Deep within the Himalayas.
Though humans had conquered several peaks, the simple and fragile humans only ever reached the summits, never exploring the deep cores before climbing to the tops.
Among the peaks not yet considered by humans for conquest, not quite at the summit but at about a third of the way up, there was a small entrance, gaping amidst the swirling snowstorm. The entrance appeared square, as if shaped by human hands.
Inside this black, square entrance, passing over a rocky floor about 1 km in, a massive cavern was revealed, its size belied by its mere entrance.
The cavern, unbelievable as it may be that it was inside a mountain, was enormous with a height from floor to ceiling of over 200 meters, and a diameter also exceeding 500 meters.
At the center of this space, flanked by about thirty gargoyle statues, stood a stone podium.
At the far end of the gray statues, there was also a large stone chair.
On this gray chair lay a crimson carpet, seemingly dripping with blood, and atop it sat a man in a purple robe, wearing a wide-brimmed black hat, sitting at an angle.
As the man adjusted the brim of his hat and lifted his head, his pale face and sharply pointed nose, along with his narrow eyes, became visible.
His appearance alone was enough to freeze the heart, sharp and cold, as he stuck out his bright red tongue and licked his lips.
“Ah... It’s been a while since I've breathed the air of the human world. The souls always smell so delicious, hehe.”
As he gazed towards the cave entrance, deep enough that one couldn’t see the scenery outside, a bat flew into the cave from the dark entrance.
The bat, seemingly frightened by the statues of gargoyles, flapped its wings vigorously for a while before hanging upside down from a skull decoration at the end of the stone chair where the man sat.
As the bat’s eyes opened, the eeriness within sparked blue flames.
The man, sitting askew, looked up at the bat hanging above his head and chuckled.
“Should I be looking up?”
Startled by his response, the bat dropped to the ground. The bat then stood up awkwardly straight after hitting the floor, as the man spoke.
“Come... let’s hear it, what’s been happening.”
Though it was unclear what the squeaking bat was saying, the man nodded and laughed at intervals. Suddenly, the man’s eyes flickered red, and he straightened up from his leaning position.
“Gamagin said that? Paimon and Amdusias are together too… Keke, that sounds fun, hahaha, it must be exciting!”
The man stood up, raising his arms.
“I, Kushion, say this! Go! Go and bring more information!”
At his command, cracks began to appear in the thirty or so gargoyle statues in front of the stone chair. Little by little, the statues crumbled, and several bats burst out, swirling into the cavern.
The bats, numbering over six hundred, swarmed out at once, creating a vortex inside the cavern as Kushion chuckled.
* * *
Geon, who had not awakened from his sleep until he arrived in the United States, opened his eyes at the words of a stewardess. It was after the other first-class passengers had disembarked, and Geon, who had slept deeply, yawned, trying to steady his dizzy head.
“It’s nice to open my eyes in America… but my head hurts a bit.”
After stretching briefly, Geon took his carry-on and headed towards the immigration area. As usual, his appearance caused a brief stir, but he smiled familiarly and walked out of the airport where Byeongjun was waiting for him.
“Brother!”
As if Byeongjun couldn't fail to recognize Geon even with his face covered, he approached Geon and patted his shoulder.
“So, did you have a good trip?”
“Yes, brother.”
“Has Kiska grown taller?”
“Haha, brother, you'd be surprised how much.”
Byeongjun, who had casually wondered just how much Kiska might have grown in six months, replied.
“Well, you’ve worked hard. The car is waiting, let’s go.”
“Sorry to trouble you.”
“That’s my job, man.”
The car waiting in the parking lot was a sleek black limousine, possibly sent by Miroslav.
During the ride to Red Castle, Geon, still a bit groggy, opened the window to breathe in the slightly cooler air of the early summer night.
Though it wasn't the fresh air of Georgia, it was a familiar city air for Geon, which helped him regain a bit of clarity. He then asked Byeongjun.
“Anything unusual happen?”
Byeongjun, looking out the window, turned his head.
“No, nothing much. Arthur
Hodgeson arrived in the U.S. yesterday. He’s staying at the Manhattan Hotel.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, he brought a new watch. Plus, he mentioned he has something else to discuss with you.”
“Haha, that sounds like it involves you too.”
“Me? What do I have to do with it?”
“Prepare a musician’s contract for me, same terms as Kevin’s.”
“What? Why suddenly a contract?”
“You need to sign with Arthur.”
Byeongjun looked puzzled.
“What does the CTO of a watch brand have to do with a musician’s contract? Are you talking nonsense?”
“Haha, let’s see and then decide. Let’s go meet him now.”
“Right now?”
“Yes, I’ll call him.”
Geon made a call to Arthur and promptly set up a meeting. After about 20 minutes of driving, Byeongjun and Geon arrived at Lincoln Center and descended to the underground practice room, where the faint sound of drums was audible.
As they walked down the stairs and heard the drumming, Byeongjun perked up. Although it was not a complicated rhythm, the precise beats indicated a high level of performance, prompting Byeongjun to pucker his lips.
“Is there a famous drum session happening?”
Geon smiled at Byeongjun as he opened the door to the studio, and Arthur, who had been playing the drums in the recording booth, hurriedly got up and came out.
Arthur ran up to Geon and grabbed his hands eagerly.
“Kay!! I missed you!”
Geon clasped his hands and then hugged him.
“Haha, how have you been, Arthur?”
“Of course, I’ve been enjoying every day, haha.”
“Oh, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Lee Byeongjun from Fantagio.”
Upon being introduced by Geon, Byeongjun offered a handshake with a slightly reluctant expression.
“We’ve met before, right? Nice to meet you, Lee Byeongjun.”
“Haha, how could I forget? You’re the one who delivered the watch to Kay.”
Remembering the watch casually thrown into the car which the driver had retrieved, Byeongjun smiled awkwardly.
“Haha... that was...”
Geon patted the two men on the back.
“Let’s sit down and talk.”
The three settled on the sofa outside the control box of the recording booth, and Geon spoke first.
“Has your skill reached the level I mentioned?”
Arthur nodded confidently.
“Yes, I can now play all the music you have released so far.”
“Haha, that’s good news. And the new product design is finished?”
“Yes, I’ve brought it here.”
Arthur produced two beautifully wrapped boxes, one orange and the other a sunburst color blending black and red. Geon, curious, unpacked the watches and smiled brightly.
“This model is also beautiful. How many are being produced?”
Relieved to see the satisfaction on Geon’s face, Arthur smiled comfortably.
“We had some time this round, so 500 of each. Production is complete, just the final touches left. The sunburst model is a gift for Kay and Mr. Lee. The orange will go to the owner of the White Falcon women’s model.”
Grateful that Arthur had even considered a gift for Kiska, Geon set the box down.
“So a total of a thousand units. What’s the price for this model?”
“The same as before.”
“Hmm... then the funds invested by Illyesher Usmanov will be recovered?”
“Haha, the amount you invested will certainly be recovered as well. All thanks to the initial marketing efforts you supported.”
“No need to mention it. Then it’s time to move according to plan.”
“That it is.”
Byeongjun, unable to follow the conversation, interjected.
“What are you talking about? Let me understand. What’s the plan?”
Geon nodded towards Arthur.
“How long will it take to prepare the musician’s contract I mentioned?”
“Uh? Uh... that can be done tomorrow if Director Lin approves.”
“Director Lin already knows. So it’s possible by tomorrow?”
“Uh... it’s possible. But, Arthur Hodgeson? Are you really signing a musician’s contract?”
Arthur nodded slightly.
“That’s the promise.”
“A promise... a promise with Kay?”
“Yes, I agreed to be his drummer.”
“Drummer? Ah... then?”
Geon cut in.
“Arthur will be the drummer for the regular album we promised to the school. Shizuka and Kevin will help too.”
Byeongjun spoke in a slightly excited voice.
“Oh, is that what it is? You said you were preparing an album and then flew off to Georgia. I wondered when you’d make music, but you sneaky guy, you were preparing all along?”
Geon laughed as he pushed the watch boxes aside.
“Haha, I haven’t made the music yet. We’ve finished recruiting the players, though.”
“Oh, then
we’ll need a musician contract and a guarantee for this album as well.”
“That’s probably necessary.”
“Great! I’ll have it ready by tomorrow then.”
Byeongjun clenched his fist energetically as Arthur smiled and turned to Geon.
“You haven’t completed the music yet?”
“It’s not that it’s incomplete; I haven’t even started working on it, haha.”
“That’s the case, then after the next model work, I’ll come back to the U.S.”
“You’ll have plenty of time. After it’s complete, I’ll send the samples and scores to the UK. You can practice there before coming over.”
“Have you designed it yet?”
“Not yet, I’ve only set the concept for one song.”
“That must be a lot of work if it’s a regular album.”
“Haha, yeah, it is.”
Byeongjun got up, took his phone, and walked outside.
“I’ll call the company and ask them to handle the contract. I’ll be back.”
“Okay, brother.”
As Byeongjun opened the door and stepped out, he turned back.
“What’s the name of the song you’ve got a concept for?”
Geon smiled slightly and looked back and forth between Arthur and Byeongjun.
“The Song of Water, it’s The Song of Water.”
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