Thug and Idol: 10X Rewards Second Identity System

Leon stared at the young man in front of him.

Only two months earlier, he was a stranger to his gang, and now he dared to ask for a high-ranked position like Pierce's. If that was anyone else, Leon would've laughed in his face.

But when Tristan Hayes was the one saying those passionate words, Leon didn't feel like laughing at all. Not only did he already proved himself on various missions, but there was something about him that made Leon think like he stared not at some grunt, but on almost an equal.

An adolescent lion who was letting out his first roar.

It would've been a waste to leave a person like that to do grunt work. Next to him, all the other candidates Leon had for the position felt lacking in all aspects except the time they spent in King Lion Gang.

At the same time, Leon felt like Tristan wasn't a person who would stop with just King Lion Gang. An ambition like that will never stop reaching forward.

Leon smiled.

A king of the jungle knew when an emperor in the making stood next to him.

Smaller minds would've killed Tristan before he became a threat, but these people would never see beyond their small kingdoms to become an empire.

Unlike them, Leon dreamed about his organization becoming even bigger. Something to rule not just a few districts, or a city, but the entire state of California! Or even more.

"Alright, Hayes. Consider the job to be yours. Show me the best you can do! Pierce was always very cautious in his actions, but an ambitious youth like you can reach out and do things he never would've dared to. Great things."

Tristan's eyes widened.

He didn't expect Leon to agree so easily. For a moment, he just studied the man's expression, seeking a trap of some sort, but he appeared to be earnest.

This was shocking and suspicious, but Tristan still smiled genuinely. Read now on m_vl_em_p_yr

"Thank you, Mr. Clavon."

[Ding!]

[Your Criminal rank has changed from Rook to Made Man! Reward: your PP increased by 2500!]

'Damn, that rank increase gave me more points than my Pop-star ranks… I guess this one is more important or something?'

While Tristan was distracted, Leon moved to the bags of drugs strewn around.

"Your first task in your new position, Hayes, will be to distribute these drugs. There is too much to sell at once, and only on your part of our gang's territory, but a fourth of this is yours, and I want my first hundred thousand dollars by next month. Of course, the ten percent of the profits are all yours."

Tristan nodded, but before he could say anything, he was hit by a new notification.

[Ding!]

[You have slapped the face of an incredibly powerful person. Reward: your PP increased by 1500!]

'That must be Cuatro Angulos… And it doesn't look like only Quixada is angry this time.'

Tristan smirked.

He will have to organize everything, and also watch out for the target that just appeared on his back. But the benefits were worth the risk.

***

The mass gang shootout appeared on the news the next day. Among apparent gangsters, there were several civilian victims who just lived in a gang-affiliated building for whatever reasons.

Tristan thought they were either family members of gangsters who agreed with the lifestyle of organized crime, or terminally stupid people—either way, people destined for premature death.

But Nel had a different opinion.

"The article says there was an entire car chase! Damn, if this was in a movie, it'd be lit, but here? I live in this city! Now I can't go eat authentic Mexican food without thinking that I might get shot."

Tristan and Nel were eating out again that noon, sitting at a corner table of their favorite burger joint.

Last night, Tristan spent 6 hours straight reading through Pierce's documents and settling into his unfinished business. Before that, he only had basic first aid and a shot of a painkiller for the bruise on his chest.

By the end of the night, Tristan had a new skill, "Governing" at 5. And no Criminal Points whatsoever to increase it, which would've been very helpful.

So when Tristan finally had free time, he eagerly went to meet with Nel. Just to relax, and perhaps do something musical together later.

Hearing the retold piece of news made Tristan scoff.

"It's America, Nel. You can't make two steps into a dark alleyway without someone accosting you with a gun."

"That's a bit more than accosting…" Nel shrugged, but moved on. "Anyway, hey, I had a thought yesterday. I heard from some people online that judges at the last round of the Californian Young Star contest look not just for quality, but for popularity. Since it's made for TV and all. If the show gets high enough ratings on state TV, it can even be shown on nation-wide channels!"

Tristan nodded.

"I didn't hear about it, but that makes sense. I bet at least some judges are bribed, too—not just by the artists, but even by their agencies. Hell, if I was a judge, I could've started an entire bribe auction over it."

Nel waved his hand dismissively.

"I don't believe it. They would've been outed ages ago if this was true. Anyway, I was saying that we should promote ourselves! Our agency is about to help with that, but why not give them ideas? Since we are in one agency, why not do a promotion together? If you aren't as busy anymore as you've been recently.

My social page doesn't have all that many followers, but we can still share them."

"A promotion together? Interesting!" Tristan leaned forward over the table with their food. "When you said that, I immediately had an idea."

Nel grinned, leaning forward as well. The excited energy between the two was almost palpable.

"I bet it's the same one I had, because great minds think alike."

Tristan chuckled.

"Then is your idea..?"