Chapter 33: Mutual Worship (3)

The music show “Show! Winner” was broadcast.

Although it wasn’t a program with as much prestige as public broadcasts or MusicNet, it became a hot topic this time.

It was all thanks to the segment within the show titled [Assault! The Waiting Room].

– Hello! This is Lua from Aegis! Today, I’ve raided Pantheon’s waiting room!

Lua announced the raid with the bright, high-toned greeting typical of a music show MC.

Up to this point, it was a standard start.

Usually, the response to this would be—

– Oh! Lua-ssi?! Are you really here to raid our waiting room?

—coming back with an overtly cringeworthy line.

However, the place Lua stepped into was none other than Pantheon’s waiting room, and the Demon God was there.

– Welcome, Lua. Pantheon is here.

– …….

A handsome man with a cold expression welcomed her while using an incredibly arrogant, archaic style of speech.

She hesitated to carry out the raid.

She felt like she shouldn’t proceed.

Lua’s instincts were telling her so.

– Enter without fear.

An invitation that somehow made her more afraid, and—

– Yes, please come in. Our Sun-woo hyung won’t hurt you!

Between that and the incomprehensible invitation from a member named Yoon-seo, she ended up going inside.

‘Let’s stay sharp. There’s a lot of ad-libbing in the script today.’

This was a filming session conducted in a hurry because A-GON’s footage had been scrapped.

It was a situation where the writer had difficulty writing a dense script.

For Lua, who had recently become an MC, this was the greatest ordeal of her career.

– Lua-ssi, it’s nice to meet you. Aegis debuted around the same time as us, so I’ve been rooting for you. It’s great to see you here.

As expected of the leader.

Tae-young calmly led the atmosphere.

– Ah, that’s right. We debuted around the same time!

Afterward, they exchanged the usual jokes about being seniors or juniors based on their slight difference in debut dates.

– Now then, I will select the special MC!

The moment a relaxed Lua energetically moved to the next part.

– It is I.

The Demon God stepped forward.

– Pardon…?

Her voice was filled with confusion.

Even though the special MC is decided in advance, they usually carry out a skit as if they are picking someone on the spot.

He wasn’t supposed to say it like that.

– I am Sun-woo, today’s special MC. That is an unchangeable fact.

– Ah, um…, just a moment.

– I shall say this before I forget. I am currently recruiting fans. If you become a fan now, the grace of everything you do working out well will be provided as a perk…

– St-stop!

Lua was swept up in chaos.

Just as the production crew was wondering if they had no choice but to cut the take.

– Haha, our member Sun-woo really, really covets the special MC spot. He wants to do it so badly that he’s jumping the gun. Lua-ssi, how about letting Sun-woo be the MC?

Tae-young’s leadership shone once again.

The secret technique, [Transcendental Translation], had begun!

– Oh, he wanted to do it that much! Yes! Sun-woo-ssi, would you like to be the MC today?

– What are you talking about? I said I am the MC.

– He says thank you for letting him do it and that he’ll do a good job today. Our Sun-woo is a child who knows how to be grateful.

It continued like this from then on.

– Sun-woo-ssi, you just need to introduce the members with me! It’s simple, right?

– Members? Hmph, they are the subordinates I take pride in.

– They are colleagues who share both the joyful and difficult times.

– Oh my, Sun-woo-ssi really cherishes and loves the members!

– Love? Cast aside such cringeworthy words.

– He says he’s too shy to say those words. But he says Lua-ssi hit the nail right on the head.

The Demon God tilted his head.

– Something is strange.

– He says he’s in a very good mood.

In an instant, a situational skit was created.

Lua delivering normal lines, Sun-woo delivering arrogant lines, and Tae-young delivering the translated lines.

‘This might be more interesting than a regular broadcast?’

Writer Jang Bo-mi, who had entered with Lua, also kept gesturing for them to continue.

A few more lines passed.

– Sun-woo-ssi, what kind of member is Tae-young-ssi?

The answer to this was also mostly predetermined.

Usually, it would come out like this:

– He’s a hexagonal member who is good at everything. I’m always envious of him.

– As the main dancer, his dance lines are a work of art. Do you want to see for yourself?

– He is a member full of responsibility as a leader. We are all grateful to him for always taking care of us.

Envy, pride, gratitude—those kinds of appropriately soft praises should have come out.

– He indulges in photos of women.

Thump.

Something massive had come out.

– Excuse me…? Is this okay…?

– His phone contains an immense number of photos of women. When he looks at them, he has a slack-jawed face that is unlike his usual self. His cheeks also flush red, which is somewhat unsightly to my senses.

The production crew’s gaze slowly, very slowly, turned toward Tae-young.

They thought.

‘Wasn’t Sun-woo’s comment just now essentially social murder for an idol? Is Pantheon actually on very bad terms? Are they trying to bury him? I don’t think even Transcendental Translation can fix that.’

Now that Lua and the Demon God’s lines had passed, it was Tae-young’s turn.

What kind of answer would come out?

– I have a young sister. To me, she is so beautiful.

A shyly smiling, doting older brother was standing there.

The first day the Demon God arrived.

The reason Tae-young had to go home even though he wanted to stay at the dorm to look after the Demon God was precisely because of a promise to his little sister.

– Ah! Aha! Ahahaha! So that was it! I thought! Ahahaha!

Even as Lua laughed like she’d lost her mind, the production crew did not stop her.

They, too, felt their tension release as laughter leaked out or their legs felt weak.

– Tae-young is truly one who cherishes his family. Is it because he is such a person that he also cherishes the members? I am always in admiration of that.

– Well, thank you for thinking that. Won’t you repay me by putting more effort into learning Korean?

– Why? I am speaking quite well without hesitation.

– It’s the “without hesitation” part that really bothers me.

– You care about strange things.

– Uh, yeah….

The conversation between the two passed.

Despite the chaos, Lua squeezed her eyes shut and moved to the next question.

– Um, well, then, what kind of person is member Yoon-seo-ssi?

– He is a s*ave.

– He’s a tidy homebody whose hobbies include cooking, cleaning, and laundry.

– Wow! Yoon-seo-ssi has such practical hobbies. I wish we had a member like that in Aegis too!

– Shall I lend him to you?

– Of course, lending is not allowed.

– He is truly devoted. Moreover, he always acts from the heart. I hold him in high regard.

– Sun-woo hyung, thank you….

– I shall continue to work you, so consider yourself informed.

– …….

In this manner, the interview passed Yoon-seo and continued to Ha-gyeom.

– What kind of person is member Ha-gyeom-ssi?

– He is like a dog.

Lua’s mind began to drift again.

Instead of an exhausted Tae-young, Yoon-seo took over the Transcendental Translation.

– Ha-gyeom hyung often hears that he has ‘large dog’ energy.

At the appropriate translation, Lua took a ragged breath.

– I-I see, so that was it? I thought…. phew, phew….

– Lua, if you are unwell, you should rest. I shall act as the sole MC.

– Aaaah! No! I’m going to do this until the end!

– Tsk.

– Anyway, what does it mean to have ‘large dog’ energy?

– He is a scattered fellow, but his loyalty is useful.

– He has great sensitivity, so he sees things others miss. And he says thank you for always agreeing with what he says. You see, for Sun-woo hyung…, people around him don’t often agree.

– I see…. I understand.

– What did you say?

– He says it’s a good thing to understand each other.

– Ha-gyeom. Occasionally I find myself confused, but thanks to your support, I act boldly.

– I make you act more boldly, Sun-woo?

– Indeed. You are performing a magnificent role.

– No…, to think I was committing such a wicked deed….

Passing by Ha-gyeom who was clutching his face, the interview reached Ji-ho, who had a face full of tension.

– What kind of person is member Ji-ho-ssi? You can take your time to answer.

– He has my photo hanging in his room at his family home.

– ……Ji-ho hyung?

Yoon-seo gave up on Transcendental Translation and stared at Ji-ho.

– No, I don’t! I didn’t hang it up!

– What? Did I not give it to you instead of a talisman? Hang it up. That alone will prevent minor illnesses.

– Don’t talk nonsense! How can a photo prevent illness!

– You lack faith. Ji-ho is this kind of fellow. He is smart, but he does not believe in the things he ought to believe in.

The Demon God shook his head as if he were a hopeless case.

Then, he naturally suggested to Lua.

– Lua, is your health alright? Would you like my photo?

– Aha, ahaha. My health is absolutely fine!

– Do not be so confident.

– I’m fine!!!!

Shrugging his shoulders, the Demon God spoke to Ji-ho.

– Ji-ho. Occasionally I find myself confused, but thanks to your information and objective judgment, I act boldly.

– What? You act boldly either way, don’t you?

– Indeed.

– Is there ever a time you exercise self-restraint?

– Self-restraint? Why should I?

While the waiting room was filled with the wish that he would exercise some restraint.

The Demon God alone wore an expression of absolute ignorance.

In that way, the segment ended.

The CEO, the Team Leader, and the members.

Lua, Jang Bo-mi, and the rest of the production crew.

Even the Demon God himself moved on without realizing he hadn’t introduced himself.

Because his presence had been that explosive.

And the Demon God’s presence swept through the community once again.

[ This is crazy. It’s crazy again. Sun-woo filmed another variety show. ]

└ [ Is a member introduction supposed to be this funny? ]

└ [ Do you realize he skipped himself in the introduction? Usually, the special MC introduces themselves lol ]

└ [ These guys need to keep filming variety shows. If no one invites them, at least keep filming self-made variety content! ]

[ How much did they practice their chemistry before filming? The acting is so natural. ]

└ [ Members? Hmph, they are the subordinates I take pride in. ]

└ [ He says they are the members Sun-woo cherishes and loves lol ]

└ [ Is that acting? Show! Winner is a live broadcast. ]

└ [ Still, they film segments in advance. But it really felt like a live broadcast. ]

└ [ Right? It was completely natural lol ]

Majority of the reactions praised and anticipated the variety show capabilities of the Demon God and Pantheon.

These reactions led to an interest in Pantheon.

[ Isn’t the atmosphere around Pantheon great lately? ]

└ [ Right. Their momentum has definitely risen. I think their track entered the 70s on the charts this time. It’s not easy for a boy group to keep climbing like this. Especially from a small agency. ]

└ [ I think their first-week sales weren’t bad either. ]

└ [ Yup, I have a different bias, but I bought one Pantheon album. Oh right, I catch colds easily, I should hang Sun-woo’s photo somewhere. ]

└ [ Oh? Then I should buy one too. ]

└ [ Who doesn’t have at least one minor illness. If all those people buy it, the album sales will be enormous lol. Surely they didn’t aim for that lol? ]

└ [ So what if they did lol. Just stan them. He said he’d make everything go well too. ]

Digital charts aside, album sales depend on the scale of the fandom.

However, Pantheon’s album had begun to draw interest in a different sense.

In this way, Pantheon achieved growth in all areas.

***

Ending with ‘Show! Winner,’ the first week—where everything was a first for the Demon God—came to a close.

Time wouldn’t wait, so they immediately entered the second week of promotions.

With half familiarity and half momentum, they were spending each day energetically.

They simply enjoyed the occasional rest periods like honey.

No, like ice cream.

“This white ice cream somehow suits my palate.”

“Dongju Milk Bar? I don’t really eat those. But Sun-woo hyung eating it kind of matches because your face is so white.”

Holding the Milk Bar he had taken a liking to lately, the Demon God.

In his other hand, he held a Shark Bar for exploring new tastes—two in total.

– Click.

A familiar sound was heard.

“Someone has photographed me.”

“Pardon? That Homma hyung again?”

He had surely told him not near the mansion.

The moment the Demon God felt displeasure and turned toward the sound of the shutter.

“Um, excuse me….”

Two female students and three male students—five students in school uniforms—appeared before the Demon God.

They were the ones behind the clicking sound.

“It was not a Homma. Yet you appeared so submissively. Is it to submissively confess your sins?”

“He really speaks like that!”

“Hahahaha! It’s so fascinating!”

While the female students laughed, a male student with a sturdy impression stepped forward.

“You’re Sun-woo hyung and Yoon-seo, right?”

He called them by name, knowing who they were.

Yoon-seo looked at the student in slight surprise.

Another male student cut in from the side.

“He’s usually not interested in idols, you know? But lately, he’s been talking about Pantheon non-stop.”

The sturdy male student scratched the back of his head.

“I was so surprised that I took a photo without even asking. Would this be okay, by any chance?”

He even bowed his head and thrust his phone forward.

Despite the unexpected situation, the Demon God and Yoon-seo’s gaze went to the photo.

““It was taken well though?””

Two photos.

A photo of the Demon God leaning slightly against the convenience store wall, holding an ice cream.

And a photo of him biting the ice cream.

Beneath black hair that contained the night, an ice-sculpture-like face, and pure white ice cream.

“Hmm.”

The Demon God nodded, then asked something completely unexpected.

“Student, are you my fan?”

“Pardon?”

“Since you said you’ve been talking about Pantheon non-stop.”

“Ah, yes!”

The student, Woo Jin-hyung, reflected on himself at the Demon God’s question.

Second year of high school.

He wanted to go to the university he desired, but his grades wouldn’t easily rise.

At some point, even his self-esteem had hit rock bottom.

In that crisis where he was about to give up on studying, he heard a certain song.

A song that began with [ I can feel the one and only you ].

A song that ended with [ Worship forever ].

It felt as though someone was calling out to him desperately, which provided a strange comfort.

The song caught him just as he was about to crumble.

Woo Jin-hyung was able to pull himself together and sit at his desk again. He was able to not give up.

And today, he met Pantheon on the street.

Specifically, Demon God Sun-woo.

“Yes, I’m a fan.”

At that, the Demon God smiled.

“Take one more photo before you go.”

Woo Jin-hyung’s eyes widened.

“Really?”

“Of course. All of you, come.”

Woo Jin-hyung’s friends gathered around joyfully. The Demon God and Yoon-seo stepped among the students and took photos.

Before leaving, the Demon God left one final word.

“Continue to worship me. I shall worship you as well.”

Another spark of fan love.

The chains emitted a cracking sound accordingly.

In this way, the Demon God.

Obtained the existence of ‘ordinary fans.’

.

.

A few days passed.

Dongju Confectionery’s Sales Planning Team, Frozen Treats office.

The assistant manager finished a call and headed to the manager.

“Manager, we’re getting strange reports from the field.”

“Strange reports? Like what? Did some accident happen?”

“Our Milk Bar. It’s not usually a high-volume seller, is it?”

“Right, although it is a steady seller.”

“It’s the end of November now, so it’s about time people start eating less of them.”

“That’s true too. So? What are you trying to say?”

The assistant manager tilted his head.

“The order volume has suddenly exploded.”

“Hmm?”

The manager and the assistant manager tilted their heads together.

“Why would that be?”