Chapter 88: Something's Wrong with Him
The two were livestreaming, filming the memorial service.
"Boss, Greyson, let's go to the TV station first, we have an interview," Kyle said to the two.
He remembered Marcus's words and had successfully become James's apprentice in just half a day, so he needed to learn his methods.
The three then drove off.
Marcus had changed hotels, where they could use high-powered binoculars to observe the ritual ceremony scene tomorrow, the simplest way to observe.
If Kyle's livestream went wrong, he would need to understand the situation on-site to formulate a plan.
Marcus glanced at Greyson's livestream and saw that the three had finished their interviews and were walking out of the TV station.
"Look, they seem to be doing a show!"
Greyson immediately spotted two people on the roadside, one holding a microphone and the other carrying a camera, interviewing a passerby.
After the interview, the host seemed to have noticed Kyle and the others and quickly caught up.
"Hello, we're from 'Fast Talk' media. We're filming a show. Can we interview you with a few questions?"
Before Kyle could even speak, Greyson, seemingly eager for a chance to shine, said enthusiastically, "Ask away, ask anything."
"Our format is rapid-fire questions and answers."
The three of them were then asked seven or eight questions each.
They were all simple questions like: Who was the first U.S. President? Name five famous historical figures? What year was the Declaration of Independence signed?
After the interview, the host glanced at the cameraman, who understood and handed over a gift card.
"You guys run a social media channel, right? How's your following?" Kyle suddenly asked.
"Yes, it's not easy now, our views have dropped sharply." The host, having finished recording the show, relaxed again.
"Then why don't you come to my place and film some content? It's a large-scale cultural ceremony; it should boost our views."
Kyle said, showing the two men videos he had taken on his phone and newspaper photos.
The two seemed attracted by Kyle's words, exchanged a glance, and nodded in agreement.
Kyle saw that he had successfully recruited two more media people and arranged to meet them at the designated location before noon the next day.
"Remember to be on time."
"Boss, Greyson, let's go."
Kyle turned around and got into the car, happily adding another tool to his arsenal.
The two media people watched as the three drove away.
The slender host, wearing a black autumn jacket and looking rather delicate, slowly opened his mouth:
"Answering fluently, the Keeper has memory deficits, especially these trivial memories. It seems that he is most likely a local, and also a character in the plot."
The slightly chubby cameraman, wearing a brown oversized hoodie, said:
"We looked it up online. Reaper mythology is connected to local customs. There's also a local tradition of channeling the Reaper to perform rituals. Did you recognize the one with the baseball cap among these three?"
"Of course I recognized him. He's the most popular streamer who performs rituals. And did you just hear that the young man calling the other one 'Boss'? They are going to hold a grand ritual ceremony. He is very likely from the plot!"
The host said.
"Is he the Soul Collector?"
The cameraman turned on the playback, carefully observing the recording of the three people, seemingly trying to find some clues.
"Not malevolent enough, doesn't seem like a main plot character, but maybe there's a connection. They seemed to be livestreaming just now, let's look for them."
"They've already turned off the broadcast, but since they invited us, that's perfect. Let's go maintain our current local identities, it won't be a waste of our time waiting for them here. Remember not to expose ourselves."
The two looked around, seemingly searching for interview targets, talking as they walked, and left the scene.
Marcus also saw the host duo in the livestream. He instinctively felt something was wrong, so he searched for the social media account "Fast Talk" online.
It was indeed an old account, not some newly registered one in the last few days.
In their previous videos, they often used various topics to interview passersby, such as what would you do if you were given ten million dollars, or what you would do if a hundred people had a crush on you, and other such hypothetical topics.
And yesterday they were still updating the second episode of the previous show. It seems this history quiz show hasn't released any videos yet, it looks like a newly made segment.
But it's too coincidental—a coincidental encounter, a coincidental show with a wide range of historical questions, and an agreement to film the funeral. Marcus saw it all clearly from an outsider's perspective.
This was enough for him to be suspicious, and even if he was wrong, it wouldn't matter. At worst he would just turn 4 potential enemies into 6.
Soon it was the next day, October 16th, the day of the funeral rites.
Around noon, Kyle was entertaining everyone, various groups gathered together, the media industry all sitting at one table.
Marcus told Aaron's wife and Kyle that these relatives hadn't seen each other for twenty years and didn't like small talk, so he went to sit in the inner room first. His hearing was good enough to hear what was being said outside through the window.
Kyle walked over to the table of media people and struck up a conversation with them, seemingly getting into it:
"Hey, Boss, what exactly happened during that 'ritual' shoot? Can you tell us? I saw a lot of comments under the video saying something was off!"
"This kind of thing isn't suitable to talk about here, let's not talk about it."
James shook his head, really not wanting to bring it up.
"Tell us, Boss, my uncle said that people with talent like you are destined for greatness, and they all have their own unique skills. I really want to know how you managed to film the atmosphere of the video so realistically."
Kyle persisted.
James could only shake his head and smile bitterly. How could it not be realistic? It was all real.
His wife almost died; this kind of thing really wasn't suitable to talk about at a funeral. He could only postpone it until another time.
The two "Fast Talk" hosts exchanged glances again upon hearing this, a key phrase catching their attention.
Inside the room, Marcus felt something was off; it seemed a bit too much!
After staying in the room for a while longer, he went outside.
Kyle hurriedly came forward, "Uncle, are you heading out?"
"Yes, still dealing with company matters. Besides, your father and I had our differences, so it's not suitable for me to see him off. You did a great job this time, I'm very satisfied."
"Kyle, do you know, I've always been watching you. Although my brother wasn't a good person, you're my nephew, one of my closest relatives."
"Remember that anonymous gift of 1,000 dollars you received when you turned 18? That was my coming-of-age gift to you. I wanted to see how you would use it, but you spent it all partying with your classmates."
Marcus sighed, then looked at Kyle with a look of satisfaction, seemingly very pleased with him now.
"I... I was too immature back then, I thought it was just luck, I never imagined it was from you, Uncle. I'm sorry, Uncle, I wasted your good intentions."
Kyle suddenly realized what he had done and felt a little ashamed.
"It's alright, it's all in the past. I'll get back to work now."
"Take care, Uncle."
Marcus walked out the door and back into the hotel, letting out a sigh of relief.
His gaze instantly sharpened.
Something was wrong with Kyle!
Updating at midnight every day seemed to be affecting the readers' normal sleep schedules.
After posting each day, everyone reads it, and I check the feedback, which usually takes until after 1 AM.
It's been a bit too cold at night these past few days.
So I've decided.
Starting December 3rd, I'll switch to daytime updates.
So, readers, please don't wait for the midnight update on the 3rd, which is tomorrow, let's move it to the daytime on the 3rd.
(End of Chapter)
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