Chapter 272

Chapter 272

Compared to some of the other shit Id pulled in recent weeks, this was a simple ploy, a solution to the original problem. If the court sent in core muscle and got stomped, it made them look weak. Alternatively, if they sent in a scouting team that got locked in the boss room and torn to pieces, it made them look stupid.

It helped that we were up against monsters rather than humans, which was a refreshing change of pace. The monsters of Flauros could be nightmares, sure. A single lapse of attention during combat or scouting could spell instant death. What made them easier to deal with was their single-mindedness and uniformity. Every type of monster was different, but once you understood their core objective and mandated behaviors, it was easy enough to predict what they could do.

It helped that we were up against monsters rather than humans, which was a refreshing change of pace. The monsters of Flauros could be nightmares, sure. A single lapse of attention during combat or scouting could spell instant death. What made them easier to deal with was their single-mindedness and uniformity. Every type of monster was different, but once you understood their core objective and mandated behaviors, it was easy enough to predict what they could do.

Not so much with humans.

The greater issue was, we didnt know shit about the ants. They had plenty of familiar Old World analogues to extrapolate fromthe ones wed seen behaved identically to fire antsbut making an assumption of a system monster based on the creature its inspiration stemmed from was a potentially fatal mistake.

Charlotte gave us an avenue of better observation and simultaneously pulled back the veil on what she could do.

Linking chains of mana loosened with an ethereal rattle as they fell away from my face and shuffled off the rest of me, landing with a clatter on the floor. Now that the chains were off and the curse was cast, I felt different. More apathetic. The closest comparison was probably when I first wore the mask. Nothing new, but what was far more interesting was how the curse affected my perception of myself.

I held up my hand, studying the results. It looked more or less the same, minus a few scars and blemishes. The swelled knuckle of my thumb that had persisted ever since it healed after a break had receded. It didnt feel like my hand. More like someone elses had been attached to mine, yet that fact struck me as utterly disinteresting. Which made it all the more significant.

How does it look? I asked Nick. Chiefly because despite going first, his appearance didnt seem to change much. Some of the more striking aspects of his features had dulled, but beneath the lack of polish, he was still clearly the same person. Either the curse was less effective than Id hoped, or one of my feats was allowing me to see straight through it.

Who are you again? Nick asked, scrunching up his face comically.

Hilarious.

Beside him, Julian whistled, looking me up and down. Unbelievable.

Look alive Matt, Prince charmings making a move. Nick whispered conspiratorially, then grunted as Julien shoved him lightly.

Just cant handle the rare occasion hes not the center of attention. I shrugged, ignoring Nick and focusing on Julien.

Hey! Nick complained.

Unperturbed, Julien circled around me, hands behind his back. Its uncanny. Youre so unassuming. Like a person Id pass on the street and glance at out of the corner of my eye, only to never give them a second thought. The only reason I know who you are is because of context.

It was like he was describing the person I used to be, before I accidentally staked my claim on a region.

How do I look? Lucas asked.

Exactly the same as you always do. Julien said, not missing a beat.

Before Lucas could rise to the bait, Charlotte stepped in. This curse is unique because it tailors itself to the observer. She put a hand to her chin, surveying her handiwork. If Julian and a hexed monster were standing side-by-sideyoud see a human, while the monster sees another monster.

Hard rule? I asked.

Havent had a chance to test it extensively, though from what Ive seen? Yes.

What about solitary hunters? Predators that avoid or prey on their own kind?

The question stopped Charlotte short. From the way she cocked her head, she hadnt considered the possibility before. Not surprising, considering how many curses shed probably accumulated by this point. Charlotte pulled up her UI, sifting through the description before coming back with an answer. Unclear. Dammit. The descriptions are always so oblique.

Youve never used this on a boss before?

Charlotte scrunched up her face. There was a group of Gnollswhich from a distance appeared to have some sort of dominance hierarchy

They do, I confirmed.

She nodded thoughtfully. I hexed their chieftain. Once he was hexed, the pack ignored him. Not right away, of course, but the longer the curse stayed in place the less deference the pack showed him.

Juliens eyes widened. Thats what you just cast on us? That hex from the barrens? When Charlotte confirmed it was, he grimaced. A little warning would have been nice.VIsit n0(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Id gotten the sense that Charlotte was hiding something, when shed excitedly explained how the Indespectus curse functioned. Because from the way she told it, it had nothing but benefits. Id intended to push her on the topic once we were locked in, but from the looks of it, Nick and Julien would do that for me.

Nick blinked several times as he looked between the princess and prince. Hes freaking out. Ive heard you guys talk about the barrens. He pointed to still slack-jawed Julien, then pivoted to Charlotte, who was grimacing. You look like you just got your hand caught in the non-vegan cookie jar.

Im vegetarian. Not vegan. Charlotte argued, in the way people argue over something unrelated to belabor a point.

Same difference. Nick waved her off. Problem is, all I know about the barrens is that theyre a terrible place for people with coulrophobia, and that mentioning them is a great way to get the two of you to shut down. He shifted towards Charlotte and took a single step into her personal space, his expression friendly. And if its all the same to you, Id like to go into this with as much sense of the situation as possible.

I had to respect it. I almost always pushed too hard when there was a possibility of critical information at play. While this approach worked to keep the subject off-balance, it often created a hostile environment difficult to deescalate from. Nicks aw-shucks mentality allowed him to achieve the same results with minimal enmity. Not realistically achievable for an introvert like me, but something I could learn from.

Charlotte blushed furiously at Nicks proximity, glancing everywhere but directly at him as he waited patiently.

Definitely not something I could achieve.

The princess swallowed. I wasntuhhiding anything. Assuming the scouting is done in less than six hours, which realistically, it should be, the floor isnt that large, there shouldnt be any problems.

Nick smiled, nodding acknowledgement. Great. Maybe Im just anal-retentive, or its this guys influence, He chucked a thumb at me, But I like to know what sort of timetable Im working with. Its really helpful.

Definitely a luxury these days. I added.

I dont get a lot of chances to contribute, Charlotte breathed. Curses work slowly, and so far, at least, weve steamrolled over almost everything really fast. Im just trying to help.

With a motion that was almost obscenely suave, Nick reached out and gently tipped Charlottes head upward, prompting her to look at him. Nauseating, but from the star-struck expression and red cheeks, clearly not to her. Youre a big help. Your specialization is better suited to large-scale threats, the really scary shit. Makes me feel better just knowing we have you on our side. He grew serious, still maintaining the charming facade. But power is a double-edged sword. We have to wield it responsibly.

The reaction and confirmation was instantaneous. Charlotte looked down, cheeks flushing in embarrassment. I overdid it.

She had, but only slightly.

Not really. Just gathered from context.

Huh?

I chucked a thumb at the rest of the room. Most of us are out here looking like the walking dead, while you could have walked off the set of some CW network post-apocalypse. When she said nothing in response, I tried to soften the commentary. Just seeing the group with fresh eyes. Guessing no one else has noticed.

And what do you intend to do with that information?

No matter how tactful I tried to be in negotiations, people always ended up zeroing in on the blackmail conclusion. Find out more and make a business arrangement, if possible. Assuming the hex isnt fleetingly temporary or exclusively self-cast.

For you? She looked up curiously.

God no. Not my bag. I chuckled self-deprecatingly. My looks and appearance even post system changes were decidedly average, and despite that I was still getting far more attention than I wanted. Rather not talk details out in the open, but a friend of mine has an ongoing dysphoria thing. I owe her a lot, so

Charlotte chewed her lip. Sculpere could work for that. But a hex is still a curse by nature. It takes multiple applications to get right and the process is painful.

I paused. Like, break every finger one at a time painful or could drive a person insane painful?

Depends on the extent of the changes.

Realistically, it wasnt a full replacement for Hasturs potion, then. But I was pretty sure Sae wouldnt mind if we did this piecemeal.

And if the changes were focused around the face?

Couldnt say for certain, but I was pretty sure it was the compound eyes that gave Sae the most trouble. Mandibles being a close second. With Iriss more recent, functional adjustments, Saes chitinous body held a convincing human form and could easily pass as slick armor. But the eyes made sunglasses in public entirely mandatory. And while that worked in a pinch, it was a ticking clock until they got unseated in a critical moment.

Should be manageable. Charlotte confirmed. Then, hesitantly. And if I do this

The groan was reflexive. For once, I didnt bother holding it in. What, I wont out you for being the most attractive person in the room? JustIf you help my friend out, Im going to pay you. If you dont, I wont.

Oh.

Uh-huh.

It would be nice to have a legitimate excuse to get away from the court. Especially legitimate because Id be making inroads with a new ally. Charlotte mused. Itll probably take a few hours at least. Factoring in the time and components, knocking off a bit because it seems to be for a good cause twenty-five thousand selve?

It took all the self-control in the world to not immediately jump on the offer. Weird as it was to say considering where I came from, twenty-five-k was nothing to me, even less to the merchants guild. I was all but certain Kinsley spent at least that on her monthly allotment of white truffle lobster Mac-and-cheese. It was an extreme lowball, and I was pretty sure Charlotte was only offering the service at that price because she was relieved not to have another foot on her neck. If she had any self-awareness at all, shed realize that eventually, which created space for resentment to grow.

Make it fifty thousand and we have a deal.

Done, Charlotte said automatically. Then paused, confused. Wait

Its a complicated case, and I dont want you to feel like I fleeced you after the fact. I stuck my hands in my pockets and turned back towards the group.

Just, off-record for a second. Charlotte called out to me. More than anything else, she looked ashamed.

What, too low?

No. The offer is more than generous. But you really dont judge me for wasting slots on something as trivial as appearance?

The fact you did works out great for me. Why would I?

Only from the downtrodden expression that wasnt what Charlotte wanted to hear. From what shed implied, shed used the hex on herself extensively. Extrapolating the introvert energy and lack of confidence, it was a safe bet she was less than thrilled with her previous appearance and still adjusting to the new one. And now she was looking for absolution from the one person who knew the truth.

Its like despite being the most fucked up person here, Im the only one who actually went to therapy.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. For one thing, my thoughts and judgements shouldnt matter. Im a guy. Relatively speaking, the only real societal expectation we have and cant do anything about is being six feet tall. Compared to the pressure you and yours get on a daily basis, thats a drop in the bucket.

Youre not that short.

Thanks.

Sorry.

Point being, I cant know what its like. I mused, trying to strike a balance between dismissive and thoughtful. But self-doubt, self-loathing? The way the intrusive thoughts tend to crop up at the worst possible time? Those are things I can speak on definitively. I glanced at her. Any of that get better after your adjustments?

Charlotte nodded.

Then it was worth it.

I genuinely believed it was. Maybe speccing for vanity wasnt exactly optimal, but eliminating anything that could distract you in the heat of the moment, even for a second, absolutely was. Charlotte would be a far better ally, teammate, and potentially, friend, if she wasnt regularly splitting her focus outward and inward. That, at least, I could relate to.

She paused for a long moment and swiped at her eyes, then peered at me curiously. So, you really think Im the most attractive person here?

I have a girlfriend.

Leaving Charlotte behind in an awkward retreat, I returned to Julien, Nick, and Lucas. From Nicks shit-eating grin, hed overheard my parting words at least. My boy, melting the ice princess He grunted at my drive-by elbow in his gut.

Lets get this over with before we disappear.

Fucking finally. Lucas rolled his eyes.