Chapter 61…
Rhythm Poten.
Also known as a timeless masterpiece among idol games, this was a game every streamer ended up passing through at least once.
The reason?
It had rhythm-game-style mini-games where you dance to the beat, or sing to the rhythm and melody.
So naturally, any streamer who thought they could sing even a little would always give it a shot.
Which is why even streamers who weren’t gaming specialists but mainly did music also ended up playing it at least once.
That solid, reliable “comfort food” of a game was now beginning here and now.
“Trainee! Pull yourself together, trainee!”
The screen darkened briefly before a sharp voice rang out.
A good-looking man—though how to describe him?
A man with an unbearably sticky gaze was staring at Lee Ji-han.
“Yeah, you! Didn’t you come here because you wanted to be an idol?”
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋFirst time seeing LPJ, right?]
[Ji-han, Piljae-hyung can be really spicy]
[Don’t panic, he’s actually a good guy]
[Yeah, especially to handsome guys]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋThat sounded way too suggestive]
[But yeah, since everyone makes hot avatars, he usually ends up liking them anyway]
Lee Piljae—called LPJ.
A musician himself, now the proud CEO of an agency.
And also someone who lived as an educator, raising idols personally.
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋBut he really does look kinda… erotic]
[Like, his features are kinda indecent?]
[Doesn’t he look like a total flirt?]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋHe’s not, though]
“Why aren’t you answering! Huh?”
“Ah, yes! I came because I want to be an idol!”
Ji-han snapped out of his daze, shaken by the chaotic chat, and answered.
But even then, Piljae just snorted, unimpressed.
“Your face is decent. Build’s good. What are you, an idol or an athlete?”
His eyes scanned Ji-han’s entire body.
Feeling exposed, Ji-han instinctively hunched—
“What’s with the shyness! Straighten your back!”
Barked orders. Ji-han instantly shot upright.
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋNever seen Ji-han this flustered before]
[Piljae’s presence is intense]
[For even Cheonma to be shaken ㄷㄷ]
[Kinda pitiful though, maybe it’s the avatar]
Now, Ji-han stood stiff as a soldier under discipline.
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋLooks like one of those dog-training YouTube vids]
[There are no bad Ji-hans, only bad ownersㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Aww, our puppy’s getting trainedㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
The vibe was more “puppy in training” than “promising soldier.”
“So, what can you do, trainee?”
The sharp voice made Ji-han flinch. He racked his brain.
Dance? Singing? Instruments?
…Unfortunately, he’d never touched any of those.
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋJi-han’s totally frozen]
[Say what you’re good at! Anything!]
[The system buffs you anyway, just wing it]
[Singing? Dancing? Variety?]
[…He’d suck at all three though]
“What, still no answer?”
“I… I don’t know what I’m good at.”
At first, Piljae sneered. But then, seeing Ji-han’s eyes, he paused.
There was no joke there—only genuine weight and struggle.
“…You came to be an idol without any weapons? You think this is a joke?”
“I know, but… I’ve never sung before. Or danced.”
“Then what on earth have you done until now?”
After a moment of scrutiny—
“Can I… show you here?”
“Ha! Show me what? Fine, go ahead. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Ji-han checked the space, loosened his body.
Not necessary in VR, but it was ritual—his routine before a performance.
And then—
“—!”
Piljae felt pressure, as though his breath stopped.
[Whoa…]
[First time seeing him go all out]
[So it was gymnastics, not football, right?]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋYeah, makes sense now]
The chat grew quiet.
Flip! Whirl!
Ji-han launched into tumbling, filling the narrow room with leaps, rolls, twists—
Not flashy martial arts style, but precise, clean gymnastics.
It was raw proof of who he was.
[…]
[Clip this, hurry]
[Shut up, let me focus]
[Wow…]
Silence. Awe. Overwhelming.
Final jump—
Triple spin in midair, landing into a roll, then standing.
“Phew.”
He exhaled lightly.
“…That’s what I’ve been doing.”
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Why’d you ruin it at the endㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[“That’s what I’ve been doing” LMAO]
[Ji-han, please, stay cool for once!]
A dopey ending line.
“…Hey, trainee. You.”
But Piljae’s trembling voice ignored it.
“Even if you can’t sing—it’s fine. Dance. You’ll reach the peak through dance…!”
[?]
[????]
[Piljae-hyung?]
[Never seen him like thisㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
“What’s your name again?”
“Lee Ji-han.”
“Right. Ji-han. Let’s do this for real. You can be the peak.”
His small eyes glistened, barely holding back tears.
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋIs Piljae crying?]
[He’s really cryingㅋㅋㅋ]
[He’s gotten way too sensitive after the patch;;]
[But yeah, that wasn’t a talent show, that was insane;]
And so began Ji-han’s “hell training” under Lee Piljae.
Unlocked difficulty: Hell.
Passing required a much higher score.
But rewards for success? Stat boosts across the board.
[Ji-han’s doomedㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Why’d you say yes so fast!]
[This dumb bearㅠㅠ]
Soon after, Piljae clapped loudly, grinning.
“Alright, Ji-han. Let’s begin practice!”
“Yes… I’ve really never done this before, so please teach me kindly, sir.”
“Not sir! Call me hyung!”
“Yes, hyung. Please take care of me.”
Thus began the tutorial—
Or rather, Hell Mode Piljae’s tutorial.
Strong beats, easy catchy lyrics, the classic idol hit formula.
But the notes were insane, pouring down relentlessly.
Still, Ji-han stood tall.
“Phew… Then let’s dance.”
And he struck the first move—perfect, idol-level visuals.
Thus began the long journey toward Ji-han’s debut.
