From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

"So, the number five on the wall was actually the number of people to be eliminated?" Akira asked as he munched on the popcorn like a hungry caveman.

"I didn't expect it at all," Sehun said, amazed at the scale of the production.

"SBC is truly a menace," Akira clicked his tongue while shaking his head.

Xion turned to him with an amused smile before nudging his shoulder. "You know that the cameras and microphones are on, right? The staff must be listening to our conversation."

"Of course," Akira deviously smiled. "All the more reason why they should hear me complaining. I almost drowned and burned to death. They should know that they placed their precious artists in grave danger!"

"Stop complaining. We almost suffocated because of your feet but you don't hear us saying anything," Ren chimed, his cheeks also filled with popcorn.

"Bro, will you stop saying that?" Akira exclaimed in frustration. "I told you—my feet don't smell any—"

"Shh," Jaeyong said, stuffing both of his members' mouths with more popcorn as June and Haruki entered yet another room—a chamber that appeared smaller than the rest of the escape rooms. There was nothing but two chairs facing each other inside. No silly props and no projections on the wall.

Meanwhile, the eliminated members were living their best lives in the wide, white room where they had their first game. The staff had refilled their snacks and added one more couch for their comfort.

The scene before them played on a large projector, letting them watch what was going on in the very last room.

"I have to give props to the team, though," Akira chimed. "I was actually scared earlier. I thought I was in 'Scallop Game' for a second."

Gideon nodded in agreement. "It's hard to believe that these two made it in the finale, though."

"What do you mean?" Jisung asked. "They're actually the most likely pair to make it into the finale! They contributed the most to the games. They also led us well."

"I agree," Xion said. "Their auras are no joke. I'm glad I'm not in that room anymore. I bet the tension is suffocating. I could feel it even when I'm here!"

The others collectively nodded in agreement.

Indeed, they were right.

The tension in the room was suffocating; the two were almost unable to breathe.

With their close proximity, Haruki's hatred for June became even more apparent.

"Welcome to the final stage," the creepy voice resonated in the room.

"It is a joy to see the two of you here. It went exactly as I had planned."

The two frowned in confusion at the voice's cryptic message.

"It was heartwarming seeing the two teams working together to solve my mind-boggling puzzles. However, what you failed to realize is that this is still a game."

"You are not a team. You are rivals."

"And now, you are now representing your respective teams."

"The winner of this game will win an exciting prize exclusive to your team."

Those in the white room perked up once they heard that there would be a benefit. They started rooting for their respective members despite not knowing what it was.

"June all the way!" Jisung cheered.

Gideon shook his head. "Haruki's smart too!"

"The rules are simple," the voice continued while Haruki and June listened attentively.

"Do not break character."

Just then, a card flew toward them. They were both surprised since it was moved by an unseeable force.

"Read the situation."

Haruki pursed his lips as he hesitatingly grasped the card.

"Two trainees. One dream," he started off.

June waited for Haruki to read the next statement. However, after those four words, he paused, confusing June.

Haruki read the card with his eyes, wondering how they were able to come up with such a situation. It almost seemed like the production crew was also aware of their ongoing conflicts.

"The two of you are now fighting for a debut spot," Haruki finally continued.

June felt his heart skip a beat once Haruki said those words. For some reason, he didn't have a good feeling for this particular game.

Although he still couldn't fully decipher Choi Joon-ho's past, he was aware that the original body also had its fair share of dark secrets.

His trainee life was, undoubtedly, the darkest of them all.

"You are willing to do anything to debut," Haruki said, pursing his lips.

"Betrayal. Hatred. Crime."

Haruki paused after he said the last word, meaningfully gazing at June in the process. June knew those words were directed at him.

Just then, another card flew over their way, interrupting their intense stare-down.

June reached for the card but quickly halted when the voice spoke.

"Do not open it," the voice instructed.

"There is a statement within the card—not more than ten words," the voice continued.

"Here is the game's objective: Figure out the statement inside with only your conversation. The first person who states it out loud will be hailed as a winner."

"Here's a tip—everything happens for a reason. Everything you see is there for a reason," the voice meaningfully said.

"Now, let us start the game," the voice said, a twinge of excitement evident in his tone.

"And always remember—do not break character."

"Dang, I feel like I'm watching a drama," Ren said, already intrigued by what was happening.

"SBC is insane," Akira said, feeling goosebumps all over his skin. "But I like it! This is so much fun. I really feel like I'm watching a real-life survival game! I bet this is going to be a hit with the audience once it comes out."

"How are they going to figure out the statement without any clues, though?" Nashon asked with a frown.

"I know, right?" Zeth said. "Are they just going to converse and expect to blurt out the secret message?"

The two people inside the chamber were also confused. Nonetheless, this felt like the confrontation that June was secretly hoping to have.

For a moment, none of them spoke, not really finding the right words to say. However, something flashed in Haruki's eyes, and at that moment, June knew he was going to start the conversation.

"Why did you do it?" Haruki's voice sliced through the tense silence, sending chills down everyone's spine.

His gaze bore into June, searching for answers in the depths of his eyes.

June smirked and leaned against his chair.

Ah, it has finally started.