From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show Chapter 1046: This Is It

"This is it," Akira declared with a flair for the dramatic. "The final performance of the year for DAWN. This group has moved heaven and earth to stay united, and they have truly come such a long way."

"From overcoming a survival show together to delivering endless performances, DAWN have cemented their status as living legends! In just over a year, they have ascended to become the highest-earning idols, and fans everywhere are breathless with anticipation for what tomorrow brings. What an incredible journey it has been. Who would have predicted this?" He even went as far as to fake a sob.

"The end is upon us now—"

"Ouch!"

His theatrical monologue was abruptly terminated when Jaeyong walloped the back of his head.

Jaeyong stood up from the sofa, shaking his head. "You are behaving as if our career is reaching its conclusion."

"It is, more or less," Akira muttered. "It will be quite a while before we lay eyes on our fans again."

"That is not the case," Jisung countered, shaking his head. "We will forever be ingrained in their hearts! They are accustomed to us, and whenever they find themselves missing us, they can simply revisit our history. It is all recorded in writing. Besides, there are countless videos accessible online."

"I suppose everything is transient in nature," Casper added, pursing his lips. "We cannot keep this up forever, you know?"

Ren heaved a sigh. "You are all acting as though this is a final farewell! It really is not. We are scheduled to resume our tour by next year, after all."

June observed them with a look of amusement. "Enough now," he remarked. "We are up next."

The boys instantly discarded their sentimental masks and donned their professional expressions as they headed toward the stage—the domain where they truly belonged. While they were not the night's closing act, given the lineup of senior artists, they might as well have been the main event.

A staff member poked their head through the door as it creaked open. "The time has come."

The room went deathly silent for a brief moment before everyone stood tall. No words were needed as they moved in unison. As the door latched shut behind them, they were met by the thunderous roar of the crowd beyond the stage area.

The hallway leading to the stage was dim, with shadows stretching across the polished floorboards.

Artists and staff cleared a path as they walked, offering nods of recognition. Whispers trailed them—murmurs of admiration and respect that resonated even amidst the cacophony.

June hovered at the back, allowing his teammates to take the lead. Watching them walk ahead, a faint smile played upon his lips.

The path down the corridor grew darker as they reached the backstage zone. The illumination dimmed, leaving only a faint glow to light their progress.

June stepped slower, his gaze locked onto the silhouettes of his brothers. Wrapped in the darkness, they were still unmistakable—Ren's sharp, precise stride, Casper's rhythmic bounce, Jisung's frantic pace, Jaeyong's steady gait, Akira's bouncy movements, Sehun’s serene aura, and Zeth's runway-worthy walk. Each was unique, yet they moved in perfect synchronicity.

June shook his head, a soft chuckle escaping his chest.

Without realizing it, he froze. His feet wouldn't move, rooted in place by sheer awe. He was watching his team—seeing the very people who stood by him through every tempest, who pulled him from his lowest points, who had transformed into his family.

Time seemed to hang suspended, the entire world shrinking down to this single moment. It was cliché and fairly corny, but June allowed himself the indulgence.

Noticing his sudden halt, the team turned back.

One by one, they peered at him, their faces bathed in the dim light. They remained silent initially, offering only those warm, knowing smiles that communicated what words could not.

Jisung was the first to retreat, reaching out a hand.

"Bro."

The others joined in, their voices a mixture of teasing and encouragement. June couldn't catch the exact phrasing, but it didn't matter.

"DAWN," Jaeyong stated, slicing through the noise. "Time to shine."

They hauled him forward, hands resting firmly on his shoulders and back. June chuckled, the sound erupting before he could suppress it.

As they approached the backstage curtain, the darkness intensified, and then—light. The stage lights exploded into life. An eruption of cheers vibrated through the floorboards. June squinted against the sudden glare, momentarily dazed.

They marched onto the stage, and the roar magnified.

"DAWN!"

"DAWN!"

"DAWN!"

The audience extended as far as his gaze could reach. June couldn't distinguish individual faces, but it was unnecessary. What he saw was enough—their sheer joy and excitement.

It felt surreal. The weight of the moment crashed over him, leaving him breathless.

This went beyond just their success or their performance. It was about every struggle endured, every obstacle surmounted, and every bond forged. It was about the fans who held faith in them, supporting them even when the odds were stacked high against them.

June swept his eyes across the stage, focusing on his peers. They stood there, shoulders squared and heads held high.

The music commenced. June took a deep breath, his chest moving in time with the rhythm. He stepped forward. The cheer of the crowd rose and fell like a living entity, feeding off their energy and reflecting it back tenfold.

And yet, amidst the blinding lights and the deafening noise, a quiet realization took root in June's mind. It truly felt like the end, the culmination of all they had poured their efforts into. But as the final chord faded and the cheers lingered into the night, June understood better.

This was not the end.

It was the true beginning.

As they stood there, June turned toward the others. Their faces were flushed with exertion, yet their smiles remained.

If you asked the world—or perhaps even Fu—June had become the premier idol, a title many coveted but few possessed.

But if you asked him? He had attained something far more valuable.

He had discovered his family, his purpose, and his place in this world.

And he would trade it for nothing.

END.