Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut! Chapter 38

Chapter 38. The One Who Tries to Touch the Sun (4)

“Kang Hajin, aren’t you running?”

“Yes. I’m going now.”

The moment the memory surfaced on its own, my hunched shoulders straightened automatically.

Seeing the familiar duo—PD Kwon and Writer Go, nicknamed the “Forced-Resignation Duo” in my previous life because they practically lived at the office year-round—made this absurd first shoot finally make sense.

They had always loved strange concepts.

If I thought back carefully, I distinctly remembered placing their production company at the very bottom of Miro’s recommended list. I must have been sentimental at dawn, romanticizing old memories.

But I never expected they’d actually be selected.

“We’ll explain the detailed survival rules during the opening recording. For now, the series is planned as eight episodes, first airing in May. It will broadcast simultaneously on iTube and Ntv.”

Ntv was a cable channel focused on idol reality and survival programs. They had maintained a steady relationship with Miro for years, so the slot wasn’t bad at all.

For a first in-house survival show, landing a channel like that meant serious funding.

Impressive.

I nodded slightly, then subtly shifted behind Lee Doha’s broad frame.

“You think you can hide with that build?” Kim Wonho muttered.

“Be quiet.”

Wonho saw right through me, but I ignored him. They wouldn’t remember me. No need to stand out.

“Alright, take a short break and then we’ll start recording. See you in a bit.”

“Yes!”

At the word “broadcast PD,” everyone stiffened instinctively and bowed. I blended in.

“…?”

Why are our eyes meeting?

“Oh. The wall-climbing trio.”

“….”

“I enjoyed that. You climbed well.”

“…Haha. Thank you.”

The moment PD Kwon gave a thumbs-up, I straightened completely.

So I was already marked.

Great.

After the short break, we were guided back upstairs.

The maze that had exhausted everyone earlier had vanished without a trace. In its place stood a glowing green door labeled:

< WELCOME TO MIRO MAZE >

“If I’d known we were filming, I’d have dressed better.”

“I was wearing glasses earlier. Good thing I brought contacts.”

Some trainees grumbled quietly.

I had dressed comfortably too, thinking it was just a move-in day.

They could’ve at least warned us about the first shoot.

The only ones who looked broadcast-ready were Doha in athletic gear, Jung Siwoo in his polished usual style, and—

Those three.

I scanned Seo Taehyun, Joo Eunchan, and Dan Haru.

Their casual fashion sense was always decent, but for guys coming back from a three-day break, they were suspiciously prepared.

Especially Eunchan—wearing contacts instead of glasses.

“…What is it, hyung?”

“Nothing.”

I shook my head and patted his shoulder. If he came with sharp-eyed Taehyun, he must’ve received some kind of hint.

At least he didn’t waste that face on day one.

“Alright! Groups will enter in the order you escaped the maze!”

The real first recording began.

“You remember, right? You just escaped the maze and are entering here. Keep reactions natural.”

Natural.

These kids hadn’t even debuted yet.

The first group—Eunchan, Haru, Taehyun—entered with zero visible tension. After their reactions settled, our names were called.

“We’re second?”

“If we climbed walls and came last, that’d hurt our pride.”

We stepped through the gate.

Inside was nothing like the maze.

The set looked like a twisted page out of Alice in Wonderland—oversized trees, glowing mushrooms, warped doorframes.

“…Wow.”

“I’m suddenly nervous.”

“You get nervous too?”

“…What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You don’t seem like you would.”

Ignoring Doha’s comment, I sat in the chair labeled with my name.

The rest filed in.

Then—

From between artificial trees at the front, Seo Taeil appeared, dressed like a Cheshire Cat.

“Those who seek to touch the sun, rise high.”

“……”

“To become the Icarus of Miro, you have gathered here. Welcome. I am Seo Taeil of UPIA, your mentor and the host of Miro Maze.”

Fluent. Stable. Professional.

Applause filled the room.

“You will now compete fiercely to debut as Miro’s next boy group. Out of the eighteen trainees gathered here, only seven will claim that spot.”

Only seven.

I didn’t just need to be one of the seven.

I needed to debut successfully enough to break this cursed regression cycle.

“For now, before revealing your first mission, I will explain the basic rules of Miro Maze.”

The LED behind him lit up.

WELCOME TO MIRO MAZE

All trainees are divided into Wings and Feather ranks.

Wings trainees have priority in all survival situations.

Based on mission results:

• Top 3 Wings receive Defense Nomination Rights

• Top 3 Feathers receive Challenge Nomination Rights

A Feather with Challenge Rights may battle a higher-ranked trainee.
If victorious, they earn benefit points.
If a Wings trainee successfully defends, they receive mission benefits.

Complicated.

Exactly like PD Kwon and Writer Go.

As a former assistant director, I would’ve admired it.

As a contestant?

Less amusing.

And—

Why were there only seven Wing badges?

Seo Taeil stood before exactly seven wing-shaped brooches.

Originally, ten had been announced.

“Previously, the top ten from the monthly evaluation were to be selected as Wings.”

“……”

“However, after the evaluation, the total number of participants was reduced. Slight changes were made.”

I had noticed some missing faces.

Yoon Taehee was gone.

Whether cut or having left on his own, the absence left a bitter aftertaste.

“Therefore, among the original top ten—the bottom three: Rank 8 Yuki, Rank 9 Kim Wonho, Rank 10 Kang Hajin.”

Silence thickened.

“These three will automatically receive the first Challenge Nomination Rights.”

“…What?”

“The top three also receive Defense Rights. However, since victory grants additional benefits, using defense is optional.”

My stomach sank.

“Now, the three of you will select a Wings trainee to battle.”

The LED displayed the profiles:

WINGS OF MIRO MAZE
Jung Siwoo
Han Seongwoo
Lee Doha
Seo Taehyun
Lee Yugeon
Joo Eunchan
Dan Haru

“For reference, the order does not indicate rank.”

“Right now?”

“We’re battling now?”

“This is insane.”

I raised my hand.

“Yes, Kang Hajin.”

“If we nominate someone, is the outcome decided by the first mission?”

“Yes. Immediate battles would be entertaining, but this one will be determined by the first mission.”

“Can we hear the mission before choosing?”

“No. Nominate first. Mission revealed afterward.”

So the rule was simple:

Don’t calculate based on mission.

Choose someone you can beat.

I scanned the seven faces.

Exclude Seo Taehyun.
Exclude Lee Doha.

After a moment, I leaned toward Wonho.

“Have you decided?”

“…Hyung, I’ve never even been rank nine before. Who am I supposed to beat?”

“If you can’t decide, listen to me.”

“What?”

“Time to choose.”

After whispering a plausible target into his ear, Seo Taeil called time.

“Rank 8, Yuki.”

“I choose… Seo Taehyun.”

“Seo Taehyun holds Defense Rights. Will you accept?”

“No. I’ll use my defense.”

Yuki’s challenge dissolved.

“Rank 9, Kim Wonho.”

Wonho stood stiffly.

“I choose… Lee Yugeon.”

Gasps.

Bold.

“Rank 6 Lee Yugeon vs Rank 9 Kim Wonho. Battle confirmed.”

“And finally, Kang Hajin.”

All cameras focused.

No hesitation.

“I choose…”

I met his eyes directly.

“Han Seongwoo.”

The general class representative.

And the one I disliked most.