ncing at the number, John recognized it as unfamiliar.


    As he pondered over who could''ve sent him this cautionary message, the overhead screen began to roll out the announcement of the next performance.


    It was Amelia''s turn to take the stage.


    Seeing Amelia''s portrait disyed on the screen above, a sense of calm washed over John.


    After all, he was here for the music; everything else would be met head-on, regardless of the challenges.


    Dressed in an exquisite evening gown, Amelia gracefully ascended the stage.


    Her slender figure and captivating smile were so entrancing that it was hard to divert one''s gaze.


    With a gentle bow to the audience, Amelia''s eyes scanned the room and instantly locked onto John, seated in the front row of the auditorium.


    Her smile became even more radiant and enticing.


    As the orchestra''s music began to fill the air, Amelia''s solo vocal performancemenced, her crystal-clear voice echoing throughout the hall.


    John closed his eyes, immersing himselfpletely in the sound.


    Amelia''s voice was like a gentle stream, soothing his frayed nerves.


    Entranced by the magic of her music, he was entirely engrossed in the cadence of her singing.


    He felt every emotion Amelia conveyed in her song, from the raw pain to joyousughter.


    Each note seemed to resonate with her very soul.


    Her voice, both lucid and tender, seemed to be a melody straight from the heavens, captivating the ears of every audience member.


    John couldn''t help but be utterly drawn in, his gaze fixed firmly on the stage, lost in her melodic embrace.


    Amelia''s singing was imbued with a powerful allure.


    With each note, she conveyed profound emotion and resilience.


    She sang with such fervor, as if pouring her very soul into every note.


    John could sense the passion in her voice, a testament to her love for life and the pursuit of dreams.


    Listening to her, he felt as if he was transported into Amelia''s world, feeling her tenacity and determination.


    Guided by her vocals, John imagined Amelia''s story, envisioning her journey from an ordinary girl to the star she was today.


    Pleasant moments always seem to fly by.


    As Amelia''s song began to draw to a close, the hall erupted in fervent apuse and cheers.


    Even John couldn''t help but marvel at the sheer beauty of the music and voice before him.


    Under the encouraging apuse of many dignitaries and luminaries in the audience, Amelia''s voice grew even more radiant.


    Her performance technique and emotional expression made it impossible for anyone not to be utterly captivated.


    John felt the enchanting power of music, how it could touch the very depths of one''s soul, bringing endless emotions and strength.


    Amelia, in the height of her passion on stage, had a voice that seemed almost magical, entrancing all who listened.


    As the melody ended, audience members rose in unison, paying tribute to her.


    Their animated expressions clearly showed that their hearts had been captured by Amelia''s voice.


    With a serene, aloof expression, Amelia bowed once again to the audience before gracefully exiting the stage.


    ording to the concert organizers, performers could stay to enjoy the rest of the concert after their act, with the front row seats reserved for these stars and musicians.


    Yet, Amelia didn''t take her designated seat.


    Instead, with a sway in her step, she gracefully approached and seated herself beside John, oblivious to the surprised nces thrown her way.


    Fortunately, most of the audience that night were of significant status and paid little attention to celebrity gossip.


    Otherwise, John would''ve been the trending topic on all social media tforms.


    Amelia tilted her head, gazing at John with eyes bright as stars, and said, "Mr. Foster, thank you for attending my concert. I know of your passion for gaming, but sometimes it''s essential to touch reality and experience other forms of art. I invited you in hopes that you might find new hues in your life from my songs."


    John was momentarily taken aback, not anticipating Amelia''s reason for the invitation.


    After a brief hesitation, he replied with a gravitas, "Thank you, Amelia. Your song was truly captivating. Even though I mightck an innate sense for musical artistry, hearing your performance tonight felt like a cleanse for my soul."


    It wasn''t ttery on John''s part; he genuinely felt that way.


    Listening to Amelia''s songs on a phone app at home and experiencing them live were worlds apart.


    For most singers, live performances often fall short of the polished perfection found in studio recordings.


    But for Amelia, it''s quite the opposite.


    The ambiance of a live setting seems to better entuate the ethereal beauty in her songs.


    A glint of delight and anticipation shed in Amelia''s eyes. "I''m d you feel that way, Mr. Foster. Music, after all, is thenguage of the soul, conveying our deepest emotions and thoughts."


    John nodded in heartfelt agreement.


    After a brief exchange, Amelia hurriedly bid John farewell and headed backstage.


    She had a violin solo performance scheduled and needed to tune her instrument.


    John had half a mind to dissuade her; he could sense the danger looming over this concert.


    But one look at Amelia''s shining eyes, and he chose to refrain.


    It was evident how much she loved the stage; even the mere mention of performing seemed to light her up.


    It wasn''t his ce to dampen her spirits.


    After all, the city hall and police had set up a tight security perimeter.


    There shouldn''t be any significant issues.


    As Amelia hastily departed, John''s focus returned to the ongoing performance.


    But at a particr moment, his instincts sounded an rm.


    Simultaneously, there was a disturbance behind him.


    Turning around, he saw an entire section of the audience had inexplicably vanished, leaving a sea of empty seats.


    If his memory served him correctly, those very seats were upied by individuals he had earlier marked as noteworthy.


    Instinctively, John''s gaze darted in another direction, towards the seat of a mysterious middle-aged man who had previously caught his attention.


    As he suspected, the man too had disappeared.


    Just as John prepared to unleash his divine power in search of the enigmatic figure, a sudden loud noise erupted from the stage, followed by chaos and a chorus of gasps.


    John immediately rose to his feet, as did Benjamin Taylor behind him.


    Their eyes locked onto a particr spot on the stage.


    There, a middle-aged man d in a ck suit levitated in the air, gripping a sharp de.


    His gaze was frigid and malevolent, exuding an evil aura.


    It was the very same mysterious man who had previously left asting impression on John.


    "Is this some kind of magic show?" Although Benjamin Taylor spoke in jest, his demeanor was gravely serious.


    He couldn''t believe that such a trite act would be part of this concert.


    However, many in the audience mistook the man for a magician performing an intermission act, for he hovered effortlessly, reminiscent of scenes from magic performances. "How could he possibly float like that without wires attached to his back?" people wondered.


    As whispers filled the air about the missing wires, the man finally spoke, "You ignorant fools, lost in hedonistic pleasure. Why do you believe you deserve to dictate the narrative of this world?"


    Seeing the puzzled expressions, he sneered and continued, "Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I am the Magician, from the Cult of the Abyss. I worship the great Lord of the Abyss. One day, the Lord will descend upon the mortal realm. He is the beginning and end of all things. With His arrival, all will be consumed by darkness."


    "Now, as His emissary, I shall collect a small toll on His behalf! Everyone, stay exactly where you are and await my selection!"


    The reality dawned upon the crowd: this wasn''t part of the concert''s agenda.


    The theater was instantly awash with murmurs.


    Those familiar with the "Cult of the Abyss" grew pale, their bodies shaking uncontrobly.


    This was a real terrorist, and from the most notoriously brutal cult at that.


    Chaos rapidly enveloped the venue as panic set in.


    Many started to scatter and flee. John, however, kept his eyes intently fixed on the smug Magician, a look of shock evident in his gaze.


    While others might be ignorant, John knew all too well.


    The man''s ability to levitate wasn''t due to any wires; he was floating entirely on his own strength.


    John detected a peculiar energy fluctuation emanating from him, eerily reminiscent of the abyss in the world of the game, Godyer.


    Could it be that others, besides himself, had now awakened powers from the game?


    Before John could dwell on this thought, anothermotion arose from behind.


    Turning around, he saw a group of figures d in ck storming into the theater, brandishing des and firearms.


    They were the very individuals who had mysteriously disappeared from their seats earlier.


    They had now discarded their expensive suits in favor of tactical ckbat gear.


    The panicked audience screamed and scattered in every direction under the threat of the weapons.


    Swiftly grabbing little Mia, John signaled the Taylor couple to stay close.


    Together, they plunged into the throng, moving toward the exit while also searching for potential escape routes or hiding ces.


    The number of fleeing people grew, yet no clear exit could be found.