Devil’s Music

The day after talking with Byeongjun.

Geon visited the school's practice room and immediately began working on the songs of fire, wind, and earth. The first person he contacted for help with the "Song of the Earth" was Dr. Brey.

Dr. Brey arrived at Juilliard the same day, responding to Geon's call. Getting out of a Cadillac limousine, Dr. Brey surprised the Juilliard students with his youthful appearance in a white shirt, beige cotton pants, and Air Jordan Rainbows.

Upon finding the studio through a text message, Dr. Brey opened the practice room door and whistled in surprise.

"Whistle! Who do we have here? Snap! Neminem! How's everyone doing?"

Snap and Neminem, who had already arrived in the practice room and were sitting on folding chairs, looked up at him.

"Where's Kay?"

Snap, not taking off his sunglasses even indoors, pointed outside.

"He went to apply for a recording studio rental."

Neminem, his legs on the chair, nodded his head.

"That guy. He promised to work at school in exchange for skipping his senior year classes. I hear Fantagio's U.S. branch is almost completed, but it seems he'll have to do this album here regardless."

Dr. Brey pouted his lips and nodded.

"He's still a student, so he needs to earn credits, it might seem weird, but such conditions could happen. So, did you get any hint about the music?"

Snap shrugged his shoulders.

"No, not at all. We were also contacted just yesterday. Isn't it the same for you?"

"Yep, lucky I didn't have a schedule."

Neminem laughed playfully.

"You would have canceled it anyway if you had one."

Dr. Brey chuckled and put his hands in his pockets.

"What do you take me for, I'm a businessman now. If I had a schedule, I'd handle it and make time to help. Who here isn't busy or less famous? Everyone should stick to their schedules, not cancel them for this."

Neminem giggled and raised a finger. Dr. Brey's eyebrows twitched as he saw Snap with his arms crossed.

"Snap, what? Don’t tell me... you canceled your schedule?"

Snap furrowed his eyebrows.

"What could I do? He asked the day before. Damn, after hearing you, I think I should've just kept my schedule, my pride is hurt."

Neminem chuckled.

"Ha-ha, this guy rushed to cancel his schedule because he was told he could participate in Kay's album. Fortunately, it was a radio schedule, so Firecube went instead."

Grinding his teeth at the teasing Neminem, Snap looked at his watch.

"This guy, just wait. If the music isn’t good, I’ll make sure to charge for the canceled schedule!"

Just then, the door burst open and Geon entered with a stack of music sheets, smiling brightly.

"Ah, Brey? You're here! It's been a long time."

They shook hands and hugged each other, exchanging greetings for a moment. Geon hesitated as he noticed Snap staring at him with burning eyes.

"Um... Snap. Is something wrong?"

Snap slightly lowered his sunglasses and stared intently at Geon, extending his hand.

"Those music sheets, are those it?"

"Ah, yes. That's right."

Geon handed the music sheets to the three of them.

"It’s Cubase music, so you might not get the feel from the sheet alone. Since I’ve rented a recording studio, shall we go listen to it?"

Neminem and Snap stood up without a word. Brey, who had been standing from the start, was the first to follow Geon, and as the four celebrities started walking down the corridors of Juilliard, students crowded around them like a swarm.

Seeing even the faculty members coming out to watch, Geon sweat coldly and forced a smile.

As the students followed them to the front of the recording studio, clamoring for photos and autographs, Snap, Neminem, and Dr. Brey eventually took some time to provide fan service, while Geon started preparing inside the studio.

Snap returned to the studio first, followed by Dr. Brey. Last to be held up, Neminem entered the studio, and the waiting Geon smiled and operated the control box.

"Now, this song is called 'Song of the Earth.' You might think the title doesn’t match hip-hop, but the emotion it contains is like rain on parched earth, bringing hope again. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?"

Dr. Brey crossed his arms and nodded.

"Hmm, it’s like our story of overcoming tough family backgrounds and succeeding in Harlem through hip-hop,

isn’t it?"

He looked at Snap and Neminem for agreement, and they nodded. Smiling, Geon spoke before playing the music.

"As you know, my song lyrics are written by a kid named Kiska Miocic. But in rap, the sincerity of the rapper must melt into it, as Dr. Brey taught me."

Dr. Brey, proud, smiled back at him.

"In 'Song of the Earth,' there are two sixteen-bar verses for rap, which is why I invited both of you. And Brey, you’ll be producing this music."

Snap looked at Dr. Brey.

"Hey, you came all this way to produce just one song?"

Dr. Brey laughed softly.

"There are two of you to record a sixteen-bar rap, what are you talking about?"

"Damn!!!"

Snap crossed his arms and cursed, while Dr. Brey turned to Geon, grinning.

"How many songs are in the album?"

Geon showed four fingers, and Dr. Brey asked with a surprised look.

"Just four songs? Can you call that a full album?"

Geon waved his hand as if it were fine.

"Not yet decided on the title track, but one song, 'Song of Water,' is 23 minutes and 07 seconds long. So it's possible to make an album with just four songs."

Dr. Brey stroked his chin.

"Then, can I produce the rest of the songs?"

Geon’s eyes widened.

"Uh... rock, dance, ballad; are you sure you can handle it?"

Neminem suddenly interjected.

"Dance? Rock and ballad I get, but what's with dance?"

"The 'Song of Wind' is a club dance track."

"You're doing strange stuff again, dude. How many genres do you need to be satisfied, you?"

Snap also nodded in agreement.

"Right, this guy has mastered orchestra, opera, rock, and hip-hop. It'll be a headache if he starts on traditional music from some country."

Geon laughed and placed his hand on the play button.

"Well, I try to avoid confining myself to just one genre as much as possible. Shall we listen?"

As the play button was pressed, a heavy drum beat with a groovy bass started playing.

As the foundational beat of the music played, the piano notes danced in the background, drawing increasingly shocked expressions from the three.

After Verse 1 and during the instrumental break, the rock bass guitar sounds made the trio jump up from their chairs.

Throughout the six-minute-plus song, they could not sit down again, and given their deep understanding of hip-hop, they could anticipate the immense impact this music would have on the world, so much so that they were sweating.

Long after the music had ended, all three remained speechless. Geon, observing their reactions, also swallowed hard.

It was Dr. Brey who finally broke the silence.

"My god..."

Snap threw the music sheet he was holding onto the floor.

"Damn, I was going to punch him if the music was crap after he messed up my schedule. Hell, I can't even open my mouth now."

Neminem had already started writing something on his music sheet, seemingly planning his rap. Feeling guilty for suddenly asking for help, Geon turned to Snap with an awkward smile.

"I'll properly pay you the featuring fee, I'm sorry. Snap."

Snap suddenly stood up and grabbed Geon's arm.

"Not just that."

Geon, startled by the towering figure grabbing his arm, asked back.

"What else?"

Snap flicked his finger.

"Give me a song instead of money."

"What?"

"Write me a song to use in my album later."

Neminem, who had been silently watching, now spoke up.

"Ah, give me a song too. Forget the money."

Dr. Brey burst out laughing and pointed at them.

"Ha-ha! Look at these guys, clinging on for a song. Have you musicians no pride, begging for songs?"

Snap flared up.

"Who's begging! I'm rightfully asking to be compensated with a song for the featuring."

Neminem casually kept his eyes on the music sheet.

"Well, I am actually begging."

"Damn!! Be quiet, you!"

As the two started bickering again, Geon spoke up to calm them down.

"Alright, I'll give you the songs, okay?"

Dr. Brey stepped in and flicked his finger.

"Ooh, that won't do. I don't know how much their featuring fees are, but the value of your four songs is greater. You should charge extra and write them."

Snap grabbed Dr. Brey by the collar.

"Almost had him, this guy!!!"

Neminem raised his hand again.

"I'm willing to pay extra, so give me first."

Snap took off his sunglasses and threw them at Neminem.

"I'll pay even just one dollar more than this guy! So give me mine

first!"

An unintended auction started in the recording studio, and eventually, Dr. Brey, trying to settle the childish fight, sat seriously at the side control box.

"Alright, the overall framework is set, and the lyrics are still pending, right? Since the concept has been conveyed, let’s start with their raps?"

Professionally ready to start work, Dr. Brey looked at Geon, who smiled brightly.

"Yes, shall we begin?"

As he clapped his hands to focus the still scuffling duo, Dr. Brey spoke with serious eyes.

"Stop it, and write the lyrics. I'll give a song first to whoever finishes their work first."

The two instantly scattered to write their lyrics, while Brey and Geon exchanged smiles. Dr. Brey, usually working with his favorite sound on the machine, asked.

"But you’ll handle rock yourself or ask Carlos for help, but what about dance?"

Geon leaned on his chin and looked into the recording booth.

"Actually, that’s what I'm worried about. Should I go to Korea?"

"Korea?"

"Yes, there are many musicians of dance music in Korea, it's quite popular there."

Dr. Brey frowned.

"Isn’t Korea just overrun with girl groups?"

"Ha-ha, well. I’ll look in the U.S. first, and if that doesn’t work out, then I’ll go with the backup plan."

>

Unlock exclusive early access to more than 100 Chapters before anyone else by becoming a valued member of my Patreon community.

As a cherished member of our Patreon community, here is what you'll get:

For just $5:

• Early access to 100s of chapters before they go public. (You can find all the novels I'm translating HERE.)
• Your name will be prominently featured on the "Wall of Gratitude".
• The power to vote on which novel I translate next.
• You Get Ad-free Chapters.

For $10:

• You get to suggest a Novel for me to translate.

For $20:

• You get to recommend an abandoned Novel and I will immediately start translating it.

Don't let this amazing opportunity slip through your fingers!

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!