The following day marked a significant occasion for the 13th Degree Cinema. It was the premiere of "Ghost Sacrifice 3," a day the actors had been anticipating for three long months.
Job was the first to arrive at the dining hall. She remained unchanged, clad in her signature tight leather jacket, revealing a figure as sexy as any Western beauty. After today, Job's fate was uncertain; whether she would live or die was unpredictable.
"Job?"
Upon hearing the all-too-familiar voice, Job turned around. Julian stood there, gazing at her with neatly combed hair and eyes radiating confidence. After three months of waiting, this day had finally arrived.
The vast dining hall was empty except for Julian and Job.
"You're here," Job said calmly.
She was always cold and elegant, like a pine tree standing tall in the snow, unyielding and confident in the face of anyone, even Julian.
Julian walked towards her and asked casually, "How did you sleep last night?"
"Not bad," Job replied as she took a seat. Julian sat opposite her.
"Hank's death is truly unfortunate. But I will do my utmost to never abandon any one of you," Julian said.
"It's unnecessary," Job rejected Julian's kindness without hesitation. "I alone suffice."
"I alone suffice." It sounded arrogant, but coming from Job, a woman renowned even in the 20th Degree Haunted Cinema, it carried weight.
"Let's get some food," Job stood up and looked down at Julian with a cold tone. "I never need anyone to protect me."
Job, like the Queen of Snow, exuded nobility and stubbornness, captivating all who saw her.
Seeing her like this, Julian felt reassured. This was the posture Job should maintain. She had not shown any signs of retreat due to Hank's death or the loss of the cursed object.
No, Julian could not imagine Job ever showing submission. This woman, even when overwhelmed by terror and facing despair, would never admit defeat. Her pride was above all else.
Gradually, more people started entering the dining hall, most gathering around Julian. Julian, Job, Carol, Nathan, and George were surrounded by the crowd.
"Whether we change our plan to seize the parchment is still uncertain," Julian said. "Currently, with the stiletto Allen lent us, we have four cursed objects. So..."
"Your voodoo doll is a consumable cursed object," Edith reminded him. "And it's already been used once. Be cautious this time."
Allen took out the stiletto in public and placed it on the table. Meanwhile, Carol submitted a rental request through the haunted cinema, paying Allen 500 redemption tickets!
Yes, 500!
This result surprised Allen greatly. Noticing Julian's expression, Allen immediately realized it was at Julian's behest. Of course, the extra 100 tickets were unknown to others, who thought it was only 400. Julian would never reveal the truth. Perhaps those extra 100 tickets were even paid by Julian himself.
This made Allen somewhat grateful towards Julian.
The rental procedures were set to be completed after the screening of "Ghost Sacrifice 3." Carol sighed with relief after the procedures were handled. For him, 500 redemption tickets for renting the stiletto was already a great deal.
"Four cursed objects from the deceased... It should be enough for self-preservation. But seizing the parchment won't be easy," Donna, who had been ignored by everyone, spoke up from another table. "Well, I wish you all come back alive."
Everyone looked at her coldly, unwilling to engage. Her tattoo couldn't be rented, so she was happy to speak sarcastically. However, no one wanted to offend her, fearing they might rely on her to survive in future films.
"You don't need to worry, Donna," Carol said coldly. "We will definitely come back alive."
Throughout this, Martin silently watched, ate briefly, and then left the dining hall. In this gloomy cinema, there was never ample lighting anywhere. As she walked past a screening hall and was about to head upstairs, her steps suddenly halted!
Martin looked over and saw a new poster she hadn't noticed before at the front of the screening hall.
The horror movie on the poster was titled "Return." In the cast list, she suddenly saw her own name! The poster depicted a eerie night, with a mansion shrouded in darkness. Amidst the shadows, a figure could be faintly seen, shrouded in mist!
A new movie!
The release date was August 7, 2013!
Martin's new movie!
She slowly approached the poster, read the cast list, and memorized the names of the actors who would be starring alongside her.
"Is this your second horror movie?"
A familiar voice came from beside her. Martin turned and found Allen standing there.
"The leading man is Julian, and the leading lady is Edith!" Allen looked at the poster with a relieved expression. "You're lucky, miss. With these two, your chances of survival are much higher. And I'll rent you the stiletto too."
Martin gazed at the poster for a long time before saying, "Entering this place... How could anyone be lucky?"
Allen was startled, but before he could say anything, Martin looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears.
"I've never been lucky in my life."
After saying that, she turned and rushed upstairs without looking back, leaving Allen stunned in his place. He followed Martin out since she was a new actor he had met during his first horror movie, and he naturally felt closer to her.
"Ghost Sacrifice 3" premiered in the afternoon, and Julian and the others were making final preparations. The entire cinema was filled with a压抑 atmosphere.
Everyone was waiting, waiting for...
That dreadful moment to arrive!
In the afternoon, everyone was fully prepared. All members of the 13th Degree Hell Cinema gathered in Screening Hall 5.
Less than twenty minutes remained before the premiere of "Ghost Sacrifice 3."
Everyone was extremely nervous at this point. Even Julian himself felt a sense of oppression. Going in, he wasn't sure if they would survive. This was a top-tier difficulty horror movie, and for their five-person team to return with even three members alive would be a great outcome. Moreover, they only brought four cursed objects with them.
"Julian, remember, you must come back alive," Edith said as she sat beside Julian. She couldn't accompany him this time, and everything depended on him, Carol, and Job. With the stiletto, Carol should be able to assist Julian.
Julian once again confirmed the cursed object in his chest.
This would be... His greatest means of survival!
However, just then, the movie screen suddenly lit up brightly, startling everyone because there was still some time before the movie was supposed to start!
The words "Ghost Sacrifice 3" began to appear, but beneath them, another line of text emerged.
"'Ghost Sacrifice 3' has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. The new release date is October 4, 2013."
This announcement was astonishing.
"What... What is this?" Carol was the first to stand up, pointing at the screen.
"Someone must have died," Edith said calmly, looking at Julian beside her. "It seems that besides Delia, at least two actors from the 7th Degree Hell Cinema have also passed away. If more than two actors from the originally announced cast die, the script needs to be rewritten, and it makes sense for the movie to be postponed."
"Yes, this situation is explained in the rules," Julian suddenly remembered. However, with so many rules ingrained in his mind, it was normal to forget some.
Allen stared in disbelief at the announcement on the screen.
This was truly... An unexpected consequence.