From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

[Oh, jinx!] LEVEL-UP? It was way better than June had expected. It was a bit of a mouthful, but it fitted well with his personal concept. Now, he wondered if Fu had any say in the group name. Then, the letters started shifting until only three letters were visible. June raised his eyebrows, looking pleasantly surprised. EVE.

"We have our team name!" Minho exclaimed.

"After much deliberation, the producers have decided that this eight-member idol group would be named LEVEL-UP, with the abbreviation EVE." - Damn, that's actually pretty good. Easy on the mouth, too.

- EVE! Consider me a fan from now on.

- What an upgrade from BOYMYSTIC. Nico groaned in annoyance after their name was announced.

"Alright, this is fucking unfair," he muttered under his breath.

"LEVEL-UP has been chosen as it signifies the group's limitless journey of growth and progress in the world of music and entertainment. The group is compelled to challenge themselves to reach higher levels of skill, and there are no limits to what they can achieve." June pursed his lips, feeling like he was in a bizarre situation. Was it just a coincidence, or did Minho perfectly describe what Fu was to June? [That's all I am to you?] Minho continued, "The abbreviation, EVE, carries the connection to their goal of unlimited growth. EVE is the beginning, the start of something new and unexplored. It symbolizes the endless opportunities that lies ahead for LEVEL-UP. Just as the first day of creation, EVE represents a fresh start, a chance to redefine oneself with music and talent."

"And now, we have our EVE," Minho exclaimed in a loud voice.

"Although the show has ended, it is only the beginning for them," he said, the music becoming more mellow. The cameras focused on the eight dazzling new idols, and the dome erupted into cheers.

"This has been Rising Stars," Minho said his last words.

"Please look forward to LEVEL-UP!" And just like that, the show had ended. The cameramen turned off their cameras, and the audience started speaking loudly, excited for what was about to come. The families of the trainees who didn't make it ran to the stage, comforting their heartbroken children. Jangmoon ran to C-Jay and hugged him, whispering comforting words into his ear.

"You've worked hard," Jangmoon said. C-Jay shook his head and pulled away.

"We've worked hard." Meanwhile, the members of EVE stayed in their seats, still finding everything surreal. Sehun looked at the scene before him with tears brimming in his eyes. However, when their pink-haired center quickly moved down the pyramid stage, they all quickly snapped out of their emotional states. June didn't want to stay in his seat any longer since it was too high. So, he turned around, the light illuminating his face. Then, he smiled softly at his new members.

"Let's go?" he said.

The seven other trainees smiled back at him and nodded. They stood up and left their seats, now going to new heights. They were greeted by their family members and friends. June felt someone hug his waist, so he glanced down and saw Minjun beaming up at him with a bright smile. June chuckled as he ruffled his hair.

"You look even happier than me."

"And you look disappointed for someone who debuted as the center," Minjun pointed out. June pursed his lips. That's because he still didn't want to become the group's center! "You made it, dear child," Grandma said, snapping him out of his thoughts. June turned around and smiled at the old woman, opening his arms so she could also give him a hug. Grandma, with tears in her eyes, wrapped her arms around the handsome young man. June chuckled, his shoulders shaking, as Grandma continued to sob against his chest.

"Why are you crying for, Grandma?" he asked. Grandma sniffed, wiping her tears with a floral handkerchief. She moved away for a second and proudly smiled at June.

"I'm just really happy," she sincerely said.

"I can't believe the skinny kid who always ate over at our place now became an idol."

"I can't believe it, too," June muttered.

"We're going to be seeing each other less often now," she smiled sadly, and Minjun, too, slumped his shoulders.

"You won't be getting rid of me anytime soon," June said in a resolute voice.

"You're stuck with me for life."

"Bummer," Minjun said, trying to hide his disappointment.

"You should really get busy, so we'll only get to see each other on special occasions."

"Oh, you'll definitely like that, won't you?" June sarcastically asked.

"I will," Minjun proudly smiled.

"I won't miss you at all." Meanwhile, in the corner of the stage stood Lin Zhi. No one came for him for the finale, and that was fine for him—he didn't need his real family anyway. However, as he glanced to the side where Laohu should be sitting, he frowned in disappointment when he saw that he, too, wasn't there. Lin Zhi felt alone…and defeated. It still didn't hit him that their fool-proof plan actually failed. That man—the one who gave the envelope to Minho at the very last moment—was definitely the one responsible for his failure. But now, Lin Zhi wondered who that man could be and if there was someone involved behind it all. As he continued gazing in the distance, his eyes met a pink item. Lin Zhi's eyes focused on June, who was staring right at him with a smug smirk. Lin Zhi clenched his jaw. So, it was probably him, huh? June walked over to where Lin Zhi was, and at that moment, it felt like only the two of them were in the dome, the background noise simply turning to static. Lin Zhi continued glaring at June with profound hatred, but the latter wasn't fazed at all.

"So, it's you," Lin Zhi coldly said as June settled before him.

"What are you talking about?" June innocently asked.

"I'm sure you have something to do with this," Lin Zhi said.

"I underestimated you, but hear this: I'm not letting you get away with it."

"What are you going to do?" June asked.

"You don't want to mess with the next big thing, you know?" June boasted, throwing Lin Zhi's past words right back at him. Lin Zhi's nostrils flared, but he kept himself calm.

"Now that you've achieved greater heights, your downfall will be much more painful," he cryptically said, looking at the people who continued to cheer for June.

"Is that so?" June asked, looking Lin Zhi dead in the eyes. Lin Zhi froze as June's tone changed.

He seemed like a totally different person just now. June smirked and took a step closer to Lin Zhi, leaning closer to his ear. Then, he whispered… "Murderer."