RAP STAR

Chapter 54 [verse 9. Twisted World]

"Wild card was unanimously chosen for you guys."

"Thank you."

"No need for thanks."

Upon returning to the waiting room with the surprising news, Kim Woong-gak, leader and drummer of Under Kid, approached L&S.

"We just wanted to see a bit more of rap metal bands from all the judges. Don't misunderstand, I didn't do anything special."

"Yes!"

Even Bang Min-sik, who usually received special treatment as the older brother, looked humble in front of Under Kid, the patriarchs of the Korean indie band scene.

"You're Lee Sang-hyun, right? The leader of 888 Crew?"

Kim Woong-gak's gaze fell on Sang-hyun.

"I'm not the leader. My friend Shin Jun-hyung is, and he didn't participate in this competition."

"Is that so?"

Kim Woong-gak glanced at Sang-hyun for a moment, then chuckled and patted his shoulder.

"Hey, we know how malicious the showbiz can be with editing. We don't hold any grudges against you, so don't be nervous. If anything, we felt sorry that the fans and younger ones were too harsh on you."

Sang-hyun nodded in response to Kim Woong-gak's words.

Whether he genuinely felt that way or not, there was no need to make a fuss if it could be smoothed over like this.

"Normally, staff would convey this message, but I came just because I wanted to see your faces. But still, we have a strange connection, don't we?"

"Yes."

Kim Woong-gak smiled manfully.

"Do you know who your opponent is in the quarterfinals?"

"No, I haven't heard."

"We drew the matchups, and it's annoying. Your opponent is Golden Finger again."

"Golden Finger..."

It was an unexpected announcement, but most of them actually thought it was a good thing.

"You don't seem intimidated by the expression on your face. Haha."

After exchanging a few words of encouragement, Kim Woong-gak left the waiting room. Time was running short. L&S, Mi-ju, and Sang-hyun began their meeting.

How can we beat Golden Finger?

The conclusion was simple: bring forward the song we saved for the finals.

"But hyung, that's the song we planned for the finals."

Min-sik shrugged at Chan-hyun's question.

"If we get eliminated in the round of 8, there won't be a finals."

"But still...!"

"Why save the song? That's your best creation. Let's give it our all."

"Ah..."

Chan-hyun bowed his head deeply and pondered for a while before nodding reluctantly.

While the rest of L&S members cheered spiritedly, declaring, "We've already won the round of 8!" amid the collective enthusiasm, Chan-hyun felt left out.

He was the only one who hadn't heard what Min-sik referred to as their "secret weapon."

"It's two o'clock now, and our stage is around eight, right? Six hours left."