Chapter 35: Two Songs

The senior team members, frozen like ice statues, finally turned to me and spoke.

“Holy crap, Seo Juwon.”

“Juwon oppa, this is insane.”

“The Night of Transcendents… how the hell…”

“Juwon-ah, do you have some crazy connections? How is your life going so smoothly?”

“This is nuts. A Silver raid team member as a companion to the Night of Transcendents? Isn’t this the first time in Myth Guild history?”

“You’re right, it’s the first. Damn, Seo Juwon, you’ve grabbed a golden rope… no, a diamond rope…?”

The seniors were freaking out.

But I had no idea why they were so shocked.

The reason was simple: I didn’t even know what the “Night of Transcendents” was.

“Um, Team Leader… what exactly is the Night of Transcendents? Why am I going as a companion?”

So I asked Cha Jihye.

What the heck was this thing that was causing such a commotion?

“Ah, Seo Juwon Hunter has only been awakened for a short time, so you might not know. Well, the Night of Transcendents is…”

Cha Jihye kindly explained it to me, who still knew very little about the hunter world.

Her explanation went like this.

The Night of Transcendents.

It was a kind of banquet.

Of course, not just any party.

It was an event where the guild masters of Korea’s major guilds gathered—a place to show off and check each other’s power.

Think of it like a summit of world leaders, but for guilds.

And there was one important detail about the guild members.

The main characters were the guild masters, but it was tradition for each to bring one guild member.

That, too, was part of displaying guild power. Naturally, the better the guild member you brought, the higher your guild’s prestige rose.

“I-I’m going there…?”

I pointed at myself and asked again, even though I’d heard clearly—I just couldn’t believe it.

“Yes. For this Night of Transcendents, Seo Juwon Hunter will accompany the Guild Master…”

“B-But why? Why me? Myth Guild is full of hunters way better than me.”

Of course I was happy to go.

Even without knowing much, just hearing about it made it clear how prestigious it was.

That’s exactly why I couldn’t understand it even more.

Why the hell was I chosen?

Not a Diamond raid team member, not even Gold, not even another Silver—just me.

It made no sense.

“Well… I don’t know either.”

“Even the Team Leader doesn’t know?”

“Right. Probably no one knows except the Guild Master himself—he chose you personally.”

“…”

I shut my mouth at Cha Jihye’s words.

Yeah.

No one would know the reason.

Even if I were the guild master, I would’ve taken a Diamond member.

“Anyway, congratulations, Seo Juwon Hunter. Going as a companion to the Night of Transcendents… I’m honestly jealous.”

“T-Thank you, Team Leader.”

“Yes. I don’t know why you were chosen, but do well. This is absolutely not an opportunity that comes easily.”

I nodded in a daze.

To think that I, out of everyone in the guild, was chosen as the sole companion.

And not for some small or mid-tier guild, but for Korea’s number-one guild.

What in the world is going on…

I was dumbfounded by this unexpected stroke of fortune.

Nam Seungha, Korea’s top composer.

He was sitting in his recording studio, staring at his computer.

A desktop so clean it was almost refreshing.

On it were two audio files.

“The demo files are finally here.”

Nam Seungha smiled with satisfaction.

Those two files were the songs composed by Kwak Dae-su and Seo Eunbyeol.

Though not yet sung by the girl group Daisy, they were sung by guide vocalists and already quite polished.

“Let’s give them a listen.”

Nam Seungha decided to listen to the songs that would become double title tracks.

Now, which one first?

After a moment of thought, he chose Kwak Dae-su’s file first.

Click.

He clicked the file Kwak Dae-su sent, and the accompaniment immediately started.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

A fast-tempo dance track.

From the very first beat, his shoulders started moving.

It was a refreshing dance song that made him imagine a bright summer ocean.

“The title is 〈Ultra Marine〉.”

The song Kwak Dae-su made.

Its title was <Ultra Marine>.

Just like the name, it evoked a vivid, dazzling blue.

Nam Seungha bobbed his head to the exciting beat as he listened.

About three minutes later, the song ended.

“Kwak Dae-su really sharpened his blade for this one.”

A smile formed on Nam Seungha’s lips after hearing the whole thing.

Kwak Dae-su’s <Ultra Marine>.

It was genuinely excellent.

So good that he’d want to give it to Daphne’s flagship girl group, not a rookie one.

“This is the best song Dae-su has ever made. Looks like the guy is dead-set on winning this showdown.”

Nam Seungha didn’t particularly like the prickly Kwak Dae-su, but he acknowledged his skill.

And even among that skilled Kwak Dae-su’s works, this felt like the pinnacle.

He must have racked his brain for days because of the chart battle.

“Good. Outstanding.”

Nam Seungha nodded.

Regardless of the competition, it was a truly complete song.

Proof of why Kwak Dae-su was the second-in-command of Daphne’s A&R team.

“Now, let’s hear Miss Eunbyeol’s song.”

Satisfied with Kwak Dae-su’s track, Nam Seungha looked at the next file.

“Hmm, 〈Lovebug〉.”

The title of the song made by Seo Eunbyeol was <Lovebug>.

It was… how to put it.

An adorably round and cute title.

“I heard it’s Miss Eunbyeol’s nickname.”

The composer Ahn Hyeji who sent the file had added that “Lovebug” was Seo Eunbyeol’s nickname.

An affectionate term meaning “lovable little cutie” that her father, Seo Juwon, often used.

“Quite a unique title. It rolls off the tongue nicely. I hope the song lives up to it.”

Murmuring the round title, Nam Seungha clicked the file with a pounding heart.

-A♪♪.

The accompaniment began flowing immediately.

Closing his eyes gently, Nam Seungha listened.

—On this path we walk together  

—Only happy smiles fill the way.

The lyrics soon followed.

And the moment he heard them, Nam Seungha felt something extraordinary.

How should he describe it?

From the very first phrase, it felt as if a pink spring breeze was softly blowing.

—Everything about me reflected in your eyes  

—Is nothing but love.

With his eyes closed, an image of a couple appeared in Nam Seungha’s mind.

A fresh young couple who had just gone from “some” to official.

The two quietly walking down a path covered in falling cherry blossoms.

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

—The flowers will all sing.

The melody continued, and the shy couple’s walk continued.

It felt like watching a beautiful romance film—Nam Seungha’s mind grew hazy.

—Forever by your side  

—Our love’s flower will bloom.

The couple walking under the cherry blossoms looked at each other and slowly embraced.

Warm body heat passed through soft cardigans, and the melody slowly climbed toward its climax.

It felt as though he could hear the racing heartbeats of the couple in his imagination.

In that immersion, Nam Seungha felt something mystical, and the rising melody finally reached its peak.

—You’re my lovebug  

—You’re my lovebug  

—You’re my lovebug  

—You’re my lovebug

The song’s title, <Lovebug>.

As the phrase repeated, chills ran through Nam Seungha’s entire body.

Every cell in his body tingled.

With that sensation, the interlude played.

Then the second verse and chorus returned.

Finally, the bridge, the last chorus, and the outro.

Having heard the entire song, Nam Seungha slowly opened his eyes.

“Huh…”

His mouth hung half open.

He couldn’t believe it.

How could a song like this exist?

How on earth had such an incredible piece been created?

Not in America—but in Korea.

And not by a seasoned composer, but by a mere five-year-old child.

Nam Seungha simply could not comprehend it.

“Miss Eunbyeol has done it again. No—this is beyond a hit. This is a mega-hit…”

Seo Eunbyeol’s <Lovebug>.

After hearing it, Nam Seungha was in awe of her insane talent.

Even setting aside nationality and age, it was an extraordinary song.

Even he, Nam Seungha, raised both hands and feet in surrender before this absurd composing ability.

“I wonder what the public will think of these two songs…”

Nam Seungha looked at the two audio files on his desktop and pondered.

Kwak Dae-su’s <Ultra Marine>.

Seo Eunbyeol’s <Lovebug>.

Between these two outstanding songs, which would win the chart battle?

Nam Seungha was immensely curious about the outcome.

“Wooow! It’s a department store! It’s huuuge!”

The moment we entered the department store, Eunbyeol let out a cheer.

She seemed amazed by the vast, luxurious space that felt like a soccer field.

“Eunbyeol-ah, do you like it?”

“Yeah! I love it! Daddy, what are we buying today?”

“Well, first we’re getting clothes for Daddy, but we’re also buying some for Eunbyeol.”

“Really?! Wooow! I’m so excited! Clothes! Pretty clothes! Pretty clothes!”

Eunbyeol jumped up and down in joy.

Where on earth did she learn the word “pretty clothes”?

I chuckled.

I’m going to the Night of Transcendents, so I should at least get a suit.

The reason I came to buy clothes today was simple.

Since I was attending the Night of Transcendents, I figured I should at least get a proper suit.

I couldn’t show up to a gathering of Korea’s top guild masters in a hoodie.

“Eunbyeol-ah, shall we go?”

“Yeah! Let’s gooo!”

Holding hands, Eunbyeol and I rode the escalator.

Normally I’d just buy cheap clothes at a supermarket, but today I came to a proper department store.

My salary had increased quite a bit, after all.

With an annual income of 5 billion won, even a department store wouldn’t kick me out.

So I shopped at various stores and had a great time.

Shopping with Eunbyeol was genuinely fun.

I bought her “pretty clothes,” and I got a custom suit for 3 million won.

Having prepared even expensive clothes, I received a message through Team Leader Cha Jihye.

Before the Night of Transcendents, Guild Master Shin Daeho wanted to see me—he had summoned me.

Amid the envious gazes of my seniors, I left the office.

I took the elevator to the very top floor, a place I had never been before.

The dizzyingly high top floor.

Getting off there, I walked down a wide hallway and cautiously told the secretaries I had arrived.

The secretary contacted the guild master’s office and then guided me inside.

Click.

With the secretary’s polite guidance, I stepped through the heavy door.

The moment I came face-to-face with Korea’s rank 1 hunter, Myth Guild Master Shin Daeho.