"Just what the hell are you doing?"
Hearing his gramp's shout, the Redhart heir's eyes lit up like a desperate gambler spotting a last-ditch bet. He pointed at Cassandra, his voice shrill with accusation.
"Gramps, please deal with her! She threatened our fam—Urgh!"
A loud slapping sound cracked through the air like a whip.
The old man's palm struck his grandson's cheek with enough force to snap his head sideways, leaving angry red marks blooming across his skin.
The entire street froze.
Even the air itself seemed to pause, as if the world had collectively blinked in disbelief.
I barely suppressed a whistle. The old man didn't hold back at all. His grandson stumbled, clutching his face, his expression a mix of shock and betrayal.
"Why are you always…!" the patriarch roared, his voice trembling with fury. "Always putting dirt on our family's name! Can't you act with even a shred of dignity?!"
Then, in a sharp pivot, the old man turned to Cassandra and bowed—just slightly, but enough to convey deference. His voice smoothed into something almost diplomatic.
"My lady, please forgive this idiot. He's still young and foolish, reckless in his actions. I assure you, he will be disciplined."
Cassandra didn't react immediately. She just stared at him, her gaze cool and assessing. Then, in that same calm, razor-edged tone, she asked:
The old man blinked. "Eh? H-He's twenty."
"Twenty," Cassandra repeated, her voice dripping with disdain. "And you call him young? Though I agree—he is foolish. But tell me, Lord Redhart…" She tilted her head slightly. "Aren't you the ones who raised him this way?"
The old man stiffened for a fraction of a second before bowing again, deeper this time. "Yes, yes… You're right. We are at fault, but don't worry, I will correct this failure."
Damn, he's ruthless, but also smart.
I smirked to myself. This old man wasn't some simple brute. He knew when to fold, when to play the humble elder. He was probably acting—putting on a show of contrition for the crowd. But his grandson?
The heir's face twisted, his fists trembling. His eyes burned with pure, unfiltered rage—all of it directed at Cassandra.
Oh, this idiot's about to make things worse.
Sure enough, he exploded.
"How dare you disrespect my fam—!"
Another brutal strike. The heir reeled, his eyes wide, his mouth hanging open in sheer disbelief. He touched his cheek, as if unable to comprehend that he'd been hit again.
"Why…?" he muttered, voice shaking. "Aren't you the one who told me to—!"
"Yes, but I didn't tell you to drag our name through the mud!" the old man thundered. "We will speak about this at home."
I almost felt bad for the guy. Again almost.
But it was obvious—the old man wasn't actually this furious. He was just doing damage control. No way he'd praise his grandson after this disaster, right? Still, the performance was convincing enough to sell it.
With that settled, the patriarch turned to Vivienne's family, his tone shifting to something almost… apologetic?
He quickly apologized to them as well.
"The debt is repaid. Consider this matter closed, and once again my deepest apologies for the trouble my grandson has caused."
Then his gaze slid to Thaddeus, and his voice turned icy. "And you—do not lead my grandson astray again."
Thaddeus paled, nodding like a scolded child.
Finally, the old man faced Cassandra, his expression softening into something resembling respect. "Young lady, the matter is resolved. There's no need to trouble yourself further."
Cassandra studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. I appreciate your intervention." Then, under her breath but loud enough for those nearby to hear, she muttered:
"It must be hard to have such a foolish… Well, I understand. I, too, know someone like that."
Oh, Thaddeus guy is really unlucky.
The old man's lips twitched—almost a smile—before he bowed once more and dragged his seething grandson away, the black-cloaked men trailing behind like shadows.
With the main players gone, Cassandra turned to the lingering crowd, her voice laced with dry amusement.
"The show's over. You may leave now—unless you'd like to pay us for such a grand performance?"
The crowd scrambled, dispersing in seconds.
I lingered just a moment longer, my eyes sweeping over the remaining cast—Vivienne, her parents, Aeron, Lenora, Emilia, Livia and of course, Cassandra herself - the main character of the show.
But an entertaining one. Yeah, I am not lying or being influenced. It's better to see someone sensible and logical than some dumb show.
With a satisfied smirk, I turned and walked away, the familiar voice echoing in my mind like a game notification:
[You have completed the scenario "The Debt-Stricken Noble's Tragic Engagement".]
Heh. Mission accomplished.
[Scenario Completed: "The Debt-Stricken Noble's Tragic Engagement"]
You manipulated the strings from the shadows, orchestrating a confrontation without ever stepping into the light. By leveraging information, timing, and the right players, you dismantled a carefully constructed trap—proving that the most powerful moves are often the ones no one sees coming.
Oh, the system's prasies are getting out of hand. I didn't do that much.
[Title Earned: "Shadowplay Architect"]
You don't act—you arrange. Like a playwright scripting chaos, you nudge events into place with precision, letting others believe they hold the reins. The truth? You designed the stage long before they stepped onto it.
- "The best schemes are the ones no one notices until it's too late."
Come on, you are overpraising me. It was Miss Cassandra who did all the job anyway.
[Achievement Unlocked: "Checkmate Without a Board"]
You shattered a "predestined" tragedy by refusing to play your assigned role. Vivienne's surrender, Thaddeus's victory, the Redhart heir's arrogance—all were threads in a tapestry you unraveled with a single, calculated pull.
- "The most dangerous pieces on the board are the ones no one remembers to watch."
I chuckled, shaking my head.
I'm bashful, but you're raising my ego , you know? So stop it.
Almost as if responding to my words, another window materialized.
[Reward Unlocked: "Background Character's Aura"]
The art of being unseen isn't about invisibility—it's about being unremarkable. This passive ability subtly lowers your presence, making you blend into crowds, fade from attention, and slip from memory. Perfect for those who prefer to work behind the scenes.
- "Shadows don't hide you—people's inattention does."
Now this was fitting.
An ability that enhanced my natural background character energy?
Exactly what I needed. No awkward explanations for why I was lingering around important events. No second glances from overly perceptive nobles. Just smooth, effortless obscurity.
Even the name tells everything.
But it seems like the system wasn't done yet.
[Bonus Reward: "Clearflow Pill"]
A rare alchemical concoction that purifies the body, flushing out impurities and minor toxins. While not a miracle cure, it enhances physical resilience and slightly refines one's innate potential. Best taken with water—unless you enjoy the taste of bitter regret.
A cultivation-type pill, huh? Is there eastern fantasy too? I hope not since I don't wanna deal with son of lucks or third rate villains I dislike the most.
But the pill is definitely not bad. Not world-shaking, but definitely useful. A perfect reward for someone like me in fact.
I rolled the small, jade-green pill between my fingers before tucking it away for later.
As I turned to leave, satisfied with the outcome, a voice cut through the air behind me.
I didn't need to look to know who it was. I am not that red haired guy.
But I eventually turned around, to see Miss Cassandra her arms crossed and her sharp gaze locked onto me.
"You orchestrated the whole thing," she said, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "Yet you are leaving just like that?"
Guess my "Background Character's Aura" isn't foolproof against her.