Chapter 25
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: A Fond Farewell and New Beginnings
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The ceremonial rite concluded in a resounding success.
Yuhyeon, savoring the afterglow of the performance, slowly lifted his hands from the keys.
He then turned and gave Charles, Martin, and Geye a slight, respectful nod.
It's been a while since I've had such a fun impromptu performance.
The impromptu performance was a success.
There were minor mistakes, given its spontaneous nature, but they didn't matter.
Not when he had seen the expressions of pure joy and fulfillment on the faces of his fellow performers.
There was no performance more perfect than one enjoyed by the performers themselves.
That was an enjoyable performance, Yuhyeon.
Yuhyeon, I learned so much through this ceremonial rite.
The same goes for me. It was a moment where I could learn a great deal as a performer.
Charles, Martin, and Geye said with proud smiles.
They, too, knew intuitively that this would be their last performance together.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it was clear Yuhyeon would be leaving the village soon.
It wasn't strange, considering he had stayed for about a week in a place most people left within two days.
The pleasure was all mine. I truly enjoyed being able to play real music.
Yuhyeon replied with a warm smile.
It might sound silly, but the performance he just had with the others was what he considered true music.
So what if there were mistakes and missed notes? Weren't they filled with joy the entire time they played?
Smiles naturally formed on their lips, and as they harmonized, they felt an unprecedented sense of camaraderie.
Its a bit of a shame. Weve only just now started to perform like this.
It was at that moment, as Yuhyeon voiced his sincere regret.
Ting! A familiar notification sounded in his ears.
The goddess Cecilia is delighted by the special performance dedicated to her.
Furthermore, she says she felt an even greater joy because you performed in unison with your fellow members.
She thanks you for bringing happiness to many beyond Hemona Village.
She says that this is the true and hidden power of music.
The goddess of music, Cecilia, prepares a reward of gratitude for you.
Calculating reward.
Ting!
You have acquired Unicorn's Mane Hair (Legendary).
Description: The mane hair of a unicorn that exists in Demer's Deep Forest. It is soft yet highly elastic, making it suitable as a material for musical instruments. It has the characteristic of never being destroyed or damaged under any circumstances.
A material for an instrument Could it be?
Yuhyeons eyes narrowed as he looked at the item.
The goddess says that you will be able to repair the violin's bow with that material.
However, she says that only one who is sacred and dignified will be able to handle it.
Yuhyeon touched the mane hair.
A soft, downy texture. Just as the description said, it was soft yet highly elastic, a hair perfectly suited for a bow.
It was light yet strong, and it felt as though any kind of bowing would be possible with it.
The goddess Cecilia gives a warm smile.
She says you will find a way to use the material if you meet the head of the Bard's Guild.
Ting!
Hidden Quest: Meet the Head of the Bard's Guild
Grade: Legendary
Requirement: Conductor of Melody
Reward: How to use the Unicorn's Mane Hair
Failure: Unable to use the Unicorn's Mane Hair
Description: The goddess Cecilia has granted you the mane hair of a mythical animal. Go to the Bard's Guild and prove yourself as the new Conductor of Melody to learn how to use the mane hair.
Thank you.
Yuhyeon gave a slight nod to the goddess, following the voice that resonated in his mind.
Though he couldn't see her, he felt as if she were responding with a smile.
I have a reason to go to the next city now.
It was just the right time, as he had reached level 10 and had to leave the beginner's village.
While others left to change their class, he was leaving to clear a hidden quest.
Y-Yuhyeon! The elder is here.
E-Elder! What brings you all the way here?
Soon after the goddess's presence faded, the elder arrived.
Though he had struggled to come up, aided by a young man due to his difficulty with mobility, his expression showed no sign of hardship.
Yuhyeon! That was a truly magnificent performance!
Instead, he clasped Yuhyeon's hands as if greeting a distinguished guest.
His eyes were full of pure adoration.
I was listening to the performance from afar with the other outsiders, and my heart was overflowing. I am truly happy to have witnessed such a performance in my lifetime.
This was his heartfelt sentiment, without a hint of falsehood.
In all his time as the village elder, he had watched countless performances, but never one like today's.
During the usually solemn ceremonial rite, the members played with bright smiles, as if they were truly enjoying the music.
Was that all?
Furthermore, didn't the goddess bestow upon us a blessing akin to divine grace? This is something for which we cannot be thankful enough. The villagers all feel the same.
Ting!
Elder Germano's affinity has risen to its maximum level!
I must give this distinguished person the greatest thing I can offer.
The elder made up his mind.
He decided to give Yuhyeon, who had created such a miracle, the most precious thing he possessed.
And at the very moment he made that decision.
The existing reward is being enhanced.
The 'Honorary Believer's Crest,' the original reward for the ceremonial rite, evolves.
You have acquired the Honorary Believer's Crest (Gold)!
Along with the notification, a golden crest materialized in Yuhyeon's hand.
Watching from the side, Charles's eyes widened like saucers.
E-Elder. Isn't this a Gold-grade crest!
Thats right. I decided to give my distinguished guest the greatest thing I could offer.
Hah
The Gold-grade crest was an item that the elder, by his authority, could only bestow once in his lifetime.
He had just given Yuhyeon something akin to a priceless treasure, which he had not given to anyone for a very long time.
If you wear that crest, you will be treated as a distinguished guest at the cathedral. You can receive blessings for free, and if you wish, you can even receive the aid of a knight.
Such a precious item for me
Compared to the gift youve given this village, Yuhyeon, that is but a small token.
The elder said with a generous smile.
For the next five years, thanks to the highest-grade blessing, Hemona Village was certain to enjoy unprecedented days of peace.
It's as if a myth has come to life. The myth of delivering love and peace through music
The farmers would work in a state of constant joy, and the faces of the villagers would be wreathed in smiles.
These were precious things that money could not buy, and Yuhyeon was the one who had left them behind.
Not a royal musician, nor a salon performer, but a single outsider.
In your future journeys, should you face any hardships, I hope you will remember what happened in this village. Remember the villagers who felt great happiness from your performance.
Elder
Yuhyeon clenched the golden crest tightly in his hand.
He may have brought great happiness to the village, but in truth, he was the one who had gained the most happiness through this rite.
While preparing for the ceremony, he had rediscovered his dream as a musician and opened up the possibility of becoming a composer in reality.
And yet, they were treating him like such a distinguished person.
I'm overwhelmed and grateful
It had been a long yet short week in Hemona Village.
In those seven days, he had felt countless emotions and experienced numerous changes within himself.
He didn't know what would unfold in the next village, but there was one thing he was certain of.
Somehow, I feel like it's going to be fun.
Whatever he might experience, it would surely help him grow.
That something very enjoyable and exciting would be waiting for him.
At that thought, Yuhyeon said with conviction.
Thank you. I will be sure to remember.
Get your delicious barbecue skewers here!
The night in Hemona Village after the ceremonial rite was in the full swing of a festival.
The plaza was crowded with a multitude of people, including both NPCs and players.
Mister, how much for a skewer?
Ho ho, theyre free today, special occasion!
Huh? Youre not selling them? Anyway, thanks!
With food in one hand and beer in the other.
It was a starkly different scene from the past, when businesses would close with a 'ding!' at 7 p.m. sharp.
Ting!
From the center of the plaza, the sound of a piano could be heard.
This was because Charles had set up a piano in the plaza for the event.
Players who had enjoyed the performance were lining up to take turns playing the piano.
Woo, applause!
Haha, thank you.
Even though it was a place where many players gathered, their faces were full of smiles.
Who cared if they played well or poorly? This wasn't an examination hall; it was a festival!
Wow, what a sight. Ive been to many places, but I think this is the first time Ive experienced such a lively festival.
Pengkun said, glancing at Yuhyeon.
Haha, is that so?
Usually, people participate just to get the event rewards. Its not often you see them taking part in a festival purely for enjoyment.
Pengkun looked out at the plaza with his arms crossed.
He prided himself on having been to all sorts of places over the past three years.
He had participated in various events, from small festivals to large ones, and had visited all kinds of places.
But a festival as joyful and vibrant as this was a first for him.
Maybe this is only possible because it's a gathering of people who were moved by the performance.
After all, what was a beginner's village?
It wasn't a place with many quests, nor were there many NPCs to interact with.
It was no exaggeration to call it a tutorial area designed for quick adaptation.
This might not seem like a big deal, but it really is.
Pengkun gave an awkward laugh.
To think so many people were gathered, enjoying a festival in a village that most pass through in two days.
In his experience, it was not only impossible but also a sight he was seeing for the first time.
I believe this is the power of music.
The power of music?
Yuhyeon said with a warm smile.
Music has the power to bring people together.
From ancient times, music has had the ability to connect people, transcending time and place.
From classical music composed in the 1600s to the popular songs of 2030.
People listen to timeless music and share their emotions.
Emotions in various forms, such as joy, sadness, longing, and love.
Now that you mention it, that makes sense.
Pengkun had experienced this himself.
Hadn't he recalled a warm spring day while listening to Yuhyeon's performance, and felt a new kind of joy he'd never experienced before?
The joy of being part of an audience.
What did you receive from the elder earlier?
Oh, that. Its called the Honorary Believers Crest, Gold-grade
W-Wha? Is that for real?
Pengkun's eyes widened like saucers.
The chat window was going wild as well.
'Hamdin' has donated 100,000 won.
- A Gold-grade item actually exists? I gave up trying to get Silver.
- fr I thought it was BS when they said rankers had it
- You can't get Gold-grade just by grinding
- Heard only a select few acknowledged by the cathedral can get it
A Gold-grade crest, no less.
He had heard that with it, one could use everything the cathedral had to offer.
From the priests' expensive blessings and holy water for equipment to even renting members of the knighthood.
All by using a special system called contribution points.
The lowest-rank apprentice knights are level 30, which means you could get power-leveled from the very beginning if you wanted
Of course, it didn't seem like Yuhyeon would rely on someone else to level up, but it was undoubtedly an item of incredible value.
Perhaps you were able to receive that item precisely because youre you, Yuhyeon. Youve accomplished nothing but unbelievable miracles so far.
As if to second Pengkuns words, a flood of donations poured in.
'BardBoomIsComing' has donated 5,000 won.
- lol fr a Gold-grade crest is perfect for a bard, yup
'Hamdin' has donated 100,000 won.
- lol it's so ridiculous I'm not even jealous anymore (actually jealous)
'Inun' has donated 10,000 won.
- fr watching this guy is so inspiring, I'm starting an alt tomorrow
Looks like everyone agrees with me. Oh, right!
Pengkun suddenly moved in a hurry, as if he had remembered something.
He moved urgently, as if he had almost forgotten something he shouldn't have.
Soon, a familiar notification sounded in Yuhyeons ears.
Ting!
A mail has arrived from Pengkun.
Its the payment I promised. Please take a look.
When he tapped the mailbox, a white envelope and a thick stack of gold coins appeared.
It felt much heavier than the bundle he had received before.
As he checked the envelope, Yuhyeon's eyes widened like saucers.
I-Is this the right amount?
Inside the envelope was the sum of 600 gold.
Converted to real-world money, it was a huge sum, nearly six million won.
At the unexpected fortune, Yuhyeon's usually calm hands trembled.
The donations came to about six million won. I wouldn't have received this much without you, Yuhyeon, so I thought it was right to give you all of it.
B-But isnt this too much?
Haha, Ive already deducted the maintenance and other costs for streaming, so please dont feel burdened.
This was Pengkun's sincere feeling.
The person Thompson had singled out was Yuhyeon, not him, so it was only right that the donations went to Yuhyeon.
On the contrary, his viewer count had grown steeply thanks to Yuhyeon, so it wasn't a losing deal for him at all.
If its alright with you, could I add you as a friend?
Add me as a friend?
No special reason, just so I can share the link when I upload the video to YouToob. Im expecting a huge reaction.
If thats the case I can give you my contact information, not just add you as a friend.
R-Really? Then please, give me your number!
Pengkun's eyes sparkled.
Seeing his pure excitement, Yuhyeon let out a small smile.
Aside from saving contacts for work, it had been years since he had made a new friend.
They had shared such enjoyment over the past few days, so this wasn't a difficult thing to do.
T-Thank you! Ill contact you at this number, then! Right after I upload the video!
Feel free to contact me anytime.
So, where do you plan on going now, Yuhyeon?
Hmm
Yuhyeon's eyes narrowed slightly.
In truth, it was safe to say his destination was already set.
Hidden Quest: Meet the Head of the Bard's Guild
I suppose Ill have to go to a major city? I need to set off on my own adventure, after all.
Leaving was not a problem at all.
He just wanted to burn the image of this village, which had given him such great memories over the past few days, into his mind a little longer.
The faces of the villagers and players, laughing and having fun.
Ill be cheering for your journey ahead. And please, contact me anytime if something interesting happens.
Pengkun said his goodbyes with a warm smile.
Ill be on my way now. Its about time I moved on to other content. It was a true pleasure meeting you, Yuhyeon!
- bye bye bard
- cya later
- fr lol it's been fun
I had fun too. Take care!
Yuhyeon replied to the departing Pengkun.
He then turned his head and looked at Hemona Village.
The unforgettable memories of the past week flashed by like a panorama.
It was so much fun. More than words can express.
But now, the time had come to move on.
Yuhyeon said with a warm smile.
Log out.
A new beginning was waiting for him.