After buying and donning the formal suit whose price I chose to ignore, I went down to the grand hall of the mansion to await my upcoming guests.
(I wonder what time they'll arrive...), I thought, sitting on a ridiculously large and luxurious sofa.
"Although I have to say, I still don't look very imposing..." I said to myself out loud.
Despite wearing this absurdly expensive suit (by my standards), I didn't look very menacing when I saw myself in the mirror.
Even when I adjusted the suit the way movie villains do, I didn't look imposing.
(In fact, I look like a drunk or a sloppy guy).
It's pretty obvious I'm missing something... especially on my face.
"This long hair doesn't help much either," I exclaimed while examining my long mane, a result of that metamorphosis, which reached down to my back.
(Although this hair feels quite nice to the touch, as if I had used a lot of hair care products).
Unfortunately, it doesn't help much for what I want.
(Maybe there's something in the Muta-gen aesthetic gacha).
[Banner launch! "Fashion of the New Conquerors," use tower credits to get a spin in the resource acquisition system and have a chance to win:
Aesthetic Muta-gen 'Elf Ears' (C)
Aesthetic Muta-gen 'Demon Horns' (B)
Aesthetic Muta-gen 'Rainbow Hair' (F)
Random Aesthetic Muta-gen (rarity 'F-' to 'B+')
1 spin: 1 credit 10 spins: 10 credits]
[During the "Fashion of the New Conquerors" banner, the base probability of obtaining the promotional aesthetic muta-gens is 0.0001%, with a promotional muta-gen guaranteed at 90 spins.]
(Amazingly, they do have guarantees here), I thought, astonished.
They probably don't have much impact in gameplay; besides, the muta-gens in this banner aren't anything special.
(There's the demon horns, but honestly, they're not to my taste).
I don't want to change my appearance too much beyond what I can do in real life.
"Well, let's see what I get."
-10-spin
The same tower I saw when I claimed the 'S' muta-gen appeared, but this time, the tower didn't light up in any colors other than white.
[You have obtained:
Muta-gen enhancement material x5 Blood extractor x3
Muta-gen refiner x2]
(Hmmm...)
[Muta-gen material (F): Material needed to craft muta-gens.]
[Blood extractor: Used to extract and store an individual's blood easily and safely.]
[Muta-gen Refiner (E+): Increases the stability of a muta-gen and has a small chance to enhance it.]
(I don't think I'll use these so early), I thought.
It's pretty obvious that the current meta of this game revolves around firearms; after all, it's a technology most Earthlings are familiar with.
In contrast, muta-gens are a relatively unexplored field and probably won't develop as quickly.
"I'll finish this quickly; those people should be arriving soon..."
-10 spins
[You have obtained...]
-10 spins
[You have obtained...]
-10 spins
[You have obtained...]
-10 spins
[You have obtained...]
-10 spins
[You have obtained...]
-10 spins
[You have obtained...]
-10 spins
[You have obtained...]
(I should get something good here...)
This time, the tower lit up in a purple color...
-10 spins
[You have obtained:
Muta-gen enhancement material x9
Mutagen eliminator
Demon Horns 'B']
[Congratulations on obtaining the aesthetic mutagen: 'Demon Horns' (B)!
Demon Horns (B): Spread terror with these fabulous demon horns, which are as hard as your own bones.
Special effect: Resurrection! The horns can regrow once broken.
Side effect: May cause temporary discomfort as they are new bones.
*Note: The hardness of the horns and the regrowth time depend on the user's stats.]
(Looks like I got the horns, huh...), I reflected as I previewed the horns.
"Dark-colored goat horns... I don't look imposing."
I closely examined my appearance and didn't look very imposing or powerful.
(I'll save them for later...), I thought as I stored the horns and continued with my spins.
-90 spins
This time, I didn't bother watching the cinematic and went straight to the results.
[You have obtained:
Mutagen enhancement material x7
Mutagen Refiner (B+) x1
Luminescent Dye (white) (F)
Eyes of the Tyrant Demon (B+)]
(Oh? Some eyes?), I thought, my interest piqued at this result.
[Congratulations on obtaining the aesthetic muta-gen: Eyes of the Tyrant Demon (B+)!
Eyes of the Tyrant Demon (B+): Intimidate your enemies with just a glance with these fabulous demon eyes, which come with two special effects!
Special Effect 'Tyrant's Gaze': This muta-gen is compatible with other muta-gens that grant special visions (Thermal Vision, X-Ray Vision, Temporal Vision), applying a beautiful crimson color when used.
Special Effect 'Fascination': Has a small chance to bring out the dark thoughts of individuals who are looked at.
Side Effect: Your vision might change slightly.
Side Effect: The color of your eyes may change (Depends on the individual's species).
*Note: This muta-gen adds new functionalities to your organism. If adaptation fails or is incomplete, it could severely injure the corresponding organ.]
(Wow! Now that's a muta-gen...), I was impressed not only with its effects but also with its appearance.
These pupils glow with a supernatural black light and, unlike human pupils, which are round, these had a slightly elongated vertical shape, different from reptilian pupils.
(That shape gives them an intimidating and mysterious look... I like it!)
Needless to say, the preview had me smitten.
"Let's do this," I said and immediately claimed the muta-gen from my inventory.
It was a syringe similar to the one I used for the S-rank muta-gen, but a bit smaller.
*Click
Without any hesitation, I injected the muta-gen into my body.
[Mother Muta-gen (Adaptive) (EX) has detected a new muta-gen in the body. Attempting to adapt... 0%]
*Itch!
The moment that message appeared, a slight itch began in my eyes.
[50%]
(It's annoying, but bearable), I thought as the itching in my eyes gradually increased, forcing me to close my eyes and even cover them with my hands.
[90%]
*Itch!!
"Damn, this is really annoying," I exclaimed as the itch turned into a burning sensation.
[99%]
"Almost there!"
[100%]
[Mother Muta-gen (EX) has successfully adapted "Eyes of the Tyrant Demon (B+)" to your organism. Success rate: 100%, no genetic errors detected.]
When that message appeared, the burning in my eyes vanished as if it had never existed.
"Let's see, the mirror..." I got up from the sofa and looked at myself in the nearest mirror.
My pupils, previously round like any normal human's, had changed to a slightly elongated shape with a strange yet intimidating look. Even the color of my eyes had changed to a dark crimson, a stark contrast to my brown eyes.
(Impressive, now I do look like a powerful villain...), I thought, very satisfied as I admired my imposing pupils.
The best part is they resemble fantasy contact lenses, like the ones cosplayers use, so technically I could have something similar in real life.
(Now that I think about it, didn't I get a hair dye too?), I recalled, thinking about the cosplayers.
[Luminescent Dye (white) (F): With this muta-gen, some parts of your hair will change color to a luminous white, which will glow spectacularly even in the darkness.]
(Seems like a nice complement to my current look), I reflected.
Since I've made changes to my eyes, why not my hair too?
*Click
[Mother Muta-gen (Adaptive) (EX) has detected a new muta-gen in the body. Attempting to adapt... 0%]
I didn't feel any particular change in my body, honestly.
[99%]
In an instant, the counter flew to 99%, and I could notice some parts of my hair changing color.
[Mother Mutagen (EX): has successfully adapted "Luminescent Dye (white) (F)" to your organism. Success rate: 100%, no genetic errors detected.]
(Already? That was fast), I thought as I looked at myself in the mirror.
While most of my hair remained dark, I noticed some strands of white that curiously seemed to glow.
(It's like my hair has RGB lights, haha.)
Although I'm not a big fan of long hair, I have to admit it looked pretty cool with this style.
[You have a private message!
Sender: Luke - Species: Human - Race: Earthling]
[Luke:
Luke: "Hey, buddy, we're all gathered at the entrance."
Silent Shadow (You): "Got it."]
(Looks like they finally arrived.)
Alright, everything's set: appearance, everything looks organized... there's always some drinks at these gatherings, right?
[Super tasty exclusive wine...]
(I don't want to see the price.)
Regardless of the price, I bought it.
[A group of individuals is requesting permission to enter your property:
Highest individual's assessment: F
Number of individuals: 5
Do you want to grant permission?]
"Accept"
--
-After a few minutes.
*Knock, *knock.
Finally, they were at my door.
(Alright, you know, imposing yet elegant...), I said to myself before opening.
*Opening the door.
"Welcome to my humble abode," I said with a smooth voice and a wicked smile.
And what my eyes beheld was...
A group of five people, three men (including Luke) and two women, all in attire from the store.
(That woman... she's wearing that evening gown), I thought amazed, but I didn't let the amazement show on my face.
Even the other woman had on a doctor's coat...
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Curiously, my attempt to appear imposing worked, as no one moved and they all looked at me in astonishment.
-A bad boy, huh... let's see how bad you are...
(Huh?)
In that instant, I thought I heard a female voice in my head...