From Skid Row to Superstardom: An Idol System Novel-Chapter 131: Back Door (2)

Calm, soothing piano music played while the nine shadow silhouettes dressed in trench coats and hats transitioned from one pose to another in a smooth manner until the silhouetted figures were lining up behind each other so that only a single silhouette would be shown.

Dun dun dun dun

Dun dun dunna dun dun

The sound of a strummed guitar filled the air, and as the chords repeated, two people on either side of the center shadow would glide out and toss their trench coats off to the side, leaving only their hats.

When all nine shadows were lined up -

Knock knock knock

"Can I come in?"

A deep voice playfully asked the question as the 9 shadows pretended to knock on the door,

Then, all nine people grabbed the hats on top of their heads and flung them to the side like a Frisbee.

Click!

Then the bright lights turned on, illuminating the stage and revealing the nine boys, who wore well-fitting black suits and red bow ties.

The slicked-back hair with a single curl in front, combined with these outfits, gave off a dark, mafia vibe.

With a playful wink, the boys began to sing and rap with high energy, performing choreography that simulated a mock fight and spy-like actions, which was highlighted and hidden by the lighting suddenly dimming and brightening, making it look like a noir film, and completely entrancing the audience from beginning to end.

Even though the MR (instrumental music recording) was slightly loud and the contestant’s voice was a bit breathy, the visuals and storytelling were enough to keep the audience engaged, especially since it was the very first performance.

As the final team member finished their line and the stage briefly went dark, when the single light came back on, the 9 shadowy silhouettes wearing trench coats and hats appeared, posing in the exact same way as at the beginning.

Knock knock knock

"Can I come in?"

The audience was silent for a moment before screams rang out.

- ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

- gooooood jobbbb!!!!!

"Wow, wow, wow. Thank you to the Back Door team. Wasn’t that amazing?" The MC, Ryan Leary, ran onto the stage as all the lights came back on, exposing the boys who were panting while smiling brightly at the audience.

- Yeahhhhhhhh!!!!!

The audience shouted loudly, and Ryan Leary applauded along with them before holding out an extra microphone as the screen above him changed to have pictures of each contestant on the team.

"Let’s have each team member say a few words, starting with the Leader of the team, while you all vote."

"Hello, my name is Justin, huff, huff, and I’m the leader of the Investigators team."

A lean boy of medium height, with chocolate brown hair that had a single strand clinging to his damp forehead and a slightly fierce face, smiled at the audience.

Seeing that sharp smile after an incredible performance with exceptional artistry, good choreography, that brought the energy to a high, the audience couldn’t help but scream with excitement.

If this was the first performance, wouldn’t the other 8 be even more amazing??

**********

"Big man, Justin! Great job out there! You all did amazing!" Benjamin stood up to welcome Justin and his team as they came backstage while the second team went up to perform.

"Too amazing," William muttered as he quickly glared at Justin, who was hidden by Benjamin’s tall frame.

He had expected some improvement since the performance evaluation.

Still, he didn’t think that Justin’s team would have come up with such a creative performance, which was very different from the original vibe of the song.

It was basically genius getting the stage crew to use lighting and shadows to help them tell a story, and with the way things were executed, even if their dance moves and singing were slightly inferior to other teams and the original song, this performance was very memorable.

Previously, William had attributed the success of Benjamin’s previous team to Benjamin and Rex’s popularity and experience, but it seemed that the other contestants on those teams were able to step up to the plate when it mattered.

He was very displeased to see it because it meant the number of contestants he had to keep an eye out for and possibly suppress had increased.

"Seriously, Justin. Good job!"

"Yeah, congrats!"

"Congrats!"

"Thanks! I was pretty happy that I could finally show off my theater experience when creating a stage. And, Ben, if it wasn’t for you asking, I’m not sure the stage crew would have done everything we asked. Thank you so much!"

"Nah, nah, nah, it was your team’s hard work and brains that came up with the idea and executed it, innit? I’m just the messenger. Big ups to you, man. You worked hard, and it paid off."

"Thank you!" Justin smiled happily before hugging Benjamin once more and heading toward the cameras with his team to have their after-performance interview.

Other contestants quickly surrounded Justin and his team, offering congratulations, but William just smiled faintly before looking away.

Mentally, he made a note to investigate Justin and others on his team.

If a theater background could help come up with great stages like this one, even if the individual’s skill wasn’t exceptional, it was worth finding out more information to see if taking him to finals and replacing another ideal team member was worthwhile.

"Team Run Club, let’s huddle and go warm up. We’ve got to kill it as well!" Benjamin called out to his teammates, still smiling widely even though he never once looked at William as he wrapped his hands around the shoulders of their other teammates.

Putting a charming smile on his face as he saw a cameraman pointing his camera at their group, William angled his face so his other teammates couldn’t see it and pretended to flinch as he glanced at Benjamin before joining the rest of the team in their huddle with a resigned smile as if holding in his emotions.

As he turned his head, he caught sight of Carlos staring at him, at Benjamin, and then at the cameraman in order.

As the Spanish boy narrowed his eyes as if he realized something, William flinched slightly before staring back as if daring him to do something.

After all, it wasn’t like Carlos was in a position to say anything after skipping repeated practices and fighting with Benjamin as well.

He just needed to stay quietly and continue letting him leech off his vocal talents.

As expected, Carlos looked away and joined the team huddle, causing William to smirk at him.

After an inspiring chant led by Benjamin, they quickly warmed their voices up and stretched properly before lining up as the stage crew helped them put on their headsets and in-ears.

"The next team to perform is Team Run Club, performing Run. Please welcome them onto the stage!"

- Woooooooooooooo!

The sound of the audience cheering sounded, and William closed his eyes as he savoured it.

This was what he needed.

What he craved.

The attention.

The obsession and adoration of the feeble masses.

It should all belong to him.

And anybody who dared to be more talented than him should be eliminated or become the feed to fuel his greatness.