< Episode 2 > 

----- ----- 

> > > (Attention! ) A "Required Task" has arrived! 

[Required Task: 'Succeed as an Idol!'] 

Complete all given quests and the final event to see this game's ending! 

> > Final Event Reward: Special Passive Skill "Return to Reality!"

----- ----- 

"… … what?" 

However, before I could understand the content, another pop-up appeared below it. 

----- ----- 

> > A penalty is imposed if the task fails!

> Penalty: Player privileges deleted and health reduced by 100% 

[※Warning]: When player health reaches '0%', the player will die. 

----- ----- 

"No... wait, wait a second."

What the hell is this…? 

My hand that had been in the air slowly lowered. Only then did I realize, through my trembling vision, that my pupils were shaking violently.

And then it hit me.

‘It’s exactly the same.’

I finally understood why the letter icons and screen felt inexplicably familiar. 

 'This is the idol game I was playing just before...!'

Knowing that, I became more and more convinced.

The contents were different. There had never been such a terrifying request like <With your own hand, do...> before.

However, the way the tasks appeared on the screen, the writing style, the tone... Everything else mirrored the system of 'that game'.

It was definitely not an illusion. How long have I been playing this game?

... But that's beside the point. The important thing is, this is real.

Then, what exactly happened? Did I somehow enter the game?

 

"… … haha." 

 

No. What nonsense....

Surely we don't have that level of technology yet. How could a person physically enter a game?

This must be... Yeah, like a hidden camera prank. If we think about it realistically, isn't this more likely?

- ……. 

However, no matter how much time passed, this damn message showed no signs of disappearing. Naturally, the mastermind behind the hidden camera scheme didn't show up either.

 

'… … Seriously? ’ 

 

As time went on, I couldn't help but rethink the theory I had thought was impossible.

My fists clenched involuntarily. My palms had been drenched in sweat for a while now.

Perhaps I already knew I was deliberately ignoring 'something'.

That I was desperately trying not to accept the fact that ‘I had really entered the game.’

It doesn’t feel real but clearly, my situation was saying otherwise.

The screen suddenly going haywire while I was playing, the system window that made me press 'YES' against my will.

And finally, the required task to succeed as an idol.

When I pieced it all together, it became a fixed fact that I am in the game now. 

The funny thing was, everything happened in both the most unrealistic yet natural way possible.

As I grudgingly accepted this, a strange shiver ran down my spine. Goosebumps, probably.

'First... first, let's calm down. Think slowly. That's how you survive.'

I shook my head hard, forcing myself to focus.

For a brief moment, thoughts of failing the task, or not being able to return home, crossed my mind.

But I quickly dismissed them. Such unproductive thoughts were off-limits right now. 

"Phew...."

After taking a deep breath, I stared at the system window again.

Now, look carefully. The key part is the 'Final Event Reward'.

> > Final Event Reward: Special Passive Skill "Return to Reality!"

The message clearly stated that clearing this quest would grant me the special passive skill "Return to Reality".

In other words, I just needed to complete the given tasks successfully. Then I should be able to return to my original world.

Of course, it was easier said than done. Succeeding as an idol out of the blue wouldn't be easy.

Moreover, as a gamer, my knowledge on idols were all theoretical.
 

“…….” 

But what can I do? I have to do it.

The one reassuring thing is that I'm an experienced player who's played this game before.

Not just any player, but a top player who consistently ranked 2nd or 3rd each season.

Plus, my experience as a pro gamer can't be ignored. Though the genre is different, I'm familiar with understanding game structures and surviving in them.

But … There was something that bothered me the most.... 

'Penalty. This shit is the real problem. " 

Right below the penalty notice was a long rectangular bar.

Labeled ‘Health,’ the bar was filled with red.

Moreover, it clearly stated:

> > Current Player Health: 100% 

Both death and health were referring to the 'player', not the 'character'.

This means that if all of this disappears, it's undoubtedly 'I' who will die.

Life and death. Are these words really suitable for a peaceful idol game?

I never imagined I'd have to become an idol who dies if I don't succeed.

Even with HP that will kill me if it drops by 100, I still have to work as an idol?

If it was going to be like this, I should've just played an FPS, not an idol game...!

This damn game is returning my kindness with enmity. Do you know how much money I've spent on it until now?

But the system, thinking I had read its 'notification' well, soon disappeared.

And that wasn't all,

 

-Ding! 

 

Because another new notification popped up next

With my mind still dazed from the word 'death', I had to open the next message as well.

----- ----- 

> > You have successfully immersed yourself into the character 'Seo Dan-a'! As a reward for your first play of this character, we present you with "Free Stat Increase +10"! [Receive]

> > You have succeeded in the challenge task 'Open Message Window'! As a reward, we grant you the system "Helper"! [Receive]

----- ----- 

Unfortunately, the content didn't sink in very well.

Still, I have to read it. Who knows what mischief this crazy game will do if I don't follow along.

So, as I calmed my anger and fear a bit, the blurry letters became clearer to my eyes.

First of all, It seems they're all rewards, and it looks like I need to press the '[Receive]' button here. Just like before, I tapped the screen in the air.

----- ----- 

> > Rewards have been successfully granted! 

> > Challenge Task: Face your reality and immerse yourself sincerely in the game! / Upon success, grant passive "Mental Stability"

> > Challenge Task: Call the 'Helper' and proceed with the tutorial! / Upon success, 'Likability' stat +5 increase

----- ----- 

As expected, the next message was also outrageous.

Watching the pop-up windows appear one after another, I couldn’t help but feel pressured to adjust quickly.

Hmm.... Facing reality... is too much for me right now. And what is this "Helper" anyway?

My brows furrowed at the unfamiliar term, but I figured it must live up to its name if I called for it.

But... how am I supposed to do that? Do I just say it out loud?

‘I really don't know.’ I sighed, uncertain.

"Come out, helper." 

I said it on a whim, and for some reason, my face flushed. Great, now I feel like a Pokémon trainer calling out for a battle...

- ……. 

‘...... Hmm, maybe I called it the wrong way.’

The system didn’t respond immediately, and I wondered if I needed to try another method.

But my doubts didn't last long. 

[System 'Helper' starts smooth operation.] 

[Good afternoon, player Seo Dan-ah]

Thankfully, just after I had voiced the command, the so-called 'Helper' system finally kicked in.

The voice was female, with a blend of mechanical distortion, yet the tone was undeniably polite.

After a brief loading time, a character materialized before me.

To my surprise, it was an SD-style human figure, with a monitor for a face.

The Helper was dressed in a suit that matched its tiny body, complete with cute white gloves. I’d never seen a character like this before.

'It's really like a Pokemon, fascinating.' 

I thought, watching the Helper as it zoomed toward me.

[Greetings! I am the system 'Helper,' here to assist Ms. Dan-ah in your game progress from now on!]

[Before we begin, I’d like to guide you through a tutorial explaining the game. Would that be alright?]

...There was nothing more to be surprised about. It was already an unrealistic enough situation.

So it seemed doable to go through a tutorial with a talking strange creature.

Since it's come to this, I should at least directly hear exactly what situation I'm in. Plus, if there's a way to overcome this situation, that too.

"...Fine. Go ahead."

Arms crossed, I faced the large screen the Helper projected, ready for the 'presentation.'

*** 

It's now the second day since I entered the game.

"Huff... Hah! Haaa.... Oh geez..."

Right now, I was vigorously moving my body in the practice room.

[You can't be tired already! How much have you even done?!]

The Helper, now acting like an overenthusiastic coach, was shouting from beside me.

"You think I want to be tired?"

Annoyed, I half-heartedly swatted at the hovering Helper.

Even as its body crumpled, it continued to babble; whether it was cheering or mocking, I couldn’t tell.

[What happened to that ambition of yours? Didn’t you say you’d level up to 50 in no time? Come on, Ms. Dan-ah! You can do so much better!]

"Ugh, you're giving me a headache. Stop it."

Unable to wipe the sweat streaming down my face, I collapsed onto the floor, grabbing a nearby water bottle and chugging it like my life depended on it.

'What am I even doing here, really...'

As I lay sprawled out in an X shape, my eyes naturally drifted up toward the high ceiling.

If you ask me now whether I believe everything that’s happened... my answer is still ‘no.’

The only method I could come up with to adapt to this bizarre situation was to treat it like a literal ‘game.’

'A hyper-realistic... well-made VR game, that is.'

Instead of trying to make sense of the scientifically impossible, it seemed more practical for my survival.

Above all, I’m a former pro gamer, someone who’s played games like breathing. I could handle being stuck in this kind of game world all day.

“…….” 

[…….] 

After catching my breath, I roughly pushed back my bangs that were poking my eyes.

Still, it feels like I've been practicing here for a few hours. I wonder how much my experience has increased?

Without needing to wonder more, I called up the screen window the way the Helper had taught me yesterday.

'Main screen.'

As I called for that screen internally, a translucent screen popped up immediately. 

This is good, I must say. At least I didn’t have to say it out loud like when I first summoned the Helper.

One tiny advantage, but still…

----- ----- 

Name: Seo Dan-ah (Female/19) 

Current Status: HON Entertainment Trainee

⋅ 

⋅ 

⋅ 

----- ----- 

What was displayed on the main screen was my profile.

If there's anything unusual about it, it's that it's the profile of the 'game character', not the real me.

Naturally, the real me has no connection with any entertainment agency. I'm also four years older than what's indicated here.

And the most important thing. 

-Glance 

‘What’s with this face?’

The young girl reflected in the practice room’s large mirror - that wasn't my face.

This body I’m in right now isn’t mine. It’s just the avatar of some game character bearing my name.

A completely different existence from the real me.

As if to prove this, the mirror showed a beautiful face instead of mine.

Her expression was cold, but it was the kind of face that could melt into something softer when she smiled - a look that could change everything.

Yesterday, when I first saw this face, I was so stunned I couldn’t even speak. I nearly fell over.

Still, thanks to the “Mental Stability” reward the system threw at me the moment I confronted this new reality, I managed to keep my sanity intact.

By the way... it's still miserable.

I felt it yesterday too, but even for a pre-debut trainee, this is ridiculous. No, because I’m a trainee, it shouldn’t be like this.

And I’m talking about the stats... the stats.