The Pixius

Clyde's steps filled the cavernous set as he approached his designated leather seat, the furthest one on the left from the pitcher's perspective.

One of Hak Dong's eyebrows raised as he watched Clyde approach. He could hardly believe what his eyes were seeing.

'What's this? Wearing clothes like that to an investor's pitch, how can he feel so relaxed with money on the line?'

Clyde was dressed in a blue t-shirt with black cargo pants, and he had a relaxed look on his face as he approached the Pixius. Unlike Clyde, the others were all wearing formal wear to show respect to the pitchers and the other investors.

'Why are they all staring at me like that? Did I do something wrong?'

Even the camera crew were giving Clyde funny looks, causing him to realise something was up. Looking down at his attire and then at the other Pixius, Clyde had an epiphany.

'Why am I wearing this? The reincarnation and the system have ruined my first impression!'

He could already feel his plan not to offend the other Pixius go down the drain because of his sloppiness. As Clyde was considering buying a suit, the trio quickly stood up to intercept him.

'Wow! He's so handsome I wonder if he wants to go into the show business.'

The wide-eyed Nari was the first to arrive before Clyde, tilting her head like a cat as she evaluated his future in film. Pushing her moneymaking thoughts aside, Nari reached out a hand.

"I'm Nari. I'm glad there's someone else my age on this show."

"Clyde, I'm looking forward to working together."

'Well, at least she seems normal.'

Clyde couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief that the woman in front of him, who looked like the goddess of the moon walking on Earth, was sane enough.

"Good to see you again, Clyde. Are you still picking up girls from the street?"

'Huh? I did what?'

Clyde felt his dream of a harmonious relationship with the trio collapse at the first sentence of the fox-like woman before him. A memory of Nevis's was unlocked when his eyes fell on Iseul.

'You tried to pick her up, Dam Iseul, Nevis! Do you have dung for brains? She's worth thousands of you!'

Impressed and horrified by Nevis for his attempt to seduce such a prominent woman in the industry by accident, Clyde quickly formulated a response.

"After my encounter with you, no one else was worth a second glance, Iseul."

'10 out of 10 if I do say so myself.'

Clyde's response seemed to work as an enchanting smile appeared on Iseul's face, causing Nari's jaw to drop.

'Huh? Did these two know each other? Aren't they a bit too friendly with each other?.'

While Iseul was admiring Clyde's new looks, Nari was dumbstruck by the shameless flirting. Hak Dong arrived wearing a kind smile and extending his hand to Clyde.

"Nice to meet you, young man; let's have a harmonious relationship."

Seeing that Hak Dong didn't intend to make his life difficult despite their massive difference in wealth, he responded in kind.

"It's an honour to meet you, Dong. Let's work together well."

Clyde missed the slight faltering of Hak Dong's smile, and the strange expressions both Nari and Iseul were shooting at him.

'Now we have established a first-name relationship, it wasn't that hard to make a good impression on the old man.'

Unlike Clyde, who believed he had just made a good impression on the richest Pixiu, the others could hardly believe what they were hearing. Iseul's usually composed face looked like it had been slapped.

'Did he just call King Dong, Dong? Does this kid have no fear? I still only call him Hak Dong, and I've known him for years.'

Although a cordial smile remained on Hak Dong's face, the storm within that made him one of the most scary men in Korea started surging.

'Dong? Did this brat just call me Dong? Your ancestors would call me King Dong, boy.'

While Hak Dong was contemplating whether to crush the hand he was shaking, Son Jee, who entered the Pit wearing his signature professional smile, interrupted him.

"Alright. Now that everyone has gathered, can I ask you to take your seats?"

Nari was the first to move quickly, escaping from the brewing storm to the safety of her chair. Giving Clyde one last look, Hak Dong moved to his central seat.

Following the crowd, Clyde reached his dedicated seat, maintaining a casual expression with much difficulty as his thoughts flowed freely.

'That guy was the director? Thankfully, I was respectful to him.'

Recognising the Korean man who had met him in the car park was the genius director, Son Jee; Clyde thanked his past self. Sneaking glances at the Pixius next to him, Clyde was happy with their first interactions.

'I didn't expect to get along with the old man so well. It seems I have one ally in the Pit.'

If Iseul could hear Clyde's thoughts, she would likely cough up blood from his ignorance.

'Nari seems easygoing, and although Nevis has ruined my first impression with Iseul, it's still recoverable.'

Seeing everyone had taken their seats, Son Jee took centre stage as he observed the set he had built, now complete with the cast he had assembled.

'It's perfect! It's everything I imagined. I'm getting shivers just thinking about it.'

Underneath the surface of Son Jee's professional exterior was his slimy personality, which would never see the light yet drove most of his directorial decisions.

'Hak Dong, your wealth will be the foundation of this show; combined with your volatile personality, you are perfection.

Dam Iseul, your pride will never allow you to be overshadowed by anyone else. Like a sly fox, you will backstab the other Pixius to secure investment. It's the perfect television! 

Nari, just having you on this show will launch our ratings. Any company you touch will explode not because of who you are.'

Son Jee's serpentine eyes turned to the last Pixiu as he struggled to suppress a wicked grin when seeing the casual face of the man sitting there.

'And you, Clyde Nevis, are my master stroke, a wildcard that will explode on television for the whole world to see.'

To the rest of the people present, Son Jee simply stopped to admire the set before opening his mouth to speak to the Pixius.

"Well, I guess it's true that all rich people are good-looking. You guys don't even need any makeup."

Son Jee used flattery to lighten the mood and warm up the Pixius before launching into the show's details.

"Although it was mentioned in the contract, Pixiu's Pit will be airing weakly on Sunday with each episode consisting of two pitches."

Although Clyde didn't get that far in the contract due to the horrendous terms he was met with. He nodded his head in sync with the others.

"Filming will take place every Tuesday at the same location as today. Your contracts are set for 14 weeks until the first season's filming is finished.

Depending on performance and ratings, the possibility of a second season will also be discussed with you and your agents."

After finishing the technicalities, Son Jee smiled genuinely as he anticipated the beginning of his most fantastic show yet.

"It will take about ten minutes to set everything up for the first pitch. When you hear the music play, the cameras are rolling, so focus up.

Leaving the Pit to get everything ready backstage, the three investors and one fraud were again left alone in their seats. Apart from Clyde, they now wore smiles as they anticipated the show's start.

'How dare you guys all look so happy. It's like you're smiling at my funeral.'

Clyde's self-pity was interrupted by Iseul turning to Nari, who was seated on the opposite end to him.

"I must confess, Nari, your new makeup palette is leading the rest of the market right now."

The sincere compliment from her senior in the industry prompted a smile from Nari that almost blinded Clyde.

"It means a lot coming from you, senior; in truth, your new ice cream flavour caused me to gain so much weight I had to lose again for my new role."

Not expecting such an endorsement from Nari, Iseul realised that this radiant girl's friendship would be enough even if she got nothing else from Pixiu's Pit.

"Huhu, you have certainly mastered flattery. You know, we were just looking for a model for the new flavour..."

Watching the discourse between the two girls, Clyde could only pray to whoever was up there that no such questions came his way.

Looking to his left, Clyde saw the heavy stare of Hak Dong digging into him as if he were studying his soul. Seeing the giant old man looking at him like that, Clyde couldn't help but shiver.

'Why does he look so scary? Does he not like me? I thought we got off to a perfect start.'

Seeing that the male side of the room was dead silent, Nari attempted to make them join in. Her silver eyes glimmered with curiosity at the unknown entity known as Clyde.

"What are you currently working on, Clyde? In all honesty, I haven't heard much about you."

"Haha, that's understandable."

Despite chuckling at the curious girl's question, Nari's question felt like a bullet to Clyde as his brain overheated.

'You traitor Nari! You may be a little pretty, but that doesn't mean you can ruin me like this!'

"Yes, what are you doing currently?"

As Clyde formulated an escape plan, Hak Dong's words sealed his fate. While Clyde could have possibly shrugged off Nari, doing the same with King Dong was impossible. 

"Ummmm. Well, I don't want to reveal too much, but if you look at the news, it should soon be there."

His confident statement caused the eyebrows of the other Pixius to rise in surprise. Nari wore a look of admiration whilst starting at Clyde.

'To state so confidently that his next project will reach the news, how cool.'

Unlike the 'cool' Clyde that Nari was imagining, the real one was on the verge of a panic attack.

'Did that work? Please don't ask me anything else.'

Just when it seemed Hak Dong was about to press Clyde further, a delivery of props drew their attention away. Being carried in by Son Jee's team was what appeared to be some type of food bar.

"It appears the first pitch is some type of foodstuff." 

Determined not to remain silent, Clyde was the first to voice his opinion about the upcoming pitch. Nodding in agreement, Hak Dong turned to Iseul.

"It seems this one is in your ballpark, Iseul."

Smiling at King Dong's recognition of her area of expertise, Iseul smiled before retorting in a joking matter.

"Yes, although knowing you, if it's enticing enough, you won't hesitate to snatch it up."

"Hahaha"

Hak Dong let out a hearty laugh, thanking his past self for agreeing to the show, a content smile spread on the titan's face.

'A relationship like this isn't so bad. This show was truly worth my time.'

With the props set into their designated places and the crew taking up their positions, the signal music cut through the silence.

The catchy tune held an intensity which matched the close-up shots of the Pixius the cameras were currently shooting.

At that moment, the grand twin doors swung open, and a charming man with a muscular body and slicked-back hair became the first person ever to enter the Pit.

Each of his steps carried the confidence of a young entrepreneur as he made his way to the centre spot of the set. Wearing a smile devoid of nervousness, he spoke in a clear voice. 

"Hello Pixius. My name is Ja So, and I'm seeking $500,000 for 10% of my company ChocoBlock."