Cheating way through to Stardom chapter 17- The Ambitious One

Only two hours left.

The movements were confusing, though the paths were simple.

At that moment, I heard voices beside me.

“Nothing special.”

“Acting all cocky.”

“I thought he was something since Kang Minjae noticed him, but he’s just a regular loser.”

I stared at them.

“What are you looking at?”

“Your sense of observation sucks. You can’t match the angles. As a senior, I’m advising you to go home.”

Senior, huh.

I smiled.

I hadn’t realized what I was lacking, but they provided valuable feedback.

“So, you’re saying my observation skills are lacking, seniors?”

I replayed the video.

It was hard to grasp the precise angle for bending the arm.

I quietly took out my smartphone.

‘Thanks for the advice.’

[Cha Dowon’s observation skills]

[D grade. Do you want to change it?]

[Change to A Grade]

[Not possible in your current state.]

[Change to B Grade]

[Not possible in your current state.]

[Then, change to C grade]

[Change to C grade completed. Your physical state will be altered.]

[Side effect: you’ll cry blood for 5 minutes.]

[cheat mode 2/3]

Damn.

Crying blood?

No way.

I quickly tapped the screen.

[Change side effect from 5 minutes to 5 hours later]

[Changed. You’ll cry blood for 10 minutes in 5 hours.]

[cheat mode 3/3]

[Resets at midnight.]

‘Didn’t know that.’

So, side effect timing can be adjusted.

But it increases the cost and uses one cheat.

Suddenly, my eyes stung.

It felt like countless needles were piercing beneath them.

It was like rubbing raw garlic into my eyes.

I barely managed to keep my breathing steady.

However, the pain was brief.

I rubbed my eyes and replayed the video.

“Wow.”

This time, I could clearly see it.

The moves in my head played out perfectly.

I immediately stood up and followed along.

In the mirror, I executed the choreography precisely.

I truly felt how each move should be performed.

“This is it.”

The other trainees, already exhausted, were sitting around chatting.

I sincerely nodded my head slightly to them.

“If you listen well to your seniors, good things will come your way.”

Adjusting my dance angles in the mirror, I quietly focused on my practice.

Despite my dedication, they didn’t notice me.

“Our seniors are in for a surprise.”

I genuinely looked forward to the next two hours.

The instructor arrived right on time.

The ones who had been chatting away quickly cleaned up the snacks they had eaten five minutes before the teacher’s arrival.

‘Are they idiots?’

I quietly stared at the CCTV. It’s watching everything, so what’s the point?

“Not my problem.”

I smiled at the dance instructor.

Responding to my smile, the teacher clapped.

“Ambitious one (Ya dowon), did you do well?”

Oh, damn.

“Are you calling me the ambitious one?”

“Yes, it’s you, Cha Dowon. From today, you are the ambitious one. Let’s see how ambitiously our ambitious one has danced.”

The choreographer smirked mischievously.

I sighed deeply and stood up, positioning myself in front of the instructor.

I could feel the gazes of the others clustered in front of the mirror.

“This is kind of nice.”

Maybe it’s because I’m the ambitious one.

As I received their attention, I gradually felt more excited from my toes.

“Don’t forget, teacher.”

I winked at the instructor.

“If I do well, I get the best spot, right?”

The stern looks from my respected seniors stung.

I didn’t need to look to know they were cursing me with their eyes.

But that didn’t bother me either.

“Just do well, ambitious one.”

Soon, the music started. I smoothly flowed with the rhythm.

The murmurs disappeared in an instant.

Was it because of the admiring looks from my dear seniors?

My body heated up quickly.

‘Yeah. This place is a stage too.’

So, I can’t bore the audience.

I deftly moved through the learned choreography.

I stepped to the right, moved back, and slightly bounced.

The instructor’s exclamation thrilled my heart.

‘The stage is a drug.’

With every move, sweat dripped from my forehead.

Being watched by someone was exhilarating.

“I want to go to a bigger place.”

Where the lights shine, I wanted to receive countless gazes.

How heavenly would it be to perform a perfect stage amid cheers?

I stomped my foot and looked ahead.

Although it wasn’t in the video, I winked at the choreographer.

The choreographer chuckled.

“Please see me in a good light.”

I bent my neck and straightened my leg.

The song that felt endlessly long during practice was exceptionally short on stage.

I felt the piercing gazes.

I could feel them without looking.

“It must be intense.”

How do you feel, seniors?

“It must suck to be overtaken from below.”

I jumped and slightly swung my leg back.

As I regained my balance,

“Then, you should have already been up there before I got here.”

Don’t just drink and chat away.

The music stopped.

I finished the last move and took a deep breath.

As I moved my shoulders because of the sweat trickling down my back, I felt the choreographer’s gaze.

The instructor said nothing.

I smiled brightly.

Then the instructor clapped softly.

Clap-clap-clap-

“Not bad, ambitious one?”

“It’s Cha Dowon.”

“Right, ambitious one.”

Damn. I’d rather be called a weirdo.

The choreographer looked at the trainees sticking to the mirror.

“What do you think?”

My dear seniors remained silent.

“Can you feel it? This kid did it in three hours.”

The trainees stared at me with stiff faces.

I smiled again. It would be nice if they saw me favorably.

“Honestly, you all thought this ambitious one would give up, didn’t you?”

The choreographer came over and hugged my shoulder tightly. I almost lost my balance.

“He’s new. He doesn’t even know the basics of dance. But in three hours, he completed a routine by watching the tape. What does this mean?”

What else could it mean?

It means I’m good.

“It means he’s desperate, kids.”

Some seniors lowered their heads.

“You guys have been slacking off lately, haven’t you?”

They said nothing.

The choreographer patted my shoulder.

“Do you think I would like this new face, the ambitious one, or not?”

Of course, you’ll like me.

Please shower me with affection, teacher.

At that moment, the kid who shared my room spoke up.

“We’re trying too!”

“Really, Seoyung? But what can I say? It’s not enough.”

He was utterly thrashed.

“Teacher!”

“Do you really think you’re trying? But Seoyung, you’re barely hanging on. If you keep this up next month, you’re out.”

Ah.

So that’s what it was.

‘Did he take it out on me because he is barely hanging on?’

Poor thing. Not that I care.

“Stop discouraging the newbie and practice? Honestly, you guys felt this kid was decent even if he’s clumsy, right?”

Damn.

So I was clumsy after all.

I was thinking about how to make my dancing look impressive when I felt the harsh gaze of dear senior Seoyung.

I had no choice.

I smiled shyly.

“Teacher, was I very clumsy?”

The choreographer grabbed my shoulder again.

I almost fell over again.

“Honestly, you weren’t that clumsy. You’re quite a talented ambitious one.”

“It’s Cha Dowon.”

“Right. Ambitious one. Your ambition must last long, okay? Don’t wither like these guys.”

I shook my head.

“You don’t have to worry about that, teacher.”

“Oh really?”

“My ambition is very big.”