Thug and Idol: 10X Rewards Second Identity System

Chapter 76 : A plan for a self-promotion

"Then is your idea to make covers of each other's contest songs?"

Nel leaned back and clapped his hands.

"You read my mind, man! I already had some ideas about what I could do with your song to make it sound even MORE fresh! And we can make an entire music video out of it. Two of them!"

Tristan grinned, because that was true. Now that he had the backing of an agency, he didn't need to worry about not having equipment and personnel for making high-quality music videos.

Hell, he won't need to even rent time in a music recording studio anymore!

"Yeah, I'd love to make a cover of your 'Jester Jester', Nel. I have to think about the time we have left until the next round of the contest, too, though."

Especially since he had to manage his crime life as well.

The contest was in December, and today was October. Two months was neither a little, nor a lot.

After yesterday, Tristan knew that other small gangs will look at Cuatro Angulos like sharks in a tank on a fallen prisoner. And he better move quickly himself, so King Lion Gang got its lion's share.

The thought made him cringe at the awful pun and rub his aching chest.

This was going to hurt his performances in the next couple of weeks, too, but Tristan didn't have the time to waste and fully recover.

Seeing the motion, Nel frowned in concern, then squinted.

"Are you OK, Tris? You look kinda scuffed today. Is that a bruise under your concealer?" He pointed at Tristan's face.

The bruise on Tristan's jaw was small, something he didn't even remember earning. Tristan waved the concern away.

"I just hit myself with a barbell bar yesterday when doing lifts like a total dumbass."

Tristan barely went to a gym these days, preferring to get his muscles with system points.

His time could be spent in better ways.

Nel laughed.

"I can do both in time, Mr. Writfield. If necessary, I will work without sleep to prepare... But it won't be necessary."

The look in Tristan's eyes left no doubts about that.

Derek smiled apologetically.

"Alright. We should also think this through a little. I feel like this idea can be improved even more. Perhaps if you record a mini-documentary about your unlikely friendship as rivals, Mr. Gemello, Mr. Mayar?

People like that sort of thing."

"Oooh, that's even better!" Nel exclaimed.

Unlike him, Tristan frowned.

Their friendship started when they were threatened by armed thugs!

Which neither of them reported.

Fabricating stories was common in showbiz, but it added a layer of trouble.

The idea itself, though, was great. Derek sure had a knack for this thing, and plenty of experience Tristan lacked.

Now he gave Nel a meaningful look.

"I don't think this story is something the public will be very interested in without some embellishment," he said.

"It won't? I thought it was—oh, riiight..."

While realization showed on Nel's face, Derek looked at the two artists in puzzlement.

He didn't pry.

"If this doesn't sound appealing, Mr. Gemello, I was actually given another good offer for a promo. I was contacted by Jane Greenpawl's manager yesterday—"

"Jane?!"