The Contest Where Anyone Who Laughs Will Die

Two years ago, Bone Duke had not liked this Ageless and Undying body.

After becoming an undead, Bone Duke could no longer experience joy through her body. She had neither touch nor taste; even the most delicious food meant nothing to her.

So she could only seek spiritual entertainment. In the past, she had always believed that only music could offer her any comfort.

But ever since Joshua appeared, Bone Duke had realized that her horizons had been far too narrow. Music, games, films, and the magic net.

Joshua's existence had brought Bone Duke far too many surprises.

In less than two short years, the world had gained a whole host of interesting things.

For the first time, Bone Duke felt the wonder of being Ageless and Undying, and was immensely grateful that she could live in this form in a world that was becoming ever more fascinating.

But Joshua's previous film, "The Shining," had left Bone Duke deeply dissatisfied.

So dissatisfied that she regretted not adding another clause to their contract alongside "must provide an excellent score at regular intervals"—"and must also make an entertaining film!"

After Holy Spirit appeared, she would have added another clause: "magic net games."

But it was too late to complain now. Half of Bone Duke's soul had already been given to Joshua, so she could only hope that his next film would be more exciting than "The Shining."

She did not demand that masterpieces as astonishing as "Shawshank Redemption" be made one after another, but at the very least, it had to be a film like "Beauty and the Demon," something she could watch comfortably and enjoy.

But... what was this thing being shown before her now?

Bone Duke sat upon her own throne, impatiently tapping its armrest with her fingers.

Within her