The kingdom made a big event. It was a prayer for the four heroes who died. Big banners with their names. The people filled the temple. Some cried. Some stayed silent. Even the king looked sad.
Jin Haru stood at the front. His black robe fluttered in the wind. His face looked pale. His lips trembled. His eyes looked wet.
He bowed his head. "They were brave," he said. "They saved me."
People cried louder.
The king came close. He put his hand on Jin's shoulder. "You are strong," he said. "You will be a great king one day."
Jin nodded. He bit his lip. Inside, he laughed.
"Fools," he thought. "They believe everything."
He looked at the ground. Tears fell. But not real tears. It was water from a small bottle he hid in his sleeve. It made his eyes red.
"Such a good show," his system said. "Reputation full. Reward: Passive Skill - False Aura."
Jin's body glowed for one second. No one saw. False Aura made his emotions look real. Even his lies looked true.
Later that night, his fiancée came. She held a small cake. "For the heroes," she said. "And for you."
Jin looked at her. "Thank you," he said with a soft voice. "I miss them."
His fiancée wiped his cheek. "I promise," he said. "I will never leave you again. I trust you. I know now. You changed."
Jin smiled inside. "Of course," he said in his heart. "Trust me more."
She held his hand. "I will protect you. Even if the world turns against you."
The system whispered, "What a lovely puppet."
Jin looked at the stars. "So many to kill," he thought. "So many rewards to take."
The night ended with candles in the temple. People whispered Jin's name. They called him the kindest hero.
Jin smiled in the dark.
"Let's start the next act," he said softly.