Chapter 39: The Whisper of Shadows
Ethan sat in the café, the weight of Serena's words pressing down on him like a tidal wave. The Council. The System. He had been caught in their web from the moment he activated the system, and now, every task, every success, felt like a trap tightening around him.
He stared at the latest task notification on his phone. The reward—freedom from the system's control—was the most tantalizing prize he had ever seen. But what exactly was the "unknown hidden ability"? And was it worth the risk?
As he scrolled through the Hidden Network, another message flashed across the screen.
---
**From: Unknown Sender**
*You're getting too close, Ethan. Be careful, or we'll have to intervene.*
---
The message sent a chill down his spine. Whoever was behind this knew he was becoming a threat. Ethan quickly closed the app and left the café, his mind swirling with uncertainty.
The stakes were higher than ever, but he wasn't about to back down. He had come too far, and now, more than ever, he needed to uncover the truth.
---
**Later that evening…**
Ethan returned to his apartment, where he could finally think in the privacy of his own space. He poured himself a glass of water and stood by the window, gazing out at the city skyline. The vibrant lights of the entertainment district sparkled like stars, but to Ethan, they felt more like a reflection of the lies and deceit woven into the industry.
He thought about his next move. If Serena was right, every step had to be careful, precise, and calculated.
Just then, his phone buzzed with another notification from the system.
---
**[Ding!]**
*New Task: Expose the Truth*
- **Objective:** Uncover the Council's dark history and bring it to light without getting caught.
- **Reward:** Access to The Council's Secrets + 50,000 System Points.
---
Ethan stared at the task in disbelief. Expose the truth? He had no idea where to begin, and the thought of going up against The Council was terrifying. But something inside him had shifted. He was no longer just a pawn in their game. Now, he was determined to take control.
But how?
Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. His pulse quickened. He hadn't been expecting anyone.
Cautiously, he approached and peered through the peephole. To his surprise, he saw Rachel, one of his co-stars from *Dream of Tomorrow*, standing outside. She was dressed casually, her face shadowed by a baseball cap, but she looked anxious.
He opened the door. "Rachel? What are you doing here?"
She stepped inside without hesitation, closing the door behind her. "Ethan, I need to talk to you. It's important."
Ethan frowned, gesturing for her to sit down. "What's going on?"
Rachel's hands trembled as she spoke. "I don't know how to say this, but… I've heard things. There are rumors circulating about you in the industry."
Ethan's heart sank. "What kind of rumors?"
Her voice lowered, barely above a whisper. "They're saying that you're… gay. And that you're using relationships to climb your way to the top."
Ethan's stomach twisted in knots. "What? That's ridiculous! Where are these rumors coming from?"
Rachel shook her head. "I don't know who started them, but people are talking, Ethan. It's spreading like wildfire. And it's not just about your sexuality—they're saying you're involved with some powerful figures. People are starting to question how you've risen so fast."
Ethan ran a hand through his hair, feeling the walls closing in around him. The rumors, the system, The Council—it was all piling on at once. But as much as the gossip angered him, he knew this was more than just idle chatter. Someone was trying to sabotage him, and he had a pretty good idea who.
"The Council," he muttered under his breath.
Rachel blinked. "What?"
Ethan shook his head. "It's nothing. Thanks for telling me, Rachel. But trust me, these rumors aren't true."
She hesitated, looking at him with concern. "I know. But you need to be careful. The industry can turn on you in a heartbeat, especially with whispers like these. You have to protect yourself."
Ethan nodded, his mind already spinning with plans. "I will."
Rachel gave him a sad smile before standing up. "I should go. Just… take care of yourself, okay?"
"I will," he repeated, though his thoughts were already elsewhere. As soon as she left, Ethan collapsed onto the couch, his head in his hands.
The Council was clearly trying to ruin him. They were planting the rumors, stoking the fires of doubt. But why? Was it because he was getting too close to exposing their secrets? Or was it because they simply didn't like the fact that he was no longer playing by their rules?
Either way, Ethan knew what he had to do. He had to complete the new task, expose the truth, and take them down before they could destroy him.
---
**[Ding!]**
*Task Update: Expose the Truth*
- **Additional Objective:** Gain support from an influential ally in the industry to help spread the truth.
- **Reward Update:** Access to Elite Projects + Unlocked System Abilities.
---
An influential ally? Ethan frowned. Who could he trust in this cutthroat world? Most of the people he knew were either too wrapped up in their own ambitions or too afraid to cross the wrong people.
Then it hit him.
Serena.
She was already neck-deep in The Council's schemes, and if anyone had the power and knowledge to help him, it was her. But could he really trust her? Or was she just another piece in the Council's game?
Either way, he didn't have much of a choice. The next move was clear: find Serena, forge an alliance, and uncover the truth about the Council.
With a newfound determination, Ethan pulled out his phone and sent a single message:
---
**To: Serena Ashford**
*We need to meet. It's urgent.*
---
Now, it was a race against time. He had to act fast before the Council could ruin him for good.
---