Location: NovaBeat Entertainment – CEO's Office
The stale scent of cigar smoke clung to the walls of the CEO's office like a warning. Thick velvet curtains absorbed the sunlight, casting the room in a perpetual dusk. Every surface gleamed with the kind of shine that shouted money, but felt cold and sterile—like a showpiece in a museum.
Haneul stood across from the massive desk, her hands clenched at her sides. The door clicked shut behind her, the sound echoing in the suffocating silence.
Mr. Tang didn't look up right away. He was on his phone, muttering something in low tones. When he finally ended the call, he swiveled his chair slowly, his fingers drumming against the armrests in a steady rhythm that made her stomach churn. He leaned back, a smug grin spreading across his face, the kind that made her insides twist with disgust.
"So," he said, voice lazy, almost bored. "You brought in that Thato kid. Now he thinks he's too good for us. Too good for me."
Haneul stayed silent, her gaze steady on the polished wood of the desk, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.
Tang raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "You're very quiet for someone who vouched for him. For someone who promised he'd be cooperative."
She forced herself to speak, her voice calm, yet firm. "He made those songs for us," she said, careful with every word. "He believed in our group. That's why he came."
"And now he's walking away like he's some bigshot. Embarrassed me in front of everyone." Tang's tone hardened, the smugness replaced with barely-contained fury. "Do you think I'll just let that slide?"
Her jaw tightened, but she didn't look away.
Tang stood slowly, as if he had all the time in the world, and circled around the desk until he was right in front of her. The low light caught the gleam of his gold chains, each piece a cruel reminder of his power. He leaned in, his breath thick with cigar smoke, and his voice dropped to a whisper of ice.
"You may think you have some leverage, Haneul. That I won't touch you because you're the center of the group. But let me remind you—you are under contract."
Her pulse quickened, but she refused to back down. She met his cold stare, holding her ground.
He smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "If I decide you're a problem… you're out. Simple as that. Do you know how many pretty girls are lining up to take your place? All it takes is one press release. You're done. Disappear. No scandal. No sympathy. Just... gone."
Her heart hammered in her chest, but she held her chin high, forcing herself to speak despite the rising tide of fear inside her. "So you're threatening me now?"
"No, sweetheart," he said, his smile twisting into something darker. "I'm giving you a choice. You can keep your place in VELA, keep dancing, singing, living this little dream—or you can follow that arrogant friend of yours and lose everything."
Haneul's breath caught. She opened her mouth, but the words didn't come. Not yet.
Outside the building, moments later
Ding.
| Mission complete |
"What do you mean I did not make the songs with the girls? Why is the mission complete?" Thato muttered, his voice edged with frustration.
| Answer: The host completed the mission when he wrote the lyrics of the songs. That was all you had to do, but the rewards took longer to process. |
Thato scowled, gesturing at the towering building behind him. "No, you just wanted me to eat dust, didn't you? Back there, I'm not even sure what's going on with Haneul. I hope she doesn't get into trouble because of me."
Ding.
| For the inconvenience caused by the system, two new rewards have been given to the host as compensation. I hope the host can overlook the situation. Also, host, you must find a place to awaken your status. |
Thato looked around, eyes landing on a convenience store labeled "8 SEVEN" down the street.
Ding.
| Suggestions: Find a spot with no one in it. Because things are about to get real. |
He chuckled, shaking his head. "No worries. I've been in worse pain than whatever you're talking about."
| REWARDS |
Status Window: Unlock a Status Window, granting you access to a detailed view of your growth, stats, and abilities, as well as new potential paths forward in your journey.
Lux Points (30):
Skill Choice for 3 Positions: Choose 3 positions to improve, and permanently enhance one skill in each of those areas. These could be related to your musical abilities, personal growth, or even combat and magic, depending on the nature of your world.
Two Special Rewards: (???)
A few minutes later
Thato winced, feeling a sudden, sharp pain, as if a million needles had pierced his skull. It was over in a few seconds, but it left him lightheaded, groaning in discomfort.
Ding.
| The host can now choose 3 skills. Choose wisely. |
Thato sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, I guess I should take a look at my status first."
His vision flickered as the system window opened before him, the glowing text detailing his current stats.
Status
Name: Ren Saito (Thato)
Stage Name: (N/A)
Age: 18 years
Level 1: Aspiring Artist (XP: 0 - 100)
Agency: (N/A)
Debut Date: TBD
Current Position: TBD
Specific Role: All-Rounder
Lux Points: 30
Artist Points: 0
VOCAL
Vocal Technique: 28
Vocal Range: 24
Pitch Accuracy: 30
RAP
Rap Flow: 20
Rap Tone: 25
Freestyle Ability: 60
DANCE
Dance Coordination: 26
Stamina: 33
Flexibility: 22
VISUAL
Visual Appeal: Immeasurable
Facial Expression: 27
Camera Awareness: 19
CHARM
Aura farming: 29
Teamwork: 38
PRODUCER STATS
Songwriting Ability: 60
Production Creativity: 58
Composition: 62
Arranging: 59
TRAITS & SKILLS MODULE – Version 0.1
(N/A)
OTHERS
Languages
Thato stared at the numbers, frowning. "I guess I can add LP to my stats to level up, like FIFA, huh?" he mused.
[System]: "Yes, Host! It's just like that game of yours, where you level up your players through points. But you can also train or complete missions to unlock more as you level up."
"Alright, system, but why's my stamina and flexibility so low?" Thato smirked, recalling the countless hours he'd spent in practice. "I know they're higher than that."
Ding.
| Host, choose skills for 3 categories. |
Thato took a deep breath, examining the skill options. The competition on the show would be fierce. He needed to stand out, to make an impression with skills that would separate him from the others.
"Okay, since I'm going up against those monsters in the show, I've got to be strategic. I'll go with Expressive Movement, Vocal Timbre, and Signature Sound Creation."
Skill Descriptions:
1. Dance Skills
Dance isn't just about technical proficiency—it's about expression, creativity, and connecting with the audience. Even if a host's coordination or stamina isn't at the highest level, emphasizing unique dance skills can make them truly stand out.
Expressive Movement
Description: The power to convey emotion or tell a story through movement. It's not always about complexity—sometimes, simplicity combined with genuine expression can leave a lasting impact. A well-timed, heartfelt move can resonate deeply with an audience, even without intricate choreography.
Improvisation
Description: The ability to create spontaneous movements that adapt to the energy of the moment, whether adjusting to live music or shifting tempos. Freestyling requires quick thinking, flexibility, and the ability to maintain fluidity while staying in tune with the rhythm and atmosphere of the performance.
Stage Spatial Awareness
Description: Knowing how to use the entire stage (or performance area) effectively, moving dynamically and strategically to maintain audience engagement. This skill ensures the dancer doesn't just stay anchored to one spot but keeps the energy flowing and the visual interest high.
Musicality
Description: The ability to interpret and align movements with the music. A dancer with strong musicality instinctively syncs their body with the beat, rhythm, and emotional shifts in the song, enhancing both the performance and the overall mood of the piece.
2. Vocal Skills
When competing with performers who have higher technical vocal stats, what sets your host apart is often their style, engagement, and unique vocal abilities that reflect their individuality.
Vocal Timbre
Description: Timbre is the unique quality or "color" of a voice, the characteristic that makes it distinct. Even without perfect range or pitch, a singer with a recognizable vocal timbre can command attention, offering a sound that stands apart from others.
Emotional Delivery
Description: This is about infusing a song with real emotion, allowing the singer to connect with the audience on a deeper level. Whether it's through subtle phrasing or powerful intensity, emotional delivery can turn a performance into an unforgettable experience, making the audience feel the song rather than just hear it.
Vocal Runs and Melisma
Description: A vocal run involves moving swiftly between multiple notes, showcasing vocal agility. Melisma is the technique of holding one syllable over multiple notes. Mastering these techniques demonstrates vocal control, precision, and the ability to add a dynamic layer to any performance.
Breathing Control
Description: Good breath control is essential for maintaining vocal strength throughout a performance. It enables the singer to sustain notes, navigate long phrases, and avoid breathlessness during demanding sections. A performer with solid breath management can maintain power and clarity from start to finish.
3. Producer Skills
For hosts involved in music creation or production, highlighting creative production and the ability to thrive under pressure can elevate their appeal. Here are key skills that extend beyond technical ability:
Sound Design
Description: The skill of crafting distinctive, original sounds—whether through synthesizers, effects, or sampling. A strong producer with advanced sound design skills can make a track truly unique by integrating innovative and unconventional elements rather than relying on generic, overused sounds.
Signature Sound Creation
Description: The ability to develop a unique, recognizable style in music production, whether in original compositions, remixes, or sample-based works. This involves blending creativity, signature sound design, and an individualized approach to arrangement, sampling, or remixing, so the producer's music feels instantly identifiable—even without credits attached.
Sampling and Remixing
Description: The art of reinterpreting existing sounds, songs, or recordings into something fresh and innovative. Mastery of sampling or remixing allows producers to breathe new life into old tracks, adding unique perspectives while maintaining respect for the original material. This skill highlights a producer's creativity and ability to transform familiar elements into something entirely new.
Collaboration & Adaptability
Description: The ability to collaborate seamlessly with other artists, whether as a co-producer, giving feedback, or adjusting to different styles and genres. A versatile producer who can work across a wide spectrum of genres and with various artists will elevate their reputation and increase their industry credibility.
As he scanned his options, he knew he had to make his choice carefully. "Alright, if I want to stand out with my low stats, I need to pick wisely. So, I'll go with… Expressive Movement, Vocal Timbre, and, finally, Signature Sound Creation." He selected the skills. He considered choosing Emotional Delivery for vocals, but something told him he wouldn't regret the choice he'd made.
Now, for the special rewards…
Ding!
| ... |
"What the f**...?"*
____
Alex sat in his small Los Angeles apartment, the glow of his laptop the only source of light in the otherwise quiet room. The morning was just beginning to stir outside, the soft hum of the city barely audible. He leaned back in his chair, staring out the window for a moment, the weight of his dreams pulling at him. His gaze flickered back to the desk, where an old, framed picture sat beside his laptop.
The photo was of him and his friends—Thato, Hanual, and the others. They were smiling, carefree, a snapshot of simpler times before life had started getting serious. Before this moment.
His eyes lingered on the photo as the familiar ping of a new email broke the silence.
He clicked open the message, his heart beating a little faster as he read the subject line:
"CONGRATULATIONS! You've Been Chosen for Idol Crown Survival Show."
He froze. For a moment, the world around him seemed to slow. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, uncertain. Then, the email's content blurred into focus:
"Dear Alexander,
Congratulations! You've been selected as a contestant for the Idol Crown Survival Show. Please confirm your participation and arrival details in Seoul, South Korea, within 24 hours."
The weight of the words settled over him, and his eyes flicked back to the picture on his desk. The faces of his friends seemed to smile at him from the frame, a reminder of where he'd come from.
Seoul. South Korea.
He'd always dreamed of this moment. And now, it was real. His next step was clear.
With a deep breath, he closed the laptop and stood up, his mind already racing. He would meet them in Korea.