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Solo Swordmaster – Chapter 103

.。.:✧ Do I Really Need to be Careful? ✧:.。.

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“…Sales increased by 1300% just by bringing in a new live singer? You’re joking, right?”

“Do you think I’m joking with all these customers around?”

Kim Seungjun looked around.

He gulped, seeing the customers who now filled the live cafe. It was certainly a sight that highlighted the immense difference in sales compared to the past, when it had been as empty as a school library during summer vacation.

That’s why he had guessed 300%. But he never expected a figure of a completely different magnitude.

Even Kim Seungjun, who had introduced Eugene, wondered if Manager Jung was exaggerating.

As if sensing his doubt, Manager Jung chuckled and said,

“Besides, if those two were just ‘some new live singers,’ you wouldn’t have introduced Eugene, nor would you be coming here every day to persuade them.”

“That’s…”

“What, am I wrong?”

“……”

Kim Seungjun closed his mouth.

It wasn’t just because he had been hit where it hurt. It was because Limon, having finally finished tuning, strummed his guitar strings, and their live performance began.

*Don’t look at me—*

A husky voice resonated.

A paradoxical silence blanketed the cafe. The sounds that should have been there—talking, clattering, sipping drinks, even breathing—all disappeared.

The sound of the guitar and the song, filling the space, felt strangely quiet, like a whisper. A spectacle that wasn’t a skill, yet felt more like a skill than any skill.

Their melody held the power to make listeners forget to even breathe, forcing them to focus.

“Seungjun.”

“Yes, Senior.”

“It’s not my place to say, since I’ve already left that line of work, but as your senior, I’ll give you a piece of advice.”

The awe of seeing a raw gem. The regret of not being able to polish it.

Looking at the two on stage with a complex gaze that mixed those two emotions, Manager Jung continued in a low voice,

“Grab those two. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life if you let them go.”

“I know.”

He couldn’t not know, if he had ears.

Nodding in agreement, Kim Seungjun sighed lightly.

“The problem is, those two don’t know.”

They had the potential to become a global sensation, not to mention an instant hit upon debut.

Yet, one was indifferent, and the other vehemently refused, as if allergic to broadcasting.

How could he persuade them? The mere thought was daunting.

“Huh? Hey, isn’t that that bastard?”

“Which bastard?”

It was then that Manager Jung spoke hesitantly, looking towards the cafe entrance.

Kim Seungjun, already racking his brains over his predicament, feigned disinterest and only glanced over. But the moment he turned his head and saw who his senior was pointing at…

“You know, that Moon, the manager from WIM Guild, the one who messed up your program.”

“……!”

Sparks flew in Kim Seungjun’s eyes.

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“Phew, good soul today.”

“Give it a rest, are you planning to stay up all night singing again?”

“I love it!”

“I don’t, you songbird.”

It took a while for Limon and Eugene to come down from the stage. Encore requests poured in one after another, and Eugene gladly sang each time.

It was fortunate that Limon had practically infinite stamina and Eugene seemed tireless, ordinary musicians would have collapsed long ago.

“What’s with this atmosphere?”

But after coming down from the stage, Limon wore a suspicious expression.

It wasn’t just because Kim Seungjun, who would normally have praised their amazing talent and tried to persuade them to sign a contract, was frowning. It was because a stranger was sitting across from Kim Seungjun.

*Clap, clap, clap.*

“I enjoyed your wonderful performance. A truly unique song and excellent playing.”

His posture with legs crossed. His evaluating tone. And the sunglasses he wore.

Limon, quite the connoisseur of condescending behavior, frowned at the man who seemed to embody it.

“Who are you, acting all familiar?”

“Hmm? You don’t know who I am?”

“Should I?”

“Oh, my apologies. No one in this industry doesn’t know me these days.”

The man let out a hearty laugh, as if he couldn’t believe there was a country bumpkin among musicians who didn’t know who he was.

He pulled out two business cards from his pocket and slid them onto the table.

“Sorry for the late introduction. I’m Moon Cheon-yeop, a manager at the entertainment guild WIM.”

“Hmm?”

Limon narrowed his eyes.

It wasn’t because he recognized Moon Cheon-yeop belatedly. He didn’t even bother remembering the name of the current president, so there was no way he would know a mere entertainment guild manager.

However, something else came to mind.

“Manager Moon? Claire’s manager?”

“Hahaha! Claire is the most famous among the singers I manage.”

Limon unconsciously made a strange expression as he watched Moon Cheon-yeop boast proudly. Above his head, Na-kyung muttered hesitantly,

[I see why Producer Kim looks so grim.]

‘He’s holding back surprisingly well. I would have thrown a punch first.’

[That’s only possible for someone who lives life on the edge like you, Team Leader.]

‘Want me to help you live on the edge, too?’

As Limon chatted with Na-kyung in his head, Eugene, who had been wearing an indifferent expression since seeing Moon Cheon-yeop’s business card, suddenly spoke.

“What business does a singer’s manager have with us?”

“I came here thinking I’d check out some amazing musicians… but seeing you two in person, you exceeded my expectations.”

“Is that so?”

“Ahem. Of course, I see some areas for improvement, but I think they can be easily addressed with consistent guidance from experts at a proper entertainment guild.”

Moon Cheon-yeop nodded as if admiring them for being unknowns.

Limon tilted his head at him.

“A proper entertainment guild… you mean a place like WIM?”

“Hahaha, it’s not boasting, but there’s no entertainment guild as proper as WIM.”

Moon Cheon-yeop, boasting while denying he was boasting. It was Kim Seungjun, who had been wearing a disgruntled expression, who countered his statement.

“Would a ‘proper’ guild suddenly abandon a program they promised to appear on?”

“Oh, please refrain from saying things that could be misunderstood. If a KTB representative were to falsely accuse our guild, many people would be in trouble.”

Kim Seungjun’s face twitched.

Perhaps if it were a major broadcasting station or a somewhat well-known cable channel, it would be different. But if a small-time station like KTB, on the verge of bankruptcy, were to sue a giant entertainment guild like WIM?

Not only would the program he was preparing be ruined, but the entire station might go under. Although it was more likely that Kim Seungjun would be fired first.

“Anyway, I heard from Producer Kim that you two don’t have an agency, so what do you think? How about signing a contract with WIM?”

Moon Cheon-yeop, having easily dealt with the obstacle, continued speaking triumphantly, like a general who had won a war.

“I’ve heard that you two have been terribly exploited here.”

“No, that’s!”

“Oh, Producer Kim, if you have a conscience, please be quiet. Is it appropriate for a PD to condone such an unfair contract?”

“……”

Kim Seungjun wore a wronged expression.

Eugene’s strange employment conditions were entirely her own wish. He and Manager Jung had tried their best, foaming at the mouth, to create a fair contract, but it was Limon and Eugene who had completely ignored it.

However, Moon Cheon-yeop, unaware of these circumstances, confidently continued his proposal.

“If you sign with us, you won’t have to come to a shabby place like this again. I promise you the best conditions and performances on the best stages.”

“The best stages?”

“Yes. Network television would be ideal, but cable is also immediately possible if you’re not picky.”

Pausing for a moment, Moon Cheon-yeop glanced at Kim Seungjun and gave a meaningful smile.

“I happen to know a PD who’s looking for a replacement for their program.”

‘That bastard Moon…!’

Kim Seungjun groaned inwardly.

He realized the implied offer.

If they helped persuade the others, they would be on the program. Offering a carrot after just threatening them.

It was a blatant ploy, but for Kim Seungjun, whose program and KTB’s fate hung in the balance, it was a checkmate. It was clear why Moon Cheon-yeop was called the power broker of WIM Guild.

‘You won’t have your way!’

But Kim Seungjun smiled confidently. He anticipated what was about to happen.

“And the signing bonus…”

“Don’t need it.”

“What?”

“Money, contract. Don’t need it. Go.”

As soon as she heard the words signing bonus, Eugene’s face scrunched up as if she had seen something disgusting, and she issued an order to leave.

“Hmm, thanks for the offer, but we’re not interested in those things. The exit’s that way.”

Limon shrugged and nonchalantly pointed the way out.

“Wait, what is this…?”

Kim Seungjun struggled to contain his laughter as he watched Moon Cheon-yeop, speechless and bewildered by their clean rejection, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

If these two were the type to be swayed by money or the stage, he wouldn’t be going through all this trouble. And he didn’t even know that, acting all smug like an idiot only to be rejected!

“Do you even realize what kind of offer this is and then refuse? This is an offer from WIM Guild, WIM Guild!”

“So what?”

“WIM, what’s that?”

“……”

Limon and Eugene treated the name of the nation’s top entertainment guild like they had never heard of it.

Perhaps because he finally realized that these two had a different way of thinking than ordinary people, Moon Cheon-yeop’s face turned red and blue.

“…Alright. It seems I was too hasty today. Let’s talk again next time.”

Whether he felt he couldn’t continue like this or couldn’t bear the humiliation, Moon Cheon-yeop tried to leave calmly, but he couldn’t hide his angry gait.

After laughing aloud for a moment, Kim Seungjun finally stopped and, clearing his throat, looked at the two of them cautiously.

“Ahem, ahem! I’m glad things turned out this way, but are you two really okay with this?”

“Is there any reason we shouldn’t be?”

“WIM Guild’s influence is enormous. If Manager Moon sets his mind to it, he could prevent you two from ever debuting…”

“So what?”

“We’re not planning on debuting.”

“Ah, yes. Of course.”

Kim Seungjun smiled wryly at the two, who remained unshaken. While he was pleased to have screwed over Moon Cheon-yeop, he also realized how difficult it would be to cast Limon and Eugene.

“Be careful anyway. I’ve heard rumors that Manager Moon doesn’t play by the rules.”

“I don’t know what kind of tricks that jerk can pull, but I don’t think I have anything to worry about.”

Limon chuckled.

Resting his chin on one hand, he added playfully,

“My fiancée has quite a bit of money.”

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[Translator Notes]
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Solo Swordmaster

Solo Swordmaster

Score 10
Status: Ongoing Type: Author: Artist: Released: 2020 Native Language: Korean
Times change, and nothing lasts forever. Dragons and magic became legends, and heroes faded into the pages of history. It was now the age of players that were gifted immense power and skills by Constellations. “But is this power really free? …I protected this world for centuries, and this is what I get in return?!” I had all my assets seized and the only friend I had left killed. But now, humanity’s last Swordmaster—a man out of time—must pick up the blade once again to fight against a new threat to mankind—the arrival of constellations that now seek to invade the world. Will his new alliance with the longtime enemies of humanity, the Seven Princesses of the Seven Dragons Association, be able to defeat the very Constellations that bestowed humanity with their powers?

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