196-200

Chapter 196: The Monster Universe

After hearing Ron Meyer talk about Hollywood’s current obsession with superhero films, Allen’s expression turned peculiar.

In a way, the person responsible for the current flood of superhero movies in Hollywood was Allen himself.

Of course, Allen’s original intent when designing his script was merely to bring the extraordinary into reality.

Who could have predicted that Andrew and his group would let their imaginations run wild, using the powers they obtained from the pond to play “superheroes”? This indirectly influenced the trends in Hollywood filmmaking.

“Is it absolutely necessary to make this kind of movie?”

Watching Andrew and his friends act as “superheroes” through the system interface was one thing, but personally creating a superhero film was something else entirely.

Moreover, as Ron Meyer pointed out, Universal Pictures held no advantage when it came to superhero movies.

“I mean, without the rights to any existing characters, choosing to make a superhero movie doesn’t seem like the best option.”

Even with the real-world buzz created by Andrew and his friends, Allen didn’t believe that creating an entirely original superhero film without any established intellectual property (IP) would yield impressive box office results.

As someone who had been inundated with superhero films in another world, Allen knew all too well that even the most famous superhero concepts didn’t guarantee an excellent movie. In fact, after Marvel’s cinematic universe took shape, other studios attempted to mimic its success—with mixed results.

The most prominent example was Warner Bros.

Poor scheduling, combined with an overly ambitious expansion of characters, doomed Justice League to failure from its inception.

“What you’ve pointed out is something Universal’s film division is also fully aware of,” Ron Meyer said with a resigned sigh in response to Allen’s skepticism.

“But the board doesn’t see this as a problem.”

“In fact, to counter these blockbuster superhero films, Universal has discussed creating something akin to Marvel’s cinematic universe—a Monster Universe.”

While Universal didn’t own any superhero rights, it wasn’t entirely without assets. The so-called “Monster Universe” mentioned by Ron Meyer was the result of digging through Universal’s archives.

Starting with Frankenstein in the 1930s, Universal had produced numerous famous monster movies—werewolves, mummies, vampires, and more. Its most recent monster film was The Mummy 3, a blend of Eastern and Western influences that Universal had high hopes for. However, its disappointing box office performance made it the weakest installment in the trilogy.

The failure of The Mummy 3 led the board of directors to shift their focus toward superhero films.

When it came to finding a screenwriter for their new project, Allen was the unanimous choice.

The reason? The phenomenal success of Paranormal Activity, which Allen had written.

Compared to the substantial investment and star power poured into The Mummy 3, which still fell flat at the box office, Paranormal Activity—made on a fraction of the budget—had grossed over $100 million. To the board, the difference was stark.

“Monster Universe?”

The concept of a cinematic universe mentioned by Ron Meyer felt oddly familiar to Allen.

In a way, he was already crafting his own Monster Universe through the scripts he developed within his system.

The key difference was that Universal’s universe was for the silver screen, whereas his was unfolding in the real world.

Furthermore, if Allen recalled correctly, Universal’s Monster Universe ultimately never came to fruition. Its cornerstone film, The Wolfman, flopped spectacularly—grossing only $130 million worldwide on a $150 million budget, which wasn’t even half of what it needed to break even after distribution cuts.

Subsequent reboots, such as Dracula and The Mummy, also failed to turn a profit. After eight years of floundering, Universal was forced to abandon the Monster Universe concept.

Even the board members, who didn’t necessarily understand filmmaking, weren’t fools. If you fall into the same hole three times, you learn to avoid it.

Although Universal’s Monster Universe had ultimately collapsed in the other world, Ron Meyer’s description sparked some interest in Allen.

He hadn’t forgotten that he still had a few Circus Member cards.

Using these cards to create a monster-themed circus film might be an intriguing idea.

Still, this thought was fleeting.

At the moment, Universal’s Monster Universe was nothing more than a vague idea. Rather than pondering how to contribute to its creation, Allen decided to focus on Ron Meyer’s invitation.

If he were to write a superhero film, he asked, “Are you certain there’s no way to acquire any superhero rights, Mr. Meyer?”

“With Hollywood’s current frenzy for superhero films, any recognizable superhero character has already been snapped up,” Meyer replied.

Hollywood wasn’t lacking in smart people; in fact, it was full of them.

Meyer’s answer made Allen frown.

Creating an original superhero and achieving blockbuster success without the foundation of an existing IP was a significant challenge—even for someone like Allen.

But it was just that—a challenge.

After all, with access to the other world’s wealth of ideas, Allen had options for inspiration.

For example, while he couldn’t create a superhero film using existing copyrights, he could borrow elements from the backstory of a well-known superhero.

He could produce a film similar to Brightburn—a twisted, horror-themed reinterpretation of Superman.

Everyone would recognize the parallels to Superman, but it wouldn’t be actionable in court.

However, such a “pastiche” superhero movie, while intriguing, wouldn’t meet Allen’s box office expectations.

After some deliberation, he abandoned this idea in favor of something even bolder and more eye-catching.

“A ‘mockumentary’-style superhero film?”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 197: The Prototype

New York, Universal Studios building.

Ron Meyer’s expression showed a hint of surprise at Allen’s idea of a superhero movie script, yet it all seemed to make perfect sense.

With the release and box office success of Paranormal Activity, Allen had already established himself as an undisputed leader in the “mockumentary” film genre.

Whenever the term “mockumentary” was mentioned, his name would be the first to come to mind.

From The Blair Witch Project to the recently concluded Paranormal Activity, and even Modern Family, currently airing on ABC and about to reach its first season finale, Allen’s accomplishments in this style were undeniable.

If the success of one project could be attributed to luck, achieving consistent results in the same genre clearly proved Allen had unique expertise in mockumentaries.

“Still, ‘mockumentaries’ and superhero movies…”

Ron Meyer struggled to connect the two vastly different genres.

“In fact, it’s simple,” Allen explained. “The essence of a mockumentary is immersing the audience. It tricks viewers into thinking they’re watching a documentary, not a fictional film. However, using well-known superheroes introduces a barrier; audiences inevitably associate them with their comic book personas when they step into the theater.”

“Now, if we base our superheroes on real-life figures, that barrier disappears entirely.”

“You mean…”

As the vice president of Universal Pictures’ film distribution department, Ron Meyer wasn’t one to miss the point. The moment Allen elaborated, he immediately caught on. Allen was suggesting basing the script on three real-world “superheroes.”

“Using reality as a prototype.”

“This idea is simply…”

Even Ron Meyer couldn’t help but applaud Allen’s creativity.

All of Hollywood was riding the superhero trend, propelled by the emergence of real-life superheroes. Yet, they overlooked that the most fascinating among them were the three heroes with their crude, makeshift costumes.

Compared to comic book superheroes, these three might appear insignificant, more like supporting characters designed to highlight a protagonist’s glory. However, in the context of reality, their impact was entirely different.

As real-life superheroes, even their unremarkable presence would generate unprecedented buzz once adapted for the big screen.

Turning real people into movie characters wasn’t new in Hollywood. Many films romanticized the lives of famous figures. However, adapting a story so close to current events, especially in a mockumentary format, was rare. Usually, such stories were reserved for actual documentaries.

“But is it feasible?”

After marveling at Allen’s bold script concept, Ron Meyer sobered up with a dose of worry.

“They are real-life superheroes. If the movie misrepresents them and angers them, Universal wouldn’t stand a chance against their wrath.”

On one hand, Ron anticipated the project. On the other, he couldn’t ignore the potential risks. After all, he’d seen news reports of those superheroes flipping cars with a flick of their wrists. Universal’s headquarters wouldn’t stand a chance.

“We’re merely borrowing their background; it’s not a documentary,” Allen reassured him.

“Remember, this is a ‘mockumentary.’ It might look like a documentary, but it’s entirely fictional. If a superhero overreacts to a fabricated story, they’re not heroes—they’re villains.”

Outwardly, Allen used the “mockumentary” angle to calm Ron Meyer. In truth, he was the least afraid of angering the “superheroes.”

After all, from his interactions with them, Allen knew the script made him a god-like figure in their minds. This even extended to the entity inhabiting Andrew’s body.

Still, it was ironic that this “creator” was piggybacking on their fame to produce a movie.

“Of course, if Universal is overly cautious, you could always seek their permission—if you can find them.”

Getting a superhero’s consent to use their likeness? Even Ron Meyer found the suggestion absurd.

As Allen said, where would he even begin to track down these three?

After a few moments of hesitation, Ron Meyer gritted his teeth and made his decision.

“Fine, Allen. Let’s make this superhero mockumentary.”

Looking at Ron Meyer’s resolute expression, Allen couldn’t help but smirk and ask teasingly, “Aren’t you afraid of them coming after you, Ron?”

“Like you said, it’s a mockumentary. Just a fictional story.”

Throwing Allen’s earlier reassurance back at him, Ron Meyer used it to justify his decision.

Unlike Allen, who knew the superheroes wouldn’t retaliate, Ron Meyer’s motivation came from the project’s lucrative potential.

He was well aware that a superhero mockumentary would be a guaranteed box office success. With such a tempting opportunity, it was hard for him to say no.

“Perhaps we should add a disclaimer at the end of the film stating, ‘All events depicted are purely fictional.’”

(End of Chapter)  

*Chapter 198: The Archive*

Meanwhile, the "mockumentary" superhero movie was still just a concept. The script remained incomplete, awaiting Allen's final touch.

Of course, for Allen, this wasn't particularly challenging.

After all, when it came to understanding the three "superheroes," no one in the world was more familiar with them than he was.

In some ways, he was like a real-life Stan Lee.

However, Allen clearly focused more on the evolving "script" of real life than the current screenplay.

After weeks of development, the script for Monster Pool was finally approaching its climactic finale.

The influence of this script exceeded even Allen's expectations as its creator.

To align with its unfolding narrative, Allen had even spent a large amount of [Plot Points] to ensure the story reached the desired conclusion.

“As a ‘superhero,’ intense battle scenes are, of course, essential,” Allen muttered to himself.

“The groundwork is set; now, it’s time to reap the rewards.”

As his voice fell, the scene on the system’s interface began to shift.

In New York, deep within a tunnel heavily guarded by numerous BSI agents, a pool of water glimmering with an eerie blue hue began to ripple. Moments later, a swollen, scarred hand gripped the rocky edge of the pool.

...

“Incredible. It’s simply unimaginable!”

After confirming that the pool in the tunnel could grant supernatural abilities—or as psychic Spike put it, "spiritual power"—the BSI immediately cordoned off the area.

Inside a makeshift laboratory, scientists investigating the phenomenon gazed in awe at the faintly glowing blue liquid in their samples.

Though they had joined the BSI fully aware it was a secret federal agency established to handle supernatural cases, coming into direct contact with something so otherworldly still shook the scientific foundations they had long held dear.

“Evidently, this mysterious liquid contains some radioactive element unknown to modern science,” one researcher remarked after preliminary analyses.

“If we can unlock its secrets, it could even lead us to a Nobel Prize!”

Exchanging glances, the researchers shared expressions of barely contained excitement.

“Sorry to dampen your enthusiasm, everyone,” Agent Jonathan from the BSI interjected, breaking the jubilant mood.

“While I hate to ruin your hopes, remember the confidentiality agreements you signed. BSI-013 is classified at the highest level. No information about it may be disclosed under any circumstances—even in the context of receiving a Nobel Prize.”

BSI-013 was the official designation for the supernatural phenomena recorded by the BSI.

The full name of BSI-013 was [BSI-013 Psychic Pool].

This mysterious pool, emanating an eerie blue glow, was located in an underground chamber in the outskirts of New York.

The initial intelligence on the pool came from [BSI-012 Superhero 1].

Psychic Spike eventually confirmed that [BSI-013 Psychic Pool] had historically served as a place of spiritual inheritance. [BSI-012 Superhero 1] and two others had stumbled into it, acquiring their spiritual powers.

Currently, [BSI-013 Psychic Pool] was under strict BSI lockdown.

...

Agent Jonathan’s words brought the researchers back to reality, dampening their earlier excitement over [BSI-013 Psychic Pool].

“Wait, has anyone noticed that the blue glow of the liquid in the cup seems to have dimmed?”

At that moment, one of the researchers pointed out that the pool water in the lab was losing its luster.

“The mysterious substance’s radioactivity is also dropping…”

Hearing this, the lab descended into a flurry of activity. Researchers scrambled to their instruments, watching as the radiation graph on their screens plummeted. Their expressions turned grim.

“What’s going on? Why is the mysterious substance in the liquid decaying so rapidly?”

“Decay” was the only term the scientists could use to describe what they were witnessing.

As the faint blue glow faded entirely, leaving only plain water, the researchers struggled to come to terms with the phenomenon.

“Maybe it’s not the liquid itself that’s special, but the pool it comes from?”

The researchers, each carefully vetted by the BSI, were chosen not only for their qualifications but also for their intellectual acumen. This led them to hypothesize that the pool itself, rather than the extracted liquid, might hold the key to the mystery.

“We need to enter the tunnel to confirm if the liquid’s changes are somehow linked to the pool.”

The thought of this possibility made the scientists restless. They turned to Agent Jonathan, requesting access to the pool.

“Apologies, doctors,” Jonathan replied with a shake of his head.

“Until further authorization is granted, any attempt to approach the tunnel will be deemed illegal. If you wish to enter, you’ll need to file a formal request.”

After discovering that [BSI-013 Psychic Pool] could grant supernatural abilities, the BSI became extremely cautious.

Three superheroes were already enough trouble. If more emerged, the BSI director might well lose their job.

Even though Spike had clarified that the pool’s power came at a cost—allowing spirits to possess the user in exchange for granting spiritual abilities—the allure of supernatural power was too great for the BSI to risk anyone tampering with it.

To mitigate all potential risks, the BSI imposed strict controls. Even their agents were barred from entering the tunnel without explicit approval.

The liquid samples provided to researchers were extracted using specialized machines, which were destroyed immediately after their task to prevent misuse.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 199: Rising from the Dead*

"The crowd is getting bigger and bigger."

Carefully controlling his body, Matt floated cautiously into the forest.

He gazed at the heavily guarded clearing and the makeshift tents erected nearby. His expression grew more solemn.

In just a week, Matt had witnessed the transformation of the once-barren clearing into a high-security area.

The people now surrounding the clearing were vastly different from the initial police officers. Their defense was far tighter.

"So, is this some kind of special government agency?"

Thanks to the internet's growth and America's fascination with conspiracy theories, Matt easily accepted the idea of secret organizations like the BSI.

Guiding his floating body deeper into the forest, Matt's gaze pierced through the temporary base established by the BSI. His eyes fell on the tunnel entrance surrounded by a network of steel scaffolding. Clenching his fists, he hesitated, unable to summon the resolve to charge in.

"Maybe Steve is already..."

Deep down, Matt knew the truth.

Steve had been in the water for so long that the chances of survival were slim. But Matt refused to acknowledge it.

After all, he had come to the pond with Steve. If he had reacted quicker, perhaps he could have saved him.

Driven by guilt and unease, Matt felt compelled to re-enter the tunnel and find Steve, who had fallen into the water.

Determined, Matt took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and adjusted his body, preparing to head toward the tunnel entrance.

*Boom!*

Suddenly, a deafening rumble echoed from the tunnel ahead.

The ground around the clearing began to quake violently, and cracks spread like a web across the surface.

"What’s happening?"

Startled by the tremor, Matt froze mid-air among the trees.

He frowned, watching the commotion in the clearing as the people below scrambled in panic.

As the vibrations grew, the tunnel entrance collapsed.

At that moment, a battered and swollen figure emerged from the shattered opening.

"Steve?!"

Matt instinctively cried out when he saw the figure at the entrance.

Although the figure had become bloated and grotesque from prolonged exposure to water, Matt still recognized him from his uniform and bandages—it was undoubtedly Steve, who had fallen into the pond.

However, this Steve was nothing like what Matt had hoped for.

Emerging from the tunnel, "Steve" twisted his swollen neck. His waterlogged body emitted an eerie blue glow, and amidst the glow, distorted faces seemed to flicker on his skin.

Dripping wet, he left clear footprints on the ground as he stepped forward.

"Steve" stopped in front of the steel scaffolding and, without expression, raised an arm. With a single finger, he tapped lightly on the structure.

*Boom!*

The steel scaffolding exploded as if struck by an invisible force.

"Such power!"

Even from tens of meters away, Matt, hidden in the trees, could feel the immense energy radiating from "Steve’s" attack.

Within the shockwave, Matt faintly heard chilling screams.

"Steve" moved as if destroying the scaffolding was a trivial task. His expression remained indifferent. His eyes glowed blue, concealing his pupils, and his mouth moved as if mumbling something unintelligible.

"Evacuate the researchers!"

Jonathan, a BSI agent, emerged from a nearby tent, directing his team to escort the researchers to safety.

Watching "Steve" by the tunnel entrance, Jonathan noted the tattered uniform and recalled the intelligence from Amanda’s team.

"Everyone, alert! Level-one protocol!"

Though he had a vague idea of what was happening, Jonathan had no time to dwell on it. With his orders, the chaos in the clearing subsided.

The BSI’s armed patrol squad surrounded "Steve" within seconds.

Drawing his handgun, Jonathan stepped closer.

He stared at the glowing blue eyes of "Steve," gripped his weapon tightly, and commanded in a deep voice, "I don’t care who you are. Stop what you’re doing now!"

Jonathan’s warning caused "Steve" to pause momentarily.

Slowly, "Steve" raised his head. His glowing blue eyes focused on Jonathan and the armed squad behind him. His mouth moved, producing broken, hoarse words: "An... Andrew..."

As "Steve" muttered, the ground around him trembled slightly. Rocks of various sizes floated into the air.

"Fire!"

Seeing this, Jonathan didn’t hesitate and immediately ordered his squad to open fire.

Simultaneously, his own gun blazed as bullets shot toward "Steve."

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

A relentless barrage of bullets rained down on "Steve."

Under normal circumstances, Steve wouldn’t have stood a chance against such an attack. He would’ve been riddled with bullets.

But now...

The glowing blue eyes reflected the trajectory of the bullets.

Even as he continued mumbling the name "Andrew," "Steve" seemed impervious to the assault. The eerie blue glow intensified, and ghostly faces emerged, screaming from his body.

Amid the chaos, "Steve" raised his scarred arm and opened his palm.

The bullets, as if hitting an invisible wall, froze in mid-air, hovering before "Steve."

Then, he clenched his hand into a fist.

"Look out!"

Jonathan, stunned by what he witnessed, snapped out of his shock as he saw "Steve" make a fist. He yelled to his team, warning them.

But it was too late.

The suspended bullets reversed their trajectory, flying back toward their origin like a deadly storm.

Screams echoed as the squad was struck down by their own firepower.

(To be continued...)  

*Chapter 200: Disparity*

"Damn it!"

Jonathan's expression turned grim as he looked at the people around him struck by bullets.

As a BSI agent, although he didn’t frequently encounter supernatural cases like Amanda’s team, he had read the department’s files and understood the dangers such cases posed.

Especially after several BSI agents mysteriously disappeared while guarding Mary Shaw not long ago, Jonathan became acutely aware of how extraordinary these cases could be.

However, he never expected to find himself thrust into such an encounter without any preparation.

Looking down at his own leg, injured by a rebounding bullet, he grimaced.

Although he had sensed something was wrong in that split second, he still couldn’t evade the ricocheting bullet.

Given his current condition, escaping seemed nearly impossible.

Enduring the pain, Jonathan raised his head to look at the bloated, grotesque figure emitting an eerie blue glow in front of him—Steve. Jonathan had a gut feeling that, even if he hadn’t been injured, escaping from this creature was unlikely.

After all, if Steve could effortlessly deflect bullets, catching a fleeing Jonathan would be even easier.

Turning his swollen, scarred face, Steve stared at Jonathan with his ghostly blue eyes.

Steve’s mouth repeatedly muttered Andrew’s name, and his clenched fist extended a damp, glistening index finger pointing directly at Jonathan.

This move was one Steve had used earlier on the metal structures surrounding the tunnel entrance.

Even the sturdy iron framework couldn’t withstand the power of his finger, exploding on contact.

If that same power was unleashed on Jonathan, the most likely result would be his body exploding into a gruesome display of flesh and blood.

“Stop it, Steve!”

Just as disaster was about to strike, Mike, who had been hiding in the nearby woods, finally couldn’t remain silent any longer.

Using the trees for support, Mike launched himself into the air, gliding to land in front of Jonathan. Staring at the glowing, grotesque Steve, Mike shouted,

“You can’t keep doing this! Have you forgotten why we sought this power in the first place? It wasn’t to harm others…”

Although Mike didn’t know exactly what Steve had gone through after being dragged into the pool, he knew he had to put an end to this chaos.

“…”

Mike’s sudden appearance seemed to cause a flicker of awareness in Steve’s muddled consciousness.

The energy gathering on his raised finger paused. Steve’s bloated neck twisted as his glowing blue eyes fixed on Mike.

The name Steve had been chanting shifted.

“…Mike… Mike…”

“It’s me, Steve.”

Hearing his name from Steve’s mouth, Mike let out a sigh of relief and was about to say more when Steve’s face twisted in rage.

“Why? Why didn’t you hold onto me? Why? WHY…”

Steve’s voice rose into a piercing scream as the blue glow on his body began to surge violently. Distorted faces appeared in the glow, and in the next moment, Steve redirected his pointed finger at Mike. A terrifying force burst forth from his fingertip.

Reacting instinctively, Mike controlled his body to float upward, narrowly evading the deadly attack.

*Boom!*

The invisible force erupted from Steve’s finger, striking the spot where Mike had been standing, leaving behind a massive crater.

“That was close.”

Looking at the pit Steve had created, Mike’s face showed a trace of relief.

If he hadn’t reacted quickly, even with his supernatural powers, taking that attack head-on wouldn’t have ended well.

However, the fact that Steve had attacked him without hesitation weighed heavily on Mike. Struggling to stay afloat, he looked at Steve and shouted incredulously,

“Why, Steve? We’re friends! We’ve fought side by side as heroes. Why are you doing this?”

Steve seemed unmoved by Mike’s heartfelt plea.

Standing still, he kept repeating his words of resentment.

Suddenly, Steve’s bloated body, as if pulled by an invisible force, launched into the air like a hammer, slamming into Mike with devastating power.

*Bang!*

Mike was struck down with no chance to resist, crashing to the ground and carving a long trench in the dirt.

“Cough, cough…”

Covered in dust, Mike clutched his injury and coughed violently, pain etched across his face.

As the one among the three who had the least exposure to the pool’s water, Mike’s consciousness remained intact, unclaimed by the spirits. But this also meant his powers were far weaker, making even basic flight difficult, let alone facing Steve, who had been immersed in the water for so long and gained immense strength.

One blow was enough to incapacitate him.

Hovering in the air, Steve aimed his glowing blue eyes at the defenseless Mike and raised his finger for the finishing strike.

…

“Hold on.”

Watching this scene unfold on the shattered system interface, Allen raised an eyebrow and used the [Plot Value] to make an adjustment.

“It’s not time for an exit yet, and this isn’t the final battleground.”

With Allen’s words, the [Plot Value] dropped visibly.

On the system screen, Steve’s poised attack abruptly stopped. Distorted faces appeared on his body, screaming mournfully.

Guided by these voices, Steve lowered his finger, dropped his hands, and muttered again, “Andrew… Andrew…”

Turning his bloated neck, Steve fixated on a direction.

In the next moment, his grotesque form disappeared into the sky, leaving only the faint echo of his voice behind.

(End of chapter)