Before 2 AM struck the clock, SEEDZ and ALTAIR headed to the Pop Core's venue together.

After entering the venue, they were welcomed by Xi Huan and the rest in their waiting room.

"You all look so fresh!"

Xi Huan stared at them with jealousy in her eyes. Then, she stared at Jiji before pouncing toward him.

"Ajiji, did you see some pee—"

Xu Jiji squashed her face before she could even finish what she was saying. Xi Huan chuckled with Xu Jiji's hands in her mouth. She mumbled a few more words, but Xu Jiji didn't let her go, his face was even turning redder.

"Argh, can you shut up?!" Xu Jiji said.

When Xi Huan finally stopped mumbling, Xu Jiji finally let go of her. However, the moment his hands left her mouth, Xi Huan opened it again.

Fortunately, to save the situation, Adrian interrupted her. "Let's go prepare now!"

Xi Huan could only stop herself begrudgingly. Xu Jiji glared at her with a red face.

Pop Core was also a pre-recorded show. This show would mark the start of their second week's promotional performances. And this week, their song would also qualify in the charts.

The staff had also informed them that, as the youngest group, SEEDZ would be the first to record their performance. The team hastily prepared itself, while the managers collaborated with the show's stage staff for the stage setting.

Once everything was set...

Outfits, check. Cosmetic pages applied, check. Enhancers, check.

At last, the team headed to the stage. As soon as they stepped into the center, the spotlight shone on them and deafening cheers inundated their ears.

Even though it was a pre-recorded performance, there were still fans who cheered for them.

As the music started, the team performed wholeheartedly.

The recording concluded without any problems. This time, their reaps were quite low because their audience was limited to the people who came to the broadcast — unlike last time when even the audience in the livestream were able to resonate with the performance — albeit, slightly.

Still, just like their first performance, the audience was left in tears, bawling their hearts out below the stage.

"Why does every time I attend their stages, I get so dramatic? Huhuhu..."

"Sniff. I'm not a crybaby. Please believe me..."

"Mommy, I don't want to get up yet!"

As Rayen breathlessly watched this already familiar scene, a sharp pain stabbed his chest.

'Why do I feel like a horrible person?'

Making Edens cry just to earn money... Rayen somehow felt like a jerk.

...

With the pre-recording done, they could now head back to their dorm. As for the live broadcast, only the first-place nominees would be invited back to perform the encore stage for the champion team.

Rayen was asleep during the meeting, so he had no idea just how well their debut was even doing. Would their data be enough for them to get nominated?

They would probably receive the news by tomorrow.

Tired deep in their bones, Rayen and the rest of SEEDZ went back to their dorm and spent their morning sleeping, catching up on the sleep they lost the night before.

But as expected, Rayen woke up after experiencing the same dream again — the scene inside the classroom. This time, it wasn't as bad as the time he was drowning.

As Rayen calmly sat up in his bed, he glanced at Yeo Haru's bed not far away from his own. Yeo Haru was still sleeping soundly.

Rayen sighed and pulled out his phone, swiping his fingers directly to the support chat.

[Rayen: Hey.]

[Propagator: Yahoo~ What's the matter? (Mini Plotter blinking.gif)]

[Rayen: I've already solved the mystery of that nightmare. It's Yeo Haru, right?]

[Propagator: (Mini Plotter clapping.gif) Wow, congratulations! You got it right~]

Rayen's mouth twitched.

[Rayen: But why is the penalty still ongoing?]

Mini Plotter said he just had to solve the mystery. He had already solved it, yet when he looked at his status window, his Team Skill remained the same. And when he tapped it, there was still that penalty window.

'I want my peaceful sleep back!'

[Propagator: You indeed figured out the owner of the nightmare, but did you really solve it?]

[Rayen: What do you mean?]

[Propagator: What kind of principle did you even learn this time?]

"....."

Right, he didn't learn anything at all.

Perhaps he did learn how to be empathetic? But apparently, it wasn't enough to let him rank up his Team Skill.

Lips pursed, Rayen cursed in the chat.

[Rayen: *********]

Then, he sighed.

'Why is it so hard to get my peaceful slumber back?'

[Propagator: You're hurting me... Anyway, since you're having a hard time, why don't I try to help you out?]

Instead of feeling gratified for being presented with an opportunity like this, Rayen was more skeptical. It's kind of rare for Mini Plotter to be this generous.

[Rayen: What kind of help?]

[Propagator: I've just proposed a new activity for you guys to my original incarnation. You can anticipate it! I promise it's a very exciting activity!]

[Rayen: Why do I feel more unexcited with it?]

Mini Plotter only stuck out his tongue before disappearing, leaving Rayen with a very ominous feeling sprouting in his heart.

...

The next morning, SEEDZ had another scheduled group activity.

When the group arrived in the first-floor lobby, the entrance was swirling. Rayen halted in his steps.

'We're not using the vans?'

Their agency's entrance has three confirmed modes. They could see what mode it's in by observing it. From Rayen's recollection, the first mode is the isolated mode.

In the isolated mode, the entrance would be a simple French door with tinted glass. If they head out during this mode, they would be led to the greenhouse.

The second mode is the main entrance mode. During this mode, it would look like a modern building's rotating door.

Lastly, the portal mode. In this mode, they would only be able to see a swirling darkness beyond the door. Once they left through this portal, they could emerge from anywhere in the world.

It was truly a miracle. However, there came its downsides too. Using this portal was painful.

It seemed like their activity today wouldn't be inside Korea.

Begrudgingly, Rayen stepped inside the portal. The familiar swirling sensation assaulted his entire body, sending waves of nausea to the pit of his stomach. He felt like dough being kneaded repeatedly. The moment Rayen exited the portal, he crouched down, trying to hold back the vomit in his throat.

Vallenci's headquarters.

Madame Sophie immediately ran toward the sick Rayen.

"Are you okay?"

Rayen looked up, his face pale. "I'm... fine."

'I guess.'

Soon after, the rest of the members also gathered in the lobby of Vallenci's headquarters building.

Gradually, the dizziness inundating Rayen's head disappeared. When he felt fine at last, he stood up and looked around.

'Once again, I'm an illegal tourist.'

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