Trapped in the Idol Universe

“All right, please. Please...!”

Yeonwoo clasped her hands tightly and whispered desperately so everyone could hear.

Seeing her like that, Anna asked Taeon, “What’s up with her?”

“She wants to team up with Roy.”

“Wasn’t that the case before?”

“Ha... I guess she’s nervous since this time the viewers get to decide.”

The three of them were often called the Bermuda Trio. But some grade-obsessed participants hated being associated with Roy just because his rank was low. They left cruel comments—“trash,” “loser,” “worthless.” Taeon once worried that Roy might be hurt by them, but he soon realized how unfounded that worry was.

“Okay, I’ll sue every last one of them.”

Roy saved screenshots of every hateful comment in PDFs as eagerly as anyone, almost as if he enjoyed it. When Taeon asked why, Roy said he was looking forward to the moment he could reveal his identity and see those trolls’ reactions. And there would be no settlements.

Taeon glanced over: Roy was staring daggers at someone.

“What’re you looking at?”

“Seo Hangyeol.”

“Oh...”

Roy only stared, but Taeon assumed someone had offended him again. Most of the others thought the same. Why else would Roy draw such suspicion? It was because of his strange behavior this past week—and his appearance had changed drastically. His facial swelling had gone down, sharpening his jawline, and he’d grown taller, giving him an even colder look and deeper gaze. Unintended weight loss and growth had upgraded his good looks—but he hadn’t noticed a thing. Right now, his mind was entirely occupied with how to trigger Hangyeol’s Awakening.

Should I ask him to meet outside after filming?

He hoped Hangyeol would awaken without any Blood Fiend trauma. He knew better than anyone how hard Yeonwoo had suffered. And he still got chills remembering how Hojin had awakened. Luckily, Hojin barely remembered that day—so his trauma never resurfaced. Still, Roy never wanted to see anyone go through that again.

Then the lights came up and filming began.

“Welcome to The War of the Chosen Stars, Star Hero! The results of the viewers’ picks for the third-round survival teams are in my hand.”

At center stage in the auditorium, Hangyeol waved a red envelope as he launched into his opening line.

“I can’t wait to see which combinations we’ve got.”

The camera panned slowly over the waiting seats. Some participants faked praying with clasped hands; others forced bright smiles. A tense energy filled the air as Hangyeol continued.

“Now, let’s announce the teams.”

Profiles of all 48 participants appeared on the screen.

“A total of 2,580,110 votes!”

Gasps rose from every corner. No one could vote more than once, which made the number even more astonishing—it showed just how wildly popular the show had become.

“Which dream team will emerge? Let’s find out right now!”

Before Hangyeol could finish, the profiles began to shuffle rapidly. Everyone held their breath and stared. Moments later, the results appeared with fireworks effects.

“First up, Team 8: Nameum, Igieok, Park Bunja...”

Hangyeol read each name as they lit up on the screen. Team 8 looked packed with lower-ranked contestants. Those called stood, lines forming behind the “Team 8” sign—their stiff expressions betraying their disappointment.

Next came Team 7, then 6, 5, 4...

With each announcement, the tension grew.

“And now, Team 2: Gye Bokji, Kim Saram...”

When Team 2’s roster was complete, the six remaining contestants in the seats exchanged relieved looks—they were automatically Team 1.

“Finally, the contestants making up Team 1 are Kim Taeon, Dong Yoil, Park Yeonwoo, Seo Hyunwoo, Anna, and Lee Roy.”

Just as expected. The show’s hottest stars were all on Team 1—the ultimate dream team, a special squad of elites. Hangyeol then explained the third-round rules.

“Team 1 received the most votes—940,000. That vote total will translate directly into points for each team.”

He went on, “As I mentioned, a new points system starts this round.”

The contestants’ faces fell. With no mission details yet, they had no idea how this new rule would affect the survival game.

“These points are your only currency during the third-round survival. You’ll buy everything you need with them.”

A murmur swept the studio—this was a radical change.

“Teams that placed in the Top 3 last round also received bonus points, which will be added to your third-round totals.”

That meant Team 1 was already starting with a massive advantage: six members each getting 10,000 points for a total of one million points—triple Team 8’s haul.

“That gap is insane.”

“This sucks...”

“Team 1 is guaranteed the finals.”

Another murmur rose, which the producers had clearly anticipated. They were ready.

“But don’t give up yet!”

Hangyeol’s voice brightened.

“There are still chances to earn points before the third-round missions begin.”

The other teams’ expressions brightened—maybe they could narrow the gap, even if not overtake Team 1.

“Every morning, we’ll reveal a new mission. The first four teams to complete it will each get 100,000 points.”

Despite the “first-come” caveat, 100,000 points was huge. With a week until the third-round start, a perfect run could win 700,000 points. The studio buzzed again—only Team 1 looked nonchalant. It felt wrong for them to join missions meant to help trailing teams. It would be like taking candy from a baby.

Just then, Hangyeol’s voice echoed:

“Alright, I’ll give each team free time now. Discuss your plans and prepare for tomorrow’s missions and the third-round survival. I’ll see you in a week!”

Filming paused for a break.

✧

The others naturally gathered around Roy. But Roy cared more about making plans with Hangyeol than team strategy. He realized he didn’t even have Hangyeol’s contact info. They’d been inseparable like leeches—but now, unseen, he felt uneasy.

“Be right back—need the restroom.”

Roy excused himself and followed Hangyeol down the aisle. The captain hadn’t glanced his way all filming—Roy found it annoying. And Hangyeol, clueless, stuck to the wall to startle him. As soon as Roy stepped out the entrance,

“Wok!”

Hangyeol leapt out, then burst into laughter.

“Ahaha! Scared you, didn’t I? Look at your eyes.”

“...”

Did this guy even know what an Awakener was? Roy’s cold glare finally made Hangyeol’s playful grin fade. Realizing his mistake, Hangyeol awkwardly rolled his eyes.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to upset you.”

“No, I’m actually in a great mood.”

The temperature was perfect. He’d been picked for the same team as the captains, and they had overwhelming points. No reason to be upset—except Roy forgot one thing: his own expression. Even with his hood off, the week’s accumulated irritability was written all over his face.

“Well... no matter what you say...”

“I’m serious.”

“Fine. If Roy says so, then it is what it is. Haha!”

Hangyeol forced a laugh at Roy’s serious face.

We’d eaten together every day, trained together, I thought we’d grown close...

In a day, Roy had changed completely, or rather—

Hangyeol realized his attitude had always been the same: annoyance. Today, though, it felt scary because he’d finally taken off his mask. Hangyeol pressed a hand to Roy’s lower face—and the threat disappeared. The answer was the face itself! He’d thought Roy was just a kid—but without the mask was a young man. Staring for a moment, Hangyeol snapped back.

“So... what did you want to talk about?”

He already knew why Roy followed him out—but pretended not to, playing hard to get.

Rule One of mind games: stay in their sight, become part of their routine... then vanish like a mirage, making them the ones scrambling.

By Seo Hangyeol.