Harem Tournament of Champions

'HTC, could you cut the crap and make this less difficult for me.'

[You would still need to choose what you need, host. That's the rule]

'Set by who?!' Hisha snaps, slightly irritated he would need to repeat his actions.

A part of him wondered if it was natural to keep having a push and pull with his system.

[Would you like to request, host?]

Hisha looks out the window, letting out a sigh at the full moon illuminating his room.

'Without doing this now, there's no way I can achieve this, ever!'

Hisha crouched on the floor, thinking of the fact that he needed to swallow his pride and bend to the request.

'HTC, what's the highest time limit purchase that could be used?'

[... Loading...]

Beep!

[What item, host?]

'Goddamnit!' Hisha cursed in his thoughts and facepalms at his trick question still not working.

[Nice try, host]

A flash of a devilish smirking emoji was shown on the screen.

Clapping his hands in acceptance of the defeat, he nods his head to reply.

'A disguise mask... you stupid system!' He hisses with a smirk at the change of emoji to a frown.

[...]

'Don't you dare look pissed, isn't this meant to be a normal language when the victim is guilty?'

[I have no words for you, host]

'Sure, but do answer my question. I do have confidence that you will remember what I asked this time, right?'

[The highest time limit for purchase would be 48 hours for a disguise mask]

Hisha rubs his chin at the thought of that being to his benefit. 'Two days...'

Ding!

[Disguise mask available]

[Cost of purchase: 24000 points]

[Time limit: 48 hours before it wears off]

'I would like to purchase a 48 hour time limit.'

[Disguise mask purchased]

[Accumulated points: 242000]

'Perfect!' Hisha cackles in his thoughts.

As expected, a black mask dropped on his palm.

Unlike the last time he had been heavily critical, he knew what he needed to do and placed it on his face.

The open half covered up his face by the branching part of itself to the right.

He felt a surge of Sux course through him. 'Another adventure with lots of unpredictability!'

Walking over to the mirror to get a glimpse at the slit-eyed mask, he laughed at the fact that anyone who didn't know him personally would mistake him for someone else.

In front of him was the holographic timer flashing in his face with its countdown.

[48:59:05]

[How about Kritz... would you encounter him once more? Would you be on the run again?]

Hisha shook his head with a proud smirk on his lips beneath the mask. "He would definitely know what's going on, although not where I am going, but he would have an idea of what I plan on doing since I chose to mask myself.'

[If you say so, host]

Placing his hand on the sill, he cast a gaze down at the long distance from where he was and to the creeping vines on his wall.

"I don't wish to be seen by those two annoying guards stationed below." Hisha voices out his disdain for a repeat of that incident.

[Ferad is the chief guard and Ron, host?]

Hisha rolls his eyes, shaking his head, 'I didn't ask for that information.'

[I know, host. It is fun to mess with you]

'Typical of a desire system. You desire to torment me, huh?'

[If you don't slip and fall, then yes there won't be a repeat]

Hisha nodded his head, but before he could make use of the vines to slide down, he had a question that he had been curious about.

'Can I use my ability while being alone?'

[Sure you can, as long as you aren't within eye range of another individual]

"Great!" Hisha exclaims out loud with a mischievous grin.

'HTC, the gender I can be seen as, please tell me it's just males.' He looks longingly at his interface, hoping to get a favorable response.

[Negatory]

The shock from the revelation had him push back in shock and fear, 'hell no!'

Cold sweat trails across his forehead upon realizing that he had been lucky to be seen as a male while exploring Straton.

'What if I was seen as male and some hot chick they knew? I would have been hit on by horny dogs?'

Hisha cringes and shrugs off the horrid thought from his mind.

[You should have met Mich, he would have been delighted to see you]

Hisha's brows furrowed at the thought and made a strangling gesture as though he could do so on HTC.

'Is there a way to ensure I maintain being seen as a male that's recognizable?'

[There is only one way...]

Hisha's lips drew into a thin line, almost certain he could guess what it was–his precious points.

'How many will be ripped off my balance?'

[100000 will be deducted for the 48 hours time limit]

'Ha! Yup my points surprisingly go into shit that I create for myself.' He bickers, disturbed by the news but also understanding that it is to his benefit in the end.

[It can be turned off if you wish to use whatever gender you might appear as to your advantage. It might be useful to use the feminine charms that could get the target]

Hisha cocks a brow at the suggestion, giving it a thought, he chooses to go with being male. He could deactivate it, so that was a bonus he hoped he would never make use of.

'I give my consent.' He finalizes with a nod.

[Gross! That sounds off point, host]

Tired of his system's antics, Hisha chastises. 'HTC anymore trash out of you, I'll render you useless!'

Ding!

[Male reconfiguration purchased]

[Accumulated points: 232000]

Beep!

[Disguise mask: Online]

[Reconfiguration: Online]

[Time: 48:47:02]

Hisha let out a sigh of relief, 'you could have warned me before I encountered some uncomfortable situation, HTC!'

[You wouldn't want a bit of fun, host?]

Refusing to respond to its words, Hisha opens a portal leading to Radomir.

[Are you trying to ignite chaos?]

'The very thing that I crave, and possible destruction, murder would be nice.'

[Grut has influenced you to love violence]

HTC put up a sighing emoji, wishing its host could return to being lustful.

'I need that information before she decides to strike or more people get missing, HTC. I have to do this.'

Getting close to the portal, Hisha looks back one last time before giving a nod and walking in.

*****

Radomir–Vampire territory,

Built on the top of a mountain, the castle–the central focus of Radomir is home to vampires led by Vanas.

At first glance, it seems to be a grand castle, but upon closer inspection, there are signs of neglect in the outer walls.

The castle is built around the perimeter of the mountain, making the structure seem as though it was carved out of the rock itself.

The grand castle seemed to give off an aura of power and wealth, radiating through every nook and corner. The entrance gate stands wide open welcoming anyone who wishes to enter.

A few guards stand guard outside; their eyes scanning everyone entering. They wear heavy armor and carry swords over-their shoulders. Their faces were hidden behind dark masks and their red eyes glowed which gave them a menacing look.

A pair of armored knights stood beside each other, their fangs and claws barred and more pronounced ready to ward off any attack coming towards them.

They donned black cloaks tied together with red ribbons. On either side hung two large axes hanging down from leather belts across their backs. Each knight had a short hair cut cleanly above the ears while one sported a long mustache running along his jawlines. Both wore full-face helmets covered entirely except for eye slits where they looked straight ahead without blinking.

Hisha walks up to the gate, wondering why his portal had taken him to the front gates leading to the territory.

[The same principle that guides you from being attacked by any who might have a teleportation ability is the very one that prevents you from jumping into their fortress without either the tribal chief being there or uninvited]

Hisha cringes at the thought of this being a bane to his plans. Letting out a sigh, he nods his head to accept this as his defense.

'Since I am using the disguise mask, I assume I can't teleport unannounced and I might soon lose my buff.'

[That is correct]

Sigh!

A chill ran down his spine the moment he looked up at the knights who had cast a glare his way.

Gulp!