They arrived in front of the building. The big sign Gallaria Residencies stood prominently, illuminated by the warm glow of the streetlights. Felix's eyes widened in surprise as he took in the luxurious facade of the building. He had passed by this place countless times, considering how close it was to Glint Entertainment, yet he never once thought that Ji Hyo lived here.
"You live here?" Felix asked, glancing at Ji Hyo in disbelief.
Ji Hyo simply nodded. "Yeah."
Felix narrowed his eyes. "How come I never noticed? You really know how to hide things, huh?"
Ji Hyo just gave a small, knowing smirk before heading inside. Felix followed, still glancing around as if trying to process the revelation. The moment they stepped into the lobby, a receptionist at the front desk immediately greeted Ji Hyo with familiarity. However, when Felix approached, she politely asked for his ID.
"You'll need to leave your ID here until you check out of the building," she explained.
Felix blinked and looked at Ji Hyo, who was already walking toward the elevator, completely skipping the process. Right. Ji Hyo lived here. He didn't need to log in or hand over his ID like guests did.
Felix sighed, handing over his identification before quickly catching up. As they stepped into the elevator, he leaned against the mirrored wall, watching Ji Hyo press the button for his floor.
"You must really love keeping things a mystery," Felix muttered with a chuckle.
Ji Hyo glanced at him briefly before the doors slid shut. "Not really. You just never asked."
Felix stared at him for a moment before shaking his head, a grin forming on his lips. "You're impossible."
The old Ji Hyo really didn't like anyone knowing where he lived. It wasn't that Felix never asked—it was that Ji Hyo had deliberately avoided letting anyone find out. This was a method the old Ji Hyo had chosen to follow, a habit ingrained in him from his time in Glint Entertainment.
As the elevator ascended, Ji Hyo's thoughts drifted. He called upon the system.
"Is it fine now?" he asked.
A notification popped up in front of him.
[Route Diversion – Independent Idol Path]
He wasn't bound by any company anymore. He was walking a different path. A free path.
Ji Hyo exhaled. He had been following the old Ji Hyo's ways for months now, keeping secrets, hiding details—even when it was no longer necessary. But things were different now.
The system chimed in again.
[Host's decision to keep things private was originally influenced by his contract under Glint Entertainment. However, now that he has chosen an independent path, such secrecy is no longer mandatory. That said, host is advised to maintain a low profile and avoid excessive exposure, as unnecessary attention may lead to unforeseen consequences. The choice ultimately remains with the host.]
Ji Hyo hummed in thought. He understood the warning. Even without Glint controlling him, being too open could still have its own risks. But at least now, he could decide for himself.
Ding.
The elevator arrived at his floor, the doors sliding open. Ji Hyo stepped out, Felix right beside him, still eyeing him with curiosity. Ji Hyo said nothing. For now, he would just continue forward—on his own terms.
It was already past ten in the evening, and without much thought, Ji Hyo casually offered, "You can stay for the night."
Felix's eyes widened slightly before his lips curled into a grin. "Really? No take-backs?"
Ji Hyo rolled his eyes. "Do you want to stay or not?"
Felix laughed. "Of course, I do."
As they stepped inside the unit, Felix immediately took notice of the various music equipment scattered around. His surprise was evident as he walked over to examine them more closely. "Whoa, Ji Hyo… you have all this?" His fingers brushed over the sleek mixer, the monitors, and the studio mic set up neatly in one corner.
Ji Hyo set down his guitar and stretched. "I just got them," he replied vaguely, not really in the mood for more questions. "And stop being nosy."
Felix chuckled but didn't push further, though he continued admiring the setup.
Ji Hyo grabbed a fresh set of clothes and disappeared into the bathroom. The sound of running water filled the room, leaving Felix alone with his thoughts.
When Ji Hyo emerged a while later, his damp hair slightly tousled, he was already dressed in a loose shirt and comfortable lounge pants. Without a word, he walked over to Felix and handed him a towel.
"Go take a shower," he said, his tone indifferent.
Felix accepted the towel but couldn't help noticing the soft, sweet scent lingering on it—the same scent Ji Hyo always carried. Out of pure curiosity, he brought it closer and inhaled slightly, as if committing it to memory.
Unfortunately for him, Ji Hyo saw everything.
His reaction was immediate. His face scrunched up in disbelief and horror as he pushed Felix toward the bathroom. "What the hell are you doing? You look creepy as hell—just go already!"
Felix only laughed, completely unfazed, his expression filled with amusement. "You're cute when you're flustered."
Ji Hyo scowled. "Shut up and shower."
Still grinning, Felix stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
Ji Hyo felt the heat creeping up his face and immediately turned on his heel, walking straight to the living room without another word. He flopped down onto the couch, exhaling sharply.
Just as he was about to clear his mind, the system's familiar prompt flashed in his head.
[System Notification: The host is experiencing an emotional reaction. Analysis indicates this is the result of an external stimulus affecting—]
"Shut up," Ji Hyo cut it off immediately.
The system hesitated for a moment before continuing in a teasing tone.
[Would you like assistance in understanding these newfound emotions? Perhaps a detailed breakdown of your physiological response—]
"No," Ji Hyo muttered, running a hand through his still-damp hair. He leaned back against the couch, glaring at nothing in particular.
The system hummed in amusement before going silent.
[System Notification: Side Task - Create a Song and Gain Positive Comments - Completed]Initiating rewards…— Music Sensitivity will be merged with Music Production
— Music Production Level Up in Progress…
— Music Production – A-
[Additional Upgrade Detected: Due to the activation of the special skill 'Soul Resonance,' host stats have been adjusted.]
— Vocal – A+ (Increased due to host's vocal development from performance)
— Confidence – B (Upgraded due to improved stage experience and emotional projection)
[Reward has been granted — congatulations]
Ji Hyo blinked at the sudden flood of notifications. He sat up straight, reading through the updates as the system displayed his new character profile.
[Ji Hyo Hyun – Character Profile Updated]
Name: Ji Hyo Hyun
Age: 20
Date of Birth: August 25, 2005
Stage Class: Idol Trainee
System Guide: Bixiry89275
Primary Mission: Fulfill the original owner's wish – Become a Top Idol
Idol Traits:
Vocal – A+
Visual – S+
Music Production – A-
Dance Ability – F
Rap Ability – F
Stage Presence – C+
Confidence – B
Charisma – B
Acting – D+
Special Abilities:Soul Resonance – S+
Ji Hyo stared at the profile screen, processing the changes. His music production skills improved, but what really caught his attention was his vocal upgrade—A+.He clenched his fist slightly. He was getting stronger.The system's voice chimed in.[Host has shown significant progress. Keep this up, and the path to becoming a top idol will open even faster.]
[The system would like to praise the host's performance earlier.]
[Host's performance successfully created a deep emotional impact. The activation of 'Soul Resonance' allowed your voice to connect with the audience on a profound level, evoking strong emotions.]
[Positive feedback from the audience has further solidified your growth. Your ability to influence emotions through music will continue to evolve.]
Ji Hyo nodded slightly, absorbing the information. He was still processing everything when—
Click.
The bathroom door swung open, and a wave of warm steam drifted into the room.