The Devil lives in the Music of Top Star

**Episode 3**

“He’s a bad guy, but that doesn’t mean you should harm him.”

[Who said anything about killing?]

“No, I didn’t say to kill him either.”

I thought if it were a demon, it would hurt or ruin the life of Kim Jong-pil, who tormented me to death.

[Not like that. I’m going to give you one more ability soon. Let’s try something with that. Change the situation.]

“What kind of ability is it this time?”

The words that slipped out of my mouth were quite desperate and urgent.

[Wait patiently. I want to give you abilities right away too, but it doesn’t work that way.]

“Is it like a cooldown period?”

[Exactly.]

The demon said it would let me know when the time came, so for now, focused on what I had to do.

It was true, but hearing it from a demon made me feel… quite peculiar.

* * *

Yeosung University’s music club, Groovy Nation.

Groovy Nation was on a different level compared to the shabby music clubs of other schools.

The skills of the current club members were beyond words.

It has produced singers of great fame.

There were rumors that it had changed a lot and was not very good compared to the past.

But that was a relative evaluation compared to the past; it was still a club with top-tier artists.

There were students who applied to Yeosung University just to join this club.

Of course, my short-term goal was also this club.

Some might say why not apply to the practical music department?

This club offered greater autonomy compared to such departments and allowed one to focus on areas where they excelled.

Although textbook learning was difficult, it was an environment conducive to concentrating on one’s pursued direction.

– Groovy Nation club members are always recruiting.

A poster for Groovy Nation’s continuous recruitment was posted on the school bulletin board.

[This is the club you said was your goal.]

‘Yes, I have to get in here first.’

There were already plenty of people good at music out in the world.

Especially at this school, there were many skilled individuals who came to join Groovy Nation.

To get into Groovy Nation, not only musicality but also sensationalism was needed.

No matter how good someone was at music if they didn’t show star quality, they were not accepted.

‘To do that…’

I turned my gaze next to the Groovy Nation recruitment poster.

– Recruiting applicants for the Humanities College opening ceremony talent show!

‘I have to go there.’

[Hahaha… Kid, you’ve become bold. Doesn’t it remind you of old times?]

I knew why the demon was laughing.

I had a black history related to talent shows.

A very terrible one.

‘Ah, just thinking about it makes me kick my blanket even now…’

[Hahaha… I laughed a lot back then too.]

‘But this time will be different. I’ve got a plan… and above all, you said you’d help me, right?’

[Of course.]

* * *

Six years ago.

At 20 years old, I proudly took the title of a freshman in Yeosung University’s Korean Language and Literature department.

I was too busy playing in elementary school and never missed the top ranks in middle school, but school life was difficult because of Kim Jong-pil.

Because of that, I shrank back and lived quietly, almost unnoticed in high school.

Of course, it was fortunate I wasn’t bullied, but that was all.

The greatest value in my life was happiness, and its source was music.

But aside from that, the fact that I got into a Yeosung university greatly boosted my self-esteem.

That was the problem.

The Yeosung university opening ceremony.

Various departments gathered, drank, held talent shows, and even invited singers to a small festival-like event.

How much did I drink?

“Drink! Drink! Drink!”

“The drink goes down! Gulp! Gulp gulp! Gulp gulp!”

Lost in drinking games, I laughed and drank continuously with my classmates.

Even the presence of Kim Jong-pil, my classmate and fearsome figure, was forgotten for a while, as I was completely taken over by the drunkenness.

Just then, a voice came from the stage.

“We are accepting applicants! Singing, dancing, comedy, impersonations, or interesting stories—various talents will be rewarded with gift cards!”

Why did I do it?

In a drunken state, maybe because of the confidence from doing music unlike others,

Or perhaps for the unknown future six years later,

Whatever it was, I shouted loudly.

“Me! Me!”

The words that had been slurred just a moment ago came out clearly.

“Oh! Great. A handsome student from the Korean Language and Literature table! Come on up!”

It was the first and last time in my life that I stepped up onto a stage with so many eyes on me.

“A handsome guy from the Korean Language and Literature department is coming up! Please introduce yourself first!”

I took the mic handed to me by the host and faced forward.

The lights were blinding because of the alcohol.

Actually, it was the first time I had been under such lights, so I wondered if they were always this bright as my forebrain dominated my thoughts.

“I-I’m Yoo Jaehee, a freshman in the Korean Soups and Broths department!”

“Puhaha! Wait a minute. Soups?”

“K-Korean Language and Literature department!”

My alcohol-soaked tongue didn’t listen, but I corrected myself clearly amidst the bursting laughter.

“Haha! Looks like you’ve had some drinks. What talent will you show us?”

I spotted a table in the distance.

The classmates I had been talking with just before.

Their sparkling eyes were focused on me.

It was perfect timing to give my pitiful life a huge turning point.

‘From today, I will become a celebrity.’

“I’ll sing.”

“Oh, great. Let’s give him a round of applause!”

The song I chose began playing from the karaoke machine.

And shortly after, I sang into the mic.

Very terribly.

“Puhahaha!”

“Hahaha! What’s wrong with him! Why is he like that!”

“Hahaha! His singing is way uglier than his face, hahaha!”

I wasn’t originally that bad at singing. But alcohol had a stronger effect than I thought.

The rumor spread and spread, and as a result, I became the official tone-deaf of Yeosung University… not just the Korean Language and Literature department.

I had to come down from the stage with unprecedented attention.

Of course, it wasn’t the kind of attention I wanted.

Thanks to the merit of showing both singing and comedy, I managed to get two gift cards.

But it wasn’t a glorious trophy.

* * *

Although it was a self-initiated plan, my steps were not entirely light as I submitted my application for the opening ceremony talent show.

At 20 years old, I had the army as a refuge.

If things went wrong and I will got humiliated again, there was no place to run, and the road to Groovy Nation would be completely blocked.

With the ability promised by the demon, like having perfect pitch, there shouldn’t be a problem.

But it was still hard to trust this demon unconditionally.

A demon is a demon.

It could suddenly stop cooperating just to mess with me.

Pushing aside any stray thoughts about the future, I headed to the meeting place.

It was the evening after all the lectures ended.

I had arranged to meet a friend, Lim Taehyun, who contacted me recently.

The meeting place was in Sinchon, not far from the school.

The signs of densely packed bars were lighting up one by one.

Among the bustling crowd, I listened to music while waiting for Lim Taehyun to arrive.

It had been a few days since I received the ability, but it was still amazing.

I could distinguish the pitch of all the melodies that made up the song.

Analyzing the lines used in existing songs became easy.

“Hey!”

“Oh, you’re here.”

Lost in the music, I didn’t notice Tae-hyun arriving.

“What’s with the silly grin?”

“Did I? Haha.”

D, Eb, F, G… Tae-hyun’s question, composed of four notes, made me smile awkwardly as we headed to a nearby bar.

“So, how’s university?”

After a couple of drinks, Tae-Hyun asked about university.

“Well, it’s okay so far. Studying isn’t hard, but I don’t know anyone.”

“With your personality, of course. You shy guy.”

“Haha, yeah. It’d be nice to have at least one friend.”

– Cheers.

The sound of clinking glasses and the gentle swaying of the soju.

“So, are you quitting music now that you’re hunting for a job?”

“No way, I have to keep at it.”

“Yeah, with your talent, it would be a waste to stop.”

JH Entertainment was a dirty company, but it wasn’t easy to get into. Before the demon’s ability, my music was already catching the eyes of many amateurs, and even at JH, I was considered the most talented among my peers. That’s why the CEO stole my songs…

“Then why go back to university? With your talent, you could try other places.”

Tae-hyun, knowing my talent, was puzzled by my decision to return to university.

– Cheers.

“I just don’t have the courage yet. After getting burned by that agency, I don’t trust anyone.”

“Yeah, agencies are like that. But not all of them are bad. If you need info, let me know. I’ve been a reporter for a year now, so I hear a lot.”

Tae-hyun, who had been working as a reporter for about a year, had always dreamed of becoming one. He graduated from the Department of Mass Communication and had a strong belief in writing for justice. We became close friends in middle school, bonding over our shared interest in music. His presence was a great support to me, who was bullied by Kim Jong-pil. Even now, he rushed to see me when he heard I was struggling.

“And don’t sign any contracts without asking me first. Now I have a lot of info on shady agencies.”

“JH was always like that.”

“Yeah, a lot of people got screwed over there. The contract terms are short, and it’s on a salary basis, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“That’s why. Who would work hard if they only got a little salary instead of royalties?”

“Hmm…”

“So they do short-term contracts to see if you’re someone who will keep working or not. Once you get royalties, who cares about the commoners?”

“But if there are so many people like you, why do they stay silent?”

His answer to my question was, “Why did you stay silent?”

“…”

I had no answer. I was terrified despite my anger, and now I understood why so many victims remained quiet.

“Don’t sign contracts recklessly anymore.”

“I had no choice. You know my situation.”

I signed with JH for two main reasons. First, it was a well-known production company with a solid reputation in producing music. Second, I needed to support myself after losing my parents. Being alone was not just a source of great sorrow but also a significant financial burden. So, instead of focusing on graduating, I needed to earn money immediately. I sent demo tracks to various agencies, and among the companies that contacted me was JH Entertainment. The offer from such a big company made me sign the contract without much thought.

Looking back, the common trait among my fellow composers at JH was that they were not only talented but also young and in urgent need of money.

“That’s why. But why are you telling me this just now?” Tae-hyun asked.

“I found out after I left and mentioned to a senior that I had a friend who worked there.”

“I see…”

“If I had known, I would’ve told you earlier.”

“Yeah, you wouldn’t have stayed silent.”

“Enough. What’s the point of talking about this now? Just drink.”

– Cheers!

Chatting with Tae-hyun helped lift my spirits a bit. Losing my songs, leaving the company, and attending university alone had made me incredibly depressed, but even a simple conversation with a friend can be a source of strength.

That’s when the demon whispered.

[Hey, this friend seems quite useful.]

‘What do you mean?’