Chapter 28 - Asshole!

It was another ordinary day in Argenzon, the capital of the Mozard Empire. The streets of the markets bustled with the sounds of merchants and buyers.

A handsome boy with jet-black hair and blue eyes strolled through the market. He seemed to be looking for a specific shop in this large market.

"Hey Adrian, why are you wandering around in this market?" Demios Inquired in a bored tone. Having observed Adrian walking aimlessly through the streets for quite some time, he couldn't contain his curiosity any longer.

"I'm looking for a shop that sells masks, but I can't seem to find it," Adrian answered in an unbothered tone as he kept looking at the shops.

"Masks? But why?" Demios questioned, intrigued by Adrian's motives. He knew their primary objective was to recruit the future grand sorceress, Etheria Reinsta, but Adrian's current actions left him puzzled.

"I am going to participate in the tournament that is going to be held in the next three days in this city. Therefore, I need a mask to hide my Identity" Adrian replied, continuing with his search.

"But didn't you came to recruit that sorceress girl? I can understand that you are greedy for money but shouldn't you prioritize recruiting that girl first" Demios muttered.

"What Greedy? I am doing this for recruiting Etheria in the first place.

Oh right, you don't know much about her background since you only received memories from my perspective, and those only cover major events. You don't know much about other people," Adrian explained, nodding his head as he murmured.

"Listen, Etheria will be participating in this tournament." Adrian Explained before questioning "Now you Understand?"

"But how will you recruit her? It's not like she will just submit to you if you defeat her in this tournament" Demios inquired.

"Don't worry, I have a plan..." Adrian answered.

"Ah, there it is" Adrian exclaimed before entering a shop.

There were multiple masks on the display to choose from.

Lion mask...

Tiger mask...

bear, rabbit etc...

Other masks had different designs carved on it which gave them masculine or feminine feel.

"So which one are you gonna buy? If you ask me, You should choose that red demonic one. It would instill fear in your opponent." Demios suggested, pointing towards a specific mask. (Picture in the paragraph comments).

"No, It would attract too much attention. I want a simple black mask without any design. I shall go with this one" Adrian mumbled in reply, reaching to pick the black mask.

*ding*

Side Quest - I am the biggest Asshole of the Tournament!!

[Choose the white mask at the bottom end of the display. Wearing that Mask, Mock your opponents, Toy with them, show them despair. Show the world that you are the biggest Asshole of this tournament. Win this tournament and give a mocking speech at the end]

Reward - increase in good luck (upon completion)

Punishment - increase in bad luck (in case of failure)

*Note - You cannot let anyone know your real identity until you've won the tournament*

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"W-What type of task is this?" Adrian shouted in shock. "You want me to act like an asshole? That would just make executing my plan difficult!" Adrian cursed.

"If you don't want to, then don't do it. See, there is a punishment specified so you won't die if you don't complete this" Demios Suggested.

"No, I can't reject this. Luck is also very important. My plan can also fail if there is bad luck involved. I can't take that risk" Adrian muttered, before looking at the mask which he was supposed to wear. (Picture in the paragraph comments).

"On second thought maybe it will be better to reject it" Adrian mumbled, looking away from the mask.

"No Adrian, Your plan can fail remember. It will be better if you just accept it and suffer a bit" Demios consoled.

Hearing Demios' words, Adrian grabbed that white mask without looking at it as he rushed to the counter to buy it.

"Do you really want to but this mask? Everybody said it's too creepy so we just placed it in the corner so no one would complain." The lady at the counter inquired, surprised by Adrian's choice.

"Yes, I am sure. I found it very unique and cheerful so I decided to buy it" Adrian replied with a forced smile.

"Oh, You sure have a unique view Sir! Wait a minute sir, Let me confirm the price with the owner" The lady said before entering a room. She appeared behind another lady bowing respectfully.

"Sir, She is the owner of this store. You can talk with her about the price" The lady informed before returning to the counter.

"It will be 2 gold coins for this mask" Owner reported about the price.

"What? How can a mask be that expensive? Atmost it should be around 90 silver coins" Adrian Questioned in shock. This was a really expensive price for a mask.

"Sir, this is a unique mask which was a present from a renowned mage family to my ancestors. It has some hidden features which no one could find out but that doesn't lessen it's value." Owner answered.

"I think my bad luck has started. Now, this lady also wants to rip me off" Adrian cursed in his mind. *sigh* "To complete that quest, I have no choice but to buy it" Adrian sighed in his mind.

"Alright, here are your 2 gold coins. I will take my leave now" Saying that, he left the store with the mask after paying.

"He must really like that mask to buy it at that high price" The lady at the counter murmured.

"Hey why are you lost in thought? focus on your work" The owner scolded before entering her room.

Adrian arrived at the location of registration for the tournament after reluctantly wearing that creepy mask.

"Hello sir, How may I help you?" The man at the counter Asked noticing Adrian standing in front of the counter.

"I want to register for the Tournament... Kukuku" Adrian replied, laughing lightly while keeping his hand in front of his mouth. With that creepy mask on his face, he looked like a creep.

"What's his deal?" The man at the counter thought, taken aback by Adrian's act.

"Sir, What name would you like to register with?" He inquired.

"Demios, Suggest me a name" Adrian requested in his mind.

"How about Rotten Asshole? pfft... hahaha" Demios laughed in response.

"What did I even expect? Looks like I will have to come up with one myself" Adrian mumbled before thinking of names suitable for this asshole mission.

(If you have any suitable names, you want to suggest. Feel free to comment them. If it is better than what I have in mind and fits the plot. I will take it.)

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