The Devil's Cage

Astounded, Eckart looked up to Kieran’s expressionless face.

At the next moment, he threw out the original script that he planned to persuade Kieran with and nodded in the most sincere way possible.

“Yes!”

“This show’s origin was an accident anyway. You should have noticed it by now that the show’s original goal was a comedy reality show.”

“Now? Based on the ratings that we received, we think it can really be a full-fledged TV show!” said Eckart while trying to spot the changes in expression on Kieran’s face.

He hoped to acquire some useful information from his observation, but throughout the process, Kieran didn’t show anything on his face; thus, Eckart couldn’t get anything useful.

The outcome tortured Eckhart even more, though.

In fact, back in the day, other than for their ace TV show, he wouldn’t have shown himself down here, not for this kind of small TV show segment, neither would he be so humble and belittle himself like this.

But now, he had no choice!

If he didn’t want to lose his job, he could only risk it by producing a segment that the audience approved of.

While the wait tortured, the director, Kieran finally spoke.

“What can you give me in return?”

The director finally heaved a sigh of relief.

He wasn’t afraid to make an offer; he was worried that his proposals wouldn’t be accepted by Kieran.

The latter would render him helpless; the former would present him ways to turn things around.

As long as he could turn things about, it would mean success.

Huu!

After a slight inhale, the director said, “What do you want? If it’s within my reach, I won’t be stingy about it.”

Since the director started the conversation like that, Kieran had the power to call the shots in the deal.

A decent payment would be the basics. Advance payments and a place to stay would come along with the deal, as well.

Most importantly, through the director, Kieran had gained access to certain information that he could read.

The last part was Kieran’s real goal!

He was very eager to know what happened after he left this world the last time.

Even if the information might be fake, even if he were snatching at the tails of shadows, it would be better than having a wild guess at everything.

…

The car was driving on the highway smoothly. Kieran leaned back in the backseat as if he had fallen asleep.

The makeup artist, Lyn Amie was tasked with taking care of him. He looked through the back mirror and saw Kieran, his face was filled with confusion because he couldn’t understand why Kieran would make such a request to the director.

“He should have asked for a bigger portion, he could even be the one in control!”

“But he gave up just like that and exchanged for some insignificant things, you are really… A weirdo!”

Lyn Amie ranted in his heart.

Almost everyone knew about Eckart’s position.

Although he was still in the director’s position, it was a matter of time before he was removed.

Unless…

He could produce some shows or segments that could revive him from his current stagnant state.

However, no one held hopes in the director, but the ‘Shamans’ appeared, Kieran appeared.

And to everyone’s surprise, Kieran and the director reached an accord in such a short time.

The contents of the deal were not made public in the station, but those who knew about it were shocked at Kieran’s ‘mercy.’

That’s right, Kieran was merciful.

Even when Kieran got the payment, which was twice his current ‘pay’ at the station, everyone thought he was being ‘merciful.’

After all, since Eckart was in a desperate situation, let alone twice the pay, even three times, four times would be easily obtainable.

The rants in Lyn Amie’s heart brought him endless sighs and pity.

He imagined that if he were Kieran, he would have gotten more stuff from the director.

But in reality?

The makeup artist had temporarily become Kieran’s assistant, in charge of his living.

Kieran, however, was taking a nap in the backseat.

Once the thought came into Lyn Amie’s mind, he became depressed.

Fortunately, he was a person who was skilled in solving his own depression and qualms.

“Look at him, he has all this fame that others couldn’t get under the spotlight, but behind the camera, he is always so tired.”

“To gain, one must give first. Most of the time, the ‘give’ is much more exhausting than one could imagine.”

“Is he really happy now? Well, I don’t know, but I am pleased with my life now.”

Lyn Amie started to hum his favorite melody after comforting himself.

“Seems like you are in a good mood?” Kieran opened his eyes.

He liked being in a quiet environment.

In simpler words, Lyn Amie’s little hum wasn’t that pleasant to him; it woke him up.

“Not bad. After I’ve dropped you off at the library, I can go home, take a bath, catch up with my drama, and have a delicious sweet meal. Whenever I think of that, it feels like today is a great day.” Lyn Amie smiled and nodded, his face was looking forward to his leisure time.

“Great?”

“Hmm. After I get to the library, I need someone to help me with the bathwater, switch on the TV, and prepare dinner,” Kieran said with squinted eyes.

Lyn Amie was bewildered.

“You are not referring to me, right?” Lyn Amie showed a hideous smile.

“What do you think?” Kieran asked back.

Of course, it was him, Lyn Amie knew it himself.

His identity as an assistant to Kieran was arranged by the director.

Unless he were to resign from his job, he had no grounds to reject.

Thinking about the excellent pay, Lyn Amie nodded with difficulty.

“F-Fine.”

“And… you can’t really imagine my kind of happiness. Or rather, I am happier than you think,” Kieran then closed his eyes.

The guesses, theories in his mind required him to arrange them in chronological order, and he was sure his ‘assistant’ would not bother him anymore.

Of course, he won’t bother Kieran anymore, Lyn Amie was looking as grudgeful as a vengeful spirit.

If he didn’t know that hitting people was wrong, he would have given Kieran two punches in his eyes.

But after considering his own strength…

In the end, Lyn Amie could only swing his ponytail around, clenching his teeth, and be quiet.

From a particular aspect, Kieran really achieved his goal, and the effect was remarkable.

Throughout the process of borrowing books in the library, the adjustment of Kieran’s bathwater, switching on the TV, and preparation of dinner, Lyn Amie didn’t say a word.

Even if he was curious as to why Kieran would want to read some cultural materials, geography books, biographies, and even some dry philosophy books.

The aroma of dinner came from the kitchen.

Kieran’s attention temporarily shifted from the books, he sniffed.

“Beef, carrots, potatoes, onions… Huh?!”

His mouth was uttering the list of the ingredients unconsciously, but suddenly, he stopped.

A sentence in the book instantly captured his attention

‘We are not weaklings. Like Joanna, even if she was a woman, led the biggest revolution in history!’