Devil’s Music

Geon, playing a guitar solo at an incredible speed, seemed to have ten fingers on his left hand and five on his right in the eyes of the amazed audience.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Startled, the audience members pulled out their phones to capture Geon's figure, but the phone cameras could only record a blurry afterimage of his hands. Seokjin, watching the screen from the PD control box, suddenly stood up and shouted into the walkie-talkie.

"Director of the main camera! Are you capturing this properly!?"

Gwangho, monitoring the camera angle, responded into his walkie-talkie.

"The only camera that can keep up with that speed is the main camera. It's impossible with ENG!"

Holding the walkie-talkie tightly, Seokjin yelled.

"Good, if even one camera can capture it properly, that's enough. Lock the screen! Have the ENG directors back off, and the main camera director, focus on Geon only, close-up!"

The screen zoomed in on Geon, precisely below his chest holding the guitar.

"No! Capture the full view of Geon!"

For over thirty seconds, Seokjin watched Geon's solo performance to the end and then shouted to the engineer.

"Switch to the full shot of the stage!"

Seeing the screen showing the entire stage, Seokjin collapsed back into his seat.

"Damn, I can't relax even for a second. He didn't do this during rehearsal, and the music's playing time has increased too."

Yeongseok, standing next to him, was also surprised, but being accustomed to Geon's astonishing performances, he had a better expression than Seokjin.

"Yeah, it must have been an impromptu performance."

"What? Without rehearsal? It’s not a solo act; he’s performing with the band, and suddenly an unplanned solo changes the entire duration of the performance, yet such perfect ensemble comes out?"

"It makes sense, Seokjin. Just look at who's with Geon."

After scanning the band members on the screen, Seokjin sighed softly.

"Damn... I can't argue with that. Last year, Shizuka Miyawaki appeared and received the title of the world’s best new age pianist, and Kevin Winston, praised for not backing down an inch in his performance with Carlos Montana, Montana's bassist. Arthur Hodgson's reputation might not compare to the two, but he's no ordinary musician either."

Yeongseok shrugged his shoulders and showed his phone. As Seokjin turned to the screen, he saw famous drummers from various bands posting amazed reactions to the live broadcast on social media.

Reading the content in English, Seokjin stammered out.

"Oh my! Is that drummer really the CTO of a watch company? If so, I should throw away my sticks and retire, with such precise and accurate rhythm!? Who posted this?"

Yeongseok chuckled and pointed at the name written at the top of the screen. Seokjin read the name and widened his eyes.

"Lars Ulrich?? Metallica?"

With an incredulous laugh, Yeongseok switched the screen and said.

"Not just him, Yoshiki from Japan's X, Mike Mangini from Dream Theater, Dave Lombardo from Megadeth have all praised him too. You know, Lars Ulrich's presence isn’t that big among the American Big Four thrash metal bands.

Dave Lombardo from Megadeth has more influence. If he praised it, then this drummer Arthur is the real deal. Perhaps, after Geon, the most attention might go to this drummer Arthur at this concert."

Seokjin's expression was awe-struck.

"Megadeth..."

While Seokjin and Yeongseok were amazed at the PD control box, the audience seated around was equally astonished.

However, since they were not professional musicians, unlike Arthur's drum performance, they were more astounded by Geon's flashy solo performance.

"Awesome!!! His hands looked like they were nine! It's not just me, right?"

"I saw it too!! Ah, but it doesn’t come out well on the phone camera. They’ll rebroadcast this, right?"

"No, this show doesn't usually do rebroadcasts. I've seen it on cable occasionally, but it's really rare."

"Oh, what should I do? I really want to see that again!"

"It’ll probably be uploaded on YouTube, just wait."

"Hey, did you not see the official announcement from Fantagio? If you upload it without permission, they’ll sue you right away, they’re even more sensitive about content usage fees than Disney."

"Ah, so we can’t see that scene again? That’s annoying!"

As the audience's regret

ful exclamations went unheard, Geon, having finished his solo, exchanged glances with his band members about the unplanned solo's ending and the transition to the next segment.

In less than two seconds of exchanged looks, the members continued playing so precisely that no one could notice any discrepancy in their performance.

Thanks to his members, Geon, without losing focus, approached the microphone stand and sang with a husky voice.

Do not fear the shadow.

For shadows cannot exist without light.

Seek the brilliant light that casts the shadows.

Your future is always uncertain,

But you are the one who determines that future.

Still feeling jittery and about to lose it any moment, the audience, listening to the lyrics, sought indicators for their lives and futures.

You are the result of the actions you repeat.

If you wish to disappear as you are,

Continue as you are doing.

More important than a fiery passion,

Is a sustained passion.

Dream the most fervent dreams,

Live the most fervent life.

Never bow your head,

Look up and face the world squarely.

Getting older means not that your body ages,

But that your heart does.

Among those who heard Geon’s lyrics, the reaction of the older generation was particularly serious.

Unlike the younger audience, moved merely by the music's emotional depth, incredible rhythm, and explosive sound, the older viewers reflected on their lives and their current complacent states.

As the speaker seemed to continuously pour out sound and then stopped, the younger audience stood and cheered, but the response from the older generation was slightly different.

With a distant gaze towards Geon, the older generation lightly applauded and nodded their heads.

After finishing their performance, Geon and his band members high-fived and laughed as Chaeun approached the stage.

Seeing the band members about to leave the stage, Chaeun quickly said.

"Could I talk with the other members for a moment? Our viewers are quite curious."

Not understanding her Korean, the group was about to leave the stage when Geon called them back, and Jihyun quickly sent up a few chairs.

With the show being live, the stage was quickly set, and the four sat side by side on cocktail chairs, Chaeun smiling as she held the microphone.

"Ah... First of all, thank you for sharing this world-first performance on our broadcast."

The audience erupted into applause and cheers. Geon waved at them and then sat back down as Chaeun asked.

"First, I have a question for Shizuka. Could Geon translate for us?"

"Sure, Shizuka? There’s a question for you."

As Shizuka waited for the question with typical Japanese courtesy, Chaeun glanced at Choi, the writer who had quickly approached the stage to hand off the cue sheet, and then flipped the sheet.

"Uh... Shizuka, you’re a student at Juilliard, still enrolled, right? When do you graduate?"

"Yes, I graduate next year."

"Ah, you’re one year below Geon?"

"Yes, although there’s a one-year difference because Geon took a break, I’m three years younger."

"Oh, I see. You really look beautiful in person."

"Ha ha, thank you. You’re very pretty too, Chaeun."

At first glance, it appeared the two women were complimenting each other's looks, but actually, Geon was translating Shizuka’s words, which made the audience laugh.

That was because the expression on Geon’s face while translating praises about appearance was quite comical.

As the audience laughed, Geon shrugged his shoulders and said.

"What are you two doing?"

As the audience burst into laughter again, Chaeun composed her expression and glared at Geon.

"Usually, when women meet, they start with such favorable conversations."

Geon, with a humorous expression, translated Chaeun’s words to Kevin and Arthur, who burst out laughing, and Shizuka blushed. As the audience laughed again, Geon said.

"Ha ha, when are we getting to the main point?"

Chaeun flipped through the cue sheet and said.

"Uh... yes. I’ll ask Kevin a question now."

Geon, with an incredulous expression, snatched the cue sheet from her.

"No, give that to me. Was praising Shizuka’s appearance the only question for her? There was no script for praising your appearance, Chaeun, why did you do it??!!"

As Geon waved the cue sheet to the audience, Chaeun stood up on her heels and tried to snatch it back.

"Eek! Give it back!! It was Shizuka who praised my looks, not me!"

After looking down at Chaeun and laughing for a while as the audience roared with laughter, Geon finally returned the cue sheet, and a puffing Chaeun quickly sat down, regaining her composure.

The friendly interaction between Geon and Chaeun seemed a hundred times more effective than a

phone call to show off their closeness.

Although Chaeun had regained her composure, she was visibly flustered as her hands trembled while flipping through the cue sheet.

As Geon pointed at her trembling hands and shrugged his shoulders, the audience laughed once more. Chaeun pushed her hair behind her ear and glared at Geon before saying.

"Eek! Just translate properly! I have a question for Mr. Arthur Hodgson. You are the CTO with your own watch brand. Every new product you release gets a tremendous response and always sells out completely, but have you considered producing more watches?"

Arthur, after hearing Geon’s translation, took the microphone.

"I have no plans yet for mass production. My brand is a handmade watchmaker, so it’s difficult to produce in large quantities."

"But both the viewers and I really want your watches. Even those with the means can find it hard to purchase due to the limited quantity. Could you possibly produce more watches, even if they’re limited edition? I really want one."

After hearing Geon’s translation, Arthur smiled slyly. It seemed like Geon was delaying the translation on purpose as he grinned at Chaeun before Arthur, from behind, pulled out a box and handed it to Chaeun while translating.

"I’ll consider it. And this is a gift for Chaeun, Geon’s friend from Korea."

As it was clear what Arthur’s gift was, a scream of envy erupted from the audience.

"Aaah!! Give us one too!! Us too!!"

With a beaming smile, Chaeun opened the box.

>

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