The Devil lives in the Music of Top Star

I missed the first day of class because I slipped on a socks and fell.

I believe the add/drop period is a blessing bestowed upon college students by the gods.

I had no parents who supported me financially, so I had to ensure I didn’t miss any classes to qualify for the school’s scholarships.

Of course, there were scholarships provided by the government, but Yesung University was a private university known for its outrageous tuition fees.

Anyway, what’s more important at this moment is this guy.

[Do you realize my presence now?]

“Uh… well… I still don’t quite get it.”

[How frustrating! You hear this voice in your ear, and you still don’t get it?]

“No, that’s not it. I understand that you really exist. A demon… or maybe a ghost or a god. But…”

[But?]

“It’s just hard to believe. It’s not logically possible. I hear a mysterious voice, and this voice gives me perfect pitch… Frankly, it’s a bit scary.”

[Sigh… You’re such a coward. Be a bit bolder.]

“Is it okay to use such harsh words like ‘coward’?”

[I’m a demon, you fool.]

“Right.”

Though I felt like I was losing in this conversation, but it wasn’t incorrect.

It’s absurd that a being called the devil would speak these days, but considering it could communicate with humans, it wasn’t entirely out of the question.

“Anyway, what are you? Why me? I mean, why is this happening to me… Oh… is that not the right question…?”

There were so many things I was curious about in this situation, but I was so confused that I didn’t know how to ask.

[Yes, yes. I understand how you feel. Tomori Sakamoto, who was active in Japan, cried as soon as I appeared, Compared to him, you’re pretty calm.]

“You keep mentioning Mozart and other things, but what do you mean by that?”

[Stop babbling and shut up. I’ll explain roughly.]

The demon seemed accustomed to this situation.

[I grant humans an abilities and make them capable artists. I’ve been doing this for quite a while.]

“Why would a demon do such a thing?”

[Why does it matter? It’s my job, so I do it.]

“Um…”

Since I don’t know anything about the world this guy lives in, I had no choice but to accept it.

[And since I’m not a god, my abilities have limits. Ah, of course, compared to you weak humans, my power is tremendous.]

I felt like I was being disrespected, but I couldn’t argue.

“So… the ability. Yeah. What kind of ability did you give me? How did you do it?”

[I can condense the abilities you’d gain from ten years of effort and grant them to you at once.]

“What? So you’re saying I could have a perfect pitch ten years from now?”

[It was an ability you’d eventually acquire if you kept trying.]

The demon’s words, ‘if you try,’ were very appealing.

“But isn’t perfect pitch something you’re born with?”

[Only those who haven’t had it think that way. It’s not necessarily true.]

“Well…”

[Of course, if you didn’t pursue music and did something else, it would have been an ability that just vanished into thin air.]

“So, the reason you’re giving me this ability is to make me a capable artist?”

[That’s right. And…]

The demon trailed off, laughing unpleasantly.

[Of course, there is a price to pay.]

“What? No way! You give me an ability on your own and then demand payment? That’s like theft!”

I didn’t know what it would ask for, but I couldn’t trust and follow the words of a being that called itself a demon unconditionally.

Besides, asking for something in return after giving me an ability seemed outright robbery.

[Shouldn’t you at least hear what I’m asking for? Honestly, it’s a sweet deal to get an ability you could only achieve after ten years of effort right now.]

I was scared.

But as the demon said, it was a sweet deal.

Perfect pitch.

I didn’t know how much this newly acquired ability would help me, but it was undeniably an amazing power.

[In exchange for giving you the ability, I’ll take half of the value you cherish the most at that time, once, as power.]

“The value I cherish the most… what I earn?”

[Yes, it could be money, interests, or various emotions. Ah, of course, musical abilities won’t be taken as payment.]

“So, what I have to pay can change depending on the time?”

[That’s right. The value you cherish the most at that time. It probably won’t be a bad deal.]

I couldn’t be sure right away.

I didn’t even know what value I cherished the most at that moment, and there was no guarantee that it wouldn’t be a bad deal.

“So, I just pay that price and work hard on my music with the ability you give me?”

[Right. Although to give you the next ability, I need not only payment but also time…]

“Time?”

[This is getting tedious, so let’s end the explanation here. I’m tired after granting you the ability.]

“Oh, okay…”

Even after hearing the explanation, the situation was hard to believe.

Above all, I felt an inexplicable fear towards the entity talking to me.

If that being were a god, ancestor, or deceased parent, it might be different, but it was a demon, the symbol of evil…

[Anyway, let’s do well together. You won’t lose anything.]

“I haven’t given you a definite answer yet!”

[Kekeke… Then take your time and think it over. I won’t rush you.]

The demon’s tone was relaxed.

Honestly, I was saying ‘no’ because I was scared of the demon’s existence.

But on the other hand, I wondered if this wasn’t a great opportunity for me.

If I could get an ability now that I’d only achieve after ten years, it would undoubtedly open up the path to success more quickly.

Moreover, the perfect pitch I received earlier was already making my heart flutter every moment.

I can hear it now.

The honking cars outside the window, the chirping birds.

Even the sound of motorcycles racing through the alley…

All sounds were being organized into scales.

Even parts that couldn’t be expressed with musical notes…

It was undoubtedly an ability that would help me.

And, thinking about it, the exchange I had to make for this ability didn’t seem like something that would ruin my life.

The fact that such thoughts were crossing my mind meant…

[Then, let’s get along well, human.]

“Yes… demon…”

*** 

The next day.

Since I didn’t faint today, I was able to arrive at school on time.

Although March, when the new semester began, held the warmth of spring, a chilly breeze occasionally blew as if it didn’t want to leave just yet.

The classroom was filled with unfamiliar students.

It was only natural since I enlisted right after finishing the first semester of my freshman year.

After being discharged and completing another semester, I signed a contract with JH Entertainment.

Now, five years later, at 26, I was back as a student.

I thought there might be a few 2013 students who were still in school due to taking time off or missing their return date, but I saw none.

Knowing no one made me feel somewhat intimidated.

Starting my sophomore (a second-year student) year at 26 brought a sense of futility, but there was nothing I could do.

My goal was not to graduate with a degree in Korean literature but to join Yesung University’s popular music club.

“Alright, since it’s the first day, we’ll end here. See you next class. Those who don’t have the book, make sure to buy it by next time.”

With the professor’s words, the Introduction to Classical Literature lecture ended 30 minutes early.

The classroom was filled with the buzzing of voices.

Some talked about going to a PC room during the break.

Others mentioned heading to the convenience store or taking a rest in the student lounge due to a hangover.

Amid the mixed voices that almost sounded like noise, I could distinguish each one.

[How long are you going to be enchanted by sounds? Don’t you need to go to the department office?]

‘Oh, right. Thanks.’

Since the demon could read my thoughts, it reminded me of things I had forgotten.

It seemed to be useful in other ways, too.

-Click

Opening the door to the department office, I saw a familiar face.

No, to be precise, a face I never wanted to see again…

“Hey.”

“Hey!”

“Hey! Yoo Jaehee! Long time no see!”

“Yeah, Jongpila. Long time no see. Are you working as a teaching assistant?”

“Yeah, it’s tough to get a job in the Korean literature department. I’m just managing as a teaching assistant.”

“I see…”

I felt the blood drain from my already pale face.

“So, what brings you to the department office?”

“Oh, I need to reissue my student ID.”

“Got it. I’ll take care of it for you. It’s nice to see you after so long. I heard you got a job.”

“Uh… it didn’t go well.”

“Well, that happens. Keep your head up!”

Kim Jongpil, with his robust build and thick arms, patted my shoulder in encouragement.

I couldn’t tell if he was comforting me or teasing me.

It was probably my lingering resentment toward him.

“Thanks. I’ll get going then. Take care.”

“Sure.”

Just as I was about to open the door and leave…

“Jaehee.”

“Yeah?”

“How about we grab a drink sometime?”

Although Kim Jongpil’s smile seemed free of malice, I hesitated to answer.

But staying silent for too long would only make things awkward for me.

“Sure.”

I replied with a smile.

I had to suppress the tremors in my facial muscles.

“Alright, take care.”

“Ugh, what a pathetic guy….”

* * *

[Isn’t that guy just an inconsiderate jerk?]

‘How do you know that?’

[How long do you think I’ve been inside you?]

‘…No way.’

[I’ve been here since you were born.]

‘Then you must know everything…’

Kim Jong-pil and I went to elementary and middle school together.

Not friends, just classmates.

If we were real friends, he wouldn’t have bullied me so harshly.

In elementary school, he wasn’t like that, but by the time we got to middle school, he started picking on targets.

Was it because I was quiet and timid, or because I was always first in my class after entering middle school?

I became his prey and remained his plaything for three years.

Of course, just as they say bullies often don’t remember their actions, Kim Jong-pil didn’t see it as bullying.

Fortunately, we went to different high schools, and from then on, I could breathe easier, living a normal high school life compared to the hellish middle school years.

However, fate must have had a cruel sense of humor because Kim Jong-pil and I ended up at the same university and in the same major.

Luckily, his behavior didn’t continue into adulthood.

Music was what got me through those tough school years, which was why my passion for it was so intense.

‘Hey, can you read his thoughts too?’

[Whose, Kim Jong-pil’s?]

‘Yeah.’

[No, I can’t. I can only read your emotions and thoughts, and even then, only some of them.]

‘What, not even all of it?’

[It depends on the depth of your thoughts.]

‘Interesting…’

Since he wasn’t a god but a devil, his abilities weren’t omnipotent.

Otherwise, there wouldn’t be conditions attached to granting powers…

[You don’t like him, do you?]

‘I don’t know.’

[Sigh… Of all the people I’ve been with for over a thousand years, you’re the softest.]

“Um…”

[Shouldn’t you dislike him?]

As I hesitated to answer, the devil spoke as if frustrated. I understood what he meant.

Even I found myself exasperating at times.

‘By the way, I have a question.’

[What is it?]

‘If you’ve been inside me since I was born, why did you only show up now?’

[I only appear when your life is at its hardest. Would you have made a contract with me if everything was going well?]

‘…’

I thought he was cruel.

[Don’t think too badly of me. I’m here to help.]

It seemed he had been lurking within me, waiting for the right moment, but his reasoning made sense.

Life had indeed been tough recently.

Despite my passion for music and efforts to support myself, I’d been betrayed by the company and stuck in a university with strangers.

In such a time, the power I gained felt like a ray of hope.

Every time I compared my surroundings with the abilities given by the devil, a sense of positivity seemed to blossom within me.

* * *

After all my classes were over, I headed straight home.

Since it wasn’t dinner time yet, I postponed eating, took a shower, and sat at the desk with my computer.

There were two monitors on the desk, and between the monitor and keyboard was a keyboard controller.

My cherished equipment.

The tools that would shape my musical future.

Since my contract with JH Entertainment ended, I haven’t composed anything.

I was too distraught and busy finding a new place and preparing to return to university.

“Ah! Time to warm up.”

Though I left the company, I still received personal commissions.

As an amateur now, I needed to make music for a living.

This work paid better than any part-time job.

I had received a commission a few days ago, so I had to start working on it quickly.

After a big stretch, I double-clicked on my music production software, and a familiar logo appeared in the center of the screen.

I set the basic preferences and saved the locations, then got down to work.

-Empty

-UJ session

“Save to UJ session…”

I closed my eyes for a moment and imagined the music.

Should I start with the drums or the piano?

Even the trivial moments of prioritizing made my heart race.

Finally, I called up my favorite piano virtual instrument and placed my hands on the keyboard.

Cm Chord.

C minor chord.

A chord that was nothing special but felt different than usual.

“Oh… Oh!”

Having a perfect pitch shortened the time spent on decisions.

I could instantly tell what the next chord should be to achieve the mood I wanted, the top note to set, and whether to stack or spread out the chord tones.

In the past, I would have had to try various chord tones or use familiar ones.

Now, with perfect pitch, not only did the decision-making and production time shorten, but I also had many more choices.

It was an incredible ability.

Of course, perfect pitch alone couldn’t make me a great composer.

It opened the way quickly but didn’t control the realm of creativity.

It’s like knowing all the grammar rules doesn’t necessarily make you a good writer.

Using this useful ability, I organized instruments for a long time.

Drums and bass, piano and guitar, numerous synths and pads, and effects with names hard to remember…

In no time, the composition and arrangement were done.

“Next step.”

Mixing and mastering.

This process involves adjusting the sounds of all the instruments to make them more listenable and fit the song, and reducing interference between instruments.

It was a process of fine-tuning not just the pitch but the overall sound.

This work couldn’t rely solely on perfect pitch.

But nowadays, there were excellent plugins that display the frequency of each sound in graphs or numbers, making it easy for a seasoned musician like me.

Though I still needed a lot of practice…

[Wow, times have really changed.]

“Be quiet. Don’t talk to me while I’m working.”

[You’re getting cheeky.]

“I said be quiet…”

[Back in my day, we didn’t have any of this. We just wrote everything down on sheet music and organized ensembles with dozens of musicians…]

“Ugh, shut up! Just be quiet!”

[Hehehe… This is more fun.]

“…”

Ignoring the devil’s chatter, I focused on my work.

I didn’t know why, but I couldn’t stand distracted noises while composing.

It was the only time my personality became sharp.

Unless it was important or necessary, idle chatter was just noise.

And since gaining perfect pitch, external sounds weren’t just noise but unnecessary tones, making them more irritating.

This ability had its downsides too.

[Right now, your perfect pitch makes external sounds annoying, but you’ll get used to it.]

I understood the devil’s point, but for now, it was just a distraction.

* * *

“Haa…”

After a short time, I completed a track.

An instrument without vocals.

Listening to it from start to finish was fascinating.

“Wow… To create a track of this quality so quickly, perfect pitch is really something.”

[Perfect pitch shortens production time and gives you more choices.]

“That’s true.”

[You have talent. That’s why you got signed to that big company.]

“Thanks.”

Hearing such words from the devil strangely made me feel good.

According to him, he had influenced many historical figures.

[By the way, are you just going to leave that Jong-pil guy alone?]

“What do you mean?”