Chapter 4
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: A Virtuoso's Hasty Exit
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The pianos clear melody echoed through the plaza. A shiver. An indescribable emotion enveloped his entire body.
Ah, this sound.
Yes, this was the sound I longed to hear.
The sound of the piano, which I thought Id never hear again, reached my ears, and my whole body trembled uncontrollably.
The slightly coarse texture of the keys under my fingertips, the warm sunlight on my back, the sensation of the world fading away, leaving me in an empty space
Everything was exactly as I remembered.
This was the feeling.
In that profound silence, only two things lived and breathed: Yuhyeon and his instrument. It was a sensation he hadnt felt in a very long time.
Only now did he feel truly alive.
He realized anew that his reason for being wasnt simply to open his eyes at dawn and close them at dusk, but to play music.
The ten years he had spent as good as dead were now beginning to burn with life again.
A man who had truly bet everything on music. A man whose very life was music.
That was Han Yuhyeon.
He turned his head and looked around.
He saw the female player tilting her head in confusion at the sudden turn of events, and the judge waiting with an intrigued expression.
Keeping an audience waiting was a breach of etiquette for a musician.
Time to play, then.
Yuhyeon composed himself and slowly pressed the keys.
His fingers danced gracefully across the keyboard.
Gently at first. Like two strangers meeting for the first time, he exchanged a thrilling first greeting with the instrument.
This was the time to feel it out.
Next, Andante. As if taking a stroll, his fingers moved slowly across the keys, imbued with the desire to know it more deeply.
A soft tremor that seemed to tickle the ears. The melody was as warm and refreshing as a spring breeze.
This is so much fun.
The rhythm that made his whole body sway, the beauty of the harmonies building layer by layer, the diverse expressions of performance through dynamics
There was not a single element of music he didn't love. But if there was one thing Yuhyeon cherished above all else
It was the ability to express his emotions just as they were.
When he felt sad, he played sadly; when he was so happy he wanted to dance, he played with excitement. He could faithfully translate his feelings into melody.
That was why Yuhyeon loved music.
Now, for the dynamics.
With the introductions over, it was time to truly perform.
No matter how good a piece was, playing it at the same volume and with the same breath would inevitably make it tedious.
Just as a thriller movie has suspense, a musical performance needed dynamics to inject tension.
Crash!
Yuhyeon struck the keys with force. Instantly, the melody shifted, and the atmosphere began to build.
The soft, sweet melody began to quicken, as if throwing a tantrum.
If the beginning of the piece represented Yuhyeons brilliant past, the current movement was akin to the despair-filled days that followed his accident.
The feeling of walking alone in a darkness with no end in sight.
His fingers crossed furiously over the keys.
Like soldiers on a battlefield, charging at each other with their lives on the line.
Yuhyeon surrendered himself to the melody flooding his ears and relentlessly pressed down on the keys.
CRASH!
The melody was intensely passionate and perilous, yet simultaneously whimsical and mysterious.
With every change in expression, Yuhyeons own expression shifted, and as the performance quickened, his movements grew more fervent.
It was as if he and the instrument had become one.
His hands moved faster than his thoughts, his body a mere marionette surrendering to the music he played.
This is it! This is what it felt like!
Yes, this was the feeling. The intense emotion one could only experience when completely immersed.
As he rediscovered the forgotten sensation, a broad smile spread across his face.
Yuhyeon purely enjoyed the performance.
The pure joy of pressing the keys, hearing the notes, and translating his feelings directly into the performance.
It was close to the pure, primal joy a small child might feel upon first discovering music.
This is my music.
Ding. At last, the movement on the keyboard subsided, and Yuhyeons fingers gradually slowed.
The moment had come for the long performance to draw to a close.
All that remained was to play the final measure, and the piece would be finished.
But for some reason, Yuhyeons fingers couldn't press the final note.
I dont want it to end.
He couldn't bring himself to finish, afraid that this happiness would vanish.
But he had to. No matter how good a piece was, if left incomplete, it would forever remain unfinished.
Hoo.
Yuhyeon composed himself and pressed the final note.
The piece was over.
He slowly returned to reality from the formless space where only he and the instrument had existed.
The overwhelming emotions slowly subsided.
At the same time, the performance from moments ago lingered before his eyes.
A profound silence fell over the event plaza.
It was the point where applause should have erupted long ago, or where jeers wouldn't have been out of place.
At that thought, he cautiously opened his eyes, only to be greeted by a scene entirely different from what he had expected.
Wow, did you see that guy play just now?
Incredible.
Countless people were staring at him.
And they all wore looks of utter astonishment.
Wow, did you see that guy play just now?
Incredible.
Countless people were staring at him.
Just then, the judge, Charles, spoke in a voice thick with emotion.
I-Incredible. To think such a brilliant musician existed among the outsiders!
The performance he had just witnessed wasn't merely good.
It was on par with even Saint Paolo, the royal courts finest musician.
Come to think of it, his very posture at the piano had been different from the start.
His straight back, the angle of his chin, the placement of his fingers on the keys
It was the posture of a performer who had dedicated his entire life to music.
Suddenly, Charless mind went blank.
Ah, what a grave mistake Ive made!
Not only had he failed to recognize such an immense talent, but he had also treated him poorly, threatening to kick him out at any moment if he couldn't play.
He should have been begging him to participate, to help, but instead, he had made the worst possible first impression.
I cant let this opportunity slip away.
Finally coming to his senses, Charles cleared his throat and adopted a respectful demeanor.
He spoke politely, but his expression was filled with desperation and urgency.
W-Would you perhaps be willing to participate in our rite? We need your help!
A look of shock spread across the faces of everyone in the venue.
What? His reaction is completely different from before.
With the female player, he had merely considered it, but with Yuhyeon, it was a plea, really.
He looked as if he might burst into tears if refused.
Considering the usually prickly and cold attitude of the NPCs, the current situation was all the more incomprehensible.
What the, whats going on?
Ive never seen an NPC be that polite.
First, the incredible performance, and now, the NPCs instantaneous change in attitude.
Please, wont you participate in the rite?
Faced with such a rare, dramatic scene, every players gaze turned to Yuhyeon.
And amidst all the attention, the answer Yuhyeon gave was
Im sorry. I dont think Ill be able to participate in the rite.
A flat-out refusal.
?!
What? But why?!
The eyes of every watching player widened in shock.
Hes giving up 50 gold? Thats 500 dollars in cash!
Does he not know how good the Insignia of Honor is? Hell be kicking himself later without it!
Charles was just as stunned.
Is it because the reward is insufficient? Or is there another reason?
Well, its just
I-If theres anything you need, please tell me! I will accommodate you as much as possible.
After a moment of thought, Yuhyeon spoke awkwardly.
My time is up. I have to go home now.
G-Go home, you say?
The reason Yuhyeon couldnt participate was simple.
Shutting down in 1 minute. Please log out in a safe location.
His time in the capsule room had run out.
In other words, he had to log out.
Yes, I have to log out.
Good heavens, to think that thing the outsiders always mention would happen at a time like this!
Of course, he desperately wanted to play more. But he had things to do at home.
He had left without even finishing his song composition deadline. That was a crucial matter his livelihood depended on.
Ill be sure to participate if I get another chance. But for now, I really have to go.
Charles grabbed Yuhyeons hands and exclaimed.
A-Another chance? The rite is in just one week!
Shutting down in 10 seconds. Please log out in a safe location.
Um, this is my first time playing, so If I log back in, Ill try to participate then
In the end, Yuhyeon couldnt finish his sentence as he slowly began to fade away.
You must be here by the day after tomorrow at the latest to practice and proceed with the rite. Please, just come back by then!
Charless empty cry echoed through the plaza.
Oh, no! Please dont go! I will wait for you until you return! Oh, please!
But Yuhyeon was long gone.
Whoa, that was interesting. Anyone else just see that?
A man spoke, looking at the plaza with a fascinated expression. His gaze was fixed on the event stage where Yuhyeon had just played.
The mans name was Han Donghun, a variety game streamer focusing on Wonderland, and the now fairly established, mid-tier streamer known as Pengkun.
I didnt see that wrong, did I? He just logged out without taking the reward?
- Saw it too lmao hilarious
- LMAO absolute legend
- Never seen an NPC look so stunned
Pengkun had witnessed the entire sequence of events at the plaza.
From Yuhyeons almost-gatecrashing appearance on stage, to his incredible performance, to his cool logout without even receiving his rewardhed seen it all.
It was more dramatic than a drama. It was, without a doubt, the most entertaining content he had seen in a long time.
An interesting idea flashed through Pengkuns mind.
Lets put what I was doing on hold for a bit and try following that player.
- ??
- Seriously? lol
- There he goes again
C2C has donated 10,000 KRW.
- Is this guy actually crazy? Boldly declaring hes gonna leech off some random dude lol
Hamdin has donated 10,000 KRW.
- I know youre crazy about streaming, but leeching off a player youve never met is a bit much;;
Pengkun waved his hands as if to clear up a misunderstanding.
Of course Im going to ask for his cooperation. Im not some nobody streamer, why would I leech off him?
He had 400,000 subscribers. If anyone stood to lose, it was Pengkun, so he had no such foolish intentions.
Naturally, he planned to offer a fair price for the interview request.
- But how are you gonna meet him?
- lol youd think you already friended him or something
Hmm, youre right. How should I meet him?
Pengkuns intrigued gaze fell upon the spot where Yuhyeon had disappeared.