The tremendous commotion caused by Gina's arrival showed no signs of subsiding even hours later.
To Edith, however, the addition of a superstar held little significance.
After everyone else had departed, she and Julian remained in the screening room. The movie screen had gone dark, with only dim lights casting shadows around them.
"So you can't trade it to me because 'that person' forbade it? Not even in exchange for the voodoo doll?"
As Edith spoke, Julian moved to light another cigarette, but she swiftly snatched it away.
"I've told you smoking is harmful - the nicotine in one cigarette is enough to kill a bull!"
"Very well," Julian conceded, returning the pack to his pocket. "I've been smoking since university, and it's impossible to quit after all these years. But since you dislike it, I won't smoke in your presence anymore."
Edith ground out the cigarette on the floor before turning her gaze to the massive screen before them.
"Has his influence truly grown so formidable?"
"Indeed. Hell's Tenth Theater now houses the largest collection of cursed artifacts among all twenty theaters. Moreover, everyone knows that if 'that person' one day transforms into a demon like Nitrail, anyone who has ever offended him will meet certain death upon crossing his path again. Only figures like the Marquis of Hell's Nineteenth Theater might dare to challenge him. Despite being revered here, I, Julian, amount to nothing beyond these walls."
At the mention of "the Marquis," Edith's expression subtly shifted. The Marquis was another renowned figure in Hell's Twenty Theaters, second only to "that person" in prominence. Rumored to hold a genuine marquis title in the real world, hence his moniker, he was none other than the male protagonist of "The Nitrail Family" - and Nitrail's sworn nemesis.
The other theater actors were all carefully observing the situation. Once "The Nitrail Family 3" premiered, it would inevitably lead to a deadly confrontation between the Marquis and "that person." They were merely waiting to see who would emerge victorious before pledging allegiance to the winner. Should "that person" perish, the Marquis would naturally take his place as the most prestigious actor in Hell's Twenty Theaters.
The reason everyone referred to him as "that person" rather than using his real name stemmed from Nitrail's terrifying abilities. Legend held that even after the Church burned Nitrail's body, his remains mysteriously survived and were secretly buried by his followers. Even in death, none dared to underestimate him. Speaking his name risked invoking a curse from Nitrail's vengeful spirit!
His name was not to be uttered lightly!
"Just as well," Edith remarked, harboring no fondness for "that person." "Let's hope the Marquis prevails in the end. Hell's Nineteenth Theater far surpasses our capabilities. Humans are truly frightening - even in this hellish realm, they form factions and hierarchies. Opposition and class distinctions seem inevitable wherever they exist."
"How could there not be hierarchy where humans are involved? The notion of equality is merely empty rhetoric. To earn respect and followers, one must demonstrate convincing strength. This holds true both in reality and in this hell-bound world."
At this point, Edith suddenly inquired, "Your redemption tickets... they're approaching 5,000, aren't they?"
"Yes."
"Try to keep them in check. You must know what it means when the redemption tickets reach 5,000."
On the surface, it seemed straightforward enough to accumulate 10,000 redemption tickets when a single cursed artifact could be rented for over 1,000 tickets. However, this was merely an illusion. Once an actor's redemption tickets reached 5,000, they would cross a "critical threshold."
After entering this threshold, one could no longer obtain redemption tickets through any means except filming movies. Furthermore, every subsequent horror film would be of the highest difficulty, where survival would become incredibly challenging, and the actor would inevitably be cast as the protagonist! Such films would dramatically deplete redemption tickets - maintaining even half of one's original amount after filming would be fortunate. These productions would receive "special attention," with danger levels far exceeding those faced by other actors. If the film concluded with tickets dropping below 5,000, everything would return to normal. However, if the count remained above 5,000, the next film would continue this pattern of "special attention." One either had to survive continuously or reach 10,000 tickets. The mere thought of enduring such consecutive ordeals was spine-chilling!
Perhaps even formidable figures like the Marquis and "that person" would struggle to withstand such horrific productions! Due to its terrifying nature, new actors were typically not informed of this when their redemption tickets approached 5,000, as the revelation would be too devastating.
Many actors, even those with powerful survival techniques, deliberately avoided accumulating over 5,000 redemption tickets to prevent reaching this critical threshold.
"I'll be mindful," Julian acknowledged, well aware of these implications. Then he suddenly offered, "I'll give you 500 redemption tickets. A gift. Partly because you lost too many in 'The New Neighbor' - you're a crucial asset to our theater and we can't afford to lose you. Also, I need to prevent my own tickets from increasing further."
Edith nodded and accepted without hesitation, recognizing her current need for the tickets.
"Ultimately... our survival methods are still insufficient..." Julian stared at the extinguished cigarette butt on the ground, deeply conscious of how terrifying those top-tier horror film productions would be... The mere thought was enough to inspire despair!
Meanwhile, Allen was in his room with Martin.
"Meeting Gina was quite shocking..." Allen was genuinely stunned by the encounter. Though not necessarily a fan, he had watched many of her dramas and frequently encountered news about her while browsing Weibo. Naturally, she had her share of negative publicity, with numerous rumored relationships after her rise to fame, but this was hardly unusual.
"Several of my colleagues are Gina's fans. There's even a phone advertisement poster featuring her outside our office building. I see it every day coming to and from work. She's undeniably beautiful."
Martin nodded slightly. "As a celebrity, she naturally possesses enviable looks compared to ordinary people."
Then, changing the subject abruptly, she asked, "Your new film is about to premiere too, isn't it?"
Allen nodded. He was now fully immersed in preparations.
"July 31st marks the premiere of 'Ghost Hotel.' Wu Zhaotian was supposed to be in it, but since he died in 'The New Neighbor,' they'll probably replace him with another actor. It's estimated to be a horror film of slightly below-average difficulty."
"You must have quite a few redemption tickets by now, right?"
"Indeed, quite a few. However, they'll be spent even faster. I expect the film fee to be higher this time, and frequent usage will surely deplete many tickets. Plus, in higher difficulty horror films, violating the plot costs more redemption tickets. One can never have too many redemption tickets."
However, this would be Allen's first time participating in a horror film jointly produced with other theaters. Being unfamiliar with the other actors, he felt a mixture of anticipation about their future collaboration.
"Be careful," Martin's tone grew serious. "And don't rely too heavily on cursed artifacts. Sister Edith has emphasized this point repeatedly."
During this time, as Allen and Martin received Edith's guidance together, their relationship blossomed into a deeper familiarity. Through extended interaction with Edith, Martin's personality began to transform subtly. Though still reserved by nature, she occasionally graced others with her smile. Previously struggling with interpersonal relationships and showing little concern for others beyond herself, she had few friends. Now, she was learning to care for others and attempting to forge genuine connections. She realized that only by opening her heart could she truly be accepted by others.
"By the way, Martin, you'll be starring in your second horror film 'The Return' next month," Allen noted. "With Julian and Edith as the leads, you should receive adequate protection. Nevertheless, exercise extreme caution. Even if you encounter cursed artifacts, don't seize them rashly. After all, your life hangs in the balance."
Martin nodded. She discovered that being the object of others' concern was indeed a pleasant sensation. In her past, constant isolation had rendered her increasingly aloof. She had always perceived her life as dreary - parents locked in perpetual cold war, career struggles, and a dearth of companionship had led to a depressive existence. Yet ironically, within this ghostly cinema, amid life and death situations, she had found genuine friendship.
The significance of human connection had become deeply etched in Martin's consciousness.
"Sister Edith advised me to stay close to her. As long as I remain within range, she can provide remote protection."
Allen, familiar with Edith's psychic abilities, understood these capabilities perfectly.
"Miss Edith is truly among the most benevolent souls I've encountered. The sweeping generalization that all wealthy heirs are spoiled and tyrannical proves rather myopic. Her words consistently emanate strength and inspiration."
Allen reflected on Edith - beautiful, gentle, kind, and radiant. Upon genuine interaction with her, one comprehends why the denizens of Hell's Thirteenth Theater, including Donna, hold her in such high regard.
"Speaking of which... might Edith harbor feelings for Julian? They seem inseparable."
Allen suddenly posed this question.
Given that Julian and Edith had weathered the Thirteenth Theater's difficulties together, such bonds of shared hardship, combined with their exceptional qualities, could naturally blossom into romance.
"That's not the case," Martin shook her head. "I've actually asked Sister Edith this question. She told me that Julian is merely a companion - they share excellent rapport but no romantic inclinations. Her words ring true."
"I see..." Allen pondered which fortunate man would eventually capture the heart of such an extraordinary woman.
Simultaneously, he recognized how far he still lagged behind Julian, Edith, and their peers.
Currently a mere novice actor, had it not been for the cursed artifact, how could he have amassed so many redemption tickets? Survival remained his primary concern; everything else seemed an unaffordable luxury.
Meanwhile, Martin observed Allen in contemplative silence.
The subsequent days flew past swiftly.
July 31st finally arrived.
Rising early, Allen completed his preparations.
In the bathroom, he splashed water on his face, gripped the sink, and declared to his reflection: "Survive! I must survive! My life cannot end here! I must return alive!"
The filming would take place in Theater No. 2.
Remarkably, Edith had replaced Wu Zhaotian! Evidently, the script had undergone substantial restructuring. Someone of Edith's stature typically warranted a leading role, yet this last-minute substitution relegated her to a supporting character. By her own analysis, having depleted too many redemption tickets in "The New Neighbor," her status had diminished. She expressed relief - lower billing meant reduced fees and fewer deducted tickets.
Due to her depleted redemption tickets, she required "protection fees" from her co-stars. Her previous ticket count had dwindled perilously low. Her psychic abilities enabled remote protection for everyone. The other four actors each contributed 500 tickets, which, combined with Julian's gift, totaled 2,500 tickets - a crucial lifeline for Edith. Allen's balance decreased to 1,415 tickets, though he considered it a necessary expenditure.
Carol, Nathan, Edith, George, and Allen entered Theater No. 2.
Martin came specifically to bid farewell. After conversing with Edith, she approached Allen.
"Sister Edith promised to protect you. Stay within three hundred meters of her."
"I know, she's informed me."
As departure time neared, Martin rose and fixed her gaze on Allen, delivering her final words: "Don't die in there. You must... return alive..."
For Martin, expressing such profound concern for another's survival marked a rare occurrence in her life.
Observing her in this moment, Allen's heart quickened inexplicably. He nodded firmly.
"I will. I shall definitely survive!"