Gangster to Idol

Finally, it was Cain's turn to take the stage.

His name being called signaled the start of the round for those who had connections — backed by investors or have industry ties.

The tension in the room spiked as all eyes focused on him.

"Good luck, C.C.," Riku whispered with a grin. If he had a tail, it would've been wagging with excitement.

Cain still found it hard to reconcile Riku's sweet, almost innocent appearance with the fact that he could perform such powerful rap tracks.

His dance skills might be a bit clumsy, but his unique voice had already caught the judges' attention.

'Surely he has an unusual voice for such a cute face,' Cain thought, stepping onto the stage.

With the [Charm Bracelet] boosting his confidence and amplifying his stage presence, he felt the eyes of the entire room locked onto him. He commanded attention without even trying.

"He's even more charming in person," one audience member whispered.

"I saw his video on BuzzVid. He's amazing!"

"At dancing, sure. But can he sing?"

"I saw some of his singing snippet videos, and his voice was mediocre at best."

"Singing is the most important talent for an idol. Without that, what's the point?"

Cain had only performed in front of a live audience once before, and he could feel the weight of their expectations.

The crowd murmured, curious about what C.C. would bring to the table. They anticipated a pop performance — something that would complement his handsome image perfectly, maybe in the romance genre.

But when the music started, a pulse of unexpected energy swept through the room. The beat wasn't what anyone expected. Even the mentors exchanged surprised glances, unfamiliar with the tune.

Then, Cain sang the first note, and it hit everyone at once: he was performing an Electronic Dance Music track!

Fifi's lips curled into a sly grin beneath her otherwise calm demeanor. "That's right," she thought, siting on top of Evalyn's hair, while swinging her legs. "You hit them with something they don't see coming. First impressions? They're everything. And this one's gonna stick."

The high-energy beat reverberated across the stage, the electric melody building a contagious energy. This wasn't the safe, predictable pop track they had expected. It was a bold, in-your-face performance designed to make everyone get on their feet.

The music complimented C.C.s dance move as well.

The lyrics told a story of living in the moment, of escaping the mundane worries of life. Paired with Cain's sharp, electrifying dance moves, the performance was a visual spectacle. His movements were fluid, precise, and effortlessly synced with the pounding rhythm of the track.

The audience was enthralled.

But as the song progressed, there was a slight crack. While Cain's vocals were strong, they weren't quite perfect. His voice struggled to keep up with the pace of the song, and some notes didn't hit as cleanly as they should have.

Still, the sheer audacity of performing EDM — a genre known for its club beats and electronic intensity — coupled with his mesmerizing stage presence, made up for the vocal missteps.

He might not have hit every note perfectly, but he hit the vibe dead-on. And that, more than anything, left a lasting impression.

He stepped forward, his body moving fluidly to the beat, and as the chorus approached, his voice cut through the heavy synths, smooth and confident:

🎵 We break the chains, we rise and fall,

Tonight's the night, we lose it all,

No looking back, we're free to fly,

In this moment, we touch the sky 🎵

The electric pulse of the music surged with every word, and Cain's footwork was spot on, his body moving effortlessly between sharp, staccato hits and smooth, flowing motions.

The neon lights flickered in rhythm with his movements, and the audience was mesmerized. Every step he took was calculated, and the fluidity of his dancing drew the crowd in, syncing perfectly with the beat. His movements were daring, bold, and unpredictable.

🎵 Running from shadows, chasing the light,

We own the stars, we rule the night,

In the chaos, we find our peace,

This is our world, this is release 🎵

As Cain reached the bridge, the music dropped to a low hum, and his voice softened, creating a stark contrast to the intense rhythm that had filled the room moments before.

His charisma had the audience hanging on every word, and his eyes gleamed with a daring glint as he threw himself into a heart-stopping spin, his feet gliding across the stage.

The tension was mounting, and the crowd was on edge, waiting for the next hit.

The drop came hard, the bass booming through the speakers as Cain leaped into the air, landing perfectly in sync with the beat. He let the energy surge through him as he delivered the final lyrics, his voice strong and full of emotion:

🎵 We're electric, we burn the night,

In the rhythm, we're alive,

No turning back, no fear, no fight,

This is our time, our endless ride 🎵

His eyes gleamed under the flashing lights, his body soaked in the intensity of the performance.

Cain had made the stage his own, the music swirling around him as he pulled the audience into his world.

As the final beats echoed through the hall, Cain stood at the center of the stage, breathing hard. The audience erupted into applause, stunned by his bold choice of genre and his ability to own the stage.

He had brought something unexpected, something raw, and it left everyone buzzing with excitement.

Even if not every note had been perfect, his performance was unforgettable. Cain had shown that he was more than just another pretty face — he was a force to be reckoned with.

"Is that an original?" Evelyn asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Yes," Cain answered, though inside he was still figuring out his own voice. He knew he couldn't just mimic a song, and the singer's voice, and expect to capture the judges' or the audience's attention.

Using his [Sharp Mind] ability, he had absorbed countless tones, vocal styles, and melodies from various artists and pieced them together like a puzzle. The result? A song that felt familiar but was entirely his own. With that blend, no one could tell where the inspiration had come from.