“‘Already?’”

He thought it was faster than expected—and there were so many of them.

““Wh-wh-what? A press conference?””

““?!””

Unlike the two who froze in shock, Roy remained calm—it was a familiar sight.

““It’s nothing like that. I think they just came to take photos.””

The cannon-armed squad charging at full speed halted at an appropriate distance. Click! Click! Click! They then pressed their shutters like mad. Though there wasn’t a single fence, they maintained their distance as if by agreement.

““Roy, make a heart with your hands!””

““Yeonwoo, look over here!””

““Taeyeon, here!””

Strangers began shouting their names and demanding poses. Yeonwoo and Taeyeon, unaccustomed to this, covered their ears and shrank. To highly sensitive Awakeners, the noise was like bombs going off. Yet one person again stood apart. The heart pose, the V sign, the flower cupping, the cat ears—understanding every need of the home-mas, the former top-tier idol turned team leader struck poses to the left, center, and right so no one was left out.

““Kyaaa!””

With each pose change, thunderous cheers erupted. Meanwhile, Taeyeon and Yeonwoo, unaccustomed to the situation, curled up, hands over ears. Yet Roy stood expressionless, smiling—truly incredible mental strength. Taeyeon and Yeonwoo watched in awe. Was this S-rank class? A real culture shock! He was so skilled one might believe he’d been an idol in a past life.

‘Is this enough?’

Just as Roy thought so and prepared to move on with the others, a suit sleeve burst from the crowd holding out a business card.

““Mr. Roy! This is Every Entertainment! We’re planning a six-member idol group and would love to meet for a deeper discussion!””

As if waiting, someone from the opposite side leapt forward.

““Mr. Roy! Time Entertainment here! We can debut you immediately!””

““Roy! AOMZ here! We’re an MZ hip-hop label—””

Overwhelmed by sudden casting offers, Roy was flustered.

‘Suddenly?’

This wasn’t a guild but entertainment agencies. Roy didn’t know how to take it. During monitoring, it hadn’t been like this. Moments ago, the professional Roy was bewildered—and the crowd screamed anew. Home-mas found his fluster endearing and snapped faster; agents grew desperate, shoving business cards into his hand.

““Roy, debut!””

““Please!!!””

Even cheering? In truth, Awakeners were top of the avoidance list for agencies. They couldn’t win public favor—escaped convicts, after all. Even chosen, they’d broken duty with their own hands, so their image suffered. Many Awakeners who debuted on looks alone were crushed by public backlash. Conversely, if a star suddenly awakened mid-career, forced retirement was certain. Hence no Awakeners in showbiz.

‘Then why me?’

He couldn’t fathom it.

✧

The cause was Junseo’s “1-minute phone call” content on his YouTube channel ahead of Star Hero Episode 5.

“F? Even better. Debut.”

“Wishing for a 1-second exit.”

“If it’s Hojin, then Kim Butler? Roy really leans on him... what merit did you earn in a past life to be chosen by cats?”

“Hear that tone and diction... rap penetrates your ears. What a talent.”

“National hip-hop top appearance” (video)

“I’d still hold him even if he debuted with blurry eyes.”

“Honestly, F isn’t much different from us.”

“Those who planned to debut relied on looks but chose not to; the 1-second star can’t, so it’s fine to debut—industry consensus.”

“Agency insiders >> debut the 1-second star << please consider.”

└ “First-come, first-served.”

└ “Whoever picks him first will hit it big lol.” 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

“Not debuting with that face is an Awakener’s dereliction of duty.” (photo)

“Our Roy is a ‘pretty boy’ Awakener; he should work where he can fully utilize his attribute.”

The scene of his call with Hojin had even become a “national hip-hop top” short. ‘But that wasn’t rap in the first place...’ A bomb like this always drops when least expected. Though it diverged from his plan, any buzz wasn’t bad—unless the reaction turned negative.

““I thought they came to see me.””

““Some did come to see you.””

““Not that.””

They said the unmistakable B-rank aura drew them, that frequent rank changes looked suspicious, but really they wanted to boast he’d reawakened.

““Hold a real press conference later.””

““Should I?””

““......””

“‘Should I?’ Seriously?”

Roy decided not even to joke with Yeonwoo. Filming began with the second survival results. The shoot had ended abruptly due to an accident, so they’d never wrapped. Eliminated contestants gathered again.

““Hello~””

Holding cue cards, Han-gyeol stepped onto the set and waved. Spotting Roy, he gave a meaningful smile.

‘What’s that?’

Their eyes seemed to meet, then he looked away.

““Let’s start filming!””

At the staff call, everyone straightened up. With only announcements left, it wouldn’t take long. Han-gyeol explained that of ten teams, only the top five advanced to the third survival, with announcements from fifth place.

““First, fifth place.””

Except for the Red team, which passed overwhelmingly, and the Green team, which scored at all, the remaining teams were tied. One might think rank didn’t matter now that they’d advanced, but it did: benefits would be awarded variably to first through third.

““Fifth place is....””

For tension, Han-gyeol paused.

““The Purple team. Congratulations.””

Purple, Brown, and Black advanced by tie-breaker: number of survivors. With half of its ten members alive, Purple took fifth. Next, fourth place.

““Fourth place is the Brown team.””

That meant Green automatically took third and cheered. Thin margins split joy and sorrow. The announcement continued.

““First place is the Red team. Congratulations!””

On the announcement, applause filled the studio. Wondering whether to feign surprise or exit calmly, Roy just smiled.

““Great job, everyone.””

He turned, hugged teammates joyfully, and they all laughed sincerely. Onstage as representative, Roy made sure to mention the absent Kwak Hyeol.

““Hyeol hyung, great work. Rest easy where you are. I’ll work twice as hard for you.””

With first place declared, Han-gyeol continued.

““From the next survival, new rules will apply. The benefits you receive now can be used in the third survival.””

He explained benefits are nontransferable. Red team each got 10,000 points, Green 5,000, Black 3,000. Individual voting would convert votes into points.

““Hint: points can be used as currency in the third survival.””

Murmurs swept the contestants.

““Currency?””

““What can we buy?””

““Do we have to pay for food now?””

Speculation ran wild, but Han-gyeol gave no more hints and closed:

““The birth of a Star Hero draws near. Give your best in the remaining training. See you next week.””

✧

““Eliminated contestants, please exit. The rest, hold your seats briefly!””

With filming over, staff busily led away the eliminated. As two groups said farewell, Roy’s gaze was fixed ahead.

‘What is he staring at?’

Seo Hyunwoo followed Roy’s look and saw actor Seo Han-gyeol. Han-gyeol was chatting with the PD, the mood light. Sparks flew in Roy’s eyes as he watched.

‘What is that? An enemy...?’

Just then, Roy ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) spoke abruptly.

““Hyung. I’ll pay whatever it costs—can you find out Seo Han-gyeol’s home address?””

““.......””

Did he think Pluton was an errand service? Hyunwoo was taken aback. He’d just joined the guild, but this request was new and left him speechless. To refuse would only invite more questions—and Roy’s stubbornness would override reason. Instead of answering, Hyunwoo changed the subject.

““By the way, Kwak Hyeol... did he go far?””

““Hyeol hyung? He’s gone. Far away.””