Idol Revive: If I Don't Debut, I'll Disappear
Chapter 57: Bonus Trial

Chapter 57: Bonus Trial

During the past few days after the first episode of the open broadcast aired, Plotter hadn’t been able to sleep well.

Currently, he was in front of multiple screens alongside the other editing and writing staff. All of them had plump bags under their eyes, their faces illuminated by the glow of the screen.

On the screen, the unedited recordings of the first round preparations were playing. The innocent face of the troubled Jiji appeared.

"Can’t I choose Sis Iris?" Jiji on the screen said.

"Stop," Plotter instructed. "Delete that."

In another clip, Yeo Haru kept shouting that they were dead. Plotter just wanted to shut this person’s mouth.

Yeo Haru had so many interesting clips, but unfortunately, he would utter confidential words every now and then, forcing the production staff to delete most of it.

’Should I put a filter in their mouths?’

Not the system filter, but a literal physical filter.

Plotter stared at the screen with an unreadable expression, his usual playful smile nowhere to be found.

Who could even smile in this situation? They had to detect these small unfiltered words and scenes like needles in a haystack and delete them one by one.

"I should probably update the filtering system just for this."

The filtering system he had designed was only for highly confidential stuff that even Entities weren’t allowed to know. However, seeing how this problem was escalating lately, it seemed that he had to upgrade it.

"But I would have to read the Life Books in order to list out restricted words. It’s not even my domain," he murmured to himself, pondering over this great problem.

Plotter’s power as the Overseer of Scribes was only related to writing and recording the possible trajectories of fate in Life Books.

He could do other things with a cheat though.

After discovering that he could create artificial book pages, he created the Memorial Shop and this building with spatial magic.

"Heh, reading some books really makes a person smart," Plotter muttered to himself.

He had learned about the mechanics of spatial magic from a Life Book of a certain mangaka before. Integrating those rules and mechanics in an artificial Life Book page, he had activated a scenario in this whole building so he and the staff members could manipulate the space.

But his problem right now required him to gather a new list of restricted words. As an Overseer, why would he tire himself out with such a tedious chore?

"Should I hire a Librarian?"

Librarians could help him gather these. They’re used to that kind of work, after all. Working with an old man made them like an old man too.

Then, using the collected words, he could feed them into his filtering system. That way, they wouldn’t need to edit it manually.

"Heh, I’m really smart."

His previous experience of becoming a system programmer in one of his lives allowed him to think these kind of ideas.

However, a woman’s voice disrupted his thoughts.

"If you hire a Librarian, be prepared to face the Old Man. You just stole his Life Books, you know?"

"Oh. I forgot about that," Plotter mumbled, deep in contemplation.

Suddenly, he paused.

"Who’s that?"

Quickly lifting his gaze, he found a production staff member holding up a phone before him, but because he was too distracted thinking, he didn’t notice it. Finally, Plotter realized what was happening.

"Uh... Director!" Plotter smiled ingratiatingly at the Director on the screen. "What’s up? Hehe..."

"Come down here."

"Where?"

"....." Director fell silent for a moment. "Did you forget about it?"

"I-I didn’t!"

Although he truly had forgotten.

"If you don’t come down to the lounge within 10 minutes, I’ll make your idol disappear."

The phone screen immediately switched to a familiar red-haired man talking with another participant, his expression deadpan.

Looking at the date on the computer screen, Plotter finally remembered today’s agenda.

...

After arriving at the lounge where the participants had already gathered, Plotter complained. Especially about Jiji and Yeo Haru, as they had given him the hardest time.

It was even tempting to revert them back to their seed forms.

However, the Director’s glare made him jump in fright. Quickly switching the topic, Plotter finally revealed the reason they were gathered.

"Alright. Today, we’ll be filming the second segment for the private broadcast," Plotter announced.

The participants all ceased their conversation and intently listened to the finally serious Plotter.

But Rayen was puzzled.

’I thought only those who passed the first segment would proceed to the next one?’

Someone voiced the same question as Rayen’s thoughts.

"Yes, of course. That’s why we will give you a final chance to join the next segment," Plotter answered without any unnecessary playful jabbings.

’It was really effective tiring him out. He’s less annoying now.’

However, when Plotter’s usual creepy smile returned to his face, Rayen felt a foreboding sense of unease. Even more so when Plotter briefly glanced at him.

Now, he was sure that something unpleasant was coming.

"Those who didn’t pass will now retake the first segment."

Hearing that, Rayen’s world immediately collapsed.

’No!!!’

Yet, Plotter didn’t stop there. Snapping his fingers, Rayen and the other participants were suddenly transported back to a familiar cramped room.

In Rayen’s practice room, there was a small screen before him, which immediately flickered to life upon sensing his arrival.

"Good morning, Participant," the demonic woman greeted. "Let’s proceed with the training routine."

’I don’t want to!’

"You have 1 hour to finish the routines," she continued.

Flustered by the sudden turn of events, Rayen’s mind hadn’t been able to keep up. But hearing those words, he immediately opened his mouth.

"Wait, wait, wait!" He shouted. "What 1 hour? Last time, it was 4 hours!"

The woman answered expressionlessly, "This is a bonus trial. If you fail to complete it, you will have to take another four-hour routine later."

’So basically, it’s 5 hours?!’

Rayen cried internally.

What chance?! This was a punishment! Who the heck could finish 40 routines within an hour?

"As this is a bonus trial, we will only do 15 routines."

’Oh, that’s kinda acceptable...’

Rayen could finally sigh in relief.

"Let’s proceed. Keep up with me."

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