Chen sat on a plush, velvet-covered divan in a guest suite that was far too large for one person. It was decorated in what he called "Vampire Chic"—lots of deep reds, gold leaf, and mirrors that were conveniently placed so Sanguine Lords could check if their fangs were straight.
A knock at the door preceded Kael, who looked like he had spent the last hour aggressively rubbing his temples. He dropped a stack of heavy, blood-red parchment on the coffee table.
"Your terms of employment," Kael said, his voice flat.
Chen snapped his Gilded Folding Fan open and began to read. "Section one: The Employee shall be known as the 'Chief Amusement Assistant' to Marquis Malphas. Section two: Compensation includes three meals a day, non-expired dairy upon request, and the right to keep your soul for as long as you remain funny."
"It's better than being a donor," Kael muttered.
"Chief Amusement Assistant," Chen mused, his violet eyes twinkling. "Does this come with a health plan? Or at least a dental discount? I feel like being around the Marquis is hard on the teeth."
[System Notification: Career Path Locked!]
[Class: 'Sovereign Jester' (Provisional)]
[Current Mission: The Nobles' Debut]
[Objective: Accompany the Marquis to the 'Council of the Crimson Moon' and survive without being eaten, bought, or accidentally assassinated.]
"System," Chen thought, leaning back into the cushions. "How much XP do I get for being a high-end mascot?"
[Answer: This is a Social Survival Scenario. Successfully navigating the meeting will grant +1,500 Coins and the 'Poker Face' Passive Skill (Silver Rank).]
"Fifteen hundred coins? I could buy a legendary-grade sandwich for that," Chen whispered. He looked up at Kael. "So, Officer, what's the first task? Do I have to juggle? I'm quite good with oranges, though they're hard to find these days."
"No juggling," Kael snapped. "The Marquis is hosting a meeting tonight with the other regional lords. He wants to show off his 'Lucky Variable.' You are to stand behind him, look stupid, and react to things in a way that makes the other Nobles feel... uncomfortable."
"Uncomfortable is my specialty," Chen chirped.
Two Sanguine maids entered, carrying a garment bag. When they unzipped it, Chen winced. It was a suit made of deep purple silk with silver embroidery that mirrored the pattern on his fan. It was elegant, expensive, and screamed, 'I am a very important pet.'
"If Gary saw me in this, he'd never let me hear the end of it," Chen sighed, stepping into the outfit.
As he dressed, his Martial Awareness stayed active. He noticed the maids moved with Level 12 speed. Even the servants here were Silver-rank. He was a Bronze minnow in a pool of Platinum sharks.
[Notice: 'Mirror of the Sovereign' Fragment Reacting.]
[Effect: Your 'Bronze' aura is now being projected as 'Unstable Energy'. To a high-level observer, you look like a ticking time bomb disguised as a moron.]
"Perfect," Chen grinned. "A ticking time bomb with a folding fan. The best kind of party guest."
The meeting hall was a cathedral of obsidian. Long tables of dark wood were occupied by the Sanguine Elite, their skin glowing like marble under the flickering candlelight. These were the rulers of the neighboring domains—Lords and Ladies who had survived the ten-year apocalypse by being the cruelest things in it.
Marquis Malphas sat at the head of the table, his fingers steepled. When Chen walked in behind him, the room went silent. The sound of Chen's sneakers squeaking on the polished floor was like a physical blow to the dignified atmosphere.
Squeak. Squeak. Squeak.
Chen stopped behind the Marquis's chair, took a deep breath, and accidentally let out a very loud, very poorly timed yawn.
A Lady to the left, whose neck was adorned with a necklace of pulsating rubies, narrowed her eyes. "Malphas... is this the creature Kael found? The one who killed your hounds with... fruit juice?"
The Marquis didn't look back. He took a sip of his crimson wine. "This is Chen. My new Amusement Assistant. He is a variable. A Bronze-level anomaly who seems to have broken the logic of the Pit."
"He looks like a snack," a scarred Lord growled, his hand twitching toward a silver fork.
Chen snapped his fan open, the clack echoing through the hall. "I'm a very high-carb snack, Mister Scar-face. Terrible for the blood pressure. Lots of salt."
The air in the room dropped ten degrees. Kael, standing by the door, looked like he was praying for a quick death. But Marquis Malphas just chuckled, a dark, rich sound.
"As I said," Malphas whispered, "Amusing."
[Sub-Scenario: 'The Lion's Den' — Commenced.]
[Survival Timer: 02:00:00]
Chen stood tall, his violet eyes scanning the room. He saw the power levels—Level 30, Level 42, Level 48. He was surrounded. But beneath his purple silk, his muscles were coiled like a spring.
Alright, System, Chen thought. Let's see if we can get through this without revealing that the 'Lucky Variable' is actually the one who wrote the script