A feeling of betrayal filled his chest as the pain in his head spread. What a cursed system!

The pain was so intense that his legs trembled as he tried to stand up. Every muscle protested as if he had been put through a corporate team-building retreat from hell.

"Fuck!" His body ached intensely, as if he'd been used as a punching bag by a group of ogres. "Goddamn system, did you have to go full 'hardcore difficulty' on me?"

Frustration took hold of him. Only three days in this universe and he was already being tortured like this? He sighed deeply, dragging himself to the bathroom. Well, the milk was already spilled. He could only console himself with the fact that he now had basic knowledge about the powers in this world. Ha, it was almost comical! Talk about a crash course.

When he returned to the room, he stopped abruptly at the door. Three people occupied his living room. Two were familiar: his master Rown and the future Demonic Emperor, Darius. The third... the third made his blood run cold in his body. 

The stranger noticed his gaze, and when their eyes met, Zhong felt his entire body break out in successive waves of goosebumps. It was him! Valen Hiraeth, the character who would go full yandere for the female lead!

The still-dazed homeowner hurried completely into the room, putting on his best "I'm definitely supposed to be here" face.

— Grand Master of the Order, to what do I owe the honor? — His voice sounded surprisingly steady, hiding the internal whirlwind of emotions as he sat down at the table. "Act natural, act natural..."

— Brother Zhong, this master apologizes for the morning intrusion. — Rown smiled sweetly, but his eyes observed Zhong with an almost professional attentiveness. Great, a pop quiz from the boss.

— It's no trouble at all, Master. — Zhong maintained his superficial calm while internally boiling with rage. "Shit, I'm not even wearing my 'heroic disciple' costume yet! I'm in my pajamas!" — Darius, please bring tea for our guests. — Luckily, his face had the resilience of a seasoned middle-manager who'd survived too many pointless meetings!

The young disciple moved with feline grace, his eyes fixed on Zhong for a second longer than necessary. Truly, Darius was... eager to please.

— Brother Zhong, your kindness is a rare virtue. — Rown inclined his head before continuing. — The reason for our visit is to remind you of the mission in Rasamayi. The missing young women... you insisted on investigating personally. Do you feel recovered enough for it?

Before Zhong could answer, a sharp ping! sound cut through his ears, like a terrible notification. Golden letters danced in his vision:

【MISSION: THE MAIDENS OF RASAMAYI】

【REWARD:40 TENDERNESS PTS + COMPLETE MEMORIES】

【ACCEPT】【DECLINE】

"SON OF A BITCH!" He cursed mentally. He didn't even have time for the tutorial and they were already throwing DLC at him? And with the bait of complete memories... "YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!"

— This subordinate thanks you for your concern, Master — said Zhong, mentally selecting the option: 【ACCEPT】 with the enthusiasm of a man clicking "Agree" on a 100-page Terms of Service. — I am perfectly capable. I would like to take my disciples to gain some... field experience, if permitted.

Internally, he grumbled: "Holy Buddha, the grind in this universe is real. Is there no union for this?"

— Just as expected from our Fire Tiger! — Rown seemed genuinely pleased with his answer. — Take a small group to avoid drawing attention. And for safety, Master of Shadows Hiraeth will accompany you.

The name echoed in Zhong's mind. Valen Hiraeth. The most tragic route in the game. The guy who would simpHARD for the protagonist, ending his days as a madman in chains. Oh, fantastic. A walking, talking red flag. What a waste of a good character model...

As he observed the man beside Rown, Zhong felt the air leave his lungs. Valen was... immovable. His pale skin contrasted with angularly perfect features. Hair black as ebony, tied in a sophisticated topknot with a side braid. Deep blue eyes that seemed to perform a full system scan on his soul. And his size... good lord! Zhong considered himself a decently built guy in this new body, but Valen was on a whole other level. He made the Grand Master of the Order look like a harmless old man next to a G.I. Joe action figure.

It was a little comical to look at the scene: a short, smiling elder standing next to a stoic, human-shaped fortress.

A faint snort of laughter escaped him before he could stop it.

While analyzing the man, he realized he was also being intensely observed. Valen studied every microexpression on his face with an almost palpable intensity. Zhong's cheeks warmed involuntarily under the scrutiny. Okay, intense eye contact. Noted.

At that moment, Darius returned with the tea. Seeing the exchange of glances between his master and the stranger, his hands twitched slightly. The porcelain tray clinked, drawing everyone's attention.

— Darius! — Zhong stood up quickly. — Are you alright?

— Forgive this disciple, Master — replied the young man, his face a perfect mask of calm, though his eyes promised silent vengeance. — My carelessness. I will clean it up immediately.

— It's fine, just be careful — Zhong resumed his seat, feeling the tension in the room thick enough to be cut with a spiritual sword.

Deciding to break the awkward silence, Zhong addressed Valen:

— In that case, I'll be counting on Master Hiraeth.

— The honor is mine, Martial Brother Zhong — Valen's voice was a deep baritone, resonant, making the very air in Zhong's chest vibrate. His slight nod was as controlled as it was elegant. "A man of few words. Good, less small talk," thought Zhong.

— Ah, I almost forgot! — Rown interrupted, with a mischievous smile that screamed "I'm about to make this weird." — As there will be female disciples from other peaks on the mission... it would be best if you covered your face, Brother Zhong. So as not to... cause a disturbance.

Zhong blinked, utterly confused. Why would his face be a disturbance? Was he that ugly? Or that handsome? He hadn't even had time to check himself out properly in a mirror! Even perplexed, he nodded in agreement while sipping his tea.

"You've got to be kidding me, old man," he thought, not knowing that Darius, upon hearing the request, smiled internally; perhaps his Master hiding his face wouldn't be such a bad thing after all. Fewer rivals to worry about.