Laughhhhh!
After all this pain, desperately surviving, committing my very first murder with a stone on heart, escaping, trauma of loads of memories, completing another quest and all I asked for was a good sleep.
'But here I am, laughing like a maniac with these other three... No, two maniacs,'
After those overwhelmingly good rewards, I should have known...
Inside the same car that had dropped him at the apartment, now with two more people added, they were on their way to a night bar.
Leaving Envoy Clark, he didn't know the identity of the other two. No, they weren't the friends from the morning. This time, one was a fatty laughing his ass off, and the other was a silent girl, who just stared out the window.
Like before, Envoy Clark drove the car, the fatty sat on the seat beside him, and Greyman and the girl were in the back.
'Till when do I have to keep this irritating mask on,'
Inwardly, Greyman was frustrated, but outwardly, he cheerfully joined in their laughter.
From all the talk going on, the only things he could make out were that this Envoy Clark was the head figure here, and those two were most likely from his faction, supporting him.
And this was the very problem.
He had some of Greyman's memories, but as for Enric, he was totally clueless. So he just joined in the laughter whenever Envoy laughed and remained silent the rest of the time.
While he didn't know what Enric's original personality used to be, he didn't have any option but to remain silent and laugh occasionally.
It was better than speaking nonsense and raising suspicion.
He could only hope that Enric had been a silent guy.
While the car was filled with laughter and joy, Greyman's objective remained just as clear: 'Just don't raise suspicion.'
Finally, after a half-hour drive, they reached an establishment that looked like a luxurious bar, where only rich people went.
But it wasn't something to worry about. He was dressed appropriately in a suit, and of course, the bill was going to be paid by the boss here Envoy Clark, right?
So, keeping his head straight, he entered the bar with everyone. And just as he stepped in, another bomb was blasted on him...
"So, how's your fiancée?"
With a tight smile, Envoy asked, gesturing with his hand.
Huh?
Then he continued, "I gave you back seat so you guys could talk. Our laughs didn't disturb you, right?"
"Ohh no,"
She said politely, shaking her head.
And then, the woman who was previously ignoring him came closer, hugging Greyman's arm tightly her breasts pressing against it.
"Honey, why aren't you saying anything?"
She asked while her eyes filled with longing gazed at his mask.
'Are they pulling some kind of prank?'
"Like I thought, you two couldn't talk because of us," with his eyes down, Envoy spoke in a sorry tone. A familiar act these head figures used to do at such gatherings.
Did they want to appear empathetic?
Well, it sure raised Greyman's frustration even more.
Walking closer, Envoy placed his hand on Greyman's back and continued, "You did an excellent job with the task I assigned you, so I thought, why not reward you with something you long for?"
'Why does it sound so insulting, even with Enric's clear image in my mind?'
Greyman frowned inwardly but maintained his joyous facade.
'Yeah, focus, control. Here I am, the guy who desperately longs for a woman's attention, even if it's forced.'
"You know her, right? She's Claire, the one girl you always use to eye on,"
Envoy finished with a teasing laugh and moved aside with fatty, giving Greyman and Claire some private space to continue.
Without missing a chance, with her elegant domineer, she closed in on Enric, again focusing at his masked face with love.
Well, having watched her on the ride here, he was already aware of the facade she was pulling now.
Taking a step back, he maintained his personal space.
"Why are you acting so repulsive? You don't like me?"
'Yeah, you expect a creep like Enric to lick you around instead, right? I don't know why I'm getting so offended with this. Tsk!'
He was getting frustrated. The mask was irritating enough, and the situation just continued to worsen.
At times like this, what was better than just staying silent?
'Fuck this. I've had enough. I'll just run away when I get the chance and make another identity.'
That would be safer than walking on this tightrope, at least.
[New Quest Available!]
[Quest: Forge a new Identity
Reward: ???
Penalty: Difficulty increased for main quest]
'For fuck's sake,'
Now, it had been moments. He just waited for her to break the awkward silence herself and she sure did...
"What are you so lost in thought for?" she asked with a clear frown on her face, but without waiting for his reply, she continued, "I don't have a place to live here, so is it fine if I live with you?"
Huh?
"What? No. I mean, we aren't ye—"
Before he could finish, he was abruptly pulled aside by Envoy's hand.
"Can you come with me? I have something to talk about."
"Huh, yeah sure."
Greyman followed Envoy to a distant, relatively silent corner. Making sure no one was listening, Envoy spoke in a frustrated voice, breaking the calm and cool character he had maintained so far.
"What the fuck are you doing?"
"I mean, I can't ju—"
"Shut up! You know how difficult it was to make her join our faction." Finishing the sentence, he calmed his voice somewhat.
"Listen, Enric. Till the mission is over, keep a close eye on her. Let her in your room. I know you aren't ready to show her your real face, but don't worry, she already knows about all of it. And yes, don't worry. Now she's your fiancée, so you can play with her all you want. I really meant it when I said it was a reward."
'Basically a political marriage forced by a friend instead, wow, this world is sure nuts.'
"Okay, I will do as you say."
Upon Greyman's obedient answer, Envoy's expression lightened. All the frustration and anger he had shown now turned into a satisfied smile.
That was the kind of person he was, rewarding to those who loyally followed him, and harsh on the disobedient ones.
Now, with the mood lightened, Envoy brought up another topic he wanted to discuss.
"Enric, from tomorrow you don't have to come to the purge grounds."
'What does he want now? Focus on making Claire pregnant or something?' Greyman wondered, but fortunately, his mask covered the sarcastic smirk.
Followed by a brief silence, Envoy continued,
"I've enrolled you as a temporary instructor in the UN's Hunter Academy. You know what that means, right?"
... 'I fucking don't.'
Ding!
[New Quest Available!]