The big day has finally come.

  Hajime, Chun Bu, and his harem are summoned to the party—

  a premium event reserved for donors and clout-chasing talent to buy influence from each other.

  It’s as God has commanded (quite literally).

  Hajime enters the main ballroom and sees statues of a censored mess, with Elnora grasping hands.

  Hajime: “She really cannot keep her bias in check.”

  Chun Bu: “What a pretty elf girl! She would be the FMC in a novel!”

  Hajime looks at him.

  Hajime: “Is she your type?”

  Chun Bu: “No, no, don’t misunderstand! It’s about the aesthetics!”

  Hajime: “By the way, how does your heroine look?”

  Chun Bu: “Golden hair, striking features that make the strongest of men fall to their knees, and kindness beyond the Tao.”

  Hajime: “Are you sure that kind of woman exists?”

  Chun Bu: “…Of course she does…”

  He looks left and right, paranoid.

  Hajime: “What’s wrong?”

  Chun Bu: “I’m looking for Xian Xu. My ex…”

  Hajime: “True name or made-up name?”

  Chun Bu: “True name… after what you said, I gave priority memory storage for her.”

  Hajime nods in understanding.

  He takes a seat in the corner, dressed in an attire that would make Diogenes proud.

  A screen appears.

  Deus: “What are you doing? Why aren’t you mingling, Prop?”

  Hajime: “Scouting the competition. Shut up and let me work.”

  Deus: “A pretty novel idea you have there, hero… just remember, I’ll be watching.”

  The screen vanishes.

  Hajime continues sitting in the corner like a true anti-social.

  Chun Bu: “Friend… you look like death. Do you hate parties?”

  Hajime: “No… I just hate these parties.”

  Chun Bu spots his target and stands.

  Chun Bu: “I’ll be going now. Wish me luck.”

  Hajime: “Good luck, and may the NTR Gods bless you.”

  Chun Bu: “…Yeah, f*ck you too.”

  He leaves smiling at the exchange.

  Valiant: “You truly are ingenious. The smell of poverty makes it almost impossible for the clout-chasers to contact you.”

  Caladblock: “It’s a tragedy his features must be concealed, but it’s the best solution we could think of.”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Whalescalibur: “I hate it very much… dress properly, Hero!”

  Hajime is satisfied—everything is going according to plan. He observes the party.

  High-society members share ads for their companies like business cards.

  Some laugh and cheer for five full minutes.

  Others stare, locked in for the long haul.

  They look like they’ll be glued to an ad for hours on end.

  Is that what an ad-aholic looks like? It’s horrible.

  A haughty noblewoman approaches.

  Woman: “There you are, peasant. This time more destitute, I see?”

  Hajime raises an eyebrow.

  Hajime: “I’ve already clarified it, Duchess— I’m no peasant. I’m a petty bourgeois.”

  Woman: “I am Lucretiad, Duchess of the Magicad Empire. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

  She hands him a condensed 30-minute ad full of empire propaganda.

  Hajime: “I’m Hajime.”

  He does not reciprocate.

  After waiting ten long minutes, she becomes distressed.

  Lucretiad: “Is something wrong with you? Do you need help with advertisements? Here—take a few!”

  Hajime: “Don’t waste your advertisements, child. I am cursed. All ads die when they contact me.”

  Caladblock: “You’re lying through your teeth, hon.”

  Valiant: “What’s your game with her, Hajime?”

  Hajime thinks: Hush. I’m working.

  Lucretiad: “Then that’s why you look the way you do! Can I help you with something?”

  Hajime smiles.

  Hajime: “You can indeed. Please spread the word, subtly, that I am a boring investment. Don’t even try to talk to me.”

  Lucretiad: “That’s too much… you need help!”

  Hajime: “No girl… you need help. You’re the villainess from overseas, right?”

  Lucretiad: “Yeah, that’s my character arc—but this is real!!!”

  Hajime: “To win, you must do this. The hero will appreciate the dedication. Would you do it for a fan?”

  Lucretiad (mumbling): “A fan request… I can do it… but—”

  Hajime: “Hush, child. This is my wish.”

  She clutches her fist, determined.

  Lucretiad: “I’ll do it, Hajime-san. Please… don’t push yourself.”

  She leaves with a tragic expression.

  Valiant: “That was devious, Hajime. Tricking an honest girl to do your dirty work. SUCH a naughty boy.”

  Caladblock: “That was masterfully done!”

  Whalescalibur: “Poor innocent soul… I’ll subscribe to you, girl. Don’t be tricked by his handsome face!!!”

  Just like that, Hajime becomes even more isolated from the room.

  A beautiful success!

  A few gray hairs even regain their original color.

  Deus: “What the hell have you done!? You’re ruining your opportunities!”

  Hajime: “Deus… I’m challenging their perspective.”

  Deus: “Challenge? Explain before I rewind the party.”

  Hajime sweats.

  Hajime: “A true competitor will see through my ruse. Those are the premium investments we need to look for—maybe I’ll find an influential sucker to properly scam!”

  Deus pauses.

  Deus: “…Premium investments… Continue.”

  Hajime: “We both know the Saintess Selection is set in stone. But the future? That’s open. I’m here to find the ones worth keeping an eye on.”

  Deus: “I approve!!! Continue your work!”

  She disappears.

  Hajime sighs in relief.

  Valiant: “How are you able to convince her with that hogwash?”

  Hajime: “Magical words: premium investments.

  If it didn’t work, I would’ve added stocks.”

  Whalescalibur: “Stocks!? Where?!”

  Hajime: “See? Magic.”

  Suddenly he notices an annoying fox-girl scanning the room. She is searching desperately for someone. She glances at Hajime but doesn’t recognize him and continues hunting.

  Hajime: “That was dangerous…”

  He watches the chaos unfold:

  Angels surround Adael with sponsorships for a band.

  Dwarves promote a group called Strawberry Shortstacks.

  Elves are pushing environmentalist campaigns.

  Hajime: “Damned hippies.”

  Some partygoers overhear.

  Strangers: “What is a hippie? Is it a new fad?”

  The word spreads.

  The environmentalists love it and rebrand themselves as Enviro-Hypeppies.

  Hajime: “It’s not an insult if they like it… shit they even distorted the wording.”

  He sees Chun Bu courting the cold beauty.

  His harem glares at her with pure hatred.

  Everything is going well—his side is a trash fire of emotion.

  The fox girl passes Hajime again.

  Fox Girl: “I know he’s here… I can smell him—but the perfume ads are too annoying!”

  She clutches her hair in frustration.

  Hajime: “She’s really determined.”

  Whale: “Yeah… this doesn’t bode well.”

  Valiant: “Good thing your poverty makes you invisible to big talents.”

  Caladblock: “Ara~ well done, luv.”

  Hajime stealths his way through the party, moving closer to Chun Bu’s disaster zone.

  He wants to witness that trashfire up close.