Chapter 84: Demon Rebirth

In the expansive dining hall, Hiram faced a stack of new horror film posters. Picking up a bottle of red wine, he filled the glass opposite him and slowly pushed it toward the long-haired man.

"Duàn Fēng, have a drink. Consider it a farewell toast. Tomorrow, you'll be filming a new movie. The newly acquired cursed object will finally come in handy."

The long-haired man, Duàn Fēng, picked up his glass and took a sip, then looked at Hiram. "Does the encounter with Hell's Tenth Degree Cinema really affect you that much?"

"Among all the people I've met, only one has seen 'the Man'—Julian from Hell's Thirteenth Degree Cinema."

"Yes, in October, we'll collaborate on Ghost Ritual 3 . They've been scheming for that parchment, but thankfully, Edith won't be involved."

Hiram picked up his own glass of red wine and took a sip. "This wine is truly exquisite. In the real world, I couldn't afford such fine wine. The cellar here is stocked with various excellent wines, and no matter how much you take, it replenishes overnight."

Setting the glass down gently, he gazed at the crimson liquid, memories flooding back to the previous horror film...

Interrupting his reverie, the long-haired man spoke, "What's wrong? You're unusually quiet."

"Nothing."

Hiram took a deep breath. "I was just pondering how terrifying 'the Man' must truly be."

Duàn Fēng remained silent for a long moment before taking another sip of wine. "There are some rumors you should know about—the horror film The Nyterel Family ..."

Hiram nodded slightly, intrigued.

"The Nyterel Family unprecedentedly involved six ghost cinemas. It delves into demons and religion, which is rare among Asian-themed horror films. The actor who played Nyterel's reincarnation was 'the Man.' You should know this by now, right?"

"Yes."

"I once bought an uncertain piece of intelligence, fearing you'd think I wasted money, so I didn't tell you. Nyterel, the medieval black magician, played a pivotal role during the witch hunts. He fully transformed into a demon, a mysterious figure who sold his soul to the devil. His notebook, later obtained by Sam from Hell's Fifth Degree Cinema, should be familiar to you, correct?"

"Of course."

"It's said that Nyterel's notebook reveals both past and future. Over the centuries, his spirit sought resurrection, with parts of his soul bound to the notebook. The reincarnated soul is merely a fragment."

"A fragment of his soul?"

"Sounds similar to Voldemort's Horcruxes in Harry Potter , doesn't it?"

"A bit."

"Nyterel had already become nearly indistinguishable from a demon. Centuries later, after his terrifying prophecies began to unfold, his goal became reuniting all fragments of his soul. Thus, obtaining Nyterel's notebook and other items is crucial. Essentially, it's akin to Voldemort's Horcruxes..."

"'The Man,' like Voldemort, inspires fear at the mere mention of his name."

"Now, for the critical part," Duàn Fēng continued. "Some speculate that Hell's Tenth Degree Cinema aims to purchase Nyterel's notebook from Hell's Fifth Degree Cinema. Whether Sam agrees to sell is another matter. This intelligence suggests that 'the Man' might be collecting Nyterel's soul-bound relics. Or perhaps, as Nyterel's reincarnation, 'the Man's' soul is gradually being influenced by Nyterel's will?"

His words sent shivers down Hiram's spine. "Impossible!" he exclaimed, horrified. The Nyterel Family detailed Nyterel as history's most terrifying black magician, whose dark legacy included selling his soul to the devil, transforming into a demonic entity—second only to Satan in evil...

"'The Man'... his soul influenced by Nyterel? But when returning to the cinema, all cursed objects are suppressed! Or perhaps..."

The next day, in Hell's Thirteenth Degree Cinema:

The Azure Sea would premiere in three hours. Julian was currently in the fourth-floor gym, lifting weights shirtless, his chiseled abs glistening with sweat.

As he set down the barbell, a towel appeared before him. Turning around, he saw Donna standing behind him.

"You," Julian took the towel and wiped his face, then silently looked at her. "Thank you."

Donna coldly stared at Julian's bare torso. "Do you want Nyterel's notebook because of me? You know about 'the Man' and the Nyterel family connection, don't you?"

Julian remained silent, then placed the towel aside and began doing pull-ups.

"Answer my question," Donna's tone grew icier.

"Only if necessary."

"Necessary enough to trade your life-saving voodoo doll?" Donna's voice quickened. "Everyone knows 'the Man' gained fame after The Nyterel Family . Did you think I hadn't bought that information?"

Julian stayed silent.

"You planned this, didn't you? When you told me to endure, you were waiting for this moment? Waiting to trade with actors holding Nyterel's cursed objects? I bet you spent many redemption tickets on this intel. Now, I have one question."

She paused, and Julian's pull-up rhythm slowed.

"Were you driven by guilt or fear of us offending Hell's Tenth Degree Cinema, hoping the notebook would provide a fallback?"

Julian jumped down.

"The Nyterel Family is a rare horror film involving Western demons, still shrouded in mystery. What you said is speculative. Whether 'the Man' truly intends to do this is unknown. I acted for the sake of our cinema's actors, repaying their trust in me."

"That's your answer?"

"I do feel guilty, but I don't regret it. The world isn't kind; often, we must make choices against our conscience. It's because we're too weak. Not just against ghosts, but even Hell's Tenth Degree Cinema overwhelms us."

After a long silence, Donna suddenly laughed. "Fine... you love sophistry! Julian, you're still as hypocritical as ever! Do as you please, but don't expect gratitude!"

With that, she turned and walked away. Julian's gaze lingered on the scar on Donna's wrist, now healed but still noticeable.

"Fool, like Yichuan, you're a fool." Watching Donna leave, Julian sighed deeply. "When I say 'Hell's Thirteenth Degree Cinema,' I include you. Those who trust me, including you!"

Meanwhile, Allen was oblivious to these events. As The Azure Sea approached its premiere, he and Martin sat in the communal lounge on the third floor.

At the center of the lounge stood a large fountain surrounded by headless statues. Colorful stained-glass windows adorned the ceiling, and a chandelier emitted a blue glow, casting eerie shadows over the fountain.

Near the fountain, several chairs were arranged. Martin sat beneath one of the headless statues, reading notes containing insights from veteran actors, imparted by Edith.

"Martin," Allen interrupted her focus, pointing to the wall clock. "Let's go. The Azure Sea is about to start. We need to head to Screening Room Five."

Their relationship had grown close, and Allen no longer called her "Miss," instead using her first name.