บท 117: Don't underestimate the ring, Arthur.
(Arthur POV)
The eerie silence unnerved me as I headed to the workstation. What I saw there left me stunned.
My employees were sprawled across their desks, sleeping so deeply they might as well have been in comas.
"...what the heck is happening?" I muttered, my mind racing.
Then it hit me. I glanced at the cat in my arms, still out cold, then at the ring on my finger.
"...fuck..." I slapped my forehead, feeling like the biggest idiot in the world.
I'd been wondering how the ring accumulated a million units of magical mana in my office alone. Turns out, it had drained the entire building dry!
And here I was, thinking using "Abyssal Mode" in my office would be discreet. I couldn't have been more wrong.
Shaking my head, I surveyed the sleeping employees. How the hell was I going to fix this mess?
Deciding to let them sleep it off, I headed to the parking lot, planning to retreat to my penthouse to study the ring further. But as soon as I stepped outside, I froze.
People were passed out on the sidewalks. Vehicles had stopped in their tracks, some even crashed. Drivers slept soundly, even those with minor injuries.
"This..." I looked around, seeing the eerie quiet stretch as far as the eye could see. "This is bad..."
I bolted back to my office, slamming the door behind me and pacing frantically.
"It seems that I've underestimated this ring gravely..." I muttered, staring at the seemingly innocent band of gold.
I couldn't believe it. I'd only used the "Abyssal Mode" for about thirty seconds - not even a full minute! Yet the effects were far more massive than I could have ever imagined.
Examining the ring more closely, I discovered that "Abyssal Mode" had four settings: low, mid, high, and ultra. To my horror, I realized the mode was set to ultra by default!
I gritted my teeth, fighting the urge to scream. "Why the hell did the system set the mode to ultra? And make it the default setting?!" I felt like cursing the system to high heaven.
***
(3rd Person POV)
The strange event in the New District didn't go unnoticed by those just beyond its borders.
In a modest house adorned with the Solarus Circle symbol, an old mage felt an eerie aura brush against him, chilling him to the bone.
"Wha-what was that?" He trembled, peering out the window towards the New District. "Something ominous... Something terrifying... What could it be?"
Kneeling, the old mage - a bishop of the Solarus faith - gazed at the bright sun. He made the sign of the circle and prayed, his voice carrying the weight of his ecclesiastical authority:
"Lord Solarus, your light guides us through darkness. As your humble servant and bishop, I beseech you to grant me strength to face whatever evil approaches. If it is your will that I should fall in defense of your teachings and your flock, I go gladly into your radiant embrace. May my faith be a beacon to others in these troubled times."
Other religious figures in the Horn Kingdom sensed the disturbance too, each interpreting it through their own faith's lens.
A dwarf knelt before an altar, his voice steady despite his fear, "Great Forgemaster, temper my spirit as you would the finest steel. Let the weapons and armor crafted by your wisdom be our shield against the coming storm."
Meanwhile, a beautiful elf touched her crescent moon pendant, her whisper barely audible, "Mistress of the Night Sky, illuminate the path before us. May your celestial wisdom guide us through this encroaching darkness."
Little did they know, they were vastly overestimating the situation. While they braced for some abominable creature to suddenly appear, the reality was far less apocalyptic.
The Solarus bishop, convinced of impending doom, penned a dramatic farewell in a communication scroll to his fellow bishops: "My dear friends, as I write this, a powerful and mysterious force has emerged in the demon realm. Should I not survive the coming storm, know that I faced it with unwavering faith..."
A few hours later, the dramatic expectations of the religious figures dissolved into bewilderment as they arrived at the New District.
Instead of apocalyptic scenes, they found people sleeping in the streets, looking foolish rather than frightened. Reporters and photographers swarmed the area, capturing the bizarre spectacle.
As one demon finally stirred from his slumber, journalists pounced, peppering him with questions. The demon, still groggy, looked confused.
"Did you know that you've been sleeping on this cold ground for a few hours now?" a reporter asked.
The demon's eyes widened. "A few hours? I only wanted a short nap!"
"Did you notice anything unusual before falling asleep?" another pressed.
The demon yawned, looking around bewildered. "Wait, why are you all surrounding me? Is me sleeping in public really newsworthy?"
"No," the reporter rolled her eyes. "It's because you're not the only one who strangely fell asleep in the middle of the day."
As realization dawned on the demon, seeing the stopped cars and sleeping figures scattered around, he began answering questions more eagerly.
The next day, news of this weird yet shocking event spread like wildfire across the Horn Kingdom. It didn't stop there. The story reached the Morningstar Kingdom, Thorn Kingdom, and even parts of Empirica and Evros.
It turned out some of the reporters who witnessed the strange phenomenon in New District were international correspondents. Their presence ensured the news spread globally with ease.
The headlines blazed across newspapers and news crystals, each more sensational than the last:
"MYSTERIOUS MASS SLUMBER: Entire Horn Kingdom District Falls Asleep Mid-Day!"
"MANA DROUGHT: Experts Confirm Hundreds in New District Drained of Magical Energy"
"OMEN OF DOOM? Mass Sleep Incident Sparks Apocalyptic Fears"
These reports captivated audiences far and wide, turning a local incident into a global sensation.
Even though life in the New District had largely returned to normal, the area buzzed with unusual activity. Reporters lingered on street corners, accosting passersby for their accounts of the previous day's events.
"Excuse me, sir! Can you tell us what you experienced during yesterday's mysterious slumber?"
"Ma'am, did you notice anything unusual before falling asleep?"
The streets also saw an increased police presence. Officers patrolled with heightened vigilance, their postures tense and alert. It was no secret that their superiors had reprimanded them harshly for succumbing to the inexplicable sleep, and they were eager to prove their worth.
Adding to the mix were figures from various religious orders, their robes and symbols standing out among the crowd. They moved through the district with purpose, some offering blessings, others seemingly searching for signs of the divine – or the diabolical – in the aftermath of the event.
***
Meanwhile - the demon responsible for the news that became worldwide was welcoming guests with a warm smile.
"Welcome, welcome," Arthur greeted the studio representatives visiting his studio for a private viewing of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". Though aware of the chaos he'd caused, he maintained his composure, knowing that panicking would only arouse suspicion.
Eric from Bryan Brothers nodded to Arthur. Sheldon from Science Pictures, Ray from Lava Brothers, and Jerry from Righteous Film Studio were also present, along with other unfamiliar faces from various studios.
Frank Law from Martial Studio, a major player in martial arts films, spoke up. "We're expecting great things from your film, Mr. Morningstar. It is a martial arts film, after all."
Arthur simply smiled as he led them to the private theatre, anticipating his guests' eagerness to see the martial arts film he'd created.
As they settled into their seats, the representatives wondered if Arthur would deliver another masterpiece.
While some were genuinely curious about the martial arts film and interested in distribution rights, others - like Bryan Brothers - were merely attending out of politeness, not particularly interested in martial arts films even if Arthur's work was decent.
Their attendance was more a gesture to maintain connections with Arthur. After all, he might produce a film in the future worthy of their attention, and they'd be willing to acquire licensing rights for it, regardless of the cost.
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บท 118: Emotional Fighting Film
(3rd Person POV)
The private theatre plunged into darkness as the movie began. From the opening sequences, the representatives' interest was immediately piqued.
Set in the ancient Morningstar Kingdom, the film transported viewers back in time - the clothing, houses, and surroundings meticulously crafted to reflect the era.
"I know where this is, but..." Frank muttered, recognizing the filming location yet noticing subtle differences.
Jerry, too, noticed the familiar yet altered settings.
Arthur observed their confusion with a smile. He knew the differences were due to the new illusion technique applied to the camera lens, transforming everything subtly.
As the film progressed, everyone except Arthur was captivated by the fighting scenes. The choreography looked convincingly like real martial arts, the movements fluid and powerful.
Characters ran on walls, leapt onto rooftops, and engaged in breathtaking chases that showcased their seemingly superhuman abilities.
Yu Shu Lien's ongoing battle with Jen Yu, the sword thief, held the representatives spellbound. Despite knowing it was choreographed, the intensity felt real and gripping.
Arthur chuckled at their reactions. In his previous life, such gravity-defying martial arts would have seemed unrealistic. But here, in this world, it fit perfectly.
The two women continued their fierce combat, their fight spilling into the weapon room. Jen Yu wielded the powerful Green Destiny sword, while Shu Lien countered with an array of weapons.
The representatives watched, entranced, as the battle unfolded on screen, Arthur's masterful direction bringing the ancient martial arts world to vivid life before their eyes.
As the film progressed, everyone became thoroughly absorbed. During Jen Yu's flashbacks with Lo, the audience chuckled.
"Damien looks so weird with that ancient cloth and messy hair," Frank exclaimed, prompting laughter from the others. Damien, after all, was a famous Morningstar actor.
Their amusement quickly gave way to more complex emotions as Jen Yu's relationship with Lo unfolded. Her backstory became clearer, deepening their understanding of her character.
Later, after several intense duels, Li Mu Bai was poisoned.
"Come on, Jen Yu..." Frank muttered. He and the others knew she had the antidote.
But Jen Yu's hesitation proved fatal. As Li Mu Bai lay dying, confessing his love to Shu Lien, Frank, Jerry, and the others found themselves tearing up.
"Damn that Jade Fox," Jerry shook his head.
Even though Jade Fox met her end at Jen Yu's hands, the death of Li Mu Bai - the character they'd grown attached to - hit hard.
The film's ending left them with mixed feelings as Jen Yu leapt off the cliff. While they resented her role in Li Mu Bai's death, they understood Jade Fox was the true culprit.
They recalled Lo's tale of a man who jumped off a mountain, surviving due to his pure faith. Eric, Ray, and others found this implausible - surely she couldn't survive such a leap.
As the credits rolled, Frank sighed, his emotions conflicted. The others shared his complicated feelings, moved by the film's emotional depth.
The representatives turned to Arthur Morningstar, the demon behind the film. A brief silence fell over the group as Arthur chuckled and invited them to his spacious office. As they filed out of the private theatre, they held their tongues about the film, not wanting to appear too impressed and potentially weaken their negotiating position.
Julian from E-Motion Pictures in Empirica broke the ice. "I'll be honest, Mr. Morningstar - at first, I was quite skeptical about your martial arts film. But color me impressed. Unlike other martial arts films that only focus on fighting, killing, and seeing who's stronger, your film not only gave us impressive fighting scenes but was also quite emotional."
The others nodded in agreement. Leonard, representing a studio based in Wales, chimed in, "I was kind of expecting a film with a protagonist who defeats other martial artists, then gets beaten by an antagonist - only to return after training and beat the antagonist. That kind of formula."
Everyone shared a laugh at that.
Arthur joined in with a chuckle, "If I were my brother Bobby, the film would be exactly like that."
"Hahaha," the room erupted in laughter.
Indeed, Bobby was known for his predictable martial arts films where he always played the protagonist. He'd beat everyone until a stronger antagonist appeared, lose to them, then return to triumph. His films lacked any motivation for the constant fighting - in one interview, Bobby simply stated he fought everyone to display his immense strength.
"By the way, Mr. Morningstar," Jerry interjected, "I know the actor who played Li Mu Bai. He's my niece's boyfriend. I didn't expect him to be so talented in acting."
Arthur nodded, his expression thoughtful. "He has great potential."
Jerry assumed Arthur was being polite, unaware that Arthur genuinely believed in Jun-fan's ability to draw crowds, much like Bruce Lee in his previous life.
As they entered the office, Eric voiced a question that had been on everyone's mind. "Did Jen Yu survive at the ending?"
The others leaned in, curious. They recalled Lo's unsettling calmness as he watched his lover plummet from the cliff.
Arthur's smile was ambiguous. "Well, that's up to your interpretation," he said. "If you believe she died, then perhaps that's her way of atoning for her sins. But if you think she survived and found true freedom, that's equally valid. She wanted to escape her family's expectations, society's pressures. From beginning to end, she was rebellious, never willing to accept the fate handed to her."
His response left the representatives feeling conflicted, pondering the ambiguous ending.
Arthur continued to entertain the studio representatives in his office before they departed.
The following day, Eric returned with Bryan Brothers' offer, which Arthur found disappointing and declined. Righteous Film Studio's below-average offer met the same fate.
Despite his long-time partners' apparent lack of interest in the martial arts film, Arthur remained patient. His patience paid off as other studios like Martial Studio and E-Motion Pictures presented decent offers.
Arthur attempted to negotiate better terms, but sensing the studios' reluctance to go all-in on his martial arts film, he ultimately settled for their 'good enough' offers.
Arthur was well aware of the declining popularity of martial arts films in Anatolia, let alone in the West. The genre wasn't particularly favored outside its traditional stronghold, making distributors hesitant about its performance in their home markets.
While he was confident the film would perform exceptionally well in Anatolia, its success beyond was uncertain. Arthur understood this reality - after all, he couldn't simply change people's tastes, especially given the cultural differences between demons and other kingdoms and countries.
Yet, it was precisely this unpredictability that intrigued Arthur. He was curious to see how a genre typically popular only in Anatolia would fare in other regions.
While "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" might not reach the astronomical box office numbers of "Lord of the Rings" or even match "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly", Arthur had a new ace up his sleeve: wider distribution.
This time around, the film's release would follow a different pattern. After its premiere in the Horn Kingdom, it wouldn't be long before audiences in Morningstar, Choson, Japon, USE, and even parts of Evros would get to see it. This rapid, multi-region release strategy was something new for Arthur's films.
The key to this expanded distribution lay in Arthur's growing industry clout. His track record of three critically acclaimed and commercially successful films had opened doors. Studio executives and distributors who might have been hesitant before were now eager to work with the demon filmmaker who seemed to have the Midas touch.
These newfound connections meant Arthur could negotiate simultaneous or near-simultaneous releases in multiple territories. Instead of a slow rollout region by region, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" would hit screens across a wide swath of the world in a relatively short time frame.
This strategy had the potential to boost the overall box office significantly. Even if the film performed moderately in some regions, the sheer number of theaters showing it could add up to impressive total earnings.
In essence, Arthur was leveraging his past successes to ensure his latest film had the best possible chance at financial success, regardless of how it might be received in any single market.
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