Chapter 72 : Reach the Ends of the Sky (9)

And then, the song began.

From Yoo Seoyeno, standing alone on stage, a clear and pure voice flowed out.

It wasn’t flashy with technical tricks or overwhelming in power.

It began gently and quietly, like gliding over a still lake at dawn.

It was a completely different tone from the passionate energy of the previous performances.

Not a fierce shout, but a sound closer to a whisper.

Yet that small whisper.

‘…!’

Carried a power that enveloped the entire concert hall.

Siren, leaning back on the sofa in the waiting room, instinctively straightened up.

‘Wow…!’

Even breathing had to be done carefully now.

She had been worried the concert might flop,But the moment that first note touched her ears, she realized how wrong her expectations had been.

Far from unstable or unskilled.

‘Perfect. No, beyond perfect.’

The voice was rich in expressive power.

At first, it seemed technically unsteady,But even that was a calculated dissonance, crafted to maximize emotional depth.

The result was a piece of music woven with even greater depth.

‘This isn’t just about having a good voice.’

When it came to music, Siren had ears as sharp as a professional.

And those ears could feel it—the astonishing delicacy.

The ability to subtly control volume and tone to sculpt the shape of emotion.

‘Is this… talent?’

It was like handling an ultra-thin, transparent glass sculpture—exquisite precision.

Not pushing through with force, but carving out emotional depth with incredibly fine control.

All the more vivid because of its calmness—everything was being laid bare.

The song continued to flow.

‘The lyrics are about love… No, it doesn’t feel like just a simple love song.’

It didn’t seem to tell a specific story,But like flipping through an old photo album, stirring up faint memories.

Or like a desperate prayer toward someone unreachable.

It was a song that perfectly expressed the keyword: “longing.”

Siren unconsciously held her breath.

‘It’s a song that fits Yoo Seoyeno’s voice perfectly…’

A voice that disarmed the listener’s unconscious defenses and pierced straight into their most delicate parts.

‘How can someone express emotions that subtly, that delicately…?’

This level of interpretation and emotional delivery couldn’t be explained by talent alone.

As if the song had been born for her voice—Or that she had been born to sing this very song—everything blended in perfect harmony.

Now she finally understood.

Why this was the finale performance.

This song, this voice,Was more than enough to mark the concert’s end.

In fact, no other finale could even be imagined.

“Wow.”

“She’s… really good, huh?”

“Are you crying? No, I’m not crying…”

The other streamers felt the same.

The initial confusion and subtle murmurs when Yoo Seoyeno first appeared were now gone without a trace.

Everyone had their eyes fixed on the screen, utterly absorbed in the song.

Some were frozen, lips slightly parted. 

Others found their eyes misting over without realizing it.

Normally, they would be reacting for their viewers or commentating the event,But now, no one seemed in the right mind to do so.

Dozens of streamers, as if by unspoken agreement,Focused all their attention on that small figure on stage.

Only Yoo Seoyeno’s voice, resonating through the quiet space,Ruled over the entire venue.

Everyone held their breath, ears tuned to each precious note as it spilled out.

As if they were admiring the only jewel of its kind in the world,The song climbed steadily toward its climax.

The emotions deepened, but the voice never lost its delicate balance.

Yoo Seoyeno’s voice captured every single layer of those complex feelings.

So simple.

So complex.

Feeling those conflicting emotions at the same time,Siren quietly closed her eyes.

‘But… what is that song? I’ve never heard it before.’

A delicate piece that fit perfectly with Yoo Seoyeno’s voice.

However, this song was new even to Siren.

***

Two men were sunk deep into the sofa.

They were music producers Shin Changseok and Kim Seokhoon.

Their eyes were fixed on the large monitor in front of them.

On the screen, the Pixel Wars streamer server was broadcasting its finale concert.

“They’re all pretty good.”

Shin Changseok muttered.

“Right? You can’t underestimate streamers.”

Kim Seokhoon nodded in agreement.

Not just the invited singers—even the streamers were showing off skills comparable to professional vocalists.

“But it feels like everyone’s just belting high notes.”

“They’re probably doing it to appeal to the crowd. High notes really grab attention.”

There was a reason people jokingly called it “high-note syndrome.”

Shin Changseok slightly furrowed his brows.

Still, he understood.

Like Kim Seokhoon said, if you wanted to stand out on stage, that was the easiest way.

‘I wanted to hear something a bit more understated… Then again, that wouldn’t stand out much.’

“So, has she not come on yet? It should be about time.”

Shin Changseok tapped the sofa’s armrest.

A few months ago, by chance, he had stumbled upon a stream by a streamer named Rydel.

There, a girl with the nickname “Silver Silver” was singing.

It was only for a short moment, but her voice immediately captured both their ears.

‘She’s got something.’

It wasn’t just that she could sing well. 

There was a magnetic pull to her.

In truth, the only reason they were even watching the concert was because they heard Silver Silver would be appearing.

“According to the lineup, she’s pretty much at the end. Finale performance.”

“Well, with that level of skill, she deserves the finale slot.”

Shin Changseok nodded.

She had only sung a few songs on Rydel’s stream,But that was enough.

“The organizers clearly know what they’re doing.”

“Seriously. How did they even find such a raw gem… Oh, looks like it’s starting now.”

The stage changed, and soft lighting illuminated a girl’s avatar.

The name tag no longer said [Silver Silver], but [Yoo Seoyeno].

“Hmm, Yoo Seoyeno? Did she change her name?”

“Probably. Looks like she’s getting ready to debut as a full-time streamer.”

Kim Seokhoon answered calmly. 

He had already gathered information on Silver Silver.

“Well, yeah. ‘Silver Silver’ doesn’t exactly sound professional. Sounds like something you came up with while eating ramen.”

“That’s true. Anyway, let’s see what she’s got.”

Shin Changseok’s eyes sparkled.

He already knew how talented she was, but this was her official debut stage. 

It would hit different.

“But… she’s not just going to go for high notes again, right?”

“Hm… She’s a rookie and it’s the finale, so there’s a high chance she’ll go for high notes to make an impact.”

But just then.

A soft and delicate piano intro began to play.

The atmosphere was completely different from what they expected.

“Huh?”

Kim Seokhoon’s eyes widened.

“A ballad? For the finale stage?”

They had expected high notes or flashy vocal techniques, but it was the exact opposite.

This minimal accompaniment ballad laid everything bare about the vocalist.

It was a stage choice that no one would dare make without immense confidence.

“Ho…”

A curious smile spread across Shin Changseok’s lips.

“She’s going to take this kind of approach?”

And then.

The moment Yoo Seoyeno’s first note rang out.

“……!”

The air in the room froze.

As if on cue, both producers stopped breathing.

It was a voice they already knew.

But today, it pierced their hearts even deeper, more poignantly.

‘Wow…’

Kim Seokhoon gasped inwardly.

‘Pitch, breath… how is she expressing emotion like this?’

Beyond technical perfection, her voice resonated like an instrument on its own.

The lingering emotion, as if tinged with sorrow, was conveyed flawlessly.

‘She’s pulling this song off like this?’

Shin Changseok instinctively closed his eyes.

Yes—this was it.

It wasn’t just another performance built on overwhelming high notes.

Instead of flaunting technique, it was a song that touched the heart.

A voice that reached into the depths of the soul.

‘Damn… I’ve got chills.’

It felt like every nerve in his body was standing on end.

They had expected a dazzling parade of high notes—but this emotional performance?

It was even better.

‘Yeah, this is it. This is what I was looking for.’

Not just a good singer, but a true artist—someone who could move people.

That potential was embedded in Yoo Seoyeno’s voice.

And then.

Her performance came to an end.

But the two of them didn’t speak right away.

They just wanted to savor the lingering emotion for a little longer.

“…Hyung.”

After a long silence, Kim Seokhoon finally spoke.

His voice carried a tone of reverence.

“She’s much better than before.”

Shin Changseok slowly nodded.

“Yeah. I expected her to do well… but this went way beyond expectations.”

To move people with just a voice like that.

“It’s been a while since I’ve felt this good. That feeling you get when you first hear real music…”

Shin Changseok continued,“Even people obsessed with high notes probably had their ears healed by this…”

‘Why does this hyung like the word “healed” so much?’

Kim Seokhoon tilted his head at Shin Changseok’s odd choice of phrasing.

“Wait.”

At that moment, Shin Changseok spoke again.

There was something they had momentarily forgotten while being mesmerized by the vocals.

“But what was that song just now?”

A melody as striking as Yoo Seoyeno’s voice.

“I’ve never heard it before…”

If it was this good, there’s no way they wouldn’t know it, right?

Kim Seokhoon also snapped back to awareness.

“Same here. It’s my first time hearing it, but… the melody line was beautiful.”

It wasn’t just because of Yoo Seoyeno’s voice.

The song itself was a masterpiece.

“Who wrote a song like this?”

“No idea… but they’ve got real talent.”

Kim Seokhoon added quickly, analyzing as he spoke.

“On the surface, it seems simple, but the harmonies and chord voicings… it’s definitely the work of a pro. The way it conveys emotion is incredible.”

“The song’s title is A Letter Sent to the Sky? Never heard that title before. Probably a piece prepared just for this stage. Hmm.”

After finishing a quick search on his phone, Shin Changseok stroked his chin.

To go as far as getting a new song for a single stage—She wasn’t just any contestant.

“Yoo Seoyeno… she’s even connected to a skilled composer? I knew she wasn’t ordinary.”

“Should we try reaching out to the composer too?”

“Of course.”

Shin Changseok nodded.

“It feels like we just found a hidden gem in the most unexpected place. The composer of this song… I’d love to work with them. They really know how to write a great piece.”