Chapter 4: The Overseer's Lesson
Adam's confidence grew with every passing moment. His newfound strength and cultivation progress made him feel alive in a way he never had before. The system was a gift—a dangerous, chaotic gift—and he intended to use it to its fullest.
As he leaned against the wall of the slave quarters, his sharp mind already planning his next move, the sound of heavy boots stomping toward the door interrupted his thoughts.
The overseer burst in, his face still flushed with anger from the earlier incident in the courtyard. His whip hung loosely in his hand, and his eyes scanned the room like a predator searching for prey.
"Which one of you worthless rats thought it was funny to embarrass me earlier?" he growled, his voice laced with venom.
The slaves cowered, avoiding his gaze. None dared speak, but Adam could feel the overseer's fury settling squarely on him.
"You!" The overseer pointed his whip at Adam. "Get over here, you useless dog!"
Adam stood slowly, his expression calm. The other slaves stared in horror, their fear for him palpable. But Adam's mind was already racing. This wasn't his first time dealing with bullies, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.
As he stepped forward, the system chimed in.
A small smirk played on Adam's lips. "You're making this too easy," he muttered under his breath.
The overseer sneered at him, mistaking Adam's calm demeanor for submission. "Think you're clever, don't you? Let's see how clever you are after twenty lashes."
He raised his whip, but before it could descend, Adam spoke, his voice steady and loud enough to command attention.
"Overseer, forgive me, but isn't there mud on your face?"
The man froze mid-swing, his brows furrowing. "What are you talking about, slave?"
Adam gestured innocently. "Right there, on your cheek. I think one of the pigs in the courtyard got to you earlier."
A ripple of suppressed laughter spread through the room, quickly stifled as the overseer turned his glare on the other slaves.
"You think this is funny?!" he roared.
Adam took a step back, feigning fear. "No, no, of course not, sir. It's just... it's spreading."
The overseer's hand shot to his face, wiping furiously at his cheek. There was, of course, nothing there, but Adam's tone had been so convincing that doubt began to creep into the man's mind.
"Enough!" the overseer snapped, though his voice carried a hint of uncertainty. He turned back to Adam, his whip raised again.
But Adam wasn't done.
"Wait!" Adam exclaimed, his voice desperate. "Don't punish me here, sir. It'll stink up the room. After all, that smell from earlier in the courtyard... it's on your boots now."
The overseer's face twisted in confusion, and he glanced down at his feet. The faint scent of fish oil still lingered, enough to confirm Adam's words. His expression shifted from fury to disgust as he instinctively stepped back.
Adam seized the moment. "I can help you clean them, sir," he offered, his voice full of false earnestness. "But only if you're willing to spare me."
The overseer hesitated, his pride warring with his desire to rid himself of the imagined filth. Finally, he barked, "Fine! Clean them now, or you'll regret it!"
Adam knelt, pretending to examine the boots. With his back turned, he reached into his pocket, where he had stashed a handful of sticky rice paste from the kitchen earlier. Carefully, he smeared it along the soles of the overseer's boots.
"All done, sir," Adam said, standing and stepping aside.
The overseer took a step forward—and immediately found himself glued to the floor.
"What the—?" He tugged his feet, but the paste held firm, sticking him in place. His attempts to move only made him look more ridiculous, his face turning beet red as the slaves around him failed to contain their laughter any longer.
"Who did this?!" he bellowed, his voice cracking with rage.
Adam stepped back into the crowd, blending in with the other slaves, his expression a mask of innocence.
Reward: [Bronze Prankster Token]
Adam felt the token materialize in his mind, its description immediately appearing.
[Bronze Prankster Token]
Grants a one-time bonus to any prank, increasing its effectiveness or reward.
The overseer continued to struggle, cursing and shouting as the laughter grew louder. Adam slipped away unnoticed, his heart pounding with exhilaration.
Back in the quiet of the slave quarters, he inspected the token, a sense of satisfaction washing over him.
"This is only the beginning," he murmured to himself. "The bigger they are, the harder they fall."
And the overseer was just the first of many.
End of Chapter 4