Chapter 7
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: An Offer He Couldn't Refuse
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Musical Genius of Virtual Reality
Chapter 7
Eleven hours ago.
To be precise, it was right after Yuhyeon had logged out.
Pengkun was left alone in the plaza, looking at the chat window.
C2C has donated 1,000.
- You have a way to meet him? I don't know what it is, but I'm already nervous.
- Our streamers antics are so wild, I cant even guess what hell do lol.
- But is there a realistic way to do it?
Hehe, it seems youre all curious about that.
Pengkun chuckled as he read the viewers comments.
It felt like watching a heated debate from afar, with people arguing over the right and wrong answers to a difficult problem.
Like watching a fire from across the river, as they say.
Isnt it rather simple if you think about it easily?
- Just tell us how youre gonna meet him lol;
- If you dont answer in 3 seconds, Im unsubbing and dislike bombing.
- Here we go, the 1,584,1st time to threaten an unsub is ON.
Why was everyone thinking so hard about this? There was an incredibly simple way, if they just thought about it.
If I wait here where he logged out, wont he eventually show up?
Pengkuns declaration sent the chat into an uproar.
- ??
- ?!?
- The mans insane lol.
He was declaring he would just wait indefinitely, not knowing how many hours it would take for the person to return?
Even for someone whose default setting was bizarre antics, this was a step too far.
- Now that you mention it, that actually makes sense.
- Upvote if youre a Peng-bro surprised its actually a normal method lol. Ill start.
- Wow, to think there was such an easy way .
Despite the bombshell declaration, the chat rooms reaction strangely flowed into a calm atmosphere.
A reaction of acceptance, as if saying, Of course, thats what hed do. Some even defended it as a good method.
It was said that viewers resemble their streamer, and they had all perfectly adapted to Pengkuns eccentricities.
- Then lets just have a video donation day today.
- Just change the stream title to Chit-chat and lets go.
Pengkun smiled and said.
Sounds good. Today will be a video donation day. But if you send a jump scare donation, its an instant ban.
- Damn, this wouldve been the perfect timing for a jump scare donation.
- lol Hes been super strict lately, if you get caught its at least a 3-day suspension.
- Not a suspension This is the only thing I have to watch!
- Hey streamer, what are you gonna do when you meet that user?
Hmm.
Reading the chat, Pengkun stroked his beardless chin as if he had a beard.
Come to think of it, he hadnt even decided on any proper content yet.
He couldn't just say he followed the guy because it looked fun, so maybe he could say he was here for an interview.
Ah, didnt he say something about a ritual ceremony?
Right, the reason they were recruiting a performer was for some kind of ritual.
It was a new event derived from another event, so it wouldn't be a common sight.
This is a first-of-its-kind event, so I can just say I came to cover it.
Just as Pengkun was mulling over his options.
- Pengkun, you need to see this .
Along with the chat message, a donation video popped up on the screen.
WingChickenWingChicky has donated 5,000.
- Bard streamer Seas reaction (video)
A video of Sea, another streamer active as a bard, began to play.
This doesnt look like a skill; it seems like hes playing it himself, right? Wow, he can play like this by himself?
Her reaction was mostly similar to Pengkuns.
It wasn't a skill, but played manually. But to think it was played manually, the level was too high.
To play at this level, one had to be at least a royal court musician; in the real world, at least a concert pianist, and so on.
However, among her reactions, there was one that startled Pengkun.
Hey, why would I go to meet this person? I cant even go to the beginner town anyway.
If by any chance you find him in Hemona Village, please talk to him for me. Ask if hes interested in being a guest on my stream.
The fact that Sea was also showing interest in Yuhyeon.
Of course, it wasn't a huge amount of interest, but it was enough to get on Pengkuns nerves.
The viewers felt the same way.
- Peng-bro, NTR is not allowed.
- She wont even commit to an endless stakeout like us Shoo!
- He must not be taken.
- Protect him at all costs.
Pengkuns heart, swayed by the video, began to flutter like a reed in the wind.
On top of that, the viewers were clamoring that he must not lose him!
It was enough to throw his thought process into disarray.
Well now, it seems we have an uninvited guest.
With that thought, Pengkun changed his mind and began to seriously revise his plan.
I have to meet him first, no matter what To do that.
He had to propose an amount that couldn't be refused.
In other words, it was time for Operation: Overwhelm!
Returning to the present, in the plaza.
Musician! Ive been waiting for you. Would you have a moment to talk?
I-Ive been waiting longer! User, could you please spare a moment to speak with me?
Yuhyeon looked at the two men who were urgently calling out to him.
One of them had a familiar face, while the other was a complete stranger.
Youre the judge I met at the event venue, right? And this gentleman is
I-Im the streamer Pengkun! Ive been waiting exactly eleven hours to meet you, user.
Pardon?
Yuhyeons eyes widened in surprise.
He had never heard of a streamer named Pengkun, and it was even more shocking that such a person had waited eleven hours just to meet him.
Who are you? I was here first!
I waited a whole eleven hours to meet this person. Honestly, old man, youve just been coming and going, so you havent waited that long, have you?
What is this person saying! I made an appointment to meet the musician. What is this rude interruption?
As the two bickered furiously, Yuhyeon stepped between them, holding up his hands.
Now, now, Ill listen to both of you, so please speak one at a time.
At Yuhyeons words, the two glanced at each other. They hadn't yet decided who would speak first.
After watching for a while, Yuhyeon finally spoke up.
How about the judge goes first? Since you did mention youd be back
Since he was an acquaintance, it seemed right to hear the judge out first.
At that, Charles glanced around cautiously and spoke carefully.
As I mentioned before, this is about the offer to be a performer. As soon as you confirm, we plan to begin practice immediately. As it happens, there is a rehearsal in one hour.
You mean for the ritual ceremony.
The ceremony is just one week away, so were in a bit of a panic. I apologize to you, musician, but we dont have much time.
Ah, thats fine.
Fine? Could he mean that the schedule was too tight, and he wouldn't participate?
Charles asked again in a cautious tone.
By fine, you mean?
If I participate, I assume Ill be playing the piano, correct?
Yes, yes, were currently short on pianists.
So, do I receive the 50 gold after its over?
No, well give it to you right after you sign the contract. The honorary emblem will be awarded after the ceremony is finished.
Understood. Ill participate.
Yuhyeon answered immediately.
Re-really? Is that true? Thank you!
In truth, there was no reason for Yuhyeon to hesitate.
What did he need right now? Wasnt it to hear sound and play an instrument?
I get to play the piano to my hearts content. Theres no reason not to.
Besides, they were offering 50 gold just for participating in the ensemble. There was no reason to refuse.
He didn't know much about the honorary emblem, but he couldn't just pass up 500,000 won in cash.
Whats the schedule from here on out?
Theres a cathedral right in front. Well be starting the rehearsal in an hour, so please be sure to come as soon as youre finished here. Well handle the contract then as well.
Yes, Ill be there shortly!
Yuhyeon gave a slight nod to the departing Charles.
Now then Pengkun? Please, go ahead.
Haha, well, to introduce myself first
Pengkun began to explain the situation from the beginning.
Listening to the explanation, Yuhyeon nodded slightly.
So youre the one who heard my performance at the event. But what brings you here?
My main content is finding and covering newsworthy topics. As the winner of an event that awards 50 gold and an honorary emblem, I came to cover your story.
Pengkun said, making up a plausible excuse.
If youre okay with it, Id like to follow you around during the event preparations and the event itself, broadcasting the footage. You could think of it as something like an interview or a documentary.
It was the truth, without a single lie.
He had simply dressed up the fact that he followed him because it looked fun, which made the explanation a little long.
As Yuhyeon listened thoughtfully, his eyes narrowed.
Hmm
To put it simply, he wanted to do a live broadcast of the performance.
There was coverage like this when I competed in the Queen Elisabeth Competition.
When he was 15, competing in the Queen Elisabeth Competition, a sponsoring organization had followed him around, recording the event live.
It was a familiar situation that most musicians would have experienced at least once.
However, Yuhyeon didn't particularly like these situations.
The amount is certainly large, but.
Standing in front of a camera always made him feel unnatural, and his playing would become strained.
More importantly, is my playing even at a level worth showing anyone right now?
The biggest issue was his performance skill.
He was certain his playing was worse now than it was back then, and it was unlikely to get better easily. Was it really okay to show this performance?
Compared to his prime, his skills were undoubtedly lacking.
As his deliberation dragged on, Pengkun thought to himself.
He doesnt like it? Thats the look on his face.
It was only natural, when you thought about it. Strictly speaking, he was the one who had approached Yuhyeon to get content for his stream.
This wont do. I need to pull the trigger.
Instead of letting him stew in his thoughts, it would be much faster to present what he wanted in one go.
Having made up his mind, Pengkun cleared his throat.
Im sure you have a lot to consider. I know its a big ask. Thats why Id like to make you an offer.
An offer?
How does a performance fee of 100 gold per session sound?
100 gold
Yuhyeons eyes narrowed to slits.
100 gold. That was a million won in cash.
An offer to earn in a single moment what would take two weeks of grinding to make!
Its definitely a lot of money, but
Yuhyeon still felt uneasy.
Charles also said hed give me 50 gold.
He would be getting 50 gold soon, so he wasn't desperate for money, and more importantly
Its my playing that bothers me.
He didn't feel right about letting an audience hear a performance that wasn't at its best, just for the sake of money.
It wasn't so much about a musician's pride, but rather the last shred of conscience he had as a musician.
Hmm.
As Yuhyeons deliberation continued, Pengkuns chat window started to catch fire.
- 100 gold is more than enough, and hes still thinking about it
- Cant we just cut him loose? Who does he think he is, some high-ranker?
- Or maybe theres a reason he cant appear on stream?
- He might be famous, maybe hes reluctant to show his face.
Words flew across the chatsuggesting they find someone else, that there must be a reason he couldn't appear, or that he might be a celebrity.
Just as the chat was descending into chaos.
Hamdin has donated 2,000,000.
- This is frustrating. Ill chip in, just go for it.
A massive donation came through. Pengkun shouted frantically.
200 gold! I can go up to 200 gold. Any more than that is impossible for me. Will you do it for 200 gold?
Ha, 200 gold?
Yuhyeon let out a long breath.
Seeing this, Pengkun tensed up.
He sighed? D-dont tell me he wasnt worried about the money? Did I offend his pride by suddenly raising the amount like this?
Just as Pengkun, inwardly calming his startled heart, was about to say something to Yuhyeon.
Should I be looking here?
Pardon?
Wheres the camera? Are we starting the filming right now?
Yuhyeons attitude changed in an instant.
Should I start by greeting the viewers?
With this money, he could pay for the month after nexts rent and not have to worry about game fees.
Should I call you Boss?
200 gold was far too much money to refuse.