"You mean... you also want a role in Sherlock Holmes?" Edward looked at Zoroark in front of him with a strange expression. He honestly hadn't expected that after wrapping up Sherlock Holmes Season 2, Zoroark would suddenly want to be in the show.
Zoroark nodded immediately. It also wanted to leave its mark in such an outstanding production. Seeing this, Edward stroked his chin thoughtfully. It wasn't that he didn't want to give Zoroark a role—actually, assigning one would be easy. The problem was that Season 2 of Sherlock Holmes had already been completed and sent off for broadcast. There was no way to add in a new scene now.
"You'll have to wait for Season 3, then. Remember to say something earlier next time." Edward rubbed his temples a bit, feeling slightly helpless, then gave Zoroark that instruction. Zoroark was a little disappointed but didn't complain. It realized this issue the moment it asked.
Even though its boss was the director and writer of Sherlock Holmes, and had the power to add roles, the production was finished. There really was no way to add more footage.
"All right, once things are ready, we'll start filming Season 3. For now, tell the props team to finish setting up quickly. We need to begin Alien's production as soon as possible," Edward said, trying to comfort his assistant.
Fortunately, Zoroark wasn't too down and quickly adjusted its mood, heading off to complete her tasks. The props team soon picked up their pace. By the time Daniel rushed over on a flight, the spaceship set had already been built. Once filming was complete, the set would be handed over to the Kanto League as a tourist attraction.
"Boss!" Daniel called out as soon as he arrived on set, visibly excited. Edward looked up from the script he was working on—he was still in the middle of rewriting Manchester by the Sea for adaptation.
"That fast?" Edward chuckled, seeing how travel-worn Daniel looked. He picked up the Buried script beside him and handed it over.
"I came as soon as I got your call. Boss, this script is just too good." Daniel spoke sincerely. This wasn't flattery—he genuinely meant it. The script for Buried had captivated him at first glance. Now, seeing the full version, he was even more impressed.
For an actor like Daniel, who had already made some money, the next pursuit was fame and recognition. In the Pokémon world, the pinnacle of achievement for a male actor was winning the Pokémon League Best Actor Award.
While Sherlock Holmes was an excellent show, Daniel knew that—even if it earned him a TV award—it wouldn't be enough. Only an outstanding film, one that could truly challenge his acting abilities, could bring him the Best Actor title.
And in Daniel's eyes, Buried had that potential.
"Mhm, this film is basically a one-man show. Do your best," Edward said, patting Daniel on the shoulder and handing him a cup of tea. Daniel quickly accepted it with both hands, repeatedly thanking him, which left Edward both amused and speechless.
Daniel was just too humble.
Daniel carried his milk tea over to a corner to read the script. He planned to thoroughly analyze the character—the male lead in Buried—and see what depth he could uncover. Normally, for other films, they might do a full cast script reading to develop character relationships. But Buried barely had any other actors, so that wasn't necessary.
"Boss, we just received a business collaboration request you might want to look at," Zoroark said as she rushed over.
"What is it?" Edward didn't care much. He got far too many partnership offers—especially from Devon Corp.
"It's from a super-popular idol girl group in Kanto. They want to know if we're interested in having them sing the theme song." Zoroark's expression was a little odd as she said this.
Idol group? Theme song?
For Alien?
As a sci-fi horror film, Alien didn't even have much music. Most of it took place in the silent vacuum of space, using silence to highlight the terror. A theme song would be more fitting for a traditional sci-fi movie.
Still, it was common practice to have famous singers or idol groups sing theme songs. If the movie or show became popular, the song would take off too—and the artists would benefit from the exposure and profits.
"No need," Edward waved his hand. He just couldn't imagine what it would be like to suddenly insert a theme song into a high-tension movie like Alien. And where would it even go?
Recently, Hollywood had started copying Bollywood, adding dance scenes and upbeat music to movies. Think of Joker's staircase dance or the creepy robot dance in M3GAN. Or even Deadpool's Bye Bye Bye dance.
Edward wasn't against dance scenes—music and movement could show character and deepen development. But one or two movies doing this is refreshing. If every movie did it, it would just get annoying.
After all, why would a character randomly break into dance? You'd need a proper reason—it couldn't just happen for no reason like in Bollywood.
"All right, I'll go reply to them," Zoroark said, nodding as she turned to leave.
Edward didn't pay it much attention. Right now, his main concern was Alien and Buried. Shooting two films at the same time was a first for him—it would be a challenge. But seeing the well-prepared Alien set and Daniel studying the script so seriously, Edward figured—maybe he could shoot Buried first while waiting for Alien to start?
With that thought, Edward walked over and took a look at Daniel. Daniel was still reading, making all sorts of strange expressions, apparently practicing scenes from the script. Edward couldn't help but reflect. He trusted Daniel's acting, but it seemed it would take him a little while to fully absorb the role.
"Daniel, how do you feel about the script?" Edward asked.
Daniel lit up and began excitedly sharing his thoughts about the character. Edward listened. Daniel's interpretation was solid. The heart of Buried was the male lead's desperate attempts to save himself—and ultimately, the hopelessness when he fails. The emotional journey was the core. It was a unique film—one that demanded everything from its actor, but not too much from the director.
Originally, Buried alone might have been enough. But knowing how strict the Pokémon League Film Festival's selection criteria were, Edward decided to go all in and make three films. Manchester by the Sea would come after the first two.
"That's a good take. Do you have the confidence to pull it off?" Edward asked, smiling.
Daniel nodded solemnly. "Boss, before I met you, I lived a life that felt like being buried alive. So yeah, I think I can handle it."
Edward paused for a moment, then patted him on the shoulder.
He'd seen Daniel's past in a film interview, even the tiny hanging-room he used to rent—barely big enough for a bed. Daniel had later bought that room with his own money. He said that whenever he felt pride creeping in, he'd return to that room to remind himself where he started.
"All right, let's take half a month to finish Buried. You in?"
Daniel thought for a moment, then gave a determined nod.
Edward didn't say anything more. He called Zoroark over and began preparing for Buried's shoot.
"Boss… this is really going to be a movie?" Zoroark asked in disbelief, staring at the simple set.
It was just a plot of land, and a wooden box.
That was it.
That was the entire setup for Buried. If not for Edward and Daniel taking it so seriously, Zoroark and the rest of the crew would've thought it was all a joke.
"Yep. This is a movie," Edward said calmly.
Buried was always meant to be a low-budget film. Something a transmigrator might make when they had no money. The only real requirement was acting skill. Fake documentaries could work too, but Buried was simpler.
"Daniel, you'll have to lie inside this box. We'll bury you, and shoot close-ups. Any issues?" Edward asked.
He wanted realism. And with Pokémon around, safety wasn't a concern. The realism would make the movie more immersive.
"No problem, Boss! I love this kind of challenge!" Daniel said, excited. He was in the middle of getting his makeup done to match the character's buried-alive appearance.
Edward nodded with satisfaction and began discussing the film with the crew.
"This film is called Buried. The lead is Daniel Clovis. We don't need to cast many other characters…"
Just then, in the nearby forest, two men were adjusting surveillance equipment. Hearing that line, they exchanged confused looks.
"Bro, what does that mean? Are you sure our bug is working?" a chubby man asked, scratching his head. This didn't sound like a movie shoot—it sounded like a murder scene!
The tall, skinny one looked puzzled too. They had planted the device… but why were they hearing something so insane?
"One. Buried. Daniel. Not needed?"
Bury Daniel… because the company didn't need him anymore?
Wasn't Daniel Clovis Ghost Film Pictures' biggest male star?
Was Edward Stone really that ruthless? Burying his own actor alive?
This was huge. For paparazzi like them, if true, it would be the biggest scoop of the year. The Devon Corp heir turns out to be a killer?!
But since their wiretap wasn't fully set up, they weren't certain yet.
"Maybe the signal's off. Let me tweak the antenna," the skinny man muttered.
Soon, the sound cleared.
"Please! What are you doing? Why are you burying me?! I don't want to die!" a terrified voice cried out from the device.
The two men fell silent.
They knew that voice.
It was Daniel.
The biggest star at Ghost Film Pictures. The face of Sherlock Holmes. A household name across the League.
And he was being buried alive?!
"This is… this is…" the tall man took a deep breath.
They had the recording. Now, all they needed was to find Edward. With this kind of blackmail, they could demand a fortune—enough to set themselves up for life.
Of course, only an idiot would spend it all at once.
"Bro, what do we do now?" the chubby man asked, trembling at the cries from the device. He never imagined Edward would be like this.
"We… we…" The tall man inhaled deeply, picked up the recorder, and made up his mind.
Time for a big score.
Fortune begins today.
(End of Chapter)