Thug and Idol: 10X Rewards Second Identity System Chapter 100: The hitman

"That story began way back when I was a tiny stupid kid. Though… Alright, I will tell you just the gist of it."

Rafael walked to the couch opposite of Tristan's and flopped down on it, then sat with his head propped on his hand.

"I grew up in a poor place, and there was a lot of cartel business around, always recruiting people, always doing shady stuff. Luckily, I got opportunities to escape all that shit. Had talent, got fa, a decent contract—the works. Even got a U.S. passport eventually."

Tristan nodded. "And you have dual citizenship now."

"Yes, because I still have family there! And I can't bring them all here." Rafael slamd his fists on his knees. "God dammit, I tried! But even with the fa I got, I can't bring them all! My granny won't co even if she wanted to—she'd rather die than leave the house her husband built!"

Tristan understood imdiately, but still listened as Rafael ranted on.

"Those fucking bastards! As soon as I hit it big, Angulos got their claws into my family and threatened to harm them if I didn't do what they wanted! I can't do more against them than I can piss against the wind! The police, the law—they all are worthless. Hell, if soone can do shit to help, it has to be soone like you!"

Tristan made an appropriately sympathetic face.

"You must have an amazing family."

Rafael chuckled and showed a strained but genuine grin.

"Of course. They are the best, all of them. Aricans can't even imagine what kind of family people like I have. We might've been poor before I hit it big, but we all helped each other out: the siblings, the uncles and aunties, the cousins… I wish I could visit them without Angulos."

'I really don't get this guy. One brother is already too much… Well, at least his motivations are easy to understand.'

"And what about the things Angulos made you do?"

Rafael pursed his lips.

"You can't let them know I told you. Throw under the bus, fine—but if my family is implicated!—"

Tristan had been hypnotizing Rafael for the most of this conversation, but now he slathered his charisma on his words exceptionally thickly.

"I understand, but my organization still needs information to use against Angulos. Knowledge is power, and power is needed to win wars."

"They got smuggling stuff, mostly. Sotis people… Not that I know much about the details. If I tell you what I know, it probably won't be all that important, anyway."

Rafael ntioned a few places and a few nas related to the smugglers, although Tristan felt like they wouldn't be helpful—Cuatro Angulos was careful to not give Rafael dangerous information.

Nevertheless, when Rafael finished, Tristan felt like he had achieved great success.

Tristan stood up and smiled at the other man.

"Thank you for your help, Rafael. One last thing… I need your personal number."

Rafael smirked. "I thought that soone of your kind would already have it. But sure, why not? I'm on the gallows already, might as well tighten the rope."

"What was the point of bothering to find it if I can just ask now?" Tristan rebutted.

Rafael grinned and told him the number which Tristan put into his phone.

"Soone I trust will contact you, soone talking with whom will cause no suspicion from Angulos or anyone else," Tristan said. "He will relay information between you and my organization. And be sure—we will take care of your family. But your help might be required, and that's why I need to stay in touch."

Tristan already decided that although it was going to be incredibly difficult, he was going to do his best here.

If he helped Rafael, he was going to win his full trust. That was going to be worth a ton of points and give Tristan a tall step stool to climb into the showbiz industry.

And the person who was going to contact Rafael, of course, was going to be Tristan's own second identity.

"Have a good ti at the rest of the party," Tristan said as goodbye and left the room.

***

After sneaking through the hallway past the irresponsible security guard, Tristan re-erged in the main hall, feeling light on his feet.

His task was completed successfully and without a hitch! The results weren't so bad, too, even if the information Rafael could give Tristan imdiately was mostly useless.

He ssaged his subordinates that the task ended successfully and there was no need to intercept Big Rocket anymore, but they should stay around for now, just in case.

'Actually drinking sothing tonight will be a wonderful end to the night, and won't harm . I'm going to leave in a taxi, anyway. I can almost feel sorry for the guys who are standing outside, in the wind, waiting for to return…'

But that made Tristan's desire to have a drink for the road even stronger.

With that reasoning, Tristan went to the bar.

***

The assassin placed a tray full of snacks at another table full of famous bitchy and drunk people and ran off before they could order him around even more.

He was sick of being here. But he was lucky to be here at all!

He had to go as low as buying a set of clothing similar to the uniform of local waiters, sneak around to the back entrance, and walk in together when the rush among the staff reached its peak.

Everybody was so busy keeping up with orders and organization of everything that the assassin easily swiped a waiter's badge. Then he was taken in as one of their own…

And sent doing nial tasks!

At least Tristan Hayes was there, even if the assassin only got glimpses of him before he was shouted at and told to do more nial tasks.

But now the assassin saw his chance.

Hayes, all on his own, ordering a drink in the bar.

The assassin who might have been, or might have been not, the real No Hope, abandoned his duties as a definitely fake waiter and made his move.