ha…”
For some reason, I felt the tension drain away. I pressed my temples, overwhelmed by a strange sense of relief.
Now, what’s left is to confirm that damned truth… Wait a minute.
“…!!”
: Check ‘Options’ ☜ Click!
The keyword isn’t ‘Truth.’
‘Options?’
As soon as I saw that word, something immediately came to mind.
‘…An option to choose between my original body and ‘Park Moondae’s’ body.’
Wouldn’t that be the most plausible and fitting reward for clearing the last status condition?
“…”
But it seemed too conveniently good.
My mind cooled.
‘Isn’t it too late to offer this now?’
This bizarre system had maintained a game-like structure ever since I entered Park Moondae’s body.
So it’s strange to suddenly offer such a tempting reward as a surprise after not mentioning it until the end.
In a typical game, they would have dangled this as bait before hitting you with status conditions from the start.
‘No, even if it’s not a game… considering the structure or efficiency, that would make sense.’
Rather than just whipping someone by threatening death, providing a clear reward at the end is perfect for instilling false hope.
‘Then what’s another hypothesis?’
If it’s not choosing bodies, what else could be plausible? I racked my brain, but no specific hypothesis came to mind.
“…Phew.”
I might actually need to take a bath. My head is throbbing.
A brief thought of alcohol crossed my mind, but I ignored it and left the bathroom.
‘I’ll consider everything tomorrow.’
First, I needed to finish the last concert properly. It’s best to erase anything from my mind that could affect my condition.
‘Let’s just sleep.’
Just as I was about to return to my bedroom, someone waved at me from the kitchen.
“Huh? Moondae, aren’t you going to sleep?”
It was Big Sejin.
“Bath.”
“Ah~ sounds good.”
He grinned and poured another glass of cold barley tea from the bottle he was holding.
“Want a glass? My mom gave it to me yesterday.”
Perhaps because of the color, it oddly reminded me of beer.
I took the glass without a word. With the same smiling face, Big Sejin continued.
“Oh, by the way, Moondae, your unit stage was amazing! You did really well with Yujin~ As expected of Park Moondae!”
However, there was a subtle undertone to his words.
‘There’s a nuance to that.’
Perhaps he was reflecting on his own experience with Cha Yujin’s unit.
I recalled that time.
– Just focus on making the stage itself great. Make it so people don’t even think of comparing who did better between you and Cha Yujin.
I think I gave him advice along those lines back then. Yet, I went ahead and did a direct face-off style stage with Cha Yujin, so it’s understandable he’d feel a bit bothered.
But this was just a matter of presentation.
“…I just chose the best emphasis for what we could do.”
I drank the cold tea and muttered calmly.
“If it hadn’t been a musical, it wouldn’t have worked, no matter how I sang.”
“…”
In the end, it’s the same as your unit stage—we just structured it well.
‘Of course, there was also the effect of special traits, but I can’t explain that.’
Instead, I gave him a chance to wrap up the conversation.
“Your unit stage was great too. The shadow performance matched perfectly and was impressive.”
“…!”
A slightly embarrassed smile briefly crossed Big Sejin’s face.
He probably knew in his head but had spoken impulsively; I could understand his feelings, so I’d leave it at that.
He quickly seized the opportunity, joking lightly.
“…Haha. I worked hard. I’m glad it turned out well on stage~”
“Indeed.”
Geon Sejin had practiced tirelessly; if the stage had failed, Bae Sejin might have wanted to kill him.
‘It seems it went well, partly thanks to diligent and hardworking Kim Raebin being involved.’
Big Sejin smiled.
“Next time, let’s do a unit stage together! We haven’t done one together since debuting~”
Is there a need to force it when our positions don’t overlap at all?
He was probably just making a friendly remark to wrap things up. So…
“Moondae, Moondae, you were thinking there’s no need since our positions are different, right!”
“…!”
“Haha, I guessed right~”
“…No.”
How did he know?
Big Sejin stifled a laugh, then composed himself and said:
“Ahem, but if we get the chance, we’d do well together, right?”
“Sure.”
“Great~ That’s the attitude!”
Big Sejin put the barley tea back in the fridge. Then, hesitating a bit, he continued:
“…I owe you a lot. I’ll be counting on you from now on, too.”
“…Don’t mention it.”
“You always say that when someone compliments you!”
Big Sejin laughed and lightly tapped my shoulder. How amusing.
It seems he became a bit sentimental due to having a concert in Korea after a long time.
‘…Anyway, it’s somewhat better.’
Though he didn’t intend it, talking about the stage kept unnecessary thoughts at bay, which was a relief.
“Then I’m heading in.”
“Alright. Let’s do great tomorrow too~”
I went to bed as is.
No variables, at least not yet.
And the next day.
“Waaaaaah!!”
“Thank you!!”
The encore concert had come to a complete end.
“Ugh! My clothes are sticking to me!”
“Alright, guys, let’s pack up our stuff first…”
“I heard we need to take a group photo…?”
After the big event ended, the remaining small tasks were quickly wrapped up.
The after-party was simple—just the members having some delivery food at the dorm. We had already had a big celebration when we returned to Korea after the tour.
“No alcohol allowed!”
“…I wasn’t even touching it.”
I was handed a non-alcoholic beer. It felt quite strange to have my drink taken away by someone who was already tipsy.
Seizing the opportunity, I stepped out onto the balcony as if to get some fresh air.
“…Phew. Status window, notifications.”
Pop. The same popup I saw yesterday reappeared.
Now, it’s time.
There would be hardly any official group activities until the comeback after today.
Though it’s just about a month’s gap, it’s enough time for me to consider whatever I need to. There’s room.
And one thing came to mind.
‘If I click this ‘Options’ item, another popup introducing each option will probably appear.’
Considering the UI so far, it’s a convincing hypothesis.
‘Then it’s better to know quickly and think about it.’
I swallowed and raised my hand to press ‘Options.’ My finger cut through the air without any sensation.
And as I expected… a new popup appeared over it.
[Options]
: Check ‘Truth’ ☜ Click!
: Acquire ‘Coin’ ☜ Click!
※ Cannot select both
“…!”
As expected, there was no option to choose bodies. And one of the two is… a familiar term.
‘Truth.’
It’s probably that infuriating past notification I’ve seen before.
Then the meaning of this choice ultimately lies in the new option below.
‘Coin.’
What on earth does this mean?
My mind automatically began to race at the completely non-intuitive term.
The first thing that came to mind was… currency.
‘Is some kind of shop going to open?’
That’s a setting often seen in web novels—a personal shop in the status window.
It’s plausible but too abstract. Other than that, only images like virtual currency come to mind.
“…Damn it.”
Being ambiguous until the end. I stared at the options window.
But… in fact, the decision was practically made.
I moved my finger directly to the option without hesitation.
[Acquired ‘Coin’!]
It was the rational choice.
‘The ‘Truth’… carries too much risk.’
Because I don’t know what it might reveal.
Just from the popup’s description, ‘Truth’ is a confirmation, and ‘Coin’ is an acquisition. Whatever the coin is, owning it means, at worst, maintaining the status quo.
‘This is the right choice.’
Wiping the cold sweat from my brow, I looked at the popup.
Now, I had the common-sense expectation that it would explain what to do with this coin.
But the popup that appeared… was familiar, contrary to my expectations.
[Sudden Event!]
Status Effect: ‘Death if Not a Star’ has occurred!
“What?”
That cursed status effect notification popped up again.
‘These bastards are really…!’
My mind went blank. What’s with ‘final’? How long do I have to keep putting up with this nonsense?
…But on the other hand, a strange feeling arose.
It was relief.
‘This could be seen as maintaining the status quo.’
At least for a year, I can just live as I have been.
By tomorrow, I’ll probably think it’s a crazy thought, but still… There was a strange comfort in the postponement.
The feeling that I can continue living like this.
“No.”
I gritted my teeth to resist that feeling and glared at the popup.
‘What’s your objective?’
At that moment.
Suddenly… the popup started to glitch and flicker.
“…!!”
Status Effect: ‘Death if Not a Star’ has occurred!
And the content was crossed out and disappeared.
“What is this?”
It wasn’t over.
Ding!
Status Effect: ‘Death if Not Number One’ has occurred!
A new popup appeared. It was a status effect I’d seen once before.
“What the…”
And this wasn’t the end.
‘Death if Not Number One’ has occurred!
‘Death if Not the Main’ has occurred!
‘Death if Not Performing’ has occurred!
‘Death if Not the Best’ has occurred!
‘Death if Not Debuted’ has occurred!
‘What the hell is this.’
The status effect names in the popups were endlessly crossed out and deleted.
And as if someone was hacking, they flickered countless times, updating with new names.
How many times did this repeat?
Ding-ding-ding-ding!!
[Sudden Event!]
Status Effect: ‘Death if Not a Spectator’ has occurred!
Finally, the popup stopped updating.
With the same name as just before.
However, the description had changed.
[‘Death if Not a Spectator’]
: If you fail to meet more than 400,000 spectators within the set period, ‘Park Moondae’ will die.
Progress: 0 / 400,000
Not 200,000, but 400,000.
The number had doubled.
And there was an added detail in the description. The death was specified to a particular person.
‘…Not just death, but Park Moondae’s death.’
…How should I interpret this?
From the ‘Coin’ nonsense to this buggy status window, there’s no way to grasp the situation.
Racking my brain is useless. There are no clues.
“…”
I sat down on one side of the balcony to cool my head. I felt a slight urge to smoke, but it was bearable.
“Phew.”
And when my body cooled down, I organized my thoughts.
‘First, two things are certain.’
The first is to meet 400,000 spectators within a year.
This is actually manageable. I met 200,000 over a two-month tour.
The upcoming tour in the latter half of the year has been scaled up, so just looking at the schedule, I can achieve 400,000.
‘If I include events, it’s even easier.’
So I’ll set this aside for now.
The second is… there’s at least one person I can consult about this situation.
Moreover, since that guy gave me incorrect information before, I have grounds to question him.
“…Damn it.”
It’s not something I want to do, but I have no choice.
I took out my smartphone from my pocket.
Finding the MMS with the attached puppy picture, I made a call.
The dial tone cut off shortly.
– Yes.
As you might have guessed, it was Cheongryeo.