Chapter 3: The Influence Points System

[Chapter 3: The Influence Points System]

Ian's problem wasn't with what he said; it was with the camera!

If the police believed Ian had everything under control, they would think that shot should never have been fired. The best solution was to take immediate action.

"Ah!"

Kate gasped in fear.

Even though it was undoubtedly self-defense, witnessing someone die right in front of her triggered a primal instinct to recoil in horror.

Ian, however, stared at Charlie Mills's lifeless body.

How interesting -- he found he wasn't that scared after all. Was it because he had always been bold? Working as a paparazzo, one couldn't do the job without a bit of a reckless streak. Or had he felt this way because he had faced death before?

Or was it the thrill of an adventure that gave him confidence?

Ian couldn't pinpoint the reason. Instead, he felt a calmness wash over him as he looked at the dead body, almost feeling an unspoken relief.

...

Meanwhile, Kate finally came to her senses after seeing Charlie Mills pass away.

She dropped a vase and rushed to hug Ian, exclaiming, "We're safe!"

As she pulled him in for a passionate kiss, Ian felt warmth and softness that made his heart skip a beat.

He mumbled, "Yeah, we're safe."

But just as he leaned in to hold her tighter, Kate let go and asked, "What do we do now? Can you drive a boat?"

Huh, was her passion only a fleeting moment?

Ian felt a bit disappointed.

A qualified second-generation rich kid ought to know how to handle a boat, so he replied, "Of course."

As he headed out of the cabin to steer the boat back, he caught a glimpse of the mirror beside him and froze.

...

Staring back at him, there were two small words and a number under his right eye.

"Influence Points : 0/1000."

What did that mean?

Ian felt bewildered.

Point System?

His previous life as a journalist mixed with his new identity as a newspaper owner and reporter... and then this mention of a point system? If he pieced everything together logically, the answer seemed so obvious.

"No way!" Ian muttered in disbelief.

"What's wrong?" Kate asked.

Ian glanced at her. "Do you see anything in my eye?"

Kate looked puzzled. "No, nothing."

So she couldn't see the words? That was good.

...

Kate urged him, "Go drive the boat; we need to hurry back."

Ian's gaze lingered on Charlie Mills's corpse as his mind raced. He slowly said, "No, we're not in a rush."

Then he turned to Kate, "Can you do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Take off your clothes."

Kate's eyes widened in shock as she wrapped her arms protectively around herself. "What are you talking about? Ian Carr, I admit I have a good impression of you now, and I appreciate you, but we're not at that stage."

Ian rolled his eyes. "You misunderstood, Miss Beckinsale."

He picked up his camera. "I meant for you to dress him."

Kate stared at him, baffled.

"What are you saying?"

Ian smiled. "I'm a reporter, and this is a scoop."

"Seriously? You want to report on this?" Kate exclaimed, horrified.

How could he even think of such a thing?

Ian quickly replied, "It's a journalist's job."

Kate was confused. "Then why dress him in women's clothing?"

Ian smirked slightly. "Because that would make for a better story... he's dead; we decide who he becomes!"

Kate was taken aback.

"You want to put my clothes on that disgusting guy all for your news? In this situation, you still want a scoop?"

She shook her head adamantly. "No! Absolutely not! If that corpse wears my clothes, I'll have nothing left to wear. I will not put on clothes that have been on him!"

Ian thought for a moment and nodded. "I get how you feel, Miss Beckinsale, but this could benefit you too."

"Benefit me?" Kate gave him a puzzled look.

Ian nodded again. "Pearl Harbor was set to premiere next year. The lead actress was kidnapped after shooting wrapped; this could create buzz for the movie... Think about how Jodie Foster got famous! A guy even tried to assassinate the president for her! Your situation isn't quite that explosive, but it could generate plenty of follow-up!"

He looked directly at her. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that can make you a star. Will you settle for just a mundane story, or make it something that has real value?"

Kate covered her mouth in shock. "Oh my God! Ian Carr, are you an evil genius? Isn't a journalist supposed to report the truth? Why do you want to spin a story?"

Ian smiled. "Because that's what sells, Miss Beckinsale. A mediocre journalist waits for news, an average journalist seeks news, a good journalist crafts news, and a legendary journalist creates news... In a way, we're not that different from you. You craft stories on screen, and we weave them in reality!"

Kate shook her head gently. "Just you, Ian Carr. I've never met another journalist like you."

Ian laughed. "Well, that's even better. Gods don't come in numbers!"

He smiled at her. "Now, take off the clothes."

Then he walked out of the cabin.

---

Ten minutes later, Ian returned to the cabin.

Kate was curled up in the blankets, eyeing him warily.

For a brief moment, she thought Ian had created a reason to trick her into taking off her clothes and then forcing himself on her.

But to her disappointment, he didn't do that. He was instead focusing on changing clothes for Charlie Mills.

Wait, why was she disappointed?

She turned away.

That dead guy was stripped by Ian, and he was putting her lingerie on him.

The whole scene made Kate feel nauseous.

As Ian dressed Charlie Mills up in women's clothing, he was serious about taking photos from every angle, occasionally posing the corpse.

It was a bit excessive; after all, a dead body couldn't pose for a picture, but news readers wouldn't care about that -- great stories often required staging.

...

After a round of photos, Ian planned to return her clothes.

Kate, still nestled on the cabin's cot, glanced at Charlie Mills's grotesque form and shook her head. "No, give me your clothes; you wear his. Of course, if you want to wear mine, that's fine too."

At least she wasn't disgusted by his clothes.

Ian sighed. "I do have some principles."

He quickly stripped off his clothes and tossed them to Kate before putting on Charlie Mills's clothing outside.

He stood silently on the deck.

...

The river flowed gently under the darkened sky, reflecting moonlight as ripples danced across the water.

In the distance, city lights twinkled, while splashes echoed through the night, but within him was only a deep silence.

In his previous life... a strange game had swept the country -- where one would simply walk down the street and knock random strangers out. Could that even be considered a game?

His grandmother had fallen victim to that game and was seriously injured.

Later, when the assailant was caught, he was only sentenced to 180 hours of community service.

His father had stormed into the courtroom in a fit of rage and ended up getting arrested himself.

He died in prison, and his grandmother didn't receive timely medical assistance and passed away as well.

Just like that, his two closest loved ones were gone.

Perhaps because of that, Ian harbored a deep-seated resentment.

Maybe that's why Ian Carr had no moral qualms about using a death to make news.

If there was anything left to be wary about in this world, it was probably the law.

But with his past behind him and the current memories he retained, Ian's understanding even surpassed that of his previous life.

At that moment, he looked out at the gently rippling surface of the water, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

Transcendence, cheating death, and escaping death surged within him, coalescing into a clearer realization.

God gave him a chance, not for him to waste his life!

A smile crept onto his lips as he murmured, "This isn't enough! Not nearly enough!"

From behind him, he heard Kate Beckinsale's voice. "I'm done changing."

*****

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