Death Cast

1.39 | Grecia Bella Theatre

The thing about fire is that it creates a nasty existence. It consumes whatever it touches. The dark stage that only had tiny bits of swaying light suddenly became so bright that it contested the lamps that concentrated on lighting up the stage. It also highlighted the existence of the person who started this case. 

Jaerim looked at everyone, his dark eyes reflecting the mad fire. He stood there without any fear of burning, nor any remorse. The person seemed to be joyful as he watched everyone scramble in fear. The way he acted was like a villain who was finally able to execute his long-time plan. 

However, not everyone might agree with that. Noel watched the person enjoying the chaos, feeling that this guy really had some rare skills. Jaerim probably has a good chance of entering the acting industry if he does not fall and become autumn. 

Yesterday, during their face-off, Jaerim explained the entire sequence of their plan. There’s nothing much to think of, since Noel had already expected it. Jaerim had explained the storyline quite well, and he agreed on it after considering many things. He never thought that Jaerim would also be able to catch another essence of the events. 

As Jaerim pointed out, “There are reasons why most of the dances given to us leave us with leg injuries. It must be quite obvious after knowing about the incident.”

Bella is crippled in her legs, so that must be a reference. Noel guessed it correctly. 

“However, that’s not the only reason,” Jaerim said. “It’s because the culprit of the incident made it so that Bella won’t be able to run even though she has the chance to escape.”

Noel thought that even though Bella could not walk, there were many chances for her to seek help. She has a lot of attendants, and surely her servants will happily offer their help. Yet, Bella still died. Jaerim smiled and answered only a single word. 

“Fire.”

Noel shook his head once again. That memory of someone who is planning to commit a crime is truly amazing. He had never found someone so enthusiastic about burning things. But he still listened to the younger man. After discovering his identity, Jaerim had learned that Noel was older and still acted casually as if they were peers of the same age. 

“There is a news clipping I found many days ago. You guys have seen it, right? So that news clipping described briefly the fire and the related people that started it. Don’t you think it has some significance to the story?”

“Isn’t it just a hint about the upcoming arson?” Noel wondered. 

“It might be, but it has a deeper meaning. The potential of time is quite great.”

“Potential of time?” It was the first time Noel had heard these words. 

“Yes. You could say it is an event that is possible to happen due to the long discourse of the time. Like, for example, the same person executing the same crime in two different timelines.”

It made Noel confused. What does he mean by that? 

Jaerim patiently explained, “You committed a crime, let’s say, twenty years ago. There are many reasons, but to assume that you’re the victim. You start a fire, and you gets caught. Twenty years later, you got out of prison and found the theatre working normally. What will you feel?”

“Oh, I see,” Noel nodded in understanding. “You’re telling me that our mission is to look for this arsonist and to save Bella from dying?”

“That could be it.” Jaerim could not give a hundred percent answer, but that’s enough for the benefit of the doubt. 

Jaerim is acting like an arsonist now. 

“But remember, someone out there is the true arsonist. I’m just stealing the role ahead of time, so they won’t have enough time to prepare. Burning a newly renovated theater needs crucial planning since fire-proof systems have been installed due to its previous record.”

As expected, the sprinklers on the theatre started to work. 

“We kill before they get us killed.”

The sprinklers made it to the stage, but it was not enough to put out the fire. The thick curtain seemed to be made of very flammable material since it only took a minute for the fire to reach the top. Everyone could see the yellow flame licking the parts of the stage as if tasting it first before consuming it. 

People have started to panic. Most of them called fire, while a few looked for a way to extinguish the fire. A group of people made their way to the emergency exits where they were unexpectedly blocked by locked doors. They banged the doors with all their might, stepping on them or pushing on them, but it only left a dent in the metal surfaces. Somehow, the doors did not open.

“What’s happening here?” Someone exclaimed. They tried to push the door open, but it wouldn’t budge. “The smoke is thickening! Help me force this door open. We will die here if we will stay!”

Suddenly, everyone started cooperating and banging on the door with all their strength. The ones who participated quite actively are the Autumns, who are looking for another way to open the door. Someone suggested breaking the hinges of the door so they could loosen the screws so they could finish, or they could use some log or hard object to push through. 

Somehow, the scenario of panic has changed and has become a team activity that requires everyone’s strength. 

The same thing is happening with Ken and his group. They are outside the control room trying to open the door that has been locked by some unknown force. There are no planks covering the door, or nails planted to make it stick, yet it has adhered to the wall as if the door didn’t exist. 

“How is this happening? We have been pushing this door for so long, but it didn’t even move a bit. Where was this made? I would like to buy it!” Carl gritted his teeth as he complained about the sturdiness of the door. 

“Is it made up of diamonds? I think this is harder compared to bulletproof shields.”

Nobody answered his question. Well, more of nobody could give a damn about his complaints. Judith moved forward when Carl took a break and touched the surface of the door. It is cold to the touch and has a heavy feeling to it. 

“Don’t you think this door is locked from the inside?” She asked. “Maybe we could not open it since the other side is locked?”

Ken shook his head. “Bella is inside. She had a clear view of the stage, so she must have seen the fire Jae started. She should be unable to watch her theatre burn and go out to check it. But she remained inside as if nothing happened.”

“What do you think of this behavior? Do you think she is trapped inside?” Judith asked, worriedly. 

“She is meant to be trapped inside.”

A sudden voice called out from their backs. They turned around and found Jaerim and Noel walking over in big strides. They could smell the smoke coming from the two figures, especially focused on Jaerim. Noel observed the two and heaved a sigh when he saw them not injured and looking alright. 

“Then does it mean we would not be able to open it?” Noel asked. 

“I don’t know,” Jaerim shrugged his shoulders. “It’s not important how it ends as long as we can take Bella out-”

A sudden explosion shook the establishment. Each of them has to stick their backs on the wall so they won’t fall. The shaking happened for quite a while, causing light materials and clouds of dust to fall on the ground. They all looked at Jaerim after the quake happened, as if asking about the sudden explosion. Jaerim is the one who planned the whole ordeal. 

“Ah, that must be the plot,” Jaerim nonchalantly said. 

“The plot?” Carl muttered for a while before understanding the event. “Y-you! You broke a law?”

Ken looked at Jaerim coldly. “What did you do? Did you not say you were only going to burn the stage?”

“I did,” Jaerim nodded. “But they are the ones who started it first. It would be bad if we did not retaliate.”

“What?” Ken looked at Jaerim with a confused expression. “What are you saying? Who are they?”

“The ones who wanted to kill us.”

The moment Jaerim said those statements, another explosion happened. It made the shaking so terrible that nobody could stand on their feet without support. Somehow, they were able to discern shadows forming on the corners of the white corridor. These shadows eventually grew into a humanoid that looked disgusting and frightening. 

“W-what are those?” Judith pointed at the creatures with shaking eyes. She took a step back with the intention of running away. 

“Let’s get out of here,” Noel suggested. They could see the dark creatures coming toward them. 

“But where will we go?” Judith asked. “I’ve never seen this scene before. Will this happen if you violate the law?”

“It’s not our violation,” Jaerim stated. 

“Then who?”

Jaerim smirked. “Didn’t I say it already? It’s the one who tried killing us.”

It is easy to understand. 

“Someone has been trying to kill us.”

Jaerim could not understand it. Even though each Autumn is given a different contract, most of these contracts will not give any premise about killing a fellow Death-Cast. After all, the resources were not enough thus the grim reapers would do something to protect their contractors. If they want to get data, they have to keep them alive. 

That’s why it doesn’t make sense. 

Ken said that each world will assign roles to the Death Casts. These roles are meant to die at the end so what they have to do is to prevent it from happening, But this rule gives a contradicting feeling. He wondered, what if, the role given is an antagonist role that should kill other people to have a completion remark. Does it not give a dangerous situation to the Autumns that will be killed in the process?

“Someone is given a role to kill everyone in this theatre,” Jaerim looked at them. “I think you already know the answer.”

“The arsonist!” Judith gasped. That’s right, someone should get the role for the arsonist. 

“So, the rule you violated is by stealing someone’s role?” Ken is amused with his idea. “But the consequence?”

“Don’t worry,” Jaerim smiled widely. “I already got that covered.”

As they were talking, someone made an appearance from the shadows. His colorful clothes and white-painted face created a contrast to his serious surroundings. Yet, it is this vibe that made him look scarier. He has been holding a bat in his one hand, swaying it around as if he is ready to smash heads. A smiling clown with ulterior motives is really scary.

“He got me covered.”