[The broadcast of Prequel of the Stars Movie: The Magnificent Maritime Concert Hall has concluded.]
[Movie Popularity Settlement begins. Popularity ranking is being calculated...]
[Anime Character · Tendo Simei, Popularity Ranking settled as... NO. 1]
[The rewards you have obtained are as follows:]
[1. 50 Million Movie Popularity (10 × Current Movie Popularity Value)]
[2. Character Exclusive Custom Poster × 3]
[3. Exclusive Character Merchandise Pack]
[4. Permanent Movie Art Style]
"As expected, it's first place, again and again."
Tendo raised an eyebrow, his fingertip gently sliding across the popularity system panel.
He then casually looked at the two rewards, 'Character Exclusive Custom Poster × 3' and 'Exclusive Character Merchandise Pack', and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Such flashy things, let's just treat them as two little bonuses."
Saying this, Tendo was about to dismiss these two rewards and focus on the 'Permanent Movie Art Style' and what items he could exchange from the special Movie Popularity Shop.
But when he curiously clicked on the description of the two rewards in the middle, Tendo froze.
Because the actual effects of these two rewards were significantly greater than he had imagined.
[Name: Character Exclusive Custom Poster]
[Effect: Every time a passerby views the poster once, 0.1 Popularity Value will be converted.]
[Evaluation: 'From stranger to fan, there is a chasm called "recognition" in between.']
[Name: Exclusive Character Merchandise Pack]
[Effect: For every piece of character merchandise sold, you gain 10 Popularity Points.]
[Evaluation: 'Spending money on someone you like is the best expression of devotion.']
"So that's what it is."
Tendo rubbed his chin, the corner of his mouth curving slightly upwards.
"So... Stars Production is planning to push me down the path of a virtual idol?"
With just a glance, Tendo saw through the true intention of the Stars production team.
The poster is to allow the character Tendo Simei to be known by many outsiders who don't follow Stars, letting them know about the existence of this anime character.
The exclusive character merchandise is to allow those who have already become Tendo's fans to further deepen their affection for his character.
This set of operations is undoubtedly the complete idol fan culture playbook.
However, Tendo was more interested in the other two rewards.
[Permanent Movie Art Style: Every time you appear, the fine detail of a movie-grade visual will be automatically triggered, and you will gain a special 'Charm Bonus' effect in the Stars world.]
Without any hesitation, Tendo immediately applied this passive ability to himself.
After doing all this, Tendo looked at himself on the dimensional screen.
Although his appearance hadn't changed, the figure on the dimensional screen now had eyelashes that seemed dusted with fragmented light, his azure eyes reflected the warm glow of a wall lamp, and even strands of his hair shone with a soft luster, as if he had activated a maximum beauty filter, his attractiveness maximized.
"This effect..."
Tendo raised an eyebrow, then suddenly lifted his hand to condense a bit of 'Vector.'
A silver-white light illuminated his palm. While it used to be a simple ball of light, now one could clearly see the fine lines circulating within the light ball, like woven silver threads, with even the motes of dust carried by the surrounding air visible.
Subsequently, Tendo tried to activate the Stellar Eclipse Eye.
The next second, his pupils became even more intricate. Many details that could not be fully displayed due to previous picture quality issues were now completely revealed on the dimensional screen, thanks to the Movie Art Style's enhancement.
It was truly a full budget deployment—a complete "budget warrior."
"So, now my art style truly is above yours."
Tendo raised an eyebrow at his reflection on the screen, gently tapped the screen with his finger, his tone full of undisguised pride.
Although the movie had just ended and the third season of the main show hadn't started yet, he could already imagine the reaction of the fans on the dimensional screen.
They would surely be spamming 'Tendo is so handsome' and 'The art style is incredible.' The thought was amusing.
After testing the Permanent Movie Art Style, Tendo immediately clicked on the 'Special Movie Popularity Shop.'
The third season was about to begin, and based on the content of the original third season novel he had read, Tendo had already set his own position.
That is, the great villain of the third season.
Achieving this was not difficult for Tendo.
After all, even if he did nothing, his strength would still overwhelmingly crush the so-called 'Heavenly Talents' appearing in the third season.
However, winning and winning beautifully, winning with crushing pressure, were two different matters.
Thinking of this, Tendo immediately looked at the 'Special Movie Popularity Shop.'
Because within it, there was one 'thing' that Tendo could use.
[Name: Trista's Destiny Silver Coin]
[Level: Tier 3 Perfect]
[Effect · Fate's Gamble: Upon use, a special gamble using souls as stakes can be initiated; the winner takes all.]
[Evaluation: 'If you don't have the resolve to lose everything, you cannot put up the stakes to enter this gamble, because the price of fate... is far more expensive than you think.' — Cataclysm-tier Starmaster · Trista]
[Price: 30 Million Movie Popularity Value]
To set the stage for 'Trista's Destiny Silver Coin,' Tendo had intentionally or unintentionally played with the commemorative silver coin from the City of Crimson Mist during the movie.
At that time, the dimensional audience thought Tendo was merely showing off.
Little did they know... he was actually laying the groundwork for the subsequent 'Fate's Gamble.'
Because what Tendo wanted to do was simple: use the gamble to turn the 'Children of Stars' who lost to him into his 'subordinates.'
He would then monopolize the ranking of the entire Starry Sky Ladder.
At that point, the rank people below desired would not only depend on their own strength but also on whether they could produce the stakes Tendo wanted.
Otherwise, Tendo wouldn't even need to lift a finger.
The guys who lost their souls to him would naturally help him discipline the ignorant ones who dared to challenge Tendo's authority.
This setup was undoubtedly 'villainous' to the max.
But you must also admit that this domineering, almost dictatorial aura is far more realistic and attracts more fans than the 'good guy' persona of ordinary shonen protagonists.
Thinking of this, Tendo played with the 'Trista's Destiny Silver Coin' in his hand and said meaningfully, "First obtaining Martial Arts Badges, then participating in ranked matches to determine the future branch affiliation."
"Such a plot truly makes me recall the 'Protagonist of Pallet Town' from a classic IP in my previous life, who repeatedly captured Legendary Pokémon but then repeatedly let them go. However..."
Speaking here, Tendo gripped the silver coin tightly.
"I am not the protagonist, and compared to letting the 'Legendary Pokémon' go... I prefer the feeling of enslaving them."
"After all, I never said I was a good person."
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