Pixiu's Pit

"Pixiu's Pit? No way am I going to that. My knowledge is F rank; I couldn't see a good business if it slapped me in the face."

As if determined to crush his dreams, Clyde saw that text pop up again, reminding him what was at stake.

[Mission: Attend the first filming of Pixiu's Pit.

Reward: Amelia Woods, Stats Upgrade.

Condition: No information regarding reincarnation or the system can be mentioned to her.]

His rant was stopped by the system once more; Clyde could already see the headlines when the first episode aired.

"The Fraud Clyde Nevis: In the premiere of Pixiu's pit, Clyde asks, 'What's equity again?' Shocking the world."

With a defeatist sigh, Clyde began to get ready, using the memories as Nevis to move around the penthouse as if it were his own.

"I just can't win against you. Can I system? Amelia better be thankful for this. Her brother is about to be crucified by the news."

Unbeknownst to Clyde, in response to the news of him being a Pixiu, the giants of Soeul were beginning to make their move.

---

Headquarters of Joseon Incorporated

Hak Dong, the titan known by the nickname King Dong in the industry due to his dominant personality, sat in a black leather chair with his fingers folded.

King Dong possessed a sturdy physique despite his age; his grey hair, paired with a goatee and moustache, gave him the charm of a lion. 

"Jin-Chul, gather what there is to know about this Clyde Nevis for me; treat it as low priority."

"It will be done, president."

Despite Hak Dong's age, his presence throughout the industry was massive, causing his curiosity to be triggered by Clyde, whom he'd never heard of. Knowing his boss's personality, Jin-Chul, the secretary of Hak Dong, began to move.

Staring at the clock on the wall absentmindedly, King Dong noted the time of the first shoot was closing in.

'What type of connections do you have to be able to evade my radar? The Nevis family is it a powerhouse I've never heard of?'

If Clyde knew the owner of Joseon Incorporated was misunderstanding his background as a hidden behemoth, he would likely tear his hair out in frustration.

-

A luxury car on the high street

"Hahaha, to think that little twerp landed a spot next to the big boys."

A beautiful woman with long purple hair and eyes could hardly contain her laughter when she heard the news through the radio. Despite being 37, Dam Iseul looked like she was in her late 20s.

Unlike Hak Dong, she was aware of Clyde Nevis's true nature. He was a lousy investor whose net worth couldn't be estimated, as no one knew what he owned.

"I've only met him once, and he invited me back to his place without even knowing who I was. To think I would see him again on Pixiu's pit."

Gossiping to her chauffeur, Iseul was highly amused that the flirt she'd encountered by chance would sit next to her on a TV show.

"Fate works in mysterious ways. I wonder what he's like when he gets serious. It should be entertaining."

An alluring smile appeared on the enchanting woman as she looked forward to the first filming.

-

A drama set in downtown Seoul

Nari walked off the drama set she was currently filming on, each step conveying vibrant youth that spread an infectious smile to the filming crew around her.

The sunlight glimmered off her silver hair, causing it to glow resplendently, and her face, seemingly crafted with the goal of perfection in mind, exhibited an exquisite smile.

"Someone else my age was chosen for the pit! I hope they end up being good-looking."

Nari's manager let loose a sigh at her juvenile reaction; despite her wealth, Nari was still a 21-year-old young woman. Yet, despite her jovial appearance, she was one of the most anticipated Pixius.

Any company would kill to have Nari as one of their representatives; the fandom behind her and her appearance could raise a business from the dead. Leading makeup companies and entertainment sectors, she quickly accumulated wealth.

"Shouldn't you be more concerned about who he is as opposed to his appearance? Do you want me to investigate?"

"No, It'll be more fun to figure him out while filming and treat him as an unknown wildcard."

The bespectacled manager had her suggestion swept aside by Nari, who was already walking towards the car that would take them to Pixiu's Pit.

---

The miles of Soeul flashed past Clyde's window as he sped through the busy street. Seated in a red Lamborghini Countage, he had a gleeful expression on his face.

'Despite the type of person Nevis was, I have to admit he's got taste.'

When Clyde entered Nevis's garage, he had anticipated tacky modern supercars and was pleasantly surprised to be instead met with 70's classics.

'Although I don't want to imagine how much this thing cost, let's leave that in the past.'

Despite his crippling debt, the smile on Clyde's face never dimmed. He was treating this car ride as a final hurrah before his reputation was destroyed on Pixiu's Pit.

[$1000 earned, 1 stat upgrade unlocked]

"Eh? What's this for?"

Clyde had expected his ride to be interrupted by a horrific system announcement, yet seeing he was being rewarded left him bewildered.

[To encourage the host's growth, rewards are embedded at milestones until he becomes the richest. Multiplying by 10 each time starting from $1000, then %10,000, $100,000 etc.]

"Wow, so one of my investments actually managed to make money? Even if it's just $1000, it's still something."

Surprised by the gift he had received from his trashy system, Clyde regarded his stat window once more.

[Status Window: Clyde Nevis

- Contacts: C-

- Persuasion: E+

- Charm: B-

- Knowledge: F

- Management: F+]

'I guess I should improve what I'm already good at.'

Convinced he would be ousted from the business world after today, making the other skills useless, combined with the vain traits he inherited from Nevis's memories, Clyde quickly made up his mind.

"Use the point to upgrade charm."

[Charm evolved to B grade - Upgrade in progress]

'Maybe I can marry a rich woman if all else fails.'

Clyde's curiosity was piqued by the system's magic, prompting an inspection of himself in the rearview mirror.

The man staring back at him felt so familiar yet different. Instead of changing his face to the point of making Clyde unrecognisable, he felt that his attractive features had just been enhanced.

Clyde's brown hair appeared plucked straight from nature, and his blue eyes contained the depth of a serene pool. He felt that even his scent had changed to that of smoking firewood.

"Are you kidding me? Is this just B rank? What type of exponential increase is this?"

In Clyde's eyes, this increase far outweighed the single point he had paid. He may have looked close to a model before, but now he had transformed into a rare beauty.

'If this is B, what would A even look like? It's scary to think about.'

As Clyde was mulling over the future possibilities of the system, a large building with the words 'Son Productions' printed in large letters came into view. Pulling into a parking spot with his name on, Clyde exited his Lamborghini with a constipated expression.

"Welcome, Clyde; you are the first of the Pixius to arrive!"

Clyde was quickly greeted by a neatly dressed Korean man with tidy black features, not recognising the man he put on a friendly facade.

"I'm looking forward to the start of filming." 

'Who is this guy? Someone from the film crew, maybe.'

Seeing Clyde's warm reception, the Korean man brought a stack of papers out of his briefcase and presented them to him.

"Well, before we get any of that, can you review the contract we signed for confirmation purposes."

The man handing Clyde documents was none other than Son Jee, the genius director and mastermind behind Pixius Pit.

'I still can't believe he would side such a one-sided contract; it was almost as if he had never negotiated before.'

Son Jee was shocked when Clyde agreed to the first contract with no hesitation. Due to its horrendous terms, he half-expected him to kick a fuss, so he met him in the car park.

'But I don't remember him being this handsome. Can someone really change that much in such a short time?'

Even though Clyde was simply observing a contract, his focused expression carried a charm that surprised Son Jee.

"It all seems fine to me. I look forward to working with you."

Both men wore a professional smile as they shook hands over the deal. Clyde's calm exterior couldn't possibly reflect the emotions he was feeling right now.

'How can you even call that a contract? Nevis might as well have sold my soul as well!'

Whilst he had been reading the contract Son Jee had handed him, it took all his willpower to control his emotions. The terms within placed Clyde in a precarious position from the first episode.

"If it is felt Clyde Nevis is not contributing to the ratings of the show, he can be asked by Son Jee to leave the Pit.

Due to the possibilities of financial gain for Clyde Nevis on the show, any contractual pay will be waived for the first season."

Despite these terms, instead of anger, Clyde instead felt acceptance like a man below a guillotine. 

'I don't even get paid? Why am I not surprised? It looks like I'm getting booted off after the first episode.'

"Excuse me, but where is the bathroom? I believe there is still time before the first shoot."

After getting directions from the unidentified Korean man, Clyde entered the building and began walking whilst inhaling deep breaths. Reaching the bathroom, he splashed his face with water and took a deep look at himself.

"If I'm going to be a fraud, I might as well be the ultimate fraudster; let me borrow you for a while, Nevis."

Resolving himself to get through today one way or another, Clyde began digging into Nevis's properties, combining them with his own to create a mask.

'An arrogant investor who won't be moved by any company that isn't the best. Although, no matter what, I should avoid offending the other Pixius, or I'll end up getting crushed.'

Having constructed the facade, he would present to the world, Clyde began walking down the hallway towards a door labelled 'Set 1: Pixiu's Pit.'

"Just remember royalties and equi-"

Clyde's muttering was cut short by the opening of the door. His vision was filled with a set of breathtaking proportions which stole his words away.

A room which exuded class from every corner, white marble walls encompassing dustless dark wood flooring. The white pillars reaching the ceiling gave Clyde the impression of a grand pantheon.

Twin-winged lions from Chinese mythology stood encased in bronze, guarding black leather seats. The Pixiu, a creature known for its love of gold, and the symbol of the show stood tall.

Yet all the decorations and ornaments seemed insufficient when Clyde's eyes rested on the figures occupying the black leather chairs. The three of them commanded a pressure that seemed to swallow the room.

The calculating eyes of King Dong, the fox like eyes of Iseul and the innocent eyes of Nari all rested on Clyde weighing his every action down to his breath.

'Maybe I shouldn't have taken so long in the bathroom.'

Wearing the mask he had constructed Clyde walked forward his every footstep resounding throughout the interior of the pit.