NOVEL NEXT Chapter 200
The Rookies’ latest showcase was held at a university gymnasium, not the Na Ah Ah Set like before.
Naturally, tickets sold out as soon as the site opened.
But just a week before the showcase, the Park Yoo-jung incident happened…
“Yoo-jung… will she be okay?”
“Of course! It’ll be fine! Yoo-jung didn’t do anything wrong…!”
At the showcase venue, fans expressed their concerns for the Rookies, especially Park Yoo-jung, as much as their anticipation for the new song.
In the end, public opinion flipped, and all the Rookies fans here undoubtedly believed in Park Yoo-jung’s innocence…
Yet, there were still people online claiming Park Yoo-jung was at fault, making the atmosphere quite tense.
What if this affects the Rookies’ activities…?
Fans let out sighs of worry for the Rookies.
On the other hand…
“Did you check the camera tape? Make sure it doesn’t stop in the middle.”
“I’ve printed the question list.”
The reporters visiting the showcase were filled with excitement.
People love sensational news above all else.
One member of a girl group at the peak of popularity is embroiled in school violence allegations.
Even now, many people are discussing and debating the Park Yoo-jung incident in online communities.
For the reporters, getting the chance to interview such a controversial figure was a dream.
Of course, they had received warnings from NAS that overly direct and rude questions would not be tolerated.
However, reporters were skilled at sidestepping conversations.
They were no longer interested in the Rookies’ new song performances and were instead eager to strategically question Park Yoo-jung about her response to the incident.
As fans worried… and reporters anticipated, the stage went blackout.
“Whoa-!”
“Ahhhh-!”
Fans, sensing that the performance was about to begin, erupted into cheers.
Pow!
Just like that, the lights on stage flickered back on, responding to the fans’ chants.
And the first thing the fans saw was…
“…….”
From the very start, the spotlight was on Ha Ye-rin, positioned at the center.
[Breaking Bad!]
As a title that embodies the meaning of rebellion, the atmosphere was the opposite of [Secret Girl], showcasing Ha Ye-rin and the members.
Especially…
“Wow….”
Ha Ye-rin, clad in a black-toned outfit at the center, looked as stunning as a modern-day fallen angel.
With expertly styled hair and sharp makeup, her usual cold and stoic image combined with this stage presence created an extreme synergy.
“…….”
“…….”
The Rookies fans, who knew better than anyone how beautiful Ha Ye-rin was, found themselves speechless this time.
The gap between the cute Ha Ye-rin from their self-content rural variety show and the Ha Ye-rin they saw on stage after a long time was shocking.
♪♬♬-!
Thus, overwhelmed by Ha Ye-rin’s presence, the showcase began…
I was always serious about the stage.
Naturally, I had to be.
The opportunity that allowed me to debut came from the Na Ah Ah “Audition” program.
In a system where failing to perform well could lead to elimination…
I poured my heart into the stage, sacrificing sleep.
And since debuting as a Rookies member, that fierce ambition had faded significantly.
Now that we had debuted, the existence of rivals to compete against had become less pressing.
Of course, since the rise of Python, the sense of urgency had increased… but it was still less intense than during Na Ah Ah days.
But I wanted to infuse the feelings and urgency I had back then into this performance.
‘The Rookies are destined to fail sooner or later.’
Oh Ah-ra from Python claimed that our Rookies would fail… and there had indeed been several crises.
The first was Shin Si-woo, and the second was Park Yoo-jung’s school violence incident.
We managed to overcome those crises, but… people continued to chatter about the Rookies.
‘What if this affects our Rookies activities… what if Oh Ah-ra’s prediction about why the Rookies will fail isn’t over yet…?’
After debuting with Rookies, I studied countless idols.
In the beginning, idols who shone brighter than anyone else and were loved by the public…
I saw how they could quickly fall apart and be forgotten over trivial matters.
This industry is that unstable, and idols’ lifespans are incredibly short.
Although our Rookies were predetermined to be a time-limited group…
I at least wanted the moments that Rookies performed to shine brighter and be loved by people than any other group.
‘In this stage and this activity, I’m going to silence all the noise regarding Yoo-jung and the Rookies.’
With that determination, I prepared to give my all in this showcase.
♪♬♬-!
[Sky Demon Martial Arts (天魔神功) 1st skill, Sky Demon Enchantment (天魔幻惑) is now deployed!]
As the intro began to play, I immediately executed Sky Demon Enchantment (天魔幻惑).
Since I’ve used it so often now, I could instinctively feel how much impact it could have.
I confirmed that Sky Demon Enchantment (天魔幻惑) was well-placed through the overall atmosphere and began the performance.
The introduction was mine.
-I’m not the fool you think I am
Our Rookies’ new song [Breaking Bad!] conveys themes of rebellion and deviance.
With a fast trap beat and a unique electric bass sound.
And powerful dance.
Despite the high difficulty with the fast beat and intense dance sequences, there were no issues.
We had practiced enough during this preparation period.
Most importantly, as the mainstay of the song…
I have the skills.
-B-B-Breaking bad!
-Stop pretending to be nice
As Yoo Seol’s part ended, my solo dance break began.
[Sky Demon Martial Arts (天魔神功) 2nd skill, Sky Demon Moon Shadow Step (天魔月影步) is now deployed!]
Right away, I activated Sky Demon Moon Shadow Step (天魔月影步).
Whoosh—.
After a long time, it felt refreshing to use Sky Demon Moon Shadow Step (天魔月影步) again.
As soon as I activated it, I felt a warm moon halo embrace me.
The eyes of the audience watching widened as my body became more relaxed.
Inside this feeling, I moved with grace as if time had slowed.
Perhaps since I hadn’t used the 2nd skill in a while…
It felt good.
I could almost get addicted to it.
But…
‘Not yet enough.’
I felt it wasn’t enough.
I wanted to attract more attention from the crowd.
Zing—.
I wanted those watching this performance through the cameras…
To forget everything else and remember only this stage.
For that, I had to…
As the leader of Rookies and focal point of this song, I needed to stand out even more.
‘Using just Sky Demon Moon Shadow Step (天魔月影步) isn’t enough.’
Oh Ah-ra, another reincarnated being, had abilities like manipulating time.
Sky Demon Moon Shadow Step (天魔月影步) might be an overpowered skill, but…
I needed something even more intense.
Just then, as I was feeling antsy…
[The locked trait will temporarily unlock!]
[You can now use an undisclosed skill of Sky Demon Martial Arts (天魔神功)!]
Perhaps it was due to my desperate wish.
The Extreme Demon (極魔) trait that had been previously sealed was now unlocked…
[Sky Demon Martial Arts (天魔神功) undisclosed skill, Sky Demon Ruler Step (天魔君臨步) is now deployed!]
“……!!”
As soon as the new skill activated…
Rumble—.
What is this?
As the new skill took effect, I felt an exhilarating sensation that I could do anything.
Swish—.
It felt like something was flowing into me from the audience, hypnotized by the performance.
At the same time…
‘Aah…’
An indescribable euphoria enveloped my body that I had never experienced before.
Smirk.
A smile appeared on my face involuntarily.
-B-B-Breaking bad!
-Think for yourself
-I don’t care what you say
As my part approached its climax, the ecstasy grew even more.
‘More…! More…!’
I finished the performance feeling as though I had transcended humanity itself, like a succubus enticing viewers into my world.
“…….”
As the performance concluded, silence filled the air.
Then, all at once…
“Whoa-!!!”
“Ahhh-!!!”
Everyone who watched, fans and reporters alike, erupted into cheers.
“Whoa-!”
“Rookies-!!”
“Ha Ye-rin-!!!!!”
“Ha… ha…”
Watching the people cheering for us, I let out a sigh of relief as never before.
Since it was my first stage amidst the controversy, I wanted to give my best performance.
And I felt I had somewhat fulfilled that desire, with a satisfied smile on my face.
But then…
Thud.
“……?”
Suddenly, I turned my head to see a hand grabbing my shoulder…
“Ye-rin.”
“…Unnie.”
Yoo Seol was looking at me with a somewhat cold expression.
Since the end of Na Ah Ah, Yoo Seol had always treated me warmly and flashed a kind smile.
Though strict in her role as the de facto leader, she usually showed me a softer side, but now she…
Had a gaze reminiscent of the early days of Na Ah Ah, a bit harsh and cold.
Nervously gulping at the sense that she wanted to reprimand me, I felt a dry throat.
But Yoo Seol said…
“…It’s fine; you did well. Let’s talk after the showcase is over.”
Perhaps considering that the showcase wasn’t over yet, she turned away with her expression still tense.
‘…What’s going on? Did I do something wrong?’
She might as well tell me now.
Given her current demeanor, I felt she would scold me even harder later, making me tremble even more.