In the following days, Cassius frantically picked up attribute orbs on set.
The numbers on his panel rose rapidly!
Just as he was immersed in the joy of leveling up, Thor premiered!
During a rehearsal break, his phone screen on the counter suddenly lit up.
Then started flashing incessantly!
He picked it up and swiped to unlock. At the top was an urgent push notification from The Hollywood Reporter:
"Thor Rakes in $66 Million in North American Opening Weekend! Marvel Cinematic Universe Claims Another Victory!"
Following closely was Variety:
"Chris Hemsworth, the New Generation Super Idol from Asgard!"
Scrolling down, countless entertainment accounts were flooding the screen with various data analyses and review excerpts.
Almost all discussing Thor and its lead, Chris Hemsworth.
"Whoa!"
Kat Dennings nearby also glimpsed his phone screen and whistled.
"$66 million! Chris is really going to become America's sweetheart now!"
"Seriously, Cass, although you didn't have many scenes, you'll definitely be a familiar face!"
Beth Behrs also leaned over, her tone excited.
"I just watched the press screening yesterday. Cass, the Asgardian warrior you played was super cool! The action scenes were really sharp, and your eyes were very expressive!"
Cassius smiled. Before he could speak, his phone rang. The caller ID showed Rob.
As soon as he picked up, Rob's megaphone-like voice exploded, no speakerphone needed.
"Cass! Did you see?! 66 million! Marvel bet right this time! Chris Hemsworth's value is shooting up like a rocket now!"
"You're a beneficiary too! My inbox is about to burst!"
Cassius moved the phone a bit further away. "Calm down, Rob. Speak slowly."
"Calm down? I can't calm down!"
Rob's voice was agitated.
"Those brands that ignored us before, saying they needed to observe market reaction, are all crawling back now!"
"Several scripts have been sent over too, serious supporting roles with names and backgrounds! They look at you differently now!"
Rob gasped for breath and continued bombing: "Do you know what they call you now?"
"The Rising Star in Thor!!!"
Rob seemed determined to vent all his inner excitement!
In the following time, Cassius experienced the explosion of Thor firsthand!
Before, when he went out and was occasionally recognized by paparazzi or fans, it was mostly accompanied by whispers like "Kristen's boyfriend" or "that lucky kid."
Now, when he went grocery shopping alone, young movie fans would run up directly, eyes shining, and ask:
"Hey! You're that Asgardian warrior in Thor, right? Super cool!"
Outside the 2 Broke Girls set, besides shouting "Han Lee," there were many more voices calling his real name, Cassius, and discussing his Thor role.
The discussion about him on social media also quietly shifted.
Previously, when gossip accounts posted his photos, the comments section was always filled with mean remarks questioning him for riding his girlfriend's coattails.
Now, below such posts, many people retorted:
"Is it hard to admit someone is talented? Although he had few scenes in Thor, he was very eye-catching!"
"Han Lee in 2 Broke Girls was brought to life entirely by himself. What does that have to do with Kristen?"
"I declare I'm a career fan of Cassius! From Insidious to Thor to 2 Broke Girls, every step he took was solid!"
"And is it my illusion, or is he getting handsomer?"
...
Along with this came more and more audience members for 2 Broke Girls, and many who couldn't get in waited outside.
Tickets, originally free via lottery, were now being sold by scalpers at high prices!
Cassius felt this especially keenly during taping!
When the audience entered, the gazes directed at him were even hotter!
When he improvised, bluffing Max and Caroline with his metaphysical theories, it triggered not just laughter, but louder and sustained applause.
Even when he looked down to organize counter props, he could hear girls whispering excitedly to their companions below the stage:
"Look! He really has star aura now! That obsession with mystical powers is amazing!"
Director Michael also smiled at him during breaks: "Cass, how does it feel? You're a veritable star actor now!"
His tone carried a few degrees more respect than before.
Even Kat's roasting upgraded:
"Our little diner boss is a certified Asgardian warrior of the Marvel Universe now. Will you be commuting via Bifrost next time?"
While absorbing the green [Toxic Roasting +3] attribute orb dropping from her, Cassius retorted without batting an eye:
"Bifrost consumes too much energy, doesn't fit our diner's mission of energy conservation and emission reduction!"
The day's taping ended.
Cassius removed his makeup and prepared to slip out the back door.
Several waiting reporters surrounded him immediately. Microphones were nearly shoved in his face, but the questions were vastly different from before:
"Mr. Cass, how do you view the impact of Thor's box office explosion on your career?"
"Rumor has it your performance on the Thor set left a deep impression on Director Kenneth Branagh. Does this mean more future collaborations?"
"Fans noticed a huge contrast between your roles in Thor and 2 Broke Girls. How do you handle this cross-genre acting?"
...
Finally, questions no longer revolved solely around "how it feels to be Kristen's boyfriend."
Cassius maintained a polite but not overly warm smile.
"Thanks for the recognition!"
"Director Branagh is a great artist!"
"As an actor, trying different roles is both fun and challenging!"
...
Sitting in the car, he rubbed his brow.
The change brought by this increased attention was, to some extent, troubling for him too.
Just back at the Beverly Hills villa, Kristen called.
She had just finished a promo event, her voice tired but excited.
"Hey! My superstar! How does it feel? Now the whole world knows my boyfriend isn't just a fortune-telling diner owner!"
Cassius could imagine her raising an eyebrow and smirking on the other end of the line.
"Feels like going out with you in the future will be even more stressful!"
He sighed deliberately.
"After all, you're dating a participant of the Marvel Cinematic Universe now!"
Kristen giggled on the phone.
"Come on! But seriously, Cassius, I'm happy for you."
Her voice lowered, becoming serious.
"I look at those reports and comments. They finally started calling you actor Cassius, instead of someone's boyfriend..."
"This feels even better than my own movies getting high box office!"
Cassius's heart softened slightly, a warm current surging through him.
"Thanks, K~"
"That idiot Chris called me yesterday too!"
Kristen changed the subject, her tone lightening.
"He was excited like a child, complaining about being mobbed everywhere he goes while bragging about his Thor whirlwind!"
"He even specifically asked if you felt different too!"
Cassius thought of Chris asking for his hammer back and wanted to laugh a little.
"Tell him to guard the hammer well. Who knows, one day I might go take it back to use as a coat rack at home!"
"Hahaha, I'll pass that on word for word!"
Kristen laughed even happier.