371-375

Chapter 371: BSI-013 Derivatives  

"Identity confirmed."  

Somewhere in the suburbs of New York, outside a research facility.  

The BSI agent on guard compared the identification documents before turning to the surveillance camera at the facility entrance, signaling approval for passage.  

Nodding slightly at the agent, Jonathan drove into the base.  

Upon entering, he first encountered a stretch of flattened dirt road. Here and there, a few excavators and scattered construction workers were digging and leveling the terrain.  

However, as he drove further in, the surroundings became more organized. Before long, newly constructed laboratory buildings came into view.  

Watching the researchers walking in and out of the buildings, Jonathan took a deep breath and reached for the file folder on the passenger seat.  

The New York Incident had prompted the federal government to further acknowledge the existence of supernatural forces and their potential dangers.  

Naturally, this led to an increased interest in studying these forces.  

Previously, however, the White House had not held a completely positive view on the matter. The CIA had once secretly led a project called "Stargate", aimed at utilizing supernatural abilities for intelligence gathering. To this end, the agency recruited a group of self-proclaimed psychics—individuals claiming to possess clairvoyance and remote viewing abilities—hoping they could provide valuable intelligence.  

Yet, despite running for 25 years and consuming $20 million in funding, the project ultimately produced no meaningful results.  

In 1995, after the project was declassified, the Senate Appropriations Committee, faced with controversy over its effectiveness, assigned the American Institute for Research to evaluate it. The institute assembled a team led by statistician Utts and psychologist Hyman to assess the findings.  

After thorough investigation and heated debate, their final November 1995 report, "Evaluation of Remote Viewing Research and Applications," concluded:  

"Current research has not provided sufficient experimental or theoretical evidence to confirm the existence of remote viewing or other such psychic phenomena."  

"From an intelligence-gathering perspective, remote viewing is of no practical value. Moreover, remote viewers and project leaders have been found to modify their reports to align with known background information."  

Based on these conclusions, the federal government terminated the "Stargate" project the following year.  

Given the failure of the CIA’s "Stargate" project, the White House had since taken a highly cautious approach to supernatural research.  

After all, "Stargate" was merely one of the publicly known federal programs investigating supernatural forces.  

In reality, throughout the short history of the United States, many such research efforts had been undertaken—especially during periods when scientific knowledge was underdeveloped. Discussions about supernatural powers were especially popular, and even the federal government itself was obsessed with the subject.  

According to incomplete statistics, the federal government invested billions of dollars into supernatural research during those years. When adjusted for inflation, the total cost would be even more staggering.  

At the time, even renowned scientists like Einstein and von Kármán were fascinated by studies on human supernatural abilities.  

Having encountered so many pitfalls in supernatural research over the years, the federal government had since grown far more cautious in this field.  

Additionally, with the U.S. facing financial uncertainty in recent years, and the new president’s budget yet to be finalized, many government agencies—including BSI—had seen their project budgets delayed.  

According to BSI's internal intelligence, the President was still locked in negotiations with Congress over the budget. Given that the opposition party controlled the majority, passing such budget proposals was no easy task. Agencies like BSI, being a relatively new department, were at high risk of severe budget cuts.  

BSI originally estimated that if even half of their requested funding was approved, it would be sufficient.  

After all, exaggerating budget needs was a common practice among U.S. federal agencies—a single coffee mug could be budgeted at $1,200, and the extent of financial manipulation was beyond what the average person could imagine.  

However, an incident in Haiti changed everything.  

In response, the White House issued an emergency classified directive, prioritizing BSI’s research programs.  

"…This proves that the liquid derived from BSI-013 exhibits strong repelling properties. In fact, its composition is not even liquid in nature but only appears so in laboratory conditions…"  

"Through injection experiments on laboratory mice, we confirmed that the BSI-013 derivative does indeed enhance physical attributes. Experimental comparisons showed that mice injected with BSI-013 displayed noticeable improvements in all aspects compared to the control group. Further dissections revealed that the muscles of injected mice had turned light blue."  

"On the other hand, BSI-013 derivatives appear to interfere with biological neural functions, exhibiting a mutagenic effect. Some injected mice displayed aggressive and anxious behavior, while a small percentage died within a day of injection. Post-mortem examinations of these deceased mice revealed that their brain tissue had also undergone a light blue pathological transformation…"  

"Unfortunately, we cannot conduct direct physical tests on those so-called 'superheroes.' Otherwise, our research wouldn’t be so limited…"  

"Forget it. You’ve seen the news clips—those 'superheroes' are not known for their patience."  

Inside the Sterile Laboratory  

A research assistant, deeply engrossed in organizing experimental data, turned and announced, "Doctor, BSI personnel are here."  

Due to the extreme risk posed by BSI-013, known as the ‘Psychic Pool,’ all research related to its liquid form was conducted under the highest level of secrecy.  

Researchers were not allowed to physically enter the pool. All experiments could only be performed on small test tube samples provided by BSI, limiting the scope of data collection.  

Despite these constraints, the findings from BSI-013 ‘Psychic Pool’ were so groundbreaking that researchers found it impossible to walk away.  

Unlike conventional scientific research, BSI-013 ‘Psychic Pool’ was already known to produce successful results.  

Data provided by BSI confirmed that the pool had the power to alter matter itself. The so-called ‘superheroes’ had gained their abilities—such as flight and telekinesis—after entering the pool.  

Spike referred to this force as "spiritual energy", though the researchers preferred the term "psychic energy."  

Chapter 372: The "Post-Human" Project  

Looking at real-life cases—  

Several "superheroes" obtained their supernatural abilities by coming into contact with the "spirits" within [BSI-013: The Psychic Pool].  

However, the researchers in charge of this project at the base did not fully agree with this conclusion.  

While the method of contact used by these "superheroes" might be valid, it was clearly not the only way to gain such powers.  

Through their research on derivatives of BSI-013, they discovered that—perhaps due to prolonged exposure to the "spirits"—the water in [BSI-013: The Psychic Pool] had also acquired some form of unknown radioactive element. This element exhibited strong infectious properties, capable of rapidly altering the characteristics of any object it came into contact with.  

This transformation granted the affected material a form of *"spiritual energy"*—a concept often referenced by mediums.  

Upon hearing his assistant’s reminder, Dr. Wilson, the lead researcher on BSI-013 derivatives, turned his attention to Jonathan, who was standing outside the lab. He patted his assistant on the shoulder, gave him a few brief instructions, then turned and headed toward the laboratory entrance. As he passed one of the research teams, he noticed several scientists surrounding a glowing blue plant, meticulously documenting their findings.  

"Phew—"  

Stepping out of the sterile laboratory, Dr. Wilson removed his heavy protective suit, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and nodded at Jonathan.  

"Long time no see, Agent Jonathan. I had planned to contact you earlier, but BSI headquarters kept telling me you were on an important mission."  

At Wilson’s words, Jonathan’s mouth twitched slightly—clearly recalling some unpleasant memories.  

After the Circus Incident, it had taken him over a week of psychological counseling to fully recover from the experience of being turned into a circus animal.  

That being said, he had fared better than others.  

It was rumored that some of the earliest missing BSI agents still hadn’t fully escaped the psychological effects of the circus. Even now, they would sometimes unconsciously perform circus acts—clear evidence of severe post-traumatic stress disorder.  

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Dr. Wilson’s gaze fell on the folder in Jonathan’s hand, causing him to raise an eyebrow.  

"So, Agent Jonathan, what brings you here this time?"  

At Wilson’s question, Jonathan set aside his unpleasant memories, his expression turning serious as he handed over the folder.  

"Just as you mentioned, Doctor, my reason for coming here is in this file."  

Taking the folder, Wilson opened it and began reading. As he absorbed the information, his expression gradually became more solemn.  

[BSI-045: The Voodoo Ritual]  

Voodoo originated in West Africa, blending ancestor worship, animism, and spiritual communication into a primitive religion. [BSI-045: The Voodoo Ritual] refers to a particular ceremony steeped in religious significance. The event [BSI-045] took place at a church in █████, Haiti, and [BSI-045-1] was identified as a humanoid entity resembling an elderly Black man dressed in tattered clothing and leaning on a cane. According to investigations, [BSI-045-1] is likely a deity worshiped in Voodoo—████.  

Intelligence reports indicate that the purpose of [BSI-045: The Voodoo Ritual] is to summon [BSI-045-3: ████].  

According to Agent ███, who participated in the [BSI-045: The Voodoo Ritual], the ceremony involves large-scale sacrifices and prayers. [BSI-045-1] serves as the key to summoning [BSI-045-2: ████], an extremely dangerous entity. Any attempt to interfere with the ritual will be met with immediate resistance.  

Currently, [BSI-045: The Voodoo Ritual] has been successfully disrupted by BSI agents ███, but the possibility of its resurgence cannot be ruled out. BSI has already deployed personnel to Haiti for ongoing surveillance.  

WARNING: Any contact with [BSI-045: The Voodoo Ritual] or related entities is strictly prohibited without prior approval from BSI headquarters.  

The file contained significant redactions, with many crucial details deliberately erased.  

However, even with these omissions, Wilson could still grasp the severity and shock of the situation.  

Had he read this file before encountering [BSI-013: The Psychic Pool], he might have dismissed it as nonsense.  

But now, knowing the reality of [BSI-013], he was deeply shaken. The existence of *[BSI-045]*—along with the possibility of real Voodoo deities—far exceeded his understanding as a scientist.  

Suppressing his inner turmoil, Wilson took a deep breath and handed the folder back to Jonathan.  

"So, Agent Jonathan—why are you showing me this?"  

Jonathan’s expression remained firm.  

"The purpose of this file, Dr. Wilson, is to make you understand that the world has changed. The dangers we face are much closer than we once thought. If the situation in Haiti spirals out of control, the United States will be the first to suffer the consequences. To prepare for this possibility, the federal government has even deployed an aircraft carrier to patrol the Caribbean Sea."  

"But we both know that an aircraft carrier is not enough to fight this kind of power. In fact, the White House has already approved an emergency budget, authorizing BSI to conduct deeper research into supernatural forces—including your proposed Post-Human Project."  

If the contents of [BSI-045: The Voodoo Ritual] had only shocked Wilson, then Jonathan’s next words sent a surge of excitement through him.  

The Post-Human Project was an ambitious initiative Wilson had proposed after discovering that [BSI-013] derivatives had the potential to enhance biological organisms. The plan aimed to conduct human trials in an attempt to create individuals with spiritual abilities—true "Post-Humans."  

Due to concerns over the dangers posed by "superheroes," BSI had previously rejected Wilson’s proposal.  

However, it seemed their stance had now changed.  

Jonathan knew that BSI’s sudden approval of the Post-Human Project wasn’t just about the threat posed by Haiti.  

The growing supernatural disturbances in Japan had also sparked serious discussions within the U.S. government.  

As a nation with extensive intelligence operations in Japan, the United States was arguably more aware of the supernatural incidents occurring there than Japan itself.  

The eerie and inexplicable urban legends—mere fragments of which had been reported by BSI agents—were enough to send shockwaves through the White House.  

With two key allied nations—Haiti and Japan—both grappling with escalating supernatural threats, the United States had no choice but to take preemptive action.  

And when it came to countering such threats, America had never been one to sit back passively.  

It was this mindset—*"If we can control it, we will"*—that had led the White House to greenlight Wilson’s project.  

Chapter 373: Evolution Rate Growth  

"What’s wrong, Allen?"  

Los Angeles, Universal Pictures.  

Ron Meyer noticed the change in Allen's expression and couldn't help but ask.  

"It's nothing, I'm just looking forward to the upcoming release of the Witch sequel."  

Hearing Ron Meyer's question, Allen smiled slightly and casually explained.  

"The Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows has mostly finished filming. All that remains is post-production editing. In this sequel, the director has incorporated a lot of new technology. If 3D movie production wasn’t so expensive, they had even considered making this sequel in 3D."  

Although it was clear that Allen’s distraction wasn’t actually due to the Witch sequel, since he said so, Ron Meyer didn’t press the issue.  

Following the conversation, he gave a brief update on the current production status of The Blair Witch sequel.  

After acquiring the rights to the Witch franchise, Universal quickly started production. Given the nature of found-footage films, it took less than half a month to complete the majority of the filming.  

As for the editing process Ron mentioned, while it could be time-consuming for other films, for a found-footage film like The Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows, editing mainly involved roughly trimming and assembling the DV footage using computer software.  

In fact, Universal didn’t even assign professional editors to this project—editing was handled directly by the sequel’s director.  

According to Ron Meyer’s estimation, the full version of The Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows would be ready in just two or three more days. Even before filming began, Universal had already announced that the creator of the found-footage genre, Allen, was overseeing the production of the official sequel to The Blair Witch.  

Reactions to the upcoming release of The Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows were mixed online.  

Some were excited, while others dismissed it outright.  

These debates only strengthened Universal’s confidence. Found-footage films were never made for critical acclaim—what mattered most was the buzz they generated, as controversy often translated to box office success.  

Universal was optimistic about the sequel’s prospects.  

Allen had no objections to that.  

After all, the film industry was full of uncertainties. No one could predict whether a movie would be a hit or a flop until it was released.  

Regardless of The Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows' final box office performance, he had already received his licensing fee.  

His title as executive producer also secured him a fixed percentage of royalties.  

In other words, no matter how the film performed, Allen had already made a considerable profit from the sequel.  

Even if the film underperformed, his earnings wouldn’t be affected—unless Universal decided never to work with him again.  

Shifting his thoughts away from The Blair Witch sequel, Allen glanced at the system panel.  

[World Evolution Rate]: 37.1%  

Compared to minor issues in the film industry, what really concerned him was the change in the World Evolution Rate displayed on the system panel.  

After all, Hollywood was merely a cover—a means to provide him with a more convenient and comfortable life.  

"So why did the evolution rate suddenly change?"  

Initially, Allen believed that the World Evolution Rate grew based on the evolution of the scripts he created. However, he hadn’t written any new scripts recently, yet the rate was still increasing. Naturally, this caught his attention.  

Frowning, he contemplated the situation.  

The World Evolution Rate couldn’t rise without reason—there had to be an underlying cause.  

However, due to the system’s broken state, it could only notify Allen of the World Evolution Rate's change without explaining the reason behind it.  

Thus, Allen remained unaware that his previously crafted Spirit Pond storyline had developed unintended consequences, becoming part of a classified U.S. government project. It was influencing the world’s evolution process in ways he hadn’t foreseen.  

And this was only the beginning.  

If Wilson’s experiment succeeded, the World Evolution Rate might shift even more drastically in the future.  

From a certain perspective, once the World Evolution Rate's impact on reality approached 40%, it was no longer just a number on the system panel or something confined within scripts—it had begun to influence and reshape the real world.  

Kyoto, Japan  

RING RING! RING RING!  

A military base on the outskirts of Kyoto.  

A shrill phone ringing echoed through the laboratory inside the base.  

The government had cut off the facility’s power a month ago, yet the phone inside kept ringing incessantly—somehow functioning without electricity, dialing an impossible-to-reach number over and over again.  

"The spread of ‘Earthbound Spirits’ represents the government's inaction!"  

"Kyoto Governor issues formal apology, vows to investigate the frequent appearances of ‘Earthbound Spirits’ in the city."  

DING DONG!  

Kyoto, Horikawa district, Fujita residence.  

"Coming!"  

Hearing the doorbell, a worried-looking woman opened the door. Seeing a familiar face, she hesitantly asked,  

"May I ask who you are?"  

Folding up his newspaper, Dr. Kobayashi looked at the woman in front of him and nodded slightly.  

"Sorry to intrude. I’m Masanosuke Kobayashi. We discussed this matter over the phone earlier, Mrs. Fujita."  

Hearing Dr. Kobayashi introduce himself, Mrs. Fujita’s anxious expression eased slightly. She quickly spoke with excitement,  

"Doctor, you’re finally here! Please, come in."  

She hurriedly opened the door, welcoming him inside.  

"Thank you for having me."  

After bowing slightly in apology, Dr. Kobayashi stepped inside.  

"So, where is she?"  

At his question, Mrs. Fujita’s excitement faded, replaced by concern.  

"Upstairs. Ever since that incident, she’s locked herself in her room."  

Following her explanation, the two of them headed upstairs.  

Stopping outside a tightly shut door, Mrs. Fujita raised her hand and knocked.  

Chapter 374: Spread  

Knock, knock, knock—  

"Miho, open the door."  

Standing at the door, Mrs. Fujita knocked a few times and called out to her daughter, Miho, inside the room.  

"……"  

However, despite the knocking, there was no response from inside.  

Seeing this, Mrs. Fujita gave a slightly apologetic smile to Dr. Kobayashi, who was standing beside her. She then knocked on the door again.  

"Miho, open the door. I've brought the doctor—he can help treat your condition."  

"……"  

"…It's useless, Mom."  

This time, a muffled voice finally came from inside the room. If one listened carefully, they could vaguely hear the rustling of something crawling inside.  

"This is revenge. It's Kojima's revenge on me. Because I severed the red string of fate, it has latched onto me."  

"What are you talking about, Miho?"  

Outside the door, Mrs. Fujita clearly did not believe what her daughter was saying. She dismissed it as nonsense.  

"Please step aside, ma'am."  

On the other hand, after hearing Miho's words, Dr. Kobayashi's expression subtly changed.  

"In order to get your daughter out, I’ll have to use some emergency measures."  

He gave Mrs. Fujita a warning before bracing himself and slamming his shoulder against the locked door.  

After a few forceful hits, the door burst open.  

"Miho, what is—"  

However, what Mrs. Fujita saw inside made her collapse onto the floor in shock.  

Inside Miho’s room, countless writhing red threads filled more than half of the space. On the bed, Miho’s entire body was wrapped in these red threads, leaving only her face visible—her skin covered in the same eerie strands. The voice that had just spoken had come from this terrifying, thread-covered Miho.  

Faced with this bizarre scene, Mrs. Fujita was in complete shock.  

Dr. Kobayashi, however, looked overwhelmingly excited.  

"Finally… I’ve found you again…"  

He reached out toward the tangled mass of red threads, murmuring to himself.  

Due to Keiko’s involvement, the military base on Kojima Island had been locked down, making entry impossible.  

This had completely halted Dr. Kobayashi’s research on the red threads. After witnessing their mysterious existence, he was unwilling to give up his experiments so easily.  

Unwilling to accept defeat, he began investigating Kojima’s history, eventually tracing another connection to the red threads at the Fujita household.  

[World Evolution Rate]: 37.6% 

—  

The slavish adherence to the original classic’s template ended up being a dull regression, with no fresh innovations. Although this time the cast was larger, the basic pacing remained unchanged. — The Hollywood Reporter  

This long-overdue official sequel only updated its technical aspects. Otherwise, it's just a louder, duller rehash of the original’s scares. — Rolling Stone  

Running and screaming might be staples of horror films, but in Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, it seems more like the actors themselves aren't scared at all—they’re just running and screaming to create hype. — New York Post  

The evolution of the script, its impact on the real world, and the constant progression of the system continued pushing the [World Evolution Rate] upward.  

Meanwhile, reviews for Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 had been released, and critics weren’t kind.  

Among them, The Chicago Sun-Times offered a rare positive take, praising the film’s unexpected twists.  

However, according to the information Allen received from Universal, most of the positive or neutral reviews had been influenced by Universal’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering.  

In other words, without these prearranged favorable reviews, the actual reception of Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 was far from optimistic.  

Sensing trouble from these reviews, Universal had concerns.  

However, the rights had already been purchased, the film had been shot, and a substantial budget had been poured into pre-release marketing.  

Even if Universal had a bad feeling about it, they had no choice but to push forward with the release.  

Murphy’s Law was as accurate as ever.  

That weekend, Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 hit theaters, and despite Universal’s high hopes for the sequel, it bombed.  

Even though its production budget far exceeded that of the first film and boasted more advanced CGI scares, the box office results were a harsh slap in Universal’s face.  

Before the release, Universal optimistically predicted that the sequel’s opening weekend would gross around $25 million. In reality, the film only pulled in $13.1 million—a far cry from expectations. Moreover, as a found-footage-style film, its box office performance was expected to decline even further in the following weeks.  

In other words, after factoring in production costs, rights acquisition, and marketing expenses, Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 was destined to be a financial failure.  

And unlike the so-called "paper losses" of Harry Potter, this was actual monetary loss.  

Naturally, this outcome was a massive blow to Universal, which had been highly optimistic.  

The very next day after the box office results came in, Universal held an emergency meeting.  

As the main executive behind the sequel, Ron Meyer was harshly criticized.  

Just days before, he had been brimming with confidence in the film’s success.  

"I believe the biggest reason for Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2’s failure at the box office lies in our choice of director and screenwriter," he argued.  

To distance himself from the film’s poor performance, Meyer needed a scapegoat.  

And in Hollywood, when a movie flops, the director and writer are often the easiest targets—after all, they were responsible for making the film.  

"If only we had been firmer in persuading Allen to direct the sequel instead of just purchasing the rights, perhaps Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 wouldn’t have performed so poorly."  

In reality, considering the first Blair Witch’s mixed reception, even if Allen had taken over, the sequel’s success would have been unlikely—unless some external force intervened.  

At this moment, perhaps even Ron Meyer had started to realize the truth. Back then, Allen had firmly refused to direct the sequel, only agreeing to sell the rights.  

But admitting this was out of the question.  

So instead, Meyer focused on shifting the blame.  

At the very least, he couldn’t let the failure of the sequel be pinned on him.  

Chapter 375: The Sequel's Failure  

In the days that followed, as word-of-mouth spread, Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows continued its downward spiral.  

With a second-week box office earning just over $10 million, many theaters that were initially on the fence decided to drop the film entirely.  

This move had a cascading effect—Blair Witch 2, already struggling, saw its earnings plummet by nearly half.  

Theater owners would rather earn less than suffer a loss.  

Clearly, the market had reached a consensus: Blair Witch 2 was a financial disappointment. Given this reality, theaters were unwilling to invest further in screening the film.  

At this point, the movie’s fate was all but sealed.  

As a sequel that failed commercially, Universal Pictures, the studio behind the film, would inevitably undergo internal shake-ups.  

After all, while Blair Witch 2 maintained the low-budget style of its predecessor, once you factored in the cost of acquiring the rights and the hefty marketing expenses, the investment easily reached the level of a mid-budget film. Losing that kind of money hurts—no matter who you are.  

...  

Of course, the box office failure of Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows was Universal's problem to deal with.  

For Allen, once he sold the rights to the movie, it had little to do with him.  

Most of the criticism from the media and film critics was directed at the screenwriter and director.  

Even when his name was mentioned occasionally, it was only to briefly criticize his failure as an executive producer.  

To be honest, the longer Allen stayed in Hollywood, the less he cared about these kinds of comments.  

Beverly Hills, Los Angeles  

A lively party was in full swing.  

“They’re here! Who is it this time?”  

In Beverly Hills, reporters gathered outside the venue, eagerly snapping photos as a luxury car rolled in.  

Click, click!  

Amid the rapid shutter sounds, the car sped past, disappearing into the estate.  

If possible, the reporters outside would have loved to follow the car's owner inside to capture more valuable shots.  

However, after making eye contact with the patrolling security guards—taking note of their full gear and muscular builds—the scrawnier reporters gulped and abandoned the idea. Instead, they focused on reviewing their photos.  

“Check who it is!”  

“The image is a bit blurry...”  

“Damn it, the driver blocked my shot.”  

“Haha! I got it—it’s Tom Cruise! Didn’t expect him to be attending Allen Allen’s party.”  

Hearing that someone had captured a key shot, the reporters who came up empty-handed pursed their lips in frustration.  

“A party is just a party. Why are so many Hollywood A-listers flocking to Beverly Hills? Is Allen Allen really that influential?”  

The reporter who asked the question didn’t realize that his tone carried a hint of jealousy.  

After all, the situation was as imbalanced as it could get.  

Some people could throw money around, living in Beverly Hills, enjoying gourmet food and beautiful company. Meanwhile, the reporters were stuck outside, fighting tooth and nail just to snap a photo of a party guest.  

Of course, if the upcoming presidential election didn't change anything, maybe a certain future president would have the perfect response for these reporters:  

"Because that’s life."  

Though that president wasn’t around to share his words of wisdom just yet, one of the more clear-headed reporters spoke up:  

“If you had Allen Allen’s box office appeal, Hollywood would treat you the same way. Right now, he’s the most profitable director in the industry. Rumor has it that Warner Bros. is considering inviting him to build their own Justice League universe.”  

The news that Warner Bros. had approached Allen about directing Green Lantern hadn’t been officially confirmed by him.  

But that didn’t stop Warner Bros. from using the speculation to drum up hype for their upcoming projects.  

After all, this was just an idea—Hollywood had long mastered the art of stirring up buzz through early-stage invitations.  

Even if Allen ultimately declined, Warner Bros. wouldn’t lose much.  

That said, from Warner Bros.' perspective, they were eager to make this collaboration happen.  

Christopher Nolan had already made it clear that The Dark Knight Rises would be the final installment of his Batman trilogy. Without Nolan’s star power, Warner Bros. found themselves struggling against the unstoppable momentum of Marvel.  

They desperately needed a new mastermind to lead their superhero franchise.  

Allen had already proven his box office prowess.  

And he wasn’t a stranger to the superhero genre either.  

These two factors made him Warner Bros.' top choice to spearhead the Justice League universe.  

Unfortunately, despite Warner Bros.' enthusiastic courtship, Allen remained indifferent.  

He simply wasn’t interested in their Justice League project.  

If Allen were aware of their expectations, he would tell them directly:  

It wasn’t that he had no ideas about a Justice League universe—it was just that one major obstacle stood in the way.  

That obstacle was Warner Bros. itself.  

Right now, the studio might be acting desperate, practically begging him to join.  

But once production started, their corporate meddling would inevitably surface.  

For Allen, making movies in Hollywood was about enjoying life.  

Not about giving himself unnecessary headaches.  

Rather than getting caught up in Warner Bros.’ projects, he’d rather stick to making simple, profitable found-footage films—stress-free and lucrative.  

And most importantly...  

He simply wasn’t interested in Green Lantern.  

...  

Beverly Hills Party  

“Congratulations, Allen.”  

At the party, Ron Meyer raised his glass to toast the host, Allen.  

“Thanks.”  

Clinking glasses, Ron Meyer glanced around at Allen’s spacious estate and the lively poolside gathering.  

Even as Universal’s vice chairman, a hint of envy flickered in his eyes.  

In Hollywood, Beverly Hills was the ultimate symbol of wealth.  

Though he held a high-ranking position at Universal, that didn’t mean he had the wealth to afford a mansion here.  

After all, with properties costing tens of millions of dollars, even Hollywood’s elite couldn’t always justify the expense.  

(End of Chapter)