Stars and Status Windows

"How long have you been a trainee?"

"Less than two years," Jisung responded.

June nodded. That explained why he was still quite nervous. Two years usually wasn't enough to build a trainee's confidence.

June still remembered when he was still two years into being a thug. He was always tasked with making coffee, mixing alcohol, and cleaning the other gang members' feet. However, one day, Bo Wen asked him to shoot a gun. He was scared out of his own wits!

Then, this old member approached him and said some inspiring words.

"Jisung," he said, channeling the old gang member's words. He retired a year later and was probably dead by now. So, it wouldn't be too bad to say his words, right?

It was not like he was going to hear it from his grave. 

"Let me tell you a little secret," he said, coaxing Jisung to lean in. Jisung, still nervous, leaned in.

"Nobody really cares about your anxiety except you. They only care about the results here. So, it's time to slap those jitters in the face and show them who's boss. I want you to strut on stage like a peacock with a PhD in shooting a gun," June said.

"Trainee Jisung, it's time for you to go backstage," a PD said, interrupting their conversation.

June forgot to change the last statement. It should have been a "PhD in performing," but he was too engrossed in the role that he forgot.

He shrugged his shoulders. It should have worked, right?

He looked at his status window and saw the timer still ticking.

[Side quest deadline: 1 hour, 25 minutes]

June clicked his tongue. It worked for him back then! He was able to hit the target in the center even though he was a newbie.

Ah, whatever. He can just deduct some of his rap skills. It was non-existent in the first place, anyway.

After a few more minutes, Jisung came to the stage, still appearing quite nervous. He continuously shook his hands, and his feet were practically glued together.

"Please introduce yourself," Minho said.

Jisung cleared his throat. "Good day, mentors and trainees. My name is Song Jisung, 20 years old under Harmony Entertainment."

His face was shown on screen, and hums of approval were heard around the room.

"He's a handsome trainee."

"Ah, I'm jealous. My parents should have done a better job."

"Why wasn't I born with that kind of face?"

June could resonate well with what they were saying. This kid was blessed with good looks.

However, having good looks wasn't a foreign concept to him at all. As Jun Hao, he was hailed the most handsome in his gang! He looked like a rugged man, though, and the beauty standard in the idol industry was definitely more delicate and flowery.

Choi Joon-ho actually has a lot of potential to become even more handsome. However, he had incurred many scars from his past fights with the hoodlums in his neighborhood. It seemed like he didn't take care of himself well, too. His skin was blemished, his hair dry, and his eyes quite sunken from lack of sleep.

"Whenever you're ready, Jisung," Jihyun said.

Nervousness filled the hall once more. Everything felt more real. It was really the time for them to show the judges what they had worked hard on for the past weeks or even months.

In June's case, it was two days.

Music started playing, and Jisung became a completely different person. There was still a hint of shyness in his movements, but barely noticeable to the amateur eye. His voice was a bit shaky, but it was outshined by his dance.

Dancing seemed to be his specialty. With every step, the floor beneath him ignited as if it were not merely a stage but a blazing inferno of passion. His movements were fluid, a seamless fusion of strength and grace. Each extension of his limbs told a story, expressing emotions that words alone could never capture.

As the stage ended, the trainees erupted into applause. The next trainees became even more nervous. Jisung had set the standard so high!

"Hmm, not bad," Minho said. "You've trained in dance, I presume."

Jisung nodded, still catching his breath.

"Give us a moment to discuss."

The judges gathered around and started discussing his skills.

"This kid is quite good at dancing," Gun said. "I can give him five stars for that aspect."

"Me too," Hyerin agreed.

"His voice is a bit underdeveloped," Woo-jin contraindicated. "I'd say he's two stars in vocals. I can't give more than that."

Jihyun nodded her head. "Trainees these days are quite good at dancing. He's better than the average idol, but I don't think he can handle the vocal training in the five-stars class."

As the judges discussed, a status window appeared before June's eyes.

[Congratulations, host! You have succeeded in the mission: Heart of Gold.]

[You may now see other trainees' status windows when they are performing on stage.]

June snapped his eyes to Jisung and saw a holographic screen above his head.

[Song Jisung:

Dance: A

Visual: A

Vocal: C-

Rap: C

Charm: B]

This kid was more talented than he'd imagined. He has two A's and a B! However, judging from the judge's long deliberation, they must be discussing his vocals and confidence issues.

With that, June concluded that he would at least be three stars.

"Trainee Song Jisung, you have three stars," Kang Minho said.