[05] Approved

"The Conjuring" was a classic horror movie with a history based on reality, and it involved real-life paranormal activity investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. In his previous life, Joe had watched all the movies in "The Conjuring Universe." Being quite the playboy, Joe found that some of his girlfriends adored the thrill of terror and being on edge while "Netflix and chilling" in a dark room. Who was he to refuse a little bone-chilling thrill that made the heart thump crazy while infusing adrenaline into carnal sexercises? 

If he had to name his favorite character in the film, then it would be the demon Valak. Because of curiosity, he had even once researched Valak and found that the demon was a [President of Hell] and was among the list of demons in Ars Goetia. The Nun easily trumped casual spirits like Annabelle and The Crooked Man. Valak had her own fear effect, even though she wasn't the strongest horror-based entity. The title of the Strongest in Horror Verse was reserved for clowns like Pennywise and entities like the Slender Man.

Looking at the film with all of its follow-ups, the corners of Joe's lips twitched as apprehension hovered over his face. He would be damned if he ever thought about opening any horror film from the USB Drive. 

"But why the hell are there only eight movies? Why did they have to be all horror films?" Joe furrowed his brows as he gave the screen a questioning glare. 

The Conjuring, The Conjuring 2, Annabelle, La Llorona, Final Destination, Insidious, The Nun, and Truth or Dare were the only MP4 videos inside the USB. 

"If these are the only movies, how will I have access to other movies if I want to survive in this universe?" Joe's frown deepened as worry began to fill his eyes. 

"Since I am no longer in the 'real world' but in a world of over-the-top fantasy, how are the rules of the USB Drive going to apply to me?" 

In the original novel "I Have A Super USB Drive," Chen - The Protagonist - was hypothetically in the real world(Which, to Joe, had been a fictional reality). Chen could instantiate bleeding-edge technology from movies already released in reality. The prerequisite for the movies to be copied into the USB Drive and used for instantiation was for them to have some realism. The technology from the movies had to have the possibility of being replicated or developed in reality, even if it was going to take humanity decades or centuries of research and experimentation. They had to have a believable theoretical explanation. 

Now that Joe had the same USB Drive, there were going to be many vital factors to consider. 

"I am in a lot of trouble. I don't know if the movies produced in-universe would be capable of being useful to me. Even if I hypothetically wanted to write the scripts of the movies I remember, it would be a hassle to deal with the consequences that follow. Additionally, it will consume a considerable amount of my time." Joe mulled over the possible course of actions he could take if he was left with no option. A contemplative, serious expression loomed on his handsome face. 

Just then, the screen on his monitor began to glitch; green lines and dead pixels began to seamlessly alternate before noisy pixelated grains of black and white covered it whole. 

His mouth slowly opened in shock, confusion, fear, and apprehension. He felt a shiver quickly travel from head to toe as his body shuddered at the quick turn of events. 

'What is happening?' Joe thought in panic as he sneakily side-eyed the [Power Off] button. 

'I have watched numerous horror films to know that a black and white screen isn't good news. My PC is barely old. There was no way it would malfunction.' With the agility of a cat, Joe immediately pawed at the button and turned off the PC. 

Only then did he breathe a short sigh of relief as everything fell silent. However, Joe's relaxed moment was cut short when the Asus monitor inexplicably powered on itself.

"Fuck, this shit!" Joe choked on his voice as he violently pushed the chair backward. Due to how his body was currently shaking like a twig being taunted by the wind, he stumbled on the floor as the chair spilled sideways. Its tiny black wheels began to eerily spin in tandem with the static noises coming from the monitor. 

With horror coloring his face, Joe mustered enough courage to crawl toward the door. He must escape. 

'Even if that thick and busty ghost from "Ring" seductively crawls out of the screen, there is no way I am staying in the same room as her. However, on second thought, I think I might consider having a good time with her before she sucks my soul off to hell.' 

Joe began to fumble with the lock, but mysteriously, the door still failed to open! Like what the f— 

[Hehehe, Hehehe!] Eerie, soul-shaking laughter cut through Joe's attempts to escape an inescapable room. 

"I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead! I am fucking going to die again!" Joe quickly mumbled, immense panic lacing his voice. His lips trembled, and his shoulders hunched like those of a sad, lonely dog.

Joe didn't want to turn his head. Suppose he turned like all the horror movie characters; his eventual demise would already be set in stone. Joe resisted the temptation of turning his body. It was like a test. 

'Be like water, be like a rock, like a mountain, unmovable, unshakable. You are a stoned monkey, I mean, a stone monkey. I am Wu Kong.' Incomprehensible thoughts filled his agitated mind like a maelstrom. 

He remained utterly still, not daring to twitch even a muscle. Indeed, he was profoundly terrified! Fear is an inherent emotion in humans, a necessary one. As Klein Moretti once said, 'The strongest and oldest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest fear is the fear of the unknown.'

Joe was dealing with unknown forces. He hadn't even considered opening the horror movies on the USB Drive. So why was this happening? He didn't have an answer to that question. 

Still standing, Joe suddenly felt a cold and bony touch graze the nape of his neck. In that second, he almost forgot to breathe. In that second, he felt as if death was hanging so close to his neck, like a guillotine. 

'I am fucking gonna die!' Joe shut his eyes, his eyelids tensed, and his eyelashes fluttered. 

'Damn, this feels like Lady Death has a personal vendetta with me when I haven't done anything against her.' 

Whatever was playing around the back of his neck was slowly sapping his will to survive. Fortunately, as suddenly as it had appeared, the ominous presence behind him receded. Yet, he made no move to look back, staying rooted to his spot.

'I am not gonna look. This situation is the ultimate test of a horror film that many have failed. I fear I will turn into a stone after catching a glimpse of Medusa's Petrifying Gaze or risk turning into salt for staring at the apocalyptic scene of Sodom and Gomora.' 

It felt like an eternity as seconds escalated to minutes before an unpleasant and horrifying voice sounded over the tense and deathly still atmosphere. 

[You Pass!] 

The almost tangible malevolence inside the room gradually dissipated until an air of normality was restored.

'I won't be fooled.' Joe cluttered his teeth against each other as his sharp jaws clenched. He was getting tired, standing there like a noob Zombie, but he held on to his sanity. 

In what felt like another relentless passage of time, the cold and emotionless voice of the unknown entity broke through the silence once again(Except for the occasional static noises from the monitor.)

[Approved] 

The image of the red echidna stamping on something appeared in his messy mind. But Lord knows that creature wasn't the imaginary fiend behind him.

[You can turn now. I was messing with you.] Their voice didn't even drip with an ounce of humor. 

[I am the person that sent you to this world, kid. Because of your satisfactory performance, I am going to leave behind a few surprises on the USB Drive for you to discover courtesy of my friend — the entity that caused your death.] 

[Don't worry, I am not present here. This is just a recorded message I left on the USB Drive that would activate the moment you opened it. And, please, if you value your own life and sanity, don't ever casually mention the names of abstract existences like Lady Death. There won't be a second chance if she suddenly touches you out of curiosity because of the uniqueness of your existence.] 

[Enjoy your stay here and try to enjoy life, kid] 

With his brows arched in surprise, Joe listened to every word left in the supposed message. He couldn't believe what he had heard. 

'So it was a recorded message. But how can a recorded message influence reality like that? Fuck, it felt like a real horror film being simulated in my room.' 

'For the entity to know my thoughts even before I thought... They had probably foreseen my situation without a doubt. That's nasty and makes me uncomfortable with their unexplainable cosmic awareness.' 

The built-up tension slowly left his body, and his facial muscles began to unwind. Joe opened his eyes, blinking once, then twice, before hesitantly beginning to turn his head.

"Nothing?" A dubious expression formed on his face when he saw no one behind him. His neatly made bed remained the same with no creases. The walls were clean, with no sudden footprints. The posters were intact, and the images did not portray any unusual out-of-place shenanigans, maybe like a creepily twisted neck. 

The monitor no longer had that screen of death, but the PC... had miraculously been powered on. Joe released a slow, nervous chuckle. 

"I never knew that I could be a Chihuahua in the face of terror. At least I didn't bark. Who in their right mind will try to face forces of the unknown directly?" 

A tired sigh left his mouth. "I am only human, after all." 

Joe moved toward the gaming chair on the floor and hoisted it up. He then returned to the desk to check out the surprise the shitty Higher Existence had left behind. He had been played with like that, and currently, he was psychologically injured. If the entity didn't leave something beneficial for his survival, then Joe would pray for his poor soul. 

Anticipation filled his heart, and his eyes narrowed at the screen in concentration as he clicked the brand-less USB Drive open. What met his eyes were long lists of movies, and under each title was a $100 buying option. 

"Elysium, Limitless... these movies are all from my past world." His blue eyes widened as he scrolled down while trying to identify some of the movies. 

A folder titled "Live and Unlimited Music" contained virtually every song from his previous life. 

"Amen to that." Joe clasped his hands in a saintly gesture. He only lacked a rosary to complete his current image of a priest. How could he not feel happy when he could stream unlimited music for free? Premium Plans of both Spotify and iTunes could go fuck off in some corner! 

"I am not immensely gifted in terms of academic intelligence. I just have enough brains to get by and survive medical exams. The problem is, my mind is a chaotic universe of its own, and I can't remain focused for long periods," Joe introspected.

"I lack discipline and motivation." 

"To thrive and survive, I require more than that. I need consistency and 100% from me." 

"What better way to achieve that if not through NZT-48 from Limitless?" 

Knowledge had been his first priority, and it was going to be supplemented by NZT-48, a medium for amassing large quantities of knowledge in a short period. 

The Super USB Drive played a pivotal role in Chen Chen's ascension to power, both politically, economically, and physically. He had the money and a hold over the world, and his power was not to be scoffed at. 

The Super USB Drive could link Reality and a fictitious space, enabling Joe to bring objects from the fictional reality into the real world. It was more accurate to say that it supplied the necessary energy for the channel connecting the two different realities. The Super USB Drive was merely a conduit, an advanced technology from a higher civilization. 

"But does the USB have enough power to create the link?" Joe rubbed his smooth chin with a frown

"I will take the gamble and feed this capitalist 'Dimension Key' with my 100-dollar bill." Joe rustled through the pockets of his black pants and brandished a slightly wet dollar bill. 

"Now, how do I pay for the movie?" He waved the bill in front of the screen, and it disappeared from his fingers at an unbelievable speed. Joe didn't even get the chance to react as he was left slack-jawed effectively. 

"Wow, even Netflix wasn't that greedy on Earth, right?" Joe said sarcastically as he randomly gazed at an empty spot in his room as if he were addressing someone in particular. 

With bated breath, Joe returned his eyes to the screen and clicked on the folder containing the Limitless movie before hesitantly playing it.

When the movie successfully played without any hitches, Joe exhaled soundly. 

The movie starts with Eddie Mora(Bradley Cooper) narrating his own life while dangerously standing at the edge of a tall building, just one step away from falling to his death. It is a dizzying view as Eddie considers if he should leap. 

Not wanting to waste any time on the scene, Joe skipped the scene to the place where the Protagonist finds the bag of NZT-48 pills. He then paused the scene and adjusted the frame to the Bag of NZT-48. 

Joe's jaw clenched, a flicker of defiance crossing his eyes. He knew he was gambling, but the potential reward outweighed the risk.

Joe tentatively moved his right hand to the screen. When he felt as if his entire existence was passing through a swampy film, he knew the space-time link had been successfully created. 

Like a vulture, he quickly clawed at the bag before removing it. He could hear his erratic heartbeats as his eyes fearfully gazed at his right hand. It was intact. God knows why the thought of the USB Drive eating away his arm filled him with unimaginable dread. 

"Breathe in, breathe out." Joe tried to calm himself down as he made efforts to maintain his breathing rate. 

"I am fine, I am fine. I did it. This thing's legit!" Joe instinctively tightened his hold on the aluminum foil bag in his hand. 

"I did it!" He reminded himself again. 

Joe then looked at the USB Drive inserted into the USB port. Its appearance had slightly dimmed because it had lost energy. From the way it was, Joe knew that it would need massive amounts of energy to facilitate the instantiation of huge objects. 

"My electricity bill is going to take a hit for quite some time before—" Joe lamented in a low voice, but then, a brilliant idea appeared in his mind. 

"I shouldn't worry about electricity. The possibility of harnessing a virtually limitless energy source is high in this universe." 

"From Dr. Otto's research on a clean source of power that concentrates on creating an artificial sun to Tony Stark's reactor technology, there is truly a lot of work to be done."

Joe gazed down at the aluminum bag and smiled. "You are part of the plan, buddy." 

Then, he heard the apartment door open and the voices of the two ladies who had gone to the supermarket travel down the hallway. 

Joe swiftly put the bag of NZT-48 inside the innermost pockets of his suit's coat. He didn't feel at ease keeping such valuable resources even a centimeter away from his body. The NZT was his close-guarded secret. After that, he successfully ejected the USB Drive and absorbed it into his soul. 

Grrrr! 

His stomach just had to ruin his monologue by rumbling in protest. 

Like a Pavlovian dog, Joe left the room with the intent of waiting for the food to be prepared. Maybe he might find something interesting if looked into the news of events happening across the world. 

"Hey, what's in it for dinner?" Joe strolled into the living room with his hands tucked in his coat's pockets. Mary Jane was arranging some of the things they had bought in the fridge while Gwen was holding onto a knife as she eyed the red and thick steak. 

When Joe saw Gwen holding a knife like that, like she was about to commit a Yandere homicide, he slowly but carefully entered the kitchen. 

"Gwen, be careful with that knife. We wouldn't want you hurting yourself from a silly mistake," Joe warned as he firmly enclosed his hand over Gwen's. 

"I am not a child. You are just like Ronnie, you know. She used to scold me whenever she witnessed me holding the knife like that," Gwen smiled, his voice low and almost choking. And within that sadness, she still felt warm and giddy at how Joe's fingers laced hers. 

"The kitchen was her sacred domain. There was no way she wouldn't be strict with you," Joe weakly chuckled as he moved his hand away, much to Gwen's disappointment. 

She quickly hid her crestfallen expression when she sensed Mary Jane approaching them. 

"I thought you would be sleeping like a log, tiger," Mary Jane looked up at Joe with an unreadable face. 

The kitchen bulb slightly illuminated her face, showing the cute freckles on her cheeks and nose. 

'Now I know why Peter was relentless in his pursuit of her. She's a unique beauty.' Joe thought in passing as he assessed Mary Jane. 

Seeing her cheeks reddening and her body fidgeting, Joe realized that he had been staring for quite too long. 

"I am hungry." He held a carrot and played with it. It was more like he planned to wash it before munching on it. 

"Now, shoo. Leave us to make dinner. Off you go." Mary Jane dramatically pointed to the living room. 

"I have understood the message," Joe said, raising his hands in surrender, but he did not forget the carrot. 

Gwen burst out laughing at his antics. 

After Joe left for the living room, the two ladies began to prepare dinner dutifully. 

Biting on the wet head of the carrot, Joe picked up the remote on the couch and turned on the 55-inch TCL. 

"I killed my family..." A random anime began, and the carrot in Joe's hand slipped onto the cushion. 

"Well, this is certainly a huge surprise," Joe silently murmured in disbelief. 

But just as he prepared to watch the full episode, the channel miraculously disappeared! 

"Now, this is weird. Super weird." Joe shook his head as he picked up the fallen carrot. 

He then switched channels, only to find the Sovereign of Latveria being interviewed on CNN Live. 

"Now, this is interesting." 

***

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