Chapter 10: Sun-woo Ate It

After Ennexion took the elevator up first.

The Team Leader approached the Demon God.

“Whew, Sun-woo. To use such abusive language—”

“Abusive language? You think I was too harsh?”

“No, you did well.”

“?”

The Team Leader clicked his tongue.

“That Ki-han fellow, I don’t know how stiff his neck was back when he was at our company just because he was an investor’s son. He has no filter when talking to Tae-young and Yoon-seo, who suffered alongside him. It’s a good thing we let him go.”

The Demon God turned his head to look at Tae-young and Yoon-seo.

They were silent, but their faces were a mix of anger and complicated emotions.

“Hmph, Tae-young, Yoon-seo. There is no need to be upset over a trivial person. Do you not have me?”

The Demon God spoke the obvious truth.

Was he not far superior to such a commoner?

However, to Tae-young and Yoon-seo, it came across as a form of comfort.

“Right, Sun-woo.”

“Sun-woo hyung really is kind after all.”

The Demon God flared up.

“Kind? Are you mocking me?”

“Pardon?”

“To dare call me kind.”

Yoon-seo couldn’t understand at what point Sun-woo, who had been offering comfort, felt offended.

“I take it back, I take it back.”

“Good. Do not commit such an error again.”

Yoon-seo quietly whispered to Tae-young.

“Is it a language problem? Or more likely a personality problem?”

“…The latter, probably?”

Just as they finished and were about to head up.

– Scccreeech.

A van pulled in with the sound of tires skidding in the underground parking lot.

“I guess that’s the third team, ‘XXX’.”

At Tae-young’s words, the Demon God also looked at the van.

While Pantheon was riding in a standard van that had been repaired, XXX’s vehicle was a quite high-end model.

Even in the eyes of the Demon God, who knew nothing of human cars, that vehicle over there looked better.

And there was one more peculiar thing.

“Are we not late?”

“Ah, I see the van over there!”

Girls appeared from somewhere and headed toward the van.

“Who are they?”

“They’re probably the fans you want so much, hyung. Though they’re XXX’s fans.”

Fans?

Believers, you mean?

The Demon God focused on XXX to confirm the existence of fans.

A street style matching oversized T-shirts with baggy pants as the base.

Pointed with cap hats featuring intense prints, large chains, and ribbons or heart brooches that provided a contrasting feeling.

It was a style dripping with a hip-hop vibe—

“XXX is a girl group.”

Boy groups and girl groups have slightly different fanbases, and even if there were overlapping fans, the charm they appealed with was different anyway.

Boy groups and girl groups were simply in a relationship where they needed to respect each other and engage in healthy competition.

“Kyaaa— Unnie, Unnie!”

XXX welcomed those fans without pushing them away.

“How did you guys get here?”

“For our Unnies! Of course we came after seeing the schedule.”

The fans handed over snacks.

“Don’t spend your pocket money on things like this for us, use it on yourselves.”

“For our Unnies! It’s okay!”

XXX and the fans chatted excitedly for a while.

And then.

An exclamation point popped! right above the head of the Demon God who saw all this.

“That is exactly the image.”

It was certain.

Fans were the believers the Demon God so desired.

“Ugh!”

“What is it, Sun-woo!”

“Why is the light in your eyes shining like that?”

It wasn’t a hallucination; his eyes were actually glowing.

“I shall acquire them, the fans.”

It was a gaze burning with a craving for fans.

“…He seems like he isn’t, but he’s actually quite passionate.”

The Team Leader and the members were once again impressed by Lee Sun-woo’s will.

***

Pantheon went up first.

Then XXX followed.

They joined Ennexion, who had arrived first, but the atmosphere didn’t turn sour again.

This was because the MC of the day, Jung Hee-gon, appeared.

“Guys, good to see you!”

Jung Hee-gon approached the three idol teams with a warm smile.

“Oh, it’s Ki-han from Ennexion. And Ah-si from XXX? Over here is Pantheon, Tae-young and Yoon-seo.”

He exchanged greetings with each member whose names he had memorized in advance.

As Jung Hee-gon, whom they often saw on TV, approached them familiarly, the idol members soon relaxed their nerves.

“Hello!”

“Right, right. You’ve got great energy, huh?”

Jung Hee-gon reached the Demon God and laughed.

“So you’re Sun-woo?”

“Correct.”

“Wow, truly, your Korean really isn’t there yet?”

“What are you talking about? I am speaking exactly as I intend.”

Jung Hee-gon nodded as he walked to the center.

“Alright, listen up, I’m going to explain.”

Normally, a PD or writer would share the schedule, but Jung Hee-gon informed them directly.

His reason was that seeing his face more before filming would make the idols less nervous.

After team introductions, they would watch trending videos.

However, saying that videos alone couldn’t prove skill, they planned to have them perform their representative songs in person.

Next would be a game for lighthearted laughs with small prizes on the line.

“The game won’t be fun if I tell you in advance, so I’ll let you know then. Got it?”

““Yes!””

The idols answered vigorously.

Appearing on the channel of a veteran entertainer was a joyful thing in itself.

But they were also idols who were determined to show their best on this stage today.

“Alright, let’s go!”

Inside the studio, nine chairs were divided into groups of three. Jung Hee-gon’s seat was a plush sofa.

Tae-young and Yoon-seo quickly grabbed the Demon God to prevent him from heading toward the sofa.

“Not there.”

“It’s not there…”

“It isn’t? Why is that?”

Unaware of this commotion, after Jung Hee-gon sat on the sofa, introduced the PPL, and had some light banter.

“Now, shall we call the three teams that have recently set the real-time videos ablaze?”

He naturally called the teams.

“Starting now, with Ennexion.”

Following the writer’s signal, Ennexion, XXX, and then Pantheon entered.

“Now, shall we have our Ennexion introduce themselves? Who were you again?”

“I’m Ki-han.”

Ki-han stepped forward.

Unlike when he was picking a fight in the underground parking lot, he showed an incredibly gentle face in front of the camera.

After the introduction of the other two members of Ennexion, it was Ki-han who mainly handled the conversation.

“Your video became a topic of conversation too. You did a challenge with a famous person?”

“Ah, yes. I was startled because a senior reached out first. Actually—”

After seeing XXX’s fans, the Demon God had vowed to take today’s shoot seriously. So he was listening intently to what Ennexion was saying.

But he was bored.

What was a challenge, and what about some senior?

The Demon God ended up losing interest in Ki-han’s dull explanation.

“!”

Yoon-seo, seeing the Demon God’s expression, was startled and pressed down on the Demon God’s hand.

“?”

As the Demon God looked over, Yoon-seo spoke only with his lips.

‘Hyung, you can’t doze off….’

Communicating only with mouth shapes outside the camera’s blind spot.

Since he had heard the explanation about variety show communication methods, the Demon God also spoke accordingly.

‘I am bored.’

‘You can’t. If you doze off now, you’re a worse person than Ki-han hyung.’

‘Is that a compliment?’

‘Of course not!’

‘Why not? And does Ennexion actually have skill? Why would that ‘senior’ person reach out first?’

Then, Tae-young, who was focusing on the shoot with one ear and watching Sun-woo with the other, also spoke with his lips.

‘It’s a lie.’

‘Oh? A lie?’

‘Ki-han’s father probably paid a lot of money to recruit them. Saying they reached out first is just a scripted setup.’

‘Excellent.’

‘Eh?’

The Demon God saw Ki-han in a new light.

Seeing that he used such schemes, he thought the fellow had some will.

‘Sun-woo, I don’t know your criteria for judgment.’

‘Humans cannot dare to measure me.’

Tae-young and Yoon-seo let out small sighs.

“Then shall we take a look at the video?”

Around this time, Jung Hee-gon called for the playback of Ennexion’s video.

A large screen was also installed in front of the idols so everyone could see.

When Ennexion appeared with a senior singer.

“Wow! For real, for real!”

“Look at the dance lines!”

“Ennexion isn’t falling behind either, right?”

The XXX members began reacting boisterously.

And though they didn’t want to, Tae-young and Yoon-seo also joined in.

“The senior is so hip.”

“Ooh, Ennexion—!”

In variety shows, reactions are half the battle.

No matter how much they disliked Ennexion, if they didn’t react, they wouldn’t get a cut.

At worst, it could even spark a controversy over their personality.

‘Sun-woo, reaction.’

‘What?’

Origin Ent had devised a strategy for the Demon God, who was still awkward with reactions.

It was for him to stay still and then follow one or two words from the team members when Tae-young gave a signal.

Tae-young gave the signal, so it was now.

And the Demon God spoke what he wanted to say.

“It’s nothing special, though?”

“Huh?”

The Demon God’s sincere reaction was heard clearly in the studio.

Everyone’s mouths shut, and everyone’s eyes turned toward the Demon God and Tae-young.

So the Demon God reacted once more.

“Is it only my eyes that see it that way?”

It was a 100% sincere reaction.

***

The Demon God spoke without hesitation.

It’s nothing special.

Is it only my eyes that see it that way?

And having finished speaking, the Demon God saw the pupils of Tae-young and Yoon-seo fluctuating incessantly.

“?”

Why?

Did they not tell him to react?

The Demon God, right on the verge of a personality controversy, was merely puzzled.

However, in situations like this, especially when a member says something reckless.

The leader’s competence is meant to shine.

“Sun-woo, we prepared well too! No matter how well Ennexion dances, we shouldn’t lose heart!”

“What?”

Tae-young began to ‘translate.’

‘It’s nothing special’—

“We are not ‘nothing special.’ We prepared well too.”

He translated it as such.

And ‘Is it only my eyes that see it that way’—

“Ennexion does do well. We are watching too.”

He translated it as that.

Tae-young succeeded in a transcendental translation that even a first-rate translator couldn’t pull off.

“What on earth…”

The Demon God was puzzled by Tae-young’s words and tried to open his mouth.

But there were two members who came along.

Yoon-seo also jumped in from the side.

“Exactly, let’s have confidence!”

Tae-young and Yoon-seo finished speaking and raised their fists simultaneously.

“Fighting!”

“Let’s not lose!”

The Demon God wondered why they were acting like this.

‘Sun-woo, will you please be quiet?’

‘Shh! Hyung, take a break for a second.’

In the short gap where their faces met, the members spoke with their lips.

“Is that so? Is Sun-woo intimidated right now?”

Whether the members’ efforts worked, Jung Hee-gon added a comment while laughing.

He didn’t pass the talk but continued back toward Ennexion.

“Ennexion, you guys are pushing ahead, huh? You can dance a bit?”

“Thank you—!”

“Alright, then we should see it in person, right? You can’t tell just by looking at a video. Isn’t that right?”

As Jung Hee-gon called Ennexion out, the three of them took a triangular formation and began the stage.

In the meantime.

– Phew.

– Phew.

Tae-young and Yoon-seo, having passed the crisis, let out sighs with their lips.

‘Is it not okay to just sigh normally?’

Tae-young scrutinized the Demon God.

Many emotions seemed to be coming and going within his profound eyes.

‘It’s because I was startled.’

‘Why? You told me to react, so I did. Those fellows have no skill. Look at them even now.’

Ennexion was performing their representative song, but they were somehow dancing worse than in the video.

‘Even so, you shouldn’t say it out loud every time.’

‘You want me to just watch such a pathetic display?’

‘That’s how you do it in front of the camera. So please just follow our words for reactions.’

‘I refuse. Why should I?’

The Demon God shook his head.

Follow someone else’s words?

Why this body? Believers follow me; I have never mimicked anyone.

Furthermore, he didn’t quite understand the situation.

‘Why do you say nice things when you’re on bad terms with Ennexion? Those fellows don’t look particularly strong either.’

‘Don’t say things that sound like lines from a delinquent manga. Just stay quiet for now. I’ll explain about image management to you later.’

‘Image?’

‘There’s such a thing. Idols must do it.’

Image.

An absolute must for an idol.

The Demon God fell silent at those words.

‘I don’t know why this ‘idol’ punishment is so complicated. New things to learn keep appearing.’

However, he was a Demon God who knew how to endure.

He exercised patience for the sake of recovering his power.

In the meantime, the shoot passed through Ennexion and even XXX.

“Now, it’s Pantheon’s turn. You’ve waited a long time, right?”

Jung Hee-gon pointed at Pantheon with a friendly smile.

“What kind of special effects did you guys put in your video?”

“No. That’s just the sky.”

“The sky? Is there a sky like that in our country?”

As he spoke, Jung Hee-gon played the video.

– Follow me!

Instantly, the studio stirred.

Ennexion was mediocre, and XXX livened up the atmosphere, but honestly, the impact of the video was incomparable to that of the Demon God.

“Wow, Sun-woo!”

Jung Hee-gon’s comment was directed at the Demon God.

Tae-young and Yoon-seo’s senses were on high alert.

“You don’t look like it, but your passion is no joke?”

“Correct. I have passion. Fans, come to me.”

“Subscribers, please don’t misunderstand. Sun-woo is from overseas, so his Korean isn’t familiar yet.”

“What are you talking about? I am speaking properly. I say it once more. Fans, come to me.”

“Wahahahaha! What is that? Did the agency make you practice that?”

After a video where a demonic aura exploded, a handsome man who was clearly cold and charismatic by anyone’s standards craved fans.

“Come. I welcome you. The fans who come early will find that everything they do goes well.”

Even saying he would bring blessings—at that gap, a burst of laughter swept through the studio.

“Aww, Sun-woo has this kind of charm?”

Jung Hee-gon, who had burst out laughing, had a glint in his eyes.

If this were a talk show, he would have grabbed onto this and kept going.

Feeling a deep regret, he looked at the Demon God.

But if he does well on stage here too.

He’ll completely devour the scene.

“But we should see the stage, right? Please show us.”

Jung Hee-gon pointed to the front.

“Let’s go.”

“It’s starting, Sun-woo hyung.”

The song began to flow.

And the choreography started—

“?”

Not only Jung Hee-gon, who was watching with anticipation, but the other idols were also bewildered.

There was Tae-young, who was tall and had long limbs, giving a refreshing feeling.

And Yoon-seo, with a cute and adorable vibe.

The choreography of the two was a feast for the eyes in itself, but.

“Why isn’t he moving?”

“Sun-woo? He’s just standing still?”

Sun-woo just stood still, facing away.

Since three teams appeared, it was a situation where they couldn’t show the whole song.

The given time was 1 minute and 30 seconds.

Each team had to include their highlights within that time.

But for Pantheon,

The stage flowed for nearly a minute without Sun-woo moving a single step.

‘Ah, is it because he’s a new member?’

Jung Hee-gon clicked his tongue slightly.

The stage isn’t ready yet.

If he was good at this too, it would be a hit.

Well, since he got some funny lines out of him, it’s okay—

At that moment, Tae-young and Yoon-seo looked back at Sun-woo simultaneously.

“Sun-woo.”

“Sun-woo hyung.”

The signal came with 30 seconds remaining.

The brilliant idea Tae-young had come up with after hearing the Demon God’s words.

The time for the dance break.

Sun-woo turned around along with the Demon God’s aura.

“Worship me.”

“Huh?”

“Eh?”

Just by Sun-woo turning his body, the surrounding air changed.

A chill that seemed to freeze the soul flowed over Sun-woo’s face as he raised his head toward the ceiling.

His two arms, moving slowly, left afterimages and pushed the viewers into a state of enchantment.

An utterly ominous being slowly approached.

He used 10 of the 30 seconds just for his appearance, but the effect was enough to completely capture people’s attention.

Soon, the Demon God’s steps became intense.

There was no technical finesse.

He merely repeated the basic steps Tae-young had taught him with a rhythm similar to that of the Nanta.

However, those steps ruthlessly trampled over the refreshing and bright melody, spreading terror through the audience.

“Ugh, uh…?”

“What is that? It’s scary…”

Just looking at it brought fear.

Breathing became ragged.

Heartbeats could be heard.

Even a bit of cold sweat trickled.

Just as they wondered if it would only end once one of them lost consciousness and collapsed.

Thump.

Along with a foot stomp that shook the studio.

“That was Pantheon!”

Sun-woo, Tae-young, and Yoon-seo bowed their heads.

In that state, the lip-sync conversation continued.

‘Did I do well?’

‘The best.’

‘The best.’

Hmph, the Demon God chuckled softly.

Giving him a dance break and telling him to do as he pleased.

This much was an easy task.

And with Pantheon’s greeting, the studio escaped from the terror.

“Huh?”

“Right. Of course there’s an end?”

“Phew, I thought it would go on forever?”

At the same time, exclamations flowed from everywhere.

Jung Hee-gon, the staff, and XXX, of course, and even the members of Ennexion.

Ki-han, who had been triumphant, was completely at a loss for words.

“Wow, this is amazing? What was that just now?”

Jung Hee-gon followed up with a question.

When he had heard Pantheon’s song beforehand, he hadn’t felt this vibe at all.

“It’s because we became a topic of conversation due to the festival video. We tried mixing in some of the atmosphere from the festival.”

Tae-young continued the explanation skillfully.

“Great! You prepared well! Yes, this is what I was looking forward to.”

Jung Hee-gon shouted in excitement.

Even if he provided opportunities by inviting them to the program, there were few teams that could properly capitalize on them.

Ennexion was a bust, and XXX was average.

But Pantheon did it. Especially the dance break of the member named Sun-woo definitely caught the eye.

The PD and writer gaped in surprise.

Honestly, even Jung Hee-gon himself felt like he wanted to run away to the back.

This will work.

“Wow! It was good! Really good!”

Jung Hee-gon kept his eye on Sun-woo.

‘Should I give him one more chance? If he’s good at games too, he’ll completely blow up alone.’

Right, let’s move straight to the game.

“Alright! Then shall we have a spicy-taste showdown immediately?”

““What?!””

Jung Hee-gon grinned.

“I thought of it while watching the video. Wasn’t there something called a spicy-taste challenge?”

A competition where spicy foods are prepared by level and they compete to see who can endure the highest level of spiciness.

It was popular for a time and can still be found occasionally on YouTube channels.

“But we shouldn’t damage the idols’ precious stomachs. Just up to the point where we can laugh. If I think a member looks like they’re struggling, that member stops. Don’t cause trouble by forcing yourself to endure. And everyone, have a glass of this.”

Jung Hee-gon had the idols drink a glass of milk he had prepared.

“Suddenly?”

“I do things suddenly like this! Got a problem?”

Jung Hee-gon deliberately writhed his body and created a humorous atmosphere.

“Since Sun-woo’s video is the chili pepper festival. That’s why we’re doing this. Sun-woo, you want to go first?”

The spicy food was set up.

Of course, nothing was extreme, but a spicy scent wafted up.

It was heaven for someone who liked spicy tastes.

Hell for someone who hated spicy tastes.

And the Demon God wore a triumphant smile.

This body is top-tier.

It meant it was strong against external stimuli as well.

“Of course. I can handle Level 10 from the start.”

“Wow, you’ve got some spicy-pride, huh?”

Jung Hee-gon’s eyes twinkled.

“But Level 10 right from the start is a bit much, do you want to try eating that Level 1 Guesan chili pepper first?”

“Guesan chili pepper?”

It was a familiar fruit the Demon God had seen at the festival site.

“As much as you want.”

Crunch.

He bit into the red dried chili pepper in one go.

And then.

“Pfft?!”

He spat out the chili pepper vigorously.

A top-tier body also meant a top-tier tongue.

The taste buds on his tongue reacted sensitively, fully accepting the spicy taste.

As a result.

“Uwaaa?”

The Demon God was a spicy-weakling.

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