Chapter 63: The Leopard That Lost Its Fangs

The video Yeongseok interviewed became a big sensation in Korea. Although Yeongseok had returned to Indonesia to resume his original shooting after the interview, the video garnered such high ratings that the broadcasting company's CEO personally called to praise him. Moreover, broadcasting companies from around the world, including the United States, which hadn't secured Geon's interview, paid a hefty sum to purchase the footage, making the CEO's mouth hang open in surprise.

The evening after Yeongseok's departure, Geon, wearing a hat pulled down low and a mask, placed Haku on his shoulder and left the hotel. After confirming that no one paid attention to him, Geon walked the evening streets of Seattle, glancing around cautiously.

The first place Geon visited was the "EMP Museum," where everything about 'Jimi Hendrix' was exhibited. The exterior of the museum was as bizarre as it was designed by the renowned architect Frank Gehry, inspired by Jimi Hendrix breaking guitars after performances. While admiring the exterior for a while, Geon took out his smartphone to take pictures. After confirming that there wasn't much time left for the exhibition, he hastily entered the exhibition hall.

"Wow~~~"

Before Geon's eyes, a mountain made of guitars of enormous height appeared. The giant tower, made of over 500 guitars created by the world-famous architect Frank Gehry to honor Jimi Hendrix, was a fresh shock for Geon. Geon wandered through the museum, listening to the experiential music echoing everywhere, and explored photos and albums of Jimi Hendrix's lifetime. After exploring here and there, Geon stood in front of a large photo where Jimi Hendrix's face was prominently enlarged.

"Jimi, are you doing well in heaven? I'm here."

Geon spoke to Jimi Hendrix in his heart. The Jimi Hendrix in the photo seemed about to jump out and clink glasses with him.

Geon's sightseeing didn't last long. Since he visited at a late hour, the operating hours of the exhibition hall had ended. Following the guidance of the staff, Geon left the exhibition hall and headed to the next destination, the 'Crocodile Club,' where the legend of Seattle rock began. Geon's steps became lighter as he approached the club, where numerous legendary bands like Nirvana had performed during their indie days.

While Geon was walking a bit quickly, a man coming from the opposite direction caught his eye. The man had a shaved head, and peculiarly, he had long dreadlocks. Wearing a leather jacket, the man was swaying as if he were drunk. Geon, worried that he might collide with the man, stepped aside. The man glanced at Geon, staggered, and continued walking. After the man passed by, Geon was looking at his back when suddenly, the man collapsed on the street.

Surprised, Geon rushed over, shaking the man and shouting, "Hey! Hey! Are you okay? Wake up!"

Whether the man was too drunk to wake up, no matter how much Geon shook him, he didn't seem to have any intention of waking up. Confirming that there was no one around to help in the deserted alley, Geon supported the man and barely managed to bring him to a bench a little way off.

"Phew, phew. Really heavy, this guy."

Geon, panting, adjusted his breath, then patted the man's cheek after carefully checking his condition.

"Hey, hey! Try to wake up!"

When the man, who had momentarily regained consciousness, saw Geon hitting his cheek, he opened his eyes slightly, mumbled something, and closed his eyes again.

"Umm... sorry, sorry. My bad, Darrel... Hmm, yeah..."

Seeing that the man's consciousness had briefly returned, Geon reflexively shook him again, but the man remained unconscious. Geon, looking at the man with a troubled expression, checked his watch.

"Oh, the show must have started. What should I do? Just leave him and go? After all, he's a stranger."

While Geon was contemplating for a moment, he heard the vibration sound of a cellphone from inside the man's leather jacket.

"Yeah, if it's a call from someone he knows, I should tell them to come pick him up. Just leaving him like this doesn't feel right."

Geon rummaged through the man's pocket, took out the cellphone, and answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Huh? Who is it? Isn't this Phil's phone? It's strange, the number matches."

Geon stood up from his seat and spoke, looking at the man who seemed to be disoriented.

"Oh, that. The owner of the phone is currently passed out on the street, drunk. I was helping, and the call came in, so I answered. Sorry, but if you're nearby, could you come pick him up?"

"Oh, really? Phil's in trouble again. I'm sorry. Where are you?"

"Here... it's Blanched Street. Do you happen to know Club Crocodile? It's around that area."

"Oh, it's close. I'll be there in 5 minutes. Just wait a moment, okay?"

"Oh, yes, I can wait about 5 minutes. I'll be waiting, please come quickly."

Geon hung up the phone and stretched on the bench.

"Ugh... 5 minutes, he said. Let's just wait comfortably."

Geon seemed to find peace of mind, glancing at the disoriented man.

"His hair is quite unique. But... where have I seen him before? He looks familiar."

Geon put his hand on the man's shoulder, properly sitting him up, and looked at his face.

"Hmm... where have I seen him before? Why does he look so familiar?"

Geon, with a puzzled expression, was scrutinizing the man's face when a man from the opposite side of the road crossed illegally, running frantically.

"Heuk, heuk. Phil!!"

As Geon raised his head to look, a blond white man in his forties caught his eye. When Geon stood up, the man spoke.

"Heuk, heuk. Are you the one who answered the phone? Thank you so much."

Geon clapped his hands and said, "No, it's nothing. Now, let's take him."

The man, with his hand on his knee and bent over, said while catching his breath, "Heuk, heuk. Just a moment."

The man rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a business card, pushing it towards Geon.

"My business card. My name is Walter O'Brian. Excuse me, but can I get your phone number?"

Geon asked cautiously, "Yes? My phone number? Why?"

After glancing at the disoriented man, Walter straightened up and said, "My friend Phil lives like a vagabond right now, but if I just let him go after helping, he'll definitely raise a fuss. Once he sobers up and hears the story, he'll find you. I'll treat you to a meal at least."

Geon smiled awkwardly and said, "No, it's not for repayment."

Walter, as if saying, "I'm serious," waved his hand and then handed him his phone.

"If I just let him go like this, I'll get beaten up by him tomorrow. Just give me your number, I'll make sure not to cause any trouble. I'll take care of it."

Geon, with a slightly guarded expression, asked, "What? My phone number? Why?"

Walter, not looking at Geon, but at the disoriented man, said, "Phil, my friend, is living like a ruffian, but if I tell him I just sent away the person who helped, he'll curse me for sure. Once he wakes up and hears the situation, he'll find you. I'll treat you to a meal."

Geon gave a hesitant smile and said, "No, it's not for repayment."

Walter, as if to say, "I'm serious," waved his hand and then handed him his phone.

"If I just let him go like this, I'll get beaten up by him tomorrow. Just give me your number, I'll make sure not to cause any trouble. I'll take care of it."

Geon, with a slightly guarded expression, asked, "What? My phone number? Why?"

Walter, not looking at Geon, but at the disoriented man, said, "Phil, my friend, is living like a ruffian, but if I tell him I just sent away the person who helped, he'll curse me for sure. Once he wakes up and hears the situation, he'll find you. I'll treat you to a meal."

Geon gave a hesitant smile and said, "No, it's not for repayment."

Walter, as if saying, "I'm serious," waved his hand and then handed him his phone.

"If I just let him go like this, I'll get beaten up by him tomorrow. Just give me your number, I'll make sure not to cause any trouble. I'll take care of it."

Geon took the phone, dialed the number, and handed it back to Walter. Walter pressed the call button and confirmed the signal before saying.

"Sorry for being shameless, but my car is across the street. Can you help me move him just up to the car? I'm really sorry!"

Geon placed his jacket on the bench and said, "Sure, it's not a problem. Is that the red car over there? I'll lift the upper body, and you take care of the lower body."

Together with Walter, Geon lifted the man who was still unconscious and placed him in the car. After closing the door, Walter wiped the sweat on his forehead and said.

"Thank you so much for today. I'm not usually like this, but ever since something bad happened a few years ago, he's been like this often. I'll contact you when he wakes up. Let's have a meal together."

Geon shook his head and said, "It's okay. Take care."

Walter, after looking at Geon for a moment, smiled and said, "You don't seem to like rock music much? You mentioned Club Crocodile and had a guitar, so I thought you were a rock music mania."

Geon, with a puzzled expression, said, "Oh, I do like it. I was on my way to Club Crocodile."

Walter raised his eyebrows, pointing to the man lying in the back seat, and asked, "You, a rock lover, don't know that guy?"

Geon, looking at the man through the car window again, asked, "Oh, he seemed vaguely familiar, but is he a musician?"

"Phil Anselmo. Don't you know him? He's incredibly famous."

Geon, surprised, widened his eyes.

"What? Pantera?"

Walter blinked with an astonished expression.

"You don't know? He's the vocalist of Pantera."

Geon, still surprised, said, "Oh... sorry. I guess he's famous."

Walter nodded, and Geon, looking out of the car window, saw the disheveled man inside again.

"Oh my! Is that really him? It's Phil Anselmo, right?"

Walter smiled as if he had expected Geon's surprised reaction.

"He refused the meal, so I thought you might not recognize him. Usually, he likes to eat together."

Geon, still wide-eyed, looked at Walter, who smiled again and said, "Will you have a meal?"

Geon nodded vigorously and replied, "Yes, yes! Please contact me!"

Walter shook his phone, saying, "I'll contact you tomorrow. I'll call before dinner once he regains his senses."

Geon nodded, and as Walter waved, he got in the driver's seat and started the car. Watching the disappearing red SUV, Geon thought,

"Wow, it's Pantera."

Geon stood there for a while, staring blankly at the direction the car disappeared, and it took about 10 minutes for him to come to his senses. He quickly checked his wristwatch, and when he entered Club Crocodile, the performance was halfway through. In Geon's head, only thoughts of Pantera filled his mind as he watched indie bands perform.

Unable to concentrate on the performance, Geon returned to the hotel, looked at the blank screen of his phone, and fell asleep holding it. Geon, who overslept the next day, had lunch and put on his hat again to stroll through the streets of Seattle. While sightseeing, Geon never let go of his phone, and it rang a little after 5 PM.

As soon as the vibration rang, Geon, reflexively checking the number on the phone's screen, answered the call with a hint of hesitation.

"Hello? Mr. Walter?"

"Yeah, hello."

The voice on the other end was rough and husky, not what Geon expected from Walter, whom he met yesterday. Geon, momentarily taken aback, confirmed the number on the screen and answered the call again, but the other person spoke first.

"I'm looking for the person who helped me yesterday. Is it you?"

Geon blushed and replied, "Oh, yes! That's me."

"Alright, thanks. I don't remember much from yesterday. Walter gave me your number. Do you have time in the evening? Let's grab a beer."

"Oh, yes. Of course, I have time."

"Alright, then. You know Club Crocodile, right? Let's meet there at 7."

"Yes, okay. See you later."

After hanging up, Geon extended his hand and shouted inwardly,

"Hooray! It's Phil Anselmo! I need to take a bunch of pictures!"