Death Cast

1.26 | Grecia Bella Theatre

The rehearsals went on as usual. The jester looked at his crew and realized that there were about ten people on the official entry, which meant five pairs were created. He desired to maintain the three levels and six bench pyramid, but there were not enough dancers to perform. He contemplated what to do.

"I guess I have to take two pairs out," he mumbled.

It should have been in his thoughts. Elias didn't say it aloud, but the people near him heard it. The one with the most reactions is Herman. He wanted to get the slot! If he wanted to live, he had to get this slot no matter what!

He is the most aware of his state. Although he is pretty much healthy, the complications in his legs almost made him a cripple. He could still be able to perform some dances, but it would not work well with all the jumping around. It will only make his injury worse and probably develop into something nasty.

The jester is still pondering over the issue and really did not think of taking out four people. Even though there could be five benches to represent each pair, there is no rule stating that they could not add an empty bench. He didn't see it as a major problem.

However, before he could reach a conclusion, Herman had already walked in front of him. The limping figure created a funny figure with his strong build coupled with frills and flowery clothes. The jester immediately frowned upon seeing the guy look at him pleadingly.

"Sir, it would be best to do that!" Herman exclaimed. "It would be bad if there were not enough people to perform, so you should cut out some people to make a balance."

Jaerim did not expect Herman to actually come forward with a suggestion. Barron walked back beside Jaerim and watched the scene with a smile on his lips. He crossed his arms, slightly leaning toward Jaerim, and asked, "What do you think would be his answer?"

"Hmmm?"

Barron pursed his lips, pointing to the jester and Herman. "Do you think he will accept the suggestion?"

Jaerim only thought for a while before shaking his head sideways. Although it was the jester who opened up the idea, he isn't the type of person who would let people go. Just remember how the jester reprimanded Jaerim and Noel when they were still on the train. They have been forced to wear some funny clothing while telling them to stop loitering around.

The jester is equal to suffering.

"Smart," Barron remarked. “You’ve got some good brains in there."

Jaerim frowned at the praise and pushed the grim reaper, who had now fully leant on him. The other Autumns, who were just watching Herman, were surprised to see Jaerim pushing Barron away. Grim reapers are not bad people, but they have an aura that makes anyone avoid or respect them. Yet, Jaerim even dared to push the grim reaper away. And he even looked satisfied after doing so.

Barron did not mind it, however. He wasn't the traditional, conservative, whatever person who liked etiquette. He acts however he wants to, and people like Jaerim, who openly show their dislike, are to his liking. Of course, Barron had set some limits. He wouldn't allow anyone to easily boss and bully him around.

Herman made his best smile to convince the jester. But the person did not seem to like it. A frown formed in his brows as he looked at Herman with suspecting eyes.

"Indeed, there is a lack of people, but what made you think that lessening them is the best choice? I lack one person, so now I have to let go of four of them too?"

Herman did not expect the jester to suddenly become angry. He had forgotten the natural hot-headed nature of the jester. He did not dare to give the jester an answer and just remained silent. The jester gibed as if expecting Herman to back down.

"Five benches is still okay. It might not be able to follow the desired formation, but it could still create a pyramid."

The jester motioned the prop men to bring out more benches. "Plus, we could always add another set if it is lacking.”

The haughty attitude made Noel want to clap his hands. Herman was almost close to kneeling, even having his hands clasped, but the jester ignored the individual. He turned around and went off to the other side to begin bickering with the other crew.

"So heartless," Noel clicked his tongue. He subconsciously massaged his calves as if he could feel Herman's injury. "I could still remember the pain after the dance that day. It's not easy for him. He is probably very desperate to beg like that."

Who wouldn't be desperate? Everyone here wanted to survive. Nobody wanted to die just yet.

He faced Jaerim beside him and said, "I will check on my partner. We have to seriously practice and think of a way to execute those moves without falling from the chairs. I'm afraid that she won't be able to hold it out until the end."

Jaerim watched Noel approach Sandra, and the two of them had fallen into a discussion. Noel seems to be acting seriously this time. Jaerim could not see the silly smile that he always showed despite anything. He could not hear their discussion, but he could tell from Sandra's scrunched face that it wasn't good.

He shifted his attention to Herman and then to the grim reaper beside him. He could see Barron watching everything like an outsider. His straight posture and clothing made him look like a gentleman, very different to Silvester's style. But it is very charming. Jaerim could not help but be attracted.

He likes beautiful things—No, it is normal to love beautiful things. It is natural for humans to like pleasant beings.

Barron noticed Jaerim staring at him and raised his brows.

"What's up?" He asked.

Jaerim shook his head. "Let's go."

"You're not going to help him?" Barron asked as they walked away from Herman.

Jaerim made a funny face. "Why would I?"

"I just thought you had that kind of intention."

"I do?" He chuckled. "That's impossible..."

Jaerim laughed nervously as Barron looked at his face with a raised eyebrow. The way the grim reaper looked at him as if he knew everything gave him goosebumps. Jaerim hugged himself as he rubbed both his elbows. He scowled at the white-haired reaper who never hesitated to tease him all the time.

"You want to try it?" Barron asked.

"Try what?" Jaerim mumbled as he looked away.

"The skill item. I'm sure you want to use it."

Jaerim did not say any words because he couldn't deny it. He had been watching Herman trying his best to do something about the dance. Although it is a cowardly act to pull, well, he's got reasons. He got a serious injury, and carelessly joining the dance will only result in disaster. It will not only affect Herman, but will also be detrimental to the whole group. He wondered what would happen if they failed to win the cheers of the audience this time.

That is why he wanted to use the skill item.

He is not favoring Herman, however. It is still a fact that the guy tried to push the responsibility away from them without even giving them a heads up. It could have resulted in something nasty if Jaerim did not possess anything.

"Do you think it will work?" Jaerim took out a piece of paper from his pocket. "This one, I want to use it."

Barron looked over. It read, [Suspension of Belief].

"I just don't know what it means," Jaerim added.

The first slip, known as the Deux ex Machina, is a popular concept, particularly in movies and fantasy shows. Only those who weren't interested in watching these pieces will know about it. Jaerim looked at the piece of paper. This concept is new to him.

"It's easy to understand," Barron hummed.

"You know what it means?" Jaerim raised his head to look at the grim reaper with shining eyes. Barron scoffed.

"Of course, I'm someone who has lived a long life. I've probably lived longer, long enough, that I'm older than the person who coined this word."

"So, that's something you brag about now, huh," Jaerim sneered.

He is a person who no longer has any time to live. It's normal to feel remorse for knowing someone who has probably been in this world for more than a century. Barron ignored his sneer and beckoned him to come closer. Jaerim obeyed like a puppy.

"It means being a fool," the grim reaper said.

Jaerim looked at the grim with questioning eyes. "This one means to become a fool?"

Barron nodded. "The concept is almost the same as your other skill item, but this one focuses more on ignoring the reasonable."

Deux ex Machina is a tool that may represent a miracle capable of resolving any irrational event. The Suspension of Belief is achieved by suspending one's disbelief and just going along with it. It's like turning a blind eye to something obviously unreasonable and just accepting it.

"For example," the grim reaper said. "You humans know that the way of flight is impossible - I'm referring to flying without the use of external concepts. You see a movie in the non-fiction setting, following the universal physics where humans cannot fly. Then, suddenly, a character could fly. What do you think about that?"

Jaerim answered, "Uh... err... Isn't it because of the special effects?"

"No, not that one. Look at the perspective of the people inside the movie. Surely, you will question how that human could fly, right?"

Jaerim nodded his head.

"However, you will just accept the idea that the person could fly. You will suspend your disbelief and just go with it. Like Deux ex Machina, it is also a concept of being unreasonable, but you would tolerate it for the sake of peace of mind."

It is only a matter of perspective. The Deux ex Machina is the miracle, and the Suspension of Belief is the people's belief in the miracle.

"Then what would happen if I used this skill? Will something unreasonable happen?" Jaerim asked.

"You could always try it." The grim reaper encouraged.

Jaerim thought that there was nothing else to lose if he did it, so he activated the slip. He only had to think of using it to activate the skill, just like he did with the [Deux ex Machina]. The piece of paper began to have changes, and a number appeared beside the writing. There is now a number [3] printed on it that has changed to two.

One use, two more uses.

Jaerim looked around after activating the skill. He waited for it to work. However, he had been standing for a minute but nothing happened. He looked at the paper and frowned. Did he properly activate it?

He wanted to ask Barron if he made a mistake when suddenly he heard a loud noise. Everyone looked at the source of the noise, which was coming from the jester's side. People are surrounding him, the props men, who are assisting him in organizing the items needed for the show.

They were just chatting when someone accidentally pushed the pyramid of chairs while also pushing a trolley containing props. It had been left in that position since the jester was still arranging the set. Who would have thought that someone would not see the towering benches?

The benches fell to the ground quite loudly. They could hear a crunch and something that was breaking. The jester immediately retrieved the benches while cursing the crew for being so careless. How could anyone not see an object that is taller than them? The staff are probably half asleep or really planning on destroying the props!

Jaerim watched as the chaos ensued. He quietly placed the paper in his pocket as he sneakily looked around. Barron chuckled at the youth's action. He is clearly guilty, but there is also a look of pride in his eyes as well.

"Look over there to see it," Barron pushed the perpetrator to the crime scene.

Jaerim pretended to clear his throat before nodding. He dashed towards the scene of the incident. Barron watched the youth play as he asked around with an anxious face. The grim reaper chuckled for a while when suddenly his expression made an abrupt change.

From the corner of his eyes, Barron said, "Seems like the warning is not enough, huh?"

The shadow lurking on the corner flinched after knowing the grim reaper noticed their appearance. Barron looked at the corner with a straight smile before walking beside Jaerim. The shadow cowered down in fear and watched the reaper away with clenched teeth and a tight fist.

He must get it. He should get it.

Jaerim Ashford must die to get it.