Lina stood backstage, her nerves taut.
The set of "Night Pulse Live" was colder than she expected—literally and metaphorically. Bright spotlights cut through the shadows. The audience was murmuring, the host already warming them up with artificial charm.
This wasn't like a recording set.
This was live.
Unfiltered.
Unforgiving.
Rin had offered to escort her but was called away by a "last-minute sponsor emergency."
Lina didn't mind.
She preferred standing alone.
Her stylist fixed a strand of her black hair, long and glossy down her back, then whispered, "They're expecting you to be forgettable. Prove them wrong."
Lina didn't reply. She didn't need to.
---
[System Notification: Critical Task Incoming]
[Task Type: BLACK]
[Classification: Unavoidable | No Retakes | Public Impact Guaranteed]
[BLACK TASK: Speak Truth in the Face of Humiliation]
[Situation Trigger: Targeted Question / Malicious Intent]
[Reward: +5000 Credits | +5 Fame | Unlock: Passive Skill - 'Stage Presence']
[Punishment: Career Reputation Penalty | Loss of System Favor]
[AI Companion: This is dangerous. But you can do it.]
---
She exhaled slowly. Her heart pounded.
Then they called her name.
---
Bright lights. Applause. A wave of heat. The host smiled too wide.
"Lina Vale! The breakout actress stealing everyone's hearts."
She smiled politely, her voice calm. "Thank you for having me."
The usual questions came first. Her role. Her co-stars. Her training.
She handled them all smoothly.
And then—of course—they went for the throat.
The host leaned forward, all faux sympathy. "Lina… I heard rumors you only got your role because of certain connections. Care to clear the air? Is it true you're someone's little puppet?"
Lina paused.
The crowd was too quiet.
Even the cameras felt like they were holding their breath.
---
[BLACK TASK TRIGGERED]
[Speak truth. Don't defend. Command the moment.]
---
Lina stared at the host. Then she smiled.
But this time, her smile was different—sharp, elegant, cold.
"You're right," she said softly.
Gasps rippled through the studio.
"I did have a connection. It's called suffering." Her voice never rose. "Sleepless nights. Rejection. Hunger. Working until my throat bled. Crying in bathroom stalls so no one would hear."
The host opened his mouth, stunned.
Lina continued, eyes fierce.
"If pain was a person, they'd call me 'old friend.' And if that's not enough to earn me a seat at this table, then this table is too weak for real stories."
The crowd exploded.
Applause. Shouts. A whistle.
Even the host chuckled nervously, quickly changing the subject.
But Lina knew she'd won.
---
[BLACK TASK COMPLETE]
[+5000 Credits | +5 Fame]
[Skill Unlocked: Passive – Stage Presence | You command attention effortlessly]
[AI Companion: You didn't just survive. You redefined the rules.]
---
After the show, her phone buzzed.
> Unknown Number:
"I saw that. Dangerous women shine brighter in the dark."
A chill ran through her.
Then another message.
> "The ones at the top are watching now."
> "Be careful who you trust, starlight."
She stared at the words, unsure if it was a threat or a promise.
But something in her shifted.
She wasn't just playing a role anymore.
She was the show.
---
System Log: Lina Vale
Reputation: Rising
System Favor: Stable
Passive Skill: Stage Presence
Fame Level: 2
Attention: National
Black Task History: 1/1 – Successful
Surveillance Level: Moderate-High
---
End of Chapter 27
---