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?"

>

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