Chapter 568: The High(3)
Chapter 568: The High(3)
Usually, producing a single movie requires a staggering budget. Because of that, most stories tend to wrap up as trilogies at most.
However, the epic saga that dominated the film industry from 2008 to 2019 was different. It boasted a massive scale, spanning well over ten installments.
Even though each film had its own individual story, they all followed a grand overarching framework, and movies were even produced specifically to bridge that larger narrative.
It felt like building up a Spirit Bomb over a long period and detonating it all at once. Yet, every single bit of energy gathered for that Spirit Bomb was anything but ordinary.
As those in the know would realize, the movie—no, the universe—I’m talking about is the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
These films were based on American comics, the famous birthplace of heroes.
It was also once my favorite series.
"Whoa! Hahahaha!!"
The protagonist, wearing a steel suit for the first time, let out a roar of pure delight. His face inside the helmet wore a grin that screamed, I did it!
As upbeat music swelled, the steel suit soared high into the sky. It was one of the film's most iconic scenes.
A perilous first flight, much like a child taking its first steps. The first leap of magic achieved through science.
Of course, in reality, they haven't even been able to implement the energy source in the chest, let alone invent that suit.
"Power down."
Thud! Crunch! Crash!
As soon as the protagonist returned to base and cut the engine, he plummeted straight through to the basement. The floor simply couldn't withstand the heavy weight of the steel suit.
Pshhhhhhh!
To top it all off, a robot that had been acting up the whole time sprayed him with fire-extinguishing powder.
Hit directly by the powder, the protagonist let his head drop back as if hit by a wave of profound disillusionment. Honestly, he had every right to feel that way.
"Hahaha!"
"Hehe. He got what was coming to him in the end."
"He really doesn't listen, does he?"
The people, now fully in audience mode, burst into laughter at the comedic timing. Everyone had settled comfortably into the role of a spectator.
I watched them with a small smile. The reason I chose this movie out of so many was simple.
The protagonist, the story, the music, the visuals, and so on—it was packed with elements that were all top-notch.
Around the same time, movies featuring 'Batman' and the 'Joker' as leads appeared, but I skipped those.
‘The story is just too bleak.’
Unlike the movie I was showing now, those didn't have many flashy, stimulating scenes. On the contrary, they were filled with many profound moments.
But there was the grotesque appearance of 'Two-Face' as he fell into villainy, and most importantly, there was the Joker.
Sometimes acting can be too good; I remember watching it once as a kid and being unable to sleep that night.
Even though I was only in elementary school at the time, it was chilling enough to leave a lasting trauma.
That’s why I chose this movie. One that could be enjoyed as light entertainment while providing plenty of laughs along the way.
"The truth is... I am Iron Man."
Time passed, and the movie concluded with that legendary line.
That line symbolized both the beginning and the end of a massive epic. It was a line that no true fan could hear without tearing up.
I, too, had developed my imagination and writing style while following Marvel, including this very movie. I had used it constantly for parodies.
In particular, the greatest strength of this universe was its popularity across all genders.
Usually, hero stories were more popular with men, but these characters were so charming that they appealed to everyone.
In other words, my family and lovers could fully enjoy it too. As the movie ended, I looked back.
"That was so cool! Is there a sequel? You said this was just the beginning!"
"Me too, me too. Show us more, quickly."
"You've been keeping stuff like this to yourself? That's cheap."
Starting with Mari, everyone’s eyes were sparkling as they demanded the next installment. Even with their lack of background knowledge, it was more than enough for them to enjoy.
However, I stopped there. Watching over ten movies in one sitting would be too exhausting.
Now was the time for explanations; I hadn't called them here just to watch movies.
‘Well, I can show them more every now and then. Even if it is a bit of a waste.’
The White Room was supposed to be a training ground for practice or asceticism, but somehow it had turned into a movie theater.
I barely managed to calm the people chirping for the next part like baby birds, then spoke firmly to cut them off.
"No. We didn't come here just to watch movies, did we? Still, if there's anything you want to ask, go ahead."
"Me! Me!"
As soon as I opened the floor for questions, Mari raised her hand high and started bouncing.
She must have enjoyed it immensely to have her eyes twinkling like a child's.
Considering she wasn't even twenty yet, it was perfectly natural.
"Those were all actors performing, right? It wasn't a recording of something that actually happened?"
"Absolutely not. As I said, it's all a movie. Everyone appearing in it is either an actor or an extra."
"That's truly amazing. It looked like a recording of a real situation."
I wonder how she’d react if she saw the Joker. Of course, I’ll hold off on that until she’s in a more stable state.
While Mari closed her eyes to reminisce about the movie, I looked at the others. They all had their hands up as if they had a mountain of questions.
Since Cecile was next after Mari, it was best to go with her. I pointed to Cecile and spoke.
"Cecile Nuna?"
"Were those steel clothes all actually made? I'm curious if they can act like that without magic."
"They weren't made; it's using the computer capabilities I mentioned earlier."
To be precise, it used motion capture technology. I explained it to her in detail.
Seeing Arwen listening intently, it seemed she wanted to use this opportunity to make even better movies.
Director Skal’s Matrix Theater Troupe boasted direction so excellent it could be called the best in the world, but it was true that they lacked many things compared to Earth.
"I see. Since we don't have that technology, we'll have to make do with magic."
"You mean transformation magic?"
"Yes. Currently, the film industry is researching special effects makeup and transformation magic. As for the backgrounds, we can just get help from Queen Arwen."
"I think of this every time, but magic really is like a cheat code. Especially for Demons and Elves who use it as naturally as breathing."
Being able to do with magic what would take centuries of technological development is the definition of a cheat.
Cecile shrugged as if she couldn't argue with my point, and Arwen cleared her throat, looking away.
They probably knew it well themselves—just how much their races fit the description of a 'cheat.'
"Any other questions?"
"Is that actor famous?"
"He is. Though he was once a drug offender. What happened was..."
A single movie sparked a flood of questions. From the actors to the countries serving as the setting, and even the small props.
Since nothing could be overlooked, time flew by just with the Q&A session.
"By any chance, were some of the scenes in the Xenon Biography taken from your world's media?"
In the midst of it all, Leona asked a very sharp question. As expected, she occasionally displayed flashes of brilliant intuition.
At that, I nodded with a wide smile. Showing them various cultures, including movies, was all for the sake of that very question.
"That's right. Representative examples include Sacran's death, the fusion of Elves and Dark Elves, the reclamation of Albenheim, and even Jin's rampage in the final chapter."
"Can you show us all of those?"
"Of course."
So, I showed them all. Every single one was so impressive that the immersion was incredible.
In particular, since most were scenes deeply related to the Xenon Biography, it would be a huge help in filming the movies.
The rest of the scenes would have to be filmed on their own, but with Director Skal’s capabilities, it should be enough.
‘It’s a different world anyway, so there are no copyright issues.’
I had a conscience, so I didn't just copy them outright. You could call them homages.
Besides, the races themselves had so many similarities that those were the only things that came to mind.
That’s why the 'rush' would be even stronger. Just imagining it was thrilling.
"That's it for this. Did you all enjoy it?"
"My love. Are the races that appeared there similar to us Elves?"
Arwen, who had been deeply moved by a game trailer, asked in an urgent voice. She was so excited she was clenching her fists like a child.
I thought for a moment after hearing her question. Although they were races that only appeared in a game, there were many similarities.
An organization that possessed power far greater than other races, yet scattered like grains of sand in times of crisis.
Traditions they clung to with an obsession that went beyond being old-fashioned, and a divided people.
Even the heroes who overcame all that. They were exactly the same.
"Yes. If you look at them one by one, they are surprisingly identical. They're races from a game I used to enjoy a long time ago."
Not just a long time ago; I knew many people were still playing it right before I died.
In South Korea, it was treated as a 'national pastime' and was the work that kickstarted E-sports.
Although the company that made the game was practically collapsing, the setting they created was masterful.
"Then..."
"Now. Before that! There's something I want to show you."
I cut Arwen off just as she was about to ask another question. It was time to move on to the next step.
Also, it was a necessary process to make her understand what she wanted.
I looked around at the people and then quietly closed my eyes. Not to imagine, but to speak with Mora.
‘Lady Mora. Is it okay?’
[Of course. It’s a bit of a shame they’ll learn the truth so soon, but it’s not like our faith will weaken.]
I had already received permission earlier, but I asked just in case. Fortunately, Mora readily gave her consent.
I slowly opened my eyes and looked around at my loved ones. Everyone had expectant expressions, wondering what I would show them this time.
But what I was about to show them was a 'space' so far away it transcended common sense. I didn't know if they would be able to understand it, but I just had to build it up slowly.
"Arwen."
"Speak."
"Can you tell me what astronomy is?"
Arwen tilted her head at my question, then explained what she knew.
"It is a field of study based on mathematics and physics that observes the stars in the sky. It is a discipline used to observe the future through those stars."
"Then do you know what constellations signify?"
"They are compasses embroidered by the Gods themselves. One can determine direction by the position of the stars, and divine destiny by their movements."
Astronomy was a discipline that encompassed all others; one couldn't even dream of it without a solid foundation.
Also, as Arwen explained, it played a very important role in 'astrology.'
Because of the existence of Gods, a scientific approach was difficult, and furthermore, since events that seemed straight out of myth occurred one after another, astrology would likely persist for a long time.
Even during the recent ascetic incident, hadn't the day literally 'stopped'? Astronomy was a very important means of predicting the future without the help of the Gods.
Finally, astronomy was a discipline closely related to theology. It could be seen as a means for mortals to easily interpret the will of the Gods.
The movement of the stars was the same. If something unusual happened to a star, people tended to think a God had ordained a destiny.
"You're right. In our world, we once interpreted it that way too. Although the prophetic meaning faded over time."
"Then..."
"Ah. Just in case, things are a bit different here. In our world, things like the day stopping don't happen. Except for things like a lunar eclipse."
I must never simply transplant Earth's common sense here. This was a place where common sense was utterly destroyed, so it would be useless.
However, I could reveal a bit of the truth. I asked the bewildered people.
"Does anyone know where the Gods reside?"
"I heard they are beyond the sky."
"I know it to be so as well."
Starting with my father, the others nodded in agreement. They couldn't help but think that way.
Even now, they believed the sky was a space that only those chosen by the Gods could freely traverse.
The fact that angels had 'wings' was likely part of this. It was the result of the Middle Ages and fantasy merging.
But I knew what lay beyond the sky.
"No. The Gods do not reside beyond the sky."
"...What do you mean by that?"
"Is... is it okay to say such things?"
A few people flinched or looked around at the somewhat sensitive topic.
They soon calmed down because they trusted me deeply, but their expressions still betrayed their anxiety.
No matter how great they were, mortals were nothing but weak beings before the Gods. It was a natural reaction.
I had only spoken the truth. When I simply smiled without a word, Leona asked urgently, as if she couldn't believe it.
"D-don't tell me your world broke through the space beyond the sky and went up there?"
"Oh, come on. No way. No matter how advanced..."
"That's right."
Just as Mari was about to dismiss Leona's words, I cut her off with a confirmation. At that, countless gazes fell upon me.
Every single one of them wore an expression of disbelief. They probably thought the space beyond the sky was where the Gods lived.
But Gods do not exist in 'physical space.' A transcendent being isn't called transcendent for nothing.
I closed my eyes and imagined the space beyond the sky. As I did, I slowly began my explanation.
"Though it started with ill intentions, our world reached 'outside the world,' beyond the sky. We haven't completely conquered it, but we are in the midst of exploring it."
During the Cold War, a competition was launched between the Soviet Union and the United States to flaunt their technological prowess.
Ironically, that competition led to a massive leap in human technology.
If it hadn't been for that competition, they would still be scratching their heads.
"The Gods were not there. We realized they reside in a dimension that mortals cannot even begin to imagine."
I said that and slowly opened my eyes.
"And..."
Before long, what unfolded before us—no, around us—was...
"We came to realize that the world we live in is much, much wider than we expected."
It was the 'Universe,' a sight that inspired pure awe.
‘This should make their faith even deeper, right?’
[Can you seriously not just be my believer? I can feel the faith filling up in real-time.]
‘No.’
[Hmph.]
As if I’d let her have it that easy.