System Notification: You've spent all your Emotion Points on a draw.
Congratulations! You've unlocked the work Rurouni Kenshin: Reminiscence Arc.
Detailed knowledge of the story's graphic novels, books, films, music, and scripts is now being integrated into your mind!
Bonus: First Draw Reward! You've gained a skill from a character in the work.
Congratulations! You've acquired Kenshin's Masterful Sword Technique.
Bonus: First Draw Reward! The system has enhanced your physical condition.
Body fat optimized to peak health. Strength, agility, and mental focus significantly improved.
In the bustling open-plan office of Blossom Media's screenwriting department, Haruto Yamada blinked awake.
His mind buzzed with a flood of system data—details of a story called Rurouni Kenshin: Reminiscence Arc. As the information settled, Haruto grappled with a deeper realization: he'd crossed into a new world just yesterday, and he was bound to a mysterious system.
This world was familiar yet strange, a place where global entertainment trends mirrored the poignant, character-driven dramas Haruto loved in his past life. The media industry here was dominated by major studios, many rooted in the vibrant Blossom region, much like how certain coastal cities shaped early film trends in his old world.
Haruto had planned to ride a wave of creative success, leveraging his knowledge of beloved stories—"graphic novels, books, and games—"to make a name for himself. At twenty, he was a newly minted screenwriter at Blossom Media, a role perfectly suited to his ambitions and the market's appetite for fresh narratives. But the system threw a wrench in his plans.
To bring his past life's stories into this world, Haruto needed Emotion Points, earned by stirring intense feelings in audiences. The bigger the emotional impact, the more points he gained. Unlocking well-known, high-value stories required vast amounts of these points, and directly choosing a specific work cost six or seven times more than a random draw.
Rurouni Kenshin: Reminiscence Arc—a deeply moving story of redemption and loss—had cost Haruto two million Emotion Points, accumulated over two years as an intern, piggybacking on minor credits in a dozen projects. A direct unlock would've demanded ten million points at least.
But the trade-off?
"Masterful Sword Technique…" Haruto's eyes gleamed.
The system limited his ability to flood this world with stories but rewarded him with a chance to gain skills from the characters in those stories. This sword technique, a deadly art from the tale's protagonist, Kenshin, was the real deal. In his past life, Haruto had been captivated by Kenshin's graceful, lethal moves on screen.
Testing his newfound skill, Haruto eyed a mosquito buzzing above his desk. He grabbed a utility knife, his mind sharp and focused. In the empty office, a flash of steel sliced through the air. The mosquito's wings were severed with surgical precision, fluttering to the desk as the insect crawled, bewildered.
"I'm in a law-abiding society, so mosquitoes are my only target," Haruto muttered, grinning. "But… I'm good."
The clatter of footsteps broke his reverie. The screenwriting team was returning from lunch. Haruto quickly pocketed the knife, blending back into the hum of the office.
Blossom Media, one of the country's top three networks, employed hundreds of screenwriters, churning out TV dramas, variety shows, and reality programs each quarter. With the rise of streaming platforms, the demand for online series and films had skyrocketed, keeping the department in constant motion. Writers were either out gathering material, overseeing shoots, or buried in their scripts.
Even so, Haruto caught fleeting glances from colleagues—mostly women—drawn to his sharp features and newfound confidence. The system's physical enhancements had refined his already striking appearance, giving him an effortless charisma that turned heads, even in a workplace accustomed to polished celebrities.
"Haruto, have you finished the script for tomorrow's pitch to the production team?"
A stocky, middle-aged man approached—Taro Tanaka, Haruto's mentor. At forty-something, Taro carried himself with the weary authority of a veteran screenwriter.
In this world, Blossom Media's headquarters sat in a bustling metropolis, despite its roots in the Blossom region. The logistics of running a national network—producing shows, airing content, securing sponsorships—demanded a central hub. Most employees, including Taro, were transplants, drawn to the city's opportunities.
Taro had guided Haruto through two years of interning after he'd graduated from a vocational film school at eighteen. Just a month ago, Haruto had earned his full-time position, freeing him from grunt work and giving him a shot to pitch his own scripts.
A successful pitch meant funding and a production team. But the industry was ruthless—millions were invested in each project, and many new writers went years without getting a script greenlit. Some joined established teams, toiling for meager pay until they burned out or left the industry entirely.
Taro, though stern, genuinely cared about Haruto's progress. "Well?" he prompted.
"Thanks for the reminder, Taro," Haruto said with a warm smile. "I've been preparing for this for two years. I'm ready."
Taro nodded, his expression softening. "That's what I like about you, Haruto. Steady, confident, no ego. Keep at it, and you'll have your own office here one day."
It was half encouragement, half wishful thinking. Taro knew the odds of a rookie's first script getting picked up were slim, but he hoped Haruto would stick it out, unlike others who quit after a few rejections.
As Taro walked away, Haruto exhaled, turning to his desk. He opened a drawer, revealing a stack of pages labeled Summer Breeze—a script by his predecessor self. It followed a young woman who, after failing to find work in the city, returns home to take over her family's business. It wasn't terrible, but it felt predictable, no better than the formulaic dramas flooding the market.
Haruto closed the drawer and opened his laptop, his fingers flying over the keys. In bold letters, he typed the title of his new script:
Rurouni Kenshin: Reminiscence Arc
Screenplay by Haruto Yamada
The system had handed him Rurouni Kenshin: Reminiscence Arc, a side story from a larger saga, but one revered by fans for its masterful storytelling and gut-wrenching depth. Adapted into films in his past life, it was a poignant, haunting tale—exactly the kind of story Haruto loved.
If anyone in Blossom Media's production team had an eye for quality, this script wouldn't be overlooked.
At least, that's what he hoped.