The Road to Glory

“It should be about time now.”In a suite at the Grand InterContinental Hotel Seoul.After throwing Scorpion to the reporters, August Veil had moved ahead in his own car. He sipped a glass of wine while admiring the gradually darkening Seoul skyline.“What a dazzling city.”Even as night fell, the lights filling every corner of the city shone brightly.It’s 180 degrees different from the tranquil night view of London.Modern skyscrapers, car lights and neon signs filling the roads. It’s like a futuristic city full of artificial light.He refilled his empty glass with wine as he looked out at the world The Sun lived in. It had been a long time since he’d forgotten his doctor’s advice to drink only one glass a day.August Veil, indulging in leisure, chuckled to himself as he imagined Scorpion’s contorted expression.How much he must be cursing right now.However, he lost his smile at the news playing on the wall-mounted TV.It was broadcasting Scorpion’s arrival scene at Incheon Airport from a few hours ago.-Scorpion! Have you decided on a concert guest?-When did you start listening to Roh Haeil, I mean Roh’s music?-Roh said he would consider your offer, have you contacted him since then?Despite the reporters’ persistence, all of Scorpion advanced wearing sunglasses. Suddenly, Rill stopped, took off his sunglasses, and grinned.Sensing an ominous feeling, August Veil put down his wine glass.-Concert guest?The grinning could only be seen as having some ulterior motive.-How did that go again? Ah.August Veil knew well that it was Scorpion’s specialty to tease reporters with his way of speaking.-I’m going to propose again. So, where is he now?-Who do you mean?-Roh, I mean.-He would be… at his label, of course.When the interviewee boldly asked, one reporter even gave the label’s address. Fortunately, Roh Haeil’s label address wouldn’t be broadcast nationwide due to editing.The video continued.But August Veil no longer had the luxury of watching calmly and rushed to Rill’s room.No matter how much he knocked, there was no answer at all.When he knocked on the room next door, Scorpion’s guitarist Roy came out.“Where is Rill now?”“He should be in his room. Isn’t he?”Roy, who had come out after having a few drinks, asked back.“Hey, Rill, come out. Sir Veil is looking for you.”He tried ringing the bell, but there was no way he would come out.Because Rill wasn’t here.“He’s not here?”August Veil put his hand to his forehead as he watched the scorpions looking around nonchalantly.And at the same time.Rill was standing with his arms crossed, leaning against a wall of a label in Seongsu-dong. With his sunglasses off, glaring at the boy with a fierce(?) expression, the members were worried if something was going to happen.Should we call the police?As Moon Seoyeon and Han Jinyeong exchanged glances, and Nam Gyuhwan snapped his fingers in preparation, Rill’s mouth suddenly opened.“I wanted to be the first to discover you.”That was the fantasy every HALO fan had. To find HALO before anyone else.It was their romance and wish to call him glory before he revealed his identity himself.“Actually, I had the chance. I stupidly missed it though.”Back then, when he met the boy who played ‘Struggle’ surprisingly well, and then when he met him again at Veil Company, he should have recognized him.“But still.”“…”“I’m not an idiot.”When others turned a blind eye to what was visible to everyone, saying it wasn’t true, he accepted it as it was.The boy had left too many traces.As if asking to be recognized.But people still didn’t even think to believe it. Because within the ‘common sense’ they had created, it was impossible for the boy to be The Sun.But Scorpion, who believed himself to be a genius, thought that geniuses shouldn’t be judged within common sense. Why would a genius be a genius? It’s because they’ve already gone beyond that framework.“Do you remember what I said back then?”Rill repeated exactly what he had said back then, without waiting for an answer.“I said let’s go to the top of the world together and make amazing music. It’s still the same. Isn’t this place too shabby for us?”Rill then looked around the label.He admitted it was cozy, but he thought it was a very narrow place for The Sun, who was brightly illuminating an entire galaxy. A magnificent castle or a spire overlooking the metropolitan would suit The Sun better.“I’ll help you, so reveal yourself on my stage.”That’s what the guest invitation meant.Silence fell for a moment.Outside, the sun was setting. It was already becoming evening. But no one thought to turn on the lights in the increasingly darkening space.“I thought there wasn’t much time left.”Everyone focused when they heard the boy’s voice.“Until the day my name would be called.”Since he had released his 9th album, it wasn’t long until the 13th album he had aimed for. He had thought it would take a maximum of 2 years, but it ended up taking just over a year.“So, on my stage…!”Rill exclaimed with a face full of joy.“But.”Then, a low voice was heard.“Not this time.”“!”“This is your stage, isn’t it?”Well, it could be good if he revealed his identity on Scorpion’s stage. It would be convenient to reveal it with everyone’s attention focused.But at that moment, the owner of the stage would change. No matter how much Scorpion’s name was attached, the world’s attention would be focused on the name HALO alone, and Scorpion would just remain as someone who lent the place.What kind of guest steals the host’s stage?He had done all sorts of things in his life, but he had never stolen someone else’s home. He wasn’t that destitute to do so. Nor did he feel a perverted pleasure in the act of extortion.It seemed that Scorpion wanted to create a splendid comeback for him by sacrificing himself and the audience who came to see him. But he didn’t want that. From anyone.“Even if it’s a short stage, I’ll reveal it on my stage. So.”The boy’s eyes blazed brightly with his back to the sunset.“Don’t interfere with me.”That was similar to the lyrics of HALO’s 9th album [(Title) L=299m/s].[Nothing’s gonna get in the way]It was the song Rill had listened to while coming to find him.Rill felt more reverent certainty than disappointment at having his proposal rejected. Yes, if this boy wasn’t HALO, who else could be?“Alright.”When Rill shrugged and gave up earlier than expected, the members looked at him in surprise.Given his appearance and how he spoke earlier, they didn’t expect him to give up so quickly.“I won’t interfere.”Rill felt his throat dry with tension. The drum sound ringing in his ears wouldn’t stop.Looking around, he spotted a fresh orange juice on the bar table. When he pointed at the cup, Moon Seoyeon nodded absent-mindedly.Taking a sip, he felt a terribly sweet taste.How much syrup did they put in this?He wanted to strangle the orange terrorist.He had to do something with what was in his mouth now.Rill couldn’t spit it out, couldn’t keep it in his mouth, and swallowed it forcibly.His hand trembled like a drug addict.“But, come to my concert as a guest.”Rill looked at Halo, pretending to be okay, unable to throw away the cup and carefully putting it down.“There would be no greater honor than you singing at my concert.”Rill added one more thing.“…As a reward for recognizing you.”“When is the concert?”Rill’s face brightened at Halo’s question.The skill of teasing reporters was selective.Just as Scorpion had become the Pied Piper and led the reporters here, they led them away again.The reporters seemed to have judged it better to choose Rill, who at least spoke to them, rather than waiting indefinitely for Roh Haeil.It wasn’t actually a bad judgment. You can see that by the series of articles that came out.[Scorpion Visits Roh Haeil’s Label][A Relationship That Started in Trafalgar Square][Rill Dismisses Questions About Concert Guest with No Comment]└ Is he really coming?└ Wow, someone said if you want to see Roh Haeil, you should go to Scorpion’s concert, and this is actually happening└ Damn, I thought Roh Haeil wouldn’t go based on his reaction└ Was metal this popular in our country? I just checked and it’s sold out└ Scorpion can easily sell out Olympic Hall, they’re a world-class band. Even though metal isn’t mainstream in Korea, all the domestic Scorpion fans must have flocked for their first concert here[Scorpion Guitarist Roy Suasson: “I love Soju” Praises World’s Best Alcohol]└ This bastard is drinking when he has a concert tomorrow???└ Soju is the best~And whatever Rill said, the response was clear.[Scorpion: “He (Roh Haeil) is the World’s Best Singer”]└ But wasn’t Scorpion originally The Sun fan? Feeling of betrayal is intense lol└ It’s probably just lip serviceIt was a bit excessive, but still.While watching Scorpion’s interviews dominating the media all day, August Veil received a phone call.He already knew that he had come to Korea with Scorpion, so he wasn’t surprised by the Korean number.[I heard Rill was rude.]“It’s alright.”August Veil felt a bit relieved when Halo smiled faintly. But there was still an underlying worry.[He didn’t cause any trouble, did he?]Asking like that, it seems he’s curious about what conversation took place after Scorpion came here. Looking at the photos popping up on the internet, Scorpion seems to be enjoying a happy visit to Korea.There was no reason to hide it, so Halo told the truth plainly.“He just told me to reveal my identity on his stage.”[What?]It was in a monotone as if saying today’s lunch was soybean paste stew.“I refused.”[Did that friend just say okay?]Honestly, looking at Scorpion’s actions, trust was not high. They’re the type to live however they want.“That’s what he said for now.”[It’s worrying. If only we could trust him. That friend is unpredictable.]“Is there a need to worry already?”Halo calmly pressed the remote control button.The noisy screen blacked out.[You’re saying that because you don’t know Rill. He might suddenly call out your name in the middle of the guest performance.]August Veil spoke as if warning, but Halo shrugged.“I’m not so sure.”He still couldn’t agree.Well, he didn’t worry about a future that may or may not happen, and even if it was revealed, his life would just return to how it was originally, so nothing would change.However, Halo didn’t want the stage’s initiative to be taken away from the singer who had to perform for several hours.“By the way, are you thinking of following Scorpion to Japan?”[Why do you ask?]“Didn’t you come to see me?”The sound from the other end of the phone disappeared for a moment at Halo’s words.It wasn’t the first or second time, so Halo didn’t find it strange.[I’m not going to accompany them the whole time, I’m thinking of staying in Korea for a while this time.]“Is that so?”[This place, it seems like a really nice neighborhood to live in. The delivery service is good, and it’s bright day and night, you’d like it.]Halo nodded.He liked the food here, the weather, and the streets. He also liked the young people passing by on the streets and the music he heard every time he walked. Looking at it that way, this world seems nice.[I’ve been seeing cockroaches lately. I can’t right now, but let’s meet soon.]Cockroaches. In other words, paparazzi.It’s an expression used as a metaphor because the pronunciation of roach is similar to paparazzi.Halo clicked his tongue, thinking of the species that’s hard to exterminate. The old man rambled on for a while, then ended the call with a final warning.[Don’t trust the scorpions.]#The day of the concert.People started entering the audience seats one by one.For a minor genre, a diverse group of people came in.Someone had joked that if you want to see Roh Haeil, you should see Scorpion’s concert. However, Scorpion is a world-renowned metal band with quite a few of their albums making it onto the Billboard charts, and they have numerous fans in Korea as well.Originally, it was a minor genre in a small land. With low album sales, fans who thought Scorpion would never come to Korea bought tickets with tears in their eyes when they heard the news of their visit, and there weren’t many no-shows.Of course, there’s no law saying you have to like just one music genre, one singer, or one band, so among these people, there might be some expecting the music of the boy who’s said to be coming as a guest.An office worker sitting in the audience looked at the stage while waiting for his girlfriend who had gone to the bathroom. His heart swelled.Scorpion coming to Korea!To think this would happen before I die!There was a lot of talk in the Scorpion community.Before the ticket sales opened, it was full of people who almost didn’t believe it. Because Scorpion had previously given a controversial interview saying “Korea doesn’t know the charm of metal. Album sales are the lowest.”Of course, afterwards they quelled the controversy by becoming an all-rounder criticizer, saying things like “If you’re just going to listen, go home and listen” to criticize Japan, and “They pretend to be gentlemen, but everyone has their own disgust” to criticize their own homeland as well.So until the ticket sales opened, the community was half in doubt.‘Anyway, it’s fucking great.’By the way, they can’t not talk about Roh Haeil, who will appear as a special guest today. The reason Scorpion came to Korea.Although he’s a guy who drinks alcohol, talks nonsense, lies, and has pseudologia fantastica, there was no reason to give a false answer about the reason for coming to Korea.In fact, as soon as they arrived in Korea, they barged into Roh Haeil’s label. There’s quite a lot of talk within the community as well.[Did Scorpion really come to see Roh Haeil?][Roh Haeil’s music is good, but wasn’t it just for domestic consumption?]There are also quite a lot of concerns and worries.[But does Roh Haeil really fit as a guest?][Roh Haeil has no experience as a guest, and his music is calm.]The girlfriend who originally wasn’t coming ended up coming because of Roh Haeil. The office worker was worried too.Roh Haeil’s music and Scorpion’s music were almost polar opposites.Like how someone singing a depressing song at a karaoke becomes a sinner, Roh Haeil might accidentally extinguish the fire Scorpion had created.However, the office worker’s worries disappeared in an instant as the stage opened and fireworks exploded.The tearing metal sound of the distorted guitar. The duet of electric guitars. The strong and rough man’s drumming and the bass firmly keeping the rhythm.Soon, the audience stirred as Scorpion’s leader, Rill, revealed his Scorpion tattoo and started shouting.It felt like an earthquake had occurred.Not only was the music itself rough, but with the passion of fans who had been hoping for Scorpion’s visit to Korea all this time, it wouldn’t be strange if Olympic Hall collapsed in the middle.Scorpion didn’t give the audience a moment’s rest. They were rampaging on stage like angry bulls, doing only clean vocals for shouts that others might worry would cause vocal nodules.Yes, this is what was wanted.What was unexpected was that Roh Haeil didn’t come out as an opening guest. It seemed like it would have been better if he had come out at the opening and gradually raised the atmosphere.The atmosphere continued to heighten.When it seemed to have reached its peak, Scorpion chose an even stronger song, and reached for an even higher peak.That’s when it happened.One of Scorpion’s guitarists on stage jumped forward. He starts showing off a guitar solo. Dazzling movements.People were about to murmur about who this unfamiliar member was, but were blinded by the guitar speed play.Woah!Without stopping his hands, as the speed play continued, people’s exclamations grew deeper. The song being played now was considered the most difficult song for guitarists among Scorpion’s songs. Occasionally, clips of Roy, the main guitarist, making mistakes would circulate on the internet, so everyone knew it was a difficult song.Finally, the long guitar solo ends, and the song concludes. Along with people’s applause and shouts,Rill also applauded brightly from the side.The office worker had never seen Rill standing there with such a stupid expression. Usually, he would bully the members or look at them pitifully or they would curse at each other, but he had never seen him clap with a silly grin like a fanatic – even at the Grammys. Of course, Rill had never gone to the Grammys since boycotting them.Just when he thought they might be introducing a new member in Korea! The one who revealed his identity by taking off his hat and mask was-.“…Haeil?”As his girlfriend exclaimed, it was the boy.The guitar skills that had been buried under the vocals until now.In fact, even if he had been introduced as a new member, everyone would have welcomed his skills.So that’s why Rill was acting so uncharacteristically friendly?“Thank you for coming, my friend.”Originally, this was where he was supposed to greet him like this and sing the next song, according to what they had practiced in rehearsal, but this is where Rill’s whim began.“We met last Christmas in Trafalgar Square, didn’t we?”People who understood English cheered when that behind-the-scenes story came out, and those who didn’t know asked the person next to them, “What’s he saying?” “What’s going on?”Halo recalled the warning August Veil had given him. [Don’t trust the scorpions] That last message.Some might have been flustered by the unexpected situation, but Halo rather lifted the corners of his mouth. Yes, he thought it was strange how easily they had given in.“Do you remember what music I was obsessed with at that time, Roh?”Scorpion looks at him meaningfully.Halo answered with a smirk.“Struggle.”People murmured at the familiar name.When Halo answered nonchalantly, Scorpion smiled even more broadly.“You said this to me when I was playing Struggle. ‘You’ve made four mistakes so far.’”People who understood English leaned in at the intriguing development. Those who didn’t know English got busier as the speech got longer. The office worker’s girlfriend, as an English teacher, excellently interpreted for the person sitting next to her.“And I said to you, ‘I don’t know. Can you show me?’ It was the first time I’d seen someone tell me to learn guitar.”No one realized that this was progressing suddenly with Rill’s ad-lib.That’s because even the members who were used to Rill’s whims and the boy who was invited as a guest today were smiling calmly.“And then, I-.”Scorpion lost his words for a moment.He recalled the boy’s performance then.He realized late why that performance had reminded him of HALO.“I got to hear the world’s best ‘Struggle’. The best Struggle played on a folk guitar, not an electric guitar.”Their eyes meet.The audience, the members, even Halo are smiling, but strangely, he who had provoked first became anxious.It must be because Halo showed no reaction. He was acting as if to say, go ahead and do as you please.“I’ve wanted to invite you to the stage since then.”Scorpion actually intended to call out his name.Although Halo said he would reveal himself, Scorpion thought he still belonged at the top.In a massive castle, not a shabby house.In a wider country, not a small frontier.So he was going to call out his name, but.“Respected-.”His gaze shifts.The boy had already turned to face the audience.Seen from the side, the boy seemed focused on the audience’s breath.He had responded by letting him do as he pleased.Scorpion suddenly recalled the question he had once thrown at August Veil. The words he had said to the cowardly old man who knew The Sun’s identity but couldn’t go to his side.-Were you just scared? Afraid of being hated for interfering with The Sun’s freedom?That question returns to him like an arrow.-Aren’t you the same?Scorpion felt his tongue going dry.What did he answer to that question back then?Time seems to slow down more and more.When it was time to throw the last comment, Scorpion’s lips quivered before finally uttering one word.“Roh.”He hadn’t been able to answer that question.Hi everyone, I've completely translated this novel! For those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until the last chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price instead of buying them here with normal price. Thank you for the attention! P.S: If you want to buy the chapters in bulk and wanted a custom price, do hit me up on my discord account @_dawn24