Chapter 48: Myth Festival Begins

Seo Juwon.

All the executives widened their eyes at the suggestion to promote him to the gold attack squad.

“Huh? Guild Master. Are you serious?”

“Gold attack squad? Guild Master, even so, that’s…….”

“Guild Master, I think that’s a bit too soon.”

“That’s right. Hunter Seo Juwon hasn’t been in the silver attack squad for long. And already to the gold attack squad…….”

All the attack squad leaders opposed Shin Daeho’s opinion.

They knew Seo Juwon was strong.

They knew he had helped Myth Guild in many ways.

But the gold attack squad.

That was too fast.

“Guild Master, I also think it’s too soon…….”

The vice guild master, sitting closest to Shin Daeho, cautiously voiced his opinion.

“What’s too soon, Vice Guild Master.”

“I agree with the attack squad leaders. Hunter Seo Juwon hasn’t been in the silver attack squad for long. And already to the gold attack squad.”

“What does time matter for promotion? Isn’t our Myth Guild based on merit? Even if someone joined the guild today, if they have the skill, they can rise to the diamond attack squad. Isn’t that Myth Guild?”

“W-well, that’s true. But the guild has procedures.”

“So those procedures ultimately come down to skill. And what does Hunter Seo Juwon lack in terms of skill? If he can sweep away ten manticores alone, doesn’t that qualify him enough for the gold attack squad?”

At Shin Daeho’s words, all the attack squad leaders, including the vice guild master, just pursed their lips.

It was because they couldn’t refute Shin Daeho’s words.

In fact, the manticore gate was difficult enough that it wouldn’t be strange to assign it to the gold attack squad.

“Hm, Guild Master. Budget issues play a part too.”

“Budget?”

“Yes. As you know, the base salary for the gold attack squad starts at 50 billion. That’s why promotion to the gold attack squad is always handled with caution.”

“Hah, is our Myth Guild, ranked first in Korea, having trouble paying a mere 50 billion?”

“It’s not that; I’m saying we need to be cautious because it’s not a small amount.”

“Of course, I agree with the vice guild master. But what brings joy to our Myth Guild members? Isn’t it promotion and salary? If we don’t promote someone who has achieved as much as Hunter Seo Juwon because of budget, then who in the guild would risk their life to climb higher?”

At Shin Daeho’s words, everyone closed their mouths again.

They still thought Seo Juwon’s promotion was premature, but Shin Daeho’s words weren’t wrong.

Even so, the vice guild master didn’t back down.

“I understand the budget issue. But we can’t ignore the possibility that other guild members might feel alienated.”

“Alienated?”

“Yes. Due to the red gate incident, not only did he join the guild, but he was even taken to the Night of the Superhumans event, and now promotion to the gold attack squad. Other guild members might suspect favoritism.”

“Suspect favoritism…….”

Shin Daeho stroked his chin.

He hadn’t given Seo Juwon any special treatment so far.

Seo Juwon had just done admirable things.

Even so, he couldn’t rule out the possibility that Myth Guild members might feel alienated.

They didn’t know all the circumstances.

“I see. Then let’s do this.”

“How so?”

“Let’s devise a way for the other Myth Guild members to accept the gold attack squad promotion.”

“That way being…….”

Under the gazes of the vice guild master and all the attack squad leaders, Shin Daeho said.

“We’ll hold the Myth Festival.”

The Myth Festival.

It was a martial tournament held for specific attack squads.

“The Myth Festival?”

“Yes. We’ll hold the Myth Festival for the silver attack squad. The prize will be promotion to the gold attack squad. What do you think? Isn’t this fair enough?”

“Hmm, I see. Certainly, with a method like that, we can prevent backlash from other Myth Guild members.”

The vice guild master nodded.

The attack squad leaders also nodded as if agreeing.

Seeing their reactions, Shin Daeho said.

“Good. Since you all agree, let’s hold the Myth Festival for the silver attack squad. The prizes will be promotion to the gold attack squad, one piece of epic gear, and a 10 billion won cash prize.”

At Shin Daeho’s words, all the executives bowed their heads as if to say they understood.

Thus, the Myth Festival was held, with promotion to the gold attack squad as the winning prize.

***

Daphne Entertainment.

In the largest recording studio there, Nam Seungha sat in front of the computer.

“Hmm…….”

As the chief composer, Nam Seungha always kept track of the status of Daphne Enter’s affiliated singers.

Now, too, he was checking articles from various media outlets and internet comments.

It was because understanding how the charms of Daphne Enter’s artists appealed could be reflected in making music.

Click.

After gauging public opinion for a while, Nam Seungha entered the Melon site.

It was to check the music chart rankings.

As he checked the TOP 100 chart on the Melon site.

“……Huh?”

Nam Seungha let out a strange sound.

Nam Seungha, with an expression as if doubting his eyes.

He leaned his head closer to the monitor and checked the chart again.

“The ranking of <Sweetie> has risen a lot?”

The reason Nam Seungha was surprised was simple.

Because the ranking of <Sweetie>, one of the title tracks from girl group Daisy’s album, had risen a lot.

From 27th to a whopping 19th.

Of course, <Ultra Marine> had also risen one spot to 11th, but <Sweetie>’s rise was much larger.

“What’s going on?”

Nam Seungha blinked.

What could it be.

What on earth happened for the underperforming <Sweetie> to grow so much.

Even though it was such a joyful and welcome thing, Nam Seungha tilted his head.

Because he didn’t know the reason.

“Let’s see…….”

Nam Seungha clicked on <Sweetie> and entered the comment section.

It was because he could find out what the listeners thought by going there.

ᄂWow, what is this song? It’s totally my taste.

ᄂLol, this song is so good. What is it?

ᄂThe composer is Seo Eunbyeol? Who is this person that makes melodies so well?

ᄂWhoa, I seriously found my life song. It’s so good lol

ᄂOh, found a song to listen to when going flower viewing with my crush haha

L↑ So you have a boyfriend? ^^

└Seriously. Came from YouTube, but the song is so good. It’s seriously my life song. Thank you, composer Seo Eunbyeol.

I like this more than <Ultra Marine>? What is this?

ᄂ222 Yeah, this song is better, but why is the ranking lower?

L333 The Melon chart is crap these days anyway. Because of those streaming farms tsk tsk

└Everyone, close your eyes and listen. You can really feel the pink spring breeze gently blowing.

ᄂThis is totally No. 1 material? The song is so good;;;

└Lol, seriously shockingly good. What is this song? Feels like my ears are opening up.

ᄂOh, agreed lol Feels like my ears are clearing up. The melody is killer for real.

ᄂClicked the heart right away. So good.

ᄂReally sorry to say, but the song is too good to go to a rookie girl group lol

ᄂ222 Yeah lol If this went to a top-tier girl idol, it’d be No. 1 for sure lololol

L333 Totally agree. As a girl idol stan, this is definite No. 1 material. How did Daphne give such a masterpiece to a rookie girl group?

└Came from YouTube! The song is really the best!

It’s up to 19th! Let’s go all the way to No. 1!!!!

“Huh…….”

Nam Seungha just blinked at the overwhelmingly positive comment reactions.

Comments had been posted at launch, but not this heated.

But what happened.

What on earth occurred for the ranking to skyrocket like this, and for the listeners’ reactions to be this good.

“Did a video go up on YouTube?”

While looking at the comments, Nam Seungha gazed at the ones mentioning YouTube.

He didn’t know what video, but it seemed a video recommending <Sweetie> had been uploaded on YouTube.

“Well, whatever it is, it’s good news.”

Looking back at the Melon chart, Nam Seungha smiled contentedly.

<Sweetie>, which he thought was underrated.

For it to skyrocket for whatever reason made Nam Seungha feel good.

“I guess it’s not over till it’s over.”

Nam Seungha felt excitement looking at <Sweetie> ranked at 19th.

<Sweetie> and <Ultra Marine>.

He was so curious which of the two would claim victory.

“Ah! Seoul! Dad, Eunbyeol got Seoul!”

Eunbyeol exclaimed brightly.

It was because she had landed on the most valuable land in the Blue Marble game, ‘Seoul.’

“Wow, I’m jealous. Eunbyeol owns Seoul now?”

“Yeah yeah! Here! 1 million is here!”

Eunbyeol paid 1 million won in paper bills to the bank and built a hotel on Seoul.

“Okay, now it’s Dad’s turn to roll?”

“Yeah yeah! Land on Seoul! Seoul!”

“Hahaha, no way I’ll land on it.”

“Seoul! Seoul! Seoul!”

Eunbyeol kept shouting, and I smiled contentedly as I threw the dice.

The dice showed 5.

And so I moved five spaces.

“Wooow! Seoul! Dad landed on Seoulllll!”

“Gasp, how did this happen?”

Unfortunately, I landed on Seoul.

“Wahaha! Dad, give me 2 million! You have to pay Eunbyeol 2 million in toll!”

“Argh, Eunbyeol. Can’t you let Dad off just this once?”

“No way?”

“Ah, Eunbyeol, that’s mean.”

I pretended to cry as I handed over paper bills worth 2 million won.

“Wooow! Eunbyeol is rich! Earned 2 million and became rich!”

Eunbyeol stood up holding the 2 million won paper bills in both hands and did a jellyfish dance(?).

She seemed overjoyed to receive a huge toll right after buying Seoul.

‘Haha, good that she’s happy.’

I smiled contentedly watching Eunbyeol’s bouncy dance.

After losing the music competition with Kwak Daesu, I had been playing nonstop with Eunbyeol.

Making delicious food every day, playing Blue Marble like now, and going out so much there was no time to stay home, keeping Eunbyeol entertained.

I had been playing even more actively to help her forget the pain of defeat.

After playing Blue Marble and feeding Eunbyeol the cake I had bought in advance.

I leaned back on the sofa and picked up my phone.

It was to check the Melon chart while Eunbyeol yummed on the cake.

‘Well, probably no change.’

Of course, I had no expectations.

I had checked the Melon chart sporadically before, but it had fluctuated around the existing 27th place.

It had risen one spot sometimes, fallen one spot other times.

So I had no particular expectations.

Just checking mechanically.

When I checked the TOP 100 chart.

“Huh?”

I was surprised.

The reason was simple.

Because <Sweetie>’s ranking had risen sharply to 19th.

“Hm? Dad, why?”

Eunbyeol asked with cream all over both sides of her mouth.

“Huh? Ah, Eunbyeol. <Sweetie>’s ranking rose a lot?”

“Really?! How much? How much did it rise?”

“It’s 19th now. From 27 to 19.”

“Wooow! Awesome! Dad! You’re the best! Totally the best!”

Eunbyeol jumped up, came over, and hugged me tightly.

The rise in music ranking seemed to be a great joy for Eunbyeol too.

I thought she didn’t care at all.

“Dad! What happened? Why did the ranking rise?”

“I don’t know? Dad doesn’t know either.”

“Hehe, anyway, awesome! The ranking rose!”

“Yeah. It did. What’s up with this?”

My lips curled up involuntarily at the sharp rise in ranking.

“Dad! What about Uncle Kwak Daesu?”

“Hm, 11th. <Ultra Marine> rose one spot too.”

“I see! Then if we try a little harder, we can catch up! Right?”

“Well, if this trend continues, yeah?”

“Hehe, rise up! Music ranking, rise a lot! Go up up!”

Eunbyeol clasped her small hands together and prayed.

Smiling contentedly at Eunbyeol, I looked back at the Melon chart.

‘8 spots difference…….’

11th VS 19th.

Looking at that, I felt an inexplicable anticipation.

Because with this gap, it was worth a try.