Seojun spread the book on the floor. It was the life of the Spirit of the Baton, born with the [Orchestra Conductor's Connection] skill.
"Back then..."
A sigh escaped him as he opened the first page. This was a dark history that needed to be buried deep.
* * *
This world was the realm of the spirits of music.
When various instruments were buried at the base of the tree at the center of the world, the tree would absorb the nutrients and bear fruit. And from that fruit, a spirit would be born.
These spirits would form friendships, quarrels, reconciliations, loves, and partings through the music they played.
When the instrument that formed their body became too old to produce sound, they would finally rest in eternal slumber.
It was a beautiful world where everything revolved around music, a world where the music never ceased.
He was a spirit born from the sleek baton of an orchestra conductor.
The spirits in this world were born with one or two skills, which they often used without revealing them to other spirits.
His skill was [Orchestra Conductor's Connection - Supreme], an incredibly powerful ability.
[Orchestra Conductor's Connection - Supreme]
The musical ability of connected entities can increase or decrease by up to 10 times based on the bond with the conductor.
The bond with the conductor and the bond among connected entities are expressed in numbers.
Maximum Connections: 30
The method of using the skill was simple. He just needed to shake hands with the entity he wanted to connect with.
Born from the conductor's baton, he was destined to become a conductor from the moment he emerged from the fruit.
If he used this skill, by connecting his orchestra members and building bonds between the conductor and the members, as well as among the members, he could undoubtedly create an orchestra that had never been seen in this world.
'Hmm.'
Yes, if he, in his previous life,
was not a demon king.
He was a demon king.
Born as the descendant of a demon king, he smoothly ascended to the position of demon prince due to his ruthlessness, and became the demon king without any opposition thanks to his outstanding abilities.
The life of the demon king, who conquered the intermediate realm and invaded the celestial realm, was unimaginably long.
Although the memories were gone, sometimes the influence of his previous life would carry over to his next life.
And this was one of those times.
Before conducting the orchestra, he would sometimes sit in a chair and look down at his hands. They were clean.
But soon, blood would rise up as if in a hallucination. The bright red blood of humans, the deep blue blood of monsters, and the golden blood of celestials.
In his previous life, he lived a cruel and passionate life, drenched in blood and tearing apart lives, building mountains of corpses and staining the earth and sky with darkness.
That's how it was. He clenched his hands so tightly that they might shatter.
This world was boring.
In this world filled with music, there were no bloody battles or fights that shattered things.
Everything revolved around music. Music was the beginning and the end.
The spirits devoted their lives to music, striving to create more beautiful and outstanding music.
'That's too... beautiful, isn't it?'
He laughed. Living a peaceful life had become tiresome. He covered his mouth with both hands, worried about who might see his expression. Ah, he needed to cause chaos.
He knew how exciting it was to be the first to step on a pristine snowfield.
The moment he was targeting was the Music Festival, which took place once every four years in this world.
Music Festival.
It was a very important festival where spirits offered music to the tree from which they were born. The music played for the tree during this time influenced the nature of the spirits born over the next four years.
If happy music was played, spirits with positive personalities would be born. If solemn music was played, spirits with cautious personalities would be born.
If sad music was played, spirits who could empathize with others' sorrows would be born.
The spirits loved all kinds of music.
Ten music groups would take the stage, and there was no ranking. Everyone enjoyed the music.
He rose to the stage of the Music Festival with his orchestra, thanks to his outstanding skills.
'Hello, I am the Spirit of the Baton.'
'Oh! I've heard a lot about you. I am the Spirit of the Drum.'
'Hello! I am the Spirit of the Piano!'
He used [Orchestra Conductor's Connection - Supreme].
The target was not his orchestra members but the spirits of the important instruments in the other nine music groups, shaking hands with them.
The spirits had no idea. While any performance would do, they had no idea what effect music without a proper ending would have on the spirit tree.
He smiled slyly.
[Orchestra Conductor's Connection - Supreme]
The musical ability of connected entities can increase or decrease by up to 10 times based on the bond with the conductor.
The bond with the conductor and the bond among connected entities are expressed in numbers.
Maximum Connections: 30
'What if the bond is 0... or even negative?'
He focused on the word "increase or decrease." He was very curious about the outcome.
The stage was set in front of the spirit tree so that it could hear the music clearly.
The first music group took the stage. It was a band. Among them, the skill's symbol appeared above the drum's head.
[43 / 10]
Two numbers appeared. The first was the bond with the conductor, and the second was the bond among connected entities.
The bond with the conductor was high. Although the instruments were different, the drum respected the famous Spirit of the Baton.
The bond among connected entities was low. The nine music groups only knew each other by face and name, so there was no real bond.
The drum on stage raised its sticks. He used the skill.
[Using Orchestra Conductor's Connection.]
He let his guard down a little. The contempt he had been hiding to appear like an ordinary spirit was revealed. The disdain was evident.
The bond responded to the feelings. The drum's respect for him remained, but his disdain affected the bond. The conductor's bond, which was 43, gradually decreased.
[The bond with the target is decreasing.]
[The bond with the target is decreasing.]
[The bond with the target is decreasing.]
...
The number above the drum's head turned negative.
Ding!
The drum missed a beat. It was a drum with skills that could be counted among the best in this world.
The drum continued the performance without panicking. But its hands and feet couldn't keep the rhythm, contrary to its intentions.
As the drum's rhythm, the center of the band, became a mess, the other instruments, trying to cover up the drum's mistakes, also began to falter.
The band's performance somehow came to an end. The audience's reaction was not good. Everyone was worried about what was wrong with the drum.
But only one group had made a mistake so far. The next music group took the stage.
[The bond with the target is decreasing.]
[The bond with the target is decreasing.]
[The bond with the target is decreasing.]
...
This time, another mistake was made.
The next music group took the stage. It was a famous solo singer with a beautiful voice.
[The bond with the target is decreasing.]
[The bond with the target is decreasing.]
[The bond with the target is decreasing.]
...
Another mistake. The next music group took the stage. It was a choir known for its outstanding cohesion.
[The bond with the target is decreasing.]
[The bond with the target is decreasing.]
[The bond with the target is decreasing.]
...
'Ah!'
Someone in the audience let out a sigh mixed with sadness. Nine music groups had made mistakes and failed to complete their performances.
Now it was the last one. The spirits were in shock. This was the first time the Music Festival had collapsed since the world was created.
'What do we do?'
'What will happen to the spirits that will be born?'
'Who put such a group in the Music Festival?'
The usually calm spirits were flustered and angry. A crack appeared in the world filled with beautiful music. Then, someone said,
'There's still the orchestra. They, the Spirit of the Baton, will surely do it without making mistakes!'
'Right. He's still here!'
There was still a glimmer of hope. Everyone held their hands together, half worried and half hopeful, waiting for the next stage.
He and his orchestra took the stage.
'Violin. Last one.'
He reached out his hand to the violin, who would perform solo in his orchestra.
The violin, dressed in a beautiful red dress, blushed and took the hand of the maestro who had brought her to this stage despite her only having a low-level skill.
She was very grateful.
'Thank you, Maestro.'
'You're welcome.'
[Using Orchestra Conductor's Connection.]
A gloomy voice echoed in his head, as if foretelling the tragedy that would befall the world, but he laughed cheerfully. He detested a boring world.
Standing at the podium, he raised the baton from which he was born with all his might. The performance began.
He no longer hid his feelings. Like shooting a brilliant firework at the end, he didn't hide his contempt for this dull and monotonous world.
The violin, performing a solo closest to him, was the first to notice. Her whole body trembled with the malicious emotions she had never felt before, but she couldn't stop playing.
However, despite her determination to endure the fear and continue playing, her respect for the conductor gradually diminished.
[The bond with the target is decreasing.]
[The bond with the target is decreasing.]
[The bond with the target is decreasing.]
...
'Ah.'
It was a good sound. The demon king waved the baton.
As the performance, teetering on the edge of failure, continued, not only the orchestra members but also all the spirits in the audience noticed.
The conductor's heart on the podium! Disrespect! Neglect! Mockery!
Contempt!
Squeak!
Finally, a sound of despair came from the violin.
Although she made a mistake, she couldn't ruin the music. The violin continued to play, tears streaming down her face.
Clang! Squeal!
It wasn't just the violin. The cello, viola, and trumpet all shuddered with despair.
Unable to hold back their tears, the spirits in the audience cried as the music crumbled endlessly.
Rustle-
The beautiful spirit tree, which served as the background of the stage, shook. The branches and leaves swayed even though there was no wind.
'No!'
The nine music groups, who were watching his performance in shock, shouted when they saw the tree.
'The tree, the spirit tree!'
The tree was dying.
Screams erupted. Very high, very loud screams.
'Stop the performance!'
'No, you can't stop!'
Opinions were divided. Some argued that the performance should be completed even with mistakes, while others believed it should be stopped due to the mistakes.
He, who was waving the baton, knew the answer. He stopped the baton at the highlight.
The orchestra, which hated him for ruining the performance but still looked at his baton, unknowingly stopped playing.
'Ah... no...'
There were clumsy performances and mistake-filled performances. But if they stopped halfway, it wouldn't be music.
As the orchestra's performance completely stopped, the spirit tree began to change.
It turned black. It was dying. The leaves fell one by one, and large branches crashed to the ground.
Along with the tree, the spirits' screams and sorrowful sighs echoed from all directions. Cries could be heard.
Ah.
He was satisfied, having destroyed a world. Now, how the world would change... his heart raced with anticipation.
Buzz-
At that moment, the sound of a violin was heard.
* * *
Seojun opened his eyes.
"Seojun, you're awake?"
Choi Si-yoon, who had been staring at Seojun's face, smiled.
"Ughhhh."
He had fallen asleep while reading a book in the library of life.
It was a nightmare. A dark history. Thinking about it now, he couldn't believe how he had destroyed such a peaceful and beautiful world. He felt ashamed and embarrassed. All he could do was sigh.
Kahahaha! Chaos! Destruction! Annihilation! For some reason, the evil laugh of the Spirit of the Baton echoed in his ears.
Is this what they call "middle school syndrome"? He had seen it on TV... Seojun felt gloomy.
At the sound of Seojun's crying, the members who were warming up baby food, and Seo Eun-chan and Kim Hwaryeon, quickly came to the living room.
"Why, why are you crying?"
"Is Seojun okay?"
Hwang Ye-jun and Kevin quickly sat next to the blanket. Blowing on the hot baby food, Park Seo-jin finally took his seat. Kim Hwaryeon quietly told the worried Seo Eun-chan that it was a tantrum.
"Ughhhh."
'Stupid me from the past!'
He wasn't really crying, but it sounded like it. The more he thought about it, the more embarrassed he felt. Seojun kicked the blanket with his short legs, making it ripple.
"Is Seojun hungry?"
"It seems so. Seo-jin, feed him quickly!"
Park Seo-jin scooped up the baby food with a small spoon. Kevin quickly picked up Seojun and sat him on his lap.
No, I'm sad. I'm not hungry...
"Haap!"
"Our Seojun is eating well!"
"Seems like he was really hungry."
He opened his mouth without realizing it. Munch, munch. The baby food in his mouth disappeared in an instant. Feeling better after eating something delicious, Seojun continued to munch, tilting his head.
Hmm, was I really that hungry? Now that I think about it, my stomach does feel a bit empty?
Ah, I must have had a nightmare because I was hungry.
"Open your mouth, Seojun."
"Me too! Me too, let me try!"
"Ye-jun, then I'll do it next!"
"Next is me!"
[The bond with the target is increasing.]
[The bond with the target is increasing.]
[The bond with the target is increasing.]
[The bond with the target is increasing.]
Seojun took another bite. The baby food made by his mother was delicious.
* * *
The Spirit of the Cello opened the book. It was about the worst traitor in history, the Spirit of the Baton.
After the incident, the traitor's skill was revealed, and a law was enacted requiring spirits to register their skills immediately upon birth.
At the very beginning of the book, there was a picture of the hero, the Spirit of the Violin, and the skill she possessed.
To the Spirit of the Cello, who had a low-level skill, the Spirit of the Violin, who had defeated the traitor and revived the spirit tree, was a dazzling idol.
[Violin's Effort-Infused Basic Skill - Low Level]
The effort-infused basic skill allows the spirit to continue playing even in the face of mistakes or adverse conditions.
Although this skill did not help improve skills, it played a significant role in defeating the traitor. The Spirit of the Cello turned the page.
There was a picture of the Spirit of the Violin playing in a red dress and the traitor, who seemed to be shouting at people in concert attire.
[The violin continued the mistake-filled performance. It sounded like the clumsy performance of a newly born spirit. The skill she had always complained about being useless shone brightly. The performance, which seemed to be on the verge of breaking, continued endlessly.
The Spirit of the Baton, who tried to stop the violin, was restrained by his orchestra members, preventing the violin from stopping.
Although the Spirit of the Baton's skill continued to degrade her performance, she did not stop her skill and continued playing.
Thanks to the violin's performance, which lasted for five hours, the spirit tree, which was on the brink of death, was revived.
However, no spirits were born from the revived spirit tree for the next four years.
Fortunately, the miracle of the violin did not end there. At the next Music Festival, thanks to her performance, which was full of vitality, the spirit tree returned to normal, and more spirits were born than usual.
...The worst traitor in history, the Spirit of the Baton, was the first to be executed after the world was created.]