Thug and Idol: 10X Rewards Second Identity System Chapter 93: Going to Los Angeles, city of Hollywood!

A week later.

[Ding!]

[Your Pop-star rank has changed from Contracted Young Star to Successful Newcor! Reward: your CP increased by 2000!]

An hour after Tristan got this sudden notification, he was called by Derek in the middle of his music rehearsal.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Gello. Forgive for being so sudden, but I don't know when else I will have ti to talk with all the preparations for your trip to Los Angeles. I was told that your and Mr. Mayar's debut was an enormous success! So much so that you both were invited as guest stars to a red carpet event promoting the premiere of the upcoming 'Under Wrong Sky' movie."

'Oh, so that's probably why my rank suddenly increased now,' Tristan thought, grinning.

"Under Wrong Sky… That's so cheap movie, isn't it? I barely heard about it."

So drama about a man who was reborn to fix the mistakes of his previous life. Since it was just a drama, it could be made with a low budget and still be potentially successful, not that Tristan cared.

"Yes, it doesn't have a huge budget, but it will still be a great opportunity for both of you! In show business, it's very important to make friends in the right places. Mr. Gello, you are an incredibly charismatic person—I'm sure that all those Hollywood people will love you once they put their eyes on you."

Tristan humd in agreent.

"Yes, yes. I will co, of course. And when is it?"

"In two weeks. The invitations are usually sent much more in advance–you and Mr. Mayar were clearly a last-minute addition. But you will be there in ti. Almost all the arrangents for your arrival in LA are already made."

The contest's organizers could provide tickets and living arrangents for those contestants who needed it, but Tristan chose to travel on his own, together with a team that the GTG agency sent to support him.

After all, this was going to be his public appearance, bound to make a splash. For the sake of this, Tristan's manager had to co, a few staff people, and since Leon Clavon pushed GTG's CEO, Garstean, to do him a favor… There was also a security team of four people.

All four people were gangsters that Tristan handpicked from his most loyal and versatile people. Although there were only four, they were a scouting team, so there wasn't a need for more people.

For the gang, Tristan Hayes left his cover and thod of transportation top secret.

"Good! I'd rather go there sooner than later. The air of Los Angeles will help with songwriting," Tristan joked. "Don't worry, Mr. Derek, I will only be partying and drinking responsibly."

Derek shook his head on the other side of the call, smiling to himself. When he spoke, his tone was again serious but kind.

"The trip is scheduled for tomorrow, and everything is booked for the sa ti. Please, be patient, Mr. Hayes, and don't drive to Los Angeles ahead of us all. Now, I still have to explain all that to Mr. Mayar, so I have to go. Good luck with your rehearsals."

***

Next day.

"A car trip! Ah, I haven't been on one since EVER!" Nel sighed dreamily as he fixed his safety belt. "The only thing missing is a convertible."

Tristan huffed.

"Don't forget whose car you are sitting in."

He wished he'd travel to Los Angeles with more pomp, but the truth was, he was still not on the level of private jets and limousines.

As it was, the GTG agency brought out a large tour truck for various music equipnt, as well as their people; Tristan, Nel and Derek traveled in Tristan's car. Nel took the shotgun seat, while Derek sat on the back.

Just so Tristan will have his car in LA. Originally, the car for artists was going to be provided by the agency, too.

He didn't have to drive, but he chose to, at least for now. It was an 8-hour-drive to LA.

Tristan started the car and drove after the main truck. He opened the side window, enjoying the blast of fresh, almost-winter air.

"Nel, turn on the radio. Find sothing good."

"Sure, man."

He switched the stations for a while until he heard a familiar lody.

"Dark and below, I am no more!

Find the light, break the night!"

Nel gasped.

"Oh, that's yours!" He imdiately began singing along. "Take flight!"

Tristan grinned and drove faster through the city streets. He joined too, and to his surprise, heard Derek sing along from the back of the car.

"I soar toward glass dreams,

Dragonfly!"

This was going to be a fun ride.

***

An hour later.

The lock of Tristan's apartnt door clicked a few tis and gave up. A man dressed in ordinary "touristy" clothing, with his face shadowed by a brim of his Panama hat, put away his lockpicks and stepped inside, carefully closing the door behind him.

He made sure to not disturb a single item as he sneaked through the empty apartnt and entered the bathroom.

There, the assassin pulled out a pistol with a silencer and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

By evening, he felt worried (and hungry).

By night, he realized that sothing was deeply wrong. The assassin spent almost a week finding information about Tristan Hayes and his habits without actually approaching him.

This assassin was so successful so far, because his victims never saw him coming. And they didn't see it, because he was always so careful about gathering information and not alarming the targets!

Now he realized he was probably too careful.

Cursing, the assassin left the building and contacted his informants again. They all were asleep, forcing the assassin to wait until morning.

"What do you an Hayes had left the city for a special mission? What do you AN that happened yesterday? And where is he now? Well, find out! Ugh. I'm paying you money for information that's not terribly outdated."

Later that day, the assassin who might have, or might have not, been THE No Hope, gathered his things again and drove to Los Angeles.