This show is quite novel. Anthony and his team had previously been focusing on designing fun mechanisms and mazes for hamsters. In the video series they produced before, two incredibly popular star hamsters were born, named Peanut and Pippin. Now, Anthony plans to scale up these custom-made levels for the rats, allowing humans to step in and challenge them personally, experiencing the fun of a "rat's eye view" playthrough.
Then, the show's slogan was: "If a hamster can clear it, do you dare to try?"
As a light entertainment competition show, it would naturally incorporate the classic elements of the "Hamster Challenge" from Anthony's previous video series: the intricate "Hamster Maze," the winding translucent "Hamster Pipes," the "Snack Wheels" that require vigorous pushing, so on. The show plans to invite amateur challengers and internet celebrities to compete against each other in a giant-sized rodent obstacle course.
A total of three themes have been designed so far: "Cosmic Roaming," "Jungle Adventure," and another one.. "Pink Sweetheart Coffee Shop"?
".. But I'm out of money." Finn was stunned; he truly had no money left to invest.
As for investment, it's up to you," Anthony said with a smile. He was naturally the largest investor himself, he certainly hadn't come here to ask Finn for money. "The reason I'm here this time is mainly to discuss a collaboration on the program's IP image. I really liked the chibi designs you drew for Peanut and Pippin before; I hope they can be implemented in this show as well—that is the most essential part! Besides that, the program also plans to launch a series of themed merchandise. I think it would be most appropriate for you to lead the design.
Finn rested his chin in his hand and looked seriously at the proposal Anthony had brought.
The spokespersons for the show—no, the spokes-rats—are naturally Anthony's two clever and smart little hamsters: [Peanut & Pippin].
These two little hamsters need a basic image system, including different expressions and movements.
Themed outfits and situational styling also need to be designed according to three different themes.
Of course, this also includes a series of complex things, such as the visual identity for program packaging and more.
I've never done anything like this before." After reading through these professional and systematic requirements, Finn wasn't that unwilling, but he did feel a bit lacking in confidence. "I usually just draw things casually on my own. Wouldn't it be better to find a specialized team for something like this?
It's fine. I really liked what you drew for me last time. I'm just asking you to lead the design, not asking you to do everything," Anthony said hurriedly. "We're such good friends, I won't make things difficult for you. Just draw according to your own ideas, I won't charge you a design fee.
Finn was shocked: "??" Even cheap labor has a price?
Just kidding," Anthony said with a smile. "Ten percent of the program's earnings as royalties, including merchandise and so on. I'll give you the contract.
".. It feels like you're just feeding me empty promises," Finn couldn't help but say.
"I'm also going to have Elias help us produce a theme song for this show," Anthony said with a smile.
“Isn't he a rock musician?” Finn asked in confusion.
Exactly! The Rat Rise rock anthem is absolutely insane!" Anthony said excitedly, "The song is called 'The Advancing Hamsters'!
"I can almost visualize the scene already." A vision of a hamster band wearing leather jackets and sunglasses instantly flashed through Finn's mind, the imagery incredibly vivid.
“Very good, you can start writing now.” Seeing that Finn was still hesitating, Anthony immediately said earnestly, “It’s going to be very interesting, Finn. We can discuss level design and show effects together afterward. Help me out! If we make this show together, it will definitely be super interesting!”
"Alright." Finn was swayed; it did sound quite appealing.
Finn was indeed a man full of drive after agreeing to this matter with Anthony.
—Before the contract even arrived, Finn's head was filled with nothing but hamsters.
To maintain his enthusiasm for work, Finn went to the Osborn Group to clock in every day. In the heavy professional atmosphere, his drawing became more focused, his inspiration was exceptionally abundant. Because he was too focused on this new project, there were many things to discuss with Anthony, Finn postponed his Misery Plan for a few days.
Finn's "conscientious" enthusiasm for his work even startled Harry Osborn.
Harry called over Daniel, the manager of the Brand Promotion Department, to inquire about Finn's recent work performance.
Daniel answered honestly that Finn was drawing at his workstation.
Through the previous meeting, Harry also knew that his younger brother possessed some talent for drawing.
In particular, when Peter was chatting with Harry, he specifically used that Mr. Suit emoji, pointing out that it was the Mr. Suit emoji that had been going viral online recently. Peter even thoughtfully provided a link for Harry, Harry naturally knew that this was uploaded by Finn.
Harry actually clicked on it to take a look, for some unknown reason, he even paid to download it.
There was also another meme inside, a chibi-style Mr. Suit frowning while holding a phone, inside the phone was a tiny Mr. Suit meme.
When Harry, dressed in a suit, stared at this meme with a furrowed brow while holding his phone, he felt that.. the meme had become reality.
Presented right before the main character—
A nested doll within a nested doll.
Harry felt a bit of a headache, but at least this wasn't an intentional attempt to smear his reputation.
It was more like the pranks of an immature child.
Harry felt that as long as Finn didn't cause trouble on purpose, it was fine; thinking on the bright side, this was also a form of brand promotion.
"Young Master Finn.. spends every day drawing hamsters," Daniel said in a low voice.
Harry: ".." Great, he hired someone for fifty thousand dollars a month just to draw hamsters specifically for the Osborn Group.
Chapter 11: Magic Card
Finn likes making friends.
The main reason is:
For all these years, he has grown weary of the 1v1 binding relationship with the Host.
—That's right! He was truly sick of it!
They can only chat with the same person from morning till night! Some Hosts also act willfully and act indifferent all the time!
Especially when they get a significant other, they just block him at the slightest provocation!
Thinking about it made Finn feel so stifled that he now only wanted to embrace open relationships and unswervingly pursue the 1vN route!
To be like a free fish, swimming wildly through every "fish pond."
Finn's Transformation Slogan is: No longer bound by a single attachment!
At least in the eyes of System PP, his Host had experienced extreme Retaliatory Socializing and Retaliatory Consumption over the past month.
Because he had so many friends, a constant stream of information flowed toward Finn every day.
—But this was nothing to him; it's not like he couldn't afford it!
When Finn is busy, he never has to reply to everyone one by one on his phone; System PP can automatically connect to his phone, handling everything efficiently and quickly. Sometimes, it even uses [Sleepless Summer] emojis based on him to respond, which is both effortless and full of personal character.
Of course, Finn also kept in contact every day with the key figures of his plotlines—Andrew and Peter.
In front of Andrew, Finn had to maintain his persona as a haughty second-generation rich; he couldn't appear too familiar, yet he had to be intentionally obnoxious and annoying.
So every morning, Finn would invariably send a message saying, "I'm looking forward to your performance," followed by a cheeky, smirking emoji wearing sunglasses, repeatedly reminding Andrew that he was forced to attend the parties he loathed and found repulsive, even perform shows to please the crowd.
Thus, continuously exerting psychological pressure on him.
Making him more and more disgusted.
And Andrew's replies were always concise: "Okay."
Finn could almost see that Andrew's favorability toward him was steadily dropping by [-1] every day.
Just a single word; clearly, he had no desire for any further interaction with him.
Finn could seemingly clearly feel the heavy pressure Andrew was undergoing on the other side of the screen, he didn't know how much he was cursing him in his heart.
As for Peter, Finn maintained warm and close communication with him every day.
After all, in Finn's view, as Harry's friend, Peter would eventually bring him to justice.
This kind of setup—"A cheerful friend who I thought was bright and open, but is actually a villain with such wicked intentions that he even wants to persecute his own biological brother!"—is far more dramatic!
In an attempt to close the distance with Peter, Finn even took a leave of absence from dance class to invite Peter to play Werewolf together that evening. During the last gathering, Finn had met several of Peter's classmates, one of whom was a boy named Ned who enthusiastically praised Peter as a "Werewolf expert."
Peter's ears turned bright red on the spot from Ned's blatant flattery.
The key was, Finn actually seemed to believe it.
Peter was indeed quite good at Werewolf, the reason was simple: his senses were very sharp.
So—he could always capture all sorts of external factors, it actually had little to do with logic.
Moreover, every time he got a Werewolf, Peter would feel very nervous and guilty; lying and shifting the blame without changing his expression was not something he was good at either.
But since Finn had invited him, Peter naturally agreed very quickly; he also wanted to know if there was any new progress regarding Finn's Misery Plan.
This is a gathering organized by Kyle's group. You should have seen him and his friends at the last party, right?" As soon as they met, Finn explained to Peter, "They organize these gatherings almost every night. It's not just playing Werewolf; it's quite a lot of fun. However, I don't know if you mind.. they livestream. But don't worry, the livestream is mostly their own fans; no one will notice us. We'll just join the crowd, sit together, play casually. You don't need to feel any pressure; they are all very interesting people.
"I don't mind." Peter didn't really care; as Finn said, he was just an ordinary high school student after all, so even if he joined in, no one would pay him any attention.
But once he truly got involved, Peter discovered that the biggest external factor here was.. Finn.
—Finn's inner voice was so loud that Peter couldn't focus on any other external factors at all.
Moreover, his inner thoughts were far too blunt.
Peter was like a Seer holding a limited edition card, able to identify Finn Osborn's identity right at the start of the game.
This made Peter feel a bit guilty.
So, for the sake of Finn Osborn's experience, Peter still worked very hard to—
When Finn was a Seer, he was identified as a good person, they stood firmly by his side.
When Finn was the Werewolf, they pretended he was a good person, even intentionally or unintentionally providing cover for him.
Even when Peter held the [Werewolf] card, even knowing that Finn had the [Seer] card, he simply could not bring himself to kill him.
Spider-Man: ".." Playing Werewolf, why does it feel like it's even forced out his [People-Pleasing Personality]?
But the happiness was real, too.
Perhaps because of the atmosphere of the livestream, everyone at the scene let loose, with laughter never ceasing; there wasn't a hint of a serious or dull atmosphere. However, after just two rounds, Peter had already completely blended into the noisy excitement.
“Playing Werewolf with you is just too much fun!" Under the covert protection of his personal bodyguard, Peter, a completely oblivious Finn felt he had experienced the best Werewolf night of his life, even unlocking several highlight moments.
Finn, in high spirits, walked with a skip in his step.
The streetlights stretched his shadow, making it grow long and short in a lighthearted, rhythmic dance.
When he turned back to speak to Peter, the evening breeze stirred the loose strands of hair on the young man's forehead, lightly brushing over his exquisite brows and eyes, revealing his well-defined and handsome features.
Especially those emerald eyes, shimmering in the night.
Like an emerald making its grand finale at an auction.
It was carefully preserved within a crystal display case lined with dark velvet.
It was so dazzling and brilliant in the light.
[My current role is a lot like a Werewolf.] Finn thought to himself with a sudden realization, [And I'm a Werewolf disguised with a Civilian card, right in front of Peter.]
[Once my identity as a werewolf is exposed, my fate will be to be taken away by the Hunter, poisoned by the Witch, or voted out by everyone.]
—So, there are no good endings, then?