Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut! Chapter 40

Chapter 40. Special Mission! Shine Brightly (1)

“Now, we’ll explain how teams will be decided.”

There wasn’t any noble reason I chose Han Seongwoo as my battle opponent.

He looked like the easiest target.

And as a bonus, he irritated me.

The moment Special Class and General Class merged, he was the first to start playing politics. The practice room atmosphere had gone downhill fast because clueless kids followed his lead.

I’d even thought through the storyline angle.

He still had a “good trainee” image, so sure, there was some risk. But winning is winning. If I just landed on a decent team, I’d be fine.

For title track team selection, I assumed the Wings would choose first—starting from first place, picking members one by one.

Even tenth place would eventually get a choice.

Kim Wonho would probably avoid Lee Yugeon if he could.
Joo Eunchan and Seo Taehyun, judging by earlier, had zero interest in being anywhere near Seongwoo.

If a few top-ranked trainees split properly, I’d have a path.

This was the first performance shown to the public.

I needed to attach myself to strong performers and benefit from the bouquet effect. Following Taehyun or Eunchan would’ve been safest—

“The teams for the first title track have already been decided based on the previous monthly evaluation rankings.”

…What?

“From trainee Jung Siwoo in 1st place to trainee Kim Wonho in 9th place will form Team A.”

Wait.

“From trainee Kang Hajin in 10th place to trainee Park Jaeyoung in 18th place will form Team B.”

The screen filled with faces.

Team A looked debut-ready.

Team B looked like leftovers.

“For this mission, the highest-ranked trainee on each team will automatically serve as leader. Jung Siwoo and Kang Hajin, please come forward.”

By the time my brain caught up, I was holding lyric sheets, part-distribution notes, and a choreography tablet—

Standing in front of a cluster of lower-ranked trainees I barely knew.

Across the room, surrounded by monsters, Han Seongwoo smiled at me.

Smug.

I thought:

If there’s a first regressor here, he’s probably considering resetting.

I definitely am.

I’m screwed.

If someone asked what I hated most since joining Miro—

Regression threats?
Seongwoo’s petty games?
Director Son’s corruption?

No.

It’s this.

This miserable sense of defeat.

That feeling that the debut lineup is predetermined.

That no matter how many hours you practice, your ceiling won’t move.

For General Class trainees, that defeat is the default setting.

Like right now.

“Isn’t this unfair? Team A is basically all former Special Class. They trained differently. How are we supposed to win?”

“These things always have pre-decided lineups. Did you see how the ‘Seo–Joo–Dan’ trio showed up dressed today?”

“Taehyun and Siwoo already have fans. We just need to not embarrass ourselves.”

First team practice.

I stepped out briefly to talk to production. When I came back—

They weren’t practicing.

They were sitting.

Complaining.

Blaming.

I hate that.

I opened the door loudly on purpose.

“I told you to learn the choreo. What are you doing?”

Still smiling.

Controlled.

“I already submitted the part distribution. There’s a mid-check tomorrow. Today we learn choreography.”

Silence.

No one moved.

“…Ha. Seriously. You’re acting way too big.”

For a second, I thought I misheard.

He stood up sharply.

“Hyung. They made you leader twice and now you’re feeling yourself?”

“….”

“You’ve been a trainee for one month. Did you forget?”

“….”

“You only ranked up because you got carried last time. And now you’re directing us? It’s ridiculous.”

<System Alert: That foul mouth—stop!>

I stared at him.

What is this. A walking inferiority complex?

“So what do you want?” I asked evenly. “You’re saying we shouldn’t film?”

“Why did you pick Seongwoo-hyung?”

“…What?”

“You avoided Eunchan and them because you’re close. That’s cowardly.”

Ah.

One of Seongwoo’s loyal pets.

I finally placed him.

<System Alert: Immediate disciplinary action recommended!>
<System Alert: Why are you not retaliating?!>

I ignored it.

I looked at him.

Then at the others.

Not one person stepped in.

“Do you all agree with him?”

Silence.

Avoided eyes.

Good.

“…Fine. Then for this mission, survive on your own.”

I turned and walked out.

Why would I rehabilitate garbage?

The battle with Han Seongwoo is individual score-based.

If the team loses, fine.

I’ll just crush my personal score.

Honestly, they’re not even like the “hopeless trio” from before. At least those guys wanted to try.

“Hey.”

<System Alert: …>

“We’re going to do some separate dealing.”

I headed toward the rooftop, smiling.

The system vibrated in panic.

Fine.

I’ll burn every last coin today.

Back in the practice room—

“Where’s Hajin?”

“No idea.”

“He got sulky and left.”

Gong Seok had stepped out to call his parents. When he returned, the air felt wrong.

Tense.

Uncomfortable.

“You don’t know where he went?”

“No.”

“Hyung, why are you acting like this?”

Gong Seok didn’t answer.

He’d seen this before.

Group mentality.

Inferiority turning into pack behavior.

He used to blend in sometimes.

It was easier to blame someone else when your own future felt dim.

Not anymore.

He walked into the hallway and texted.

Hajin, where are you? I heard what happened. Let’s talk.

There was something he needed to say.

Meanwhile, on the rooftop—

“Give it to me.”

“You’re making me feel unappreciated.”

<System Alert: You should’ve disciplined them earlier!>

“This isn’t discipline. It’s negotiation.”

The system window flickered.

“Look. In web novels, you can invest in appearance stats. Body stats. Why can’t you? What kind of system are you?”

“Technically, I said I couldn’t live like this and you showed up. That makes you my second parent.”

Not working.

Damn.