Chapter 34: The Night of Transcendents Chooses the Necromancer

A gentle, waltz-like accompaniment flowed out softly, as if dancing on tiptoe.

My heart pounded wildly as I listened to that sweet, fluttering track.

Good grief, I’m more nervous than when I’m clearing a gate.

I thought to myself, feeling sweat beading on my palms.

Fighting vicious monsters felt easier than listening to the song my daughter had created.

“Daddy, you okay?”

That was when Eunbyeol, sitting right beside me on the sofa, asked.

“Hm? Y-yeah. I’m fine, haha.”

“But why’s your face so pale?”

“Ah, I’m just nervous because I’m about to hear the song our Eunbyeol made. But happy too.”

“Hehe, I see! Then Eunbyeol will hold your hand!”

“Huh? But Daddy’s hand is all sweaty?”

“It’s okay!”

Eunbyeol beamed and grabbed my hand tightly.

Such a tiny, pretty hand.

Yet the moment she held it, my madly racing heart slowly calmed down.

I smiled at Eunbyeol, then turned my gaze toward the recording booth.

—On this path we walk together  

—Only happy smiles fill the way.

Through the glass, the guide vocalist began singing the lyrics.

A sweet voice that perfectly matched the sugary melody.

With that voice, the melody of <Lovebug> continued.

—Everything about me reflected in your eyes  

—Is nothing but love.

The lyrics laid over the melody our Eunbyeol had made.

The guide vocalist singing those beautiful lyrics with a beautiful voice.

Their collaboration was breathtakingly lovely.

—Even if spring comes, if I’m with you  

—The flowers will all sing.  

—Forever by your side  

—Our love’s flower will bloom.

Listening to the song while holding Eunbyeol’s hand felt impossibly beautiful.

It was so perfect I wondered if this moment was a dream.

It wasn’t just because Eunbyeol had made it.

The melody and lyrics were genuinely so good that they left me spellbound.

As I listened in rapt amazement,

The melody built toward its climax, and finally the core hook exploded.

—You’re my lovebug  

—You’re my lovebug  

—You’re my lovebug  

—You’re my lovebug

The lyrics changed to Eunbyeol’s idea repeated over and over.

“You’re my lovebug” — both the melody and the words were stunningly beautiful and stuck in your head instantly.

Blended with the skilled guide vocalist’s tone, it truly felt like a melody from heaven.

After the interlude, the second verse began.

Then came the bridge, the final chorus, and at last the outro resounded through the studio.

—You’re my lovebug  

—We’ll walk together forever.

The melody that had filled the studio slowly faded, and silence returned.

The guide vocalist removed her headphones, and Ahn Hyeji turned around to look at us.

“…Holy crap.”

I blurted out those two short words and started clapping.

It was beautiful.

It was enchanting.

I was so overwhelmed I felt tears welling up.

“Sir, are you alright?”

“Yes! What do you think, Hyeji-ssi?”

“It’s absolutely perfect!”

Ahn Hyeji said with a smile as bright as blooming flowers.

“Really? Even from a professional composer’s point of view?”

“Yes! I love it! It’s way better than I expected!”

“Haa…”

My heart swelled; I clenched my fist as my voice trailed off.

I was happy.

It was unbelievable that our Eunbyeol’s simple hummed tune had become such a magnificent piece.

“Eunbyeol-ah, how was it?”

Ahn Hyeji asked Eunbyeol this time.

Eunbyeol, sitting beside me, answered with a radiant face.

“It’s super-duper good!”

“Really?”

“Yep! It came out exactly how Eunbyeol imagined!”

“Oh, really?”

“Yesss! The lyrics are super nice, and the guide vocalist unnie sang it super well! It’s the best!”

Eunbyeol stuck up both thumbs enthusiastically.

Ahn Hyeji and even the guide vocalist smiled warmly at that.

Afterward, Ahn Hyeji pointed out the good parts, the parts that needed work, and areas for improvement.

Eunbyeol and I nodded as we listened, and the guide recording continued.

This song is really going to be released into the world.

Watching Ahn Hyeji’s back as she worked on the composition program, my heart raced again.

What would happen if this song <Lovebug> was released to the world?

How would the public receive this song that sounded like a choir of angels to me?

We’ll find out soon enough.

It wouldn’t be long before I knew.

Myth Guild headquarters.

The very top floor.

In the spacious guild master’s office, two people were talking.

One was Guild Master Shin Daeho.

The other was the deputy guild master.

“Guild Master, the ‘Night of Transcendents’ event is just around the corner.”

The deputy guild master said.

The Night of Transcendents.

The grand banquet of Korea’s major guild masters was only days away.

“Hmm, it’s already that time.”

“Yes.”

“Time really does fly like an arrow. I can never keep up.”

“Isn’t that true for all humans?”

“Well, yes.”

Shin Daeho, with his tiger-like presence, chuckled.

The deputy guild master continued.

“So, which guild member are you planning to bring to this Night of Transcendents?”

The main characters of the Night of Transcendents were the major guild masters.

But they each brought one guild member as an attendant and bodyguard.

Of course, it wasn’t just anyone.

The Night of Transcendents wasn’t merely a peaceful banquet; it was a place to subtly show off each guild’s power.

Thus, it was customary to bring only the very best guild member.

Look, we have someone like this in our guild.

The deputy added,

“Wouldn’t a Diamond raid team member be the best choice?”

“If we’re going by current strength, yes.”

“Exactly. If you attend with a Diamond raid team member, you will undoubtedly be the star of the Night of Transcendents.”

The deputy guild master smiled.

Shin Daeho was already the centerpiece of the event.

Imagining him shining even brighter with a powerful Diamond raid team member made the deputy feel good.

“That would be true. But this time, I intend to bring someone other than a Diamond raid team member.”

“Pardon?”

The deputy’s smile froze.

“I said I will bring someone other than a Diamond raid team member.”

“Not Diamond? Then… a Gold raid team member?”

“No.”

“Pardon? Then…”

The deputy trailed off.

Shin Daeho told him,

“I plan to bring Seo Juwon Hunter from the Silver raid team.”

“…!”

Cracks appeared on the deputy guild master’s face.

Seo Juwon.

Wasn’t he literally the lowest-ranked member of the Silver raid team?

“G-Guild Master. Did you just say Seo Juwon Hunter?”

“Yes. That’s what I said.”

“Are you serious? You’re going to bring Seo Juwon Hunter instead of our excellent Diamond raid team members?”

“That’s my intention. Is there a problem?”

Shin Daeho spoke calmly, as always.

“Of course there’s a problem! Seo Juwon Hunter? Why bring a Silver raid team hunter when we have the elite of Myth Guild?”

The deputy guild master said with a shocked face.

In truth, it wasn’t just the deputy’s opinion.

Any Myth Guild member would think the same.

Yet Shin Daeho seemed to see things differently.

“Of course, if we only consider current combat strength, bringing a Diamond raid team member would be correct. But I’m looking at the future.”

“The future?”

“Yes. I judged based on Seo Juwon Hunter’s potential.”

“Guild Master… are you telling me that Seo Juwon will someday surpass the Diamond raid team members…?”

“You heard correctly.”

“…!”

The deputy was stunned once again by Shin Daeho’s concise answer.

“G-Guild Master, are you joking with me right now…?”

“Joking? You know better than anyone that I’m not the type to joke about such things.”

“That’s true… which is why it’s even harder to believe. I acknowledge that Seo Juwon Hunter has shown remarkable results, but surpassing Diamond raid team members? No matter how favorably you view him, that’s a bit…”

The deputy reacted as if it were absurd.

Of course, even the deputy thought well of Seo Juwon.

From his rookie days, he had performed well in gates, and recently he had even received the Brave Citizen Award, raising Myth Guild’s prestige.

There had even been a report that he had nearly solo-cleared a Fortress Golem gate.

Still, Diamond raid team? Even Gold would be a pipe dream.

Nevertheless, the deputy clearly saw Seo Juwon’s limits.

Seo Juwon.

His future was probably up to the Silver raid team.

With luck, he might reach team leader, but Gold raid team was out of the question.

Getting into the Gold raid team was extremely difficult.

Diamond?

That was outright impossible.

Even a thousand years of training wouldn’t get him there.

So why?

Why on earth did the guild master believe Seo Juwon would not only reach Diamond but surpass them?

The deputy guild master simply couldn’t understand.

“Of course you can’t understand yet. But you will realize it later—that Seo Juwon Hunter is the caliber to reach Diamond raid team.”

The deputy, still unable to agree, fell silent.

Shin Daeho spoke to the deputy who kept his mouth firmly shut.

“Anyway, I will attend this Night of Transcendents with Seo Juwon Hunter, so please make the arrangements.”

“P-Pardon? Ah, yes. Understood, Guild Master…!”

Lost in thought, the deputy bowed with a dazed expression.

He still couldn’t agree.

But he couldn’t disobey an order from Shin Daeho, who was practically a king.

The deputy decided to proceed as instructed.

Seo Juwon, who had only just shed his rookie status.

He would be the companion at the Night of Transcendents.

The Nova team office I belonged to.

A bizarre scene was unfolding here.

“Oh my, Brother Seo Juwon! Is there anything you’d like to eat?”

“Lord Juwon, fresh strawberries are in season—here you are!”

“God Juwon, any discomfort? Shall this lowly one give you a massage?”

“Brother Juwon, any errands? Shall I run to the convenience store and fetch something tasty?”

The content of the spectacle was simple.

The seniors who were far above me in the hierarchy.

They were treating me like some kind of lord.

“Sigh… Seniors, can you please stop now?”

Even with the lavish treatment, I clicked my tongue and spoke.

“Oh no, Brother Juwon! Are you uncomfortable?”

“Yes, really. It is uncomfortable, so please stop. Just call me Juwon like before.”

“Kekeke, why? It’s nice getting pampered.”

Only then did the senior members stop joking, sit around me, and grin.

“What’s nice about it? What did I even do to deserve this treatment?”

“What did you do? You soloed the Fortress Golem.”

“I didn’t solo it. We all did it together.”

“Come on, you dealt almost all the damage. And that’s not a role just anyone can do.”

I could no longer be humble.

Because they were right.

If it hadn’t been for me, the team would have had to fight for over half a day just to get out of the gate.

Ring-ring-ring!

That was when it happened.

Just as the seniors were about to start another round of teasing, the office intercom rang.

Team Leader Cha Jihye immediately picked up the receiver.

Her calm expression gradually turned grave.

What is it? Another gate raid?

Even her eyes were trembling.

Watching her, I instinctively sensed that a dangerous gate had opened.

“Hmm, yes. Right. Orders are orders. Yes, understood. I’ll pass it on.”

Cha Jihye said that and hung up.

The team members asked her,

“Team leader, gate raid?”

“Sigh, your face looks serious again.”

“We’re screwed. Something tougher than Silver Golems?”

“Damn it. I thought we’d get to rest today.”

The seniors groaned and began gathering their gear.

But Cha Jihye shook her head and said to us,

“It’s not a gate raid.”

“It’s not?”

“No… it’s that our Nova team’s Seo Juwon Hunter…”

Cha Jihye looked at me and continued,

“Has been selected as the companion for the Night of Transcendents event.”

“…Pardon?!”

The seniors looked as if they’d seen a ghost.

Seeing their unusual expressions, I instantly knew.

Something huge had just happened again.