The lights in the arena dimmed until only a single, piercing spotlight cut through the darkness. The hum of the crowd transformed into a deafening roar as the Anchor stepped onto the stage, his voice booming through the massive speakers.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! The stage is set, the pulse of Seoul is racing, and the crown is waiting! Are you ready to witness the birth of legends?"
The crowd erupted. Backstage, the air was thick with the scent of hairspray and nervous energy. Seongjii wiped a bead of sweat from his chin, his heart hammering against his ribs.
"Mortal, your heart is beating so loud I can hear it from here," Araya teased, though her eyes were sharp. "Remember, you aren't just dancing for a trophy. You're dancing for a God. Don't embarrass me."
Rika squeezed Seongjii's hand, her grip firm. "We've practiced until our feet bled, Seongjii. This stage belongs to us."
Suddenly, the massive digital screen above the stage flickered to life. The brackets were revealed:
• Jake & Zoe: Second-to-last (14th).
• Seongjii & Rika: The Final Performance (15th).
The Battle and The Fall
The competition was fierce. Groups from all over the city showcased everything from sharp K-pop routines to dark contemporary pieces. But the atmosphere shifted when the Anchor announced the favorites: "Give it up for... Zoe and Jake!"
They moved like machines—sharp, aggressive, and professional. The crowd was on their feet. But as they approached their final, most difficult move, disaster struck. Jake's face contorted in pain. The injury from practice flared up, a massive cramp seizing his leg.
THUD.
Jake hit the floor hard. The silence that followed was agonizing. Zoe stood frozen, tears streaming down her face under the harsh lights. Overwhelmed, she turned and ran off the stage. Seongjii stepped forward to help, but Rika held his arm. "Seongjii, no. We're next. If you go now, we lose everything."
The Grand Finale
"Our final performers... Seongjii and Rika!"
As they stepped onto the floor, the crowd was still whispering about the accident. But Seongjii looked into the front row. Araya was sitting there, fingers crossed, a confident smirk on her face.
The music started. It wasn't just a dance; it was a conversation. Seongjii's movements were fluid, backed by his System-enhanced agility, while Rika moved with the elegance of a swan. Every spin was perfect, every lock-and-pop resonated with the bass.
Then came the "Impossible Move."
As Seongjii prepared for the final lift, doubt flickered in his mind. 'Can I pull this off?' In that split second, he met Rika's eyes. 'You can do it, Seongjii!' her gaze screamed. He gritted his teeth, felt a surge of pure will, and launched. He caught Rika with precision, spun her with gravity-defying speed, and stuck the landing.
The arena exploded. The roar was deafening.
The Honor of a Champion
The head judge stood up, slowly gripping a gold-embossed envelope. A low drumroll vibrated through the floor.
"Tonight, we saw soul, sweat, and sacrifice," the judge announced. "But there can only be one champion. The winners of the Grand Prix are... SEONGJII AND RIKA!"
Confetti cannons blasted gold and silver over the stage. Rika gasped, and she and Seongjii locked in a tight, emotional hug, spinning around in the glitter. They ran to the center stage to receive the towering crystal trophy and the massive 10 Million Won Check.
But as cameras flashed, Seongjii's smile wavered. He looked at the tunnel where Jake and Zoe had disappeared. "Seongjii? What's wrong?" Rika whispered.
Seongjii walked to the judge and requested the microphone. "Thank you, everyone," he began, his voice steady. "This trophy is a dream. But a true victory is only sweet when it's earned against the best. Jake and Zoe set this stage on fire. What happened was a tragedy, not a defeat."
He looked toward the wings. "Jake, Zoe... please come out. This moment belongs to all of us. I want to invite them up here to be honored."
The crowd gave a standing ovation as a limping Jake and a tearful Zoe walked back out. Seongjii shook Jake's hand firmly. "Heal up, man. I want a rematch when you're at 100%," he whispered.
The chapter closed on four smiling rivals holding the trophy together under the golden lights. In the front row, Araya smirked. "Not bad, Mortal," she muttered. "You actually have the heart of a King."
To be continued...