Gangster to Idol

Chapter 121 Upgrade and New Feature

By the time the day ended, nothing had been accomplished. They hadn't settled on roles, hadn't choreographed a single step as a team.

It was a disaster.

Cain left the practice room with a storm brewing in his chest, frustration burning hot. His jaw clenched as he made his way back to CROSS HQ, his thoughts a whirlpool of anger and disappointment.

They were wasting time. Worse, they were sabotaging their own chances without even realizing it.

When he arrived at the headquarters, the building felt eerily quiet. Joker, Bones, and the rest of the gang hadn't returned yet from raiding that warehouse where the Silver Serpent posers were currently staying.

Cain had ordered the hit himself, a necessary move to secure their territory and eliminate those posers once and for all.

He trusted them to get the job done, but the emptiness of the HQ added to his agitation.

As he walked through the halls, his mind still buzzing from the mess of the day, he finally reached his room. He paused at the door, not sure what to expect, but then saw a familiar glow.

Fifi was now awake, and was floating there, beaming with excitement.

"Welcome back!" Fifi announced with a bright, sparkling grin, though her face remained lethargic. "I've successfully upgraded!"

Cain blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Upgraded?" he asked, his frustration slightly giving way to curiosity. "And what's that supposed to mean exactly?"

"Yes! I've leveled up after all your hard work! Now, I can provide better advice, analyze data more efficiently, and—oh!—I unlocked some new abilities!" Fifi floated closer, her tiny wings fluttering excitedly. "You'll see. Everything's about to get much easier."

Cain raised an eyebrow. He wasn't sure how much easier things could get when his team was falling apart, and Fifi's energy wasn't exactly infectious.

Cain sighed, running a hand through his hair. Maybe this upgrade could help him manage the chaos that was brewing in his group.

Maybe it could give him the edge he desperately needed to pull them all together.

"So what's new with you?" Cain asked.

[System Update: New Items in the Shop and [Relationship Feature]

Fifi floated in front of Cain, her translucent wings shimmering as she clapped her tiny hands excitedly. "First up! There are new items in the shop, take a look!" she announced with her usual lethargic tone.

Cain raised a brow, half-expecting some trivial cosmetics or items meant for beginners.

His experience with the system shop had been hit or miss, but this time, as he scrolled through the new entries, his eyes widened.

→Cost: 650 Idol Points

→Effect: Allows the user to replay any performance they've seen or done in their mind with perfect clarity. Boosts memory retention during practice sessions, making it easier to recreate complex routines or songs. Grants the [Perfect Recall] passive skill when worn during practices.

→Description: The earrings are small, simple studs that glint like tiny stars. Once worn, they allow you to relive performances with striking detail. You could see every move, hear every note, and feel every moment as if it were happening again.

→Utility: This item is a game-changer for you, particularly when it comes to perfecting difficult routines or remembering feedback from judges. You no longer needs to worry about forgetting key elements of a performance. Every stumble, every mistake can be reviewed and improved upon, allowing you to grow faster as an idol.

Crowd Energy Bracelet

→Cost: 700 Idol Points

→Effect: Absorbs the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd during live performances, converting it into temporary stat boosts. For every 1,000 fans in the crowd, gain +2 CHA and +1 DEX. Effect lasts for the duration of the performance and an hour afterward.

→Description: This sleek bracelet is embedded with shimmering crystals that pulse in sync with the emotions of the crowd. When your wears it on stage, it draw in the electricity of the audience, fueling you with an energy you never thought possible.

→Utility: Especially useful during large-scale concerts or competitions where thousands of fans are present. The more the crowd cheers and screams, the stronger you becomes, turning you into an unstoppable force on stage. It's a powerful item that directly ties his performance success to the energy of the people watching.

Idol Mentor Token

→Cost: 1,000 Idol Points

→Effect: Allows you to summon a legendary idol mentor for one month. The mentor will guide you through training, provide feedback on performances, and help you master a specific area of expertise (e.g., singing, dancing, stage presence). Gain a 20% increase in skill proficiency during the mentorship period.

→Description: The token is an intricately designed coin, etched with the image of a radiant figure holding a microphone. When you summoned your first mentor, the room shimmered with a warm glow, and a legendary idol figure appeared before you—ready to pass down knowledge and skills honed through years of experience.

→Utility: This item offers invaluable hands-on experience and guidance from idols who've already mastered their craft. Mentors could help you refine specific skills or provide him with advice on navigating the competitive world of idols, giving you a unique edge over your rivals.

|| E N D ||

"This is great," Cain muttered, eyeing the [Voice Enhancer Amulet] with an intense longing. He could almost feel the power it promised—better control, more range, an edge over everyone else.

But the price tag? 1,500 Idol Points. It might as well have been a fortune.

Right now, he had exactly zero Idol Points, thanks to paying off his debt to Fifi and boosting his stats earlier.

"Man," he groaned, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration, "everything here is crazy expensive, and I don't even have any Idol options available at the moment."

Fifi floated nearby, twirling lazily, her voice laced with mischief. "You could always borrow from me," she suggested with a sly smile.

Cain rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. I'm not about to go into debt with you again. That was a nightmare to get out of. I'll just have to grind and earn more points now that the missions seem to have upgraded a bit."