Chapter 106: The Power of Confidence

Of course, the aftermath blew toward Pantheon as well.

An aftermath in a good sense.

“Wait a moment. Isn’t this too good?”

PD Park Chang-su spoke involuntarily.

As Pantheon’s re-performance headed toward the ending, he felt certainty in his judgment.

“It’s a good thing I handed the stage over!”

He had bluffed loudly to his superiors that he would settle it.

He swapped in Pantheon with an unknown belief that if it were them, they would pull it off.

‘Phew…. Where did I get the courage at that moment.’

Park Chang-su, who was usually on the timid side, had made a bold judgment that even surprised himself.

– Crash- Crash-
To you.

Pantheon finished perfectly up to the last measure.

Park Chang-su’s courage was rewarded.

Surprisingly, Pantheon’s re-performance was even better than their previous one.

Even while directing the camera moving, Park Chang-su couldn’t hide the laughter leaking out.

“This is crazy.”

“Hmph.”

The Demon God smiled and came down below the stage.

Except for him, all the members were looking at each other with bewildered expressions.

“Did we just—?”

“Did you feel it too, Tae-young Hyung? Me too.”

“I felt it too. I think we did even better than earlier.”

Tae-young, Yoon-seo, and Ha-gyeom tilted their heads.

Of course, they cheered ‘fighting’ before going up.

Since the stage of EXI, who they were competing with, was canceled, if they do well here, it’s 1st place. With this thought, they were full of spirit. Very much so.

“But do you get this much better just by putting spirit into it?”

Ha-gyeom expressed his doubt.

“In my case, it is so.”

“Huh?”

Ha-gyeom looked at the Demon God briefly at his out-of-the-blue words, then returned to his conversation with the members.

“Isn’t it amazing? Today?”

“No, listen to my words.”

I’m saying it’s real.

By absorbing the evil spirit and breaking a chain, he recovered power.

Since he shared a more strengthened demonic [Aura], naturally they would be more outstanding than before.

“Are you not going to say it is thanks to me!”

“It seems the practice we’ve done all this time exploded at once.”

“I guess so.”

“It feels rewarding.”

Before he knew it, the members were paying no mind to the Demon God….

The Demon God felt something was wrong.

Why do I feel myself in an attitude that only says what they want to say?

Regardless, the members’ conversation continued.

“Especially you, Ji-ho. I couldn’t see well because I was performing, but weren’t you particularly amazing today?”

“Huh? Me?”

Ji-ho pointed at himself.

“Yeah! Didn’t you feel it yourself too?”

“Yeah. I did feel like something went well. But since it was my own feeling, I wasn’t sure. Did it look like that to you too, Ha-gyeom?”

Not to mention Ha-gyeom, Tae-young and Yoon-seo all nodded.

““Totally!””

Then the members looked at the Demon God, whose lips were sticking out.

“What does Sun-woo think?”

They wondered if he would answer gruffly again.

“It was so. You were much cooler.”

““Ohh. He answered properly!””

Ji-ho also spoke in surprise.

“Really? Then I must have been really cool?”

If even Sun-woo with that expression said so, it wasn’t just a little cool!

Actually, the camera also shone on Ji-ho several times more than usual.

Below the stage, the fans also conversed with their eyes.

For reference, it was content like this.

└ Heol what is up with Ji-ho… His eyes are no joke… He looks precarious, wavering, like he’s going to collapse…

└ Crazy… Did his sexy charm upgrade after experiencing an accident?

└ Ji-ho is my bias ㅠㅠ Can someone make a compilation of screencaps ㅠㅠ I watched without even breathing

It was to the point where even non-Pantheon fans could recognize it.

Everyone could be certain.

Every idol member has their own legendary stage, and for Ji-ho, it is today. On today’s stage, Ji-ho was truly crazy.

“I really did well. I wasn’t sure because I was a bit out of it.”

He finally felt certain that he did well.

A satisfied smile suddenly spread across Ji-ho’s face.

Seeing that smile, the Demon God also smiled warmly and spoke.

“Of course, it must be said that it is also thanks to me.”

“Yeah, Ji-ho. It was really good today.”

“Should I say it a bit? Like a bad boy? I felt something like that.”

“Oh, Yoon-seo is right.”

The Demon God’s claim to a stake ended up flowing away like that again….

Tremble tremble.

The Demon God was furious alone and pledged revenge.

Because only the Demon God knew the reason Ji-ho’s charm exploded.

‘It was quite a strong evil spirit, so an aftermath remained. I purposefully left it instead of clearing it away.’

An aftermath with no ill effects on Ji-ho that would disappear soon.

Should it be called an energy ‘smeared’ on Ji-ho’s exterior?

It was an evil spirit’s energy, but because it remained faintly, it carried a sort of fatal, decadent, and captivating charm.

‘I left it thinking of it as a useful special effect.’

Ji-ho gladly accepted and ate it up.

Combined with his own original style, it evolved into something else.

Yoon-seo called it a bad boy.

But there is a better word than that.

“Decadent charm.”

“What did you say, Sun-woo?”

“You listen well to these words. I said Ji-ho has awakened his decadent charm.”

““Right! That’s it!””

The aftermath of being possessed by a powerful evil spirit + the demonic Aura shared with the Demon God.

Like bibimbap mixed with the perfect ratio of seasoning and ingredients, it ended up producing a honey-like taste.

Ji-ho’s decadent charm will be eternal within his legendary fancam.

“Sun-woo? You learned words like that too?”

“I am originally good at speaking.”

This time, the members didn’t ignore him and nodded warmly.

“Why does this feel strangely unpleasant?”

The Demon God tilted his head.

But he moved on because he still had something to say.

“Ji-ho, how is it?”

“Huh? Decadent charm? First of all, I feel good because I gained charm?”

No, not that.

“How does it feel to get revenge?”

“Ah.”

Before facing EXI.

The conversation shared in the middle of the night.

I want to get revenge on Kang-yul.

Even if revenge is just doing better, I still want to do it.

“They lost the opportunity to perform. And they will likely have to bear the aftermath of today’s incident. If it’s revenge in its own way, it’s revenge, so how is it.”

Instantly, the members also became quiet.

They knew the rough details from hearing it from Ji-ho. The members, who were in the same position, also empathized with Ji-ho’s revenge.

As such, they became curious about Ji-ho’s answer.

“It’s a very strange feeling.”

“Strange?”

“Yeah. Like you said, Sun-woo, it feels like I succeeded in revenge in my own way? But I don’t feel relieved.”

Indeed, Ji-ho’s expression looked somewhat unconvinced.

“Is that so? Do you regret the revenge? Or do you feel sympathy for EXI?”

The Demon God knows.

Revenge is a difficult and heavy burden.

There are times when even the one carrying it wants to put it down.

“No. It’s not that. Actually—”

But Ji-ho says that’s not it.

The Demon God put strength into his rising corners of his mouth.

If he doesn’t want to put down the revenge.

“Do you understand the feeling of wanting to continue getting more revenge? It feels refreshing, but not to the point of being relieved, so you want more revenge?”

Then.

I understand.

That is this Demon God’s basic policy.

“Revenge is originally only truly satisfying when done until it’s resolved. You are slowly getting to know that taste.”

The Demon God relaxed the strength in the corners of his mouth and grinned.

“Fufufufu.”

“Fufufufu.”

The Demon God and Ji-ho laughed darkly.

““Fufufufu.””

Tae-young, Yoon-seo, and Ha-gyeom also laughed darkly.

Because dark laughter is also the true taste of revenge.

“Let us start with 1st place.”

The Demon God declared.

***

And ta-da.

“This week’s 1st place is… Pantheon!”

MC Hee-hyun’s shout rang out across the 1st place announcement stage.

‘A self-evident result.’

They came this far going back and forth with EXI until just before.

Ultimately, it was a situation where they had to compete even with their stages.

But EXI’s stage was canceled and Pantheon pulled off a legendary stage.

Their first public broadcast 1st place on SBC.

“Fufufufu.”

Filled with satisfaction, the Demon God laughed darkly and looked back at the members.

Because they had been laughing together just until now.

He assumed they would do the same this time.

“?”

The members’ conditions are strange.

“Why are your expressions like that? And why no words?”

What should he call those faces right now.

Faces forcefully holding back from distorting?

“Phew….”

Tae-young, who was at least calm, let out a long sigh.

He raised a hand and patted Yoon-seo.

“Uwooooh.”

Yoon-seo was already burying his face in both hands and bowing his head.

He expected it from the moment EXI’s stage was canceled, but still, tears burst out when it actually happened in reality.

The day had come when Pantheon, who had a hard time even piercing through cable broadcasts, won 1st place on a public broadcast.

“Oracle—, thank you!”

Ha-gyeom also shouted toward the audience seats with tear-filled eyes.

It’s a relief.

To be able to come here after going through all that journey.

“Everyone? Have we not already won 1st place?”

The Demon God was still bewildered.

He couldn’t fully understand their deep emotion.

“But public broadcaast— ahh—”

Yoon-seo attempted a tear-mixed answer but failed.

“We, public broadcaaast-bababa—”

Ha-gyeom also failed to answer, lost in deep emotion.

Tae-young simply had no words.

“Ji-ho?”

The Demon God looked at Ji-ho.

And Ji-ho—

‘I showed them. That we did it. I won… against EXI, against Izm… against the me from back then…’

Joy, anger, sorrow, relief.

All emotions burst out and choked his throat.

“Heubebebebe— Ubababaaah—!!!!”

“?!”

The Demon God ended up being startled.

“Perhaps?”

He turned his head forward.

He also looked at the section in the audience seats where Pantheon’s fans were gathered.

“Uheuhuh! Finally Pantheon….”

“It was long. But they did it. Huaaang!”

Crying, synonymous with joy, was sweeping through the fans.

“?”

Is that so?

Is this such a deeply moving thing.

The Demon God focused on the overflowing emotions from the fans.

The joy of 1st place.

He knew it as knowledge through searches or videos.

Actually seeing it with his own eyes like this is different.

How overwhelmed they are.

Then it cannot be helped.

The Demon God raised his microphone.

“Fans. If you desire it in the future as well—”

Thus, if you wish it of us—

“I shall ceaselessly grant you these moments.”

The Demon God promises.

The members also looked at the Demon God with overwhelmed gazes.

An acceptance speech far more sincere than the one prepared in advance.

Tae-young put away his prepared lines.

Sun-woo’s words continued.

“I will completely sweep away the obstacles on that path.”

“Whatever difficulties there are, we will overcome them with passion and unity.”

Even if he puts away the prepared lines, let’s do [Transcendental Translation].

“Do not forget to hang up Pantheon’s photos.”

“Please give us lots of love.”

Love!

And worship!

Pantheon promised their fans.

***

That day when he sent down the promise as an oracle in the Pantheon.

EXI was facing a full-fledged aftermath after the music broadcast ended.

Jang Young-bae was on the phone regarding an advertising contract.

– –Is it true that Su-eon directly intruded?

“That is still under investigation, but—.”

– You mean a police investigation?

“Yes, that is correct.”

– Is there a complainant? The opposing idol’s company? Or the broadcasting station?

“That’s not it. Just, due to the possibility of a criminal case—.”

– A criminal case.

A brief silence followed.

Rather, the silence was better.

Because what comes after the silence is ultimately a catastrophe.

– It’s a shame, but let’s look for the next opportunity.

The advertiser’s representative hung up with a voice that wasn’t a shame at all.

“Damn it!”

Jang Young-bae slammed his fist on the desk.

Right now, this isn’t just one incident.

Calls from advertisers are flooding in.

Cancellation calls.

“And Kwak Su-eon?”

“He’s still rambling incomprehensibly, they say.”

They’ll have to see his condition, but they can’t just pass over this. They even have to consider expelling the member right after debut.

Of course, it can’t be good for EXI’s brand image.

– An unprecedented incident occurred that disrupted stage order during a live broadcast. A member of the idol group EXI intruded on another artist’s stage without warning.

The agency stated its position as a ‘health issue’, but controversies of poor management are emerging from some in the industry.

It can’t be helped.

It was a situation with no solution.

Just putting out the fire on the broadcasting side will take a long time.

And, the biggest problem wasn’t even the broadcasting.

“What about communities or SNS?”

Izm was placed on a grill.

On a very hotly and well-heated grill.

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