Prologue

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The theater had already been strange before.

Now one side resembled a gathering of high school students, while the other looked like a meeting between gang leaders who had accidentally wandered into the wrong building.

Hachiman glanced from Gun's expressionless face to Goo's cheerful smile, then toward Kitae, James Lee, and Shingen.

He immediately looked forward again.

Some questions were better left unanswered.

Lucifer Morningstar stood before the enormous screen with an amused smile.

"Before anyone asks," Lucifer announced, "none of you have been kidnapped."

Oreki raised his hand slightly.

"Were we allowed to refuse?"

"No."

"Then we were kidnapped."

Lucifer's smile widened. "I prefer compulsory cultural exchange."

"That is kidnapping with better advertising," Hachiman muttered.

Several members of the newly arrived Lookism group were already testing their surroundings.

Daniel checked whether Zack, Vasco, Jay, and the others were unharmed.

Gun remained seated, silently studying Lucifer.

James examined the walls, doors, ceiling, and screen as though the smallest detail might reveal how the theater operated.

Kitae did not bother standing. He had already realized that escaping would not be possible until their host permitted it.

Jaegyeon, meanwhile, pressed both hands against his chair.

"The seat is comfortable," he decided, "but the lighting is terrible."

Yeowool stared at him.

"We were abducted by a supernatural being, and you're reviewing the furniture?"

"Being kidnapped doesn't mean abandoning your standards."

"I'll remember your feedback during the next renovation," Lucifer promised.

Yeowool sighed. "Please don't encourage him."

Goo raised his hand.

"Does this place provide food?"

A container of popcorn materialized in his lap.

Goo looked down at it before smiling brightly.

"I like this kidnapping."

"Stop calling it that so casually," Jake said.

"Would 'surprise vacation' make you feel better?"

"Neither description is correct," Daniel replied.

Kitae closed his eyes.

"Both descriptions are irritating."

Hachiman carefully examined the unfamiliar group.

One man was openly challenging the supernatural host.

Another was criticizing the furniture.

A third looked as though murder was his preferred method of communication.

And somehow the blond man eating popcorn appeared to be the most dangerous person to approach.

Lucifer suddenly looked directly at Hachiman.

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