Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Aether Core [8]
There were two people on the stage.
A girl around 20 years old.
And a man with a big belly.
"Hmm?"
Seeing the two, Kael couldn’t help but frown.
The girl on the stage looked no different from the little girl sitting next to him.
— The girl on the stage is my future self. Do you think she’s beautiful?
Her voice echoed, further reinforcing the thoughts in his mind.
But beautiful?
"Unfortunately, in my eyes, the most beautiful person in this world is only my lover."
Then, Kael glanced at the big-bellied man, who was also the person who surprised him the most.
Even though he looked very unfamiliar right now, Kael could tell at a glance that the man was no different from Joey.
Just a fatter version.
— You know, that old man’s name is Joey, and he’s also the owner of this theater, the one who holds the real power.
"..."
— And at the same time, he’s also a total asshole.
Asshole?
"As far as I can tell, he’s just a psychopath, right?"
— Just watch.
All the lights in the theater disappeared.
No, to be exact, they were all turned towards the stage, preparing for a play to take place.
***
Scene 1: Dream.
Luna had always had a dream, and that was to perform on the stage of the world’s largest theater.
Not for fame, nor for money, but simply because she liked it.
As time passed, it became more than just a dream.
It became her reason for living, something that Luna was forced to do.
But, for some reason, everyone didn’t want her to achieve that dream.
"Unfortunately, Luna, you are not qualified to stay here, so pack your things and leave."
Joey spoke up, his voice cold.
It could have been just a normal dismissal, but to Luna, his actions were no different than taking away the light from her life.
Unwillingly, she asked back:
"Sir, why? Am I not the best in this place? In dancing, acting, singing, and many other things?!"
In a way, Luna was truly a genius among geniuses.
And she was sure that Joey would never be able to chase her away.
Because the value she could bring to the theater was truly enormous.
However, Joey’s next words caused her entire perception of the world to collapse.
"As I said, this theater does not accept you. So, get lost."
"No sir!"
Luna knelt down, disregarding her image.
"Please don’t chase me away! I’m willing to do anything!"
This was something she had fought for her entire life.
And now, just because of one word, Luna had to give up that dream?
She couldn’t accept it.
"Are you really going to do everything?"
Joey glanced at Luna.
This time, his eyes were no longer cold like before, but instead were filled with... greed and lust.
"Yes!"
Closing her eyes, Luna screamed.
She probably didn’t even realize what she had just said, and she had no idea that this sentence would send her to hell once and for all.
"Very good."
Joey smiled, along with a disgusting lick of his lips.
***
Scene 2: Lost Innocence.
The stage had changed, or rather, it had been improved.
Blindfolded, Luna walked into a pitch-black room.
"Sir, where is this?"
Her instincts told her that something bad was about to happen.
But Luna didn’t think so, because what could this theater owner really do?
She had read many articles about him, and they all praised how great Joey was.
Luna had quite a bit of faith in Joey’s character.
So, she decided to trust him.
And that was when Luna made the most foolish choice of her life.
"We’re here, you can take off the blindfold, Luna."
"Yes."
Without even a second’s hesitation, she immediately took off the blindfold.
"...!"
And the sight that greeted Luna’s eyes really frightened her, made her want to vomit, made her want to run away instantly.
Clenching her fists so tightly that blood oozed out, she forced a smile.
"Sir... what is this?"
"..."
"Why are there two strange men in this room, and both of them are naked?"
In response to Luna’s forced smile, Joey smiled gently.
"You said you were willing to do anything, right?"
He was a demon.
At this point, even an idiot could understand what was happening and what was about to happen.
Luna couldn’t accept it.
"No!"
She was truly panicking.
She immediately ran towards the door, only to find that it was locked.
On the other hand, the two naked men had already started to stand up and were walking towards Luna.
"Hehehehe..."
Both of them had strange smiles on their faces, their eyes filled with intense desire.
"Be good and obedient, Luna. If you obey, I am willing to let you perform on stage."
"No! Please don’t come any closer! Please spare me!"
Her miserable screams continued.
But no one seemed to care about that.
"Scream as much as you want, even if your larynx breaks."
Joey gave a cold smile.
"But don’t think that anyone will come here to save you. Because from the moment you agreed to enter this tiger’s den, everything was already decided."
"No!!!"
...
"..."
Kael was completely dumbfounded by Joey’s disgust.
At first, when he met that man, he even showed a little sympathy, but it seemed like his sympathy was directed at the wrong person.
Kael looked at the little girl sitting next to him.
And coincidentally, the little girl was also looking straight at him, giving a slight smile.
As if what had just happened had nothing to do with her.
— Later, I learned that the reason that bastard Joey did that was so that he could completely control me.
— A genius dancer is no different from a money-making machine for the theater, but at the same time, they are also a bomb that can explode at any time.
— Moreover, he wants me to sleep with many sponsors so that his theater can get more sponsorship.
— What a despicable person, am I right?
Luna’s voice was calm.
It was as if she was just describing her daily activities.
"...Are you... okay?"
Kael asked, his voice trembling.
— To be honest, I don’t know.
— So, why don’t you take a guess?