Deep in the Living
Chapter 346 - 334 Cooperation

Chapter 346: Chapter 334 Cooperation

Deep Within the Theater

[Septima (Act Seven)]

This is the exclusive office of David Dai, as well as the most expensive and mysterious area of the Evil Play Grand Theater. Without his permission, it is impossible for outsiders to find the entrance to this room.

Inside the room are "Brain Display Cabinets," each cabinet equipped with biological preservation functions.

The brains inside the display cabinets weren’t extracted from some creature’s skull; they are cultivated "Storage Brains." Capable of storing sensory information, the dramas once performed in the Grand Theater have been recorded within these brains, accessible by connecting to them to obtain memory images.

David is currently in a screening room,

but today, he is not watching the dramas stored in the brains.

But rather a [movie].

The television replicated by brain worms looks slightly different from the original version,

suspended in the air by neural clusters descending from the ceiling, providing bioelectric energy.

The back of the TV has no fixed socket; instead, it is directly adhered to the disc player through brain matter.

A disc with engraved brain grooves is held in David’s hand, the cover named "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre."

This is the crucial moment now,

as this series of technological products brought from the Human World has undergone some changes in properties, possibly causing the playback to fail.

A small hand grows between David’s eye sockets, making a strange prayer gesture, while the greasy main arms carefully insert the disc into the screening equipment.

Sizzle~

As the internal machinery begins to operate,

the snow-speckled TV screen suddenly turns black, but shortly thereafter, the emblem of the movie company is projected outward, and the movie image gradually appears.

Though the image is full of noise and the resolution is estimated only at 360p, the content flows quite smoothly.

"Nice!"

David, watching a product of human theater for the first time, doesn’t care about these flaws, grabbing a little stool and a big box full of snacks, starting to enjoy himself.

Just as he watched the opening scene, a strange interference appeared; it seems unlike an issue with the disc or equipment, rather something resembling eyes faintly peering at him through the screen.

Simultaneously,

Thud!

The door of the office is knocked upon, though not repeatedly, just the sound once.

Clearly, the office door requiring permission and application to be found has been knocked upon; moreover, the sound is unusually loud, mixed with some metallic collision noises.

The curtain over David’s eyes subtly trembles, as if sensing something.

Yet he makes no move to defend, simply pressing the pause button before getting up to open the door; his smell is acutely sensitive, detecting the familiar scent beyond the door.

The door opens,

two "humans" stand outside, their facial features resembling humans from the movies.

One leans against the wall, using a hook to clean food from between their teeth.

The other stares wide-eyed, maintaining the knocking gesture.

The arrival of these outsiders hasn’t triggered the alarm systems of Synarchia, nor has it been detected by the theater’s security.

David, however, shows neither surprise nor vigilance, but rather an expression of expectation, or perhaps these two being detected would be the real anomaly.

"It seems you’ve encountered [humans] earlier than I have, come into contact with that strange and dangerous world.

Rest assured~ Luo Di is fine with me. I’ve even used him to bring back a series of movie-related items; right now I’m watching a film - want to come in and join me?

I can have more food prepared."

"Okay."

Thus,

three individuals from different forces squeeze into one small room.

Moreover, one of them has mastered metal and is well-acquainted with human equipment, even modifying the TV.

With several slender metal hooks inserted, the picture not only loses noise but its clarity improves significantly.

This action makes David clap repeatedly with joy!

"No wonder the will of Hell entrusted the Punishment Room to you; you’re truly skilled! Judging by your adeptness, you must have had deep interaction with human society, Hook.

Six months, a year?"

Hook returns to his seat, responding with silence.

David continues rubbing his belly, excitedly speaking: "No wonder you two act together; it seems really interesting over there... Can you bring me along? I promise not to leak this information, and I’ve long grown tired of theater work, having trained someone entirely capable of taking over a few years ago.

Wait! You must be here for Luo Di, so why seek me out first?

Do you mean you came specifically for collaboration this time, rather than mainly checking on Luo Di? Need to use my spatial means?"

As he says this, David directly uses his belly to nudge Hook, seeking a response.

Hook looks at David helplessly, "Let’s talk while watching the movie."

"Alright."

...

Actor’s Dormitory (Luo Di Exclusive)

One bedroom and one living room design.

Calen curled up early within the wall depth, sleeping alone, unconcerned with what will happen in the dormitory.

The bedroom originally connected to the living room is now covered by a strange curtain made of skin-like structure.

Not only does it isolate vision, but it also blocks sound.

Sleeping on the sofa isn’t the Squad Leader,

but Luo Di.

He tosses and turns, restlessly sleepless, something rarely experienced for quite a while, even relying on the newly acquired Old Spine to coordinate his condition, yet always invigorated by strong mental fluctuations.

About half an hour passes, and Luo Di sits up; he’s decided not to try sleeping anymore.

With a resolute gaze, harboring some lethal determination, he heads towards the bedroom.

But just as he reaches out to lift the curtain, his arm stops in mid-air.

Ultimately, he lacks the courage to lift the curtain, or perhaps Luo Di has already envisioned a terrifying scene in his mind.

Seems like he smells some kind of bloody scent,

seems to hear sounds of neck severing.

Seems the scene behind the curtain resembles memories from the past.

Seems if he pulls the curtain open, the Squad Leader will cut off his head, smilingly greeting him.

To avoid witnessing such a scene, he refrains from pulling the curtain open.

"Oh, better do something else.

If the brain worm I brought back can perfectly replicate all devices, and filming can be realized here, the boss would highly support it.

If a movie is to be made, a screenplay is necessary.

I’ll attempt writing a screenplay; I did have some ideas back when I was studying.

Just so I can play the Murderer,

the Squad Leader, Agatha, and Calen can portray those being chased, and a few extras would suffice. I need a script that fits Hell to construct the entire story."

Luo Di shifts his focus to the screenplay, finally easing his restless mood.

Arriving at the desk, he picks up a pen and starts creating.

Perhaps it’s genuine enthusiasm,

perhaps the first-time possibility of participating in an acting opportunity,

perhaps it’s his latent talent in Game Brain,

Luo Di quickly immerses himself, swiftly building the basic framework of the script story, even oblivious to the curtain in the bedroom already being opened.

A woman treading silent steps has already arrived behind him.

Calen sleeping within the wall detects danger, opening his eyes.

He intends to warn Mr. Di through prism refraction, but suddenly senses a gaze watching. This gaze is different from any Demon he has seen, seemingly ordinary yet causing the crystals within his body to vibrate rapidly.

A strong sense of danger permeates him, forcing him to close his eyes again.

He now desperately wishes to return to the Lighthouse, not wanting to risk venture out again.