CHAPTER 36
“…”
“…”
Does this mean… we failed?
In the end, we couldn’t break through the fandom wall, and it looked like we would finish at No. 11.
My heart sank. Without thinking, I brushed my ear.
Just as that familiar feeling of resignation started to rise—
Click.
I pressed refresh one more time.
This time, the white screen stayed up a little longer. As if there was some kind of delay.
The few seconds felt like an eternity.
When the screen finally came back—
– No. 6 (▲)
“…!”
The ranking had changed.
“We did itttt!”
Min Chan-hyuk jumped up first. His chair slammed backward with a loud crash.
He didn’t care at all. He grabbed my shoulders tightly.
“We did it! We finally broke through LAMIA’s wall!”
I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen.
It still didn’t feel real.
Blink.
When I opened my eyes, three cards were floating in front of me.
[SYSTEM—MAIN QUEST]
‘Debut successfully’ complete!
Reward:
- Inspiration Gain (B+)
- Relationship Free Pass (A)
- Trend-Reading Ear (C+)
Choose 1
Each card had the reward name written on it.
The card on the far left was “Inspiration Gain (B+).”
‘I know this one well.’
When I composed, the inspiration I received came from this reward.
Back then it was B rank. Now it had increased by half a rank.
‘Does that mean I’ll get even better inspiration?’
It was extremely tempting.
That thrilling sensation I felt when inspiration struck—
Any creator would want to experience that ecstasy again.
Even with a B rank, I had produced a strong song. With B+, what kind of inspiration would come?
My hand naturally moved toward it—
Then I stopped.
‘But the other rewards are interesting too.’
The second card was “Relationship Free Pass (A).”
The name alone didn’t explain much, but I could guess.
‘In this industry, connections are everything.’
This time, I was lucky to connect with Min Chan-hyuk quickly.
But fundamentally, composers are freelancers. You have to search for clients who will give you work.
Just because my name was on Lee Ha-in’s song doesn’t mean a smooth road will open in front of me.
This is an industry where rookies appear like comets and disappear as one-hit wonders.
No matter how good your music is, if you can’t sell it, it means nothing.
‘In that sense, Moon Ah-rin was naturally gifted.’
Even though she stole all my songs, she constantly built relationships with her pretty face and outgoing personality. That’s why work probably never ran out.
‘But me? I don’t have strong connections. And I’m not very social.’
This reward could cover that weakness.
‘And it’s the only A rank.’
Still, there was no need to rush.
My eyes moved to the third card.
Trend-Reading Ear (C+).
Compared to the others, C+ looked weak.
But maybe not.
‘In practical music, trends matter just as much as skill.’
Even if the rank was lower, if used well, it could be more valuable than an A.
I would be composing anyway, so the minimum quality was guaranteed.
If I could also identify what the public liked and add those elements—
What ability could be better than that?
‘This is hard.’
I stared at the cards one by one.
I slowly inhaled, then closed and opened my eyes.
I had made my decision.
‘The reward I’ll choose is…’
I reached out and touched one card.
‘This one.’
The card spun, then burst into brilliant light.
The light seeped into me, and a new system window appeared.
[SYSTEM—MAIN QUEST]
Congratulations!
You have received your reward.
The screen changed again.
[SYSTEM – V1.0]
Congratulations!
Return to Original Timeline Progress: 13%
The sentence engraved itself clearly in my chest.
I inhaled.
The air felt different.
I couldn’t explain what had changed—but something had.
‘I can do it. This time.’
I clenched my fist tightly.
“Hey! Why do you look so serious?”
Min Chan-hyuk stopped jumping around and looked at me.
“Aren’t you happy? On a day like this?”
“I am. Very.”
“You look like a kid who’s already lived through life.”
He grumbled awkwardly, probably embarrassed that he was the only one celebrating loudly.
“I’ll get going. I might miss the last train.”
“Want me to drive you?”
“It’s okay. I’ll go alone.”
“Fine. I was just asking.”
At this point, it was almost a routine question.
“Go on then.”
“I’ll head out.”
I bowed slightly and left the studio with light steps.
****
Click.
After the studio door closed, Min Chan-hyuk glanced at where I had disappeared.
“She’s not like this usually, but in moments like this you can tell she’s still just a kid.”
If she’s happy, she should say she’s happy.
Instead, she always suppresses it.
If she didn’t release it through music, she would’ve gotten sick inside.
‘Whatever. I’m not her dad.’
Bzzz—
His phone rang.
His face immediately brightened.
“Yes, sir!”
The VTunes CEO calling personally at this hour meant he was monitoring the chart himself.
Min Chan-hyuk grinned widely.
“Ah, you saw the ranking, right? Haha. See? I told you it would work. Oh, no, no! It’s all thanks to your excellent eye for picking songs.”
He smoothly redirected the credit to the CEO.
“Oh, the composer? That kid isn’t comfortable meeting people, so… Yes, yes. Please understand.”
He tucked the phone between his shoulder and ear and picked up a cigarette.
He had held back while Seol was around, so the craving hit fast.
Click.
He lit it and took a deep drag. Only then did he feel alive again. His mind settled.
But when he heard what came next, he couldn’t help but ask,
“…What?”
The answer didn’t change.
Min Chan-hyuk muttered blankly,
“…He wants to meet me?”
***
Min Chan-hyuk ran a hand through his hair.
“Damn. I can’t believe I’m even coming to a place like this.”
Muttering under his breath, he stepped inside.
A staff member immediately approached and guided him to a private room.
All the other rooms they passed were empty.
They had clearly rented out the entire place.
The door slid open.
Inside, someone lifted his head.
Jung Do-hyun.
With features that wouldn’t look out of place on a movie screen, Min Chan-hyuk couldn’t help but admire him for a moment.
He looked like a masterpiece painted by a famous artist.
Or an unrealistically handsome AI creation.
‘Rich and handsome? That’s cheating. At least skip the workouts.’
Min Chan-hyuk grumbled internally, noticing the sharp lines of his tailored shirt.
Life was unfair.
“Please, sit.”
Jung Do-hyun gestured to the seat across from him.
Even though he was speaking politely, there was a faint air of superiority.
Min Chan-hyuk hid his discomfort and smiled brightly.
“It’s an honor to be called here, sir! I’ve heard a lot about you.”
He bowed deeply before sitting down.
Min Chan-hyuk was experienced in this industry, but compared to Jung Do-hyun’s influence, he was nothing.
Who was Jung Do-hyun?
The son of the chairman of JHJ Group, one of the largest conglomerates in Korea.
A true chaebol heir, born with a diamond spoon in his mouth.
And not just wealthy.
After acquiring a global private equity-based investment firm, Jung Do-hyun had become known as a major investor in the entertainment industry.
In short—a money power player.
And that man had summoned Min Chan-hyuk.
‘The reason’s obvious.’
Min Chan-hyuk carefully observed Jung Do-hyun’s face.
‘He must be really curious about Composer YULE’s identity to come out personally.’
He muttered inwardly.
‘Seol what are you going to do now?’
