-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: The Spirit of the Conductor's Baton
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Seojun spread the book open on the floor. It was the life of the [Spirit of the Conductor's Baton], who had obtained the skill [Orchestra Conductor's Connection].
"Back then, I really..."
A sigh escaped him as soon as he opened the first page. This was a dark past that needed to stay buried, forever.
* * *
This world was a world of musical spirits.
When various instruments were buried beneath the tree at the center of the world, the tree would bear fruit, using the instruments as nutrients. And from that fruit, a spirit would be born.
The spirits born this way would befriend, fight, reconcile, love, and part through the music they played.
Only when their instrument bodies grew old and could no longer produce sound did they finally enter their eternal slumber.
It was a beautiful world where music was at the center of everything, a world where the music never stopped.
He was a spirit born from the sleek baton of an orchestra conductor.
The spirits of this world were born with one or two skills, which they often used without revealing them to others.
His skill was [Orchestra Conductor's Connection - Supreme], an extraordinary ability.
[Orchestra Conductor's Connection - Supreme]
Depending on the bond between the conductor and the connected beings, their musical skill will increase or decrease by up to 10 times.
The bond with the conductor and the bond between the connected individuals will be expressed numerically.
Maximum Connections: 30
The method for using the skill was simple. He just had to shake hands with the being he wished to connect with.
Born from a conductor's baton, he was fated to become a conductor from the moment he emerged from the fruit.
If he used this skill, connecting his orchestra members to build a bond between the conductor and the members, as well as among the members themselves, it was certain that an incredible orchestra, the likes of which this world had never seen, would be born in the future.
'Hmm.'
Yes. If only he hadn't, in his immediately preceding life,
been the Demon King.
He was the Demon King.
Born as a descendant of the Demon King, his ruthlessness allowed him to smoothly become the Demon Prince, and thanks to his exceptional qualities, he became the Demon King without any opposition.
The life of the Demon King, who had conquered not only the Demon Realm but also the Middle Realm and had even invaded the Celestial Realm, was unimaginably long.
Though the memories were gone, his previous life often influenced his next one.
And this was one of those times.
Before conducting the orchestra, he would sometimes sit in a chair and look down at his hands. They were clean hands.
But soon, like an illusion, blood would gush forth. The crimson blood of humans. The dark blue blood of monsters. The golden blood of celestials.
In his past life, he had lived cruelly and passionately, amidst rampant bloodshed, tearing life apart, building mountains of corpses, and dyeing the land and sky in darkness.
That's right. He clenched his fists so tightly it felt like they would shatter.
This world is tedious.
This world, filled with music, had no bloody battles. No destructive fights.
Everything was music. It began and ended with music.
The spirits dedicated their lives to music, striving to create more beautiful and outstanding compositions.
'That's just too... beautiful, isn't it?'
He laughed. He was tired of living a quiet life. He covered his mouth with both hands, afraid someone might see his expression. Ah, time to wreck things.
The former Demon King knew very well how fun it was to be the first to step on a clean field of snow.
The time he was aiming for was the Music Grand Festival, held once every four years in this world.
The Music Grand Festival.
It was a very important festival where music was offered to the tree from which the spirits were born. The disposition of the spirits born over the next four years would change depending on the music the tree heard at this time.
If it heard happy music, spirits with positive personalities were born; if it heard solemn music, spirits with cautious personalities were born.
If it heard sad music, spirits who could empathize with the sorrows of others were born.
The spirits loved all kinds of music.
Ten musical groups would take the stage, and there were no rankings. Everyone simply enjoyed the music.
With his outstanding skill, he and his orchestra were set to perform on the stage of the Music Grand Festival.
'A pleasure to meet you. I am the Spirit of the Conductor's Baton.'
'Oh! I've heard a lot about you. I am the Spirit of the Drum.'
'Hello! I'm the Spirit of the Piano!'
He used [Orchestra Conductor's Connection - Supreme].
His targets were not his own orchestra members. He shook hands with the spirits of the instruments playing important parts in the other nine musical groups.
The spirits could never have imagined it. Any kind of performance was acceptable, but they had no idea what effect music that couldn't even reach its conclusion would have on the Spirit Tree.
He grinned.
[Orchestra Conductor's Connection - Supreme]
Depending on the bond between the conductor and the connected beings, their musical skill will increase or decrease by up to 10 times.
The bond with the conductor and the bond between the connected individuals will be expressed numerically.
Maximum Connections: 30
'What if the bond was 0... no, what if it was negative?'
He focused on the word 'increase or decrease.' Increase and decrease. He was very curious about what kind of result it would bring.
The stage was set up in front of the Spirit Tree so it could hear best.
The first musical group took the stage. It was a band. A skill marker appeared above the drummer's head.
[43 / 10]
Two numbers floated there; the former was the conductor bond, and the latter was the connected individuals' bond.
The conductor bond number was high. Though they played different instruments, the drummer respected the renowned Spirit of the Conductor's Baton.
The connected individuals' bond number was low. The nine musical groups only knew each other by face and name, so there was hardly any bond to speak of.
The drummer on stage raised his sticks. He used his skill.
[Using Orchestra Conductor's Connection.]
He let his heart open slightly. The contempt he had kept tightly sealed while pretending to be an ordinary spirit was revealed. Scorn was revealed.
The bond reacted to their mutual feelings. The drummer's respect for him remained the same, but his scorn affected the bond. The conductor bond, which had been 43, began to decrease.
[Bond with the target is decreasing.]
[Bond with the target is decreasing.]
[Bond with the target is decreasing.]
...
And so, the number above the drummer's head turned negative.
Clang!
The drummer missed a beat. He was one of the most skilled drummers in this world.
The drummer didn't panic and continued to play. But contrary to his intentions, his hands and feet couldn't keep the rhythm.
As the rhythm of the drums, the core of the band, fell into disarray, the other instruments that tried to cover for the drummer's mistake also began to go off-key.
Somehow, the band's performance came to an end. The audience's reaction was not good. Everyone was worried about what had happened to the drummer.
Still, it was just one team that had made a mistake. The next musical group came up on stage.
[Bond with the target is decreasing.]
[Bond with the target is decreasing.]
[Bond with the target is decreasing.]
...
They made a mistake this time, too.
The next musical act came up. It was a solo singer famous for their beautiful voice.
[Bond with the target is decreasing.]
[Bond with the target is decreasing.]
[Bond with the target is decreasing.]
...
Another mistake. The next musical group came up. It was a choir known for its unparalleled unity.
[Bond with the target is decreasing.]
[Bond with the target is decreasing.]
[Bond with the target is decreasing.]
...
'Ah!'
Someone in the audience let out a sorrowful lament. Nine musical groups had failed to finish their performances due to mistakes.
Now it was the last one. The spirits were bewildered. It was the first time since the world's creation that the Music Grand Festival had collapsed like this.
'What do we do?'
'What's going to happen to the spirits who are born now?'
'Who sent a team like that to the Music Grand Festival!?'
The usually calm spirits grew flustered and angry. A crack appeared in the world that had once flowed with beautiful music. Just then, someone spoke.
'The orchestra is still left. If it's them, if it's the Spirit of the Conductor's Baton, they'll pull it off without a mistake!'
'That's right. He's still left!'
There was still a glimmer of hope. Everyone clasped their hands, half in worry and half in anticipation, and waited for the next performance.
He and his orchestra ascended the stage.
'Violin. One last time.'
He extended his hand to the violinist who would perform a solo from his orchestra.
The violinist, wearing a beautiful red dress, blushed as she took the hand of the maestro who had allowed her, with her mere low-grade skill, to stand on this stage.
She was truly grateful to him.
'Thank you, Maestro.'
'Don't mention it.'
[Using Orchestra Conductor's Connection.]
As if announcing the tragedy to come, a grim notification sound echoed in his head, but he just laughed cheerfully. He detested a boring world.
Standing on the conductor's podium, he raised the baton from which he was born. The performance began.
He no longer hid it. Like setting off brilliant fireworks for the finale, he didn't hide his contempt for this dull and monotonous world.
The violinist, playing her solo closest to him, was the first to notice. Her whole body trembled from the malicious emotion she was feeling for the first time in her life, but she couldn't stop playing.
However, contrary to her intention to endure the fear and continue playing, her heart gradually lost its respect for the conductor.
[Bond with the target is decreasing.]
[Bond with the target is decreasing.]
[Bond with the target is decreasing.]
...
'Aah.'
A fine sound. The Demon King swung his baton.
As the dizzying performance, teetering on the edge of a mistake, continued, not only the orchestra members but also all the spirits in the audience noticed.
The heart of the conductor standing on the podium! The disregard! The cold treatment! The ridicule!
The contempt!
Screeeech-!
Finally, a sound of despair came from the violin.
She had made a mistake, but she couldn't ruin the music. The violinist continued to play, even as tears streamed down her face.
Twang! Screee-!
It wasn't just the violin. The cello, the viola, the trumpet—all shuddered in despair.
At the endlessly collapsing music, the spirits in the audience couldn't hold back their bursting tears.
Sssshhh-
The beautiful Spirit Tree, which had served as the backdrop for the stage, trembled. Though there was no wind, its branches and leaves shook.
'No!'
The nine musical groups, sitting in the audience watching his performance in horror, shouted as they looked at the tree.
'The tree, the Spirit Tree!'
The tree is dying.
A scream erupted. A very high-pitched scream.
'Stop the performance!'
'No, you can't stop!'
Opinions were divided. The opinion that they should finish even if they made mistakes clashed with the opinion that they should stop because they had made mistakes.
He, who had been brandishing the baton, knew the answer. He stopped the baton at the climax.
The orchestra, which had ruined the performance and hated him, but had been watching only his baton, stopped playing without realizing it.
'Ah... no...'
There was clumsy music and music full of mistakes. But to stop in the middle—that wasn't music at all.
As the orchestra's performance came to a complete halt, the Spirit Tree began to change.
It turned black. It was dying. Leaves fell one by one, and a large branch crashed to the ground with a thud!
With it, the spirits' screams and pitiful laments could be heard from all around. The sound of weeping was heard.
Aah.
He, who had shattered a world, was satisfied. How would the world change now...? His heart pounded with anticipation.
Ziiing-.
Just then, the sound of a violin was heard.
* * *
Seojun opened his eyes.
"Seojun, are you awake?"
Choi Siyoon, who had been staring intently at Seojun's face beside him, said with a smile.
"Uwaaah."
He had fallen asleep while reading a book in the Library of Lives.
It was a nightmare. A dark past. Thinking back now, what was he thinking, ruining such a peaceful and beautiful world? He felt self-loathing and embarrassment. Really, all he could do was sigh.
Kahahaha! Chaos! Destruction! Ruin! For some reason, he could almost hear the evil laughter of the Spirit of the Conductor's Baton ringing in his ears.
Isn't that what they call chuunibyou? I saw it on television... Seojun became gloomy.
At the sound of Seojun's crying, the members who were warming up baby food, along with Seo Eunchan and Kim Hwaryeon, hurried into the living room.
"Why, why are you crying?"
"Seojun, are you okay?"
Hwang Yejun and Kevin quickly sat down beside the blanket. Blowing on the hot baby food, Park Seojin was the last to sit down. Kim Hwaryeon quietly told a worried Seo Eunchan that it was just a sleep tantrum.
"Uwaaah."
'Stupid past me!'
He wasn't really crying, but it sounded like he was. The more he thought about it, the more embarrassed he felt. Seojun kicked the blanket with his short legs. The small baby blanket rustled.
"Is Seojun hungry?"
"Looks like it. Seojin-hyung. Hurry and feed him!"
Park Seojin scooped up some baby food with a small baby spoon. Kevin quickly picked Seojun up and sat him on his lap.
No. I'm just sad. I'm not hungr...
"Haap!"
"Our Seojun is eating so well!"
"He must have been really hungry."
He had opened his mouth without realizing it. Nom, nom. The baby food in his mouth disappeared in an instant. Eating something delicious made him feel better.
Seojun tilted his head, still munching away.
Hmm, was I really hungry? Come to think of it, my stomach does feel a little empty.
Ah, I must have had a nightmare because I was hungry.
"Here you go. Open up, Seojun."
"Me too! Let me try feeding him!"
"I'll go after Yejun-hyung!"
"I'm next!"
[Bond with the target is increasing.]
[Bond with the target is increasing.]
[Bond with the target is increasing.]
[Bond with the target is increasing.]
Seojun took another bite. Maybe because his mom had made it, the baby food was delicious.
* * *
The Spirit of the Cello opened a book. It was a book about the worst traitor in history, the Spirit of the Conductor's Baton.
After that incident, the traitor's skill was revealed, and a law was enacted requiring all spirits to register their skills immediately upon birth.
At the very front of the book was a picture of the hero, the Spirit of the Violin, and a description of the skill she possessed.
To the Cello, who only had a low-grade skill, the Violin who defeated the traitor and revived the Spirit Tree was a radiant idol.
[Violin's Hard-Earned Basic Skill - Low]
The hard-earned basic skill allows the user to continue playing through any mistake or adverse condition.
It was a skill that didn't help improve one's abilities, but it was a great help in defeating the traitor. The Cello turned the page.
There was a picture of the Violin playing in her red dress, and another of the traitor, seemingly screaming while being pinned down by people in performance attire.
[The Violin continued her mistake-ridden performance. It sounded like the clumsy playing of a newborn spirit. Her skill, which she had always complained was useless, shone brightly. The performance, seeming on the verge of stopping yet never doing so, went on and on.
The Spirit of the Conductor's Baton, trying to stop the Violin, was subdued by his own orchestra members and couldn't halt her performance.
The Spirit of the Conductor's Baton's skill continued to be used, causing her performance to worsen, but she too did not stop her skill and continued to play.
Thanks to the Violin's performance, which lasted for a full five hours, the Spirit Tree was miraculously revived.
However, from the Spirit Tree that had come back from the dead, not a single spirit was born for the next four years.
Fortunately, the Violin's miracle didn't end there. At the next Music Grand Festival, thanks to her wonderful performance filled with life force, the Spirit Tree returned to normal and produced even more spirits than usual.
...The worst traitor in history, the Spirit of the Conductor's Baton, was, for the first time since the world's creation, sentenced to death.]