Time to Run

So heavy.

The moment the screen went dark, Joshua felt his body weight more than double.

Using the Chaos Demon's night vision, Joshua quickly saw why his weight had increased. In that instant, Galolie had practically collapsed onto him, wrapping both arms around his waist.

To prove his innocence, Joshua cleverly turned sideways and hugged Ciri.

"Joshua?"

Ciri trembled slightly when Joshua suddenly pulled her into his arms. "The Shining" had just reached one of its most terrifying moments when the screen abruptly went black, leaving not a trace of light around them.

Any human would have been frightened in a situation like this.

After feeling Joshua's warmth, Ciri instinctively reached around, her eyes not yet adjusted to the dim surroundings.

The other audience members, especially the actresses from the White Thorn Flower Troupe, had been thoroughly frightened out of their wits. Screams erupted throughout the seats, escalating further toward panic.

"H-Hold on to me. It'll be okay!"

Ciri forced herself to calm down as she instructed Joshua.

Was Ciri... comforting him? Even though she could not see anything herself.

Joshua glanced at Ciri. She had already picked up that thick spellbook, heavy enough to be used as a brick.

The Screening Hall's sudden descent into darkness was simply too strange. Even Ciri could not be sure whether the area was safe, and the only thing she had at hand that could serve as a weapon was that grimoire.

"Everyone!"

As panic gradually spread through the Screening Hall, someone finally stepped forward to calm the audience... White Thorn Flower Jazz.

White Thorn Flower Jazz happened to be seated in the very front row. He took out a glowing Source Crystal Stone, shining in the darkness like a hero from a story!

The problem was that White Thorn Flower Jazz's face...