77: Chapter 77 The Echo of the Sound

Seven hours after the release of "Reborn," the wave in the digital world had turned into a tsunami.

Marcus stared at the four data screens in the safe house command center, his voice raspy from continuous excitement: "Fifth on the Spotify global real-time chart, number one in the US, pushing Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' down to second. YouTube official MV views are at twelve million, still growing at a rate of twenty thousand per minute."

Alex sat at the control console, with the upgraded creative interface of the 【Omnimedia Director Vision】 expanded before him. After redeeming 【Creative Master (Beginner)】, the "console" in his brain could now simultaneously process musical melody lines, visual storyboard scripts, and textual narrative structures. The other end of the data stream was connected to real-time feedback from major platforms—every view, every comment, every share was converted into the popularity numbers jumping on the system interface.

【Current Popularity: 7,484,000 points】

The single's release brought not linear growth, but an exponential explosion.

"Industry forecasts are out." Marcus switched screens. "Billboard analysts estimate that if this momentum holds for the next three days, 'Reborn' could debut in the top fifteen of the Hot 100. And that's not counting radio airplay data—Taylor's team is pushing hard for radio rotation."

Rex turned from his monitoring post: "Any movement from Northrop?"

"It's very quiet on the surface." Hank pulled up the monitoring summary. "Their headquarters is unusually low-key today; vehicle traffic in and out has dropped by 70%. But Attorney Lawson just got wind—someone from the Department of Justice was asking in an unofficial capacity whether 'artistic works involving national defense secrets are protected by the First Amendment'."

"They are testing the legal boundaries." Alex didn't look up, his fingers quickly sketching out the storyboard for the next project on the tablet, "Trying to shackle artistic creation in the name of national security."

Taylor pushed open the safe house door and walked in, holding two printed music scores. She looked exhausted after the recording session, but her eyes were bright.

"'Reborn's' radio mix is done." She placed the scores on the table, "But I have a new idea—while the heat is at its peak, we should prepare the next single."

Alex finally looked up: "Are you ready?"

"'Reborn' is about survival and resistance." Taylor sat down next to the console and pulled up several audio files, "But we need a song that is more… sharp, more direct. A song that, when played on radio rotation, makes every listener wonder, 'What are they actually hiding?'"

She opened a file on the tablet. It was a melody fragment Alex had hummed a few weeks ago, which he had claimed was "inspiration from a late night," but was actually a smash hit song from another world in 2011.

"You perfected that melody?" Alex asked.

"I wrote the lyrics and changed the arrangement." Taylor played the demo.

The intro was a simple but catchy guitar riff, followed by a synth tone with an exotic feel. Then her voice cut in, clear yet with a sense of detachment:

"You said it was just a deal… You said it was just a contract… But when you signed your name, you knew the paper was stained with blood…"

The chorus melody was extremely memorable, the repeated hook simple yet sharp:

"And the person I used to know… The one who believed in justice… Where did he go? Is he still alive? Or did he become… You?"

Alex listened, and the 【Creative Master】 ability in the system interface automatically analyzed the commercial potential of this demo: melody catchiness 92%, emotional impact 88%, viral prediction 95%. This was a chart-topping song.

"What's this song called?"

"'The One I Used to Know'." Taylor said, "Adapted from your melody, but I rewrote the lyrics. It's about an idealist corrupted by the system—on the surface, it's a love song, but those who understand will know what it's about."

Alex understood instantly. Taylor had chosen the melodic framework of "Somebody That I Used to Know," released by Gotye and Kimbra in 2011—a song that had dominated the Billboard charts for weeks in the original timeline, becoming the song of the year. But Taylor had completely reconstructed the lyrics, turning it into a metaphorical indictment of the experiences of whistleblowers inside Northrop.

"We need a release window." Alex pondered, "Not too soon, or it will dilute the heat of 'Reborn'. But not too late either; we need to capitalize while the current topic's momentum hasn't faded."

"Two weeks from now." Taylor pulled up the calendar, "October 28th, one week before Halloween. The theme could be 'The Truth Behind the Mask'. Paired with a deep MV—doesn't need high production value, but needs impact."

Marcus interjected: "What about the progress on the documentary? Organization D just provided new material, including secretly filmed clips of Northrop's internal meetings."

"Multi-front advancement." Alex made a decision, "First front: Music. 'Reborn' maintains the heat, 'The One I Used to Know' releases in two weeks. Second front: Imagery. NT-7 documentary pre-production begins; I want it finished within two months. Third front: Text. Contact 'The New Yorker' and 'The Atlantic'; I want to publish a long-form column, systematically expounding on the perspective of 'creative freedom and public interest'."

He looked at his team members: "Northrop wants to drag us down with legal warfare, so we will fight back with cultural warfare. They want the courts, we want public opinion. They want legal statutes, we want human hearts."

【System Prompt: Large-scale cultural influence plan detected…】

【Suggest redeeming 【Cross-Media Communicator (Beginner)】 to enhance multi-media content synergy…】

【Required Popularity: 300,000 points】

Alex glanced at the current popularity—seven million four hundred eighty-four thousand, enough.

"Redeem."

【Redemption successful! 300,000 points consumed】

【Remaining Popularity: 7,184,000 points】

【Acquired Ability: 【Cross-Media Communicator (Beginner)】】

The new ability module loaded. Now he could not only create multi-type content, but also intuitively perceive how to make music, imagery, and text resonate with each other, forming a cultural phenomenon-level wave of communication.

"Marcus, contact Taylor's tour production team." Alex gave the order, "I want to produce a special MV for 'The One I Used to Know'—using data visualization of the real data from the leaked Northrop files as the background, paired with the metaphors in the lyrics."

"This requires a top-tier data visualization team…"

"Organization D can provide technical support." Alex said, "They are good at this."

Taylor nodded, quickly taking notes on the tablet: "There are a few more places in the lyrics that need modification. In the second verse, I want to add more specific imagery—'cracks on steel wings', 'disappearing reports in the lab', 'the official unified script at the funeral'…"

"Keep the balance." Alex reminded her, "Too direct and it loses its artistry; too obscure and people won't understand. We want that kind of work—where you think it's a sad love song the first time you hear it, but combined with the recent news, you suddenly feel a chill."

"Just like 'Reborn'." Taylor smiled, "On the surface, it's a story of personal rebirth, but everyone heard the subtext."

At this moment, the encrypted device vibrated. It was "Front Row Audience":

【Front Row Audience】: "A friend from the Department of Justice revealed that Northrop has formally submitted preliminary materials for 'espionage' charges. But they've hit resistance—someone within the FBI believes that prosecuting a cultural icon during a period of high public attention might trigger an uncontrollable public backlash."

Alex read the message to the team.

"They're hesitating." Hank analyzed, "Last night's failed attack plus the explosion of 'Reborn' today has made them afraid to act rashly."

"Then keep increasing the pressure." Alex replied to the message: "I need to know if there are any moderates on the Northrop board, and if it's possible to divide them from within."

【Front Row Audience】: "Investigating. Preliminary signs indicate at least two board members are dissatisfied with Howard and Montero's aggressive strategy. One of their daughters is a fan of Taylor's and retweeted the link to 'Reborn' on Twitter last night."

Interesting information. Alex noted this detail.

"Alright, creative time." He clapped his hands, "Taylor, let's finalize the lyrics for 'The One I Used to Know'. Marcus, start the pre-research for the documentary; I want to see a shooting outline within a week. Rex, Hank, security cannot be lax—Northrop is retreating on the surface, but might be more dangerous in the shadows."

The team dispersed to execute their tasks. Alex and Taylor remained at the console, heads together, modifying the lyrics.

Night gradually fell over Nashville. The city lights came on, and in the digital world, the discussion about 'Reborn' was still fermenting.

A music critic published a long review on the 'Rolling Stone' website: " 'Reborn' is able to resonate so widely because it captures the collective mood of this era—distrust of the system, a thirst for truth, and a tribute to individual courage. The collaboration between Alex Su and Taylor Swift is not just a good song; it's a cultural event."

Another political commentator said on an MSBC program: "When a song can get ten million plays within twenty-four hours, we must take the message it conveys seriously. Northrop might be able to use legal means to delay the truth, but they cannot stop the truth from being set to melody and sung by millions."

On the system interface, the popularity number jumped again:

【Current Popularity: 7,312,000 points】

But Alex wasn't in a hurry to look at that number now. He was immersed in creation, feeling the melody and lyrics gradually perfecting under the blessing of the 【Creative Master】 ability.

Taylor hummed the modified chorus, then suddenly stopped: "Don't you think we're missing a song?"

"Missing what?"

" 'Reborn' is a manifesto, 'The One I Used to Know' is an indictment." Taylor pondered, "We still need a song… a song of hope. A song that allows people to still believe that change is possible after the anger and powerlessness."

She opened another file on the tablet. It was a creative fragment of her own, a melody as ethereal as a hymn.

"This song is called 'Safe & Sound'." Taylor said softly, "Originally written for a movie, but I think… it fits the present better. It fits everyone who is persisting in the darkness."

She played the demo. Simple guitar accompaniment, Taylor's voice like a whisper:

"I remember you said… Don't fear the darkness… I remember you said… I will find a way out…"

The chorus melody was expansive, like dawn breaking:

"You'll be safe & sound… No one can hurt you… When the morning light shines… You'll find… We are all here…"

Alex listened. This was the theme song Taylor had created for 'The Hunger Games' in the original timeline, a song about protecting each other in desperate situations. And now, she was reinterpreting it, turning it into comfort for the families of the NT-7 victims and for all the resisters.

"Release this song when the documentary goes live." Alex said, "As the ending theme."

Taylor nodded: "Three songs, three dimensions. 'Reborn' is the battle, 'The One I Used to Know' is the reveal, 'Safe & Sound' is the healing. A complete narrative arc."

"More than three songs." Alex pulled up his creative list, "I have four more songs from 'inspiration' in reserve, all of which are works that can hit the charts. Plus the documentary, column articles, subsequent speeches, and public activities…"

He looked at Taylor: "We are going to establish a complete 'Truth Ecosystem' in the cultural sphere. So that every time Northrop suppresses us, they find themselves facing a more complex opponent that is more deeply rooted in public consciousness."

Taylor looked at him, something complex in her eyes: "Sometimes I feel… like you knew all of this would happen in advance. Prepared all the response plans, all the creative reserves in advance."

Alex was silent for a moment, then smiled: "I just believe that when you tell the first truth, you must be prepared to tell one hundred truths. When you create the first song, you must be prepared to create an era."

He wasn't lying, just not telling the whole truth.

The system interface flickered at the edge of his vision. The ten-million threshold number was still there, but it no longer seemed as unattainable as it had at the beginning. More importantly, he had now found a clear path to that goal—not by relying on one-off sensational events, but by relying on continuous high-quality creation, establishing an unshakable position in the public consciousness.

When a person becomes a cultural phenomenon, laws, power, and even violence lose a portion of their effectiveness.

Because what you are trying to eliminate is no longer an individual, but an idea that has taken root in the hearts of millions.

And ideas cannot be shot, cannot be prosecuted, and cannot be silenced.

Alex dived back into modifying the lyrics. Under the dual blessing of 【Creative Master】 and 【Cross-Media Communicator】, the arrangement and combination of words presented infinite possibilities. He chose the one that was most precise, most aesthetically pleasing, and most lethal.

The night grew deeper.

In Nashville, in New York, in Los Angeles, in countless rooms in countless cities, people were still looping "Reborn". Some were listening to the melody, some were listening to the lyrics, and some were listening to the unspoken truths between the melody and the lyrics.

And all this listening would eventually converge into the same voice:

Truth needs to be heard.

And those who hear the truth will never compromise with silence again.

The system interface jumped one last time as Alex closed the creative software and prepared to rest:

【Current Popularity: 7,488,000 points】

And there were fourteen days left until the next song that would blow up Billboard.

Alex turned off the computer and looked out the window. The night in Nashville was quiet, but beneath this quiet, he could feel something brewing—a storm composed of melodies, truth, and the resonance of millions of people.

And he was standing at the center of the storm's eye.

Calmly creating the next song.