Answer: Louder Than Bombs

Chapter 3. The illusion of transparency

*Head office of Kwanjong company*

  ATEEZ arrived five minutes earlier than their rivals. They were picked up from the dorm by a white van. The van that can be seen on the roads of the city, nothing special. The paint on it, in some places, came off, the number was also no different from the Seoul ones. The only thing that could give out any specialty was the windows that were hung with curtains, but on the way, not a single person caught curious glances from either the drivers or pedestrians.  ATEEZ were delivered to some new building, which was one of the parts of a residential complex in the center of the capital. The driver explained that the best cover is in plain sight. The building didn't even have a sign or flyer to reveal the company. 

- They won't kill us, right? - Wooyoung whispered in the ear of the oldest. Seonghwa smiled and shook his head as he took Wooyoung's hand.

- Don't be afraid, it's just casual publicity of the rules, and then we will go home.

  The guys were taken to the 30th floor of the skyscraper. If you don't know the situation, you might think that this is just a building of offices or luxury apartments. Behind an ordinary door, they were greeted by the metallic gray of the walls and marble, which cast the same shade. After they were met by a woman in her 30s, she led the group to the meeting room. There were many chairs, and only two were taken. A man and another woman, both of the same age. They invited the guys to take their seats and wait for BTS to arrive. They were offered tea and coffee. Everyone chose the second option. No one said a word until the BTS boys arrived.

- Sorry for coming late, - Namjoon said, followed by the others. - I miscalculated the time in the morning.

  It was actually Taehyung who made everyone late before leaving. He couldn't get up on time. In general, Tae was the hardest to wake up in the morning, and if he was nervous, then awakening was even harder for him. When they all took their places, he managed to whisper his little "Thank you" to his leader, to which Namjoon responded with a warm smile.

- Glad you all came. I suppose that the news surprised you a little, - the man began. - My name is Choi Younde, the director or creator of this whole mess. - Choi laughed, but no one picked him up. - Hmm... I called you in order to announce several rules that will only be known to you. But before we start, please sign these nondisclosure papers.

  The woman who brought everyone to the room handed out the sheets with the agreement. They were immediately signed and returned.

- Thank you. Let me introduce Kang Yoonsoo, my deputy, - Younde said, pointing to the woman that collected the sheets. - And this is Jung Kyung Soon, she will keep you updated on the latest developments. So let's get started. Why did we come up with this? I think this question interests you the most. You see... - the director got up and went to the window that opened a beautiful view of Seoul. - The popularity of K-POP has led to the fact that most countries are guided by us. And they try to imitate us. You can see how we have influenced the world. Isn't it great? Well... Keeping the bar is getting harder, not to mention writing lyrics, music, and choreography. The number of people is running out, and the groups are growing. Imagination runs dry, and there are more and more people willing to become an idol. - Younde turned to the boys. - And so the changes imposed by the circumstances arose.

- Why not just recruit more people to the team who want to work and help performers? - Namjoon began. - Those who wish...

- There are many who is wishing, but what about talent and efficiency? Foreigners are not used to our pace of life and their results are too low compared to ours.

- Why should those who are not guilty of this suffer and leave? - Hongjoong entered the fight alongside Namjoon.

- Nobody is forcing you to participate. If you want, you can give up right now and leave the stage. Your Answer? - Ms. Jung raised an eyebrow and took a sip of her Americano. Nobody answered.

- I thought so. Then let's move on to the rules. - Director Choi took his place. - Rule #1: no contact between opponents. Once you leave the building, you will be taken to different "camps". - Choi made a "quote" gesture over the word "camps". - Everything you need will be delivered to you as soon as you make a list. Questions? - silence in response. - Perfect. Rule #2: you will be deprived of mobile phones and computers. Your communication with the outside world is interrupted for exactly 10 days until your competition ends.

- What about our families? - Yunho asked.

- They've already been notified, - Kang Yoon Soo said. - Don't worry.

- Rule #3: leaving the camp is strictly prohibited. During the competition, you will be wearing chip bracelets, which will be removed only at the end. Any attempt to remove them or leave the camp area will be considered as a defeat. In this case, you will be forced to leave the K-POP industry. This applies not only to you, of course, but to all bands and solo artists without exception. Questions?

Yoongi raised his hand.

- Will all existing bands and solo artists participate in... this?

- Absolutely.

- Were they all notified already? - Yeosang asked.- All bands and artists received the news yesterday, at the same time as you.

- Bullshit. - Yoongi put his glass coffee on the table loudly.

- Excuse me? - the director leaned forward and put his fingers together.

- I said it's bullshit. Why are EXO members unaware of this competition?

The director exchanged glances with his assistants. Yoonsoo whispered something in his ear, to which the director just nodded.

- You can go.

- Wait, you did not answer his question! - Jongho wanted to get up but was stopped by Seonghwa, who grabbed the sleeve of his sweatshirt.

- I assure you that this is a misunderstanding. All groups, without exception, were informed yesterday morning. Now go.

  Both groups were sent to different elevators. Only when they went down to the vans they met and smiled at each other. Everyone understood that there is something no one wants to tell them, but no one wanted to put himself in a trouble at an early stage. Namjoon nodded to Hongjoong and got into the van followed by all the rest.

*BTS van*

- Why are they... - Jimin didn't have time to finish his question, Namjoon and Jin knew the continuation in advance.

- Not now.





*ATEEZ van*

- Why would Suho lie? - Seonghwa asked Hongjoong quietly. The man shook his head.

- Let's talk at the camp.