CH 302

“So, is there a particular reason you decided to participate in the cross-dressing contest?”

“It's the money.”

“Ah, the prize money. Right, that makes sense.”

The host continued to ask uncomfortable questions. Contestant number 40 managed to handle them well enough at first, but as the questions persisted, his grip on the dress tightened.

As his embarrassment and shame intensified, Number 40's struggle became more apparent, and the crowd's expressions gradually grew more concerned.

In fact, his behavior wasn't much different from what human tank Number 24 had shown earlier. No, it was exactly the same.

But while people had been repulsed by Number 24's actions, they found themselves losing their minds at Number 40's identical behavior.

Is it because he’s cute that it's somehow okay?

Similar thoughts began to spread among the crowd.

“So, what do you plan on doing with the prize money if you win? Maybe buy another dress...?”

“...”

Of course, the host didn't stop his malicious questioning. Contestant Number 40's awkward smile in response was enough to garner sympathy from the crowd.

“Stop picking on him!”

“Yeah! Leave him alone!”

“Ask normal questions!”

Eventually, the audience started to criticize the host for making Number 40 uncomfortable. People had unknowingly become emotionally attached to Number 40.

“Oh dear, it seems I went too far. I apologize.”

“No, it's okay.”

The host began to ask about everyday life and hobbies. As the malicious questions disappeared, the silver-haired contestant calmly answered them.

Though it was the same question and answer session as before, people began to realize they didn't want this final round to end too soon.

"...I don't think I should watch this anymore."

Erich mumbled blankly.

They were starting to feel like they were heading into dangerous territory.

"...Right."

"..."

The other two male students didn't feel much different.

Liana would usually send a disdainful glance, but this time she couldn't.

"Why am I feeling jealous looking at a guy?"

Liana was also blankly mumbling.

“Well, let's move on to showcasing your talents…”

“Let's do it later!”

“You're doing it too soon!”

The audience even tried to stop the host's progress.

All Number 40 could do was laugh awkwardly at the audience's actions, but it only seemed to fan the flames.

“Well, it seems like contestant Number 40 has had a significant influence on many people's preferences.”

“I'm...sorry…”

“Oh, no need for you to apologize. But we can't delay any longer. We still have voting, and the contest needs to wrap up soon. So, what talent have you prepared?”

The host ultimately didn't grant Number 40 any more time.

“I'll sing.”

It wasn't anything new since many others had done the same. Of course, there was no accompaniment prepared, so everyone either sang a cappella or brought their own instruments.

Singing a song was a common talent, but everyone's eyes lit up at the news that Participant 40, who seemed to have many outstanding features and secrets, would sing.

“What song will you sing?”

“It's an original composition.”

“Oh, an original composition? Are you a music major?”

At the probing question, Participant 40 showed a subtle smile.

“Who knows?”

And so, Participant 40 sang during the appeal time.

Everyone was taken aback by the song sung in a soft voice.

It was a bizarre melody with lyrics about a woman weeding a bean field, something they had never heard or seen before in their lives.

The participant introduced the song as "Chilgapsan."

It was strange and unusual, but it was a shocking style that had never existed in the Temple culture scene.

(*Chilgapsan is a heartwrenching song about a poor mom in Chilgapsan who marries off her young daughter. The song became so popular that a monument dedicated to it was built.

The lyric of Chilgapsan:

Dear woman who works in the field bean

Your clothes are are soaked with your tears

What makes you so sorrowful ?

Why do you plant the tears instead of bean ?

On the day I was getting married, leaving my mother alone

I could hear the birds crying

In the peak Chilgak mountain

Your tears burned my young weak heart

I could hear the birds crying

In the peak Chilgak mountain

Your tears burned my young weak heart

The sound of birds crying

in the peak Chilgak mountain

burned my young weak heart

Chilgapsan was originally released by Yoon Heesang in 1979, and then became a hit when Joo Byungsun released a remake of the song in 1989.)

------

After all the participants were introduced, it was time for voting.

All forty participants took the stage once again.

From Participant 1, Kono Lint, who showed off an unexpected underwear show with a shocking ability evolution hidden behind it, to the mysterious Participant 40 who seemed to be able to go straight to Miss Temple, everyone took the stage.

The results were evident without looking.

Everyone was staring blankly at Participant 40.

As they did, the poor Participant 40, whose face turned red and who was trembling with a forced smile, seemed to be on the verge of going mad with embarrassment.

Naturally, the song he sang was bizarre, but didn't this situation have a magical modifier that was attached to it?

Four-dimensional.

So, even when Participant 40 did something strange, it was understood as a kind of charm.

"Really... He must not have wanted to come out."

Everyone had no choice but to agree that Participant 40 was really struggling to endure this situation, regardless of whether it suited them or not.

The reason they came this far to a place they didn't want to go.

"But... how much money does he really need...?"

Money.

People had no choice but to guess that Participant 40 really needed the prize money. They began to speculate amongst themselves.

"I don't know who he is, but he must have been really handsome. So, shouldn't he just go to Mister Temple?"

"Maybe he’ll go to Mister Temple too."

"Oh, right."

If he won both the cross-dressing contest and Mister Temple, the prize money will be doubled.

The hearts of all the spectators who came to watch the competition came together.

The men were curious about what the guy really looked like.

The women were curious about how handsome the guy really was.

If he came to the cross-dressing contest because he needed money, he would naturally go to Mister Temple as well.

By going to the Mister Temple Contest, they might be able to find out the identity of that person.

While everyone was murmuring, the royal class students were alternately looking at Kono Lint and Participant 40.

Although Participant number 1's unexpected underwear show seemed to be forgotten, Kono Lint was filled with embarrassment and astonishment.

The situation left Kono Lint feeling a mix of embarrassment and happiness. He kept sending glances to his friends as if to say, "I did it!" but he couldn't help but look at contestant 40 more often.

"Hey, by the way."

"What?"

Erich de Lafaeri nudged Cayer's side.

"Doesn't that person keep looking at me?"

Erich was obviously talking about contestant 40.

"…Really? I thought he was looking at me."

"Wasn't it me?"

At Heinrich and Cayer's words, Liana scowled.

"What are you idiots talking about? He’s a man, right? If he’s looking at someone, it's me, not you guys."

All four seated in the audience believed that contestant 40 kept looking at them.

"Me, right?"

"Because it's me."

"Definitely me."

"No, obviously me. Seriously, what are you talking about?"

All four began arguing over a pointless issue.

In reality, they were all correct.

Contestant 40 would occasionally make eye contact with each of the four, quickly averting his gaze each time. It was no wonder that such thoughts were swirling in the boys' minds.

But still, he’s a man…

No, even so…

No, definitely not.

What if?

Could he actually be a woman?

Their minds were filled with bizarre thoughts, becoming increasingly confused.

Of course, contestant 40 wasn't thinking any of that and was just being cautious.

"Hmm…"

This time, Liana was looking somewhere other than contestant 40.

"Why?"

"No, that person over there."

Liana pointed out a certain location to Erich and whispered.

"Doesn’t that person seem a bit creepy?"

Someone in a black robe was standing at the very back of the auditorium, quietly staring at contestant 40. Of course, there were quite a few audience members wearing hooded robes to hide their identities, just like contestant 40.

However, the excessively dark black robe gave off an unsettling feeling just by looking at it.

"…You're right."

Erich also shuddered a bit.

As they pondered, the voting began.

Contestant 40, who had dressed as a woman due to their desperate need for money.

He was already set to secure many votes, but when people found out he needed the money, he began to get sympathy votes as well.

Everyone knew that contestant 40 would undoubtedly win, and he did.

It was an almost unanimous victory, with no one objecting.

------

It was a hellish time.

"How do you feel about winning?"

"Ah, I'm… really grateful. Thank you."

Nevertheless, this was the pinnacle of hell.

Wearing the victor's crown and holding the trophy, he forced a smile, hoping that this torturous time would end quickly.

[Event Complete - Cross-dressing Contest]

[You have acquired 4,000 achievement points.]

[Your Magic Power has increased by 5.]

[Your Anti-magic Resistance has increased.]

In the end, after enduring a ridiculous time, he obtained the desired rewards.

And the prize money - twenty gold coins.

Twenty million won.

‘In reality, it's quite a large sum.

But I wondered if this money was worth trading for my dignity, which had already disappeared and might continue to do so.

My original magic power was 14.2.

Now, my magic power is 19.2.

If it increases by just 0.8 more, I'll gain a talent called "Magic Power Domination."

Yes.

It won't be long now.

I did all of this for that.’

The winner's crown and trophy, along with the victory speech, the applause and cheers of the audience.

“Oh senior! Take me!”

“Since you're prettier than me, just call me sister!”

The outbursts of middle school girls.

“Bro! Take me!”

“Bro, I…”

The outbursts of middle school boys.

“Let's be secret friends!”

High school students were no different.

I felt dizzy.

I wanted to throw up.

Yet, I tried my best to maintain a smiling expression. It seemed like none of the others, like Bertus, had caught on to me.

Then the host, who had tormented him with those annoying questions, looked at me with a sly smile.

"So, as a celebration of your victory, can you give an encore of the song you just sang?"

"…"

At the request to sing once more in celebration of my victory, I ended up belting out "Chilgapsan" again.

While I didn't know about the other things, it was pretty funny to see the bewildered expressions of those who didn't know how to react to this situation.

Do you guys understand the sorrow of Chilgapsan's peak?

Anyway, the cross-dressing contest was over.

Now, I just have to safely dispose of the trophy and turn myself into Reinhardt.

“Brother! I… feel weird…”

Ah.

Should I just kill all of you and go to hell?