Victor sat in his dimly lit room, staring at the glowing display of the Idol System hovering before him. The numbers seemed frozen in time, taunting him. His Vocal Ability was nearly perfect, his Creativity and Performance stats were impressive, and his Influence was growing steadily. Yet, one stat remained frustratingly low: Popularity—12 out of 100. No matter how much he pushed his abilities, this number barely moved.
He had assumed his performances alone would be enough to carry him to the top. He had delivered emotionally charged songs, demonstrated his creativity, and shown a unique approach to each challenge. But this stat, this intangible quality, kept him tethered to the lower ranks. He was climbing, but too slowly. Others with far less talent seemed to rise effortlessly past him.
"Popularity..." he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration. "What does that even mean in this world?"
Victor opened the System Help Menu, something he had rarely done before. He needed answers. Scrolling through the different categories, he found what he was looking for—a detailed breakdown of the Popularity Stat.
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IDOL SYSTEM INSIGHT
Popularity Stat Breakdown:
Popularity measures public perception and engagement with your persona. Factors include social media presence, fan interactions, brand collaborations, and media exposure. Popularity increases through consistent public visibility, direct fan connection, and broad appeal. Note: Strong performances alone may not suffice to increase popularity if media presence or fan engagement is lacking.
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Victor leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing. Public engagement… media presence? This wasn't about how good he was—it was about how visible he was. His performances, no matter how powerful, didn't seem to matter if people weren't talking about him, if they weren't following his every move.
His hands tightened on the armrests, the knuckles paling. Why should it be this way? The thought gnawed at him. He wasn't here to entertain the masses with fabricated charm or flash a fake smile for the cameras. He wanted to dominate with skill, with the raw power of his voice and the precision of his craft. Yet here he was, stuck—because it wasn't enough.
The name Zara Lei flashed in his mind. Zara had always been good, but it wasn't her vocal ability that kept her climbing the rankings. It was her ability to stay in the public eye, to engage with fans in ways that kept them devoted. She wasn't just an idol—she was a brand, a personality. She knew how to play the game.
Victor set out to find Zara. If there was anyone who understood how to manipulate the Popularity stat, it was her. He wasn't fond of seeking help, especially from a rival, but he needed to understand what was holding him back. This wasn't about friendship—it was about understanding how to play the game.
He found Zara at a bustling performance hall, preparing for another one of her shows. She was surrounded by fans, signing autographs and smiling effortlessly for pictures. Even when she wasn't on stage, she was performing, always in character, always on. Victor felt a twist of distaste, his lips pulling into a thin line as he watched her pose for a selfie with a fan, her laughter loud and easy.
"Zara," he called, his voice cutting through the chatter of the crowd.
She turned, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "Victor? Didn't expect to see you here."
"I need to ask you something," he said bluntly, wasting no time with pleasantries. "Your vocal ability is decent, but your Popularity is... astronomical. How do you do it?"
Zara's lips curled into a smirk, clearly enjoying the moment. "So, you've finally figured it out. Being an idol isn't just about the music. It's about being unforgettable. Fans don't just want a good performance—they want to feel like they know you, like they're part of your journey."
Victor's expression darkened, a flash of irritation crossing his face. "You're telling me this is all about pandering to them?"
Zara shrugged, clearly unfazed by his disdain. "Call it what you want, but the truth is, fans want more than just talent. They want a connection, a reason to invest in you. You can be the best singer in the world, but if no one cares about you, it won't matter."
Victor clenched his jaw, the muscles in his neck tightening as he resisted the urge to snap back. Is this what it takes? The thought simmered beneath his calm exterior. He had always despised the idea of playing to the masses, of shaping himself to fit their desires. But now it was clear: the Idol System demanded more than just skill. It required him to be seen, to engage with the public in a way that left a lasting impression. As much as he hated it, Zara was right.
"You know what it takes, then," Victor said, his voice low. "But what if I don't want to sell myself like that? I don't do fake smiles and shallow interactions."
Zara crossed her arms, studying him with a mix of amusement and pity. "Then you better find another way, Nightshade. Because like it or not, the game doesn't care how talented you are if people don't feel connected to you. You need to find a way to stay in their minds. You don't have to be me. Hell, I don't even think you could be if you tried. But you have to give them something."
Victor stared at her for a long moment, letting her words sink in. She was right, even if he hated to admit it. He needed to adapt, to find a way to draw people in without betraying who he was.
"Thanks," he said tersely, turning to leave, but before he walked away, Zara called after him.
"Good luck, Victor," she said, her tone light but carrying an unmistakable edge of superiority. "You'll need it."
Victor didn't reply, but his hands curled into fists at his sides as he walked away, a sharp bitterness rising in his chest. He hated that she had something he didn't—control over the crowd, control over the system. He would never pander like her, but he couldn't deny that she had mastered something he had overlooked.
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Back in his apartment, Victor pulled up his Idol System stats again. Vocal Ability: 89. Creativity: 60. Influence: steadily rising. But that glaring Popularity stat remained unchanged.
He realized now that mastering his talent wasn't enough. If he wanted to rise to the global stage, he had to play the game Zara had mastered so well. He needed to become more than just a powerful singer—he had to become a public figure that people talked about, someone who stayed in the minds of the audience long after the music stopped.
But how? The idea of curating a false persona repulsed him. He wasn't interested in winning over fans with charm or faking emotions for the sake of attention. Yet, there had to be a way to do this without sacrificing who he was.
Victor sat with this thought for a while, a tension coiling in his gut. He had always believed his talent was enough. But as he stared at the unchanged numbers on his screen, he couldn't ignore the truth any longer. Zara had understood something he hadn't. She had found a way to stay visible, to keep people invested. And that was something Victor needed to learn—not her way, but his own.
He began drafting a strategy. He didn't have to pander to the crowd, but he could show them more of his journey, more of the struggles that shaped him. If they wanted a connection, he would give it to them—on his terms. He would open up just enough to intrigue them, to make them curious, without losing himself in the process.
He could share glimpses of the man behind the performer—not in a way that betrayed his carefully crafted image, but in a way that deepened it. His fans would follow his struggle, not because he was giving them what they wanted, but because he was showing them who he really was. He'd give them rawness, authenticity—something more than the superficial charm Zara relied on. He would let them in, but only as far as he allowed.
The path ahead was clearer now. It wasn't just about hitting the high notes or perfecting his performance—it was about capturing the hearts and minds of those watching. Victor wasn't going to lose because of something as trivial as Popularity. He would find a way to dominate it, just like every other challenge.
He would bend the system to his will, as he had always done.
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IDOL SYSTEM UPDATE
Performance Results:
No stat changes: Popularity remains at 12/100.
Victor now understood the nature of the Popularity Stat and the challenge ahead. To rise to the global stage, he would need to master not just his talent, but his connection with the audience. He would show them enough to get them hooked, but never enough to lose himself in the process.
Because in this world, it wasn't just about the music—it was about who could play the game best. And Victor Nightshade always played to win.