บท 20: System Upgrade
We arrived at the party, which was held in an opulent open-air venue. The space was lavishly decorated, exuding elegance and sophistication.
Numerous servants moved gracefully around, ready to attend to every guest's need, ensuring everyone was comfortable.
The venue boasted a wide array of food stalls, each offering a variety of exquisite dishes, showcasing both traditional and international cuisine.
As soon as we arrived, my mom was warmly greeted by several guests. My dad's success extended beyond national borders to the international stage, making our family a point of interest for many who were eager to gain her favor and establish connections.
From that moment on, my primary role was to introduce myself to everyone my mom introduced me to, offering a respectful Japanese bow as I greeted each person.
After around ten minutes of memorizing names and backgrounds, the adults left for a tea ceremony, leaving us younger attendees to mingle and entertain ourselves.
Soon after the adults departed, a group of people gathered around me. Some introduced themselves, while others eagerly shared their backgrounds.
Most of them appeared to be around my age, clearly eager to make connections at the event.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't our playboy delinquent," a voice called out from the back of the group.
The group's attention turned toward the back, where a striking young man stood. With white hair, a lean build, and piercing black eyes, he cut a distinctive figure in his navy blue suit. His mocking expression was unmistakable, clearly aimed at stirring up trouble.
"Surprised to see you at a formal event like this," he sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I thought you'd be more comfortable in a place like a whore house."
If my memory serves me right, this guy is Bernard Walton, first born of the Walton household.
The Walton family rivals the Dawson family in influence. In fact, my father is close friends with the head of the Dawson family, and they both chose to retire in Japan.
The reason Bernard seems to despise me is likely because I dated his sister for about two days before cheating on her.
It wasn't much of a relationship; she confessed, and we were technically a couple for two days before I cheated on her.
I didn't even like her; I only accepted her confession out of boredom and convenience.
And to be fair, it wasn't even me who did it but the other Eric before I possessed his body. However, there's no way I could explain that to him.
"Hello, Bernard. Good to see you too," Eric responded, his tone calm and composed, with his hands casually clasped behind his back.
"I see you still haven't shaken that bad habit of running your mouth," Eric remarked, referring to Bernard's usual sharp tongue.
"Hmph, as if you're one to talk. My mouth might be foul, but it's nowhere near as rotten as your personality," Bernard shot back, moving closer with a challenging look.
The surrounding crowd took a step back, their eyes fixed on the unfolding drama, eager to see where the confrontation would lead.
"Like the saying goes, it takes one to know one," Eric retorted, standing his ground with a cool demeanor. The crowd watched, intrigued by the tension between the two.
"Oh yeah, well, your mama's so—" Bernard began, but a female voice cut through the tension from the back, stopping the argument before it could escalate further.
From the crowd emerged a petite teenager with striking white hair cascading gracefully over her shoulders, framing a captivatingly beautiful face.
Her figure was well proportioned, with a chest and hips that struck a perfect balance—not too pronounced yet not too slight. Dressed in an elegant formal outfit, she radiated a refined grace that contrasted with her youthful age, capturing the attention of everyone present.
"I can't leave you for five minutes without you causing a scene," the girl chided Bernard, her voice firm yet composed. "Don't you remember Father telling you not to stir up any commotion?"
The arrogant bravado Bernard had been displaying melted away, replaced by a sheepish expression.
"I didn't start it! It was that—" Bernard stammered, pointing toward where Eric had been standing. But Eric had already slipped away.
_________
WHAT THE FUCK!!! That was a close one,
As soon as I heard the voice, a system notification flashed across my face.
[WARNING
System has detected a main quest approaching the host. To prevent further issues, evacuate the premises immediately.]
This was my first interaction with the system since the update, and it seemed to have undergone significant improvements.
Given my location and the situation, it was immediately clear that the voice belonged to Emily Walton, Bernard's sister. I hadn't expected her to attend the event, as she was known for avoiding social gatherings. If I'd known she'd be here, I might have thought twice about coming.
But the strangest part was that, in the game, Emily was never a heroine and had no direct interactions with the main character. She was merely a character mentioned in Eric's backstory.
Does this mean the story could deviate from the original plot? If so, my knowledge of plot armor might be useless, and I could be at risk of an attack at any moment.
'System, show me the quickest way to sneak out of this party.'
[If you're too clueless to find your way out, maybe try using GPS or Google Maps.]
I was taken aback by the system's response. It seemed that the upgrade not only enhanced its capabilities but also gave it a bit of attitude.
'Then can you tell me who my killer is?'
Before I could respond, I felt a tap on my shoulder. At the same moment, a system notification popped up, alerting me to a new main quest.
[ANTAGONIST SYSTEM
NAME: ERIC DAWSON
AGE: 16
STRENGTH: 58
INTELLIGENCE: 47
LUCK: 18
CHARM: 68
ACTIVE QUEST 4/5
AKARI REI: 100% ( YANDERE SYSTEM INITIATED)
MIDORI SAITO: 39%
KEIKO KITAGAWA: 28%
EMILY WALTON: 40%
( Confiscated rewards will be available in a 50% completion of any other main quest)
Tips: Reverse cowgirl and doggy style in space are the same]
______________
Hi, author here
I have a question for you
If a mime is arrested, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent?
Also thanks for reading it ^∆^
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