Thug and Idol: 10X Rewards Second Identity System

At some point, he increased his charisma again, earning even more Criminal Points. Now he had 4190 of them in total.

'Time to check if there's something new and interesting in the system shop.'

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[===Shop===]

['Clean Hands' talent: 4000 Criminal Points]

[Playing violin skill: 10 Pop-star Points.]

[Logistics skill: 10 Criminal Points.]

[A dose of truth serum: 1500 Criminal Points]

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There sure was. Excited, Tristan checked what the talent did.

[Clean Hands: blood doesn't stick to your body and clothing. You also don't leave fingerprints, unless you want to.]

Tristan's eyes lit up. He didn't hesitate a moment before buying the talent.

It was worth its Criminal Points!

'As for the truth serum, beating people up has worked out for me so far.'

After this, Tristan returned to his usual routine. Pierce only gave him one day off, and today he actually got a text message with a name and address of another person who crossed Pierce's way.

Another routine job, which Tristan did in a couple of hours, busting the face of the pitiful druggie until his mother wouldn't recognize him and taking the money he stole from a business under Pierce's 'protection'.

The 'Clean Hands' talent worked perfectly. Blood flowed off Tristan like it was water and he was covered in oil! All he needed after dealing with the target was shaking his hands and jacket a little and he was clean again.

And like Tristan expected, Pierce was disturbingly happy to see the frozen ear he brought from yesterday together with his money.

So much so, he even gave Tristan a $200 bonus just for today's mission.

'What a creep,' Tristan thought, packaging the money.

***

Next day.

Luckily, the day of the award ceremony was Saturday, so Tristan didn't have to worry about work. At least, Tristan Gemello. Tristan Hayes still had to warn Pierce about being busy that day.

"That's alright. But bring me another souvenir next time you have the opportunity, Hayes. An eye for an eye, you know?"

Tristan still cringed inwardly from remembering this shitty joke.

For the ceremony, Tristan dressed the same way did for his performance. Upon entering the music hall, he immediately saw Nel approaching him.

Like Tristan, Nel put on his stage outfit for today—at least some of it. He had the silver wig and a dramatic makeup on, but his clothes were contrastingly casual T-shirt and jeans.

"Tristan! Hey, long time no see!"

Tristan grinned in greeting.

"You were just sending me memes yesterday, though."

"That's not the same," Nel shook his head and fell into step next to Tristan. "By the way, have you heard the news already? The piano genius turned out to be the piano average person! Frank Valerian was kicked out of this and all future contests for cheating."

Tristan raised his brows, faking surprise.

"Really?"

Nel nodded and blabbered all about the anonymous tip (which Tristan sent) about his music, and how the jury committee analyzed the recording of the performance and noticed that Valerian's movements were slightly not in sync with the music.

"Well, that's less competition for us. Though it makes me wonder how many other cheaters there are," Tristan mused. "Or that someone might have bribed the judges."

Nel snorted.

"Bribed? I don't think most people competing are rich enough for these people. This is just a state competition, after all… Not the Oscars."

Tristan nodded. He thought about it, too. The judges were all either small-time celebrities (still rich enough that even the cash prize for the contest's finale wasn't good enough for them), or people from music labels and talent agencies.

They resumed walking toward the audience hall, from where they will watch the announcement of the results. On the way there, Tristan spotted Jane in the crowd, wearing a flowing golden dress.

His eyes narrowed.

Tristan didn't send the recordings he had of the thugs and Carlos anywhere yet. He didn't think he'd need to.

Instead, he kept it as a trump card, just in case.

One way or another, Jane's days of leisure were counting to a close.

Soon, she would taste the misery Tristan felt when he was abandoned in the hospital room.

As if feeling his eyes on her, Jane turned and saw Tristan. Her eyes widened, and her face lit up with happiness.

Tristan turned away and went to a free seat, with Nel taking one next to him. From the corner of his eye, he saw Jane trying to find a seat close to him, but all the other seats nearby were already taken.

She was forced to sit where she could, pouting all the while.

About fifteen minutes later, when everybody had come to the hall and sat down, the lights in the hall turned off.

A moment later, they turned on again, hitting the host, who stood in the middle of the stage.

Several cameras who recorded this moment for TV turned toward him, while others stayed directed at the audience, catching reactions of people present.

"Welcome again to the Californian Young Star contest, spectators and future stars! It's time to applaud our amazing juries, who spent the last two days thinking again and again about who deserves to win the most!"

When the audience stopped applauding, the host continued.

"Which of all the talented people sitting in front of me will go to compete in Los Angeles in the finale of this competition, and who will leave with only conciliatory certificates?"

Nel leaned forward in his seat. Tristan forced himself to stay relaxed.

'Anxiety is for weak people. It only makes you perform worse, no matter what you do. I resolved to be strong, so I can't be anxious… Can't show anxiety, at least!'

"And the third place in our competition, is given to…"