197: Chapter 195 The internet at home is really bad, even worse than my grades!

Pedestrians on the street stopped to watch, many taking out their phones to film this absurd scene—a group of people (or creatures?) in mascot costumes getting off a bus covered in IZ*ONE photos and lining up on the streets of Hongdae.

“Is that... IZ*ONE?” a passerby exclaimed, pointing at the photos on the side of the bus.

“It looks like them! But why are the photos so... chuunibyou?”

“They must be filming a variety show, right? Look, there’s even a PD giving directions.”

“What are those mascot costumes? So funny!”

The chatter rose and fell, and the IZ*ONE members inside the bus were on pins and needles. Through the windows, they could see the crowd growing larger, with camera flashes going off one after another.

“Do we really have to get off like this?” Jang Wonyoung’s voice carried a hint of a sob.

Kwon Eunbi took a deep breath. As the leader, she knew someone had to step up at a time like this: “Girls, there’s no other way. Since we’ve come this far, let’s just... finish this professionally. We’ve already been embarrassed enough today; this little bit more won’t hurt.”

“Unnie Eunbi is right.” Although An Yujin also looked helpless, she still nodded. “Let’s just treat it as... the most unforgettable experience of our careers.”

Miyawaki Sakura said with a bitter smile, “It’s certainly unforgettable—the kind you can’t forget even if you want to.”

Jiang Zhiyu turned his head at this moment, flashing a brilliant smile at them: “Saints, it’s your turn! Remember to keep smiling; it’s for the show’s effect!”

The twelve girls looked at each other, seeing the same determination in each other’s eyes—since they couldn’t escape, they would face it.

They tidied their silly cartoon hoodies, adjusted their expressions, and stood up one by one, walking toward the bus door.

Outside the bus, the night in Hongdae was brightly lit, the crowd gathered, and the mascots were lined up in a crooked row. Inside, the members of IZ*ONE wore expressions of grim determination, preparing to face another round of public execution.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhiyu stood at the bus door, holding a small flag, his smile even more dazzling than the neon lights of Hongdae.

This roast meat dinner probably wasn’t going to be that easy to eat.

The bus door slowly opened, and the twelve girls of IZ*ONE stepped off almost robotically. The cool night breeze blew against their faces, but it couldn’t dissipate the burning heat in their cheeks.

The scene before them made them want to flee back onto the bus immediately.

In front of the roast meat shop lay a crude but sufficiently eye-catching red plastic carpet—the kind most commonly found in wedding supply stores. On both sides of the carpet, the four characters for “Starry Road” were taped out in cheap gold tape, and several portable spotlights shone from different angles, creating blinding spots of light on the red carpet.

What made them collapse the most was that at the end of the red carpet stood a massive background board—printed with the logo of twelve star messengers: records of survival in the mortal realm and the logos of all the sponsors from today’s recording: Jufu Zhai Roast Duck, Iceberg Source Crystal Mineral Water, Brand XX Juice, Brand YY Soap, Brand ZZ Toys... It was densely packed, like a brand exhibition.

A crude “photo zone” was also set up in front of the background board, featuring a plastic throne—the chair was covered in mineral water labels, clearly the “Star Spring Throne” prepared for Jang Wonyoung.

At this moment, the “Star Demons Claws” mascots who had gotten off first were already lined up in a crooked row on the red carpet. The Hello Kitty and Golden Retriever mascots had somehow started bickering again, pushing each other with paws (and dog paws), making “Meow!” and “Woof!” sounds of confrontation. The Zang Zang Bao mascot tried to mediate, only to get caught between the two, letting out a “Wululu” moan.

“Everyone, please line up in order!” Jiang Zhiyu shouted through a megaphone, his voice clearly audible even amidst the hustle and bustle of Hongdae’s night. “Next, we will perform character poses and background introductions in order! The Star Demon group will go first!”

As soon as he finished speaking, a staff member immediately brought over a simple stand microphone and placed it at the start of the red carpet.

The mascots seemed to have been “trained” long ago; the first to step forward was actually the Golden Retriever mascot that had been bickering with Hello Kitty.

It walked onto the red carpet with a swaggering gait, each step intentionally heavy, showing an aura of “I am number one in the world” even in a mascot suit. Reaching the microphone, it came to a sudden stop, and then—

“Woof! Woof woof woof woof—!!!”

A series of intense and “majestic” barks were amplified through the microphone, echoing across the entire street. The Golden Retriever mascot also cooperatively raised a front paw, pointing toward the sky in a “This Great One is here” pose.

The onlookers burst into laughter and applause.

Jiang Zhiyu commentated from the side: “This is ‘Star Demons Claws · Golden Retriever General’! Its ultimate move is ‘Bone-Snatching Whirlwind Slash’! Its favorite food is meat bones, and its most hated thing is... cats!”

Before his voice could fade, the Hello Kitty mascot rushed onto the red carpet as if its tail had been stepped on, shoving aside the still-posing Golden Retriever.

“Meow—!!!”

A sharp cat meow came through the microphone. After the Hello Kitty mascot stood still, it made an unexpected move—it tidied the bow on its chest with its plush paws, then slowly raised a paw, making a provocative “come here” gesture to the onlookers.

That posture and aura were exactly like a “Mafia Boss Kitty”!

“This is ‘Star Demons Claws · Metal Kitty Commander’!” Jiang Zhiyu’s voice contained irrepressible amusement. “Its ultimate move is ‘Yarn Tangle Binding Technique’! It appears cute and harmless, but it is actually the most cunning tactician in the Star Demon Legion!”

The Hello Kitty mascot seemed very satisfied with this introduction. It turned around and raised a single claw toward the Golden Retriever mascot—though the fingers of the mascot suit weren’t distinct, everyone understood that highly provocative gesture.

The Golden Retriever mascot immediately let out a “Woof!” and tried to rush forward, but was held back in time by a staff member.

The Zang Zang Bao mascot that came up next was much more “gentle.” It waddled onto the red carpet, making “gurgle gurgle” sounds into the microphone, then made an “embrace the world” gesture—though because of its rounded body, the pose looked more like it was about to fall over.

“This is ‘Star Demons Claws · Filth Devourer Zang Zang Bao’! Its ability is ‘Stain Pollution Domain,’ which can make the surrounding environment... not so tidy! But please do not be fooled by its appearance; it has a heart that longs to be cleaned!”

Upon hearing the last sentence, the Zang Zang Bao mascot actually made a “nodding” motion, then staggered to the background board, trying hard to strike a “V” sign—though it looked more like it was raising its hands in surrender.

The Gray Wolf mascot’s entrance was even more dramatic. It walked onto the red carpet with steady steps and let out a long “Awoo————” into the microphone, its voice deep and magnetic. Then it raised its “head,” scanning the crowd with a nearly “melancholy” gaze, finally fixing its eyes on the IZ*ONE members and letting out a soft “Wu...”.

“This is ‘Star Demons Claws · Lone Wolf’! It was once a member of the Starry Realm Guard but fell into darkness for certain reasons, yet a sliver of light remains in its heart! Its ultimate move is ‘Moonlight Cry,’ which can evoke guilt and sadness in the hearts of enemies!”

The Gray Wolf mascot’s performance was clearly a level above the others. When it reached the background board, it even made a “looking back at the moon” pose, and that lonely silhouette actually made a few watching girls sigh, “How pitiful.”

Next were the Soft Babies—those translucent jelly-like mascots. They didn’t come out individually but “wiggled” onto the red carpet as a group, making synchronized “squish squish” sounds, then combined into various shapes on the carpet: first a heart, then a star, and finally even attempted to form the letters “IZ*ONE”—though the result looked more like a pile of moving jelly puzzle pieces.

“These are the ‘Star Demons Claws Variant · Soft Baby Legion’! They are low-level creatures created through experiments by the Star Demon. They lack independent thought but are vast in number! Their weakness is an obsession with simple, cheerful music!”

After the Soft Babies finished their performance, they collectively “melted” onto the red carpet and then slowly “flowed” next to the background board, slumping into a pile of shimmering jelly.

With the Star Demon group’s display concluded, the onlookers were already doubled over with laughter. Many were recording with their phones, and flashes continued to go off.

Jiang Zhiyu turned to the IZ*ONE members, his smile becoming even more radiant: “Alright, next it’s our dear Star Saints’ turn! Who’s first?”

The twelve girls looked at each other, and not one dared to take the first step.

“How about... in order of age?” Jo Yuri suggested in a small voice.

“Let’s go by zodiac sign...” Kim Minju said. “After all, we are ‘Star Envoys.’”

While they were whispering their debate, Kwon Eunbi took a deep breath and stepped forward: “I’ll go. I have to go sooner or later anyway.”

As the leader, she knew she had to set an example. Although she was so embarrassed internally that she wanted to vanish immediately, she still tried to maintain a surface-level calm as she walked onto that crude red carpet.

The spotlights hit her, making that silly leo cartoon hoodie look even more ridiculous under the lights. Kwon Eunbi walked to the microphone, paused for a few seconds, and then—

“Roar—!!!”

A “lion’s roar” that tried hard to be majestic but sounded more like acting cute came from the microphone.

The onlookers froze for a second, then erupted into even louder laughter.

Kwon Eunbi’s face instantly flushed bright red, but she braced herself and continued: “I... I am Lionheart Sovereign · Kwon Eunbi! My ultimate move is ‘Lion Charge Duck Punch’! I... I will protect all my comrades!”

After saying this, she practically fled to the background board, striking what she thought was a very “Lion King” pose—hands on hips, head slightly tilted up.

Jiang Zhiyu’s commentary rang out at the right time: “This is the head of the Star Saints—the Lionheart Sovereign! She possesses powerful leadership and a desire to protect, serving as the core pillar of the team! Although she occasionally appears irritable due to excessive worry, her heart is as warm as a lion’s!”

Kwon Eunbi struggled to maintain her pose in front of the background board, her heart screaming: Please let it end soon, let it end soon, let it end soon...

The second to summon her courage was An Yujin. She walked onto the red carpet with steady steps and cleared her throat in front of the microphone:

“I am Firm Rock Guardian · An Yujin! My ultimate move is ‘Capricorn · Immovable Rock Fortress’! I will use my solid protection to guard everyone’s smiles!”

Her voice was much steadier than Kwon Eunbi’s, and her pose was more natural—when she reached the background board, she did a “horse stance” defensive pose, her expression so serious it was hard not to smile.

“This is the team’s solid backup—the Firm Rock Guardian! She is steady and reliable, the most trusted companion for everyone! In moments of crisis, her tenacity can often be the key to turning the tide!”

Miyawaki Sakura, who came up next, practically finished the whole process with her eyes closed. She walked to the microphone and said in a voice that was almost inaudible: “I am the Saintess of Sakura · Miyawaki Sakura... My ultimate move is ‘Sakura Kill of Love and Justice! Rice Cake Ball Instant Kill Array’...”

By the time she reached “Rice Cake Ball Instant Kill Array,” her voice was as small as a mosquito’s buzz. But there were clearly fans of hers among the onlookers, who immediately shouted loudly: “Sakura! Fighting!”