[Heheheheh,] Nexus laughed, refusing to quiet down.
"You... What's with this Protagonist Enmity?" Jake sighed, moving on. He then asked about the second Achievement.
[Tch, changing the topic but... well, you know the role of the Protagonist, right?]
"Hmm, the typical scenario: the world's in danger, and someone comes to save it, and that some one is protagonist" Jake nodded and replied.
[Yes the same is here]
"So there is a Protagonist out there and somehow he will be my Enemy but why?" Jake asked not knowing why the Protagonist will target him.
[Usual stuff again, As a Protagonist he will like to acquire all attention but it won't be possible with you here]
"Hmm, well, with the Cube, I am indeed better than some protagonist created by this world, but why am I not the protagonist?" Jake nodded in understanding and then asked, puzzled.
[Your existence here is due to the Cube. In actuality, your parents' child would have been born many years later, as the stronger one is, the harder for them to have an offspring. But Cube's intervention created a big brother of the future child. Even your parents were astonished when your mother became pregnant in just one shot- you know what I mean.]
"So basically I was never meant to exist, it's all due to Cube" Jake said ignoring Nexus last remark.
[Yes, The cube needed a world suitable for your growth and he found Celestria, then he searched for a family suitable for you and he found a Hidden Boss couple living at an remote village]
"Hmm, I see. Now, with my existence here, all the supposed limelight of the protagonist will be drawn to me, and this will cause enmity between me and him. What a hot-headed attention seeking protagonist," Jake mumbled and sighed.
[Well, what can we do? Most protagonists think of themselves as the chosen one. They think they own the world.]
"Tch, well, whatever. If he doesn't come my way, then it's better. But if he tries to, then this world will lose his protagonist," Jake murmured in a calm voice, he promised to live this second life to fullest, a joker can't come in his way of life or he will be killed.
[Good mindset you have, 'Mercy to enemy is cruelty to self'] Nexus approved of Jake methods.
As Jake contemplated the complexities of his situation, the inviting aroma of his mother's cooking wafted through the air. A gentle knock on his door followed, and his mom's warm voice called out, "Jake, lunch is ready!"
Putting aside his thoughts for the moment, Jake replied, "I'll be right there, Mom." He took one last glance at the mysterious achievements on his system interface before heading to join his family for a meal that was enough to cause Royalties drool.
Jake came to Dinning table and saw his father already sitting there, " Come Jake have a seat"
His father warmly told him to sit near him.
Jake nodded and sit to the chair near his father right side.
"How do you feel?" Reynold asked
"My strength and sense have increased a lot other than that nothing unusual" jake replied
"Good, those are common symptoms don't worry about it" Reynold replied assuring him that these changes are good for him.
"Now pass me your hand and let me see your Core current grades" Reynold then ask him for his right hand.
Jake nodded and passed his right hand to Reynold not before using Falsify to change his Origin Core to an Simple Core.
his father grabbed his hand and then use his mental perception to check Jake core grade and "WHAT!!!" He loudly exclimed.
The sudden shout scared Sera who came running to Dinning table " What Happened? Why did you yelled earlier?" She asked worriedly looking at Reynold and Jake.
"Check his cores" Reynold calmed down and instructed Sera.
Sera frowned but then suddenly grabbed Jake in to hugs fearing there is something wrong with Jake's core, She hurriedly used her mental perception to check Jake core and " No wonder you yelled earlier, It's Dual Core, a rare situation that only occurs one in Billion people" She exclaimed while still hugging Jake.
"Shh, we can't let others know" Reynold hushed her and told her to talk quietly.
"I know, Listen Jake never tell anyone about your cores to anyone, if someone ask about it just tell them you also awakened only one core" Sera nodded and then told Jake, looking directly in his eyes.
"Okay Mommy" Jake smiled and nodded.
"Good Boy" Sera ruffles Jake hair as she praised him, She then placed him back to his seat and went to fetch their lunch.
"Wait let me help" Reynold said going after Sera.
'Acting like kid sure is hard' Jake mentally said.
[But I have to say, you make such smiley face in front of other ladies they might out right kidnap you]
'haah, being handsome is Sin' Jake sighed and thought
[Narcissistic]
"His other core is definitely White Heart core" Reynold commented a s he reached Kichen.
"I know, and this leads to some problems" Sera nodded worryingly and replied.
"They will know or they might have already known about it" Reynold said grimly.
"Go get the artifact to conceal his Heart Core, it's still not too late" Sera remarked and Reynold vanished, showing he used abilities akin to Teleportation.
Reynold then reappeared in a bustling city, he was still wearing his villager outfit causing passerby to look at him with contempt.
Reynold din't mind the gazes and went to a building which look like a Market place, the guards at the entrance stopped Reynold seeing his attire.
"Halt, this is not a place for a country bumpkin like you" One of the Guard said.
Reynold didn't said anything and released a pressure that caused the guards to drop on their knees.
"w-we are sorry Sir, we don't know about you" One of the guards said while sweating heavily.
A manager came out running sensing the pressure, "Sir please forgive them, it's your attire that caused misunderstanding, please follow me". He said calmly but the sweat on his temple gave away his calmness.
"hmm" Reynold nodded and gestured the manager to lead him.
The Manager then lead him inside the shop and Reynold bought a concealment ring of Legendary grade and reappeared inside the kitchen.
"I got it" Reynold showed the ring to Sera and said.
"Hmm let me see" Sera took the ring and then modified it with some of her witchcraft.
"Now it's perfect" Sera remarked after tinkering with the ring.
"We will give it to him saying it's a gift" Reynold remarked, proposing a excuse.
"Hmm, let's do that" Sera nodded to Reynold plan.
After that they grabbed the food and took it to dinning table.
"Here it is horned rabbit meat your favorite" Sera said as she poured some meat into Jake plate.
"You are the best Mom" Jake said
"What about me? I was the one who hunted them" Reynold asked.
"Of course Dad you are also the Best" Jake replied.
Rey and Sera smiled seeing Jake happily eating the meal.
'The f*ck Dragon meat, I have yet to see one yet I am already eating one' Jake mentally exclaimed as an Achievement unlocked the moment he took a first bite of the meal.
[Achievement unlocked : Dragon Cuisine
Reward : +5% extra damage to Dragon type enemies]
Jake then used eyes of Akashic on the meal while happily eating his meal.
[ Item : Dragon Meat Steak
effects : Body Strengthening and Cleansing
Description : Made from Lord class Dragon meat, carefully processed to let even a unawakened safely consume it ]
'A lord class dragon' Jake got another shock as Power level of this world is....
-Novice Awakened -the stage of Core Refining
-Ranker Awakened : E-D-C-B-A-S-SS-SSS-Ex grade
-Title Awakened : Knight-Lord-noble-Baron-Viscount-Count-Earl-Marquess-Duke-Grand Duke-Archduke-Royal-Prince-King-Imperial-Emperor and lastly Monarch
Jake then also examined the other dishes and...
[Cream of Phoenix egg]
[Bread of Crystal Wheat(Legendary grade herb]
[Water of Liferspring]
[Sauce of serendipity (made up of various legendary and unique grade ingredients)]
[Perks of Hidden Boss level Parents]
Jake nodded to Nexus comment and resumed his meal, his Mom has processed all ingredients so that they will slowly release their energies and effects into Jake body.
"Jake be sure to wake up early tomorrow, I will teach you about weapons and your Mom at evening will teach you about runes" Reynold said to Jake in middle of meal.
"Okay dad, but which weapon you will teach me?" Jake nodded and asked.
"I will teach you basics of all the weapons and then we will see which suits you better" Reynold replied.
"Also take this, it's a gift from us to you" Sera said as she passed him the concealment ring.
"What's this ring Mom?" Jake asked while also using Eyes of Akashic on it.
[Name : Core Concealment Ring
Rank : Legendary
Description : Conceal Heart core of the wielder, +100 INT, +100 WIS ]
"Its' something we found in one of our adventures but never find it's use, So we decided to give it to you hoping it will be of some use to you" Reynold said.
"Hmm," Jake nodded and wear the ring and showed his parents " Look Mom and Dad how it's look on me?"
"Like a little prince" Sera said hugging Jake.
"okay okay leave the poor kid, let him have his meal" Reynold said seeing his wife is not leaving Jake.
"humph not my fault, he is super cute than most princes" Sera said poutingly but the happiness is oozing out of her.
Jake didn't mind it a bit and kept devouring his meal, most of the villagers pinch his cheeks and then smiles happily like his cheeks are some kind of stress releaseing toy.
After finishing his meal Jake returns to his room.