"If life wasn't about living, then what is?"
As one cog spun around, it drove the smaller cogs beside it to spin around too. The ticking of the clock began playing, enveloping the whole room.
The scene zoomed out, revealing a white clock rapidly turning round and round. Its hands blurred in motion, only halting as the sound of a bell echoed. The tick-tocks slowed to a steady, regular beat.
The narrator spoke again.
"We've asked people around the world. How do they live their lives?"
One voice answered, until another voice spoke too, and then another. Various voices simultaneously told their views, forming into one chorus of buzzing unintelligible noises.
Until one voice stood out clearly from the rest.
"I've been living like normal. I breath, I eat, I sleep, and I go to work. Nothing special."
The screen showed the person who just spoke: a man with long brown hair and weary complexion. On a stool, inside a stark white room, he gazed casually at the camera.
"What if you were given a chance to make your life exciting? Would you grab it?"
"If you could become someone who shines, will you grab that chance?"
Rayen sat comfortably in his chair, watching the introduction of the audition episode play out on the screen. When Adrian appeared, Rayen turned to him.
"I thought you're a writer? Why do you have to go to work?"
Arms crossed, Adrian kept his eyes fixed at projector screen as he replied.
"Can't I do it as a hobby?"
'A hobby... Yet he's more famous than me.'
Rayen didn't want to say anything anymore. Speaking would only hurt his pride. Focusing on the episode again, he wondered just how much of the show would be censored.
Back when he was alive, he had watched similar shows. But this one, this survival show they're participating in, had a different side.
In actuality, it was absurd. The jukebox was strange, the writer was creepy, the participants were dead people.
He was curious what they would show to the public compared to what it truly was in reality.
"We have scoured all over the world for untapped talents, uncovering unpolished gems that wished for another chance at life."
'That was quite true...'
Well, they were given a chance to revive through this show.
The projection on the screen displayed various places; from snowy regions to humid places. Then came the numerous faces of the participants, including Rayen's.
His hair color was still black in there. And as the images flashed by, quickly transitioning into the next, he figured his face would definitely be forgotten easily.
'So, should I be thankful for Plotter? No way.'
The introduction ended with an animation of a wilted flower, blooming and standing up anew in a fiery blaze. The name of the show gradually appeared at the bottom.
As the logo faded away, a white text appeared on the dark screen.
[Wednesday, November 02]
The scene transitioned to a spacious room filled with people sitting on the rows of chairs in tiered setting. Each of them were having conversations among their groups. The camera panned across he whole room, and then focused on some faces.
'Why does this feel like I'm watching a documentary movie?'
A caption appeared at the bottom of the screen.
[Who might these people be?]
Rayen stiffened on his seat. He recognized several people on the screen. Around him, the other participants also let out some exclamations.
Spotting his five sponsors among the crowd, Rayen was sure that these people were the sponsors. But what truly surprised him wasn't them. It was the presence of renowned figures in his country, and some were global celebrities.
'So does that mean, Sophie was also a high profile... No, should I address her as Madame Sophie?'
He had wondered who that woman sponsor is. She could even summon a cactus from somewhere in the world with just one call.
Then what about Yuzuka, Miles and Grandma Sponsor?
"Oh ho..." Adrian also reacted beside him. "Harjun is also one of them."
'Harjun is also an Entity?'
Harjun, a senior singer-songwriter in their country. One who had written hundreds of phenomenal OPM songs that were staples at karaoke sessions.
Someone shouted from the crowd when the camera focused on a man with a blonde mohawk.
Rayen also recognized this celebrity. He was even higher leveled than Harjun. Highly acclaimed for his masterpieces, "Lovely Days" and "I Want To Fall In Love." Despite his fierce appearance, Drake's songs were known to be tender and heartfelt.
As a fellow artist, Rayen followed these superstars. Although their band had risen to fame recently, they surely weren't these people's levels. Rayen considered these celebrity icons as the peak—his dream.
Adrift hadn't even reached their third year yet. One could say that as a fledgeling band, they were really successful in becoming one of the top bands in their country.
However, singers were mostly held higher than bands in their country. The people who followed the band also weren't as interested with the individual members. The fans loved the music, so if they create good songs, then they will follow them.
Although he really did have some individual fans... they're no longer his fans now.
Finally, the projection showed one of the staff members stepping onto the podium.
She addressed them, "Sponsors."
The scene cut to multiple frames showing the sponsor's face.
"We've invited all of you here right now, not just to witness a grand occasion, but to also join us in creating the greatest idols in history."
'Greatest idols in history... Aren't they talking big? With these people?'
While many of the participants were famous, but not all of them came from the entertainment industry. Even Adrian, seated beside him, was just a writer.
'Though that writer was actually better at dancing than me. And he also had higher Life Book points...'
And even then, these celebrities had also lost their fanbase after dying. Now, they were just people aspiring to live again, and in the process, had to become idols.
Rayen actually wanted to laugh at their proclamation, but he realized that they were currently filming and held himself back. He adjusted his sitting posture and focused on watching.
"As all of you have accepted our invitations, we expect that you wish to take part in that dream. Now..."
Rumbling sounds echoed as the screen darkened.
"Let the show begin."