Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 52

052. The Big and Beautiful (3)

2021.12.22.

It was a truly bizarre sensation. -♪♬♩♪♬♩ His fingers danced across the keys, creating a beautiful rhythm. It was an extraordinary experience to witness his own hands move with such finesse, as if guided by an unseen force, producing such a captivating melody. -♬♩♪♬♩♪ Softly, then powerfully, with a dynamic range that stirred the soul. Flowing gently like a stream, then cascading like a fierce waterfall. Ceaselessly beating the heart, then soothing it with a tender warmth. ‘Incredible.’ Yeon-woo was completely absorbed in the beautiful melody Salieri was crafting. It felt as if someone was delicately extracting his emotions. A touch of joy, then a hint of shyness. Excitement, followed by a fleeting disappointment, then a descent into melancholy, and finally, a triumphant surge of joy. ‘Can music… truly evoke such profound feelings?’ It was merely a melody, devoid of lyrics, yet it completely captivated him. He had previously viewed music as simply a tool for exerting influence, but now his perspective had shifted. This music possessed the power to saturate even the most desolate heart, like a refreshing rain after a prolonged drought. ‘Excellent.’ Yeon-woo became even more engrossed in the sounds his hands were producing. Perhaps that was why he failed to notice. “…What in the world is happening here?” He was oblivious to the person quietly observing and recording the scene with a mixture of awe and curiosity.

***

-Ding! As his finger struck the final key, Yeon-woo was finally released from the enchanting spell of Salieri’s music. [How was it? The piece I poured my heart and soul into.]

“It’s good.”

[Haha! Is that all you have to say?] Even though Salieri had departed, Yeon-woo could still feel the smooth texture of the keys beneath his fingertips. [But your simple praise pleases me far more than any elaborate compliment I’ve ever received!]

The elegant gentleman offered a gentle smile. “I’m no music expert. But even to my untrained ears, it was a remarkably beautiful piece. I had always considered classical music to be trite and outdated, but it’s clear that’s not always the case.”

[Strictly speaking, this piece doesn’t reflect the style I composed in during my lifetime.] Salieri explained. [In my later years, I became a staunch advocate for conservative music. People’s musical tastes are constantly evolving, but I stubbornly clung to my own musical world, refusing to adapt. Perhaps it was foolish stubbornness. I was old, and perhaps I simply couldn’t keep pace with the changes. In any case, as the public’s tastes shifted, I gradually ceased composing. I felt unappreciated. But….]

“You’ve had a change of heart?”

[Yes. Only after death did I realize that I was too fixated on the conventions of the time. I initially embarked on this path because I loved music, but somewhere along the way, the means became more important than the end.] Salieri, having gained enlightenment as a spirit after death, reflected on his past. The burning passion for music that had once consumed him was gone, replaced by a shameful and weak desire to be recognized through music as a mere tool. It was a betrayal of the music he had cherished throughout his life.

[So I resolved to break free from songs that sought validation and aimed to be hits, and to return to the fundamentals. To create the music I loved for its own sake.]

“That music… is this piece?”

[That’s right. It’s a piece that weaves my life into its very fabric. Freely flowing as my hands move, as my thoughts wander, as my emotions dictate.] Thus, it defies any conventional form, Salieri explained. [A song that encapsulates my life and enlightenment. I longed to hear this song played. But I was dead, and it was impossible… But today, I encountered you. I must thank God.] He bowed to Yeon-woo with an elegant flourish. His body slowly began to fade, becoming transparent. And then.

-Ting!

[You have successfully harvested lifespan.]

[Lifespan harvested: 75 days]

-Ting!

[Measuring the achievement of the request.]

[Congratulations! Acquire additional obtainable stats as a reward.]

[Reward: Composition that moves the heart][A+]

The long-awaited notification finally appeared.

***

“I feel like I can do it.”

[What?]

“Piano. I feel like I can play it, for some reason.”

[You can’t play at all, can you?]

“But ever since then, I feel like I can, you know?” After Salieri possessed both of his arms, Yeon-woo noticed a subtle incongruity in his hands. Not in a negative way, though….

“Doesn’t it feel like they’re moving a bit more delicately?”

[Ugh… I think so too. Oh, that’s good. Touch it a little more there.] Yeon-woo’s fingers glided smoothly from the yellow bird’s head to its back. ‘I’m sure there was only one additional stat.’ Was it because a maestro who had mastered a field had possessed him for a while? Somehow, the movements and touches of his hands felt incredibly precise and delicate. ‘Well, it can’t be a bad thing.’ When Yeon-woo, having finished Salieri’s performance, went to find his group.

-Yeon-woo, did you hear that music? Someone was playing the piano, and it was amazing.

-As expected of Vienna, the city of music!

-Thanks to Yeon-woo, we were able to enjoy it at a leisurely pace. Otherwise, we would have gone somewhere else right away. How did Yeon-woo get a stomachache at just the right time?

The secret behind Kwon Seong-hyun’s fabricated excuse was revealed. But he couldn’t exactly say, ‘Actually, I didn’t have a stomachache, and I was the one who played that,’ so Yeon-woo simply nodded. Physiological phenomena are nothing to be ashamed of. Compared to what he had gained, it was insignificant. “I’m glad I bothered to come.”

[Ugh… touch it a little more there. Hurry… Ugh….] Yeon-woo thought, stroking the Dongja [a spirit in the form of a young boy] spirit who was closing his eyes and savoring the sensation. For some reason, he had a feeling that this reward vacation would be far more enjoyable than he had initially anticipated.

***

‘What is this, are there masters lurking around every corner?’ Strictly speaking, he wasn’t exactly tripping over them. But there were a surprising number of souls with valuable additional stats that were worth acquiring. ‘Europe truly is the continent of art, after all.’ Especially in Eastern Europe, where the drama team was scheduled to work, there were many countries renowned for their musical heritage, so all sorts of artistic ghosts were scattered throughout the region. Even if they were obscure figures, their stats were so impressive that he couldn’t help but be amazed.

‘It’s a gold mine.’ If the entertainment industry, where he first made his mark, was a gold mine of lifespan, then this reward vacation was like a bountiful field ripe for harvesting additional stats. The more, the better. Yeon-woo faithfully adhered to the wisdom of the ancient sages. ‘These are skills I might not have another chance to acquire. I have to obtain them steadily.’ When else would he have the opportunity to visit Europe again, and when else would he encounter these ghosts? If they were to achieve enlightenment before he returned… For that reason, Yeon-woo dedicated himself to acquiring every additional stat he could get his hands on. Unfortunately, however, he only managed to obtain one besides Salieri’s ability.

“Don’t these ghosts around here have any regrets?”

[Just look at how they’re dressed. What regrets could they possibly have while sporting those ridiculous curly wigs? They’d try to maintain a serious demeanor, but they’d inevitably burst out laughing at each other.]

“Is there no way to steal them….”

[…Yeon-woo. You’ve changed significantly.] The yellow bird wiped away tears with its wing feathers, watching Yeon-woo seriously contemplating his options.

“It’s a place overflowing with verified masters, so of course I’d be tempted.” Yeon-woo recalled the stats he had inadvertently obtained yesterday. [Eyes filled with sorrow][A]

It was an additional stat he acquired after obtaining ‘Composition that moves the heart’ from Salieri. The reason he got it was….

-Excuse me. Can you see me? A being approached Yeon-woo shyly as he was touring with the guide. It was a beautiful noblewoman in an elaborate gown who spoke first. Until then, Yeon-woo had been blocking out the annoying presences around him with his spiritual power. So, a being who could still speak to him?

-Well… The answer, which was about to be sharp with caution, faltered and couldn’t form a single word. A long, elegantly arched neck. Slender limbs. Even the delicately fluttering eyelashes. Just gazing at her, she was breathtakingly beautiful. But her external appearance wasn’t the most important thing. The moment he met the noblewoman’s deep, sea-like blue eyes, Yeon-woo had no choice but to answer.

-…Yes. I can see you.

-Ah. That’s a relief. I was afraid you’d be annoyed and get angry. The subtly shimmering eyes captivated him and wouldn’t let him go. -Um. I have a favor to ask… Will you listen? Every time the noblewoman smiled, the jewels on her wig and the hem of her dress made a delicate clinking sound. As if it was natural for Yeon-woo to accept, there was no hint of rejection on her face. Yeon-woo, who had met her gaze, answered again without realizing it.

-Yes. What is it?

-There’s a child I cherished in my lifetime under that bridge. A very kind and cute child who was in charge of me when I worked at the theater. But, that child is very afraid of me. It’s so upsetting.

-Why is that?

-Because I’m dead.

-Yes?

-She’s afraid of ghosts.

-If it’s a child you cherished in your lifetime… Isn’t that person dead too?

-That’s right. A ghost who’s afraid of ghosts. Well, it’s not an impossible story. Most of the ghosts who couldn’t go to the afterlife don’t realize that they’re dead at first. If they develop from there, they reach the stage of denying it beyond recognition. ‘These ghosts here are a bit strange. The guys in the hotel were like that too.’ Anyway, Yeon-woo went to tell the little girl the story as requested by the noblewoman, who introduced herself as a very famous prima donna. She said it would be a little better if a living person could make her realize the reality. It was an absurd request, but funnily enough, Yeon-woo conveyed the message quite seriously. ‘These special stats are really OP [overpowered].’ The reason was very simple. The noblewoman’s specialty, the bewitching gaze, worked properly on Yeon-woo. Thanks to that, he carried out the request as if he was possessed and harvested the additional stats like a snake slithering over a wall.

[Still, Yeon-woo. Stealing is not allowed. Stealing is… We may not have lifespan, but we have pride!]

The yellow bird’s chirping voice pulled Yeon-woo out of his reverie. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

[Like a cold city man. Don’t you know you have to be warm to my little bird?]

“Are you crazy….” Did he catch bird flu or something? He must have picked up something weird again. “Don’t make a fuss and just go in… um?” Yeon-woo, who was reaching his arm back to press the bird’s small head with his hood, paused. One of the things Yeon-woo found amazing since coming here was that there were many performers playing various instruments on the street, regardless of the type. Perhaps because it was a city of music, there was a wide variety of instruments, including guitars, electric pianos, saxophones, flutes, clarinets, and even uncommon instruments like cellos. And among them, Yeon-woo’s eyes were drawn to none other than the violin. [Uh? Yeon-woo. You can see that person too, right?] More precisely, it was an elderly man resting his chin next to the violinist.