?????? ???? | Debut or Die x Male OC

"24th. Nam Seojun!"

I froze for a second, staring at the screen in disbelief. "Wait... what?" I muttered under my breath.

The announcement continued, "He received lots of love for his engaging live stream and relatable charm, especially during the seasonal fruit promotion!"

My jaw practically hit the floor as I processed the words. "Eighth place? Are you kidding me?" I muttered, half in disbelief, half in awe.

The system chimed in again,
⌜ This is just the beginning, Host! Keep up the good work! (≧▽≦) ⌟

I sighed, a mix of relief and amusement washing over me. "Well... I guess people really do like fruit," I chuckled, scratching my head.

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LemonArcadia N
⌜ He ranked up higher than other had expected. I'm proud of my seasonal fruit elf! TT TT ⌟
↪ ⌜ Insert Photo of Seojun ⌟
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Blue_muf.rifs N
⌜ Can't believe he got into the top 10! ⌟
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I walked over to the designated seat for 8th place, feeling a mix of emotions. The closer I got, the heavier my steps felt. There it was, the number 8 proudly displayed on the sleek chair. It felt strange-like I didn't entirely belong there, yet it was undeniably mine.

As I sat down, I let out a quiet sigh, leaning back for a moment to collect myself. The seat was comfortable, but it carried an unspoken weight-a reminder that expectations had shifted.

I glanced around at the other contestants who were already seated in their spots. Some were chatting animatedly, while others, like me, were silently processing their positions. My gaze briefly met Park Moondae's, who gave me a small nod before focusing ahead.

I straightened up, gripping the armrests lightly. "Eighth place, huh?" I whispered under my breath. "Let's see how long I can hold onto this."

As I settled into my seat, the system's familiar cheerful tone echoed in my mind:

⌜ Congratulations on officially claiming the 8th place seat! ✨ Such a prestigious rank for a first-timer. How does it feel, Host? (≧▽≦) ⌟

I rolled my eyes, already used to its overly enthusiastic personality. "Prestigious, huh? More like nerve-wracking," I muttered under my breath.

⌜ Oh, come on! Don't downplay it. This is a huge achievement! Imagine all the potential fans watching you right now, waiting for you to shine! ✺◟(＾∇＾)◞✺ ⌟

I sighed, glancing around the room as contestants continued to settle in. "Yeah, no pressure at all," I replied sarcastically.

⌜ Exactly! No pressure, just opportunity! So, Host, what's the game plan to climb even higher? (*≧ω≦) ⌟

I smirked slightly, leaning back in my chair. "Simple. Keep surprising everyone."

The system gave a satisfied chime before falling silent, leaving me with my thoughts.

⌜ Keep surprising everyone? Oooh, mysterious! So, does that mean you'll finally stop pretending you don't care about this? (¬‿¬) ⌟

I crossed my arms, letting out a low chuckle. "Pretending? Please. I'm just naturally laid-back. Not my fault everyone else looks like they're auditioning for a drama special."

⌜ Oh, right. You're just too cool to care. Except when you were panicking over that elven fairy crown earlier. Shall I replay that moment for you? (¬‿¬) ⌟