Thug and Idol: 10X Rewards Second Identity System

Tristan's fingers danced over the piano keys in the unhurried rhythm of the melody. His technique was textbook perfect—perfectly average, not a note out of tune.

Soon, Faegal began to sing the first, quiet part of the song. Like the song, she began slowly, closing her eyes and putting on a solemn expression—although it didn't dash her self-possessed aura.

Both performers were stretching their musical limbs, but besides that, Tristan was also watching Faegal's skills and waiting for the opportunity.

There was a most powerful, the most quotable part of the song, and if there was a place to make Faegal stumble, it was there. But first, Tristan had to find what her weaknesses were.

That's why he didn't put his all into playing the melody—he had to focus on listening to Faegal.

Their audience listened, too—both the important guests and the usual patrons of the bar. All of them looked entirely enchanted by the beautiful singer, not paying any attention to the pianist in the background.

Fifty seconds of the song have passed, and there were only twenty more left until the vital moment.

However, Faegal's singing was really impeccable on the technical level. Not a note was off-pitch or out of place.

Tristan felt anxious for his $5000—and for Leon's favor. Would he be punished for just doing nothing?

Faegal adjusted her expression, looking ahead proudly. She was pushing into the pride of the lyrics, forgetting the sorrowful emotions that were also within the original song.

And that's when Tristan knew what to do.

Tristan put all his attention on the piano. The keys became the continuation of his face, where he put emotions for everybody to see—the emotions he wanted others to feel.

He put forward sorrow, contradicting the emotion Faegal projected with that of his piano melody. Tristan remembered the sorrow he felt as he was lying in a hospital room, abandoned and discarded.

The sorrow of being alone on the streets, scaring people with his face.

It seeped into his music like sweet poison, affecting everybody who heard it—even Faegal herself.

As she was pulling the longest note, her voice wobbled slightly. The proud expression she wore cracked as she glanced at Tristan.

Even a good actress like her could barely hide her shock at the sudden rise in skin and emotion of his playing. She never imagined Tristan would play so well and was utterly unprepared! And neither did Faegal see through Tristan's scheme, only believing him honestly doing his best.

Tristan only kept playing, now forgetting all about Faegal at all.

His being was music and memory.

Leon's girlfriend subtly wiped the tears from her eyes with a napkin and leaned closer on Leon's thick arm. She was looking only at Tristan, but seeing someone from her past.

Other patrons, many of which were gangsters, were too tough to cry like girls—but they were affected by the melody just as much.

No more bedazzled by Faegal's beautiful face and figure, they looked only at Tristan, feeling proud for his skills on the behalf of the boss who hired him.

Leon's face was an unreadable stone mask, but next to him, Garstean looked like he was slapped in the face. Soon he put himself together and only continued to throw glares at Faegal as time went on.

After her song was overtaken by Tristan, Faegal quickly tried to adjust and match his mood, but she failed to put the sorrow in her voice to the nearly same degree.

In the end, she could only sing the song without its soul, letting Tristan carry it to the end.

Finally, Tristan's fingers let go of the keys and just laid flat on the keyboard.

Applause hit him together with the sound of notifications.

[Ding!]

[Playing piano skill increased by 3. Reward: your CP increased by 30.]

[Ding!]

[Stage presence skill increased by 2. Reward: your CP increased by 20.]

[Ding!]

[You had impressed an audience of 11 people with your performance. Reward: your CP increased by 50.]

[Ding!]

[Charisma attribute increased by 1. Reward: your CP increased by 100!] charisma

Leon clapped a couple times too, then turned to Garstean.

"This was worse than I expected… My pianist played perfectly well, but Ms. Faegal… she was off with her performance, wasn't she? I could tell."

"Off? Mr. Clavon, you are imagining things!"

However, under Leon's threatening gaze, Garstean's shoulders quickly lowered. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a napkin.

"Well, perhaps… Perhaps it seemed this way because of the acoustics?"

Leon let Garstean sweat for several seconds longer. No one dared to interrupt their conversation, not even Faegal, who returned to the table, quiet like a mouse.

"Perhaps it was acoustics," Leon finally said. "But I would be very careful with the deals you offer, Mr. Garstean. Speaking of, we should move to my office and discuss them more privately."

When Leon and Garstean went into the inner parts of the bar, Tristan finally relaxed himself. Just a bit…

"What did Mr. Clavon talk with you about?"

Tristan barely noticed Pierce's approach. He was quiet like death itself.

It was a matter of pride to not jolt or show his wariness.

"I'm unsure if I can tell you, Mr. Pierce."

Pierce huffed.

"Very well. Then don't sit here idly—this is still your work shift. The patrons come here for music just as much as for the drinks. So play!"

Tristan rolled his eyes when Pierce couldn't see, but obeyed. He couldn't wait for his shift to be over.

***

Several hours later.

"Your reward. As promised."