The Road to Glory

Hmm-.Caroline let out a sigh.Today, her boss didn’t seem to have any intention of looking at the contract she had presented. He could hardly focus on work, letting out groans.What’s with him today!He seemed completely distracted by something. Even the classical or jazz music that usually played softly in the office was turned off.“What’s going on?”Unable to bear the occasional groans coming from him as she worked, Caroline spoke up.“You’ve got to seize opportunities when they come. Oh, my stomach hurts.”A remark full of regret.Caroline crossed her arms and looked at her boss, then placed a cup of black chamomile tea in front of him. A fragrant floral scent wafted up.“Do you know what today is?”A day that me, you, and everyone has been waiting for.At Caroline’s gaze, her boss seemed to regain some energy.Regret was already too late.Since time that has passed won’t return, he had to focus on the present.“There’s not much time left.”‘He’ had notified them to meet at three o’clock.Neither Caroline nor August found this notification method strange at all. It was the way someone who knows they’re in charge operates.‘Yes…’August let go of his lingering attachment to the ‘boy’.If the boy succeeded, he would eventually meet him again. Of course, if someone else snatched him up first, his stomach would ache terribly.“If fate exists, we’ll meet again someday.”August drank the chamomile tea. The clean apple scent of the chamomile washed away his distracting thoughts. Now it was time to focus on work again.And a few hours later.After receiving the message that ‘he’ had arrived, August Veil, who had gone to the lobby with Caroline, came face-to-face with the boy again.Among the chattering Asian family sitting there, the boy immediately caught his eye.With a mixture of surprise and delight, August approached the boy.‘The Sun’, whom everyone had hushed like they couldn’t say his name, was here.Though he didn’t match August’s expectations of his appearance, age, or race, this boy was undoubtedly ‘The Sun’.Because he was a boy who suited the name ‘HALO’ better than anyone else.#“You shouldn’t go out alone. I know Korea is safe, but not abroad.”“I just went for an early morning walk. Nothing happened.”Though it was longer than just a walk, his parents didn’t scold him. They also felt partly responsible for sleeping in while on vacation and leaving him alone.“Next time, let’s go out together no matter what.”That was a promise he couldn’t keep.Knowing himself well, Halo didn’t give a definite answer.He changed the subject by suggesting they eat brunch to his mother. Though his father shot him a sharp look, he pretended not to notice.“Hmm, will this do?”Having worn suits for their meeting, Halo’s parents were a bit on edge. They were determined not to be looked down upon for being Asian and not native English speakers.In contrast, Halo waited leisurely in his coat. He had some free time in between, so he bought tickets for a musical showing that day and had fish and chips with a carbonated drink for brunch.Though his mother had initially refused to eat the greasy fried cod, she ordered another after tasting how tender it was.And after touring the city by sightseeing bus around 2 PM, they moved to the meeting venue.“This is…”[VEIL]Expecting a stiff logistics company or a Silicon Valley startup, Halo’s mother was taken aback.The lobby of Veil looked more like a well-curated gallery than a company. Various LP covers hung on the walls, and a small stage was set up in the center.As if anyone could perform there.Although it had a grip on the European music distribution market, the building seemed too small, almost making them feel scammed, but they looked around with interest nonetheless.The strange thing was that there wasn’t a single person in the lobby.“He’ll be down soon.”After contacting the number he had connected with at the airport, Halo examined the album covers on the walls.Most had unfamiliar names, but their designs hinted at the kind of music they contained.He would have to listen to them directly to know for sure.He looked around for a turntable when his gaze met two people coming out of the elevator.One was a blonde woman in her mother’s age group who had her hair tied back tightly. Dressed in a coat and turtleneck, she exuded a sociable and bright demeanor.And behind her stood a somewhat plump, elderly man who looked like a grandfather you might commonly see on the street.The woman seemed momentarily surprised when she saw Halo and his parents, but then smiled brightly.“Welcome to Veil. Mr. Halo and your family. I’m Caroline O’Sullivan, and I’ll be handling your contract today. Please, call me Caroline.”After a crisp self-introduction, the neatly dressed Ms. Caroline clicked toward them and extended her hand, seeming genuinely delighted.“It’s an honor to meet you as a fan, Mr. Halo.”To Halo’s dumbfounded father.“…”“…”His father slowly looked at Caroline’s outstretched hand, but Caroline didn’t seem to notice the awkwardness at all.Halo’s mother rolled her eyes exaggeratedly.There was Halo, watching the situation with an amused smile, arms crossed without intervening.In fact, Halo found it funny.Just like those on the internet speculating about his identity, Caroline also seemed to think he was middle-aged or older.Caroline’s face gradually began to tremble.She maintained her business smile, but it seemed she had realized her mistake.Her pupils slowly moved and landed on his mother.“Surely not… Mrs…?”Halo’s mother smiled awkwardly.Recognizing her error, Caroline withdrew her hand and extended it toward his mother instead.At that moment.A clapping sound rang out.It wasn’t from Halo, but rather from the elderly man who had been standing behind Caroline.The man who had seemed like an ordinary London grandfather now exuded an authoritative aura befitting someone in a high position.“One mistake is enough. Please pardon my rudeness, Mr. Halo. It’s my fault for not managing my staff well. Allow me to reintroduce myself.”After exchanging glances with Halo’s father and mother, the man bent down to meet Halo at eye level.“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Halo.”Halo realized this was the same person he had encountered before on the streets of London. What were the chances of meeting the same person twice in a city like this?And the chances of that person recognizing him?“It’s a pleasure for me as well.”Halo smiled broadly and extended his hand.“I’m Halo.”#August Veil, the owner of Veil as he introduced himself, led Halo around while carefully showing him the interior. Leaving the full tour for after the contract signing, he only introduced the corridor leading to the meeting room, but their conversation covered quite a bit.That Veil targeted DIY (DO IT YOURSELF) musicians, what kind of artists they had under contract, the typical types of artists they contracted with, and the standard contract terms.Following behind, Caroline didn’t say a word, only occasionally stealing glances, perhaps thinking Halo was upset by her mistake.‘But I’m not really angry at all.’He found the mistake more amusing than anything, and he understood, so he didn’t feel any unpleasant emotions. In fact, Roh Haeil was still just a middle school student in the midst of a growth spurt – he had grown another 2 cm during their hotel stay. No sane person would think he was Halo.Of course, Halo himself had been 16 when he created ‘struggle’, but his experiences of desolation set him apart from Roh Haeil.‘There’s a good chance this person isn’t sane.’Or perhaps he just had a keen eye for people.Rather than immediately recognizing him as Halo, he may have employed the process of elimination.His parents didn’t give off the vibe of musicians.The main discussion took place in the business-like meeting room, in contrast to the lobby.August Veil didn’t indulge in any sweet talk about what their company would do for him, what their vision is, or how they’ll make money; instead, he cleanly presented a contract. If emails were compressed forms, this was the original contract.“Party A shall grant Party B exclusive distribution rights for the recording produced by Party A, and Party B shall pay Party A a certain percentage of the revenue based on the music distribution performance.”There wasn’t a significant difference in the contracts between music distributors and record companies. They both dealt with percentage settlements, and the only difference was that it strictly focused on distribution.Halo scrolled down the contract and noticed that the settlement percentage was left blank.“What’s this?”“These are things that need to be decided from now on.”August took out a fountain pen and filled in the blanks for the membership fee and the NuTube royalty commission in front of Halo, who expressed doubt.“This is just a standard contract.”Single $9.99Album $29.99NuTube royalty commission 20%Indie musicians signing with Veil usually received this contract. Many musicians were satisfied with the low commission rate, especially those who had strong passion and belief in their music, and in reality, they were satisfied with the earnings.But this was just a standard contract.As Halo and August made eye contact, August smiled and tore up the contract, raising both hands as if to reassure the shocked family.In the meantime, Caroline handed over a new contract.“And this is the modified contract. It’s a contract given to musicians when the agent really wants to sign them, with singles priced at $9 and albums at $25, and the NuTube royalty commission up to 10%.”Listening beside him, Halo’s father raised an eyebrow. The commission collection fee caught his attention more than the membership fee. The difference between 20% and 10% was quite significant. Even if he hadn’t seen many contracts like this, it seemed like a fairly advantageous contract for the musician.“And?”Halo asked without batting an eye at the percentage. If it were another musician, they would have panicked, even though the contents were already signed.His mother and father subtly glanced at August Veil and Caroline. Their reaction seemed to be that of understanding, as if it were only natural for their son to negotiate.August Veil smiled broadly once again and picked up the fountain pen. Just before the pen tip touched the contract, his mouth opened.“I’d like to sincerely express Veil’s feelings about Mr. Halo before filling in.”For a moment, Caroline flinched.Without hesitation, August began to speak.“When I first heard Mr. Halo’s music-.”Perhaps it was a long story.How enthusiastic he was when I first heard his music. In fact, it felt more genuine than the sincerity of the company side, more like August Veil’s sincerity.At least judging by Caroline’s increasingly pale face, it wasn’t a scripted speech.But the old man calmly recounting old stories seemed trustworthy, and it was enough to soften the hearts of his parents.Halo, while not deeply moved, didn’t find it bad either.It was a strange feeling.For a person representing the company to offer appreciation for his music rather than talk about profits and sales was unprecedented.His music wasn’t remarkably outstanding, but the blend with this eccentric inspiration didn’t seem bad.Moreover, the elderly man in front recognized him first. In a state where he knew nothing about him.Well, maybe it was just a coincidence.In other words, the old man could also be a lunatic.Yet the word ‘first’ remained quite significant.Like a first album or a first lover.The old man was the first to recognize Halo in this world, and Halo introduced himself for the first time.“Pleased to meet you. I’m Halo.”Maybe at that moment, his heart was halfway inclined.“This is Veil’s sincere wish for Mr. Halo’s success.”Finally finishing his story, August Veil picked up the fountain pen.Unlimited distribution fee $1NuTube royalty 1%#The meeting was over.But that didn’t mean the contract was finalized.It was undoubtedly an advantageous and unreasonable contract for Halo, but his parents wanted to have it reviewed by a known lawyer, and August Veil readily accepted the delay in signing.As if he was certain that Halo would eventually sign with him.“Well then, I’ll be in touch soon.”His parents stood up from their seats, and Halo followed suit.Then, August Veil spoke up.“If it’s not too much trouble, may I have a word alone with Mr. Halo?”This time, it was not Halo who asked, but his parents.“…Now?”“Yes, I’d like to have a conversation with Mr. Halo.”Seeing his parents’ puzzled expressions, August Veil added.“I’m not trying to convince him separately for the contract. I understand that Mr. Halo is currently a minor, and I believe the contract will be concluded without me having to persuade him. What I want to talk about is something else.”The gaze towards Halo is intense.Like treating him as an old fan. He realized that there were many things he wanted to say, and he felt his excitement rising. The praise that had come earlier with the company’s sincerity wasn’t just for show.“As a fan of Halo the singer rather than as a prospective partner. That’s what I want to talk about.”It was almost as if it had been hidden until now.“Haeil are you alright?”When the mother asked, Halo nodded.“I want to talk to him too. You can go first.”“No, how can we leave you alone?”“I’ll show you around Veil. There are many interesting and special places in Veil that you will find intriguing.”Although spoken in Korean, Caroline, sensing the nuances of the conversation, replied with a reflective tone.“It would be better if you consider it when signing the contract.”The mother seemed slightly taken aback by her words.“Would you like to talk with this Grandpa for a bit and then come?”“Yes. Please go ahead.”His mother and his father exchanged glances.Soon, his father nodded as well.Having once given Halo a meaningful glance, his parents followed Caroline’s lead and left the meeting room.Hi everyone, I've fully translated this series. If you love the series and wanted to binge read until the end, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. Instead of buying the advanced chapters one by one, you can buy them in one bulk (with discounted price too)!