Rumors Spread Like Wildfire
Rumors spread like wildfire in an instant.
"Move! I gotta watch TV!"
Similar scenes were unfolding in homes across the dimensions. Wives or daughters who had just woken up on a weekend morning approached with murderously fierce expressions and suddenly snatched the remote.
"Hurry! We can't miss it!!"
Single women households were no exception. In every home, the TV flicked on at the exact same moment.
What filled the screens was a special travel feature from Forte Store, the massive home shopping channel broadcasting waves and joy across dozens of dimensions.
Golden Holiday Exclusive Kikiwai Travel Super Special Package
Paradise of the South Seas / Kikiwai Special
"The Larryert Kikiwai? With business class tickets included at this price?"
The special program that started in the morning was offering absurdly luxurious packages at unbelievable prices. The Larryert luxury hotel chain, renowned with its seven-star moniker. Among them, The Larryert Kikiwai on the ultimate resort island of Dimension 6-2 was the most famous branch.
Kikiwai Island was a southern paradise that drew celebrities and ordinary folk alike from every dimension. The Larryert Kikiwai boasted the perfect location with stunning ocean views from every room, and its facilities and service were legendary.
"Hello, everyone. Your shopping guide, Nelly here. Today, we're joining you for our travel package special."
"The golden holiday is right around the corner. But travel costs are never easy on the wallet, right?"
"That's why we've prepared something special! The product we're introducing today is an ultra-special package in partnership with a famous hotel chain and airline."
"Not available on the holiday itself, of course, but for customers who book through Forte Store before or after—everything at 10% of the regular price!"
The home shopping host on the TV screen boldly declared that luxury hotel rooms and business class flights were available at 10% of the list price.
"What the...?"
It was a discount so massive it defied common sense. Enough to make anyone suspect a trap. But no one wanted to miss out just from suspicion alone. Inquiries flooded Forte Store's consultation line.
"Yes, I understand it's hard to believe, customer. But yes, the package is indeed at 10% of the regular price."
"No travel agencies involved—we're handling it directly."
"Yes, quantities are limited."
With confirmation from the consultants, people spread the word across internet communities, and the buzz exploded instantly. Details like the exclusive booking number revealed only in the latter half after special items, or suite upgrades via lottery with special bundle bookings—every scrap of info from the home shopping special and phone consultations got shared far and wide.
"Thank you! We hit record-breaking ratings thanks to you!!"
Isaac let out a sigh of relief after brushing off the ecstatic PD's call. Running crowdfunding and home shopping simultaneously was Isaac's plan at Kim Jian's request.
Isaac had informed his grandfather, the Larryert Group chairman, about the events in Dimension 0.1 and the opinion manipulation by big shots, then made a few proposals. Namely, using the chairman's assets to fund the Nanoi people's mass production of Colossus.
"I didn't think this would actually work."
The chairman, who always preached noblesse oblige, surprisingly agreed without much fuss. He personally called the home shopping channel and airline reps to propose selling special packages. The packages offered accommodations and business class seats at 10% of list price—an insanely low figure.
But as bait, it could hook travel-hungry customers—especially Forte Store's core female demographic—and let them sell Colossus units at full price as add-ons. That's why Isaac proposed running Colossus sales on both the Adiz crowdfunding platform and Forte Store.
An insane scheme to offload what looked like fancy robot models across dozens of dimensions. Convincing corporate boards in hours was impossible without the chairman's pull.
'This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.'
Isaac argued it would boost the company's image by highlighting their role in saving a dimension post-war. If persuasion failed, the chairman—a hardcore businessman—wouldn't have budged.
"My part's done... Time to hand it off."
In the presidential suite atop The Larryert Kikiwai, Isaac muttered at the TV. The home shopping channel was just announcing a special guest as the screen switched.
"What're you gonna show 'em now, Kim Jian?"
From here on, he could only hope things followed his fellow trainee's script.
Kikiwai's northern coast. I waited inside a massive tent blocking dimensional fields.
"It's starting."
Tearing my eyes from the installed TV, I turned to see Masterhand—Bergenev Masterhand—calm as ever. He'd just checked the cameras himself and was sipping coffee slowly.
"Live broadcast makes me a bit nervous."
"You don't look it. Figured you'd be used to it."
Honestly, I was more tense. This was the core of my plan, after all.
"Whew."
I chugged ice water to steady myself. Not because of any bigwig— I'd met real gods one-on-one during Olympus training in Dimension 12. No, it was because this footage would beam across dozens of dimensions. Not just Forte Store—live-streamed to home shopping and Adiz's crowdfunding site, reaching hundreds of millions, maybe billions.
The director's role: leverage fame and influence to sell out Colossus as the project's face. Bonus if he exposed Nanoi's truth and the signal jamming scam—public opinion would flip.
But only if this live stream perfectly captivated viewers. Fail, and Nanoi was doomed.
"Aren't you nervous, Director?"
"I am. Small as it is, we're saving a dimension."
His eyes smiled as he spoke. Despite the gravity, he seemed unchanged, leaving me puzzled. Was he downplaying it? Or turning crisis into art?
"With so many lives at stake, I must do my duty."
His casual delivery clashed oddly. Did top entertainers thrive on high stakes? Or was he thrilled to join history?
"Yes. Please take good care of us..."
Truth be told, I didn't know much about Bergenev Masterhand. Even calling his number, I wasn't sure he'd help. So when he flew to Kikiwai personally, I was touched. But this easygoing grin?
"......"
A whole dimension on the brink, yet he radiated zero weight before the camera.
"Worried a lot?"
"...Yeah, honestly."
No lying. Kidnapping the signal hijackers nailed half the plan. But getting folks to buy pricey, "useless" robots? Still a gamble.
"Don't worry too much. It'll work."
His confident gaze hit me. Funny—the planner taking reassurance from a collaborator.
"You need to convey the urgency to viewers. For Nanoi's future—"
"Ad's ending. Stand by, please."
"30 seconds to start!"
Staff signaled Masterhand before I finished. As I stepped back mid-sentence, his playful air vanished; his voice turned grave.
"It's fine, Jian."
"My job is to express, convey, and move hearts."
"What does that—"
"Film is the art of persuasion."
And I invented film.
He added that last bit. I tried responding, but the slate's clap cut me off.
-One, two-
Clap!
Thankfully, I quickly realized his confidence had solid backing. As Camera 1 focused, his smile faded.
"Hello. Bergenev Masterhand here."
The mild-faced dwarf bowed politely to viewers. Intense charisma poured from his eyes. A master at his field's peak, despite his youth. The legendary director's aura transformed him utterly.
"Thrilled to greet viewers of Forte Store, your shopping companion, and Adiz, the leading crowdfunding platform spreading innovation worldwide."
A few scripted lines, yet everyone in the dimensional-gate-proof tent held their breath, hanging on his words. The chatty dwarf uncle became a resonant virtuoso in under three seconds.
"I avoid cameras outside interviews for new releases, but this time, I couldn't resist."
A quality I lacked: raw charisma. Not mere technique or eloquence—it commanded attention.
"I wanted to share this once-in-a-lifetime moment with you all."
His stature and life's arc compelled our gaze. Film is the art of persuasion. And I invented film. His words echoed. Arrogant from anyone else—irresistible conviction from a god-blessed genius.
I was convinced first: this man could sway every viewer across dimensions.
"So that's it."
Dimmed lights at perfect brightness. Silent gear eliminating noise. An environment fine-tuned by decades studying human emotion—impossible otherwise. Staff eyes gleamed with trust and respect, binding the team organically around their subject.
All resources zeroed on Bergenev Masterhand. I should've realized from his bold move—streaming on home shopping and crowdfunding, risking status and image. He was all-in to save Nanoi.
"As you know, I'm here to introduce a certain 'product.'"
Having hooked attention with charisma, he pivoted unexpectedly.
"But I know it's more than a mere commodity."
At peak focus...
"Most watching have heard of Colossus by now."
"Nanoi's pinnacle of tech. A palm-sized super robot. Yes—the very item you're considering."
He glanced at the waiting Colossus in his periphery.
"But I didn't fly from Laurel Tree in Dimension 12 to Dimension 6-2 just to sell gadgets for incentives."
"I'm here to speak of the 'nobility' we too often forget."
His rhetoric intensified focus. Pausing to breathe...
"We know it."
"History's braggarts claimed nobility, but true noble souls were rare."
"True nobility isn't in blood."
"It's choosing nobility endlessly amid life's choices. Nothing else exists."
A boy's pure soul breathed through the master's features. He believed wholeheartedly, immersing others. Discussing invisible human qualities to value the visible—working masterfully.
Film: art of persuasion. Expert thinking indeed.
"What I offer isn't some antique collectible, decent robot, or auto pest zapper."
"I'm offering you a chance to choose."
"To be better: extending a hand to neighbors in peril."
Viewers tuning in for Colossus info—or despite the upsell—faced unexpected heavyweight Bergenev Masterhand. He prodded their softest consciences relentlessly. Uncomfortable questions for bystanders: Still standing aside as Nanoi falls? Stay a spectator?
"Joining Adiz crowdfunding or preordering on Forte Store isn't just self-indulgence."
"You have the power to save Nanoi from doom."
"You can save a dimension—countless lives."
As he spoke, Colossus transcended gimmicky add-on or discount bait.
"Time to prove your soul's true color."
"We're far better than others judge."
Viewers now imagined: Buying Colossus. Receiving a war-veteran robot, repaired and shipped home. Fingertip-tracing your laser-engraved name on its surface. Supreme medal proving shared Nanoi suffering, war participation. Badge of history's witness in their tiny war.
"Awaken the nobility within."
Ultimate moral superiority money can't buy. Peak luxury satisfaction. Bragging rights till death: "I saved a dimension." Who'd pass that up?
"I'll end this old man's sermon here."
"Promo stuff's for the young guns anyway."
Gauging remote viewers, he held every gaze—then gently passed the baton.
"Let me introduce my little friend: risking life against cosmic beasts for his home—"
A sleek Colossus zipped across the tent, halting between camera and director. The star on the prepped stage.
"Nanoi's top pilot, Afro Sass."
Our off-battlefield war surged toward climax.