Chapter 139: Consolidation Mission
June continued to explain the concept he thought of.
"Of course, the lyrics aren't enough," he said. "We have to focus on our delivery too."
Jakob sighed, knowing that the team was lacking in rap skills. "It's just so hard since most of us are vocalists."
Sehun nodded in agreement. "I can say we've improved a lot. However, we don't have the natural rapper tone that most of the top-ranked trainees have."
C-Jay leaned against the mirror, sighing in disappointment. "Can we even beat them with our current skills?"
Indeed, trainees like Jaeyong, Casper, and Zeth had already built their own sound, and competing with A-tiers like them will be very difficult.
"Maybe we can't beat them in skill," June realistically said. "But we can definitely beat them with something else."
The others listened attentively.
"I've been with both teams, and I can say that the members of Team Riser definitely have more natural talent. However, there's something in our team that surpasses theirs."
"Is that even possible?" Haesoo shyly asked.
"Yes," June responded. "With our emotion."
"I can say that we're more desperate than them. Even before joining this team, I had heard that you were hopeless," June started, making the original members direct their gazes to the ground.
"But as I've joined this team, I realized that they were wrong."
They lifted their heads up.
"This team works harder than anyone else. The circumstances aren't favorable for us, but we've made it this far. I know we can make it even further. So, while you're practicing your rap verses tonight, I want you to think of the people who undermined this team...of the people who kicked you out...of Sun-Y who told you to give up."
June smirked when he saw the determined gazes of his teammates. He knew he had said the right words once more.
"And besides, we're going to bring in something that will symbolize that desperation," he added.
"Damn, you've got plenty of tricks up your sleeves, don't you?" C-Jay chimed. "What is it?"
June meaningfully smirked as he looked into their determined eyes one by one.
If they want something sexy, then they're going to give them what they want...and probably more.
"Let's take this BDSM thing seriously."
***
In the dark, shared room, there sat a handsome guy on the bottom bunk bed.
The clock struck 12, yet his eyes were still wide open.
The only light source in the room was his shitty phone, illuminating the small smirk on his face.
With squinted eyes, he read the lyric sheet, muttering the words under his breath.
"It's done," he whispered, feeling quite satisfied with himself.
Team Aglet polished their concept and dance this afternoon and agreed to finish writing their respective lyrics by tomorrow.
June had the most lines to write, and it took him a while before he got some inspiration.
But after thinking about that ugly ass Sun-Y's face, he suddenly had the urge to prove him wrong.
Moreover, his time at the gang and how it became his home despite wanting to escape inspired the lyrics he had written.
June didn't want to boast, but he thinks it's pretty damn good.
However, even after his lyrics were written, he couldn't stay still.
No matter how good his lyrics are, if his delivery is shitty, then it's going to become shitty lyrics.
With that, he silently sat up from his bed and left the room.
Then, he proceeded to go to his peaceful space—the staircase.
June sat down and brought out his phone and lyric sheet. Then, he started rapping the lyrics while recording his voice.
June had spent his entire evening listening to rap songs, and now, he could set "good" rappers and "bad" rappers apart.
As he finished with his verses, he played the recording back, and he couldn't help but grimace in disgust.
"I sound like shit," he muttered, frustrated.
He didn't have a good flow. His voice lacked power, and it felt like he was catching his breath during the latter parts of the verses!
Well, it was expected for a trainee who only has a D- in his rap skills.
If he knew things were going to turn out like this, then he should have upgraded his rap aspect first.
However, it was already too late.
If only there was a way to upgrade his rap skills to at least a B, then he could pull off being the Main Rapper of their team.
[A mission is waiting for you! Missions have now been reset.]
June peered at the status window before him with wide eyes.
"Fu," he grumbled. "Why are you appearing only now?"
[I have a special mission for our lovely host! This is your opportunity for a mega upgrade!]
June scoffed and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "I bet there's a catch, Fu. Just get to it. I know you're listening to my thoughts."
[Mission title: Consolidation Mission]
[Combine two of your aspects into one! You can carry over your grade from one aspect to another.]
[However, the chosen aspect to extract upgrades from shall disappear afterward. It will not come back after the mission has been accepted and accomplished.]
[This is a special mission for the host! Therefore, he must accept the mission before it is announced. You shall be given 48 hours to accomplish the mission. Do you accept?]
"Consolidation?"
This was too good to be true.
If what Fu is saying is indeed real, then he could carry over his grade from "Charm" and add it to his "Rap" aspect.
Up until now, he still doesn't know what charm entails. He doesn't even think it's a skill! So, he wouldn't mind having it disappear from his status window.
"I accept," June said.
[Duly noted. The host has accepted the mission. Failure to accomplish the mission within the given timeframe entails regression of one grade for all skill aspects.]
"What?" June exclaimed. It has usually been one aspect only!
June wanted to complain but knew he couldn't do anything about it.
[Your mission is: Get a headshot! Have your photos taken by Choi Pablo.]