We are now in the golden era of hunters.
Across the capital of Sylvean, dungeons and relics defined power, and countless adventurers rose and fell chasing glory. Among these rising stars stood one man who despite his odd reputation outshone them all.
His name was Hiro Ludin, the Lazy Trickster. This is the tale of how that man somehow became the leader of the top-ranked clan Blazing Dawn and the party that shook the capital.
[Chapter 9 Begins]
Hey Billy, you are going to put yourself in trouble there's no way in hell you can take someone who's at 8-star! George said, grabbing his friend's arm before he could step forward.
"So Billy, you don't want to do it?" I said, crossing my arms. "If so, we can't force you to do anything."
"Mr. George and Ruby," I continued, "both of you said you were planning to take on the Frostfang Den before, right?"
"Yeah, you're right," they both replied, nodding.
"So, Mia, you three will be the only ones going. It looks like Billy is a chicken."
"Who are you calling a chicken!?" Billy roared as George held him back again.
"But Master, won't you be coming with...Before Mia could finish, I quickly raised my finger to my lips."
"I'm busy," I said smoothly, "but I'll drop by when it looks like you can't handle it."
Mia's face brightened instantly when she heard me say that.
"Master, you can lie so easily! That's why they call you the Tricksterit's a befitting name!"
"Hey, aren't you supposed to be on my side?" I hissed. "You know I'll die if I go there! I'm just saying that to calm them down. Besides, I don't even know what's going to happen there. The Frostfang Den wasn't even part of the novel before everything changed."
"Okay, Mr. Trickster," my system's smug voice echoed in my head.
"Just shut up," I muttered. "You know I have a reason. Based on Billy's backstory and pride, he'll challenge me once I try to leave this place."
"Oooh, I just enjoy the show," the system teased.
"That's what you're good for."
I turned back to the others. "Okay then, Mr. George and Ruby, I'll be on my way now. I hope for your success."
As I was about to head out of the restaurant...
"Hey, Hiro Ludin! I challenge you to a duel! Do you hear me!?" Billy's voice echoed through the entire place.
Sigh. Called it.
"If I win," Billy continued, pointing his sword at me, "i will do as you say. But if I win, I'll make sure to expose you to the world!"
"Fine," I said. "Let's do it."
---
The Duel Arena
We all headed to the duel arena, and my legs felt like jelly. "I'm really going to die today," I muttered. "There's no way I can beat this guy. He's a 4-star hunter… I'm doomed."
"Hey, system, help me!"
"Sure, sure," it replied lazily. "Since I'll perish if you perish too."
"Not funny. How many points do I have now?"
"You have 12 points available. The rest were used to feed your slime because your mana is too low."
"Great. So what skill should I buy now?"
"You're asking me?" the system said.
"You're the so-called 'Trickster,' right? Trick him."
"…You actually make sense for once."
The arena was filled with people by the time we arrived. Everyone wanted to see the famous Lazy Trickster in action. Some whispered, some laughed.
"That's him? The leader of Blazing Dawn?" "He doesn't look like much." "Maybe his power is sealed or something."
If only they knew.
---
The Fight Begins
"Ready your weapon," the inspector announced. "The duel between Hiro Ludin and Billy Gane had begin!"
Billy charged forward, his blade glowing red-hot with flames. The air itself trembled with the heat. I instantly rolled to the side, barely dodging the first swing. Sparks flew as the ground cracked from his attack.
"Scared already, Trickster?" Billy sneered. "I'll make this quick!"
I stumbled back, pretending to panic. "Whoa, easy there! No need to kill me this early!"
While the crowd laughed, I whispered quietly,
> "Skill activate..Slime Transformation."
From beneath the floor, my slime oozed out, small and silent. It crawled behind a pillar, then began changing shape.
> [Slime Transformation in progress…]
[Mimicking target: Hiro Ludin.]
[Success.]
Perfect.
The slime solidified into a perfect copy of me same face, same outfit, same lazy grin. It was a bit wobbly, but in this dim light, no one would notice.
"Alright, let's see if you can handle this," I whispered.
---
Billy rushed in again. I jumped aside as my slime clone moved in front of him.
"What the two of you?!" Billy shouted, blinking in disbelief.
"What are you talking about?" I said, pointing at myself. "You seeing double or something? You should really get that checked."
The crowd gasped as Billy swung his sword, striking the clone only for his blade to sink into the slime's gooey body. It reformed instantly, smacking him with a stretchy, whip-like punch that sent him stumbling backward.
"What kind of trick is that!?" Billy yelled.
"An illusion, maybe?" someone in the audience whispered.
"Yeah, an illusion…" I said with a smirk. "Something like that."
Billy gritted his teeth and roared, flames bursting around him. "Enough of your tricks!"
He unleashed a fiery slash, cutting the clone in half. The slime hissed, its form melting into puddles of goo.
While Billy was focused on finishing off the clone, I quietly dashed behind him. I spent 1P to activate a minor skill.
> [Skill Activated: Quick Step – 1P]
[Effect: Temporarily increases movement speed.]
I appeared behind him in an instant. My wooden training sword glowed faintly from the system's buff.
"Sorry about this," I whispered, and smacked him across the back of the neck.
"Gwah!" Billy stumbled forward and fell to his knees, groaning in pain.
The crowd went silent for a second… then erupted in cheers.
"The Lazy Trickster wins!" "That was insane!" "He didn't even move fast enough to be seen!"
I stood there, pretending to look cool even though my legs were shaking.
Billy was on the floor, clutching his back. "W-What… just happened?"
I scratched my head. "You let your guard down. That's all. Happens to the best of us."
He glared at me but couldn't speak. I could tell his pride was shattered. He'd attacked with everything, yet lost to a man who barely looked like he tried.
> [Quest Completed: Show Billy Gane Who Is Boss 2]
[Reward: 1P Earned]
[Current Points: 12]
"Well done," the system chimed. "You actually pulled it off."
"Yeah," I whispered under my breath, "and somehow, I'm still alive."
As I walked out of the arena, everyone's eyes were on me some in awe, some in disbelief.
And as always… the Lazy Trickster had fooled them all.