Chapter 81: Chapter 81 - A Bet
Darius quickly realized that things ight go a totally different way than he had expected with the use of the new skill he had just acquired from the System. From a single read of the script, he had understood 26% of the character he would be playing.
First off, he learned his name, which was Thomas Brown, a troubled individual who had sociopathic tendencies. That was mainly what Darius had understood from his first read. Thomas Brown was a killer, someone who would kill bad people.
Now, was it a good thing?
Can getting rid of bad people by killing them be considered good?
The answer to that question doesn't matter.
You will still be punished when you kill someone because, at the end of the day, killing is bad, no matter the reason.
If you kill a killer, then…you also become one in the process.
Nevertheless, Darius continued to read the scenario. He heard a few shouts from where Clara was sitting, and it seemed that the jerk of the night had finally arrived.
If you hadn't guessed, the jerk of the night is Tristan.
Since arriving, Darius knew that he needed to read the script again and again to make sure that he understood everything about it and would know how to play this character. Even if the skill would do the job for him, Darius wanted to practice and immerse himself in the character. That way, he would be able to play the role even better and increase the percentage.
That's why, for the following minutes, Darius read some lines, closed his eyes, and started reciting them out loud, practicing as much as he could.
He could hear a distinct noise echoing in his mind a few times, followed by a shooting voice. However, he stopped paying attention to such a voice and completely focused on playing the character. He needed to be the character.
Soon enough, the event ended. Darius felt a touch on his right shoulder.
He simply opened his eyes and gazed at the person who had touched his shoulder. He had this serious look in his eyes when he looked at Clara, who was the one who had approached him.
After all, Darius still hadn't come out of his character.
"Uh, are you okay? Do you still want to do this?"
Darius shook his head for a short moment, then revealed a bright smile, which was the complete opposite of his previous behavior.
"Right, sorry. I was in character when you approached me."
Clara nodded as she knew that it could be a side-effect for some people.
"Well, you better get going. They're waiting for you."
Darius raised his hand and noticed that the camera crew was still installed, seemingly waiting for him. Normally, they would have already started packing, but it seemed they clearly remembered the conversation from earlier. However, that wasn't all, as Tristan was sitting next to Chloe and Aurora.
From the looks of it, he would also be taking part in the audition.
'Are they going to make this a competition?' Darius thought. 'Mhm, what percentage of my understanding did I reach?'
-Ding!
[Current understanding of Thomas Brown: 78%]
'Should do the trick, right?'
Darius could only pray that it would since if it didn't, he would lose access to everything he had gained since he had regressed to the past. His system, his skills, his company—everything would slowly fall apart without the system at his side.
"So, you want to steal my role? Still mad about last time, is that it?"
Chloe and Aurora looked at one another, unsure of what his comment meant. However, they quickly went past it as they realized none of them wanted to explain what Tristan was talking about.
"You two. Stop arguing and stand up. I will ask each of you to play a single scene, and the one who we think is the best…is the one who we will choose. That's all."
Darius was surprised that Chloe didn't count Tristan's popularity as a factor. After all, having some fans as an actor was bound to bring viewers to the movie release, which could make it grow as a result. However, he didn't mention it since it would put him at a disadvantage.
"So, who wants to go first?" Chloe asked as she eyed the two beautiful men in front of her.
Clara, who was on the sidelines, was worried out of her mind about how Darius would perform. To be honest, she wanted him to win more than anything, but it was hard to believe in him, considering who he was facing. Nevertheless, she trusted him and his actions. She knew there had to be a reason as to why he had acted in such a way.
'He must be sure to win. That's got to be the reason,' she thought in the back of her mind, completely ignoring the fact that Darius was "forced" to do this entire thing.
"Me. I'll go first," Tristan declared with overwhelming confidence. "It's not like going last would even change something. I'm not even facing an actor. He's just a pitiful manager."
"Actually, what about we make a bet?" Tristan said before he started his performance. m vl emp yr exclusive
"What kind?" Darius replied.
"Meh, something simple. If I win, your girlfriend over there, she'll dump you and go on a date with me."
"And if I win?"
Darius was unphased, not caring in the slightest about this stupid bet.
"If you win…then I'll grant you a wish. Doesn't really matter since you'll never win against me."
"Then, it's a deal."
Clara's eyes widened when Darius accepted, as she had never actually thought that he would do such a thing. She hadn't even been asked for her opinion through this entire thing. She took a few steps forward, close enough to Darius to whisper something in his ear.
However, before she could say a single word. Darius turned in her direction and patted her head.
"Don't worry, there's no way I'm not getting this role."
Aurora and Chloe were shocked by his confidence and even more shocked by the fact that Darius was Clara's boyfriend.