Seungho carefully opened the door to take a peek. A member of staff grabbed the door and fully opened it and gave a little push to Seungho. "Don't be shy. You are the last one, they are all waiting for you."
Then closed the door behind him.
That is not reassuring at all.
No one seemed to have noticed him. The place was packed, and really loud. About half of the people wearing track suits of different colors. He looked at his own track suit. Ice blue.
I guess I should look for this color.
He straightened up and started walking.
Different colors were separated into specific spaces separated by old good rope dividers. Someone in a violet track suit seemed very eager to please a couple of young females.
Fans?
And then he realized they were all doing the same. Everywhere, idols pleasing fans. Male and female fans. Young and old.
He moved swiftly among them not to disturb. Their perfumes were pungent, he didn't smirk. Idols lived off fans, that much he knew about that world.
Then a voice.
"Hey check that out!"
"The suit? Where?!"
More and more voices.
"Look there!"
"Lucky bastard!"
"Who is he? Never seen him before...."
People started moving to the sides, letting Seungho pass. Voices lowered, eyes scrutinized Seungho.
From one side: "Is that what they have chosen?" "Can you believe it?"
From the other: "I was expecting more..." "Me too!" "What is his charm, I don't see it," said a girl with blonde hair in an emerald green track suit with stripes.
Ok, I am not a charming guy, I get it!
Seungho looked up not to meet people's eyes. His ears burning up red.
"Do you think he is tall enough?"
Shut up already!
Hmmm, I wish Sangmin was here... A friendly face could help.
The crowd had receded so much, he was now lonely walking in the middle.
Ok, now this is weird. Why is everyone moving away?
Then he felt pressure. Someone was staring at him, his expression full of hatred. It was someone with a red track suit with flames painted.
"He cannot be the one, is it?" "Yeah, as if!"
Seungho turned to look at him. His buddies sneered, elbowing each other. The other one just stared him down, muscles tight.
And something changed in Seungho. His blood reacted just enough to make him feel safe. A growl rumbled inside his chest, too low to hear. His body straightened up with each step. He felt he could take this guy if he wanted to. He simply didn't need to.
Seungho simply advanced, slowly and in control. He felt confident. It was a new feeling for him.
And then he saw an ice blue blur at the end of the gym. It was his group. Seungho's heart leaped.
My group!
He recognized Bae Ara.
Wait a minute. If she is there wearing an ice blue track suit, then...
And there she was. The Duke, staring at him, like everyone else.
Oh my, I see that is why they are all staring at me like that. And the comments....
I see their point.
Seungho held his expression straight.
Seungho, cannot show yourself weak now. Do your best poker face! Like in your old job.
The Duke stared at him intensely. It was scary. When Seungho approached the group all the stares moved onto her. And her expression shifted to a smile. Not too warm, but that of a leader.
It was like she could tell the exact moment people's eyes laid on her.
No wonder she is a top celebrity.
She extended her hand to welcome him to step over the cord separating the hunters from fans.
"Welcome. It is rare to be admitted straight into our team." Her voice deep and powerful.
Then dropped his hand immediately.
Wow, she switched her mood with such ease...
Bae Ara then leaned in. "She is annoyed."
Rude, but honest.
Everyone on the team gathered around him for a handshake and to congratulate him.
Is this common? Greeting like this?
One last hand came from between others and grabbed his pulling him. It was Sangmin.
"Took you long enough."
Seungho simply smiled, his face brightened.
"My my, you are going to make my fans jealous if you smile at me like that!"
Seungho laughed. Nothing could make him doubt now.
"I am so lucky you are here, otherwise I would be lost."
They shared matching track suits, for trainees. Theirs were plain, but the others bore various designs and colors, the Duke's that of a dragon. Like those seen in Medieval European paintings. Embroidered with high quality thread and done with such precision, it was clearly the work of a master.
In comparison the one with painted flames appeared amateurish at best.
Ha!
Seungho smiled, satisfied at the thought.
Bae Ara again: "Your fans are already jealous you are not paying attention to them. I mean, look at Hana-ssi, she is fuming." She laughed.
"Noona!" Sangmin admonished Bae Ara playfully. (Noona = literally older sister; honorific for a young male to an older female with whom he is close to.)
Then Sangmin to Seungho: "Here are the hardcore fans, only the most devoted have been invited to this special event."
"This is Choi Hana-ssi. She is the head of my fanclub." She bowed with composure, she looked very cute.
"Wow you have a fanclub?! I don't have one.... Am I supposed to have one?"
"That is quite alright," said the Mask, yet wearing another mask. "You are not expected to have one, but to work hard to make one."
"Jung Cheondoong-sunbae is right. I'll help you get one, and Hana-ya too, right?" (sunbae = senior, someone older in the same category, like workplace, school, hunter hierartchy)
That's right, he too was his sunbae.
She smiled "Yes!"
Three strikes on the floor called everyone's attention. The crowd immediately went silent.
Then again, rhythmically a series of wooden swords were struck on the floor. One by one the important executives, trainers and staff walked into the room on a stage. The red haired woman from the meeting as well. Seungho still didn't know her name.
When the new members of staff entered, everyone applauded. The lack of introductions was inconvenient, but Seungho felt the excitement vibrating in his bones. Nothing else mattered.
The last one entered. It was Sanghyun.
The room went quiet.
Sanghyun imperceptibly dragging his feet. He didn't hide his disappointment. Even the CEO tolerated that behavior.
The disappointment must be greater than I thought.
"What happened?? Why is he ... over there?!" someone whispered in shock.
"That guy took his spot, he came in last minute."
Seungho knew they were talking about him. He froze.
That is not what happened, is it?
Seungho looked at Sangmin. From his expression, Seungho knew Sangmin too knew it was him who took the spot.
***
Three more thuds on the floor closed the ceremony speech. Some fans approached Seungho wanting to learn about him.
Sangmin whispered: "This is your chance to make your first fans. Make a good impression!"
"What do you mean? I don't know how."
Sangmin smirked. "Just be yourself," and winked at him.
Another trainee moved the fans away. What he had to say to Seungho was more important.
Seungho didn't move.
This guy was wearing the red track suit with painted flames. From up close they looked even worse.
Why is he allowed to do that?
Sangmin intervened: "Minjun-ssi, what are you doing? These are my fans!"
"Uri Wangja-nim is the best!" the fans cheered.
"Do your fans call you 'our prince'?" asked Seungho.
"Yes, some do." said Sangmin modestly, brushing his hair with his hand.
More trainees from the same team joined Minjun. Seungho then realized in the Duke's team the only two trainees were them.
"Are these your buddies?" asked Sangmin.
"What is your score, Yang Seungho-ssi?" Minjun demanded of Seungho.
"What score?"
"I cannot believe you! Already pretending!" added one of Minjun's buddies. The other inciting Minjun.
"Fine, if you won't tell me I will check it myself." Minjun opened his screen and searched for Seungho's score.
He pulled up Seungho's stats for everyone to see.
.
[ NAME: Yang Seungho ]
[ AURA: 1 ]
[ IDOL RANK: 0 | COMBAT HUNTER RANK: 0 ]
[ ENTRANCE SCORE: 7 OVERALL ]
[ E-CLASS ]
.
Then Minjun turned his screen toward the crowd.
"Is this a joke?" he announced.
He looked back at Seungho.
"zeros? you actually got zeros for rank? How did you manage that!?" He laughed.
Murmurs rippled through the onlookers.
His screen flickered open. Minjun angled it toward Seungho like a verdict.
"Can you spot the difference?" Said Minjun to Seungho mockingly.
.
[ NAME: Kwak Minjun ]
[ AURA: 4 ]
[ IDOL RANK: D | COMBAT HUNTER RANK: C ]
[ ENTRANCE SCORE: 78 OVERALL ]
[ C-CLASS ]
.
Seungho couldn't believe it. He didn't even make it into the two digits.
"Seven," Minjun laughed. "Seven. And you're on the Duke's team."
He turned to the others. "You see? This is what we're competing with."
"Who is behind this? There is no way you were stronger than Sanghyun-sunbae."
Seungho said nothing. What could he say?
Someone yelled "Silence!"
They all turned to see who it was. It was Sanghyun. Standing, mana glowing.
Before speaking, his mana retreated.
"What are you doing, Minjun-ssi? Are you saying Entre's trainers can't tell the difference? Watch what you say next."
Minjun's jaw tightened. He said nothing.
He looked at Seungho. His eyes promised he'd remember this.