At that moment, Hojin’s cat arrived at the filming set.

‘Finally...!’

How long I’d waited for this day. Today was the recording of the first ranking announcement. I’d heard they’d originally planned to film the ranking announcement during the last shoot, but it was postponed due to staff exhaustion and several contestants’ injuries.

‘If things had gone as planned, I could’ve gone to the church without waiting until next week.’

Still, I thought it was definitely for the best—after all, Galbi promised to help.

‘Even if he’s stingy, his skills are surprisingly good.’

Planning to found my own guild soon, I’d ranked Galbi first on my recruitment list: clear-headed, smart. None of the other members seemed brains-heavy, so I needed an ally. But I’d worry about that later.

‘Seo Hangyeol—just you wait.’

Today, I would definitely see Hangyeol’s face and unlock my skill limit. Fighting power: Max. Stepping briskly into the set, I saw two hundred and two chairs neatly arranged. They’d obviously revamped the set for the ranking announcement, and it looked unfamiliar.

“What’s this? They’ve redone everything. They must have money to burn.”

Yeonwoo clicked his tongue and looked around.

“Must be due to good ratings? Oh—hi.”

Taeeon offered similar thoughts but then got busy greeting familiar faces—everyone was an A-rank contestant. Some poor soul was busy running errands, labeled an F-rank lackey. As they say, speak of the devil: Gwak Hyeol spotted me from afar and ran over.

“Leader! I’ve missed you so much— cough...!”

He started coughing up blood as he appeared, and all the nearby contestants frowned and backed away.

“Hyung, are you okay?”

“I’m—cough—fine. But I feel bad for causing a fuss—”

“What are you talking about? I never said you were a nuisance. Let’s go somewhere else.”

I was also annoyed by the crowd, so after giving Yeonwoo and Taeeon a nod, I used Gwak Hyeol as an excuse to slip away. But he looked worse than last time—was it just me?

✧

A short while later, filming began. Tension crackled through the set. No one spoke; everyone either took a deep breath or stared tensely at the empty stage. I, too, stared ahead, heart hammering.

‘Where is Hangyeol hyung?’

Honestly, since I fell into Wilderness, I’d been living only for this day. With the moment I’d longed for now before me—and knowing today might be the last filming—my heart felt like it would burst.

‘No. My real goal was to unlock my skill limit. Even if I fall, I shouldn’t regret it.’

I sounded like an amateur to myself. Yet even as I used that mind trick, an unexpected surge of emotion welled up.

‘But it’s kind of galling, isn’t it?’

They’d hauled all these people back to Paju just for a ranking announcement. Half would survive, the other half would have to return home. They’re just wringing out broadcast segments, ordering people to come and go—typical network power play. I secretly ground my teeth, vowing to tear that rotten culture out by the roots. Suddenly, the front rustled ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) as a tall figure stepped onto the stage.

‘It’s hyung!’

I straightened my back, eyes wide. Hangyeol must have felt my stare, because he looked over. The moment our eyes met, the status window flashed in my mind:

【Detected separated ally “Seo Hangyeol (Unawakened).】

【Ally gathering (4/4).】

At last, the number filled. As if it had waited only for this, the status window scrolled message after message:

【“Skill Restriction” has been lifted.】

【“Fire Tornado” unlocked.】

【“Possession” unlocked.】

【“24-Hour Furnace” unlocked.】

【“Falling Flower” unlocked.】

“...!”

Wait just a second—something’s odd. That’s a lot of skills. If I leave it like this, the status window will block my vision and I’ll be blind.

“What are you doing...?”

I found myself flailing my arm at empty air—and F1’s voice reached me. Turning my head, I could see nothing but the status window. Once I cleared my view, everyone except me was already on their feet, clapping. I stood up quickly and joined in.

“War of the Chosen Stars, Star Hero! Hello, I’m MC Seo Hangyeol.”

Hangyeol scanned the contestants’ waiting area, pausing briefly on me before moving on.

“Finally, the day has come. Here we have 200 contestants remaining, excluding the two who’ve been dismissed.”

He explained that the top 50%—a hundred contestants—would survive, and the bottom 50% would be eliminated.

“Now, we begin the first Star Hero ranking announcement.”

At the mention of eliminations, the waiting area buzzed. Then a pale, thin hand slid out beside me—Gwak Hyeol had placed his palm on my thigh.

“What is it?”

“Could you... cough ...hold my hand?”

“Why?”

“I’m shaking so badly...”

I looked at them in disbelief, but F1 and F2 thought it was a good idea and clasped each other’s hands.

“This is our last day here.”

“That’s right. Let’s make a memory before we part.”

F1 and F2 had been eliminated on the spot by a blood fiend during the second evaluation. Honestly, it felt ridiculous for two grown men, but their pitiful act softened my heart. So, the F-rank lackey leader joined the rank announcement in that cringe-worthy scene.

[First Ranking Announcement]

Da-da-da—like tolling bells of fate, grand sound effects reverberated through the studio.

“First, the ten teams that narrowly avoid elimination are...”

Holding cue cards, Hangyeol slowly surveyed the waiting area. A slight smile teased his lips, ratcheting up the tension. Although many teams had been eliminated on-site during the second evaluation, they numbered at most twenty. This meant that among the mission passers, the bottom five teams would be eliminated.

‘If my name isn’t called this round, I’m in trouble.’

We’d taken a while to clear the mission, so I was nervous. I couldn’t afford to be eliminated—for the sake of Shusubong, at least. I’d resigned myself that it might happen, but if it really did...

‘Then I’ll become a righteous thief.’

I didn’t know. I’d think about that then. As I brushed away the headache, a vibration trembled up my thigh. I’d been pretending to be fine, but my body betrayed me. Looking down, I saw the hands I’d been holding were shaking uncontrollably.

“...?”

On closer look, it wasn’t me trembling—it was Gwak Hyeol. He looked even more gaunt than before, and I worried he might collapse.

“Hyung, are you really okay?”

“Huh? cough cough No. What if I drag you down with me?”

“Why would I get eliminated because of you? We’re in this together.”

I squeezed his hand tightly, reassuring him. Yet their names were never called. Gwak Hyeol hung his head, thinking they’d lost.

“I’m sorry... because of me...”

“We’ve only announced ten teams so far. It’s not over yet. Forty teams remain.”

It wasn’t a lie, but at that moment, I thought I’d lost. Then I noticed the camera on us and tried to act cool. If I was already doomed, I might as well leave with a good image for future schemes.

“Continuing with the next ten teams in the top 40%.”

As they began announcing the top 30%, Taeeon and Yeonwoo’s names were called. Their names came faster than their ranks suggested, but survival was what mattered. Those summoned moved to the Safe Zone behind Hangyeol. They rose and glanced back at me; when our eyes met, I felt at ease.

‘Right. I have insurance.’

Even if I got eliminated today, those two would still bring back Shusubong. I genuinely congratulated them as if my name had been called. The announcements continued—every team in the top 10% was named. Only one team remained.

“Among the 100 survivors, ninety-eight have been announced. Only one team remains.”

The judges’ evaluation was described as a one-point difference, and the two candidate teams’ faces appeared on the side screens. At that moment, strange sounds burst from either side.

“Eek!”

Gwak Hyeol and F1, F2 stifled screams. Simultaneously, I knew:

‘It’s me.’

Lucky Roi’s insane fortune was about to shine. I’d never get picked for something trivial yet be excluded from this? Not fair.

“The teams are: Gwak Hyeol F and Lee Roi F, and Gameo C and Jo Yeonil D. Which team will survive?”

A tense hush fell over the studio.

“The final team is—”

F1, F2, Yeonwoo, and Taeeon all prayed for Gwak Hyeol and my names to be called. Finally, Hangyeol spoke:

“Gwak Hyeol F and Lee Roi F!”

“Waaah!”

The screen filled with my wide grin as I pulled Gwak Hyeol into a hug.

“No way!”

Jo Yeonil leapt up, shouting in disbelief as cheers and applause erupted. By rank or skill, they’d expected her team to survive. Others voiced their shock too:

“Seriously? Those two?”

“Is that the shock, or the one-point difference?”

Gwak Hyeol, stunned, looked up at me.

“Are we really the ones who survived? cough cough”

“Of course! I told you you’d do well.”

At my angelic smile, Gwak Hyeol went slack-jawed, then finally burst into tears.

“Please come up on stage, both of you.”

Hangyeol said. I helped Gwak Hyeol to his feet. Though I tried to appear calm, I was as overwhelmed as he was. I thought, I’ll finally see that expensive face up close, and even felt a flutter of excitement.

“Hyung, stand up. You need to say your feelings.”

“Yeah... sob cough cough!”

But as Gwak Hyeol stood, he suddenly sank to his knees and began coughing violently.

“Hyung, are you okay?”

“cough gag urgh!”

Unlike before, the coughing wouldn’t stop. He even started spitting blood—so much it worried me that he might die.

“...Hyung?”