Devil’s Music

As the morning sun spread into Geon Kim's room and the elongated rays touched his face, his eyelids fluttered open, and he propped himself up from the bed. Holding one eye with his hand as if his head hurt, Geon sat on the bed briefly with his eyes closed, reaching for the sheet music of "Fury" placed beside him. As he looked at the notes bordered intermittently with purple within the red, his vision blurred, making the notes appear double. He vigorously shook his head, set the sheet music aside, and stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.

"It was a strange dream. Could the method that Amdusias told me really work in reality?"

The room in the painting that he visited with Amdusias flashed in Geon's mind, where Natalie and two others stood smiling.

"Ugh!!"

Geon clutched his head as if someone was drilling into his brain, gasping for breath.

"Someone... there was someone else..."

The more he tried to remember the two people, the more intense the headache became, and he lay down, screaming.

"Aaaaaaagh!!!"

Startled by Geon's scream, Byungjun burst through the door. Having been woken up, Byungjun, in just his underwear, rushed to Geon who was thrashing on the bed.

"Geon!! Geon!!! What's wrong!?"

"Aaaaagh!!!"

In a panic, Byungjun grabbed the phone to call an ambulance but quickly realized they were inside Red Castle and rushed outside to yell.

"Get the car! Get the car ready! Kay is sick!"

Despite Byungjun's scant attire, the members of the organization, hearing that the beloved Kay was ill, scrambled into action. As the car was prepared, Byungjun, quickly dressed, carried the still-clutching Geon out, who despite his headache, refused to let go of the sheet music.

"Geon! Come to your senses! Drop the music!"

As Byungjun, holding the sheet music-laden Geon, dashed out, Geon caught sight of Natalie's portrait in the living room. His eyes, bloodshot, he screamed even louder.

"Aaaaagh!!!"

An agitated Byungjun kicked open the door to the annex and looked desperately at the approaching car. As Kiska, in her pajamas, clung to her nanny's hand, she burst into tears seeing Geon in agony.

"Wha-whaaaahhh!"

Typically, Byungjun would have comforted Kiska, but the urgency of the situation saw him shove Geon into the back seat of the car and jump into the passenger seat.

"To the hospital! Quick!"

Like a Formula One driver, the organization member floored the accelerator, while the blaring radio broadcast Miroslav shouting.

"Move it! Move it! Take the Brooklyn Bridge to Gold Street! Head to Downtown General Hospital in New York!"

Byungjun glanced in the side mirror to see five vehicles hastily following. Turning back, he saw Geon, lying in the back, moaning in pain, and yelled out with worry.

"Geon! Open your eyes! Geon!!!"

BEEP BEEP BEEP

With an oxygen mask attached and several brainwave monitors on his head, an unconscious Geon was in the ICU, though Gregory's prior arrangements meant he was in a private VIP room. Byungjun, his face etched with concern, leaned on the bedside, his elbow on the bed as he murmured a prayer.

"Heavenly Father, please let our Geon not be sick, I'll give anything, just let him stand again."

As the sound of the gently opening door reached Byungjun, he lifted his head. Kiska, releasing her nanny's hand, ran toward him. Unable to hug Geon as usual, Kiska, seeing him with the oxygen mask, shook her tear-soaked eyes relentlessly. With tear tracks marked on her cheeks, she looked at Byungjun, who smiled weakly and opened his arms. Kiska walked hesitantly toward him, and Byungjun, cradling her small head, patted her back, soothing her.

"It's okay, he'll get up soon."

Feeling Kiska's sobs, Byungjun continued to pat her back in an attempt to calm her. As he was comforting her, the door swung open again.

THUD!!

Kevin, who tripped over a coat rack at the door, fell but kept his eyes on the bed, shouting.

"Kay!! Kay!!!"

Following him, Carlos rushed to the bed, sweating, as Byungjun explained the situation, calming the agitated Kevin.

"Stay calm, don't make noise, and wait quietly."

As everyone quieted down, only the beeping of Geon's life support filled the room. Seeing the distressed Kiska, Byungjun spoke to

 Rin.

"Could you take Kiska outside for a bit?"

Rin was about to say she would stay but, seeing Byungjun's earnest gaze, took Kiska's hand and left the room. Kiska resisted leaving, but Rin, putting her index finger to her lips, said,

"Kay needs to rest, just step out for a moment, okay?"

As Kiska calmed down, Rin sat her down on a chair outside and bent over to bury her face in her knees. Soon, with loud sobs, a tear-streaked Shizuka arrived but was held back by Rin from entering the room.

As the evening approached, Geon, feeling a faint vision, blinked several times, trying to regain consciousness. At the foot of the bed, Byungjun was talking to someone.

"The patient's condition is confirmed to be not serious."

"What? He was screaming and in so much pain, and you say it's not serious? Are you sure you checked properly?"

"If you wish, I can show you the chart. There are still some areas we suspect and need to test further, but there's no risk of a severe scenario now. We've confirmed that much."

"Phew, sorry, I was worked up."

"It's okay. Keep an eye on the patient, and if there's any unusual response, call us immediately."

"Yes, thank you, doctor."

Geon, still unable to see clearly, looked towards the sofa next to his bed. There were many people sitting on the sofa, but his blurred vision made it hard to distinguish who was who. As he watched the doctor leave from under his feet, he said to Byungjun, who was bowing at ninety degrees.

"Brother..."

Byungjun screamed in surprise.

"Geon!!! Doctor!! He's opened his eyes!! Kay has opened his eyes!!"

The sound of doctors and nurses rushing could be heard, and Geon frowned as a doctor shone a light in his eyes. Geon turned his head away from the light and tried to sit up, but Byungjun urged him to stay down.

"Just lie down! You're in a hospital! You were brought here!"

Carlos quickly came over and propped a pillow behind Geon, allowing him to sit up more comfortably. Geon held his head and asked,

"What happened?"

Byungjun grabbed Geon's face and looked into his eyes.

"Who do you think I am? Tell me!"

Geon frowned and said,

"A gorilla?"

"What!!! Have you really lost your memory?!! Doctor!! What's going on!!"

Geon smirked and said,

"I haven't lost my memory, bro."

Byungjun looked at Geon in surprise and then frowned, grabbing Geon by the collar.

"Is this a time to joke!!?"

As Geon's voice was heard, Kiska burst through the door and seeing Byungjun grabbing Geon by the collar, she ran over and kicked him.

"Ouch!"

Kiska, tears all over her face, crawled onto the bed and hugged Geon. Geon, seeing how swollen her face was from crying, comforted the girl.

"It's okay, I'm alright. I'm sorry."

Kiska, sobbing, punched Geon's chest. Looking down at Kiska as she hit his chest repeatedly, Geon smiled and winced.

"Ow, that hurts."

When Geon spoke, Kiska stopped punching and with tearful big eyes, she said,

"Don't hurt."

The bustling ward fell silent. Geon, looking at Kiska, widened his eyes, and Byungjun, who had been kicked and was touching his behind, opened his mouth in shock. As Kiska burst into the room, followed by Lin, who stood there dumbfounded looking at Kiska, Suzuka behind her was teary-eyed and sitting on the bed, she muttered,

"Did... she just speak?"

Byungjun rushed over, grabbed Kiska's small shoulder, and shouted,

"Kiska!! You just spoke, right!? Say it again!!"

Although Byungjun was yelling, Kiska's mouth did not open again. Geon, bewildered, looked silently at Kiska as she was being shaken by Byungjun. Byungjun then ran out with Kiska in his arms, shouting,

"I'll take Kiska to the doctor!!"

As Byungjun and Kiska left the room, silence filled the space. Carlos broke the silence, more worried about Geon's condition than the fact that Kiska had spoken.

"Are you alright?"

Geon, looking blankly at the door of the ward, then smiled and covered his face with one hand.

"Yes, sorry for worrying you. How long has it been?"

Carlos, sitting on the edge of the bed, looked at his wristwatch.

"Not too long. You were brought in this morning, and it's late afternoon now."

"Heh, I see."

"If there's anything strange, let me know right away. It could be a brain issue, so we don't know what could happen."

"There's nothing wrong, I'm fine. Could you give me my phone, though?"

Carlos turned to look for Geon's phone, and Lin approached, offering the phone.

"Here it is."

Geon, smiling at Lin's disheveled appearance, took the phone.

"Sorry to worry you, Director."

"No worries, you're awake now."

Lin quickly took out a mirror to check her appearance and then dashed to the bathroom, laughing. Geon, still laughing, saw Suzuka crying. He smiled and reached out his hand. As she staggered over and grabbed his hand, crying, Geon said nothing and lay down on the sofa, looking at Kevin who was also asleep and chuckled before pressing the call button on his phone.

"Gregory, it's Kay."

"Yes, don't worry. But,"

Geon looked at the open door of the VIP ward.

"Kiska spoke."

 Late afternoon in front of Downtown New York General Hospital.

It was the time when outpatient services had ended, so the front of the hospital should have been relatively quiet, yet it was bustling with about a hundred robust mafia members dressed in black suits. Fortunately, they gathered a bit away from the hospital entrance, as if not to disturb the public, but their presence was still unsettling to the bystanders. It seemed to be due to Miroslav's strict control that none of the members were smoking or staring down the passersby; instead, they continuously checked their wristwatches as if waiting for someone.

Some of the doctors and nurses had come out of the hospital and were watching the group with a frightened expression when they saw a car rushing towards the hospital entrance without any intention of braking. A hospital staff member at the parking booth hurriedly raised the barrier, and the car screeched to a halt at the entrance, leaving skid marks on the ground. Gregory, dressed only in a shirt and vest without his coat, quickly got out of the car with a desperate look on his face. Miroslav, who had arrived earlier, hurried over to him.

"The larynx and trachea examinations are done, and he's currently in a psychiatric consultation," Miroslav informed.

Gregory, loosening his tightly tied tie with his hands, asked, "Is the consultation still going on? Do we have to wait?"

"Yes, boss."

"Sigh, was Kiska talking when you were there?"

"No, I was outside."

"So, it was only Kay who saw?"

"No, Carlos Montana and Mr. Lee, Seong-gyu Lee, and Son Lin were also present."

"Hmm... Alright."

Gregory stroked his chin as he looked up at the hospital building.

"Good, if several people heard it, it's confirmed then. Who's with Kiska now?"

"Mr. Lee is with her."

"Our people?"

"We've assigned three, but since it's a department with many civilians, they are on long-range protection."

"Alright. How about Kay?"

"He's in a single room in the VIP ward."

"Hmm, since Kiska is in consultation, let's see Kay first. How is he?"

"I haven't seen him yet."

"Is that so? Then let's go in together."

"Yes, boss."

Gregory glanced at the doctors and nurses who were looking at him with fearful eyes, then approached them. While the hospital staff didn't react to Gregory's approach, they were startled to see the tattooed, bald Miroslav following him. Gregory raised his palms to show he meant no harm and smiled warmly.

"Ah, don't worry, folks. We're not here to cause any trouble. I'm just here to visit my daughter. Right, Miroslav?"

The employees' expressions relaxed a bit, but they tensed up again under Miroslav's sharp gaze. Gregory tapped Miroslav on the back as he stood beside him and smiled.

"This guy might look intimidating, but he's a good fellow. Don't be too afraid and please take good care of my daughter. Her name is Ki—"

"Boss!!"

Miroslav quickly interrupted Gregory, realizing what he was about to say. Gregory blinked a few times, aware that it wouldn't be good if the rumors about Kiska's mafia father spread. After a moment of embarrassment, Gregory sighed and gave a bitter smile towards the still frightened doctors and nurses.

"Anyway... please take care. So long."

As Gregory bowed to the staff one last time and then stepped back into the hospital, the doctors and nurses exchanged worried looks. Gregory, putting his hands in his pockets and looking down, sighed deeply. He stood beside Miroslav, who had a complex expression, and lightly punched his broad chest with a grin.

"It's alright. Don't make that face."

Miroslav looked concerned and said,

"But, boss..."

Gregory took out a cigar from his pocket, then realizing he was in front of the hospital, walked to a corner to light it. He then moved further away to a designated smoking area. Sitting on a bench equipped with an ashtray, Gregory finally lit his cigar and took a deep drag, exhaling while watching the darkening sky.

"I've always felt superior, standing above others. But ever since Natalie died, I've started to dislike the life I've lived. Miroslav, have you ever regretted choosing this path?"

Miroslav, keeping a sharp lookout around Gregory, hid his hands behind his coat and stood at ease before replying,

"No, I haven't."

Gregory gave a self-mocking laugh and took the cigar back into his mouth.

"Yet, when Kiska was in my arms, it didn't feel as bad. Now that she spends more time away from me, and as she merges more with society, I hate my job even more for not being able to

 proudly say I'm her father."

Miroslav briefly remembered his own deceased wife and son but then shook his head and said,

"With a single word from you, boss, eight thousand of the Red Mafia move. Stay firm."

Gregory smirked and nodded.

"That's right, just let yourself hear these weak words. I'm not foolish enough to talk like this to the young ones below."

"Foolish, sir? You are not foolish, boss."

"Heh, that's alright. Let's go see Kay after I finish this cigar."

Gregory smoked his cigar for a long time, typically cutting a cigar in half to smoke later, but this time he smoked a whole one while sitting. After throwing the cigar butt into the ashtray, he continued to sit on the cold bench for a while longer. As the cold winter wind chilled his nose, Miroslav hurriedly brought him a coat.

"I'm sorry, I didn't manage to bring it sooner."

Gregory buttoned the front of the coat and chuckled,

"I could have frozen to death, heh. Let's go."

Miroslav accompanied him to the hospital elevator, but Gregory still noticed the civilians who couldn't even enter the elevator after seeing Miroslav's tattooed head. Gregory chuckled lightly at Miroslav.

"It seems like we don't belong among these people, do we?"

Miroslav, unfazed, responded,

"We gave up on that when we chose the path of the mafia."

"Heh, that's true."

The elevator reached the VIP ward, and as the doors opened, Miroslav quickly moved ahead to lead Gregory. As they approached the door to Geon's room, Miroslav waited for Gregory to catch up before trying to open the door, but Gregory raised his hand to stop him.

"Ah, let me do it."

Miroslav stepped aside, and Gregory quietly opened the door with a gentle motion, mindful of the patients inside. As the well-oiled sliding door opened smoothly, the sound of Geon and Carlos's conversation drifted out. Not wanting to interrupt, Gregory stood still and inadvertently eavesdropped.

"Huh? You're making another version of 'Fury'? Why?"

"Carlos, I made a mistake."

"A mistake? Haven't you heard how it's being received? 'Fury' has been so successful it's revitalizing the dying music industry. Why would you need to change such a song?"

"It's not about re-recording the album. There are many musicians who alter the original tracks during live performances. That's what I meant."

"Ah, well, that's always okay, but why?"

"You know the message in 'Fury', right?"

"Yeah, it's about the anger towards parents, right? I've heard it reflects Kay's upbringing and also includes bits about Kevin and Kiska."

Gregory, unintentionally overhearing that the song also involved Kiska's thoughts, slowly let go of the doorknob. His gaze dropped to the floor as he continued to listen to Geon and Carlos's ongoing conversation.

"Did Kiska write the lyrics?"

"Yes, she did."

Gregory quietly closed the door and stood outside the room for a long while, staring at the floor. He then sat down on a nearby black chair and looked up at Miroslav, weakly smiling.

"It seems I don't belong here either."

Miroslav, looking down at him, had a complicated expression. Gregory, having overheard the conversation and left, was unknown to Geon, who handed Carlos a sheet of music and said,

"Kiska doesn't resent him for losing her mother because she saw the people who took her away, and because he's always been a caring father. These lyrics were written after she heard about my upbringing in the rehearsal room and captured my feelings."

Carlos took the sheet from Geon and tilted his head,

"So, it's not Kiska's feelings?"

"No, think of it as if she read a book and wrote a reflection on it. A quite extraordinary reflection."

"Hmm, I see. But how is that related to the musical arrangement?"

Geon, recalling what Amdusias had said about the music in a dream, bit his lip and responded,

"You said the song has both anger and affection, right? But from what I see, that love-hate is just petty 'resentment.' It's like the tantrums of a teenager."

Carlos widened his eyes and countered,

"Resentment?"

"Yes, resentment. Why couldn't you do better for me? Why didn't you treat me better? That kind of low-level resentment."

Carlos looked at the sheet music again and pursed his lips,

"I don't really get it."

Geon took the music sheet from Carlos's hand and said,

"That's right, I made it that way because that was how I felt when I was explaining my past to Kiska, and she read my feelings

 and wrote the lyrics she thought I would like."

Carlos crossed his arms and asked,

"So? Resentment is also a human emotion, and it's not strange for anger, affection, and resentment to coexist in one song."

Geon shook his head and crumpled the sheet.

"No, that wasn't what I wanted to say."

"Hmm... What was the anger you wanted to talk about then?"

Geon crumpled the sheet tighter and looked out the window,

"It was anger at myself. That was it."