Chapter 69
Chapter 69
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Is the Writer Omnipotent?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[The Mask Singer winner of this round is!!]
With MC Kim Sung-jin's exaggerated gestures, the spotlight began focusing intensely on the two contestants.
Tae-seong, mid-bite into a piece of fruit, turned to look at his parents.
His mother stared at the TV with a tense expression, while his father feigned disinterest but kept his eyes glued to the screen.
Seeing how immersed they were—more than ever before—Tae-seong felt glad he had gone on Mask Singer.
[It's!! Pen on White Paper!]
The light shone on Pen on White Paper, standing to the right.
"Oh my, a fourth defense success!"
"Hmm, doing well, aren't they."
"If they win the next round, that's the Hall of Fame, right?"
"With a fifth defense success, yeah."
"I hope they make it."
"Pfft, who cares if some masked stranger gets in or not?"
"But still, they've come this far. Wouldn't it be great if they did? Right?"
As the question arrow turned to him, Tae-seong nodded with a smile.
"It'd be nice."
"See?"
"Ahem! Whatever. I'm heading to the store."
"How's business lately? Seemed like it picked up a lot before."
"Same as back then. Customers keep coming. And Min-ju's been a huge help."
"Shouldn't you give her a raise?"
"Was planning to anyway. She works so hard; it's the least I can do. Be back."
"Take care."
"See you."
As his father left the house, his mother commented.
"Look at your dad—store's doing well, so his steps are light."
It wasn't wrong. Father's face had relaxed a lot lately.
He'd always been stressed about the convenience store, but recently, there was a spark of vitality in him.
'His energy's improved too.'
His appetite was back, and mentally, he seemed at peace.
Above all, the visible relief as the family head's burden lightened was clear.
'Good.'
Having once been the family head himself, Tae-seong understood that weight well.
That's why he felt relieved seeing his father unburdened.
* * *
Pen on White Paper's fourth defense success drew massive attention.
That interest boosted Mask Singer's ratings.
With media evolving, TV viewership had been dropping yearly.
Mask Singer wasn't much different.
The show had popularity and viewer engagement, but crucial ratings fell weekly.
Especially without a standout King for the past year, interest waned fast.
Enter the overwhelming King, Pen on White Paper—plenty to captivate viewers.
The mystery of their identity especially drove live viewership.
Many still speculated on Pen on White Paper's identity, but no one got close.
No one expected writer Tae-seong to sing this well.
While the world debated Pen on White Paper's identity in depth...
Tae-seong sat in his office, staring intently at his monitor.
'Hmm, for season 2, a grander OST would fit better.'
Lately, he'd poured effort into Otherworld Chef season 2's OST.
Appearing on Mask Singer had revived his musical senses.
With senses awakened, composing urges naturally followed.
He'd already made four tracks for Otherworld Chef's OST.
The issue was the title track.
He hadn't decided which song to use.
Otherworld Chef season 2 would have a heavier tone than season 1.
So, not too light—something weightier felt right.
'Orchestrate it?'
Nothing beat an orchestra for grandeur.
'And a voice that stands out without overpowering the track.'
One by one, he resolved concerns, shaping the title track's image.
* * *
Mask Singer recording day.
Last recording, win or lose.
'Probably nervous?'
Writer Lee Ji-yeon visited the waiting room with coffee.
Another win meant fifth defense success—even Tae-seong must be tense.
Seeing tense Tae-seong excited her.
She'd only seen his cool side; expectations soared.
But high hopes invite big letdowns.
Knock knock-!
"Come in."
Entering after knocking, she found Tae-seong cool as ever.
Sighing at the sight, Lee Ji-yeon closed the door.
"Sigh, aren't you nervous at all, Writer-nim?"
After pondering her question, Tae-seong smiled and shook his head.
"I am tense."
"Doesn't show on your face one bit."
"I just don't show it well."
She shook her head at his reply.
"Americano here."
"Thanks, as always."
"I should be thanking you. Our show's a massive hit thanks to you."
"It was already popular. I just added a scoop."
Among many she'd met, Tae-seong was unique.
Younger than her, yet his words and actions carried maturity.
Often felt like being with an elder.
'God, how great would it be to date a guy like this?'
Thoughtful, handsome, wealthy.
First time thinking that, despite countless celebs.
'Today's the end.'
Win or lose, no more seeing Tae-seong—left her unusually wistful.
"Well, Writer-nim! Knock 'em dead with a great song today!"
"Thanks."
Worried she'd catch her gloom, Lee Ji-yeon stood.
* * *
Final showdown began.
Masked, Tae-seong sat as King, listening to challengers.
'They sharpened the knives.'
Listening, he grasped Shin PD's mindset for this round.
Simply put: knives sharpened.
Challengers were all top-tier from start to finish.
Ignored usual patterns for casting.
No promo albums, actors, or star power picks.
Panels sensed it too.
"Today's lineup is insanely high-level. Any in other rounds could've been King material."
"Truly stellar songs. Their harmony was beautifully blended."
"With skills like this, even today's Hall of Fame challenger King must be on edge?"
Tae-seong glanced at Shin PD directing.
'Not letting you into the Hall of Fame easily, huh?'
Hall of Fame.
Since Mask Singer's start, countless Kings born, but only two names etched.
Their identities secret, eternal Kings.
Not an easy seat.
Today's lineup embodied Shin PD's resolve.
'Hm?'
Then.
A clear voice echoed through the hall.
'This voice...?'
Impressive shift to husky on high notes.
A pattern Tae-seong knew well.
'Sia.'
Singer Sia's timbre exactly.
Duet, holding back, but her unique tone unmistakable.
Plus, countless listens during recording.
Instant recognition.
'Round 1 goes to Ms. Sia.'
Opponent skilled, but no match for her.
Born with a golden voice.
Innate talent plus effort.
Hatched during their recording; skills leaped levels.
Her OSTs and singles dominated charts.
'As expected, tough round.'
Formidable foes.
Yet under the mask, Tae-seong smiled.
* * *
As Tae-seong predicted, presumed-Sia won round 1.
Panels overwhelmingly backed her.
Audience too.
Shin PD smiled at round 2 advancers' list.
'Up to here, on plan.'
He'd meticulously crafted this lineup.
Planning started right after Tae-seong's third defense.
Hall of Fame in sight, Shin PD mobilized all connections for top singers.
Hidden masters off-TV, current greats—all in.
Lineup? Historic.
'Sorry, Writer-nim, but can't let you into the Hall easily.'
One reason for the effort: competitive spirit.
As Mask Singer's planner and producer, a King descending masked felt like defeat.
Challengers were production-prepped.
Vanquishing them all? Victor.
Felt that prior Hall of Famers too.
Public echoed it.
Second Hall entry sparked "production lost" buzz.
Since, post-third defense, extra care on lineups.
No more Halls since second—whole year.
Now, that record threatened.
'Can't have that.'
Shin PD smiled at masked Tae-seong on King's throne.
* * *
[Round 3 winner is!!]
Round 3 ended.
Final two awaited verdict after their songs.
Among them, Ugly Duckling—Tae-seong's presumed Sia.
Hands clasped, awaiting result.
[Ugly Duckling!]
Spotlight hit with MC's call.
Monitor showed her startled face clearly.
As expected.
"King-nim, time to prep."
Lee Ji-yeon signaled from stage.
Tae-seong nodded, rose, headed onstage.
[Thank you! Thank you!]
Sia's thanks echoed from stage.
'Can't lose.'
Her round 3: Ailee's "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow."
Masterful emotion, overwhelming win.
Casual stage risk? His loss. Tae-seong steeled himself.
Ugly Duckling's thanks ended; stage cleared.
"Heading up."
Nodding to Lee Ji-yeon, Tae-seong took the stage.
For the Hall of Fame—his final stage.