Chapter 36: The MusicNet Asian Music Awards

Gradually, but surely.

The change began to be felt physically.

On the way to work at MusicNet after being notified of their nomination for first place.

“Hmm?”

The Demon God pricked up his ears to the sounds outside the van earlier than usual.

He could hear it.

– Pan! The! On! Let’s tear up the stage again today!

– Pantheon, let’s go for number one today!

– Demon God Sun-woo! Just one demonic gaze, please!

The voices of fans seeking Pantheon.

Soon, the members heard them too.

“Did we leave the windows open? I can hear them better than before.”

“No. The sounds of them calling us have definitely gotten louder.”

The Demon God also nodded.

He could feel it through his hearing.

The fans had increased.

While still incomparable to top groups, it was an immense improvement compared to their first commute where only ten people were present.

And it wasn’t just the voices directed at the Demon God that had increased.

As they opened the van door and stepped outside.

– Kyaaaa! Yoon-seo! You’re so refreshing today too!

– Tae-young oppa! Wave! Wave! Please wave your hand! A peace sign too!

– Ha-gyeom! Your eye smile is insane, seriously, you’re so pretty!!

– Ji-ho! Give us a heart while sneering!

The Demon God laughed inwardly.

‘The public attention I drew is heading toward the members as well.’

The members, though slightly flustered, faithfully performed what the fans wanted. They waved, they smiled, they made hearts.

“Demon God Sun-woo, please say that line!”

Of course, the Demon God did so without any hesitation.

He delivered his signature line that had already taken root.

“Are you my fans?”

“Yes!”

“Worship me.”

“Yes!”

“I shall worship you all as well.”

“Kyaaaaa!”

It was the Demon God smiling with satisfaction before his fans, promising mutual worship.

‘Now, how is it?’

This line was originally a question intended to recover his strength.

A structure where confirming fan love caused cracks in the chains.

Therefore.

Creeeeak… crack…

This was it.

As the number of fans increased, the sound of the cracking grew even louder!

“Ho?”

Even the Demon God was impressed.

When Pantheon rides an upward trend, the recovery of his power also rides an upward trend.

Feeling this physically gave him a different sensation.

He couldn’t help but offer praise.

“To think fifty of you have come. Fans, you have worked hard.”

But then.

– Are there really that many of us?

– Fifty? Did anyone count?

The fans had not yet organized, so they didn’t even know how many they were themselves.

“Sun-woo hyung? Did you count them all in that short time?”

Yoon-seo also asked out of curiosity.

For the Demon God, a grand commander who had led massive forces, this was an incredibly simple task.

“There is no need to count with one’s eyes. I can feel the presence of the fans even without doing so.”

The Demon God spoke exactly as things were.

Without exaggeration or addition, just the plain truth.

However, in the eyes of others, it was the ultimate fan-service comment.

– He says he can tell even without counting!

– Sun-woo was born to be an idol!

A burst of giggles erupted among the fans.

“When did this hyung learn comments like that?”

Yoon-seo tilted his head in surprise.

“Sun-woo, you must be studying hard lately.”

Tae-young’s encouragement followed.

‘I wasn’t though.’

‘I just said it as it is.’

The Demon God thought so.

Well, it didn’t really matter.

Everyone liked it, didn’t they?

***

The change didn’t stop at the fans’ cheering; it also reached his sense of taste.

“The fans sent lunch boxes?”

The Demon God looked at the lunch boxes placed on the table.

“Such an admirable deed?”

It was the first time Pantheon had received lunch boxes as well.

The two-tier lunch boxes sent by fans felt more intimate than the luxurious five-tier boxes seen on social media.

“These aren’t empty containers, are they?”

Ji-ho, still half-doubting, peeked into a lunch box.

“Ah, looks delicious.”

It was a substantial arrangement, enough for Ha-gyeom to say such a thing.

But then.

“Why were memos attached only to mine and Yoon-seo’s?”

[For Demon God Sun-woo. Make sure! to eat this!]

[For Yoon-seo. Don’t let it get swapped with Sun-woo’s!]

As the Demon God said, only those two had separate memos.

They opened them to see if anything was different, but to the Demon God’s eyes, there wasn’t much of a difference.

“Hmm? I wonder what it is?”

Yoon-seo also tilted his head.

Then, something caught the Demon God’s vision.

“I see a hint of green in Yoon-seo’s fried tofu rice balls?”

Green spots were visible in the rice part of the tofu rice balls lying on their side.

The Demon God and Yoon-seo swapped and tried each other’s rice balls.

“Mmm, mine doesn’t have wasabi?”

A delicate consideration from the fans.

They had given Yoon-seo the spicy food he liked and the Demon God the mild food.

However, since wasabi wasn’t red, the Demon God had been thoroughly baited.

The moment he chewed a mouthful of the tofu rice ball, a spicy energy strong enough to punish even the Demon God struck his tongue.

“Aaaagh! Water! Milk! Give me anything!”

The Demon God rolled around, and the members poured water and milk into his mouth.

It was Pantheon’s first time being loved by fans like this.

***

The music show proceeded while feeling the love of the fans.

All the stages ended.

Now, only the announcement of first place remained. All the idols, including Pantheon, were waiting backstage.

“Is being number one here impressive?”

Tae-young looked at Sun-woo asking beside him.

He just stared at him for a moment.

“Why do you not answer? Was it a difficult question?”

“Hmm.”

It wasn’t.

He was just watching him because it was fascinating.

Tae-young found Sun-woo, who had brought Pantheon to the point of being candidates for first place, fascinating and admirable.

“It’s impressive. Many idols never get to experience being number one.”

He had once thought Pantheon would be one of them.

But Sun-woo appeared, and they had come this far.

Setting aside his emotions, Tae-young continued his calm explanation.

“Even fairly well-known groups sometimes take a long time to hit number one if the timing is bad.”

“Then what about us?”

“We’re on the lucky side. There aren’t any big groups having comebacks right now, and the competing teams aren’t exactly insurmountable walls.

We managed to make a proper breakthrough in the meantime. Candidates for first place in the third week of a comeback? This is truly unbelievable.”

“Ho, truly unbelievable. Is it thanks to me?”

It was a typical Sun-woo reaction.

And it was also true that it was thanks to Sun-woo.

– Now, everyone, please come up to the stage! Pantheon, and IF1! The two candidate teams for first place, please stand at the front.

The staff’s cue signal was heard.

“Let’s go, guys.”

Tae-young looked back.

Unlike Sun-woo, who was the same as usual, the faces of the members showed a mix of anticipation, excitement, and anxiety.

“It’s okay. Even just being candidates for first place makes this comeback a success. You all know that, right?”

Tae-young took the lead, soothing his younger members.

In truth, his inner feelings were no different from his members’, but he was the older brother and the leader.

Inwardly, he felt: I want to experience being number one too.

“Do not worry, Tae-young. We shall take first place today.”

“…….”

Tae-young looked at Sun-woo, who spoke in a low voice.

This kid sometimes spoke as if he could read the members’ minds.

“Right.”

If Sun-woo said so, it must be true.

Tae-young headed to the stage with a smile.

– Pantheon! Pantheon!

– Worship! Worship!

He had heard the fans were discussing official cheering guides.

A Pantheon gallery was created on a camera site, and he heard 1,000 people joined the portal cafe in just three days.

– Tae-young oppa, you’re so cool!

Among the audience’s voices, the voice of a fan calling Tae-young reached him.

‘I suppose I can’t help that the voice calling my name catches my ear particularly well.’

Tae-young smiled serenely toward the audience, as he always did.

Then, he received a hand mic.

The interview was scheduled to proceed as agreed in advance.

“IF1, you’ve been nominated for first place. How do you feel?”

The MC asked IF1 first.

“We would like to win, but Pantheon’s stage was also so cool. Even if Pantheon receives it, I think we can truly congratulate them.”

An appropriately modest answer while revealing their desire.

The standard of standards.

– Pantheon.

And the same question returned to Pantheon.

First, Tae-young answered smoothly, and then one more question flew in according to the agreed order.

“Sun-woo-ssi!”

“Hmm? Me?”

Now was the time to be sharp.

“Do you want first place very badly?”

“Is it not natural to want it for oneself?”

“What if IF1 receives it?”

“I shall have my revenge.”

Um.

Right, Sun-woo is like that.

Tae-young calmly raised his microphone.

“He says we will strive to take first place with even better music next time.”

‘Those broadcast people.’

They had brought the exact concept from Show! Winner’s “Assault! The Waiting Room.”

Right now, Show! Winner was in chaos due to a change in directors.

Apparently, the main writers, Song Hwi-na and Jang Bo-mi, were acquaintances.

Amidst the laughter erupting from the audience and idols, the interview continued.

“Sun-woo-ssi, how would you feel if you took first place?”

“It is merely a stepping stone toward becoming a top idol.”

“He says he will use the first-place win as a foothold to strive and present even better music to everyone, including the fans.”

“Waaaaah!” Cheers from the audience followed.

Tae-young let out a sigh of relief.

The interview ended safely.

“Now then, shall we see the long-awaited first place?”

The scores for each category for both teams appeared on the screen.

Leaving one category empty to build suspense.

The announcement followed along with the final tally.

“PANTHEON!!!! Congratulations!”

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

Confetti burst and fell.

So, at first, he thought he had misheard.

Did he mishear because of the sound of the confetti popping?

But there were people informing him that he had heard correctly.

– PANTHEON! PANTHEON! PANTHEON!

The cheering and shouts were telling him.

“Ah, really?”

Us?

They had pinned their hopes on this comeback.

But it was only to the extent of a group on the verge of destruction being resurrected; first place? And on MusicNet?

To think they hit number one when even appearing on music shows was difficult?

Tae-young looked at the members.

The dazed faces of Yoon-seo, Ha-gyeom, and Ji-ho came into view.

A moment later.

“Uwaaaaa—”

Yoon-seo bowed his body while crying.

Ha-gyeom and Ji-ho huddled their heads together, regardless of the height difference.

A first win.

A sort of proof.

Stepping onto that spot meant they had charm as a team and that the effort they had put in until now was not in vain.

Tae-young also blinked his eyes.

He couldn’t help his eyes becoming slightly moist.

He couldn’t help a single tear from rolling down.

And he certainly couldn’t help the sudden, uncontrollable burst of tears.

“Ah, thank… thank you. Truly, for the first time…”

For the first time, he couldn’t continue his words.

He had always delivered comments calmly everywhere, but the words wouldn’t come out.

But wouldn’t it be okay just for this once?

Pantheon was crying.

Yoon-seo, Ha-gyeom, and Ji-ho.

And Tae-young himself—

“Sun-woo-ssi! What are your thoughts on the win?”

“Oh.”

Startled.

Those broadcast people again?

Tae-young whipped around to look at Sun-woo.

He had noticed Sun-woo wasn’t quite in his line of sight for a while now.

He was standing a step away from the surging passion.

He even had a slightly exhausted expression.

Tae-young, snapping back to his senses as if hit by cold water, prepared his Transcendental Translation.

“Forgive these weaklings. I wish to go home quickly.”

“W-weeee-ooo-eck?”

However, with his throat choked up, Tae-young ended up failing.

“Woo? Eh?”

[Voice Crack during First Place Acceptance Speech.]

It was the birth of a ‘black history’ moment that would follow him for the rest of his life.

“…….”

It was all thanks to Sun-woo.

.

.

Just as they thought it was over.

“Tae-young hyung, get it together.”

“Hyung, it’s okay. Everyone found it funny.”

“I have no words because I feel like I understand how you felt.”

Back in the waiting room after receiving the trophy.

While the members offered comfort to a mentally drained Tae-young.

“Make sure to put effort into managing your throat regularly.”

The Demon God’s advice followed calmly.

“Sun-woo hyung, quiet!”

“Why?”

Where and how should they even begin to explain this?

While the members were feeling lost.

Click.

The door opened and Writer Song Hwi-na walked in.

“Pantheon everyone, congratulations on the win!”

““Thank you.””

Everyone except the Demon God bowed.

Because of Song Hwi-na, they had the MusicNet appearance, and the atmosphere had improved further because they were able to show a full stage.

They were truly grateful to her.

But then.

Song Hwi-na had brought one more thing.

“You know about that, right? The big event that was delayed for a long time due to MusicNet’s own circumstances. Fan voting is starting soon.”

“Ah, yes, we know. The MusicNet Asian Music Awards. It was originally at the end of the year, but I heard it was pushed to early next year.”

Tae-young answered accurately even in the midst of this.

A sense of ‘could it be’ anticipation was laced in his voice.

And surprisingly, the expectation was met immediately upon its appearance.

“You’re going, right? Pantheon too?”

Pantheon had also joined.

The lineup for MAMA.

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