Chapter 120.3
Images flickered across the TV screenāgrisly black-and-white news clips.
[War, poverty, climate crisis, terrorism, plaguesā¦ and all the other small, horrific tragedies. Hell can visit anyone, and you are no exception.]
[In any reality, we cannot choose which tragedy will strike. Unless itās on a show, of course!]
But thatāsā¦
[Oh, you already know, deep down. The place you call āhomeā and this place arenāt really all that different.]
[Does it matter whether the monsters from stories come to life or whether real monsters roam the streets? What matters is your suffering.]
Braun spread his fingers, folding them one by one as he listed various disasters.
[Death that strikes without warning? Tell me, is there such a place where death announces its arrival beforehand? Itās equally terrifying everywhere.]
[Your peace in that world is just as fragile and meaningless. It can be shattered by the push of a button by some maniacal dictatorā¦]
[In the end, isnāt this just about your subjective experience, Mr. Roe Deer?]
I stared blankly at the TV.
[And subjective experiences are not truth. Theyāre distorted perceptions unique to you.]
[Set aside your biases, Friend.]
Thatā¦ that canāt be trueā¦
ā¦ā¦
ā¦ā¦
Right?
It felt like something didnāt quite fit, but I couldnāt find the words to argue back.
It sounded convincing.
But surely, this isnāt just about my perception.
[Thatās okay. Acceptance always takes time. This Braun is always here to talk things through with youā¦ Just like always!]
[For now, letās develop this conversation further, shall we? Letās dig a little deeper.]
Braunās voice softened as he asked,
[What is it that you truly want, Mr. Soleum?]
[Letās think beyond āgoing homeā for a moment.]
ā¦ā¦
What do I trulyā¦No, wait.
How does he know so much about my situation?
Heās reading my thoughts completely.
How much does he know? How deeply has he understood me?
And if he already knows what Iām thinking, does arguing have any meaning? Is there even a way to escape?
Wait. Can he hear this thought too? How much of my mind is the host able to read? Does he know about the things Iāve learned from the Dark Exploration Recordsā¦
[Mr. Soleum.]
I felt like I was going insane.
The fear was suffocating me. I just wanted to escape this situationā¦
[Exactly! Thatās it!]
Huh?
[Youāve finally realized it, Mr. Soleum. What your heart truly desires!]
The host snapped its fingers with a loud SNAPā
[To escape fear.]
āā¦!!ā
The TV screen moved closer.
[And look here, we have a quick and guaranteed methodā¦]
How to
Escape Fear :
Join Braun
and Create a Talk Show
Together
Ā
[You will be comfortable and enjoy yourself in my studio.]
[With the passionate spirit of a show creator, your creativity and brilliance will shine even more brightly when fear is absent. This Braun fully guarantees it.]
[A workplace where you donāt need to overthinkājust focus on making great shows. Free from any other dangers, welcome to the studio of this legendary host.]
The words sound the same, but they feel different.
I donāt find them absurd anymore.
Thatās terrifying.
[Hush now, shh. No need to be afraid. Letās listen to this Braunās wordsā¦]
[Now, Friend, can you take a moment to look at your hand? Yes, just like thatā¦ What do you see?]
ā¦The silver ring on my index finger.
[Correct! And what does wearing that signify?]
ā¦ā¦
āThat Iāhavenāt been corrupted.ā
It means my judgment hasnāt been consumed by the anomaly, and Iām in a state where I can think clearly, resist mentally, and make rational decisions like any human being.
[Thatās right! If this were a quiz show, youād have won a prizeāhow unfortunate.]
[In any case, this means your current decision isnāt wrong. Take a deep breath and relax.]
[How do you feel right now?]
Iā
[Let me guessā¦ āBraunās words make sense, and maybe it wouldnāt hurt to give it a try, just this once?ā Right?]
ā¦ā¦
ā¦ā¦
Butā¦!
[Exactly!]
[Now, letās seize this opportunity together, Friend.]
Braun stands up, adjusting his suit with the poise of a business partner ready to close a deal.
[All it takes is a handshake.]
[No complicated contracts are needed between us. Just a handshake and weāll start working together.]
ā¦ā¦
[Donāt you want to spend peaceful days free from fear and pain? All you need is a stronger friend by your side and a more enjoyable job ahead.]
[And if, by chance, you donāt find it enjoyable at allā¦ you can return to your original workplace.]
ā¦ā¦
“Really?”
[Really.]
ā¦ā¦
[Seize this chance, Friend.]
[This is your moment.]
I raised my trembling hand.
And extended it.
Toward him.
[Thatās it.]
Firmly.
The hostās large hand completely engulfed mine in a handshake.
[You wonāt regret this, Friend.]
The surroundings brightened.
Lights poured from every direction, and the cramped studio expanded, revealing itself as it emerged from the shadowsā¦
[Now, introducing your new workplace, Mr. Soleum! Your new colleagues! Your new life!]
A pristine set, a stage adorned with sparkling bulbs, and above it, a classic golden sign glowing with eleganceā¦
[The thrill of witnessing, the joy of connection, the excitement of unpredictable developments, anticipationāall of it in this humble space that desires nothing but the audienceās applause.]
Braunās Late-Night Talk Show
Iā¦
[Congratulations on becoming a part of it, Mr. Soleum.]
ā¦had successfully shifted careers.
T/N: my fave kkp comment here:
Excuse me but I kinda need to use the restroom.. Please come out now, you two.
Siptea
Gah, is Soleum truly sane..? It just seems to me like a brainwash or scamming scene now, and does working in the studio means Soleum dead in the company like the prophecy?
Lackthose
I think he has a plan, because TV Man would obviously throw a tantrum if Soleum rejected him.
lynniee
FUCKK NOOO KSEEE SNAP OUT OF IT THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU WANTTT NOSIWHFJDVFJWVHD