"Is it true that you offered money to Actress Ji-Eun in exchange for sexual services? Actor Min-Jae, what do you have to say about the allegations?"
Min-Jae broke out in a cold sweat. He strained his eyes to withstand the bright studio lights, feeling like a deer caught in the headlights, like a criminal caught in the act—but he was innocent. The studio lights highlighted Min-Jae's handsome features: his sharp jawline and high cheekbones, but also the scar on his cheek, one of his many scars—marks that makeup artists would struggle to cover up. An actor's bane.
"Nothing? What about the allegations of inappropriate comments? According to Actress Hyun-Ah, when she was retrieving the breastmilk from the fridge for her newborn son, you remarked that 'it was a shame she didn't offer you a taste.' What do you have to say about that?" The reporter's voice hardened, her gaze growing more intense as she leaned closer into the microphone.
'What is this situation?' The man thought to himself. His lips were trembling, struggling to maintain an awkward smile. His brain worked in overdrive, searching for something to say, but it was impossible. Just minutes ago, he'd been reading a web novel in his one-bedroom apartment—he had no knowledge of acting, let alone harassing co-workers. But the woman didn't care.
"Not only that," the reporter continued, her confidence growing with every one of Min-Jae's clueless expressions, "but we also have reliable sources who claim you've been engaging in a pattern of predatory behaviour towards young actresses, using your position of power to pressure them into compromising situations. These same actresses criticised your lack of discipline and overall bad acting skills, claiming that scenes always took longer when working with you."
Min-Jae, finally accepting reality and realising his precarious situation, exhaled deeply and focused on the interviewer. His lips parted slightly, seemingly having thought of something, but as quickly as they opened, the lips sealed shut.
'Yeah... I'm screwed. I don't know why I reincarnated as this bastard. Should I just end it all?' As he contemplated ending his existence, the world around him froze.
'What on Earth...?'
He glanced around, observing the studio, but the woman who was just drilling him for answers was deathly still. Even the cameramen had stopped in their tracks.
[Ding!]
[Evil Movie Simulator System Awakened.]
[Ta-da! The system's here to save the day, bitches.]
"Huh?" Ethan, now inhabiting Min-Jae's body had an incredulous expression. As if being thrown into the fire by whoever reincarnated him wasn't enough, now there was a schizophrenic system talking to him? For some reason, it talked into his mind and displayed emoticons on a holographic screen.
"What kind of name is 'Evil Movie Simulator System'? I mean, come on, couldn't you have been a bit more creative?" Ethan grumbled, his eyebrows furrowed in displeasure.
[Tch! Who cares about that? More importantly, don't you want to know what I can do?]
Ethan glanced at the interviewer, the sign that read "live" and the various cameramen and then replied.
"Nah." Ethan's voice was flat, almost devoid of any emotion. He didn't care what this system could do, he thought there was no way out.
[Bro, don't worry, I got yo back.]
"Why are you switching your persona?"
[Whaaaaat? Whatever do you mean? This is my persona as the Best Bro System.]
"What happened to the Evil Movie Simulator System?"
A deep sigh could be heard, and it wasn't Ethan.
[Listen, here's the deal, if I let the clocks run, you'll have to explain yourself to this woman and you're doomed. Howeeeever,] the system said, stretching out the words for dramatic effect.
Ethan clicked his tongue.
"Why are you switching to a cute female voice, now? Can you stick to one concept?"
[Bro, this is the one and only, certified, best bro system and I can be whatever I want, okay?] The system shouted, its voice now sounding like a stereotypical tough guy with a thick New York accent.
"Yeah, yeah, so what can you do?" Ethan retorted, rolling his eyes.
[See, I can get you out of this mess. It's pretty simple actually. With my help, you'll be able to rewrite the plot. We'll pick apart the accusations one by one. First, I'll send you into an alternate timeline before the accusations, there you can do whatever you want as long as the one who accused you isn't present.]
"Hmmm..." Ethan pondered about the possible applications of the ability. Certainly, it could help if he could somehow rewrite the plot.
"Does this mean whatever I do in that alternate timeline will also affect this one?"
[Hell yeah, brother!]
The system's voice changed into a thick southern US accent, modulating its voice into that of an older man with a raspy voice. Ethan's mind immediately conjured a heavy smoker smashing a glass onto the table.
Ethan rubbed his temples and decided to ignore the system's antics.
[Alright, here's the plan. As you know, Min-Jae and Ji-Eun are childhood friends, but because Min-Jae is a scumbag, they went their separate ways early on, so I'll have to send you to different time periods. Take this opportunity and pick apart Min-Jae's evil character from the beginning.]
"What about rewards? Usually, systems will offer something in return."
[Listen, kid, you wanna play this game, you gotta trust me. We work together, we both get what we want. No need for rewards, my boy. You get outta this mess, you get your fame, you get your fortune. I get to have some fun, capisce?] The system, now sounding like a seasoned mafia boss with a thick Italian accent, punctuated its words with the flick of a virtual cigarette. Ethan could almost see the smoke emanating from the system's virtual mouth.
Ethan cringed. "Are you serious, right now?"
[O-okay... maybe I got a little too excited. *blushes* I just really like helping people! Anyway... I know you're a little skeptical, but I promise I'm not just being silly, only a little, okay? But I'll help you become a REAL actor, not just some third-rate villain like in the novel. And, for your troubles, you'll get some sweet rewards, but the rewards depend on how well you do, and how much the accusers regret their actions. I believe in you, onii-chan!]
Ethan's face was dead serious. The annoyingly high-pitched voice was getting on his nerves. The cringey emoticons weren't helping either.
In the end, he just sighed and said: "Alright, let's do this."
[Right, laddie! We're gonna send ye back to the time when ye were a wee lad, before ye got all messed up by your rotten friends. Get ready for a wild ride! But remember, if ye go way off script, ye'll die.]
"What!?" Ethan's face whitened. He hadn't even considered the possibility of dying.
[Quest: Operation Doubt-Sower]
[Description: Aight, check it. Your mission, if you accept (but let's be real, you ain't got a choice), is to plant a seed of doubt in our cute lil' Ji-Eun's mind. Make her question what she thinks she knows about Min-Jae. You feel me? We're talkin' subtle moves here, nothing too crazy. Just enough to make her go "Hmm... maybe I don't know everything about this dude."]
[Objective: Perform one (1) small act of kindness towards Ji-Eun that contradicts her current opinion of Min-Jae.]
[Rewards:
- Skill: "Voice Modulation (C)" - Boost your ability to change your voice. One of the top 24 acting talents. Source: Trust me, bro.
- Bonus: "Poker Face" - A handy little trick to keep your cool when the heat is on. No more sweating like yo momma at a paternity test.]
[Warning: Fail this quest, and you might just find yourself in a sticky situation. No pressure though, homie. You got this!]
"Wait a fucking second!" Ethan was desperate. He could feel the world around him fading, his body getting sucked into some dimensional vacuum.
[Listen here, lad, life's been no easy road fer me, and I've seen more than my fair share of men squander their chances. Don't be one of 'em. Ye've got to grab hold of this chance with both hands, and don't look back.]
And just like that, Ethan's panicked face disappeared from the studio.