Ensemble Finale
"So, what you're saying is... you uploaded that song we recorded back then to YouTube?"
Shin Yu-bin nodded at Kim Min-su's question.
"...It was our constellation's wish."
He couldn't grasp the exact meaning, but it seemed her desire was for more people to hear the song she sang. More precisely, she wanted to spread that song across Earth. That might explain why she'd been so satisfied after just singing it once in the karaoke room.
"But even our constellation didn't expect it to blow up like this."
It was supposed to be feel-good music that simply lifted the spirits. Yet it had twisted into something anomalous, infused with a bizarre will, and gone berserk.
The moment it was uploaded online, it spread like a living organism.
"We realized something was wrong and tried to delete the video, but we couldn't."
Not even with admin privileges could they make it private or take it down. Shin Yu-bin and the [Golden Melody Performer] had done everything to stop it, but as if mocking their efforts, the video rapidly infiltrated the internet, TV, radio—every medium.
Even outlets unrelated to music began playing the song before long.
So that's why that chicken joint was playing it too.
The [Golden Melody Performer] had descended to Earth just three days ago. For it to echo in an ordinary shop after a mere three days... the spread was chilling.
"If it had stayed as our constellation intended, it would've been great. That song... it's special. Just hearing it makes you happy. But the song changed."
The instant you heard it, you lost consciousness. It hadn't spread widely enough yet to cause accidents, but it was obvious that casualties would mount over time.
This was a grave issue.
"But what's this about saving your constellation?"
It was certainly dangerous, but wasn't the constellation unaffected?
As Min-su voiced his doubt—
[Plague Song] has appeared on Earth.
Those without the Tower's blessing exposed to [Plague Song] will lose consciousness.
Those who lose consciousness due to [Plague Song] will go berserk with extreme murderous intent toward humans.
Eliminate the source of [Plague Song] - [Golden Melody Performer].
Removing the source of the plague will grant immense rewards from the Tower.
A system message appeared before Min-su and Yu-bin.
"The source of the plague..."
This was the first direct quest from the Tower ever. Quests inside the Tower were one thing, but outside?
Min-su realized the Tower was deliberately goading players toward the [Golden Melody Performer].
Wasn't the Tower just a system bound by fixed rules?
Min-su recalled that evil will he'd seen within the [Dark Lord].
"No way..."
Meanwhile, Yu-bin paled upon seeing the system message.
"Since yesterday, I haven't heard our constellation's voice! And the star of the Golden Melody, which should be in the heavens, has grown faint! Something's happened for sure! Please... Oppa, save our constellation..."
Her tearful expression felt utterly alien compared to the Yu-bin he knew.
No contact with her constellation. And this ominous quest from the Tower's system.
This was...
"Sounds just like my situation."
"Huh, Constellation-nim."
Rijette, who'd been quietly listening, chimed in.
"Aigoo, you summoned another constellation without telling me? No wonder you were late that day."
"...Sorry, Constellation-nim."
He had no excuse, even ten mouths wouldn't help. It was his fault for not telling her about the summoning.
"I'm Min-su's generous constellation, so I'll let it slide this time. But I won't forgive you hiding things from me next time."
"...Yes."
"Right now, fixing this comes first, right? Min-su?"
"Yep. Should I use the summoning ability?"
Rijette shook her head.
"Not me."
"Huh?"
"I'm powerful, Min-su's [Dark Lord], but even my power can't overcome the Tower. That's why I was trapped in those heavens."
"B-but then how do we..."
"You, Min-su."
Rijette approached and placed her hand on his chest. A warm, soft touch.
"The man who saved me from the Tower's abyss. You can do it. You can break the Tower's constraints and rescue the constellation inside."
"Me?"
Min-su panicked. Him, breaking the Tower's restrictions? Sure, he'd saved Rijette from the Tower, but that was unconscious instinct. He still didn't know how.
And now she was saying he could do it?
"My proud apostle. Breach the Tower's system and crush that evil will."
Rijette took Min-su's hand and placed it on Yu-bin's head.
"...?"
"Now! Use it!"
Hearing Rijette's shout, Min-su instinctively activated his ability.
Flash.
He vanished as if sucked away.
"This is the only free pass, my hero."
Beyond, Rijette smiled faintly.
A blinding white light filled his vision.
When Min-su came to, he stood in the center of a dreamlike, ethereal space, just like within the [Dark Lord].
An impossible place, like a dream. Countless illusions unfolded before him.
From the birth of twins, the moment dreams were born, achieving those dreams... but the final one unfulfilled.
One woman's life played out like a panorama.
"Silvia..."
A mere instant in reality. But through the visions, Min-su witnessed and understood Silvia, the [Golden Melody Performer]'s entire life—even the final success she never saw.
Min-su pressed deeper into the mental realm.
At its end, he reached a firmly sealed hall.
He extended one hand. His [Darkness] materialized.
"[Darkness Lightning]!"
Darkness Lightning
Boom! The ceiling crumbled amid thunderous roar.
Min-su leaped down.
There she was.
"You should've told me too."
"Min-su?"
Bound like a kidnapped princess.
-You again!!! Human!!!!
The evil entity raged.
"What the hell is this gross thing... Wait, from back then?"
A grotesque form blending black-red spider and scorpion. The power and malice emanating from it matched the colossal god he'd seen in the previous [Dark Lord] world.
-I'll erase you here!!!!
The spider's dozens of red eyes gleamed as it spewed threads.
Clang!
But the ferocious attack halted against the knights rising from Min-su's [Darkness].
Five knights stood protectively before him, swords drawn.
"Bring it. If you can."
The battle between the hall-filling behemoth and the knights was mythic in grandeur.
Min-su swiftly reached Silvia, severing the threads binding her.
"...Min-su."
"Yeah, it's me."
A playful smile from the man who'd come to the world's most dangerous place for her.
She'd given him nothing—only trouble—yet here he was.
Why?
Her legs buckled as the threads released. Min-su caught her before she hit the ground.
"You okay?"
"Why did you come, Min-su..."
Why come all this way for someone like me? What am I to you? What am I!
"Well, you see..."
Min-su scratched his head.
"Your voice was great."
"...What?"
"Silvia's tone. I loved it so much, I wanted to hear it again. That's why I came."
"..."
"Do I have to pay to request a song or something?"
"...Ha."
Silvia let out a hollow laugh. Here for one more song?
"You're the only one who'd tell the continent's greatest performer you want to hear her sing, not play."
She rose with his support.
If that's what you want, I'll sing as much as you like. Right now, I'm your prima donna alone.
Lucia, lend me your strength?
Silvia opened her mouth, and an aria carrying golden melody flowed.
Its beautiful timbre enveloped Min-su in golden waves.
"This is...!"
"In Silvia's name, I declare! I entrust my divinity to you!"
Rumble!
Golden waves surged, dozens of instruments floating in the air. A grand orchestral symphony filled the space at her will.
The authority of the music god.
In the heart of the darkness that swallows me,
A woman sings with hand on chest, anguished expression.
His hand pulls me in.
This power...
Min-su felt golden energy filling him.
Even if storms rage, in your arms, I'm safe.
She nodded, meeting his eyes.
Divinity brimmed within. Omnipotence surged—he could do anything.
You are my sanctuary; I feel your warm touch.
Min-su slowly ascended.
Clang! Clang!
The [Darkness Knights] fought valiantly, but mortals had limits. They couldn't defeat the evil.
Min-su dismissed the battered knights.
-I won't let you rampage anymore, human child!
The spider ballooned massively, rivaling the previous colossal god. The hall began collapsing under the strain.
"That's my line."
First Rijette, now Silvia. Dragging in those with tragic lives for horrors like this.
I'll erase it here.
Golden energy gathered in Min-su's hand, forming a sword.
Trials, adversity, pain, sorrow, hunger, despair, parting, death.
A horrific evil god amalgamating all negative emotions.
I'll hurl you to the abyss's deepest pit!
"Vanish."
Min-su swung at the charging spider.
The duo's climactic final ensemble sliced the spider vertically, severing fate's bonds like a sword's melody.
Your name I call, with my soul's song...
The refrain ended. The curtain fell.
Chirrup chirrup chirrup.
"...Huh?"
Regaining consciousness after the flash, Min-su stood on a golden sunset beach.
"...Silvia?"
Turning at the embrace from behind, there she was.
"This is my hometown. The village where Lucia and I were born."
She smiled, yet seemed faintly sad. Her form was fading bit by bit.
The star of the Golden Melody that should be in the Tower's highest heaven as well.