HLnovel Chapter 211 Neighborhood Arc: The Stage
Chapter 211 Neighborhood Arc: The Stage
On the seventh day after Wuming stepped into the Ninth Realm, he searched around this land that he found noisy.
Over the course of seven days, he traversed every corner, communicating and observing each potential elf. His gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, not missing a single detail.
However, despite his efforts, he was never able to find the person he had been searching for.
Finally, after confirming that all possible clues had been exhausted, Wuming decided to delay no longer and prepare to embark on his journey to the Eighth Realm.
And today, the atmosphere in front of the stage was exceptionally enthusiastic.
The audience's applause was thunderous, and cheers rose and fell, as if they were about to overturn the entire venue.
Wuming sat in the audience, his figure appearing somewhat lonely in the crowd, but his gaze remained fixed on the stage, quietly waiting for his idol to take the stage.
"Hmm, it's about to start. Kurumi and Masami should be ready to go on stage by now."
While pondering, he considered that Hijikata Masami was just a warrior who could sing a song. Anyway, there were two people on stage, two chances, and even if he failed once, he would still have another chance.
Thinking this, a triumphant smile bloomed on his face. If it weren't for the fact that Wuming always looked sickly pale, he might have looked much better.
If Rion, who stayed at the apartment with Ayaka-gan, saw this, she would probably subconsciously say:
"Wow! That smile is shameless! There's no doubt this guy is up to no good." Similar comments.
...The transition sound effect of the ticking hands moving~
Every month, a group of rising idols emerge from the Ninth Realm. They train to unleash their talents and choose one of three categories to debut.
However, even a successful debut is not the end. They must work tirelessly to reach out to their fans.
Please let your fans listen to your songs.
This is related to whether they can survive in this neighboring area.
People who still vividly remember another world might say this:
—In the end, it was no different from the world over there.
—It's not necessary to fight in some form to survive.
Laziness is not allowed.
Resignation is more terrifying than death.
If one willingly degenerates, one will become like Hibiki or Kurumi in the past, utterly empty and devoid of anything.
It transforms into a drifting, muddled existence.
Both its appearance and its inner qualities are dazzling and magnificent.
But they have to prove their existence by singing and dancing.
"...Today is the day we officially go on stage. Kurumi, are you nervous?"
"Absolutely not."
She took several deep breaths, which was somewhat unconvincing.
Kurumi's spirit dress has been temporarily improved through Hibiki's ingenuity. It has been changed to a more idol-like style, with less black and a more gorgeous blue-based outfit.
She and Hibiki were led to a private room where they waited to make their appearance.
Kurumi was unusually nervous, unlike her usual confident self. She knew she wasn't the likable type. However, since she had chosen to be a trendsetting idol, she had to earn the adoration of her fans.
The chances of successfully debuting are at most fifty percent.
"No problem, Kurumi, you can definitely do it."
"That's true, I have practiced."
Although she had only practiced for a short week, her dancing and singing were almost impeccable, at least enough to show her best side at the moment—that's what Kurumi thought.
"Contestant number thirteen, Ms. Tokisaki Kurumi, please come to the stage!"
The voice of the quasi-elf who was acting as the host came through.
After Kurumi stood up, she summoned Zafkiel and pressed a pistol against her temple.
"Hey, what are you doing...!"
Hibiki tried to stop her, but Kurumi pulled the trigger without hesitation.
'Click~'
The expected loud bang did not occur; only a slight clicking sound of the firing pin striking the target was heard.
"Alright, let's get this spirited!"
"Do you shoot yourself in the head every time you try to muster up some energy? That's such an extreme way of thinking."
Kurumi revealed an arrogant smile.
"That's right. Because this is also a war date."
"It's not a date, it's a live performance... Anyway, as long as it helps you relax."
"Well then, it's my turn to go on stage."
Kurumi waved her hand lightly, a gesture that was considered cute by her own standards. Then she rushed onto the stage.
With that, Hibiki's mission is over. All we can do is pray for her and wish her good luck.
Hibiki glanced at the idols after their performance. Almost everyone looked either dejected or extremely worried.
Although they each have their own unique appearance, they all look like standard cute and trendy idols.
Even the most charismatic of the pseudo-spirits would only qualify for a B-rank at best. With Kurumi Tokisaki's appearance, pseudo-spirits below B-rank will inevitably have to drop another rank.
When someone's talent surpasses everyone else's, those whose abilities are inferior to hers can only be astonished and work desperately harder.
However, effort is a very cunning thing. It is both a sweet whisper and a trap of laziness and despair.
"We've already done our best; we deserve some reward."
"They've already put in so much effort, so things should turn out well."
How could that be? Effort is ultimately just a process. A marathon is only a marathon if you finish it; giving up halfway means you won't see any results.
...Of course, this doesn't mean people shouldn't try.
There is no shortcut to reaching the destination.
This is especially true in a fair and just war like this. An idol's true worth lies in capturing the hearts of fans through their own abilities, taking into account factors like luck and misfortune.
"Let's welcome Ms. Tokisaki Kurumi with her chosen song, 'Blue Bride'!"
The song started playing.
Kurumi, dressed in a modified spirit outfit, sang in a deep, resonant voice. Hibiki glanced at the reactions of the rookie idols who had just finished their trendy theme song.
To say he was stunned wouldn't be quite right; his expression suggested he had already given up.
Although it's cruel, if one becomes discouraged by such setbacks, they're simply not fit to be an idol. Two aspiring elves unconsciously clenched their fists; they should be able to become excellent idols.
In short, it seems everything is fine. Hibiki breathed a sigh of relief. Since Kurumi was the last contestant, no other idol was better than her this time.
I felt like I had ruined their dreams, and I felt really bad about it, but Kurumi also harbored great dreams.
Having decided to support Kurumi's dream, Hibiki will not hold back.
Looking up expectantly on the azure night,
The person who fills the void in my heart.
Even if only sadness remains,
I will continue to wait!
"Only I know that these lyrics are really not suitable for her."
Hibiki sighed. Tokisaki Kurumi was truly not the type to wait.
She pursues her lover with either courage and decisiveness or elegance and glamour, while also making him infatuated with her.
While you are tempting the other person, you also hope that the other person will tempt you.
Despite being as precise as a clock, her love affair was like a broken clock, leaving her flustered and confused.
However, that kind of chaos suited her best.
"Anyway, this is perfect enough. As expected of someone I trained!"
Fortunately, Kurumi's appearance and spirit dress are not entirely eclectic, and also fit the style of a trendy character.
Her singing and dancing skills are so thoroughly trained that they are almost flawless. I say "almost" because, due to the category, there are a few dance moves that don't suit Kurumi.
Even so, if the completion rate of other quasi-spirits is 60%, then Tokisaki Kurumi has a completion rate of nearly 90%.
There are absolutely no factors that could lead to failure.
"...Hmm?"
Xiang fell into deep thought.
The statement "There are absolutely no factors that could lead to failure" is a death knell no matter how you look at it.
But now that things have come to this, how could we possibly lose?
"You're absolutely captivating! Thank you, Kurumi Tokisaki!"
Just as Xiang was distracted and thinking, her performance suddenly ended.
Alright everyone, from now on, their initial idol ranking will be determined by fan power and the support of all viewers... Wait, what?
Just as the host was about to loudly announce the end of the talent show, a near-elf ran up to her and whispered in her ear.
Okay, I understand!
"Huh? There are two more contestants? Wait, but the list shows... someone who registered at the last minute?"
The moment I saw the host take off the microphone and whisper so softly—
"Wait a minute... why are there two? Shouldn't there be one!"
While Hibiki was still thinking, Hijikata Masami, who was holding a Japanese sword and rushing towards her from behind, passed by her.
"Oh! Why are you so late..."
Xiang instinctively exclaimed in surprise. Although Wuming had somehow given it to him, he had still taught it himself, and it was still a bit bewildering that it had only just arrived at this point.
"Oh? That! Because you trained too hard last night, I wanted to go back to the Tenth Domain to kill someone. I ran into an acquaintance on the way, and we got into a fight. We were both captured and taken to the Dominator. I just finished explaining and was released. Hahaha."
Hijikata Masami gave a vague explanation, glanced at Kurumi who had already finished her performance above, casually put away her Nameless Angel, and prepared to go on stage to perform in her current sportswear.
But then a loud shout rang out, "Wait! You said someone else is coming! Who else is it besides you?!"
"Oh, that's the guy I played with all night last night."
“That’s not what I meant, I meant…”
"Oh! It's Cang! After all, in this field, apart from Caiyan and the boss, there's no one else who can give me such a satisfying viewing experience!"
"How could it be her!"
"Who knows?"
Scratching her head, Hijikata Masami prepared to go on stage. After all, this was one of the few things she could do besides chopping people up, so she was quite serious about it.
After Kurumi stepped down and Hijikata took the stage, a girl with a bun hairstyle behind them also turned her gaze towards them with a fierce expression.
"Tokisaki Kurumi... I will definitely defeat you this time!"
Wearing a blue performance costume that she had somehow acquired, the girl murmured softly.