NOVEL NEXT Chapter 651
[Currently, the Magic Battle is expected to be delayed by about 1 hour due to the barrier safety inspection. We kindly ask for the fans’ understanding and thank you for your patience.]
Delays in events are unexpectedly common occurrences around us.
Ticket double bookings, broadcasting equipment issues, performers being late, etc.
While the audience who came to the stadium with a joyful heart might be willing to endure some discomfort.
“How does it take 1 hour?”
“I want to see it quickly.”
“The seats are uncomfortable, and the event management overall could be better.”
Nevertheless, it’s a natural phenomenon that the more the event is delayed, the more complaints arise.
“Geez, making a fuss over waiting an hour. When filming historical dramas, waiting 12 hours was the norm.”
“Right, right. The ticket price is only 50,000 won. A-kyung Unni has been a pro at ticketing for ages.”
“I’ve never seen a Magic Battle in my life. I don’t get what’s so fun about kids fighting.”
Before long, Kim A-kyung, a former actress approaching 60, was having a chat with her friends of 30 years.
“A-kyung Unni, haven’t you contacted NoName even once after that?”
“Hey, why would I? It was just a brief shine.”
“A brief shine? Even now at the cafe, your song comes out as a remix.”
Past NoName’s ‘Messy Day’, sung on her father’s birthday, became a sensational hit.
The solo song from 43 years ago when Kim A-kyung was active as an idol.
At that time, her agency packaged her as a genius composer idol.
Was the promotion too much? She did not gain much attention afterward and shifted to acting.
“Billboard chart number one? We couldn’t even imagine that in our time.”
Even though she did not achieve notable fame as a singer or actress, receiving a love call from the broadcasting station at almost 60.
Kim A-kyung couldn’t help but feel that the phrase “life is unpredictable” resonated with her deeply.
“Nowadays, my daughter looks up to me. ‘Wait, our mom was this good?’ she says, and it’s a whole different feeling to be recognized by my family.”
“Excuse me, are you Ms. Kim A-kyung?”
“Yes? That’s me… What can I do for you?”
A safety officer abruptly approached.
Kim A-kyung responded with a slightly wary tone.
“The event is delayed, so would you consider going to the center of the stadium and singing a song?”
“Huh?”
The safety officer calmly explained the situation.
The gist of it was that they wanted her to sing before 100,000 bored audience members.
“Ah, um, no, I can’t…! I’m not a famous singer or anything… Oh my, I can’t sing in front of 100,000 people! I’d collapse from a heart attack.”
“NoName Wizard personally requested this, so could you please?”
“NoName requested me by name? If not—”
“Yes, that’s right.”
The safety officer answered with confidence.
“NoName Wizard requested that you kick things off.”
“…”
“Unni, if it’s requested like this, don’t you think you have to go?”
“Right, what’s the harm in singing? I used to sing well on broadcasts.”
Kim A-kyung was torn.
For the past three months, she had been living her dream.
Good-looking, star-level idols visited her to shoot various challenge videos, and she got to meet celebrities she had only seen on TV, and the movies and dramas she had appeared in during her 30s were being rediscovered.
‘It’s all thanks to NoName.’
Kim A-kyung reluctantly accepted the offer and found herself standing in the center of the stadium in an instant.
Pow!
The stadium lights went off all at once, and the spotlight hit.
She didn’t even dare to look at the giant screen displaying her face.
The announcers’ booming introductions were incomprehensible in her ears.
‘Can I just sing without telling my agency? Ah, whatever, they’ll just kick me out.’
She had long passed the age to fear failure.
With the beat of drums and distorted guitar, Kim A-kyung grabbed the microphone.
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
Flickers of light swept across the audience.
As she sang the first verse, the chorus, then the second verse, Kim A-kyung’s voice dominated the stadium.
‘Were there this many people?’
She thought there were plenty of people in the audience, but the scale of 100,000 felt overwhelming from the center.
[You and I, in this moment, I raised my head]
Yet, even now, Kim A-kyung’s voice had a captivating quality beyond measure.
[A little awkwardness is fine. I just want to enjoy this messy day.]
When she completed the final chorus, an indescribable wave of applause erupted.
“Kim A-kyung Unni! You were amazing!”
As the song ended, a woman jumped onto the dirt ground with high white shoes in hand.
“Who is that?”
“It’s me! Remember White from NV?”
“Oh, I remember!”
“I came to sing along with you!”
White, an overwhelmingly beautiful member of NV.
She perfectly filled the void left by the legendary idol Che-na and was a major contributor to NV’s current success.
And behind White, a line of others was forming.
“It was an honor to hear your song, Kim A-kyung Unni. From your entrance to the stand, it was truly moving.”
“Wow, the original is so much better than the remix! I feel so weird to see such an amazing impromptu stage in an unexpected place!”
Among them were Yun-seo, one of the best singers in her 30s, and the legendary singer-songwriter Yu Un-myung, who had created dozens of hit songs.
“Unni, you did so well! How was it?”
Hearing their praises, Kim A-kyung returned to her place, heaving a sigh of relief towards her friends.
“Don’t even mention it. I’m just glad I was the first one out.”
With memories she would never forget, Kim A-kyung comfortably enjoyed the stage set to unfold afterward.
*
[Oh, a Billboard number one artist debuting, LOL]
(Kim A-kyung’s performance.mp4)
They delayed for 1 hour because of the barrier issue, but NoName set up an impromptu karaoke, LOL
[Comments]
-Seriously calling Kim A-kyung a Billboard number one artist is a bit much, LOL
-There’s definitely a reason the song blew up. It doesn’t sound like an old song at all.
-It’s just trends coming back again, LOL. Apparently, it was popular back then too.
-This looks hilarious, LOL
-Kim A-kyung on variety shows is pure gold, LOL It’s like she’s just a typical NoName fan now.
-Are they seriously solving the game cancellation with connections? I bow down to you, DaName…
[??!???? White is on stage now?]
(White sings a line from her new song.mp4)
(Hostage.mp4)
(White’s beauty on the screen.gif)
I’m dying, I’m dying, LOL
[Comments]
-What is this? Is this for real?
-Wow, I’m so jealous of those who can directly witness it.
-White is so pretty, what’s going on?
-What’s this promo for a new song, LOL?
-I didn’t get a ticket! Why is this happening only when I’m not there?
-(Pepe’s suicide meme)
-Please stop… My stomach hurts too much…
[The Final Boss Yun-seo appeared, LOL]
(Oberon.mp4)
She also picked a 5-minute soup song for her performance, LOL
[Comments]
-Yun-seo’s vocal skills are amazing, whoa
-From equipment issues to arranging a concert is truly legendary planning.
-It can only happen because it’s NoName… If it weren’t for NoName, I wouldn’t even go.
-Honestly, it’s a chance to promote in front of 100,000, so of course, the singers would love it, LOL
-I see a few more people behind, right?
-Yun-seo was a fake boss, and Yu Un-myung is coming out next? Crazy, LOL
[The reason NoName Fan Meeting is crazy right now]
-NoName vs Kim Love Magic Battle was planned
-Delayed for about 1 hour due to barrier settings
-Players were kept in a steep position so couldn’t come out.
-Under NoName’s orders, they roughly gathered singers among the audience to complete the concert.
-Result: Kim A-kyung → White → Yun-seo → Yu Un-myung → L.P. → Song Won-jeong → Jo Seok (ongoing)
[Comments]
-What kind of concert is this, LOL?
-Fact: All of this together costs 50,000 won.
-Making a mix of idols, ballads, rap, and trot is just too much, LOL
-The most excellent gift of the year.
-I prepared everything because I had no idea what everyone would like.
-After this, there’s still the National Exchange Competition scheduled.
-One hour and 8 minutes of 12 singers lit the stadium with their songs.
The audience, who had been enraptured by the stage, even forgot that an hour had sped by.
When the news that the barrier safety inspection had concluded came through, there were even some who expressed their disappointment.
“Truly, it was a time of musical delight. Thanks to the audience who heated up the Hwaseong Olympic Stadium, I’m pleased to announce that all barrier setups are now complete!”
““Wowwwwwww!””
As Kim Jae-sung, the caster, announced this, the stadium’s roof opened up.
Warm weekend sunlight streamed down onto the arena.
Woooom!
The protective wall separating the audience from the Magic Battle arena activated, and drones flew overhead, lighting the tunnel.
Love Kim and NoName walked side by side.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap!
To keep pace with the person next to her, Na-me’s steps were double the speed.
Girls who wouldn’t be out of place with the title ‘strongest.’
“We’re challenging the world’s strongest girl. With three consecutive MVPs in the Academy Competition from 2050 to 2052 and shining with a third place in the 2053 France National Exchange Tournament! Here comes Kim Isabel Love from Mirinae Academy!”
Love dashed into the center of the stadium first.
Her dazzling achievements, having found no rival in Korea, leapt from the announcers’ lips.
The crowd was already well familiar with Love Kim through numerous variety shows.
An optimistic personality and boundless confidence.
Yet, all Love’s nerves were directed towards Na-me.
‘Na-me’s weakness is clear. But the problem is no one has been able to exploit it.’
Na-me, receiving Love’s gaze, tilted her head in confusion.
She had won against the monstrous Katsuhata Emika, but Na-me also had factors to exploit.
“What a surprise! Coming in is the world champion! The 2nd grader who won MVP at the Academy Competition in 2051 and clinched the championship at the France National Exchange Tournament two years later. Introducing—No, Na-Me!”
““Waaaaaaah!””
Entering amid the roaring support of the crowd, Na-me stood tall opposite Love.
The fluctuating mouths of the two were captured on the screen.
What whispered by Love Kim, scoffing by NoName.
“Are they engaging in a complex psychological battle and bluffing regarding their initial strategies?!”
The opening is just as vital as the match for top-level players.
Suppressed by the fierce standoff between the girls, the audience could only gulp in unison.
*
“Na-me, admit it, you’re riding on the Cheonghwa Sword’s coattails, aren’t you?”
“Then how about you, Love Unni? Remove the Roseus Pantera, and you’re a corpse, right?”
“Yeah, you have to jump to attack from the top with the sword, so it all shows, right?”
“Unni, you can’t even read the blade route and keep stabbing. Magic battles aren’t like rock-paper-scissors.”
In the center of the arena was the world’s most childish conversation unfolding.