Chapter 93

If I can't debut, I'll get a disease that will kill me - Chapter 093

Chungrye began to hedge her words.

“Hmm, where should I start...”

“I will listen attentively.”

I deliberately knelt. I had to appear as a rookie idol seeking advice from a senior idol, who was like the sky to the audience.

Chungrye smiled soullessly and repeatedly invited me to sit down, but when she realized it was difficult to start the conversation, she finally began to speak.

“We started as a team when we met at the agency, and everyone got along well because of our good personalities.”

And then came the standard answer that everyone worked hard when we debuted.

It was cliché, but it was also what people expected from idols.

Hmm, I can't let her get away with this.

“I have a lot of feelings for the Testa members, and it seems that Senior Chungrye also got along well with the seniors in her team from the beginning.”

I downed the remaining coffee in one shot. The strong taste from the sediment woke me up.

“To meet as a team with strangers and get along without any conflicts is truly amazing and wonderful.”

“...”

“Of course, everyone must be good people, but I think Senior Chungrye, as the leader, must have shown great leadership. I really admire you.”

It was a proper flattery, a rookie-like statement.

It wasn't as if I was trying to belittle the other members.

But I think Chungrye understood the underlying meaning.

‘You must have used some tricks to pick the perfect team members. I know.’

Indeed, Chungrye was staring at me intently.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“I feel embarrassed. It wasn't that big of a deal.”

“No, it was. You are amazing.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Now, she must have grasped the situation.

“Since this is the first time I'm having such a conversation in such a setting, I don't know how it went.”

“It was very helpful. Thank you.”

“...It's nothing.”

She must have realized who was more regretful. I ended the conversation there.

“Then, can we have some time to relax?”

“Yes, thank you.”

After that, the ordinary survival drama in the mountain cabin continued.

Continuous landslides and a broken back room.

And the chilling news from the radio found in the storage.

Hmm, I think I did a good job immersing myself. I should watch the broadcast later.

The filming was completed without any issues the next morning.

* * *

As soon as the filming ended, it started raining heavily. It was the rainy season.

“Thank you for your hard work~”

I bowed to the surroundings and, following the crew's suggestion, took out my smartphone.

I made a video call.

Ring, ring, click!

Before long, a familiar face appeared on the screen. ...It was Daesejin.

‘Why did you call Ryu Cheongwoo, but you appeared first?’

[Wow, Park Munda.]

[Is it Munda hyung calling?]

There was a loud noise, and soon the Testa members filled the screen.

‘I guess you all were told to appear together when anyone called.’

The crew had already discussed that they wanted to include some shots of Testa as a bridge.

Originally, they planned to include it in the main filming, but due to timing issues, it would likely be a cookie video at the end.

[Wow, the filming is over?]

“Yeah, I'm about to head back.”

[Be careful on your way back.]

[Yeah, yeah. Be careful...]

[Bring some snacks on your way back~]

“...”

Even in the rain, they make such unreasonable requests. I was about to ignore them, but thinking of the camera, I replied as gently as possible to Daesejin.

“Get some for yourself. Eat when you get back.”

[Oh, Munda, you're so considerate!]

The other side seemed to be aware of the camera too, as they laughed it off. I chatted a bit more and then ended the video call.

I received a text from my manager saying that the heavy rain would cause a slight delay in arrival.

By the way, a few days ago, I finally got a new manager, who was even younger than me.

“Mr. Munda, aren't you going in?”

“Oh, Senior.”

I bowed to Chungrye, who had spoken to me. I could feel a few staff members glancing at me from the side.

“My manager said he would be late, so I'm waiting.”

“It's raining, so that makes sense. Since lunch will be delayed, why don't you have a meal before going in?”

“Yeah, Mr. Munda. Have a meal before going in. We were supposed to have a dinner, but the rain made it impossible to organize.”

A passing writer joined in, praising my performance and showing a good impression of me.

Thank you for making things easier for me.

“Then, I'll have a meal, thank you.”

“Sure.”

Chungrye brought the car, and I explained the situation to my manager and received permission. I had no afternoon schedule anyway.

‘I’ll go straight to bed when I get back.’

While I was daydreaming, Chungrye returned with the car.

‘With seven years of experience, she must have her own car.’

“Get in.”

“Thank you.”

I immediately got in the front seat. I closed the door and fastened my seatbelt, and the car started moving.

Chungrye didn't wait any longer.

“I don't like wasting time. Let's skip the formalities and get to the point.”

“...”

“Which year did you come from?”

“You first.”

“Haha.”

Chungrye laughed and then stopped abruptly.

...She seems a bit crazy.

‘Suddenly switching to informal speech and then laughing?’

I need to keep checking if she's paying attention to the road. I started paying attention to both the conversation and the road.

Anyway, it's a situation where she has admitted it herself.

“I've already passed the point in time. It's not very useful. Hmm, I thought I could hear some stories about the future.”

“I don't have much to say either.”

“What?”

“I was a civil service examinee.”

“...”

Chungrye seemed speechless and soon let out a sigh like a deflating balloon.

She seemed to have relaxed a bit and spoke in a more relaxed tone.

“It's absurd. A civil service examinee becoming an idol...”

“I'll die if I don't.”

“Oh, you already knew that.”

‘...?’

I felt a bit of discomfort.

“When did you find out?”

“I heard that one person was sent back and died.”

“...Who did you send?”

“To their homeland. Anyway, he was going to leave after three years and set up a workshop.”

Chungrye laughed and lightly tapped the steering wheel.

‘I wish I could drive.’

The problem is that Park Munda doesn't have a driver's license. It's a frustrating situation.

...Anyway, I definitely felt it from the conversation just now.

‘This guy can't see the status window.’

The fact that she only realized she was in a 'dying state' after dying and coming back indicates that she doesn't have a status window as a guide.

‘That's why she couldn't fill in the three traits.’

It's like starting from scratch.

Of course, being an idol and coming back in her own body gives her an advantage over me.

“At what point did you die? I think it was during the audition when you couldn't debut.”

If I lie here, it will only complicate things. If this guy figures out I'm lying, it will be a problem for me too.

I'll tell the truth.

“I haven't died yet.”

“...Really? Then how did you know?”

“I just knew. If I don't achieve something within the deadline, I'll die.”

“...”

Chungrye stared ahead and muttered.

“Envious?”

“...”

I could see Chungrye's eyes in the rearview mirror, glancing at me.

...Honestly, it was quite creepy.

“It's a good time now. It feels like being the main character.”

“...But I might die every time the deadline comes around?”

“...Oh, right. There's a difference in perspective... Hmm.”

Chungrye suddenly continued in a much lighter tone.

“I think it's a kind of penalty.”

“Huh?”

“If you fail at something you're supposed to do, you die. Isn't it worth it, considering you came back to the past?”

“...”

I don't understand at all.

Is this guy really crazy? It seems like he's rationalizing the situation due to a defense mechanism?

But Chungrye gave a surprisingly common-sense reason.

“From my calculations... it seems that you get a certain number of chances, which is the number of years you came back plus one. That's it.”

“...!”

It means there's an end to the status effect.

‘So, his was in an inactive state.’

Assuming this is true, let's do the math. I came back three years, so...

‘Four times. Two of which are already over.’

A glimmer of hope.

...Of course, how much I can trust this guy is another issue. But I'm satisfied that I have someone to dig information from. Let's ask about the next thing that bothered me.

“By the way, how did you know I came back to the past?”

“...Oh, I just knew.”

“...”

He's deliberately mimicking my words. It's a way of saying 'start with you.'

I inwardly clicked my tongue.

‘Still, I can't talk about the status window right away.’

This guy seems normal in other aspects, but he's a bit off when it comes to this supernatural situation. Let's not push it today.

“Anyway, it was fun meeting you, junior. It was a beneficial experience.”

“Yes, senior. Thank you.”

“If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.”

“Thank you.”

After that, we had a quiet meal at a suitable restaurant and returned to the accommodation.

‘...Finally.’

I was exhausted from the mind games all night.

As I opened the front door and went in, the guys without afternoon schedules came out and waved.

“Munda is here~”

“How was the variety show?”

“Great job!”

“...It was good, thank you.”

Wow, these guys are welcoming.

They say you get attached to people you see often. It seems I've gotten used to them from being together every day.

I caught Daesejin, who was brushing his teeth, and asked.

“Snacks?”

“Hey, did you really believe that, Munda?”

Of course not.

But I thought I'd go with the flow. As expected, the result was the same.

But surprisingly, Daesejin pointed to the refrigerator.

“Check and pick two things you want to eat~ I bought them from the convenience store.”

“...”

My expectations... were off.

I shrugged.

“Thanks.”

“No problem. By the way, it's usually three per person, but since you got a solo variety show, I deducted one.”

“...”

“Hahaha! Just kidding~ Just kidding! It's usually two.”

This guy is crossing the line lately?

At that moment, my smartphone rang.

Beep.

[VTIC Senior Chungrye: If you feel like you're going to die, contact me ^^]

“...”

Suddenly, Daesejin's behavior doesn't seem so bad.

‘At least this guy is better than that.’

[Yes, I understand. Thank you.]

I replied casually, put the snacks aside, and went straight to bed after washing up.

“He's here.”

“Yes. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. ...Going to sleep?”

“Yes. I stayed up all night. Can I close the curtains?”

“Sure.”

After a brief conversation with Isjin, I agreed to close the blackout curtains and started taking a nap.

Because I have monitoring to do in the evening.

[Testa's Living Together TEST! Episode 6]

The reality travel episode was airing today.