"Mr. Auclair," Director Lee said, "you have read the script for the first episode, I presume?"

"You presume correct."

"Then, please act out Scene 14B."

"Very well."

Averie closed his eyes for a brief moment.

Scene 14 was part of a sequence of scenes introducing Asmodeus in the first episode. This particular shot was meant to show Asmodeus's lascivious nature in little detail.

Averie opened his eyes.

He could see the auditioners, but his mind refused to acknowledge them. Only cameras in the room mattered. Everything else was either a prop or an actor.

"After climbing a flight of stairs, Asmodeus Binsfeld enters his study," the AD read, a worn script in his hand.

Averie, now Asmodeus, imitated opening the door and entered the room.

His hair was wet, his posture straight, and his steps measured. His decadent gaze didn't once wander before it firmly stuck to the antique record player by the glass window. He didn't care for anything else in the room—not even the guest, who was staring at him with complex emotions.

"Hello," a female staff said, playing the part of the guest. "I—we need to talk."

Asmodeus didn't answer. He continued his leisurely walk towards the record player, undressing as he drew closer. He wanted to listen to some classical music. On such a rainy day, he was in the mood for something melancholic.

"We shouldn't meet again," the woman continued. "It's not right."

But Asmodeus only paid attention to his record player. Having shed his suit and tie, he put on one of his favorite records. The sad, beautiful melody filled the room. For a moment, he stood there, basking in its splendor. It seemed to mellow the intensity in his gaze.

He poured himself a glass of red wine and took a swig.

"If my husband finds out…" the lady trailed off.

For the first time since he entered the room, Asmodeus looked at her. She was a pretty lady, surely older than him. How had such a woman come to marry that ugly swine of a man, he could not comprehend.

In all honesty, he could.

He knew the magical word that made the impossible possible—the word that made the world spin, the most sinful of possessions.

Money.

'It solves most problems,' Asmodeus thought. 'But not all.'

Unfortunately, her husband wasn't rich enough to save himself from Asmodeus Binsfeld. Otherwise, he wouldn't have lost his life just today.

Asmodeus stood close to the woman, staring deep into her eyes as if to read her thoughts.

"He won't ever find out," he whispered, barely recognizable over the sound of music and storm.

The woman could smell rain and wine on his breath as he leaned in. She was here to break ties, but strangely, she felt even more attracted to him today. His wet hair, unbuttoned shirt, and promiscuous appearance kept bothering her in a way that was beyond immoral.

"This—this isn't right…" she murmured, mesmerized by the debauchery of his presence.

His voice was exciting and his gaze arousing. Even in dreams, she knew she would see him. There was something so thrilling about him. He was more active than a prostitute, and he certainly wasn't a good man. But still, he was so addictive. Like a drug, he kept her coming back for more. And even now, she couldn't resist his temptation.

The rest of the world didn't matter and her husband didn't matter, as the enticing man led her in a subdued dance by the small of her back. She kept staring into his eyes, but his gaze was stuck to her bare flesh.

As the end of the song drew closer, Asmodeus brushed her nape, making her shiver. He ran his hand through her hair, held it by the roots, and pulled her head back. As if it were in his very nature, he lightly bit the side of her neck, his eyes burning with warped indulgence and overwhelming desire.

All the while, he was glaring straight at the auditioners behind the woman, tempting them in the process. Exuding lust, he was seducing the audience.

***

No one in the room was expecting anything from the very beginning. They hadn't expected anything from the previous applicants, and they weren't expecting much from Averie either.

But he had successfully captured their attention. Despite being only twenty-three, his portrayal was most definitely that of a twenty-nine-year-old Asmodeus.

Other than providing a glimpse into the complex nature of Asmodeus, Scene 14B had no major importance to the story. Yet he made it seem eye-catching and impactful. His acting skills were far more polished than anyone would have expected.

His portrayal was filled with character, charisma, and charm. It was unfathomable that someone so young could act in such a manner. Even veteran actors would struggle to embody half of Asmodeus's charm, and yet, he had shown them far more than that.

They all had one single thought: 'We found Asmodeus!'

And yet, they had so many questions.

Who was this Averie Quinn Auclair? Where did he come from? What about his parentage? Had he really not acted before? Could his CV be fake?

"His name doesn't come up no matter whom I ask," the AD said, reading the replies on his phone. "It doesn't seem like he has ever acted before under any name."

"He isn't in any theater troupe that I am aware of," added the producer.

He too was messaging his colleagues, trying to find even the smallest clue about the enigmatic man.

Even though ten minutes had passed since Averie left, no one in the room had moved.

Director Lee couldn't look away from the young man's CV. The AD did not call for the next applicant. Writer Moon kept staring at the spot where he acted out the scene that she had written herself. The producer kept opening and shutting his mouth without uttering a word. All the while, the DP kept replaying the footage.

The room was harrowingly silent, and not even outside noises could disturb it.

At that moment, the door was knocked, and a woman entered.

"Excuse me, sir," she awkwardly addressed the AD. "Should I send in the next applicant?"

"Huh?" the AD murmured, dazed. "Take—give us ten minutes."

The woman looked around the room and left with a nod.

A few more minutes passed.

"Sign him right away," Writer Moon said. She was still staring at the empty space. "I want no confusion here—I said I want him no matter what. Get him to sign the contract. There is nothing more precious than an actor who can portray the character with that much accuracy."

"I agree. I felt like I could hear the melody playing on the record player while he was acting," the AD whispered. "The music supervisor should see it."

"I'll send him the footage," said the DP, still playing with his camera. "His gaze is mesmerizing. With a proper set, camera, and lighting, this will be a character for the generations to remember. I can already see the success of this project."

'He was promiscuous but not disgusting,' the director thought. 'Debaucherous but not without dignity.'

"The intensity of his gaze, the ease of his expressions, and the grace of his movements—every little thing about him screamed depravity. To be so deeply enchanted by a depraved character should clash with one's morality. Yet the diabolical man's allure is irresistible."

The writer spoke as if she was chanting.

"Therein lies the guilty pleasure. Asmodeus of the script is a character that encapsulates this theme."

'No one else could play Asmodeus but this man,' the director thought. 'And he said he has no previous experience?'

"Ridiculous," he murmured. "He is only twenty-three."

'Did he climb out of Hell?'

"So," the AD whispered, his voice unsure, "do we need to continue the rest of the audition?"

"Well, professionally, we need to give the rest a chance," commented the director unenthusiastically.

"What chance?" retorted the writer. "They have no chance."

Everyone in the room had similar thoughts, but she was the only one daring enough to voice them.

'I feel the excitement return,' Director Lee thought.

His gaze was stuck to Averie's photo.