From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

"It's about damn time," June said.

With his utterance, a familiar beat played in June's head, making him frown.

"You're capable of doing such things now?" he asked in amusement.

[Fu also had an upgrade!]

[After his month-long hibernation, he has now been rejuvenated and has become a better system.]

"You're also referring to yourself in the third person," June remarked.

[Fu has been scolded by the system committee. They said that Fu should be more professional!]

"Oh, so you weren't supposed to be sentient, to begin with," June chimed.

Fu stayed silent, so June already knew the answer before he could even respond.

"I get it," June chuckled. "It's good to have you back."

[Aww, the host actually loves me!]

June rolled his eyes but didn't bother correcting him. He sounded too happy in his head, and he didn't have the heart to burst his bubble.

Moreover, it was his first day back, so June was cutting him some slack.

[I really thought you weren't going to have me back.]

"You're back to your unprofessional self," June said.

[Sorry, I can't help it! I'll just accept the scolding for now. I really missed you!]

June shook his head in amusement.

"So, this is my origin? To change the idol industry? Don't tell me you made me into a top idol just for this."

[I won't say anything then.]

June sighed. "What am I supposed to do? I can't just expose all of these CEOs. As much as they're dirty, they're also the reason why the K-Pop industry has succeeded until now."

[That's not my problem. I'm only an idol system.]

"Well, you're supposed to have reached your highest potential, right? What does that even mean?" June asked.

[Right. Fu almost forgot. Please head to your boosters and potions.]

June frowned but followed Fu's instruction nonetheless.

He quickly went through his potions and saw that the 'gift' potion was now unlocked. It had been locked for the longest time, so June was eager to see what it entailed.

June pressed on the potion and saw a long description.

[An idol is known for being perfect.]

[However, more than that, an idol is a giver.]

[With that, you have received the gift potion! This option is only available once the highest potential of the system is reached.]

[The host has now made use of his full potential as an idol—meaning, he doesn't need the system to improve anymore. He is the best among his peers.]

[The host is now given the opportunity to gift the system to someone else—a worthy host that would take care of the system as much as the original host did.]

June's brows relaxed as he continued to read the prompt loudly.

"However, this is not mandatory," June muttered.

"The host can keep the system and continue upgrading his skills or even make new ones!"

"On the other hand, if the host decides to give it away, then the system will reset to the new host's current skills. Meanwhile, the old host will retain his current skills—at their maximum potential."

June paused for a moment as he finished reading the prompt.

Well, it seemed like he was being hit with bombs left and right this afternoon.

Another pop-up appeared before him.

[Gift the system?]

[Yes or no?]

[Deadline: None]

***

June was greeted by his members, all seemingly in a good mood.

"Were you practicing lines yesterday night again?" Casper asked, making June halt.

"I heard you talking in your room," he smiled.

June pursed his lips. "I thought the rooms were soundproofed."

"Oh, they are," Casper said. I was listening through the gap in the door."

June's eyebrows furrowed. "Why the heck would you do that?"

"You seem upset," Casper smiled, changing the topic. "So, I made you your favorite drink."

Casper handed June a sweet strawberry smoothie, making the latter smile.

"Thanks, I guess," he muttered, sipping on the sweet drink.

"I need to go, though. There's an important mission in Rising Stars this week," he said.

"I heard!" Jisung exclaimed. "You're going to perform with the girls!"

"I am," June said. "We have to finalize the lyrics of the song today, so I have to be there earlier than usual."

"Will you be back for our concert practice later?" Jaeyong asked.

June nodded. "I wouldn't miss it."

Ren smiled. "You're working harder than usual. Make sure you're not over-exerting again, okay?"

June hummed. "I'm fine. Actually, I feel a lot better..."

...even though I'm physically dying.

"I'm so excited for the upcoming performances..."

...since they might also be my last.

"So, I'll see you guys later!" June exclaimed before leaving the dorm and heading to the van.

Jay drove him to the set before he went back home to drive the other members to the practice room.

June wasted no time in going to their practice room.

He was about to enter when he heard a soft, melodic voice coming from the inside.

June stopped in his tracks and listened through the small gap in the door.

Even with her voice alone, June already knew that it was Mei.

"Brother, one I've never seen...," she sang under her breath.

June's eyebrows raised in surprise since she surprisingly had a smooth voice. It was still pitchy in some places, but she had improved once more since the last week.

Moreover, her lyrics were shocking.

It seemed as if she was dedicating them to June.

"No," Mei said, shaking her head and tearing off another piece of paper from her notebook. "They're all wrong. They don't match!"

"I hate you, brother...," she continued, her voice sounding strong.

June was once again surprised. Her voice held a lot more power than he had expected.

However, as she tried to sing the same line in a higher pitch, her voice broke, making her sigh in frustration.

"Why can't I still do this?" she asked, plopping to the ground.

June smirked. This was the side of Mei that he was accustomed to seeing—the whiny, strong-willed, and determined one.

"I'm practicing so hard, but it's not working out," she continued, breathing heavily on the floor.

Then, after a few more seconds, she sat straight and started practicing once morr.

June saw right through her efforts, making him feel unexpectedly warm.

Last night, he didn't even think of giving Fu away.

However, looking at his sister, he finally realized that she deserved it more than anybody else.