Gangster to Idol

Cain stared at his wet reflection in the mirror. After taking a bath and brushing his teeth to gain another Idol Point, he just kept staring at himself.

"Your hair won't cut itself for you, you know," Fifi remarked dryly from the side.

"Shut up. I'm thinking," Cain said, pinching his hair between his fingers.

"Thinking about what style you're going to try? Or do you just not want to cut your hair?"

Cain's lower lip puckered slightly. Could this little devil read minds?

He raised his hands and breathed out, staring at the ceiling. "Is there a way to keep my current hair?"

"Hmm . . . let me think." Fifi crossed her arms and pondered for a moment before quickly saying, "No. Your hair is dirty, messy, and doesn't suit your appearance. Cut it.

Go to the salon and have it cut or . . ."

"Or . . . ?"

"Or you can trade your Idol Points with me and buy something from my shop."

"Huh? You have a shop?"

Instead of answering, Fifi flew around before waving her hand. A screen then appeared in Cain's view.

"Welcome to the Idol Idol Shop!" Fifi announced.

|| I D O L S H O P ||

Glamour Dust [20 IP]

A sparkling powder that instantly enhances the wearer's appearance, giving them a radiant glow and perfect complexion for a short period (1hr.).

Enchanted Mirror Compact [10 IP]

A small, portable mirror that not only provides a flawless reflection but also can instantly correct minor makeup with a simple touch.

Charm Bracelets [1000 IP]

Delicate bracelets that boost confidence and charisma when worn, perfect for those high-pressure moments on stage or during auditions.

Harmony Earrings [1000 IP]

These earrings help the wearer maintain perfect pitch and rhythm, enhancing their vocal performance during live shows.

Starstruck Lip Balm [10 IP]

A magical lip balm that ensures perfect, long-lasting color and keeps lips smooth and hydrated, ideal for long performances.

Celestial Comb [500 IP]

A beautifully crafted comb imbued with magical properties that can instantly style any hair into the desired look with just a few strokes. It can also repair and smooth out any frizz or damage, making it a must-have for quick, flawless hairstyles before any performance or photo shoot.

(. . . the list went on . . .)

"This is all I have at the moment since your stats are so low right now," Fifi explained. "But once you reach certain numbers, more magical items will become available."

"Oh, I see," Cain said, browsing through the screen, searching for something useful. Most of the magical stuff in the Idol Shop wasn't helpful in his current situation . . . though they're very tempting, he didn't have enough IP to buy them.

The Celestial Comb was exactly what he needed, but it cost 500 Idol Points! That was way too much; he only had like 3 IP at the moment.

"There's too much here. Can you filter it to just hair items or something?" Cain growled.

"Sure can. Here you go."

Cain's eyes widened in amazement as the screen displayed a streamlined selection of hair-related wonders.

First up was the Starlight Serum, a miraculous elixir that instantly transformed damaged hair into a cascade of healthy, glossy locks. Next, the Ethereal Hairbrush, a magical tool that effortlessly detangled hair, leaving it smooth and sleek without a hint of pain.

Then there was the Glamorous Gel, a styling marvel that held any hairdo in place, no matter the chaos around. The Phoenix Feather Dye offered an enchanting twist, its colors shifting with the user's mood, creating a living canvas of vibrant hues.

The Moonlit Mousse promised to add incredible volume and bounce, making hair look fuller and more vibrant. The Aurora Hair Mist, a finishing touch that enveloped hair in a shimmering glow, turning heads with every step, and soon . . .

But what caught Cain's attention was that Starlight Scissors.

|| Starlight Scissors ||

These enchanted scissors are not only sharp and precise but also have magical properties that allow you to effortlessly create any hairstyle with perfect symmetry and shape.

When used, the scissors can adapt to the desired style, whether it's intricate layers, bold bangs, or a simple trim.

They also have a self-cleaning feature that removes any stray hairs and maintains their sharpness.

|| E N D ||

"This is exactly what I need!" Cain exclaimed, his excitement quickly fading as he saw the price. "100 Idol Points?! That's outrageous! I don't have that many points!"

"You can pay in installments," Fifi replied, barely concealing her grin behind a poker face. "But each day you fail to pay the full amount, I'll add one Idol Point. You're no stranger to the concept, right? After all, you run an illegal lending business here."

Cain immediately protested, "What? You want me to be an idol, right? Shouldn't you just give me this for free?"

"Like I said, nothing is handed out for free in this world. If you want something, you have to strive for it yourself."

"One Idol Point per day . . ." Cain muttered, realizing that was just the interest. Completing the easy daily tasks like bathing and running would only earn him a measly 3 IP at most! That meant he could barely touch the principal, paying off only 2 points. It was a dauntingly slow pace.

Fifi had mentioned special missions that could yield more IP, but Cain's instincts told him he wouldn't enjoy those missions one bit, so he wasn't betting on them. Besides, he didn't know when those missions would come.

"What if I can't pay it?" he asked, a hint of desperation in his voice.

Fifi's face darkened, though her tight smile remained. "Let's just say you should make sure to pay it, no matter what happens."

A shiver ran down Cain's spine as he sensed a looming threat.

"Don't worry," Fifi continued, "as long as you complete the daily tasks, you can re-pay me . . . eventually."

"But I need points to increase my stats, right? How am I supposed to improve if I'm constantly paying off interest and principal?"

"Welcome to the real world," Fifi said with a hint of malice. "Solve that problem yourself."

Cain felt a pang of karmic retribution, as if his illegal lending business was coming back to haunt him in the form of this little devil.