Chapter 85: The Intruder

A studio on the fifth floor of a building near the broadcasting station.

Origin had rented this place as the venue for the fan signing and allowed fans to enter earlier than the start time.

On a large monitor temporarily installed in the center, Pantheon’s comeback music show stage was already playing for the several-dozenth time—

“Kyaaaa!”

“Worship him! Worship him!”

The fans erupted in cheers all at once, as if they were seeing it for the first time.

They were fervent fans who had come all the way to the signing event, and the performance itself was so powerful that the excitement didn’t fade even with repeated viewings.

In particular, an immense roar broke out every time the choreography for the ‘Crush!’ moment at the intro played.

They stood precariously as if falling from the sky, crashed into the stage, and then instantly sprang back up.

It was only because they knew the CEO of Origin didn’t mistreat his artists that they weren’t terrified; otherwise, the movements were so violent one would worry about injuries.

And here, the Demon God jumped so high that others couldn’t reach him even with a full-powered leap, shocking the viewers.

“Shouldn’t Sun-woo have been a basketball player?”

“I bet he would have been good at basketball too. A meme about an ‘idol stolen by the sports world’ would probably have circulated.”

“No! We can’t lose Sun-woo! An idol is his true calling!”

A ‘true calling’—a profession bestowed by the heavens.

Since he had been sentenced to this as a punishment by the heavenly gods, it wasn’t exactly a wrong statement.

“But Sun-woo aside, aren’t the other members jumping incredibly high too?”

“I know, right? Is it even possible to jump that much from that posture?”

The members sharing the aura were also performing jumps at a level that would normally be impossible.

“I guess the ‘God’ concept wasn’t just chosen for the visuals.”

“They are simply gods.”

“Worship, worship.”

“Wor.”

“ship.”

“Wor.”

“ship.”

While the fans displayed such worship toward Pantheon, the staff members were busy moving about the venue.

The CEO himself had also come out today to manage the site personally.

“CEO, a reporter is looking for you. He said you’d know who it is if I say Reporter Jang.”

“Ah, Reporter Jang? Bring him over here.”

It was common to invite reporters to a comeback album fan signing.

Reporter Jang had a long-standing relationship with him and was quite favorable toward Origin.

Welcoming him with a bright face—

“CEO Gu, congratulations. The atmosphere is fantastic.”

Reporter Jang also greeted the CEO with a bright expression.

“Thanks for coming. I was on pins and needles thinking no reporters would show up.”

“Why? Because of EXI? That’s them, and this is here.”

8 PM.

It was the start time for EXI’s global live showcase, and simultaneously, the time for Pantheon’s comeback fan signing.

“I was worried people would go there and not come here.”

“I don’t think you need to worry about that. Quite a few reporters have come here too.”

As Reporter Jang said, there were a fair number of reporters at Pantheon’s signing event.

It meant that Pantheon’s comeback was an event that couldn’t be ignored.

‘If this album does well too, they’ll go beyond being a flash in the pan and officially become a major trend.’

CEO Gu gulped.

“Reporter Jang, take some good photos, you know?”

“Hahaha, don’t worry.”

“I just got word that the kids finished their music show, so they’ll be here soon. Please have a seat.”

“Yes, understood.”

Reporter Jang answered refreshingly, reading CEO Gu’s mind.

He took photos of the fans who had arrived early, and everyone’s faces were bright.

There was an unmistakable aura of success in the air.

After CEO Gu turned and disappeared.

“They said there’s still time, right? I should go grab a quick smoke.”

Reporter Jang fumbled for the cigarettes in his pocket.

To a smoker, the words ‘they’ll be here soon’ were automatically translated as ‘they aren’t here yet.’

He wouldn’t be able to smoke once the signing started.

There was no smoking area inside the building.

He had no choice but to go outside and around to the back of the building, where he finally lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

“Phew—”

Reporters naturally have agencies or groups they personally root for.

Reporter Jang had liked the songs CEO Gu made during his time as an Izm producer, so he had been hoping for Origin’s success.

“I think it’s going to go well. The reactions to the music video and the stage are quite good. I like it too.”

Having finished his cigarette with satisfaction, Reporter Jang turned around—

“What’s that?”

Something strange caught his eye.

To be precise, one strange person.

Walking unsteadily with a haggard face, the person looked to be in very poor condition.

However, he was too young to be called a vagrant, and his clothes were quite decent.

Above all, his face was one that he, an entertainment reporter, had seen somewhere before.

While he was tilting his head in confusion, the person crossed through Reporter Jang’s line of sight and disappeared into the alley behind the building.

“No, surely not.”

No matter how much they haven’t been active recently, they wouldn’t have fallen apart like that.

It’s just someone who looks like him.

Reporter Jang shook his head and threw his cigarette into the ashtray.

“What kind of idol would walk around in such a trashed state in broad daylight.”

***

The weirdo Reporter Jang saw passed the front of the building and continued walking.

He walked while slowly dragging his feet.

Occasionally, he would tap his own head and mutter to himself.

“Yes, right. I think the teacher is truly right.”

A pedestrian passing by the weirdo overheard those words and walked away at a distance.

If you think ‘surely not,’

That is exactly when it turns out to be true.

Just as Reporter Jang suspected, the weirdo was indeed an idol.

“I have to show my true self.”

He thought he had finally obtained a concept and a song that would appeal to the public this time, but the company had snatched it all away.

At that time, they clearly said they would compensate him, but there has been no word since.

He began to undergo what was essentially being ‘shelved.’

Not as gemstones carefully placed in a jewelry box,

But like old toys roughly tossed into a desk drawer.

Being trapped in a dark, narrow place caused only internal strife within the team.

They hadn’t been on particularly good terms to begin with.

Fights were frequent, and they looked down on each other.

When things took a turn for the worse, they attacked each other to find someone to blame—or more honestly, to find a scapegoat to vent their anger on.

And the weirdo lost that fight.

Even the people at the company who used to back him up turned their backs.

“It’s not me, right? It’s not me, I didn’t do anything wrong, right? They clearly told me to do it, right, so why is it my responsibility, it’s not right, it’s too much, right?”

The weirdo shook his head violently.

He couldn’t accept it. Are they acting like this just because he behaved a bit overbearingly? Then they should have just done a good job. Now that things are going poorly, everyone is revolting.

He was not a person who deserved to be treated like this.

He was a being who overwhelmed others, someone others should look up to.

“Right?”

The weirdo stopped in his tracks and asked no one in particular.

– That’s right. Exactly.

Surprisingly, an answer came back.

“Keep talking.”

– What is there to say? You are the victim of an injustice.

“Right. It’s an injustice.”

– Even though these current situations aren’t your fault at all.

“Right. It’s not my fault.”

– Everything I say is right, isn’t it?

“That’s also right.”

The weirdo was accompanied by a ‘conversation partner.’

Completely invisible to the eyes of the people on the street,

It was a conversation partner the weirdo clearly perceived.

A spiritual being.

A negative spiritual being, at that.

It was an evil spirit that had burrowed into the gaps of a wavering human and taken up residence.

“Friend, thank you for saying such kind things.”

– What are you talking about? I am always on your side.

No matter how bad his circumstances were, the reason the weirdo had changed this much was precisely because of the evil spirit.

If not for that, a weirdo with any awareness of being an idol wouldn’t have been walking around like this in broad daylight.

– Now, you have to execute it, right?

And he wouldn’t even have attempted what he was about to do now.

“Execute? What was it again?”

The weirdo tapped his head, thump thump.

It was still hazy, so he hit it harder, thud thud.

Then, the words he had been warmly given surfaced with extreme clarity.

[Reveal yourself. Without any filters.]

Nod.

The teacher is right.

Those words had made him feel better.

“Yes, I am a flame!”

The weirdo smiled.

“Heh.”

It seems the time has come to show that I am a flame.

***

“Ahem, hmph. Hmm.”

“Sun-woo, why have you been looking back at the three of us like that for a while now?”

Ha-gyeom asked with a puzzled face.

Since they had hurried into the van to go to the signing after the music show, Tae-young and the Demon God sat in the second row today, while Yoon-seo, Ha-gyeom, and Ji-ho were in the third row.

“Maybe he’s uncomfortable because he’s not in his usual seat.”

Yoon-seo pointed out.

Since the first day he arrived in this world and sat in the third row, the Demon God had consistently insisted on that spot.

“It is not because of that. It does not concern you all, so do not pay it any mind.”

“Really? But you’re looking back while making such suspicious sounds.”

As Ha-gyeom tilted his head, Ji-ho suddenly looked behind them.

“…Are we being followed?”

It was a ridiculous thought, but when the Demon God was involved, the ridiculous became daily life.

So Tae-young, Yoon-seo, Ha-gyeom, and Ji-ho all looked back together.

“Is that it? If it is, tell us.”

“Is there some mysterious organization targeting Sun-woo Hyung?”

“My heart is pounding?”

“The fact that it seems plausible is the most ridiculous part.”

“What nonsense are you speaking? Who would dare tail me? If such a person existed, I would ensure they suffered a great calamity.”

““Ah.””

Those words were also strangely convincing.

It didn’t seem like tailing Sun-woo would lead to a good outcome.

“Put away your foolish thoughts.”

The Demon God gave a stern warning and fixed his gaze forward.

The reason he had looked behind was simple.

He was observing the chains that were visible only to him.

‘I thought they were about to break.’

His consistent activity had paid off.

The number of fans coming to the music show commute or the performances had increased.

He had asked his signature question to all of them and received the answer that they would worship him.

He had heard a massive cracking sound and expected a chain to be destroyed for the first time in a while—

‘Have I fallen just a bit short?’

The chain hadn’t broken, feeling as if it were just on the edge.

‘The easiest chains are being broken first.’

It meant the level of difficulty was gradually rising.

Of course, since contact with fans was also steadily increasing, it didn’t seem far off.

‘It is not a matter to be rushed. I shall keep my mind clear. This promotion has only just begun, has it not?’

Phew—

Exhaling a long breath—peacefully—

The Demon God was recovering his mischievous mind.

“Is there nothing entertaining happening!”

“You’re back to being the usual Sun-woo.”

“Usual? My composure has never wavered!”

“Yes, yes.”

All the members nodded.

The atmosphere inside the van returned to normal.

Then, Tae-young held out his phone to the Demon God from the side.

“What is this?”

“It’s not exactly entertaining, but I thought you might be interested.”

Unlike the other members, Tae-young rarely shared things he saw on his phone.

Tae-young lived a ‘no dopamine’ lifestyle where looking at his phone usually meant looking at photos of his younger sister or contacting his family.

Since it was a phone handed over by such a person, the Demon God took it with interest.

“The social section?”

An article was displayed.

[Mid-aged Actor A, Sentenced to Prison in First Trial]

“Is this person… the Hockey Mask?”

Actor A, the intruder at the abandoned school during the self-produced content shoot and a former specialist in playing manager roles.

In less than six months, the first trial result was out.

“What is this? Was this person not executed?”

“Executed? I don’t think even Brazil would do that—”

“Did he not hold a blade and try to harm people? Should his head not be cut off and hung up?”

“Right…, as expected, it’s not because of the country.”

The members felt a surge of certainty.

They felt that Sun-woo’s lack of common sense was entirely unrelated to his nationality.

“Personality.”

Yoon-seo whispered and immediately shut his mouth.

Regardless, by the Demon God’s common sense, it was incomprehensible to lock such a person away for a few years and then release them back into the world.

Are humans not quite soft?

“What if he does this again?”

“Well, that’s true. But look at this article too.”

“?”

Tae-young searched for another article and showed it to him.

[Former Singer B, Drove Vehicle onto Sidewalk. Narrowly Avoided Casualties]

“Ah, I saw that too.”

“Me too.”

“Me too.”

The members had their heads poked forward from the back seat, curious about what Tae-young was showing.

“I heard the number of incidents involving celebrities has been increasing lately.”

Yoon-seo seemed well-aware.

However, the Demon God tilted his head.

“Are there not always many incidents involving celebrities?”

Yoon-seo shook his head.

“It’s not that. Crimes targeting unspecified individuals? Ji-ho Hyung, is that the right term?”

“Correct.”

“Right. They say crimes against unspecified individuals by celebrities past their prime have increased.”

Ji-ho added.

“‘Past their prime’ is a nice way of putting it, Yoon-seo. People usually say ‘failed celebrities’ are the ones causing trouble.”

By ‘people,’ he meant the comment sections of the articles.

“Is that so. How pitiable.”

““?””

The members looked at the Demon God, puzzled by his merciful reaction.

“If they had simply hung up my photo and worshipped me every morning and evening, they would not have committed such sins.”

Their confusion was instantly resolved.

“How shall we spread this truth? What about releasing a separate article?”

“What would the headline even be?”

“How about, ‘Guaranteed Drop in Crime Rate Upon Worshipping Pantheon’?”

“Ah….”

Along with their ordinary conversation, the van carrying Pantheon headed toward the signing venue.

***

“Now, everyone—it’s almost time to start. Shall we build up some excitement?”

The comedienne acting as the fan signing MC threw out a question.

She was trying to hype them up in case the fans who had arrived early and were waiting had grown tired.

“We love it!!!!”

The momentum of the Pantheon fans did not subside.

Repeatedly watching the concept photos, teasers, music videos, and even the music show stage was actually increasing their vigor.

“My, what great energy. It seems Pantheon fans truly love Pantheon.”

Despite the MC’s sly remark, the fans shouted back their answer.

“It’s not that!”

“It’s not love!”

“Worship!!!!”

“Wor!”

“ship!”

The MC was slightly flustered by the keyword ‘worship.’

Although she had heard about it from Origin in advance, she hadn’t expected the atmosphere to truly be like this.

However, she soon regained her composure and proceeded with the event.

“It’s boring just to wait, so why don’t we give away some small gifts through a quick game? Wait, calm down, calm down. It’s not a big gift. Just small ones.”

The MC began her work to liven up the atmosphere.

As she proceeded with mini-games one by one—

“Sniff, sniff.”

One of the fans noticed something unusual.

“Does anyone else smell something strange?”

“A smell? What kind of smell?”

At first, other people didn’t really notice it.

But a moment later.

“Hmm? I really do smell something strange.”

“Right? Like a faint burning smell mixed in—”

“Hey there! What are you all talking about so interestingly?”

The MC noticed the disturbance in the venue and asked a question.

“There’s been a strange smell for a while now.”

“A smell? Oh, come on, what smell.”

The MC was near the podium at the front, far from the smell coming in through the door.

However, the Origin staff and security standing near the door nodded.

A staff member reported to the CEO via radio.

– CEO, there’s a burning smell coming from the door area. I’ll go out and check.

– A burning smell? Alright. It’s probably nothing, but be careful just in case.

– Yes, sir.

The staff member finished reporting and turned toward the open door.

“?”

A man—the weirdo—entering with an unsettling aura caused the staff member to instinctively step back.

“Who are you?”

In place of the staff member, a security guard stepped forward.

The large-framed security guard frowned as he blocked the weirdo’s path.

A strange smell was coming from the weirdo’s body.

There was a sour smell from not changing clothes for a long time, mixed with a thick burning scent.

He didn’t look like a fan signing participant, and definitely not a reporter.

Naturally, the security guard intended not to let the weirdo in—

“You’re blocking me?”

Instead, the weirdo reached out and pushed the security guard.

The size difference between the weirdo and the security guard was significant, so it didn’t seem like he would be pushed back.

But the next moment.

“Whoa?”

With a cry of surprise, the security guard was pushed back a considerable distance.

The event had already been momentarily halted because of the burning smell.

The people facing the door saw the weirdo’s face clearly.

“Who is that?”

“I don’t know, he suddenly pushed the security guard.”

“Is he a homeless person?”

Quite a few people didn’t recognize the weirdo.

“Wait, is that person possibly—.”

“Is it? For real?”

There were also those who guessed who the weirdo was.

And among them, Reporter Jang, who had witnessed the weirdo earlier, quietly spoke up.

“So it was indeed Ex…?”

The group Agon, who were supposed to appear on ‘Show! Winner’ in Pantheon’s place but ended up vomiting after hearing the singing of Shadow, the Demon God’s familiar.

Their leader, Ex, had appeared here.