Chapter 1025: We Call the Rain (9)

"Th-Th... Th... Good heavens..."

"Holy crap... Is this actually real?"

The audience erupted into commotion.

Cha Woohyun.

The man standing there wearing a harp-shaped mask and a purple cloak could only be Cha Woohyun.

That massive frame was rare even within the entertainment industry.

At that size, it's either Cha Woohyun or Gu Jaeyoung... and there's no way Gu Jaeyoung would come here. He's tone-deaf.

And then there was the title.

God of Song.

A title arrogant enough to sound ridiculous.

Yet nobody could challenge it.

Q. Name the best vocalist in the entertainment industry!

Whenever surveys like that were conducted, Cha Woohyun was almost always the first name mentioned.

From the 2000s to the present day, he had stood at the absolute peak of the ballad world.

Even the general public acknowledged him as the final boss of vocals.

While everyone stared with their mouths hanging open, someone suddenly spoke.

"Forget Cha Woohyun for a second. Look at the lineup. This is insane."

"Seriously..."

"Is this the King of Kings Tournament?"

The other three contestants standing beside him.

"Hello. I am the Black Rose of Betrayal."

Baek Siyeon.

One of the strongest female rock vocalists in the country, famous for the legendary song Rose of Love.

"Do you know the meaning of a lotus flower? It means, 'You are beautiful~' I am Black Lotus!"

Yeon.

A ballad singer famous for a husky, emotionally devastating voice.

"You will fall into my voice. Red Sun~!"

The Moon.

Known for his sweet, enchanting vocals.

Any one of those people could have appeared alone and made a reigning King of Singers leap from the throne, polish the chair, and offer it up with both hands.

Naturally, even the celebrity panelists looked horrified.

"Wait..."

A middle-aged entertainer stood up and rubbed his eyes.

"Am I hallucinating?"

"Please pinch me, Senior."

"Pinch me too."

The entertainers pinched each other before collapsing back into their seats in pain.

Idol panelists clapped in a daze.

Established singers stood at attention in front of their seniors.

And WooBiz sat there clutching each other.

"Good reactions~"

Watching from below the stage, Mission Singer PD Park Yeonhee smiled.

To be honest, it still felt like a dream.

Mission Singer had already become one of the hottest programs in history thanks to the rivalry between King of Singers Sun Wooju and Korea's Number One Rapper Ri Hyuk.

PD Park Yeonhee had thought:

We've already hit peak ratings. Now we can smoothly wind things down...

That was when it happened.

The reclusive masters began contacting them.

If she had to dramatize the memory, it felt something like this:

"Hohoho! So this is the greatest singing tournament under heaven?"

"Excuse me? And who might you be, Senior?"

"I heard the young masters of the New clan fought here recently. For the title of the strongest under heaven."

"That's true..."

"Watching it made my old blood boil! Hahaha!"

The cause of everything was the battle between King of Singers Sun Wooju and Korea's Number One Rapper Ri Hyuk.

The hidden masters had become interested.

One after another, they submitted applications.

With only a single condition.

"Put me in the same episode as Ri Hyuk!"

If they had been ordinary singers, the production team would have staggered their appearances to maximize ratings.

But these people weren't ordinary singers.

They were eccentrics who didn't care about television at all.

If Ri Hyuk happened to leave the program, they might lose interest and disappear immediately.

And so—

"My goodness."

"They're actually all here together."

"Our ratings aren't going to explode. They're going to detonate."

An absurd lineup had been assembled.

So absurd that even the staff were stunned.

In fact, the four challengers themselves were equally surprised.

Huh?

Wait...

Their eyes met.

What's Woohyun doing here?

It's Noona Siyeon.

So Sangcheol came too.

They had come to offer guidance to a promising young talent.

Instead, the old masters found themselves facing each other first.

But who were they?

Interesting. I'd like to face Woohyun.

Heh. I'll inherit the throne, Hyung Woohyun.

I'd better finish this quickly.

The masters immediately revealed murderous intent toward one another.

However, unlike the delighted challengers, the existing contestants looked utterly miserable.

Backstage, the Jangjorim mask continuously wiped his throat.

"Waaaaah..."

The voice-modulated sobbing belonged to musical actor Jang Jaerim.

The other contestants asked:

"Why do you keep wiping your throat?"

"The tears are running all the way down into it..."

Everyone laughed at the sight of Jangjorim wiping imaginary tears from his neck.

How could they not?

Today's the day I die.

There were four people here who should have gone straight to the King of Singers match.

The only silver lining was that they could die honorably.

Nobody would say you were bad if you lost to people like them.

But it still hurts.

While the existing contestants accepted their impending elimination with sorrow...

Someone turned toward the silent sunflower mask.

"Are you okay, Your Majesty?"

"Hm?"

Everyone looked at the still-standing Ri Hyuk.

Surprisingly, he showed no signs of panic.

"I'm fine."

"As expected..."

Ri Hyuk truly was calm.

His cold, analytical mind had already reached a conclusion.

No matter who comes up, this won't be easy.

Especially if Cha Woohyun or Baek Siyeon advanced.

At that point, he might as well wave a white flag and admit defeat.

In his own estimation, his chance of victory was roughly three percent.

Out of a hundred performances, he would lose ninety-seven times.

He had spent eight years training.

And the people standing before him possessed careers stretching beyond twenty years.

That doesn't mean I can just roll over.

Even if he lost, he intended to make the veterans break out in a cold sweat.

While strengthening that resolve, the existing contestants began taking the stage.

"King of Singers Sun Wooju, please come up as well~!"

It was finally time for the reigning champion.

Powered by the energy of Rabbit Uncle's medley, Ri Hyuk hopped onto the stage and fully activated his King of Singers Sun Wooju persona.

"Hello! Whether you look at me from the east, the west, the north, or the south, I'm cute and adorable Sun Wooju!"

He fired finger hearts in every direction.

The audience burst out laughing.

"And one special heart for my beloved Biju~!"

The actual Wooju in the audience immediately protested.

"What? I can't hear you~! Wooju only listens to Grandma~!"

Everyone laughed as Wooju grabbed the back of his neck.

After expertly warming up the atmosphere like a true entertainer, Ri Hyuk glanced toward the new challengers.

Don't be scared, Ri Hyuk.

Black Rose waved a gloved hand at him from behind a veiled rose mask.

Orpheus silently stared back.

The lotus mask stood with folded arms.

Nearby was the pocket-watch mask used by The Moon.

"Wow. Today's lineup is unbelievable."

The commentators spoke.

"This may very well become the greatest King of Singers match in Mission Singer history."

"Three-time King of Singers and Korea's Number One Rapper, Sun Wooju! How are you feeling today? Is there a contestant you're paying particular attention to?"

Interview time.

Ri Hyuk spent three seconds calculating the funniest possible answer.

Then he replied.

"I'm paying attention to Orpheus, the God of Song."

"Ooooooh!"

The audience cheered.

Smiling behind his mask, Ri Hyuk continued.

"Last time I defeated Korea's Number One Rapper Ri Hyuk and stole his title, right? This time I'll take the title of God of Song too."

"What incredible ambition!"

"King of Singers, Number One Rapper, and now God of Song!"

"You're aiming to become the ultimate champion!"

Everyone turned toward Cha Woohyun, wondering how he would respond.

In answer—

Huh?

Is that a harp? No, is it a lyre?

Cha Woohyun rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a miniature lyre.

Ding~ Ding ding~♪

"Challenges are always welcome~♪"

The audience exploded with laughter.

Then they alternated glances between Ri Hyuk and Cha Woohyun.

As expected, people who sing that well always have something wrong with them...

Cha Woohyun isn't normal either.

Everyone laughed while imagining the serious expression Cha Woohyun was probably wearing beneath the mask.

Then the commentators asked the question everyone wanted answered.

"Interest in today's new challengers is incredible!"

"At this point, we have to ask—what made all of you decide to participate?"

Ri Hyuk nodded.

He was curious too.

"Well..."

Black Rose, dressed in an elegant gown, fiddled with her mask.

"I don't really watch television. But I do subscribe to NewBlack TV. And one day I saw the rappers battling Korea's Number One Rapper Ri Hyuk..."

Then the stories began.

Ri Hyuk blinked.

Because they all sounded strangely similar.

These singers normally cared only about music.

Not television.

Not variety shows.

So why had they become interested?

As the stories continued, the answer became painfully clear.

"Everyone!!! Neighbors!!! Listen up!!! Our Ri Hyuk won first place in a singing competition!!!"

"Our Ri Hyuk is incredible, right? Who could possibly beat him?"

Ri Hyuk's head snapped around.

Someone was shrinking behind Biju like a frightened turtle.

Sun Wooju...!

Flames burned in Ri Hyuk's eyes.

Ri Hyuk was terrifying when he got angry.

His eyes were already sharp.

When he was mad, they became vicious little triangles.

"I mean..."

"I'm sorry."

"Do you know how many greetings I've gotten because of that? 'Hey, Ri Hyuk. I made you the hottest topic in town.' 'You should be thanking me.' 'Isn't your hyung pretty...?'"

"But honestly, don't you agree I'm pretty?"

"KYAAAAAAAH!"

Biju immediately covered his ears.

Meanwhile, I felt as though blood was trickling out of mine.

Ri Hyuk grumbled.

"I'd like to quote a poem here. Let the husk depart. Let the substance remain."

"I'm sorry..."

Maybe I shouldn't have bragged so much.

After our battle made Ri Hyuk's Mission Singer victory a historic sensation, I'd shamelessly taken credit everywhere.

"Ri Hyuk! Hyung promoted you!"

"See all those likes on social media? I'm the Promotion Fairy! Kyahahaha!"

Biju smiled.

"Still, Hyung must have promoted him really well. Even senior singers who normally don't care about television showed up."

"No. That's part of it, but..."

I looked at Ri Hyuk.

"It's mostly because of Ri Hyuk."

"Huh?"

"The reason they came isn't because I promoted him. They watched Ri Hyuk perform and thought, 'I want to face him myself.' Even with all the publicity, if Ri Hyuk wasn't good enough, none of this would've happened."

"Oh! That's true!"

Biju nodded.

Ri Hyuk's ears turned slightly red.

And then—

"Which means this is Ri Hyuk's fault, doesn't it?"

"KYAAAAAAAH!"

I immediately put on ear protection.

The kind of earmuffs used during military firearms training.

And somehow I could still hear him.

At the moment, Round One had ended and everyone was on break.

[Round 2 Bracket]

As expected, all four new challengers had completely annihilated the existing contestants.

Even our staff were sympathetic.

"Man, I felt so bad for Jangjorim."

"Seriously."

Especially because Jangjorim had faced Cha Woohyun in Round One.

Orpheus, God of Song: 97 Votes

Premium Supporting Actor Jangjorim: 3 Votes

Three.

Exactly three.

After making a joke about reliving the trauma of classroom president elections, Jangjorim had left the stage sobbing.

Everyone laughed just remembering it.

"Hoooo..."

Ri Hyuk sat on a sofa and released a long sigh.

Biju and I immediately attached ourselves to his sides.

"Nervous?"

"I am. But not because I'm worried about losing."

"Hm?"

"I just want to show the absolute best version of myself in the King of Singers match. I'm worried I won't be able to."

"Don't worry. You'll do great."

Biju and I each grabbed one of his hands.

Warming his cold fingers.

Cheering him on.

His hands were freezing.

Sweat glistened along his sharp nose.

Just how nervous was he?

"Hyung."

Ri Hyuk looked at me.

"What do you think will happen? My brain isn't working right now. Analyze it for me."

"Hmm... Most likely it'll be either Senior Baek Siyeon or Senior Cha Woohyun."

Which one would win?

I honestly wasn't sure.

Rock vocalist versus ballad vocalist.

In a competition setting, the versatility of rock usually had an advantage.

But the public adored Cha Woohyun's voice.

"Whoever comes through, I think things will be slightly better if it's Senior Cha Woohyun."

"Why?"

"There's a reason."

I didn't know Baek Siyeon personally.

I'd only heard her music.

But Cha Woohyun was different.

We'd worked together for over a month on King of Singers.

We'd shared stages at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony and elsewhere.

And knowing his personality...

"I think it'll be more interesting."

"Huh?"

I couldn't say for certain.

But I had a feeling the viewers would love it.

Maybe even as much as they loved the battle between Ri Hyuk and me.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not telling~"

I laughed while messing up his hair.

Then suddenly froze.

"What's wrong?"

"Actually... maybe I shouldn't touch your hair."

"...?"

"If you lose the King of Singers match later, you might have to take the mask off."

"...!!"

I could practically hear him asking whether I was really his hyung.

I covered my ears.

Hyung.

I was encouraging you.

I shrugged at Biju, who was shaking his head and laughing.

This was all part of my grand plan to help Ri Hyuk relax.

In the end, Ri Hyuk went all out with full makeup.

After invoking not only his favorite historical figure, King Sejong, but also his second favorite—

"Admiral Yi Sun Sin said, if you seek life, you will die; if you seek death, you will live. I've already prepared myself for death."

"But you're not Admiral Yi Sun Sin."

He got kicked out.

"The nerve of him..."

Flinch!

Several idol panelists sitting in front of me immediately stiffened and glanced backward.

I hurriedly added:

"The nerve of Ri Hyuk..."

Only then did they relax.

Soon, Round Two began.

Biju and I fully embraced our roles as panelists.

Today's theme was:

Letters.

"It felt like a performance where every single word was carefully written down by hand. I could picture someone writing a letter on a summer night while listening to crickets."

"Wooju hyung's opinion is also my opinion."

As expected, two people advanced from the semifinals.

Black Rose of Betrayal: 73 Votes

Red Sun: 27 Votes

Baek Siyeon crushed The Moon with relentless rock vocals.

And—

Black Lotus: 21 Votes

Orpheus, God of Song: 79 Votes

An overwhelming eight-to-two victory for Cha Woohyun.

Even though The Moon and Yeon were singers worthy of the King of Singers title themselves.

Then came the finals.

"WAAAAAAAH!"

"WAAAAAAAH!"

The stage was so extraordinary that entertainers, audience members, and even every singer in attendance found themselves rising from their seats.

"Wow..."

Even Biju and I rubbed our goosebumps.

Cha Woohyun's vocals were so perfect that I could imagine Ri Hyuk sounding like that after another ten years of growth.

Baek Siyeon delivered a performance even greater than her legendary prime.

When the kind of stage that belonged in a vocal textbook finally ended—

"Please reveal the results!"

Black Rose and Orpheus shook hands in mutual respect and stood side by side.

Then the votes appeared.

Orpheus, God of Song: 55 Votes

Black Rose of Betrayal: 45 Votes

Black Rose clenched her fist in frustration.

Orpheus simply nodded.

Then bowed respectfully toward her.

"And with that, today's challenger for the King of Singers title has been decided! Orpheus, God of Song!"

Ri Hyuk sat upon the throne, applauding with an oddly determined expression.

Meanwhile, I smiled as I watched Senior Cha Woohyun.

I couldn't know for sure.

But I knew one thing about him better than most.

He was a singer obsessively devoted to music.

A man utterly insane about vocals.

Which meant...

The greatest singing tournament under heaven.

At last, a victor had emerged.

Impossible!

What kind of bizarre technique was that?!

Such pure and righteous vocals...

The audience was still rubbing their goosebumped arms after witnessing the greatest stage in the show's history.

Then Cha Woohyun was announced as the challenger.

Everyone's eyes lit up.

Finally! Ri Hyuk versus Cha Woohyun!

This is going to be incredible!

Nobody actually thought Ri Hyuk would win.

But everyone was excited to see how brilliantly he would fight.

Then—

"Now comes the moment of decision!"

The traditional question for the challenger arrived.

"Orpheus, God of Song. Will you challenge the King of Singers?"

Everyone stared at the harp mask.

Waiting.

But the answer was completely unexpected.

"No."

What?!

WHY?!

The audience exploded into confusion.

Meanwhile, PD Park Yeonhee was smiling.

So was Sun Wooju.

Only Ri Hyuk looked completely lost.

"I will not challenge the King of Singers today."

Then Orpheus elaborated.

His face remained hidden.

Yet somehow madness seeped through the mask.

"When the King of Singers has fully prepared himself."

His voice grew serious.

"When every preparation is complete and he has prepared the greatest stage possible."

Then—

"I will return and challenge him then."

With those words, the great demon lord of the music world spun his purple cloak and descended from the stage.

His back seemed to convey a message.

Defeating you now wouldn't be fun.

So prepare yourself as thoroughly as possible.

Then I will defeat you.

The audience's eyes widened.

And then the venue exploded.

"WOOOOOOOOOOOAH!"

"HOLY CRAP!"

"THAT'S INSANE! Does that mean we're getting Cha Woohyun versus Ri Hyuk next time?!"

As everyone cheered—

Biju innocently asked the nearby audience members:

"Um... but won't you all miss that episode next week...?"

A completely harmless question.

The audience froze instantly.

Huh?

Wait...

If Cha Woohyun was challenging next time, that meant he would face Ri Hyuk in the competition two weeks from now.

Which meant—

We won't see it?

I don't get to watch it?

The audience began howling in despair.