Hell's Actor-Chapter 106: Mikoto Art Festival

Averie began reading the article partway through.

...which led to a smear campaign against Averie Quinn Auclair.

This wasn’t the first time Walter Dean or Loret Entertainment had tried to frame or manipulate the circumstances of an actor.

We have found evidence against multiple entertainment journalists complicit in the matter.

Some of these incidents did not end just with the actor’s retirement from the industry. One of the worst cases that comes to mind is that of Iris Cullin.

In March of 2021, Iris Cullin, one of the biggest stars at the time, committed suicide after facing a barrage of online abuse.

For the four years before her death, Iris had been constantly subjected to false accusations, none of which have since been proven.

Many in the industry at the time suspected Loret’s Entertainment’s hand in the matter, but nothing could be proven.

We managed to recover messages between Walter Dean and a few journalists that showed Loret’s heavy involvement in the matter.

The people who knew Iris, her family and friends, have constantly maintained that she wrote in a diary when she was alive, which mysteriously disappeared after her death.

Why would such a thing go missing? Is it simply another coincidence in the long list of coincidences that surround Loret Entertainment?

Averie whistled. "You tell ’em, girl."

So, the question remains: Should Loret’s actions be considered nothing more than unethical? Should we once again avert our eyes from the truth? Or should there be further consequences?

This issue goes beyond the reach of the entertainment world.

I ask you: If these are not considered criminal offences, then what are?

The article continued for six more pages, but Averie was satisfied reading just that much.

There were testimonies from actors who had suffered under Loret. Some had their houses burglarized and burned.

"Arson?" Averie muttered. "That’s a sophisticated crime."

"No, it’s not."

When considered together, these incidents did not seem like coincidences. And it wasn’t long before the voice of the common man was raised.

- Where are the f*ckers taking Loret’s side, huh?

- Oh, no, we are Loret, we are so scared of actors! F*ck off, you shits!

- Cheers to The Quinn for pummelling that bastard. Should have beaten him more.

- She deserved to die, that Iris Cullin. She was dating in secret, that bitch!

- These assholes deserve to get buried alive. You know what? I’m gonna do it myself. Where’s my shovel? Let me go find it.

Loret put out a statement immediately, condemning the article for presenting false and unverified information.

When people did not buy it, they published another statement, saying that they knew nothing about it and that Walter Dean acted of his own volition.

But no one believed them. The wrath of the masses could not be so easily quenched.

Soon, News channels picked up the story.

"No matter how much Loret pays them, there is no way our friends in blue won’t move now."

As Averie thought, even the police had to move.

At midnight, Walter Dean was brought in for questioning. And at 2 PM, he was arrested on multiple undisclosed charges.

It made waves in Seoul.

No one in the industry was safe from criticism. Accusations against companies and talents saw a sudden rise.

The common sentiment was against the glamorous and the wealthy.

The industry had tasted the united will of the common people, and now, it had to suffer for it.

’It’s a will that has defined history.’

From the beheadings during the French Revolution to the assassination of the Tsar, regardless of the era, at important junctures of human history, the middle class had always craved the fall of the high society.

And it was no different currently.

It was the refurbished version of the witch hunt seen throughout the ages.

To Averie, this was beautiful.

’This is the spirit of Hell. Burn them all.’

Surprisingly, he was the only actor spared from all the chaos.

It was the first time since his debut as an actor that his actions were not widely condemned.

For some reason, no one dared to curse the man who fired the first shot.

***

It was a beautiful night. The moon was out, and the air was cool.

In a large open venue, surrounded by greenery and stalls, hundreds of people had gathered.

Some were dressed in traditional opulence, while some were sporting modern convenience.

The streets were lined with lanterns and the cheer of people.

It was the Mikoto Art Festival, arranged annually in Tokyo.

And this year, a Hellion was visiting.

Averie took a deep breath.

"This is so tranquil and beautiful." He smiled. "Makes me want to ruin it."

Thankfully, Hyerin wasn’t around to scold him.

He had given her and Min-Ha some free time.

"What a generous employer I am, they must think."

They did not.

They were so worried about what trouble he would cause that they were following him from a distance.

"There are not that many celebrities," Min-Ha whispered, licking her ice cream.

Hyerin hastened her steps. "There are celebrities, just not many singers or actors. This place is open to the public, so they tend to stay away."

"Painters, directors, and all those?"

"Yeah."

"So, is Averie the biggest name here?"

"I guess."

’People will go crazy if they see him. A few months later, and I would not have to worry about it so much.’ She scowled. ’Don’t think like that! Popularity is good for actors!’

"He is moving." Min-Ha tapped on Hyerin’s shoulder.

A few feet ahead of them was a man in a white shirt, and on his face was a black face mask.

Hyerin looked worried. "Will he be able to hide his identity looking like that?"

The two cautiously followed their favorite actor to a Takoyaki shop.

"How is he going to eat with a mask on?"

Hyerin clapped her hands together in a prayer. "Oh, please don’t pull down the mask, Averie. Please."

Her prayers were answered, and Averie didn’t pull down the mask.

Creative as he was, he pulled it up.

Covering his nose and eyes, he ate at the stall with two of his senses deprived, inviting attention.

Some passers-by even filmed his ridiculous act.

It gave Hyerin a headache.

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