Chapter 2

The Music Broadcast of the Genius Bard - Episode 2 (2/200)

The Music Broadcast of the Genius Bard Episode 2

12 o'clock.

The sun was directly overhead, and it was time for people to move busily.

"Hmm..."

Lee Han sat on the mattress laid on the floor, tapping his knees with his fingers, as if something was bothering him.

When he woke up, the world had turned gray again.

He was sure that things had improved yesterday, but it seemed that wasn't the case.

Perhaps, the shock of the first wall he faced in this world was more than he thought.

'Well, I have plenty of time. Let's take it slow.'

Lee Han scratched his head, trying to lift the mood, and recalled the world that had brightened yesterday.

The world wouldn't regain its light overnight, but if things stayed this way, it would surely get better someday.

It was just a matter of time.

'Then, the problem now is this.'

Lee Han scanned the memories of 'Lee Han' in his mind.

He had immediately confirmed essential things like language and basic common sense needed to survive on Earth when he possessed the body, but yesterday was too short to check everything else.

Thus, one thing he missed.

"I need to go to work..."

Lee Han looked at the alarm ringing on his phone when the time came.

The message read: "Prepare for the tea shop part-time job."

It was his first day at the new part-time job he had just found.

However, the peculiar thing was that the owner was a bit unusual?

'Wow, incredible.'

Lee Han chuckled to himself as he scanned 'Lee Han's' memories while getting ready for work.

There are many peculiar people in the world, but this was a bit too much.

'When I first met him, he said, "Wow, you're handsome. Do you want to work part-time?"'

Lee Han recalled the owner of the building, who had come up to help with the unpacking right after 'Lee Han' moved in.

It turned out he lived on the floor below and ran a tea shop on the first floor, which was why he made that offer.

Coincidentally, 'Lee Han' had just run out of money and was looking for a part-time job, so he happily accepted the offer.

'Well, I do need money, so it's not a bad thing.'

Lee Han got up from his seat, recalling how 'Lee Han' had spent all the ten million won he had saved up in one go.

Indeed, if he didn't do this part-time job, he wouldn't be able to eat properly next month.

In the previous world, he could survive on one meal a day thanks to the magical power of mana, but there was no such thing here.

So, he needed to do something to earn money.

"Hmm. Shall I go then?"

After organizing his thoughts, Lee Han changed his clothes and left the attic.

* * *

"Hello."

"Oh, hello. Are you the new part-time worker...?"

"Ah, yes. The owner said to start today."

"Um, that's right. But you're 30 minutes early than the agreed time?"

"Yes, it's my first part-time job at a tea shop, so I thought I needed to learn a lot."

"You did well. It's actually better if you come early."

"Ah, that's a relief."

Inside the tea shop.

Lee Han greeted the smiling man.

From the looks of it, he was one of the part-time workers at the tea shop, not someone from his memories.

"I'm Kim Do-yun."

"Ah, I'm Lee Han. Nice to meet you."

"Yes, but... you really are handsome."

"Yes...?"

"Oops, I thought my dad was being silly again, but you really are handsome. Are you maybe an idol trainee or something?"

Kim Do-yun, who had been talking for a while, now placed his hand on his chin and looked at Lee Han.

He scrutinized Lee Han's face with a sharp gaze.

It was as if he was an expert examining a sculpture...

"Stop harassing the part-time worker!"

"Ouch!"

"Sorry. My son takes after me and can be a bit of a handful."

Kim Do-yun had been staring at Lee Han's face for quite a while.

A man came out from the back of the shop, gave Kim Do-yun a light tap on the head, and apologized to Lee Han.

This man was the owner of the building where Lee Han lived and the owner of the tea shop 'Dodam'.

A notable feature was his shiny head and his love for handsome and beautiful people.

This was evident from the fact that 'Lee Han' had been hired without even an interview.

"But, if he's your son..."

"Ah, right. He's my son. He's a second-year high school student, so it's okay to speak informally. He's working part-time during the summer break."

"Yes, that's right. So, don't feel awkward and just speak informally. Brother."

"Ah, then I'll speak informally. Nice to meet you."

Lee Han shook hands with Kim Do-yun, who extended his hand while rubbing the bump on his head.

From the first impression, they were a very peculiar father and son.

However, the good thing was that they didn't seem like bad people.

Lee Han skillfully went along with their conversation and put on the brown apron.

He had only seen part-time work in his memories and had no actual experience, so he came early to learn.

"Brother, by the way, on weekends, it won't be me but another part-time worker, so if you need anything, ask them."

"Another person?"

"Yes, I'm on summer break, so I need to have some fun. I take weekends off."

"Ah, that makes sense."

Lee Han nodded, listening to Kim Do-yun's detailed explanation of his tasks, despite the long chitchat.

Fortunately, it wasn't too difficult for a first-timer, as there weren't many types of tea in the shop, and there were hardly any customers since it was in a quiet neighborhood.

Basically, it was just serving tea to the occasional customers and cleaning the floor.

Naturally, Lee Han had a lot of time to sit and observe the tea shop.

He quickly learned that it was a small tea shop with about seven brown tables, the walls and ceiling were white, and the plants next to the counter were real, not artificial.

Thus, it wasn't a coincidence that he noticed the guitar placed in a corner of the tea shop.

It could just be a decoration reflecting the owner's taste, but it clearly showed signs of use.

"Do-yun."

"Yes?"

"By any chance, do you or the owner play the guitar?"

Lee Han pointed to the guitar, curious if anyone did.

This life was different from his previous one, where music was much more advanced and there were many instruments.

Coincidentally, 'Lee Han' had learned to play the guitar through a talent donation at the orphanage.

'Can I play it too?'

Lee Han suddenly wondered.

After all, there was a guitar at home as well.

It was a guitar 'Lee Han' had bought with his first part-time pay.

'Well, I do have the knowledge of the guitar in my memories, so it shouldn't be a problem... but...'

Ultimately, everything depended on the permission of Kim Do-yun or the owner. Lee Han touched the calluses on his hands and looked at Kim Do-yun.

Kim Do-yun scratched his head, embarrassed by Lee Han's question.

"I go to a music high school, so I can play the guitar, but I majored in piano, so it's just a hobby. My dad also likes music, so we learn the guitar as a hobby together."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, but don't ask me to play. I'm not very good, so it's a bit embarrassing."

"Ah, then can I try playing it once?"

Lee Han's eyes sparkled at Kim Do-yun's words.

After all, it was a boring and idle time.

For Lee Han, who found songs to be a source of vitality, the opportunity to play the guitar while working was like a dream come true.

"Hmm, playing a few times won't wear out the guitar, and there aren't many customers right now, so it should be fine, right? Still, I'll ask my dad. Dad!"

"What?!"

"Brother wants to try playing the guitar. Is it okay?"

"What?! Guitar?!"

Bang!

The owner came out from the back room at the sound of Kim Do-yun's voice.

The strong smell of tea leaves suggested he had been sorting them.

"Han. Can you play the guitar?"

"Not very well, but I can play a little."

"Oh, then you should definitely try."

The owner brought out the guitar on display, as if it was a given.

He also asked for permission from the four elderly ladies drinking tea in the shop.

"Here you go. Give it a try."

"Yes, thank you."

Lee Han eagerly took the guitar at the owner's permission.

Ding

He tried a few simple strums, and the guitar was already tuned, making no strange sounds.

'Wow.'

Lee Han's eyes widened at the sound of the well-tuned guitar.

He didn't know how others would perceive this, but what did it matter?

Lee Han took a chair from the table and sat down, adjusting his posture.

Looking down, he saw a brown acoustic guitar with signs of use.

The effort and affection put into the instrument.

Indeed, it always felt good to see the sincerity of someone who cherished something.

And to sing a song in such an unexpected place, how beautiful.

Ding

Lee Han closed his eyes and strummed the guitar.

Having secretly observed the sincerity of the owner and Kim Do-yun, Lee Han felt the need to show his own sincerity.

Of course, he wasn't sure if he could do it well.

'Let's give it a try.'

Lee Han closed his eyes and scanned all the guitar-related memories in 'Lee Han's' mind.

It was uncertain whether he could suddenly play the guitar well or perfectly arrange the song he wanted, but everything needed to be tried.

Thus, his hands started moving about five minutes later.

───!

The mouths of the people in the cafe opened about ten seconds later.

* * *

A single song can shake the world.

If said in words, one might think, "So what?"

But if seen in reality, one couldn't help but show respect.

In a world where monsters were rampant and a corrupt regime made strength everything, it wasn't easy for a powerless child to succeed with just their voice.

-Lucas. The Emperor is looking for you.

Even if it was through coercion and oppression, the Emperor ultimately recognized Lucas's song.

"Hmm."

Lucas.

No, Lee Han, adjusted his voice and placed his hands on the guitar.

The owner had turned off the music playing in the cafe, making the surroundings extremely quiet.

There were seven people in the cafe, including the owner, Kim Do-yun, and Lee Han.

The four customers at the same table all looked at Lee Han with similar expressions.

They seemed to be a mix of various emotions, but the most visible was curiosity.

First of all, they didn't seem to be expecting much.

Probably because of the initial impression he gave.

Even the owner and Kim Do-yun, who had allowed him to play, didn't seem to have high expectations.

The people here felt more curiosity than expectation towards Lee Han.

But would that be a problem?

'No, rather, it's better.'

Lee Han smiled and strummed the guitar, feeling the atmosphere around him.

The thrill of surprising people who don't expect much is always exhilarating.

As always, giving his best to every song.

Ding

Lee Han looked around and adjusted his posture.

The guitar on his crossed legs.

His expression, as if he couldn't contain his joy, captured the attention of the people.

Of course, he had already chosen the song.

He had wanted to sing this song from the moment he arrived.

A song he had sung thousands, even tens of thousands of times in his previous life, newly arranged through 'Lee Han's' memories.

A song that was originally sung a cappella or with a simple bamboo flute now had the infinite sound of a guitar added to it.

Of course, it still felt a bit rough and needed more work, but what did it matter?

The sweet sound of the guitar added to the melody.

"Everyone dreams of a happy future."

Anyone dreams of a happy future.

The gentle acoustic accompaniment filled the air.

And at that moment, the people in the tea shop felt as if time had stopped.