The dim light from the old desk lamp buzzed faintly as Rex refreshed the YouTube tab for the fifth time in two minutes.
Still 14 views.
Still 1 like.
Still no comments.
The rest of the band had gone upstairs to crash after a marathon session in the basement studio, but Rex couldn't sleep. Not now. Not when everything they'd worked toward was now out in the world—vulnerable and raw.
He stared at the screen until the blue interface of the System flickered into view again.
> 📊 Obsidian Saints – The Four Horsemen
🔄 Views: 29 (Live Refresh Active)
👍 Likes: 3
💬 Comments: 1
🧠 Viewer Analysis: 92% Retention Rate
🔥 Tag Interest Surge: "underground thrash metal," "new band," "teenage metal group"
📈 Viral Potential: 14% and rising
A smirk tugged at the corner of Rex's mouth. They're listening.
He opened the comment section.
> User: BlackVinyl88
"What the hell? These kids just resurrected 80s thrash like it never died. WHO ARE YOU?!"
He chuckled quietly. The praise wasn't even directed at him by name, but it struck like a lightning bolt.
The System chimed again.
> 🎁 Achievement Unlocked: First Fan Comment
Reward: +20 Direction Points
System Tip: "Responding to comments boosts engagement. Consider crafting a reply as Obsidian Saints."
Rex typed under the band's profile:
> We're just four guys who love heavy music. Glad you liked it. Stay tuned.
Another like. Then another. Then two new comments.
He leaned back, trying not to let his heart race.
Upstairs...
Ash stirred from the beanbag on the floor. "Hey… is that the floor vibrating, or am I dreaming of war drums?"
Kai peeked out from behind a blanket. "Is Rex still down there?"
Silas yawned from the corner. "Dude's probably checking the views like it's a stock market."
They trudged down and found Rex sitting cross-legged, wide-eyed.
"How's the battlefield?" Ash asked.
Rex glanced at them, then minimized the System window. "We're at 74 views. Four comments. Likes are climbing."
"Already?" Kai said, rubbing his eyes. "It's been what, two hours?"
"Someone said we brought thrash back from the dead," Rex said, voice low, controlled. But his eyes burned with energy.
Ash whistled. "Not bad for four nobodies in a basement."
Silas picked up his bass from the corner. "You know what this means, right?"
"We're not nobodies anymore," Rex answered.
They sat there together, watching the numbers tick up. Slowly. Steadily. Like footsteps in the fog, approaching.
Then the System whispered privately to Rex again:
> 🔔 New Message from Subscriber: VinylCultRecords
"This track is killer. You guys on Bandcamp? Would love to feature you."
Rex blinked.
That name… VinylCult was an underground metal review channel with a small but loyal following.
He didn't reply immediately. He needed time to think, to plan.
"Hey," Ash said. "What if this is it? The start?"
"It is," Rex said, eyes locked on the screen.
But he said nothing about the message. Or the System. Not yet.
This was still his secret weapon. His edge.
And in this game, keeping your cards close could mean everything.