Debuff Master-Chapter 916

‘I wonder what’s over there...’

Siegfried followed the green arrow out of curiosity and excitement.

It was then.

Ding!

The arrow stopped at a particular clothing rack in the section where the F-Grade outfits were displayed.

However, the problem was that Cain was standing right in front of that very rack.

And...

‘Wait, that’s mine!’ Siegfried screamed inwardly.

Cain was looking at the crimson outfit that the title, Treasure Hunter, was pointing to, as if contemplating something. He held up the outfit, held it up to his body, and looked at it from different angles.

“Hmm... It doesn’t look that great. But why do I like it?” Cain muttered.

Siegfried heard him say that and was stunned by his peculiar taste. ‘He actually likes that thing?’

Truthfully, the design of the outfit was nothing short of awful. It had a dull shade of crimson with lace dangling from the sleeves and collar, giving it an outdated look that seemed to be the trend from one hundred million light years from the past.

In short, it looked extremely tacky.

Yet, for some reason, it also exuded an air of elegance and vintage charm.

‘What’s that?’ Siegfried wondered after sensing the strange, almost enchanting feeling.

Thus, he hid in a corner and flashed his Rune of Insight to analyze the outfit in Cain's hand.

[Jacomo’s Formalwear]

[A suit once favored by the legendary socialite, Jacomo.]

[It is said that nobody truly understands its real value.]

[Though slightly worn and outdated, wearing it gives the user an unexpectedly captivating look.]

[Type: Clothing] ƒreewebɳovel.com

[Rating: Legendary]

[Durability: 233/300]

[Defense: 1]

[Magic Resistance: 1]

[Effect: Cannot be identified.]

[Note: The Rune of Insight cannot reveal the true value of Jacomo’s Formalwear. Only those with the Treasure Hunter title can faintly sense its true worth.]

In other words, Siegfried could vaguely sense its special value, but to Cain, it appeared to be nothing more than normal formalwear.

“This will do,” Cain muttered.

At those words, Siegfried screamed inwardly, ‘No!’

There was no way he would let Cain walk away with Jacomo’s Formalwear. How could he stand by and let Cain claim such a treasure by pure coincidence from right under his nose?

Siegfried had no intention of giving up a treasure to anyone else.

He rushed over to Cain and said, “Hold on, that outfit is quite lovely.”

Cain frowned at Siegfried’s sudden appearance and compliment. Then, he grimaced and spat out, “So what?”

“I’m terribly sorry, but would you mind letting me have it? Please?” Siegfried asked.

Being mindful of his social status and prestige, Siegfried made sure to sound as polite as possible when making the request.

However, Cain was already in a foul mood and had no intention of granting Siegfried’s request.

“Shut the fuck up and get lost, you piece of shit. Do you wanna die?” Cain growled menacingly, his face twisting with irritation.

Siegfried narrowed his eyes and suddenly glared at Cain. It was as if he was waiting for him to cross the invisible line all this time.

He tried being polite to Cain this whole time, but Cain’s demeanor had pushed him past his limit.

“Well, well... Your tone has been quite rude for a while now.”

“What did you say? Do you wanna say that—”

Siegfried cut him off and said, “Excuse me? You told me to get lost when I greeted you earlier, didn’t you?”

“So what about it?”

“I let that slide out of courtesy, but you’re crossing the line now.”

“...?”

“First, you told me to shut the fuck up and get lost. And then, you’re threatening to kill me?”

“Ha! So what if I did?”

It was then.

Siegfried flashed a sly grin and asked, “Do you want to get executed for treason?”

“T-Treason?”

“I’m a Grand Duke of the Empire while you’re a mere baron. Since when was it acceptable for you to curse at me and threaten to kill me?”

“T-That was...”

Cain was speechless, unable to come up with a retort. He thought they were just two gamers trash-talking each other, but Siegfried’s sudden use of their social ranks left him utterly powerless.

After all, social rank was absolute in this world.

“I was treating you nicely, and you have the nerve to cross the line? Hand that over.”

With that, Siegfried snatched Jacomo’s Formalwear right out of Cain’s hands.

“I’ll report every word to His Imperial Majesty if you cross the line one more time. You better watch it from now on.”

After a stern warning, Siegfried walked away with Jacomo’s Formalwear, leaving Cain all alone.

Cain stood stunned for a moment before gnashing his teeth.

“Fuck... Today’s just awful,” he cursed under his breath. First, he suffered the greatest humiliation of his life from Irene, and Siegfried had just used his social rank to crush him.

But what could he do?

Cain was at the bottom of the food chain, so he had no choice but to swallow his pride and endure the humiliation. Truly enough, if founding a kingdom without the emperor’s permission was the crime he committed, then this was his punishment.

“Argh! Ptooey! Take it! Take it all, you asshole! I swear I’ll have my revenge!” Cain screamed. Then, he struggled to suppress the rage boiling inside of him and did his best to calm himself down.

Why?

It was all because calming down was the only thing he could do right now.

***

Siegfried hummed cheerfully on the way to the dressing room after taking the Jacomo’s Formalwear from Cain.

Once inside, he tried on the Jacomo’s Formalwear.

Ding!

Suddenly, a message popped up in front of his eyes.

[Alert: You have equipped Jacomo’s Formalwear!]

[Alert: Your charm has increased by 100%!]

[Alert: Ballroom Homme Fatale has been activated!]

[Ballroom Homme Fatal]

[Effects: MAX Dance Mastery, (Locked), (Locked)]

‘Huh? What’s this?’

Siegfried grew curious about the two other effects of Ballroom Homme Fatale, but they were locked, making it impossible to know what they were.

‘Well, this alone is pretty good.’ He was glad to see his Dance Mastery at MAX.

In truth, he had no idea how to dance at all. He was worried he would end up standing around awkwardly at tonight’s masquerade ball. But now, he would be spared the embarrassment after obtaining Jacomo’s Formalwear.

[Blues Mastery]

[Trot[1] Mastery]

[Tango Mastery]

[Waltz Mastery]

[Folk Dance Mastery]

(omitted...)

[Marionette Dance Mastery]

Siegfried had no idea what Folk Dance and Marionette Dance were, but nearly every type of dance genre was at MAX level.

The skill activation was pretty easy as well.

[Alert: Your body will automatically start dancing once you select the required dance to match the music!]

With just one click, he would dance automatically without having to do anything else.

‘Tsk... I guess it’s still a treasure.’

Feeling slightly underwhelmed, Siegfried picked out a mask to go with Jacomo’s Formalwear and left the dressing room.

***

That night, a grand banquet was held at the Palace of Blood. The event was so extravagant and luxurious that nearly every delicacy that existed on the continent was laid out on tables stretching hundreds of meters long.

Since this was a banquet hosted by the Marchioni Empire, the celebrities putting on special performances were just as impressive.

Before the masquerade ball began, Siegfried noticed Gringoire leaving the waiting room and approached him.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“Hello, Your Majesty,” Gringore replied with a bow.

“What are you doing here?”

“I was invited as the special guest singer for tonight’s banquet, sire.”

“Huh?”

“I will be singing until the banquet ends. Although I have no idea if my stamina will last until the end.”

“Until the banquet ends?” Siegfried muttered, stunned.

Why?

It was all because Gringore was currently the hottest celebrity on the continent, and hiring him to sing just one song already cost a fortune.

However, the Marchioni Empire had actually hired him to perform the whole night from the start to the end of the banquet? Just how much money was he offered?

“Is it lucrative?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“How much...?”

“That is...” Gringore hesitated before leaning in and whispering something.

“H-Hiiik?! D-Double double?!”

The amount offered was not double, but double the double.

Considering Gringore's usual talent fees, the amount paid by the Marchioni Empire could only be astronomical.

“Please continue earning foreign currency for our kingdom, Sir Gringore.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Then, I shall take my leave now.”

“Good luck.”

About five minutes later, people wearing luxurious outfits and masks started entering the banquet hall one by one as the orchestra began to play.

‘I guess I’ll just dance,’ Siegfried thought before selecting a dance style fitting the music being played.

His body began moving on its own, gracefully dancing to the tune with elegant movements.

‘Wow, this is quite convenient. Is this what auto-hunting feels like?’

It was then.

Ding!

[Alert: An additional effect of the Ballroom Homme Fatale has been unlocked!]

[Alert: Pheromone secretion has increased by 500%!]

One of the locked effects was unlocked, and a massive amount of pheromones was unleashed from Siegfried. In the blink of an eye, it pervaded the hall.

And the result was...

Ding!

[Alert: The women nearby have detected your pheromones!]

[Alert: You can feel their gazes focused on you!]

[Alert: The women are incoming!]

One by one, the women dancing on the floor started moving closer to Siegfried.

“Will you dance with me?”

“Dance with me.”

“No, you must dance with me.”

All of them were daughters of prestigious noble families or wives of influential figures in the empire.

“Huh...?”

Before Siegfried could understand what was going on, five women had already asked him to dance.

“Oh? You’re quite popular, aren’t you, Siegfried van Proa.”

Just then, someone passed by Siegfried and whispered softly enough that it was barely audible.

“M-My lord...?” Siegfried muttered after recognizing the voice.

That someone turned out to be none other than Emperor Stuttgart.

“Well then, have a good time,” Emperor Stuttgart whispered and disappeared into the crowd.

‘Why does it feel like he’s teasing me...?’ Siegfried thought.

Eventually, Siegfried reached out and took a hand at random.

What did it matter who he danced with? His heart belonged solely to Brunhilde, so he could not care less even if his dance partner was an old lady in her eighties.

The women chosen by Siegfried gasped softly. “Oh my.”

The two danced slowly.

Of course, Siegfried activated the Ballroom Homme Fatale and zoned out throughout the dance.

‘What’s up with these pheromones? Ugh... I have a feeling this is some strange outfit...’ he thought, starting to suspect that Jacomo’s Formalwear wasn't the kind of treasure he hoped it was.

‘Isn’t this just an artifact specialized in seducing women?’ he grumbled inwardly.

“Wow!”

“Such passionate dancing!”

“Look at those steps!”

The people around them marveled at the beautiful dance unfolding between Siegfried and his partner. And the more they admired them, the more women started focusing their attention on Siegfried, causing more to flock toward him.

After about an hour of dancing with dozens of women—

Ding!

—Another message popped up in front of Siegfried’s eyes.

[Alert: The Hour of the Wolf has been activated!]

[Alert: Scanning targets!]

Just then, Siegfried’s vision turned red and zoomed in on a woman who was absentmindedly wandering around the ballroom.

[Alert: Target Acquired!]

[Alert: The hunt begins!]

The notification disappeared, and...

‘E-Eh? What’s going on?’

Siegfried’s body automatically started moving toward his target—no, his prey.

1. Trot is a Korean music genre enjoyed by old people. ☜

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