Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 51

신이 내린 탑스타 051. 크고 아름다운 (2)(51/401)

051. Big and Beautiful (2)

2021.12.21.

Sensing an opportunity, Yeonwoo’s eyes lit up. “It seems important to you, Yeonwoo. Well, sightseeing is best enjoyed slowly. I’ll tell the director to take his time,” Kwon Seong-hyun said with a smile, having keenly noticed Yeonwoo’s change in demeanor. Yeonwoo watched Kwon Seong-hyun walk away, his long legs moving like a figure in a painting, and then beckoned. “Translator, come here.” This was an opportunity he had to seize, and Yeonwoo intended to figure it out right then.

***

“Translator, come here.”

[Yes, yes!]

“He’s looking straight at me, so he must want something. Find out who that is and why he’s looking at me.”

[But, are you sure it’s okay? What if he tries to hurt you…]

[He doesn’t seem to have any bad intentions, but if you’re worried, I’ll go with you! You’re my subordinate, after all!]

[Huh? When was I ever a subordinate…]

[Let’s go, Translator!]

The yellow bird flapped its wings. The translator ghost hesitated for a moment, then approached the imposing ghost.

The ghost, standing regally, showed no particular reaction, only twitching an eyebrow with dignity as the two approached.

[Um… Yeonwoo-nim, he says he wants to talk to you directly?]

“Didn’t he say anything else?”

[No. He didn’t say anything other than that he wants to talk to you directly.]

He was probably refusing to say anything else. Even Yeonwoo could tell that this ghost was special.

‘Even the nobodies in the dorm used to act high and mighty, claiming to have once been aristocrats.’ How much more so this ghost, who truly seemed like a ‘noble’?

Unless it was a vengeful spirit spewing dark malice or a familiar created by sorcery, the chance of being harmed by a ghost with such an elegant posture seemed nonexistent.

Yeonwoo headed toward the stage without much hesitation. Someone once said, “To catch a tiger, you have to go into the tiger’s den.”

[@([email protected])***]***@$#@$(***)?]

As soon as Yeonwoo approached, the ghost spoke. “What is he saying? Translate. Translate.”

The translator quickly ran over and began simultaneous interpretation. “He’s been staring at me. Does he have something to say?”

After Yeonwoo’s words were conveyed by the translator, the roll-haired ghost finally lowered his head and met Yeonwoo’s gaze.

[All the nobles and servants here have been making a racket. The commotion of them running around like colts with their tails on fire has reached even here. Do you know? Most of the people here still think they are noble, just like when they were alive.]

He didn’t answer directly, only speaking nonsense.

“It seems like you want something from me.”

[Want something? Want something, you say.]

Long fingers tapped the grand piano rhythmically. The fingers, which had been moving regularly as if thinking about something, stopped after a while.

[Of course, I want something. It’s why I tolerated the noise those ant-like creatures were making. Thanks to their commotion, I learned that the one who will fulfill my wish has come. But before that, shouldn’t we introduce ourselves?]

With those words, a hand was elegantly extended – a gesture to show that he had no weapons and no intention to fight. It was an invitation to shake hands.

And.

‘I welcome it.’ It was contact that would allow Yeonwoo to know the other party’s information. As soon as he grabbed the translucent hand, an information window popped up before his eyes.

And.

‘…?!’

Yeonwoo’s eyes widened as he checked the window.

-Name: Antonio Salieri (75/Male)

-Occupation: Master, Great Court Composer

-Disposition: Neutral Good

-Skills: Heavenly Composition [S+], Heavenly Performance [S], Soul-Burning Effort [S], Master of Opera [S+], Elegant Conducting from Fingertips [S], Beautiful Passion for Keyboard [S+]…

-Favorability: Mid-High

-Current Physical Condition: –

-Current Emotional State: Passion

***Currently, some items cannot be opened.

***Detailed information about the person is hidden.

***Additional obtainable stats: Heart-Moving Composition [A+]

‘This… He was an even bigger deal than I thought?!’

A whopping five-plus skills. It was the first time he’d encountered someone with more skills than Kwon Seong-hyun. Moreover, all but one were S-rank skills.

‘S+? There’s an even higher rank than S?’ That was surprising, but so was the title ‘Master,’ which he was seeing for the first time. A title given only to those who had mastered a field, attached to Salieri.

In a word, it was a jaw-dropping status window.

‘On top of that, additional obtainable stats!’ There was no need to think about it any further. Yeonwoo’s feelings after seeing the status window of a very famous musician who had dominated an era were simple:

‘Jackpot.’

A very big and beautiful jackpot.

***

Salieri. Often associated with Mozart and known as the obscured second-best, a hidden genius. Even Yeonwoo, who knew little about history, had heard the name through various media.

Such a celebrity was right in front of him, complete with lifespan and tremendous stats.

“Salieri?”

[Oh. Do you know me?]

“To some extent.”

[It’s always a pleasure to meet someone who knows me. I know a lot of time has passed since I died. If it’s okay, can I hear the stories about me that have been passed down to later generations?]

Salieri showed interest.

“Well, I’m not very interested in history. However, I know that the story about you has become famous in many ways, being associated with Mozart. It’s been made into various movies, operas, and musicals. There’s even a term named after you: Salieri syndrome [a psychological condition where someone feels resentment and jealousy towards more successful peers].”

[Oh. Mozart. It’s been a long time since I heard that name. A truly nostalgic name. It’s amazing that the story of him and me is being passed down to later generations. How are he and I portrayed in later generations?]

“A mediocre person jealous of a genius.”

[I must be the mediocre one. Mozart must be the genius. Hmm, it’s not entirely wrong.]

Salieri smiled.

“So, what is your wish?”

[Can you grant it?]

“If it’s within my capabilities.”

Unless it was an absurd, outrageous, or illegal act, Yeonwoo was ready to grant Salieri’s wish.

‘Heart-Moving Composition!’ Just hearing the name, he could already feel its potential. It was a skill obtained from a ‘Master,’ no less. It couldn’t be ordinary.

Moreover, Yeonwoo also had ‘Captivating Vocal Cords’ obtained from Lee Juha.

‘If those two synergize…?’ Yeonwoo had already seen the effect of Captivating Vocal Cords, albeit on Kwon Seong-hyun and Lee Juha.

‘When I told them to stop, they stopped immediately.’ It was as if his words had power even without mixing spiritual power.

What if he sang a song he composed himself using those Captivating Vocal Cords?

Drama and movies have the limitation of language. If you don’t understand the content, no matter how great the work is, it’s just a pie in the sky. But what about music…?

‘You can listen to music even if you don’t know the lyrics.’ After obtaining Captivating Vocal Cords, Yeonwoo had only thought about the collaboration of video and music. But now, a bigger opportunity was right in front of him.

‘A skill from a Master, no less.’ This was an essential stat that he had to have.

But before that, there was something he had to confirm.

“I’ll say in advance, I can’t summon Mozart’s soul and kill him again, or damage his grave.”

[Hmm? Why would I do such a useless and undignified thing?]

“…Weren’t you on bad terms with Mozart? Genius and mediocrity. It’s obvious.”

[Hmm. It seems that’s how it’s being passed down in later generations.]

“There was also a rumor that you killed Mozart, that you poisoned him.”

[Oh, my goodness. That is absolutely not true. I poisoned Mozart? Why would I do that? He was a genius who created beautiful music. How could I harm such a person?]

Salieri put his hand on his chin for a moment and thought, then said,

[Hmm. Mozart was a genius who shone brighter than the stars in the sky. However, there were others who had comparable talents. For example, Ludwig…]

“Ludwig?”

[Would you know him if I said Beethoven?]

“Ah.”

Beethoven, a genius and eccentric musician who created numerous masterpieces. He was also a famous musician whose name he had heard.

[That’s right. Ludwig also received lessons from me at one time. Schubert, who was a young genius at the time, was also someone I cherished. Besides, people like Liszt and Czerny were also very talented musicians. For me to envy Mozart and poison him is nonsense. So don’t worry. The thing I want to ask for is not that kind of thing.]

“Then what kind of wish do you have?”

Since it wasn’t about Mozart, which he had been worried about, he couldn’t grasp it at all. Salieri smiled at Yeonwoo.

[Can you play a song I composed for me instead?]

***

“Play? Me? Your song?”

The large grand piano in front of him came into view. Yeonwoo paused to recall his memories. Piano – an instrument that everyone learns at least once…

‘I’d rather play the janggu [Korean double-headed drum], drum, or kkwaenggwari [small flat gong]…’

Unfortunately, that didn’t apply to Yeonwoo. It was a kind of gifted education. His mother, Kang Yeonhwa, firmly believed that Yeonwoo would follow in her footsteps. Thanks to that, he was quite good at playing traditional instruments such as the janggu and drum, but he was terrible at playing the piano.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t play the piano.”

It was a pity. So regrettable! Why did it have to be the piano? Moreover, Salieri, who had the title of ‘Master,’ would definitely have high standards.

But.

[Ah. That’s okay.]

An unexpected answer came back.

“It’s okay?”

[What I want to ask you is for your body.]

“My body.”

Yeonwoo’s eyes turned cold. What Salieri was saying was clear: possession. Salieri was saying that he would take over Yeonwoo’s body.

[Wait. Don’t misunderstand. It’s not because I want to take your body and make it my own, or live a second life.]

“How can I believe that?”

He didn’t feel any malice from Salieri, but accepting another person’s soul into his body was extremely dangerous. If things went wrong, he could lose ownership of his body, and his original soul could wander the heavens and go to the afterlife.

[Just lend me your arms.]

“What?”

[Just lend me up to your shoulders. I wouldn’t dare to ask for more than that. All I want is to play this song I completed. Can’t someone with your power easily handle someone like me?]

Salieri said.

‘If it’s just my arms, it’s not bad. If I just lend my arms for a moment and get the Master’s stats… This is a profitable calculation.’

As he said, it wasn’t difficult to lend his arms. If he tried to do anything foolish with his arms, he could subdue him immediately.

Yeonwoo nodded after finishing his thoughts. “Okay. Just my arms.”

[Thank you for allowing me.]

Salieri elegantly bowed, pulling one leg back and bending his waist.

[When you’re ready, sit at the piano. Then I’ll take it from there.]

When he sat in front of the piano, Yeonwoo’s hands gently went up onto the keys.

And.

-Ding! The performance of the master began with a clear sound.