He raised his sword high once again and shouted with a booming voice.
“Our victory! Golems, annihilate all the enemies!”
Sang-woong’s shout spurred the golems to attack the ogres even more fiercely.
As if his victorious roar had acted like a detonator, the golems swiftly slaughtered the fallen ogres.
With the powerful existence of the Heavy Ogres gone, the ogres’ morale began to collapse rapidly.
Losing all will to resist, the ogres fell helplessly one after another.
Before the combined assault of Sang-woong, Leon, and the steadfast golems, those creatures were nothing but powerless beings.
As the tide of victory completely tilted, some ogres, terrified, tried to flee.
But escape was impossible.
Aria wove Binding Grass to create restraints.
Though she used up most of her mana to create the ice field, she still had enough strength left to cast this simple magic.
The ogres stumbled and fell as their feet got caught in the grass, and the golems swung their weapons without hesitation.
Before long, silence fell over the battlefield, replacing the ogres’ screams.
Catching his breath, Sang-woong looked around.
Beneath his feet lay countless ogre corpses, and red blood soaked the ground.
But his eyes shone not only with the scent of victory but also with a firm resolve against the greater threat looming ahead.
The real battle hadn’t even begun yet.
He didn’t know when it would happen, but the Red Moon would surely rise.
And when it did, no one could know what kind of powerful enemies would come through the Gate.
Gripping his sword tightly, he prepared for the new fight ahead.
***
Back in Seoul, Park Hae Jin and Lee Hye-won immediately threw themselves into the final preparations for Yoon Hana’s YouTube channel appearance.
For Hye Won, it was her first step back in front of the public after being labeled as powerless, and for Park Hae Jin, it was a crucial opportunity to showcase Starlight Entertainment’s potential.
Before this new beginning that would erase yesterday’s despair, both of their hearts were filled with anticipation and tension.
A few days later, the filming finally wrapped up.
The moment Lee Hye-won came out after finishing the shoot for Yoon Hana’s YouTube channel, her eyes flickered with a mixture of anxiety and expectation.
With trembling hands, she brushed her hair behind her ear and approached Park Hae Jin.
“Boss, how… was it?”
A slight tremor seeped into her voice.
Park Hae Jin smiled brightly and gave two thumbs up.
“It was amazing! The lines were perfect, and hearing that song live was…”
He placed a hand on his chest and closed his eyes.
“It really made me happy. Your voice shook the entire studio.”
At Park Hae Jin’s heartfelt praise, Hye Won’s nervousness melted instantly, and a sigh of relief escaped her lips.
“Really? I thought my heart was going to explode. I’m so glad.”
“I knew you’d do well.”
Park Hae Jin gently patted her shoulder.
“Your talent hasn’t gone anywhere. You just have to wait for the world to discover you.”
“Thank you, boss.”
Hye Won’s face brightened like the sunlight on a spring day.
A smile spread across her entire face.
Just then, Yoon Hana, tidying up the set, approached with light footsteps.
“Hae Jin! You did great today.”
Yoon Hana’s voice rang cheerfully.
Park Hae Jin quickly ran over and bowed deeply at the waist.
“Thank you, senior! It’s all thanks to you.”
Yoon Hana waved her hand, cutting off his words.
“No, I’m the one who should be thankful.”
Her eyes shone with sincerity.
“Today’s broadcast is going to be a huge hit. If my prediction is right, the views will explode. Hearing the song live, it went straight through the studio speakers right into my heart.”
Park Hae Jin doubted his own ears.
For Yoon Hana—the renowned diva—to praise Lee Hye-won’s singing so highly!
His chest tightened with emotion as he stammered.
“Th-that’s all thanks to you, sen-senior. You created such a comfortable atmosphere… it let Hye Won shine even brighter than usual.”
Yoon Hana laughed and shook her head.
“What can I say? She’s naturally talented. Watching her up close was even more impressive. Listening to her sing made me feel so good. Songs like that just have to be loved by the public.”
“I think so too!”
Confidence rang in Park Hae Jin’s voice.
At Yoon Hana and Park Hae Jin’s praise, Hye Won’s cheeks flushed like blooming roses.
“Thank you for the compliments, senior, boss.”
Though barely audible, her voice carried a sparkle in her eyes like stars.
Yoon Hana patted Hye Won’s shoulder as if she were an old friend.
“This isn’t just praise—it’s the truth. I’ve been under so much stress lately, but your song was the first real healing I’ve had. Next time, bring me another great song.”
“Yes, senior! I’ll work hard!”
Hye Won’s voice grew even brighter with emotion.
Suddenly, Yoon Hana’s eyes lit up.
She snapped her fingers and exclaimed.
“Aha! I just got a great idea thanks to Hye Won! Why don’t we debut new songs like Hye Won’s on our channel?”
“Oh, that’s a great idea! You’re amazing, senior!”
Park Hae Jin nodded, his eyes shining.
“Since Hae Jin likes it, it’s already a sure hit.”
Yoon Hana checked her wristwatch.
“Oh, I have another appointment. Hae Jin, see you next time!”
“Yes, senior! Thank you so much for today!”
Park Hae Jin bowed deeply.
Before leaving, Yoon Hana gave Hye Won a warm smile.
“Hye Won, you really impressed me today. I’m excited to see how much more you’ll impress us in the future.”
“Thank you, senior!”
Hye Won smiled brightly as if she were a child receiving a gift.
After Yoon Hana left the studio, Park Hae Jin looked back at Hye Won with a troubled expression.
“Wow, wow! This is a huge hit! You could tell by senior’s reaction.”
He clenched his fists tightly and shouted.
Still stunned, Hye Won stood there blankly.
“Boss… it feels like a dream.”
Her voice was filled with gratitude and hope.
After everything seemed to have fallen apart because of the incident at the former agency, something miraculous had happened!
“From now on, I have to work even harder.”
A firm determination shone in her eyes.
A week later, the video of Yoon Hana’s YouTube featuring Lee Hye-won was released.
The response was explosive.
The comments flooded with praise, and the views soared at an incredible speed.
Leaning back in his office chair, Park Hae Jin stared wide-eyed at the laptop screen.
Seeing the views rise in real time, tears of emotion welled up in his eyes.
“It’s done… all that’s left now is to keep skyrocketing forward.”
His voice trembled with emotion.
After that, Park Hae Jin moved like a relentless machine.
He decided it was time to use this explosive popularity as a stepping stone to boost Lee Hye-won’s public recognition.
Visiting every broadcast station and meeting various producers and writers, he never let go of the memory card containing Lee Hye-won’s new song.
“Oh, Manager Park! Long time no see.”
Song Yujun greeted him with a warm smile.
“Yes, Mr. Song! You look well.”
Park Hae Jin responded with the most sincere smile.
Song Yujun was a close friend with whom Park Hae Jin often shared meals, and he hosted the flagship radio program “Enjoy Music at Noon.”
Park Hae Jin was confident Lee Hye-won’s new song would perfectly match the program’s atmosphere.
“Here. This is Lee Hye-won’s new song.”
Carefully, as if presenting a treasure, Park Hae Jin handed over the memory card.
“This song fits perfectly with your program. You’ll see when you listen to it.”
Song Yujun raised his eyebrows with interest and took the memory card.
“I saw it on YouTube too. The song is really good.”
He nodded in approval.
Park Hae Jin’s chest tightened with emotion.
“Thank you, Mr. Song.”
“The music video idea for your YouTube channel was great too. The video quality was excellent.”
Song Yujun continued his sincere praise.
“If you talk about the backstory, the listeners will be very interested.”
Sensing an opportunity, Park Hae Jin leaned forward eagerly.
“There are lots of interesting episodes! From behind-the-scenes on recording day to the secret stories of the song’s creation… Just give us a chance to talk, and we’ll share stories that will captivate the listeners’ ears!”
Song Yujun smiled admiringly at Park Hae Jin’s passion.
“Alright. I’ll check the schedule soon. I’ll contact you as soon as possible.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Song!”
Park Hae Jin’s eyes sparkled as if he had discovered a treasure.
Walking out of the office, his steps felt light as if walking on clouds.
Having gained positive responses from a few places like Song Yujun’s, he was confident success was just ahead.
But fate often throws cruel jabs at the very moment hope swells the most.
Unbelievably, no broadcasting station contacted him to invite Lee Hye-won to appear.
At first, he comforted himself by saying, “The calls will come soon,” but as time passed, deep furrows formed on Park Hae Jin’s brow.
“What on earth… is going on?”
He muttered alone in the office.
The setting sun beyond the window cast red shadows over his face.
Several producers had given lukewarm replies.
From their eyes and tone, he could read their true feelings.
Yet, not a single one had actually contacted him, signaling something serious was going on.
Finally, mustering courage, he called Song Yujun, his closest ally.
His heart pounded nervously as the phone rang.
“Hello, Mr. Song. This is Park Hae Jin.”
“Ah, Hae Jin…”
There was a subtle discomfort in Song Yujun’s voice.
It sounded as if he was trying to hide an uncomfortable truth.
At that moment, a chill ran down Park Hae Jin’s spine.
“Mr. Song, I’m calling about Lee Hye-won’s appearance, not anyone else.”
His voice sank heavily.
A long, deep sigh came through the phone.
“Ha~ Well, about that…”
Song Yujun’s voice wavered.
“Hae Jin, to be honest, it’s a bit difficult. The schedule is full right now, and it seems like there won’t be any openings for a while.”
There was something in his words that didn’t quite feel truthful.
Park Hae Jin sensed it instinctively but didn’t want to make things awkward for Song Yujun, so he didn’t press further.
“I understand, Mr. Song. Please contact me as soon as a spot opens up.”
He tried to respond as calmly as possible.
“Yeah, I’m really sorry. Take care.”
He called a few more places, but the result was the same.
Awkward silence, evasive voices, and obviously lame excuses.
Standing by the office window, Park Hae Jin gazed at the darkening cityscape.
Within his heart, doubt and anxiety churned like raging waves.
“This is strange… I was sure at least three places had confirmed.”
No matter how much he thought about it, it just didn’t make sense.
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