Licorice (1)
The current perception of vampires in Korea is not as bad as it used to be.
The various policies that Heins had started to implement after he took office in earnest finally began to shine.
Thanks to their influence that has taken over the entire underworld, the streets at night have become safer, and the frequency of terrorist attacks by villains that used to burst out without warning has noticeably decreased.
As the level of peace was so palpable, the citizens were clearly aware of who they owed this peace to.
‘Besides, the Blood Alliance didn’t just engage in vigilante activities.’
Several methods selected to naturally integrate into society.
One of them was to offer sufficient money in exchange for blood sucking to those in urgent need.
It directly affected the daily lives of citizens and at the same time was a lifeline for those who were immediately driven to the edge of a cliff.
‘Of course, if you suck blood through vampirism, your stamina will decrease for a while, so it’s not a method you can use often.’
Still, it was a much better choice than having your life fall into the abyss by using high-interest loans.
In order to build a clean image and trust, the atmosphere of a hospital rather than a gloomy room was used to conduct the procedure, which greatly contributed to reducing resistance.
“It’s all thanks to Lord that I can come out into the open like this. If it weren’t for Lord, I would still be hiding, just watching the Guardians and the Ability Management Bureau.”
The existence of ‘Phantom’, who had conquered the underworld of Europe single-handedly and risen to the ranks of the strongest, was enough to act as a brake on those who were trying to keep the blood alliance in check.
In addition, he played a major role in restoring public order by bribing Howard Industries and actively carrying out relief activities during the Seoul terrorist attack.
‘After doing that, people’s perception of us has no choice but to change.’
It was not so strange that, unlike in the past when they treated criminals as criminals and tried to arrest them as soon as they were seen, there was a tendency to watch them for a while as if they were rehabilitated criminals.
Of course, I couldn’t help but keep an eagle eye on them all the time to immediately punish them if they started talking nonsense.
‘On the other hand, the perception overseas is···.’
Should I say that it was natural, but perhaps because I didn’t see any direct benefits, it was still not that good.
Rather, there are even conspiracy theories raised, saying that his actions in Korea must also be motivated by some ulterior motive.
That was a fact that could be known just by recalling the foreign news reports that came out after Phantom went to Europe.
Most of the titles are based on negative tones.
Of course, there were some comments that looked at it from a neutral perspective, but in terms of proportion, there were far more comments that poured out crude criticism.
The idea of introducing beautiful vampires into the Korean entertainment industry, which has a less negative image, and creating a sense of intimacy began there.
‘That’s definitely not a bad idea.’
Wouldn’t it help improve their image if vampires, who were previously considered objects of fear, appeared on TV, danced, sang, and appeared on variety shows to show that they were just ‘slightly different humans’?
And that kind of awareness will naturally spread throughout the world through media such as the Internet.
There will be many obstacles to overcome in the process, but even if it fails during the process, it is a plan that will not suffer any major losses.
‘···But is it really okay for the blood alliance to remain like this?’
A gang from the underworld that has expanded into the global magic tool trade and even the entertainment industry.
There has never been an octopus extension like this one.
“Yeah, I gave you full authority on that one, so do whatever you want. So how’s things going?”
But since I had already given my permission, I planned to watch until the end to see how it would proceed.
Maybe we can use this to absorb vampires from other countries.
“This is a big challenge for us too. I think getting off to a good start is the most important thing.”
Even if it was better than other countries, it was only relative.
Since there are still quite a few people who have negative perceptions, it was important to aim for popularity by making a strong impact from the beginning.
“And after all—when it comes to popularity, it’s girl groups, right?!”
Jin So-ran confidently shouted with glaring eyes.
Her whole body was filled with confidence and passion.
“Hmm, a girl group.”
Heinz, who had been stroking his chin, nodded.
Of course, it was just her personal opinion as a former idol trainee, but it was certainly somewhat persuasive.
“We have now completed the final recording after selecting the members through strict screening and going through rigorous training. I am sure Lord will be satisfied.”
Jin So-ran spoke with her shoulders wide open in pride.
It is said that she personally took part in selecting members and meticulously checked various factors.
Five members were selected after strictly examining the appearance, talent, speech, singing ability, and sense of the volunteers who wanted to go out into the open and receive attention.
“Mental health was also an important factor. In the beginning, you’re bound to get a lot of hate, and there’s a high chance of failure.”
A unique and attractive appearance was the most basic of the basics.
From the steel-like stamina that utilizes regenerative powers, to the acrobatic choreography that goes beyond the limits of the human body, to the explosive vocal power that tears apart the vocal cords in real time.
Jin So-ran, who boasted that an unprecedented and ultimate idol would be born, let out a sigh of relief.
“Huh? Now that you say it like that, I’m looking forward to it.”
Although there were some Awakened people who entered the entertainment industry, vampires were a species that specialized in captivating others.
If such people decide to show off their skills, who could possibly be their opponent?
Even as he admired her, she continued to speak.
“There’s still a lot of work to do, including the cover and music video production, as well as promotion, but if we mobilize all of our blood alliance’s power, it won’t take too long. Oh! Would you like to meet our kids in person? They should all be practicing in the practice room right now.”
Jin So-ran looks more lively than ever.
Heinz made a strange expression at that sight.
He was usually energetic, but this was the first time I saw him this excited.
He blurted out a word without me knowing.
“Don’t you plan on debuting yourself? I heard that interest has grown since the Howard Industries Showcase.”
“Yes? Me?”
She blinked several times at those words.
Then, as if he hadn’t thought about it at all, he rolled his eyes here and there and smiled awkwardly.
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“···Well, I don’t really feel like it. It might have been different in the past, but I’m satisfied with my current life.”
Jin So-ran shrugs her shoulders and speaks nonchalantly.
Certainly, there was no trace of any particular regret in that attitude.
“Besides, I already have a lot of work to do, and if I do idol activities at the same time… I might really die from overwork.”
She pouted and grumbled, but of course it was just a joke.
For her, who had reached level 8 by continuously receiving “purified blood essence” from Heinz, a vampire of divine blood, rest didn’t mean much to her.
Of course, it was inevitable that my working hours would be reduced as I worked on other things as well.
“I still do internet broadcasts from time to time. I think that’s just right for me.”
Jin So-ran smiled bashfully as she continued, saying that it would be meaningful to see the idol she raised with her own hands reach the top.
‘Well, if that’s what you think.’
It was something that Heinz had no regrets about either.
I worked hard to raise him as a deputy director, but if he can’t do his job properly because of his idol life, it will be difficult for him.
“Okay, then let’s take a look at the members first. By the way, have you already decided on a group name?”
“Ah! I just happened to find something that fits perfectly.”
Jin So-ran, who was leading the way out of the office to lead the way to the agency building where the practice room was located, tapped on her smartphone.
Then she put up a picture of a bright red flower on the screen and handed it to him.
A strange-looking red flower with wrinkled petals curling backwards and long stamens extending upwards, hanging from the end of a long stem.
“Licorice! Are you okay?”
***
Lycoris.
The name was derived from the scientific name of the rock moss (Lycoris radiata), also called flower pot or periwinkle.
Although the sedum was known for its negative image, such as ‘sad memories’ or ‘death’, it also had positive flower meanings, such as ‘passion’ and ‘reincarnation’.
‘···It’s similar to our current situation. Either we have a negative image ingrained in us, or we struggle to somehow wash it away and be reborn.’
Inahee Lee, who was selected as a member of the licorice group after going through fierce competition, swallowed her saliva.
She had just finished dancing and singing with the members.
In front of Jin So-ran who suddenly burst into the practice room and… the great lord and lord of all vampires, Heinz, who followed her in!
‘Oh, I feel like I’m suffocating. Did I do it right? You don’t look so good. … Did I do something wrong? What is it? What don’t you like?’
Among the five female vampires, including her, who were frozen stiffly.
Heinz, who had been looking at them with his arms crossed, nodded at Jin So-ran with a stern face.
And then, without saying a word, he stormed out of the practice room.
Leaving only those who are still frozen!
‘Ugh! No matter how I look at it, that’s out!’
All sorts of thoughts swirled through Inahee Lee’s head as she closed her eyes tightly.
This wasn’t the first time she had seen Heinz.
No, if you think about it, I’ve encountered them so often that it’s hard to believe they’re low-level vampires.
Until recently, she had been working as an administrative assistant in Heterosis’s office, and going back even further, she was the next moderate vampire to encounter him after Jin So-ran.
From her experience, that reaction clearly meant that there was something she was not happy about.
‘Ugh, I practiced really hard so as not to bother my older sister.’
Like her other colleagues, she also practiced without getting enough sleep.
I don’t want to hear people say that Jin So-ran chose me because of my connections.
Of course, no one would be so stupid as to gossip about her, the number two person in the organization, without fear, but I didn’t like the idea that such a perception could arise.
So, I wanted to confidently prove that I was selected based on my skills and not my connections…
“ha.”
“Phew.”
Her sigh was accompanied by several simultaneous gasps.
They were colleagues who stood frozen together, side by side.
It seems like everyone’s thoughts were similar.
They met each other’s eyes and smiled bitterly.
Somehow I had a feeling that my future debut would not be that easy.
***
Before watching the members’ demonstration in the practice room, I heard a brief explanation from Jin So-ran.
He said that it was a song that he had received for a lot of money from a famous composer who had produced several hit songs.
In addition, the talents of each member were outstanding.
Not only was their choreography so rough and dynamic that it made you wonder if it was actually possible to do it live, but their superhuman lung capacity and beautiful vocal tone made it immediately clear why Jin So-ran chose them.
However, there is one problem…
“···I don’t like it.”
It was far from enough to fill Harris’s surname, which he had been lying in the shade of a tree as usual after a brief excursion.
‘The song and the singer’s voice are completely separate. It’s a song that kills all the charm and individuality of the singer and tries to shine alone. That’s not a person singing the song, it’s just the song using the person as an instrument.’
The song itself was acceptable, but with his keen senses, he could tell right away that the song had not been composed with those five voices in mind.
It must have turned out like that because the song wasn’t tailored to the person, but because the person tried to force himself to fit the song that was already made.
A song like that couldn’t contain any emotion or philosophy.
‘You’re going to debut with that?’
A song that doesn’t fully display the singer’s charm but instead gives off a mass-produced K-pop vibe?
As an elf who pursued perfect harmony with her song, herself, and her surroundings, this was behavior that was absolutely unacceptable.
This is a matter of his pride.
“Harris! Here again today… Eek!”
At that moment, Shapiron, who had been walking lightly while carrying a basket of snacks, opened his eyes wide as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have seen.
Then he covered his mouth with one hand and let out a groan.
“Hey… Harris, is his eyes wide open…?”
A pair of eyes that were wide open, as if staring at something, rather than half-closed and drowsy as usual.
The gaze was so intense that one could almost see the illusion of blazing flames within the star-shaped pupils.
Gulp—
She swallowed without realizing it.
Then, she glanced at him with a slightly red face and engraved that image deep in her mind.
Because seeing him so passionate was a rare sight that you wouldn’t see often!
“Ms. Shapiron.”
“yes yes?!”
Harris, who had been like that for a while, suddenly stood up from his seat.
Then, he glared at her, who was taken aback by the sudden call of his name, and opened his mouth heavily.
“I have something urgent to do. Could you help me out for a moment?”
“···yes.”
He walked briskly along with her, who answered in a relaxed voice.
There was no time to waste when thinking about what lay ahead.
‘This is the first debut song that came out under my command, so I can’t let it go out in this condition.’
Even with the current song, it might achieve satisfactory results in Korea.
Not only is Korea a stronghold where blood ties are firmly rooted, but the song itself was chosen because it was likely to sell in Korea.
But he himself could not be satisfied with just that.
‘No, I’m never satisfied.’
The singers’ abilities have already been confirmed.
As expected, Jin So-ran had great insight and they had great potential.
So much so that they can fully unleash their charms whenever they find a song that suits them.
‘If we’re going to do it, we have to do it right. At this rate, when will we be able to swallow up the Korean market and go overseas?’
There was no need to differentiate between the Korean and overseas markets.
A good song has a way of shining anytime, anywhere.
It can overturn all their negative perceptions and bring out 100% of their potential.
If only I could present a song that would show off such an overwhelming charm that no one would even be able to refute it—.
‘If it doesn’t exist, just make it.’
Rarely, Harris’s passionate pupils sparkled like starlight.
So he called together all his friends, including Shapiron, and started working on the song, and he was able to complete a song that he was satisfied with.
It was about a day after Auterica’s time.
