GIJS

Chapter 37

Guest

삐이이이-. [Biiiii-.]

The first to press the buzzer was Riot, the producer from the hip-hop label DMG.

Before Jeong Hae-jin's words were even finished, Riot slammed his fist down on the buzzer so hard that it almost broke.

There had already been two previous competitions before the "Manner Control Team" stage.

In the two previous auctions, the starting bid for each was around 100 coins.

After some competition, the final winning bid was formed around 400 coins.

Thus, the judges had expected that bidding for this round would start around 100 coins as well.

"1000!"

Riot's initial bid left everyone's mouths agape.

"W-wait, not 100, but 1000? Producer Riot, are you sure?"

"Definitely."

Riot's large bid from the start made the judges' seats stir with excitement.

The judges had been given a total of 3000 auction coins.

Since they needed to participate in eight auctions with these 3000 coins, ideally, they should not spend more than 500 coins on a single track.

However, Riot, seemingly unconcerned with the future, boldly bet 1000 coins, demonstrating his determination.

"The producer from DMG, Riot, is making a huge bid right from the beginning. Are you sure you won't regret this?"

"If I miss out on this track, I think I'll regret it the most."

"I see. Then, could you briefly comment on what you liked about [Unmannered Ones]?"

"Well, it's just incredibly hip and really good, and it's a very popular track."

Riot's blunt critique made Jeong Hae-jin chuckle.

"Ha, haha, Producer Riot, even so, can you tone down the swear words a bit...?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. But if I don't use strong language, I can't express how I feel."

Several judges nodded quietly at Riot's comment. It seemed they all agreed with his opinion that the song was indeed outstandingly good.

"To be honest, the thematic consistency of each verse isn't 100%. There are definitely some inconsistencies, and it seems like there were too many elements crammed in."

"So, it means the song isn't without flaws."

"But that's from a professional's perspective."

"Aha."

"The sound of the geomungo is amazing, the hook is incredibly addictive, and the verses are unique. It's definitely a track that can appeal to the public."

"I see."

"And what's that at the end? Pansori? I've never seen such a thorough Pansori rap being crammed into a verse. I never imagined seeing that on an idol survival stage..."

"So you're saying that 1000 coins is not at all too much for this track?"

"Yeah. But I think it might go even higher."

As if to prove Riot's words, the buzzer began ringing continuously.

삐이이이-.

Next, Han Yi-jeong, a lyricist from Poetic, bid 1200 coins.

삐이이이이-.

In response, A-Yuk-Si trainer Young Eon-chae offered 1400 coins.

삐이이, 삐이이이, 삐이이이이-.

1500, 1600, 1750...

The bid soared to astronomical heights, and all the judges showered the track with praise.

"The hook is really sticking and doesn't let go."

"Who came up with the idea of mixing geomungo base beats with a traditional Korean style hook?"

"Moreover, the geomungo and gayageum were not MTR but played live on-site, right?"

"To be able to see such a performance on an idol survival show is truly..."

"There are some slightly unbalanced parts, but if we can win the bid for the track, those can be adjusted."

"Anyway, the sources are so good and unique..."

2500, 2600, and soon the bid climbed close to 3000.

Watching the flashing display, Gunja clenched his fists.

Though he had never participated in an auction, he understood what was happening now.

The judges were fervently bidding high prices for the song they had painstakingly created.

Ji Hyun-soo, standing to the right, also had tears welling up in his eyes, seemingly overwhelmed with pride.

Despite his doubts, he had managed to achieve something so magnificent.

Gunja felt proud of his new colleague, Ji Hyun-soo.

"...Gunja."

"Hmm?"

"It's thanks to you."

"What do you mean...?"

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had the confidence."

"Haha, I just told you to believe in yourself."

"Well, I believed in your advice to believe in myself."

Hmm? Isn't that the same thing?

Anyway, now that they had created such a brilliant song, Ji Hyun-soo's perfectionist curse might be slightly eased.

Having created such a fantastic song, he could afford to believe in his abilities a bit more...

['Perfectionist' curse is now strengthened.]
Hmm? Not eased, but strengthened?

[Curse: Extreme Perfectionism (Pursues ultimate perfection)]
"Hehe... I guess hard work comes with rewards..."

"Hyun-soo?"

"Ha, next time, I'll work even harder, to the point of death..."

Saying this, Hyun-soo smiled faintly with vacant eyes.

Whether this was a good thing or not was something Gunja couldn't determine.

Meanwhile, the bid for [Unmannered Ones] continued to rise uncontrollably.

"2700! Judge Han Yi-jeong bids 2700 coins!"

"I'll go with 2800."

"I'll bid 2900."

"Now at 2900! The maximum bid of 3000 is right around the corner!"

It was only the third auction, and judges were already pouring all their assets into the bid.

This meant that other competition tracks were considered irrelevant.

Joo Ha-sung, who was preparing for the next stage, bit his lower lip tightly.

First place in the viewer's vote, combined with the genius producer Noel.

Despite having a team regarded as the Avengers of the creation mission, Joo Ha-sung's team, 'Flavorz,' was completely overshadowed.

"...Ugh, I'll go with 3000..."

"3000! The highest bid has been placed! Trainer Young Eon-chae from A-Yuk-Si has bid 3000 coins for [Unmannered Ones]!"

Eventually, Trainer Young Eon-chae poured 3000 coins into the bid, but the buzzer didn't stop.

"I'll also bid 3000."

"Me too."

"Me too, 3000!"

"Me too, I bid 3000."

Six judges offered the maximum bid of 3000.

Unlike regular auctions, the available currency was limited, so once the bid reached 3000, the auction had to pause.

"Uh, what should we do..."

MC Jeong Hae-jin also seemed puzzled and tilted his head.

Certainly, no one had anticipated this situation when the auction system was first conceived.

To think that six judges would burn their entire assets on a single track.

PD Kim Seok-hoon, who had been contemplating in front of the main monitor, soon called MC Jeong Hae-jin, as if a new solution had occurred to him.

Upon hearing PD Kim Seok-hoon's message, Jeong Hae-jin's eyes widened in surprise.

"Pardon? PD-nim, are you serious?"

"What can't we do?"

"W-well... I understand."

After about 10 minutes of break, MC Jeong Hae-jin returned to the stage.

"The auction results for [Unmannered Ones]: A total of six judges have offered the highest bid of 3000 coins."

"..."

"This was a chance to confirm how strong your determination was towards [Unmannered Ones]."

Like making an important announcement, Jeong Hae-jin took a deep breath and continued.

"This time, I will verify your determination with a stronger method."

"...?"

"From now on, the second round of the creative track auction will begin. Until now, the auction was conducted with virtual currency 'coins,' but from the second round, we will switch to real money!"

"!"

Some judges' mouths dropped at the mention of using real money.

"The bidding limit will be 3000, just like with coins, but this time it will be 30 million won. The members of [Unmannered Ones] will not only share the 3000 coins but also receive the amount of the winning bid from the second round!"

Understanding the new rule, the six participants for the second round nodded in agreement.

"So, you're saying we have to use real money this time."

"Anyway, PD Kim isn't in his right mind."

"...I'll... I'll buy it..."

The tension rose once again, as MC Jeong Hae-jin raised his right arm high.

"Now, let's start the second round of the auction for [Unmannered Ones]!"

This time with real money at stake, the bid soared straight up to the sky.

In an instant, it surpassed 10 million won, reaching 15 million won, then 20 million won. Gunja's eyes spun as he heard the amounts.

Even receiving 9500 won as allowance felt like having the world. But 20 million won was over 2000 times that amount.

With that kind of money, one could buy 2000 small brushes from a stationery store.

With 2000 brushes, one could write calligraphy for a lifetime. Moreover, ink and rice paper could be bought indefinitely.

No, actually, it wasn't about stationery.

With that amount, one could buy a small folding screen for the room and place it there to purify the mind. Also, just recently, one could consider buying a couple of Eastern orchids. Placing a folding screen and orchids in the room would be satisfying...

...No, no, no. What am I thinking!

For a moment, lost in thoughts of luxury, Gunja shook his head. Poverty is the foundation of a scholar's life; how could he be distracted by money right now?

Clearing his thoughts, Gunja humbly clasped his hands in front of him.

The rising amount of money was just the judges' praise for their hard work.

In reality, money comes and goes... or rather, it comes even when it seems gone.

Gunja meditated to resist selfish desires. Although images of Eastern orchids and a twelve-panel folding screen continued to flicker in his mind, he shut his eyes tightly and pushed them away.

Meanwhile, the auction was approaching its climax.

"Thirty million won! Both the first and second rounds have reached the maximum bid!"

Two individuals were willing to pay thirty million won to purchase "The Unmannered Ones."

The leader of the idol group 'Lunatic' from the top three agencies, Leon.

Similarly, Woo Kyung-hoon, a producer and director from the top three agency BET.

Trainer Young Eun-chae fought to the end but, as the amount exceeded twenty million won, she tearfully gave up the bid.

"...I'm sorry... I only have my deposit... or a loan... sob sob..."

The two judges who showed strong determination finally stood before the "Manner Control Squad" members.

"Now, only the two of you remain. With thirty million won in cash and thirty thousand coins, the final bid is set. Now, the 'Manner Control Squad' members will decide who to sell the song to. Leon from 'Lunatic' and Director Woo Kyung-hoon from BET. Who will they choose?"

Leon and Woo Kyung-hoon, the final two, made their last appeals to the "Manner Control Squad" members.

"Gunja, you know BET Entertainment, right? My decision will be BET's decision. If you and BET develop a good relationship, it would be wonderful."

As soon as Woo Kyung-hoon's words ended, Leon also spoke up, not wanting to be outdone.

"I saw your cover of 'Moonlight.' This stage was great too. Honestly, I'm really eager for this track."

Hmm, who should he choose between the two?

Gunja was deep in thought when suddenly—

"Hmm?"

['Guest' has appeared!]

A new status message appeared between the two standing before him.