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Chapter 2
“I’m dead? Then what—am I in heaven or something?”
What kind of heaven looks this run-down?
[This is not heaven. Cha Si-woo, you have been given one opportunity due to the influence of ㅁㅁ.]
“An opportunity? And what is ㅁㅁ supposed to be?”
[ㅁㅁ sent you back to five years before your death. You must complete the given quest within those five years to receive the final reward.]
“What are you? Are you serious? You expect me to believe this nonsense?”
[I cannot disclose information about myself.]
“You’re saying I died and went back five years… That makes no sense.”
The translucent window floating in front of his eyes didn’t make sense either.
[Accept the fact that you have returned to the past. Proceed with the quest.]
How am I supposed to accept this?
“Fine. Let’s say I accept it. So what’s the quest? What are you making me do?”
[Become an idol.]
…???
“What?”
[Ultimately, succeed as a world-class, first-tier idol.]
Isn’t this way too random?
“An idol? Those high-priced money makers?”
Back when he was a paparazzi, idols were responsible for sending plenty of people straight to ruin.
To him, idols were nothing more than profitable events—high photo prices.
[…Idols are not high-priced cash cows. Idols are shining beings who captivate the public with charming looks and dazzling talent.]
You want someone who knows nothing about singing or dancing to become an idol? A world-class, first-tier idol at that?
“Do you think anyone can just become an idol? I made a living taking photos. I don’t know anything about singing or dancing.”
[That depends on you, Cha Si-woo.]
“Are you kidding me? I can’t do it!”
[If you successfully complete the quest, you will receive the ultimate reward.]
“Reward? …What is it?”
[The reward will be what the participant needs most. In your case, it will be a panacea.]
“…!”
“That panacea—can it be used on someone other than me?”
[Of course.]
That’s exactly what I need!
The reward was tempting, but the absurd difficulty of the quest made his head ache.
These days, idols trained for at least five to ten years on average.
Even then, becoming a world-class, first-tier idol was something most never achieved, no matter how hard they worked.
The odds are practically nonexistent.
“This is worse than winning the lottery. Are you torturing me with false hope?”
[Then give up the quest and die again.]
“…What?”
Why did its tone suddenly change?
[For reference, if you give up or fail, you will return to your original timeline. At the time of the accident, you died instantly from excessive blood loss.]
…So I really did die?
“Then what happened to my sibling?”
[That information is classified.]
“…”
[The final decision is yours, Cha Si-woo.]
You say that, but I don’t really have a choice.
The idea of leaving his sick sibling behind was unbearable.
He had endured being called a monster, a devil, the worst kind of human—just to pay medical bills.
Everything he had done was for his only family.
Let’s think positively. This might actually be an opportunity.
The panacea was the only possible way to save his sibling, who was in a vegetative state.
“If I complete the quest, I really get that panacea, right? One that can cure anything?”
[Of course. It can cure incurable diseases and all illnesses beyond modern medicine.]
It was completely unrealistic.
But if time travel was real, then the panacea had to be real too.
Then there’s no reason to hesitate.
“I’ll do the quest. But—”
[…?]
“I have a condition.”
He didn’t know what this blue window was, but since it gave him a chance, he had to try.
[What is it?]
“You must have a reason for making this offer, right?”
He had learned that nothing ever started without a reason.
[…]
Silence means yes, right?
“Wouldn’t it be more fun if I succeeded instead of failing?”
If you planted desire and curiosity, anyone would bite.
[You truly are a silver-tongued human.]
“Everything has a reason. So consider this a tutorial bonus and give me at least one benefit.”
[ㅋㅋㅋ]
“Why are you laughing?”
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋ I’ve never seen such a shameless human.]
“Then pay for that laugh.”
[Your shamelessness is refreshing. I can see why ㅁㅁ chose you.]
“So? Are you giving it to me or not?”
[Very well. Since you amused me, I will randomly increase one stat required for being an idol.]
“Random? At least make it singing.”
If I’m going to be an idol, I should at least sing well.
[You’ll find out soon.]
Well, getting something is better than nothing.
“Fine. I accept the quest.”
[Quest accepted. Initiating the final quest: ‘Become a World-Class First-Tier Idol.’]
Ding.
A bright light filled the tiny room.
Ugh, that’s blinding.
When the alarms stopped, the room returned to normal.
The translucent blue window still hovered before him.
[Welcome, Cha Si-woo, participant of the ‘Become a World-Class First-Tier Idol’ quest.
To debut quickly, you must participate in an audition.
Main Quest: Participate in the idol survival audition program ‘Star Picking 5’ and successfully debut.
Sub-Quest (1): Pass the first audition of ‘Star Picking 5.’
Reward upon success.
Failure will return you to your original timeline. (= bye-bye)]
So failing once means game over. No mercy.
Star Picking 5 was a massive idol survival show that dominated cable TV ratings five years ago.
I never imagined debuting as an idol, let alone through a survival show…
He had sung a few times at company dinners, but he had never danced once in his life.
“I’ve never danced before. Is it really okay for me to audition?”
[Not my problem.]
…???
“What are you?”
[Good luck.]
The blue window vanished.
“Hey?”
[…]
“System?!”
[…]
“Hello? Sir?? System-nim???“
[…]
No matter how much he called, it didn’t appear again.
“…Damn it. First thing, I need to register for the Star Picking 5 audition.”
When he searched on his phone, online registration was already closed. Only on-site registration remained.
“On-site registration ends April 7. Wait—what’s today?”
The calendar showed April 7.
“Today?! Damn it.”
The wall clock showed time had already passed.
“I need to get ready and leave now.”
He rushed around.
Creeeak.
The bathroom door opened with a rusted groan.
The flickering fluorescent light barely lit the narrow space.
Cracked tiles and old mold covered the floor.
He looked into the square mirror.
A younger version of himself stared back.
“This is really me at twenty?”
Dark circles hung under his eyes, but compared to his exhausted twenty-five-year-old self, he looked far healthier.
“Wow. Five years makes a huge difference. I actually slept five hours a day back then.”
After becoming a paparazzi, his life had completely collapsed—no proper sleep, no meals, no rest.
Compared to then, this is basically rejuvenation.
“Now’s not the time. Let’s wash up.”
Cold water poured out.
“Ah! That’s cold!”
Right. This place never had hot water.
Back then, he lived in the cheapest semi-basement he could find.
“This is how I lived before becoming a paparazzi.”
The cold water cleared his mind.
***
Star Picking 5
Star Picking was a male idol survival program created at the height of audition show popularity.
At first, the number of applicants was overwhelming.
That was true—up until Star Picking 4.
“Looks like the applicant count dropped a lot after the vote-rigging scandal.”
The PD glanced at the main writer.
“Why are there no standout contestants this time?”
Most well-known trainees had already appeared on similar shows.
“We sent notices to agencies. If they want music show appearances, they must send decent trainees.”
“Then agency trainees are covered.”
Far more trainees debuted than the public realized.
Most just disappeared without recognition.
“But we still need individual trainees.”
Only agency trainees would cause backlash.
The problem was that individual trainees avoided auditions due to past scandals and evil editing.
Everyone already believed agencies would control the results.
It wasn’t entirely wrong.
“Still, those who want to succeed will apply.”
“There’s no one memorable among individual applicants so far.”
“Today’s the last day. Let’s wait.”
“Please. Even a weirdo is fine. We need someone who can grab attention.”
That day, unlike usual, the main PD and main writer sat as judges.
The audition hall buzzed with youthful passion.
Too much passion, not enough talent.
Idols needed star quality.
“Lots of talented kids—but stardom is different.”
The sun set.
“Contestant 2031, please enter.”
The moment the door opened, their eyes lit up.
“Wow.”
Finally. My ratings.
“Hello. I’m contestant number 2031, Cha Si-woo.”
