Faust ignored the eyes of the almost twenty men around him focusing a cold glare on Two.

To the man’s credit, he remained standing. Two flinched and shuffled in place but he didn’t take back his words. Now that was a challenge.

Faust kicked his chair back and made to move. All the thugs shivered slightly. They’ve seen him fight. They know what is coming.

Jason, still sitting, turned an annoyed gaze on Faust. He did not expect this. He must have thought he had a good understanding of Faust’s character.This is all an act of course. But Faust didn’t let it show.

Jason bangs his hand against the table. "That’s enough. Bury the hatchet. And drop the tough guy act, Faust. It doesn’t suit you."

That was a command. It was exactly what Faust wanted to remind everyone here of. When people idolize someone, they think their authority undeniable.

But all Jason had was his strength and Faust was much stronger than him.

He pushed the grand table and it moved easily. The legs screeched against the wooden floor. Weapons were drawn. Magic filled the air as skills were primed.

Finally Diego used the opportunity Faust was creating for him. The older man ran a hand through his salt and pepper hair. An exasperated look on his face.

"Just forget about him, Faust. Two, please refrain from your vulgar jokes."

Faust sat down first, surprising the people standing around him. Like nothing had just happened he pulled the table back into place. The noise seemed to remind them they could calm down now and sit.

Jason seemed to understand what just happened. A casual glance at the crowd would show the crowd’s demeanor had changed. They no longer looked to this table as something special. Instead they joked about how scared the pompous thugs had been.

If people can’t have something, they can pretend like they never really wanted it.

Juliette had risen to her feet at the main table with a worried expression. She thought they would fight here. Now she walked towards them with a smile.

She glanced at her watch and at that exact second the system chimed.

[The third wave’s rewards are being distributed!]

Excited cries rolled through the hall. Glasses clinked and people emptied their cups, watching the system panel with greedy eyes.

I can’t blame them. This should be the best rewards we’ll get in a while.

After this, everyone will be looking to distinguish themselves. To carve their own merit out from the trial.

[You have completed Hidden Quest: On The Otherside]

[You have been rewarded 1200 experience points]

[Origin Coins: 3000]

[Kobold Core x30]

[Kobold Shaman Core x30]

[5x Goblin Essence: Consuming will increase Agility by 2.]

[5x Jackal Essence: Consuming will increase Agility by 2.]

[10x Goblin Mage Essence: Consuming will increase Spirit by 2.]

[20x Kobold Shaman Essence: Consuming will increase Spirit by 2.]

[10x Jackal Rider Essence: Consuming will increase Strength by 2.]

[5x Troll Essence: Consuming will increase Strength by 3.]

[10x Midnight Lynx Essence: Consuming will increase Agility by 2.]

[10x Goblin ears: Alchemical ingredient used in many potions.]

[10x Goblin Axe (Bronze): Poorly made bone weapons]

[10x Goblin Dagger (Bronze): Poorly made steel weapons.]

[10x Goblin Mage Staff (Bronze): Grants enhancement to spells. +10 Spirit. Requirements: Level 3, 30 Spirit]

[10x Kobold heart: Alchemical ingredient used in many potions.]

[3x Heart of fire: An essential ingredient in enchantment of Items.]

[10x Kobold Cutlasses (Bronze): rusty, poorly made weapons]

[Iron Cutlass (Iron): the Chief’s weapon, made of decent steel. +30 Strength. Requirements: Level 4, 50 Strength.]

[Shaman’s Necklace (Silver): Grants enhancement to all Fire-based spells. +40 Spirit, + 30 Constitution. Requirements: Level 5, 100 Spirit]

[10x Skill Stones: can be used to upgrade skills.]

[10x Enhancement Stones: can be used to upgrade equipment.]

[3x Health Potion: Greatly recovers Health in seconds.]

[Gate Bracer (Silver): Provides resistance to Spatial magic. +20 Spirit. Requirements: Level 5, 100 Spirit]

[Summon Card (Silver): Allows you to call on a random summon with 20% of your Combat Power]

The cheers were heavy. The hall shook with their voices, drowning out the music drawing from the walls.

People immediately went around comparing their rewards and trying to gauge where they sat in the top 1000.

Juliette leaned down at Jason’s table and spoke softly into the ear of one of the men, who quickly got up and offered her his seat.

"Don’t use your whore magic on my friends," Jason spat. Far angrier with her than he had been with Faust.

"Ask him," Juliette said innocently. She brushed her jet black hair over her shoulders. "He’s just being a gentleman." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

The worst part was that the man in question refused to take his seat. He was fully convinced that giving it to Juliette was the right thing to do. There was a hint of lust in his eyes, but the fervor in his voice....

I really don’t like her schema.

Jason looked red with fury. He couldn’t force the man to sit. And Faust got the feeling, he didn’t know how Juliette did that to people.

She unsettles him as much as me. But he also hates her. Probably his superiority complex.

The table grew tense as the three way deadlock unfolded. Juliette and Jason watched each other warily, considering their words and looking for weaknesses. Faust struggled against his smile to look uncaring.

If I had to pick a dog to bet on....

Juliette spoke first for obvious reasons. "Gentleman—heroes is what I should be calling you. Both so dashing and strong. I—"

"Don’t waste my time," Jason cut in, glaring at her. "You want your share of the Essence from the bet."

"Yes. I got back from the gate first after all," Juliette said with a tailored smile so smooth it disarmed the men glaring at her. "I won’t even check to make sure it’s thirty percent—"

Jason waved her off. "I don’t like your voice. Just be quiet. And I think you’re mistaken. My bet was with Faust, whom I’m willing to pay. You just butted in where you weren’t wanted like the greedy sow you are."

Laughter erupted around the table. Some hid it, but people like Two laughed in her face.

But Juliette remained smiling. Though her eyes.... They were like a cold swamp. Green, placid, yet hiding unseen depths.

She turned to the person beside her, one of the laughing men. "You’re worried about that breath aren’t you. It’s repugnant. You shouldn’t open your mouth anymore, so you don’t embarrass yourself."

The man’s mouth clamped down immediately. His eyes widened with fear as incoherent gasps tried escaping his lips.

Jason sat up and sneered, "release him, witch."