Thug and Idol: 10X Rewards Second Identity System

Metal studs in Tristan's jacket shone brightly under the stage spotlights. Loud applause drowned out the echo of the host's words.

Tristan walked onto the stage like a Greek god descending from Olympus. But not a god of gentle beauty or arts—today, he was a Hephaestus, the smith of metal and maker of rock!

The presentation alone was impressive, and the audience, already warmed up by the first two contestants, perked up in interest.

But this was just the beginning.

Tristan had rehearsed this piece a lot for this day. Hours and hours, since he wanted to make sure it would be executed perfectly.

"I'm very glad to see you all tonight, Los Angeles… Since it means that I've won the previous round. And now, I'm going to do my best to win this one… 'By the Right of Might'!"

The last, emphasized words were the name of his current song, and understanding that, the audience applauded some more in expectation. While they quietened down, Tristan took his guitar in both hands.

He immediately started with a quiet, but fast-paced strumming of strings, which gradually became louder and louder. Tristan himself stood straight, with his head hung low, but his stage presence didn't suffer in the least because of this timid pose.

Without words, he only created more tension and anticipation, and the guitar melody evoked the image of a horde of cavalry inevitably descending upon the listener.

And when the volume reached its peak, Tristan suddenly twisted the melody into a jagged guitar riff, directly followed by a series of high-pitched, electric noises in an erratic rhythm. Sounds that even an electric guitar could normally never produce!

Like sounds of battle and clashing blades!

This picture was vivid in the minds of listeners without a single word!

Listeners were stunned speechless, and those who were close enough to see what Tristan was doing with his guitar were stunned even more.

The way he pulled, pressed on and scratched the strings—his fingers danced over them with an inhuman speed and precision! The techniques Tristan used to make his guitar produce sounds that were normally made only with a DJ set were on the level of the best guitar pros!

Although the melody started like rock, now it sounded almost like dubstep or techno.

And only when this part ended, changing to something still fast, but not as sharp, Tristan began singing in his hypnotically powerful voice.

"No mercy for those who still stand!

I'm taking it all with this hand!"

Tristan hit the strings harder, and while the chord still echoed in the air, raised his right fist above his head.

"By the right of might!"

As if possessed, by the second time Tristan shouted the words, his fans among the viewers and even some people who didn't care for him until now began chanting the words together with him.

"BY THE RIGHT OF MIGHT!"

The next part of the song was still relatively slow, with deeper notes which created an impression of grandeur—but that pace was gradually increasing as Tristan sang.

"Empires stretch from East to West,

Armies of thousands wear my crest.

All is mine that's under my sight,

By the right of might!"

And the audience echoed again.

"BY THE RIGHT OF MIGHT!"

By the time the song ended, Tristan conquered every listener. He didn't need his system to know, although…

[Ding!]

[You had greatly impressed an audience of 2000 people with your performance. Reward: your CP increased by 2000!]

[Ding!]

[You had impressed an audience of 48 people of high status and skill with your performance. Reward: your CP increased by 3000!]

…the system notifications were very pleasing, too.

Judges all talked in agitation about the performance.

"What an incredible guitar performance! And that singing—it makes me wonder if Gemello is really self-taught, or if he was secretly tutored by some unknown guru!" Isaiah said.

"Mr. Gemello, this is such a powerful piece of music—is it, perhaps, a statement to the industry?" Selene asked Tristan.

He grinned and laughed, still breathing heavily from exertion and riding on the high of being in the spotlight.

"I think everybody can and should interpret art in whatever way they want. For me, this piece was inspired by watching too many historical war movies!"

At least, Tristan watched them for the lyrics. The core idea actually came to him after he dealt with Pierce and kicked Cuatro Angulos out of his city… But the public didn't need to know it.

Other judges also had only positive opinions, and the way both Rebecca Hale and Mary Jade looked at him, Tristan knew they already wanted to snatch him for some project.

Finally, with one last bout of applause, he left the stage and went back to his waiting spot. The contestants had to wait here until the announcement of the results, although Tristan knew they were also waiting for something else.

'The performance went as well as planned. Now, as long as the secret thing the judges announced will be manageable, I have this in my pocket,' Tristan thought relaxedly.

***

Somewhere else.

Hugo Martinez drove a car down the jammed highways of Los Angeles, forcing down his desire to shout at other drivers who were in his way.

Instead of his usual expensive suit, he was dressed as some middle-aged dad, in a white shirt, a pair of khaki shorts and a baseball hat. If anyone from the King Lion Gang looked at him at this moment, they wouldn't have recognized their boss in him… or a gangster at all.

But that disguise wouldn't fool people who hunted Martinez for long, and there were too many of these people.

'Orpheum Theater… I'm almost here.' Martinez turned a corner, then stopped again and swore.

The traffic jam stretched all the way to the music theater, visible in the distance.

'Fuck this. If this doesn't work out, I won't need this car, anyway.'

Ignoring honks of other drivers, Martinez took a bag with his things, opened the door and stepped right on the road.

He walked past the jammed cars right toward the Orpheum Theater…

And Tristan Gemello.