Devil’s Music

Late afternoon. Today, after the show, everyone had agreed to dine together, so the band members who had gathered just before the show were now heading to St. John's Gardens in the same car they had used yesterday. Unlike yesterday, Geon was having a cheerful conversation with Carlos when he heard a voice coming from the walkie-talkie in the front passenger seat.

"Situation report. The hundred additional security personnel you requested yesterday have arrived and are now controlling the site, but we are short-staffed with the crowd now exceeding ten thousand. Fortunately, the crowd is calm, but we're undermanned for any unexpected situations. What should we do, Director?"

Lynn, who had heard the voice of the male Fantagio employee from the walkie-talkie, picked up the device from the glove box.

"I anticipated some impact after yesterday's performance, but we are in the UK; major incidents are unlikely. Don't worry, just focus on controlling vehicle access. We'll arrive in five minutes."

"Understood, Director. Please don't enter through the front entrance of St. John's Gardens; use the rear of the World Museum building instead. It'll be easier to enter through the museum after its hours have ended."

"Alright, thank you."

Byung-jun, who was seated in the back, asked a bit loudly.

"Director, any problems with the entry?"

Lynn re-holstered the walkie-talkie and looked back.

"No, we're going to enter through the World Museum, just like yesterday, so we won't be going through the crowds."

"Ah, that's a relief."

"Yes, since we called for additional security, a hundred are present; we can join them and enter. How are you feeling, Mr. Kim?"

Lynn asked cautiously, bearing in mind the events with Kiska, to which Geon responded with a thumbs-up, grinning.

"I'm feeling great, Director."

After being informed that Geon had not left his room following yesterday's performance, Lynn scrutinized him before Kevin asked.

"And me, Director?"

Lynn turned to Kevin and inquired.

"Yes? What about it?"

"Aren't you going to ask about my condition?"

Lynn glanced at Kevin and turned away without answering, prompting Carlos to burst out laughing and slap the back of Kevin's head.

"Haha, you idiot. Are you and Kay the same?"

"Ouch! Why? What's different? We're both musicians from the same company!"

"Quiet down, idiot, I'm not asking about your throat condition, do you even sing?"

Kevin held up his index and middle finger.

"Ask about my finger condition too!"

Carlos made a gesture as if he would break Kevin's fingers, causing Kevin to retract his hand while looking at Geon.

"Kay! You ask too!"

Geon chuckled and lightly punched Kevin's thigh.

"Haha, sure. How are your fingers?"

Kevin wiggled his two fingers.

"Yeah, seems like they're still attached. They're moving well."

Carlos slapped Kevin's head again, and the car filled with laughter. The jovial group passed through the rear door of the World Museum towards the venue. As they traversed the long hallway underground and moved through the closed museum, they felt the eerie atmosphere of the off-hours museum, waiting for instructions from the security personnel communicating via walkie-talkie on either side. Soon after the notification that the previous show had ended, security opened the doors abruptly.

"Woooahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"

"Here it comes!!!!!! Montanaaaaa!!!!!"

"Squeeeeee! Move, I can't see!"

Upon revealing themselves at the rear of the venue, the group saw over ten thousand people filling the park. Kevin, who had performed in front of thousands the previous day, was stunned to see so many people before him and regained his senses only after another smack on the head from Carlos.

Just before the show started, Kevin waited for José, who needed the most time to prepare. Lifting his head to the sky, he muttered in astonishment.

"It's helicopters... four of them..."

Seeing four helicopters flying overhead, each with a camera larger than a person aimed at him, Kevin was mesmerized until he nonchalantly placed his hand on the mic stand and approached Geon.

"Kay, hey... helicopters have arrived!"

Geon just smiled, and Carlos came over.

"Kid, Kay has played to tens of thousands on tour; he's not going to be shocked by this. Don't put him on the same level and focus."

Kevin stepped back, anticipating another hit from Carlos, as Geon laughed. Shortly after José was ready, Carlos and Kevin briefly checked the sound. The rapid burst of short tunes from the two got the already excited crowd screaming.

After the sound check, Geon, catching his fellow members' eyes, grabbed the mic.

"Hello, Liverpool. We're Montana."

"Yaaaaaaaaay!!! Been waiting all day!"

"I saw the video yesterday and

 canceled my trip to come here!"

"We love you, Kay~~ Squeeeee!"

Taking a moment to watch the fans' reaction, Geon smiled as he looked at the evening sunset in the sky. The slight rain earlier in the day had left the venue slightly wet, adding a charming effect with the sunset. Catching his breath, Geon nodded to Kevin, who then started a groovy bass tune. Above the heads of the ten thousand fans, a tiger with wide-open, fiery eyes rose, and a giant dragon emerged from the clouds, coiling itself. Geon's voice exploded.

"Kraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

As the music kicked off, the already airborne crowd threw their arms up at the sound of Geon's roar. With the start, the venue turned into a cauldron of excitement, exploding with Geon's voice.

"I exist to rage. Second Fury !!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

** 

Over the three days of performances, forty thousand fans witnessed the live event, dominating live streaming sites and gathering a total of 70 million views on three YouTube videos. Orders for the additional album "Fury" reached two million, completing sales of 620,000 albums. This was the report card from the three days of performances in Liverpool's Sound City. Returning to the U.S., Montana faced a swarm of reporters from the airport, making it difficult to head home. Eventually, with the airport's cooperation and the dispatch of security personnel, the band members were able to leave the airport and take a short rest at their homes.

Unlike the other members, who took their cars home, Geon sat in a Cadillac sent by Miroslav, not in the passenger seat but next to Byung-jun. Geon, who seemed unaffected during the UK performances, knew how fragile he was, as Byung-jun said with a worried look.

"Can you make it back?"

As Geon silently nodded, looking out at the Manhattan cityscape passing by, Byung-jun continued.

"An apartment on the top floor of the building where Shizuka lives is up for lease. How about signing a contract there?"

Turning to Byung-jun, Geon asked.

"The apartment where Shizuka lives?"

"Yeah, it's got good security and facilities, even a gym inside. It'll be convenient for you to live in the same building as Shizuka, and it's closer to school too."

Byung-jun continued as Geon pondered.

"It's a much better environment overall, let's move out."

After a long silence, Geon finally shook his head.

"What about when Kiska returns?"

With a frustrated look, Byung-jun responded.

"When do you think she'll return? And even if she does, you can always come back."

Geon looked into Byung-jun's worried eyes and slowly shook his head again.

"I want to show that I'm still there waiting when Kiska returns."

"Ah... damn it..."

Byung-jun, though he doted on Kiska as well, slumped in his seat and said resignedly.

"Fine, do as you wish."

"Don't worry, I'm okay now."

Waving his hand as if to dismiss it, Byung-jun asked.

"What are you going to do during the break? Traveling again?"

"Not traveling this time. I have some research to do, so I need to hole up somewhere."

"Where? I can't secure you a 'Room of Spirit and Time.' I'm not King Enma."

"What's King Enma?"

"It's a thing, you brat. So where will you go?"

"I haven't decided yet."

"Alright, I'll report that to the Director. Will you participate if there's additional activity for Fury?"

"Yes, it's not just me now, and since Montana has joined the company, I'll participate if it can generate revenue."

Byung-jun looked surprised.

"Really? Mr. Kim Geon deciding to be active?"

Geon chuckled.

"I'll only perform. Don't expect any broadcasting."

"Damn, I thought so."

"Hahaha"

Byung-jun laughed at Geon's reaction as Geon felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and took it out to check the screen.

"Huh? What kind of phone number is this?"

Byung-jun looked at Geon's phone screen and said.

"Looks like a voice phishing scam. Don't answer it; you might end up with a huge phone bill."

Geon looked at the screen with a puzzled expression.

"It says +995... seems like an international call... I'll just answer it."

Geon answered the call.

"Hello?"

"······················.."

"Hello, please speak."

"······················.."

"Can't you hear me? Is there a bad connection? Hello?"

"············

··········.."

Byung-jun intervened.

"Told you, it's going to be a huge international call charge. Just hang up."

Geon tilted his head and looked at the still-connected screen before hanging up. Seeing the phone number of the incoming call displayed, Geon turned on the internet app and searched for +995.

"Where's this call coming from?"

The internet was slow inside the moving car. Watching the loading circle spin for a while, Geon's eyes widened suddenly. Byung-jun, looking over to see the search result alongside Geon, hardened his expression. Looking at Geon's profile as he stared at the screen in shock, Byung-jun saw the tremor in Geon's eyes.

After a long silence, Geon finally spoke.

"+995... It's the international code for Georgia... It was Kiska..."

As Geon stared blankly at the screen, the phone vibrated again, and he hastily answered.

"Hello, Kiska? Is it you, Kiska?"

"······················.."

"Kiska! It's you, isn't it?"

"······················.."

"You're calling from Georgia! It has to be you."

"······. Come see me."

"····Kiska?"

"Kiska? Was that really you who just spoke?"

"…Yes, it was me."

"Kiska, you can talk?"

"I always could."

Byungjun held the phone close to his ear with a shocked expression.

"Then why haven't you spoken until now, Kiska!"

When Byungjun's voice was heard, Kiska, who had been silent for a while, spoke.

"You knew beforehand, didn't you?"

Geon, caught off guard by the unexpected event, couldn't gather his thoughts and asked back.

"What, what do you mean?"

"It wasn't just a short trip with dad."

"Ah... Yes, I knew."

Click

Suddenly, the call was cut off, and Geon stared blankly at his phone screen while Byungjun made a fuss beside him.

"Kiska spoke!! Kiska actually spoke!"

A gang member who was driving turned around in surprise, and not seeing the stopped car in front, he slammed on the brakes. Fortunately, he didn't hit the car in front, but the dangerous situation made the gang member turn back around with an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry."

Byungjun waved his hand dismissively, and the gang member asked.

"Was that call from the lady?"

"Yes, it was Kiska's call."

"Should I report it to Miroslav?"

"Please do."

"Understood."

Byungjun answered the gang member's question and then looked at Geon, who was still staring blankly at his disconnected phone screen, and sighed.

"Just leave it. There's nothing you can do, if you go to see Kiska now, Gregory won't like it. She's at her parents' house, and you going there would be ridiculous. See her when you return."

Geon, still holding his phone, turned to look at Byungjun.

"Brother, could you send a phone to Kiska?"

Byungjun thought for a moment then nodded.

"I'll ask Miroslav for the address. If I tell him it's not for a visit, he should give it to me."

"Please, brother."

"Alright, but it seems Kiska was intentionally not speaking before. I had heard about it but was still surprised when she started talking all of a sudden."

Geon swept his hand across the screen and sighed.

"Maybe she found a reason to speak, or perhaps it became a situation where she had to speak."

Byungjun interlocked his fingers behind his neck and lay back.

"Phew, she could have spoken to me too. I cared a lot about her. Anyway, don't get any funny ideas. Forget about going to Georgia for now."

Geon didn't reply, so Byungjun turned his head towards him with a stern look.

"Don't think about forgetting and just live. I'll arrange for the phone so you can talk and text. Keep in touch often. But going there now doesn't make sense. Gregory has issues to settle quietly, and since she's at her elderly parents' home, just wait quietly. Okay? Hey, answer me."

Geon let out a soft sigh and said.

"Phew... okay."

"Good, that's a promise. Don't say anything else."

Silence fell between the two in the car. Geon didn't speak again until they reached Red Castle. Upon arrival, Miroslav, who seemed to have been informed by the driving gang member, approached and said.

"Did you have a good trip? I heard you were on the phone with the lady."

Geon nodded with a weak smile.

"Yes…"

Miroslav glanced at Byungjun unloading luggage and came closer to Geon.

"Let's have a word."

Miroslav led Geon through the large garden, keeping their conversation private from the following gang members.

"The boss and the lady went to Georgia four days ago. Two days later, the boss told the lady they would be staying in Georgia for a long time, and as expected, the lady threw a fit. She cried herself to sleep and would start crying again when she woke up until she finally spoke in front of her father."

Geon turned his head as he looked at the ground.

"What did she say?"

After a moment of eye contact, Miroslav sighed.

"She said she... hates her dad."

Geon bowed his head as he walked.

"That was her first word to her father... Gregory must have been hurt."

Miroslav nodded.

"Yes, he calls every morning but he seems very weak. However, he is also relieved that this incident has led her to start talking."

"I see…"

"Look, Geon. The boss asked me to do something."

Geon stopped walking and asked.

"Yes, what is it?"

Miroslav pulled out a black phone from his jacket. It was an old model Motorola that couldn't connect to the internet or use apps. Handing

 over the phone, Miroslav spoke earnestly.

"The boss wants you to call her often. And... he says he's sorry."

Geon took the phone and looked at it pensively.

"I'm fine with making the calls, but why this old model? It doesn't even support messaging. I'll send her the latest smartphone through Byungjun."

"No, that's not it. The boss said she's still only speaking the bare minimum. He thinks giving her a phone that only makes calls will encourage her to speak more."

Geon nodded and slipped the phone into his pocket.

"I'll do that then."

Miroslav checked his watch and said.

"Her phone should have been delivered by now. I've saved her number, so you can call her whenever you want."

"Thank you for taking care of this."

"Not at all, the boss had instructed before he left to assist with everything regarding Geon, even if it's not in my capacity."

"Heh, thanks."

"I'm sorry for taking your time after a long flight. Rest now."

"I will."

As Miroslav walked away, Geon took the phone out of his pocket, opened the folder, and looked at the only number saved in the phonebook, which had no assigned name. He stared at the number, which started with an international code, then closed the folder and put the phone back in his pocket as he walked slowly towards the guest house. Opening the door of the guest house, he saw Byungjun taking clothes out of a suitcase.

"What did she say?"

Geon took off his coat and flopped onto the sofa, then took out the phone and showed it to Byungjun.

"She said to talk to Kiska with this."

"Oh? So I don't need to send a phone? Did she get one too?"

"Yes, it seems so."

"Give me the number. I want to talk too."

"I'll ask Kiska and give it to you."

"Ah, right. Okay, bring out the laundry. Let's get the washing machine going."

"Okay, I will. Oh, and brother. About that research matter you mentioned I was too fixated on."

"Oh, yes, that. What about it?"

"I'll be here for now. I might need to contact Daniel Weiss though."

Byungjun took a sock out of the suitcase and cocked his head.

"Daniel Weiss? Who is that... Ah, the CEO of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, right?"

"Yes, that's him."

"Why him?"

"I need to do some research at the museum."

"What, are you going to paint?"

"Heh, no."

Byungjun gave a puzzled look, then continued unpacking the suitcase.

"Just let me know if you need anything. I know someone with a free pass to all museums in New York. It's some kind of black card that rich people have, and it gets you into any museum."

Geon waved his hand dismissively.

"That's fine, I need to go in after hours by myself."

Byungjun stopped packing and looked up again.

"Is that possible?"

"Heh, that's why I need to ask Daniel Weiss."

"Even if he's the CEO, would he allow that?"

Geon shrugged and smiled.

"Do you know why I joined Red Castle?"

"No, why?"

"Gregory and Daniel Weiss are friends. I came here at his request."

"Really? Oh... then Daniel Weiss can't refuse your request, can he?"

"Heh, probably not."

"Good to know. I was going to break your legs if you said you were going somewhere like Nepal again, but it's a relief you're staying in New York."

"Ha, yes. And Nepal was not a vacation; it was for filming."

"Got it, just get the laundry out, you!"

"Ah! Okay."

Geon helped Byungjun finish unpacking then started the washing machine before heading to his room. He plugged the old phone into the charger and placed it on the bed. Unsure when Kiska might call, he switched the ringer on and stared at the phone as he held his own phone and made a call. After several rings, the recipient answered with a joyful voice.

"Ah, Geon, it's been a while!"

Geon sat on the edge of the bed and smiled.

"Are you keeping well, Daniel?"

"Of course, I'm doing fine. I heard from Gregory that his daughter has started talking?"

"Yes, it's still very basic, but it's something."

"That's wonderful, thank you, Geon."

"Heh, if you're grateful, could you do me one favor?"

"Oh! What is it, anything."

"The Metropolitan Museum of Art closes at 5 PM, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Could you allow me access after hours? I need to conduct some music-related research, and since there are many valuable paintings, would security be an issue?"

Daniel Weiss seemed to ponder this

 over the phone.

"Music-related research, you say..."

"Yes, it's really important to me."

"Understood, you're a trusted individual, why would I worry? Let's do that."

"Thank you, Daniel."

"Ha, no problem. I'll assign a staff member to accompany you."

"Ah, you don't need to do that."

"Ha, we have protocols to follow, so a staff member is necessary."

Geon nodded in understanding.

"Alright then, I'll be there tomorrow."

"Ah, tomorrow already? Okay, I'll have it prepared."

"Thanks, see you tomorrow, Daniel."

"Yes, oh, and I bought the Fury album. It's really exciting, truly impressive!"

"Ha, thank you."

Daniel continued to praise the album for over ten minutes, and after listening, Geon tossed his phone on the bed and went to shower. While drying his wet hair, he glanced at the charging old phone and waited late into the night for Kiska's call, eventually falling asleep. The green light indicating the old phone was charging shone lonely throughout the night.