Chapter 62

Reincarnation of the Reckless Genius Composer - Chapter 62 (62/482)

"Animal Island" has been a popular game since its first season. However, as time went on, players began to drop out, and its performance gradually declined. But with the arrival of this season, "Animal Island" underwent a major overhaul and achieved unprecedented success in a short period.

Indeed, it would not be an exaggeration to say that this success was largely due to the benefit of the OST.

"Now even the game's OST..."

Seojin looked at the "Animal Island" OST album and smiled wryly. Living in Japan, she had experienced firsthand the popularity of the "Animal Island" OST.

"This guy can do anything, can't he?"

Was it his talent, or was it his luck? No, it was both. Because he had talent, he got the chance to seize opportunities. After all, isn't it said that only the prepared can seize opportunities?

Her song "Let's Walk Together" wasn't the title track of the album, but because it was a good song, she received a call from an advertising company. As a result, she successfully made a comeback and even managed to enter the Japanese market.

Jung Arin was the same, and so was her solo album. Because the songs were fundamentally good, opportunities came, and luck supported her. Yes, this "Animal Island" OST album was no exception.

This time, the luck that came to him was...

Due to an unintentional broadcasting accident by Hiyorin, a well-known game streamer who was also a Newtuber, even users who didn't play "Animal Island" began to take an interest in the game.

As more people started playing the game, they naturally became exposed to the soundtrack created by HS. Listening to the OST every day, they eventually found themselves playing "Animal Island" just to hear the music.

"Like a pilgrimage, or something..."

Seojin shook her head as she browsed through a cafe created by "Animal Island" users.

「After playing "Animal Island" for about a week and writing a diary, in reality, I was scolded harshly in front of everyone by my boss for not improving at work today. I felt bitter and overwhelmed with despair, waiting only for the end of the day to hide back on the island. Beautiful, lovely, cozy. This is how my world should be. But as dawn approached and I headed to the beach, the waves crashing against the shore told me, "It's time to go back to your reality. You have to live in your world tomorrow." You're right. I lie in bed with a sense of emptiness, but I'm still grateful. "Animal Island," no, my island, for soothing my emptiness, even if only for a moment. Goodbye, see you tomorrow!」

A challenge began to trend, where people wrote diaries about their experiences in reality and in "Animal Island."

The challenge was called the "Kyoumu Challenge."

"Kyoumu" is a Japanese transformation of the word "emptiness" (虚無). Yes, the common thread between the players' feelings while playing "Animal Island" and the atmosphere of the songs was emptiness.

Even the feeling of emptiness was something they enjoyed, continuing to play and trying to shake off that emptiness by writing diaries, which Hiyorin started and many other players followed, making it a trend.

Swish, swish—

Browsing the bulletin board, it seemed that curiosity about "HS" was also very high, not just the OST.

「When I asked a Korean friend, HS is a famous composer with exceptional talent and a handsome appearance. Wow, he's such a desirable man, isn't he? Bring him to Japan! www」

Swish—

「I learned that the original composer of the songs in Seojin's previous album and the new album "Dear my Beethoven" by Shinnosuke is HS. I never imagined he composed popular songs. This is why geniuses are scary. I'm curious about his next move.」

Swish—

「In my opinion, HS is likely a long-time player of "Animal Island." It's not easy to capture such deep emotions and express them in a song. He must have included the complex emotions he felt while playing. That's why the title is "Kyoumu," I think. I wish he would come out and explain it clearly.」

Seojin smiled and sighed softly as she read the posts. It was clear that HS, or rather, Hyunseung, was someone who couldn't live quietly.

Despite his extreme aversion to exposure, a fan cafe had already been created for him in Korea, and in Japan, people were curious about the identity of "HS" and obsessed with the meaning behind the song "Emptiness" (虚無).

"Hmm."

While browsing the bulletin board and lost in thought, a question came to mind.

No matter how much she thought about it, could Hyunseung really be playing a game with such cute graphics?

The Hyunseung she knew wasn't that kind of person...

Or was he?

Sometimes he seemed childish.

"Phew, even so, he doesn't seem that profound..."

Had she misjudged Hyunseung? Could he feel, embrace, and express such deep emotions? Well, she could always ask him later.

"Anyway, it's good."

She was just happy that Hyunseung's "Animal Island" project had started with such a bang.

* * *

Inside the development room of the Japanese giant game company, "Ninsix."

"Ha..."

In the dark development room, a laptop was the only source of light.

And.

A man sat alone, wearing headphones, lost in thought.

He was a developer at Ninsix and the original game developer of "Animal Island." He was currently listening to the "Animal Island" OST, "Emptiness" (虚無), on repeat.

"Definitely intentional."

The more he listened, the more new emotions emerged, and soon a complex mix of feelings pierced his heart. Warm, cozy, happy, passionate, lonely, cold, and empty...

An empty, hollow feeling that consumed all these emotions.

Yes, it was as if the song had gathered all the emotions he felt while conceptualizing, developing, building data, and testing "Animal Island."

The song captured all the joys, sorrows, loves, and hates he had embedded in the game, as well as the underlying sense of emptiness. Was it intentional?

Or did it just happen that way?

"Ha... I'm really curious."

It was different from previous seasons... No, no, this was the first time. It was just the main OST of a game, yet music critics were debating it, players were sharing their emotions through the "Kyoumu Challenge," and the official site's bulletin board was flooded with inquiries.

「Is the title of the main OST of "Animal Island," "Kyoumu," named because the composer understood the emotions the players would feel? Hmm, there's no way he would have named it "Kyoumu" otherwise.」

Such inquiries were being made.

"I can't take it. I have to ask."

He wanted a clear answer. Was he a real player of "Animal Island"? Did he feel the same emotions? Did he reflect those emotions in the song and intentionally name it "Kyoumu"?

He jotted down the questions that poured out of him.

If the answer was yes, then he really had made a great game. A game that captured the developer's emotions and allowed players to feel them too, a game that embodied the emotions one experiences in life, could only be "Animal Island."

"Hey, Sochi, are you in the office right now?"

The man immediately called someone to request a task that needed to be done to clearly confirm the game's value.

"I want you to formally request a confirmation from LS Entertainment."

Yes, even if he had an idea...

"Specifically, from the composer who is under contract with them and created the OST for this season."

He had to hear it from the original composer.

* * *

"Unexpected good news from an unexpected place."

A smile spread across Manager Choi's face as he read the report brought by Manager Kim.

"That's right."

Manager Kim nodded in agreement. It was unexpected that a game OST, not a movie or drama OST, would be so successful. They thought it would just be a trend among players.

However.

In Japan, small-scale protests were even being held to request the mass distribution of the limited-edition OST album released by the game company. Given the surge in the number of new players since the season's overhaul, it was only a matter of time before "Animal Island" became a groundbreaking game.

"Oh, by the way, this isn't in the report, but I heard from Seojin that a trend called the 'Kyoumu Challenge' is popular in Japanese communities, focusing on the main OST."

"Really? That friend of yours is quite skilled at creating trends. At this point, I'm not sure if Hyunseung is blessed with luck or if his talent is just insane."

"Actually, to sustain this level of success, both luck and talent are necessary. Hyunseung has both, so he will continue to succeed."

Manager Choi nodded silently with a satisfied smile.

"Yes, you're right, Uhyeon."

Manager Kim was someone who always tried to do everything on his own rather than relying on others. But one day, he started seeking help for others. Moreover, a man who was cautious and didn't believe in eternal success, now showed a response that hinted at absolute trust.

It seemed he finally had someone to rely on.

Ding!

At that moment, a clear notification sound came from Manager Kim's pocket.

"Sorry, I need to check an email from Ninsix."

"Ninsix? Why from them?"

"It's not an issue, but they want to confirm the meaning behind the title 'Emptiness' (虚無) of the main OST through HS, the original composer."

"Hmm... I see..."

He murmured, "Emptiness..."

He listened to the main OST after receiving the file. The song, with its rapid modulation, quickly alternated and repeated dozens of emotions.

Suddenly.

He became curious. Why did he choose the emotion of "emptiness" among so many emotions? Was the title "Emptiness" because it was the main emotion?

Was the boy who made this song feeling the emptiness of life? Or did he feel that music itself was empty? Before delving deeper into his thoughts, Manager Choi asked:

"Have you heard why he chose 'Emptiness' as the title?"

"I haven't heard anything. It's probably similar to what people are guessing these days."

"Probably. I felt a sense of emptiness at the end of the song, as if I was facing the latter part of my life."

"Manager Choi, you still have a long way to go before your latter part of life."

Manager Kim glanced at the time on his phone and stood up.

"I need to go and confirm this now."

"It's time to take him to the cafeteria for lunch, right?"

"Sure, I'll do that. I also need to reply to Ninsix quickly."

He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. Manager Choi, watching him, suppressed a laugh. Why was his face so bright, even though he wasn't going to see his girlfriend?

Still, it was a relief to see him so happy.

"Uhyeon, everything's going well, right?"

"Yes, everything is fine."

Until recently, he had a worried look and was even more buried in work.

Now, the dark clouds over Manager Kim's face had cleared, and a rainbow seemed to have appeared.

"Good, that's settled."

It seemed that his request to take care of Hyunseung, who was about the age of his son, wasn't in vain.

"If you get an answer, let me know, okay?"

"Sure, I will!"

Manager Kim answered firmly and left the office to head to Hyunseung's studio.

...

Manager Kim, who arrived at Hyunseung's studio, continued explaining the request from Ninsix.

"So, the company's bulletin board is flooded with inquiries, and they're asking if you can officially explain the meaning behind the title 'Emptiness.'"

Hyunseung responded with a small, "Ah, that..."

"Huh-."

"Huh-?"

"Everything's gone."

"Everything's gone...?"

Manager Kim, who was repeating the words, trailed off. His expression froze as if time had stopped.

Did I hear that wrong? "Everything's gone" from "Emptiness"?

"It's derived from 'Everything's gone.'"

Looking at Hyunseung's innocent face, it didn't seem like he was lying. Manager Kim realized at that moment that there was no profound or deep meaning behind the title Hyunseung chose. It was simply a shortened version of "Everything's gone."

"Damn, I was fooled. Fooled."

"What did I fool you about?"

"Almost to the point of fraud..."

He was about to bring up the topic again.

Zzzzzzz—

A call came from Manager Choi.

"Yes, Manager Choi."

—Did you ask Hyunseung?

"Ah, well..."

—What, you didn't ask? It's just the emotion of "Emptiness" (虚無), right, using the character '虚' for 'false' and '無' for 'nothing'?

Manager Choi, who seemed to have a preconceived answer, left Manager Kim speechless. He was faced with a significant dilemma. Should he be honest or tell a white lie?

After a moment,

Manager Kim decided to keep it a secret for Hyunseung's image.

"Yes, in Korean, it's 'Emptiness.' In Chinese characters, it's '虚' for 'false' and '無' for 'nothing,' and in Japanese, it's 'Kyoumu.' The song captures the emotion of the title itself."

—As expected, Manager Kim. That friend of yours has both luck and talent, doesn't he? Not only did he capture the emotion, but he also predicted that people would feel it and named the song accordingly.

Listening to the praise for Hyunseung through the phone, Manager Kim felt embarrassed.

"Yes, that's right..."

He decided to end the call, fearing it would become even more awkward, using the excuse that he needed to reply to Ninsix.

"Hyunseung, can you do me a favor?"

He grabbed Hyunseung's shoulder, looked him in the eye, and spoke calmly as if talking to a child.

"From now on, the song 'Emptiness' is just 'Kyoumu,' the emotion itself."

Hyunseung grumbled in response.

"What? What do you mean?"

"The emptiness you feel when you say 'emptiness.'"

"Why? That's not what it means."

"I'll give you ten meal tickets if you tell the world it means that."

"Okay, I'll say that."

Yes.

He decided that this would be a secret between him and Hyunseung.