DLMS 5

Chapter 5

---

---

[Hey, sorry. Looks like you’ll have to wait just a bit longer.]

‘Okay, I get it. It’s really going to work, right?’

It was the day before the audition to qualify for the launch ceremony performance.

Even during lectures, the demon and I were still out of sync.

The ability he promised me hadn’t manifested yet.

I trusted him more now, so I didn’t feel like hounding him anymore—
but I couldn’t help being impatient.

The audition was tomorrow.

[I get it. You’re nervous, but just wait a little longer. It’s almost ready.]

‘If you put it in percentage, how much?’

[97.2 percent.]

Hearing a concrete number calmed me a little.

I didn’t know how long the remaining 2.8% would take,
but I was sure it wouldn’t be much longer.

“Alright, good work today. The launch ceremony is just a few days away.”

“Yes!”

It was right at the end of the final lecture of the day.

“We’ll be drinking and partying a lot then,
so I’ll give you an assignment ahead of time.”

“Ah….”

“Sigh….”

At the word “assignment,” groans spilled out across the classroom.

Professors seemed to coordinate as if on purpose—
always handing out assignments at the same time.

[Ugh… hey, you bald bastard professor, you think we only take your class?]

‘Hey, what’s with “bald bastard professor”?’

[I’m older than that shiny-headed guy, you know.]

‘Ah, right. Then you’re bald too.’

[Are you crazy?!]

The professor’s tone might have sounded merciful,
but from the students’ perspective it wasn’t.

“Deadline’s this day. Alright, good work today.”

The lecture ended, and the room filled with chatter.

[You’re going to rehearsal, right?]

‘Yeah, I’m just going to focus on practicing at home today.’

[Well, at least your diligence is something worth praising.]

Just as I was about to leave the classroom, someone called out to me.

“Jaehui oppa!”

“Oh, uh. Hello. Class rep…”

“Yes, that’s me! There’s a second-year get-together today.
You’re coming, right?”

“Oh, right… Sorry, I’ve got something I need to do today.”

Tomorrow was too important to waste drinking.

“Ah, I see. That can’t be helped then. Got it!”

Usually people insist a few times in situations like this,
but she gave up right away.

Honestly, that just meant less hassle for me, so I was thankful.

[Kekekekeke… you really don’t have any friends, huh?]

‘It’s voluntary.’

[Pathetic. Don’t you get why she only asked once?]

‘What?’

The demon snickered.

[She was probably relieved you turned her down.]

‘And how would you know? You said you can’t read minds.’

[Have you lived for a thousand years?]

‘…….’

Why does it feel like sweat just got in my eyes?

[Kekekekeke… come on, let’s go home. You’ve got lots to practice today.]

‘…Yeah.’

The way he poked at my nerves—
yeah, he was definitely a demon.

It wasn’t even something he needed to point out.
Who wouldn’t already know that…

---

That evening,
in a bar in Sinchon, the second-year Korean Literature majors of Yesung University were having a gathering.

“So that guy didn’t show up?”

“Yeah, he said he was busy.”

“He didn’t look like the type to be busy with anything…”

Maybe it was because the snacks on the table had gone cold,
but they started picking a new target to chew on: Yoo Jaehui.

“He doesn’t even seem to have friends. Busy with what?”

“Who knows, maybe he’s got friends outside school.”

“I heard he came back to school after working?”

“Doing what?”

“No clue.”

“He just looks like a total loner.”

“Hahaha! Yeah, agreed. He’s got this sharp look, but that’s it!”

“Well, at least he’s good-looking, right?”

“I don’t know about that.”

“Isn’t he the same class year as Jongpil? Class of ’13.”

“Oh, you’re right.”

“Wow, Class of ’13… and he’s only in his second year now?
That’s a ruined life.”

“Damn, that’s pitiful.”

“Still, at least he worked. Not a total failure.”

“But he’s still just a student.”

“True enough.”

No one knew who started it,
but talk about Yoo Jaehui spread to everyone at the table.

Some said he seemed gloomy.
Others said he lacked social skills.
A few admitted he was handsome.

But any positive comment didn’t last long.

“Having fun here?”

“Oh! Oppa!”

“Hey, hyung! You came!”

Kim Jongpil joined the drinking table.

After settling in, he looked around.

“Where’s Jaehui?”

“Oh, he said he was busy.”

“Ah… I see.”

“Oppa, are you close with him?”

“Not really. Just classmates.”

The way Jongpil said it was enough.
With that one sentence,
everyone at the table cemented their opinion of Yoo Jaehui.

“Anyway, try to get along with him.
I’ll set up something with him later.”

“Yes, understood.”

The classmates didn’t like the suggestion,
but since it came from the TA, they nodded.

Of course, no one thought that “later” would ever come,
nor did they want it to.

At least, not yet…

---

It’s not absolute,
but people who don’t mix well with others usually fall into two categories:

One, the outcast.
Two, the mysterious type who enjoys solitude.

Of course, it’s all just labels forced by other people’s eyes.

And in my case? Definitely the first one.

[That’s why she didn’t ask you twice.]

“Ugh, I get it already!”

[If you succeed tomorrow, your place will flip completely.]

I shook my head.

“I don’t want that.”

[Why not? Attention’s good. What, is money all you care about?]

“Money problems are temporary.
My goal is to get into Groovy Nation.
I don’t care if my classmates notice me or not.”

[Better than being Yesung’s official tone-deaf, though.]

Not wrong. But my aim was different.

“You’re right. But I’m not interested in that kind of petty attention.”

[Oho, big ambitions.]

“Of course. I signed a contract with a demon. My dreams should be big.”

[True, you always were like that.]

“Yeah.”

It was too late at night to sing loudly.

So I put on my headphones and played the arranged version of Premier League’s Word I’d made a few days ago.

“Mmm~ hmm hmm hmm~.”

I hummed the melody as I played the piano.

Even to my ears, the track sounded incredible.

The piece was about 20% the demon’s ideas, 80% mine.

His contribution was to add performance elements to keep the stage from feeling flat.

We decided to replace part of the piano line in the MR with live playing.

Maybe it was because the song was so good,
but my hands felt lighter than usual.

Every touch of the keys felt perfect.

I wasn’t much of a singer, so normally I disliked singing,
but in that moment, even humming filled me with happiness.

“Good. Perfect.”

[Much better than I expected.]

“Yeah.”

[Not flawless by my standards,
but still, excellent.]

Usually the demon loved teasing me,
but when it came to music, he was brutally honest.

[Let’s do well tomorrow.
It’ll be the first time we show our work to anyone.]

“Yeah. Thanks.”

The moment was close—
the first step toward becoming not an outcast,
but a mysterious loner who embraced solitude.

Though that was only a side effect.

The real first step was toward becoming a true artist.

---

[Couldn’t you have dressed a little better?]

‘It’s just an audition.’

[Come on…]

‘If I worried about that this morning, I’d have been late.’

[Unbelievable…]

He kept saying I should’ve fixed up my clothes or hair for the audition.

I didn’t disagree,
but after practicing late last night,
I hadn’t had time to dress up.

‘I’ll dress nicely for the actual performance.’

[Fine. Today it’s just about the music, anyway.]

‘And a sweatshirt and jeans are fine, right?’

[Fine’s the problem. You need to stand out!]

‘Next time, next time.’

[Hmph…]

It seemed he could give me powers and talk with me,
but he couldn’t actually control what I did.

After lectures ended,
I headed to the auditorium for the 6 p.m. audition.

A lot of people were entering.
Probably other contestants.

[Whoa, looks like plenty of rivals.]

‘Yeah…’

I felt small.
Not just because of the numbers.

[Should’ve listened to me.]

‘Maybe you’re right…’

Everyone else had dressed to impress.

Some looked like actual celebrities.
Others wore bizarre outfits, like ultimate attention seekers.

[That’s a bit much, huh?]

‘Yeah, but still kind of cool.’

[Cool?]

‘Confidence. I could never do that.’

[Maybe not now.]

‘What do you mean?’

[Nothing. Let’s just head in.]

I forced my shoulders back and walked into the hall.

---

Contestants were briefed on the procedure.

It was simple:
Get a number, wait your turn, perform.

But the competition was fierce.

Only 4 teams would pass.
Out of 39 applicants.

Barely 10 percent.

My number: 16.

We gathered in a cramped waiting room.
20 teams fit inside.
The other 19 had to wait outside for two hours until their turn.

‘I’m more nervous than I thought.’

[Well, you’ve only ever produced songs.
First time performing on stage, right?]

‘Yeah, that’s why I’m shaking.’

[Actually, not the first time—]

‘Shut it…’

[Kekekeke…]

Weirdly, his nonsense helped ease my nerves.

I looked around.

Someone was strumming a guitar.
Another was running through a dance routine.
One guy had earbuds in, memorizing lyrics.

Meanwhile, others just scrolled SNS, laughing.

‘Wait… lyrics. I have to sing…’

That’s when it hit me again—
the demon still hadn’t given me the ability.

‘Hey, you still haven’t given me the power!’

[It’s coming. Just wait.]

My heart started pounding.

‘It’s really going to happen, right?’

[Yeah. At this rate, probably right before your turn.]

‘Cutting it close…’

I couldn’t relax yet.

I’d never sung in front of this many people—
well, not exactly never, but let’s just say never.

Even with the ability, singing wasn’t my strong point.
Anything could happen.

But since I’d come this far,
I wanted to take the plunge.

With perfect pitch, producing became easier.
Who knew what doors this ability would open.

If it didn’t kick in on time,
I’d just sing with my own clumsy voice
and try to pour my feelings into it.

The opening range wasn’t too high.
I could probably manage.

And if I ended up humiliating myself…
I’d deal with that then.

Either way, I felt it’d be better than now.

Just then, the music outside stopped.

[Looks like number 14 just finished.]

‘Yeah… after the next, it’s me.’

Then—disaster.

Click.

“Next, contestant number 16, Yoo Jaehui, please come forward.”

“…Wait, isn’t it 15’s turn?”

“Contestant 15 withdrew. Please be ready.”

“…Ah.”

---

On stage in the auditorium.

Several judges looked straight at me.

‘What do I do…’

The ability still hadn’t activated.

The judges’ eyes were tired from endless auditions.
But one pair of eyes felt sharper—
as if aiming straight at me.

Maybe I imagined it. But that wasn’t the issue.

[Stall for time, somehow.]

‘How am I supposed to stall here?!’

[Just do it! Almost ready!]

‘You’re killing me here…’

Luckily, setting up the electric piano bought me a moment.
But only a moment.

Once the keys, chair, and mic were in place—

“Alright, contestant number 16, Yoo Jaehui. Begin.”

“Yes…”

The arranged version of Premier League’s Word began playing.

As soon as the intro started, I grabbed the mic.

But instead of singing—

“Uh, excuse me! Just a moment!”

A judge gestured, and the music stopped.

“What is it?”

“I’d like to check the keyboard.”

“Go ahead.”

I pressed the keys slowly from low to high,
pretending to check for malfunctions,
but really just buying time.

“…Sigh.”

“Are you ready now?”

“Yes…”

‘Hey, come out. I need you right now.’

[…]

‘You there?’

[…]

In the most desperate moment,
the demon was silent.

‘Where the hell are you…’

I was screwed.

“Playing MR now.”

“…Yes.”

I had no more tricks.

The intro flowed from the speakers.

I placed my trembling hands on the keys,
trying to stay calm.

The harmony of MR and live piano was perfect.

I noticed the judges’ faces shift with interest.

‘Haa…’

I still wanted to run away,
but I trusted the demon and sang the first line.

A breathy tone,
with a vocal line full of mid-range notes.

As I began the verse,
my eyes locked with one judge.

His gaze felt like a silent question.

Though I couldn’t tell what it meant,
it felt like disapproval.

Because of the launch ceremony incident six years ago,
I had no confidence in singing.

Maybe that mindset made it all collapse.

I didn’t know what the judges thought,
but one thing was clear:
I felt small.

‘Ah… it’s ruined…’

Just then.

A heat rose in my throat,
rushed down through my chest and stomach,
then surged to my head.

[It’s ready.]

‘Where the hell were you…’

[Sorry. Needed to focus.]

‘…’

[Shall we begin?]

I nodded with relief.

‘Alright.’