174: Chapter 172

The hustle and bustle on the streets of Myeong-dong seemed to settle down temporarily with the conclusion of the final performance, waiting for the next segment to begin.

Five groups with vastly different styles but all 'highly effective' charms had finished their displays, and the enthusiasm and discussion among the audience below the stage reached a boiling point. The peaks on the popularity decibel recorder were constantly being refreshed, especially the pure and shocking locking duel of the last main dance line group, which pushed the atmosphere of the scene to a climax.

Although Choi Yena's sausage stall had finished its free distribution, under her persistent shouting and the attention triggered by Jiang Zhiyu's 'food snatching' earlier, many people were still attracted by the aroma, and business was quite good. She was busy beyond belief, but the smile on her face was even brighter than the sauce on the sausages.

Chief Judge Kim Minju, however, fell into deep distress facing the complex scoreboard in her hand, which was filled with the names of each group member, as well as columns like 'Audience Decibel Value', 'Jury Score (to be filled)', and 'Product Placement Creative Bonus (to be discussed)'. Her Libra heart of justice was in a fierce struggle: Sakura Unnie and Nako Unnie's performance was embarrassing but had an explosive effect; Wonyoung and Hyewon Unnie's performance was pleasing to the eye; Chaewon Unnie and Yuri Unnie's 'awkward song' had a high degree of completion; Chaeyeon Unnie and Hitomi Unnie's dance strength was impeccable... Every group had highlights and... well, unique 'memory points'. How should she give the scores to appear 'fair'?

Just as Kim Minju's brow was furrowed, the jury was whispering in discussion, and the audience was eagerly awaiting the results, Producer Jiang Zhi Yu, who controlled the overall situation, took the main microphone again.

He didn't immediately announce the scoring results of the 'Charm Combat', but instead changed the subject, directing everyone's attention to another more 'grand' stage.

“Friends in the audience here and in front of the screen!” Jiang Zhiyu's voice spread to every corner through the high-quality speakers, full of incitement and a sense of ceremony, “Thank you to the five groups of ‘Star Saints’ for bringing us such wonderful and diverse charm displays! Their adaptability and talent in the mortal world are amazing!”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the girls on the stage who were a bit tired but whose eyes were still bright (or numb), and a familiar smile, a mix of expectation and mischief, curled at the corners of his mouth.

“But—!” His tone suddenly became serious and full of a sense of crisis, “The easy display time is over!”

With his words, the stage lights changed abruptly! The originally bright white light switched to flickering, nebula-vortex-like eerie blue and purple beams, while a low, strange, and oppressive background music slowly began to play.

The ring—no, the light board above it had changed again, flashing several even more exaggerated large characters:

[Starlight Grand Prize · Final Trial Combat Arena]

And around the ring, the dolls that were originally just backgrounds or 'warm-up actors'—Hello Kitty, the Golden Retriever, the Grey Wolf, and those few dull-colored 'Zang Zang Bao' dolls—all moved at the same time!

They were no longer in a comical state of shaking their heads, but under the control of the staff, they took heavy (in their own opinion) steps, slowly gathering from the surroundings of the ring toward the center. Although they were still doll costumes, combined with the changing lights and eerie music, they actually created a strange atmosphere of 'an army pressing down on the borders'.

The audience below was instantly attracted by this sudden change in style and held their breath.

Jiang Zhiyu's voice continued to sound, like a narration:

“The ‘Star Demons Claws’ lurking in the mortal world finally can't hold back! What they covet is not just the gradually recovering power of the Star Saints, but also the precious ‘Sacred Objects’ they have obtained in the mortal world, symbolizing the hope of survival—”

His finger suddenly pointed to the front side of the stage, to that sausage cart that was still wafting a tempting aroma, and to Choi Yena, who was standing behind the cart with a bewildered look, holding a sausage clip and not knowing what to do!

“That is—the ‘Pisces Sausage Saintess’ Choi Yena, and the ‘Miracle Sausage Stall’ she protects!!”

Choi Yena: “...???” What does this have to do with me? How did my sausage stall become a sacred object?

“The Star Demon Claws believe that as long as they seize this sausage stall, which contains the ‘mortal world's fireworks and the power of hope’, they can completely cut off the path for the Star Saints to return to the Star Palace!” Jiang Zhiyu's voice was full of dramatic tension, “Look! They have already issued a challenge!”

As if to confirm his words, the largest Grey Wolf doll took a sudden step forward (the doll costume limited its momentum), and then, from the 'mouth' opening of the doll costume, came a series of electronic sounds processed by a voice changer, low and husky (but unable to hide its comedic essence):

“Woof woof woof! Meow meow meow! Awoo awoo awoo—!! (A mix of garbled beastly roars)”

Immediately after, the Hello Kitty doll next to it also raised its ball of yarn (?), emitting a high-pitched electronic voice: “Meow~! Defeat you! Get the sausages!! (Translation-ese)”

The Golden Retriever doll shook a bone stick: “Woof woof! Sausages! Snatch them all!”

The Zang Zang Bao dolls made meaningless “gurgle gurgle” sounds.

Although the lines and roars were still comical, under the 'crisis' atmosphere created by Jiang Zhiyu, there was actually a bit of an 'evil force' feeling (forced).

The audience below was first stunned, then burst into huge laughter and even more enthusiastic expectations!

“Hahaha! Snatching sausages?!”

“The Star Demon's ultimate goal is actually the sausage stall?!”

“Yena has become the target for the ultimate BOSS to protect?!”

“What kind of divine plot development is this!”

The members of IZ*ONE were also stunned by this sudden 'plot'. They were just worrying about their performance scores, and in the blink of an eye, it was going to turn into a 'Sausage Stall Defense Battle'? And the opponents were these dolls?

Kwon Eunbi's mouth twitched, An Yujin facepalmed, Sakura and Nako looked at each other, Jang Wonyoung subconsciously touched the water bottle crown on her head, Kim Chaewon and Jo Yuri looked bewildered, while Lee Chaeyeon and Hitomi took up instinctive defensive postures (from their dance foundation).

Jiang Zhiyu was very satisfied with the reaction at the scene. He raised his volume and shouted in an encouraging (and inciting) tone:

“Star Saints! The moment to test your true unity and courage has arrived!”

“This is no ordinary battle! The power of the Star Demon Claws is lodged within these mortal dolls; ordinary attacks will hardly be effective!”

“But—you are not without a chance of winning!”

He opened his arms, pointing to the dazzling array of various sponsored products next to the ring that had already appeared today or were yet to be used—toy hammers, gummy bears, candy apples, marshmallows, mineral water, instant noodles, juice, soap, stress-relief toys, sports drinks, energy bars...

“These ‘partners’ you have obtained in the mortal world, these items containing ‘mortal world's power of will’ (consumer love), will be attached with sacred starlight after resonating with your ‘Constellation Power’!”

His speaking speed quickened, and his eyes swept over every member with burning intensity:

“Kwon Eunbi! Pick up your ‘Hammer of the Lionheart Sovereign’! Let it be filled with the majestic power of leo!”

“Choi Yena! Protect your sausage stall! Your ‘Pisces Tidal Power’ can be attached to the sauce, making the sausages... more attractive (?)?”

“Miyawaki Sakura! Your ‘Sakura Mochi Power’ might make the candy apples more... impactful?”

“Jang Wonyoung! The ‘Star Spring Sacred Crown’ on your head is itself a powerful sacred artifact!”

“An Yujin! Use your ‘Capricorn Rock Fortress Power’ to stabilize the rear!”

“And all of you! Find the ‘mortal sacred objects’ that fit your constellation! Use your wisdom, courage, and newly awakened power—”

He suddenly swung his arm, pointing at the group of dolls 'glaring like tigers' on the ring, his voice decisive:

“Protect your sausage stall! Protect your hope in the mortal world!”

“Use the endorsement products attached with sacred star power, combined with your respective ultimate moves—”

“Defend! Attack! Girls!!”

“Starlight Grand Prize · Final Trial—‘The Battle to Protect the Sausage (Yena)’, now—begin!!!”

The incredibly stirring BGM, like an epic game battle starting, boomed! The lights flashed wildly!

On the ring, the dolls let out various comical 'war cries' and began to clumsily move toward the center of the ring (symbolically).

Below the stage, the cheers, screams, and heckling of the audience merged into one, and the atmosphere was explosive!

And on the stage, the eleven 'Star Saints' (plus Choi Yena behind the sausage cart), after experiencing bewilderment, absurdity, shame, effort, and the huge sense of absurdity that hit them again, looked at the group of 'hungry' (sausage-snatching) doll enemies before them, as well as the sponsored products around them that Jiang Zhiyu had forcibly endowed with 'sacred star power'...

They knew that the final and most ridiculous 'great battle' had inevitably arrived.

Should they continue to be ashamed, or in this extreme absurdity, carve out an unforgettable 'bloody path' belonging to IZ*ONE?

The answer was about to be revealed in the upcoming 'Starlight Grand Prize Combat Arena', which fused advertising, chuunibyou, comedy, and a tiny bit of team passion.