Gangster to Idol

"Now what am I going to do . . ." Cain muttered, biting his thumb as he stared intently at his screen, deep in thought. He looked like a madman, searching for the next big move. "Maybe I should start another trend, something bold like shirtless dancing."

"You sure about that?" Fifi raised an eyebrow. "They'll see your tattoos. You're lucky you don't have any on your face, neck, or lower arms, but the moment you show off that body, those inks will be out in the open."

"That . . . yeah, that's a problem," Cain admitted, his voice dropping. He had no clue how to apply foundation to cover them up, and his editing skills were nowhere near good enough to hide the tattoos. This was definitely an issue.

His gang members knew about his tattoos, and so did some of his enemies. While he could hide them under long sleeves and pants as C.C., going shirtless would reveal more than he was ready to show.

Cain scratched his head, deep in thought for a solid minute. "I think I've got the answer," he finally said, though the idea clearly didn't sit well with him. It was drastic, but the time had come.

"Huh? Why so serious? What answer?" Fifi asked, baffled by Cain's sudden intensity.

Cain crossed his fingers and placed them over his mouth, adding to the mysterious effect. "If I can't post anything online without being labeled a copycat, then I'm going to take this battle to the streets. I'll recreate the video in public and let the audience judge for themselves."

Fifi's mouth fell open. "Are you nuts?!"

"What? You want me to be an idol, right?"

"Of course I do, but . . . this is way too soon for you to be going out there. Do you even know what dancing in public feels like?"

"I do. I'm feeling it right now, and I want to puke."

"That's not all. The pressure and the unfiltered gaze of the public could be overwhelming! One wrong move and they'll tear you apart. There's no editing out there. Your performance could either make or break you."

"What's the difference if we delay it? When will it ever be the 'right' time?" Cain said, his voice serious. "If I'm going to do this, it's better to start now. Besides, the video is only a minute long, and I had edit some parts. If they see me dancing the whole routine while styling hair in real time . .

. it might just turn things around."

Fifi rubbed her temples, unable to believe what she was hearing. She never expected Cain to come up with such a bold move, especially not him — someone who despised the very idea of being an idol. But it seemed she had underestimated his anger and frustration. He clearly wasn't taking his stolen video lightly.

All the pent-up frustration of being powerless online must have pushed him to this point. Still . . . "Are you seriously going to do this?"

Cain nodded, his resolve unshakable.

Well, if he was serious, it might be better to test him out in the open, Fifi thought. This would happen sooner or later, so it might as well be now.

She took a deep breath. "Alright. Then you're going to need all the help you can get."

Cain looked over at her curiously.

Fifi retrieved something from her [Idol Shop] and revealed a plain-looking bracelet made of glass beads. When worn, it felt like it was just another part of the skin.

"This is the Charm Bracelet. It boosts your confidence and charisma when worn, perfect for those high-pressure moments on stage or during auditions," she explained. "It doesn't permanently increase your CHA stat, but it will help with your confidence."

Cain's face scrunched up. "No way. I just paid off my debt to you! That thing costs like 1,000 IP! I'm just starting to save IP again to increase my stats."

Instead of getting angry, Fifi explained seriously, "You don't get it. When you step out into that spotlight, it's not just about dancing or looking cool. It's about handling the pressure, the stares, the judgment. Every second counts. Every move is scrutinized. One slip-up, and they'll rip you apart before you even have a chance to explain yourself.

"You might be tough, but out there, you're exposed. You're vulnerable. People aren't just watching your performance — they're watching YOU. The pressure will hit you like a freight train, and if you're not ready for it, it'll break you. That's why I'm offering this Charm Bracelet. It's not just about boosting stats; it's about giving you the mental edge you need to survive out there.

"This isn't just some online trend you're trying to set. You're stepping into a battlefield. And trust me, if you're not fully prepared, they'll chew you up and spit you out before you can even say F*ck!

"Do you really think you can handle it? Out there, there's no rewind button, no second takes. It's raw, it's real, and it's relentless. The public won't just be watching you — they'll be waiting for you to fail."

Cain wanted to voice his frustration at the long-winded explanation but bit his tongue. Fifi was right, and he had to admit he was out of his depth when it came to public performances. The [Charm Bracelet] might just be what he needed.

"Look, if you're stressing about the cost, you can pay in instalments," Fifi said, her tone firm yet encouraging. "Just like the Celestial Combs, this bracelet could be a game-changer for your public performances."

The mention of the Celestial Combs did the trick. Cain remembered how much that item had helped him, despite the month he'd spent working off the cost. It had been worth every grueling moment.

"Alright," Cain relented, "I'll take it. I can handle the payments."

Fifi's face lit up with a secretive smirk as she handed over the bracelet, her eyes gleaming with a mix of triumph and satisfaction.