Chapter 62

If I can't debut, I'll get a disease that will kill me - Chapter 62

Only the announcement of the 1st and 2nd place winners is left.

I didn't worry that 'Park Munda' might be eliminated.

"There are no candidates."

Among the remaining participants, there was no one who could realistically take the 1st or 2nd place.

Ah, Anybody, who placed 3rd in the previous ranking ceremony, saw a significant drop in popularity due to a sighting with his girlfriend.

It's a bit unfortunate... but participating in an idol audition and meeting his girlfriend whenever he had a break in filming is a disaster he brought upon himself.

"The two 1st place candidate participants will now be revealed!"

The MC, whose voice was a bit hoarse from the long presentation, loudly announced a few hints into the microphone.

After a brief pause, similar to the previous rankings, the candidates were announced.

"Cha Yujin!"

Cha Yujin smiled and stepped forward. The audience below cheered as if it were a given.

"And the other candidate is... Prepare to come out."

"It's the participant Park Munda!"

Indeed.

I received formal congratulations from a few participants I wasn't close to and stepped forward.

"Bro, congratulations."

Gold 2 seemed to be genuinely congratulating me, but I could see that I was starting to feel the reality of my elimination, trying to act tough.

I just patted his back a few times and went up to the stage.

Cha Yujin, who was already up there, extended her hand.

"Let's shake hands!"

She looked incredibly excited. I hope this momentum carries her to the 1st place.

I didn't say much and obediently shook her hand. The atmosphere in the venue temporarily became warm and friendly.

'So, this means I'm definitely debuting.'

I checked if there were any changes in my status window, but only the 'Successful Stage' popup from earlier appeared.

"The two of you, what do you think about your opponent who will compete for 1st place?"

Cha Yujin immediately grabbed the microphone.

"Really impressive!"

"Haha! A very clear answer~"

The MC laughed and then asked a tension-building question.

"Do you think you'll be 1st today?"

"I don't know. But I like being 1st!"

Cha Yujin gave a thumbs up.

It wasn't to the point of making people dislike her for playing around in the finals, but it was enough to make the audience feel good.

"Understood~ Now, let's hear the thoughts of the participant Park Munda. What do you think about your opponent?"

I took the microphone.

"He's so good... I don't really feel like I'm being mentioned alongside him."

"Just now, that was a very humble statement~ But, what do you think about the possibility of 1st place?"

I knew they would ask me this question too. I paused as if thinking and then shook my head slightly.

"...It seems difficult... Well, actually, 2nd place is already a very high ranking compared to my goal, so I'm just grateful."

For some reason, when I said it would be difficult, a small laugh erupted from the audience below.

'Did it sound too sincere?'

"Ah, wouldn't you be satisfied with 2nd place? Really not disappointed?"

"...Yes. Of course, I would be very grateful if it happens."

"Oh~ Understood. Everyone, these were the thoughts of the participant Park Munda."

'Tough guy.'

The MC finally stopped asking questions and started to build suspense again.

The popularity, ratings, and various reactions to 'Rebirth! Idol Corporation,' as well as the (claimed) best treatment after debuting, were broadcast again.

After a long wait, just before the announcement.

"The highly anticipated 1st place is... to be revealed after the commercial!"

'I knew it would be like this.'

Normally, the candidates would be tense and fall to their knees, showing dramatic reactions, but since the candidates were me and Cha Yujin, only applause and laughter came out.

Instead, groans of complaint and a few curses came from the audience below.

'I think I just heard a double curse.'

I was almost certain that the curse came from behind the 'Mundang' slogan.

"Bro! Debut! Let's do a lot of fun things together!"

"...Sure."

As soon as the commercial break started, Cha Yujin started talking to me. She was so excited that anyone watching would think she had already debuted and moved into the dorm.

'Does she really not care about 1st place?'

After all, the benefits of 1st place are still vaguely described as 'amazing benefits!'

Without any desire for fame, it wouldn't be strange to be in a 'I don't care, I'm debuting!' state.

But knowing what the 1st place benefit is, I'm scared.

As I mentioned before, that benefit is essentially a penalty.

In fact, Cha Yujin was 1st place in the previous ranking ceremony, so the probability of her winning is higher.

But people have premonitions, don't they?

After seeing the internet reactions yesterday, the unease that 'Park Munda' might become 1st place hasn't gone away.

'...I don't know. Then, I'll just get some hate.'

I gave up on thinking. At least I avoided sudden death.

After exchanging a few words with the excited Cha Yujin, the live broadcast resumed.

"Rebirth! Idol Corporation, about to announce the highly anticipated 1st place!"

The MC repeated what he said earlier, which I could recite by now.

'Hurry up and say it.'

Honestly, why are they dragging this out when both of us are already set to debut?

'They probably changed the channel.'

Fortunately, the MC finally said the name.

The highly anticipated 1st place is...

"...Park Munda!"

It wasn't the name I expected.

'...So it's come to this.'

I'm the 1st place winner.

I bowed my head to hide my face, but then I realized something unexpected. I felt... good.

Regardless of the 1st place penalty, the fact that I made