---
Rex stood in the middle of the rehearsal room, eyes locked on the jet-black guitar in his hands. It wasn't just any instrument—it was the first major upgrade he'd unlocked from the Legendary Rockstar System.
The sleek body shimmered with a faint, supernatural glow under the lights. Its frets felt smoother than silk, its pickups customized to deliver an unparalleled tone that could slice through any mix like a blade through butter.
He plugged it into the amp and took a deep breath.
"Let's see what you can do," he muttered.
With a flick of his fingers, he launched into a rapid-fire riff, blending parts of Spit Out the Bone and Ace of Spades. The room was instantly filled with blistering energy. The guitar wailed and growled with an edge that felt alive. It was as if the instrument had a soul of its own—one forged in the fires of heavy music itself.
Ash turned from tuning his guitar, his jaw slack.
"Kade… what the hell is that thing?"
Rex smirked. "Let's just say… it's custom."
Kai leaned over, nodding slowly, "Bro, that tone is ridiculous. It's like you're summoning demons and angels at the same time."
Silas gave a rare wide-eyed look, twirling one drumstick between his fingers. "It sounds expensive."
Before anyone could probe further, Samuel Owen walked in, holding a manila folder and a tablet. His usual gruff demeanor was softened by the glint of excitement in his eyes.
"I hope you're all sitting down," he said, placing the folder on the table. "Because we need to talk money."
Ash dropped into a chair. "Now this is the part I've been waiting for."
Samuel opened the folder, flipping through printed sheets and charts. "As of today, Obsidian Saints has grossed over $43,000 in direct revenue from streaming, merch, and digital downloads. And that's after deducting platform cuts."
Silas whistled. "That's... more than I made bartending in two years."
"Merch alone made $17,000 in two weeks," Samuel added. "That shirt with the flaming skull? Instant classic. You've got fans buying it in bulk."
Rex chuckled. "Pete Harrison probably owns ten of them by now."
"Speaking of Pete," Kai grinned, "He sent us another unboxing video this morning. I think he cried when he pulled out the band patch."
Samuel looked up. "That guy's a goldmine. You know his fan page has more traction than your official site right now?"
Rex nodded, then felt a tingle in the back of his mind—the System.
> [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION – CUMULATIVE REWARD UNLOCKED]
You've successfully released three major tracks, built a strong digital presence, gained over 1 million views across platforms, and initiated your debut album.
Reward Unlocked: Legendary Guitar Modification Pack + Bonus Skill: "Stage Domination (Lv. 1)"
Rex blinked.
"Yo... guys, give me a sec."
He turned around as if distracted, facing away while processing the new information.
> Stage Domination (Lv. 1):
Your presence on stage now exudes raw charisma and sonic gravity. Increases audience engagement by 40% during live performances.
He couldn't suppress the grin. This wasn't just about music anymore. The System was pushing him further toward rock godhood.
When he turned back around, Samuel was tapping on the tablet again. "Now for projections. Based on current trends, your debut album—if pushed right—could rake in $150,000 to $250,000 in its first month post-release."
Kai choked on his soda. "Are you serious?"
Samuel nodded. "You boys aren't some underground side project anymore. You're a storm. And Warner knows it. The pre-orders are stacking fast."
Ash stretched his arms behind his head. "Good thing we stuck together, huh?"
Silas added, "I just wanted to bang drums, man. Now I'm part of a movement."
Rex strummed his upgraded guitar gently, letting it hum low and sweet through the amp.
"I told you guys from day one," he said, eyes gleaming. "We're not just making music. We're leaving a mark."
Samuel clapped his hands once. "Alright. Enough numbers. Back to rehearsal. Your first world tour is coming up, and you'll need every ounce of that new guitar magic to pull it off."
Rex nodded, fingers dancing across the fretboard.
The sound that came out wasn't just loud—it was divine.
---