The entrance to Apex Film House loomed like a fortress of dreams—glass panels stretching skyward, neon streaks racing across its sleek façade. Inside, the air buzzed with ambition. Agents, actors, and executives stormed through like sharks in tailored suits.
Ethan Cross, in a wrinkled hoodie and black jeans, stuck out like a broken line of code. But he didn't care. Prestige was prestige. Power didn't need polish—it just needed presence.
"Name?" the receptionist asked, barely glancing up.
"Ethan Cross. I'm here for the pitch meeting."
She checked a sleek tablet, then motioned. "Penthouse floor. They're expecting you."
As the elevator doors closed, Ethan's system chimed.
[Quest Triggered: Sell the Script]
Objective: Convince Apex to greenlight an adaptation of Dragon Chronicles.**
Reward: Skill Draw – Professional Acting or Directing Talent (Player's Choice).**
Ethan grinned. "Now we're talking."
The penthouse was another world. Gold trim, floating projection screens, walls made of moving murals. At the head of a long conference table sat a man with salt-and-pepper hair, a crisp blazer, and calculating eyes.
"Mr. Cross. I'm Harold Drake, executive producer. We've read your work. You've stirred up quite the storm."
Ethan sat down. "Storms make waves. I'm here to ride them."
Drake raised an eyebrow but smirked. "We're interested in Dragon Chronicles. But we need to know—can you deliver more than online hype? Can you be the face of something bigger?"
Ethan didn't flinch. "I've got the stories. I've got the brain. Give me the stage, and I'll give you legends."
Drake leaned back. "Prove it. Come to our open casting event. Act out one of your own scenes. Convince the public. Convince me."
[Quest Updated: Public Performance Required]
Two days later, Ethan stood on a makeshift stage in Eastblock's central park. A crowd had gathered. Cameras hovered like drones. Reporters whispered. Even Brandon Shaw was there, arms crossed, lurking in the back.
Mike Carter waved at him from the side. "You sure about this?"
"Nope. But I've never been more excited to embarrass myself."
He took the stage.
The crowd quieted.
Ethan cleared his throat, channeling the memory from Dragon Chronicles—a scene where the Void King condemns a traitor.
His voice rang out:
"You thought betrayal would save you? That shadows could protect you? I am the Void, the reckoning, the silence between heartbeats!"
The final line echoed through the plaza.
Silence. Then applause. Roaring applause.
[Prestige Gained: +60 – Live Monologue Performance][Skill Draw Unlocked][Choice Available: Professional Acting || Directing Talent]
Ethan selected Acting.
Warmth surged through his veins. Facial control, breathing rhythm, emotional pacing—he suddenly understood them all.
He stepped down and walked past Brandon with a wink.
"Thanks for attending, big guy. Always good to have a fan."
Brandon glared but said nothing.
Later that night, Ethan sat in his apartment. Mike called, voice crackling through his phone.
"They're offering you a deal. Full adaptation rights. Streaming and theatrical. You'll be co-writer and lead actor."
Ethan smiled slowly. "Sign it."
[Quest Complete: Sell the Script][Prestige Gained: +100][New Feature Unlocked: Industry Tracker – monitor popularity among entertainment guilds.]
His screen flashed again. A new message.
[Nova Ascension System Notice: Player is climbing too fast. High-level attention has been attracted.]
Below that, a blurry image flickered—a shadowed figure with glowing red eyes, watching from afar.
Ethan's smirk faded.
"So the real game begins now."