Devil’s Music

On the day when the studio use deadline was fully reached.

Byung-jun found Geon, who was still holed up in the studio. Peering into the studio from outside and hearing no sound from the recording booth, Byung-jun quietly opened the door and stepped inside, then suddenly yelled out in shock.

"Geon, Geon!!!"

He rushed over to Geon, who was lying on the studio floor, shaking him and slapping his cheeks to wake him.

"Geon! Geon! What's going on with you!"

As Byung-jun slapped his cheeks fiercely, Geon frowned and squinted his eyes open.

"It hurts..."

"Whoa, you scared me, you rascal!"

Geon turned over and rubbed his eyes with his hands.

"What time is it?"

"It's eleven now. What happened?"

Geon sat up and stretched and yawned.

"Ah, I just finished working two hours ago and took a nap."

Byung-jun collapsed backwards with a sigh of relief, then suddenly yelled again.

"Then why the hell are you sprawled out on the floor instead of the sofa! I thought you had collapsed!"

Geon chuckled and caressed his face, then fumbled on the sofa to lift some sheet music and CDs.

"Haha, the floor just felt more comfortable. I've prepared the guide and sheet music here. You can just send them via email, why did you bring them in person?"

Byung-jun snatched the sheet music and CDs and said.

"Sheesh, anyway. The contract needs to be signed in hard copy. Go get the music approved and signed. Can't you do things right the first time? Go home and sleep, just take the car I came in. I'll take a taxi to the airport."

"Are you heading straight to Mexico?"

"Yes, I have an appointment today."

"Okay, take care, brother."

"Yeah, go straight home! Kiska has been waiting every day."

"Hehe, got it."

Byung-jun took out a yellow envelope, put the sheet music and CDs inside, and left the Lincoln Center. He asked a member waiting outside to take Geon home, then hailed a taxi. Arriving at the airport, Byung-jun checked the flight time and hurried to Gate 45 listed on his ticket. While texting Son Lin that he was departing for Mexico, he bumped into a person in front of him and fell backwards.

"Ouch!"

The impact was so strong that Byung-jun fell on his backside, looking up to see a man looking down at him, dusting off his clothes as he got up.

"Ah... I'm sorry. I was looking at my phone and didn't see."

The man was tall, but Byung-jun was much larger. Unlike Byung-jun, who fell from the collision, the man remained calm and smiled slightly.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm really sorry about that."

Byung-jun apologized while sneaking a look at the man's face.

'He's incredibly handsome. An actor? I haven't seen him before... Based on his proportions, he could be a model. Ah, if only I were a bit younger, I'd discuss a contract, but he looks about forty. What a pity.'

Byung-jun bowed his head again and moved on to stand in line at the gate. As he took out his passport and ticket, waiting for his turn, he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see the man he had bumped into smiling at him.

"Uh... Are you hurt anywhere?"

The man extended a yellow envelope.

"You dropped this."

"Whoa!"

Byung-jun searched his pockets, then realizing he had lost the envelope containing the sheet music, took it from the man with repeated bows.

"Oh my, thank you so much! I'm sorry for bumping into you, and now you even helped me. This was important, and you came all this way to return it. I don't know how I can repay your kindness."

The man waved his hand and smiled.

"Haha, it's okay."

Byung-jun waved his hand and insisted.

"No, I must repay kindness! Please give me your phone number, and I'll make it up to you. This envelope contains something very important."

The man smiled and replied.

"It's okay. You must be busy, please go ahead. I'm busy too."

Without waiting for Byung-jun's response, the man turned and walked away as Byung-jun called after him a few more times. Seeing his turn at the gate come up, Byung-jun gave a sorry look at the man's retreating figure.

"Wow, such a nice person. I should make friends with someone like that... Tsk."

Byung-jun was still watching the man when he caught the eye of a disapproving old lady in line behind him and quickly bowed his head.

"Oh

, I'm so sorry."

Byung-jun hurriedly disappeared into the gate while the man he had bumped into walked into a Starbucks in the airport and sat at a corner sofa. A man with long black hair wearing sunglasses was reading a newspaper, and a blond pretty boy was smiling at girls who were squealing and throwing flirtatious looks his way. As the man approached the sofa, the blond pretty boy raised a hand in greeting.

"Hey, did your errand go well?"

The man glanced at the girls focusing on him and replied.

"Hehe, as usual, Mr. Pyemon."

The man with the black hair folded his newspaper and looked at the newcomer, who bowed respectfully.

"Lord Gamagin, I see."

Gamagin nodded toward an empty seat on the sofa next to him.

"Well done, Amdusias. Have a seat."

As Amdusias sat down, the girls screamed again.

"Kyaa! The third handsome guy has appeared!"

"What do we do, all three are super handsome, and each has a different vibe!"

"Exactly! They're really hot!"

"But that black-haired guy, doesn't he look familiar?"

"Hmm... Ah! Like Kay? Isn't that right?"

"Wow, you're right, he looks older than Kay, so Kay must resemble him."

The girls were loudly gossiping in a way that everyone could hear. Amdusias chuckled quietly.

"Do you find this amusing, Mr. Pyemon?"

Pyemon smirked and winked at the girls, causing them to fall backward again. Watching the girls with hearts in their eyes, Pyemon turned to Amdusias and shrugged.

"It's fun, isn't it? To me, they look like female ogres chewed up and spat out, haha."

Amdusias grinned and joined Pyemon in winking at the girls, eliciting laughter from Gamagin.

"To my eyes, you two look quite the same."

As the two winked, the girls screamed again but eventually quieted down after being scolded by a staff member. Once the commotion subsided, Gamagin spoke up.

"So, how did it go?"

Amdusias massaged his neck as if loosening his muscles.

"Exactly eight bars per section. I drew a purple border around the red notes."

Pyemon rested his elbow on the sofa and propped his chin, asking.

"What does that mean?"

"Purple signifies affection. It won't be obvious with the red notes bordered in purple, but the kid will notice it when he sees the sheet music. To change the colors, you'd need to alter the notes themselves."

Pyemon frowned.

"What, so the kid can fix it the moment he sees it?"

Amdusias smirked and shrugged.

"Do you think I'm called the demon of music for nothing? Even if he notices, he won't be able to fix it."

Pyemon tilted his head, puzzled.

"Why is that?"

Amdusias, confidently looking at Gamagin, replied.

"Because the music I've modified sounds better. Haha."

"Ho?"

"Even if he realizes, he won't be able to interfere. And if he studies what I've left behind, the kid will only progress further."

"Really? Ho... Amdusias, sometimes you do clean up nicely."

Amdusias gave Pyemon a disgruntled look.

"I am also a high-ranking demon, Count Pyemon."

Pyemon scoffed.

"And what, do you keep a harem locked up in your castle? If you're the demon of music, act with dignity. A guy who favors women over music, what's that about. Lord Gamagin, you know this guy has the child's cherished little mother as a maid?"

Pyemon tattled, causing Amdusias to wave his hands in denial.

"Ha, a harem! I haven't touched that little child's mother! I just have her doing menial tasks! Lord Gamagin! It's a misunderstanding!"

Pyemon pointed accusingly as he shot back.

"I know all about the three hundred human women you've captured in your castle! Maids aside, why are all the gardeners and guards women? You womanizer!"

Defeated, Amdusias raised his hands in surrender.

"Phew, I was wrong. How can I argue with you, Mr. Pyemon? Let's leave it at that."

"Hehe, my victory!"

With a mischievous face, Pyemon flashed a V-sign. Gamagin chuckled and folded the newspaper on the table.

"Good to hear all went well. But Amdusias. When anger, represented by red, combines with affection, symbolized by purple, does it harmonize?"

Amdusias, having given up, grinned broadly with a self-satisfied look.

"When hatred and anger mix with affection, it becomes a sentiment of 'ambivalence.' It signifies the inability to

 help but love even as you hate. It's a perfect emotion for those who resent their parents. Hehe."

Worried, Pyemon said,

"But Lord Gamagin, will that guy Carlos really use the kid's composition to create music? I hear he's an older professional musician, and it's quite different from the music he's used to. He might reject it."

Gamagin looked at Amdusias again, who shook his head with a resolute expression.

"He will, without question. If he says anything else after seeing that sheet music, then he's not a musician. It's a piece of music too tempting to pass up. Actually, it was already at that level before I touched it, but that was also possible because of my power."

Pyemon flicked his index finger, smirking.

"Oho, boasting again?"

Amdusias grinned, exuding confidence.

"It's not boasting. I'm certain of it. If he doesn't, I'll make sure he does. But that won't be necessary. That Carlos isn't some ignorant beginner."

Assured, Gamagin rose from his seat.

"Good, everyone did well. Now let's go have some tea at Amdusias's harem."

A crestfallen Amdusias stood up.

"Lord! Really, it's not!"

"Hehe, let's go check."

Pyemon laughed playfully as they both stood.

"Haha, you'll be surprised, Lord. Haha."

Watching the departing figures, Amdusias sweated nervously.

Byeong-jun arrived at Montana's private rehearsal studio located at 'Plaza Garibaldi' in the heart of Mexico City, clutching an envelope to his side as he knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

A rustling sound was heard, but instead of a voice, the door abruptly swung open. Kevin, with his hair a mess as if he hadn't washed for days, looked at Byeong-jun and scratched his head, saying, 

"Ah... the manager is here?"

Byeong-jun, taken aback by Kevin's disheveled appearance, asked,

"What's with that look? You were neat just a few days ago, what happened to you?"

"Ha ha... Well, it's just... come on in anyway."

Kevin led Byeong-jun into the rehearsal studio, where a foldable bed had been set up in the office in front of the recording booth. Kevin awkwardly smiled as he pulled a can of soda from the fridge and handed it to Byeong-jun. Taking the can, Byeong-jun, sitting opposite Kevin, asked,

"What's going on? The studio looks sleek and cool, but you look like a mess. What's the matter?"

Kevin half-closed his eyes as he drank and replied,

"Ah, it's just the practice lately."

"You're not telling me that Mr. Carlos has been torturing you with hard-core SM, whips, candle wax, and stuff?"

"Ha ha ha, no way. He's been tough on me, but he's not into that kind of thing, don't worry, manager."

Examining Kevin more closely, Byeong-jun shook his head and said,

"I'll send a manager to look after you soon. Just wait a little longer. The headquarters is currently selecting someone, and it seems to take some time because it involves Kay."

Kevin, still holding the soda can, laughed,

"I'm actually quite comfortable right now. The accommodation you arranged has a great view."

"That's what I mean. Why are you sleeping in the studio instead of there?"

"Ha ha, just lazy to go home after practicing until dawn, haha."

"Oh, you should at least take a shower."

"Ah, sorry about that, hehe."

"By the way, where is Mr. Carlos?"

"He should be here soon. You came a bit early."

"It's 4 PM, is that early?"

"He usually comes around now and practices until 11 PM."

"Why do artists love to sleep in so much?"

"Heh, well, I'm the same, so I can't really say much. Did any songs come out?"

Byeong-jun held up the envelope and said,

"I've brought them."

Kevin was about to reach out his hand excitedly but hesitated,

"Ah! Here... no, maybe Carlos should see it first."

Byeong-jun also nodded and placed the envelope beside him as they chatted about recent events. Soon after, Carlos entered the studio with a guitar on his back and lit up upon seeing Byeong-jun.

"Ah! Mr. Lee! You've come on the exact day. Ha, the more I see it, the more I like Fantagio."

Byeong-jun quickly stood up to shake hands, laughing,

"Mr. Carlos! It's been a few days!"

Carlos shook hands with Byeong-jun, set down his guitar, and sat on the sofa while grimacing at Kevin,

"What are you doing sleeping here again? You stink, go take a shower."

Kevin sniffed his arm and awkwardly smiled,

"Can I just see the song first?"

Carlos shook his head decisively,

"Your smell is filling up the studio. Go wash up now. And open the windows on your way out."

"Ha ha, alright. I'll be back soon."

As Kevin left, Carlos looked at the envelope with eager eyes and reached out his hand.

"Is that it?"

"Ah, yes, sir. Here it is."

Byeong-jun respectfully handed the envelope with both hands. Carlos hurriedly opened it and started focusing intensely as he laid the sheet music on his thigh. Byeong-jun watched Carlos's expressions change as he read through the music in one go.

'Phew, I listened to it beforehand, but will Carlos want to do this kind of music? It's so different from Montana's usual style. Look at his changing expressions. If it gets rejected, I might have to go back to the States again.'

Carlos, seemingly breathless, finally exhaled heavily after finishing.

"Heugh, heugh, heugh."

Breathing heavily, Carlos smiled at Byeong-jun, who was observing him anxiously.

"This, Kay must be trying to kill inspiration, to think I'm breathless just by looking at the score."

"Is... is that so? Don't you like it?"

"Hehe, as expected."

Byeong-jun smiled awkwardly, knowing it

 would be the case.

"So, it is? Well, it's this kind of music."

"Yes, yes. So it's too different from Montana's... style?"

Byeong-jun was startled as Carlos leaned back on the sofa with a refreshing laugh, crossing his legs with his chunky-ringed hand resting on his knee.

"Indeed, as you say, this song doesn't fit Montana. It's not even the Latin rock I've been walking on. If I had to describe it, it's a mix of thrash metal and hardcore."

"Th... thrash... hardcore?"

"Um... to put it simply, think of it as a blend of Metallica and Rage Against The Machine's music. The tuning at the beginning of the score is drop D, right? This is the down tuning used in Metallica's 'Sad But True.' While it's commonly used by other musicians, it produces a heavier, lower sound."

Byeong-jun was flustered by the technical jargon, but Carlos continued without pausing,

"Look here at the BPM, it's 190. That's the speed of a fast track like 'Master of puppets.' This low tuning with such high speed isn't really suitable for Montana."

"Ah... yes... BPM... yes"

"Also, if you look at the bass and drum parts, unlike Metallica, they're very groovy, right? This gives the listener a very rhythmic feel. This scale has a bit of the feel of Rage Against the Machine. Although it's a bit different, of course."

"Ah... I see."

"Also, look here where the verse transitions, the rhythm changes at the BPM part, it's kind of like Rage Against the Machine's 'Killing in the name.'"

Byeong-jun, overwhelmed by the technical terms and rock musician references, rubbed his head and said,

"Ah, yes... I see. But why are you doing this, sir?"

Carlos placed the score on the table and smiled,

"Because it's tremendous music. Really impressive."

Seeing Byeong-jun's dazed expression, Carlos stood up and took out his guitar from the case.

"I can't stand not playing this amazing music right now! If a musician meets this kind of music and refuses it because it doesn't fit their 'color,' then they're not truly a musician! It's really incredible!"

Byeong-jun cautiously held out the contract as he took it out of his pocket,

"Ah... then, sir, you'll need to sign this contract..."

Carlos, with his guitar slung over his shoulder and holding the score, headed to the recording booth, waving his hand,

"Later. For now, I just want to play this music. Just wait a little."

"Ah... yes, sir. Understood."

Carlos entered the recording booth, put on his headphones, and began to play the guitar with his eyes closed. Though the sound of his playing was not audible due to the headphones connected to the amp, the expression of concentration as he followed the guide CD showed his satisfaction. Finally, Byeong-jun relaxed and leaned back on the sofa, interlocking his fingers on his protruding belly.

'Phew, I was completely tense for a moment. That was a close call.'

Suddenly,

Bang!

Byeong-jun hastily straightened up as the door opened. Carlos poked his head out of the recording booth with a puzzled expression,

"Hey, the recording on the guide CD and the score are a bit different. What's going on?"

Byeong-jun panicked,

"What? That can't be. It was recorded by Kay himself."

"Is that so? There must be some mistake. The score seems better, so I guess the guide CD is wrong. Alright, I'll follow the score. Just give me a moment."

"Yes, yes! Understood, sir."

As Carlos went back into the booth, Byeong-jun sighed in relief again.

'Kay isn't the kind to make such mistakes... He must have been out of it while recording overnight. That's why the score is fine, but the guide CD has issues. Though he's a perfectionist, I didn't expect him to make such errors, haha.'

After about thirty minutes of waiting outside, the outer door opened and a neatly washed and shaved Kevin entered, asking,

"Ah, manager. Did you sign the contract?"

Byeong-jun, showing the unsigned contract, shook his head,

"No, he wanted to see the song first, so I've been waiting."

Kevin glanced at Carlos, who was still wearing headphones in the recording booth, and nodded,

"Then I'll also go and check briefly."

"Sure. Take your time."

Kevin opened the door to the recording booth, and as he did, Carlos took off his headphones and looked him up and down, then laughed,

"That's better, you've cleaned up well."

"Ha ha, if someone heard you, they'd think you're

 a grandpa nagging his grandson, Carlos."

"Hehe, Kay's music has arrived."

"I listened earlier. How is it?"

Carlos raised his thumb and said,

"Why even ask?"

Kevin picked up the headphones, smiling,

"Is it good?"

Carlos grinned, showing his teeth,

"Kevin, you and I will have to battle it out."

With the headphones in hand, a puzzled Kevin asked,

"A battle?"

Carlos, glaring at Kevin, curled his lip and held up the score,

"It's a song where the guitar and bass continuously try to devour each other. If you don't want to be eaten by me, you'll have to stay up a few more nights. Ha ha ha."

Kevin grimaced and pressed the play button on the guide CD, putting on the headphones. From the moment the first note played, he pressed the headphones tightly to his ears, and his eyes widened. Carlos, watching Kevin listen, suddenly saw Kevin throw off the headphones and roar,

"It's awesome!!!!!!!!!!"