Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 051
Chapter Title: Big and Beautiful (2)
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Yeonwoo’s eyes changed in an instant the moment he spotted the potential.
“It must be something important to you, Mr. Yeonwoo. Sightseeing is best done nice and slow anyway. I’ll go let the director know he should take his time looking around.”
Kwon Sung-hyun picked up on Yeonwoo’s shift with keen sensitivity and flashed a smile as he spoke.
Yeonwoo watched for a moment as Kwon Sung-hyun strode off first on those long legs, striking a pose like a fashion spread. Then he crooked a finger.
“Interpreter. Come here.”
This was a chance he had to seize no matter what.
And Yeonwoo planned to figure it out starting right now.
***
“Interpreter. Over here.”
[Yes, sir!]
“You’re staring straight this way, so it looks like you’ve got something to say. Go find out who that is and why they’re eyeing me.”
[But… is that okay? What if they try something…]
[They don’t look malicious, but if you’re worried, I’ll tag along! You’re my subordinate, after all!]
[Huh? When did I become your subordinate…?]
“Let’s go! Interpreter!”
The yellow bird flapped its wings.
The interpreter ghost shuffled forward hesitantly toward the ghost radiating intense eyes.
The ghost stood tall and dignified. Even as the two approached, it merely twitched one elegant eyebrow—no other reaction.
[Um… Mr. Yeonwoo. They say they want to talk to you directly.]
“No other words?”
[No. Nothing besides that they want to speak with you directly.]
They’d probably refused anything else. Even to Yeonwoo’s eyes, that ghost seemed like someone special.
‘The nobodies back at the dorm strutted around like they were still nobles from their living days.’
How much more so for this one, who actually looked the part of a true “noble.”
Unless it was a grudge spirit spewing thick black malice or a familiar spawned from sorcery, the odds of that elegantly poised ghost causing harm were zero.
Yeonwoo headed straight for the stage without overthinking it.
Someone once said it: If you want to catch a tiger, you have to go into its den.
As soon as Yeonwoo approached, the ghost spoke up.
“What’re they saying? Interpreter. Translate.”
The interpreter rushed over and launched into simultaneous translation.
“You’ve been staring at me from earlier. Got something to say to me?”
Only then did the ghost with the rolled-up hair lower its haughty head and meet Yeonwoo’s gaze, as the interpreter relayed his words.
[The nobles and servants around here were kicking up a fuss. Like colts with their tails on fire, scampering this way and that—the commotion carried all the way over here. You know something? Most of these folks still think they’re nobility, just like when they were alive.]
No direct answer—just some unrelated chatter.
“You seem to want something from me.”
[Want something. Yes, want something.]
Long fingers tapped rhythmically on the grand piano. Tock-tock.
The fingers moved in steady pattern, as if deep in thought, then paused.
[Of course I have a wish. That’s why I could tolerate the racket from these ant-like pests this time. Their noise let me know someone had come who could fulfill it. But first—shall we introduce ourselves?]
With that, an elegantly extended hand.
A gesture signaling no weapons—and no intent to fight. A handshake.
And.
‘Suits me just fine.’
To Yeonwoo, it was contact that would reveal the other’s information.
The moment he grasped the translucent hand, a welcome status window popped up before his eyes.
And.
‘…?!’
Yeonwoo’s pupils widened as he checked the window.
-Name: Antonio Salieri (75/Male)
-Occupation: Maestro, Great Court Composer
-Disposition: Neutral Good
-Specialties: Heavenly Composition [S+], Heavenly Performance [S], Soul-Burning Effort [S], Opera Master [S+], Elegant Conducting from Fingertips [S], Beautiful Passionate Keyboard Player [S+], Refined Court Eloquence [A+]…
-Favorability: High
-Current Physical State: -
-Current Emotional State: Passion
***Some items currently unavailable to view.
***Detailed information on this individual is concealed.
***Additional Harvestable Ability: Heart-Moving Composition [A+]
‘This guy… he’s way bigger than I thought?!’
Abilities numbering more than five fingers. The first to surpass Kwon Sung-hyun. And every one but one was S-rank.
‘S+? There’s ranks higher than S?’
That alone was shocking, but then there was the never-before-seen “Maestro” title. A designation reserved for those who had mastered their field—and it was attached to Salieri.
A status window that made his eyes bulge.
‘And an additional harvestable ability!’
No need to think twice.
Seeing the status of a musician who had dominated his era, Yeonwoo’s heart soared.
‘Jackpot.’
A big, beautiful jackpot.
***
Salieri. The overlooked genius, forever linked to Mozart as the tragic runner-up.
Even Yeonwoo, who knew zilch about history, had heard the name through movies and shows.
That famous figure stood right in front of him—lifespan and insane abilities intact.
“Salieri?”
[Oh. You know me?]
“A bit.”
[Always a joy to meet someone who does. I know ages have passed since my death. If it’s no trouble, might I hear how my story’s been passed down to later generations?]
Salieri showed keen interest.
“Hmm. Not really a history buff. But I do know your tale with Mozart got famous in all sorts of ways. Movies, operas, musicals. There’s even a term called Salieri Syndrome named after you.”
[Oh. Mozart. Haven’t heard that name in ages. So nostalgic. Amazing that our story reached posterity. How are we depicted?]
“A genius envied by a mediocrity.”
[I suppose I’m the mediocrity. Mozart was undoubtedly a genius. Hm. Not entirely off-base.]
Salieri gave a faint smile.
“So. What’s this wish of yours?”
[You’d grant it?]
“If it’s within my power.”
Unless it was something ridiculous or illegal, Yeonwoo was prepared to fulfill Salieri’s wish.
‘Heart-Moving Composition!’
The name alone sent chills of excitement.
A skill from a “Maestro.” No way it’d be anything ordinary.
On top of that, Yeonwoo already had “Enchanting Voice” from Lee Juha.
‘If those two synergize…?’
He’d already witnessed the power of Enchanting Voice. On Kwon Sung-hyun and Lee Juha, sure.
‘They stopped right when I told them to.’
It was like his words carried weight even without infusing spiritual power.
What if he used Enchanting Voice to sing a song he’d composed himself?
Drama and film had language barriers. No matter how great, if you didn’t get it, it was all for naught.
But music…?
‘Doesn’t matter if you don’t know the lyrics—you can still feel it.’
Ever since getting Enchanting Voice, Yeonwoo had dreamed of blending visuals and sound.
And now, an even bigger opportunity dangled right in front of him.
‘A Maestro’s skill, no less.’
This was a must-have ability.
But first, he had to confirm one thing.
“I’ll say it upfront—no summoning Mozart’s soul to kill him again or desecrating his grave.”
[Hm? Why on earth would I stoop to something so pointless and undignified?]
“…Weren’t you two on bad terms? Genius versus mediocrity. Fits like a glove.”
[Hmm. So posterity sees it that way.]
“There were even rumors you killed Mozart. Poisoned him.”
[Good heavens. That’s no truth at all. Me, poison Mozart? Whatever for? He was a genius crafting beautiful music. Why would I harm such a one?]
Salieri rested a hand on his chin, pondering, then spoke.
[Hm. Mozart did shine brighter than the stars. But there were others with comparable talent. Ludwig, for instance…]
“Ludwig?”
“Beethoven, perhaps?”
“Ah.”
The genius oddball who penned countless masterpieces—Beethoven. Another famous name Yeonwoo recognized.
[Exactly. Ludwig once studied under me. The young prodigy Schubert was another I cherished. Then there were Liszt, Czerny—brilliant musicians all. Me, jealous enough to poison Mozart? Absurd. Rest easy. That’s not the sort of thing I’d ask.]
“Then what is your wish?”
Not about Mozart after all. Yeonwoo had zero clue.
Salieri smiled at him.
[Could you play a piece I composed… in my stead?]
***
“Play? Me? Your piece?”
His eyes fell on the massive grand piano.
Yeonwoo racked his brain for a moment.
Piano. The instrument everyone tried at least once…
‘If it were a changgu or puk or kkwaenggari, maybe…’
Sadly, not for him.
It had been a form of genius training. His mother, Lady Kang Yeon-hwa, was dead certain he’d follow in her footsteps. Thanks to that, he could handle traditional instruments like changgu and puk decently—but piano? Total bust.
“Sorry, but I don’t know how to play piano.”
What a shame. An insane shame!
Piano, of all things. And from a “Maestro” like Salieri—standards had to be sky-high.
Yet.
[Ah. That’s no issue.]
An unexpected reply.
“No issue?”
[What I seek is your body.]
“My body.”
Yeonwoo’s eyes turned icy.
The implication was clear: possession. Salieri wanted to take over his body.
[Hold on—no odd misunderstandings. I’m not after seizing your body for my own, or living a second life. Nothing like that.]
“How can I trust that?”
No malice from Salieri, true. But inviting another soul into your body was beyond risky.
If things went south, he could lose ownership of his flesh—not to mention his own soul getting booted out to wander the netherworld before heading to the afterlife.
[Just lend me your two arms.]
“What?”
[Up to your shoulders is plenty. I wouldn’t dream of more. All I want is to perform this finished piece of mine. Someone with your strength could handle me with ease, no?]
‘Arms only? Not a bad deal. Lend the arms for a bit, snag the Maestro’s abilities… That’s pure profit.’
As he said, lending just the arms was simple. If they tried anything funny, Yeonwoo could shut it down in a snap.
Decision made, he nodded.
“Fine. Arms only.”
[My thanks for permitting it.]
Salieri stepped one leg back, bowed gracefully from the waist.
[Whenever you’re ready, take a seat at the piano. I’ll handle the rest.]
Yeonwoo sat before the piano. His two hands rose gently to the keys.
And.
-Ding!
With a clear chime, the Maestro’s performance began.