Debut or Die - Chapter 463
-Please, please tell me how to make Lee Sejin wear a prison uniform. It was in the music video, right? I really don’t know.
-Cha Eugene’s solo escape gag ending is hilarious. I couldn’t stop laughing while filming Cha Kitty.
-Oh my, did you know that Baese actually lost his wallet on his way to work because Chungwoo stole it? It’s revealed in the prisoner version! (Screenshot)
Spoilers, spoilers, spoilers.
Usually, there’s a gap of a few days after the music video is released during the comeback period before appearing on music shows. Typically, fans spend this time with SNS updates, teasers, and small content filled with anticipation. Or they repeatedly watch the music video, eagerly waiting for the broadcast.
-Aaaaah, finally, Eugene got dressed in the prisoner uniform ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ. Damn it. I’m so happy, even if the uniform is worn sloppily.
Everything has changed. Fan communities and SNS are now filled with spoilers, guides, videos, and collected photos, turning it into a real festival.
TeSTAR allowed streaming of the ‘Normal Ending’ and ‘Bad Ending.’ This bold attempt aimed to create buzz and not miss promotion opportunities. Plus, you had to buy the album to experience it anyway. The ‘code’ on the included photo card, which opens the ending, is tied to one account, preventing illegal copiers from seeing the ending!
-Hahaha, that’s so satisfying.
-But won’t they crack it soon? They always make cracks.
-Still, should it be fine until the first week of sales is over? USB counts towards album sales, so it’s great.
-It’s a whole new world, and it’s so much fun.
Moreover, the lyrics, audio files, and concept photos that can be downloaded from the game title were praised for their nostalgic value after playing the game.
-The game deepens the album’s narrative. I hated the overly complex world-building, but this changed my mind.
Overall, it was a very unique attempt. And completely unexpected. It definitely grabbed attention.
[TeSTAR puts an actual game in the album]
[<127 Section> The creators of the Ruin Factory release a new work: TeSTAR Album (Not a joke)]
[TeSTAR’s insane live-action gameplay status]
Fans were shocked that the MV expansion was a game, and the news spread quickly.
-The MV was an introduction to the game?
-But what’s happening? Lol.
-TeSTAR does everything, and it is really admirable, from the magic boy to the dedicated otaku.
-I want to try this too. What’s the quality like? Do I just need to buy the album?
Some game streamers on WeTube were already playing it, and they were not missing the buzz. The shocking prologue by Lee Sejin provided great reaction content, making it a win-win for Wetubers. Of course, tastes and reviews varied, causing some disputes and noise, but even that added to the hype. It was an unparalleled promotion.
-If I order from the official site now, will it arrive tomorrow? I went to the store, but it’s sold out.
-Which version should I start with?
-Is TeSTAR’s new title game OST? Hey, why is everyone going crazy??
As a result, album sales were soaring. The simple composition of a USB, playback box, and photo card made it easy to purchase, lowering entry barriers.
In the midst of this whirlwind of activity,
“Hoo.”
The fan site manager was deeply immersed in the game. The balance of cinematic live-action scenes, interactive choices, and luck-based thrills… was very appealing. Thanks to this, she spent all her spare time on it.
“Moondae’s cut is so beautiful…”
She was replaying the VER 2 album focused on the prisoner faction. Playing as the prisoner faction with the VER 2 album USB, the chapter started with the past of Park Moondae and Cha Eugene.
– Wow, the tension during their conversation in the lab was intense.
└?? Wasn’t it very sad and poignant?
└??What choices did you make?
└What about you?
In the latter part, there was an event where the thieves wore the prisoners’ uniforms when they were caught and an event where they overpowered the guards and made them wear the prisoners’ uniforms.
– It looked like Moondae had a personal grudge against Keunse as he threw the prisoner uniform at him.
└Lolololol
And they could learn a bit about the experiments conducted on the prisoners.
[■■■■ 10ml injection: Detect objects 100m away
– Dizziness, hallucinations, headache complaints.]
Hmm? Is this an experiment to create superhumans? It felt somewhat American… creepy and eerie, definitely.
Anyway, Cha Eugene seemed very smart and had highly developed instincts, and Moondae apparently had telekinesis! …though he did cough up blood.
After witnessing the bad ending where Moondae collapses after reenacting the music video scene of breaking the surveillance camera, he sealed away his telekinesis power…
That was the vibe of playing as the prisoner faction in VER 2. Similar to the thief faction but more desolate and focused on the facility.
However, the VER 3 album was a bit different. In the thief faction, it took a special perspective… Starting from Lee Sejin’s point of view, it was about cooperating with the thieves.
-Shh.
-…!
-Quietly follow me.
Whoa.
It felt like he was someone who was irritated by the facility, pretending not to see it… It was like he was a guard on our side. Of course, the plan was to double-cross us at the end and catch everyone like hanging fish.
Lee Sejin’s humming to himself was priceless.
-So comfortable and nice~ Coming here on your own and breaking the rules….
Ack!
The spiciness of the prologue of VER 1’s first experience was powerful! Thanks to this, players were always on edge, wondering when they might get double-crossed while playing VER 3.
This is all because I played the thief’s side first… hmm?
“Wait, hold on….”
Could this order be intentional? The fan site manager had a sudden thought.
The key shape in the music video was… exactly like the USB from the ‘VER 1 album’. The other two versions looked slightly different in the music video. And when they were selling, they showed the product page. Naturally, most people who bought just one album would have bought VER 1…
Before that, they only accepted set reservations without any information. And those who bought all three versions would have played VER 1 first since it matched the shape in the music video. Didn’t that apply to her as well?
So… this means most people would inevitably see the thief’s side scenario first and then see the stories of the prisoner or guard factions. Enjoying the basic flavor first while discovering new elements will keep the tension high.
Wow. The fan site manager was astonished. She couldn’t fully articulate this meticulous structure designed to prevent multiple playthroughs from becoming boring, since she didn’t know much about games. But she was profoundly impressed.
Amazing.
Anyway, to get back to the point. So, in VER 3, thieves could accompany Lee Sejin and wear navy blue uniforms! Thus, the hiding option disappeared. Instead, events were created where you could access the facility’s documents or hear more information.
-Keep It Safe, so ‘KIS’… What are we keeping safe?
-Um, the people outside?
-…From what?
-From all dangers? Ah, I don’t really know either~ How would an employee know such things?
Fortunately, as the thieves cooperated with the prisoners and built a slight friendship, Lee Sejin’s values began to waver. This was because he found out that two prisoners had been detained without breaking any rules.
-I was kidnapped.
-Me too.
-….Hmm.
And through various incidents, he ended up accepting Ryu Chungwoo’s proposal to work together as thieves.
-Should I?
-…!
-It’s about time for a career change anyway~ for me, I mean.
“Ooh!”
They successfully enticed even Guard Lee Sejin to their side, but… She kept seeing the normal ending repeatedly.
Why?!
Even though she chose the syringe option of Moondae appropriately, knowing it was a spoiler to see the thief’s outfit… It was still a normal ending.
Why…? Was it because she was too scared to approach Ahyeon and couldn’t woo him?
[We have escaped from this damn facility.]
The ending credit rolled every time, with no follow-up. The only thing left were Moondae’s excellent thighs… Anyway, that’s it.
So, this time, she was truly prepared. I will do it…
Avoiding as many spoilers as possible, the fan site manager sat back down at her computer, clutching the strategy guide in both hands. She figured it out! The true ending conditions!
First of all, watch VER 1… She clicked on the game icon and quickly progressed, recalling the strategy.
-For any faction, make everyone except Seon Ahyeon an ally, then encounter Seon Ahyeon in front of the last gate!
The hint was when the dice showed up while hiding!
That wasn’t the ‘correct’ choice. If you meet without gathering all your allies, it’s game over, but if you meet after recruiting everyone, a true ending event occurs!
Alright.
And the moment of fate.
-Just around that corner….
The fan site manager closed her eyes tightly and ignored the ‘hide’ option. And finally.
Step, step. Bae Sejin, who had touched the key to the lock pad, turned around in surprise. From around the corner, the gold-haired guard in a navy blue uniform emerged. The screen froze.
“…Huffff.”
The fan site manager clenched her fist. And then…
-…
A hollow BGM played. Seon Ahyeon stared blankly at the key in Bae Sejin’s hand. Then he glanced at the six people dressed in similar outfits standing around. After a tense, close-up scene alternated between them…. He then spoke.
-There is.
-…!
-A gem.
The fan site manager covered her mouth. OMG!
Indeed. The gem that the thieves had concluded was fake information spread by the facility to lure test subjects. Seon Ahyeon revealed that the tutáculum truly existed… Then, he turned around and began walking away again without hesitation. Step, step…
On the screen, Bae Sejin swallowed.
-…What should we do?
▶ [Follow him. -Trust]
▶ [Ignore him. -Distrust]
“…Huff,”
This was a no-brainer. If she followed and failed, there wouldn’t be a true ending!
The fan site manager eagerly clicked ‘Follow,’ and naturally, the characters on the screen followed Seon Ahyeon.
-…
Seon Ahyeon moved at a not-so-considerate pace, passing through several complex facility exteriors. Down, down. After passing a few light-dice decisions…
Ziiiing-
-…Where are we?
They arrived at a small iron door. Besides, there was a lock pad similar to the entrance.
As a modern organ BGM played softly, Seon Ahyeon stood next to the iron door. The six members with keys approached the lock pad. Finally, the blonde guard spoke.
-The front.
…The front?
The fan site manager was confused. What does the front mean when entering a code? Maybe there’s something on the front of the photocard?
But no matter how hard she looked, there were no hints in the photo of Kim Raebin biting a nail. There’s only this on the back…
[AW23-5DQ2-B25E]
This code.
Just as she was about to panic, fortunately, Bae Sejin’s narration came out.
-The code… was written on the back of the male photo in the dummy data inside the key. Not the front.
Exactly!
-But why say front? Why the reverse?
-…Wait, reverse?
“…!!”
At that moment, the fan site manager also realized. If you look at the letters on the back from the front direction… It’s reversed, seen backward!
So, the code….
Tap, tap, tap. She started typing on the keyboard.
[AW23-5DQ2-B25E]
Reversed.
[E52B-2QD5-32WA]
“…Yeah!”
And the moment she hit enter…
Wooooong-! The iron door started to open with a bright light. Her toes tingled.
Wow…
After the light settled, in the center of the small room with iron walls on all sides, an exquisite green gem was inside a hexagonal glass container. A majestic BGM played.
The props are really cool…
The camera slowly approached the gem…. A gloved hand reached out. And….
▶ [Grab the gem.]
▶ [Ask a question.]
“…”
A choice appeared.
Huff. The fan site manager crossed her arms.
This game had no save or load. While you could skip events you had seen before, you couldn’t undo a choice you had made. But,
…The truth must be revealed.
Her friends on SNS said that was the meaning of the true ending!
Feeling like a detective, the fan site manager swallowed and pressed the lower option.
[Ask a question.]
Then… on the screen, Bae Sejin withdrew his hand. And he turned to Seon Ahyeon.
-…Why did you guide us here?
-…
-What is your goal? Why are you giving us this gem, the tutáculum?
At that moment,
-…! Hold on.
Someone interrupted…. It was the prisoner Park Moondae, now dressed in a thief’s leather suit. In a low voice, he quickly asked.
-What do you mean, tutáculum?
Bae Sejin replied.
-This gem is the tutáculum.
Park Moondae’s face turned pale.
-No, that’s… the drug they administer to the inmates here.
-…!!
-It’s not a gem. Tutáculum is… code for the drug here.
C-Crazy.
A drug that creates superpowers… Now that she thought about it, that was also green. The fan site manager covered her mouth in shock at the twist and stared at the screen.
“…”
The camera slowly turned. Ryu Chungwoo looked at the blond guard and asked.
-Then,
-What is this gem?
At that moment, the screen went black.
“…?!”
And then, Seon Ahyeon’s gentle voice echoed on the dark screen.
-The mysterious and terrifying black-clad guard did not speak.
-However, at the end of his gaze… there was a prisoner.
Soft BGM played as the screen brightened again. And what was revealed was… an attic. TeSTAR sat on the floor, with a board game in the center, under the warm lamplight. It was the scene from the teaser.
“…??”
The fan site manager was confused! But Seon Ahyeon’s calm voice continued.
-It’s the players’ turn.
Cha Eugene and Park Moondae, both playing prisoners, winced at the same time.
Ryu Chungwoo, resting his chin on his hand, spoke cautiously.
-You saw a prisoner, right? Did you want to give the gem to the prisoner? As a reward?
-For a psychopath, it’s unlikely.
After Cha Eugene’s grumbling, Park Moondae rubbed his chin and spoke.
-…Hmm, if the hacker persuaded several people to be on the same side in such a short time, it might be a future threat. Maybe they gave the real gem to make sure there were no lingering attachments. Deceiving them.
–Ah, so there’s no regret.
Lee Sejin nodded. Then he smiled brightly.
-Okay! Then I’ll say this.
With that, the scene zoomed in, and the background returned to the secret facility. There, dressed in a thief’s outfit, Lee Sejin spoke.
-I have a question too~
-Keep It Safe. That slogan…. Isn’t it actually Sacrifice instead of Safe? Guard. What are we really keeping safe?
-I thought there were rules, but now it seems like we’re not really following them~
Following this was a debate using the facility’s secrets uncovered during the game. And the conclusion was…
-Not a prison… but a research institute.
The facility was a research institute studying the complete control of the drug, tutáculum, which granted strange powers!
Oh. The information collected so far fell into place, making it quite intriguing.
-Is that right?
Though she still didn’t understand why the scene kept switching back to the attic, Seon Ahyeon’s gentle voice was pleasant to listen to.
-However, the blond guard did not waver or answer.
-Oooooo!
-Should we fight?
-Let’s fight. I’ll roll the dice.
As the members responded excitedly, Seon Ahyeon nodded, smiling.
-Okay, then… who?
-Obviously, the strongest should do it, right?
-…
Kim Raebin clicked his tongue reluctantly and picked up the dice. Seon Ahyeon also picked up the dice.
-I’ll roll a six-sided dice. The maximum number is 6. The players still use the ten-sided dice, with a maximum number of 10. There’s a big difference.
-But if the player’s ten-sided dice rolls a smaller number, the player can subdue the guard.
It seemed absurdly unfair, but everyone nodded without complaint, deeply immersed.
The fan site manager also nodded, realizing the reality. Uh, no, don’t tell me I’m the one who rolling it? And that premonition was correct.
Oh gosh! Seeing the dice on the screen, the fan site manager almost screamed internally, calculating the odds… and then placed her hand back on the mouse. And clicked,
“Ah.”
Roll, roll…
The ten-sided dice rolled… and rolled… and the number was….
[5]
…N-no. It’s too big!
The fan site manager felt her blood run cold as she unknowingly swallowed and watched the screen. The game progressed.
Seon Ahyeon threw his dice inside his book so the number wasn’t visible. And over Seon Ahyeon’s face, the expressionless blond guard in a navy blue uniform briefly overlapped.
Huh?
But shortly after, Seon Ahyeon smiled brightly and moved the book away. The number on the black dice was…
[6]
-You subdued me.
-Amazing!
–Wow~
Cheers erupted.
-So, everyone…
Seon Ahyeon smiled and closed the book.
-You have successfully escaped from the ‘KIS’ foundation with the gem.
-I was your game master.
Applause broke out.
–Ah~ that was fun!
-Thanks for inviting me. It was fun to try it.
-Oh, no….
Seon Ahyeon gently smiled and put down the paper book he was holding. As he said earlier, it seemed he was playing the role of conducting this board game.
Ah, I think I saw something like this in an American drama? So it was set in an American high school, and that’s why it came out like this! The fan site manager nodded.
Ahyeon had a crucial role! Still, fans of Ahyeon might be disappointed by his small part. Though this thought passed fleetingly, she quickly got immersed in the cute TeSTAR and the storyline on the screen.
-You look like a nerd, though you said you hated it~?
-Anyone talks about what happened today at school, I won’t let you off.
-Look at this brat!
As Cha Eugene and Lee Sejin bickered, Kim Raebin rubbed his chin, his silver accessories swinging menacingly.
-It was set in 2025, right? I heard the world ended in 1999, but even later, I got a role just as strong in power…
-It’s better than being an abducted test subject.
-Being a test subject is better.
Kim Raebin replied gloomily, but Park Moondae just chuckled. Seon Ahyeon also laughed while looking at him.
In that soft atmosphere, Bae Sejin smiled as he placed his dice down. The narration continued.
-A secret detention facility, experiments on superhumans, hackers, and thieves, and thrilling escapes. It was a great journey.
A close-up of the gem token in the board game appeared on the screen.
-The secrets we discovered were astonishing, but perhaps another story lies hidden.
-Or it might be fun to go through the same story again.
The camera gently panned over TeSTAR in the attic, bathed in soft lamplight.
-Someday, I hope to play it again.
The camera panned up, capturing the harmonious TeSTAR sitting in a circle. With a softly reworked sub-song from this album playing, the subtitles appeared.
[True Ending]
~In the tutáculum. (In the hiding place)
It was the true ending.
“Ha….”
She leaned back in her chair.
So this game was the previous album’s 80s American high school TeSTAR playing a board game… that kind of concept. So, the repackaged album… Everything was connected….
The fan site manager felt an overwhelming emotion she couldn’t describe, watching the ending credits roll again. The scenes she had seen before replayed in her mind, along with the attic scenes and character details.
“…”
Her excitement was endless. She was so curious about the stage. But she still had to wait to see it. So,
I’ll play it again!
* * *
After handling only the urgent tasks, she immediately clicked the icon and reconnected to the game. This time, it was a different version.
Guard!
She saved Moondae’s main for the finale! And to see the true ending once more, she eagerly skipped through, progressing rapidly.
Ah, it’s so fun.
Her heart was racing. What new things would this version show? Finally, when the TeSTAR in guard uniforms lined up to enter the code!
“Alright!”
She quickly grabbed the photo card and began to input it backward, as before.
[E52B-2QD5-32WA]
Good!
And the moment she hit enter.
The door should open now, and the gem…
Instead, the blond guard turned to the camera. It was Seon Ahyeon.
…Huh?
-You pressed the wrong one.
“…??”
-That’s the code for a different version.
And the game’s Seon Ahyeon, in uniform, smiled.
-It’s okay.
-But… making this mistake means.
Gloved hands covered the camera.
-You’ve played a lot.
“…?!”
Just now… did he say play?
-Right? So by chance, to make a mistake with the code on the card, not just normally, but backward too, means… you’ve played a lot.
The BGM disappeared. No, somehow… the screen angle changed too. The game world, where other members were visible, now only shows Seon Ahyeon. At that moment,
-Let’s keep playing.
The hidden route began.