★ The Second Life Idols Lucky Plan – Chapter 73

『Would you like to search for Kang Hyun-jin's optimal route?』

YES(-50p)◀ / NO

The day I checked Kang Hyun-jin's trigger, I decided to use the newly acquired insight function.

The function of the insight was not free.

'What a money hog'

The total reward from the last ranking announcement was 50 points. And the system said that in order to open Kang Hyun-jin's optimal route, I would have to open the sub-mission.

I had already predicted in the short-form video that I would be the biggest villain in this contest, so I had no choice but to worry.

'... It's unlikely that I'll stay in first place at the next ranking ceremony.'

The number of votes is reset at each new start of the contest. As such, no one was sure if they would receive the same amount in the next contest.

Besides, I was aware that there were many so-called 'Muggle votes', or public picks, in the votes that made my current ranking.

In conclusion, the reason I thought I wouldn't be able to keep first place in the next ranking was simple.

'This time, many of the popular picks will fall.'

Popular picks often follow the trends and the amount of broadcasting right now. Kang Hyun-jin would obtain first place with a number of popular picks through existing recognition.

As such, public picks were highly flexible. This is because the votes are constantly moving according to the current image, rumors, and the amount of broadcasting.

'Perhaps the reason why I was able to reach first place this time is because I stole Kang Hyun-jin's existing votes to some extent.'

And the public image was essential to maintaining public pick. Proper broadcasting length, stage, all of that is important, but it is because you had to carry a 'good' image continuously.

My character created by <Design Your Idol> has never deviated from excellence.

A leader who takes care of others, a team member who takes care of public and private affairs, and a mediator who tries to smooth out conflict situations somehow.

In all narratives, I have always played the role of resolving the damage caused by someone else's discord. And the public immersed themselves in that idea and voted for me.

But in this contest, I won't ride that image because that image will be completely transferred to Hyunjin Kang.

'I'll get the exact opposite image.'

In this contest, unlike before, I will be seen as a trainee who is trying to take advantage of others by causing trouble and conflict because of my greed to occupy the center.

And it seemed that Kang Hyun-jin thought similarly.

"... What do you want to say? You're going to teach me now, are you saying that?"

Dude, just put up with it...

"No, I can't teach you. Is there any <Design Your Idol> trainee who can teach you, Hyung? I'm not even a mentor."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"I just want you to think of me as a human metronome or a mirror that you can't see, just for this afternoon."

"... what?"

In front of Kang Hyun-jin, who laughed at the absurdity, I looked over his head. After paying the price through the insight plan, some kind of code was passing over Hyunjin Kang's head.

'... It looks like they're spying on the situation.'

The code flowed in a complex form that could not be seen with the naked eye, and the interpretation flowed directly into my head as if using a filter.

"Please do as I say for half a day. We have nothing to lose anyway."

The serve mission has asked Kang Hyun-jin to move to a place without a mirror to practice the 'most suitable form.'

However, my actions seemed like a joke to Kang Hyun-jin.

"... I don't know what you're thinking... Why are you giving me a grace period just to play around like this... Are you trying to torture people for fun?"

I let out a small sigh at the hostility of Kang Hyun-jin, who was acting frantic with a face stained red with anger. 

"If I had planned to torture my Hyung for fun, I would have left him as the center starting from the video. I would've said that everything was going well. Changing the center just before this would have been a better way to fuck over you, Hyung."

"...What?"

I shook my throbbing hair. Until now, he has been cooperative. But now he was on guard, and I was hitting the wall, which was a headache. I don't have time.

'In the first place, I can't even tell you about the system unless I wanna sound fucking crazy.'

To a guy who doesn't know the existence of the system, I needlessly paid this much price to find a way for you, so don't talk nonsense and just listen.

I'll have to convince you somehow.

'... It is unfair to be unfair.'

It was quite painful to pay a large amount of points that could be paid for later penalties. In the current situation, when the next penalty is already scheduled.

But despite that, I had no choice but to use points to open Kang Hyun-jin's sub-mission.

"I don't know how Hyung will take this... It wasn't an easy choice for me either. But I think you know better than me why you have to do this."

"Explain so I can understand... ... ."

"Don't you know that this is your last chance?"

"... ... !"

I pointed out one more thing that was very obvious to him.

"Are you confident you will regain your original condition after practicing alone for half a day?"

"... You won't know until you try."

I shook my head at Hyunjin Kang's words.

"If that were possible, you would have already been in good shape. For the past days you didn't sleep and practiced in the early morning."

Kang Hyeon-jin had already tried everything he could for several days. However, her condition, far from returning, only worsened. That meant that Hyunjin Kang couldn't overcome this slump alone.

At least now

It's too late.

And if Kang Hyun-jin did not win this contest, he would completely collapse. He couldn't stand another dropout and the deadline from his parents.

So, both he and I had to put an end to this contest.

Looking at Kang Hyun-jin, who was still hesitating with a confused face, I quietly continued.

"Let's put aside everything else and think with common sense. What do I get from fucking over my Hyung?"

I already had first place, and since we are on the same team, there is no way I want him to collapse. If one person goes down, the entire team suffers.

"... that."

Hyunjin Kang must have noticed this simple fact only now, so he couldn't speak anymore, as if he was speechless. However, as if he couldn't let go of his doubts, he stayed silent for a while and then brought up one more question.

"... You think that much, but what on earth were you thinking, giving me half a day? I think this half-day is a waste of time from the beginning, but what the heck... ... ."

"I never said it was a waste of time. It means that your practice 'alone' won't work properly."

I sat down and put the tablet I brought from the practice room beside me. Then I raised my hands to clap.

"So, just spend half a day with me. If it doesn't work after that, do whatever you want. There's nothing to lose anyway; it's good if it goes well, and there's nothing worse if it doesn't."

"... I understand what you mean. But why are you trying to do this? What good is it for you to earn half a day at most and stick to me?"

"It's to my advantage that this team works. If Hyung gives up midway or fails to find me in good shape and ruins the stage, isn't that the worst result?"

"... ... ."

"What would the leader do if he couldn't lead the team properly? If we put on a stage like that? I'm doing this because I don't like it, so please cooperate, even if you don't want to."

"I never said I didn't want to."

"Then try, somehow."

I spoke straight to Kang Hyun-jin, who retorted my words. Then Kang Hyun-jin scratched his head as if he was in pain, and he immediately stood in front of me.

"... What should I do first?"

Now I can talk a little bit.

Looking at Kang Hyun-jin, who seemed to have finally come to terms with it, I honestly sighed in relief and slowly recited precautions.

"Think of just two things during practice."

"Say it."

"From now on, I will be a human metronome, alarm, or speaker. Hyung, don't judge whether you're dancing well or not and don't care about the condition of your legs. You know best that your legs are fine."

"... ... !"

"If you think that's an easy way to get hurt, I'll tell you, so don't worry."

Kang Hyun-jin's slump was not only a problem of the mind but also a problem of trauma.

Kang Hyun-jin, who had been unable to practice for a while due to a leg injury after being eliminated from <Catch Talent> and suffered a long slump after that, was paying great attention to his leg injury.

'That's why his movements became more passive.'

The song for this contest, 'DAZZLE,' is choreographed with a lot of leg movements. However, Kang Hyun-jin, who shows an unsteady form because he doesn't want to hurt her leg, can't use his body properly.

However, Kang Hyun-jin already knows all the moves. His body knows better than his mind. He knows how the beatr works, how to stay calm, how to move safely, and how to dance.

However, Kang Hyun-jin, who is too stuck up about his slump and leg injury, came to judge with his head, not his body. That's why he doesn't need a mirror.

For now, he has to let his body follow the music.

'I just need confirmation. Strange movements can solidify it.'

If so, I'll have to check that out. That's why I brought him to a place where the two of us can be alone.

"I will begin."

I repeatedly began to clap to the BPM of 'DAZZLE,' Kang Hyun-jin started to step clumsily.

"... How are you so sure this method will work?"

For a moment, Kang Hyun-jin, who had been moving his body, stopped gasping for breath and spoke with a frustrated face. He seemed to be feeling insecure as much as upset about how he couldn't see himself.

My answer to that was simple.

"The tap dance steps and movements that Hyung taught me are movements that Hyung already knows."

"However?"

"You know that too."

Kang Hyun-jin's natural talent and the amount of practice must have been engraved on his body because he's been moving all this time.

Those were why I decided I had to take Hyunjin Kang to the end. Kang Hyun-jin, who has found his condition, will be able to perform better than anyone else.

Above all.

『SUB MISSION: Road to Overcoming』

Achievement - 47.2%

Even if you're a bully, isn't the one thing that's certain is that you're helping him by his bedside.

It was stupid not to bet on this.

"... Weird kid.."

I heard that.. ....

After practicing for a long time, I couldn't bear to respond to Kang Hyun-jin, who glanced at me and muttered, so I clapped again like a machine.

And after half a day like that.

"... Can you show me one more time?"

Kang Hyun-jin was able to stand in front of his teammates again with a nervous face, perhaps in a completely different condition than yesterday. 

I pray to you, Lord Idol System, that has been forced upon me...