Chapter 87 - Chapter 87: Superstar

"Julian!"

Everyone rushed over, surrounding him with concern. They were eager to know the outcome of the voodoo doll trade.

However, Julian's expression was one of regret as he shook his head. Clearly, he had not succeeded in acquiring Nyterel's notebook.

This result came as a surprise to many.

"Sam refused?" Edith, puzzled by the outcome, immediately inquired.

Julian glanced at Donna, who sat nearby, then turned back and said, "He declined. But he added a few lines of dialogue, hinting that Hell's Tenth Degree Cinema specifically wanted this item. He didn't dare offend 'the Man.' Fortunately, everyone returned safely, and we even brought back three new actors. Out of five newcomers, two perished. Sam lost three actors as well. We were lucky—everyone survived."

Three new actors?

Everyone's attention shifted, scanning the room for the newcomers.

"Is this... the ghost cinema?"

A voice broke the silence, drawing their gaze to a disheveled woman in the second row, her face smeared with blood and hair in disarray.

"Is she injured?" Edith moved to approach her, but Julian shook his head.

"The blood on her face isn't hers. She nearly died, but I saved her. However, among the newcomers, there's someone quite special."

At that moment, the group noticed two other newcomers seated nearby, both looking shaken. One was drenched from head to toe, as if he had fallen into the sea, and appeared to be in his early thirties. The other...

This person...

"Holy cow!"

"Am I seeing things?"

George and Pat stared in astonishment at the third newcomer. The other actors, including Allen, were equally shocked upon recognizing her.

"Gina!"

Allen knew this face all too well. No... it would be more accurate to say that almost everyone knew her!

She was an incredibly famous film star in mainland China. Her recent roles in several TV series and movies had garnered universal acclaim online, winning the hearts of audiences tired of mediocre dramas. Her ethereal beauty and grace set her apart from ordinary actresses. Her classical roles often made her appear like a celestial being, captivating viewers with just a glance or a smile. She had even been invited to play leading roles in Jin Yong adaptations. Her name frequently topped Baidu search rankings, and she was known for prioritizing scripts over directors, primarily working in the film industry. Recently, she was rumored to be starring in a new film by renowned director Xu Ke.

During Allen's time in the ghost cinema, Gina's online presence had reached its peak, with nearly a million followers on Weibo. She should have been filming in Hengdian, yet here she was, in the ghost cinema.

Everyone surged forward, scrutinizing her closely to confirm it was indeed Gina.

"You... are you Gina?" Pat finally asked.

The woman responded, "Yes, I am Gina."

"Indeed! It really is you!"

Pat, lacking paper and pen, quickly pulled up his shirt. "I'm your fan! Can I get an autograph here...?"

Julian chuckled wryly; he hadn't expected such a prominent figure among the newcomers. Despite her fame, her acting skills were impeccable, almost making them forget she was a real person and not an NPC.

Gina's presence caused everyone to momentarily forget about Julian's failed trade. The appearance of such a high-profile actor was surreal, and even those not prone to fandom, like Allen, found themselves drawn to speak with her.

In the midst of this excitement, the other two newcomers were largely ignored.

Nathan, mindful of his duties, approached Gina and said, "I understand everyone's enthusiasm, but the newcomers must be exhausted after filming. Miss Dong... Miss Dong, and the two beside you, come with me. I'll explain some important points for newcomers."

Reluctantly, the crowd let Gina go after she signed autographs for everyone. The other two newcomers, meanwhile, focused on building relationships with the seasoned actors, knowing survival depended on these connections.

Once Nathan led the three newcomers away, he continued, "Follow me, and I'll show you to your rooms. Introduce yourselves. My name is Nathan. The lead actor in the recent horror film is Julian, our most experienced actor here."

The three newcomers nodded solemnly, including Gina, who realized her celebrity status meant little here.

"I'm Zhong Mo!" the man drenched in seawater introduced himself. "I don't know what I did to deserve this. I was alone on the last subway train when I picked up a piece of paper—a horror film poster with my name on it. Next thing I knew, I was in a real ghost film! This is beyond bizarre!"

The woman with blood on her face quickly chimed in, "Me too! I was leaving work around one in the morning when I saw a piece of paper blowing in the wind. I thought it was an advertisement, but it turned out to be a horror film poster. I'm Liu Na, but you can call me Nana."

"Liu Na?" Nathan interjected coldly. "I checked the cast list, and I don't see that name. Why aren't you using your real name? Are you hiding something?"

The woman clenched her jaw, then waved dismissively. "Forget it. What's the point of hiding now? I'm a sex worker. That was my stage name. My real name is Zhao Yihua."

Her revelation drew curious and judgmental looks from the others. She defensively waved her hands. "Hey, I earn an honest living! I come from a rural village in Shandong. With only a primary school education, what else could I do? Waitressing barely pays 500 RMB a month. A friend told me this line of work paid better. So, I took the plunge. It's just a membrane; once it's gone, it's gone. No use keeping it if it doesn't make money! Anyway, I'm good at what I do. Interested? Tonight, I can give you a discount—just ten redemption tickets for a session."

Zhong Mo's pants tented slightly, eliciting a smirk from Zhao Yihua as she moved closer. "Interested? It's a bargain."

She knew that in this place, money was worthless; redemption tickets were the true currency.

Nathan, however, wasn't amused. Gina, visibly angry, exclaimed, "Shameless! Disgraceful!"

Gina had been preparing for a shoot when she found a poster for The Azure Sea . Shockingly, her name was listed among the cast. Initially, she thought it was a publicity stunt, a common occurrence in the entertainment industry. But before she could react further, she found herself naked and chained in a dark cell, her abdomen grotesquely torn open. An iron hook emerged from the shadows, extracting her organs one by one. Only by agreeing to participate in the real horror film could she return to normal.

Initially, she thought it was some kind of hypnotic illusion, as she felt no pain. But when she saw her own heart being removed, she was terrified into submission. Ultimately, she accepted her fate and entered The Azure Sea .

Unlike Edith, Gina couldn't reconcile her privileged past with this grim reality. Once a celebrated star, sought after by countless directors and earning millions from endorsements, she now found herself forced to act in genuine horror films and associate with women like Zhao Yihua.

"Enough!" Nathan, accustomed to dealing with all kinds of newcomers, had never encountered a superstar like Gina.

"Miss Zhao, what you choose to do is your business, as long as it's consensual. But any form of monetary transaction is strictly forbidden here. If discovered, we will handle it seriously!"

Zhao Yihua pouted, unbothered by Nathan's reprimand. Her thick skin and experience with insults made her indifferent. Gina, however, bit her lip, unsure how to respond.

"Your rooms are on the fourth floor. Follow me."

As they walked, Nathan continued, "We have rules here. Everyone must pull their weight. There's no room for arrogance or exploitation. Survival depends on mutual trust and cooperation."

Zhong Mo, still damp from his ordeal, nodded somberly. "Understood. We'll do our best to adapt."

Gina, despite her initial shock, showed signs of resilience. "Thank you, Nathan. I'll follow your guidance."

Entering the fourth-floor corridor, Nathan pointed out their rooms. "Here are your quarters. Get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll discuss your roles and responsibilities in more detail."

Zhong Mo and Liu Na (now known as Zhao Yihua) settled into their rooms, grateful for the temporary respite. Gina, however, remained pensive, reflecting on her abrupt fall from grace.

Nathan addressed Gina directly, "Miss Dong, you may be used to a different world, but here, everyone is equal. Your survival depends on your willingness to integrate and contribute."

Gina nodded, her resolve strengthening. "I understand. I'll do whatever it takes."

Later that evening, as the newcomers adjusted to their new surroundings, Allen reflected on the day's events. Gina's arrival had shaken everyone, but it also underscored the harsh reality of their situation. Trust and unity were their greatest assets.

Back in the communal lounge, the veterans discussed the implications of Gina's presence.

"She's a huge star," George remarked. "Imagine the boost to morale if she stays with us."

Edith agreed, "Her presence could inspire hope, but we must ensure she understands the gravity of our circumstances."

Julian added, "Let's focus on helping her adapt. She's no different from the rest of us now."

The next morning, Nathan gathered the newcomers for a briefing. "Welcome to Hell's Thirteenth Degree Cinema. Here, we fight for survival. Gina, Zhong Mo, Zhao Yihua, you each bring unique strengths. Let's build on those and support one another."

Gina, determined to prove herself, spoke up, "I'm ready. Whatever it takes, I'll survive."

Zhong Mo and Zhao Yihua echoed her sentiments, understanding that their lives now depended on teamwork.

As the days passed, the newcomers began to integrate into the group. Gina's charisma and talent proved invaluable, while Zhong Mo's resilience and Zhao Yihua's street smarts contributed to their collective strength.