Prologue
As Cameron stirred awake, his mother's voice sliced through the morning haze like a sharp knife.
"Cameron! Cameron!"
He blinked against the relentless brightness flooding his room, squinting as he fought to shake off the remnants of sleep. It felt like just moments had passed since he'd closed his eyes.
"It's Monday, child! You have twenty-five minutes to get ready!" Her words rushed out, a familiar blend of concern and mild frustration, echoing in his ears.
"If you miss the bus, I'm not driving you to school. You're sixteen now; it's time to take some responsibility and get to bed earlier..." The weight of her expectations settled heavily on his shoulders, even as her voice faded into a distant hum.
She was right, of course. He knew that. Yet, in that moment, all he could feel was the cozy pull of grogginess, wrapping around him like a warm blanket.
Thoughts of the usual school day loomed ahead—homework, friends, the never-ending cycle of classes.
With a jolt of energy, he propelled himself out of bed, the sheets tangling around his legs. Time slipped away like grains of sand as he rushed through his morning routine.
He stumbled through showering, throwing on the first clothes he could find, and brushing his teeth with barely a thought. In the midst of it all, he managed to whip up a hasty breakfast sandwich that tasted more like an afterthought than a meal.
As he dashed out of his room, the clock ticked ominously in the background. His heart raced as he glanced at it—one minute to spare.
He bolted outside, sprinting across the yard and onto the main road.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the bus pulling away, its familiar shape diminishing in the distance. Panic surged in his chest as he focused on it, the world narrowing to that fleeting moment.
He could almost feel the despair filling up inside him. Then, in a flash, a loud crash echoed around him, and everything went dark.
When he came to, a cacophony of mechanical sounds filled his ears, slicing through the confusion. He blinked, struggling to gather his thoughts, and found himself in an unfamiliar, lavish room.
The luxury of it was overwhelming. What happened? He wrestled with the jumble of memories, trying to piece together the last moments.
Just as uncertainty crept in, a chime broke the silence.
Ding. Conditions met. Initializing basic system functions.
Surprise washed over him. A system? He sat up, shaking off the lingering dizziness.
This felt like something out of a video game or an anime. His heart raced, a mix of disbelief and excitement bubbling within him.
Could it be real? Was he truly given a second chance at life? The implications sent his mind whirling.
He had always dreamed of being something special, but this? It felt too good to be true, with a voice in the back of his mind warning him that nothing good ever came without a catch.
He surveyed his surroundings. The room was too nice—king-sized bed, elegant decor, expansive windows letting in bright sunlight.
This wasn't just any ordinary room; it felt like something out of a fantasy. He took a deep breath, grappling with the absurdity of it all.
How was he supposed to make sense of this?
As he approached the windows, the view outside took his breath away—an opulent marble villa that looked like something from a movie. His mind raced.
How had he ended up here? He shook his head, struggling to grasp this new reality.
He walked over to the mirror, his heart pounding as he took in his reflection. He looked the same—skinny frame, messy hair.
Dark brown eyes, acne-ridden skin. He pinched his cheek, wincing at the sting. This had to be real.
"System," he called out, his voice shaky but determined.
Initialization complete. Please state your inquiries, dear host.
"How did I end up in this situation?" He flopped back onto the bed, frustration bubbling up.
He needed answers.
The host was struck by a vehicle while crossing an intersection, unaware of the approaching danger due to a police chase. The host's life ended nearly instantaneously.
The system, in need of a new host, selected you at the moment of death, transporting you to an alternate universe.
He stared blankly at the ceiling. He had died in such a stupid way. His mind whirled as he processed the information.
A part of him wanted to scream, but another part felt a surge of determination. Maybe this was his chance to turn things around.
"What's the objective of the system?" he asked, curiosity piqued despite the craziness of it all.
The system aims to create world-famous idols, with the potential to achieve intergalactic fame across different universes.
A thrill shot through him. This aligned perfectly with his aspirations. He had always wanted to stand out, to be someone people admired.
"What are my current stats?" he inquired, excitement bubbling over.
[Displaying status:]
Name: Cameron
Age: 16
Appearance: Average
Idol Potential: 2/25
Charisma: 2/25
Talent: 2/25
Luck: 2/25
Career Points: 0
[Skills:]
Singing: Beginner
Dancing: Nobody
Composing: Nobody
Writing: Nobody
[Quests:]
[Empty]
[Shop:]
[Locked]
He blinked at the screen that materialized before him, a mix of disappointment and confusion swirling in his gut.
"Two in everything?" he murmured, his brow furrowing. "I expected more from myself."
A nagging sensation gnawed at him, a sense of loss creeping in. Why did everything feel so… off?
As if the system had not just evaluated him but altered something deeper inside.
Before he could dwell on it, a bright light enveloped him, and he felt a strange tingling sensation coursing through his body.
He gasped as his form shifted and changed. The light faded, and he stood before the mirror again, but this time he was no longer the same.
Staring back at him was a stunning seventeen-year-old girl with striking teal and copper eyes, flowing brown hair, and a sun-kissed tan. His mouth dropped open in disbelief.
"What the—?!" he exclaimed, running his fingers through his hair, still trying to process his transformation.
He looked amazing, but there was a hollowness in his chest. His original self—his identity—was gone.
Would his family even recognize him? A wave of sadness washed over him at the thought of losing his gender, his familiar appearance.
The system has optimized your starting capabilities and appearance to be more fitting for an idol.
There it was. A simple explanation that left him feeling even more bewildered.
Did that mean all of his stats had increased? His mind raced as he begrudgingly opened his status panel for the second time.
[Displaying updated status:]
Name: Cameron
Age: 17
Appearance: Stunning
Idol Potential: 5/25
Charisma: 5/25
Talent: 5/25
Luck: 5/25
Career Points: 0
[Skills:]
Singing: Beginner
Dancing: Nobody
Composing: Nobody
Writing: Nobody
[Quests:]
[Empty]
[Shop:]
[Locked]
He felt a small flicker of happiness at the increase in his stats, but it was muted by the deeper emotional turmoil.
It wasn't just about the numbers. He had transformed entirely, and he was alone in a place that wasn't home.
He thought of his family, and the gravity of his situation hit him.
This wasn't just a new beginning; it was a loss. He looked at the lavish surroundings, but it felt hollow without them.
What would they think if they saw him like this?
He took a deep breath, steeling himself. He had to find them.
He stepped out of the room, his heart pounding in his chest. The hall was vast and beautifully decorated, but empty.
He wandered through the house, calling out, "Mom? Dad? Is anyone here?"
But the only response was his echo.
The realization settled in like a cold weight in his stomach: he was completely alone.
He searched every corner, every room, but it was just him in this beautiful, unfamiliar house.
No family, no familiar faces—just the stark emptiness of his new reality.
A wave of sorrow washed over him. He had gained the potential to be an idol, to achieve dreams he had once only fantasized about, but at what cost?
He felt the loss of his family pressing down on him, the catch of this system echoing in his mind.
The price of his new life was heavy, and he couldn't shake the feeling of grief for what he had left.