The Genius Composer Starts Again - Chapter 89

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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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As I stepped outside, I felt the indoor murmur and stuffiness disappear instantly. The cold wind brushing against my cheeks actually made me feel refreshed.

“Are you alright?”

When I looked up, I saw Jeong Do-hyun.

“…Ah.”

My hand.

It was still being held.

The realization came belatedly. When I reflexively flinched my hand, Jeong Do-hyun withdrew his first.

“I apologize if I made you uncomfortable.”

“No, it’s fine.”

I hurriedly shook my head.

“Thank you for helping me, that’s more….”

I trailed off unnecessarily. The words of gratitude lingered in my mouth, but they were difficult to voice.

It was strange.

It wasn’t even that difficult a task. But in front of Jeong Do-hyun, expressing thanks felt as rough as chewing sand.

When silence fell for a moment, I deliberately changed the subject.

“How did you know? That I was here.”

“Producer Min Chan-hyeok contacted me.”

I figured as much. Really, what an unnecessary thing to do.

The detailed information I’d given him about where we were meeting, just in case, seemed to have backfired.

Jeong Do-hyun getting involved here was unexpected.

‘Word will spread everywhere. That I’m a rookie composer under Jeong Do-hyun’s protection.’

If that happened, what would become of my resolve to stand on my own without Jeong Do-hyun’s halo?

Of course, I knew he did it out of concern for me.

Buzz—.

Just then, Jeong Do-hyun’s phone vibrated briefly. He glanced down at the screen once, then briefly asked for understanding.

“One moment.”

I nodded.

As soon as he answered the call, an urgent voice leaked from the receiver. It was loud enough for me to hear even standing a step away.

—President! Where are you right now? You said you’d come right after the meeting, but if you disappear like this, it’s difficult for us too. The next schedule is already disrupted….

“I stepped out briefly. Let’s handle the next schedule in the car while moving.”

—Pardon?

“I’ll send you the location, so send a car.”

Jeong Do-hyun hung up the phone just like that.

It seemed like his entire schedule had been thrown off because of me. I felt even more ashamed.

“…I’m sorry. It’s all because of me.”

“It’s not.”

Jeong Do-hyun replied calmly.

Shortly after, a black foreign car smoothly pulled up to the roadside.

“Let me take you near your home.”

I waved my hands.

“It’s okay. The subway station is right around here. I can take a taxi too.”

My first thought was that I didn’t want to be more of a burden. Besides, the luxurious foreign car was already drawing attention from passersby, making me uncomfortable about getting a ride.

“Please get in.”

“I’m really fine. Please go ahead. You must be busy.”

As I repeatedly refused, Jeong Do-hyun frowned slightly and grabbed my wrist.

“Your hands are still shaking.”

“…Ah.”

Only then did I see it.

That the trembling still hadn’t stopped.

I thought I had calmed down after leaving the cafe. But my body seemed to still be in a state of tension. Once I became aware of it, my legs felt like they were trembling too.

Swoosh.

Jeong Do-hyun silently opened the car door for me. In the end, I got in without a word.

The sound of the door closing was quite heavy. The car began to glide smoothly.

The scenery outside the window flowed by like slides. Even then, Jeong Do-hyun didn’t say a single word about making a big deal of it.

‘Of all people, in front of you.’

I didn’t want to show such a weak side.

The fact that it was Jeong Do-hyun by my side at a time like this felt resentful. It hadn’t been long since I’d refused his sponsorship.

If this was how it would be, I’d have nothing to say if he asked why I refused the sponsorship.

‘Ugh. How embarrassing.’

My face seemed to flush hot for no reason, so I lightly rested my forehead against the window.

A low voice cut through my thoughts.

“It was reckless.”

“Pardon?”

I reflexively turned my head.

“If I hadn’t intervened, you really would have been hit.”

“I know.”

“Were you planning to let yourself be hit?”

Jeong Do-hyun also looked toward me.

“Intentionally?”

“….”

How did he know? That thought crossed my mind.

“If it’s reported to the police as one-sided assault, a settlement becomes crucial. You were planning to use that to avoid the damages, weren’t you?”

It was the correct answer.

It was exactly the plan I had drawn up in my head.

“…Because that was the cheapest way to end it.”

“Getting hit once is the easiest way?”

Jeong Do-hyun’s tone was calm. That made it seem like he was reproaching me even more.

He sighed very quietly.

It felt like he was treating me like an immature child, which made me feel frustrated for a moment.

Considering my years of regression, I would actually be older mentally. Yet he was treating me like a child.

“Seol, you need to calculate gains and losses properly.”

He said.

“It’s not ‘just’ one hit.”

His tone was like he was chewing on the words.

“It’s ‘a whole’ hit.”

“….”

“You could have injured your ears if things went wrong.”

I couldn’t help but flinch at those words.

Seeing my reaction, Jeong Do-hyun curled up one corner of his mouth and chuckled.

“I hope you’ll make more rational choices from now on.”

“This was the best option. At least at that time. There were no other choices.”

“There were.”

He said decisively.

“The choice of contacting me.”

“That’s….”

Jeong Do-hyun took something out of his inner pocket. A small, stiff business card.

“I’m giving this to you again since you seem to have forgotten. It has my direct number on it.”

It landed on my palm.

A phone number was clearly written on it.

This was insane. If you lined up all the people who wanted this number, they could probably circle Seoul at least once.

Seeing my shocked expression, Jeong Do-hyun’s gaze seemed to pierce right through me.

“Contact me directly from now on. Don’t try to handle everything alone.”

Strangely, my stomach felt fluttery.

It felt like my fingertips were twisting around each other. Looking out the window, I spotted the bus stop near my home.

“P-please let me off here!”

I shouted loudly without realizing it.

“I’ll walk from here.”

When Jeong Do-hyun gestured, the car slowed down. As the door opened and I breathed in the outside air, the heat boiling inside me seemed to cool down a bit.

Clutching the business card tightly, I peered into the car.

“Thank you for today.”

I shut the door firmly.

I quickly turned around and headed home. Glancing back along the way, I saw the car getting farther and farther away.

Perhaps trying to make up for the delayed schedule because of me, it was moving quite fast.

I opened my hand and checked the business card once more.

“…This is driving me crazy.”

I muttered quietly and pushed the business card deep into my pocket.

At that moment, a translucent Quest window appeared before my eyes.

[ SYSTEM – SUB QUEST ]

> ‘Find the Contract’s Loophole’ Complete!

> Rewards:

– Industry Reputation +300%

– Industry Trust +100%

“Ah, right.”

This was resolved too. Whatever the method, the achievement condition was ‘nullifying the damages claim.’

It seemed SLO had completely lost their will to fight.

Just when I thought everything was done, another Quest window appeared.

[ SYSTEM – SUB QUEST ]

> You have exceeded the completion of ‘Find the Contract’s Loophole’!

> The full story has spread quickly throughout the industry. Rumors that ‘they intimidated a newcomer with an unfair contract’ are spreading, and the perpetrators are in a difficult position.

> You acquire the hidden reward, passive skill ‘Contract Authority (B)’.

[ SYSTEM – SUB QUEST ]

> Passive Skill ‘Contract Authority (B)’

> Description: You are a difficult opponent to contract with.

> Effects:

– During contracts, you gain a slight psychological advantage.

– The probability of unfair clauses/one-sided demands being presented is greatly reduced.

– The probability of proposals based on reasonable conditions and mutual benefit is greatly increased.

– Secret industry rumors help you. “If you try to play games with YULE’s contracts, you won’t escape serious consequences.”

I had to read the last description of the passive skill a couple more times.

I had a rough idea of where this ‘secret rumor’ circulating within the industry came from.

“Amazing, really.”

A snort of laughter escaped me without realizing it.

But somehow, I didn’t dislike it.

How long had it been since I felt someone reliably watching my back?

Suddenly, the business card in my pocket felt warm.

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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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