Chapter 63: The Black Priest
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 63: The Black Priest
[Title: Is stanning an actress always this hard?]
There’s no content... I’m starving to death... Baby, please, just film something, anything...
└ So you’ve finally opened your eyes.
└ You spent your whole life stanning idols and now that you’re stanning an actress, it’s a wake-up call, isn't it? lol
└ Idols have to stay exposed or they’re in trouble, so you can see them somehow, but with actresses, in extreme cases, you literally only see them in their Pro.jects. lol
└ (OP) T_T No, but I’m literally starving because there’s no content. On top of that, she hasn't even opened an SNS account. I’m going crazy.
└ But considering the bomb of disgusting DMs she'd get, it’s better for Baby Elf’s mental health to delay opening an SNS.
└└ (OP) Wow, look at you being all generous;;;;
└ (OP) I wish she’d at least film a CF or something T_T
└ It’s because you guys spent so much time mobbing her for autographs last time that Baby Elf got sick of it and stopped showing her face;; You should’ve known when to stop picking at her;;
└ Honestly, that was basically child labor exploitation.
└ There hasn't been a single login record on the fan cafe since Baby Elf’s thank-you post for the tribute T_T
└ Rumor has it she’s busy raising her LoL tier.
└ Baby Elf plays LoL? I bet her most-played is a Gumiho champ.
└ I wonder what her tier is.
└ It might be surprisingly high. I’m guessing Emerald.
└ If she’s Emerald with that face, she’s literally a god-tier rare talent, isn't she???
└ Baby, please, just film a CF... the Boiled Pork and Fresh Kimchi tribute truck is crying right now...
└ I was sure she’d film a phone CF, so why is there no news???
[Title: (Breaking) Chris Hertiland’s Secret Visit to Korea! Contact with JJH Group!]
(Photo of Chris coming out of JJH Headquarters.jpg)
(Photo of Chris looking over a vacant lot in Gyeonggi-do.jpg)
(Photo of Chris... .jpg)
(Anyway, Chris... .jpg)
└ Who cares about Chris? Give me info on where I can see Baby Elf.
└ Why would Chris bother coming all the way to Korea? This is definitely a sign of Baby Elf’s Hollywood debut.
└ No!!! If she moves to America, what are we supposed to live on!!!
└ Is Baby Elf really preparing for Hollywood? If we wait, will good news come??
└ If Yu-jin shows up at the airport, it’s 100% Hollywood.
└ Got it. From now on, I’m watching Incheon Airport 24/7 with hawk eyes.
└ But if it’s Chris, doesn't that mean Baby Elf is appearing in Game of Sins?
└ The casting for that is already finished, so there wouldn't be a role for her.
└ Sigh, if it’s medieval fantasy, a Saintess or an Elf Archer would fit Yu-jin’s image perfectly.
The production team of Game of Sins kept Lee Yu-jin’s appearance strictly under wraps.
It was to maximize the shock the viewers would receive during the first broadcast.
Lee Yu-jin’s fandom had hoped for her appearance in Game of Sins, but they were greatly disappointed when no casting articles appeared by the time filming began.
└ The production team probably lowballed the appearance fee, so the agency turned it down;;;
While the secret was well-kept, JJH Group began the work of replicating the set.
They surrounded the area with high construction fences to prevent anyone from peeking in.
Even JJH Group was completely unaware of Lee Yu-jin’s appearance in Game of Sins.
*
Today was the day of the regular concert at the arts high school Lee Yu-jin attended.
Since it was a rare big event, the 53 students selected for the orchestra (excluding Lee Yu-jin) had been extremely nervous since morning.
Even the experienced seniors were no exception.
It was all because of Lee Yu-jin’s presence.
“I heard a lot of famous people are coming today just to see Yu-jin.”
“Ah, I’m dying of nerves. What if I make a mistake?”
“But how does Yu-jin never make a single mistake during every regular practice?”
Most students majoring in classical music came from upper-class families. Nevertheless, they were all trembling with anxiety over which heavyweights might show up.
While waiting for the final rehearsal, a student acting as staff rushed in and shouted.
“We’re in trouble! The Minister of Culture is coming!”
“What? Why is the Minister coming?”
“Ah, we’re really screwed.”
The Minister of Culture was the ultimate authority in the country’s arts sector.
The students’ tension grew even thicker.
But that was only the beginning.
It was because of the photos being uploaded in real-time to the temporary group chat for this regular concert.
“Why are there so many bodyguards? Is the Prime Minister coming too?”
“With this many, it’s not the Prime Minister—it’s like the President is showing up. The President isn't actually coming, right?”
“The President is on an overseas tour right now, how could he come here? And why would he?”
There were suspiciously too many bulky men who looked like bodyguards. It was also strange that a high percentage of them were foreigners.
“Huh? What are these cars?”
“W-what on earth is going on?”
Ultra-luxury sedans like Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Cadillac, and Maybach took over the parking lot.
Even the arts high school students, who were used to luxury cars, had never seen so many hypercars gathered in one place.
“The value of those cars alone must easily exceed a hundred billion won...”
“...”
The students and teachers, unaware that these were overseas super-rich fans who had moved to the Hannam-dong area specifically for Lee Yu-jin, were simply dumbfounded by the situation.
It felt as if their brains were being fried white.
Even the principal was in a state of panic and lost for words, so there was no need to mention the regular teachers and students.
Just then, the sound of pitter-patter footsteps was heard, and Lee Yu-jin entered energetically.
“I’m sorry! I’m late because of traffic! I don’t know why, but the congestion was insane today. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
In truth, she wasn't actually late. She was just the last to arrive.
Lee Yu-jin bowed here and there as she sat behind the timpani and cracked her knuckles to psych herself up.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The beat of the timpani echoed powerfully, and the teachers and students, who had been staring blankly, burst into chuckles.
Suddenly, the tension vanished.
The principal performer of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, who had been invited as the conductor, smirked and gripped his baton.
“Everyone is here, so let’s begin the final rehearsal.”
*
Photography by the general audience was prohibited.
This was less about portrait rights and more about preventing mistakes from nervous students.
However, Lee Yu-seok was granted permission to hold a telephoto camera in his capacity as temporary school staff.
The school had no reason to stop him from photographing his sister, the superstar Lee Yu-jin.
The audience, who looked suspiciously wealthy, filled every single seat without a gap.
The concert finally began.
A grand overture rang out, and the heavy beat of the timpani made its presence known.
Lee Yu-jin, wearing her trousers uniform at the very back, captured everyone’s attention.
Thanks to that, the other students felt a sense of comfort.
‘They’re not looking at us anyway. Everyone’s just staring at Yu-jin.’
‘There’s no need to be nervous. The only ones watching me are my parents.’
‘This is actually better.’
The grand beat of the timpani, ringing out precisely with the conducting, felt like a whisper to the students.
Telling them not to be scared, to just trust her and follow along.
After the overture, the first main symphonic piece followed.
The timpani didn't stand out excessively, but it played its role perfectly as the pillar of the rhythm.
In the second main piece, the presence of the percussion, centered around the timpani, burst forth strongly, pushing the audience’s perceived impact to the extreme.
Finally, ending with a bright and brilliant finale, the regular concert concluded without a single mistake.
The excited audience rose as one and sent up a storm of hot, loud applause.
‘We did it, without a mistake...’
‘To think I finished the performance without trembling or making a mistake in front of all these people...’
The students, flushed with a sense of achievement, bowed group by group according to the gestures of the conductor, who had turned toward the audience.
Finally, the moment the conductor had the three-person percussion team, including the timpani, stand up to bow.
The unceasing applause grew even louder and more radiant.
*
I almost got a little intoxicated by the sound of the applause.
It might be a delusion, but it felt like the applause was loudest when our percussion team bowed.
‘Wow, I can’t believe there are so many people who love classical music. This is just an amateur concert by arts high school students, but there isn't a single empty seat.’
Cries for an encore rang out loudly, but no way.
The students’ tension has completely drained, and we don’t have any more songs prepared. Once the teamfight is over, you should pull back.
‘This is fun. Should I try playing as a guest for a symphony orchestra during a hiatus later? No, that would just be taking away a job from another musician.’
We all withdrew from the stage.
“Yu-jin, thank you.”
“Thanks, Lee Yu-jin.”
“Thanks to you, I didn't make a mistake and was able to show my true skills.”
“You play the timpani so well. It’s such a waste that you aren't pursuing music with that talent, but since you’re already successful as an actress...”
Friends and even seniors who usually didn't even talk to me surrounded me, repeatedly saying thank you.
‘Of course, I did well, but everyone’s only thanking me. They all did their part just fine on their own.’
Isn't this what professional spirit is all about?
If only it were always like this in the Rift.
There was a post-concert party, but I lied and said I had a shoot and slipped away.
‘There’s a match for Shin today. I absolutely cannot miss the live stream.’
I’ve missed the live stream more than once or twice lately because I’ve been busy. I have to catch it when I can.
As I was about to get into my lovely Rolls-Royce Cullinan waiting for me in the parking lot, other cars caught my eye.
Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Cadillac...
“Wow, no joke. I guess everyone is well-off since it’s an arts high school.”
As if by design, the area was split in two; on the other side, ordinary foreign cars like Mercedes and Porsche were parked.
‘Even among wealthy people, there’s a divide like this. It’s kind of fascinating.’
I left Jang Ji-hye at the school and returned home alone in the Cullinan driven by the chauffeur.
‘It’s already started.’
While watching the LoL match on my phone, I arrived at the parking lot before I knew it.
“Just a moment, please. I’ll get out after I finish watching this.”
—Understood.
I couldn't cut it off in the middle, so I hurried out of the car and went up to the house after the match ended.
I watched the rest of the matches on my PC monitor at home, and today’s matches were very satisfying.
‘As expected of Shin. His class and form are as consistent as ever.’
I was stretching with a sense of pride when I saw several missed calls from my homeroom teacher.
So I called back.
“Teacher? It’s Yu-jin. Did you call?”
—Yu-Yu-jin. What on earth happened?
“What do you mean?”
—Today, 273 anonymous donors gave scholarships in your name.
“Oh, really? They must be my fans.”
—In total, it seems to be about 280 billion won...
“...? Pardon? You don’t mean 28 million won?”
—It’s about 280 billion won. Everyone put in over a billion won each in your name... T-the principal wants to discuss what to do with this and asked if you could come to the school now. Is that possible?
I hurried back to the school for now.
I couldn't shake the thought that it might be a bank system error, but it was real.
Every single entry was a deposit made in my name.
At least a billion won or more each.
“...How did this happen?”
“Since the money came in under your name, we should use it reflecting your wishes. What would you like us to do with this scholarship fund?”
No wonder there were so many expensive cars earlier.
So many of my wealthy fans came to hear the performance today. I feel a bit bad.
“Then let’s just build a new orchestra concert hall. The current facilities seemed a bit old.”
“Even then, there will be a lot of money left over.”
“Then let’s get a whole new set of rental instruments too.”
“There will still be money left over.”
“Let’s use it for operating costs until it runs out. It’ll all be used up eventually, won't it?”
The principal nodded frantically.
“I see, I see. Then we’ll build a magnificent new one called the Lee Yu-jin Concert Hall. Thank you, thank you so much.”
But if it’s over a billion won, wouldn't they want to reveal their names?
Is this what they call "true fans" with insane amounts of money?
*
Incheon Airport.
The Game of Sins staff were holding signs, waiting for someone.
“There he comes! Monsignor! Over here!”
Monsignor—a title often given to the core practical elite of the Vatican.
A middle-aged man wearing a matte black cassock with purple accents walked out quietly.
With his extraordinary aura, even the travelers kept their distance from the priest rather than approaching him.
The priest, clutching a simple silver cross with no decorations, greeted them with a gentle smile.
“Thank you for coming to meet me.”
“We have a car ready. Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
The prepared car was a Carnival; it wasn't a rental, but one the production team had newly acquired.
It was an appropriate choice, prepared because a high-priced vehicle might infringe upon his frugality.
“We are truly deeply grateful that you took on the role of Classical Latin consultant for our drama and personally visited Korea from so far away.”
“It is only right that I do this. Rather, I would like to thank you for entrusting me with the consultation.”
The priest’s name was Aurelius Valerius Montanus.
He was the Chief Consultant of Classical Latin at the Pontifical Latin Academy, holding a top-tier advisory position dispatched for external projects.
His role involved supervising everything from theology and canon law to the context of classical literature.
The priest murmured as he caressed the silver cross.
“Teaching Classical Latin pronunciation to a fifteen-year-old girl who has never left this land... No matter how long it takes, it will be a great reward.”