Gangster to Idol

"Green screen, huh? Nowadays, there are a lot of apps that manipulate the background. Not a bad idea . . . but how about the video itself?" Fifi floated beside Cain, her eyes glinting with curiosity.

"These days, people have the attention span of a goldfish, so keep it short — like, one minute max. As for what to put in it . . ." She pulled up her Goddess Screen, her eyes scanning the latest trends. ". .

. the best way to rack up views is to ride the wave of what's viral right now."

"However," she continued, her tone growing more serious, "if you want to gain a solid following, you'll need to be unique and creative. Still, since you're new to the game and a bit late to the party, it's smarter to play to your strengths for now. Focus on dancing — that's where you really shine."

"Good thinking," Cain nodded. He'd been mulling over the same strategy. Finally, something they could agree upon.

"We can work on your singing when you level that skill some more."

Fifi's screen flickered to life, displaying the latest trends. Her brows furrowed as she scanned the information. "It looks like the best way to pull in views right now is to jump on the latest dance trend.

"We could search for the top dancer and mirror their moves, or we could jump on a trending music video and recreate the dance. Let's see . . . The top dancer on BuzzVid is . .

. Kalista? A girl?"

Cain's expression darkened at the mention of a woman's name. "Let me see that."

He stepped closer to Fifi, eyes narrowing as he watched the video. The screen showed a figure moving fluidly to a catchy hip-hop beat.

At first glance, Cain wasn't even sure Kalista was a woman — her look was androgynous, blurring the lines in a way that caught him off guard.

She wore a dark, sleeveless oversized shirt paired with baggy pants and a hat that shadowed her face. Her hair was impossibly long and sleek, so smooth it almost seemed unreal, like it belonged on a doll rather than a person.

Most of her face was hidden beneath a mask, adding an air of mystery to her presence. It was clear this was intentional — whether to keep the focus solely on her dancing or to maintain an enigmatic persona that kept viewers guessing.

But despite the ambiguity, it was obvious she was a woman. Even without the usual markers, her slender frame, pale skin, and delicate arms gave her away.

She moved with a grace and fluidity that Cain had to admit was impressive, her every motion precise and captivating. He found himself mesmerized by her skill, the way she commanded the rhythm with ease. It was no wonder she was at the top — her moves were nothing short of incredible.

Yet, despite her grace, there was a charismatic energy in her performance — each step, each gesture was sharp and precise, exuding a cool confidence that made her dance both captivating and powerful.

The contrast between her soft, flowing movements and the edgy intensity she brought to her routine created a unique and unforgettable style. She effortlessly blended powerful, masculine moves with the grace and allure of a woman, executing each step with perfect precision and undeniable charm.

"She's really good," Fifi said amazement in her voice. "She's probably a professional dancer."

Cain shifted uncomfortably, not thrilled about mimicking a woman's dance moves. "Find something a guy would do."

Fifi floated closer, her tone sharp. "She's dancing to a man's song, and she's pulling it off flawlessly. What's wrong with copying her? Thousands are doing it, and they're racking up views thanks to her."

Cain's frown deepened, his brows knitting together.

"What is it?" Fifi pressed, her eyes narrowing. "Do you have something against women? Let me remind you, you don't have the luxury of choice right now. She's the number one dancer on BuzzVid, and if you want views, following her lead is your best bet."

"How about the latest music video trend?"

Fifi's screen flashed with stats, her voice dripping with emphasis. "Yeah, she's already done it. Two million views in just one day. And get this — she choreographed the whole thing. The video itself is created by Apex Z and racked up over forty million views in just a week. That's power."

"Apex Z?" Cain mused, the name ringing a bell, but he couldn't quite place it. He shrugged it off; if he couldn't remember, it wasn't worth stressing over.

"Alright, it's settled," Fifi declared. "While the video is still hot, let's jump on the trend and see how many followers you can reel in. Just make sure your pretty face is front and center. Everyone loves a handsome young man with killer dance moves."

Cain clenched his jaw. God knew he didn't want to do this. But time was ticking, and he didn't have the luxury to be indecisive. He needed to become an idol, and if this was the quickest route, he'd take it — even if it meant swallowing his pride.

Cain stood in front of the mirror, his eyes turn into a dot as he studied the dance video. Every move, every beat, he absorbed it all with intense focus. The rhythm pulsed through him, and he began to mirror the steps, his body moving with the same rhythm.

At first, his movements were a bit stiff, slightly off-beat. But with each repetition, they became smoother, more fluid. His [Sharp Mind] kicked in, allowing him to break down the choreography and recreate it with near-perfect accuracy after just a few tries.

However, his Dancing Skills didn't level up, signifying that he needed more experience to budge that number.

Cain practiced relentlessly, refining each step until it felt natural, like an extension of himself. When he finally nailed the routine, Cain was satisfied with the outcome. He knew it was ready.

With a quick edit to enhance the video's visual appeal, he added the final touches and uploaded it to BuzzVid.

As the video went live, Cain couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and dread. This was just the beginning, and he hoped that everything would went well.

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|| A/N ||

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