chapter 8: new determination

Jin-ho's body moved to the rhythm, each step and spin more confident than the last. The music pulsed through him, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he let himself get lost in it. There was no audience, no one to judge him—just the beat and his movements. Every sway of his arms, every glide of his feet, was sharp, precise.

But something else was different now. Seok-hyun's body was almost too responsive, too smooth. Jin-ho had always been a good dancer, but this was something else. He felt the difference. The muscle memory was there, but it was like he had an extra layer of finesse, a refinement that had always been just out of reach.

After an hour of practice, his muscles felt alive, his body vibrating with energy. He paused, breathless but exhilarated. In his old life, he'd never had a private studio like this, a place where he could work out his frustrations through dance. Here, everything was different. He had the tools and the time to perfect himself, and with the system's help, he could push his skills beyond what he'd ever imagined.

Just as he was about to start the next routine, a soft chime echoed through the studio. A familiar notification appeared in his vision.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Daily Quest: Dance practice completed.

Reward: Dance Skill +1.

A warm sensation washed over him, like a small burst of energy rushing through his limbs. It wasn't overwhelming, but he could feel the difference immediately. His movements were smoother, his balance more centered. It was like his body had just leveled up, becoming more in tune with the music.

Jin-ho stared at the notification in awe. This system… it was real. He wasn't just improving because he was practicing; the system was enhancing him, making him stronger and more skilled. He had never felt so alive, so full of possibility.

The door to the studio suddenly opened, and Jin-ho snapped out of his thoughts. A tall figure stepped in, dressed in athletic wear, with a towel slung over his shoulder. His sharp eyes swept over Jin-ho, taking in his appearance. It took Jin-ho a second to recognize him from Seok-hyun's memories—Jin-soo, one of the other trainees in the survival show, and someone Seok-hyun hadn't exactly gotten along with.

Jin-soo's expression twisted into a mocking smirk. "Didn't expect to see you in here so early, Seok-hyun. What happened? Decided to finally take this competition seriously?"

Jin-ho's mind raced. He knew from Seok-hyun's memories that Jin-soo wasn't just any trainee. He was talented, disciplined, and had a reputation for being a perfectionist. He also hadn't liked Seok-hyun, not one bit.

In the past, Seok-hyun had always responded with arrogance, throwing insults right back. But Jin-ho couldn't be that person, not now. He wasn't Seok-hyun, and if he wanted to succeed, he had to be smarter about how he handled people like Jin-soo.

Jin-ho forced a small smile. "Yeah, something like that. I figured it was time to step up my game."

Jin-soo's eyes narrowed, clearly surprised by the lack of hostility in Jin-ho's response. He took a step closer, still eyeing him warily. "Step up your game, huh? Well, good luck with that. You've got a long way to go if you want to keep up with the rest of us."

The words stung a little, even though Jin-ho knew they weren't directed at him personally. They were meant for the old Seok-hyun, the arrogant boy who thought he could skate by on his looks and wealth. But Jin-ho wasn't that person. Not anymore.

"I'm working on it," Jin-ho replied calmly. "I know I've got a lot to improve, but I'm not planning on giving up."

Jin-soo's smirk faded slightly, replaced by a look of mild curiosity. "Huh. Guess we'll see if you mean that when the competition starts."

With that, Jin-soo turned and headed to the other side of the room, where he began stretching. Jin-ho watched him for a moment, noting the precision in his movements. This guy wasn't just talented—he was intense, focused, and dedicated. Exactly the kind of person who would be a serious rival in the competition.

For a moment, doubt crept into Jin-ho's mind. Could he really compete with people like Jin-soo? Even with the system's help, could he prove himself in a world where every mistake was magnified under the spotlight? But then he remembered the reason he was here. The system had given him a second chance for a reason. He couldn't let fear or insecurity hold him back. Not now.

He took a deep breath, refocusing his energy. He couldn't afford to waste any more time. The survival show was just three weeks away, and if he wanted to stand a chance, he had to keep pushing himself—harder than he ever had before.

By the time he finished his vocal exercises and charisma training for the day, he was drenched in sweat, but his heart was light. He felt like he was making real progress, even if the path ahead was still uncertain.

As Jin-ho left the studio, he received another notification.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Daily Quest: Vocal and Charisma training completed.

Reward: Vocal Skill +1, Charisma +1.

Again, the warm sensation rushed through him, but this time it was different. It wasn't just physical. The boost in charisma made him feel more confident, more in control of his presence. He could see why Seok-hyun had been so arrogant, but Jin-ho vowed to use this newfound confidence differently. He wasn't going to be like the old Seok-hyun. He would make people notice him for the right reasons.

As he walked back to Seok-hyun's room, Jin-ho couldn't help but feel a growing sense of excitement. This life—Seok-hyun's life—wasn't going to be easy. The competition would be fierce, and the expectations were sky-high. But for the first time, Jin-ho felt like he had a real shot at his dream.

He wasn't just the awkward boy who was bullied for his looks anymore. He had talent, he had the system, and most importantly, he had a second chance.

And this time, he wasn't going to waste it.