Chapter 10 — The Rules That Turn Teammates Into Rivals
The hall slowly quieted.
Every trainee's gaze fixed on the host.
"Now," he said, voice steady, cutting through the tension, "this is where everything you've done so far stops mattering."
A pause.
"And where your choices start deciding your future."
Without warning, the curtain behind him flipped open.
Gasps tore through the room. Voices collided—shock, excitement, disbelief.
"What is that—?!" "No way!" "This is real?!"
The noise swelled until the host raised his hand.
Silence snapped into place.
"With confidence," he said, "this is your first real round."
The screen behind him lit up.
"There will be five songs," he continued. "Each song will be performed by two teams, competing directly against each other."
The tension tightened instantly.
"The winning team," the host said clearly, "receives everything."
A ripple moved through the hall.
"Team points and individual points."
Someone leaned forward. "All members?"
"Yes," the host replied without hesitation.
"Every trainee in the winning team receives 50,000 individual points—and the team earns 200,000 team points, split evenly."
Excitement flared.
William felt his chest tighten.
If they won… no one would be left behind.
Lee glanced at him, eyes unreadable.
"So winning means complete safety."
William didn't answer.
"And the losing team," the host continued, "receives no team points."
The air dropped.
A heavy pause followed.
"However," the host said calmly, "the judges will evaluate performance."
The hall leaned in.
"From the losing team," he said slowly, "only TWO trainees—chosen by the judges—will receive individual points."
Silence.
Only two.
William swallowed.
That meant if they lost… teammates would become rivals the moment they stepped on stage.
Lee leaned closer, voice low.
"So even losing means fighting each other."
William finally looked at him.
"Looks like it."
The host let the rule sink in.
"So remember this," he said.
"If your team loses—most of you walk away with nothing."
Yan stood completely still.
The rule didn't scare him.
It clarified things.
This isn't about teamwork, he thought.
It's about who survives when teamwork breaks.
"Now," the host said, turning to the screen, "the songs."
The lights dimmed.
"First."
The screen flashed.
"Most popular. King of rap. Vocalist. Killer performer."
Whispers erupted immediately.
"One and only—your mentor Mingji."
The hall held its breath.
"'By Your Side.'"
The reaction was explosive.
Cheers slammed into the ceiling.
"That song is history!" "It broke every record!" "If we get that, we win!"
William's breathing slowed—but his chest felt heavy.
That song demanded honesty.
Lee noticed.
"That one scares you."
William replied quietly,
"That one doesn't let you hide."
"Second song."
The screen shifted.
"'Mix-Up' by $tyle."
The energy changed—sharp, edgy.
"Pure attitude." "One mistake and you're finished."
"$tyle is known for rap and fashion," the host explained.
"Unpredictable. Bold. Different."
Yan listened silently.
Different, he thought.
That's where people collapse.
The host continued.
"Next song."
The lights adjusted slightly.
"'Aurà.'"
A beat.
"By the very famous group—wíthũ."
The hall reacted instantly.
"What?!" "No way—wíthũ?!" "That choreography is insane!"
Excitement mixed with fear.
"Aurà needs perfect unity." "One weak member ruins everything." "That song exposes cracks."
William's shoulders tensed.
That song punished imbalance.
Lee noticed.
"That one's dangerous."
William nodded once.
"It destroys teams that don't trust each other."
Yan's gaze sharpened.
Aurà, he thought.
A song that turns hesitation into failure.
Then—
"Next."
The lights dimmed further.
"Mentor Jun."
The pause was deliberate.
"'Shadow.'"
The hall exploded.
Screams ripped through the space.
"That song is insane!" "The high notes—" "The rap—everything!"
Yan's fingers curled slowly.
Shadow wasn't just difficult.
It was merciless.
Then—
Silence.
The screen went dark.
Everyone felt it.
One song remained.
The host said nothing.
The tension stretched until breathing sounded loud.
William's heart pounded.
Lee's jaw tightened.
Yan—who had remained distant the entire time—finally lifted his head fully.
The final song appeared.
Shock rolled through the hall.
No one spoke.
William felt the air leave his lungs.
Lee's eyes narrowed, calculating.
And Yan—
Yan's calm finally cracked.
His eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his face.
For the first time, emotion broke through his control.