Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 054
Chapter Title: Oh mein Gott (2)
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The square, filled with people, began to fill with a beautiful melody.
"Beautiful."
"Somehow, it feels like the perfect spot to just lie down and take a nap right now."
People closed their eyes, immersed in Yeonwoo's performance. A cool breeze rustled gently. The violin’s emotive melody tickled their ears. The joy and happiness of the performer seeped through, drenching the listeners and drawing them in.
"Huh... What the hell is going on...? Why are there so many people?"
"Huh? There's some kind of performance over there? Busking?"
"Nice song. As expected from the home of classics—even the busking is top-level... Huh? Wait a minute."
Among them was the director's group, who had gone sightseeing elsewhere and returned.
"Is that Yeonwoo-ssi?"
"Did Yeonwoo-ssi play the violin too?"
"Who knows? Looks like it."
"This is insane. It's not just playing—it's professional level. Is Yeonwoo's major violin or something?"
Director Heo's and the writer's mouths fell open.
"How can a person be like that?"
One staff member burst out in admiration.
The person standing there wasn't the Grim Reaper they knew or the usual Yeonwoo. If not for his striking height that stood out anywhere, and his impeccably handsome face so rare only two in the world might share it, they might not have believed it was the same person.
They couldn't help but be amazed. His inherent calm aura, which subtly drew people in, seemed even stronger now. And on top of that, the jaw-dropping performance.
"I have no idea how far he's going to take this admiration thing."
The director and staff, who had been murmuring, gradually fell silent.
They couldn't resist being pulled into the soul-stirring performance.
They barely snapped out of it when the music ended.
"Whew..."
"Wow..."
"Insane..."
Unrefined, short exclamations erupted here and there from the staff.
Clap clap clap!
Once again, thunderous applause filled the square.
Yeonwoo's lips curved into a smile as he lowered the violin.
"Danke dir."
Yeonwoo finished with an elegant bow like a medieval noble.
People shouted for an encore again, but Yeonwoo took the violin off his shoulder.
"Thanks for the use of it."
"No... The honor is mine..."
The performer stammered as he took back the violin in a daze.
"The fee..."
"No need! I've already received more than enough!"
And rightly so—almost everyone in the square had willingly opened their wallets. It was courtesy to a high-level performance and respect for the exceptional musician.
"Thank you, thank you so much! Truly!"
"No, thank you."
Yeonwoo smiled brightly.
[Haaa... So enjoyable. Yes, this is what joy feels like.]
Paganini trembled with rising satisfaction.
[Thank you. Thanks to you, I've finally reclaimed my most precious forgotten初心.]
"Satisfied?"
[Very. Extremely satisfied.]
His grumpy demeanor had softened to serenity.
And at that moment—
*Ding!*
[Successfully harvested lifespan!]
[Perfectly fulfilled the deceased's request!]
[Congratulations! Acquired additional acquirable ability points as reward.]
[Reward: Impromptu and Splendid Performance][A+]
The long-awaited additional ability acquisition notification appeared.
[What a wonderful show. I don't know how to express my gratitude.]
"It's fine."
He had already received plenty.
Not only the master's ability points, but also—
[Congratulations! Secured a large amount of lifespan!]
[Congratulations! Secured a large amount of...]
Notifications kept popping up throughout the performance.
'As expected. My hunch was right.'
The status window, which he summoned without much thought, confirmed it.
As the music stopped, the lingering crowd dispersed with regret.
Only then did Yeonwoo face the filming team, who sparkled so brightly they practically shone.
***
"Yeonwoo-ssi. You play violin too? How do you perform so coolly?"
"Well... A bit... Back in the day."
"Just 'a bit' and you reach that level?! Even I, with tin ears, thought it was a classical track playing."
"Yeonwoo-ssi must be a godsend. Casting him in our drama might be divine providence...!"
Director Heo raised both arms to the sky like a zealot invoking a god, passionately ranting.
He gave off the vibe of a cult fanatic.
"Ah, that scene! We should've filmed that!"
As Director Heo lamented, the group still in the square shot up their hands.
"Director! We got it!"
"What?! Good job! Let me see!"
Director Heo trembled again upon checking the footage.
"Yeonwoo-ssi. Mind if we include this in the special feature? Yeah? It'll make for an awesome visual in the special. Great terms for you too! Means a ton more screen time for Yeonwoo-ssi!"
"No issue."
"Kuh! Good call. I'll treat you to a fancy restaurant in Seoul!"
An excited Director Heo.
But beside him stood Kwon Seonghyeon with a stiff expression.
"Any problem?"
The mood grew heavy without his usual smile.
"No. I mean, no. Not that, but... maybe hold off on using that footage?"
"......?"
As Yeonwoo looked puzzled, a wry smile tugged at Kwon Seonghyeon's lips.
"If that goes up, Yeonwoo-ssi will get even more famous. That's great. Really great, but..."
Kwon Seonghyeon rubbed his cheek.
"Remember? When I said I saw light in you."
"I do."
"It's even clearer now. Shining brighter every day, faster than I expected..."
Conflict swirled in his eyes.
"I don't know how to put it. Sorry. I don't fully understand my own feelings."
His wry smile deepened.
Yeonwoo shrugged.
"No worries."
"......?"
"No matter what, I know I can't compare to Kwon Seonghyeon-ssi."
It was obvious. Excluding the European masters he'd met, Kwon Seonghyeon had the most talents among everyone he'd encountered.
"What are you..."
"I'm not seasoned enough to challenge your spot, nor do I particularly want to. Can't say I have zero ambition, but there's such a thing as human decency, right?"
I'm not gonna stab you in the back.
He knew all too well how foul it felt to get backstabbed by someone you trusted, someone you considered close.
Loathsome scum not worth associating with.
He had no intention of being seen as that kind.
'Getting this far is thanks to Kwon Seonghyeon, in a way.'
At first, he'd clicked his tongue at the guy cashing in lifespans on every little favor, but looking back now, Kwon Seonghyeon was practically a benefactor.
Yeonwoo knew that well and remembered it sharply.
"Hmm... That wasn't what I meant."
"I'm not so shameless as to forget who I owe. No need to worry there."
Yeonwoo's world placed great weight on grudges and gratitude. Grudges kept the living from passing on after death; gratitude drove souls to shatter trying to repay it. That was his world.
"Given your position, Kwon Seonghyeon-ssi... You've been through a lot."
Yeonwoo met Kwon Seonghyeon's eyes directly.
A raging storm churned within.
"So if there's any weird misunderstanding, I'll prove otherwise."
"Ah. Yeonwoo-ssi."
As Yeonwoo finished, Kwon Seonghyeon covered his eyes with a hand.
A faintly sighing tone.
"The misunderstanding seems to be on your end, Yeonwoo-ssi..."
Lowering his hand, the earlier stiffness was gone from Kwon Seonghyeon's face.
"When you say that with those eyes, I can't even think bad thoughts."
A faint smile returned, tinged with amusement.
"Why think bad thoughts? I never pull shady, two-faced crap."
"I know. Yeonwoo-ssi's got that upright side. That's why you've stuck with me despite my stubbornness."
"Well..."
Couldn't deny it.
"No need for proof. I already know what kind of person you are."
"Better to settle it firmly. That's the way with these things."
"Such commanding presence here."
"Important is important."
"Then, Yeonwoo-ssi."
"Yes."
"I've got a request."
"Yes."
"If you want proof... Do it with me."
"Yes?"
"A contract. Sign with me. Contract with my agency right when we get back. How about it?"
"Was planning to anyway."
"Perfect. I'll prep the lawyers as soon as we land. No—I'll call now, so we can sign on the flight back."
His mood fully recovered, the smile on his lips deepened.
A contract.
'Locking it legally isn't bad.'
If it builds trust, so be it.
Yeonwoo nodded, and Kwon Seonghyeon's eyes crinkled warmly.
"No more misunderstandings now?"
"Hmm... One left, but nothing for Yeonwoo-ssi to worry about."
"Alright then. Good enough."
"Yeonwoo-ssi! Seonghyeon-ssi! Time to head to the next spot!"
A staff member called them just then.
It was the last schedule on the tour.
And starting the very next day.
The cast and crew dove back into filming.
***
"Ah... Already heading back. Such a shame."
One staffer muttered.
The special footage shoot in Europe wrapped up swiftly without a hitch.
No delays, no mood-killers derailing the set—it was inevitable.
The leads and supports all had guaranteed acting chops.
Of course, there were minor flubs.
"Cut! Your Majesty. Dialogue there!"
The actor playing King Yama in the spinoff special clip—now a father—coughed awkwardly.
"Director Heo, stand in front of Yeonwoo-ssi like I am. No idea why, but I keep forgetting lines whenever I see Yeonwoo-ssi. Last time, you barely met his eyes!"
"Ahem! Al... alright. Let's go again. No forgetting lines this time, Your Majesty."
It happened a few times.
Even Min Yerin, exchanging lines with Yeonwoo, threw out random lines once.
"Curfew's 9. Don't forget. Be back by 9 sharp?"
The expected reply was, "Oppa, am I a kid? 9 o'clock? At least midnight!"
But instead: "Uh... yeah. 9 it is. No, wait!"
She blurted it out, then startled herself in confusion.
Such minor flubs aside, filming wrapped quickly without issue.
With extra time in the schedule, editing proceeded alongside.
"Seonghyeon-ssi and Yerin-ssi too, but Yeonwoo-ssi just keeps getting more unreal by the day?"
"Not getting overshadowed by the top two in the industry? Must be born with it. Debut was recent, but that presence..."
Director Heo was even more beaming.
"This'll definitely push ratings over 20%."
The drama finale was nearly a month ago.
Plenty of time for the hype to cool, even for a smash hit.
Yet Director Heo, the writer, and the team had no doubts about success.
"Pfft. Why ask something so obvious?"
"Bet we'll get requests to remake it with this synopsis."
"Then let's do it again."
"Right. I cut a deal with the station head to bump the slot. Hehe. Hits are great—they handed over prime time easy. Gotta air it ASAP. Holding onto gold too long makes you jittery."
Two days after the drama team returned from their reward vacation.
The specially slotted special feature aired.