Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1618 - 1616: A Perfect Opening (It’s Going to Snow Tomorrow)

"Hello everyone!"

Accompanied by the music, Haruka, Miki, and Chihaya came onto the stage, waving to the crowd.

"Welcome to 765 Night!"

The lights began to flicker, and hearing the girls’ entrance, the cheers erupted immediately. The audience below waved their glow sticks energetically and shouted loudly.

"Whew... it seems like we’ve got off to a good start."

Watching the enthusiastic audience, Fang Zheng breathed a sigh of relief. This time, he adjusted the program based on the style of many Hollywood films. Hollywood movies mostly have simple and straightforward plots, similar to elementary school essays—the so-called popcorn movies, where the excitement is enough. Whether it makes sense or has logic isn’t something the audience cares about.

So generally, a successful Hollywood blockbuster starts with a super exciting fight or car chase or some other spectacle, instantly drawing the audience in, and then they won’t worry about the movie’s plot and logic.

Fang Zheng decided to do the same, knowing that most of today’s audience are fans of STARS and Komachi Ryuuguu. While they might not even know all the idols in 765, they definitely recognize their beloved group.

If they follow the routine, someone is bound to notice the absence of the three from Komachi Ryuuguu and cause trouble. That being the case, it’s better to get them excited right from the start so they won’t notice these troubles...

However, it’s not easy at all. This means the three from STARS have to take the lead, because only then will the audience not wonder, "Who is this person on stage? Where is Komachi Ryuuguu?"

Miki bears the heaviest burden—Haruka is too approachable, and Fang Zheng doesn’t expect Chihaya to speak well. If Miki cannot excite the audience, then everything that follows will be futile.

This is far more nerve-racking than Fang Zheng going on stage himself. After all, he can’t intervene in how the girls perform on stage. Moreover, his banned factions are both the School of Illusions and Enchantment School, which means Fang Zheng cannot use illusion or group spells to guide the audience’s emotions... In the end, it’s up to the girls themselves.

One song ended, and the audience’s emotions were already stirred up, but this was only the beginning. Soon, as Haruka and Chihaya exited, Miki remained on stage alone, starting her performance.

"Take it easy, have a rest."

Watching Chihaya and Haruka come backstage, Fang Zheng handed them each a bottle of water.

"Thank you, producer."

Haruka thanked him and accepted the water bottle together with Chihaya.

"The audience’s mood is pretty good so far. Next, it’s up to you, Chihaya. Remember, go up after Miki’s two songs, and make sure not to give the audience time to react. Haruka, be ready to join Xuebu and Takane for a middle show."

"Got it!"

The two nodded, and then Haruka quickly ran to the lounge with the water bottle, while Chihaya stood nearby, closing her eyes.

At this time, Sora came over, smiling and looking at Fang Zheng.

"Feeling a bit tense, bro?"

"I don’t like things that aren’t under control; it’s normal to be nervous."

Fang Zheng slightly frowned, which is why he prefers to handle almost everything himself. Just like when sending Touma back to World of Love, initially he could have sent a few people, a fleet would have been enough. But after thinking, he decided to go personally because he dislikes situations that he can’t control.

The Free World on the other hand, he feels assured about because those worlds are no longer a secret to him. Thus, even if something happens, Fang Zheng is confident that the little ones at home can manage it. Just like when the Chinese Federation in Mech World was attacked by unknown aliens, Fang Zheng simply made a general decision after listening to Anya’s report, without any intention to intervene, for this reason.

But for exploring and adventuring in unknown terrains, Fang Zheng isn’t so relaxed. The Star Sea is infinite; who knows what happens in what world?

"Bro, you have a few warships in this world too."

"That’s useless too."

Fang Zheng helplessly spread his hands.

"Even if I bring them all over, can it guarantee the concert’s success? That’s why I don’t like these kinds of tasks; fighting is much simpler..."

When playing games, Fang Zheng really disliked those troublesome tasks; fighting is the simplest, just a matter of where to go, who to kill, and how many to kill. But those tasks that require thinking are the most bothersome; designers often intentionally design extremely annoying tasks to show off their cleverness or tricks, like asking you to fetch something from somewhere, and if you forget to check the task prompt or didn’t find the place, you’d be confused.

The only option then is to search online for a guide.

Such tasks that can’t rely solely on oneself are what Fang Zheng dislikes.

As a producer, what he can do is really limited. Of course, Fang Zheng can help schedule work for the girls, organize concerts, and write songs for them, but that’s about it.

Fang Zheng can’t even give them classic songs to copy; classic songs come with great melody and great singers. The girls are currently all just un-debuted artists, their skill levels are far from reaching such heights, and using classic songs would just benefit others.

Just like the song Fang Zheng copied back then, "Everything You Gave Me," it was a good song, and after singing it in SchoolDays, it did spread around a bit.

But that’s the extent of it. Although some scouts or offices approached, they weren’t particularly big ones.

Yet when Morikawa Yuki took the song and sang it, it immediately became widely known, turning famous all over Japan.

Why? Because of the skill gap between Yukina and Morikawa Yuki.

Yukina is just a music enthusiast; she loves singing, but that’s all, without professional training and fame, her singing can’t compare with Morikawa Yuki’s. The latter is a national idol who has been famous for years; she wouldn’t be this popular without some skills.

Currently, Komizo Yukina is somewhat like a combination of Haruka + Chihaya + Miki. She has Haruka’s approachability, Chihaya’s vocal skills, and Miki’s presence, which is why she shot to fame and climbed to the top of the weekly chart.

Of course, Ogata Office’s support shouldn’t be overlooked.

If Yukina is Luu Bu, then Haruka, Chihaya, and Miki are the three heroes. One might not be enough, but three together should be okay.

As they say, three cobblers are worth a Zhuge Liang.

At this moment, Miki’s song had finished.

Though she still appeared cheerful and lively, from her labored breathing and movements, Fang Zheng could tell Miki was already a bit exhausted.

It’s not surprising—Miki and STARS kicked off with a dance right at the start, followed by her solo performance, also singing and dancing, and there’s another song afterward, again singing and dancing. Because these songs are intense and upbeat, Miki’s moves are larger.

Frankly speaking, now Miki is kind of running a marathon at sprint speed, already lacking stamina.

But Fang Zheng can only watch from here.

The third song has Ma and Hibiki helping Miki with the dance, but it’s just dancing, and Miki’s song is very challenging, only she and Takane can sing it. Others simply can’t manage. So Fang Zheng could only watch Miki bouncing and singing and swaying on stage, while below her, the audience excitedly waved their glow sticks without stopping.

The atmosphere had been completely warmed up.

One song ended, cheers rose, and Miki cheerfully waved at the audience, then walked off the stage. But just a few steps backstage, she saw Miki’s legs go weak, quickly being supported by Fang Zheng.

"Pro, producer..."

Meixi was gasping for air, and she lifted her head. Although her face looked a bit grim, she still managed to smile.

"Meixi did it. You could see it on stage; everything was sparkling below... Producer, did Meixi shine too?"

"Of course, you did great, absolutely perfect. Tonight, the most dazzling one was you."

Fang Zheng patted Meixi’s head, giving his answer. And Fang Zheng wasn’t lying. The beginning is the hardest part, and if Meixi hadn’t succeeded in warming up the audience, it would have meant the entire plan afterward was a bust. So Fang Zheng saying that Meixi was the most dazzling tonight was well-deserved.

"Ha...!"

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s reply, Meixi also showed a happy smile. At this moment, Chihaya also patted her shoulder.

"You worked hard, Meixi. Leave the rest to me."

While speaking, Chihaya stepped onto the stage.

The rain outside was getting heavier.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Yukina respectfully bowed to the assistants outside before walking into the lounge where Touma, World, and Setsuna were waiting for her.

"Yukina, how was it? Are you okay?"

"Hmm, it went relatively smoothly..."

Looking at the three friends in front of her, Yukina relaxed a little. The fact that World, Setsuna, and Touma were currently accompanying her as interns was also what kept Yukina going. Honestly, Yukina regretted everything by now. She had never intended to become an idol. The reason she agreed to Morikawa Yuki’s invitation was more of a spur-of-the-moment decision after being provoked by Fang Zheng.

But it brought her unimaginable consequences.

Currently, as the hottest emerging idol star, Yukina naturally has a lot of work—shooting commercials, appearing on TV and radio shows, CD releases, and concerts.

For someone aspiring to be an idol, they might find themselves busy and fulfilled.

But for Yukina, it felt rather annoying. She immensely missed her school days, instead of running around everywhere, tangled up in all these affairs.

She had once considered quitting, but the Ogata Office put a hefty breach of contract fee on the signed agreement, which was something a girl from an ordinary family simply couldn’t afford...

"What are you watching?"

Taking a breath and setting her inner anxiety aside, Yukina then turned her attention to the television in the lounge, only to find that it was broadcasting a concert.

"It’s a concert by 765; we found it quite interesting, so we’re watching the live stream."

"Really..."

Watching the blonde girl singing and dancing on stage, Yukina suddenly found it a bit dazzling.

"What’s her name?"

"Hoshii Miki... Why?"

"I..."

Hearing Touma’s inquiry, Yukina hesitated for a moment but still spoke.

"I saw her once at the TV station. She was with Haruno... hugging and cuddling."

Although at that time Meixi pounced over, and Fang Zheng pressed her head and pushed her away, in Yukina’s eyes, it certainly didn’t look that way.

"She is indeed lively and cute."

Listening to this, World also stared at the TV and after a moment gave her opinion. The group exchanged glances, somewhat downcast, until World seemed to think of something and looked at Touma.

"By the way, Touma, in that place called Heavenly Dao Palace, are there girls like her?"

"Yes, although they’re not that old."

If we’re talking about lively and cute, Nobiru and Tina definitely don’t fall behind.

Not to mention Little Hei, who is quite a troublemaker.

"........."

Soon, the lounge fell into silence until Meixi finished her performance, and another girl took the stage.

It was at this time that Setsuna suddenly spoke.

"Yukina, your choice wasn’t very wise."

"I know... But now what can I do?"

Yukina felt helpless. If she had to choose, she actually still preferred to be with Fang Zheng. But back then, her head got worked up from seeing Fang Zheng surrounded by a group of girls, and when Morikawa Yuki invited her to join Ogata Office later, Yukina’s mind inexplicably recalled the scene, and she agreed.

Then, once Yukina calmed down... she had already signed the contract.

"If I quit, I have to pay the penalty!"

"Perhaps Haruno could help?"

"The penalty is in the tens of millions."

This number was very clearly remembered by Yukina. In fact, she had entertained this idea more than once, but each time Yukina entertained this thought, the staggering sum of the penalty would strike her down.

As a child from a middle-class family, Yukina admitted to herself that she absolutely couldn’t come up with this money.

"........."

Hearing this, the other three also fell silent. Although they were quite familiar with Fang Zheng, they didn’t think Fang Zheng would cough up tens of millions for Yukina... even Touma was no exception.

After all, strictly speaking, this was a trouble Yukina brought upon herself.

But how could this be resolved?

None of them could come up with a solution.