Trapped in the Idol Universe

Galbi never told me exactly what she’d seen. But Roy was not the type to be intimidated by scary stories.

The next day, Roy went to the church himself.

I need to find out what’s really going on here.

At first, he’d been completely thrown by the news that Hojin had fallen into a cult—he never imagined it could be a side effect of his own skill.

Luckily, it seemed to have been resolved, and Hojin had promised never to return.

But then Roy wondered:

While I’m off searching for the members, isn’t this world preparing to follow its predetermined story?

Shooting Star’s debut had two songs. One was the official debut track, “Chaos,” its theme of disorder matching the group’s world-view concept. It had both an original MV and a drama version. The other was the prologue single released ahead of the album, “Savior.” Though it had no full MV, there was a short performance video—and its lyrics connected to “Chaos,” filmed at a church. It seemed too deliberate to be coincidence.

Of course, he still hadn’t gathered all the members—two hadn’t even awakened yet—so nothing would likely happen today. But better to scope things out in advance, he decided. After all, they’d invited him.

And if you’ve been invited, you go—that’s only natural!

Roy strode up to the church entrance with confidence. But...

“Please come back on Sunday.”

He’d been turned away at the door.

“I was invited,” he said. “The ajumma told me to be sure to come.”

“We only hold Awakened department services on Wednesdays. No outsiders allowed.”

He’d leapt before he looked. The burly guard clearly had no intention of letting him in.

No way...!

He’d made it this far—couldn’t they just let him peek inside? Roy gave a pathetic look, but the guard silently pointed to one side. Following the gesture, Roy saw a bulletin board.

[Service Schedule]

Wednesday Awakened Service 19:30

Sunday 1st Service 06:00

Sunday 2nd Service 08:00

The church only opened on Wednesdays and Sundays. That meant today was his only chance—on Sunday he’d have to film for Star Hero. Roy paused to think: use his ability to get in, or cut his losses? He glanced around—no one in sight. A perfect crime.

Right. I’m not going to smash anything—I just want to take a quick look.

With that self-justification, Roy looked back at the guard.

“Excuse me, sir.”

The guard was too annoyed even to glance up. Undeterred, Roy stared him down.

As the man looked down... Roy launched a God’s Lightning attempt.

Fwoosh—

Something small and fast shot past his shoulder. Instinctively turning, he saw the guard swing, batting an object away.

Crack!

A thin, hard object shattered, leaving a sticky stain on the ground. It was a broken egg.

“Huh?”

More shocking was realizing the guard was Awakened. Roy’s eyes widened. Before he could react, a woman—old enough to be the guard’s mother—glared at him.

“My son! Give him back!”

“????”

“My son!”

The guard looked down at Roy at her cry. Roy shook his head vigorously.

“No—I'm not him!”

Then another egg flew at him.

“Ack!”

This one headed straight for Roy; he ducked in surprise. Was he mistaken for part of her party? Her anger didn’t look casual, so Roy decided to retreat a bit—he didn’t want splatter bystander trouble.

“You cult that devoured my son! You think I don’t know you killed him?!”

The furious woman lunged, hand reaching to grab the guard’s collar. But she stood no chance against an Awakened.

Thud!

She was knocked to the ground.

“Are you okay?”

“Ah, Seong-bok...”

Roy hurried over and helped her up.

“You’d better stand up slowly.”

The guard watched them with a look that promised more trouble if they stayed. Roy decided to leave immediately—it was ridiculously hard to get into this church.

“Let’s go for now.”

“I can’t go! Not until they bring my son back!”

The woman’s stubbornness was incredible. Roy tried gently supporting her, but she wouldn’t relent, her cries turning from fury to anguished wailing. One side refused to move, the other glared to be rid of them—and Roy’s back was caught in the middle.

Why do I have to worry about this?

He just wanted to go home and forget it all.

✧

A café a short distance away. After much coaxing, Roy had led the woman there and handed her a cool drink. She finally seemed calmer, repeating apologies and thanks.

“I’m sorry for causing trouble on our first meeting.”

“No problem. I’m fine.”

“Thank you so much for earlier. Whenever I even think of that church, I lose my mind...”

An awkward silence fell. Roy sipped his drink in silence.

I managed to get her to a café... but when do I ask about her son?

From what happened earlier, it seemed she’d lost him. He didn’t know how to bring it up—any topic felt like it could kill the mood. He forced a small smile, trying not to twitch at the thought.

Please, someone—call me, anything...

Just then, the woman, worry in her voice, asked:

“Are you a member of that church too?”

“Huh? No. Today was my first time—and they wouldn’t let me in.”

“Good. Don’t you dare go near that place. I want to burn it down—”

“Um?”

“But I can’t, not until I find out why my son suffered there.”

“Ah...”

There it was—the son. Roy couldn’t help himself; he had to ask. He carefully leaned forward.

“May I ask about your son? Did something happen to him at the church?”

He didn’t expect his skill to trigger just then.

【Casting skill ‘God’s Lightning’】

Oh no! This poor woman was already suffering, and he’d inadvertently been rude. It was practically the Talullah level of blunder! While Roy cursed himself, the woman, hit by his skill, answered with a pained expression:

“It wasn’t that. I found him collapsed in his room.”

His skill made things worse—he’d been poised to help her up, but now he was stuck.

I asked, so it’d be weird to just stand up...

Good at comfort? No chance. But he’d try. Finally, he managed:

“But... why?”

What to do? She didn’t answer.

...I’m screwed.

He almost ran away. The moment she said she personally found her son collapsed in his room...

Then why blame the church?

Honestly, any reasonable person would wonder the same. The woman sat silent, fidgeting with her damp cup. Roy braced himself to salvage the situation—and she spoke, voice trembling:

“Our family’s never been religious. My son had no interest either.”

She went on: one day her son and his friends went to an event for Awakened coming together. Roy knew exactly what event she meant—the Star Hero prelims in Sangam.

“My son always said he wanted to become an Awakened. But as you know, it’s not something you can achieve just by wanting it.”

Most professions could be earned through effort, but Awakening was different: only a chosen few were born with the talent, and only a minuscule number reached a high grade. It was as unlikely as winning the top lottery prize.

“But not long after that event, he suddenly said he’d found a way to become an Awakened.”