Meanwhile, on the internet.
The posts about Rayen and Liam's identities garnered another wave of similar comments.
[Unknown @User12345: What do you mean? They don't look alike at all!]
Strangely, their names in these posts gradually faded, replaced by another. At the same time, past pictures and videos of them also changed, turning into someone else.
All over the world, most of the participants' names were erased from the history of their achievements, changing into another person's name. Their glorious accomplishments now belonged to someone else entirely.
...
The fate has shifted once again.
Plotter and Director noticed it and both looked into the distance. Their faces were visibly tense but soon relaxed. They exchanged glances, seemingly having a silent conversation.
'It's inevitable. Mistake or not, I would still have to do it,' Plotter thought.
'It's not a mistake. You planned it, didn't you?'
'Hehe... That old bookworm will probably sense it too, no? He should quit being old-fashioned and watch EntiTube for once! He's missing out on a lot of things.'
Director rolled her eyes at Plotter, who was clearly enjoying the mess he had created. She looked at the Life Books in the participants hands and sighed inwardly. Even these books had been stolen from the library.
There was no turning back now.
"Okay. Since we're all here, let's also discuss your introduction videos," Plotter addressed the participants.
Everyone looked towards him, confused by his words. One person once again raised their hands to inquire. It was Mr. Big News this time.
"Didn't we already film those?"
"That was before your identity change. Do you want to show those videos to the public?" Plotter laughed. "In that case, you'd definitely be famous, but you'd also end up in a psychiatric ward."
"Then what was its purpose?" Asked Mr. Big News.
"You haven't watched the TV in your dorms, no? Those were meant for the Entities!" Plotter, realizing that he may have not clarified what Entities were, explained. "Ah, Entities are those special individuals. They were also potential sponsors, so we did a private broadcast of the show on platforms only accessible to them. The TV on your dorms also have access to those platforms."
It was as what Rayen had suspected. That brutal, unfiltered audition he had seen on TV wasn't really meant for the ordinary public's eyes.
Rayen felt conflicted. He was grateful for these potential sponsors, but why would they watch these kind of shows? For enjoyment?
He had thought that Entities were supposed to be souls nourished by good merits in life. Why would they take pleasure in these kinds of shows?
"Oh, and you guys should probably do something interesting for your introduction videos. Remember, this is related to your survival. You should stand out among your peers."
Plotter sneaked a peek towards the Director beside him, who in turn noticed his silence.
"What?" she asked.
Though Plotter was afraid of her, he didn't want to lose face in front of the participants. He puffed out his chest, trying to make himself taller, but his voice betrayed him.
"Please do your work as a d-director..."
The Director with a stoic face only stared at Plotter, making the latter lose his confidence. His puffed-out chest sank, and he hid behind the staff members at the corner.
Satisfied by Plotter's reaction, the Director scanned the crowd in the room. Her eyes momentarily stopped on one particular participant before she addressed them all.
"No need to rush. You have a day to prepare. Starting tomorrow, your schedules will be packed. In the morning, you will meet sponsors and the trainers assigned to you. You can ask them for help about your self-introduction videos. In the afternoon, we will film it. But for now..." She paused briefly. "Sleep. I'm tired."
In other words, 'I don't want to bother right now. Go to bed, and do your chores later. I don't want to babysit you all.'
The staff members silently thought that was her real reason, but they didn't voice it out.
Plotter too, exclaimed in his mind.
'You didn't even do anything, but you're tired?'
...
As the participants dispersed from the dance practice studio, Rayen couldn't help but worry.
Now that they have new identities, what would happen to the old one?
He thought of his previous life and glanced at Liam in the distance. He still hadn't had a chance to ask this former band mate of his.
It's kind of ironic how he learned about someone else's death story before even his own.
At the doorway, Liam once again felt a familiar itch on his back. Already knowing where it came from, he didn't glance back and only quickened his footsteps while clutching the Life Book in his hands tightly.
By Rayen's side, someone spoke.
"Oh, he ran away. You're not going after him?"
Rayen heaved out a sigh.
"If he doesn't want to talk to me, that's fine. We're already dead, anyway."
'I've accepted it already—somewhat.' Rayen self deprecatingly thought.
"Let's go, ah. I'm tired."
After all, he had just experienced the unlucky spree that plagued the pitiful owner of the Life Book in his hand. His mind felt exhausted, his body battered. Even though he hadn't really experienced it physically, he could still feel it.
Anyone who had brushed against death so many times would also have no energy to deal with other things. That's why he didn't even chase after Liam.
Just like the Director, he just wanted to sleep off the exhaustion.
Rayen began walking out of the studio.
Adrian, walking alongside him, also didn't bother. This once-famous writer became lost in his thoughts, the original name of the owner of the Life Book he had claimed kept repeating in his mind.
In his heart, however, there was only pity.
...
The next morning, Rayen felt even more exhausted.
"You look plain! Change your hair color! Red would suit you more!" Plotter said.
In the face of this strange fan of his was a beaming smile like of a little child.
'No, ah! Why is this person here?!'
Rayen was inside a room, facing five different people whose heads were bobbing up and down as they agreed with Plotter's words.