Death Cast

1.38 | Grecia Bella Theatre

It is the fifth day of the competition. 

The day, which should have been joyful, was somehow overshadowed by a tense atmosphere. Everyone is on high alert, especially the Autumns, who are frantically looking around for clues. Although they've been searching for a route out of this reality, they've been unable to uncover the answers they sought. They are afraid that once the deadline has passed, they will be trapped in this world.

Of course, not everyone is concerned about the upcoming event. Jaerim and Noel, the two who had been putting in the most effort, had come up with an idea on how to finish the simulation in their heads. It's only that, after much deliberation, they opted not to reveal anything. It wasn't selfishness that kept them silent; it was the conclusion they had reached after connecting countless points. In any case, Jaerim has no intention of abandoning anyone in this world.

Yes, Jaerim's altruism has been criticized by Noel, but Jaerim countered that it's all good karma. Since Barron stressed the importance of Death-Cast in his contract, he has a strong suspicion that if he can assist many Autumns in passing the simulations, he will be compensated for his efforts. The difference in their premises made it possible for their ideas to clash.

He also told Ken and his group. He is at ease informing them because none of them were considered suspicious. All they need to do now is finish the final scene to bring the scenario to a close.

Jaerim is currently holding a small clear glass with a candle in the center. Three glasses are present: one is positioned over his head, and the other two are intended to be placed in each of his hands. Pandanggo Oasiwas is the name of their most recent performance. It is a waltz-style dance in which the dancers must balance three glasses with candles while being accompanied by castanets.

At some point during the dance, the candles in the dancers' hands will be placed on a cloth, and they will be required to swing the cloth in circles. The dance is believed to resemble fishermen waving their nets in celebration after a successful haul. Under the dim light, the candles on the glasses appear to be fireflies, enticing the fish to emerge from beneath the surface of the water.

“It seems that we have been spared at the last dance,” Jaerim said. 

The grand finale is approaching. Jaerim examined his appearance in the mirror and is relieved to be able to wear pants once more. They've all been liberated from constraints and are now free to choose and do anything they choose. Noel stepped in and yelled out to Jaerim, who was standing about doing nothing.

"Hurry up, we're going to present next," Noel said.

On the other hand, Jaerim didn't appear to be alarmed at all. He grinned at his colleague and accomplice, patting Noel on the shoulder with the back of his palm. He could not do it with his hand since he is holding the candles in each hand.

"Let's go and show them the best show ever."

On this final day, the curtains that had been draped down appeared golden. The mood also appears to be more grandiose, as if someone had added more props to the surrounding area in order to draw attention to the closing day of the feast. Even the audience, who were wearing sacks on their heads, appeared to be dressed nicely. Everyone is looking forward to the end of the day.

But that's how it'll be now. The stage was usually bathed in light from the lamps aimed at the center. The performers and their dances will be seen under these blazing lights as they commit themselves to a macabre dance.

Today, though, there are no lights. The center stage is illuminated by a single circular light. Someone wearing jester's garb and having their face painted pretty brightly can be seen standing in the light at the moment. He sat with his head bowed, one hand on his stomach, and the other extended out with open palms. He's like the typical performer who signals the arrival of guests with hand gestures.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” A jolly voice called out. A broad smile appeared on the funny-looking face. “It’ll be the final hour. Let’s enjoy the end of our lives!”

The light had been turned off abruptly, leaving the room in complete darkness. It wasn't, however, silent. Brushing fabric and footsteps could be heard throughout the room. The audience's eerie behavior began to grow as if the silent creatures were irritated by the lack of entertainment. As individuals who have been imprisoned within the sack, it is undoubtedly tedious to remain in the dark.

But it was short-lived. A clap was triggered, and objects began to light up. Specks of light arise on the stage, which had previously been completely dark. It looked like something out of a fairy tale when those lights started to move around in circles. The lack of light masked most of the dancers' appearances, yet the small amount of brightness was enough to reflect the dancers' colorful costumes.

There aren't any hard moves in this dance. All the dancers have to do is waltz around in circles while balancing the candles. Closing in and swaying in laps, as well as using the light to create images, was all that was required to complete the performance. Unlike earlier bloody dances, this one had a more subtle and restrained esthetic feel about it. 

That’s why Jaerim is not worried. He has control of this one.

Jaerim effortlessly swept his arms around, lifting the flickering candles into the air with his hands holding the glasses. He couldn't see much, at least not a few meters beyond the stage, but it was enough for him to carry out his duties with excellence. His focus is on those who are not there on the stage.

“At that time, they should’ve been there,” he muttered. 

The spot across the stage from which you have the best view of the stage is still bright and lively. A woman appeared to have remained in the room, her brilliant eyes fixed on the performance on the stage. Despite her thin complexion, which revealed her frail physique, the flames emanating from her gaze revealed that she was still very much alive.

Jaerim simply had to look up to see the room from the stage because it was a little higher than the seats in the house. Because of the considerable distance between the two locations, he couldn't see properly, but he was certain he had spotted someone inside. He recalled his earlier talk with the jester, which had revealed something about the world's setting.

“The majority of the restrictions were imposed on the world's inhabitants. There was nothing anyone could do, not immediately following the conclusion of the scenario and the impending end of the world“, Elias remarked.

In this particular instance, Jaerim and the other members of the Death Cast are given the opportunity to walk around. They are not permitted in some areas, although this assumes that they will be discovered. If they are cautious, they should be able to search pretty much anywhere.

"After the first presentation, the competition is over," Elias replied quietly. "Then everything would be a mess."

"Why?" Jaerim asked. 

The jester shook his head. "I'm not allowed to say anything about it. But I can guarantee that the simulation would end at that time."

He turned his head around and stared at Jaerim's black eyes. "Everything… all hell breaks loose."

Jaerim returned to his senses when the routine made a change. He could see Noel from within the formation, who was also looking at him with raised brows. He shook his head, as if saying that there was no problem. Jaerim closed his eyes and wished that everything would be on plan. 

While they were busy doing their part, another group of people was stalking across the darkness with careful steps. They treaded the passage on the west wing, going toward the corridor behind the stadium. Ken had his body lowered to keep himself hidden from the partition so the audience would not notice him. Judith and Carl were also doing the same as they vigilantly looked in their surroundings. It did not take them long to find the end of the passageway. 

Once out of detection, Ken stood up properly and started running. Their destination is the control room that they were unable to open before. They had heard from Noel that they had opened the door before and should be remained open. If not, they have to force themselves in and drag the only person staying inside out.

Ken had wondered why the door was locked despite being used as the control room. It was one of those facilities that needed to be open so people could access it, yet it was locked. Jaerim told them that it was probably because Bella was trapped inside. 

“We have learned that she is crippled, but that should not be a hinder since her arms are still working well,” Jaerim explained. “With the care of her father, she should own a wheelchair to help her with her movements. She could simply reach out and push the door open, but something made it impossible. It’s either Bella was weakened or someone blocked the door.”

“Someone really blocked the door,” Carl said. 

They had arrived at the control room and found the only door leading inside to be locked with planks and nails. It was done crudely as if the person installing the blockage was in a hurry. It made their mission easy, however. They are special officers who are trained for years, and pulling out this obstruction would be a piece of cake.

… or not.

Carl tried to drag a plank over, but it wouldn't budge. He'd been sweating profusely on the side of his head for a few minutes. He couldn't figure out why such a frail-looking log couldn't be removed.

“Jaerim said it could be a plot protection,” Ken muttered. “He had anticipated that the plot would protect the door to the point where we could not leave a dent if we try to destroy it.”

“Then, what should we do? We can’t leave the person inside,” Judith asked. 

Ken frowned. “Let’s wait. He said everything would be out from restriction once the first performance is done. They’re probably in the middle of it.”

Jaerim had been checking the operation room from the stage but did not see any movement from the inside. It seems that the place is protected by the plot. 

“But it didn’t matter,” Jaerim smiled. He looked at the corner of his eyes and found Noel also looking at him. 

The light under the darkness is very prominent. That’s why everyone should dance carefully to match the swaying of the lights. Yet, someone seems to have veered since three candles started moving on the back of the stage. They couldn’t tell if the sack-head audience noticed it, but the people who were part of the performance could see it. They all looked at Jaerim, who raised both of his arms, holding the candles in a clutch. 

“Everything would be chaotic? Then, let’s just make it hell before everyone else.”

He slammed the candles on the thick curtain that easily caught fire.