Devil’s Music

Even though they were VIP seats, they weren't secluded booths with exclusive access, so as Geon and his group made their way to their seats, they had to ask for permission from those already seated. Suddenly, someone shouted out in excitement, freezing Geon in his tracks.

"Kay! It's Kay!!!"

The thousands of spectators around slightly bowed and focused their attention on Geon as he entered. As Geon, frozen by the shout, looked up, fans erupted in excitement.

"Woah, it's really Kay!!"

"Screams, He's so handsome!"

"Wow!! I've been to Liverpool Sound City too! Look over here!"

"Are you here to support Arsenal?"

As the surrounding fans raised their arms excitedly asking questions, Geon smiled widely and unfolded an Arsenal FC towel he had prepared, which was met with cheers. The towel displayed the text 'Gunners' along with Arsenal's crest, prompting fans to jump up from their seats and scream.

"Whoa! Kay's one of us too!"

"Awesome! The god of victory is here! Let's trample Barcelona today!!"

"Kay's an Arsenal fan too!"

As Geon waved to the people, he made his way to his seat among his group, prompting murmurs from the crowd.

"Isn't that Asian woman Shizuka Miyawaki?"

"Yeah, I think that's right."

"And next to her is Kevin from Montana..."

"That's right! I saw Kevin at Liverpool Sound City!"

"Wow, celebrities are all together."

"Amazing, I did well coming to the match today."

Although thousands of eyes were focused on Geon and his group, the overall atmosphere in the stadium was still vibrant with cheering fans.

Before the game started, as players warmed up on the field, the crowd's cheers burst forth. Arsenal FC players were met with cheers at their home stadium, Emirates Stadium, while Barcelona players were booed.

"No matter it's a home game, that's too much," remarked Shizuka, looking around with a frown.

Byungjun laughed excitedly, "It's the same on the other side, football is a war played with a ball!"

As the players warmed up, the giant multi-vision screen in the corner of the stadium ceiling displayed each player, causing the audience to shout each name out loud. The camera mainly focused on Arsenal players, but when it showed the team captain Mertesacker, the crowd roared even louder.

Close to the action, Geon and his group didn't need to look at the multi-vision screen, as they could see the superstar players worth billions right in front of their eyes. Kevin muttered in awe, "That's Lionel Messi... Wow..."

Seeing the smaller player dribbling the ball around, Kevin started taking pictures with his phone.

Shizuka, who hadn't been following football for long, also recognized Messi and started taking pictures with her phone, when suddenly, a massive cheer from the crowd made her drop her phone in surprise.

Looking around confused, Shizuka raised her head to see what was on the multi-vision screen.

The screen showed Geon looking around and Kevin with a dumbstruck expression next to him, prompting Shizuka to quickly compose her face.

"Wow!!! It's Kay!!!"

People screamed, chanting Geon's name.

"Kay! Kay! Kay! Kay! Kay! Kay! Kay! Kay!"

As his name was called, Geon, seeing himself on the multi-vision, stood up and unfolded the Gunners towel again, causing another thunderous cheer to erupt.

"Wow!!! Kay! Kay! Kay! Kay! Kay! Kay! Kay! Kay!"

After waving for a while, Geon sat down, and tens of thousands of eyes turned to him. Even the practicing players on the field looked over, talking among themselves. Kevin stared at Geon with a dazed expression.

"You... you're amazing."

Byungjun, proudly smiling, said, "Of course! This guy's popularity is unmatched anywhere!"

Suddenly, a soccer ball bounced towards them. Shizuka, without thinking, grabbed it and stared blankly at it until someone approached and reached out. Reflexively handing over the ball, Shizuka's eyes widened in surprise.

"Messi?"

The bearded, smiling player took the ball and nodded in greeting, causing Shizuka to blush and bow her head. Messi, looking amusedly at Shizuka, then turned to Geon and extended his hand.

"Honored to meet you, Kay."

As the world-renowned football player offered a handshake, Geon stood up and shook his hand, smiling.

"I'm a fan. Have a great game today!"

"Haha, I'm actually more of a fan of yours, can I get your autograph later?"

"Sure! Haha, I'd appreciate that too."

After Messi left, Arsenal FC players in uniform approached. Mesut Özil, with his notably large eyes, was the first from

 the German national team to extend a hand to Geon.

"Nice to meet you, Kay! Thank you so much for coming to support us today."

As Geon stood and shook hands, Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey, and Danny Welbeck quickly came over to greet him.

Smiling, Geon exchanged handshakes and words of encouragement with each player until Mertesacker, the captain, came over to calm the excited players.

Watching this scene on the multi-vision, the crowd sent up a cheer, and soon after, as the players returned to the locker room to prepare for the start of the game, the atmosphere remained electric.

No players were on the field, but the enthusiasm of the fans continued unabated.

Shizuka, clutching her chest as if her heart would burst, looked forward with excitement and anticipation at the dark entrance from which the players would emerge, as a heavy bass guitar sound started filling the stadium.

Realizing the game was about to start, the audience listened attentively to the music.

"Fury!!! It's Fury!! This music!! It's Fury!!"

"Wow!! Did you buy this music? Our front is amazing!"

"This is perfect for a football match! I'm already excited!!"

As the distinctive bass and guitar battle of Fury began, and Geon's roar resounded, players holding children's hands appeared from the dark entrance.

With the combative music setting the scene, today's warriors from both sides revealed themselves, causing all 60,000 spectators to rise from their seats. Fireworks exploded, and white smoke billowed into the sky.

Arsenal FC's flag waved, and a large red flag emblazoned with Arsenal's emblem unfurled as 60,000 voices filled the stadium.

As fans typical of the sport's homeland, those behind Geon stared fixedly at the back of his head, but soon, their attention shifted to the entering players, sending up cheers.

The group also yelled out, swept up in the excitement of the soccer game. The thrill provided by Fury and the start of the Champions League turned Emirates Stadium into a cauldron of madness. Fans' eyes turned bloodshot as they yelled, and the excited crowd stomped their feet.

In contrast to the fiery atmosphere in the stadium, the VIP booth was calm.

Watching the excited crowd and the entering players, Alisher Usmanov crossed his arms and nodded emphatically.

"The choice of Fury was the best decision."

The elderly man sitting next to him, holding a champagne glass, responded.

"Ah, I admit your choice was right. It's even more than usual."

Alisher Usmanov glanced down at the man sitting beside him.

"There's no song like this to excite the audience, right?"

The man sitting and drinking champagne was Stan Kroenke, the major shareholder of Arsenal Holdings. The elderly gentleman with neatly combed back white hair nodded and said,

"Yes, that's right. I've never seen the audience this excited except when Thierry Henry was here. Look at the players' faces."

Alisher Usmanov turned his head to look at the VIP booth's monitor showing the players continuously moving to relieve their tension. Stan commented as they watched together.

"They usually look tense, but today they are burning with a fighting spirit, aren't they?"

Alisher Usmanov grinned, showing his teeth.

"Haha, that's right."

"But you know... the opposing side seems to have the same expression?"

"Huh?"

Alisher Usmanov's expression soured as he saw Barcelona players burning with the same fighting spirit as Arsenal players.

"Ah, so the music is having a good effect not only on our players?"

Stan looked at the TV with experienced eyes, laughed, and raised his champagne.

"It's going to be a bloody good game. And there's another song by Kay, right?"

"Yes, that's right. It's the song to play when the team is losing."

"Wouldn't the opposing team hear that song too?"

"What does it matter? The lyrics are all about Arsenal. It'd be good if they lose their spirit hearing it."

"Haha, really hope that happens. Ah! It seems to be starting."

From their vantage point above, they saw the players taking their positions on the field, waiting for the referee's whistle. Soon, the whistle blew, and with a cheer, the game began.

Ousmane Dembélé kicked the ball back as soon as the game started. Gerard Piqué quickly caught the ball, and Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Gerard Deulofeu rushed into Arsenal's half, with Ousmane Dembélé receiving a long pass forward.

As a dangerous play unfolded right after the start, fans grabbed their heads and stood up with anxious eyes.

On the right side of the field, Lionel Messi received the ball and began his signature diagonal dribble, pulling the defenders with him. He then slipped a through pass to Luis Suárez,

 who had flashed by on his left.

After one touch, Luis Suárez fired a cannon-like mid-range shot, looking triumphant as he watched the ball head towards the goal, only to fall down in dismay as it crashed into the stadium.

The fans saw Mertesacker deflect the shot with his body, causing all 60,000 spectators to rise and start screaming.

"Wow!! Did you see that?"

"Yeah!! Mertesacker was quite far but he literally flew! That's our captain!!"

"The game has been sweaty from the start!! What's going on, how are the players flying around like this from the start?"

"Did they all take something?! Everyone's movement is no joke!"

During the brief game stoppages, the sound of Fury resonated in the ears of the fans.

The match was intense. As someone in the audience put it, it was as if the teams had taken performance enhancers, with a series of super plays rarely seen in a single season. The excitement of a Champions League round of 16 match was already thrilling, and the brilliant plays from the players added to the audience's excitement, reaching a climax.

For Arsenal, whenever a favorable situation occurred, the moment they crossed the halfway line, the audience stood up, and groans of frustration followed any missed opportunities.

Geon, Kevin, and Byeong-jun were already merged with the crowd, shouting at the top of their lungs, while Shizuka, unfamiliar with the atmosphere, struggled to adapt. About ten minutes into the first half, however, she joined in, screaming her support until her throat was sore.

With her face flushed from excitement, Shizuka spread her hands and shouted.

"Kyaaa! I didn't know soccer could be this exciting!"

Geon turned to Shizuka with a bright smile.

"This is soccer, Shizuka! Ahhh!!!"

Kevin, having received a cheer towel earlier, was spinning it around wildly, shaking his hips.

"Arsenal! Arsenal! Arsenal! Arsenal! Oooh, ooohoooh!!!!"

Shocked by Kevin's loud cheer, Shizuka and Geon turned their gaze to the field. Sergio Busquets, playing as a midfielder, launched a long pass that penetrated the space to connect with FC Barcelona's captain, Andres Iniesta.

Though just past the halfway line, Andres Iniesta, completely unmarked, took a short dribble, dominating the right side of the field.

Arsenal FC players hurriedly caught up, but Andres Iniesta, advancing with his dribble, had already gained momentum.

Suddenly reaching the 30m zone of the central penalty area, Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny stepped up to block him. Faced with a sudden crisis, Mathieu Debuchy also blocked the center as Andres Iniesta quickly pushed the ball to the left.

The three defenders all turned their heads towards the space where Andres Iniesta had pushed the ball, as a small, swift shadow trapped the ball and whisked past them.

Startled, Laurent Koscielny stretched out his hand to grab the jersey of the swift shadow, but he could do nothing more than shout as the shadow broke through.

"Lionel Messi!!!"

Lionel Messi, having trapped the ball a bit too long, slid and shot, keeping his eyes on the goal even as he fell.

"Great save!!!!"

The crowd sighed in relief as Messi's shot was just deflected by Petr Cech's toes, but since the ball hadn't gone out of bounds, the fans couldn't unclench their fists.

"Gerard Deulofeu!!!"

Gerard Deulofeu, squeezing through the defenders with body contact, headed the deflected ball. The ball, drawing a perfect curve, bounced into the net, watched by Arsenal fans who clasped their heads.

"Aaaaahhhhh!!!!!"

Peep!!!!

The referee's whistle signaling a goal sounded, and the Emirates Stadium was enveloped in silence. Approaching the corner, Gerard Deulofeu, finger on his lips, was almost forgotten by the fans who weakly sat down, hands on their foreheads. A beautiful female fan with the Arsenal FC logo painted on her face slumped down, murmuring disappointedly.

"As expected, we can't beat Barcelona?"

The Black man next to her, drinking beer, smirked.

"See, you have to hope for the realistic. I'm an Arsenal fan too, but there's no team that can beat Barcelona."

The beauty glared at the Black man as she crossed her arms.

"How can you say that and still call yourself an Arsenal fan?"

The Black man, holding his beer, replied.

"I enjoy the game itself. It'd be great if Arsenal won, but cheering in a hopeless fight is just a waste of energy. I'm here to also watch the Barcelona players."

"Hmph! It's because of people like you that those who really want to cheer can't get tickets."

"Hehe, in a capitalist society, it's natural for those who seize the opportunity first to win."

"Ugh! Even if you can't speak up!"

Similar exchanges occurred everywhere. As Shizuka watched the discontented crowd, she looked worried.

"Are we going to lose like this?"

Kevin looked disappointed but soon regained his spirits.

"We're up against Barcelona. Even if we lose, we have to lose magnificently! Do your best, Arsenal!!"

Geon nodded in agreement. As the four of them sat side by side in the VIP seats, the opposing camera director kept focusing on Geon, pleased to see his own shots appearing on the stadium's large TV screen, but then he tilted his head.

"Huh? What's that..."

Removing his headphones, he scrutinized the camera monitor.

Geon, Kevin

, Byeong-jun, and Shizuka were sitting in the VIP seats, but five rows behind them, three seats appeared empty. He rubbed his eyes and looked across with the naked eye.

"It looks like there are three people sitting there... Why don't they show up on the angle?"

He squinted and scrutinized the distant seats.

"It definitely looks like three people are sitting there..."

In his view, there appeared to be a man with long black hair in a black suit, a man with brown hair in a gray suit, and a blond-haired man in an Arsenal jersey with a headband.

He checked the camera angle again, zooming in on the seats behind Geon, but only empty seats appeared.

Doubting whether he was focusing on the wrong seats, he panned the camera across various sections of the audience when a yell burst through his earphones.

"Camera 8!! What are you filming! Can't you film properly? If you're going to shoot the audience, you need to capture their expressions properly before panning around like that. Are you a rookie?"

The camera director jumped and placed his hand on the walkie-talkie button.

"Ah, sorry. There's something strange going on."

The main PD inquired through the earphones.

"Strange? What is it? Are there suspected terrorists or something?"

"No, no. It's just that I can clearly see people sitting there with the naked eye, but they don't appear on the camera."

"You must have aimed at the wrong spot! There are 60,000 spectators here; capturing one in the crowd is tough enough. Stop talking nonsense and shoot properly!"

"Ah, yes! So, sorry."

After turning off the radio, the camera director still looked suspiciously at the three men but, scared by the fierce shouting of the PD, he turned the camera back to the field.

The brown-haired man in the seats behind Geon, arms crossed and a displeased expression on his face, spoke to the blond youth waving a flag and shouting next to him.

"Do we really have to do this? Painting faces in suits, what kind of fashion terrorist act is this?"

The blond youth, contrasting sharply with the neatly combed brown hair and crisp gray suit, had the Arsenal emblem painted on his cheeks and was puffing them out.

"What's the big deal? This is the kind of outfit that doesn't stand out at a soccer stadium."

The brown-haired man frowned and looked the blond youth up and down. Dressed in a red Arsenal jersey with white sleeves, white shorts, and soccer shoes, the youth had an Arsenal towel tied around his head and was vigorously waving a flag.

"Lord Paimon, do you find these human acts amusing?"

Paimon grinned, waving the flag playfully.

"Hehe, doesn't this make me seem like a human too? Hehe."

"Yes, so human-like I want to kill you."

"Phahaha, try it, Amdusias, it's fun."

Amdusias, still with a discontented look, glanced at the man in black sitting at the end.

The man in a black suit and sunglasses, his hands in black leather gloves clasped together, was focused on the field.

"Lord Gamigin, do you really need to watch soccer?"

Gamigin glanced at Amdusias wearing sunglasses. After giving him a brief look, he turned back to the front.

"Isn't it better than secretly going to a museum where a child is researching, like someone?"

"Huh! That, that's—!"

As Amdusias's eyes widened in panic, Paimon sat down abruptly, jesting playfully.

"Thought you wouldn't know?"

Amdusias, sweating profusely, frantically waved his hands.

"That, that was—!"

Paimon's expression remained playful, although his eyes, befitting the count who governs the western side of Hell, shone a bright blue. As Amdusias stiffened, Paimon opened his still-smiling mouth.

"Do that again, and you're dead. I'll erase you so thoroughly that no trace of your existence will be found anywhere in the world."

"That, that, that—"

Amdusias, unable to meet Paimon's gaze, looked away, flailing his hands as he made excuses.

"That was just because I was curious about what the child was learning there. I definitely did not have any other intentions."

Paimon's face, which had been the only smiling part of him, now hardened. As his expression changed, the spectators seated around felt a sudden cold draft, shivering as they looked around. Paimon, now completely expressionless, grabbed Amdusias by the ear.

"Ouch!"

Dragging him by the ear to his mouth, Paimon whispered quietly.

"Who do you think I am? Do you think such petty lies would work on me? Do I look that gullible?"

The pain in his ear made Amdusias grimace, unable to retaliate, merely waving his hands in distress.

"No, no! I'm sorry, Lord Paimon!"

Paimon twisted his ear a bit longer, then glanced at Gamigin, who slightly nodded. At Gamigin's signal, Paimon let go of Amdusias's ear and wiped his hands on the latter's trousers.

"That's your final warning. Do that again, and you're dead, especially since I know exactly why you went."

Holding his ear, Amdusias didn't dare respond but simply bowed his head. Gamigin then tapped him on the shoulder and said.

"Enough. Thanks to Amdusias, we've at least figured out who one of the angels is."

Amdusias, finding a glimmer of reprieve, exclaimed.

"See! That's all thanks to me!"

Paimon, with an impassive face, handed him an Arsenal flag. Unwittingly taking the flag with the Arsenal emblem, Amdusias looked at Paimon, whose expression was still severe.

"Cheer."

Moments later, as the camera director, unable to contain his curiosity, once again turned his gaze toward the stands, he caught sight of a tall gentleman in a tight gray suit with neatly combed hair standing on a chair, passionately waving the Arsenal flag and cheering.