Devil’s Music

Montana's new album had a greater impact than anticipated. Starting with album sales surges in the US and Europe, the excitement quickly spread to CD player manufacturers and repair shops. Teenagers, who were not part of the CD player generation, began scouring warehouses to dust off old CD players used by their parents and sought repair shops. Those without one resorted to using their father's car CD player to listen to Montana's album.

In contrast, streaming service companies, dominating the music market, were thrown into a frenzy. Major global companies raced to inquire about digital album releases from Montana's label, Nepalem Records, keeping the staff busy on the phone all day.

Meanwhile, Ethan, the team leader of Nepalem Records' BD (Business Deal) team, having arrived in Mexico City, rang the bell at Carlos' downtown penthouse apartment.

When the bell rang, a Mexican woman in her fifties opened the door.

"¿Quién es usted?" (Who are you?)

Unfazed by the sudden Spanish, Ethan replied naturally.

"Vine a ver a Carlos. Ethan from Nepalem Records." (I came to see Carlos. Ethan from Nepalem Records.)

After checking Ethan's business card, the lady stepped aside and said,

"Carlos está en la sala de estar." (Come in. Carlos is in the living room.)

Guided by the lady, Ethan entered a large living room adorned with white marble walls and floors and found Carlos sitting on a white leather sofa, reading a newspaper. Ethan approached with a smile.

"Carlos, long time no see."

Carlos folded the newspaper, set it aside, and stood up to shake hands.

"Ethan? What brings you to Mexico without notice?"

Holding Carlos' hand, Ethan replied with a grimace,

"The new release has been quite something, you must have heard?"

"Hmm, I heard it's doing quite well."

"Quite well? We've already moved over five million copies to stores, and three million have already been sold."

"Heh, is that so? Have a seat."

Despite the remarkable sales figures, Carlos, who had once hit the global album sales milestone of 100 million, wasn't particularly surprised and gestured for Ethan to sit. Ethan quickly took a seat.

"Carlos, it's rare these days to sell over three million albums. It's incredible!"

Carlos glanced at Ethan and then called out to the lady standing by the sofa,

"Puedo tomar dos tazas de café?" (Can I have two cups of coffee?)

As the lady headed to the kitchen, Carlos crossed his legs and inquired,

"So, what's the matter?"

Leaning forward, Ethan explained,

"Streaming companies are in a frenzy. With album sales so high, they're losing visibility because we haven't released a digital single album. They're incessantly requesting a digital release, Carlos."

Carlos, looking intently at Ethan, then asked,

"So?"

Ethan, with an urgent look, responded,

"So, Carlos! We need to release a digital album."

Carlos showed him a page from the newspaper,

"Can't you see this?"

Ethan saw a black-and-white photo in the Mexican newspaper of cheerful workers in a record manufacturing plant. The paper attributed this revival to the 'Montana Effect', praising Montana for significantly boosting the economy.

"That's... That's not the point, Carlos! Streaming companies are about to give us a final notice. If we don't give our other artists prominent banner placement or if they tamper with the rankings when we release a digital single, can you imagine what will happen?"

Carlos, tossing the newspaper aside, countered,

"So? Are you saying we have to release a digital album because you're afraid of their bullying?"

"It's not about fear, Carlos. It's about maintaining good relations."

As Ethan continued to persuade, Carlos pondered for a moment.

"Look, if it affects our artists... Wait here."

Carlos began searching his pockets for his phone, prompting a curious look from Ethan.

"Who are you calling?"

Carlos manipulated the touchscreen to dial a number, then smiled.

"The authority to make that decision isn't mine. It's not my song."

Ethan, looking confused, asked,

"Montana's album? Who decides then?"

Carlos placed the phone to his ear as the call connected.

"Hey, it's me. I'll switch to speakerphone, hold on."

He placed the phone on the table and switched to speakerphone mode.

"Yeah, can you hear me?"

A youthful voice emerged from the phone,

"Yes, Carlos, I can hear you."

"Where are you?"

"I'm in North Dakota."

"Why are you there?"

"There was a message in the newspaper yesterday. The owner of Record Store Daze factory wanted to meet me personally to express his gratitude. I went to pay a visit and check how the album production is going."

"Ha, what did the factory owner say?"

"Well, I didn't know the record manufacturing market was in such a dire state. Adolf and his wife,

Rebecca, came running out, bowing and continuously thanking me. It was quite embarrassing, ha ha."

"Heh, makes sense. But why did you go there? You usually aren't interested in showing off."

"Ah, Byung-joon asked me to go for some promotional material for the company."

"I see. Alright."

As Carlos listened to the call, Ethan's expression grew increasingly stern.

"You have that track, right? They want it released as a digital album. What do you want to do?"

"Uh... We had decided not to do it, right?"

"Yeah, but it seems like the company is under pressure."

"Ah, streaming companies make good money yet they want to snatch even the opportunities from the few remaining factories? Let's just leave it as is."

"Right? Okay."

Unable to hold back, Ethan shouted into the phone,

"Excuse me! I'm Ethan from Nepalem Records!"

After a moment of startled silence, the person on the other end spoke,

"Oh, hi... Hello?"

"Hello, pleased to meet you! This is somewhat impolite of me to interrupt, but releasing a digital album is essential for our company. If you aren't already signed with a company, we'd consider offering you a contract. Could you perhaps yield this time?"

Carlos, looking incredulous, stared at Ethan, and silence followed from the other side of the phone. After a brief dumbfounded expression, Carlos pointed at the phone,

"Ethan... Do you even know who you're talking to?"

"Uh? Well, does he already have a company?"

Carlos, rubbing his temples, spoke into the phone,

"It's me. Sorry, I thought he was a competent employee, but thanks to him, I've realized just how clueless some folks I work with can be. I'll call you back later."

"Uh... Yes, Carlos. Talk later."

After hanging up, Carlos glared at Ethan. Ethan, unaware of his mistake, fidgeted nervously until Carlos stiffened and said,

"That's Kay."

"Uh? Kay?"

Carlos stood up, sighing,

"Such a person is in charge? Not even knowing who sang the hit track from an album that's already sold three million copies a week after release? I'll contact Nepalem Records to terminate the contract immediately. Be aware of that."

Ethan stood up abruptly, grabbing Carlos' pant leg,

"Ah! Carlos, Carlos!"

Carlos irritably stomped his foot, glaring at Ethan,

"To embarrass me in front of Kay like that. Head back to the headquarters and get ready for the contract termination!"

A pale Ethan called out as Carlos walked away, but soon security escorted him out of the house. Carlos' shouts of apology faded completely as he entered his room and picked up the phone.

"Ah, it's me. Carlos."

"Ah! Professor! Hello!"

"Heh, yeah. Got a spot at Fantagio?"

"A spot? What kind of spot do you mean?"

"A musician's spot. Planning to sign."

"Ah! Really?"

"Yes, let's discuss the contract terms soon. I'll be in the US tomorrow to terminate the contract with Nepalem."

"Ah, I understand! I'll report to the director immediately and handle it!"

"Thank you."

After hanging up, Carlos' eyes fell on an album poster on the wall. After staring at the poster for a moment, he lay back on the bed, interlocking his fingers behind his head.

"Decades of following a musical path only to find a new direction suggested by a young genius. Ha, to benefit from a genius, one must be close. Huhu."

The next day.

Carlos went straight to Nepalem Records, brushed aside a tearful Ethan and the chairman of Nepalem Records, and terminated the contract that day. The rights to the album were still with Nepalem Records, but the crucial copyright to "Fury" belonged to Geon, thus losing Carlos meant they could no longer proceed with the streaming services. Carlos then left his home in Mexico and moved with Kevin to an apartment in downtown Manhattan.

>

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