Thug and Idol: 10X Rewards Second Identity System

As it stood, Tristan didn't lack in opportunities.

After some consideration and more lounging near the pool, and some swimming in it to enjoy the way his sculpted body cut through water as if it had evolved a million years for this, Tristan began making arrangements.

Since he became known, there were always some invitations from people who wanted Tristan to take part in their projects. Most of these invitations either paid too little for the task, or none at all (some people wildly hoped Tristan will help them out from the sheer goodness of his heart).

There were also those that asked Tristan to pay them for the opportunity. Sometimes the promotion Tristan would get from the offer was high enough compared to Tristan's own fame that they had the right to ask.

If the price offered was fair, then it was a question of whether Tristan wanted to do any of this and whether he had the time. So far, he had only accepted a few interview offers from musical magazines and one radio station.

But Tristan remembered that there was more. Just recently, actually…

Back at his lounge chaise, Tristan fished out his phone from his back and called his manager.

"Derek, I remember you've emailed me a list of worthwhile short-term contract offers a few days ago. And there was something about… a model shooting, I think? For an ad."

"Hmm… Yes, I remember, Mr. Gemello. A fashion house invited you to promote their latest line of male street fashion. If you are interested in doing it, I can check up with them for more details and whether they are still interested."

"Yes, please."

Derek hummed in agreement.

"It won't take long. I'm glad that you've picked up this contract—fashion advertisements are always good promotions. As I recall, their producer mentioned that your looks and image were a great fit with their style, Mr. Gemello."

As it turned out an hour later, the offer was still available. The money offered Tristan for the job wasn't on the high margin of what someone of his status deserved—but only if you didn't count that his face will be on billboards around the city afterward.

"The producer was looking into several more models, as I was told, but when he heard you agreed, you were given the prime spot immediately." Derek added. "It looks like he has very high expectations of you, Mr. Gemello. If you disappoint him, it might have long-term consequences, even if your payment for this job won't suffer."

"Oh, you know me, Derek. I will do fine—more than fine," Tristan smiled to himself. "I've been at photo shoots before for our promotional materials."

Tristan knew Derek enough to tell that right now, on the other side of the call, he was pressing his lips tight in a smile and thinking how to put his advice in the least-offensive way.

"There's a difference between a relatively small promotional photo session you've been through, Mr. Gemello, and the work you will need to do for the contract. I know you can do it, I never doubted you—but I want you to prepare accordingly."

Your next journey awaits at empire

'Ah. In cruder words, "don't be so arrogant, this isn't what you've been before, Tristan!". And… He's right, of course.'

Aloud, Tristan said, "Prepare what for exactly?"

Derek explained with eagerness that showed how glad he was that Tristan took him seriously.

"Fashion photo shoots can easily take an entire day. You will need to stand in uncomfortable poses for long periods of time and constantly change clothing… In front of other people, too—there's rarely time to go to a dressing room. It can get to people unused to this easily."

"I can deal with it," Tristan assured Derek. "Both poses and the lack of privacy—as long as I won't be asked to advertise underwear…"

Derek chuckled.

"No, no. None of that. Well, if you are ready for all of this, I will arrange the time for shooting. Based on the producer's hurry, it should be soon, but you don't have any other obligations this week."

"Yeah. Do that. The sooner the better—you know I don't like waiting."

Especially when this was the gig Tristan planned to use to earn himself more Criminal Points.

'Speaking of which…'

[New task: successfully complete the fashion photo shoot contract and don't disappoint the producer. Value: 800.]

'Perfect. 800 value translates into 8000 CP later. Although I thought this is so easy, it won't give me more than 500 value…'

***

Four days later.

The producer of the photo shoot, Mr. Joyland, was a plump man who compensated for his male-pattern baldness by growing out a thick black beard.

On the morning of the photo shoot, when Tristan was told to appear in the studio, Joyland was the first one to greet him with an overly enthusiastic handshake.

"I'm glad, so very glad you've agreed to my offer. After seeing you on the stage, I couldn't stop thinking about putting some of your energy into this photo shoot. It will do wonders for our marketing! So come in, come in. Your assistant can leave your things in the dressing room—it's down in the hallway, right next to the main studio…"

Joyland showed Tristan and his personal assistant, Lenny, the way through the studio and introduced him to the place. All the while he continued to chat about this project, the fashion brand he was working for, his workers and a million of related things.

"The fashion line is called 'Young & Alive'. We are aiming at the teens and young adults, going for a sense of avant-garde without appearing too outlandish. You know how it is, I'm sure—common people don't understand neither high fashion, nor modern art at all!"

Tristan raised his eyebrow.

"Isn't half of modern art just a way to write off tax and launder money?"

He would know—he laundered money for a living (among other things).

Joyland laughed.

"That's a good one! But there's still another half of the art, you know. Anyway, our pieces today are more down-to-earth. Start with whichever you like the most!" He gestured at the hanger full of clothing. "It's all in your size."

All of it was stylish, but as Joyland promised, pretty down to earth. But there were also plenty of bold embellishments—colorful prints, decorative zippers that ran in spirals along the arms of one particular jacket, extra holes. Everything was already arranged in outfits, with shoes standing to the side.

It was all good clothing—however, Tristan frowned when looking at it.

"Pick whichever I like? I thought there would be a list, Mr. Joyland."

Normally, when working on a photo shoot of this scale, the producer had a strict plan to keep things fast and spend the minimum amount of precious working time.

Tristan had been paid for one day, and although he was open to working for the next one, he wasn't sure Joyland could afford his rates.

Around them, the production team staff was already at their places and just waiting for a command.

"A list? Yes, there normally would, but I don't want to stifle your creativity with a list, Mr. Gemello. Just go through everything on this hanger and let your talent guide you—like I let mine guide me!"

'Oh, I see why this task has 800 value,' Tristan realized. 'I will need to organize this photo shoot by myself, won't I?'

He was very glad at this moment that he already put points into his production and style skills.

"Fine, then let's start with this, Mr. Joyland."

Tristan picked the first outfit at random (he would need to go through all of them, anyway), and a pair of fitting shoes. It was an aesthetically torn denim jacket and pants set with a mesh tank top underneath. The shoes Tristan chose were checkered sneakers.

There was a dressing room next door, but Tristan didn't bother, just rapidly changing into the new set of clothing on the spot.

Nobody in the producing team batted an eye.

"Oh, this looks splendid on you, Mr. Gemello! Like you will start drawing graffiti on the walls at any moment! And the shoes—I wouldn't have picked them better. Alright, go to the green wall, please, go there."

Tristan went there and struck a cool but relaxed pose, not waiting for instructions. This, clearly, was what Joyland wanted.

"Perfect! Start the shots, now."

Joyland rushed to the photographer, who dutifully began clicking the camera button. After a minute of pointing at things and some arguments, Joyland overtook the camera and began shooting himself.

When he announced he was done with this pose, Tristan turned around, knowing how to tilt his head for it to look best on camera.

The photo shoot continued like that for a while. Eventually, Joyland declared they had enough material with this outfit and it was time for Tristan to pick something else.

'Maybe,' Tristan thought as he picked the next random outfit, 'this won't go so badly. I can work with no commands… as long as there are no WRONG commands…'