Gang Rojun’s face reflected in the bathroom mirror. His black-haired visuals were, as always, flaunting an absurdly destructive power. A smile had spread across Rojun’s lips.
‘One free AI Automation pass. Damn, what a steal.’
Because, out of nowhere, “AI Simulation” had gifted him an item that was seriously mouthwatering. If he could use “AI Automation” once for free, then it was only right to use it on something that cost a lot of coins. The first thing that came to mind was English learning, which required 400 coins.
‘But seriously, 400 coins’ worth of learning for free?’
Could there perhaps be a limit on the “One Free AI Automation Pass”? It wasn’t impossible. Like maybe it only covered up to 100 coins or something.
‘No, if that were the case, wouldn’t it have been written in the item name or explained from the start?’
Either way, checking it himself would be fastest. Gang Rojun immediately picked up his phone and opened “AI Simulation.” He could see the changes around the character Gang Rojun.
-[Titles: Side-Hustle Rich+3/ Recognition Monster+2/ Global Genius+1]
-[User: Gang Rojun/ Age: 24/ Height: 182.8/ Desired Occupation: Idol/ Coins Owned: 555]
-[Side Jobs: [1]Screenwriter, [2]Actor, [3]Lyricist]
-[Global Languages: [1]Japanese]
As expected, the “Side-Hustle Rich” title had been enhanced to +3, and “Lyricist” had been added to his side jobs just as Rojun had predicted. With this, Gang Rojun now had three side jobs. On top of that.
-[Title Bonus Coins +6]
Thanks to the title enhancement, his bonus coins increased to 6, and his daily coin gain changed to 11.
“Wait, if I learn English now, won’t the ‘Global Genius’ title get enhanced too?”
The “Global Genius” title had appeared when he learned Japanese. In other words, if Gang Rojun acquired English, there was a high chance it would be enhanced by +1. Rojun quickly moved his fingers. What he tapped was the “Inventory” button, and the item he had just received appeared.
-[1] One Free AI Automation Pass
When he tapped the item, the screen changed. The familiar words “AI Automation” appeared.
-[Through “AI Automation” analysis, you can derive the result you want. What would you like to derive? (Only things related to your desired occupation, idol, are possible.)]
As if he had already thought it through, Gang Rojun quickly filled in the blank.
-[AI Automation: I want to learn English perfectly, to the point that I’m no different from an American.]
The loading circle spun, and then the result appeared on the screen.
-[AI analyzing······ Analysis complete!]
-[To derive the result you want, 400 coins are required.]
-[Would you like to use the item “One Free AI Automation Pass”?]
Fortunately, it seemed there was no such thing as a limit. Rojun’s smile deepened, and without hesitation, he tapped “Allow.” Then the text changed immediately.
-[Using the item “One Free AI Automation Pass.”]
-[Applying······ Application complete!]
As expected, this time too, he felt a sharp tingling pain in the wrist with the smartwatch. It was similar in intensity to when he had learned Japanese. Since it was stronger than usual, Gang Rojun’s brow furrowed.
‘Ugh—yeah, it does hurt a bit.’
However, it did not last very long. Soon, he could feel it.
“···English learning complete.”
Because his brain was telling him. English is yours now. Then Rojun accessed the internet on his phone. To be precise, a famous American news site. It was packed full of English, but.
‘I can see it. I can see it all. Clear as day.’
To Gang Rojun, who had learned English, it was nothing. It was always a fascinating moment. Soon, adrenaline exploded within him.
At that very moment.
-Bzzzz.
-Bzzzz.
Several short vibrations rang out. Of course, they were from “AI Simulation.”
-[You have achieved the title mission “Your Second Step Overseas!” 30 coins have been granted as a gift.]
-[The title “Global Genius” has met the conditions and will be enhanced by +1!]
-[The title “Global Genius” has been enhanced to +2, increasing bonus coins to 2.]
It felt as though gifts were pouring down all at once. Rojun’s eyes widened slightly as he immediately checked his status. Just as the notifications said, the title “Global Genius” had been enhanced to +2.
-[Global Languages: [1]Japanese, [2]English]
English, which had not been there before, had appeared. In addition, from now on, his daily mission coin gain was.
‘Title bonus 7. Nice.’
It had risen to 12.
Sunday morning.
Gang Rojun, who had woken up earlier than usual, completed his missions first. When he finished all the missions, he received not 10, but 12 coins.
-[Coins Owned: 597]
Compared to when it had been 5, it was more than double. Feeling good, Rojun invested 20 coins into stat enhancement. The target was Choreography, just as he had decided.
-[Appearance (100/100)│Vocal Ability (12.2/100)│Rap (11.2/100)]
[Choreography (18.5/100)│Wit (10/100)│Acting (7.8/100)│Lyric Writing (64.8/100)]
Gang Rojun was quite surprised when he saw the result.
‘Huh??’
It wasn’t because Choreography had gotten close to 20 points. What he was looking at was Lyric Writing.
‘It was definitely around 61, wasn’t it?’
The Lyric Writing stat, which had been 61, had risen by more than 3 points in just one day, getting close to 65. Of course, Rojun had not enhanced his Lyric Writing stat. It had risen naturally. Other stats also rose little by little if he left them alone, but Lyric Writing had increased by a considerable amount.
It was equivalent to spending 30 coins on enhancement.
‘I think this is because I started gaining knowledge related to lyric writing.’
Or perhaps “AI Simulation” highly valued Rojun’s potential in lyric writing. Whatever it was, there was nothing bad about it. If anything, even doing a shoulder dance would not be enough.
‘My evolution is progressing smoothly.’
Excitement mixed in, Gang Rojun quickly washed up and then joined Group 1, which had gathered in the center of the hallway. As PD U Hanseok had told them yesterday, Group 1’s first evaluation and rehearsal for the group choreography of “Produce” was scheduled to begin now.
The members of Group 1 were full of tension.
“······”
“······”
Every single one of them had stiff expressions. Rojun was expressionless too, but he wasn’t exactly nervous. On the contrary, he was closer to being expectant. Soon, PD U Hanseok, who was standing in front of Group 1, spoke.
“Let’s move.”
PD U Hanseok and a few staff members took the lead, and Group 1, including Gang Rojun, followed behind. Cameras came along as well. The place Group 1 arrived at was the largest practice room on the “Geubaekpeu” campus.
Yi Hanna had already arrived at the practice room.
“Did everyone eat a hearty breakfast?”
It was a greeting she tossed out with a small smile. However, to the members of Group 1, it sounded more like, “You’re going to suffer to death today, so brace yourselves.” Around then, Yi Hanna looked at Gang Rojun at the front and secretly marveled without showing it.
‘Every time I see him, his visuals get updated. Good thing I see him often. If I didn’t, I seriously wouldn’t be able to control my expression.’
Having no way of knowing this, PD U Hanseok and the production team moved to the pre-set camera area, and Yi Hanna, holding a tablet, began the briefing.
“Today, we’ll be doing group practice in this practice room all day, and an evaluation will also take place. As I said at the beginning, if your skills aren’t up to par, you won’t be able to go on stage. I know you all worked hard, but there’s nothing we can do.”
After reciting that in a businesslike manner, she called out numbers.
“Number 1, number 15······”
The 13 members of Group 1 were split into two groups in front of Yi Hanna. Yi Hanna pointed with her index finger at the group on the right, which included Rojun.
“This side is Team A, and the left side is Team B.”
It seemed they would be doing it exactly like the first group dance video of “Produce.” Yi Hanna sent a glance to the production crew behind her, then signaled to Group 1.
“Just do it the way you practiced.”
“Produce” resounded through the spacious practice room.
Yi Hanna raised her index finger again and pointed at Team A. It meant that they should start first. Accordingly, Rojun and Team A began the choreography, while Team B stood still with both hands gathered in front of them. Then, at the right timing, Yi Hanna’s index finger moved over to B. Team A, who had been moving their bodies, came to an abrupt stop.
Just as Team B was about to dance, Yi Hanna cut in.
“Stop. Hey, are you not paying attention? You were early.”
At her cold voice, the participant with a slightly pointed chin became extremely intimidated. It was Number 94, who had received a D during the first evaluation. Yi Hanna clicked her tongue briefly and gave the signal again.
-♬♪
The song “Produce” spread through the room once more. This time, fortunately, the switch formation passed without issue, and Team A and Team B, who had been dancing in turns, mixed together as one. The combined Group 1 continued the group choreography. Then.
-Swoosh.
The four at the very end moved forward, and the rest took one step back. In that state, they danced again. PD U Hanseok, who had been watching Group 1 in silence, murmured softly.
“Impressive. To raise the skills of those ragtag kids this much.”
That was how not-bad Group 1’s group choreography was. In the eyes of PD U Hanseok, the staff, and Yi Hanna, that is.
The group choreography continued for about an hour like that.
When they finally got a break, the 12 other participants of Group 1 collapsed onto the floor. Even Gang Rojun, whose body had been trained through exercise, was at the point of holding both knees and catching his breath harshly.
‘Wow—shit, this is insanely intense.’
At that moment, Yi Hanna passed by Group 1, went over to PD U Hanseok in the back, and whispered softly.
“Group 1, everyone’s okay.”
It meant they could all go on stage.
After that.
On Monday morning, the 24th, a day later, Groups 2 and 3 gathered in the hall with the stage. The hall was already fully prepared for a large-scale shoot, and Groups 2 and 3 looked dumbfounded. Yi Hanna appeared before them and declared.
“Starting now, we will begin the first evaluation of ‘Produce’ for Groups 2 and 3.”
It was the same context as with Group 1. Naturally, Groups 2 and 3’s eyes widened just like Group 1’s had. In any case, Groups 2 and 3 danced the “Produce” choreography they had been practicing individually onstage.
The more they did, the deeper Yi Hanna’s sigh became.
‘I thought the Group 1 kids had gotten a li-ttle better, but now the number of bombs has increased.’
In the end, it was once again a parade of Cs and Ds. However, one person from Group 3 caught Yi Hanna’s eye.
‘That kid is good. Is this the first one after Number 1 to copy that much choreography through personal practice alone?’
He was the second participant after Gang Rojun whom Yi Hanna watched up to the second verse. After pondering for a moment, she thought.
‘Hmm—he’s a little lacking compared to Number 1, but he’s above an A.’
She gave him an A+. Then, once the evaluation ended, Yi Hanna briefed Groups 2 and 3 on their evaluation scores and what those evaluations meant. It meant that from now on, Groups 2 and 3 would also enter the same hellish practice as Group 1.
Afterward, Groups 2 and 3 left the stage.
The ones who filled that place were Group 1, including Gang Rojun. What was unusual was the outfit worn by the 13 members of Group 1. They were all dressed in matching black blazers with their numbers on the chest, white T-shirts, black slacks, and sneakers.
They were the stage outfits for the surprise performance.
PD U Hanseok, who was watching Group 1 on the grand stage, smiled faintly.
“Putting them in those clothes really does make the vibe completely different.”
Yi Hanna, with her arms crossed, agreed.
“Right? For idol kids, stage outfits are wings. Whether they fly or crash depends on how much they roll around, though. Today, we’re going with the exact same setup as the place for the surprise performance, right?”
“Yes. Lighting, direction, formations, everything. We’ll go exactly with the flow of the surprise performance. Rehearsal will be all day.”
Yi Hanna nodded, walked toward the stage, and explained things to Group 1, while PD U Hanseok, who moved toward the cameras, scanned the image of Group 1 onstage. The writers around him were the first to speak.
“They’re ordinary, but now that they’re unified like that, they really do look like idols, don’t they?”
“I know, right? But—while the other kids aren’t bad either, why does Number 1’s face glow just from throwing on a blazer??”
Thirty minutes later, “Produce” thundered throughout the entire hall.
-♬♪
As PD U Hanseok watched Gang Rojun under the flashing lights,
‘He stands out. Excessively.’
He deeply agreed with the writers’ words.
‘···With that level of destructive facial power, he’ll definitely draw attention even in that huge gymnasium.’
The next day, early Tuesday morning.
Around 8 o’clock, Gang Rojun, his face covered with a hat and mask, left the “Geubaekpeu” campus alone for some reason. Near the campus entrance, a familiar car was waiting for Rojun.
It was PD Jeong Suryeong’s car.
“Writer—are you here? How’s your condition?”
Gang Rojun, after greeting her,
‘Condition? I think it’s the best it’s been recently?’
answered casually.
“Not bad.”
“Is that so?”
PD Jeong Suryeong grinned. In about an hour, the final gateway before the first shoot of “Rental Lover” would take place.
“Then you’ll easily chew up today’s script reading too, right?”
The script reading was scheduled.
Meanwhile.
In Room 105, where Rojun was absent, Baby Perm Number 58 and PD U Hanseok were facing each other. The rest of the members were nowhere to be seen, perhaps having gone to wash up. Soon, PD U Hanseok, dark circles heavy under his eyes, heard something from Number 58 and looked slightly surprised.
“···You’re teaching Number 1 composition?”
“Yes. After we had that conversation in Japanese. Number 1 said he was completely new to anything related to composition, so we started from the basics.”
PD U Hanseok rubbed his chin.
‘Right, this Number 58 kid said composition was his hobby, didn’t he? But didn’t he say it wasn’t anything serious? Is he good enough to teach Rojun composition? Anyway, Rojun learning composition—if it were anyone else, it’d be one thing, but because it’s Rojun, it feels unusual.’
While he was thinking, Number 58 cut in.
“And Number 1 wrote lyrics for a song I made.”
“Excuse me?”
PD U Hanseok narrowed his brow and asked again.
“Number 1 wrote lyrics for you? What are you suddenly talking about? You said Number 1 was completely new to composition, so you started teaching him from the basics. But what lyrics??”
“Number 1 just seems like a genius. It’s like he sees a realm I don’t know—wait a second.”
As if to prove it was true, Number 58 took a notebook out of his bag and opened it. Then he held it out to PD U Hanseok.
“It’s rap, and he wrote the lyrics for that song.”
PD U Hanseok blinked and looked down at the open notebook. The title was “Witch,” and beside it were the words.
-Composition: Number 58/ Lyrics: Number 1
On the sheet music, the lyrics were written along with signs of revision. Number 58 had added the lyrics Gang Rojun had given him. As PD U Hanseok read the lyrics for a while, his expression filled with shock.
‘Is that··· possible? Rojun has exercise as a given, plus Geubaekpeu’s packed filming schedule and practice, and he’s also doing writing and acting, including meetings for Rental Lover, isn’t he?? But lyrics too?’
“Number 1··· wrote these lyrics? Has Number 1 maybe written lyrics in the past or something?”
“No, just like composition, he said lyric writing was his first time too.”
“It was his first time, and he wrote lyrics of this quality?”
Number 58 shook his head.
“Yes, in two days.”
Soon, PD U Hanseok’s shock seemed to turn into fear.
“······T-two days??”