Chapter 38: The System's Secrets
Ethan could still feel Serena's warning reverberating in his mind as he left the Red Velvet Gala. The weight of her words and the intensity of the encounter stuck with him. Who was watching him? And what did Serena mean by not playing by the same rules?
The night air felt cooler, and the mansion's lights slowly faded as he drove away, but his mind was buzzing with possibilities. He wasn't sure who to trust, but one thing was clear: if he was going to make it in this world, he needed to unlock more from the System. Whatever shadowy game was being played, he needed leverage. Real power.
---
**[Ding!]**
*Task Complete: Attend the Red Velvet Gala*
- **Reward Claimed:** 10,000 System Points + Unlock the Hidden Network.
---
Ethan pulled over to the side of the road, heart racing. The Hidden Network? He quickly opened the system panel on his phone. His breath caught as a new option flickered into view—one he hadn't seen before.
---
**[The Hidden Network]: A clandestine communication hub that connects you to key figures in the entertainment world. Use your influence to gain information, forge alliances, and unravel the mysteries behind the industry's power struggles.**
---
Ethan's pulse quickened as he opened the Hidden Network. The interface was sleek, black, and minimalist. It looked almost like a high-end social media app. But instead of celebrity news and gossip, the names on the screen sent chills down his spine. These were powerful people—directors, producers, even government officials. Their influence stretched beyond entertainment and into politics, finance, and other shadowy corners of society.
He scrolled through the profiles until he found a message waiting for him.
---
**From: Unknown Sender**
*Welcome to the Network, Ethan Carter. Your journey is just beginning. Be cautious, and remember: power comes at a price. Choose your allies wisely.*
---
The cryptic message left Ethan uneasy. What price would he have to pay for the fame and influence he sought? He closed the message and decided to dive deeper. The Hidden Network was a goldmine for industry secrets, but it was clear it also came with significant risks.
He couldn't afford to hesitate. Every move needed to be calculated, every step carefully planned.
---
**[Ding!]**
*New Task: Uncover the Hidden Scandal*
- **Objective:** Investigate a high-profile scandal in the industry and use the information to your advantage.
- **Reward:** Insider Access to Elite Projects.
---
Ethan's eyes widened. A scandal? This could be his ticket to gaining a serious foothold. But who would be involved, and how would he gain the information he needed without getting caught in the crossfire?
Just as he pondered this, his phone buzzed again.
---
**Incoming Call: Serena Ashford**
---
Ethan froze for a moment. Why was she calling him now? He quickly answered.
"Serena?" he said, trying to keep his voice calm.
Her voice came through the line, urgent and serious. "Ethan, I need you to meet me tomorrow. There's something you need to know—something about the system and the people behind it."
Ethan's pulse quickened. "What do you mean? What's going on?"
"I can't explain everything over the phone," she said, her voice hushed as if someone might be listening. "Just meet me at the Silver Moon Café tomorrow morning. We don't have much time."
Before he could respond, the line went dead.
Ethan sat in stunned silence for a few moments. What did Serena know about the system? And why was she reaching out to him now? His mind raced with possibilities. Was this about the scandal he had been tasked to uncover? Or was it something even bigger—something that could shake the very foundations of the entertainment industry?
Whatever it was, Ethan knew one thing for sure: the deeper he went, the more dangerous this game became.
---
**The next morning…**
Ethan walked into the Silver Moon Café, scanning the room for Serena. The café was quiet, with only a few customers scattered at various tables. In the corner, Serena sat with her back to the wall, her eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses. She waved him over as soon as she saw him.
He sat down across from her, his curiosity at its peak.
"Alright, Serena," he said, lowering his voice. "What's going on?"
She leaned in, her expression grim. "The system isn't just a tool to help you rise to fame. It's something far more dangerous. It's controlled by a group of people who manipulate every major move in the entertainment world. They pick who rises, who falls, and who disappears. And you've just caught their attention."
Ethan's stomach tightened. "What do you mean? Who are these people?"
Serena glanced around the café, ensuring no one was listening. "They call themselves The Council. They're the ones behind the Hidden Network, behind the system. They're using it to control everything. Fame, power, influence—it's all orchestrated by them."
Ethan's blood ran cold. The Council? He had heard rumors of powerful people pulling strings behind the scenes, but to hear it confirmed like this sent chills down his spine.
"So why are you telling me this?" Ethan asked. "If they're watching everything, won't they know you're talking to me?"
Serena leaned back in her chair, removing her sunglasses to reveal eyes filled with fear. "Because I want out, Ethan. I've been playing their game for too long, and now I'm trapped. But you... you're still new. You have a chance to break free before they sink their claws into you. But you need to be careful. They'll use the system to manipulate you. The tasks, the rewards—it's all part of their plan."
Ethan's mind raced. Was everything he had been doing—every task, every move—just part of a larger scheme?
---
**[Ding!]**
*New Task: Escape the Council's Grasp*
- **Objective:** Outsmart the Council and break free from their influence before it's too late.
- **Reward:** Freedom from the System's Control + Unknown Hidden Ability.
---
Ethan stared at the task notification, his heart pounding. This was his chance—not just to rise to fame, but to take control of his own destiny. But if what Serena said was true, it wouldn't be easy. He was up against forces far more powerful than he had ever imagined.
Serena stood, throwing a few bills on the table. "Be careful, Ethan. They're watching. And they don't like loose ends."
She walked out of the café, leaving Ethan alone with his thoughts. This wasn't just about fame anymore. It was about survival.
And now, more than ever, the stakes had never been higher.
---