Thug and Idol: 10X Rewards Second Identity System

For a moment, Tristan wondered if Asher Ilom, the strangely antisocial film director, also had a second identity as a crime boss.

However, Sea Devil's beard was definitely real, and Ilom didn't have a beard. And after looking closer, Tristan could see more slight differences, like several tiny moles spread across Sea Devil's face, or the scars on his knuckles.

Either Sea Devil was just a person who coincidentally looked exactly like Asher Ilom—or a brother, or even an identical twin.

'I can't do anything with this guess unless I have the facts, which I don't. But even a guess can be worth a lot. The information I have on him only said that he's reckless and ruthless, but cunning, effective and mostly fair. His people respect him, and other gangs are cautious of Bluebirds.'

"Mr. Sea Devil. Or do you prefer being called Damien?" Tristan said before he stood still for too long. "I hope you didn't invite me here just to gun me down. That won't work for you, anyway."

Tristan and his people not only had weapons but also bulletproof vests under their clothes. The gear brought by Tristan's reinforcements was uncomfortable, but it made Tristan much surer about himself.

His analytical skills were already calculating shooting trajectories. Half of Sea Devil's people didn't have a clear line of shot because he stood in front of them.

In case of a fight, Tristan and his crew could shoot much more effectively… although that fight won't end without losses on his side.

Sea Devil narrowed his eyes.

"Call me whatever you want, Mr. Hayes. I see the rumors aren't lying. 'Handsome like the devil, alluring like a siren, terrifying like the deep sea things that never see sunlight,' they say. And you already convinced Vargas to wag his tail for you like a dog. Well, well, well, I'd like to see you work your charms on me!"

He spread his arms wide with cockiness.

From what Tristan could see, this man really was a tougher nut than Vargas, even if Vargas wasn't convinced by Evelyn.

Damien was a risk taker, a reckless person who'd look death in the face with a grin. He'd be hard to scare, and as for charming—people like him rarely liked anyone but themselves. The only reason Damien invited Tristan is clearly to mock him and then probably kill him!

But people like Damien respected guts.

"Vargas works with me, because he sees where the profit is," Tristan said. "Don't you want to be free to work your shipping business without brushing elbows with other gangs?"

"Ha! What kind of work that'd be if I didn't have to shoot someone on occasion? Try better."

Tristan's words didn't affect Damien at all. He frowned inwardly.

'With each word he says, I understand him better, but I need to put him off-balance before I can push him. Soften him up.'

Tristan's observation skills worked on overdrive, analyzing Damien's weaknesses through every detail of the surroundings. But there wasn't much.

Despite that, Tristan put on a dagger-like smirk. He would just try until he hit something—or do things by force, after all.

With that smirk, the subtle aura of fearsomeness around Tristan grew more pronounced, and it almost seemed that the light in the warehouse dimmed a little.

Suddenly, Tristan appeared scary on a completely different level—a level couldn't be explained by rational means anymore! It made people uneasy just staying in the same room with him.

"So you are perfectly content staying in your own little nest until someone succeeds in putting a bullet between your eyes? You seem much more ambitious."

Damien's eyes widened, but his posture didn't change. He was scared like all the others, but he pushed through it.

"Exactly. I will be a ruler of this city, not you, Hayes. It's only a matter of time. And you are just a rival I have to deal with. It doesn't matter how scary your mug is, if you are all bark and no bite!"

A wave of tension flew over the area, as people began subtly reaching for guns (many—with shaking hands) after Damien's threatening words. However, when the man himself didn't make aggressive movements, people began to relax.

"Try again, Hayes. One more time! Show something worthwhile!"

Inwardly, Tristan gasped.

'This is it. It doesn't matter how scared Daniel is, because he was ready for this. It only makes him more dangerous!'

Suddenly, he let his shoulders drop. His posture relaxed and his smile became soft.

In an instant, he stopped looking like a prowling serial killer from a horror story. Instead, he looked just like a handsome young man who could be anyone's friend.

The sudden change of attitude was akin to a bucket of cold water splashed on people's heads. Damien froze for a moment, and Tristan immediately seized this opportunity.

He walked right toward Damien, ignoring the way he and his people tensed, like he was an animal trainer entering a tiger's cage.

It was risky. Every moment could be considered an act of aggression, worthy of gunning Tristan down.

But when Tristan approached like that, with nothing but friendliness in his movements and on his features, he didn't seem threatening enough to raise weapons against!

As he walked, Tristan spoke,

"You are so intent on being my enemy, Damien. Intent on being everybody's enemy. In my city, people know they live not in boats separated by a wide sea, but in a stone jungle where you must gather in larger and larger packs to survive and thrive."

Eventually, the brains of Damien and his people will catch up with them and they would realize that this was just a trick—but they were too distracted by Tristan's hypnotic voice to act yet.

Tristan stopped right in front of Damien, tense like a confused predator, and reached out with his palm. An offer of a handshake.

"You plan to conquer this city. I plan to conquer this country, and maybe the world. So, for the last time—instead of being my enemy, would you rather be my friend, Damien?"