Chapter 60

If you can't debut, you'll get a deadly disease - Chapter 60

The audience could faintly see the dark silhouettes of the participants on stage, along with a few features of modern combat uniforms.

The outlines of bulletproof vests and harnesses were visible.

‘Huh.’

At the moment when the excited audience members let out an inner scream, a sudden electronic sound echoed through the venue again.

It was a modulated, neutral voice.

[Searching for a match...]

[Successful search.]

[Location confirmed.]

[Entering the thirteenth round...]

In sync with that voice, various classic game button sounds formed a new melody.

BBi BBi- Ding dong! BBibibibibiBBi, BBi, BBi--------!

The participants on stage moved their bodies in time with the sound.

The unnatural pops in their movements made them seem like a kind of doll or robot.

Then, in an instant, they froze.

Thud

A spotlight turned on above them, who had just completed a short movement.

- You hold it in your hand, VICTORY

I'm the one who makes it happen

A clear human voice pierced through the modulated accompaniment.

Under the spotlight, Seonahyeon, who was striking a typical pose, smiled at the end of the verse.

“Aaaah!!”

The venue was instantly filled with a thunderous cheer.

The participants began to move brilliantly, as if responding to that cheer.

- The stage is always thrilling

My heart is about to burst

Gwon Hee-sung sang, taking over from Daesejin's verse, who had entered with a sweeping motion.

- The WEAPON I hold in my hand

I won't let it go, you know

Every time the center vocalist came forward, more complex movements were added, and the stiff movements that resembled classic game characters gradually disappeared.

It felt as if they were selecting a character in a recent game's character creation menu, thanks to the synergy with their costumes.

- Overflowing adrenaline

Rising POWER launches the

Final SHOT!

- Control your excitement

The sensations left by the shivers

Final ROUND!

Kim Raebin's voice, rarely taking on a vocal role, shot up above the microphone.

The formation was set, and they pulled their arms in a somewhat unique shooting choreography, as if it were designed for the audience to follow.

And then, the chorus.

Rising up the scale, Park Moon-dae hit the high note.

- Shooting and launching the final Match-!

I'm the one who smiles in the highlight

The VICTORY you hold-!

I gave it to you, you'll like it too

Then, the beat that had been rising madly dropped.

Boom!

In the heavy bass, the theme melody flowed again.

On stage, they formed a triangular formation and started rolling their feet.

- You hold it in your hand, VICTORY

I'm the one who makes it happen

- The CHALLENGER you choose

I'm right here, now

Moving their bodies with force, a choreography that matched the heavy beat was laid out on stage.

Each time they bounced their bodies, the intensity was so distinct that it felt almost oppressive.

Every time they shook their heads and set their angles, the audience watched with their mouths open.

The same was true for the viewers.

The comment section, which had briefly paused when the stage began, was soon flooded with short words like 'crazy', 'oo', and 'wow'.

Even with the terrifying camera work, the quality of the stage was felt.

As the second verse began, a new formation appeared.

- Your expectations are always thrilling

My heart is about to stop

The figures on stage moved first to their parts, forming a solo formation and leading other team members.

It was cruelly difficult to do live, but it looked incredibly grand.

During the bridge, Kim Raebin and Lee Se-jin exchanged a short but precise rap, and the chorus came again.

Bang!

Here, the iconic shooting choreography reappeared to prevent any possible fatigue.

And again, the drop that emphasized the melody and feel of the demo version that viewers had heard on broadcasts.

- You hold it in your hand, VICTORY

I'm the one who makes it happen

- The CHALLENGER you choose

I'm right here, now

This time, Seonahyeon came forward and led the choreography. On the heavy beat, intricate footwork was displayed.

This stage, meticulously constructed overall, enhanced the focus by providing both visual and auditory enjoyment.

As a result, the viewers, when the stage ended, quickly flooded the comments with question marks, saying it was over in an instant.

[Take this crown.]

[You’re welcome!]

At the end of the stage, while a narration similar to the initial electronic sound played, the participants stretched, bent their necks, and waved their hands as they walked off the stage.

An 8-bit melody rang out.

BBi- BBi- BBibibibibiBBi, BBi-------!

The lighting burst from behind the stage, and their silhouettes gradually faded.

Normally, choreography ends with a pose. This was a more adventurous structure.

But thanks to this unique ending, the participants on stage seemed like characters who had just finished a fun game and disappeared.

“Wowww!!”

The viewers were extremely excited.

After a while, when the chaos of words subsided and the inserted mid-commercial ended, comments that could communicate began to appear.

- Hahaha

- They must have done this to get the first spot

- Did they really put this in the opening?

- It reminds me of the rabbit mask, but at least they pushed it back in the broadcast back then lol

- Seriously, this is hard to win

- Wow, but damn, it's really cool, almost dropped my jaw

- My gums are dry from opening my mouth so wide

- It was a concept game, huh? Park Moon-dae and Seonahyeon are smart

- Honestly, this was the best stage of all the Azusa stages, I admit

- Tears are streaming down my face. Seonahyeon is already an idol, and I won't accept any arguments. Everyone, buy the stocks now!

└ Go to the fan site~

└ It's the last one, let's watch it. Seonahyeon will debut anyway lol

- Four out of this team will debut, I think; what about the next team, oh my...

As the viewers predicted, the next team's stage was bland.

This team, composed of relatively lower-ranked members, received a segment to foster teamwork and friendly competition for main positions.

Like the previous team, they tried to leverage the keyword 'Final'.

However, the lyrics and choreography, focused on effort, passion, and desperation, lacked sophistication and felt burdensome.

The contrast was more pronounced because the previous team had mixed humor and fantasy into their stage.

- They're trying hard

- He stands out, I should give him a vote

- Boring

- They all seem cute and nice~

While somewhat lukewarm reactions continued, the second team's stage ended.

And in this relaxed atmosphere, the final team's stage was revealed.

The preparation process was nothing special, but a bit more focus was given to Ryu Cheong-woo overcoming his slump.

It was unknown whether he had truly overcome his slump, but on the broadcast, he took on the leader role, which he had been avoiding, and performed it excellently.

- So, you want me to vote for Ryu Cheong-woo?

- Yeah, I don't want to miss the exemption from military service lol

- Ryu Cheong-woo is good, but he's a bit snarky

- He'll probably sweep the votes from the general public, anyway

The hardcore viewers' reactions were somewhat indifferent. After all, Ryu Cheong-woo's good segments were not a one-time thing.

If he hadn't been a former national team member, he might have faced more criticism, but at least he didn't cross the line.

And the stage.

- Cha Yujin is going wild.

- There's no stopping her!

- The master of the stage! The embodiment!

- Hahaha, only jokes come out

- She's really good

- Hmm, will she be number one?

Cha Yujin tore up the stage again.

Due to her personality, which doesn't pay much attention to harmony with others, the parts of other members didn't seem particularly good when she was around.

It was just that Cha Yujin shone, making the stage look impressive.

She could be seen as a talent best suited for solo performances or competition programs.

The viewers chatted happily.

- It was fun.

- The first and last stages were good, so it was enjoyable

- What's left now?

The next major announcement by Young-rin, who was back to hosting, was left.