SummmerDaze

[WSA 2025 ENTRY] - This Novel is participating in the 2025 WebNovel Spirity Awards ^^

Due to unfortunate circumstances, "Ari" Ariel Matisse lived in the slums of Los Angeles, also known as Skid Row.

One night, on his way home, he was killed while witnessing an old man getting beaten.

When he woke up, he had been thrown into a dumpster, and a strange screen flashed across his eyes, and no matter how he looked at it, it reminded him of a status window in a game.

[System Integration Complete!]
[Become a Global Music Superstar!]

For some reason, he gained a system that wanted him to join a survival show and become a globally famous idol.

If he refused to complete his given tasks, he would die.

But if he succeeded, he would have the money and power to change his life as well as get revenge against the person who killed him.

P.s. this story is kind of a love letter to LA and the amazing blend of cultures (American, Asian, Hispanic, African, etc) that can be found there. I hope you all fall in love with the area as much as I love it.

From Skid Row to Superstardom: An Idol System Novel

At the shocked expressions of his teammates, Ari stared at them in annoyance.

"Why are you acting shocked? If you watched the maze segment, it literally had my age on there? Same as everybody else?"

"Oh hahaha! That's right. The greedy French kid with the weird mask who said he liked money." Ian snickered as he elbowed Gale, and they both laughed.

No, tell me what you really think.

"Ah, I thought you were older because you're always bossing people around and they call you captain… never mind." Mathew trailed off into the silence as Ari turned to stare at him.

He couldn't bear to finish the sentence in front of those fierce green eyes.

"…moving on. That's my idea, take it or leave it." Done with his proposal, Ari sat back down as Leo stood up.

"Mathew? Do you think you could help us modify the choreography? I know Minjun can help with that as well."

Black Swan (2)