Right on cue, the narrator announced the start of the game. The cast let out disappointed groans and began to scatter, which gave Gyeol the perfect chance to turn away and put some distance between himself and the others.
His heart pounded violently. Clasping his trembling hands together, he rubbed them as he stared out at the sea, using the brief lull to steady himself.
Isu Yoon noticed something was off and spoke to him.
“Gyeol, what’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”
“N-no, I’m fine. It’s just... knowing we’ll be up soon is making me nervous.”
Gyeol shook out his hands and forced his eyes into a smile. Isu nodded as if he understood and bounced lightly in place a couple of times.
“Man, I’m not even hoping for first place. I just don’t want to come last. I’m really bad at anything physical.”
“Really? You seem like you’d be good at it.”
“I’m terrible. My agency literally told me to be careful not to turn into some embarrassing viral meme.”
Cupping his hands around his mouth, Isu lowered his voice to a whisper and grinned. The more Gyeol looked at him, the more he seemed like an easygoing, likable person.
“Let’s stand over here together, Gyeol.”
Thanks to him, Gyeol felt some of his anxiety ease as he straightened his posture. Still, it was impossible not to be aware of Yo Han Sung standing behind the cameras.
The Alpha Team Match
The Alpha team match began.
The Alphas, each having warmed up and pumped their muscles with push-ups, took their positions at the starting line. Every one of them had a superior physique, but just as their faces differed, so did their builds.
“Sun Choi, seeing you in person—your body is insane.”
Sun Choi, a former national swimmer, had broad, squared shoulders and a sleek waistline. His body formed a perfect inverted triangle.
“Tommy, you’re even better than expected.”
Tommy, a food-broadcast YouTuber who also made fitness content, looked like a literal brown bear. His massive frame and thick muscles contrasted completely with his gentle face.
“And Jun Shin too—”
“......”
At Isu’s whisper, Gyeol barely managed to stop himself from going blank.
Jun Shin’s upper body—something Gyeol had seen countless times in the past—was now twice as thick as before. It was obvious how obsessively he had managed his diet and training. His solid six-pack stood out sharply.
Gyeol suddenly recalled a short video the YouTube algorithm had once shoved in his face—“Top Idol Six-Pack: Jun Shin.” It showed Jun Shin dancing at a concert, lifting his shirt up to his face to reveal his chest and abs. His sharply defined hip bones had been especially striking.
And now I have to see it in person.
I could’ve gone my whole life without that.
“Woo Seok is a bit disappointing.”
“Yeah. He still looks good, but the others are just too much.”
In contrast, Woo Seok Jung had a leaner build overall. It was typical for a model, but in a setting focused on physical strength, it inevitably looked a bit lacking.
***
Beep—!
Start! The first game was a race through multiple obstacle zones.
From the very start, the Alphas surged forward with overwhelming momentum. In an instant, Jun Shin and Sun Choi took the lead.
Jun Shin was agile, while Sun Choi had superior endurance. The two of them battled back and forth for first place as they cleared obstacle after obstacle.
“Wow... that’s insane.”
The match was decided at the sixth obstacle. Jun Shin began to tire, while Sun Choi pushed through relentlessly.
In the final stretch across the sandy beach, Jun Shin chased him down stubbornly, but the gap created during the obstacle section was too wide to close.
— The winner of the Alpha team match is Sun Choi.
“Good work.”
“That was amazing.”
Jun Shin, who came in second, high-fived Sun Choi as they encouraged each other.
— Sun Choi receives a brunch date ticket. Tomorrow morning, he may choose one Omega for a date.
Jun Shin unscrewed a 500ml water bottle and poured it over his head, clearly frustrated by his loss.
For Gyeol, it was a good outcome. Better to eliminate any potential risk before it could grow.
— Next is the Omega team match.
Finally, it was the Omegas’ turn. He had to make a strong first impression.
I can do this.
He had trained relentlessly for this day—running, grip strength, obstacle navigation, balance—everything.
And at 180 cm, Gyeol was tall for an Omega. The other Omegas all seemed at least 5 cm shorter. In physical challenges, height was an undeniable advantage.
Please get ready. You will start after three signals.
Beep— Gyeol clenched his fists tightly.
Beep— The first course: semi-climbing.
A sloped section about 2.5 meters high. Everyone would crowd the center. Gyeol planned to take the edge.
Beep—!
Start! At the signal, the Omegas rushed forward all at once.
Gyeol reached the slope first. His judgment was correct. While the others tangled together in the center, he climbed up the edge smoothly.
“Wow, Gyeol is really fast!”
The Alphas exclaimed.
Without hesitation, he crossed the floating sponge stepping stones in the pool and advanced quickly.
By the time he reached the fourth obstacle, he was far ahead of the others.
Rolling, jumping, clearing everything—he burst onto the sandy beach and sprinted toward the finish line.
“He’s so fast!”
“Gyeol’s definitely taking first!”
Victory was right in front of him.
Then—
A scream erupted behind him.
Gyeol turned instinctively.
Far back, the other Omegas had just started running, but Isu Yoon was sitting on the ground, clutching his ankle with his head lowered. It looked like he had twisted it.
What do I do?
The finish line was right there.
In that brief moment—his pace slowing as he looked back—Gyeol fell into conflict.
Two Omegas were rapidly closing the gap.
There was no time to hesitate.
“I’m not even hoping for first place... I just don’t want to come last.”
The memory of Isu’s words flashed through his mind.
Damn it.
Gyeol turned sharply and started running back.
“W-wait... what?!”
The Alphas shouted in shock. The Omegas passing him stared in disbelief.
Don’t be ridiculous. It’s not like I’m doing this for him.
This is all about image.
Helping him will build a better image in the long run.
...That’s how he justified it to himself as he reached Isu.
“Isu, are you okay?”
“Gyeol... you came back because of me?”
“Can you stand?”
“What about you? You were in first...”
“It’s fine. Get up.”
Gyeol pulled Isu’s arm over his shoulder and carefully lifted him, supporting him as they slowly walked toward the finish line.
Only after they crossed did the announcement sound.
— The winner of the Omega team match is Hee Jun Kang.
Hee Jun Kang jumped in excitement while Isu looked overwhelmed with guilt.
“It’s okay. I wanted to do it.”
“Gyeol...”
“I’m serious. I just wanted to build a good image, that’s all.”
Isu looked deeply moved.
Losing victory right in front of him stung—but Gyeol didn’t regret it.
He told himself it was about image.
But in truth, even if he went back, he would make the same choice again.
***
After the Game.
After showering and getting ready, the cast gathered at the outdoor kitchen lounge for dinner.
“Sun Choi, have you decided who to take on the brunch date?”
“I’m still thinking about it.”
“I see. You’re the careful type.”
“It’s a valuable opportunity.”
I see.
Listening in, Gyeol busied himself as usual. Having Jun Shin in the same space was slightly irritating, but not seeing Yo Han Sung behind the cameras made him feel much more at ease.
“Gyeol, your knife skills are no joke.”
“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing.”
Gyeol paused mid-slice as he neatly chopped green onions.
He had picked up the skill unintentionally while working multiple restaurant part-time jobs while raising a child.
Did I overdo it?
Well... too late now. Might as well show what I can do.
“Wow, this is so good!”
Gyeol quickly prepared rolled omelet and stir-fried pork with cabbage.
Thanks to him, the Omegas—who were too busy with entertainment careers to cook—and the Alphas, who promised to cook tomorrow, all ate their fill.
Mm. This is good.
You couldn’t skip meals carelessly. Smiling in satisfaction at the well-made omelet, Gyeol relaxed.
***
First Impression Selection.
When he opened the mailbox to check the first impression choices, Gyeol froze completely.
There were four Alphas. That meant two votes would already be a strong start.
“......”
But his mailbox was stuffed with cards.
For a moment, Gyeol doubted his eyes and lightly bumped his forehead against the mailbox—aware of the camera.
“Ha...”
After calming himself, he began taking the cards out one by one.
One, two...
All four Alphas’ cards were there.
But—
“...What?”
That wasn’t all.
Gyeol pulled out the last remaining card.
“Why are there five?”
Instead of four, there were five cards in his hand.