Devil’s Music

The screen slowly moved from left to right, illuminating a dazzlingly beautiful body of a white guitar—from the head down the neck. As its nickname suggested, the "Most Beautiful Guitar in the World," the stunning upper part of the White Falcon, was highlighted, and long, white fingers descended from it to grasp the neck.

The screen quickly zoomed out from the close-up of the guitar to reveal a boy playing a solo in the abyss of darkness. Clad in a black suit, eyes closed, he skillfully played the guitar. His tall stature and slim physique made the tight suit look exceptionally stylish.

The boy's performance was brief yet delivered a mix of sadness and chaos. The scene shifted back to Marilyn Manson's band, with a close-up of Manson's face as the song played.

"You can not go back anyway, now it's late."

"Your evil soul no longer needs him."

"You have to hurt Eden's glory forever."

"Because everything you loved has already been erased."

Despite the boy standing with both feet firmly on the ground, his vigorous movements while playing the guitar contrasted starkly with his calm appearance, freshening the scene. The song reached a climax, and Marilyn Manson, screaming as if in agony, appeared in his characteristic eerie makeup, laughing wickedly.

"Come with me, you've already been abandoned."

"Come with me, your soul has already stained it with evil."

As the camera swirled around the entire body of the boy in the black suit, standing alone in the abyss, it finally focused on his face. Starting from his nose, a white light spread across his entire face until he transformed into the boy with Marilyn Manson's distinctive makeup. As the song ended completely, the eerie eyes of the boy, now resembling a demonic figure, sadly flickered in the silent scene.

The screen turned black, and white text appeared:

"Director: Tim Burton."

"Special appearance, lead guitar: Kay."

As the playback ended, the trio staring blankly at the tablet displaying the next recommended video remained stunned until Jennifer dropped the frying pan she was holding, startling them.

"Wow! Amazing!!"

"Guys, this is a legendary music video!"

"So cool! Watching Marilyn Manson again! And the music's amazing, right?"

"Seriously! I've never not felt sick listening to their songs!"

"Wait! Look! It says 'Special appearance by Kay.' Could it be the Vampire Prince is Kay?"

"Right? 'Rock, paper, scissors.' We all cried after watching it together. Tim Burton's persona was the Vampire Prince!"

"Wow, what now? What do we do!!!"

"Do others know? Is there any news about this?"

Quickly manipulating the tablet, Cloren searched for news channels. Dozens of news articles were already there.

"Marilyn Manson's new music video hits a million views in 1 hour!"

"Victory of noise marketing, joined by Kay and Marilyn Manson!"

"Genius boy Kay! Finally reveals himself!"

"Continuous shock! The stunning appearance of a beautiful boy!"

"The world is in shock right now! Pay attention to Marilyn Manson!"

"Kay virus spreading across the US. Infecting America!"

Jennifer exclaimed, seeing the flood of news on the screen.

"Wow! This is huge! Let's report this!"

"Yeah, yeah! Kay was the Vampire Prince! We listened to this person's song up close! We should brag about it!"

"Leave comments! Say it's a reaction video of girls meeting Kay when you search 'Vampire Prince' on YouTube!"

"Some comments already mention it! We're late!"

"Oh, still leave one! Multiple comments attract journalists to take notice."

The enormous buzz happening nationwide in the US was resonating on the opposite side of the globe.

China's CCTV.

"It's Geon Kim! It's Geon Kim! That's Kim Geon, right?"

A journalist playing the top video in the viral trend suddenly stood up, shouting to another journalist. The other journalist glanced at the screen and then frantically operated his own keyboard.

"Senior, have you seen this madness that's been going on for a few hours now?"

The astonished journalist asked the one who had just stood up.

"What? Does everyone already know?"

After sighing, the journalist turned his monitor around, showing the screen. The senior journalist's eyes widened.

"Geon Kim! Conquering America."

"Space youth Geon Kim. Shocking the Westerners!"

"Vanished Geon Kim, joined Marilyn Manson's band?"

"Geon Kim appearing in Marilyn Manson's globally renowned music video, causing a stir in the Asian continent."

Korean internet news portals.

"Geon Kim, carrying the controversy, leaves for Juilliard. Returning as Kay."

"Is the mysterious Kay actually Geon Kim?"

"Identity of Tim Burton's persona Kay revealed as Geon Kim, shocking!"

"Pay attention to the emergence of a music genius born in Korea, Kay!"

Gilis Trawangan Island, Indonesia.

During filming, Yeongseok received a call from Korea.

"Hello? Yes, Director."

"Oh! Yeongseok PD! Is the internet working there?"

"Yes, it's a bit slow, but it works. What's wrong?"

"Geon, Geon had an accident!"

"Huh? What happened to Geon?"

"He appeared in a Marilyn Manson music video! And he played the guitar!"

"Really?"

"It's not just an appearance; the US news channels are only talking about Geon!"

"That, that's..."

“Different broadcasting stations will call you. Turn off your phone. If they need to contact you, they can call the assistant director.”

Yeongseok momentarily took his attention away from the vibrating phone during the call with the director and glanced at the screen.

1 missed call: KBS Chief PD

1 missed call: KBS Director Lee

1 missed call: MBC Representative Hong

1 missed call: SBS PD Kim

Yeongseok put on a serious expression and returned to the phone.

“If other stations approach, it’s a lost cause! We need to act first, grasp Geon Kim’s subject matter, and set up a reporting team right away!”

“Yes? Director Lee, I’m currently filming.”

“Leave that to the assistant director and head to the US right away! Yeongseok PD, our show might have decent popularity, but it’s not pulling in 4% ratings, is it? If we secure coverage on Geon Kim, we're looking at a baseline of 20%. Move fast, quickly!”

“Ah, yes, understood, for now.”

Yeongseok hung up and, with a resolute expression, searched for the assistant director amidst the incessantly ringing phone.

“AD! Where are you?”

After briefing the AD, Yeongseok hailed a taxi to the airport and attempted to call Geon.

“Hello, Yeongseok hyung?”

“Oh, Geon. How’ve you been?”

“Wow, it’s been a while, hyung. I’ve always felt sorry for not calling often.”

“Really? If you’re sorry, do me a favor.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Where are you now?”

“Oh, I’m in Seattle.”

“Seattle? What are you doing there?”

“Well, I was at that house by invitation of Director Tim Burton, then came over to Seattle yesterday. Just for traveling.”

“Is that so? Are you alone now?”

“Yes, I just arrived at the hotel.”

“I’m taking a flight from Indonesia straight to you. Don’t go outside.”

“What? Right now? Why not?”

“If you go outside, you might get ambushed by people.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Sigh, always the same. Remember when you did that music video with Marilyn Manson?”

“What? Has that been released already? We filmed it, but…”

“It’s been six hours since the release, and it’s over 100 million views.”

“What? 100 million? In six hours?”

“Yeah, now that you’re so famous, don’t roam around carelessly. Wait until I arrive.”

“Oh... okay, okay, hyung. But are you coming here because of me?”

“No, I asked you for a favor earlier.”

“Oh, right. What’s the favor?”

“Our network wants to interview you urgently. Our team is heading from Korea, and I’ll join them separately at the airport. Stay in the hotel room, okay? Which hotel are you in?”

“Oh, I’m at Mayflower Park Hotel.”

“What? Isn’t that an expensive place? Did you earn a lot?”

“Haha, no, Mr. Manson made the reservation.”

“Really? Got it. Anyway, I’ll call when I arrive. Don’t leave the hotel room. Order room service if you’re hungry, got it?”

“Yes, understood, hyung.”

After hanging up, Geon’s expression hardened as he looked at news articles.

“Oh no! If Mom finds out about the music video with Marilyn Manson, it’ll be chaos!”

Worry etched on his face, Geon called his sister, Shihwa.

“Hello? Oppa?”

“Yeah, Shihwa, what’s up?”

“Just watching the news about you. I waited for your call, but you called sooner than I expected. It’s chaos here.”

“Oh, so that’s what’s happening. I didn’t know it had been released.”

“Oh really? My phone’s been buzzing, so I wasn’t taking most calls. Only talked to Jooyong unnie.”

“Why are they calling?”

“To ask where you are, how they got your number, even the reporters are calling.”

“Oh, does Mom know?”

“No, not yet. She doesn’t know how to use the internet. But she watches the news; she’ll find out later.”

“Oh... Shihwa, let’s do me a favor.”

“What? Prevent Mom from watching the news? Will you send me some pocket money?”

“Haha, okay, I’ll send you a hefty sum.”

“Okay, instead of watching the news later, let’s go to the karaoke.”

“Sure, thanks. Love you, my sister.”

“You only love me at times like this? Call more often, okay?”

“Haha, got it. I’ll call again.”

After ending the call, Geon lay on the bed, sighed, and turned on the TV. The screen was filled with the music video he starred in.

Once again, Geon sighed heavily and shook his head.

“This is trouble. Is my trip over…”

>

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