Chapter 5: Online Sensation

Seo-woo had just finished getting ready to leave when a small window prompt suddenly popped up in front of him, startling him for a moment. It was a notification from the system that had been tracking his progress lately, ever since he had started dealing with his own challenges and focusing on his family.

Quest Completed: Rebuild trust with your children

Reward: +10 Parenting, +10 Charisma, +5 Health Recovery

He couldn't help but smile. It was the first time in a long while that he felt a little closer to being on the right track—not just as a father, but as a person. His heart swelled with pride, and for the first time in what felt like ages, he felt genuinely good about himself. As the notification faded, another one appeared in its place:

New Special Quest: Help your triplets earn money by playing the guitar in the park.

Quest Conditions:

1. Perform for a crowd in the park.

2. Ensure your triplets are actively involved in supporting your performance.

3. Complete the performance and gather feedback.

Reward:

If completed successfully, unlock the ability to sing within 3 hours.

Seo-woo couldn't believe it. This new quest was exactly what he needed. His plans had always been to take care of his children, but now, it seemed like the universe—or whatever system had been guiding him—was giving him a way to get back on his feet. And the best part? If he pulled it off, he would finally be able to sing again. His old skill, locked away for too long, would return to him.

His status window updated as well:

STATUS WINDOW UPDATED

Name: Ryu Seo-woo

Health Status: Slightly Improved (Malnutrition Decreasing)

Financial Status: Debt Accumulated (2 months rent overdue: need to pay within two weeks with interest, additional personal loans outstanding)

Talent Skills:

• Singing: S+ (Condition to Activate: Completing 50 quests) (2/50) (Temporary unlock if the host has completed the special quest)

• Parenting: C+

• Cooking: C

• Charisma: B

He felt an overwhelming surge of energy. He had a plan, and this time, it was going to work.

At the park, the air was filled with the sound of families chatting and children laughing. It was a place of joy, where people could unwind, play, and spend time together. Seo-woo and the triplets arrived early, and they set up in a somewhat quiet corner, just off the main path. Seo-woo could see families strolling nearby, some couples with young children, others with elderly parents, all enjoying their day.

Seo-jun was the first to jump into action. He had borrowed a microphone and speaker from a neighbor, an uncle who was kind enough to lend it to them for their little venture. Seo-jun wearing a face mask, though a bit anxious, took the mic and began trying to get the attention of the people walking by. He had always been the responsible one, the one who took charge when needed, and today was no different.

"Hello, everyone! We have a small performance going on here," Seo-jun called out, his voice carrying through the microphone, though his nerves were evident. "Please come and listen!"

People began to glance over at the small setup, a few curious faces appearing. Seo-woo looked at his son, proud of his initiative. Seo-jun was doing his part.

Seo-woo wearing a black cap, black sunglasses, and a black facemask, picked up his guitar, taking a deep breath before strumming the first few notes. The sound was smooth, calming, and professional, carrying through the air. It was one of the few things Seo-woo was confident about—his guitar skills.

The sound flowed effortlessly from his fingers, and soon, a small crowd began to gather. Some people stopped to watch, others took out their phones to record the performance. Seo-woo felt a sense of relief wash over him. This was his moment. His heart filled with gratitude, not just for the chance to play again, but for the support of his children.

Seo-min and Seo-jin stood by him, their faces beaming with pride. Seo-jin held a small sign that read, "Please support our dad. Thank you!" while Seo-min interacted with the crowd, encouraging them to listen. The two of them were small, but their energy was infectious, making it hard for anyone to ignore their enthusiasm.

The performance continued, and Seo-woo played several more songs. The more he played, the more comfortable he became, his fingers moving with ease across the guitar strings. It wasn't a grand stage, but it felt like a victory just to be there with his children, doing something together.

As the performance came to an end, Seo-jun took the mic again. "Thank you for listening, everyone! If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a small donation. It'll really help us out!" His tone was a bit shy, but there was a clear resolve in his words.

Seo-woo couldn't help but smile at the sight of his triplets working together, supporting him the way he always dreamed they would. The crowd clapped and cheered, some people even leaving a few bills in the donation box they had set up. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

As they packed up, Seo-woo felt a rush of joy. He hadn't just played for an audience—he had reconnected with his children in a way that felt right. They were in this together, and no matter how small their earnings, they had accomplished something big.

And most importantly, the quest was complete. He could feel it in his bones—his singing ability was returning. In just three hours, he would be able to sing again.

After two hours of playing guitar, Seo-woo and his triplets decided to take a break and head to the food court in the park. The soft hum of the crowd, mixed with the distant laughter of children, created a relaxed atmosphere. The triplets, now slightly tired but still excited, sat down at a table, eagerly waiting for their meal.

Seo-woo looked at them with a gentle smile. "So, what do you want to eat, my loves?"

Seo-jun, always the practical one, glanced at the menu and shook his head. "Just soup and rice and some water, Dad. That's all we need." His voice, though calm, carried a certain determination in his words.

Seo-min and Seo-jin agreed, nodding in unison. They were simple children, content with the basics. Seo-woo felt his heart swell with pride at their modesty and understanding. Still, he wanted to give them something more. "Alright, but I'm adding some side dishes for you," he said, waving the waiter over.

As they sat down to eat, Seo-woo's mind drifted. The idea of singing still lingered in his thoughts. He knew he had just unlocked his ability to sing again, but something held him back. His voice, though deep and raspy, was still a far cry from what it used to be. He wasn't ready for the kids to hear it just yet, not in its raw state. He needed time to adapt, to find a new rhythm, a new flavor to his voice.

"I'm going to try singing soon," Seo-woo casually mentioned as they ate, his gaze thoughtful. "But I think I'll surprise you later, once I get the hang of it."

Seo-jun glanced up at him, intrigued. "You're going to sing, Dad? Really?" His eyes were wide with curiosity, though there was a hint of skepticism too. He had heard his father sing before—when he was younger, and Seo-woo had a powerful voice. But now, with the changes, it was a whole different story.

Seo-woo smiled warmly. "Yep, I just need to get used to my new voice first. You'll hear it soon enough."

The triplets exchanged looks, but they trusted their father. They knew it would be something special when the time came.

After they finished eating, Seo-woo and his triplets returned to the park, ready to continue their performance. Seo-woo picked up his guitar, his fingers itching to play again. He strummed a few chords, feeling the music flow through him. The familiar sensation of the strings beneath his fingertips soothed his nerves, allowing him to settle into the rhythm.

Seo-jun, ever the organizer, set up the small donation box again, this time with more confidence. Seo-min and Seo-jin stood beside their father, encouraging people to listen and support him. Seo-woo began to play once more, allowing himself to be lost in the melodies he knew so well.

But then, something unexpected happened.

As he strummed the guitar, the sound of a voice—deep and raspy—drifted through the air. It was beautiful, not in the way of a polished, angelic voice, but in a way that grabbed your attention. It was rough, with a certain addictive quality that made you want to hear more. It was Seo-woo's voice.

His voice had changed, but somehow, it was still him.

Seo-woo's heart skipped a beat. He wasn't expecting to sing just yet, and certainly not with this much impact. His fingers faltered for a brief moment, but he quickly regained his composure. The crowd that had been walking by stopped in their tracks, their attention suddenly caught by the mysterious voice. It was impossible to ignore. It carried a weight, a rawness that seemed to resonate deep within the listeners.

The triplets, standing nearby, froze as well. They turned to each other, their expressions wide-eyed with surprise. Seo-jun's mouth hung open, his disbelief mirrored in Seo-min's and Seo-jin's faces. They were hearing something they hadn't anticipated—something powerful that filled the air.

Seo-woo's voice continued to flow through the park, the lyrics echoing around them.

"Through the storm, I keep walking,

Feet worn but never broken,

The wind may howl, but I'll stand tall,

My heart beats louder than it ever has before."

The words were raw, a reflection of his own struggles, but there was a certain beauty in the imperfection. As the last note hung in the air, the crowd stood silent for a moment, stunned by the power of the voice that had just graced them.

A few people in the crowd pulled out their phones, recording the impromptu performance. They whispered to each other, unsure of who the man was, but captivated by the sound. Some people even began to applaud, not just for the music, but for the emotion behind it. Seo-woo didn't realize it at first, but his performance had become something far more than he intended—it was a moment, a shared experience for everyone who heard it.

Seo-jun, Seo-min, and Seo-jin stood beside him, watching as their father's impromptu performance drew more attention. People began to gather, some taking videos, others simply enjoying the moment. Seo-woo smiled, his voice still a little raspy, but full of life in a way he hadn't felt in years.

What Seo-woo didn't know, however, was that his impromptu performance had become more than just a small park gathering—it was an online sensation. Videos of his raw, captivating voice were already spreading across social media, quickly gaining traction. The hashtags #GuitarDad and #SurpriseVoice were trending, with thousands of people captivated by his performance. Comments flooded in, with people praising the depth and authenticity of his voice.

Among the thousands of views, there was one person in particular who took notice.

Moon Woo-seok, the CEO of the company where Seo-woo had once worked, was watching the video on his phone. His expression was unreadable as he listened to the voice that seemed both familiar and new, powerful and vulnerable. As the video played, he made a note to look into this mystery performer.

"Interesting," he murmured to himself, intrigued. "Who is this?"