The sun still hadn’t risen when the actors arrived at the set of The Ninth Circle.
Jace was bouncing on his heels while sweat dripped down his temples. He also yawned, feeling many different things all at once.
“You seem excited, nervous, and sleepy, young one,” Shin said, wrapping an arm around Jace’s shoulder but quickly retreating when he felt how wet he was.
“Is it obvious?” Jace sheepishly asked.
“Yes,” Zeno answered without any hesitation, looking at the new set—logs set up in a semi-circle with blood and ruins surrounding them.
“Zeno,” someone suddenly exclaimed. Zeno turned around and smirked when he saw Victor walking toward them.
“Glad to see you after a week. Let’s make this filming more fruitful, yeah?”
Zeno stood a few paces off, hands in his pockets and posture relaxed. His hair was messily brushed back, shadowing the sharp glint in his eyes. He offered the director a nod, subtle but clear. “Sure.”
Victor’s smile deepened. Zeno instantly knew something was wrong. Victor shouldn’t look this happy after everything that had happened last week. So, he must have something up his sleeve.
With that, Victor walked away. Devon trailed behind him while avoiding Zeno’s gaze.
Sora walked over to Zeno, too, and patted his shoulder. “I’m excited for this filming. The format is quite different from what I’m usually used to.”
Zeno nodded in agreement, responding with a small smile that officially made Sora feel invigorated. After last week, Zeno had become her favorite young actor!
Of course, not everyone shared the same sentiment.
Misha walked past Zeno, throwing a glance over her shoulder with a slight glare. Then, she sat on one of the wooden logs before going through the script.
After that, the other actors began filling the scene. It was the very first time that all of them would technically be “acting” together.
They had been together since the beginning, but they all had different filming times, with a few individuals overlapping in a single scene.
However, for this particular filming, all of the main cast was there—with the exception of Shin, whose voice was only going to be featured.
Due to this, scripts rustled, and staff whispered in excitement.
With so many talents in a single scene, most were excited to see who could reign on top.
After a while, the rustle of scrips had died down, and unnecessary props were pushed aside.
Sitting on the logs were the final forty-four, waiting to start the Second Circle.
Victor PD then stood with his megaphone. “I’m assuming you already read my email. The next scene is mostly adlib.”
The actors’ gazes hardened, feeling more determined than usual. Even Sangwon, who was usually off doing something on his own, wanted to do the best out of everyone else.
“The production crew believes this will bring out something more raw.”
He didn’t say it, but they all knew what that meant. Authenticity over polish. Chaos over choreography.
Zeno had a hunch that Devon was the one who suggested it. Victor didn’t have the brain capacity to think of such a thing.
“I hope you prepared for it,” Victor continued.
Zeno nodded and recalled the instructions sent to his email.
It wasn’t entirely spontaneous.
All those who had a speaking role were given their personal backstories and conflict triggers. Along with that, the sequence was already determined.
However, aside from that, the exact words and reactions were going to be impromptu.
“I want you to immerse yourselves in your characters so it becomes more real,” Devon added. “Method acting, to be precise.”
Zeno chuckled under his breath. His drill with Raya was truly helpful.
Victor raised his hand. “Quiet on set.”
It was still a bit dark, and the breeze was cold and steady, making the leaves swish on the ground.
“Roll camera.”
“Action!”
The gamemaker’s voice echoed through the forest.
“The Second Circle is here.”
Just then, the ground beneath them shook before guns spawned in the middle of the semi-circle.
The voice continued.
“Before you are five revolvers with one bullet each.”
“Five lives must be taken before three hours end.”
“If they are not, a game of Russian roulette will commence. Only half of you will move on to the Third Circle if this happens.”
Chaos ensued as everyone tried to get a revolver.
“Let’s get this over with!”
“No, let’s not be hasty. Everyone needs an equal chance!”
“Let’s just fucking kill those with the highest chance of winning.”
“Move out of the way!”
The stampede worsened as they scrambled to get one revolver, wanting to get the game over with as soon as possible.
Those who tried to stop it at first also began trying to get the revolver.
A domino of chaos.
One desperate lunged for the gun.
“No!” someone shouted, dragging him back. “We can talk—think!”
“Think?” another sneered. “You think someone’s not going to shoot eventually?”
BANG!
The shot echoed through the forest. One of the contestants collapsed, blood pooling beneath him. It was unclear whether it had been an accident, but one thing was certain. He was dead.
Panic cracked through the room like lightning.
Desperates backed into corners, hiding behind columns and trees, some crying, some laughing maniacally. One girl curled up and whispered lines from her backstory under her breath like a prayer. Another stood dead still, staring at the blood on the floor, trembling.
Desperate #25 sat calmly, leaning against his palms, watching like a man at a zoo exhibit.
Amidst this, though, a loud scream erupted, making everyone halt.
Desperate #41.
He climbed up on one of the wooden logs by the chamber’s edge, arms outstretched like a prophet, blood on his shoes.
He screamed.
“You think this is new? I’ve lived through worse.”
“You want five dead? Look around—half of you already are!”
Silence swept through the room.
#41 stood, chest heaving, tears in his eyes. “You just haven’t buried yourselves yet.”
Zeno was quite surprised by Sangwon’s projection. Despite his quite shitty personality, he was a really good actor.
Someone yelled, “We can just vote! We can decide who deserves to die!”
“No one deserves to die!” another snapped.
“That’s not the point,” Desperate #41. “The game doesn’t care.”
“But, let’s be wise about it. I agree. There are people who deserve to die more than others.”
“Let’s decide that right now.”