Urek wasn’t about to accept such a bland interaction.
He had to dive deeper if he wanted to slowly advance his agenda.
Today was the perfect opportunity to work smarter and harder...the ultimate combination for a perfect life.
"My lady..."
"Yes?"
"Where can I find you again?"
"What? What on earth are you talking about?"
"I mean... can I work under you, my lady?"
"Hmm... why should I employ you? Besides, I have absolutely no use for the weak."
’Ouch... that hurts. Fuck this "stranger" status; it’s really pushing me to the edge.’
"I encountered the hero not too long ago, my lady..."
"And? Do you wish to become his lapdog?"
"Yes... no! I want to learn, to grow... I want to become a hero too!" Urek’s eyes showed fake tears, perfectly mimicking the intense fervor and enthusiasm of a man who desperately wanted to save the world.
"Hah! Not only are you weak, but you are also incredibly naive. One does not simply become a hero on a whim. Just go live a mundane life."
"But I want this, my lady! Oh, goddess, please grant my selfish wish!" Urek had already completely forgotten about his clone, which was currently dangling limply from his hands, having completely lost consciousness.
"D-don’t call me that!"
"Oh, goddess! Please help me... I am a pitiful soul who merely wishes to perform righteous deeds just like the legendary hero!"
"Shh... stop it, you are embarrassing yourself!" Her cold demeanor completely shattered under the weight of the young man’s passionate words.
"Of course not, goddess! There is absolutely nothing embarrassing about being a dreamer! A hero... a true hero doesn’t need to wear a cape; he is simply one who will leap directly into the abyss for others!"
"Just hold your tongue and stop calling me that..." She shifted her posture slightly, subconsciously leaning in as if she secretly wanted to absorb even more flattery.
’Damn... these ridiculous clichés actually work? This is definitely pure cringe.’
"Oh, goddess... please show mercy and guide me..." Urek dropped to his knees, staring upward with absolute devotion, completely oblivious to the surrounding tavern crowd.
What was the point of being shy?
What’s the point of being shy? It won’t feed you, man!
It’s better to be shameless and eat something, than to be shameful with a growling stomach.
"Okay... okay, fine! Just get up. You may visit the clan estate if you are truly that persistent. Just cease this dramatic display." She couldn’t believe her own reactions; a woman of her stature was being easily flustered by a stranger.
Then again... he is remarkably handsome.
"Thank you, goddess! Thank you!" Urek exclaimed, dramatically wiping his eyes.
"I am leaving!" she snapped, before slipping away like a ninja and completely vanishing from view.
’Oh man... those fake tear drops I sto--erm, I bought from the shop really came in handy.’ Urek stood back up, casually brushing the dust off his knees and tunic.
One thing was certain, though... that technique only yielded results if you were remarkably good-looking.
If you were ugly, don’t even think about attempting it.
There was no real need to keep that a secret, because let’s face it, it wasn’t a secret at all.
Ding!
[ You are truly a magnificent actor. You never fail to disappoint every single time you choose to make an absolute fool out of yourself. ]
’Yeah, yeah... now display the progress if there is any.’
Ding!
[ Wenya’s Affection has increased by +3! ]
[ Current Status: 3/100 - Stranger. ]
[ Host has accumulated +50 Clover Points! ]
[ Note: Big things come from small beginnings...if you want to remain big, then work hard.]
’Not bad... not bad at all...’ Urek nodded in approval at his gains, closing the interface before he could even process the system’s snarky footnote.
It was highly bad for a healthy brain to read such obscene advice; sometimes, one must simply choose to feign ignorance toward the world’s nonsense.
’Let’s get out of here. There’s nothing left to accomplish in this joint.’ Urek turned his head, scanning the lingering crowd before locking eyes with the loyal trio of extras.
He flashed them a bright, appreciative grin..a small token for the extra in his own story.
Life ought to be thoroughly enjoyed, after all.
....
Twilight was fast approaching as Urek ventured from place to place, attempting to scout out something novel.
Unfortunately, nothing noteworthy caught his eye.
Sure, there were countless mundane distractions available, but none were truly worthy of his precious time.
He was hunting for a very specific environment: the criminal underworld.
Thugs, syndicates, and the corrupt corporations operating entirely in the shadows...Urek desired to harvest as many character clones as possible, and the high-ranking figures of the underbelly were his absolute best candidates.
Furthermore, he needed to comprehend the inner dealings of the city before making a definitive move toward the inner circle of the hero’s clan.
’System, what are the realistic probabilities of me assassinating those high-tier syndicate bosses?’
Ding!
[ It is exceptionally low. You are not overpowered like the blessed protagonist, and your talent is utterly garbage. Do not expect to effortlessly one-flick your opponents here. ]
’Hmm... exactly as I anticipated. I just need to eliminate targets who are barely stronger than my current vessel, and that will gradually resolve my power deficiency.’
Urek took a seat, his eyes locking onto the brutal carnage unfolding within a localized fighting ring.
Relentless, deafening shouts echoed throughout his surroundings as a colossal behemoth of a fighter clashed violently with a deceptively normal-looking opponent.
Urek’s primary objective was to find an ideal proxy to play the antagonist role, and entering the underground fighting circuit was the most logical course of action.
This was the dark haven where criminals, fugitives, and notorious outlaws congregated.
A perfect playground for a true villain.
’System... you previously mentioned that I am personally incapable of learning high-level techniques, correct? What about the clones I create?’
[ Your clones are fully capable of learning independent skills, but it is strictly dependent on their specific innate talent. If the cloned vessel is structurally weak, the cognitive load required for talent digestion will fail catastrophically... forcing the clone to instantly disintegrate into dust. ]