Chapter 22
He looked more like a circus clown than a merchant.
A clown dressed in a black-and-white patterned outfit, carrying a large bundle.
It’s like they stripped away all the vibrant colors of the clowns we usually know.
Moreover, the mask he was wearing was divided into three parts, each showing a different expression.
—Your head is small, so a small-sized mask would suit you!
—You might need a mask.
—Just try it on, once.
Even though he had only one vocal cord, three distinct voices were coming out simultaneously, creating a chilling effect.
‘This guy is.’
The main character of [Hidden Piece #2].
The Masked Vendor <Pace>.
“I heard you sell some pretty fancy masks?”
—Wow! You know about us! I’m so happy!
—I’m beside myself.
—They’re not that great, but not bad either.
Despite looking like that, he is ‘technically’ not a hostile NPC.
As long as you don’t attack him first, Pace will never attack the player.
Moreover, as long as you play along, he’s quite friendly, so there’s no need to become hostile.
“I want to buy one of your masks. What would you like in return?”
—Return! We don’t need anything in return!
—Those who wear our masks are all one of us.
—Return is meaningless.
Pace approached me and put down the large bundle he was carrying.
There was a rattling sound as if it was filled to the brim with masks.
—What kind of mask do you want?
—Masks have many purposes.
—It will become your shell.
“I want to be a hypocrite who deceives everyone. Can you recommend a mask for me?”
I said the prepared line.
Then, as if delighted, Pace rummaged through his bundle.
—For someone like you! This one suits you!
—Let’s deceive and be deceived. That’s what masks are for.
—If you can’t look someone straight in the eye, just cover it with a mask.
What he pulled out was a mask split into two halves, one white and one black.
The black right side of the face was smiling, while the white left side of the face was shedding tears.
[Hidden Piece #2 discovered.]
[A special reward is given.]
I took the mask from Pace and examined it closely.
“It’s exactly the same.”
Its appearance was identical to the item I’d seen in the game.
As I kept looking at it, information popped up over the mask.
[Hypocrite’s Veil]
- Category: Equipment/Head
- Rank: Hidden
- Description: A mask imbued with an alien energy. There’s a legend that it was created by binding the soul of someone who once deceived a demon.
- Effect: You can register a customized appearance to the item. Upon equipping, you will transform into that appearance.
The effect is exactly the same.
“Yep, I’m satisfied. This is what I was looking for.”
—Hehehe! That’s great! Great!
—Satisfied, that’s good.
—It’s not unfortunate.
Pace clapped his hands, reacting exaggeratedly.
‘…But what exactly is this guy?’
Pace was never fully revealed in the game either.
People said he was just a MacGuffin character made solely for this customization hidden piece.
‘But he seems too suspicious for that.’
Well, anyway, I got the mask.
I should try using it myself.
I lifted the mask and brought it close to my face.
Pabat—!
The world suddenly flashed brightly, and the scenery changed in an instant.
“This is familiar.”
It was so predictable that I almost chuckled.
[Customization Room]
Otherwise known as the Cuma Room.
I had moved to the place I’d seen in the monitor.
Various hairstyles, eyes, noses, and mouths floated in the air like holograms.
In front, there was a mirror that allowed me to see my current appearance.
[Notice! The ‘Penalty’ from the ‘Keyword’ will persist as an ‘atmosphere’ even after appearance modification!]
“As expected, the warning message pops up.”
I clicked my tongue in disappointment.
Back then, when I created ‘Alben,’ I added the appearance penalty [Delicate Appearance].
[Delicate Appearance] +10 points! It makes it easy to be underestimated.
That penalty remains even if I change my appearance with [Hypocrite’s Veil].
No matter how imposing I make my appearance, there will always be an air of ‘delicateness’ to it.
Well, if this allowed ignoring appearance penalties, anyone could stack up points with all kinds of negative keywords and reset them here.
“A shame is a shame, though.”
I loosened my fingers and raised the corner of my lips.
“Shall I show my skills after a long time?”
If I’m going to draw attention wherever I go just because I’m a man,
It’s better to be handsome, right?
Don’t you think?
***
“…It’s done.”
After spending about 3 hours meticulously working on it,
“It’s freaking perfect.”
I managed to create a pretty—no, a very amazing appearance.
My soul is essentially Korean, so my hair and eye colour are deep black.
If Alben’s face looked like a puppy, the one reflected in the mirror now is a sharp appearance reminiscent of a wolf.
It would have been perfect if there were scars on the cheeks, but unfortunately, there were no scar decorations in the Cuma Room.
My height is about one head taller than Alben’s, and my build is slightly slimmer than average.
[Would you like to register this appearance?]
“Register.”
[Registration successful.]
[From now on, this appearance will apply whenever you wear the mask.]
[You are now leaving the Customization Room.]
As I opened my eyes, I saw the dawn sunlight slowly rising.
Pace had long disappeared, and I was left standing alone in the plaza.
“Hmm.”
I checked my reflection in the lake.
Fortunately, the appearance I saw in the Customization Room had been perfectly applied.
“Perfect.”
I touched my face here and there, smiling contentedly.
‘The appearance change caused by [Hypocrite’s Veil] is absolute.’
No matter how powerful the Great Archmage’s discerning magic is, this appearance will never break.
“Unless… I’m the one who takes off the mask, that is.”
I brought my hand to my face with the sensation of ‘touching the mask’ and felt a transparent membrane.
As I took it off, my face reverted to the familiar Alben I knew.
‘As expected of a Hidden Piece.’
There’s always a reason something is hidden, isn’t there?
Some might wonder, what’s the big deal about just changing appearances?
‘It’s a huge deal in Valdeon Saga.’
It allows you to completely bury your past along with your appearance.
‘Hmm, while I’m at it, I should decide on a new name.’
What would be good?
‘I’d better choose a short and simple name that doesn’t stand out too much.’
Since my hair and eyes are black, the surname ‘Black’ seems fitting.
“Lan… Black.”
Hmm.
Quite a decent name.
After putting on the mask again, I looked at my reflection and spoke to myself.
“From now on, you are Lan Black, the bodyguard of the Second Princess, Angela.”
This should be enough to establish the concept.
***
“Is… is it really you?!”
“Yes, it is.”
Inside the dormitory.
Angela covered her mouth in surprise as she looked at me in my ‘Lan Black’ form.
“It’s amazing… To think you can change your appearance so perfectly! Even the royal mages could barely change things like hair colour or voice!”
Angela circled around me, muttering expressions of wonder like, “Hooh… Wow… Oh my!”
“C-Can I use it too…?”
“Unfortunately, I’m the only one who can use this.”
“I thought so…”
Though she seemed a little disappointed by my answer, she quickly regained her usual high spirits.
Seeing her gaze fixed on my face, it seemed like she really liked it.
‘Well, of course!’
Who do you think made it?
‘Ahh… Call me Pygmalion.’
I felt an inexplicable pride swelling up.
“I’ll be guarding you in this form from now on. Is that alright?”
“I will follow you no matter what form you take. Even if your limbs are cut off and your face melts away into something grotesque, I will still follow you!”
…I appreciate the sentiment, but,
Why does it sound so creepy?
“There isn’t much time left until the admission period at Polaris. I need to pass the entrance exam to qualify, but Your Highness doesn’t have to worry about that.”
New students at Polaris fall into two categories.
Those who automatically qualify for admission by riding on the coattails of their family names,
And those who prove their competence through the entrance exam.
Angela is in the former group. I’m in the latter.
I’ve already submitted my application for the entrance exam.
As family background or bloodline influence the first group, not much is required for the exam application itself.
Just a small application fee, a photo, and some light paperwork, and it’s done.
Soon, a letter confirming my application for the Polaris entrance exam will arrive.
“I plan to leave here and head to Polaris in about a week.”
“Yes! That sounds good!”
Angela was brimming with enthusiasm.
I’m the one taking the exam, so why is she getting excited?
“With your skills, I’m sure you’ll pass the exam.”
Angela looked me straight in the eyes.
“Please… stay by my side… even in the academy?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“…Thank you, Lan.”
Angela took a step closer to me.
“But… Lan.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“That woman you meet during the day… Who is she?”
“…Pardon?”
“Women are beasts… It’s dangerous to meet them so recklessly….”
She lifted her head.
Her eyes, which had been filled with shyness and gratitude just moments ago,
‘You’re dead….’
had turned pitch-black, devoid of light, and filled with darkness.
“Uh, um. That is… well… but how did you even know—”
“You’re my husband… No, my bodyguard, right? So, tell me everything. Trust is the most important thing in our relationship… right?”
…I guess I’ll have to sneak out quietly whenever I go to see Anna.
—
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