Victor left the studio with a cold resolve settling in his chest. His ranking of 873/10,000 was a start, but far from where he intended to be. His mind buzzed with thoughts of strategy, weaknesses to exploit, and how the Idol System could be manipulated to give him the advantage. He knew one thing for sure: the higher he climbed, the more dangerous this game would become.
Aria walked briskly beside him, oblivious to the silent storm brewing within Victor. "Your next step is to increase your popularity," she said, scrolling through her tablet. "You'll need to engage with fans, maybe host a small meet-and-greet, and of course, there are daily challenges that can boost your stats."
Victor barely heard her. His focus had already shifted to the system's stats and what he would need to improve next. Vocal ability was important, but charisma—that was the weakness he had to address. He was not naturally warm or charming, and it would be a liability. In his past life, power had come from fear and control, not admiration. But now, in this world, it was different.
As he walked, a cold realization solidified in his mind. Power had once been something tangible. Here, it was an illusion—a game of image, charisma, and applause. It disgusted him, but he couldn't deny the strange satisfaction he felt after each victory, as though reclaiming a different kind of power, one he hadn't yet fully grasped.
Before Aria could continue her stream of recommendations, the loud ring of a system notification interrupted them both.
---
IDOL SYSTEM ALERT
New Event: Local Talent Duel
Participants: Idols ranked 800-900
Objective: Compete against another idol for higher ranking and stat boosts.
Rewards: +10 Stat Boost to Winner, +5 Stat Boost to Loser.
Next Match: Victor Nightshade vs. Leo Andros.
---
"Interesting," Victor muttered, his eyes scanning the screen.
Aria peered over his shoulder and nodded enthusiastically. "Ah! You've been entered into a Talent Duel! This is perfect. It's an opportunity to boost your rank quickly. You'll be going up against Leo Andros—he's currently ranked 854."
Victor's brow furrowed. Leo Andros. He didn't know the name, but it didn't matter. The duel was a chance to assess the competition, and more importantly, to crush it.
"When does it begin?" he asked.
"In two hours," Aria replied. "You'll have time to prepare, but I'd recommend getting some rest before—"
"There's no need," Victor interrupted. "Where is the duel taking place?"
Aria hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond to his cold, focused tone. "It's just down the hall in one of the smaller performance studios. But Victor, these duels are tough. Leo is known for his crowd control—he's got an incredibly strong charisma stat."
Victor's eyes flicked back to his own stats, noting the difference between his 35 Charisma and Leo's potential advantage. He studied the numbers with cool detachment, already dissecting what he needed to do. It wasn't going to be easy, but it wasn't impossible either. Leo had charm; Victor had depth.
"I'll be fine," he said, already moving toward the studio.
---
Two hours later, Victor stepped into the small, brightly lit studio. The air buzzed with tension, the walls lined with holographic displays showcasing live feeds of the competitors. A small crowd had gathered behind a transparent barrier, their murmurs filling the room. The stage lights illuminated the area, casting a sharp glow that made the room feel even smaller and more intense.
Across the stage stood Leo Andros. He was tall, handsome, and exuded effortless charm. His presence alone drew eyes toward him, and even from a distance, Victor could sense the attention Leo commanded. His striking blue eyes sparkled with confidence, and his smirk carried an air of casual superiority.
"So, you're the new guy everyone's talking about," Leo called out, his voice dripping with mock enthusiasm. "Victor Nightshade, right? Saw your performance earlier. Not bad, but I hope you're ready to lose."
Victor said nothing, his gaze cold and steady as he studied Leo. He wasn't interested in the usual banter. He knew Leo thrived on charisma, and the arrogance in his tone only served to confirm it. Leo underestimated him—and that would be his mistake.
Leo's smirk widened as Victor approached. "You really think you can out-sing me, Nightshade? This crowd wants someone who shines, not someone who broods in the dark."
Victor's lips barely twitched, a faint mockery of a smile. "Shine all you like, Leo. Shadows last longer."
Leo's smirk faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered. "Let's get this started," Victor added, his voice flat, cutting through the room's tension.
The Idol System blinked to life, projecting a countdown in the air as the duel officially began.
---
IDOL DUEL: VICTOR NIGHTSHADE vs. LEO ANDROS
Objective: Outperform your opponent in a vocal performance.
Rewards: +10 Stat Boost to Winner, +5 Stat Boost to Loser.
Countdown to Start: 10… 9… 8…
---
As the countdown ticked down, Victor's heart pounded in his chest, though his expression remained calm. He knew that this wasn't just about singing. He had to deliver more than a song—he had to convey something deeper, something that would overpower Leo's charm.
Leo stepped forward first as the system beeped, signaling the start. He flashed a brilliant smile toward the audience, who were already hanging on his every move. His voice began to fill the room with a catchy, upbeat tune, his charisma drawing the crowd in almost effortlessly.
Victor watched, unimpressed. Leo's voice was technically sound, his performance flashy and energetic, but there was nothing beneath the surface. It was all style, no substance. And Victor knew exactly how to exploit that weakness.
As Leo continued, the audience cheered, their applause loud and immediate. But Victor had seen what he needed to see. Charm was fleeting, he thought. It blinded people for a moment, but when the light faded, there was nothing left.
When Leo finished, basking in the applause, Victor stepped onto the stage without a word. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, focusing, letting the familiar fire of his past life's drive settle inside him. This wasn't just a song—it was his way of reminding himself why he was here.
Then he began to sing.
---
(Verse 1)
You wear a smile, but it hides the truth,
A mask of charm built in your youth,
But underneath, the cracks appear,
In the shadows, I see clear.
---
His voice was deep, haunting, and filled with emotion that silenced the crowd. Unlike Leo's flashy performance, Victor's was raw, exposing the regrets and anger he held deep within. The audience leaned in, caught off guard by the unexpected depth in his song.
As he sang, something unfamiliar flickered at the edge of his awareness—an emotion he hadn't felt in years. It wasn't just frustration or anger. There was something deeper, a rawness he hadn't allowed himself to feel since his downfall. He wasn't singing for the audience or the system. He was singing for the man he had once been—the man who had lost everything but still refused to fall.
---
(Chorus)
I'll rise where you fall,
Your pretty words mean nothing at all,
In the dark, I find my way,
While you falter, led astray.
---
The room felt heavy with emotion as Victor's voice resonated through the studio, every note filled with his determination to rise again. He wasn't performing for applause—he was singing for himself, for his redemption.
---
(Final Chorus)
The light you seek, it fades too fast,
But in the night, the shadows last,
I don't need the spotlight's glow,
The deeper path is where I'll go.
---
As the final note hung in the air, the audience was frozen in stunned silence. It was only when the system blinked to life that they erupted in applause.
---
IDOL SYSTEM UPDATE
Victor Nightshade's Stats Increased:
- Vocal Ability +2
- Creativity +2
- Charisma +2
- Influence +2
- Performance +2
Winner: Victor Nightshade (+10 Stat Boost)
Leo Andros: +5 Stat Boost
---
Victor turned to face Leo, who had lost his smirk. The victory wasn't just about the stats or the system—it was about proving that charisma and charm alone couldn't carry you. There was power in depth, in the emotions that most idols shied away from.
Without a word, Victor left the stage. Aria caught up to him with an excited smile. "You did it! You're moving up the ranks already!"
Victor barely acknowledged her, his eyes already scanning the updated rank as the Idol System flashed again.
---
New Rank: 712/10,000
---
It was a small victory, but it was a step forward. The studio's sterile lights reflected off the cold glass walls as Victor's thoughts raced. Charm may win battles, but depth wins wars. He had proven that today. And Victor Nightshade had no intention of stopping.
As they left the studio, Aria kept pace beside him. She had seen idols rise before, but there was something unsettling about the way Victor did it—cold, calculating, as though every win was