Chapter 25: The Midnight Show [Part 1]

Chapter 25: The Midnight Show [Part 1]

"Man, not fair... Hugie gets to stay out as much as he wishes to, meanwhile us students have to stay in the dormitory the moment 9 o'clock hits," Eden complained.

[Fair isn't everyone getting the same thing. That's equality, equal opportunities. Fair is everyone getting what they deserve.]

"Haa, system, you know? Sometimes you sound like a human... Though an old man... It's still quite terrifying to think of," Eden said while looking at the blue screen.

[...]

"Well, that would be quite the plot twist, wouldn't it?"

[...]

[Indeed]

Eden slowly looked out, enjoying the moonlight. He was indeed a night owl. Grabbing his phone, he once again checked the ranks.

Man, still last...

Sigh...

After that, he browsed through the website, looking at other things such as the dates of the other competitions.

"The Midnight Show" — Basically, the Rising Star competition of the Actor's session would be conducted on the 8th of January.

"Aspiring Author" — The Rising Star of Writers section would be conducted three days earlier, on the 5th of January.

Man, I should quickly finish the first volume of the novel.

Only 3k words were left for it to be finished. He quickly needed to do so as proofreading and editing also awaited the book.

Unfortunately, he was aware that he couldn't pass this book through the many layers of proofreading and editing, but it is what it is. In the end, this would be what he would have to submit.

Haa...

Looking at the moon once again calmed him. It reminded him of those days back on Earth when he had dropped out of the Actor School.

Wandering for companies, he ended up in a company that hired him as an Assistant Writer.

Needless to say, he left in one month, looking for other jobs.

It was two years later that under the moonlight, in the corner of the street, he squatted, whipped out his smartphone, and began writing.

The day he entered the world of online novels...

Man, those were some stressful days, and yet they re-ignited my passion for writing...

They shaped me into the author I currently am...

He smiled as he opened the door of his room. The warden would most probably be sleeping, so he wasn't that worried.

Finding a peaceful place, he squatted down under the moonlight where the view was good. Whipping out his smartphone, his fingers began dancing on the screen.

The nostalgia hit him harder than truck-kun...

Those days were so simple...

***

Time passes in the blink of an eye.

Eden felt as though it was just yesterday when he was writing his newest novel, got transmigrated into this world, got the system, and improved to such an extent.

It was just yesterday that he had forgotten about acting, leaving that profession, and today he was ready to enter — "The Midnight Show."

"But... why am I here?" Hugie asked as he looked around. The mall was quite good, but he was still confused as to why he was there.

"Well, who else will help me buy my costume?"

"Heh? You only remember my existence when you need me to buy you something, eh? You f*cking bloodsucker!"

"Gold Sucker," Eden corrected him.

"Well, bro. Please, just this time... Pretty please... I will repay you."

Hugie couldn't help but remember the last 10,000 instances where Eden had copy-pasted the exact same words.

He had yet to receive even a single dollar back...

Is this what friends with benefits truly are?

"Alright, but this is the last time," he stated sternly.

"Sure thing!" Eden said with great enthusiasm.

And so both became busy. Both as in Eden creating a mess wherever he went, trying to find the suitable cloth, while Hugie cleaned it up.

The glare they received from the employees was more than embarrassing.

Hugie wished that the floor would open up and swallow him whole.

Hmm, this song...?

The faint song in the background was nerve-calming.

"Ah, a song written by Master Lenox. When will I be able to write and sing like him?"

Hugie softly smiled. To him, Eden looked like a little adorable child. "You should start learning from me more. This way you'll be able to compose better music."

"Sure thing," Eden waved it off as he continued looking for his costume.

Thirty minutes passed by before Hugie realized something. "Why are you carrying all that sh*t in your bag?"

"Hmm? All of these are my costumes," Eden tried to feign innocence like a naughty child who was caught doing something wrong.

"..."

"You know what? I won't even question your stupidity this time since this is the last instance where you do some shittery like this. Understood?"

"Yes sir!" Eden exclaimed like a soldier before returning to his shopping spree.

Beep!

Beep!

Beep!

After spending ten minutes scanning the price tag of all the clothes, the cashier looked towards Hugie.

"Sir, the bill came up to $3,770. Cash or card?"

"Card," Hugie said as he massaged his forehead while Eden was still a little dumbfounded. Although he was in a new alternate planet where inflation was high, he still had the mentality of an Earthling.

Man, those clothes better be bulletproof. Those clothes better make me immortal...

He couldn't help but complain inwardly as he and Hugie together left the mall.

"Man, it's already 3 o'clock. Need to do some more preparations for the competition."

"Alrighty. Require me to help with anything else?"

"Nah, I'm good. Quite confident in my acting skills..."

'Though it's not shown on the system panel...'

"I see. Well, good luck for tonight."

"Thanks."

"Well..." Eden suddenly called out as he chuckled a bit. "Won't sir Victos be annoyed that I am not in my dorm for a night?"

"Annoyed? Maybe a little... But why, haven't you gotten his consent?"

"Consent?"

"Consent... as in permission."

"Ah, that... Well..." Eden's expression hardened.

"..."

"Bro, this ain't even funny anymore... That's common sense, man, common sense..."

"Haa, I have failed humanity today..." Hugie couldn't help but facepalm. Today it was confirmed. This friend of his lived under a rock.