Chapter 146: End-of-Year Stage (16)

“Waaaaaaaaaaaak!!!”

It was an outcry of pure excitement, more than just a mere shriek. Jin-Sung wasn’t clad in his pastel suit from the music video, but instead donned a striking black suit adorned with gold, emanating an air of gravitas.

Upon his appearance, the excitement for the next stage, "Parade,” reached a fever pitch. The Rings had unwavering faith in Chronos. With their breathtaking performances in

Pick We Up

and beyond, fans were certain that Chronos would exceed their expectations. Hence, their cheers weren’t just loud but also resonated with a passionate fervor.

As the prelude commenced, a dim light cast its glow upon someone kneeling amidst six dancers on the ship’s staircase. Though only a blurry silhouette graced the giant screen, the neatly groomed platinum hair unmistakably belonged to Suh Hyun-Woo.

Shortly after, the dancers started to stir and rise in tune with the song, moving like shadows or black smoke before eventually converging around the kneeling Suh Hyun-Woo. They then lifted him, causing the creaking sound of the old wooden floorboards to fill the air.

As Suh Hyun-Woo’s head slowly tilted back and forward with a sigh, he looked arrogantly ahead and scowled.

“...”

The audience was spellbound. The intensity of his expression and the depth of his immersion left them speechless and even tearful, too mesmerized to utter a sound.

Suh Hyun-Woo was known for his expressive prowess, and today, he had outdone himself. His black uniform contrasted nicely with Jin-Sung’s gold epaulets and thick harnesses. The few undone buttons on his uniform added to his alluring aura.

He performed the prelude of “Parade” without uttering a single line and danced like a puppet controlled by monstrous dancers. It seemed as though invisible strings were attached to his wrists and shoulders, dictating his every motion.

The remixed MR was custom-tailored for this special stage, rendering it hard to recognize as the prelude of “Parade.” However, the occasional strains of a violin retained the song's signature haunting and poignant feel.

Suh Hyun-Woo danced under the barely-lit stage, looking like the very definition of art in motion. As the prelude ended, he was dragged away into darkness by the dancers.

The moment the music stopped, delayed cheers broke out from the crowd. Their excitement filled the venue with a wave of exhilaration. Soon after, bright lights illuminated the main stage, unveiling Goh Yoo-Joon, who started to recite his lines.

Let the sky fall

Let the sky fall

Let the sky fall

?

As Goh Yoo-Joon started his part while moving forward with a line of dancers, Kim Ring[1], a self-proclaimed Suh Hyun-Woo’s superfan, divided her attention between cheering for Yoo-Joon and anxiously scanning the darkened stage for Suh Hyun-Woo.

In a dim corner of the stage, a silhouette was barely visible among the dancers. With a hand on his waist, he staggered to his feet and descended the stairs with haste. There was no mistaking him; it was Suh Hyun-Woo.

'He wasn’t okay at all...'

However, Suh Hyun-Woo walked confidently to join Goh Yoo-Joon at the center of the stage. He acted as if he felt no pain at all. Blending in among the dancers, Suh Hyun-Woo sat for a moment before using the momentum from rolling his feet to spring up.

It was you who came into my world

?

Now it was Park Yoon-Chan's moment to shine. Clad in a black shirt accentuated with a harness and a golden brooch, he took center stage. Once known for lagging behind the other members, he now sang with a powerful resonance that filled the vast space effortlessly. His expressions were also so on point that one might wonder if he had been taking lessons from Suh Hyun-Woo.

“He has improved so much in a short period!”

“Look at Yoon-Chan! His stylish bangs that cover half of his forehead, oh my gosh! So gorgeous!" Kim Ring's friend beside her brimmed with excitement, as she shook her head in fervor.

‘

My boy could be a great actor!’

Kim Ring thought, overwhelmed with emotion.

As Yoon-Chan's part ended and he stepped aside, Suh Hyun-Woo leaped forward to lead the next part.

Even if the sky falls and the ground crumbles

You will be by my side

Skyfall, Skyfall

?

With a dramatic gesture, Suh Hyun-Woo perfectly synchronized with the dancers on each side. His choreography had significantly evolved as he was particularly skilled in dancing among Chronos members.

Kim Ring had seen Suh Hyun-Woo holding his waist just moments before, so she was watching him with a mixture of awe and concern. She felt as if the pain was hers. Yet, Suh Hyun-Woo danced without a hint of discomfort and fell to the ground as part of the choreography. Then, he stared straight ahead.

“Ah... Suh Hyun-Woooooo!!!"

'Please, take care of yourself...'

Her heart cried out in concern, but she cheered wildly at the same time.

Despite the evident strain, Suh Hyun-Woo effortlessly dropped his posture, only to be swiftly swept away by the dancers, as if being whisked away by an unseen force.

The void he left was quickly filled by Jin-Sung, who immediately led the chorus into a captivating display.

The fleeting splendor will vanish with nightfall

Join me

You will want to see me entrapped in an illusion once more

You need me

?

The powerful and sorrowful melodies were punctuated by haunting tunes of the piano, and the stage was swarmed with dancers. As Suh Hyun-Woo appeared to be at the mercy of the dancers' whims, Jin-Sung stood out, seemingly in command as he orchestrated their every move with precision and authority.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Let the sky fall

Let the sky fall

Let the sky fall

I need you

?

While the other members receded into the background, Suh Hyun-Woo emerged from behind the dancers and took his place beside Jin-Sung as their duet started.

The song’s intense electronic sections gave way to a violin's mournful melody. It interspersed with abrupt, jarring noise, and built up to a climactic frenzy.

In perfect sync with Jin-Sung, Suh Hyun-Woo performed a powerful dance and then seized a cane from a nearby dancer. Blocking Jin-Sung's path with the cane's tip, Suh Hyun-Woo engaged in a dramatic standoff. Seizing the cane in turn, Jin-Sung pulled himself backward dramatically as the background noise intensified.

“Hey, can you hear that noise? Is it a hint for the next comeback?"

“Don’t talk to me. Suh Hyun-Woo is back on the stage! I need to focus."

The song gained a definitive strength with Suh Hyun-Woo's dance part becoming more vigorous and dynamic. After all, his solo part was usually more subdued and imbued with elegance.

However, this time, he was not alone. With the support of the dancers, he leaned backward and did a backward somersault effortlessly. When Kim Ring saw this, her heart ached for Suh Hyun-Woo's back, yet she was mesmerized by his performance.

“Damn, this is fucking crazy! So amazing!"

Their custom-made light sticks waved frantically in the air. Suh Hyun-Woo had completed his dance part, knelt on one knee, and waited. Normally, the dance break would have ended there. However, Goh Yoo-Joon, Kang Joo-Han, and Park Yoon-Chan suddenly burst forth with dancers to seamlessly continue the next dance part.

“Unbelievable!!!!"

It was an unexpected extension of the dance part, with Goh Yoo-Joon taking the forefront alongside Kang Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan, each playing significant roles. Together, the trio executed a precise and synchronized group dance, captivating the audience.

Meanwhile, Suh Hyun-Woo, still in his kneeling position, lowered his head—an unusual gesture noted by Kim Ring. He had been running all over the vast stage, performing live, singing, and dancing, so he had to be exhausted. His shoulders heaved up and down with heavy breaths.

As the cheers swelled, Suh Hyun-Woo tried to stand up again, struggling to do so.

‘What's happening...’

His discomfort was palpable even from a distance. As Rings watched anxiously, Jin-Sung, who had withdrawn to the back, glanced at Suh Hyun-Woo and silently reached out to steady his waist.

“Jin-Sung..."

By then, Kim Ring was in tears, tightly gripping her friend’s arm. Suh Hyun-Woo flinched slightly but then smiled. He reached back to grasp Jin-Sung’s wrist to use it as a support to regain his stance. Until the next part, Lee Jin-Sung did not let go of his hand, staying there as Suh Hyun-Woo's steadfast support.

Soon, the trio's dance ended, and Jin-Sung and Suh Hyun-Woo advanced to the front once more. As the dancers dispersed from the main stage, taking positions on both central and side stages, large flags were brought in, further enhancing the grandeur of the scene.

Amidst the overwhelming presence of the numerous performers, Kang Joo-Han confidently stepped forward, leading the way for the members and dancers. As all five members converged at the center, the dance break surged to its peak, marking the climax of "Parade.”

At the height of the performance’s intensity...

“..."

The music abruptly ceased, replaced by a crackling noise. As the lighting slowly transformed, flower petals gently fluttered down from above. Under the dim light, Kang Joo-Han stood, enveloped in an otherworldly aura.

No matter where you are

I will be there

You don't need to be afraid

Your time has stopped

The time for our hearts to deepen is forever~

?

The hands clinging to Joo-Han in the spotlight created an eerie, haunting image. As Joo-Han retreated, the figures on the stage came to a complete halt.

Enthusiastically cheering, the crowd shifted their gaze to Suh Hyun-Woo, who stood proudly under the spotlight. Soon, the spotlight's color changed, and Suh Hyun-Woo slowly made his way through the motionless figures to the main stage amidst pastel-toned lighting. As he walked, a shower of pale pink petals fell continuously from above.

Upon reaching the main stage, Suh Hyun-Woo glanced up at the top deck of the ship, where Goh Yoo-Joon had silently relocated. As they stared at each other, an ominous synth sound filled the air.

After a long moment of silent exchange, Suh Hyun-Woo turned to face the audience. At that instant...

Forever

?

A soft, murmuring voice broke the silence. On the ship's deck, Goh Yoo-Joon slowly retreated and vanished into the shadows. At the same time, the spotlight illuminating Suh Hyun-Woo flickered and faded, plunging the stage into utter darkness and silence.

After a brief stunned silence, the audience erupted into a thunderous cheer. Regardless of whether they were fans of Chronos or not, every spectator was captivated by the mesmerizing spectacle unfolding before them. The display of Chronos Universe on stage had sparked curiosity and fascination in all who beheld it.

It was a performance that demanded applause, worthy of representing the future of K-POP.

“...Director Suh."

“Yes..."

In the control room, Director Choi, who had been silently observing Chronos's performance, called out to Director Suh. Director Suh was still standing next to him and gazed blankly at the darkened stage before responding.

“...Are you not moving?"

Startled by Director Choi's question, Director Suh awkwardly chuckled. “I... I am! Ah, Chronos is really good. I will inform them about the next award and then come back."

“Alright, and once you are back, quickly clip this performance and upload it."

“Okay!"

As Director Suh hurried off, Director Choi crossed his arms and smiled with satisfaction. He had watched the rehearsals of all the artists in both parts of the show.

“You guys are today's MVPs."

YMM was a small agency without the capital of YU or the experience of other companies.

“CEO Shim really has an eye for talent."

Their investment in this stage was modest compared to the large-scale sets of High Tension and Street Center. The budget was allocated primarily to a ship model adorned with a flower garden and a large ensemble of dancers.

Nevertheless, they managed to craft a perfectly executed stage with the choreographer’s creativity, and Kang Joo-Han’s arrangements subtly revealed Chronos Universe, showcasing the star quality of Suh Hyun-Woo and the other members.

At the very least, this performance would attract the attention of national and international K-POP fans, perhaps even more than the "Parade” dance challenge.

1. A Chronos fan with the last name “Kim.” It’s funny how the author named the person like that haha. ☜