You Said You Would Make a Bad Movie, But You Made JOJO?

Chapter 16. Win at All Costs, As a Non-Human

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Boom!

Lightning danced wildly in the sky. Thunder roared tirelessly, and then came the pouring rain, as if it had been held in all night and was finally being released upon waking up, magnified to planetary proportions.

Undoubtedly, tonight would be a sleepless night, for both Dio and Jonathan.

Their subconscious minds fully immersed in the script world, Dio, despite his reluctance and meticulously designed plans, couldn't see any flaws unless Jonathan, who played JoJo, completely failed to embody his character.

Without the courage to venture alone into the ghoul district, or the charisma to win over Speedwagon and the thugs living there to help find the Asian man who sold poison to Dio, it was inevitable that Jonathan would find evidence and bring it back to confront Dio at the Joestar estate.

...Well, to some extent, this was truly difficult.

Even with the staff outside the script world providing various supports and guidance to the actors' subconscious minds during fully immersive filming, Jonathan, who had completely forgotten he was acting, would have to possess inherent courage and kindness.

Without these qualities, no amount of external support would enable him to charm Speedwagon and the others. He would likely turn back at the police's persuasion or out of human instinct to avoid harm.

"No wonder the legend of the chosen actors has always circulated in the industry. If an actor with inadequate psychological resilience were cast, the entire play would collapse," Puchi thought, recalling Shinbo Akiyuki's hesitant expression during the filming of this scene.

He realized fully immersive filming, unique to this parallel world, was far more complex than any book described.

Had he not been a transmigrator with a unique ability to identify chosen actors, Puchi might have been crushed by harsh reality on his first day in the industry.

Even though his status as a transmigrator enhanced his mental strength and allowed him to recall classic works from his past life, classic works meant classic characters, and portraying such characters was exceedingly difficult.

Grateful for his luck, Puchi reflected on encountering Dio, a chosen actor, and having a boss who trusted a newcomer like him with full control of the project.

"I can't betray this luck and trust now," Puchi thought, addressing Dio through the equipment connected to the fully immersive device, capturing Dio's expressions.

"After all, you're someone who seizes every opportunity to climb higher. Now, this opportunity is right before you. Don't tell me you can't do it."

Despite his confident facade in front of Shinbo Akiyuki and others, Puchi's understanding of the brutal reality of fully immersive filming had shaken his confidence. As the supervisor and main person in charge, he couldn't afford to waver, or his staff would lose their resolve. Hence, he maintained a calm exterior, focusing on adjusting the footage and data displayed on the screens.

"I can only do so much. The rest is up to you, Dio. You must succeed as a vampire..."

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"It seems I've met my end."

He lost to Jonathan's courage. Even his plan to exploit Jonathan's compassion and kindness for a last-ditch counterattack failed.

Before he could implement his plan, Speedwagon, influenced by Jonathan and unwilling to let him face Dio alone, exposed it. The merciless Speedwagon brought the police, forcing Dio into a corner.

"JoJo, for the sake of our seven years together, I hope you'll be the one to handcuff me," Dio said, raising his hands as if accepting his fate, admitting his defeat to Jonathan's courage.

Yet, despite the dire situation, he felt neither sadness nor resentment, as if he had failed countless times before. It must be an illusion.

Adjusting the Stone Mask and dagger hidden in his sleeve, Dio prepared to deceive Jonathan, who, as expected, approached alone with handcuffs after hearing his plea.

'You fell for it, JoJo! Bringing you closer is my true escape plan. No matter the trap you've set, humans can't predict the unpredictable.'

"JoJo, human abilities indeed have limits. From my short life, I learned that the more people scheme, the more likely they are to be caught off guard unless..."

Jonathan was now within Dio's attack range, momentarily distracted by his words. Seizing the chance, Dio shouted, "They transcend humanity!"

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