NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22
The fellow resembled a circus clown more than a merchant.
A jester clad in black and white patterns, carrying a large bundle.
It looked like a clown stripped of all vibrant color.
Moreover, the mask he wore was divided into three sections, each displaying a different expression.
– Your head is small, so a small mask suits you!
– You probably need a mask.
– Just try it on once.
It was unsettling how three different voices simultaneously emerged from a single throat.
‘This guy is the one.’
[Hidden Piece #2]] protagonist.
The mask merchant <Peace>.
“I heard you sell some really amazing masks.”
– Wow! You knew that! I’m so happy!
– I’m at a loss for words.
– Not that great, but not bad either.
Even with that appearance, ‘for now’ he is not a hostile NPC.
Unless you attack first, Peace will never attack the player.
Furthermore, if you play along, he’s quite friendly, so there’s really no need to be hostile at all.
“I want to buy your items. What’s a good price?”
– Payment! We don’t need payment!
– Those who wear masks are all our companions.
– Payment is meaningless.
Peace approached me and set down the large bundle.
It made quite a racket as it rattled, as if filled with masks.
– What kind of mask do you want?
– Masks have various uses.
– It will become your shell.
“I want to be a hypocrite who deceives everyone. Could you recommend a mask?”
I took out my prepared lines.
In response, Peace began rummaging through the bundle happily.
– For someone like you! This one suits you!
– Let’s deceive and be deceived. A mask is for such moments.
– If you can’t look someone in the eye, just cover it with a mask.
What he produced was a mask, half white and half black.
The black side had a smiling face, while the white side was weeping.
[Hidden Piece #2 discovered.]
[Bonus rewards are given.]
I received the mask from Peace and examined it from various angles.
“It looks the same.”
The appearance of the item was just like what I had seen in the game.
As I observed it, information rose above the mask.
[Hypocrite’s Veil]
● Classification: Equipment/Head
● Grade: Hidden
● Description: A mask imbued with an otherworldly energy. There is a legend that it was created by intertwining the souls of beings that once deceived demons.
● Effect: You can register a customizable appearance on the item. Upon wearing, you transform into that appearance.
The effects were definitely the same.
“Yep, I’m satisfied. This is what I was looking for.”
– Hehehe! That’s great! Wonderful!
– I’m glad you’re satisfied.
– Not unfortunate at all.
Peace clapped his hands and responded in a playful manner.
‘…By the way, what is this guy’s true identity?’
Peace never revealed his true identity until the very end in the game.
People only referred to him as a MacGuffin character created solely for this customizable hidden piece.
‘But he’s too suspicious for that.’
Anyway, I got the mask, so I might as well try using it.
I held the mask up to my face.
Flap!
Then the world brightened and the scenery changed in an instant.
“This feels familiar.”
It was almost too predictable, making me smirk.
[Customizing Room]
Also known as the ‘character creation room’.
I found myself in the place I had seen on the monitor.
Various hairstyles and options for eyes, noses, and mouths floated like holograms in the air.
In front, there was a mirror, allowing me to see my current appearance.
[Notice! Penalties from ‘keywords’ will persist as ‘atmosphere’ even after the appearance modification!]
“Of course, the warning appears.”
I clicked my tongue in disappointment.
Previously, the appearance penalty I received when creating ‘Alben’ from adding [Delicate Appearance].
[Delicate Appearance] +10p! You can easily be ignored.
That penalty would still remain, even if I changed my appearance with the [Hypocrite’s Veil].
No matter how tough the exterior looked, I still exuded a somewhat ‘delicate atmosphere’.
Well, if it were possible to ignore appearance penalties with this, anyone would just stack as many negative keywords as they could and reset here.
“Disappointing is disappointing.”
I relaxed my hands and subtly raised the corners of my mouth.
“Shall I showcase my skills for the first time in a while?”
If I’m going to attract attention everywhere just for being a guy anyway,
It’s better to be somewhat good-looking, right?
Right?
*
“…Done.”
After approximately three hours of dedicated effort.
“It’s freaking perfect.”
I crafted an exceptionally remarkable appearance.
My soul being fundamentally Korean meant my hair and eyes were dark black.
If Alben’s face was like a puppy’s, the face reflected in the mirror now resembled a sharp wolf.
A scar on the cheek would have made it even more perfect, but unfortunately, there were no scar decorations in the character creation room.
I was about one head taller than Alben, and my build was slightly leaner than average.
[Would you like to register this appearance?]
“I’m registering it.”
[Registration successful.]
[From now on, this appearance will apply whenever you wear the mask.]
[Exiting the Customizing Room.]
When I opened my eyes, the early morning sunlight was slowly rising.
Peace had long since disappeared, and it seemed I was standing alone in the square.
“Umm.”
I checked my reflection in the nearby lake.
Fortunately, the appearance I saw in the customizing room was the same as now.
“Perfect.”
I touched my face here and there, chuckling with satisfaction.
‘The changes in appearance from the [Hypocrite’s Veil] are absolute.’
No matter how much the great archmage’s identifying spell was cast on me, this appearance would never crumble.
“Unless… I take off the mask.”
As I touched my face as if ‘touching the mask,’ I felt something transparent like a film.
When I pulled it off, I returned to the face of Alben I knew.
‘Just as expected, the Hidden Piece.’
Hidden things always have their reasons, right?
You might wonder what great benefit there is in merely changing appearance, but
‘In the Valdeon Saga, it’s significant.’
Because you can completely bury your past along with your appearance.
‘Hmm, while I’m at it, I should also decide on a name.’
What would be good?
‘It’s better for the name to be somewhat subtle, around one or two syllables.’
Since my hair and eyes are black, ‘Black’ for the surname would be fitting.
“Ran… Black.”
Hmm.
That’s quite a plausible name.
I put the mask on once more and muttered to myself while looking at my appearance.
“From now on, you are the escort knight of the Second Princess, Angela. Ran Black.”
That should be sufficient for the concept setup.
*
“Is that really you?!”
“Yes, it is.”
Inside the lodging.
Angela, seeing the form of ‘Ran Black,’ covered her mouth in surprise.
“It’s amazing… to think you can change your appearance so perfectly! The palace mages could only change hair color or voice slightly!”
Angela twirled around me, exclaiming things like ‘Oh, wow. Oh my….’
“Uh… can I use it too…?”
“Unfortunately, this is something only I can do.”
“I thought so….”
Though she pouted a bit at my answer, she quickly regained her usual enthusiasm.
Her gaze didn’t leave my face, so it seemed she was quite pleased.
‘Well, of course!’
Who made it after all?
‘Ah… call me Pygmalion.’
I involuntarily straightened up.
“It seems I will be doing my escort work in this appearance from now on. Is that alright with you?”
“I will follow you no matter what form you take. Even if you’re dismembered and your face melts into a hideous appearance, I will still follow you!”
…That’s rather kind of you.
But why does it sound so creepy?
“Now, there isn’t much time before the admission period for Polaris. I need to take the entrance exam to qualify, but you don’t need to do that, princess.”
New students at Polaris are divided mainly into two types.
Those who gain automatic admission with the support of their family prestige and those who gain admission through skill demonstrated in the entrance exam.
‘Angela falls into the former. I belong to the latter.’
I’ve already applied for the entrance exam.
Since the family connections and lineage will all be sorted among the first category, there’s not much need for anything during the application itself.
Just a small application fee, a photo, and light paperwork will do.
Soon, a letter containing my entrance exam application for Polaris will arrive by mail.
“I plan to leave this place for Polaris in about a week.”
“Yes! Sounds good!”
Angela’s enthusiasm flared.
Why is she getting so excited over the exam that I will be taking?
“I believe with your skills, you will undoubtedly pass the exam.”
Angela locked eyes with me.
“Please, also stay by my side at the academy…”
“Of course, Princess.”
“…Thank you, Ran.”
Angela walked up to me in one swift motion.
“But… Ran.”
“Yes, princess.”
“Who is that woman you meet during the day?”
“…Huh?”
“That woman is a beast… it’s dangerous to meet so carelessly….”
She raised her head.
The eyes that had just been filled with shyness and gratitude were now.
‘Maybe she’s… dead.’
Had turned a deep shade of darkness with no hint of light.
“Um, well, what I meant was… but how do you know about that-.”
“You are my husband… no, my escort knight. So please tell me everything. Trust is the most important thing in our relationship…?”
…Looks like I’ll have to sneak out when meeting Anna now.