The goal is the Ending Fairy

Chapter 2

< Episode 2 >

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> > > (Attention! ) A "Required Task" has arrived!

[Required Task: 'Succeed as an Idol!']

Complete all given quests and the final event to see this game's ending!

> > Final Event Reward: Special Passive Skill "Return to Reality!"

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"... ... what?"

However, before I could understand the content, another pop-up appeared below it.

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> > A penalty is imposed if the task fails!

> Penalty: Player privileges deleted and health reduced by 100%

[※Warning]: When player health reaches '0%', the player will die.

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"No... wait, wait a second."

What the hell is this...?

My hand that had been in the air slowly lowered. Only then did I realize, through my trembling vision, that my pupils were shaking violently.

And then it hit me.

‘It’s exactly the same.’

I finally understood why the letter icons and screen felt inexplicably familiar.

'This is the idol game I was playing just before...!'

Knowing that, I became more and more convinced.

The contents were different. There had never been such a terrifying request like before.

However, the way the tasks appeared on the screen, the writing style, the tone... Everything else mirrored the system of 'that game'.

It was definitely not an illusion. How long have I been playing this game?@@@@

... But that's beside the point. The important thing is, this is real.

Then, what exactly happened? Did I somehow enter the game?

"... ... haha."

No. What nonsense....

Surely we don't have that level of technology yet. How could a person physically enter a game?

This must be... Yeah, like a hidden camera prank. If we think about it realistically, isn't this more likely?

- .......

However, no matter how much time passed, this damn message showed no signs of disappearing. Naturally, the mastermind behind the hidden camera scheme didn't show up either.

'... ... Seriously? ’

As time went on, I couldn't help but rethink the theory I had thought was impossible.

My fists clenched involuntarily. My palms had been drenched in sweat for a while now.

Perhaps I already knew I was deliberately ignoring 'something'.

That I was desperately trying not to accept the fact that ‘I had really entered the game.’

It doesn’t feel real but clearly, my situation was saying otherwise.

The screen suddenly going haywire while I was playing, the system window that made me press 'YES' against my will.

And finally, the required task to succeed as an idol.

When I pieced it all together, it became a fixed fact that I am in the game now.

The funny thing was, everything happened in both the most unrealistic yet natural way possible.

As I grudgingly accepted this, a strange shiver ran down my spine. Goosebumps, probably.

'First... first, let's calm down. Think slowly. That's how you survive.'

I shook my head hard, forcing myself to focus.

For a brief moment, thoughts of failing the task, or not being able to return home, crossed my mind.

But I quickly dismissed them. Such unproductive thoughts were off-limits right now.

"Phew...."

After taking a deep breath, I stared at the system window again.

Now, look carefully. The key part is the 'Final Event Reward'.

> > Final Event Reward: Special Passive Skill "Return to Reality!"

The message clearly stated that clearing this quest would grant me the special passive skill "Return to Reality".

In other words, I just needed to complete the given tasks successfully. Then I should be able to return to my original world.

Of course, it was easier said than done. Succeeding as an idol out of the blue wouldn't be easy.

Moreover, as a gamer, my knowledge on idols were all theoretical.

“.......”

[Before we begin, I’d like to guide you through a tutorial explaining the game. Would that be alright?]

...There was nothing more to be surprised about. It was already an unrealistic enough situation.

So it seemed doable to go through a tutorial with a talking strange creature.

Since it's come to this, I should at least directly hear exactly what situation I'm in. Plus, if there's a way to overcome this situation, that too.

"...Fine. Go ahead."

Arms crossed, I faced the large screen the Helper projected, ready for the 'presentation.'

***

It's now the second day since I entered the game.

"Huff... Hah! Haaa.... Oh geez..."

Right now, I was vigorously moving my body in the practice room.

[You can't be tired already! How much have you even done?!]

The Helper, now acting like an overenthusiastic coach, was shouting from beside me.

"You think I want to be tired?"

Annoyed, I half-heartedly swatted at the hovering Helper.

Even as its body crumpled, it continued to babble; whether it was cheering or mocking, I couldn’t tell.

[What happened to that ambition of yours? Didn’t you say you’d level up to 50 in no time? Come on, Ms. Dan-ah! You can do so much better!]

"Ugh, you're giving me a headache. Stop it."

Unable to wipe the sweat streaming down my face, I collapsed onto the floor, grabbing a nearby water bottle and chugging it like my life depended on it.

'What am I even doing here, really...'

As I lay sprawled out in an X shape, my eyes naturally drifted up toward the high ceiling.

If you ask me now whether I believe everything that’s happened... my answer is still ‘no.’

The only method I could come up with to adapt to this bizarre situation was to treat it like a literal ‘game.’

'A hyper-realistic... well-made VR game, that is.'

Instead of trying to make sense of the scientifically impossible, it seemed more practical for my survival.

Above all, I’m a former pro gamer, someone who’s played games like breathing. I could handle being stuck in this kind of game world all day.

“.......”

[.......]

After catching my breath, I roughly pushed back my bangs that were poking my eyes.

Still, it feels like I've been practicing here for a few hours. I wonder how much my experience has increased?

Without needing to wonder more, I called up the screen window the way the Helper had taught me yesterday.

'Main screen.'

As I called for that screen internally, a translucent screen popped up immediately.

This is good, I must say. At least I didn’t have to say it out loud like when I first summoned the Helper.

One tiny advantage, but still...

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Name: Seo Dan-ah (Female/19)

Current Status: HON Entertainment Trainee

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What was displayed on the main screen was my profile.

If there's anything unusual about it, it's that it's the profile of the 'game character', not the real me.

Naturally, the real me has no connection with any entertainment agency. I'm also four years older than what's indicated here.

And the most important thing.

-Glance

‘What’s with this face?’

The young girl reflected in the practice room’s large mirror - that wasn't my face.

This body I’m in right now isn’t mine. It’s just the avatar of some game character bearing my name.

A completely different existence from the real me.

As if to prove this, the mirror showed a beautiful face instead of mine.

Her expression was cold, but it was the kind of face that could melt into something softer when she smiled - a look that could change everything.

Yesterday, when I first saw this face, I was so stunned I couldn’t even speak. I nearly fell over.

Still, thanks to the “Mental Stability” reward the system threw at me the moment I confronted this new reality, I managed to keep my sanity intact.

By the way... it's still miserable.

I felt it yesterday too, but even for a pre-debut trainee, this is ridiculous. No, because I’m a trainee, it shouldn’t be like this.

And I’m talking about the stats... the stats.