As the first light of morning crept through the blinds, Thato—or Ren, as he was known in other circles—was busy preparing for what could be a pivotal moment in his journey as an artist. Today could make or break everything he'd worked for.
"So, what did you find in my body, Lucy?" he asked the system, his voice low but steady. There was no immediate response. He sighed. "System?"
*Ding*
| Answer: Yes. |
Thato stared at the system's interface, expecting more, but it remained silent. He raised an eyebrow.
"So, whoever you are... where's Lucy?"
| Answer: Host, I'm Lucy... Why do you think I'm not Lucy? |
A chuckle escaped him. "No reason. But seriously, why do you talk like this? Don't get me wrong, I used to hate how you annoyed me with your cryptic replies. But still, why? What did you find inside me?"
*Pause…*
| Analyzing for better discrimination… |
A few minutes passed. The silence was almost unbearable.
| Answer:What we.. what I found.Your body adapts faster than expected. It tried to reject the system, like a parasite, creating defense mechanisms. But eventually, your brain allowed for assimilation. Your body is incredibly strong—strong enough to resist an entity like the system. Also, your brain has an advanced photographic memory. You're combining equations and information from different sources, which is why you're considered a genius. |
Thato raised an eyebrow at the system's answer. "Yeah, you've told me that before. But what I really want to know is… did you retrieve any memories I've lost? There's something missing from three years ago. I can feel it. I know it's there, but I can't quite grasp it."
| Host,We'v.. I've found two sealed memories within you. One is from all the years you've lived, but the other… |
Thato's breath caught in his throat. "What other memory? Don't tell me… I didn't have a twin who I… ate in the womb, and now I have his memories, right?"
The system paused, the interface flickering as though processing his joke.
| ... |
"I was joking, right?" Thato's voice wavered slightly, his sarcasm fading into something more uncertain. "Tell me you're not serious."
| Host, stop thinking such wild things. The memories are yours, but they're also not yours. Everything will be revealed in time. |
Thato's brow furrowed. "Why do you keep saying 'we'? And why do I even ask? Anyway, why do you want me to join IDOL CROWN? What's your plan?"
After the system's cryptic suggestion, Thato researched the show. What he found was shocking. The show was about to do something that had never been done before in South Korea—gather 100 contestants from all over the world, from different cultures, religions, and backgrounds, to spread K-pop globally. They were looking for a diverse group to break into international markets.
But there was a catch. The show was set to begin in just two weeks. Thato needed a faster way to break into the K-pop world. Becoming a trainee at a company could take years, and he didn't have that kind of time. So he decided to give Hanual Company a shot.
"I wish I could see my stats right now," he muttered.
| Host must complete the mission. |
Thato paused, then shrugged. "Guess that's all the motivation I need."
After a quick shower, he dressed in a simple, casual outfit—oversized glasses, a mask to hide his face, and heavy makeup to obscure any traces of his natural beauty. He didn't use his Fox mask yet. He was saving that for the show, in case things didn't go as planned today.
---
The building where Hanual Company was located looked like it had seen better days. Faded posters of rookie groups from years ago peeled off the walls, and the entrance was marked by cracked tiles and a musty hallway. It was the kind of place that had big dreams but a dying budget.
Thato adjusted the strap of his backpack and stepped inside. He was dressed plainly—nothing flashy, no stylist, no hype—just a boy with a backpack and a dream.
As he entered, he spotted a group of girls rehearsing in one of the side rooms. They were dancing to a track that sounded like it had come from a forgotten era—stiff and generic, with sharp choreography that was more robotic than passionate. Forced smiles. Tired eyes. Not a single one of them looked like they wanted to be there.
He watched quietly from the door, his mind spinning.
Inside the room, a man in a tracksuit clapped his hands and shouted.
"Stop! What are you even doing?! Do you *want* this group to flop? You're dancing like you just woke up from a coma! Where's the passion?!"
Before the man could continue his tirade, Thato stepped forward and gently knocked on the glass.
"Excuse me," he called politely. "My name is Thato. I'm here for a meeting with the manager."
All eyes turned to him— the boy in oversized glasses, looking completely out of place.
From the back of the room, the **manager** hurried forward. A small woman in her forties, dressed in a tidy blouse and dark jeans, her face a mixture of exhaustion and guarded optimism.
"Ah! Thato! Yes, yes, we've been expecting you. Come on in."
She led him down a narrow hallway to a modest conference room. The faint smell of burnt coffee and cheap cologne lingered in the air. The hum of the overhead air conditioner was more noise than cooling.
She handed him a bottle of water. "We'll just wait for the CEO to arrive. He's… well, you know how he is."
"I don't," Thato replied with a small smile behind his mask. "But I guess I'll find out."
One by one, the others trickled in—the **VELA girls**, each with a different expression: some guarded, some hopeful, others nervously checking their phones. The producer from yesterday gave Thato a nod but remained silent. The manager kept glancing at her phone, her foot tapping anxiously beneath the table.
At 08:57, the door swung open. Haneul entered, gasping for breath, her hair tousled, looking around the room as if something important was about to unfold. Her eyes immediately landed on Thato.
She smiled as recognition hit her. "Sorry we're late," she greeted everyone, stepping forward.
The manager leaned in and whispered, "Can you keep him company while we wait for the CEO?"
"Don't worry, Manager, I've got it covered." Haneul moved to sit next to him, her energy instantly shifting to something warmer. "Do you need anything? Water? Tea? Coffee? I know you like sweets."
Before she could continue, Thato raised a hand, stopping her.
"Don't worry, I'm good. Just… relax,senpai ."
Her face softened at the nickname, and she nodded, clearly relieved.
As the conversation turned to light chatter about his song and what brought him here, the manager stepped out to make a call, leaving the room with an air of anticipation hanging over everyone.