Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut! Chapter 39
Chapter 39. The One Who Tries to Touch the Sun (5)
“Alright, we’ll take a short break. You’re free to use the restroom or grab water. No smoking. We’ll resume shortly!”
At the PD’s announcement, the trainees who had been sitting stiffly upright finally sagged in unison, groans spilling out like air from punctured balloons.
If Seo Taeil hadn’t avoided retakes, it would’ve been worse. For rookies, this kind of shoot was torture.
You can’t even sit through ten minutes of a college lecture without zoning out. Now imagine sitting still while the MC talks endlessly about your future—knowing every blink, every twitch, every slouch is being recorded.
If your expression hardens, that’s a clip.
If your posture droops, that’s a meme.
Back when I stood behind cameras, I used to complain about trainees losing focus. Now that I’m the one under the lights, it’s different.
I’m reflecting a lot today.
“…Are you my mom?”
The system even played a fanfare. I dismissed it flatly.
As I resumed stretching, Kim Wonho shuffled back from the restroom looking half-dead.
“Kang Hajin… what do I do?”
“About what?”
“How do I beat Lee Yugeon?”
Ah. The battle.
“Right. That.”
I had genuinely forgotten.
Wonho stared at me, betrayed.
Try regressing four times and nearing thirty. You start forgetting small things.
<System Alert: The system is enraged at this statement from a 29-year-old.>
<System Alert: 666 cash deducted. (Reason: Insolence)>
So it’s give and take now?
Ignoring the tantrum, I patted Wonho’s back.
“You picked him.”
“You’re backing out? After pushing me into it?”
“There weren’t many options.”
Across the room, Lee Yugeon sat quietly with earphones in. His stats hovered faintly in my vision.
Lee Yugeon (Miro)
Debuff: All attributes -20% from previous peak
Position: Dance
Vocal: 37%
Dance: 33%
Expression: 45%
Special: Copy & Paste (64%)
Appeal: Responsibility, perseverance, immersion
He wasn’t untouchable.
Unless something drastic happened, there was a window.
Wonho seemed reassured by my calmness.
Soon the assistant director passed with a slate. Break was ending.
As I checked the tape covering brand logos on my shirt, a shadow fell over me.
“…What is this, a popular restaurant? A toll booth? Why does everyone keep lining up here?”
Joo Eunchan and Seo Taehyun stood in front of me with matching seriousness.
Teenagers are exhausting.
“Hyung.”
“What? Where’s Dan Haru?”
“Changing his mic batteries. Anyway.”
They both leaned in.
“Beat Han Seongwoo.”
“Don’t get involved with Han Seongwoo.”
Exact opposites.
“Coordinate and come back, please.”
“Recording’s starting! Take your seats!”
They retreated reluctantly.
“…Ah.”
Someone bumped my leg.
“Sorry. Didn’t see you.”
“You might want glasses. That’s severe.”
Han Seongwoo passed with a faintly unpleasant smile.
That should’ve been caught on camera.
“Slate!”
Clap.
Recording resumed. We smiled and applauded like nothing had happened.
“Those who seek to touch the sun, rise high. The journey to become Miro’s Icarus begins. We will now reveal the first mission.”
The LED screen flared to life.
Daylight (日光)
An acoustic guitar filled the set. On-screen, nine dancers formed tight formations.
No explanation needed.
Title track.
Soft pads layered in. Then timpani. Then full orchestral bloom.
Eight froze in different poses.
One stood center.
“Hi. It’s me.”
Gasps rippled.
The opening line was sweet enough to sting—an undeniable killing part.
I glanced at Seo Taeil.
He looked proud.
The guide vocal belonged to UPIA’s main vocalist—his so-called muse.
The chorus demanded range. Stability. Control.
It was a perfect May song.
When the melody returned to the gentle guitar, the dancers slowed.
“Hi. It’s me.
Finally meeting you.”
The video ended.
Applause exploded.
It was flawless.
And this guy’s producing stat isn’t even maxed out?
Some talents are simply unfair.
I looked sideways at the other genius beside me.
“Hey.”
“…What.”
“You could write something like that too.”
He blinked.
“…What?”
He thought for a moment.
“I’ll try.”
Not I can’t.
Very Doha.
“As you guessed, that was your first title track—written by me,” Seo Taeil said smoothly. “Do you like it?”
“Yes!”
“Good. Then here’s your first mission.”
Eighteen names appeared. Two columns.
Team A. Team B.
“You will split into two teams of nine to prepare this title track.”
Murmurs.
“You have three days.”
The room froze.
“After three days, you’ll perform in front of me and the mentors. There will be team and individual scores.”
Three days.
Insane.
“The winning team receives benefit points. The top three individuals on the winning team—and the highest individual scorer overall—will automatically secure Wings status.”
So at minimum: top three.
Team composition matters.
“If your team loses, it’s not over. The top three individuals from the losing team gain Challenge Nomination Rights.”
In other words—
Rank top three no matter what.
“For Kim Wonho and Kang Hajin, who have already confirmed battles: your individual score in this mission will determine your result. The winner receives benefit points regardless of team outcome.”
Even if my team loses.
Even if I don’t place top three.
As long as I outscore Han Seongwoo, I gain advantage.
Our eyes met across the room.
He smiled thinly.
I smiled brighter.
Hopefully he understood.
Hello, my bonus mob.
Nice to fight you.