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└ "They say it’s an Awakener survival program?"
└ "222 I’m not interested in gear anyway, so I’m thinking of aiming for the rankings. I’ve been unaffiliated till now—maybe I’ll join a guild and try to contribute to society"
└ "I’m a bit torn ㅠ our guild’s way too busy saving the world right now"
└ "You guys are so cool ㅠㅠ you might be Maha’s star?"
└ "What are these clowns doing lololol"
└ "22 Since II-gong-yi showed up, it’s been kinda calm I think"
└ "Isn’t that a good thing?"
└ "It’s true"
└ "You go to Busan Awakened?"
└ "Yeah"
└ "Will II-gong-yi join a guild?"
└ "Nope"
After rumors spread that an S-rank Awakener was in Busan, the area in front of Busan Awakened High School was packed with guild representatives from all over the country.
From the big-name guilds you’ve heard of to mid-sized and newly founded ones, everyone had come hoping to hand something—even a business card—to II-gong-yi.
But they didn’t catch so much as a glimpse of his face or a single strand of hair—II-gong-yi never came outside.
Those who went home empty-handed returned a week later, fully prepared, and set foot on Busan soil again.
“Student! Could you deliver this to II-gong-yi? I’ll reward you!”
“Is II-gong-yi in there?”
“I’m buying photos of II-gong-yi!”
From those seeking photos of II-gong-yi to requests to deliver business cards, countless guild scouts, desperate to meet the reclusive S-rank, were left wringing their hands in agony.
Meanwhile, in front of Seoul Awakened High School, flies were the only things buzzing around. And those came from that homeless guy’s stand.
“Roy-ssi~!”
On the second weekend in a row, Roy’s school social life remained utterly dismal.
【Gather Companions (0/4)】
Is inviting someone to be your companion really that shocking?
Can’t they just say yes once?
Damn MZ idiots.
Or maybe because he’s F-rank they simply refuse to treat him as a person.
Roy lived at school like an invisible man.
His seatmate occasionally spoke to him, but it was only to nag—“Your bag’s in the way,” “Stop shaking your leg,” that sort of thing.
Pouting in hurt, Roy suddenly heard someone call his name.
“Roy-ssi~ over here!”
Junseo stood outside the gate, waving.
“Exactly one week, huh. You look even more handsome than before, haha!”
“PD-nim is...”
He’d promised to come looking normal next time. But did Roy imagine it, or did he look almost the same? Cleaner overall, yes, but the dark circles under his eyes were even darker—as if he’d stared death in the face.
Roy could only part his lips, speechless.
“Oh, you recognized me right away? I thought you wouldn’t.”
“No, I recognized you at once.”
“Really? I’m touched.”
Roy meant it looked like him at Seoul Station, but Junseo took it differently.
“Shall we go by car? I’ve reserved a nice brunch café nearby.”
He’d gone to great lengths to find a place Roy liked.
The renovated old house was apparently the hottest café on SNS these days.
“My colleague recommended it. They said the food’s good and the décor’s pretty.”
“Looks nice.”
It did have the current vibe. If Taeeon were here, he’d love it—though Roy wasn’t much of a reactor.
Moments later, Junseo handed Roy the menu.
“Order whatever you want.”
“All of it?”
“Yes. Or should I tell them to bring everything from here to here?”
Junseo’s smile stretched as if it might never stop.
This guy’s really excited.
Did he enjoy Roy’s company that much? Roy wondered what he’d planned to say—his curiosity piqued.
After ordering some food, Roy spoke first.
“But why did you want to see me?” freewebnovёl.ƈom
Junseo’s grin suddenly turned serious for the first time.
“Actually, as you know, I’m a variety-show PD.”
“Yes.”
“I’m planning a variety program for Awakeners, and I’d like you to appear on it.”
“Me?”
Roy had guessed it had to do with TV, but he was still taken aback by the invitation.
“Yes. If you’re on it, it’ll be a huge sensation. I’ve never met anyone as perfect as you.”
“Wow. That’s the first time I’ve ever heard that.”
He hadn’t heard it even during Shooting Star days—well, maybe at a fan sign, but that was etiquette. Junseo’s eyes looked genuinely sincere, and it made Roy uneasy.
“It really is! I’m known at the station for my high standards—I don’t say things like that to just anyone. This is the first time in my life.”
Roy closed his eyes tight and shuddered silently. He had no immunity to cheesy compliments—especially from someone from the company.
“Even if there are plenty of famous people, why me?”
Roy’s instant thought. He was nothing but a high-school rookie who’d just awakened—what could he offer?
“There are famous people, of course. But my pick is only you. I absolutely, definitely, want to make this show with you.”
Was this the legendary PD pick? Roy felt flattered.
“Thank you for thinking so highly of me. But there are people far higher ranked than me,”
...if ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) there are any. Anyway.
“If you look, you’ll find many people way more handsome than me.”
“No! For me, it’s only you, Roy-ssi!”
“Where did you even see me to say that...”
Junseo looked around, lowered his voice to a whisper.
“Here’s a secret: the masters of the three great guilds are scheduled to appear on our program.”
“The three great guilds?” ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
Roy had heard of them too. Every Awakener in Korea dreamed of joining one—it was like an agency for Awakeners.
“You’re going to join a guild after graduation, right?”
“Um... I guess so?”
Roy answered without thinking, though he’d never really planned on joining a guild. His first priority was finding his members in this world, then defeating Chaos Evil.
“You said your rank just upgraded to D. That means at worst you’re C-rank, and there are C-rankers in the three great guilds.”
Assuming Roy’s ability held up, Junseo even threw in an unprecedented offer: if Roy appeared, he’d arrange a meeting with the masters of the three great guilds.
Roy’s eyes went wide.
What kind of blatant corruption is this guy offering?
Roy was shocked by Junseo’s immorality, but Junseo interpreted it differently—he thought Roy was swayed by the offer.
“Heh. Don’t overthink it. It’s not a grand show—just a reality program about Awakeners’ daily lives. You just sit there like a flower.”
Junseo flashed a friendly smile.
“Trust me! I’ll make you a star. You’ll walk only on flower paths.”
At first Roy had no intention, but the idea of appearing once didn’t seem so bad. A simple reality show—if he became famous, it might help him find his hyungs.
After a moment’s thought, Roy agreed.
“All right.”
“Really?! Really?”
“Yes. But when’s filming? I can only go out on weekends because of school.”
“Thank you! Great decision! Oh, don’t worry about filming dates. I’ll arrange them around your availability.”
“Is that so? Then I’m grateful.”
“No, I’m the one who should be grateful. Should we draft the appearance contract right now?”
“Now?”
“It’s easier to finish it when we meet. You’d be burdened if I kept coming back.”
And so Roy fell completely under the sway of that devil in human form.
✧
Monday morning.
Back at school, Roy noticed the classroom scene was different from usual.
What’s all this fuss in the morning?
Though he had no one to ask, his two ears still worked.
The reason the MZ idiots were so excited was that Company M’s 〈ST☆R Hero〉 had begun accepting registrants.
The news that the masters of the three great guilds would serve as judges seemed to be a massive hit.
“If you go on Star Hero, you can meet the masters of Dae-han, Pluton, and Earth?”
“Totally possible.”
“If it’s open to everyone, maybe I’ll apply? They say no rank requirement. Just get in front of them—that’s huge profit, right?”
Recently the three great guild masters had been appearing everywhere. They were on Junseo’s program and now this.
Passing the excited crowd, Roy searched for Star Hero on his phone.
〈ST☆R Hero〉
A survival variety show on another level
The war of the chosen stars!
▷ Eligibility: All Awakeners
▷ How to apply: Website registration
▷ Winner’s prize: 300 million won, S-rank gear, exclusive contract with one of the three great guilds
Scrolling down, he found the program description.
[Korea’s first Awakener variety show!
At last, the war of stars that will astonish the world begins!
Star Hero’s reality survival for stars. Which star will you root for?
Directed by Park Junseo]
“...Park Junseo?”
