Chapter 5
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: The Lingering Melody
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There are many types of streamers in Wonderland.
The most common were combat streamers, who focused on clearing dungeons or raids using their impressive mechanical skills.
There were life-skill streamers, who focused on content like fishing, gathering, or building houses.
And then there were the Just Chatting streamers, whose main content was simply talking with their viewers.
Pengkun, if one had to categorize him, was best described as an eccentric streamer, known for his bizarre antics.
Choosing to play only off-meta classes or going lava fishing to see what lived beneath a volcano were prime examples.
The community often called him that weirdo whos actually good at the game.
- Why does Pengkun waste his good mechanics on being an attention seeker?
- Tbh if he just stuck to one character he'd probably be a ranker
It was pure coincidence that such a streamer, Pengkun, had spotted Yuhyeon in Hemona Village.
He had made an alt to try out the off-meta Magic Archer class and just so happened to witness the event taking place in the village.
Lets go, Magic Archer playthrough!
His original plan was to take a quick look, and if it didn't seem like good stream content, he would immediately go level his character.
However, after spotting Yuhyeon, Pengkun completely revised his plan.
If I follow that guy, I bet something interesting will happen.
To follow Yuhyeon.
Pengkuns content sensorthe very instinct that had earned him 400,000 subscribers through all his bizarre anticswas going off.
Guys, any good ideas? Help me think.
- lol why are you asking us
- Hmm is there even a way to meet him if you didn't add him as a friend? You don't even know when he logs on
Pengkuns eyes narrowed as he looked at the chat.
Hmm.
They were right. He hadn't added him as a friend, nor had they planned to meet again.
Besides, hadn't the man said as much when he logged out?
He said hed come if he could.
Judging by that response, it was uncertain whether Yuhyeon would even log back into the game.
Realistically, it was more likely they wouldn't meet again.
But hes too good a find to just let go
Pengkuns deliberation continued.
- I just tuned in, why's this guy just standing here?
- He found this insane performer at the event just now, the performance was nuts, so now the streamer wants to find him but they didn't friend each other so there's no way to contact him..
- dude -- you writing a novel in chat?
- someone ban this wall-of-texter
As his contemplation dragged on, the streams energy began to dwindle.
Just then, a loud notification sound went off as a video donation came through.
WingChickenWingChiki has donated 5,000.
- The most legendary performance just now in the starting village (video)
Nice timing.
Wonderland's streaming function had a system called video donations, which allowed viewers to send a video along with their contribution.
The video contained footage of Yuhyeon's incredible performance at the event.
A viewer had already clipped the video from a few minutes ago and sent it in.
Wow, its just as insane watching it again
Pengkuns jaw dropped as he watched Yuhyeons performance.
Ting. CRASH!
A flawless performance without a single mistake, rich expression, and incredible dynamics.
It was an unbelievable performance, no matter how you looked at it. Especially in a starting village like this.
The viewers felt something was off, too.
- woah just saw this for the first time, what is this??
- It was epic live but watching it again
It was only natural to find it strange for a beginner, who didn't even have class bonuses yet, to deliver such a brilliant performance.
Guys, you know Ive leveled a Bard to 50 before, right?
Pengkun, a streamer known for both his skill and his eccentricities, had played a wide variety of classes over the years. A Bard was, of course, among them.
- The Flute Murderer (Physical)
- I remember you not taking any combat skills and just killing slimes with your basic attack lol
The performance skills are a real point-sink, and you need to get them to at least level 3 to produce a decent sound, you know?
In Wonderland, the skills one needed to take up to level 10 were practically set in stone.
Two attack skills, one support skill, and one passive.
Just taking those would use up all ten available skill points.
Similarly, reaching level 3 in Performance also required all ten skill points.
In other words, the female player had forgone all combat to invest every point into her performance skill.
Hamdin has donated 10,000.
- But now that I think about it, that's weird.. shouldn't a draw have been the best he could do?
That was where the problem lay.
The maximum level for Performance up to player level 10 was 3. Yet someone had defeated a level 3 player?
Logically, that should have been impossible. A draw would have been more believable.
- Didn't the guy win because he had a skill level 4 or higher?
- nah impossible, max is 3 until level 10
- wtf;; then who the hell is he;;
And that wasn't the only strange thing.
I have an acquaintance whos a high-level Bard, and that guys playing was on par with my friends.
Pengkun knew a high-level player who worked as a Royal Musician.
There was no significant difference between that persons playing and Yuhyeons. And this was despite his acquaintances performance skill being a whopping level 7.
That means hes at least level 7 but this is a starting village, right? Its impossible to hide your level and come here.
This left only one possible answer.
Hamdin has donated 10,000.
- Maybe he wasn't using a skill and was playing it himself?
If you dont use a skill, you can just play it manually.
Yes, probably.
- He played that himself?
- holy shit
- But is that even possible? I heard level 6 is already professional-level in real life.
To be precise, level 6 is professional level. Ive heard that level 7 is considered master-artisan level, even in the real world.
Pengkun said, his expression one of disbelief.
If he was really playing it himself that means hed have to be a renowned pianist in real life.
- ?!
- whoa
- ??
- lol amazing
Gasps erupted from the viewers in chat.
This was why Pengkun couldn't let go of Yuhyeon.
What was his true identity, this man with the skill of a master? What secrets was he hiding?
Now you all understand why Im looking for this player, right?
- You really are a genius streamer lol
- Wow, seriously, props. I'm hooked.
The conversation then circled back to the original problem.
C2C has donated 5,000.
- Okay, I get it So how are you gonna find him
- He's right, how can you meet him if you didn't even add him as a friend?
- Is there realistically any way?
Pengkun smirked at the chat.
Come on, who do you take me for?
Make the impossible possible, and the possible certain.
It was the creed that had helped him survive in this brutal market for the past few years.
He had already figured out a way to find him.
Do you really think someone with my streaming experience wouldnt have a method for something like this?
Pengkun said with a confident smile.
Ive already found a way.
Whoa.
Yuhyeon tossed the VR goggles aside and sat up.
He had been so immersed that his whole body was drenched in sweat.
He even felt a little dizzy, perhaps a side effect of his first VR game experience.
A slight dizziness may occur upon first logout. Please rest sufficiently before exiting the capsule.
Trembling slightly, Yuhyeon touched his hands and ears.
The sensation of the keys and the sound of the piano seemed to linger in his body.
I heard sound and I played an instrument.
Yuhyeon clenched his fists, his face filled with emotion. The sweat still slick on his palms felt real.
As if proving that this reality wasn't a dream.
Feeling dizzy? I was the same way my first time. Heh heh.
Sangcheol, who had approached at some point, clapped a hand on Yuhyeons shoulder.
Yuhyeon looked up at him.
Hyung, do you know what just happened to me?
What, you had more fun than you expected?
It was way more than just that.
Haha, what then? Was it super fun?
Yuhyeon shook his head.
No, I played the piano. And I heard the sound.
...What? You heard sound?
For a moment, Sangcheol froze. His expression suggested his thoughts had come to a complete halt.
No way So its really possible!
Sangcheol shouted. It was a case of the unbelievable becoming reality; what he had hoped for had actually happened.
I cant believe that article was true! Its a miracle, a real miracle!
He was glad hed read that article last night. If he hadn't, he never would have witnessed this miracle.
Confused by his reaction, Yuhyeon tilted his head.
What is it? Do you know something?
Sangcheol, looking dazed, managed to reply.
I saw an article the other day! Some guy in China with lower-body paralysis was able to walk around freely inside Wonderland. Thats why I brought you here today. I was hoping you might be able to hear.
There was something like that? Why didnt you tell me?
Sangcheol spoke in a careful tone.
If I told you and got your hopes up what if it didn't work? The higher the expectation, the greater the disappointment, right?
Oh
Yuhyeon was at a loss for words.
He was absolutely right. If he had heard about the article and then failed, his despair might have been even greater.
So thats why he was so insistent on dragging me here
Thinking about it now, his friends behavior from a few hours ago started to make sense.
The way Sangcheol had been so stubborn, even offering to buy him a meal.
And to think he had just yelled at him, completely unaware
Hyung
There he goes again. Is that whats important right now? You can hear!
Just as Yuhyeon was about to get emotional again, Sangcheol pulled him into a tight hug.
Damn, congratulations, man! Your wish came true!
Hyung!
They shared an emotional embrace that could bring a tear to anyones eye.
An employee who had been watching for a while cautiously approached them.
Um, excuse me, but there are other customers here, so if you could please keep it down a little
Ah, sorry about that. Lets talk outside.
Leaving the capsule room, Sangcheol and Yuhyeon bought a few cans of beer and sat down at a parasol table outside a convenience store.
Chik-
So what happened? Spill the details.
Well, I logged into the game and
Yuhyeon told Sangcheol everything that had happened in Wonderland, leaving nothing out.
From hearing sound, to participating in the event at the plaza instead of hitting scarecrows, to being offered a performance deal by an NPC.
Sangcheol, who had been listening with interest, looked more and more shocked as the story went on.
Holy crap! You won that event?
As a Wonderland player himself, Sangcheol knew about the event in Hemona Village.
Wasnt that event just for show? People were saying who in their right mind would invest in level 3 Performance at the start.
Thats what everyone was saying. Is it really that bad to take performance skills early on?
Of course! It means giving up combat entirely. If you cant hunt, you cant level up, and youll fall behind on content. Its not something most people would do.
Then couldn't you just play without taking the skill?
Yuhyeon tilted his head.
Its only possible because you were already a great pianist but for a normal person, its completely nonsensical. Everyone there must have been thinking the same thing.
Hmm, I guess so.
But man, thats such a shame. You just gave up 50 gold and left? It took me months to earn that much
Sangcheol was genuinely disappointed that Yuhyeon had left the event.
It wasn't just about the money; there was no telling what kind of incredible opportunities could have stemmed from that event.
Like leading to a hidden event, for instance. He had thrown away a golden opportunity.
But Yuhyeons reply was utterly cheerful.
Why would I give up? Of course Im going back in to get it. 500,000 won is a lot of money!
How could he pass up 500,000 won when every penny counted?
Besides, there was something more important.
When I go back in, I can hear sound again, and I can play an instrument. Nothing is more important to me than that.
Yuhyeon said with a gentle smile.
Hyung, when are you free again? Lets go to the capsule room again. Ill get paid for my commission next month, so Ill treat you then.
Haha, really? In that case, Ill treat you one more time this week. How about the day after tomorrow?
Seeing Yuhyeon so happy for the first time in a while made Sangcheol happy too.
Besides, treating his friend, who was like family, to a few more sessions at the capsule room was nothing to him if it made him happy.
R-really? Should we?
Yeah, man. You can treat me once you get that 50 gold.
Hyung! Thank you so much!
Alright.
Back home, Yuhyeon immediately sat down at his computer.
He had left it on, and the project file for the song he was working on was open on the screen.
Sumare Fashion Show Runway Music(rev)(rev)(rev)(rev)(rev).cpr
The (rev) in the file name stood out. It meant he had already revised this track more than six times.
Normally, this would have been a daunting sight. But the Yuhyeon of today was different.
His mind felt much lighter, somehow.
I have a good feeling about this. I feel like I can finish it quickly.
It was like a sudden breakthrough after being stuck, with inspiration now flooding his mind.
There were many possible reasons.
He had heard sound, played the piano, and even listened to his own performance inside the game.
His deadline was only a few hours away.
He needed to focus and work as fast as possible.
With that thought, Yuhyeon lightly pressed a key on his keyboard.
Okay, lets do this.
Ting.
At the same time, Yuhyeons eyes shot wide open.
Huh?
Was it because he had just been playing the piano?
Or was it because he had regained his hearing, even if only in a game?
The sound its forming in my mind!
The note from the keyboard was playing vividly inside Yuhyeons head.