Reincarnated Jester: Taming Players

"What cat?" Baki and Lisa asked in unison.

"Let me introduce the loveliest creature in all the universe." Jung's voice didn't lose joy, even his hands were clasped together in excitement.

Touching the persona in his body, Jung summoned Nero, much to the cat's visible displeasure. "Why did you wake me up? It wasn't even that long," said the animal that appeared out of nowhere.

"I want you to act tough and cute with them," Jung said, revealing the situation. "I need permission to go on adventures with you."

"Sure, no problem." Nero was quick to guess what was going on.

Shock rendered his parents speechless, unsure of what to do. A black cat was in front of them, in their living room, and Jung called for it.

"Jung, we need more explanation than that!" Baki demanded, his voice full of confusion.

"I know this animal," said Lisa and moved to Nero. "But they should be extinct! Where did you find it?" She reached out to the cat, an action the animal didn't refuse.

"A more accurate question would be where we find each other," said Jung with a smirk and added, "She is Nero, and don't let her cutest image fool you, she is a tier VI wizard and the beast I tamed."

"I could guess that much," Baki said, bending to pat the cat. "But tier VI? It's hard to believe."

Lost in thought, Lisa eventually concluded. "I don't know how you tamed it, with the Rebel archetype no less, but I know what you are trying to achieve."

Jung laughed and spoke before Lisa could finish. "And I know that you know what I want to do." With a chuckle, he exuded confidence. "That's why I have a condition you both will agree to."

Silence was his answer, and it told him to go on.

"Nero is my companion. She will protect me even better than you guys can." These were harsh words he needed to say. "But I am not saying she can replace my parents."

He took another pause, allowed the silence to linger, and then added, "I will be back before nightfall. Every single day. I promise, and don't forget I am tier II myself as well."

Naturally, this conversation was far from over. Jung explained a bit more and listened even more, but finally, after Nero's strength demonstration, they agreed.

"I knew this day would come," Baki said with sorrow. "From the moment when you asked us to train you, I knew this moment was inevitable." He was no longer scratching Nero's back.

"I was afraid that you would run away, leaving a short letter to us." A concern could be seen in Lisa's eyes and smile. She, too, stopped playing with the cat. "I am happy that we talked this out, and I hope you won't break this promise."

Jung only nodded and hugged his parents. 'All 12 lives were worth living, just to meet them and feel this warmth.' His emotions almost erupted. 'But there is an emptiness, a void in us, that nothing can fill.'

That night, Jung slept like a hound in sunlight. Back in his heart, Nero rested, and the morning carried a soothing peace. At least in his home, because the streets were chaotic. "These damn dogs are too loud."

Of course, he was talking about the players. 'It's time to rip them off.' He woke up with vigour and determination. 'But first and foremost, I need to change myself.'

Using the Revolt Body skill, Jung altered his appearance and the clothes he wore. 'The more I think, the more I like this technique.'

He was back to his old self. Featuring a layered colour palette, he appeared earthy with accessories, like an amulet and belt, emitting a certain vibe. 'I look like a majestic wanderer.'

Focused on objectives, he left the empty home and went to the city centre. 'I need to find HugeP and others.' But it happened the other way around.

As soon as he showed his face to the crowd, they immediately recognised him and surrounded him.

"Here he is finally!" called out one player.

"Balatro, I got what you asked for."

"Where is HugeP? We need him to represent us."

"Who cares about that bum? We can still talk to him."

This was the only part of the voices he could hear. Most of them blended into mobs.

"Now, this is annoying." Jung's thunderous voice almost echoed. "SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

One sentence silenced everyone. They knew Jung wouldn't hesitate to attack them. He was an NPC, with no system rules binding him.

Dying for them meant losing all the progress they had in a particular tier. Obtaining pills wasn't an effortless task. Their drop rate wasn't guaranteed, at least in low tiers.

Unlike Jung, who was getting pills for every kill.

"Thank you very much." Now, his soft side shined. However, no one would be fooled. "Where is the commander I appointed?" he asked in a yet gentle voice.

"I am here, Mr. Balatro." A low sound could be heard, with a frail man walking towards him. HugeP bowed before Jung, announcing his arrival and obedience.

"Stop that bullshit courtesy. You do that one more time, and you are getting slapped." Jung warned and examined the boy.

He looked different. There was still some awkwardness in him, but with it came courage. After coughing, he started his report. "I and my people have collected 13 tier I Rebel pills and 1 tier II Rebel pill."

'Damn, that's a lot. More than I was hoping for.' Jung sneered in his mind, but his outer image didn't show it. "Is that so?" he asked with boredom like all the blood and sweat they put into this result was nothing for him.

Players acted like they were waiting for this. His reaction was nothing out of his character. Jung happily accepted them and swallowed the pills right after.

Right in front of players. Making them jealous, especially Rebel archetypes.

Tier I didn't grant him much improvement. Each one netted him 2%, and as for tier II, he got another 5% for that.

31% in one day. Without moving a single muscle. Except tongue, and that didn't count.

'I am in a good mood.' Jung giggled like a child and spoke to the players. "Let's talk about your rewards.