The Genius Composer Starts Again - Chapter 3

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I rubbed my eyes. But even so, the window in front of me wouldn’t disappear.

I remember seeing something like this when I used to play mobile games. Am I really dreaming after all?

‘Am I the only one who can see this?’

I looked around, but everyone was busy with their own tasks.

At that moment, the text changed.

[ SYSTEM – V1.0 ]

> Hello, User.

> We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.

> Backup data recovery procedure has been completed.

Backup data recovery?

‘Does this have something to do with me being back ten years in the past?’

As I tilted my head in confusion, the content changed again.

[ SYSTEM – V1.0 ]

> Analysis results confirm that it will be difficult for the user to reach the normal ending on their own.

> Therefore, this system has decided to activate ‘User Support Mode’ to provide assistance for the user to progress toward the correct ending.

‘This is like some game tutorial.’

It felt completely unreal.

[ SYSTEM – V1.0 ]

> Target Ending : □□□□

> From now on, step-by-step Quests will be given so the user can reach the correct ending.

> Upon Quest completion, additional rewards can be obtained.

‘The target ending text is corrupted and I can’t see it.’

What kind of nonsense is this? It was so absurd I was speechless.

Is this really a dream?

“Ow!”

When I pinched my cheek, a sharp pain washed over me.

‘Can it hurt this much in a dream?’

That wasn’t the only strange thing.

The surrounding sounds were so loud they hurt my ears.

The sensation of ‘hearing’ that I had almost forgotten pierced through my ears.

‘Ugh. My ears hurt.’

I couldn’t focus at all.

I had no idea what was happening or how. I was covering both ears with my hands and frowning when it happened.

“Seol! Seol!”

A familiar voice.

I slowly turned my head.

Light brown bob cut hair, chubby cheeks that hadn’t lost their baby fat yet. I saw a girl with a cute appearance.

‘Mun Ah-rin.’

I could recognize her immediately.

Ten years later, the very person who would make me deaf, steal my songs, and ultimately take my life.

My heart sank with a thud.

‘Why are you here…?’

Mun Ah-rin sat down next to me as if nothing was wrong, smiling.

“Did you wait long? The next shift worker was a bit late.”

With her nose tip red from the cold.

As if nothing had happened,

As if we were still close friends.

Seeing that face made my blood run cold. Only then did the harsh reality hit me.

‘This can’t be a dream.’

I reached out and pinched Mun Ah-rin’s cheek. It was soft and warm.

“Heeng. Sorry~.”

Mun Ah-rin thought I was just playing around and laughed.

A chill ran down my spine. Only then did I accept it.

This wasn’t a dream or anything else, but actual reality.

‘I really did regress. Ten years into the past.’

As I remained silent, Mun Ah-rin continued with an awkward smile.

“Oh right. Did you bring it?”

“…Bring what?”

“What do you mean what~. Your original composition! You said you were thinking about changing majors.”

Ah, right. That time.

Suddenly, an old memory flashed through my mind like lightning.

‘At the end of my first year, I consulted with Mun Ah-rin about whether to transfer from piano to composition major.’

I had gone to Mun Ah-rin, who was majoring in composition, asking her to evaluate my original song.

‘Right. It definitely started from then.’

Looking back, Mun Ah-rin’s life changed right after that.

Her school grades were mediocre, but she suddenly debuted as a genius composer and went from success to success.

I didn’t think it was strange back then.

The words Mun Ah-rin had whispered to me came back vividly.

-Hmm, Seol. The song isn’t really bad, you know? It’s decent. But I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere? This isn’t a bad thing to say, but when you listen to various songs, you unconsciously do that sometimes…

That face she made when she seemed troubled about not wanting to say anything bad – thinking about it now gave me chills.

Had Mun Ah-rin been thinking of stealing my song from then? From the moment she first heard it?

After that, whenever I brought a song, Mun Ah-rin would subtly put it down and make me feel discouraged.

Why didn’t I realize it back then?

That every time I visited her, Mun Ah-rin would create a hit song.

‘She earnestly warned me never to listen to outside music because I might unconsciously plagiarize.’

It was my fault for naively believing and following those words.

At that moment, a new window suddenly appeared before my eyes.

[ SYSTEM – MAIN QUEST ]

> Transfer to Korea University’s Composition Department!

> Description: This is the first goal given to you who has returned to the past. Try to correct your past failures.

> Achievement Condition: Successful major transfer

> Reward: Inspiration Acquisition (B)

> Penalty: Hearing Deterioration (20%)

‘Quest?’

My confusion was brief. Mun Ah-rin urged me.

“Hurry up and let me hear it. I’m excited!”

I ignored the Quest window for now and answered.

“…No.”

I immediately closed my laptop.

“It’s still incomplete. I’m embarrassed to let anyone hear it. I’ll let you hear it after I work on it a bit more.”

Mun Ah-rin tilted her head and then nodded.

“Okay. Then let me hear it when you’re ready!”

As I smiled awkwardly, Mun Ah-rin pulled me into a tight hug and said,

“But you have to let me hear it first, okay? I’m Seol’s very best friend!”

And then she whispered in a subtle tone,

“I’m also worried about whether it’s right for you to quit piano, which you were so good at, to do composition~ You know how it is. You need either natural talent or to work yourself to the bone to catch up with the other kids. I just don’t want Seol to suffer for nothing.”

It seemed like she was looking out for me, worrying about me, but there was a strangely condescending nuance mixed in.

“You got it? It’s a promise!”

I barely managed to curl up the corners of my mouth. Barely suppressing the trembling, I tried to act like nothing was wrong as I answered.

“Yeah. I will.”

Because,

“Promise.”

I need to remain your friend.

For now, at least.

***

I have no idea what state of mind I was in while chatting with Mun Ah-rin.

It was just trivial talk that I can’t even remember now. Things like who at school seemed to be dating whom, or which professor was assigning too much homework.

I wasn’t actively responding, but she didn’t seem to think it was strange.

I barely managed to refuse her suggestion to have dinner together, and returned to the apartment I had stayed in during my university days.

Click.

As soon as I closed the door, I collapsed right onto the floor.

The cold floor seeping through was actually welcome.

This coldness felt like proof that this wasn’t a dream.

“Haa.”

I slumped down without even taking off my coat.

This wasn’t a life flashing before my eyes, nor was it heaven. There’s no way Mun Ah-rin would make it to heaven.

This was reality.

Ten years ago, winter of my freshman year in university.

I had returned to that time.

“It wasn’t stolen…”

My lips moved on their own.

Right before I played my composition for Mun Ah-rin.

Before everything went wrong.

The fact that I had regressed to exactly this precise moment couldn’t be mere coincidence.

Maybe it was a second chance to correct all my past mistakes, something like that.

I stared into empty space and muttered to myself.

‘System.’

[ SYSTEM – MAIN QUEST ]

> Transfer to Korea University’s Composition Department!

> Description: This is the first goal given to you who has returned to the past. Try to correct your past failures.

> Achievement Condition: Successful transfer

> Reward: Inspiration Acquisition (B)

> Penalty: Hearing Deterioration (20%)

‘As expected. It’s the same.’

For reasons unknown.

It seemed I had regressed ten years with this strange system window.

What concerned me most was, of course, the penalty of ‘Hearing Deterioration.’ Does it mean my hearing would get worse if I don’t complete the quest?

‘That can’t happen. I’m just starting to hear again.’

I touched my ear and muttered to myself.

The thought of losing my hearing again was terrifying. I don’t know what kind of great power this bizarre ‘system’ has.

‘I was planning to transfer anyway.’

Fortunately, it didn’t seem too different from the direction I wanted to go.

‘I couldn’t see specifically what the target ending was. But at least it seemed to think my previous death was the wrong direction.’

If that was the case, this system probably wouldn’t stand in my way.

No, it even felt like a guide telling me what I should do.

‘If I use it well, there couldn’t be better assistance.’

I don’t know what it is. But isn’t a power great enough to turn back time hoping for my success?

It felt like I had gained a mighty army.

‘This time will be different.’

I was confident I could climb high.

This time, under my own name.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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