160: Chapter 159 Lady

He turned to the side, signaling for the camera and the audience's gaze to focus on the IZ*ONE members.

The members immediately adjusted their positions in coordination, their faces showing expressions that were by turns serious, curious, or wearing a hint of "forced labor" while striving to maintain professionalism.

"In the distant Astral Realm," Jiang Zhiyu began to narrate in a storytelling tone, accompanied by simple starry sky sound effects playing in the background, "live twelve Star Saints who guard different constellations."

He pointed to IZ*ONE, "It is them."

"Originally, their lives were peaceful and sacred. However, the evil Star Demon, coveting the power of the Sun God, launched a sneak attack!"

The sound effects became tense and intense, "While the twelve Star Saints were protecting the Sun God and on their way to the Galaxy Garden to collect the 'dawn immortal grass', they encountered an ambush by the Star Demons Claws!"

"After a great battle, the divine power of the Star Saints was sealed, their memories became chaotic, and eventually... they fell into this mortal world where we are now—Seoul, Myeong-dong!"

Although his description was a bit chuunibyou, combined with the slightly "combat-style" stage IZ*ONE had just performed and the decorations on them that clearly didn't belong to everyday life, it surprisingly made many audience members (especially young people and fans) listen with great interest, feeling that this setting was inexplicably compelling.

"Having lost their divine power and forgotten most of their mission, the first thing the Star Saints have to face is not powerful enemies, but how to... survive in the mortal world."

Jiang Zhiyu's tone became a bit more pragmatic, "They need food, they need shelter, and they need to understand the rules of this world."

"After yesterday's initial exploration and struggle," Jiang Zhiyu's gaze swept over the members, lingering specifically on Choi Yena for a moment. Choi Yena immediately straightened her back, her face showing a proud "yes, that's me" expression (mixed with an obsession for grilled sausages), "One of our Star Saints has achieved groundbreaking progress!"

He walked over to Choi Yena and signaled for the camera to give a close-up: "Let us congratulate the pisces Star Saints—Choi Yena!"

Choi Yena cooperated by raising the swim ring bracelet on her wrist, placing her other hand on her hip, and trying hard to look "I am very impressive."

"Relying on her innate affinity and... her persistent sensing of food (grilled sausages)," Jiang Zhiyu's wording caused the audience to let out good-natured laughter, "she successfully obtained the 'recognition of the master' from a mysterious sausage stall in the 'Land of Joy' of the mortal world—the amusement park!"

The background played a cheerful amusement park tune, and the footage filmed yesterday of Choi Yena "inheriting" the stall in front of the sausage stall (a quick-cut version) flashed on the big screen (which had been set up temporarily).

"This means," Jiang Zhiyu raised his voice, full of encouragement, "the twelve Star Saints have finally found a preliminary way to establish themselves in the mortal world! They can rely on this miracle-filled sausage machine to grill delicious mortal food and harvest their first pot of gold in the mortal world! This is the hope for survival and a symbol of unity!"

Applause and cheers erupted from the audience, especially from Choi Yena's fans, who shouted extra loudly.

However, the smile on Jiang Zhiyu's face faded a bit, and his tone became serious again, carrying a hint of warning: "But!"

"Star Saints, do not lower your guard! The evil Star Demon, and those Star Demons Claws lurking in the mortal world, will absolutely not sit idly by while you regain your strength, recover your memories, and eventually return to the Star Palace!"

He pointed toward the ring. At this moment, the Hello Kitty and Golden Retriever dolls had stopped "fighting" and were standing together with the gray wolf doll and those dull-colored "Zang Zang Bao" dolls, facing the stage. Although the doll costumes had no expressions, their postures inexplicably gave people a sense of "ill intent."

"Look! They have already appeared! These seemingly funny, even somewhat cute existences might very well be the disguises of the Star Demons Claws! They will try every means to hinder you, sabotage your survival efforts, and plunder the 'mortal energy' you have collected (which may refer to money or mission items)!"

"Young ladies, be careful!" Jiang Zhiyu's gaze swept over every member of IZ*ONE, his voice deep and solemn, "The strength of the Star Demons Claws must not be underestimated! They are cunning, varied in form, and will even use things from the mortal world to confuse you!"

"And you, having lost most of your divine power, all you can rely on now is the trust and bond between you, as well as the unique 'potential' belonging to your constellations that you are gradually discovering and awakening in the mortal world!"

He paused to let the suspense ferment, then suddenly waved his hand, pointing to the "Astral Colosseum" ring shimmering with colorful light, his voice becoming impassioned again:

"Therefore, today's 'Mortal Survival Challenge' has been upgraded! It is not just about working and selling!"

"In order to protect your hard-won Pisces Sausage Stall (Choi Yena: nodding vigorously), to obtain more survival resources and clues, and to resist the harassment of the Star Demons Claws—"

"You must step onto that ring! Under the gaze of everyone, use your wisdom, courage, and the initially awakened 'constellation power' to face challenges, win victories, and prove—that even if you have fallen into the mortal world, the light of the Star Saints will never be extinguished!"

"IZ*ONE! twelve star envoys! Are you ready?!"

Jiang Zhiyu's final question, transmitted through the microphone, spread far and wide, full of incitement and a sense of ritual.

The IZ*ONE members on stage, although internally full of complaints about "constellation power" and "stepping onto the ring," under the packaging of Jiang Zhiyu's complete (and cheesy) backstory, and in the heated atmosphere stirred up by the audience, had no choice but to get into character.

Kwon Eunbi, as the leader, took a deep breath, stepped forward half a step, faced the camera and the audience, and responded on behalf of everyone with a clear and firm voice:

"We are ready!"

"In order to return to the Star Palace and protect the Sun God—"

"The twelve star envoys will definitely give our all!"

The other members also nodded one after another, striking a fighting (or at least serious) pose. Jang Wonyoung also temporarily cast aside her previous embarrassment, raised her hand to adjust the "crown water bottle" on her head, and her eyes became sharp (at least they looked like it).

"Very good!" Jiang Zhiyu nodded with satisfaction, a signature smile mixed with anticipation and mischief appearing on his face.

"Then, 'twelve star envoys · Mortal Survival Record' Myeong-dong Special Episode—"

"'Protect the Sausage Stall! Break through the Star Demon's blockade!'"

"Now—officially—begins!!!"

The impassioned background music sounded again, the stage lights flashed, the lights on the ring side also lit up simultaneously, and the "commentator" behind the betting desk began to warm up the crowd at the top of their lungs again. The onlookers erupted into even greater cheers and anticipation.

The twelve "Star Saints" of IZ*ONE, driven by Producer Jiang Zhi Yu's seemingly absurd but logically consistent (variety show logic) plot, felt helpless yet carried a hint of stirred-up fighting spirit, officially stepping into the core battlefield of this "Myeong-dong drama" that blended street performance, survival challenge, brand placement, and absurd fighting.

And their first task, I'm afraid, is how to deal with the "Astral Colosseum," which is full of dolls, plastic bones, and possibly more bizarre settings, as "Star Saints."

Following Producer Jiang Zhi Yu's order, the program flow advanced rapidly. The "Astral Colosseum" ring was temporarily cleared and turned into a temporary "Sausage Stall Promotion Center." The small sausage cart, which Choi Yena regarded as a treasure, was grandly pushed by staff to the most conspicuous position of the ring, the sausage machine was preheated again, and the scorched aroma of meat began to permeate, instantly attracting the attention of countless passersby (especially those who were hungry).

Choi Yena stood behind the sausage cart without hesitation, tied on the apron printed with a small fish pattern, put on the matching chef's hat (also with a small fish pattern), picked up the sausage tongs, her little face full of "professionalism" and "sense of mission." She was now the landlady and sole chef of the "Pisces Sausage Stall," shouldering the heavy responsibility of earning the first pot of survival funds for the entire "Star Saints" group.

Producer Jiang Zhi Yu, holding a microphone, walked over to the sausage cart and began a new round of "task release":

"Dear customers, dear guardians of the Star Saints!" He said in a loud voice, "The 'Pisces Sausage Stall' is officially open for business on the streets of Myeong-dong today! To celebrate the opening, and to show the mortal world that even though our Star Saints have lost their divine power, they still possess extraordinary charm and talent—"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the eleven young ladies besides Choi Yena, a smile that they were all too familiar with, mixed with calculation and "it's for your own good," appearing on his face:

"We will hold a unique 'customer-attracting competition'! The art of attracting customers is not just about shouting, but a comprehensive display of charm!"

Alarm bells rang in the hearts of the young ladies—it was just as expected!

"The rules are as follows!" Jiang Zhiyu spoke quickly, with an unquestionable rhythm, "Except for Chef Yena, the eleven Star Saints need to first select an 'absolutely fair' chief judge! This chief judge will not participate in the competition but will be responsible for supervising the process, recording scores, and making the final judgment on who wins!"

His gaze roamed over everyone's faces, finally fixing on one person, his smile deepening:

"I think, this position, who else could it be but our Star Saints of Libra, who symbolizes 'justice, balance, and judgment'—Kim Minju xi?"

Swish!

Everyone's gaze instantly focused on Kim Minju.