The moonlight streamed into my room as I paced back and forth, hands folded in front of me. My mind raced with possibilities, each thought colliding with the next. How would I enter the tournament? Participation was set to begin at the end of the week, but there was no way I could compete as..Austin. My name and reputation were already too well-known, and entering as Shadow is beyond the question.
"I need a disguise," I muttered under my breath, running a hand through my hair. "But not just any disguise… something convincing. Something… perfect."
Behind me, the soft rustling of pages reached my ears. I turned to find Beta sprawled out on the couch, her legs crossed as she read a manga. Her tight denim shorts clung to her thighs, and her tank top barely covered her chest. She seemed completely engrossed, her bright eyes darting across the pages as a wide grin spread across her face.
"These characters are so strong and so cool!" she exclaimed, giggling to herself.
I arched an eyebrow, walking over to her. "What are you reading now?" I asked, plucking the book from her hands.
Beta pouted but didn't resist. "It's about warriors from another world! The main character is this mysterious guy with dead eyes and long hair. He's always drunk, but he's insanely strong!" Her eyes sparkled as she added, "You'd love him, Master!"
I flipped through the pages, my gaze landing on the image of a man with lifeless eyes, long disheveled hair, a bottle of alcohol in one hand, and a massive sword slung over his shoulder. He looked both terrifying and intriguing. My eyes shifted to the next few panels, where other characters were introduced: a seductive married woman, a high school girl with a katana, and a child demon with a mischievous smile. Fınd the newest release on N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
Suddenly, inspiration struck me like lightning. My lips curled into a slow, wicked grin, and I tossed the manga onto the table. "Yes… I can be this!" I announced, my voice filled with excitement.
Beta tilted her head, her expression skeptical. "Master looks creepy when you smile like that," she teased, though her lips curved into an amused grin.
I laughed, reaching out to pull her into my arms. She squealed, her soft legs wrapping around my waist as she straddled me. "Creepy or not, this is perfect," I said, my hands resting on her hips. Her cheeks flushed as she looked down at me, her smile widening.
"Master is happy!" she exclaimed, leaning in to press her lips against mine. Her kiss was soft and sweet at first, but it quickly grew more passionate.
I pulled her closer, murmuring between kisses, "A lot…"
Before things could escalate further, a sharp knock on my window shattered the moment. I turned my head toward the sound, spotting Alpha's silhouette illuminated by the moonlight. She was perched outside like a shadow, her stance calm and collected.
"Duty calls," I sighed, setting Beta down gently. She huffed in disappointment but didn't protest.
The three of us gathered on the rooftop, the cool night air brushing against our skin. Alpha handed me a photograph without a word. I held it up to the moonlight, my eyes narrowing as I studied the image. It was a man dead in the driver's seat of a car, blood staining his shirt. His belongings—everything from his wallet to the jewelry on his hands—were missing.
"Who is this?" I asked, my voice low.
Alpha crossed her arms, her expression as stoic as ever. "A merchant. He was ambushed by a group of bandits. They're fast, organized, and incredibly strong. Three more cases have been reported near the palace area, the past week."
Beta, standing beside me, clenched her fists. "Those bad guys won't get away with this!" she declared, her fiery aura glaring.
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly. "Now that I'm going to participate in the tournament… they're bound to show up. Sigh…" My words trailed off, but my mind was already putting the puzzle together.
Alpha nodded, her tone calm but firm. "The tournament will attract a massive crowd. Money will flow like water, and the elites will be spectating. It's the perfect target for them. We'll keep watch over the country from the shadows and ensure nothing goes wrong."
"Alright," I said, cracking my knuckles. "Let's see how it goes."
The day of participation comes and the city buzzed with activity as aspiring fighters from across the country gathered in the main arena. The line of participants stretched as far as the eye could see, each person hoping to secure a spot in the prestigious tournament.
Men and women of all shapes and sizes stood in line, some muscular and intimidating, others lean and agile. The atmosphere was electric, filled with anticipation and nerves.
I joined the queue, my new disguise already in place. My transformation was flawless. Gone was the familiar face of Austin, replaced by someone entirely unrecognizable.
My long, purple hair fell in silky waves down my back, and my face was framed by a pair of perfectly shaped bangs. The black jacket I wore hung loosely over my shoulders, revealing a tight black crop top beneath. My smooth, toned stomach was partially exposed, with a beautiful long flower tattoo.
My outfit was completed by white shorts that clung to my hips and long black stockings that ran up to my thighs, paired with sleek black boots. The sword hanging casually at my side was the finishing touch—a blend of elegance and lethality.
As I approached the registration desk, I noticed the reactions around me. Men in the line turned to stare, their faces flushing as their eyes gazed over my figure. Even the women couldn't help but glance my way, some with envy, others with admiration.
The man handling the registration was scribbling names into a book. He glanced up at the figure in front of me—a man with biceps the size of tree trunks—and nodded.
"Next," he called out.
I stepped forward, and the collective gasps from the crowd were almost audible. The boys around me seemed to freeze, their eyes wide and cheeks flushed.
I could hear whispers: "Who is she?" "She's gorgeous!" "I think I'm in love…"
Suppressing a smirk, I leaned forward slightly, just enough to make the man at the desk quiver. He cleared his throat, his pen hovering over the paper. "N-name?"
I folded my hands, pulling my boobs up in fluid press capturing the attention of him.
"Hi," I said in a voice that was both soft and confident.
"My name is Cutie Pie."