Constellation, I Want To Be An Idol – 24.2

In the case of Madojin…

…there were only a few scenarios I could anticipate.

One thing was certain.

Finding out the nature of Madojin’s power wasn’t important.

What mattered was that it seemed that Madojin had no intention of using its power.

In other words, Team Gravity currently had no one advantageous for the stage performance.

That’s why I had prepared something…

“Eunyul hyung.”

With a pout, Jeong No-eul spoke.

“What’s with that violin? It looks like it was made by a terribly ill-tempered person…”

Indeed.

I had planned to play the ‘Violin of Tainted Blood’ at the end of the performance.

‘The Burning Demon’s Eye’ now had only 2 uses left, and it didn’t seem like it would be much help in this performance.

Without ‘The Star Opposed by All’ at this moment, all I could rely on was the ‘Violin of Tainted Blood.’

So, I had practiced it for several days, but it was not easy.

The severe pain that came with playing…

I could only play the ‘Violin of Tainted Blood’ for about 10 seconds at most.

Could I barely manage one musical phrase?

This was already an improvement from days of practice.

Though practice meant nothing more than getting used to the pain…

If I forced myself, I might be able to play a few more bars.

But after playing for just 10 seconds, my body was already at its limit.

What would happen if I continued to play?

Would I lose my life?

I couldn’t know for sure at the moment.

Anyway, after showing the performance of summoning the ‘Violin of Tainted Blood,’ playing it to conclude the show was the best plan.

“This is a power bestowed by my constellation…”

I said, looking down at the ‘Violin of Tainted Blood.’

“…This will be our team’s hidden card. We don’t have a constellation with the power to lift the mood of the stage. So…”

The members’ gaze focused on the ‘Violin of Tainted Blood.’

“I’ll play it at the end.”

“Is it really that amazing, this thing?”

Jeong No-eul reached out towards the ‘Violin of Tainted Blood.’

“Don’t touch it!”

I yelled, and Jeong Noeul’s hand stopped.

“Why, why… You’re acting like a meanie who doesn’t want to share chocolates…”

Looking at the sulking Jeong No-eul, I sighed.

“This is a tool given by the constellation. If someone other than me touches it, it’ll drain their life force.”

Actually, it drains mine too, but it seemed better to explain it this way for now.

“Your constellation is what, Hephaestus? A constellation with the power to give tools is top-tier, isn’t it?”

Ha Min said, looking at the ‘Violin of Tainted Blood.’

I just smiled.

Well, in some sense, it’s top-tier…

“But… it looks really luxurious.”

Kim Joong-ho gazed at the ‘Violin of Tainted Blood’ as if mesmerized.

“It’s filled with the power of the constellation.”

Saying so, I picked up the ‘Violin of Tainted Blood.’

Zap!

A tingling pain shot through my fingertips.

Small wounds that formed on my hand each time I touched the ‘Violin of Tainted Blood.’

Thanks to that, my knuckles were stained with band-aids.

Well, I’ve grown accustomed to this level of pain.

I aimed the bow at the strings of the ‘Violin of Tainted Blood.’

“I’ll play a little for you.”

Screech—

The sound scraped out as if a knife was dragging across the strings.

An intimidating melody.

The team members’ shoulders twitched.

Even Madojin seemed unsettled by it.

Definitely useful.

But pain as if being stabbed all over my body rushed in.

Enduring such pain, I played a melody corresponding to about two bars of music.

Trying to hide the pain, I took a deep breath.

The members stared at me as if enchanted.

“…Wow.”

Jeong No-eul was the first to speak.

Clap Clap Clap!!

Then applause followed.

“You’re crazy, Ryu Eunyul!” exclaimed Ha Min.

“We might actually have a chance with this!” said Kim Joong-ho.

“Eunyul hyung, you’re like a wizard! Casting magic with an instrument!” Jeong No-eul remarked.

I tried to calm my expression, distorted by pain.

“Brothers, brothers. Let’s all do well together!” Jeong No-eul cheered, his fatigue nowhere in sight.

All members except for Madojin were visibly excited.

“Shall we do a cheer?” Jeong No-eul smiled and suggested,

“Yeah, yeah… that’s good,” agreed Kim Joong-ho.

“…Hey, isn’t that a bit old-fashioned?” complained Ha Min in a sulky voice.

“So what,” I responded, and turned to Madojin, who was standing with crossed arms.

“Join us, Dojin-ssi.”

Madojin looked at me intently, then nodded.

We all brought our hands together.

And shouted,

“Fighting—!!”

Just three days until the performance.

I must pass no matter what.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Eunyul-ssi.”

On the way back to the room, Madojin called me.

“Hmm?” I turned to face him.

Madojin stared at me silently for a moment, then,

Swoosh!

He grabbed my wrist.

What, this guy!

Is he finally revealing his true identity?

What’s his real nature?

Contracting with a demon to turn this competition upside down….

…His role seems somewhat similar to mine.

But how can this guy be so strong?!

While I was flustered, Madojin was carefully inspecting each of my fingers, like a child carefully playing with a parent’s fingers.

“Blood is flowing,” Madojin remarked.

The wounds caused by playing the ‘Violin of Tainted Blood’…

“Ah, that…”

As I was choosing my words, Madojin gazed intently at me.

“Does it hurt?” he asked.

“No, it doesn’t hurt, so let go,” I murmured, avoiding his gaze.

Then Madojin carefully released my wrist.

“It’s just a small cut from playing earlier. It doesn’t hurt at all,” I said, rubbing my sore wrist.

“That’s good,”

“What is?”

“It’s good that it doesn’t hurt. If it’s painful, you might die. Since it’s not painful, you won’t die. Right?”

A smile spread across Madojin’s face.

Could that guy really make such a face?

“Eunyul-ssi, I…”

Madojin murmured, his face bathed in moonlight.

“I hope Eunyul-ssi doesn’t die.”