Chapter 15: "A Dramatic Irony"! Himeko and Kafka’s Special Arrangement?
March 7th, who was a bit dazed, asked.
"Could it be?"
"Himeko's PV was already amazing, with technical prowess at its peak."
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Kafka was deep in thought. She reflected on her own shooting experience, which included both combat and stylish scenes. Yet, she found it difficult to piece these fragmented moments together and was unsure how to surpass the impact of the previous two PVs. However, she knew the answer would soon be revealed.
The screen displayed a group of IPC soldiers, nervously scanning their surroundings while gripping their rifles.
"Stick to the plan."
"Shoot on sight!"
Before Kafka even appeared, a tense atmosphere had already settled in. The sound of high heels tapping the floor echoed, and chaotic colors flashed across the screen alongside normal visuals. Upside-down IPC employees and flashing messages like "WHAT DO YOU SEE" hinted at an extraordinary development for the PV.
With all eyes glued to the screen, Kafka strolled into view amidst the soldiers' aimed rifles. She seemed completely unconcerned by the surrounding weaponry. With a confident and unhurried voice, she spoke:
"Listen to me."
"Don't be afraid."
"Wasn't it you who invited me?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Kafka flashed a smile and made a dramatic swipe with her hand, ripping through the screen with a red silk ribbon she was holding. The urgent sound of the violin intensified.
The classic 3D-to-2D transition reappeared, with Kafka's confident and dangerous expression frozen in the center of the screen. She appeared as a beautiful and dangerous spider against the backdrop of the violin's music.
The PV then showcased a swift, decisive, and clean fight sequence. The IPC employees in the corridor were effortlessly defeated by Kafka, like insects caught in a spider's web. The PV, from the beginning, had been intense and gripping.
After the final IPC agent fell, and as the audience expected the PV to conclude, the violin and drum beats intensified. Kafka stood in the center of the crowd, surrounded by a web of bullets.
The dangerous spider—Kafka—moved gracefully through the web, spinning like a dancer. Finally, she stomped her high-heeled boots down with a powerful "boom!" the bullets exploded all at once, seemingly in response to her command.
As the violin music settled into calm, Kafka walked through the corridor of corpses, speaking to the last surviving IPC agent:
"As for the ending…"
"Do you want to guess?"
"Is it good or evil?"
"Can you… guess?"
The screen ended with Kafka bathed in red blood light. The room fell into silence.
After a moment, Himeko took a deep breath and composed herself. "That was so immersive. It was one continuous sequence with no breathing space!"
Her comment seemed to open the floodgates for discussion. The previously stunned room erupted with admiration and chatter. Many looked at Kafka with envious eyes. Kafka smiled slightly but didn't openly respond. Instead, she stared at the screen, her eyes a bit dazed.
"That little brat," Kafka thought to herself. "He managed to disturb me so easily."
Kafka was very much looking forward to her own PV and curious about how Xia Wen would handle it. Yet, she didn't expect her PV to be so meticulously crafted. The color schemes, music, and her own performance all perfectly aligned with her inner vision. It even gave her the illusion that Xia Wen understood her better than she herself did.
No, it wasn't an illusion. The PV really conveyed that feeling.
This was indeed a misunderstanding of Xia Wen's abilities. As a character under MiHoYo, Xia Wen should naturally be able to understand the character's essence perfectly. But Kafka hadn't anticipated such depth.
While Kafka was lost in these thoughts, Xia Wen was focused on observing March 7th and Himeko's reactions. Although March 7th and Himeko's PVs were slightly less impactful compared to Kafka's, they were still remarkable in showcasing the express and individual characters.
Kafka's PV, however, was designed to captivate the audience's attention during the exploration of the Herta Tower Space Station and Beloborg world. The effectiveness of this presentation had clearly succeeded in capturing viewers' interest, setting high expectations for Kafka's actual appearance.
The discussions continued, with the more composed Herta unable to resist commenting, "Boss, you're being too extravagant. No other TV series has such production quality. If any other show had such visuals and effects, it would be a highlight. Yet, you used it for a personal PV."
This comment was met with agreement from many of the people present. They nodded in agreement, acknowledging that Kafka's performance was top-notch and would typically be reserved for the most crucial moments of a series.
"However, the boss really is a genius," Pella, who was responsible for data and market analysis, noted. "Using the order of March 7th, Himeko, and Kafka to gradually reveal the depth of the world and characters, culminating in a climax, truly maximizes the impact of each PV."
Pella's analysis made a lot of sense. "But there's something odd about the special arrangements for Himeko and Welt. They seem to have a more experienced aura in the script."