Devil’s Music

Chapter 97: The Leopard That Lost Its Fangs

In front of the door stood a big, black-haired man wearing a T-shirt and jeans, Phil, and a bulky man with a loud patterned shirt, his hat pushed back. Phil extended his fist to Geon and said,

"Hey, K, I'm here. You said to come, right?"

Geon, with a bewildered expression, responded as their fists collided,

"You should have at least called and let us know you were coming. Come on in. But who's this on your side..."

Phil turned around with a smile and said,

"This is Vinnie. I told you I'd introduce you. Vinnie, say hello. This is K."

Vinnie fixed his hat and raised his hand after stroking his chin,

"Heard a lot about you, K. Saw you on video, but you look even better in person."

Geon exclaimed in surprise,

Vinnie chuckled and said,

"Being a fan of mine is an honor, especially for guys like us."

Geon gestured dismissively and said,

"No, really, I'm a fan. Come on in."

As Geon opened the door and gestured, the two entered and looked around the house.

"Wow, it's cozy and nice. Perfect for living alone, isn't it?"

Geon led them to the sofa, saying,

"This is quite spacious too. In Korea, living alone usually means a small 1-room apartment. Living in a two-story house like this requires quite a bit of wealth in Korea."

Vinnie, placing his hat on the coffee table upside down, commented,

"Yeah, I visited Korea once. People are packed into a small country like sardines."

Geon, watching the two on the sofa, asked,

"Can I get you guys some tea? I don't have much, just milk and orange juice."

With a slightly disappointed expression, Vinnie said,

"No beer, huh?"

Phil nudged Vinnie and said,

"He's still underage. No beer for him. K, just two glasses of orange juice."

Geon chuckled, nodded, and headed to the kitchen. As he did, Vinnie whispered to Phil,

"Mind doing me a favor? School hasn't started yet, right?"

Phil, approaching Vinnie, replied in a hushed tone,

"I don't know. Bring it up, and if it seems impossible, try to persuade him."

Soon, Geon returned with three glasses of juice on a tray. As he set the glasses on the table, the two distant friends leaned in and exchanged whispers. Sitting on the opposite sofa, Geon asked,

"So, you came all the way to see me in Manhattan?"

Phil, taking a big gulp of orange juice, replied,

"Hell yeah, I said I was coming. Also, I wanted to introduce Vinnie. By the way, Vinnie lives in New York."

When Geon looked at Vinnie, he nodded as if confirming.

"Specifically, near Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. I was in Europe for a tour, just got back two days ago."

As Geon looked at Vinnie, he nodded as if confirming.

"Exactly, near Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. I was in Europe for a tour, just got back two days ago."

Geon, slightly surprised, asked,

"Oh? You know 'Hell Yeah'? They're not that famous."

Phil laughed and said,

"I told you, he's a fan. It's an honor for a misfit like us to have a fan like K here."

Geon, shaking his head as if to deny it, said,

"Oh, really, I'm a fan. Come on in."

Phil opened the door and gestured for them to enter. As they stepped inside, Geon asked,

"So, what are your plans for the future, Phil? Don't you have a band to be a part of?"

Phil, guiding the two to the sofa, said,

"Well, actually..."

Geon, with a puzzled look, inquired,

"What's going on? This doesn't sound like you, Phil. Spit it out."

Phil hesitated for a moment, then Vinnie spoke up,

"Actually, there are many fans waiting for Pantera to reunite, you know?"

Geon reflected for a moment and said,

"Yes, I'm one of them."

Seeing Geon's interest, Vinnie continued,

"After reconciling with Phil and auditioning several guitarists, we couldn't find anyone we liked. It's tough for Pantera to come back, and we can't disappoint the fans."

Geon nodded in agreement, and Vinnie added,

"I was somewhat giving up, thinking it would be challenging for us, older guys, to handle the powerful sound and performances of Pantera again. But then, Phil discovered you. Someone had uploaded a performance from Crocodile on YouTube. I watched it too."

Geon, slightly surprised, asked,

"Huh? Are you telling me to join Pantera? I'm still a student, Vinnie."

Vinnie shook his head and said,

"No, K. The thing is, this winter marks the 13th anniversary of my brother Dimebag's death. I thought about doing a Pantera tribute concert tour around that time."

Geon, taking it more seriously, thought for a moment and said,

"A Dimebag Darrell tribute tour. When are you thinking about it?"

Vinnie, nodding, replied,

"Dime passed away on December 8th. I'm planning to tour around the Americas, Europe, and Asia about a month before the anniversary."

Geon checked his calendar app on his phone and said,

"So, starting from early November?"

Vinnie nodded and said,

"Yeah, it's September now, so we need to start practicing right away. Can you help us out?"

As Geon hesitated, Phil and Vinnie looked at him with tense expressions. In Geon's mind, the mission given by Sharon earlier today came to him. Geon decided to call Sharon and ask her questions related to the mission. Phil and Vinnie, watching Geon making a sudden call, looked at him with puzzled eyes.

After Geon smiled at them, he placed the converted speakerphone on the table. A few ringing tones later, a gentle female voice was heard.

"Hello? Geon?"

"Oh, Professor Sharon, it's Geon."

"Yes, I know. Have you had dinner?" "Yes, have you had yours, Professor?"

"I was just about to eat. What's the matter?"

"Well, it's about the mission you gave me today. May I ask you a question?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Is it possible to earn credits by participating in a rock group's tour?"

"Rock group... Is it a format like the previous tour with Santana?"

"No, it's not a one-time performance. It seems like we'll be touring in the Americas, Europe, and Asia."

"What? Really. What band is this?"

With tension, Phil and Vinnie listened, leaning forward as if trying to get closer to the phone. Geon continued:

"It's Pantera, Professor Sharon."

Upon hearing the rough and robust voice instead of Geon's voice, Sharon's surprised voice came through.

"What? Pantera? Who is this?"

Phil, leaning towards the phone, spoke firmly.

"I'm Phil Anselmo, the vocalist of Pantera, Professor."

Sharon's bewildered voice echoed.

"What?? Phil Anselmo? Are you with Geon right now?"

"Yes, Professor. Please come to our house."

After Sharon took a moment to catch her breath, she said:

"Geon, you always choose surprising things. Pantera, really. How did you happen to meet them this time?"

Geon, after glancing at Phil and Vinnie, chuckled and said:

"Well, I don't know what to say. We just met by chance during my trip."

"Phew, you either have good luck or you're destined to meet people. Pantera is a legendary band, and if it's a worldwide tour, you should definitely get credits."

With an excited expression, Phil, close to the phone, said:

"By the way, Professor, Geon. I'm not sure if you'll consider it, but Pantera disbanded over 15 years ago. I assume you don't have a record label. Have you signed a contract?"

Vinnie, after laughing, suddenly fixed his expression. Looking at Phil, Vinnie said:

"Um... I wasn't thinking about that."

Phil asked, "What's the problem?" with a puzzled expression.

"Why bother with such concerns? It's a Pantera reunion! Even if it's a one-time tour concert, a company will surely offer you a contract."

Geon raised a finger and said:

"I have one more request. If you do decide to sign a contract, can you please let my acquaintance's company handle the Asian tour?"

Phil asked, surprised:

"You know a company? Weren't you just a student?"

Geon chuckled and replied:

"Actually, I had activities in Korea and China before entering Juilliard. I'm still connected with a Chinese company I worked with there. They have some highly capable people."

Vinnie shrugged and added:

"Well, if it's just the Asian side, it should be fine. You can leave that part to me when signing the contract. I'll leave it to you."

Geon nodded and then made another request:

"There's one more thing. You must listen to this."

Phil, leaning towards the phone eagerly, said:

"What is it? Tell me."

Geon, looking at Phil and Vinnie alternately, said:

"Let's go with the complete lineup of Pantera. Include Rex Brown, the bassist. Please let him join as well."

Phil, caught off guard, glanced at Vinnie and burst into laughter.

"Hahaha!! Of course! Why wouldn't we? It's Pantera's concert; he should definitely be there! We might be disappointed if he doesn't show up!"

That day, the three of them gathered at Geon's house, laughing heartily together.

>

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